Enjoy a delicious Mother's Day Brunch at these seven North Jersey restaurants

When my sister was in first grade, she went to a "Mother's Day Market" at her elementary school.

One of those giant, yard-sale reminiscent gymnasium bazaars, the event required each kid to bring a dollar in exchange for which they'd be allowed to pick one item from the local upper class's second-hand trash-to-treasures. She handed in her single bill, and found (she told me later) what she was looking for immediately.

You will also find what you're looking for — my recommendations for a fabulous Mother's Day brunch — right after the rest of this amusing but cautionary tale.

That Sunday, little Erika wrapped her precious discovery carefully and waited — probably before the sunrise, in hindsight — for my mom to come downstairs. By 9 a.m., the whole family had assembled in the living room.

Eager to save her "exactly-what-mom-wanted" masterpiece for last, my sister prompted me to start the gifting. I complied, revealing a delicate craft I had made. My dad followed, promising my mom a decadent dinner later that evening.

Finally her turn, Eri pulled out her taped-with-love package and placed it on the floor.

My mom steadily removed paper, revealing an old (1940s, probably) ceramic container in the shape of a star. It was brown — with hints of green — like an aging penny. Erika was beaming.

"It's exactly what you asked for!" she said with pride. "A star box!"

My mom instantly dropped her head into her palm; her silent confusion turning into the most laughter I'd seen from her in a while.

"Eri, honey — " she said, amused. "I asked for a Starbucks."

Don't risk being an Eri this year.

Play it safe, and gift your mom with one of these luxurious North Jersey Mother's Day brunches instead.

Blu on the Hudson, Weehawken

What do strawberry ricotta pancakes, crab cakes eggs benedict and truffled honey cornbread muffins have in common?

They're all on Blu on the Hudson's special, chef-curated Mother's Day brunch menu.

Located in Weehawken, the upscale fine dining restaurant is known for its spectacular views of Manhattan and top-notch modern American cuisine. For years, locals have flocked to the spot for holiday meals, and — with a delectable list of one-weekend-only treats — the upcoming occasion will be no exception.

Sitting alongside the banks of the sparkling Hudson, you'll have the opportunity to spoil mom with tender steak, rosy pink cocktails and limitless photo ops. For $120, you can even gift her with potato "chips and caviar," because she's both classic and classy.

Cost: A la carte.

When/where: 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m at 1200 Harbor Blvd, Weehawken; 201-636-1200, bluonthehudson.com.

Stern & Bow, Closter

Stern & Bow may call itself a "casual eatery," but residents of Bergen county — who frequent the restaurant for anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions — know that label is an understatement. With premium fish, craft pizzas and a full-service liquor bar, the upscale spot is more of a local culinary destination than an informal place to grab a quick bite.

That in mind, then, Mother's Day and Stern & Bow go together like herb butter and oysters (which, by the way, will be served on May 12).

To help dads and kids Jersey-wide celebrate the most important woman in their lives, the talented team of chefs have designed a prix-fixe menu of elegant spring dishes with major potential to please.

Some of the limited-edition offerings? Lobster Benedict on multigrain, and bacon-topped burrata with olive tapenade.

Cost: Three courses; $80/adult, $30/child (10 & under).

When/where: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 171 Schraalenburgh Rd., Closter; 201-750-3350, sternandbowrestaurant.com.

Social Hub, Parsippany

Want to wow mom with a cool new restaurant concept this Mother's Day? Look no further than Social Hub by Dhaba.

A trendy Indian food sports bar serving desi takes on American classics (think butter chicken pizzas, truffle mushroom naan and paneer tacos), the recently-opened spot — which we named one of our top three new restaurants of last year — is a surefire way to impress your beloved with dishes she hasn't seen before.

For the occasion, however, the Hub is actually choosing to go a bit more traditional Indian with a lavish buffet of street fare-inspired appetizers, home-style entrées, sophisticated desserts and more.

Even without the tikka burgers, though, we still expect the meal to be one of the most exceptional brunches offered in the state.

Cost: $39.95/person.

When/where: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1735 Route 46, Parsippany; 862-401-2800, socialbydhaba.com.

Alstede Farms, Chester

Take farm-fresh to the next level by treating mom to a delicious brunch — on a live farm.

That's right; the team at Alstede Farms is back at it again with another year of their farm-to-table Mother's Day brunch buffet. Served in a rustic barn-coverted-banquet hall, the meal promises to be as unique and experiential as it is delicious.

Enjoy eggs after a tractor ride, indulge in carved meats between wooden, nostalgic walls. Though the official menu for the event hasn't dropped yet, the experience is certain to be one to remember.

Cost: Table of four - $259, table of six - $379, table of 8 - $489. Add-on chair (with table purchase) - $65. Highchairs are free.

When/where: Three seatings (9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) at 1 Alstede Farms Ln., Chester; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.

The Corner, Montclair

Is The Corner serving a prix-fixe Mother's Day menu this year? No.

A bottomless buffet? Still no.

But the lowkey Montclair eatery quietly whips up one of the best brunches in Jersey on an every day basis, so, if incredible eats are what mom's into?

This humble find — with its fluffy souffle pancakes and garlicky bacon breakfast biscuit — is the place to take her.

Cost: A la carte.

When/where: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 115 Grove St., Montclair; 973-783-2400, thecornermontclair.com.

Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg

As long as Crystal Springs keeps hosting its decadent holiday meals, we're going to keep writing about them — because they truly are grand. From over-the-top buffets to complimentary family photos (and even attendance gifts), the opulent resort puts on brunch and dinner events that feel like something out of a Las Vegas ad.

Mother's Day, of course, will be the same.

To acknowledge the occasion, Crystal Springs is offering diners three different buffet experiences. Select the Canyon Room and enjoy everything from aged cheeses to herb-crusted salmon, or level up to the pricier Emerald Ballroom for a donut wall, Blue Point oysters and braised short ribs with Brussels sprouts. For a mom who prefers to go casual, opt for the Black Bear Ballroom, and treat her to scrambled eggs, bacon and a good-old Belgian waffle.

Cost: Varies per the three ballrooms, ranging from $65 to 95/adult, and $28 to 30/child.

When/where: Begins 10 a.m. (Emerald Ballroom) and 11 a.m. (Canyon and Black Bear) at 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 844-205-1857, crystalgolfresort.com/culinary.

Elements, Princeton

Nothing says special occasion like fine dining, and, though it may be in Princeton, Elements might just be the best high-end restaurant in the state. In the evenings, the upscale spot is known for its 15-course tasting menus and seasonally inspired dishes, but the skilled chefs never serve their lavish fare before 5 p.m.

Well, that is, except on the second Sunday of May, when they whip out kanpachi and wagyu at 10:30 a.m.

This Mother's Day, the tradition continues, as the team has already announced its early opening for the holiday. The menu for the event is a three course prix-fixe, and includes sashimi, steak and omelet options as exciting as it is to visit the chic space while it's still light outside.

Cost: $85/person.

When/where: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 66 Witherspoon St., Princeton; 609-924-0078, elementsprinceton.com.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Places for Mother's Day brunch in North Jersey