She indulged your Transformers obsession, bought you for first car, sent you to college, and shelled out rent on your first apartment. And let’s not forget that whole pushing you out of her birth canal business. So make a few installments on a lifetime of payback by taking mom to a really nice dinner on Mother’s Day. But don’t make a move without first consulting our handy guide:
The Pearl Room
The prix fixe at this award-winning Bay Ridge restaurant doesn’t come cheap ($55) but don’t be a penny-pincher! Mom can start with a Maryland-style crab cake, move to apple-smoked bacon wrapped chicken with maple sweet potatoes, and top it all off with chocolate truffles or tiramisu.
The Pearl Room [8201 Third Ave. at 82nd Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-666].
Marco Polo
The Italian restaurant on Court Street is offering a prix fixe dinner for $36.95 ($19.95 per child under 12). Mamma will enjoy a namesake manicotti with ricotta and marinara, a filet of striped bass with avocado pesto, or a Cuore di Mamma (vanilla mousse filled with cherries and served with black forest fruit sauce).
Marco Polo Ristorante [345 Court St. at Union Street in Carroll Gardens, (718) 852-5015].
Dean Street
The folks at Dean Street are offering mom a free mimosa or bloody mary to go with her brunch. Banana Foster french toast, granola with macerated figs, mushroom omelets with truffled ricotta, or good old shrimp and grits are only some of the yummy options.
Dean Street [755 Dean St. at Underhill Avenue in Prospect Heights, (718) 783-3326].
The Jake Walk
What better way to hunker down with mom than with a fondue for two? You can go for cheese or chocolate (with strawberries, graham crackers, and marshmallows). On second thought, why not just get both?
The Jake Walk [282 Smith St. at Sackett Street in Gowanus, (347) 599-0294].
Baci and Abracci
For $35, mom can have her pick at this elegant Williamsburg trattoria. Coconut shrimp with eggplant al funghetto, a double-cut pork chop pizzaiola, and rich and creamy chocolate mousse will take her taste buds on a delectable journey.
Baci and Abbraci [204 Grand St. between Driggs and Bedford Avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 599–6599].
River Café
If you can shell out the big bucks for the $110-per-person brunch tag (or $125 for dinner), you’ll be in mom’s good graces big time. It doesn’t get any better than this — unparalled views, impeccable service, and such dishes as duck breast with white truffle honey and fennel pollen glaze, and Wagyu steak tartare with quail egg prepared tableside.
River Café [1 Water St. at Old Fulton Street in Dumbo, (718) 522-5200].
Fort Defiance
Mom likes to let her hair down, too, and you can’t beat the brunch-time cocktails at this Red Hook boite. Pair southern-fried grub like eggs, collards, biscuits, and gravy with a Breakfast Martini, made with Beefeater gin, Cointreau, lemon, and orange marmalade.
Fort Defiance [365 Van Brunt St. at Dikeman Street in Red Hook, (347) 453-6672].
The Chocolate Room
Your number one lady loves chocolate. End the day on a sweet note with a butterscotch custard, a decadent brownie sundae, or — to keep the party going — a scoop of ice cream covered with cocoa nibs and paired with a glass of chocolate port.
The Chocolate Room [86 Fifth Ave. at St. Marks Place in Park Slope, (718) 783-2900]; and 269 Court St. between Butler and Douglass streets in Cobble Hill, (718) 246-2600].
