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Mother’s Day is coming! Plan ahead with these brunch spot picks (and make Mom happy)
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, just a few weeks away. (Wait, wasn’t it just Easter and Passover? Yes, it was. Oh how time flies.)
It's an opportunity to honor our mothers and maternal figures, and express our love and gratitude for them. And clearly, the way to do that is through brunch.
While extremely popular venues, such as the elegant high tea at the Huntington Library, fill up months in advance, there are still plenty of options throughout Los Angeles where you can snag a reservation.
We've picked a selection of spots offering Mother's Day specials across different styles, themes and neighborhoods. From roses to roasted cherry scones — enjoy!
Say it with flowers: Poppy + Rose
This California-inspired brunch spot in the Flower District offers brunch dishes such as fluffy pancakes and French toast made with homemade jam, crunchy fried chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, pulled pork hash with eggs, arugula and creme fraiche, and shrimp and grits.
Also expect a glass of champagne (non-alcoholic option available) and, as befitting its location, a rose sourced from a local florist.
Location: 765 Wall St., Los Angeles, CA 90014
Mother’s Day hours: Brunch, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations: Walk-ins only
Art al fresco: The Maybourne Beverly Hills
Enjoy an al fresco brunch at the Terrace overlooking the lawns of Beverly Canon Gardens. The menu includes ricotta toast made with in-house brioche, huckleberries and a local honey drizzle, or the warm herb frittata made with Dungeness crab, tempura zucchini flowers and asparagus salad.
L.A. artist Rachel Berkowitz will also be holding special Mother’s Day watercolor classes, where attendees can craft a floral arrangement before painting it with watercolors. A complimentary glass of champagne will be provided to toast the occasion.
Old Hollywood vibe: The Culver Hotel Bar and Restaurant
The charming, triangular-shaped historic hotel stays true to its silent-movie era origins, with wood-paneled eating areas and elegant furniture.
The prix fixe brunch includes Kusshi oysters served with Bloody Mary mignonette, beet and goat cheese salad, tomato basil frittata, crab and avocado tartine, and spiced pineapple French toast. A bottle of sparkling Gambino wine is provided for every two guests to toast the occasion.
Location: 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Mother’s Day hours: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Reservations: Open Table
Mariachi melodies: The Rose Gardens in Whittier
How about a brunch buffet show? The Whittier event space is opening its doors on Mother’s Day for its first public event. Enjoy the serene stylings of local mariachi group Mariachi Aztlán LA playing live as you enjoy good food and toast mom with a mimosa.
Location: 11201 1st Ave., Whittier, CA 90603
Mother’s Day hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets: Eventbrite
Luxe all the way: The Peninsula Hotel
The famed five-star hotel offers two locations in its opulent surroundings. The Belvedere’s four-course brunch includes a choice of classic dishes such as crab cake benedict, shakshouka, crème brûlée French toast, or their signature brunch burger, followed by an array of desserts.
Fancy a more laid-back celebration? The Living Room offers a weekend afternoon tea where you can nibble on savory finger sandwiches and luscious desserts (blooming lavender tartlet, anyone?) and sip on Laurent Perrier or Dom Perignon champagne. You can also sit back and enjoy the classical harpist who will be on hand that day.
Location: 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Mother’s Day hours: Brunch, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; tea, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Reservations: Open Table (brunch), Open Table (tea), or call (3100 975-2736.
Tokyo inspiration: Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Enjoy a Mother's Day tea overlooking the center’s tranquil garden.
Expect Japanese tea sandwiches, homestyle curry tarts, roasted cherry scones with yuzu curd, whiskey-infused butterscotch caramels and miso-hazelnut pralines.
You can also enjoy confections found in traditional tea houses in Japan, like sakura mochi and strawberry daifuku. Uji tea, a premium Japanese tea leaf commonly served to the imperial family and used in tea ceremonies, is sourced directly from Kyoto. Guests will be gifted buttery soba and black sesame shortbread cookies to take home as a parting gift that day.
Location: 244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mother’s Day hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Reservations: JACCC website
Ocean breeze: Pasjoli in Santa Monica
The chic yet welcoming French bistro of James Beard award-winning chef Dave Beran in Santa Monica offers a family-style menu that includes deviled eggs, market salad, French onion dip, fried chicken with black truffle gravy and fennel slaw, and French toast.
Location: 2732 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Mother’s Day hours: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable
K-Brunch: Fanny's at the Academy Museum
Got a mom who’s a Korean film buff? Take her to a Korean-inspired brunch takeover inspired by the Academy Museum's current exhibit, Director's Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho.
Mother’s Day K-Brunch specials include tuna tartare “gimbap,” made with gochujang vinaigrette, kombu oil, avocado, and radish sprouts, as well as their Korean fried chicken (KFC) and waffles served with secret sauce, kimchi slaw and charred scallion butter. Meanwhile the Galbi taco features a soy-marinated short rib with charred scallions and fermented pepper sauce.
Location: 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Mother’s Day hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable
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