Every second Sunday of May the US celebrates Mother’s Day. There are many ways to show our gratitude, but I strongly suggest supporting one of the many restaurants and food focused events happening around Benton County. Many establishments are not open on Sundays, but why wait for the week’s end? After all, this is the person who stayed up late to help you finish that science project due the next morning at 8 a.m. because you procrastinated. They most likely lit up at your newest creation of refrigerator art, maybe even framed it for their office. When you fell and skinned a knee or came home frustrated by politics on the playground you were most likely offered a listening ear and something to eat.
In Mexico, Mother’s Day falls on May 10th and local Mexican restaurants will be celebrating with various specials. My favorite pick is at El Palenque, where mom gets a free margarita or dessert. I do love a freshly made margarita. Also order the table-side guacamole.
If sticking around downtown Corvallis is more your family’s style, ride your bikes down to the Corvallis Farmers Market on Saturday for some local produce, locally-sourced food vendors, and some of the best people watching. For a better view, the Bière Library is offering a special brunch menu.
While downtown stop by Kell’s Koffee, where owner Dillon is making more than just creative coffee drinks. On Saturdays you can grab limited supplies of Kalua pork and poke bowls from their adorable walk-up window.
Sky High Brewing and American Dream Pizza are equally hopeful the weather will cooperate for outdoor dining. The rooftop at Sky High opens at 4 p.m. with flavored mimosas and mojitos, while American Dream will have a selection of flavored margaritas and mojitos. To really highlight the desire of Moms to quench their thirst, there’s the Rooftop Rita, a 64 oz mason jar of margarita goodness in a variety of flavors. This is intended to be shared so bring your siblings and go in on one to wash down some pizza.
The Corvallis Meat Pie Shop is offering a free lamington cake or Anzac cookie with the purchase of a meat pie. A lamington cake is a small vanilla sponge cake rolled in chocolate and coconut. Anzac cookies are made with oats, golden syrup, and molasses. I’d love to try both just out of curiosity.
The vegan care giver in your life will appreciate the Chocovore, a vegan chocolate mousse with coconut whip cream and chocolate shavings, at Tacovore.
Speaking of chocolate, Dirt Road Brewing makes a delicious Pizookie (I think kids will love the silly name). It’s a brownie-like cookie baked in a cast iron pan, with vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle.
Something just as sweet but for adults is the raspberry truffle cocktail at Marcotte Distilling, also in Philomath. Think hazelnut moonshine and raspberry cream - you can treat Mom to one Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cheesy Stuffed Burgers is making red velvet milkshakes free to any and all moms. Also creating a red velvet special, University Hero has cupcakes with a heart-shaped decoration.
If wine with dessert is more to Mom’s liking, the Brass Monkey will treat Mom to a free dessert with the purchase of a bottle of 3 Fools Reverse Rose. Sundays are also a great day to pop into Corazon, the new wine bar next to American Dream Pizza. You can even have a pizza delivered while you sip one of their well-curated glasses.
Save room for New Morning Bakery’s also-sharable decorated, heart-shaped short bread cookie.
Castor in downtown Corvallis is offering a beautiful gift basket with a $50 gift card, flowers, wine, and chocolate. Preorder on their website to pick up Friday or Saturday.
Just outside Philomath is Hiatt Farm who is offering a build-your-own quiche, fresh fruit and cream pie, and banana cream pie. Preorder by May 11.
Bluebird Hill Cellars is offering mom a complimentary tasting all weekend, reservations appreciated.
Greenberry Tavern is worth the drive south on 99W on Saturday. They’re offering a first-come, first-served limited menu of chicken fried steak, corned beef and hash, basic breakfast, and, of course, mimosas and bloody marys. You can also pop by and support the Willamette Grange Community Gardening Event.
Also worth a drive is the annual Mother’s Day Art in the Garden at the Thyme Garden, Saturday and Sunday in Alsea. This traditional event features music, art, display gardens, and wine from Tyee Wine Cellars and beer from Oregon Trail Brewery for sale, as well as food for purchase. Sunday will feature Corvallis Farmers Market favorite The Naked Crepe.
Not to be missed, and likely to sell out, is the Crawfish Boil featuring southern food truck Nick’s Soul Food at Compton Family Wines in Philomath. Word has it he is boiling up to 100 lbs. of crawfish, shrimp, andouille and beef sausage, potatoes and more for only $15, starting at noon and going until 5 p.m. or he’s sold out, whichever happens first. I might be in line at 10 a.m., no joke.
Also offering good vibes and a different form of edible, High Quality has WYLD brand gummies for 40% off Friday, May 12th through Sunday, May 14th. They’ll also have their community market with vendors selling various products, art, jewelry, and hand crafted gift ideas on Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Top off your day of appreciation with live music: Enjoy jazz from The Airlie Birds from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Biere Library. Or you can head to Common Fields for a Paint and Wine Night.
No matter how you decide to celebrate I hope your parental person feels the love our local restaurants put into making their day special.
Article by Michele Colomb of Corvallis Culinary Connections and the CARB Alliance. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
