Where will you be dining with Mom on Mother’s Day? If you’re like millions of Americans, it will be in a restaurant. According to the National Restaurant Association, Mother’s Day, which happens on Sunday, May 10, is the No. 1 day for dining out in the United States.
“Restaurants play an important role in holiday celebrations, and Mothers Day is the most popular day of the year on which to dine out,” says Annika Stensson, the association’s director of research communications. And, she advises, if you want to treat mom to a meal at her favorite eatery, its advisable to make a reservation sooner rather than later.
Stensson says that almost one-fourth of Americans dine out on Mother’s Day, and another one in 10 order takeout or have food delivered so Mom has nothing more to do than pick up her fork and start enjoying her meal with family on her day.
Anne Braly“Of course, there are about 1 million restaurants across the U.S. — more than 10,000 in Tennessee alone — so there are plenty of options,” Stensson says.
Chances are, most restaurants in town will be offering something special for Mom, even if it’s just a single rose. But here are some local options that will be offering a little something more. And remember, make reservations now. If you wait too late, you’ll be out of luck. Tables fill quickly.
* The Ballroom at The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. From seafood salads and savory sausages to scrambled eggs and hash brown casseroles, there’s something on the buffet that Mom will love. There will also be stations for prime rib, pork roast, made-to-order omelets and Belgian waffles. The salad bar with its selection of lettuces, vegetables and cheeses is another option. And Mom’s sweet tooth will meet its match at the waterfall dripping with white chocolate and surrounded with cheesecakes, red velvet cake, chocolate cakes, bread pudding and more. Price: $37.95 adults, $18.95 children 6-12, free for children under 6. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 424-3700.
* Acropolis Mediterranean Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. In addition to its regular menu, Acropolis has added several new items to celebrate Mother’s Day, including starters such as baked brie served with basil pesto, house strawberry preserve and crostini ($6.50) and Georgia quail “poppers” stuffed with goat cheese and fresh jalapeno peppers wrapped in bacon served with Greek ranch dressing ($9). Entree choices include mixed grill (filet, double lamb chop, seared diver scallops and shrimp) over mashed potatoes and asparagus with garlic butter ($21) and applewood bacon-wrapped diver scallops pan seared and served over creamy Parmesan risotto with grilled asparagus and roasted red pepper coulis ($19). The special dessert of the day is Southern hummingbird cake: layers of pecan spiced cake and crushed pineapple finished with cream cheese icing ($5.50 per slice). Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: 899-5341.
* Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. Treat Mom to a brunch filled with spring dishes, including spring berry French toast, strawberry greens salad, cream of spring pea and leeks soup and more. There also will be a number of entrees such as grilled scallops, salmon Caesar salad, shrimp and grits and chili-rubbed ahi tuna. Menu prices range from $6 to $24. Call early for outside seating, weather permitting, as it will go quickly. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 265-5033, ext. 4.
* TerraMae Appalachian Bistro, 122 East 10th St. Treat Mom to a four-course brunch and let her have her choice of dishes, beginning with deviled eggs, bread and honey, pastries and more. For the soup/salad course, you’ll have several items from which to choose one, such as Garden of Eden watercress with endive, radicchio, strawberries and blue cheese with brown butter pecan vinaigrette or broccoli and buratta cheese soup. The main course features dishes such as bacon-wrapped scallop Benedict with creamy grits, asparagus, poached farm egg and truffled wild mushroom ragout or steak and lobster, which is carved beef tenderloin with potatoes, grilled Vidalia charred pepper hash, sunnyside up egg and lobster hollandaise. And for a sweet finish? Lemon chess creme brulee, rhubarb crisp or chocolate brownies. Price: $49 per person. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 719-2925.
* Public House, 1110 Market St. Take Mom to a buffet brunch which begins with a full salad station, as well as several favorite breakfast choices, including scrambled eggs, made-from-scratch biscuits, fruit, grits, pancakes and bacon. Or she may want dinner, so there will be Public House Fried Chicken, chef-carved garlic-herb prime rib and stuffed pork loin with Vidalia gravy. There also are plenty of side dishes, including collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese and deviled eggs. And there will be plenty of homemade desserts. Price: $28 adults, $14 children 5-12, free for kids under 5. Hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Reservations: 266-3366.
* Easy Bistro, 203 Broad St. Take a look at the menu and you’ll find your favorite dishes but also, in honor of moms, Easy will feature some lighter fare: fresh Maine lobster salad with remoulade blanc, candied grapefruit, pickled fennel and mint ($14); white asparagus and spring onion soup with spring blossoms, mint oil and charred baby Vidalia onions ($11); and blue cheese tartine — an open-faced “sandwich” topped with gorgonzola, Main Street Meats bacon and local honey ($11). And for dessert? Rhubarb tea cake ($3). Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 266-1121.
* 1885 Grill, 3914 St. Elmo Ave. Weather permitting, reserve a table outdoors and let Mom choose from dishes such as chicken and waffles ($12), Pickett’s Farm trout hash ($14), fried green tomato Benedict ($12) and made-from-scratch strawberry shortcake ($6). Walk-in guests are accepted. And if the weather is bad, the restaurant has been recently expanded to accomodate more tables for added seating. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 485-3050.
A DRINK FOR MOM
If Mom’s in the mood for an apertif, here’s a lovely drink to serve this weekend or anytime, for that matter. It’s perfect for spring. The recipe comes from the makers of Deep Eddy Vodka, sold locally at Open Spigot Wine & Spirits, Hamilton Liquors, Riley’s Wine & Spirits, Ooltewah Discount Liquors, and Jax Liquor Store.
Eddy’s Bluebonnet
2 ounces Deep Eddy Lemon vodka (or your favorite lemon-flavored vodka)
10 frozen blueberries
1 bar spoon sugar
3/4 ounce lime juice
2 mint sprigs
Soda water
Additional blueberries, optional, for garnish
Combine the vodka, blueberries, sugar and lime juice with 1 sprig of pulled mint leaves in a shaker tin with ice. Shake hard to chill/break up fruit and mint. Pour into a Mason jar and top with more ice and soda water. Garnish with two blueberries speared with the remaining mint sprig, if desired.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.