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By Lauren Cohen | April 28, 2022, 10:04 am
There are so many ways to shower moms and mother figures with love on Mother’s Day. Fresh flowers, breakfast in bed, expensive gifts—all great ideas. But if you’re looking to mix up the at-home routine with a field trip on Sunday, May 8, there are plenty of local opportunities to get out there and do so. Restaurants are trotting out special brunch fare, wineries and breweries are hosting pop-up events, and there are even outdoor concerts planned for music-loving mamas. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong with some quality time to remind the lady in your life how much of an absolute boss she is.
The Charmery: It only makes sense that co-owner/master creamer David Alima would whip up a creative ode to his own mom for the holiday. Swing by any location of this homegrown ice cream chain—shops are scattered everywhere from Hampden to Columbia—to treat mom to a scoop (or pint!) of Louise’s Coffee Stracciatella, a whole bean coffee ice cream swirled with dark chocolate flakes.
Eddie’s of Roland Park: Jump in the car and head to this trusted market to pick up a full-blown spring feast. Whether you’re planning a brunch, lunch, dinner, or gourmet grazing spread, Eddie’s has the goods. Check out the spring catering menu to find eats such as asparagus and fontina strata, quiche lorraine, spring veggie lasagna, blackened salmon, and crab and corn coleslaw.
The Point in Fells: The brunch experts at this Fells Point favorite are pulling out all of the stops for the mamas. Aside from The Point’s regular bottomless brunch deal ($25 all-you-can-drink mimosas, sangria, Bloody Marys, Bud Light, screwdrivers, or rum punch) the bar is offering all moms a complimentary glass of Champagne and a bouquet of flowers. To line your stomach, dig into the likes of soft pretzels, crabby tots, chicken and waffles, Nutella-stuffed French toast, or sausage and gravy biscuits.
Gunther & Co.: The outdoor patio and interior greenery at this Canton hotspot provide the perfect backdrop for a Mother’s Day brunch or dinner. If that’s not enough to convince you, chef Jerry Trice’s special menu aims to please. A $36, two-course prix-fixe lists dishes such as a shaved fennel and arugula salad with lemon-poppyseed vinaigrette, glazed citrus pound cake with passionfruit curd, house made brioche French toast, smoked salmon flatbread, and a shakshouka farm egg skillet. There’s also a signature kid’s menu (think: a berry bowl and grilled cheese with hash browns) for little ones.
Sweet 27: Known for its gluten-free and vegan options, this Remington cafe is offering a three-course spread at $32 per person. Settle in to peruse options such as crispy fried calamari, baby back ribs with mango sweet potatoes, vegetarian fajitas, vegan sweet-and-spicy cauliflower, and cake slices for dessert.
Scratch Made: As its name implies, this local meal-prep maker wants to impress mom with a home-cooked dinner—but one that doesn’t require dishes and cleanup. Place orders online by Wednesday, May 4 to enjoy family-style Rettland Farms roasted chicken, shells and cheese, local asparagus with sauce gribiche, and a spring vegetable medley. Artisan add-ons to enhance the feast include chocolate chip cookies, ramp butter, and camembert cheese. All orders will be available for pickup at BMore Kitchen in Govans on May 7 from noon to 4 p.m.
Schola: This local cooking school is honoring all of the fierce females with a brunch class on May 8. Snag a $65 ticket, throw on an apron, and spend time preparing three courses together. Dishes on deck include beet-cured salmon with a poached egg and caviar, roasted chicken breast atop creamy polenta, and a lemon and vanilla panna cotta with strawberry-basil compote.
Silver Queen Cafe: Make a reservation to enjoy a comforting brunch with the whole family at this homey Hamilton spot. Aside from wine and cocktails, mid-morning specialties include loaded shrimp and grits with crab and bourbon butter hot sauce, blueberry lemon curd crumble French toast, chorizo fries topped with runny egg, oyster benedicts, and a hearty hangover hash with chicken livers and home fries.
Mother’s Day Market at Checkerspot Brewing: This South Baltimore staple is hosting a pop-up market on the big day, allowing attendees to sip brews while also scoring a sentimental gift. (You can’t go wrong with a present you pick out together.) From noon to 4 p.m., grab a cold one while shopping wares from the likes of Boards in a Box, Sara’s Sentiments, Trial by Fire Candle Co., Good Dog Designs, Crazy Plant Lady K, and more.
Meditation with Bunnies at Charm City Meadworks: If you’re really looking to break with tradition, pack a yoga mat and head to Mt. Vernon’s meadery to partake in a guided meditation with mom—and a few furry friends visiting from Tripple Spring Farm in Brandywine. After cuddling with the bunnies, enjoy an on-the-house craft mead, kombucha, or local lemonade, the first of which is included in the $30 price of admission.
Wine and Dessert Flights at Black Ankle Vineyards: Get some fresh air, and a little change of scenery, when you spend the holiday weekend at this Mt. Airy winery. For $45, Black Ankle is offering a special wine and dessert pairing menu with four featured pours and accompanying sweets from Sage Cakery and Kupcakes & Co. (Sip the 2021 rosé while enjoying a blackberry sage mini cupcake with buttercream frosting, for example.) More programming planned throughout the weekend includes food trucks, live music, self-guided scavenger hunts for kids, and family photo sessions with the vineyard’s in-house photographer Christine Cruz.
Brunch and Wine Flights at Linganore Winecellars: If an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and a craft wine flight sounds right up your mom’s alley, Linganore is your best bet. The $65 price of admission includes an omelet station, build-your-own yogurt bar, and other brunch staples catered by Simply Fresh Events, as well as a dry or sweet wine flight to help wash it all down. Families will also enjoy live music by Brady Danger, as well as a special gift for all of the moms.
Plant and Seedling Sale at Emma’s Tea Spot: Swing by this gem of a spot on Harford Road to buy mom a cuppa and a toasty sandwich while browsing a selection of plants and seedlings for sale. While scarfing down the treats, stick around for the live sounds of Andrew Oswinkle on classic guitar.
Succulent Planting with Petit Loup Ceramics at B. Willow: Whether you’re an actual mom, or a devoted plant mom, this workshop at B. Willow’s Remington shop will be sure to brighten your evening on Friday, May 6. The team is partnering with Makeda Getachew of Petit Loup Ceramics to help patrons choose a custom green or blue ceramic pot and fill it with hardy succulents. The experts will also give a rundown on how to care for the plants at home (hint: a sunny window is key!)
Letitia Van Sant Concert at Lake Montebello: Pack a picnic and a couple of lawn chairs for this afternoon benefit show at Lake Montebello, headlined by vocal powerhouse Letitia VanSant. The setlist—VanSant will be backed by a full band including David McKindley-Ward, Laura Wortman, Ahren Buchheister, Alex Lacquement, and Justin Kruger—will combine both originals and covers curated for mothers. One-third of all donations collected at the show will support Black Mama Bailout DMV , a local collective working to raise awareness about money bail and pre-trial detention.
Lauren Cohen is the digital senior editor at Baltimore, where she covers food, events, lifestyle, and community news.