‘Micro’ Weddings for Couples Who Postponed Will Have Cakes by Buttercream Bakeshop

Shaw’s esteemed Buttercream Bakeshop, which counted on wedding cakes as a part of its business, is joining a startup that will plan “micro” ceremonies targeted towards couples that had to postpone their nuptials during the coronavirus pandemic. Petit Soirée will put together pint-sized weddings that would work during the early phases of reopening, when small gatherings of 30 people or less could be allowed with distancing restrictions in place.

Petit Soirée will work with couples to design a 15-minute ceremony, followed by a 45-minute Champagne toast, with no more than 30 guests in attendance. Three mini-weddings will take place in one day at the same venue. Expenses on decorative flowers and wait staff can be spread around. The wedding planning team also includes Abby Jiu (wedding photographer), Sweet Root Village (florist), and Lauryn Prattes (styling and design).

Petit Soirée will be donating a mini-wedding to a couple in which one or both of the partners are on the front lines and have had to postpone the original wedding as a result.

Reopening for takeout

• NoMa’s tiny boba bar Spot of Tea just reopened on weekends only (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), offering all essential workers 70-percent off drinks through the end of the quarantine.
• Following a two-week hiatus, Shaw’s resident ramen bar Chaplin’s rebooted takeout and delivery service on Monday.

• Just in time for warmer days, Pitango Gelato will reopen 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 1, for pick-up at its Adams Morgan, Reston, and Fells Point shops. Stock up on pints or half-kilo containers ($10-17) in flavors like hazelnut and pistachio di bronte flavors, served straight from takeout windows.

Pop-up burgers

Chef Geoff Tracy makes a comeback of sorts to the heart of D.C., debuting two pop-up kitchens today in the West End (2201 M Street NW) and on Capitol Hill (400 First Street SE). Menus include tacos, pastas, flatbreads, signature burgers, and sandwiches. Hours are Sunday to Thursday, noon to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m.

Free cocktail alert

Shaw newcomer Andy’s Pizza is encouraging customers to host their own virtual happy hours with friends by including a free cocktail with its New York-style pies. A “host” selects a cocktail for a group to share, and “attendees” just have to note they are part of the host’s happy hour to get their free drink. Andy’s is also offering the host pizza and cocktails on the house. Happy hours must have at least five “attendees” to be eligible for the deal, which runs Monday through Wednesday.

Reds for World Central Kitchen

Virginia’s RdV Vineyards raised almost $30,000 through individual bottle sales for World Central Kitchen since mid-March. The winery just debuted a new fundraising campaign — #RdVforWCK 2/2 Membership — with a goal of raising $50,000 by June 1.

Calming tea time

Calabash Tea & Tonic just rolled out a monthly subscription service that includes a “CALA-Box” filled with two of Calabash’s popular tea blends, a spice blend, a packet of seeds from Cultivate The City, and recipes developed by Calabash’s Dr. Sunyatta Amen.

Calabash/official photo

Boxes are $39.95 a month, and the first is 20-percent off for a subscription of three months or more.