This year of all years, your mum might deserve a little bit more than your “world-famous” scrambled eggs. If you can justify it, outsourcing your Mother’s Day food needs to the professionals will help make the day extra special – especially now that most days feel like a very ordinary slog.
We’ve also created a guide to Australian-made and designed gifts for mum this year, but if you fancy throwing a meal into the mix – and supporting one of your favourite restaurants in the process – then be a hero and order one of these.
That’s Amore’s Viva La Mamma Cheese Hamper, $65
It’s hard to find fresher Italian-style cheeses in Victoria than those made by That’s Amore in Thomastown, and this year the cheesemonger has put together a who’s who of Italian cheeses for Mother’s Day. We’re talking diavoletti (smoked cheese stuffed with olive); buffalo caciotta (like cream cheese, but dialled up to 11); and a pecorino filled with pepper – practically a one-man cacio e pepe. Plus there’s flatbread, salami, Beechworth honey, fig paste and a Baci chocolates.
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SIGN UPGrossi a Casa’s Mother’s Day at Home, $100 for two people
A meal at Guy Grossi’s Florentino is one of the best dining experiences you can have in Melbourne, and a compelling argument for old-school hospitality. It’s impossible to fully replicate that experience at home, but Grossi a Casa comes close. Bringing together the greatest hits of the Grossi constellation of eateries (including Grill, Ombra and Arlechin), A Casa’s cook-at-home Mother’s Day pack includes pumpkin tortellini with sage and brown butter sauce; chilli and lemon roast chicken with rosemary potatoes and broccoli; and a glorious tiramisu. Add-ons include signed Guy Grossi cookbooks and Grossi olive oil.
Matilda’s Mother’s Day Brunch Hamper, $60 for two people
South Yarra restaurant Matilda doesn’t usually do breakfast, but this Mother’s Day brunch hamper draws on chef Scott Pickett’s knack for getting big flavours from mostly native ingredients. It includes mini croissants with blueberry-and-lemon-myrtle jam; smoked chicken; cured salmon; charcuterie with Matilda pickles; grilled tuna nicoise; and woodfired potato focaccia. Optional extras include oysters and champagne. Pick-up only.
Piccolina’s Festa Della Mamma Gelato Bon Bons, $49 for 12
Each Mother’s Day, this gelateria releases a special-edition frozen treat, and this year it’s gelato bon bons by the dozen. There are six flavours in each gift box, including salted-caramel with a peanut-brownie centre; strawberry gelato with a marshmallow in the middle; and a gold-dusted torrone (nougat and nut) with a ganache centre. That’s sure to be one hotly-contested bon bon, but mum gets to pull rank.
St. Ali Mother’s Day Complete Box, $80
When the coronavirus hit, Melbourne coffee stalwart St Ali started pumping out hand sanitiser, but it’s been quietly returning to its bread and butter: coffee and brunch. This box comes with some pancake mix, fruit jam, Pepe Saya butter, bacon, coffee-infused maple syrup and a bag of St Ali’s Orthodox
blend coffee. Plus, a family-sized lasagne for dinner. You can even add on a bottle of prosecco to kick things up a notch.
Cumulus Inc’s Mother’s Day Banquet, $80 for two people
Cumulus Inc’s signature slow-roasted lamb shoulder at home: where do we sign? You’ll also get a starter of burrata with flatbread; a side of cauliflower with coriander and mint; and a chopped salad with whipped feta. To finish things off, there’s a Valrhona chocolate, hazelnut and coffee cream dessert. Optional add-ons include paired wines and crumpets with ricotta and honey for Monday breakfast. Pick-up only.
Punch Lane’s Mother’s Day High Tea, starting at $40 for two people (packages can serve up to six)
City institution Punch Lane is doing a spread of sweet and savoury snacks for Mother’s Day this year. Expect a boozy citrus trifle; carrot cake; raspberry-chocolate macaroons; fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam; a quiche with mushroom, spinach and truffle; sausage rolls; croquettes; and tiny sandwiches. There are plenty of add-ons – including bouquets and bottles of bubbly – but tea is conspicuously absent. That’s always been the least important part of a high tea anyway though, right?
Cookes Food’s Mother’s Day Boxes, $150 to $180, serves two
Cookes Food is one of the city’s top event caterers, but the company’s style – both elevated and comforting – works well at home, too. There are three boxes to choose from, and each one comes with a bouquet of autumn flowers and a bottle of wine. Then it’s just about personal preference. Will it be braised chicken with figs; mashed potato; and dark-chocolate mousse? Barramundi en papiotte; zucchini, pea and bacon salad; and apple-rhubarb pie? Or lamb shoulder; Greek salad; and pear tarte tatin?
