Mother’s Day is looking a little different this year.
Scrambling for last-minute reservations at Calgary favourites is so last year. Thanks, COVID-19.
And with families pulling triple duty right now, trying to balance work (or the stress over a lack of it), parenting and running an unexpected home school — with the assistance of all those amazing teachers out there — taking a moment to honour matriarchs feels more important than ever.
With brunch at a Mother’s Day hot spot off the table, Calgary restaurants are getting creative with options to help ensure this day isn’t overlooked.
Here are five ways to celebrate a lockdown Mother’s Day.
Cassis Bistro
Evoke a French celebration for maman.
A brunch for four, featuring pastries, baguettes, quiche Lorraine, charcuterie and strawberry and rhubarb tarts are on offer from Cassis Bistro. You can also add on wine pairings — with the makings for mimosas and a bottle of rosé — and a beautiful bouquet. Ooh la la!
Brunch for four is $200 and the wine pairings run $100. Ordering is open online with pick up Saturday afternoon.
https://www.thecassisbistro.ca/takeaway.php
Charcut
Pair brunch with pink wine by ordering Charcut’s Rosé All Day offering, complete with smoked salmon frittata, arugula and lemon zest, spring mixed greens with a berry compote, strawberry crumble and two cans of The Siren Rose. (Add a bottle of Coplain Rosé for another $35.)
If dinner is more your style, they are also offering housemade pasta topped with slow-cooked Bolognese, fresh tomato salad and a whipped cheesecake for dessert.
Brunch is $74, dinner for $68. Find more offerings, including a French Toast option, barbecue and more on their site.
Deane House
The restaurant in this historic home is a stalwart of Mother’s Day brunch and this year chefs are rising to the occasion with a leek, caper and kale quiche served with wild boar sausage patties, fresh fruit, and lemon and Saskatoon Berry squares. Add on wine or a mimosa kit — or a bunch of tulips! (And a loaf of their signature red fife sourdough.)
There are also two dinner options, if you’d rather celebrate later in the day. Find full menus on the Deane House site. Brunch is $50 for two people. Orders are open until Wednesday at 10 a.m. or until they are sold out.
Empire Provisions
Empire’s Brunch in a Box features crustless quiche and asparagus with hollandaise, sure, but what will really be the star of the show is their house-smoked bacon. Trust these cured meat experts, it’ll be delicious. The seasonal fruit and hash browns are just a bonus.
Also, don’t forget the Mimosa kit!
Boxes are $35 per person, with a minimum two-person order. Four-person packs are also available. Pre-orders are open online already. Pick up on Saturday, which means you can ease into Mother’s Day with everything ready to go.
https://www.empireprovisions.com/mothersday
Hotel Arts
Alas, there’s no buffet this year, but you can still get Yellow Door treats to enjoy at home. Eggs Benedict — on cheddar biscuits! — hash browns, pastries and fruit salad are on the menu. Dietary restrictions? Executive Chef Quinn Staple has you covered with gluten- and dairy-free options, as well as vegetarian dishes.
Brunch is $70 (which serves two people), plus you can add on a mimosa kit for another $20. Orders need to be placed by 5 p.m. Saturday with a pick up for Sunday morning.
https://hotel-arts-to-go.squarespace.com/
(Photo of Empire Provisions’ Brunch in a Box courtesy Empire Provisions.)
Gwendolyn Richards is a Calgary-based food and lifestyles writer. She is known for her love of bourbon, burgers and shiny patent shoes — which she is looking forward to wearing out again once the pandemic allows for it.
