Dining Chicago

You could take your mom out for the usual Mother’s Day brunch this Sunday, May 9, but why not go where she’ll get a little something extra?

1. Athena Greek Restaurant, Greektown: All mothers will receive a $10 Athena gift certificate with the a la carte menu as well as with the $19.95 family-style meal.

2. Ben Pao, River North: From 1 to 9 p.m. moms get a take-home pail full of house-made “Cookies of Good Fortune” and a Ben Pao gift certificate. Both a la carte and $18.95 group sharing Chinese menus are available.

3. Carnivale, River West: Offering a special a la carte Latin brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Carnivale will give mothers a $15 gift certificate.

4. Chens Chinese and Sushi, Wrigleyville: Mom’s entree from the Chinese Plate menu is free when dining with at least two companions.

5. Dunlays on Clark, Lincoln Park: With brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., moms get free rein of the $10 dessert buffet, as well as free flowers.

6. The Epicurean, Hillside: Along with its all-day, $15.95 Hungarian Mother’s Day brunch, The Epicurean offers a free program of gypsy music by Alex Udvary.

7. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, River North and Lincolnshire: Free $25 gift certificate for moms with brunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

8. Geja’s Cafe, Lincoln Park: Open from noon to 9:30 p.m. on Mother’s Day with its regular fondue menu, Geja’s will treat dining moms to a free 5-minute massage by a licensed massage therapist from Lincoln Park Massage Spa.

9. Koi , Evanston: Mom’s entree from the Chinese Plate menu is free when dining with at least two companions.

10. Luxbar, Gold Coast: Mothers can quaff a complimentary mimosa with the purchase of any brunch entree.

11. Macello, West Loop: Moms get a free prosecco mimosa with the $35 prix-fixe Italian menu.

12. McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Loop, Streeterville, Oak Brook, Rosemont, Schaumburg and Skokie: Free dessert for mom with any meal.

13. Morton Arboretum, Lisle: Show mom the beauties of nature and take her to brunch at the Ginkgo Restaurant ($43, seatings at 8:30 and 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m.) and for pampering with a free, two-minute hand massage with samples of Thymes lotions from the Arboretum Store (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

14. Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago and Mystic Blue cruises, Navy Pier: Free dinner and cruise for mom with purchase of three other dinner-cruise tickets.

15. Rosewood Restaurant, Rosemont: Moms get a $25 Rosewood gift certificate with any meal from noon to 8 p.m.

16. Shaw’s Crab House, River North and Schaumburg: Moms will receive a $25 Shaw’s gift certificate plus a free mimosa or bloody Mary with the $49 seafood brunch buffet, served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

17. Shedd Aquarium, Museum Campus: Free admission for mom with coupon and the purchase of an adult admission.

18. SugarToad , Naperville: With the three-course, $35 brunch, served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., moms will receive a free heirloom tomato plant in a ceramic pot. Chef Geoff Rhyne started the plants from seed about a month ago.

19. Theatre Building Chicago, Lakeview: The first 25 mothers who arrive at the 2:30 p.m. production of Porchlight Music Theatre’s Stephen Sondheim classic “Into the Woods” will receive a gift bag of gourmet Candyality treats.

20. Zed451, River North: Free mimosa and a gift for mothers with $24 brunch, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

21. Zocalo Restaurant and Tequila Bar, River North: Free mimosa for mom with the $22 three-course Mexican brunch menu, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.