the weekend buzz

“Mother's Day Options for All”

Being a mother is more than a full-time position. After you’ve gone through pregnancy, there are the endless diapers to change and the lack of sleep. Before you know it, the little one is old enough that you’ll be dealing with a finicky eater and shuttling her from one rehearsal to another soccer practice. But that’s not all. You’re probably working and trying to be a spouse, too. Shouldn’t mothers get more than one day of recognition?!? Well, we can’t change the calendar here at The Strong Buzz. However, we did come up with a list of ideas to make Mother’s Day special. There’s something for a variety of moms on our list — from the serious foodie to the child-centric woman. Make your reservations early. Enjoy!
 
— Bao Ong
 
 
Aldea
Where: 31 W. 17th St. (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues), 212-675-7223, http://aldearestaurant.com.
On the menu: Mom will feel glamorous and hip walking into Chef George Mendes’s Portuguese-inspired Aldea. The lighting is dim, the colors cool and everything flows smoothly here. But if she’s a true foodie, the three-course $65 prix fixe menu is the true gem. It’s available from 2 to 8 p.m. and offers a mix of the chef’s classics and specials. The menu kicks-off with a choice of foie gras “mi-cuit” (with birch beer gelee, peanuts and cocoa nibs), shrimp alhinho, mussel soup or a fresh bibb lettuce, mache and arugula salad. The main course selections include sea-salted Chatham cod, diver scallops, arroz de pato (with duck confit, chorizo, olives, duck cracklings) and Anderson Farm’s lamb (the loin and belly are served with morel mushrooms and spring peas). Spiced yogurt panna cotta, caramelized brioche, a spiced chocolate and orange mandarin compote and a passion fruit sponge with praline ice cream round out the dessert options.
 
Dovetail
Where: 103 W. 77th St. (near Columbus), 212-362-3800, www.dovetailnyc.com.
On the menu: Mom’s worth it, so why not splurge a little? One of the city’s best, yet unassuming, restaurants is Dovetail, tucked on the edges of the Upper West Side a few blocks from Central Park West. You’ll feel comfortable here as you enjoy Chef John Fraser’s splendid cooking. This year he’s offering a few different options for Mother’s Day. The $38 brunch — a great deal, really —  includes sweet and savory breads, canapés for the table, steak and eggs, patty melt madame, duck lasagna and much more. For dinner, the $68 three-course meal takes a gourmet turn with grilled lobster, halibut confit, crab ravioli and filet mignon among the selections. But if you really want to go all out for mom, try the $94 six-course tasting menu, which adds sautéed foie gras, pistachio-crusted duck, salt-baked scallops, chocolate cheesecake and more dessert choices to the evening.
 
Kefi
Where: 505 Columbus Ave. (between 84th and 85th Streets), 212-873-0200, www.kefirestaurant.com.
On the menu: For mothers, their children come first. When there’s a deal to feed the kids, it’s even better. At Kefi, all children under age 10 get free meals off the children’s menu! The Kefi mac-and-cheese, kid burger, pizza pita and silver dollar pancakes are all popular items.
 
Klee
Where: 200 Ninth Ave. (near 22nd Street), 212-633-8033, www.kleebrasserie.com.
On the menu: Chef Daniel Angerer is all about making Mother’s Day a family affair. No, the breast-milk cheese (from his wife) that got all the attention recently won’t be on the menu. But the special menu (available 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.) includes a host of Austrian favorites: “Kaiserschmarren” Austrian-style pancakes ($15), Maryland soft-shell crab BLT ($26) and cornflake-crusted French toast ($15). There’s also a kids menu with macaroni and cheese, spaetzel pasta and meatball pasta with cream sauce.
 
Oak Room
Where: 10 Central Park South, 212-758-7777, www.oakroomny.com.
On the menu: For those seeking a quintessential New York Mother’s Day, it doesn’t get more picture perfect than dining at the Oak Room in the Plaza Hotel. In two words, it’s sophisticated and luxurious. The $85 three-course menu includes a mimosa or glass of sparkling wine before you dig into the lobster eggs benedict or the Oak Room dry-aged prime burger. After your special brunch, you can simply walk across the street and enjoy another New York institution: Central Park.
 
Sushi Samba
Where: Sushi Samba 7 is located at 87 Seventh Ave. S., 212-691-7885; Sushi Samba Park is located 245 Park Ave. S. (near 20th St.), 212-475-9377; www.sushisamba.com.
On the menu: If you’re looking to treat mom to Japanese food, but you don’t want something too formal, Sushi Samba is a good mix of fun and casual. The food is the same. A Mother’s Day brunch starts at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. There’s everything from petit filet mignon with shaved truffles ($23) and Japanese mushroom torta ($14) to a char-grilled Kobe burger ($16) and poached eggs and cheddar grits ($15). Moms also receive a complimentary gift card and surprise sweet treat.
 
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
Where: 2751 Broadway (between 105th and 106th Streets), 212-864-6662, www.smokejazz.com.
On the menu: You can sing your mother’s praises (or let someone else) for her special day at the Smoke Jazz and Supper Club on the Upper West Side. With bluesy tunes playing in the background, you can enjoy a three-course brunch ($24.95) or dinner ($29.95). The comfort food from Chef Patricia Williams’ kitchen includes coq au vin, seared Atlantic salmon, homemade semolina fettucine with braised rabbit and a tarte tatin with vanilla whipped cream. So sit back in one of the deep red banquets with your clothed table. Enjoy the music and food!
 
Tocqueville
Where: 15 E. 15th St. (near Fifth Ave.), 212-647-1515, www.tocquevillerestaurant.com.
On the menu: If your mom appreciates elegance minus the attitude, bring her to Tocqueville off Union Square. She can start off with the day’s special cocktail: The Bellini Marconi, a mix of aperol and cima de conegliano prosecco topped with a lemon twist ($14). Chef Marco Moreira is serving a three-course prix fixe meal at lunch ($54, noon to 3:30 p.m.) and dinner ($74, 4 to 9 p.m.). Both menus feature signature dishes like appetizers of guinea hen terrine (with green apply chutney and black bread jus) and truffled creamy parmesan grits and sunny side up country eggs. The beautiful entrees include a slow-poached Faroe Island ocean trout and chamomile scented house-made tofu, while the tasty dessert options come in the form of a frozen banana soufflé, chocolate tasting plate and coconut panna cotta, among others.
 
Happy Mother’s Day!


Posted: May 6, 2010

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