A lot of plans have been canceled thanks to the coronavirus. But Mother’s Day? Mother’s Day is never, ever cancelled.
And not just because mom is going especially above and beyond this year. The holiday is historically one of the busiest days in the restaurant and hospitality world. Typically at least a third of households try to dine out on Mother’s Day. Covid-19 changes that, but restaurants are still finding a way to prepare special menus for Mother’s Day.
Here are just a handful of examples of New Jersey restaurants doing special Mother’s Day menus this year. Check out your local spots, too, and feel free to opt for extras like dessert, bubbly, or (see below) lobster, because mothering in the age of coronvirus is just so. Much. More.
*Hours of operation, ordering deadlines, and curbside pick-up/takeout rules vary from location to location. Most places require a couple days’ advance notice, but check with your restaurant to see when they’ll need your order.
—Australian-twanged Frankie in Jersey City has been going strong with an eclectic take away menu, so it’s no surprise their Mother’s Day menu is a mix of fun and proper foodie delights. The “Breakfast in Bed” for four is $120, which buys you a pastry box (with assorted scones and doughnuts; $40 alone) plus a small dainty feast, even a pét-nat and some strawberries. Order here, as well as a four- or six-pack “Mom’s Stash” of wine. Order starting Wednesday for pick-up Saturday or Sunday.
—Acacia in Lawrenceville is another savvy spot doing both Mother’s Day dinner and brunch. One reason to lean toward the $100 three-course brunch-for-four is it comes with banana bread and honey butter. The rest of the brunch is as stick-to-your-ribs homey, with entrees like shrimp and grits, Greek egg frittata, and chicken and waffles with gravy and maple syrup. Dinner is $115 for four and includes dessert options. Extras include Bloody Mary mix and truffle mac n’ cheese, which. Order by phone (609-895-9885) by Thursday, May 7. Pick up times vary depending, so check before you drive on down.
—The ChopHouse in Gibbsboro is ready to serve up a steakhouse-style Mother’s Day. The prix fixe is $42.50 per person, with full-throttle steakhouse style options like lobster bisque, 28-day dry-aged strip steak and New York cheesecake. What’s nice here is you can order all the way up to noon on Saturday, May 9. And extra $20 gets you a bottle of bubbly, chardonnay, or cabernet.
—Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Voorhees and Maple Shade is doing Mother’s Day dinner and brunch. Dinner options are springy and affordable: $32 for four. There’s also a $20 lobster tail add-on. Orders should be placed by Thursday and picked up on Saturday.
—For moms who like their Italian cuisine chic and a little modern, Bottagra in Hawthorne is doing a $90 four-course prix fixe for four. The menu is nicely curated, though there’s still a lot of room to plan the meal per mom’s tastes. The overall vibe is luscious and yet somehow light: Prince Edward Island mussels fra diavolo with chili flakes, wild mushroom bowtie pasta with fruffle cream, salmon provenciale with capers, tomato and lemon white wine sauce. They’ve also got beer and wine available for pick-up. Place your orders—by phone only—by Friday, May 8.
—It looks like The Peacock Inn in Princeton is actually making a triumphant return on Mother’s Day, which is all the more reason to give their $115 three-course prix fixe for four a shot. The menu is thoughtful and modestly indulgent, with entrees that include short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes, crab cakes with sweet corn and remoulade, and a vegan and gluten-free black truffle spinach and mushroom risotto. Then, should you so choose, crème brulée for dessert. They’re also doing beer, wine, and spirits to go. Place your order by Friday, May 8.
—40 North Restaurant Group is doing a $99 Mother’s Day dinner for four at all of its restaurants (Café Villa in Chatham, Piattino in Mendham and Summit), The Office Tavern and Grill in Summit and Morristown and Blackhorse Pub in Mendham). The set-up is nicely standard and easy-going, with appetizers and sides included (e.g. spring Greek salad and truffle cauliflower with pine nuts and parmesan), with a choice of two out of three entrees (slow-braised lamb pot pie, roasted free range chicken and Atlantic salmon). Participating restaurants might also be offering beer and wine for sale, if mom is so inclined, ahem. Place your order by Wednesday, May 6. Delivery is $10. Flowers and last-minute Hallmark cards not included.
—Osteria Morini in Bernardsville is offering several kits. Choose from the Pancake Party Package ($75 plus tax and gratuity); Bagel Brunch Package ($75 plus tax and gratuity); or Mother’s Day Dinner Package ($150 plus tax and gratuity). All options serve four and include a bud vase with flowers. Place your orders by Thursday, May 7 at 5 pm, and pick up at Nicoletta entrance, 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, 908-221-0040.
—Skip the crowded stores and let Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen in Morristown cook for your family. Executive chef AJ Capella will prepare a Mother’s Day feast with a la carte selections of food, wine and desserts by The Artist Baker, plus flowers from Fairview Farm. Orders must be received by Wednesday for Saturday 2-5 pm curbside pickup.
—For its first Mother’s Day since opening its Wyckoff location, Benares Indian Restaurant is offering two Mother’s Day dinner menus. Choose from a three-course dinner for two ($49 plus tax and gratuity) and a three-course family dinner that serves six ($129 plus tax and gratuity). In addition to your choice of appetizers, entrees and dessert, meals come with basmati rice, naan bread, raita (yogurt) and mango chutney. Available for curbside pickup or delivery.
—Samba Montclair chef/owner Ilson Goncalves learned to cook watching his mother, making his Mother’s Day offerings all the more special. Main courses off Samba’s menu will be available to-go in trays that serve six. Choose from classic Feijoada (slow cooked for 24 hours) to Brazilian beef stroganoff with mushrooms and fresh cream. All entrées come with rice, beans and house salad. Each tray costs $100. Place your order by Friday, May 8.