Mother’s Day is coming up in less than a week now, and Sydney’s best restaurants are starting to fill up with families looking to treat mum to something special. Each year we go through and pick out some of the restaurants we feel will be leading the pack when it comes to the special occasion, and by the look of things, Sydneysiders – and their mums – are going to be spoiled for choice.
Here are five of the best experiences going around the city for Mother’s Day this Sunday 12th May. Make sure to book in early though; they will fill fast.
Mode Kitchen & Bar
Beloved Mode Kitchen & Bar, sitting pretty in the middle of the remarkable Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, will be leaning on their greatest strength to help celebrate mum, presenting guests with not only their regular a la carte menu for both lunch and dinner, but three special signature dishes created by Head Chef Francesco Mannelli.
Mannelli, who earned his stripes in kitchens across Italy and Australia (including est., Bistrode CBD, and Balla), has focused on warm, comforting dishes for these three specials. First, there’s the Risotto Aquerello with porcini mushrooms and white truffle butter for $38. Second: a wood roasted free-range chicken with chestnuts and brussels sprouts, served either as half for $39, or as a whole for $76. And for dessert, a $16 vanilla and raspberry rose.
Of course, the day-to-day menus offered by Mode’s produce-forward kitchen will still be available, so options will be plentiful like dinner options including Rigatoni with pipis, organic mussels, cime di rapa, and ‘Nduja crumbs; steamed wild caught Coral Trout with sugar leaf, ginger and shallot; and slow cooked Flinders Island Lamb Shoulder with eggplant and saltbush. Extra hungry? Make sure to give the Signature Steaks a good look – Mother’s Day is a good excuse as any to order up that immense 600g Mayura Station Wagyu Rib Eye (MB 7+, 4 weeks dry aged).
Though, you’ll probably want to save room for their Holy Goat & Truffle Honey cheese, or their seven other desserts which range from a Wild Berries & Coconut Pavlova, to a Ricotta Cheesecake with fresh figs, almond cream, and saba.
Address: Ground Floor/199 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Bookings: modekitchenandbar.com.au
Fred’s
The talented Danielle Alvarez has steered Fred’s to become one of Merivale’s most valuable and beloved restaurants, so it’s always worth seeing what they’re up to on Mother’s Day. For 2019, they’ll be simply offering up at four-course option for $125pp, which will let guests choose from the regular menu.
And what a menu it is. Fan favourite entrees include dishes like Ocean Trout Tartare with salmon roe, citrus, creme fraiche, and house made crackers; Grilled Spicy Carrots with straciatella, rocket and pomegranate; and Spaghetti with squid, pippes, tomato, garlic and parsley.
Moving up to mains you’ve got the likes of Grilled Beef Fillet with gorgonzola dolce, treviso, and red wine jus; Steamed Snapper wrapped in cabbage with caviar and champagne butter; and Celeriac Schnitzel with salsa verde, mayonnaise, beetroot and meyer lemon salad.
Address: 380 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021
Bookings: merivale.com
Anason
For families feeling like a Turkish feast on Mother’s Day, head down to Barangaroo and grab a seat at Anason.
The crowd favourite is planning to host a banquet of dishes on Sunday, with curated options including a Ramadan Pide with chicken butter, Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with pastirma, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with crispy bread, and Crab Kofte with walnut muhammara.
Not enough? You’ve also got Seabass with parsley butter, and Wagyu Skirt Fillet with braised leeks, charred eggplants, goats cheese and chickpeas. The feast will wrap with dessert: a Baked Tahini Helva with turmeric yoghurt ice cream. The whole menu is going for $95 per person.
Address: 5/23, Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Bookings: anason.com.au
Gardens by Lotus
The newly opened Gardens by Lotus are heading into their first ever Mother’s Day with a specially curated dumpling high tea menu. In the picturesque surrounds of Sydney’s Chinese Garden of Friendship, a chef’s selection of savoury and sweet bites will be served alongside a selection of fragrant organic teas.
The typical sandwiches and scones will be replaced by mini baos, dumplings, and spring rolls alongside High Tea essentials like macaroons and petit fours created by Lotus Dining Group’s Pastry Chef Pierrick Nicol.
The High Tea menu is going for $40 per person with a minimum of 2 per seating, though guests are able to trawl the drinks list for various add-ons including mocktails, cocktails and sparkling wine.
Address: Inside the Chinese Garden of Friendship; Pier Street, Darling Harbour
Bookings: thefork.com.au
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
As if Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel wasn’t ideal enough for Mother’s Day, the venue will be looking beyond the standard “thanks mum” lunch with a flower origami workshop led by Sydney paper artists Blissful Paper Flowers and specialised family photo opps.
The florigami workshop will run from 10am to 11:30am with tickets at $49 per person, while the floral theme will extend into a special swing installation curated by The Make Haus.
Though lunch hasn’t been overlooked. The venue will be using their picture-perfect Sunset Room to host a special featuring menu for families to share, with dishes including Antipasto Misto, Grilled Salmon, and signature Seafood Sharing Platters. The lunch will be priced at $95 per adult and $50 per child, with the option to add a two hour beverage package for extra.
Address: 1 Military Rd, Watsons Bay NSW 2030
Bookings: watsonsbayhotel.com
Feature image: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
