The dish: Ideas for mum

Nespresso Pixie. Photo / Supplied

Bold brew

If you fancy making a decent coffee at home, the Nespresso Pixie is just the ticket. The Pixie is made by DeLonghi especially to allow the user to slot in packaged Nespresso coffee, offering the convenience top chefs including Heston Blumenthal and Georges Blanc have picked up on for their restaurant service. It heats up in less than 30 seconds, lets you know when it needs a water refill and turns itself off after nine minutes of inactivity. It comes in six sleek colours and has a price tag of $499, including a milk frother. Available from electrical appliance retailers including Noel Leeming and Harvey Norman.

Pampered in style

For a stylish way to treat Mum this weekend, how about taking her to Mollies boutique hotel in Herne Bay. The intimate hotel, favoured by VIPs when they're in town, is putting on a special Mother's Day breakfast and brunch, or you could treat Mum with a voucher for the hotel's Sanctuary Day Spa or restaurant. To book, ph (09) 376 3489.

Meanwhile, the Viaduct is always a popular haunt for a special meal out and for Mother's Day, children can dine for free at Soul Bistro and Bar. To book, ph (09) 356 7249. Next door, Kermadec is putting on a special $49 brasserie lunch which has two courses and a glass of Cloudy Bay Pelorus Rose. To book, ph (09) 304 0454.

Ripe at home

If you haven't bought a copy of Ripe Recipes - the superb collection of recipes from the award-winning kitchen of Ripe Deli on Richmond Rd, then now is the time. Buy a copy for Mum for Mother's Day - or indeed for anyone between now and the end of May - and you'll go in the draw to win a dinner for eight cooked by the Ripe chefs in your own home. To buy a copy, go to Ripe Deli, 174 Richmond Rd, Ponsonby.

VIP Viva

Don't miss out on your chance to be part of the sumptuous launch of the 2011 Penfolds Icon and Luxury wines. To celebrate the release, Penfolds is hosting an exclusive Grange dinner at Auckland's Euro restaurant on Saturday May 14. With a degustation dinner prepared by Simon Gault and matching Penfolds wines, this prestigious event is guaranteed to sell out fast. Penfolds senior red winemaker, Steve Lienert is hosting the evening which sees the launch of five new vintages of luxury and icon wines. Tickets are $350 per person and limited, so to book your space call Euro restaurant on (09) 309 9866. Viva is delighted to have two tickets to the dinner, valued at $750, to give away to one lucky reader. To go in the draw to win, simply email your name, address, contact phone number and date of birth to vipviva@nzherald.co.nz with "Penfolds" in the subject line. Entries close May 9. Winners announced May 11.