Possibly the last thing moms want to do is spend the day cooking and cleaning in the kitchen on Mother's Day. Give her a break - but don't delay in making your plans. Mother's Day is the prime day for dining out and, if you don't make reservations early, you'll be sorry and out of luck. Here are some suggestions for making Mom's day delicious:
Anne Braly* The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. Mothers will be honored with a special champagne brunch served in the hotel's grand ballroom beginning with a variety of starters such as peel-and-eat shrimp, pecan-smoked trout and the Harvest Salad Bar. Action at the chef's station will be hand-carved smoked prime rib and garlic pork loin as well as made-to-order omelets and waffles. There will be other breakfast items on the buffet, as well as lunch fare such as seafood medley and citrus-herb braised chicken. And for dessert, angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream, glazed chocolate tart, peanut butter pie tart and turtle cheesecake. Price: $38.95 adults; $19.95 ages 6-12; free for children 5 and under. Reservations: 756-3400 or chattanooganhotel.com.
* The Acropolis, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. Moms will love the restaurant's Greek twist on its Mother's Day specials, such as Greek egg rolls ($6) and quail poppers with Greek ranch ($9). Specials also include pan-seared Gulf snapper with Parmesan grits ($19), double lamb chops with Diver scallops and shrimp ($21), slow-roasted prime ribs ($22) and chicken Oscar topped with roasted red potatoes, blue crab, steamed asparagus and creamy white sauce ($14). Reservations: 899-5341
* 1885 Grill, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. In addition to its regular menu, 1885 will treat moms to several specials: herb-crusted prime rib served with mashed sweet potatoes, grilled asparagus and rosemary aus jus ($26), and Eggs Bernadine - the grill's take on Eggs Benedict - served with grilled asparagus ($12). Additionally, there will be mimosa specials and a Bloody Mary bar. Weather permitting there will be live music on the patio. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 485-3050
* Bald Headed Bistro, 201 Keith St., Cleveland, Tenn. Mother's Day will be a treat for the senses starting with a salad of spring greens tossed with strawberries, gorgonzola cheese and almonds or a caprese salad with balsamic syrup. Also on the buffet will be Tuscan white bean soup, hot smoked salmon, quiche, seasonal fruits, scrambled eggs, buttermilk chicken and waffles, rotisserie pork loin you're choices are many, ending with bittersweet chocolate cake, cronuts with cherries and Bavarian cream or blueberry buttermilk cake. There will also be a special buffet just for kids. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Price: $32 adults, $16 ages 7-14, $7 ages 6 and under. Reservations: 472-6000.
* Feed Table & Tavern, 201 West Main St. Celebrate mom at one of Main Street's most-popular restaurants. In addition to its regular Sunday brunch menu, Feed will offer a petite filet served Oscar-style with asparagus and hollandaise potatoes and lobster hash with a poached farm egg, both at market price. Hours: 10 .m.-4 p.m. For preferred seating, call 708-8500.
NEW MARKET
The anticipated opening for the newest public market in Hamilton County is here. Starting today, the Collegedale Market will be open from from 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through the summer months. The market will be held on the grounds of Collegedale Commons, located next to Collegedale City Hall, and will offer a taste of offerings from local farms, artists and food-truck cuisine. While the Commons is not yet complete, the market will be held beneath large, festive tents.
The Collegedale Market is organized and operated by Public Markets Inc., a local nonprofit organization that also operates Chattanooga Market and Chattanooga River Market.
NEW GADGETS
Get juiced with Juiceman's newest juicer, the 3-in-1 Total Juicer, that does three jobs in one, allowing you to make freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and other healthful concoctions in minutes. It's a great gift for Mom, too. Baby boomers will remember what a labor-intensive job it was to make freshly squeezed orange juice. And forget apple, carrot or any other kind of juice.
Now, Juiceman does all the work for you. The 800-watt motor is a powerhouse that juices the daylights out of a piece of citrus. In just seconds, you're left with nothing but an empty rind. When juicing a lemon by hand or with an old-fashioned juicer, you're lucky to get a 1/4 cup of juice. Juiceman leaves you with twice as much. Berries, veggies, leafy greens and citrus - you can juice them all, then use the Juiceman as a blender to do even more.
The juicer/blender sells on amazon.com for $149.99.
Here's one idea that can be found in the Juiceman's recipe pamphlet.
Tropical Blend Smoothie Shake
1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 rips banana, sliced
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup fresh spinach, loosely packed
1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder
Combine all ingredients in blending cup. Cover and blend for 20 seconds or until smooth. Makes 1 (8-ounce) serving.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.