Mother's Day dining 2012

Your mom gave up liquor for nine months to ensure you passed safely into this world—help her make up for the lost time at this cocktail reception and Q&A, hosted by LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) and LOAD (Ladies of American Distilleries). Top booze matriarchs, such as Square One founder and CEO Allison Evanow and Lisa Laird Dunn of Laird and Company, will answer questions on the inner workings of their businesses. Wear “creative afternoon tea” attire (interpret as you will) and sip nine exotic tea punches, made with tea-infused spirits and fruit purees. Match the tipples with sweet tea cakes and lemon tarts, courtesy of Iris Cafe.

Sample wines from female vintners, who have been muscling in on the formerly male-dominated wine scene and producing superlative vinos. At this advanced class, certified sommelier Dylan York will school guests on the unique characteristics of each hand-selected pour. Expect small-batch international drops from Maria Lopez de Heredia (Spain), Julie Johnson (Napa Valley)and Susana Balbo (Argentina), as well as examples from Italy and France, all paired with light antipasti.

Daniel Boulud’s empire bows to NYC matriarchs, appending a slew of prix-fixe specials to its brunch service. At DBGB Kitchen and Bar (299 Bowery at E Houston St; 212-933-5300), $27 will get you a casual three courses; meanwhile, Upper West Side moms can enjoy Gilles Verot’s celebrated charcuterie as part of Bar Boulud’s (1900 Broadway between 63rd and 64th Sts; 212-595-0303) three-course brunch ($38), or opt for a Mediterranean trio of dishes for $50 at Boulud Sud (20 W 64th St between Broadway and Central Park West; 212-595-1313). The heftiest check comes at Café Boulud (20 E 76th St between Fifth and Madison Aves; 212-772-2600), where $85 scores diners three courses of haute French fare prepared by chef Gavin Kaysen.

Chef Missy Robbins will have plenty of choices for moms who come to sample her two-course prezzo fisso brunch, which offers nine Italian antipasti options and another nine secondi choices. You might start with hamachi crudo with grapefruit and basil, then move on to ricotta-filled cappelletti pasta, served with sweet peas and mint.

While its new spin-off around the block has been getting all the press lately, the original Il Buco continues to turn out top-notch Italian on Bond Street. The restaurant’s four-course prix-fixe lunch ($55) and dinner ($75) menus include a complimentary seasonal berry Bellini to go along with chef Joel Hough’s feast of house-made tagliatelle, slow-roasted Vermont spring lamb and dark chocolate pudding.

If you’re looking to fete Mom without having to ask her to pick up the check at the end, treat her to a budget-friendly Caribbean brunch ?at this Soho hot spot. For $30, get ?two hours of unlimited One Love Bellinis (passion fruit puree and champagne) and Hopsteppers (soju, spicy Bloody Mary mix, chili salt), plus one Island-inspired dish such as brioche French toast with a bananas Foster topping.

Skip the banal pancakes in bed and take your dear old mum out for a British-style brekkie. Bond over shared baked goods, such as banana bread and cheddar polenta muffins, before tackling entrées such as Whiskey French toast ?and a traditional English fry-up, included in the prix-fixe menu.

Mothers with gourmet tastes will appreciate this three-course spread from talented chef Jesse Schenker. Diners can tuck into off-menu creations such as spring pea soup with pickled garlic, red-wine–braised ribs and lemon savarin.

Donatella Arpaia has put together some special menu additions to make sure her fellow moms get treated right. In addition to the usual Campanian favorites, such as veal meatballs and wood-fired pizzas, try the Torta Della Mamma ($7) layered with frangipane and apricot, or the Gragnano sangria ($12), enlivened with fresh fruit and gin.

The Modern at MoMA forgoes its weekly day of rest this Mother’s Day, opening its doors for a four-course prix-fixe brunch ($98) in the formal dining room. For something more casual, find à la carte favorites such as Alsatian tarte flambée ($14) in the bar room.