As a mom of five, I can tell you, there are plenty of ways to spend Mother’s Day celebrating me. And honestly, I’ve earned it. Restaurants and hotels across the region are offering fabulous ways to make Mom feel special everything from brunches, teas, bubbles, (you can find all that here) but if you ask me, I want an experience. Something that brings us together, gets us out of the house includes really good food and wine. So I went through everything happening for Mother’s Day weekend and pulled together the experiences I’d actually want to have.  Consider this both a guide and a gentle nudge. And now I’m sharing it with you. Because Mother’s Day is for all the moms, stepmoms, bonus moms, chosen family, grandmothers, and anyone who shows up with love and care: A Perfect Spring Day: If you want something that feels easy, inspired, and just a little indulgent, start at the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival. Set in Woodmont Triangle, this is one of those events where you can truly take your time, wandering through rows of artists, discovering everything from ceramics and jewelry to photography and sculpture, and actually talking to the people who made it all. And once you’ve done your part supporting the artisans (as you should), the next move is obvious: eat. Slide over to The Salt Line and settle in for oysters or how about a bowl of perfectly cooked strands of pasta at Aventino? And because no perfect day ends without something sweet, finish it off at Dolcezza. Gelato in hand. City Day Done Right: If staying closer to home is the move, give me a day in Georgetown. No rushing, no agenda, just walking and popping into shops. My people call is shmying. I’d start with a stroll, maybe pick up flowers from Atlantico Floreria (because yes, I should be going home with flowers), then wander through some of the newer spots like the just opened Sézane and of course my indie faves like Curated by Cecilia and Alas Eius - my new obsession. And then lunch. You can go big and buzzy at Osteria Mozza for a full-on see-and-be-seen or tuck into La Bonne Vache for something a little more cozy, lots of rosé, and classic brasserie fare. Take Me to the Country: If we’re doing Mother’s Day right, we might just get out of town. Start with a walk at Lost Mountain, an easy, beautiful hike where you can keep it light around the pasture or go a little further through the woods if you’re feeling ambitious. Then it’s wine time. Settle into spots like Barrel Oak Winery, Three Fox Vineyards, or Arterra Wines all perfect for taking in those vineyard views. And if you really want to do it right, make a reservation at the James Beard nominated, Field & Main. The cooking is thoughtful, the wine program is outstanding, and those crispy potatoes re so good. A Vineyard Experience That Feels Like a Getaway: I finally made it out to Burnt Hill Farm, and let me tell you, this is not just a winery, it’s a whole world. You roll up and it feels like you’ve landed somewhere between Iceland and Maryland. The wines are serious, Pét-Nat, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, but the real reason to go is the Chef’s Counter with Tae Strain. A multi-course tasting as the sun drops behind the vines, dishes that are beautifully executed. It’s one of those experiences you don’t forget, and exactly the kind of thing I want for Mother’s Day. Pampered, Please: If the goal is to truly relax, Balian Springs is offering a full reset of body scrub, massage, and a few hours where no one is asking you for anything. Yes, please. Or head to Virginia wine country for a beautiful brunch at Boxwood Winery, a full spread of pastries, prime rib, omelets, and wines, all set against those rolling vineyard views. For something equally thoughtful but a bit more casual, Crimson Lane Vineyards is offering a curated brunch board of savories and, sweets, and perfectly paired with a glass (or two) of wine. Make a Weekend of It, At Goodstone Inn & Restaurant.. Think horse-drawn carriage rides through the countryside one day, then a farm-to-table, multi-course meal the next. It’s like a true escape.And for something a little different (but still very much on theme) Josephine is hosting a wine class focused on women winemakers. It’s educational, and a lovely way to celebrate the women behind the bottle. In case you haven’t figured it out. There’s no one way to do this and it’s so easy to make me or your mom feel special.  So consider this your list. Your inspiration. Your hint.And to my family, you’re welcome. 

Carla Hall, is at the top of her game. But getting there was no picnic. In this theatrical one-woman show, Carla Hall invites you to “strap in” for a wild, hilarious, and emotional ride as she reveals how she learned to embrace her own authenticity, “work her quirk” and finally step into her power. From her Tennessee roots as an awkward theater camp kid, to Howard University, to a stint on the runways of Paris, to her irreverent takes on the confusing expectations of Black excellence, crushing sexism, and the many attempts to erase her uniqueness, Carla has had to battle every step of the way to find her true voice – and wait till you hear it. In this insightful and inspiring World Premiere, Carla reveals the secret ingredients to her greatest creation: herself. This intimate exchange will leave audiences laughing, thinking, feeling and… maybe even discovering a little of their own power in simply being themselves.Carla Hall: Please Underestimate Me runs June 3 – July 12 in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD. Tickets are $47-$101 and available online or by calling the box office at 301.924.3400. Discounts are available for groups, seniors, teachers, active military, first responders, and students. Visit olneytheatre.org/discounts for details.Bridging the food and theatre worlds, Honorary Producers for the production include Chef Eric Adjepong of Food Network’s “Wildcard Kitchen,” author, restaurateur, and TV personality Chef Spike Mendelsohn, food and wine publisher Nycci Nellis, Emmy-nominated journalist and producer Erin Como, and Nina Oduro, Co-founder of Black Women in Food. 

Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com shares top picks for Easter weekend across the D.C. area, including family-friendly events, brunch, and unique dining experiences. She highlights activities like Easter celebrations at Capital One Center, egg hunts at Astro Beer Hall, and alpaca encounters at Black Barn Alpacas. For brunch, she recommends spots like Blue Duck Tavern, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, and Zinnia, along with standout experiences at Nobu and a candy-and-wine pairing at Little Blackbird. She also suggests afternoon tea at Fairmont Washington DC and Willard InterContinental, plus a unique tasting experience at Oasis Sushi and Listening Bar. Overall, it’s a curated mix of festive, family-friendly, and elevated ways to celebrate the holiday weekend.

Welcome to Industry Night with Nycci Nellis, and we are back at City Ridge, this time in the absolutely gorgeous, amphitheater-style setting at The Botanica.I love being here. Last time I was in the neighborhood, I was over at Equinox in Wisconsin chatting with powerhouse pastry chef Susan Bae, and today, I’m sitting down with another true force in the industry: Award-winning chef and restaurateur Amy Brandwein.Amy and I go way back, like, way back. I first met her in Roberto Donna’s kitchen at Galileo, in the Laboratorio days, when http://TheListAreYouOnIt.com was just getting off the ground, and she was one of the only women in that kitchen. Fast forward, and she is now the chef and owner of Centrolina and Piccolina, a multi–James Beard nominee, and one of the most respected voices in the DC dining scene.But this conversation? We go deeper.We talk about her unconventional path — from politics to pasta — the realities of building and running a restaurant, and what leadership in the kitchen really looks like today.We did get a little dark and a little teary.Amy shares stories from earlier in her career, moments that were incredibly difficult at the time, and how those experiences ultimately shaped her into the leader she is today: stronger and deeply committed to creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for her team.We also dig into kitchen culture, labor models, mentorship, and what it means to be a woman leading in today’s restaurant industry.It’s honest, it’s real, and it’s a conversation that feels especially important right now.You think you know, but you don’t know.Listen to the full episode here and watch it here.