Mother’s Day allows us to pause, reflect and honor the moms in our lives – whether that person gave birth to you or not. Celebrating aunts, grandmas and people we’re not related to by blood but found a connection to in the way that counts the most — the heart — is all on the table.
What else is on the table? For whatever reason, you may prefer to offer these special people something other than a home-cooked meal. Around the North Fork and Shelter Island, restaurants are rolling up their sleeves and putting out special mom-approved menus. In some cases, they’re also rolling out white tablecloths for Mother’s Day brunches and dinners. From toast-worthy wine and restaurant pairings to a ballroom brunch that can double as a deep-sea adventure in Riverhead, these are the best Mother’s Day celebrations on the North Fork.
Sannino Vineyard, 15975 County Road 48, Cutchogue, 631-734-8282
In addition to a glass of local wine, guests can toast to mom with a traditional or zero-proof mimosa (good news for expectant mothers and the under-21 crowd) at Sannino Vineyard’s annual Mother’s Day brunch. Mum’s the word on what will make the special à la carte menu, but guests can also fill up on sweet treats for the table and at an unlimited coffee and tea bar. Table reservations are required for people ages 4 and older and last for two hours. The menu is available from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. $25 per adult and $15 per child age 4 and over.
Long Island Aquarium, 431 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-9200
Honor the person who taught you that the “seaweed is always greener” (and listened to the Little Mermaid song by the same name on repeat) with an under-the-sea adventure at Long Island Aquarium. A made-to-order omelet station and build-your-own yogurt parfait give guests plenty of breakfast-style options, while a ham carving station, penne a la vodka and mac ‘n cheese are lunch and dinner fare. Beyond the bites, the ticket includes all-day entry to the aquarium. (Moms who don’t do the brunch can still snag a free entry into the aquarium on Sunday with a paying child ages 3 to 12.) And the early fish aren’t the only ones who get the worms (and cakes). Seatings are 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Head’s up: The aquarium closes at 5 p.m., so the latecomers will want to visit the sea creatures before dining. $78 per guest 13+, $42 per child ages 3 to 12, $10.35 per child 2 and under. Members receive a 10% discount.
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards, 39750 Rt. 48, Southold, 631-765-0200)
Nothing quite says “celebrate” like a glass of bubbly, and Sparkling Pointe Vineyard will offer that and then some in its bright and airy white-washed tasting house. Guests will receive a tasting flight of three sparkling vinos and a three-course brunch from Southold General. It starts with a sweet and savory pastry trio that includes strawberry and Chantilly-cream-filled beignets (oui!), continues with a zucchini lemon ricotta mini quiche and spring salad, and concludes with an almond peach tart. Forgot the flowers? No worries. Blooms by Design will host a flower-arranging class, so you can make it up to mom DIY-style (it’ll remind her of the arts and crafts you brought home from school). $50 per guest (flower arranging is an additional $28 per guest).
Harbes Barnyard Adventure, 715 Sound Avenue, Mattituck, 631-482-7641
The food is a side dish to the whole scene at this weekend-long festival at Harbes Barnyard Adventure. The family-fun event includes musical hayride tours around the 100-acre farm, big races and farm animal experiences. There will be live music and grub, like sweet corn and cider donuts (never too soon), in the patio area. The area is conveniently located between the wine stand and play area, where tiny tykes can keep themselves busy while the adults enjoy some grown-up conversation. The experience goes down from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Mom gets in free.
The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages, 81 Shore Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-0476
The idyllic waterfront hotel with an on-site restaurant opens for the season on Mother’s Day weekend. A wine dinner and brunch are part of the festivities. On Mother’s Day eve, The Pridwin is teaming up with Macari Vineyards for a multi-course dinner complete with pairings from the family-run vineyard. Consider spending the night in a cottage-style room and give mom a seaside view to wake up to on her special day, too. Whether you do or not, a TBD brunch menu complete with dishes made with local ingredients is sure to be craveable. Dinner is $135 per person.
Palmer Vineyards, 5120 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, 631-722-9463
Sure, some mom’s like the fancy-fancy on Mom’s Day, but if you know yours is more of a casual kind of mom, head over to Palmer for wood-fired pizza, a bottle of their lovely wine and locally made Concord grape pie for dessert, all for 60 bucks! Plus live music with Those Rhythm & Blues from 1 – 4 p.m.
Macari Vineyards, 150 Bergen Avenue, Mattituck, 631-298-0100
Macari is letting the good times (lobster) roll this Mother’s Day. The vineyard is pairing with The Catered Fork for a lobster roll lunch that comes with a side of French fries and their 2024 rosé. Guests can clink glasses and take trips down memory lane with a half-glass of HORSES, the vineyards’ crisp, sparkling rosé with notes of summer berries. Guests can also sample a half-glass of Macari’s new release and will receive a “special” dessert. Prepaid reservations are required. $70 per guest.
North Fork Table & Inn, 57225 Main Road, Southold,631-765-0177
Mom may be a first-timer or long-timer at this North Fork institution, whose menu has doubled as a love letter to the East End since Gerry Hayden and Claudia Fleming opened it as one of the region’s first farm-to-table restaurants in 2006. Now under the helm chef John Fraser’s group, JF Restaurants, chef Brian Wilson expertly oversees the approachable, elegant eatery with white tablecloths — an ideal spot for treating mom to a special meal. Diners can choose between brunch and dinner, or — heck – both. With offerings like a spring veggie frittata and 10-grain made with toasted sunflower seeds or crab cakes and filet mignon, both surely sounds like the most appetizing option.
Vine Street Café. 41 S. Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-3210
Vine Street Café is also offering the option for brunch or dinner feasts. Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the country-chic eatery reopening at 5 p.m. for dinner. While the official offerings are TBD, common specials include seafood dishes and eggs Benedict.
The Birchwood of Polish Town, 512 Pulaski St., Riverhead, 631-727-4449
Always one to plan a good special for a holiday, The Birchwood of Polish Town will have brunch and dinner fare from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in its laid-back 1920s tavern. A giant donut wall that’s equal parts Instagram installation and delicious, along with fresh-baked bread and sushi are a few of the many buffet-style foods that will be available. Kids can feast at a station just for them — mac ‘n cheese, chicken fingers and fries are for the taking. Seatings are 90 minutes. $59.95 per guest over 12; $29.95 for guests ages 3 to 12 and children under 2 are free.
Little Fish, 50 N. Sea Drive, Southold, 631-765-8756
Head to Little Fish and give mom the seaside treatment (and maybe a little walk on Kenny’s Beach after) for spectacular seafood dishes, like blackened local catch and Lobster Benedict with tarragon Béarnaise on 1610 sourdough. Bonus: the super nice Little Fish folks give all mom’s a complimentary glass of sparkling Bedell rosé. Make a reservation and make mom happy — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
