Bâlehoo

LADIES WHO BRUNCH
It seems to be one of those universal truths that Moms love brunch. So, for those of you who haven’t made your Mother’s Day plans yet, here are a few ideas in and around Basel:

Brasserie at Les Trois Rois
Make this Mother’s Day one for the history books! Pamper Mom with brunch at one of the oldest hotels in Europe, where she will join the ranks of such other venerable women as Queen Elizabeth II and Ella Fitzgerald, who’ve been guests of the hotel. Brunch is from 12-3pm in the Brasserie and cost is 92 CHF per person, excluding beverages.

More information is available on their website or call +41 61 260 50 50

The Angry Monk
If shelling out that many CHeeses makes you choke on your pancakes, then why not try the Angry Monk? It is a favorite brunch spot for one Basel mom I know, with indoor and outdoor seating and a nice assortment of reasonable fixed price brunch plates. My favorite features smoked salmon and a glass of champagne!
The Angry Monk
Theaterstrasse 7, 4051 Basel
41 61 283 40 40

Straussi Schnagg
Finally, if the Mom in your life is a casual kind of gal, try Straussi Schnagg! Located just over the border in Germany, straussis are working farms that open their doors as a restaurant for several weeks each year, usually in spring and fall. The food is regional, seasonal, delicious and cheap – and each has their own loyal following.

Straussi Schnagg is recommended by a friend for having an excellent brunch. Spots are limited and reservations are required, so call now to reserve: +49 (0) 7621 4 55 44

Straussi Schnagg
Dorfstrasse 27
D-79539 Tüllingen (Lö), Germany
+49 (0) 7621 4 55 44

ART & BRUNCH WITH VICTOR HUGO – Sundays May 11 & 18
Head to Lausanne for Mother’s Day for the Art and Brunch series at the Fondation de l’Hermitage. Starting at 10am, it includes a mouthwatering brunch menu at the museum’s restaurant followed by a guided tour. The cost is 55 CHF. Reservations required. Call 41 (0)21 320 50 01.

While you’re there, make sure you catch the last few days of the Victor Hugo exhibit, “Visionary Drawings.” The exhibit, featuring approximately 90 works of his “surprisingly modern” graphic art, runs through May 18.

FONDATION DE L’HERMITAGE
2 ROUTE DU SIGNAL
CASE POSTALE 38
CH-1000 LAUSANNE 8
TEL +41 (0)21 320 50 01
www.fondation-hermitage.ch

A MOTHER-LOAD OF GIFT IDEAS

Looking for last-minute Mother’s day gifts? Flowers are always a good idea. Try an bouquet from Blumen Baumeler or some flowery Wellie boots from Basel Land bootmaker Tamara Henriques. Perrier Jouët combines flowers and champagne in a single elegant package, with its beautiful belle epoque bottle. If tea is more your mom’s style, try a selection of Basel teas and a beautiful teapot from the (ironically named) London Tea Company (Spalenberg 10).

While you can never go wrong with a lovely enamel bracelet (or classic silk scarf) from Hermès on Freiestrasse, you and the kids can make Mom a button bracelet or other DIY jewelry she’ll treasure even more.

If mom’s a music lover, help the kids make an iTunes list (or burn a mixed CD) of tunes just for her. Or get tickets to The Bird’s Eye jazz club (Kohlenberg 20). Oh… and who wouldn’t love an AVEDA candle or other primping products available at L’Adresse Coiffure (Leonhardstrasse 3)? Globus (Marktplatz 2) has an excellent candle selection as well.

WOMEN AND WINE
Basel’s AWC Wine Tasting group is one of the American Women’s Club’s longest existing interest groups, offering women the opportunity to gain expertise about purchasing and serving wines and confidence in ordering wine in a restaurant setting. The Wine Tasters generally meet at a member’s home on the third Tuesday evening of the month to taste and learn about wines from around the globe - European, New World, and American. For more information and to join visit the website.

PARENTS MEETING PARENTS

Participate in any of these ongoing Basel Childbirth Trust playgroups to meet and connect with other parents:

Bumps and Babes - Wednesdays 11.00-13.00
Pregnant ladies and moms with babes under one year old meet every Wednesday. The group is held in one of the Starbucks branches or in the park depending on the weather - email the coordinators for this week’s location (and to be added to the distribution list).
email: bumpsandbabes@gmail.com

Bumps and Bruises - Thursdays 11.00-13.30
Parent and Toddler/Baby group for children approximately 9mths+. We meet every week in The Burg at Burgweg 7 (closest tram stop Wettsteinplatz). During summer months we also meet in Solitude Park. Bring a snack or lunch for you and your child and let your toddler run around in our great facility.
email: bumpsandbruises@gmail.com

Beyond Bruises - Fridays 15.00-17.00
When you feel your child has outgrown Bumps and Bruises, Beyond Bruises is where you need to be. Join us Friday afternoons at The Burg, Burgweg 7, 4058 Basel for free play, arts and crafts, music and fun.
email: beyondbruises@gmail.com

BOYS OF SUMMER
Looking for some great ideas to oocupy your kids this summer? From summer camp to kayaking, Europark to Forest Camps, read this excellent post from Jane Meldrum and you’ll have your summer figured out in no time flat.

CALLING ALL CARNIVORES
Moms are meat-eaters, too! Are you longing for a great steak, but Swiss prices turn your stomach? Head to El Gaucho Restaurant in Lörrach, Germany. This casual Argentinian eatery offers up tasty grilled steaks at reasonable prices. The atmosphere
is warm and relaxed and evokes your favorite American steakhouse - right down to the oversized steak knives. Don’t forget to get a baked potato and corn on the cobb on the side. Yum!

El Gaucho Restaurant
Marktplatz 7, 79539 Lörrach (Germany)
Phone +49 7621 168 959, Fax +49 7621 168 963

SALSA-RIFFIC
I received a huge response to the margarita recipe in last week’s newsletter, so I figured I’d share a salsa recipe that you can eat while so many of you are apparently slurping away at your chilled beverage this spring.

Ingredients
2 tomatoes
1/2 onion
1/4 cup cilantro
1 lime
1 jalapeño pepper
salt & pepper
Optional: 1/4 honeydew melon

Directions
1. Cut up the tomatoes, onions, jalapeño and (optional) honeydew into small pieces
2. Pull the cilantro leaves into tiny pieces
3. Mix together in a mortar and mash with a pestle (or use a mashed potato masher in a bowl)
4. Add salt and pepper to taste
5. Squeeze lime juice on top
6. Eat with tortilla chips!