Pentolina’s Mother’s Day Feast, $39 per person
Pentolina is already peddling pasta for us to take home, but for Mother’s Day the Italian diner has prepared a four-course feast. There are a few dishes to choose from, but expect antipasti; scampi tortelli; slow-cooked pork belly; roast pumpkin and brussels sprouts; and gelati or sorbet to finish.
Gitan’s Mother’s Day Hamper, $90 for two people
The Reymond family’s stable of restaurants (Frederic, L’Hôtel Gitan, Bistro Gitan) have joined forces to create a hamper filled with French goodies, from gougères (baked cheese balls) to chicken ballotine, with a caramel tart for dessert. Add on a bottle of champagne and you’ll never get grief for forgetting mum’s birthday again. Details aren't yet up online, so contact the venue for more information and to order.
Maker & Monger’s Breakfast-in-Bed Pack, $75
Prahran Market’s Maker & Monger is one of the city’s foremost fromage purveyors. Its Mother’s Day breakfast pack includes two Baker Bleu bagels; fruit toast; whipped Italian mascarpone; Dandenong Ranges honeycomb; strawberry and aniseed jam; baked ricotta with grapes and olives; a cheese toastie; and some oranges for a freshly squeezed OJ.
Flowers Vasette’s Mother’s Day Hamper, $195
This Brunswick Street florist has been adding fresh produce to its plant and flower deliveries since the coronavirus crisis began, and any of the boxes would work well for a surprise delivery for mum. But the Mother’s Day-specific hamper is pretty special too: it comes with a cyclamen plant; Koko Black chocolates; a rose, geranium and peony-scented candle; and Grown Alchemist handwash and hand cream.
Superbloom’s Sending Hugs (and Treats) Gift Pack, $525
This new local flower delivery service is all about bold, bright blooms and luxe add-ons. This top-of-the-line pack includes a bouquet (either autumnal themed, or white-and-green); your choice of Four Pillars gin (options include the famous Bloody Shiraz); Grown Alchemist hand sanitiser; cookies from Hunted & Gathered; a calming scented candle; and more. There are other, more wallet-friendly options too, but this is our pick for those going all-out for mum.
Carolina Group’s Family-Style Mother’s Day Menu, $180 for four people
The crew behind eateries Bar Carolina, Marameo, Il Bacaro and Tetto di Carolina is doing a family-style Mother’s Day menu. The finish-at-home menu includes osso buco with sage and thyme; spinach and ricotta cannelloni; roast potatoes; a raspberry tart; and a bottle of prosecco. You can add on a bunch of flowers for $40.
Mister Bianco’s Mother’s Day Feast, $72 for two people
Sicilian diner Mister Bianco is putting on a four-course feast for mum this weekend. The set menu for two includes oysters; savoury caponata cannoli; arancini; tortellini in broth; slow-cooked chicken with fennel and orange; green beans with mint; and a panna cotta to finish. Add on a bottle of prosecco, fresh pasta or a few serves of the lasagne al ragu, and mum will be thanking you for many dinners to come.
Hanoi Hannah’s Mother’s Day Menu, $80
Hanoi Hannah has outposts in Elsternwick, Windsor and Richmond, and all three are rolling out a roster of classics for its Mother’s Day menu for two. Choose from kingfish tartare or pho cuon (pho wrapped in rice noodles) to start; main options include chicken in master stock, mapo tofu, sweet’n’sour prawns, and rockling with noodles; and everyone gets spring rolls, vegetarian fried rice and a coconut panna cotta too. You can add on a bouquet of flowers, too. Pick-up only.
Chin Chin’s DIY Mother’s Day Banquet, $176 for two people
Flinders Lane’s Chin Chin has designed a takeaway pack complete with food, cocktails, place settings and even music so you can replicate the experience of dining at the Thai institution for mum. The banquet-style meal includes dishes such as pork-and-chive dumplings; Thai-style barbeque salmon and chicken; rendang Wagyu curry; stir-fried green beans; roast butternut pumpkin; rice and roti sides; and frozen-yoghurt cheesecake. Pre-order online for pick-up.
Henry Sugar’s Mother’s Day Hamper, $65
Carlton North wine bar Henry Sugar has put together a beautiful hamper with bubbles, a block of Brunswick-made Ratio chocolate, flowers, strawberries and a loaf of fresh banana bread. You can add a personalised note at the checkout, too.
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