Planning a Mother's Day meal? Andrew Coppolino suggests local delivery, curbside pickup options
Local restaurants offer different ways to celebrate mom
With restaurant dining rooms closed to the public, it's guaranteed to be a different kind of Mother's Day brunch this Sunday.
The once hugely popular day for families to enjoy a restaurant visit — and one of the most lucrative days of the year for food businesses — has been reduced to meal delivery and curbside food-pickup.
But many local restaurants have worked hard to create special meals and added gifts for celebrating mom around a meal.
Here's are a few last-minute suggestions for fêting mom on the day. Note: Restaurants may have a set number of specials, so please check with individual venues regarding pre-ordering and availability.
Easy Pour Wine Bar, Cambridge: Regular menu and a special menu which includes rack of lamb and ricotta cheese crepes with strawberries. Bottles of wine are 25% off.
Imperial Market and Eatery, New Hamburg: A brunch picnic for a family of four will cost $90 and includes meats, cheese, pickles, scones, preserves and more. A bottle of Prosecco and berries is available for $45. You can email your order and pickup time Saturday and Sunday.
Indulge Natural and Organic Kitchen, Kitchener: Curbside pickup at their Hacienda Sarria location. Order ahead and pick up between noon and 6 p.m. on Sunday ($25 per person). Beef Wellington, coal-roasted chicken, glazed vegetables and other vegetarian options. Funnel cakes sound like a fun Mother's Day treat. Free local delivery.
Crafty Ramen, Kitchener and Guelph: Both shops offer D-I-Y ramen kits that you can order 7 days a week, if you can't manage a Mother's Day celebration on Sunday. Pre-order between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for pickup during business hours. Kits sell out fast.
Crumby Cookie Dough Company, Waterloo: Order by Friday at 5 p.m. for cookie dough packs that include breakfast-in-bed cinnamon toast and the "Rhubarbra Streisand." For Saturday or Sunday pickup or delivery (fees apply).
New Dundee Emporium, New Dundee: Friday is the last day to order high tea for Saturday and Sunday, with pickup between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Call 519-696-2059 to order. (No vegetarian option.)
Langdon Hall, Cambridge: Langdon is closed but you could buy a very special "afternoon tea for two" gift card, which includes scones, savouries, sweets and loose-leaf teas ($131) for when the country house and hotel re-opens. You can also see the special "Flowers for Mom" cocktail recipe created by bartender Aaron Hatchell posted on their website.
Sip Club, Guelph: A three-course meal with vegan option available is available for $35, including a flower gift. There is also an add-on pottery gift available as well. Pre-order by 4 p.m. Saturday for Sunday. Vegetarian options.
Park Grocery Deli & Bar, Guelph: Brunch and dinner menu for curbside pick-up. Prices between $50 and $100 for four. Order by Friday night for Saturday and Sunday pickup. Brisket or asparagus quiche to be baked at home. Cocktail kits too. Limited availability.
Windsor Hospitality, Stratford: With the Stratford Festival closed for the season, Stratford businesses need assistance. So if you are close you might want to consider a pick up from the numerous restaurants in the city, including Mercer Hall for a brunch with nice extras like mousses, potted shrimp, home-made jam and whipped honey-butter; or, York Street Kitchen.
On another note: The Food Bank of Waterloo Region's fundraiser "Empty Bowls," a collaboration between local potters and restaurants for the past 20 years, has obviously been cancelled this year. However, you can still support the cause by buying a bowl online.