Whether you’re hoping to treat the queen in your life to an outdoor brunch, spaced out meal in a local dining room, or a takeout feast, many restaurants in Charm City are open with new and exciting dishes—making it easy to spoil your motherly figure this weekend. Visit these local hotspots to enjoy unique offerings while still practicing safe social distancing.
Brunch & Dinner
Charleston: Chef Cindy Wolf will be serving a three-course prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairings this Mother’s Day. For $85 per person, enjoy dishes including wild rockfish ceviche, white truffle fettuccine, pan-roasted duck, and a dark chocolate torte. The limited-edition menu will be available for indoor or outdoor seating, as well as carryout, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 9. 1000 Lancaster St.
City Cruises: Give mom a change of scenery with this elegant brunch cruise through the Inner Harbor—where she will be gifted a spring flower and a complimentary mimosa. Cruises will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. 561 Light St. $54.90.-$59.90.
Cinghiale: Snag an outdoor table with a waterfront view at this Italian enoteca and osteria in Harbor East. Cinghiale will be open for dinner on Mother’s Day with its a la carte menu and a few new specials. Look out for plates like Spaghetti a la chitarra with gulf shrimp, garlic, and capers in a white wine butter sauce. Also featured: roasted Bronzino served with English peas, fava beans, sunchoke purée, and parsley butter. Indoor and outdoor dining will be available along with takeout. 822 Lancaster St.
Cosima: This lovely Hampden hangout will be treating all moms to a special surprise on Sunday. Plus, the holiday menu will include a variety of pizzas, small plates, pastas, and entrees. Among them will be crowd favorites like burrata, crispy Brussels sprouts, and mustard and almond-crusted rockfish. 3000 Falls Rd.
Duck Duck Goose: In honor of Mother’s Day, the teams at Duck Duck Goose in Fells Point and Bethesda have partnered with Flowers & Fancies to offer an optional “Forget Me Not” bouquet to be delivered at the end of your meal. Enjoy chef Ashish Alfred’s avocado toast, shrimp and grits, or foie gras breakfast burger while waiting for the surprise arrangement to arrive. Guests are encouraged to note the floral request, which is an additional $65, while making a reservation. Multiple locations.
Good Neighbor: In need of a last-minute gift? This one-stop-shop for coffee, toasts, plants, and housewares on Falls Road has you covered. The staff has curated a selection of of one-of-a-kind floral arrangements and gift trays filled with local goodies to satisfy all interests. The “Wind Down Mother” tray features a bottle of New Neighbors, a collaboration blend with Old Westminster Winery. Another option is the “Tea Time Mother” set that comes complete with your choice of Wight Tea.
Gunther & Co.: In Brewers Hill, Gunther & Co. will be offering dining deals that are bound to make your mouth water. Menu highlights include lobster potstickers, house made tagliatelle pasta, goat cheese and chive quiche with Maryland crab, and a raspberry-lemon pound cake to satisfy your sweet tooth. 3650 Toone St.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery: In addition to Mother’s Day brunch, Guinness’ Halethorpe facility will be hosting a variety of family-friendly activities in honor of the holiday this weekend. Guests are invited to stop by the complimentary family portrait station, check out a beautiful Mother’s Day flower installation by artist Jasmine Ellesse (who will also be making free floral arrangements for moms), and sip on tea made with Guinness’ Loose Leaf IPA while listening to the live sounds of Joi Carter from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. 5001 Washington Blvd. Halethorpe, MD.
La Cuchara: Chef Ben Lefenfeld has arranged a prix-fixe feast for diners at this Hampden favorite from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. At $49 per person, the three-course menu features options like dayboat scallops, wood-grilled skirt steak, saffron paella, and a lemon tart. 3600 Clipper Mill Rd.
NiHao Baltimore: From 12-9 p.m. on Sunday, take your mom on a special date to NiHao in Canton, where you can enjoy a $90 dim sum menu for two. The offerings—five small plates, three entrees, and a dessert to share—will include lamb meatballs, five-spice pork ribs, shrimp and scallion soy noodles, and more. A limited à la carte menu will also be available for those looking for a favorite signature dish. Dine-in reservations are required, and carryout pre-orders are highly recommended. 2322 Boston St.
Petit Louis Bistro: If a French feast—featuring potato and leek soup, grilled flank steak, and flourless chocolate cake—sounds like your mom’s idea of a perfect meal, head to this Roland Park mainstay to celebrate accordingly. Petit Louis will be serving a $59 prix-fixe, as well as its a la carte menu all day long. Other specials will include a local asparagus salad, pan-roasted scallops, and lemon cake with raspberry sorbet. 4800 Roland Ave.
Thames Street Oyster House: If you’re planning on celebrating from home, this Fells Point fixture is highlighting heat-and-eat meals such as crab-stuffed rockfish with local asparagus and roasted potatoes, as well as a box of crab cakes with house remoulade. Order anytime for pickup, or swing by for additional dine-in specials throughout the day on Sunday.
The Verandah: Aside from its regular menu of Indian small plates, entrees, and wraps (think everything from mixed veggie pakodas to a Tikki Chaat wrap), The Verandah in Hampden is putting together special packages for mamas this week. The $39 gift bag includes jars of spicy pineapple, mango, and date and tamarind chutney, as well as sesame-toasted toasted naan and a bottle of strawberry-rhubarb mint lemonade—all made in house. Place orders online for pickup Thursday through Sunday.
Delectable Desserts
The Corner Pantry: Surprise mom with a specialty sweet from this Mt. Washington fixture. The “Mum’s Victoria Sponge Cake” is an eight-inch, two layer vanilla cake with mixed berry jam and earl grey whipped cream. Each cake is $40, and will be boxed with ribbon and florals. 6080 Falls Rd.
Codetta Bake Shop: This South Baltimore-based bakery has collaborated with North Avenue flower shop Fleurs d’Ave to provide the ultimate wow factor. The teams have created a two-tier luxury gift box filled with a premium floral arrangement on top and Codetta cupcakes and chocolate-covered strawberries below for $115. Place your order for pickup this weekend, and be sure to add on some other Codetta specials—think zesty lemon rosette cupcakes and mango passionfruit cheesecake—to really make mom’s day. 55 E Fort Ave.
The Charmery: In typical Charmery fashion, the homegrown ice cream shop will feature a creative four-pack pint package ($40) with flavors inspired by songs that shout out mothers. Options include “Mama Said Knock You Out,” a spiced chai cheesecake scoop; “Nobody Loves Me But My Mother,” champagne roasted blueberry flavor; “Mother Popcorn,” butter popcorn base with caramel corn pieces; and “Mama I’m Coming Home,” a chocolate ice cream with ground sesame, date syrup, and date pieces. The pint package can be scheduled for pickup or delivery, and will be packed in a floral gift bag. Be sure to jam out to The Charmery’s Spotify playlist while you dig in. Multiple locations including 801 W. 36th St.
Our Time Kitchen: Chefs Catina Smith and Kiah Gibian—who are working to open a share kitchen for wxmen-owned food businesses in Old Goucher—will be set up in front of Sophomore Coffee on Friday, May 7 to serve up special treats in advance of the holiday weekend. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., get your fix of lemon ginger cookies, cinnamon rolls with sour cream glaze, cornmeal cake with strawberries, or a savory spring quiche. Orders can be placed online for pickup, and a small batch of items will be available for sale on site. 2223 Maryland Ave.