What a treat

Okay, it’s a stretch to suggest that nothing says “I love you, mum” more than a family feast she didn’t have to prepare. But it’s a start.

And that’s not to say a lush spread in her honour wouldn’t make for a fine excuse to dine out over the Mother’s Day weekend. Suffice it to say, choices are a plenty, proffering both variety and value — even Grandma would approve.

There’s a weekend buffet to match almost every appetite, ideal for lunch or dinner, and whatever cravings you might have in between. A relaxed English Afternoon Tea at Goodwood Park Hotel’s L’Espresso (S$78, S$54 per child age 6 to 11 years), for instance, has two seatings: One at lunch (noon to 2.30pm) and the other at, well, tea time. And like any high-tea menu worth its premium brew, this one also boasts a fair selection of savouries, including classic finger and open-face sandwiches, a salmon wellington carvery station and a comforting dish of braised pork goulash served with homemade brioche. And who’s to say Mummy Dearest wouldn’t be adequately satiated with all the durian confections she can have (the occasion does coincide with Goodwood’s annual durian fest).

A similarly heady assortment can be had at Pacific Marketplace, Pan Pacific Singapore. Its Mother’s Day afternoon tea buffet (S$48, or S$86 with wines) is a table of petite sandwiches, smoked salmon and roast beef set alongside specially created durian treats — pioneering pastry chef Phillip Lee’s signature durian pengat shares the spotlight with seven other inspired desserts that include durian puffs, durian crumble, durian cheesecake and even durian milk chocolate tarts. Both menus are available on Saturday and Sunday. But here are a few more options to chew over.

> Because a bouquet only says so much …

Where: The Line at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore (Orange Grove Road, Tel: 6213 4398)

What: Who needs a bouquet when you can have your pick of specially crafted menus inspired by flowers? Whether it’s Japanese at Nadaman or traditional Chinese at Shang Palace, each restaurant at the hotel will feature one. Or go for variety of creative floral creations at The Line’s 16 theatre kitchens, which include a Provencal dish of braised artichokes and mushroom, monkfish liver with fennel pollen, and saffron risotto, as well as desserts like the frozen cardamom cream with pistachio and rose water.

When: May 11, noon to 3pm

Price: S$128 per adult, S$54 per child (inclusive of free flow of chilled juices and soft drinks). Add S$40 for house pour champagne, red and white wines and draft beer.

> Because few meals thrill like bubbly brunch in the sky …

Where: Seasonal Tastes at The Westin Singapore (Level 32 Asia Square Tower 2, 12 Marina View, Tel: 6922.6968)

What: Appropriately named The Brunch Beats, this Mother’s Day celebration of its recently launched Sunday Champagne brunch marries fine food and panoramic views of the city skyline with delicious cosmopolitan tunes, the latter courtesy of resident Dutch DJ Lindo Martinez. The restaurant’s live interactive kitchens will serve up a delectable array, from freshly shucked oysters and succulent roasted meats to a myriad international dishes, including surprise off-the-regular-menu dishes unique to their specialty cuisine served tableside. To wit, diners can choose to start at the sushi or the fresh seafood station before sampling a variety of decadent Asian savouries, such as tandoori-style prawns, suckling pig and even a lush but familiar lobster mee goreng. Dessert is a mix of local and western sweets, as well as custom frozen yoghurt concoctions incorporating delicious SuperFoods, prepared on a frozen granite stone. Mum will receive a glass of pink champagne upon arrival.

When: May 11, noon to 3pm

Price: S$158 (inclusive of freeflow Veuve Clicquot champagne, red and white wines, cocktails, beers and soft drinks).

> Because variety is still the spice of life …

Where: Tandoor Restaurant at Holiday Inn Singapore, Orchard City Centre (11 Cavenagh Road, Basement One, Tel: 6733 8333)

What: A Mother’s Day meal at this stalwart restaurant promises to be a comprehensive feast, lined with some of its most desired dishes — a total of 12, to be precise. Standing out, though, is the navrattan korma, a sweet and spicy “nine-gem” delicacy made with a variety of vegetables, fruits and nuts that represent the nine gems or courtiers from the Mughal period. Another dish to warm the hearts and appetites is the murgh pankhi — saffron-flavoured tender chicken breasts stuffed with cottage cheese and grilled in the tandoor. Closing the meal on an aptly sweet note is a medley of three desserts: Saffron and pistachio kulfi; cottage cheese dumpling served in thickened milk; and a warm ensemble of grated carrots cooked in sweetened milk. The latter is said to be popular in Bollywood movies as the dish mothers make for their children’s homecoming. A vegetarian set is also available.

When: May 10 and 11, noon to 2.30pm and 7pm to 10.30pm

Price: S$68

> Because mum loves the taste of a little nostalgia …

Where: Buona Terra (29 Scotts Road, Tel: 6733 0209)

What: Chef Denis Lucchi’s celebratory menus include a couple of dishes from his childhood. The five-course Mother’s Day Lunch begins with a familiar salad of octopus, followed by a Mediterranean seafood soup. The prelude to the main course is an inspired rendition of his grandmother’s beef ravioli elevated by the addition of fresh black truffle slices. The main is a choice between a line-caught sea bass with polenta and porcini mushrooms, or a lamb short loin in crispy pistachio crust and artichoke. Dinner is a lux six-course menu that features the chef’s secret recipe of Iberico pork jaw served with braised endive, which follows a hearty pasta dish of Wagyu short ribs and morel mushrooms tossed with homemade tagliatelle. Dessert is one of Mamma Lucchi’s favourite dishes: Vanilla panna cotta paired with a seasonal fruit salad and a scoop of moscato ice cream.

When: May 11, noon to 2.30pm and 6.30pm to 10.15pm

Price: S$88 for the set lunch (S$168 with free flow of Antica Fratta Essence 2007, Regaleali Bianco, Regaleali Rosso, Moretti beer, juices and soft drinks); S$128 for the set dinner (wine pairing at an additional S$110)

> Because everyone’s different …

Where: Wooloomooloo Steakhouse (2 Stamford Road, Level 3, Swissotel The Stamford, Tel: 6338 0261)

What: Even a family of carnivores and pesceatarians will appreciate this Mother’s Day four-course brunch, topped with a buffet dessert display of homemade cakes, macarons, creme brulee and key lime pies. Diners can choose to start with a fried hen’s egg or a cobb sandwich before tucking into, perhaps, a lobster bisque to complement a trio of oysters. Options for the main course range from a Tasmanian salmon fillet with winter vegetables to the Beef Wellington with Parma ham and foie gras. There is also the choice of an Australian grass-fed filet mignon or a selection of seafood tossed in a homemade tomato sauce with just a hint of chilli. For S$18, children can choose from a plate of lightly battered strips of cod served with fries, a classic spaghetti bolognaise and mini cheeseburgers.

When: May 10 and 11, 11.30am to 2.30pm

Price: S$78