A Perfect NJ Afternoon With Mom

I must admit, I spaced on Mother’s Day this year – well, just about. I had a crazy and wonderful wedding this weekend that AABNJ ran and in which I was also the Matron of Honor. It was amazing and I was so happy to be a part of the planning and of course, play such a major role in my best friend’s wedding. However, mother’s day has been a slight casualty.

Thankfully mom is super understanding but of course, she is also incredibly hard to shop for. She says she has everything she needs -which I will agree she probably does, and also that there is nothing she wants. She loves to make it a challenge! I will work on this gift thing but at the very least, a special day (well… afternoon) of QT will be a great start. It’s been a crazy year with my own wedding hoopla last fall and she has been so supportive in every way! So… I look to my beloved Jersey sources for some great ideas. This amazing weather has me back into the brunch swing – I tend to take the cooler months off Here are some wonderful spots in the garden state. I owe NJmonthly.com big time for these great ideas!

Alice’s Restaurant in Lake Hopatcong (www.alicesrestaurantnj.com).

Cozy rustic charm and fresh produce from nearby Halsey Island – Brunch is served from 10am-3pm.

Dream Cuisine Café of Cherry Hill (www.dreamcuisinecafe.net)

The South Jersey Green Dining restaurant offers a blend of Mediterranean, French and American cuisine with the ambiance of a European café. Brunch runs from 11:30am-4pm.

Alessio Restaurant 426 of Metuchen (http://alessio426.com/?p=229)

Best known for Sushi Italiano, has a great brunch buffet. Double seating is offered at 11am and 5pm.

Windrift Hotel of Avalon (http://www.windrifthotel.com/index.cfm)

Serving a grand buffet with carving & omelet stations, salads, fruits, bread and dessert. It will be a bit chillier on Sunday but a beach brunch and stroll at the shore is always a great way to spend the day – 9am-2pm seatings

Red Oak Grille in Basking Ridge (www.redoakgrille.com)

Enjoy brunch with mom overlooking a beautiful golf course.  Reservations only, starting at noon.

For the mom’s with a love for America’s favorite pastime, the Somerset Patriots are having a pre-game brunch from 12pm-2pm. The game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is also their 4th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day where the first 2,000 women in attendance will receive a pink tote bag. The players and coaches will wear pink shirts that will be auctioned off. Visit http://www.somersetpatriots.com/ to order tickets.

Enjoy!

xx

Salome