Welcome the Food & Lifestyle Weekly's Mother's Day Special. This week's edition is jammed packed with ideas for Mother's Day, where to eat, what to give, and what to do right across the country.
WHERE TO EAT
BRISBANE MARRIOTT
This Mother’s Day at the Brisbane Marriott, they have two unique dining experiences for you. The first, the Market Style High Tea and Boutique Markets, begins at 10am in the Grand Ballroom, combining a mum’s two fabourites, a decadent high tea and shopping! You can also visit the Motion Bar & Grill from 12pm for a full a la carte lunch and wine buffet with a free gourmet treat for mums to take home. The High Tea costs $60 per adult, and the a la carte lunch starts from $20 per dish. Bookings are essential, so call 3303 8034.
THE ARGYLE EXCHANGE (Sydney)
Treat mum to a special Mother’s Day afternoon at the inaugural Great Dames of Champagne discovery and tasting event at Bar Ananas, the Parisian-inspired venue at ArgyleXchange in The Rocks.Try four champagnes with matched canapés throughout the afternoon, while Australia's favourite TV champagne expert and award-winning author Jayne Powell (also known as Champagne Jayne) tells the stories of the inspirational women behind the renowned champagne houses. It kicks off at 2pm and costs $75pp. There’s also the Brasserie Ananas, Sake Restaurant & Bar or The Cut Bar & Grill at the Argyle Xchange for lunch and dinner.
THE SYDNEY MINT CAFE
The Sydney Mint Café is opening specially for Mother’s Day with an exclusive menu designed by award-winning Head Chef Brad Jones. Enjoy a two or three course lunch on the sweeping verandah, in the heart of the heritage Mint. Mum will be treated to a glass of sparkling wine and children are served homemade pink lemonade. Two courses cost $55, three cost $65 and you can book via enquiries@sydneymintcafe.com.au or 9233 3337
ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (Sydney)
Treat mum to an afternoon of sweet and savoury high tea goodness at The Restaurant for $45, and why not check out the Archibald Prize exhibition while you’re at it? They’re also open for lunch from midday, offering a three course meal including a glass of wine $85. Bookings are essential so contact 02 9225 1819 or restaurant.manager@artgalleryrestaurant.com.au
CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS DINING (Sydney)
Enjoy lunch at Centennial Parklands Dining and enjoy relaxed dining for the whole family. Mum will receive a glass of sparkling wine on arrival. The lunch buffet will be on from midday for $85 per adult. Reservations are essential. via enquiries@cpdining.com.au or 9380 9350.
THE PAVILION (Sydney)
Spoil your mum this Mother’s Day with a gourmet lunch at The Pavilion, including sparkling wine on arrival. Set within the stunning grounds of the leafy Domain; enjoy a relaxed dining experience in the heart of the CBD. Two courses will cost $65 and three course will cost $85 for adults. To book, contact 9232 1322 or enquiries@pavilionrestaurant.com.au
SYDNEY TOWER BUFFET
Have your choice of international cuisine and please the whole family; there certainly is something for everyone at Sydney Tower Buffet. Children will receive an activity bag and mum will be offered a glass of sparkling wine on arrival. Adults cost $85 and reservations can be made from 11:30am. Bookings via enquiries@sydneytowerbuffet.com.au
LUKE MANGAN’S MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH AT GLASS BRASSERIE, HILTON SYDNEY
Spoil the most important lady in your life with Luke Mangan’s perfect mother’s day lunch in glass brasserie. Treat mum to an indulgent three-course lunch featuring a selection of Luke’s signature dishes including free range egg omelette of blue swimmer crab meat, enoki mushroom & herb salad, miso mustard broth and tuna sashimi, ginger, eschallot. For a sweet ending choose from a selection of gooey and sugary deliciousness. It costs $110 per person for a three course menu, just call 02 9265 6068 to make a reservation
360 BAR AND DINING
We’ve got the whole family taken care of at 360 Bar and Dining this Mother’s Day. Mum will be treated with chocolates and sparkling wine while the kids will receive an activity bag to keep them occupied. Enjoy soaring views of Sydney and a two or three course meal. Prices start for adults from $75, bookings via enquiries@360dining.com.au .
THE SAILORS CLUB (Sydney)
The Sailors Club is putting on a fantastic lunch offering for Mother's Day complete with French Champagne and the opportunity for to win your mum a Baccarat Pendant or a Laurent-Perrier Rose Gift Box to take home. By the seaside on Sydney's Harbour in Rose Bay, the kitchen will serve a three-course meal for $85.00 per person (kids under 10 can have a two-course meal for $39.00). To make the day extra special, pre-purchase a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Rose for $139.00 (valued at $210) and you will go in the running to win mum a stunning Baccarat Galet Pendant or a Gift Box ed bottle of Laurent-Perrier Rose to take home. Bookings so phone 9327 6561 or email hello@thesailorsclub.com.au
THE MORRISON BAR & OYSTER ROOM (Sydney)
If you’re in the city and want to treat mum to a special cocktail, drop by The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room to try their specially concocted cocktail “Sweet Child O’ Mine” featuring Aperol, Cointreau, fresh passionfruit and orange topped with sparkling wine, for $16.
