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Several Dayton-area restaurants that are usually closed on Sundays are throwing their doors open to accommodate Mother's Day diners — and not just because it happens to be the most popular day of the year to dine out.

"Hey, I figure I've got to cook for my own mother anyway, so I might as well open the restaurant," said Keith Taylor, chef-owner of Savona Ristorante and Enoteca in Centerville. "She'll be here."

Trying to predict which restaurants will serve up the finest fare in the most festive atmosphere is kind of like asking Mom which are her favorite children, but here are a few solid bets, along with some alternatives in case these eateries can't fit you in at the time you desire.

Because if you haven't made your reservations yet, you need to pick up the phone pronto.

l'Auberge

The basics: 4120 Far Hills Ave., Kettering, (937) 299-5536

Mother's Day hours: Noon to 6:30 p.m.

Details: Serving a fixed-price three-course meal for $39.50. Entree choices include Roasted Spring Lamb, Sauteed Breast of Duck a la Orange, Sirloin Steak with Sauce Bordelaise, Alaskan Halibut with Riesling Sauce and Asparagus, Veal Scallopini or Crab Cakes.

Caffe Anticoli

The basics: 8268 N. Main St., Clayton, (937) 890-0300

Mother's Day hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Details: Serving an a la carte menu; in addition to the regular menu items, specials include Breast of Chicken Gruyere in Chardonnay Lemon Butter Sauce, Sugar-Cured Ham in Fruit Sauce and Smoked Chicken Ravioli.

Madison's Bistro

The basics: 5531 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp., (937) 435-7080

Mother's Day hours: Five seatings: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Details: The fixed-price menu is $23.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and under. The menu will include prime rib, roasted leg of lamb, honey baked ham, chicken marsala, seafood Newburg, breakfast items and a pastry table.

Meadowlark

The basics: 2094 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, (937) 434-4750

Mother's Day hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Details: Serving an a la carte brunch menu in addition to specials that include Warm Asparagus with Mustard-Shallot Dressing, Fried Green Tomatoes with Pimento Cheese Gravy, Lemon Capellini with Spring Vegetables, Salmon Cakes, and Rhubarb Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

Savona

The basics: 79 S. Main St., Centerville, (937) 610-9835

Mother's Day hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Details: Serving an a la carte menu of seafood, steak and pasta, with specialties that include grilled chicken piccata salad entree, a spinach and feta frittata, sausage and pepper frittata, fresh fruit, berry tarts, gelato and tiramisu.

Some alternatives

Here are some alternatives with Mother's Day menus, according to last week's GO! section and my email inbox. (If you don't see your favorite restaurant, check out the Miami Valley Restaurant Association's web site at www.themvra.org for a list of who's serving on Sunday, or call your favorite eatery): Amber Rose, Café Boulevard, Carver's, Cena, C'est Tout, China Cottage, Clifton Mill, Dayton Airport Hotel, The Dock, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Jay's, Lincoln Park Grille, Mamma DiSalvo's, McCormick & Schmick's, El Meson, Mr. Lee's, The Stockyards, The Wellington Grille. Call ahead for hours, menus, prices and availability.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@coxohio.com.

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