A Weekend Your Mom Won't Have to Pretend to Love
The ultimate Mother’s Day itinerary.
FYI: Mother's Day is around the corner. Yes, even with all the Mother’s Day ads and the fact that it occurs every year on the second Sunday in May, it always seems to sneak up on me, too. Don’t stress out just yet, but I’d be remiss not to mention that time is ticking to find the perfect gift for the mother in your life. Thankfully, I have some advice on how to show your appreciation this year. Sure, you could opt for the classic Mother’s Day gifts—flowers, high-end tea, a card—but why not try something new? Below, I’ve curated an ideal New York City Mother’s Day itinerary, complete with a lineup of experiential gifts that the two of you can enjoy together. Take what you want from the itinerary or recreate the whole thing! Regardless of what you decide, it’s sure to be a memorable day. (PS—unfortunately, I can’t help you with getting any of the reservations.)
Friday
4:30 p.m. - Greenwich Hotel at Shibui Spa
In an ideal world, my mom would take an early afternoon flight into New York City, giving me time in the morning to finish up some last minute things for work and (frantically) clean my apartment. Once she’s made her way from LaGuardia Airport to my apartment in Williamsburgh, we’d head over to Shibui Spa at The Greenwich Hotel. The low-lit, cavernous space feels worlds away from the chaotic NYC streets outside. After indulging in a body scrub, we’d enjoy the sauna, steam room, and lantern-lit swimming pool before exiting the oasis.
6:30 p.m. - Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi
After our spa session, we’d hop on the train to uptown. Our destination? Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s critically-acclaimed, Afro-Caribbean restaurant, Tatiana, to finally get a taste of the fried red snapper and the dumplings filled with peekytoe crab and egusi soup everyone can’t stop talking about.
8 p.m. - New York City Ballet: All Stravinsky
This New York City Ballet performance pays homage to the iconic Russian composer Igor Stravinsky with three different pieces. If we’re not feeling too tired after the show, we’d stop by MO Lounge in the Mandarin Oriental for a night cap.
Saturday
12 p.m. - Marlow & Sons
Following a slow start to the day, we’d stop by Marlow & Sons for a quick yet satisfying breakfast (a.k.a. a chocolate croissant and an oat milk latte).
1 p.m. - Leaves Bookstore
After breakfast, we’d stroll over to Leaves Bookstore, one of my favorite secondhand bookstores in the city, and take our time going through their shelves. It carries all types of books, including foreign language books, at very affordable prices.
2:30 p.m. - Bathhouse Williamsburg
Then, we’d walk from Leaves to Bathhouse Williamsburg to indulge in a 50-minute full-body massage. (There’s no such thing as too many spa visits.)
5:30 p.m. - Maison Premiere
We’d end our day in Brooklyn at Maison Premiere and feast on their cod brandade, mackerel crudo, and, of course, oysters.
Sunday
12 p.m. - Bad Roman
Finally, the main event! Mother’s Day Sunday would begin with a decadent brunch and our restaurant of choice this year is the Italian restaurant Bad Roman. Some items on our “To-Eat” list: brioche French toast and roasted branzino.
3 p.m. - An Enemy of the People
We finish off Mother’s Day weekend with a matinée viewing of the play “An Enemy of the People.” The adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s work stars Jeremy Strong as a small-town doctor who becomes detested by fellow members of his community. After the play, we’d debrief and share our thoughts while strolling through Central Park.