BEI AMICI (Sydney)
Bei Amici is offering a delectable three course menu including shared entrée, main and dessert for $75pp for both lunch and dinner. As one of the Eastern Suburb’s best kept secrets, this is the perfect occasion to try this hidden gem and treat your mum.
Book on 02 9328 0305.
HIGH TEA AT THELOFT
Enjoy a high tea platter with an assortment of savoury canapés and sweet treats, T2 tea and coffee. It costs $50 pp and it also includes your choice of either a cocktail or a glass of Taittinger on arrival. Call 02 9299 4770 or email info@theloftsydney.com
MOTHER’S DAY ROAST AT THE WHARF HOTEL (Sydney)
The Wharf Hotel is putting on a good old-fashioned roast buffet lunch featuring two roast meats, all the trimmings, dessert and a glass of beer, wine or soft drink. It costs $40 per person for a sitting at either 12pm or 1pm. Bookings are essential so call (03) 8680 6000 or email elly@wharfhotel.com.au.
MUM’S PICNIC AT THE WINERY, THE GAZEBO WINE GARDEN OR AT MANLY WINE (Sydney)
Spoil your mum this mother’s day with a special Mum’s picnic complete with French bubbles and minted lemonade at either The Winery in Surry Hills, The Gazebo in Elizabeth Bay, or Manly Wine in Manly. It’s $40 per person.
GARDEN TEA PARTY AT RIVER’S EDGE EVENTS (Melbourne)
From 11am – 2pm this Mother’s Day, you can treat mum to a delightful riverside brunch for $50 per adult or $30 per child. Enjoy delicious treats and champagne, while supporting a good cause, all proceeds go to the Treasure Chest, a not-for-profit organisation that supports women who have had their breasts removed because of cancer or need a breast reconstruction. Bookings are essential, call (03) 8680 6080 or visit www.riversedge.com.au.
CROWN’S CELEBRITY MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON (Melbourne)
Crown will again host the renowned Crown Celebrity Mother’s Day Luncheon on Friday 10 May, at Mr Hive Kitchen and Bar from 12 midday. Now in its eighteenth year, this fabulous luncheon is a social calendar highlight for celebrities with their Mother’s, Sons and Daughters. Esteemed guests such as Tim Campbell, Fifi Box, Livinia Nixon and Rebecca Judd will be treated to a sumptuous three course lunch designed by Mr Hive’s Executive Chef, John Lawson and a performance by Anthony Callea, who will perform hits from his latest album, THIRTY.
PARISIAN TEA AT MR MASON (Melbourne)
Mr Mason on Collins Street is putting on a Parisian Tea this Mother’s Day. Enjoy a shared platter of French sweet and savoury pastries over tea or coffee plus a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot for mum. It will cost $50 per person for sittings at 11:30am or 2pm. Bookings are essential so call (03) 9614 4500 or rebecca@mrmason.com.au
HIGH TEA AFFAIR AT CAMPARI HOUSE (Melbourne)
Campari House is hosting its annual buffet-style high tea this Mother’s Day. Try the Bellucci Package featuring a high tea buffet and assorted teas, or enhance your experience with a glass of bubbles (and strawberries of course) with the Rossellini Package. A full a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner is also available in the ground floor restaurant with a complimentary glass of bubbles for all mums. It costs $44-$49 per person for 11am and 2:30pm sitings, call (03) 9600 1574 or email info@camparihouse.com.au for more info or bookings.
FESTA DELLA MAMMA! AT THE TERRA ROSSA RESTAURANT AND BAR (Melbourne)
Dine in at Terra Rossa Restaurant and Bar to receibe a complimentary cocktail for mum as well as a special Mother’s Day Gift from the Terra Rossa crew. Bookings are essential, call (03) 9650 0900 or office@terrarossab.com.au
WORLD RESTAURANT AND BAR (Melbourne)
World Restaurant and Bar have a three course meal and cocktail on arrival this Mother’s Day. Make your reservation now and go into the draw to win a spa voucher for one lucky mum. Bookings essential, call 03 9690 6999 or email functions@worldrestaurantbar.com.au
THE LANGHAM HOTEL (Melbourne)
Luxurious riverside hotel, The Langham, Melbourne, is celebrating Mother’s Day with four special offerings including a dining experience at its signature restaurant Melba ($199), a chocolate inspired Morning or Afternoon Tea at ARIA Bar & Lounge ($125), a decadent Mum’s Grand Afternoon Tea in the Clarendon Ballroom with a pamper lounge and fashion parade ($99), and a generous competition to win an assortment of amazing prizes, selected by lucky draw. For more information and bookings on Mother’s Day at The Langham, Melbourne visit www.melbarestaurant.com.au. To book Mother’s Day at The Langham, Melbourne and for full menus, visit www.melbarestaurant.com.au, call 1800 641 107 or email rest.res@langhamhotels.com.
