Mother’s Day Pt. 1: What To Buy for Mom and Where to Take Her Out To Eat

Treat mom like a celeb with these gift and dining ideas.

May 5, 2015

Natalie Schack,

OK, admit it: You go totally gaga for Beyoncé and Blue Ivy’s adorable mother-daughter love. Like that time Bey posted a pic of the two of them flossing. Or when Blue came up on stage after mom’s VMA performance. Or the Carters’ art-themed Halloween costumes that were pure perfection.

But as much as Mrs. and Junior Carter pull at your heartstrings, none of that can compare to your love for your one true Queen Bee: your own momma. This Mother’s Day, show her what a rockstar she is with a gift or day on the town that will make her feel like a triple-platinum megastar. Nothing’s too much for this diva.

Time to roll out the red carpet.

To Buy

1. Heart-shaped cutting board

Momma’s cooking. Ain’t nothing like it. You’ve eaten so much from that woman’s kitchen, why not give back a little? Each of these precious, heart-shaped cutting boards is locally made. Plus, every time she’s chopping up ingredients for something delicious (which is a lot of the time), she’ll remember how much you love her.

$50–$58, Owens & Co., 1152 Nu‘uanu Ave., 531-4300

2. Virginia Paresa pillows

As much as you love your little bachelor or bachelorette pad in town, your parents’ house is still your true sanctuary. After all, Mom always keeps her castle looking beautiful and welcoming, thanks to her never-ending obsession with pillows, throws and home-décor finds. For her newest addition, get her one of these locally made Virginia Paresa pillows, which have just the right amount of old-school charm and cheery colors.

$60, MORI, Ward Village Shops, 593-8958

3. Cheehilo Rose Bar soap

When it comes to bathroom trinkets, she’s a total hoarder. These pretty Cheehilo soaps are all handmade on the Big Island, and each comes with a delicate rosebud nestled in the top. So lovely, and just the thing with which to decorate the guest bathroom.

$7, the Cheehilo Etsy shop

4. Try the World food box

She’s in love with travel but, as much as you’d love to get her that Russian river cruise she’s always dreamed of (maybe next year, Mom), at least you can give her a worldly adventure that won’t break the bank. Try the World sends you themed boxes (this month is Argentina) stuffed with delicacies, info on the country and recipes. Next stop: Paris!

$50 for one box at Try the World

To Eat

5. Mariposa’s prix fixe luncheon

Indulge her at the luxe Mariposa luncheon, a three-course meal with options that include strip steak, smoked pork tenderloin salad, lobster club sandwich and quinoa fried rice. Not only will she feel stuffed, she’ll love the pretty-as-can-be interior. Just be prepared to take her shopping after—there are only so many store windows a woman can resist.

10 a.m.–3 p.m., $45, Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Center, 951-3420, Currently available for waitlist only.

6. Wood + Bucket’s brunch buffet

Sometimes, you just gotta go the buffet route. At Wood + Bucket, you’ll have all the non-fussy comfort food favorites that will win Mom over, including prime rib, made-to-order omelets, shrimp cocktail, oysters, barbecue ribs and tempura. Oh, and did we mention a dessert station? If there’s one thing Mom loves, it’s dessert.

11 a.m.–2 p.m., $35, 2375 Ala Wai Blvd., Waikīkī Sand Villa Hotel

7. Bills Sydney

The Hawai‘i Prince Hotel buffet is nice, but everyone needs a change now and then. Bills Sydney in Waikīkī has a beautiful, sunny interior and a menu—including to-die-for pancakes—that will be enough new-new to make her feel trendy and hip.

280 Beachwalk Ave., 922-1500

8. Arancino’s prix fixe dinner

Arancino is doing its first-ever Mother’s Day prix fixe, and the menu is shaping up to be a real treat. What could be more perfect than an exotic three-course dinner that includes an appetizer, luscious clam pasta dish (with linguine or orechiette), braised short ribs and coconut panna cotta for dessert? Mom’s mouth is probably already watering. Oh, wait, that’s us.

5 p.m., 9:30 p.m., $68, Kāhala Hotel, 380-4400

Stay tuned for more Mother's Day suggestions tomorrow in Pt. 2.