Table Talk: May 9–16

Bon Appétit, Branson

Ozarks Brasserie is now open at the Branson Landing and is taking reservations. We can’t wait to try the French-Italian menu by Chefs Collin P. Thornton and Nathanael Parnell, who both have impressive culinary résumés. Pretty soon you can catch us sipping chilled wine and eating oysters while taking in views of Lake Taneycomo, which honestly sounds just as divine as an evening at Lake Como in Italy. As far as entrees go, the croque-monsieur with sourdough, smoked ham and Gruyère cheese has our tastebuds watering, and the same goes for the seafood pasta with sauteed shrimp and scallops.

Strawberry Fields

The strawberry season has made its way to the Ozarks, and we’ve got a handy dandy list of farms where they are ripe for the picking. If you want to skip straight to the berries, you can make a trip to Millsap Farms’ farmstand or grab a pint at the Farmers Market of the Ozarks. Wherever you decide to source them, don’t forget to set some aside to play with in the kitchen because this strawberry rhubarb jam recipe is calling your name. But if you’re short on time or berries, Prairie Pie’s strawberry rhubarb pie is now available for preorder and offers the same flavor profiles. Owner Eleanor Taylor tells us that she will most likely serve it by the slice again come June. 🍓

Brewing News

Big changes are underway at Mother’s Brewing Company. The Springfield staple announced that Jeff Schrag is stepping down as chief executive officer, and Jeff and Lindsay Seifried will take over operations. The couple plans on expanding the footprint of the brewery’s event space, the Barrel Room, to accommodate larger gatherings like weddings. They also teased the possibility of a food menu, and we will be sure to keep you updated as we learn more. In the meantime, pop open a Trop Top or Cobra Scare in Schrag’s honor, and be sure to thank him for moving Springfield’s craft beer industry forward.

May is for Moms

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 14, and there are some delicious local ways to celebrate your family’s matriarch. We recommend pre-ordering a Mom’s Macron Box from European Café, making time for a fun activity, and taking her out to one of these local eateries for brunch or a late lunch:

• Treat your mom at Finley Farms to a buffet with specials like ricotta tortellini, roasted salmon and bottomless mimosas, or attend a brunch board class together at The Workshop.

• Gilardi’s Ristorante is hosting a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday. The garden in front of the restaurant at Grey Gables Event Center is starting to come alive, so it will be a lovely sight to greet your mom.

• Have brunch or breakfast for dinner at Ocean Zen’s Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet. The food lineup includes classics like made-to-order omelets and biscuits and gravy, but also stand-out options like slow-roasted prime rib with horseradish cream.

• Fire & Ice Restaurant & Bar’s Mother’s Day brunch looks like it is going to be packed with flavor. A few of the entrees feature bright fruity notes, like Hawaiian chicken with pineapple and ginger relish and the cherry and balsamic glazed ham look.

• Jaunt over to The Pie Safe in Carthage for their Mother’s Day Tea, where they will be dishing out small delicacies like mini quiche, chicken salad croissants, and strawberries & cream éclairs.

• Trust us—Progress’ weekly brunch will never steer you wrong. Order a round of donut holes for the table, and make sure to treat your mom to a Fresh Squeezed Aperol to enjoy with her biscuits and gravy.

• The Keeter Center also hosts a weekly brunch where they always pull out all the stops, like made-to-order waffles and omelets and a meat carving station.

• Go downtown to The Order for some steak and eggs benedict or brioche French toast while you both enjoy the sounds of live music.

• Make Mother’s Day reservations at one of Big Cedar’s culinary destinations like The Worman House Bistro, Osage Restaurant or Devil’s Pool Restaurant. They’re also hosting a child-friendly Mad-Hatter-themed tea party on Mother’s Day at the Kid’s Nature Center at Fun Mountain.

• Take her to Traza Contemporary for brunch, where Sweet Kravings will be serving dessert and Meadow Maker will be providing live music.

• On Saturday and Sunday at Springfield Brewing Co., pop in for limited-time brunch specials like bagels with lox, eggs benedict, homemade cinnamon rolls, and some cocktails made with Ty Iechyd Da spirits. On Sunday, moms get an extra treat: a free draft beer.