As the daughter whose Mother’s Day present to her mom will surely arrive three days late, I know for sure I’m not the favorite. But if you’re lucky enough to have your mom live in the same city as you do, you can still save your good standing by treating her to a wonderful brunch or dinner this Sunday.
BLVD 16 at the Hotel Palomar $35 buffet-style brunch with bottomless mimosas/Champagne
For moms who are as indecisive as you are, treat her to the buffet at BLVD 16 where she can choose from fennel-cured organic salmon; Spanish omelets; house-made granola and yogurt parfaits; and a selection of freshly baked fruit Danishes, pain au chocolate, croissants, muffins, and more. And did I already mention the bottomless mimosas and Champagne? Maybe Mom will be your designated driver? Reservations: (310) 474-7765.
Boa Steakhouse $45 champagne with three courses ($35 no champagne)
This fancy steakhouse is serving up more than steak at its Santa Monica and Hollywood locations. Choose from mini smoked salmon and potato croquettes with wild arugula salad; sautéed halibut with chorizo-potato hash; Boa Eggs Benedict with Black Forest ham, house-smoked turkey, poached eggs, and hollandaise served on a split pretzel croissant; and Bananas Foster French toast. Mmmm, that last one sounds divine. SM reservations: (310) 899-4466. Hollywood reservations: (323) 650-8383.
Border Grill $35 for three courses
For a spicy brunch, Border Grill is serving up Mexican-style brunch with dishes like Dungeness Crab Benedict with chipotle hollandaise and crispy serrano ham and Spiced French Toast dipped in cinnamon anise batter with meyer lemon glaze. For dessert, choose from the intriguing-sounding tequila upside down cake with flambéed spiced pineapple and Mexican coffee profiterole. And be a good son/daughter by treating your mom to a White Peach Mimosa or a Border Basil Drop hand muddled with rum, fresh basil, lemon, and a splash of soda. Reservations: (310) 451-1655
Corkbar $35 brunch
Before a stroll through MOCA, stop at this downtown wine bar/restaurant for hearty brunch of quiche, Eggs Benedict or banana-stuffed French toast and a decadent Champagne soup (strawberries, liquid chocolate and basil). Coffee, tea and a glass of Champagne, Mimosa or Bellini included! Reservations: (213) 746-0050.
Foundry on Melrose $39 three-course brunch
Enjoy a beautiful spring Sunday with your mom by brunching on The Foundry on Melrose’s outdoor dining room. Moms will receive free champagne and a rose. The menu is unusual with starters like chicken confit and potato hash with violet mustard or pea soup with Serrano ham, buttermilk and ricotta crepes, onion soubise. Entrée choices are fried Jidori chicken with goat cheese waffles, squash and tomato marmalade or brioche French toast with crispy pork belly, bourbon maple syrup and fruit compote. Dessert is light with a choice of yogurt parfait or chocolate cookies. Reservations: (323) 651-0915.
Fraiche $30 three-course brunch; $45 four-course dinner
Who says that it just has to be brunch? At this Culver City restaurant you can either treat her to a brunch of smoked salmon salad, Crab Benedict and ravioli. Or a dinner of albacore tartare, Monkfish Françoise and quail. The kicker is the dessert. Chocolate profiterole for brunch or milk chocolate tart for dinner? Reservations: (310) 839-6800.
Lago $39 three courses, $54 four courses ($22 additional for wine tasting pairing)
If Mom loves the vino she’ll love this menu paired with a wine tasting menu. It starts off with giant calamari stuffed with market bell pepper risotto and lemon-thyme foam paired with Prosecco Brut Zonin. Then there’s the chicken lasagna matched to Sangiovese, La Carraia 2006. For entrees, decadent choices are grilled swordfish or roasted lamb top sirloin. Reservations: (310) 451-3525.
Riva $35 three-course brunch, $55 three-course dinner
This restaurant by the sea offers up a brunch of crudo of albacore, roasted salmon trout and braised short rib hash. Dessert options have something from everyone with choices like strawberry cheesecake, Nutella tart and a cookie plate. For dinner, enjoy a trio of crudo, baby pig (!) in porchetta and seared quail. Dinner desserts choices include the pineapple upside down cake and hibiscus panna cotta. Reservations: (310) 451-7482.
Royal/T Cafe four-course tea: $22 “Royal Mom” and $25 “High Tea”
Your mom will feel pretty fancy with Japanese maids serving her tea. And all mothers will get a free mimosa at the start of their meal. If you decide to buy your mom’s present on the spot, there’s the Royal/T Mother’s Day Gift Set ($19.50 cup and saucer) where you get a free bag of organic espresso coffee or loose leaf tea with every purchase. Reservations: (310) 559-6300.