Deciding where to fete Mom with a feast can be a beast.
When my mom comes for a visit, there is rarely a spot in the Southland that she doesn’t love. But when I ask her where she’d like to spend a special day, her answer is often a surprising “Downtown L.A.”
Why? As locals we often see only its less attractive side, the inconvenient and overpriced parking and the sense that downtown feels like it’s a world away sometimes. But as a veteran shopper, my mom sees another side: Bargains. She spends hours trolling the costume jewelry shops, the endless fabric stores and the clothing marts that are packed with all sorts of goodies, from handbags and suitcases to her primary obsession: shoes. There are bead stores, craft stores, bedding stores, junk stores, leather stores…
She often won’t take the time to eat, but the rest of us demand good grub after a day sifting through cheap sunglasses in Santee Alley. So if you want to plan a successful day out in downtown L.A., consider cashing in on the shopping bargains then splurging on a great brunch. The Downtown Center Business Improvement District compiled this mouth-watering video as well as this annual list of top brunch spots:
Mother’s Day Brunch at Café Pinot. Dine al fresco on the olive tree-lined patio or in the dining room with large windows and natural light. Menu highlights include salmon cobb salad, ricotta pancakes with strawberry confit and Fuji apple crumble with cinnamon ice cream. Three-course menu; $35.50 adults, $15 for kids 12 and under.
Bottomless Mimosas at Ciudad. Get this exclusive deal by mentioning DowntownLA.com: bottomless mimosas for $4.50 for mom. Prix fixe menu highlights include mango, avocado and Greek yogurt salad with wildflower honey and Marcona almonds; mini brie and spot prawn quesadillas; artichoke and goat cheese quiche; and chimichurri roasted prime rib. All moms receive a packet of heirloom lettuce organic seeds from Earthbound Farms. Three-course menu; $39.
Mom’s Day Off at Grand Café. Salute your family’s favorite chef with a champagne buffet at Grand Café at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. Menu items include carving of beef baron, shrimp caesar salad and traditional fish and chips as well as a decadent dessert station featuring dolce de leche flan or tiramisu parfait. All mothers receive a gift. $31.50; all inclusive, including a glass of champagne.
Checkers Downtown Brunch: Moms Eat Free. No matter what mom chooses to eat at Checkers Downtown, it’s free on Mother’s Day.The menu includes buttermilk pancakes filled with strawberries, blueberries or bananas and walnuts; open-faced fried egg sandwich on grilled sourdough with prosciutto, stewed tomatoes and arugula; Maine lobster risotto; and grilled Colorado Lamb Loin with ranch Gordo heirloom bean ragout. Prices range from $9-$31.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Kendall’s. This classic brasserie with contemporary flourishes serves brasserie cuisine with inspired seafood dishes and updated French favorites. Mother’s Day menu highlights include Maine lobster bisque, classic croquet monsieur, Alsacienne tart flambé, and strawberry pistachio sable Breton with pistachio cream and red rose coulis. Buffet; $35 adults, $15 for kids under 12.
Mother’s Day Brunch in Smeraldi’s. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is offering a lavish affair for Mother’s Day at its restaurant, Smeraldi’s, featuring made-to-order brunch entrees, fresh seafood, chef-attended carving stations, an assortment of fruit and salads, a selection of Biltmore desserts and champagne. $49 adults, $25 kids.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea in the Rendezvous Court. If mom prefers something a little lighter than brunch, then try elegant tea in the Rendezvous Court at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. It includes a selection of assorted tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream and jam, desserts, choice of tea and champagne. $35 adults, $25 kids.
Mother’s Day at the Blue Ribbon Garden Walt Disney Concert Hall. Celebrate mom in Walt Disney Concert Hall’s beautiful one-acre garden 34 feet above Hope Street. Dine among flowering trees and views of the city. Menu highlights include crispy crab cakes, caramelized onion-pear tarts, smoked salmon crêpes, stuffed French toast and a complimentary glass of champagne for mom. Two seatings: 10:30 am and 12:30 pm; buffet; $58 adults, $15 for kids under 12.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Patina. Savor contemporary French cuisine at the Michelin-starred Patina and enjoy a selection of wines from around the world. Three-course menu; $49 adults, $29 for kids 12 and under.
Family-style Brunch at The Restaurant at The Standard. Enjoy a prix-fixe Mother’s Day brunch at The Standard. Toast mom with a choice of “ma”tini or “mom”osa, and enjoy a generous spread for the table: berry “mezze,” Greek yogurt with ricotta and honey; Farmer’s Market veg & cheese scramble; mom’s kickass fried chicken, waffles and grain mustard-maple; smoked salmon “flat bread;” Meyer lemon-crème fraiche; home fries, redbliss potatoes and caramelized onion; and bottomless buttermilk pancakes. $30 per person.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion. This special three-course Mother’s Day menu comes with a bonus – moms receive a $20 gift card to use on their next visit. The restaurant features Hawaiian fusion cuisine: Yamaguchi Sushi and a menu featuring a selection of fresh fish, delicious appetizers and intriguing entrées, combined with signature cocktails and a cutting-edge wine list. $30-$49 adults; $12.95 kids.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Zucca. For a Mother’s Day celebration with Italian fare, treat mom to Zucca Ristorante and enjoy handmade roasted pumpkin tortellini with butter and sage, Italian frittata and poached eggs over Fontina cheese bruschetta. Three-course menu; $35 adults; $15 for kids 12 and under.
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