Photo: Chris Emeott
Restaurants around town are celebrating moms through a variety of brunch options.
This has to rank right up there on the special occasion stress meter: It’s the eve or day of Mother’s Day. Frantic dialing or online booking attempts ensue, but, alas, there’s not a dining reservation to be had. Now what? Prepare a special meal at home? That’s always a great option, but if cooking isn’t in the cards (and you better have purchased a Mother’s Day card by then!), dining out can be the pièce de résistance of a day of celebration and, hopefully, relaxation.
While we know it’s over a month out from Mother’s Day (May 11), now is the time to book reservations. If services or sleeping in is on the docket for the morning, consider brunch. Need ideas? From decadent buffets to special menus, local restaurants know how to dial things up for one of the busiest brunch days of the year.
With a name like Benedict’s, does it come as any surprise that eggs Benedict is a star on the menu at this Wayzata eatery? If one of the eight styles of Bennies isn’t your speed, consider a trio of Strawberry Nutella Pancakes or Avocado Toast served up on sourdough toast with touches of radish and cilantro. For a celebratory sip, consider a Mimosa Flight, complete with freshly squeezed grapefruit, orange, pomegranate and white peach juices. Kid-approved selections include the Chocolate and Blueberry Pancakes as well as the Wagyu Cheeseburger. Prices vary; benedicts.com
Seafood takes center stage at Minnetonka’s BLVD Kitchen & Bar’s Mother’s Day buffet. Start off at the seafood tower—complete with an ice sculpture—featuring crab legs, lobster rolls and oysters, oh my! For main options, consider rich Crab Cake Benedict, Grilled Salmon, and Lobster Mac and Cheese. There’s also classic brunch fare, including bacon, cheesy hash browns, eggs and assorted desserts. Kid-friendly items include plain mac and cheese, chicken tenders and French toast. Plus, moms get a complimentary Mimosa. Price: $64.95 for adults, $19.95 for ages 5–12 and free for kids under age 5; blvdkitchen.com
Hazelwood Food + Drink in Tonka Bay is zhuzhing up its classic brunch menu with a few extra things for mom and company. Crowd favorites like the Pull-Apart Monkey Bread with Pecan Praline Sauce and Prime Rib Hash with beef and poached eggs will still be in the mix. But, if you’re looking for an extra oomph, there will also be Jumbo Crab Cakes, specialty eggs Benedict and decadent Strawberries and Cream French Toast. Kids can select from breakfast items like pancakes and scrambled eggs, plus the usual crowd pleasers—burgers, chicken fingers and pizza. Hazelwood Food + Drink is also toasting mothers with a complimentary Mimosa. Prices vary; hazelwoodfoodanddrink.com
It’s all about the action at ninetwentyfive in Wayzata during its Mother’s Day brunch buffet. Dress up a waffle with an assortment of sweet accoutrements, including maple syrup, mixed berries, vanilla whipped cream and more, at the waffle station, or request the perfect portion of meat at the chef carving station. Before jumping into the main course, stop by the fresh salad offerings, or take your pick of canapés and charcuterie spreads. Brunch menu favorites, including Southern Eggs Benedict with pulled pork and chipotle-hollandaise sauce, and classic Biscuits and Gravy will also be in attendance. The Hotel Landing’s ninetwentyfive tries its best to please the choosey eater set; ask servers for accommodations. $70 for adults, $35 for kids under 12 and free for kids 5 years and younger; thehotellanding.com
Great food is such a cornerstone to any celebration, and Wayzata’s ninetwentyfive Mother’s Day brunch has plenty of options for more sophisticated palates to, well, those who have yet to expand their culinary tastes (aka: kids!).
Plymouth’s Original Pancake House (OPH) is keeping things sweet on Mother’s Day with a lineup of specials, including Carrot Cake, Key Lime Crêpes and waffles topped with bananas, Nutella and strawberries. For something on the savory side, try the specialty Steak Breakfast Burrito or the crowd-pleasing Santa Fe Omelette. Kid’s favorites include the Chocolate Chip and Cinnamon Roll pancakes. Brunch-goers can also expect a little extra space thanks to OPH’s recent remodel, but it is still recommended to join the online waiting list. Prices vary; ophmn.com
For another dining option, read about Heather’s, which opened its Eden Prairie Road location in the fall. Owner Heather Asbury describes her restaurant as bright, fresh and approachable. Dishes are freshly made from scratch, and the menu offers a variety of rotating options. “I like to change things up with my menu often,” she says. “It gives people a reason to come back.”
