Not Your Average Mother’s Day Dining Guide
Have you noticed how rote restaurant roundups have become? Outlets cover the same ten places time and again, with many way outta your fine, but by no means baller, budget.
Your mom is anything but ordinary, so this Mother’s Day, skip the conventional choices and go somewhere exciting and unexpected instead.
Take a look:
Mother’s Day Prix Fixe Menus That Aren’t $100 or a Snore
Grand Cru Deli
304 Richmond St. W.
You don’t see a wine bar/deli mashup very often, which is why you might want to get in on the two-course brunch ($42) selections (Everything Bagel Salmon Rillettes, Grilled Cheese Benny), with vegan and gluten-free options available
Mambo Lounge
120 Danforth Ave.
First, all matriarchs get a complimentary mojito, so we’re off to a good start. Second, whether you’re coming for lunch (noon-2pm) or dinner (6pm-close), the three-course prix fixe meal is just $28 per person, so it won’t leave you completely broke.
Marben
488 Wellington St. W.
“Canadian comfort food with a British influence” could be dull in the hands of others, but dishes here are imaginative - including the Mother’s Day Prixe Fixe Menu ($49):
Oysters or Parsnip Bacon
Tempura Hen of the Woods or Ricotta & Tomato Curd or Selection of Terrines
Roast Beef Sirloin, Mushroom and Sunchoke, or Spring Lamb
Sticky Toffee Pudding or Sesame Almond Gelato or Hob Nob Ice Cream Sandwich.
Because Not Every Mom’s Into Afternoon Tea
Choose something that’s as unique as she is.
Beer Me
There’s nothing wrong with Mimosas, but what if mumsy’s more into brews than bubbles? Bellwoods, Godspeed … There are an overwhelming number of stellar breweries in town that happen to have fab food too.
And with board games and cards at outposts such as Rorschach, you can relive family memories together
Move Me
Music lovin’ mommas have choices this Sunday: They can groove to a blend of Polynesian, pop, classical, surf, and jazz over brunch and bubbles at Hugh’s Room. Live classical, jazz, and music theatre selections over lunch and bubbly is happening at Caffino. And for Latin music, dance, and buffet featuring Jamaican Mussels, Guava BBQ Pork, and Traditional Breakfast, head to Lula Lounge.
Art enthusiasts may want to get in on the guided tour of the exhibitions at the Gladstone Hotel, with accompanying breakfast buffet, Caesar and Mimosa bar, and pop-up drag performances.
New Doesn’t Equal Better
The city gets mighty caught up in what’s new, what’s next.
It’s understandable with so many arrivals each week, but let’s not forget the stalwarts that still knock it outta the park including: Côte de Bœuf, The Federal, Foxley, La Palette, Lake Inez, Mattachioni, Union, and Woodlot, for starters.
They might not be making top 10 lists for pizza topped with pizza or gold-covered anything, or offer a specific Mother’s Day menu, but restaurants like these are worth going to with Mom this, or any day of the year.
The Best Option
Take Mom for her favourite food.
If she loves Filipino fare, head to Islas in Parkdale or Alan’s in Scarborough. Dumplings her thing? Momo Hut & Gardens’ Tibetan tea and momos are the way to go. Travel to Singapore without a passport via Lion City in Mississauga.
For U.K. mums, the menu at Scarborough’s The Feathers Pub - Bangers & Mash, Haddock Cakes, Cornish Pastry - is bound to bring memories of home flooding back.
To satiate her never-ending sweet tooth, bring her a big box o’ goodness from Glory Hole Doughnuts (or better yet, order a Doughnut Cake!)
It doesn’t have to be fancy to mean a lot (unless your mom is fancy - then by all means, go alllll out). Chances are, she’ll be chuffed that you went somewhere with her in mind.
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Note: Menu items and prices subject to change.
As Mother’s Day isn’t a joyous occasion for everyone, many of these options and restaurants are suitable for non-holiday meals as well.