By Carol Brock
There are, of course, all kinds of Moms – and all kinds of restaurants to fete them on their day.
Here are suggestions of ways to match them up and make it a very tasty Mother's Day:
* Loves a crowd – Master Grill on College Point Boulevard, Flushing (762- 0300) opened with 800 seats and almost immediately went to 1,000. Its Brazilian-style grilled meats carved at the table by runners fills them at dinner. At Pacific World International Buffet in Elmhurst (429-6161), they can also seat 1,000. Here a lavish buffet, loaded with seafood and a sushi display plus piano music are the draw.
* Something romantic – French doors imported from Paris, Ralph Lauren-attired wait staff, art from Soho and Madison Avenue galleries on display, French and Mediterranean cuisine; she'll enjoy it all at Bistro-Metro (263-5444) on Metropolitan Avenue in downtown Forest Hills.
* Seagulls and salt air – At PW's Chowder House at the Brewer Capri Marina in Port Washington (516-767-6757) she can dine elegantly, dockside. Seafood of course, but they do serve a spectacular roast beef entree.
* The works – At Water's Edge on the river at 44th Avenue in Long Island City, she'll have an incredible view, unbeatable worldwide cuisine by a Michelin-starred chef, served under a captain's watchful eye, plus a complimentary shuttle boat voyage to Manhattan and back – that “Queen for a Day” feeling.
* The Orient – Introduce her to Thai food. Erawan on Bell in Bayside is captivating.
* Exotic Belly dancing anyone? – She'll find Turkish fare at Turkish Cuisine (807-1509) on Queens Boulevard in Rego Park, and maybe belly dancing, too.
* Would love to Tango – Make it Spanish or dine the Argentinean way. Cafe Espanol on College Point Boulevard in Flushing (353-5263) has great Spanish cuisine and Mexican platters. And then there's El Prado, a classic, on Queens Boulevard in Rego Park. To dine Argentinean, and Italian, escort Mom to Fl Farolito, a restaurant and steak house on Steinway Street in Astoria (204-7711). Ask about their tango show.
* Sound of racing feet – Belmont Steaks on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale (418-4355) has photos of famous jockeys and two rooms of racing memorabilia to excite and delight her.
* Rather go fishing – Ferry her over to the ship-shaped restaurant docked on Northern Boulevard in Bayside with a pier-like walkway hugging it. The seafood is splendid at Pier 25 (423- 6395).
* Surf and turf – Grand Bay Restaurant (898-3663) at the World's Fair Marina in Flushing has festive dining with a waterfront view. It's also right next to La Guardia with planes landing and taking off.
* Likes to do (or listen to) a yodel – She can feel the charm of the Austrian Alps at Chalet Alpina in Forest Hills (793-3774). Niederstein's German Restaurant (326-0717) on Metropolitan in Middle Village will make her feel she's over there again.
* Wine aficionado – The Wine Gallery on Austin Street in Forest Hills (540-1717) is small and charming with a European setting. Brunch on Sunday will delight her.
* Room with a view – Caffe on the Green (423-7272) has the Long Island Sound and Throgs Neck Bridge in front and a pond in back. At the Douglaston Manor International (224-8787) at Commonwealth Boulevard and Marathon Parkway in Douglaston (formerly a private club and now city-owned), there's green grass all around. On a clear day she'll see Manhattan from the terrace overlooking the golf course.
* Italian? – Of course! La Tosca (225-4296 or 225-4327) in Little Neck on Northern is small and elegant with VIP dining touches. Bardi's in Great Neck (516 829- 3428) is spacious and elegant with a touch of Parma about it. At La Bella Vita in Ozone Park, there's Southern Italian food at the home of the pizza dance.
* Must be vegetarian – Buddha Bodai (939-1188) in Flushing by the Queens Botanical Garden is not only vegetarian but very gourmet, and kosher and Chinese.
* Something Bohemian – Transylvania in Long Island City (786-9401), will serve her authentic Rumanian treats with lots of spirit, in a lovely setting.
* Spicy Cajun – At Cooking with Jazz in Whitestone (767-6979) Steve Van Gelder, a denizen of New Orleans who spices up Queens, has a menu to delight her, listing “Cajun” on one side and “Not so Cajun” on the other. Steve worked for Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans and connects with him on Paul's trips to New York and Whitestone.
You get the idea. Be match-maker, and give your Mom, the best of all Moms, a great dining experience and a great day.