VELUDO (Melbourne)
Indulge mum with a lavish cooked breakfast of classic eggs benedict, smoked salmon, smashed avocado spinach and hollandaise sauce with freshly squeezed juice, a glass of sparkling, tea or coffee. If mum’s not a morning person, treat her to a sumptuous roast lunch or dinner served with a glass of house wine, sparkling or beer. A la carte menu also available all day. Bookings are essential on (03) 9534 4456 or hannah@veludo.com.au
INTERCONTINENTAL ADELAIDE
The InterContinental Adelaide is putting on a Mother’s Day High Tea on Saturday 11th May from 11am – 2pm for $55 per person with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. Funds will be raised for Australian Breast Cancer Research. To book contact Amanda Robins for bookings on +61 8238 2402 or amanda.robins@ihg.com. On Mother’s Day on Sunday 12th May, lunch at The InterContinental Adelaide will include a special menu from 12:30 – 3:30 pm at $65 per person with a complimentary glass of wine. Contact Riverside Restaurant on 08 8238 2384 or Riverside.Adelaide@ihg.com to book.
WHAT TO GIVE
[YELLOW TAIL] BUBBLES AND PINK BUBBLES
[yellow tail]’s Bubbles and Pink Bubbles are an ideal gift to give mum, particularly because they’re only $9.99 per bottles! You could also prepare a chmapgane breakfast in bed for mum, what better way for her to wake up on her special day! And of course to toast with throughout the day.
RED BALLOON GIFT IDEAS
Probably one of the easier gift ideas would be to buy Mum an experience gift from Red Balloon. They have a whole heap of gift ideas catering for each state, including at homes massages, personal concierge services, helicopter flights over Sydney, horse riding in the Blue Mountains, swimming with dolphins in Victoria, Parasailing tandem flight on the Gold Coast and a whole bunch more! Head to http://www.redballoon.com.au/mothers-day-gifts to browse and purchase.
GIFT IT NOW GIFT IDEAS
If you need another option, Gift It Now also has a whole host of adventure gifts such as hot air ballooning, skydiving, jet boating, bridge and tower climbs, wine tastings, spa treatments and over 2000 more! Gift certificates are also available, in case you want to let mum choose herself! www.giftitnow.com.au/t/for-mum
GOOD RETURN MOTHER’S DAY GIFT CERTIFICATES
By giving your mum a Good Return gift certificate this Mother’s Day, your mum can help another mum to start or grow her business and lift her family out of poverty. Good Return is Australia’s first microfinance charity. We connect Australians to women in the Asia Pacific who need a small loan so they can start or expand a small business, increase their income, and lift their families out. You can buy online at www.goodreturn.org, give it to your mum then she can log on to the website and choose another mum she wants to support and redeems her voucher. Gifts start at just $25.
CAREGIFTS
Want to give Mum a meaningful gift this Mother’s Day? CARE Australia focuses on empowering women and girls in developing countries, and their CAREgifts is a thoughtful gift to give on behalf of your mum to those in need. For $50 a birth attendant can be trained and equipped, $69 will send a girl to school for a year, and $100 will help a woman start a small business. CAREgifts can be purchased online at www.caregifts.org.au or over the phone on 1800 020 046. All gifts are tax deductible. Photo courtesy of CARE/Laura Hill
THE SYDNEY BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION GIFTS
The Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation have some gorgeous merchandise which would be a fantastic gift for Mum this Mothers Day, including the special Corban & Blair designed leather notebook pictured below. Other great options include bags, candles, lip gloss and all whilst supporting a great cause! Head here to see more: http://www.sbcf.org.au/shop/catalog.cfm?cat=Pink%20Ribbon%20Products
PERSONAL CONCIERGE SERVICES GIFTS
What every mum needs - an Assistant, or Private PA for the day to do the things she hasn't had time to do. Give mum her own personal concierge service that will organise what they don’t have time to do with a "TIME" gift voucher. They can use the gift voucher on a range of services including Home Organising, Wardrobe Organising, Home Office Organising or Virtual PA Assistance. Head to www.thelifestylersgroup.com.au
SEASONAL REGIONAL BY SARAH ROBINS
Is your mum a foodies? Seasonal Regional by Sarah Robins is the perfect book for her, taking her across Victoria in the comfort of her own home. The book introduces you to the people who produce our food in Victoria. The book is available now at a special Mother’s Day price of $50 with free postage to Australia, and with a gift card and wrapping. Way too easy for you!
