Celebrating Mother’s Day can be a little tricky when there’s a pandemic going on.
Many of you are juggling so many roles. Some of you are far away from your families. We can all use a hug, even if it’s a virtual one.
I know I’ll have to settle for virtual hugs from my kids this year. But there are still ways to pamper your mom in Tallahassee — and if you’re a mom, this is for you, too (drop hints).
If you’re celebrating at a distance, consider a restaurant gift card that can be used now or later. If your mom feels comfortable dining out, several restaurants are now open for business and will be serving brunch or dinner on Sunday — with 25 percent capacity for indoors dining and seating with social distancing outside. Other places are offering special takeout menus, including family meals. If you’re looking for other at-home options, you can even get the fixins’ for a pancake breakfast in-bed feast or a caramel apple-making kit.
Mother’s Day is nearly here but there are still plenty of options out there. Here’s a look at what several restaurants are doing for Mother’s Day Most places serving Mother’s Day specials post menu choices on their Facebook site. If you know of others, send the information to [email protected]
A shout out to moms — and all the restaurants catering to moms on this special day.
Aaru’s: Recently opened, Aaru’s will be offering its “fusion of multi-cuisine flavors especially from Indo-Chinese culinary and South Indian delicacies.” The restaurant has outdoor decks as well as indoor seating. Mother’s Day hours 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Reservations accepted. l108 S. Magnolia Dr.; 850-350-0129.
Arepana Latin Grill: You can order a takeout grilled meat trio for four –with chicken, baby back ribs and sliced steak, roasted potatoes, grilled red onions and sauces for $65. Reserve by Saturday evening and set up a pickup time. Other family meals available as well. 1176 Capital Circle SE; 850-597-9931.
Blu Halo: The upscale restaurant will offer a Mother’s Day brunch you can have in the dining room or patio — it’s 25 percent capacity so reservations are suggested. You can also order brunch for takeout. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Orders are being accepted for Mother’s Day takeout dinner for two that you can reheat at home for $80. Kids’ meals available a la carte. Reserve dinner by afternoon, May 7. Bannerman Crossings, 3431 Bannerman Rd.; 850-999-1696.
Bonefish Grill: You can call in advance to place an order for a mahi and shrimp family bundle ($49.90) that serves up to five people with salad, sides and dessert. Call 850-297-0460 to pre-order. 3491 Thomasville Rd.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill Classic Italian dishes are available for Mother’s Day family meals that serve up to five people starting at $39.99 with salad and sides. A la carte items also available. Dining inside but bundles are for carryout only. Order at carrabbas.com or by calling 850-297-1100. 2779 Capital Circle NE.
The Edison & Power Plant Cafe: Overlooking Cascades Park, The Edison is serving Mother’s Day outside in the restaurant’s covered patio spaces, upstairs and downstairs, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Menu selections include burgers, shrimp po’ boy, Skyway chicken and a kids’ menu, milkshakes and ice cream. Full bar, dog friendly. 470 Suwannee St.; 850-765-9771.
Four Points Hotel: Bring home meals to go that you can reheat at home. The hotel offers curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10. The cost is $18 per person for entree, side or dessert or $15 per person for vegan choices. Place your order by 6 p.m. May 8; fourpointstally.com/mothersday Four Points by Sheraton, Tallahassee Downtown, 316 W. Tennessee St.; 850-422-0071.
Georgio’s Fine Food & Spirits: Georgio’s will be open on Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. for Mother’s Day. The restaurant, known for its Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, is serving food inside and on the veranda plus you can also order for curbside takeout. Specials like chicken and dumplings, lamb stew and other items will be available along with regular menu items. Reservations suggested. Call 850-877-3211.
Grove Market Cafe:Order a Mother’s Day meal to go from the casual breakfast and lunch spot fry Cypress chefs/owners David and Elizabeth Gwynn. The special Mother’s Day menu includes pot roast dinner for $18 and grilled chicken and angel hair pasta for $15 plus regular menu items. Place orders by 2 p.m. Saturday with desired pickup times for Sunday. 1370 Market St.;850-894-5060.
Hawthorn’s Bistro & Bar: You can bring home a variety of baked items and mimosas to serve on Mother’s Day. Hawthorn is offering whole pies, whole quiches, homemade bakery items and mimosa kits for delivery and curbside pickup. Order Friday or Saturday by visiting https://www.libertytlh.com/new-menus-ordering/ or calling 850-354-8277 from 4 to 9 p.m. Whole pies and mimosa kits only available this Friday and Saturday. Pick up at Liberty Bar next door, at 1307 N. Monroe St.
Jeri’s Midtown Cafe: You can order takeout family-style sides that feed four to six people and lunch packages that can be served on Mother’s Day. For one-stop shopping you can buy flowers from BloomBox when you order your food. Pick-up from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Jeri’s is also open for Sunday brunch in the courtyard or for takeout or delivery from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1123 Thomasville Rd.; 850-385-7268.
