Where to take your Mum on Mother’s Day

As always, deep level investigations about job, clothes or partner choices will be top of the agenda at many London restaurants this Mothering Sunday (26th March). Thankfully, they won’t be conducted over a bland chicken or fish dish, ordered because the rest of the menu sounds suspicious!

Today’s mum knows that she lives in the middle of one of the world’s culinary hotspots. She might not be up to speed on all of Heston Blumenthal’s madcap confections, but she can pick him out from a lineup consisting of Harry Hill and the Mitchell Brothers with ease. Mothers have, and always will, appreciate fresh, well-sourced and skillfully prepared ingredients. They are no longer fazed by waiting staff sporting trendy facial jewelry or tattoos, either. The best way to show mum just how much she means to you is to combine a meal with something else special. She’ll appreciate a varied day that is memorable for all the right reasons. Across our sixteen branches, we asked some of our lettings staff for their best tips and here are five Mother’s Day options that we think will appeal to London’s clued-up mums.

Stunning London views
from Mark Wellington, Area Manager, City & East London

If your parents were the type that loved whisking the family off to a weekend city break then a trip up to the top of London’s tallest buildings will definitely be appreciated. Have fun spotting old neighbourhoods and school runs over soft shell crab at Hutong, the glitzy Chinese restaurant in the Shard. Alternatively, you can go to Sushisamba, the Japanese fusion eatery in Heron Tower near the Barbican. From there you can practically clean the upper windows of the neighbouring Gherkin landmark. At ground level, you can appreciate just how rapidly the streets of the Square Mile are changing. Other high rise destinations include City Social at Tower 42 and the Skygarden atop the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building. Champagne cocktails feature heavily on the menus of all these restaurants which make them ideal for celebratory events like Mother’s Day.

Say it with flowers
fromNick Hubbard, Area Manager, Ealing & Kew Bridge

Although an extravagant bouquet of flowers will always be appreciated, why not expand the theme by lunching in an environment that literally surrounds your mother with expressions of natural beauty and love? The Orangery in Kew Gardens is set among some of the most beautiful examples of plant life in the world and manages to be both inspiring and calming at the same time. The menu features traditional British fare such as hotpot and roasted salmon as well as a large selection of cakes. After lunch, take a tour of the Royal Botanical Gardens, especially the orchid exhibition which is a riot of perfume and colour.

Showtime

from Sarah Edwards, Senior Negotiator, Canary Wharf branch

The Gaucho Grill at the O2 is ideal for dinner just before a live show. Known primarily for its selection of quality steaks, it also serves up some interesting starters like saffron chicken broth. Oven baked sea bream with orange and red onion provides a zesty and less heavy alternative to the meat. The Gaucho is under the same roof as the O2 mega venue that on Mother’s Day 2017 will be hosting a major gig by Craig David. The homegrown R&B star is the perfect cross generational act and a cool and hip way of rounding up the Sunday celebration. Getting to the venue via Thames Clipper riverbus is another way of making the day special.

Mama Mia
from Shaun Tan, Negotiator, Hammersmith branch

Italian cuisine strikes the right balance on Mother’s Day simply because it is so family oriented. Multiple courses of small plates will have you both stealing each other’s choices while reminiscing about school play triumphs and holiday disasters. The River Cafe in Hammersmith is an integral part of the West London restaurant scene with its seasonal herb garden and attractive wood fired oven. The menu changes seasonally, but always consists of the freshest ingredients and there’s bound to be something on it that Mum will love. Leave space for the outstanding pear and almond tart. No meal at the River Cafe is complete without a relaxing stroll along the Thames Path, so toast her good health in one of the quaint riverside pubs along the way.

Shop! In The Name Of Love

from Lisa-Jane Stratton, Manager, Knightsbridge branch

Taking your mother out on a high-end shopping expedition can be both frustrating and rewarding but although your tastes and bargain-hunting tactics may differ, your shared appreciation of good food should endure. Head to Knightsbridge where you can plan your retail strategy from the comfort of the Fifth Floor restaurant at Harvey Nichols. Dishes like lemon sole or steamed sea bass are just the ticket. Not too heavy, but substantial enough to see you both through the day. Taking tea at Harrods is also a good choice – in fact, why not do both? Shop along Sloane Street before lunching at Harvey Nicks, then hit the main Knightsbridge thoroughfare before having a glass of champagne in Harrods. Just remember not to let her pay for everything!