^[1]Mother’s Day always presents a dilemma: To feast at home or to take Mom out for brunch or dinner. The former works if you’ve got someone else around who’s handy in the kitchen – or even on the grill. The latter is always a fallback, especially given the large number of restaurants that offer Mother’s Day Sunday specials. Today we offer you both choices – a twist on an old standby spring recipe (grilled leg of lamb, ^[2] see next story on this page) and a few ideas for dining out.

GOING OUT?

Here are some ideas for where to take mom if you’re going out this Sunday, May 7. Many restaurants also will be open with specials the following Sunday, May 15, for Davidson College graduation.

RESTAURANT X – at South Main Square is offering brunch for two special occasions in the next two weeks. On Mother’s Day and for Davidson College graduation (Sunday, May 15), they’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for brunch.

ALTON’S KITCHEN & COCKTAILS in Jetton Village on West Catawba Avenue in Cornelius, will host a Mother’s Day Buffet Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The menu will include Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Honey Glazed Ham or Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon as well as brunch items such as Baked Praline French Toast and Frittata Florentine. For Davidson graduation on May 15, Alton’s will open at 1 p.m. They’ll offer lunch and dinner, and also offer a private dining room, mezzanine seating and patio dining. More info: altonskitchen.com ^[3]

IL BOSCO RISTORANTE & BAR 127 Depot St. in Davidson, will be open for dinner regular Sunday hours, 5-9:30 p.m., the next two weekends for Mother’s Day and Davidson graduation. If you had a though of going there after graduation, act quickly: “We’re booking fast for graduation,” manger Joseph Hermann said Wednesday.

CAMPANIA CAFE in South Main Square in Davidson will have Mother’s Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch specials will include Calamari Fritti, Prosciutto Melone, crab cakes, eggplant Parmigiana, Bistecca alla Fiorentina and Lobster Ravioli. Mom gets a free Mimosa and they’ll have a full dessert and kids menu, too. Details: www.campaniacafe.com.

T1 TAPAS, in Birkdale Village, offers a Mother’s Day brunch, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a complimentary treat for Mom. And you can send a photo of her in advance and she’ll see herself on one of T1’s big screens. T1 Tapas is at 8625-C Lindholm Drive, Huntersville. www.t1tapas.com.

FLATIRON KITCHEN + TAPHOUSE at 215 S. Main St. in downtown Davidson is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4-9 p.m. on Sunday. www.flatirononmain.com

TOAST CAFE, 101 N. Main St., usually has lines out the door for its simple and hearty breakfast food on weekends. They’re open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mother’s Day and every Sunday. www.toastcafeonline.com