Seven last-minute ideas for Mother's Day

Most mums would probably be happy with a warm hug and a cup of tea in bed on Mother's Day. But what the day does do is bring families together and provide an excuse to celebrate the special mum, aunt or grandmother in your life. If you want to pamper your mum this year, Carla Grossetti suggests seven places to take mum on her special day.

For creative mums: Hazelhurst Cafe
This year Hazelhurst Gallery will celebrate Mother's Day with a Mother Goddess of the Earth 2017 theme in the cafe designed to tie in with the final day of the Dinosaur Designs' exhibition. The cafe will be borrowing a Dinosaur Designs' crown and other pieces that mum can wear to have her photo taken in front of a floral background that has been months in the making. There will also be a pop-up florist with flowers to buy for mum. Breakfast is from 8am and there will be live music from noon. Hazelhurst Cafe, 782 Kingsway, Gymea, www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Hazelhurst/Cafe

Take Mum to Hazelhurst Cafe to get her photograph taken with the family. Image: Supplied

For the fashion-forward mum: Lunch at Riley's Garage
Nothing says I love you more than a nine-dish set menu with a complimentary glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Better still: all mums will receive a Versace Eros Pour Femme perfume as a Mother's Day gift from Riley's. Versace are also offering one lucky Mum the chance to win a hamper containing more than $800 worth of Versace goods. Winning your fashion-forward mum a fantasy wardrobe would make you the favourite child. 55 Riley St, Woolloomooloo, 02 9326 9055, rileystgarage.com.au

Forget tea and toast in bed; think Scotch eggs and drams of Dewar's Scotch Whisky instead. Image: Supplied

For wild whisky-loving mums: Dewar's Scotch Egg Club
For those not in the know, a Scotch egg is a portable British delicacy that involves a boiled egg being wrapped in meat, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Oh and it's just like what Mother Used to Make only much better when paired with whisky at the Dewar's Scotch Egg Club pop-up bar. Dewar's Brand Ambassador Andy Wren will take the flavours of Dewar's 12 and create a series of cocktails that pair perfectly with Scotch eggs moulded by ACME head chef Mitch Orr. The pop-up is not open on Mother's Day, but you can surprise Mum with a Saturday night booking followed by a sleep-in on her special day. Dewar's Scotch Egg Club, Laneway between 152 and 156 Clarence St (directly across from Baxter Inn) From May 3-27 (open Wednesdays to Saturdays).

Oh Catalina! This is an extremely well-run restaurant presided over by Michael and Judy McMahon.

For Mums who want to feel like they are on the A-list: Catalina's 
Lunch at Catalina's is not for little people with limited finances. It's for grown-ups who want to spoil their mum with a special occasion experience. While the Rose Bay institution is the place to go to sign off on a big business deal over a bottle of pinot noir, it's also the perfect waterfront spot to pamper a loved one. As well as the spectacular views, the service is sensational and the cooking extremely nuanced. Executive chef Mark Axisa has created a special three-course set menu with plenty of choice for mum priced at $160 per person. There is also a special kids' menu at $80 per person and mum will receive a Mother's Day cocktail on arrival. Dress to impress. Lyne Park, Rose Bay, 02 9371 0555, catalinarosebay.com.au

Invite mum to get her glam on at Doltone House Sylvania Waters. Image: Supplied

For Mums partial to a bit of posh nosh: Doltone House
Show your mum some love this Mother's Day with lunch at Doltone House. The mother of all Mother's Day luncheon menu includes entrees such as mushroom and ricotta ravioli, braised lamb shanks and pavlova to finish. The children's menu is as it should be -- penne napolitana and ice-cream with chocolate topping -- and tastes as good as it looks. Doltone House is built around the picturesque Gwawley Bay in Sydney's south. BYO hiking boots as mums will enjoy a post-prandial bush walk. Adults: $65 per person; children $35 per person per child (3-12 years). 223 Belgrave Esplanade, Sylvania Waters, 02 8543 6000, doltonehouse.com.au

Enjoy a feast just like Yia Yia used to make at 1821. Image: Supplied

For mums who like to dress up to dine: 1821, Sydney CBD
1821 is a great Greek restaurant turning out classic rustic Mediterranean fare to a consistently high standard. This is a genuine high-end Greek hospitality experience from David Tsirekas. Save space for his set menu, which starts at $55 per person, and includes delicate dips and bread, Yia Yia's handcut chips, and meltingly tender BBQ lamb shoulder. Save room for the caramel baklava ice cream, which is like crack for sweet-tooths. 122 Pitt St, Sydney, 2000 www.universalhotels.com.au/1821restaurant  

Ooh-la-la: Bistro Moncur is a an elegant restaurant serving French bistro classics. Image: Supplied

For metropolitan mums: Bistro Moncur, Woollahra 
Bistro Moncur is an elegant food haven in the heart of Woollahra in the Woollahra Hotel.  The relaxed atmosphere fits well with the cooking, which is imaginative without being over-the-top. The washing up will be well and truly out of your Mum's mind as she is treated like royalty with the special Mother's Day menu at Bistro Moncur. The set menu includes three courses for $150 per person and mums will also receive a complimentary Bougies De Luxe Candle as a take-home gift. 

116 Queen St, Woollahra, 02 9327 9777, www.woollahrahotel.com.au