2009.05.07
Where to take mom for Mother's Day?
Mother's Day is Sunday. If you had forgotten that (or never remembered in the first place), drop everything and GET THEE TO A CARD SHOP! There's still time!
A couple of people have been asking where they should take dear Mom for a nice breakfast, brunch or dinner on Mother's Day. I wish I had the time to call every single restaurant and find out what they are doing for the special occasion. A few have sent us e-mails with details about their specials, though, so I will give a quick run-down. Also, you can search under the key words "Mother's Day" on our online calendar for other events. Also, here is a link to some Mother's Day dining advertisements from The Roanoke Times.
* Addition: Le Bistro is having a grand opening event Saturday night featuring Harlan wines and live music. The restaurant is located in the former Nico's Italian restaurant building on Campbell Ave. in downtown Roanoke. Tony Pope, former owner of Tony Pope Bistro & Wine Bar in South Roanoke, is the executive chef at Le Bistro. They will have seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Call 540-206-2611 for reservations.
* This one is pretty cool. Townhouse restaurant in Chilhowie will donate $10 to the Cancer Outreach Foundation for every mother that dines there between now and Saturday. While there, you can treat Mom to a three-course meal for $35 prepared by two of the best chefs in Southwest Virginia. You can also just order from the regular menu.
* As always, The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke and Preston's at the Inn at Virginia Tech are doing big brunches for Mother's Day. If the Regency Room is full and you've got your heart set on a meal of that style, consider making the short drive to Blacksburg for Preston's. Call in advance.
Hotel Roanoke will have bacon-wrapped trout, apple-almond chicken breasts, roasted pork loin, walnut/raisin French toast and more. Preston's is featuring such specials as an omelet station, a carving station with beef and turkey, salads and several entree choices.
* This Sunday marks the very first ever brunch at Local Roots Cafe on Grandin Road. It will feature frittatas with local eggs, local breakfast meats, fresh fruit, desserts and more. From this point forward, they will have brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They'll also be doing a special menu on Mother's Day.
* Another local food restaurant, Red Hen in Lexington, is open on Mother's Day. They have also announced a couple of weekly dinner specials. If you want to avoid the Sunday crowds, these might be an option for Mom.
The Twilight Dining option, available Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., is a three-course meal consisting of an appetizer, entree and dessert, with several options for each course, for $35. The Farmer's Market special is a 3-course dinner made up of foods from the Lexington Farmer's Market for $30. That happens every Wednesday night.
* AmRhein Wine Cellars is having a Mother's Day lunch both Saturday and Sunday from 11-5. Deborah Liles is playing both days as well. The cost is $15 per person plus tax and gratuity.
And that's all I've got right now because that's all I've been sent. But if I hear more I will pass it on, and if anyone knows of another good special for Mom's Day, please post it on this entry. Restaurant owners and chefs out there, you do the same! Thanks.
It's a big weekend for me. The boyfriend's parents are coming down from Boston and my parents are coming up from Southwest VA for a big meet and greet. We're taking them to the Home Place and I know that's just asking for trouble on Mother's Day weekend. I fully expect there to be a ridiculous wait but I think once his parents try the fried chicken they're understand it's worth it.:)
Comment by Bailie — May 7, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
Oh, Bailie! What a nerve-wracking experience! I think you chose a nice place to take them. You're right, though, it's going to be a mad house up there on Sunday. One of my favorite stories is of when my husband and his sister took their mother to The Homeplace for Mother's Day. This was before I knew him, but he has always had a really high metabolism and he gets hungry often. Apparently, he got so hungry waiting that he left and drove to Salem to get a fast food hamburger to tide himself over! Hahaha!
It made me think that maybe you could tale a blanket and pack a little picnic basket with a few munchies for the wait-- probably not OK to bring alcohol, but you could bring some nice water or sparkling cider or iced tea, and little cheese and crackers or whatever.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — May 7, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
Great idea, Lindsey! I'll have to remember that for the next time we go up there - break out my Triscuits and can of squeeze cheese!
Bailie, I hope that everything goes well for you this weekend. The time you spend waiting to eat can be spent chatting allow everyone to get to know one another! Have a great weekend!
Comment by Lori — May 7, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
Lindsey we are open for Mom's day dinner. But we are almost fully reserved.
Take care and happy mother's day to all
Tucker
Red Hen
Comment by Tucker — May 7, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Thanks, Tucker, I clarified the post to say you are open on Sunday. If people cannot get in that day, they can still check out the dinner specials you are running right now.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — May 8, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Bailie, good luck to you and KC with your "meet the parents" weekend. You guys both turned out so well, your folks will all at least have that in common, and it'll give them something to talk about
Comment by Julie — May 8, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
But we're going to the Homeplace on Saturday, and should be getting there early, so I don't think it'll be as bad.
Comment by Kevin — May 8, 2009 @ 3:48 pm