LongHorn Steakhouse: LongHorn Steakhouse is serving steak cuts like Flo’s Filet and the Outlaw Ribeye with other signature items with curbside togo service all weekend. Bottles of wine are also available for $15 each, as well mix-and-match six-packs of beer for $10. To order, visit LongHornSteakhouse.com. 2400 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee. 850-385-4028.
Lucilla: This cozy nook is offering surf-and-turf Mother Day dinners to go. You can preorder (as soon as possible) and pick up dishes hot from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Dinner for two is $79 and dinner for four is $149. Visit the website for more info. Lucilla is at 1241 Lafayette St.; 850-900-5117.
Madison Social— The restaurant will offer specials like chicken and waffles and pancakes with a free mimosa and flower for mom from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant is open for dining inside and out and takeout. 705 S. Woodward Ave.; 850-894-6276.
Mimi’s Table: Celebrate Mother’s Day at Mimi’s on Sunday with dinner served inside the dining room, outside or available for takeout from 5 to 9 p.m. Mother’s Day dinner offerings include several entree choices like pork chops, braised short ribs, seafood grill and filet mignon along with salads, soups, dessert and beer and wine. You can find three-course dinners and family meals for curbside pickup. Reservations suggested for on-premise dining. 1311 Miccosukee Rd. 850-999-8406
Marie Livingston: The steakhouse will be open for Mother’s Day for dining in from noon to 5 p.m. You can also order takeout and curbside service. 2705 Apalachee Pkwy.; 850-562-2525/
Masa: The Asian restaurant is offering a 20 percent discount on takeout orders as well as bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford, for $20. Dine-in and patio seating plus curbside pickup. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. daily. 1650 N. Monroe St.; 850-727-4183.
Olive Garden: The Italian restaurant is offering a variety of Family-Style Take & Bake Bundles for Mother’s Day. You can choose between two ready-to-bake bundle options — large cheese stuffed shells or classic lasagna with house salad, a bottle of Italian dressing, ready-to-bake breadsticks and sauces. The shell dinners serve up to five people, starting at $40. Lasagna serves up to eight people starting at $50. Preorder for carside pickup or delivery time slot at www.OliveGarden.com. Pickup available all weekend. 1103 Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee. 850-878-2949
OverUnder Bar: The Midtown lounge and eatery, in the former home of Wine Loft, had barely opened when virus shutdowns were announced. OverUnder is open again and serving brunch for Mother’s Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the balcony with a complimentary mimosa for mom. Parties limited to eight or less for spacing reasons. 1240 Thomasville Rd.; 850-597-7552.
Outback Steakhouse: You can order mom a filet and lobster tail or a prime rib and crab cake dinner through May 12. You can also add a lobster tail for $9.99 or a crab cake for $6 to any entree. Visit www.outback.com to place an order online for curbside takeout or free delivery. 1820 Raymond Diehl Rd. 850-385-1998.
Persis Indian Grill: Diners can enjoy a Mother’s Day lunch and dinner in the dining room or take out. Reservations are suggested. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then the restaurnt reopens from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Orders are accepted for Mother’s Day takeout family dinners you can reheat at home. Order by evening May 9. All orders will get a free Falooda. Mahan Dr., 850-877-8899.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier: You can buy mom chocolates or chocolate-dipped treats (like chocolate-covered popcorn) or for an interactive experience with the family, pick up a chocolate Home Activity Kit. This kit, for $35, includes four Granny Smith apples, caramel, chocolate, sprinkles, sticks and four clear bags with ribbons. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 1817 Thomasville Rd.; 850-577-3111.
Sage/Il Lusso: The two upscale restaurants will be offering special Mother’s Day menus with dishes that come with instructions to be preheated. Dishes must be preordered and they can be picked up Saturday or Sunday from Sage, 3534 Maclay Blvd.; 850-270-9396.
Social Catering: Pick up Mother’s Day brunch for four people for $75. The meal includes a grazing board, quiche, salads and croissants. Pick up options are from 4 to 7 p.m. May 9 at SōDOUGH Baking Co. at 1306 Thomasville Rd. Delivery available by 11 a.m. Sunday but orders must be placed by 2 p.m. May 9. Order online at madisonsocial.com/mothers-day-brunch-for-four
SoDough Baking Co.: You’ll find giant doughnuts, vegetable and meat stratas and other bakery items.. All SoDOUGH items will be picked up on Mother’s Day between 9 a.m. and noon Sunday unless you want a delivery option with a Mother’s Day brunch for two or four. You can add cocktails and flowers to your orders. 1306 Thomasville Rd.; 850-765-8991.
Table 23: The Southern-style setting known for its al fresco dining is serving a Mother’s Day brunch. Every mom will get two free mimosas. Call 850-329-2261 for reservations. 1215 Thomasville Rd.; 850-329-2261.
Uptown Cafe & Catering: The breakfast and lunch spot will be offering ingredients for a pancake, breakfast-in-bed meal for mom plus other breakfast, lunch and dinner meals for takeout Sunday. Uptown also offers its signature apricot glazed smoked salmon. 1325 Miccosukee Rd.; 850-219-9800.
