Mothers are the reason we all exist, and most of us are lucky to have had ones that cared, fed, loved, and put up with us. Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to shower them with gratitude. While moms of all kinds should be celebrated year-round, the week leading up to Mother’s Day has local restaurants and businesses pulling out all the stops to make sure there are no shortage of ways to honor them in some epic way. In a food city like Houston, it is especially fun to celebrate gourmand moms with tasty brunches, delicious dinners, and fun cooking events.
If your mom is a foodie at heart, consider this list of places around town going the extra mile with gastronomic experiences that are sure to impress… and that might just make you the favorite kid.
The Post Oak Hotel
Few places in Houston offer a more refined and luxurious experience than the Post Oak Hotel, and this is especially true when it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day. The luxe property is hosting a Springtime in Paris brunch on Sunday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with executive chef Jean Luc Royere rolling out a menu of oh-so-French cuisine. Inspired by the Rue Cler street market in Paris, the experience will feature stations like the fromagerie with assorted cheeses and charcuterie; the boucherie with carved lamb and filet mignon; the poissonnerie, serving smoked salmon tartar and roasted Alaskan salmon; plus dessert stations with pastries, macarons, and made-to-order crepes. The cost is $170 per person, $75 for children 5 to 12, and children under 4 are free. 1600 W. Loop S., Houston, thepostoakhotel.com
Hugo’s
James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega’s namesake restaurant has a loyal following for its Sunday brunch buffet, which will be offered as usual on Mother’s Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, but it will also feature a special three-course Dia de las Madres dinner ($55) from Friday through Sunday. Along with live mariachi performers, guests can look forward to courses like oxtail empanadas, tacos Dorados, braised lamb shank, and pan-seared striped bass. 1600 Westheimer Rd., Houston, hugosrestaurant.net
Montrose Cheese and Wine
For moms that want to skip the hustle and bustle of restaurants on Mother’s Day, Montrose Cheese & Wine is offering packages for pickup on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11 that are perfect for a park picnic or backyard gathering. The Bonjour, Mama! Package ($75) features a bottle of Provencal rosé, three French cheeses, a baguette from local Magnol Bakery, a hazelnut financier, and a mini chocolate bonbon. For something even more luxurious, splurge on the Champagne & Caviar package ($180), which includes a bottle of French Champagne, platinum Osetra caviar, creme fraiche, sea salt chips, and fittingly, a mother of pearl spoon. 1618 Westheimer Rd., Houston, montrosecheeseandwine.com
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar
If your mother enjoys the fresh bounty showcased across California’s wine country, consider a visit to CRÚ Food & Wine Bar’s Market Street location in the Woodlands for a wine country-inspired brunch offered from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. The three-course brunch ($56) includes options like avocado and burrata bruschetta, lump crab and asparagus salad, and goat cheese beignets to start; and entrees like roasted beef tenderloin and eggs, Maine lobster and seafood risotto, and parmesan-crusted sea bass. Brunch cocktails will be on offer for $8, plus special pricing on Domaine Chandon Brut and Whispering Angel rosé. 9595 Six Pines Dr., Ste. 650, The Woodlands, cruwinebar.com
Barbacana
Barbacana opened Downtown in January with chef Christian Hernandez at the helm, offering guests a standout gastronomic experience reflecting the culinary impressions of Texas foodways and bounty from the Gulf through its a la carte and tasting menus. While it is typically closed on Sundays, the restaurant will open the doors for its first Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 11. Hernandez and his team created a set menu with dishes like eggs Florentine with chanterelle mushrooms and candied pancetta; fluffy souffle pancakes topped with preserved blackberries and miso butter; and French toast with black tea, lemon curd, and honey butter. 907 Franklin St., Houston, barbacanatx.com
Musaafer
For foodie moms who have an eye for beautifully-plated food, Musaafer delivers in a major way. The Michelin-starred modern Indian restaurant boasts gorgeous interiors and eye-catching dishes that appear as art at the table. On Mother’s Day, the restaurant will host a culinary tribute to motherhood and its various archetypes, coined “Avatars of Maa” offered during a four-course lunch ($95) from noon to 2 p.m., or a six-course dinner ($130) with two seatings. Highlights include the Early Bird Maa, a dish of mozzarella-stuffed paniyaram with tomato chutney pesto and curry leaf emulsion; and the Nurturing Maa, a plate of palak paneer tortellini or chargrilled chicken in makhani sauce. Other courses are playfully coined the Chauffeur, the Multitasker, the Storyteller, and finally, the Backbone,a dessert of sufta with praline, lemon ganache, and almond inspiration. 5115 Westheimer Rd., Houston, musaaferhouston.com
The Marigold Club
With its fabric-draped walls, rich velvet upholstery, and dainty Murano glass light fixtures mimicking floral bouquets hanging from the ceiling, this restaurant from Goodnight Hospitality drips elegance. The dreamy space swiftly transports guests from Montrose to London’s Mayfair, and its three-course prix-fixe Mother’s Day brunch ($85) will make Mom feel like a queen. The first course begins with choices like tuna Provencale and hamachi crudo, followed by entree like King crab tart, croque madame with wagyu pastrami, and flapjacks with pear, whipped ricotta, and Vermont maple syrup. Desserts include sticky toffee pudding, eclair au chocolat and strawberry oolong posset. Chef-partner Austin Waiter created a special kids menu ($30) for the occasion. 2531 Kuester St., Houston, themarigoldclub.com
Picos
Picos is doubling down with two Mother’s Day brunch buffets this weekend. On Saturday, May 10, the restaurant will host its El Dia de las Madres brunch featuring a menu of rich moles and Latin American comfort foods inspired by home-cooked meals. The next day, it will host its signature Sunday brunch buffet in honor of American Mother’s Day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with bonus lineup of specials. 3601 Kirby Dr., Houston, picos.net
Doris Metropolitan
If your momma has carnivorous leanings and expensive taste, this is the place to treat her this year. Doris Metropolitan is typically closed for service on Sundays, but is making an exception this Mother’s Day for an exclusive brunch offered noon to 5 p.m. The full menu and wine list will be available, along with four brunch specials, including filet mignon steak and eggs, shakshuka, and frittata with petite fattoush. 2815 S. Shepherd Dr., Houston, dorismetropolitan.com/houston
Lyric Market
Lyric Market is hosting a chef-led pasta making class on Thursday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m., making it a great gift idea for foodie moms who love to cook. Attendees will learn how to prepare pasta from scratch, starting with making the perfect dough, rolling it out, and shaping it into pappardelle and linguine. Topped off with fresh pesto, the class will conclude with attendees enjoying their homemade meal. 411 Smith St., Houston, lyricmarket.com
