gift certificates for incoming Harvard freshmen

[SKR416]

I'd like to buy gift certificates to a local coffee shop/pizzeria/ice cream place for two girls who will be freshmen at Harvard. They are both vegetarians, if that's a factor, so not burger places...though I'm open to other cheap eats--places where they could bring a friend for a snack or a cup of coffee.

I am in New York (where they live) and would need to order by phone or e-mail to have the certificates sent to them at home. I tried JP Licks, but they can't do it by mail. Does anyone have other suggestions? I'd like to spend about $25 or $30 each. Thanks!

[pasuga]

I live in Cambridge and this is my favorite pizza delivery restaurant: They have lots of vegetarian options.

http://www.beautys-pizza.com/

[zach272]

My two cents - do them a favor and buy them gift certificates for somewhere *outside* of Harvard Square. Many, if not most, Harvard undergrads go four years without significantly venturing outside of the square and its lineup of generally crappy restaurants...having just graduated, I can say that exploring (and eating in) Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville was one of the best parts of my college experience, but this area can be confusing and overwhelming (especially for recent transplants) and the "Harvard bubble" definitely traps a lot of people. So I think it'd be great to give them a little nudge to venture even a square or two away...

with that in mind, some initial suggestions per your guidelines:

coffee shop: Simon's (Porter), 1369 (Inman/Central)
pizza: Emma's (Kendall), Regina (North End)
ice cream: Toscanini's (Central), Christina's (Inman)

I'm sure other posters will have additional suggestions.

If you're set on getting them gift certificates for somewhere in Harvard Square, I'd suggest Crema Cafe, Burdick's, Cafe Pamplona, Darwin's, Pinocchio's, Algiers, Hi-Rise, or Berryline.

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Burdick's
Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, MA

Crema Cafe
27 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Cafe Pamplona
12 Bow St, Cambridge, MA 02138

[Pia]

Petsi Pies in Somerville, about a 10-15 minute walk from Harvard.

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Petsi Pies
285 Beacon St, Somerville, MA 02143

[Karl S]

Actually, Petsi has a branch on 31 Putnam Ave in Cambridge outside Harvard Square, just south of the beginning of Mt Auburn St at Mass Ave.

[fantundo]

My college-aged niece and nephew love hanging out at Tealuxe.

[alsaman]

My wife and I have gotten gift certificates from Pinocchio's Pizza for a cousin who went to Harvard several years ago. http://www.pinocchiospizza.net/
If you have difficulty getting them over the phone you can also try Upper Crust Pizza, a local chain with an outlet in Harvard Square. You can definitely order gift certificates on line: http://www.theuppercrustpizzeria.com/...

[scratchie]

Pinocchio's.

[Joanie]

Would Cambridge 1 (interesting pizzas) let them eat there if they're not 21?
Or maybe Berryline Frozen Yogurt.
And some people like Finale for salads and desserts.

[Bob Dobalina]

I have never been carded to get in to Camb 1 - only if ordering a beverage at the table.
And that's also a great suggestion.

You also cannot go wrong with a Peet's gift card. Starbuck's abound too, but Peet's is better.

[greenzebra]

Second Crema - great sandwiches, coffee, pastries.

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Crema Cafe
27 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

[quirkydeb]

Third Crema. They also have good vegetarian options. Esp. love their coffee and pastries (made there).

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Crema Cafe
27 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

[Gabatta]

Cardullos, Crema, Veggie Planet.

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Crema Cafe
27 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Veggie Planet
47 Palmer St, Cambridge, MA 02138

[TroyOLeary]

I'll also recommend Crema, and Veggie Planet is a good suggestion (I don't LOVE their food, but it's funky and is part of a pretty good independent live music venue -- the epicenter of vegetarian culture in Harvard Sq)

You should also look into Burdick's -- they have a store (one of their 3) in NYC ~ 20th street, I think. My favorite hot chocolate in the world, and a really nice place to go to relax and have some dessert.

I also like Berryline (a pretty good Pinkberry clone).

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Burdick's
Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, MA

Crema Cafe
27 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Veggie Planet
47 Palmer St, Cambridge, MA 02138