Spring is finally here (Hooray!), and that means it is time to start thinking about Mother’s Day on the Upper West Side. Don’t our moms deserve a little special treatment? This year it is on May 12th…let’s try to plan in advance and not let this important holiday sneak up on us!
If you’re on the Upper West Side, you’re in luck! There are a multitude of options for treating your mom and staying in the ‘hood.
Flower Options
– for those who plan and those who don’t
Of course there are plenty of lovely florists open for Mother’s Day on the Upper West Side. Two top choices are Rachel Cho, located at 200 W 82nd Street (visit www.rachelchoinc.com or call 212-877-2877 ), and Posies at 366 Amsterdam Avenue. (visit www.posiesnyc.com or call 212-721-2260 ). But if you’re not much of a planner, you can always pick up a colorful bouquet at Whole Foods at Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, and for the most affordable option, try Trader Joe’s at 72nd and Broadway. Yes, the lines can be long, but they move pretty fast. In my experience, the team here at Trader Joe’s is always friendly. It is easy to grab some reasonably priced flowers when you are doing your grocery shopping.
Brunch
Taking Mother out for a special brunch seems to be the most common way to celebrate her day. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of delicious choices for those celebrating Mother’s Day on the Upper West Side.
One of my favorite restaurants for Mother’s Day on the Upper West Side is the amazing Robert Restaurant, located at the Museum of Art and Design in Columbus Circle. With its breathtaking views, unique menu, and tastefully funky décor, it is sure to please the whole family for a Mother’s Day brunch. Why not make a day of it and take Mom to visit the museum after the meal?
Another elegant choice is Café Luxembourg, at 200 W 70th Street. This is an upscale option for a classy French restaurant in NYC with a true European feel. Attentive, friendly service and a sophisticated mood makes Café Luxembourg a perfect fit for the chic mother who wants delectable eats in a Paris-meets-New York’s Upper West Side atmosphere.
Isabella’s at 359 Columbus Avenue, between 76th St & 77th Streets, is a popular Sunday brunch spot for Upper West Siders, so you may want to consider it for Mother’s Day as well. If the weather cooperates, you can choose an outdoor table for people watching and catching some rays. Starting with the scrumptious bread and homemade strawberry jam, followed by the two complimentary beverages, and solid brunch favorites, such as huevos rancheros and smoked salmon eggs benedict, it is easy to see why Isabella’s keeps its customers coming back. White tablecloths keep it from being too casual, but the restaurant still has a relaxed, neighborhood feel.
Popover Café at 51 Amsterdam Avenue, between 86th St & 87th Streets, is an excellent choice for comfort food, if décor is not your top priority this Mother’s Day on the Upper West Side. This is a brunch spot for the laid-back mom who wants to dig into some large portions. Be ready to carbo-load with their famous popovers and strawberry butter, because resisting them is futile. You may also want to try their “flopovers”, which are a cross between a crepe and an omelet, or the decadent Eggs Popeye, made with smoked salmon, lemon hollandaise, three eggs, and spinach (of course!), all filling up a split-open popover.
Entertainment
Make this Mother’s Day on the Upper West Side extra-special with some entertainment for your afternoon! Maybe this is the year to splurge and take Mom out for a matinee?
ANN is a new Broadway play about Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas who is “tough as nails, funny as hell”, starring Holland Taylor. Ms. Taylor is probably best known for her role as Charlie Sheen’s mother on TV’s “Two and a Half Men”. She also won an Emmy award for her role on “The Practice”, and she has extensive theatre, film, and television credits. This tour-de-force performance has received rave reviews across the board. The show is currently playing at:
Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre, 150 West 65th Street
They have a 3:00pm performance on Mother’s Day, and ticket prices range from $75 – $125.
Or why not be on the cutting edge of the New York theatre scene, and take Mom to the world premier of a new play? NIKOLAI AND THE OTHERS, by playwright Richard Nelson, will be playing at:
Lincoln Center’s Mitzi Newhouse Theatre, 150 West 65th Street
Set in 1948, the story is set in Westport, Connecticut, and it imagines a scenario in which choreographer George Balanchine and composer Igor Stravinsky, along with other world-renowned artists of the time, come together for the weekend and create the ballet ORPHEUS. The role of Balanchine will be played by the remarkable Tony award-winner, Michael Cerveris. I have seen Cerveris as the title role in both SWEENEY TODD and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, and he is one of my favorite NY performers. It begins previews on April 4th, with its official opening on May 6th. NIKOLAI AND THE OTHERS has a Mother’s Day show at 3:00pm, with tickets ranging from $75 – $85.
Whatever you choose to do, don’t forget your mother this year. On the Upper West Side, you really don’t have to go an extra mile to “go that extra mile”!
