Ai Fiori
400 Fifth Ave., 2nd fl., at 36th St.; 212-695-4005
Michael White has been expanding his New York City empire like crazy, so it’d be a good idea to revisit one of his original masterpieces for a special three-course meal ($75), with dishes like apple-compote-topped polenta and egg yolk ravioli, until 2:30 p.m.
Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, nr. 64th St.; 212-595-0303
While chef Daniel Boulud’s other Manhattan restaurants (Daniel, Boulud Sud) will be serving delicious but pricier à la carte meals, Bar Boulud will be offering a casual-but-still-indulgent brunch prix fixe, with options like croque monsieur, garlic gnocchi, and warm almond custard cake with sour cherries for $32.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
630 Bedford Rd., nr. Raffenburg Rd., Pocantico Hills,; 914-366-9606
If you’d like to take mom on a day trip to celebrate, Westchester’s farmhouse version of Blue Hill will serve slightly discounted fare ($158 tasting, as well as the usual $208 menu) for Mother’s Day. The menu changes daily, but expect the vegetables to be just-picked, and keep your fingers crossed for a fairy-tale eggplant course.
Bouley
163 Duane St., nr. Hudson St.; 212-964-2525
For a slightly more upscale Mother’s Day, Bouley will serve a $145 six-course tasting menu that requires the gentlemen in your life to wear jackets. Spring for the optional wine pairings ($105) while you’re at it.
Brushstroke
30 Hudson St., at Duane St.; 212-791-3771
For the vegetarian mom who’s also a bit adventurous, Brushstroke’s $85 vegetarian tasting menu will demonstrate extraordinarily refined veggie cooking in seven courses. Recent items have included malanga yam dumplings, Japanese soba seed, and Provence white asparagus tempura.
The Cleveland
25 Cleveland Pl., nr. Spring St.; 212-274-0900
At Max Sussman’s bustling downtown new-American spot, sample the ever-changing menu that almost always includes a grilled whole eggplant with bulgur salad and whipped feta that’ll last the whole week.
The East Pole
133 E. 65th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-249-2222
This Upper East Side restaurant serves eclectic dishes, like its now-famous beetroot walnut hummus and scotch egg with mustard. Both brunch and dinner specials will be served.
The Elm
160 N. 12th St., nr. Bedford Ave., Williamsburg; 718-218-1088
In Brooklyn, the Elm is also getting in on the brunch and dinner options. A $35 brunch prix fixe (with a hen of the woods mushroom omelette and housemade granola topped with huckleberry compote) will be served until 3 p.m., and the regular dinner menu gets under way at 6 p.m.
Gaonnuri
1250 Broadway at 32nd St.; 212-971-9045
For something a little off the beaten Mother’s Day path, hop up to the rooftop Gaonnuri for four courses of Korean barbecue (like braised pork belly with octopus-studded kimchi), with dessert and fresh carnations for every mom.
The Gander
15 W. 18th St., 212-229-9500
Brunch kicks off the week prior to Mother’s Day at Jesse Schenker’s new Flatiron restaurant, so try dishes like lamb pastrami on rye crisps, chilled pea soup with ramps, and French fries with beef aïoli before many have had the chance.
Hakkasan
311 W. 43rd St., nr. 8th Ave.; 212-776-1818
Yes, the worldwide chain is a bit clubby, but where else can you expect a Mother’s Day brunch with crispy duck rolls and scallop shumai to be served alongside an EDM soundtrack?
Lincoln Ristorante
142 W. 65th St., nr. Broadway; 212-359-6500
Lincoln Center’s crown culinary jewel is serving a $70 prix fixe menu on Sunday, with four courses meant to highlight Venetian dishes and ingredients. Enjoy the spectacular fountain view while eating some of the freshest pasta in town.
North End Grill
104 North End Ave., nr. Vesey St.; 646-747-1600
Thrill your mother with the planned new dishes of recently appointed chef Eric Korsh, like halibut poached in milk and whole roasted game birds in vinegar sauce.
Recette
328 W. 12th St., nr. Greenwich St.; 212-414-3000
Recette is doing away with its à la carte menu for Mother’s Day, opting instead for a bargain three-course tasting ($30). The chef’s buffalo sweetbreads with pickled celery might just become mom’s favorite new dish to brag about back home.
The Runner
458-460 Myrtle Ave., nr. Washington Ave., Clinton Hill; 718-643-6500
At this new “American heritage” spot, chef Andrew Burman is serving up recipes inspired by its Clinton Hill neighborhood, circa 1900. For brunch, expect sweet potato hash with sausage, chipotle, and cilantro, and waffles with walnut-raisin butter and maple syrup; dinner highlights include popovers (again with walnut-raisin butter), celery buttermilk soup with dill and lemon, and a slightly boozy but sweet Guinness cake.