No pink teacups here: The ten best Nashville spots for out-of-the-box Mother's Day meals

Mother's Day meals are often synonymous with pink decor, photos of teacups and marketing calls to "pamper mom."

But that message doesn't speak to every mom — I know because I am one. I'd like a few things for Mother's Day on May 12 and tea isn't one of them.

How about some good wine, oysters and whiskey for a nightcap?

We aren't all built the same. With that in mind, here are some of my picks for Mother's Day brunch, ranging from the traditional to the decidedly not.

Henrietta Red

henriettared.com, 1200 4th Ave. N.

Give me all the oysters, smoked fish rillette and perhaps I can have a pile of shrimp or whatever fresh and savory thing is coming out of the kitchen. Yes, there are sweet things such as monkey bread and the like, but I'll take my calories in the form of whatever seafood I can find that comes adorned with plenty of butter, the spicier the better, and perhaps (read: definitely) an Aperol spritz.

Iberian Pig

iberianpig.com/nashville, 607 Overton St.

This Spanish tapas spot just released its Mother's Day brunch and, yes, there are berries and sweets. That is fine, because there is also a petite filet with truffled egg yolk, a rich paella full of duck confit and chorizo, and plenty of some of my favorite pink things: jamon Ibérico and bracing Txakolina rosé.

The Butter Milk Ranch

buttermilkranch.com, 2407 12th Ave S.

Look, I don't get terribly excited about croissants, but have you seen the hand-laminated ones here? You don't have to stop at the baked goods, though the beignets with lemon curd are delicious and honestly, if you birthed children, just do whatever you want. But the Dirty South fried rice with spicy mayo, fermented hot sauce and crisp pork belly is more my style. As I contain multitudes, I may also be in the mood for the grilled salmon with tomato salad and burnt lemon.

Husk

husknashville.com, 37 Rutledge St.

If you're the kind of person who likes cheeseburgers and a plate of country ham for brunch, well, we would be friends. If you also would like a dainty salad with fistfuls of spring vegetables and blossoms, I hear you on that. If you'd like a nice bourbon on the side or maybe a Manhattan? Husk is your place, and also come sit with me, bestie.

Hearts

heartsnashville.com, 914 Gallatin Ave./2701 12th Ave. S., suite B.

For all my talk of country ham and cheeseburgers, Hearts' style is what I really prefer. I love the Bloody Mary made with light, fresh-squeezed vegetable juice. It's incredible. The smashed avo toast with the tangy salsa, corn and jalapeno on top is also my jam. The cold-smoked salmon toast is amazing too, and I love all the little vegetable-packed, light but filling salads.

Lou

lounashville.com, 1304 McGavock Pike.

I love going here for Mother's Day and I'm not alone, judging from the cute families I've seen there dining on the patio. I'd only recommend you bring your kids here if they're open-minded and won't get underfoot, by the by. Mine loves the buckwheat pancake. As for me, I'll take all the cured fish and deliciously prepared vegetables I can get my hands on, and some small-label skin-contact wine on the side.

Marsh House

marshhouserestaurant.com, 401 11th Ave. S.

If someone with a pile of cash wants to take you here, by all means, order the "I’m on a Boat!" with 24 oysters, 18 mussels, shrimp remoulade, crab ravigote, smoked fish dip and gulf shrimp ceviche. I will live vicariously through you. You can also get amazing-looking waffles, omelets, avocado toast and all that jazz, but I'd personally eat my weight in oysters, with some bacon and sparkling wine on the side.

Noko

www.nokonashville.com, 701 Porter Road.

If I were flush with cash and wanted enough food to feed a bowling team, I'd order the Big Baller Brunch, a 42-ounce tomahawk ribeye with eggs, waffles and hash browns on the side. Whoa, Nelly! But I'm more excited about crushing the fantastic tuna crispy rice. The brunch drinks are also fabulous, but you should make room for the sugar-caffeine bomb that is the Vietnamese coffee affogato.

Audrey

www.audreynashville.com, 809 Meridian St.

This place. If you've eaten at the table of a Southern Appalachian grandma (I've had two of those, and was lucky for it), this place will steal your heart. But you don't need to be of any particular heritage to get excited about a hot pan of heirloom cornbread with sour corn butter and cracklins or sausage gravy-smothered biscuits made with the incomparable Cruze Farm's buttermilk. Oh my god, there's paw paw pie for dessert? Yes, please.

Cafe Roze

caferoze.com, 1115 Porter Road.

How this tiny, adorable neighborhood spot still has reservations available is beyond me, but jump on that. I find it hard to stray from the egg bowl, with its savory vegetables and feta-dotted bulgar, but that melty, fontina-laden broccoli sandwich is better than it has any business being. A broccoli sandwich? Heck yes. But you most certainly can't go wrong with the smashburger here with house pickles and special sauce. And no, do not pick the salad for your side. It's Mother's Day and you'll want the thin, crispy, salty fries. Trust.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mother’s Day: Top Nashville restaurant meals for the occasion