In Good Taste

Mother’s Day Meals and Sweets Available for Carryout This Weekend

Chefs get creative with takeout dishes to brighten the day for mom.

Although the lockdown is certainly putting a damper on traditional Mother’s Day celebrations this year, treating mom to breakfast (or brunch) in bed has never been easier. Dining destinations all over town are whipping up special brunch—as well as lunch, dinner, and dessert—offerings that are all available for contactless pickup in advance of the big day on Sunday, May 10. Here, we’ve rounded up a few spots to choose from. And if you’re really looking to score some extra brownie points, hit a local farmers’ market and grab a bouquet of fresh flowers to brighten up your table this weekend.

Atlas Restaurant Group: Most of the Atlas restaurants scattered throughout the Harbor East area have been closed since stay-at-home orders went into effect. But for one day only, Azumi, The Choptank, Ouzo Bay, Loch Bar, and Tagliata are reopening with curbside takeout for all of the moms. Each restaurant is offering two separate packages that feed 2-3 people. (Think seaweed salad and lobster fried rice from Azumi; crab dip and fried chicken from The Choptank; shrimp cocktail and crab cakes from Loch Bar; hummus and lamb shank from Ouzo; and rigatoni alla vodka and New York strip from Tagliata.) The group has also teamed up with Flowers & Fancies to throw in colorful bouquets for an additional $50. Orders can be placed by emailing [email protected].

Cake by Jason: Pastry chef Jason Hisley and the team at his Timonium bakery have dreamed up a special line of Mother’s Day cupcake flavors that can be ordered online for curbside pickup. Mix-and-match varieties like dark chocolate, lemon bar, mixed berry cheesecake, and pina colada to sweeten up the day.

The Charmery: Leave it to this fan-favorite ice cream parlor to take breakfast in bed to a whole other level. For dessert-loving moms, The Charmery is releasing four limited-edition breakfast flavors as part of its $50 holiday pint package. Among them are the vegan “Mimosa Sorbet”, “Chocolate Croissant” with croissant flakes mixed in, “Whole Bean Coffee” infused with roasted beans from the shop’s Union Collective neighbor Vent Coffee Roasters, and “Chocolate Bouquet”—a Tahitian vanilla base with bits of rub, caramellia, and dark chocolate.

Citron: This Pikesville spot has got you covered with brunch, dinner, and a la carte sushi rolls for the occasion. Choose from dishes such as bananas foster French toast triangles, Norweigan salmon with lemon beurre blanc, wild rockfish, and filet mignon. Pair the eats with quarts of raspberry mimosas, vodka lemontinis, or red sangria.

Cosima: Swing by this rustic Italian gem in Hampden’s Mill No. 1 to pick up a dinner for four that includes starters, entrees, sides, and dessert. Treat mom like a queen with dishes such as baked shrimp penne, herb-grilled salmon, saffron risotto, lemon blueberry cobbler, and even her own personal chocolate cake.

The Corner Pantry: Adding to its menu of catered meals, this Mt. Washington cafe plans to offer lamb kebabs and a DIY eton mess (a traditional English dessert that mixes strawberries with meringue and whipped cream) kit for customers to make as a family. Orders can be placed online to pick up Saturday.

Eddie’s of Roland Park: This mainstay market is making it super simple to surprise mom this weekend. A $100 “Mother’s Day in a Box” package serves four and includes assorted mini fruit scones, a 10-inch roasted vegetable quiche, salad, tomato gazpacho, and jumbo lump crab cakes. To complete the feast, Eddie’s is also featuring a DIY cake kit that comes with an eight-inch yellow cake, white buttercream frosting, pink decorative icing, sprinkles, and a topper.

The Food Market: Hoopla Catering, the catering arm of this Hampden hotspot, is offering a $125 package that feeds four. Enjoy the famous “Beets by Chad,” sliced filet mignon, crab cakes, whipped potatoes, roasted asparagus, coconut strawberry shortcake, and chocolate chip cookies. Orders can be picked up at The Food Market or at its Pikesville sister spot La Food Marketa.

Four Seasons Hotel: Keeping tradition alive, the Four Seasons in Harbor East is offering a holiday staycation deal, as well as brunch to-go. Call ahead to order a contactless carryout meal that serves two, four, or six people. Dig into dishes such as crab deviled eggs, smoked salmon avocado toast, braised beef short ribs, seared salmon in lemon butter sauce, or spinach and artichoke-stuffed chicken medallions. Mimosas and bellinis can also be added a la carte.

Magdalena: There’s nothing quite like the full experience at this posh restaurant inside Mt. Vernon’s Ivy Hotel, but, with the help of a few recipes provided by the Ivy staff, you can try to recreate the luxurious atmosphere at home. To really go above and beyond, whip up the chef’s fluffy ricotta pancakes, serve a few classic tea scones, and toast the special woman in your life with the bar’s traditional Bee’s Knees cocktail. The hotel’s spa is also highlighting a Mother’s Day gift bag with luxe products including body lotion and bath truffle.

Nick’s Fish House: If your mom is a hard shell kind of gal, take advantage of the steamed crab package from this South Baltimore spot, which comes with a dozen medium crabs, steamed shrimp, two sides, and dessert. Similar meal deals swap crabs for crab cakes, beef tenderloin, and grilled salmon.

Orto: Choose from a full-blown brunch spread or Sunday-night dinner for pickup from this Station North gem. Brunch includes a dozen bagels, house-cured smoked salmon, cream cheese spreads, fruit salad, and optional sparkling cocktail kits. Dinner features a whole roasted chicken glazed with basil honey, a spring vegetable medley, house-baked focaccia, and cinnamon coffee cake.

Sotto Sopra: Open from 12-9 p.m. for pickup and delivery on Mother’s Day, this Italian haunt in Mt. Vernon is offering four-course bundles that serve two or four people. Look out for fried calamari, ricotta gnocchi, veal saltimbocca, baked eggplant parmesan, and lobster spaghetti.

The Urban Oyster: Chef Jasmine Norton has created a menu inspired by recipes passed down from several generations of mothers in her family. Paying homage to her own traditions, Norton will serve rosemary-garlic lamb chops, stuffed chicken, lobster imperial, potatoes au gratin, and creamed spinach throughout the weekend.

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House: Fresh flowers, sparkling rosé, and bubbly Cava are all available to customize your dinner package from this Columbia seafood spot. Diners can order three courses with flowers and house-made strawberry cheesecake for $49 per person, or add bottles of bubbly to the order for $59 per person.