Mother's Day: 12 New York Reservations to Make Right Now

The National

By Samantha Ullrich

Whether celebrating Mother's Day means brunch and mimosas in the morning sun or indulging in an array of ethnic small plates during the PM, make this May 13th one worth remembering. And those memories should be good ones -you don't want to leave mom with a story to tell about your inability to get a table. This is one of the biggest days of the year for dining out, if you haven't thought about where to take your mum yet, we advise making reservations soon. Here's a list of NYC eateries with prix fixe and a la carte specials we're sure she will love.

Casa Nonna: Clebrate mom this year at this Italian eatery where you can share dishes like grilled wild boar chops and ricotta dumplings. Sharing is caring - didn't she teach you that (212-736-3000)?

Dragonfly: If you're mom is looking to stray from the traditional french toast and mimosa Mother's Day offerings, head over to this eatery for Chef Cornelius Gallagher's Southeast Asian a la carte fare with items like wasabi pastrami marrow dumplings and sriracha bacon (5-9 PM; 212-203-5518).


Lavo: Does your mom like a glass of champagne or two? This hotspot in Midtown East will serve specials like red velvet French toast topped with strawberries. If she's not into the bubbly, check out specialty cocktails like the limonata azzura, a mix of Stoli Blueberry and house-made lemonade (212-750-5588).

Maya: Celebrar su madre the right way this year with modern Mexican fare and sangria by the glass at this Upper Eastsider before they close their doors for an extensive redesign. Three-course prix fixe menus will be offered for brunch and dinner, with brunch menu items like entrana y huevos, crepes de fruta, and for dessert, tres leches (brunch, 11 AM-2 PM; dinner, 5-10 PM; $35 per person for brunch and dinner prix fixe; 212-585-1818).

The Mermaid Inn: Serving up lobster sandwiches and Mermaid fish tacos with pico de gallo and avocado, this one is for the fish-obsessed mums out there. Brunch is served at the Amsterdam Avenue location only from 11 AM-3:30 PM, while dinner is available at all the locations from 5-10 PM (multiple locations).

The National: Mothers dining at this Midtown New American will receive a complimentary MOMosa, a twist on the traditional mimosa, which will be served alongside the a la carte menu. Choose from favorites like buttermilk pancakes with blueberry compote, candied hazelnuts and honey butter(open at 7 AM; 212-715-2400).

Recette: This charming New American in the West Village is serving up a three-course prix fixe with dinner items like lobster and chorizo croquette, red wine braised short ribs and rhubarb compote. Or stop in early for an a la carte menu during brunch (brunch, 11 AM-3 PM; dinner, 5 PM-late; prix fixe $65 per person; 212-414-3000).

Salinas: This Chelsea Spaniard is sticking to their traditional fare this Mother's Day, offering their a la carte menu, with highlights such as a Spanish pizza, topped with shaved Brussels sprouts, apple-smoked bacon, golden raisins, fried egg, and bright pesto (brunch, 12-3 PM; 212-776-1990).

SD26: If the sun is shining, head over to this Murray Hill Italian for an afternoon meal seated overlooking Madison Square Park. Or if indoor dining is more of your mother's forte, allow her to indulge in a four-course prix fixe with dishes like sautéed diver scallops with spring black truffles, homemade pasta with coriander scented baby lamb ragu, olive oil poached cod fish, and to finish it off, dark chocolate semifreddo with market berries (1-9 PM; $70 per person; 212-265-5959).

SushiSamba: Celebrate your palette and mother with Japanese, Peruvian, and Brazilian inspired dishes, and specials like quinoa waffles, lobster eggs Benedict, and snow crab frittata. Enjoy live music while mom sips on her orange and fresh guava cocktail - it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right? (11 AM-4 PM; regular menu also available; 212-475-9377).

Vai Wine Bar & Restaurant: This UWS Mediterranean wants to embrace the 'foodie' in your mom by offering small plates such as Portuguese octopus with jalapeño pesto or burrata ravioli with light truffle cream. All guests dining that Sunday will receive a 'foodie gift bag' compliment of executive chef and owner Vincent Chirico (212-362-4500).

Virgil's Real Barbecue: Skip the ordinary Mother's Day plans and opt for something a bit more adventurous - bring mom to this all-American barbecue to feast on five different kinds of ribs! Experience ribs like Asian beef short ribs, honey chipotle St. Louis ribs, and ribs smothered with BBQ apricot sauce ($28.95 per person; 212-921-9494).