GIVE MUM A COASTAL HOLIDAY IN NSW
Gift your loving mum a holiday in Amaroo On The Waterfront in Smiths Lake, mid North Coast of NSW or a holiday in Breeze in Mollymook in the South Coast of NSW. Smiths Lake is a quiet lakeside suburb in the Myall Lakes area, only a five minute drive to the sea beaches. Mollymook is the coastal paradise on the south coast of NSW. Both locations are ideal for swimming, fishing, boating, golf, walks and for your mum to just chill out relax on her well deserved holiday. Head to http://www.OzeHols.com.au for more info.
THE CARD SHOP (Sydney)
The Card Shop has just opened in Warringah Mall, Brookvale and will launch their online store this month. The Card Shop offers uniquely humourous, beautiful and creative cards perfect for any mum. The cards are all printed locally on recycled paper and range from $4.95 - $5.95 in price or 3 cards for $12.00. The Card Shop is owned by a dynamic UK company called Chilli Marketing, who are also owners of Australia’s largest Import Cider brand, Rekorderlig.
SHERATON ON THE PARK GIFT PACKAGE (Sydney)
Sheraton on the Park, Sydney’s five star hotel overlooking Hyde Park, is offering a special “Me Time” Mother’s Day package, designed for mums who will welcome some stylish and indulgent R&R time. The “Me Time” package costs $99 per person and includes a soothing massage in the hotel’s On the Park Rejuvenation Day Spa, followed by a sumptuous Traditional High Tea in Sheraton on the Park’s sophisticated The Gallery Tea Lounge. It’s a minimum of two guests per booking, and is valid throughout May and June, for reservations call 02 9286 6000.
HAMPERLICIOUS GOURMET FOOD HAMPERS (Melbourne)
Hamperlicious is a gourmet food hamper company in Melbourne, and would be perfect for an edible Mother’s Day gift. Hamperlicious bake, mix and preserve all of the products in their hampers themselves, with most products organic and completely free of any artificial flavouring or preservatives, for eco-minded and health conscious Mums! Best of all, 10% of Hamperliscious’ profits goes to a charity of choice every six months, with the most recent charity A Leg TO Stand On, who provide prosthetics to children in Cambodia affected by land mines. Order now at www.hamperlicious.com.au
TICKETS TO THE MELBOURNE LOVE VINTAGE SHOW (Melbourne)
Buy your mum a ticket to the Melbourne Love Vintage Show, and one for yourself too of course! When you buy ‘special rate’ Mother’s Day tickets online before 12th May, you could win perfume and champagne for your mum (use the promo code Love Vintage Mum). The show is taking place on May 17th – 19th at the Royal Exhibition Centre in Carlton Gardens. Buy tickets at www.lovevintage.com.au
WHAT TO DO
THE JEEP KURRI BURRI POLO CLASSIC (Blue Mountains)
The Jeep Kurri Burri Polo Classic lends a fresh twist to Mother’s Day this Sunday 12th May - it’s a day for friends and family to enjoy charming country hospitality, competitive polo, gourmet food and live entertainment. The charity event is set on a beautiful estate under the back drop of the Blue Mountains. Activities include a live performance by singing sensation, Prinnie Stevens, plus face painting, local markets and fun for the children. Gates open from 11am – 4pm at the Kurri Burri Polo Fields. Book now www.kurriburri.com.au
KULA YOGA (Melbourne)
This Mother’s Day, Kula Yoga in Hawthorn is encouraging your mum, daughter or entire family to celebrate with a special class at 8:30am followed by cupcakes and tea. The event will raise much needed funds for a local charity with all proceeds being donated to ‘Hawthorn Community Chest’. The donation is 1 person $25, 2 people for $40, 3 for $50 and a family of 4 for $60. There is limited space and bookings are essential, so email info@kulayoga.com.au
MEDIBANK ICEHOUSE (Melbourne)
Mum’s skate free at the Medibank Icehouse on Mothers Day with any full paying entry. Skate times are 9am – 10pm on the day, just download the special Mother's Day card from www.icehouse.com.au, print, fold and give to your Mum to bring in and redeem. Voucher is valid from 12th May (Mothers Day) until Friday 17th May.
DELUXE CHAUFFEURED CARS (Perth)
Sip champagne in a stretch limousine and see the sights of Perth on Mother’s Day, including the Swan River, down to the beach, the Fremantle café strip and South Perth for dine dining. Deluxe Chauffeured Cars have got a special afternoon for mum completely planned! The day costs $100 for kids and $129 for adults, which includes a stretch limo tour of Perth, sparkling wine and finger food, expert commentary, and return transfers to Perth hotels. Call 1300 4 LIMOS.