We love Mother’s Day! It’s a time to celebrate everything our moms have done for us, and we can’t think of a better way to mark the occasion than to treat Mom to a fabulous Mother’s Day brunch.
A handful of Newport Beach restaurants have created special Mother’s Day menus meant to tempt the palate of most any mom, so show her how much you care by treating her to a marvelous meal.
Here’s what some of our favorite Newport Beach restaurants are offering this Mother’s Day—although if you can’t dine on Mother’s Day, these and other Newport Beach restaurants consistently offer an excellent dining experience no matter the occasion.
BALBOA BAY CLUB
Balboa Bay Club has two simultaneous Mother’s Day celebrations.
In the First Cabin Restaurant, enjoy a three-course brunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Select from a choice of four appetizers, six entrees (including Petit Rack of Lamb, Shrimp & Scallops Omelet, or Trio of Poached Egg Benedict, Cheese Blintz and Chicken Apple Sausage), and two different desserts. Price is $49 for adults and $24.50 for children 4–12.
In the Grand Ballroom, you’ll encounter a classic Buffet Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This extensive experience features a carving station of Roasted Colorado Leg of Lamb and Pork Prime Rib, a Waffle and Ice Cream Station, eight hot items in chafing dishes including: Griddled Farm Eggs, Smoked Bacon, Breakfast Sausages, Thai Chicken Mango Curry with Steamed Jasmine Rice, Symphony of Vegetables, assorted Seafood and Sushi, Artesian Cheeses, German Charcuterie, Smoked Fish Market, freshly tossed Salads, a Valrhona Chocolate Fountain, a selection of Cakes, Pastries, Tarts & Muffins, and – of course – champagne. Price is $75 for adults and $37.50 for children 4–12.
For reservations, call 949-630-4145 or visit BalboaBayClub.com.
BRASSERIE PASCAL
Chef Pascal Olhats has concocted a three-course Mother’s Day menu that features free-flowing French champagne along with a variety of appetizers (choose from such dishes as Avocado with Shrimp and Grapefruit Segments, Assorted Pates or Salmon Trio), eight different entrees (Omelette, Mussels Sauvignon Blanc, Lamb Burger, Blackened Shrimp Cake, Grilled Salmon Fillet, Bouillabaisse, and more), and a delectable dessert. Cost is $29.95 pr person.
For reservations, call 949-640-2700 or visit PascalNPB.com.
ISLAND HOTEL
The weather is perfect for al fresco dining, and the Island Hotel’s Palm Terrace Patio has the perfect Mother’s Day Brunch and BBQ from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From the Cold Table, select Green Vegetable Gazpacho, House-Smoked Salmon, Caesar Salad Fondue and more. Barbecue offerings include Slow Braised Prime Short Ribs, Duck & Angus Beef Sliders, Grilled Chicken Kabobs and Ancho Lime Sword Fish. There are also choices for those who want breakfast dishes like build-your-own “Scramble,” as well as other savory fare and an elaborate dessert buffet table. Cost is $78 per person, $29 per child 5–12.
For reservations, call 949-759-0808 or visit IslandHotel.com.
PELICAN HILL RESORT
This was our top dining destination of 2010, and their Mother’s Day menus certainly reinforce our accolades. Pelican Hill offers five different dining experiences for Mother’s Day:
Mar Vista Ballroom
Celebrate Mom with a lovely chef-crafted brunch and spectacular ocean views in Mar Vista’s grand ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $95 per adults, $45 per child under age 12. Complimentary for children under age 5.
Mother’s Day Family Tea
Relish in the elegance of traditional afternoon tea time in the Great Room, featuring a classical harpist and scenic ocean views. Teas, coffees, sweets, sandwiches and wines by the glass are available, as is a prix fixe menu from 3 to 5 p.m. $45 per adult and $25 per child under age 12.
Andrea Ristorante
From 4 to 10 p.m., savor the true flavors of Italy with a four-course rustic Tuscan menu that includes your choice of appetizers, entrées and desserts. Sip wines paired by the resort’s sommelier with each delectable course, created by Chef Luca. $95 per person, or $150 per person with wine pairing.
Pelican Grill
Dine in casual elegance on the ocean-view terrace or select a dining room table with a spectacular view of Pelican Grill’s open-display kitchen. Chef Chang’s presents a prix fixe lunch and dinner menu featuring California cuisine, available from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. $85 per adult, $40 per child under age 12, and complimentary for children under age 5.
Coliseum Pool & Grill
Enjoy casual poolside dining overlooking Newport Coast panoramas. Created by Chef Mark Kalenderian, a breakfast buffet of fresh California favorites is available from 7 a.m. to noon, and a special three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menu is available from noon to 10 p.m. $34 per adult and $17 per child under age 12 for buffet breakfast; $75 per adult and $37.50 per child under age 12 for prix fixe lunch or dinner; complimentary for children under age 5.
Complimentary valet parking is available at the resort’s main lobby. For reservations, call 800.820.6800 or visit PelicanHill.com.
RITZ RESTAURANT
The Ritz Restaurant in Fashion Island serves a three course prix-fixe menu for $55 that includes choice of appetizer (such as Lobster Bisque laced with Armagnac, Rock Shrimp Gazpacho laced with Cuervo Gold Tequila, or Ritz Salad with Canadian Bay Shrimp and Belgian Endive)), entrées such as Chateaubriand, Osso Buco, New York Steak, Seafood Linguini, and more), and a Ritz Dessert Sampler. Call 949-720-1800 or visit RitzRestaurant.com.
RUSTICA
Whether she prefers a rich, homemade English pea ravioli, a decadent Nutella and banana-stuffed French toast, a comforting free-range herb-roasted half chicken with chanterelles and homemade herb pappardelle, or a luxurious, refreshing dungeness crab “Benny” with spring salad, Rustica knows how to please Mom on her special day. Executive Chef Renieri Caceres has put together a three-course brunch menu with something for every Mom—including complimentary mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice or housemade bloody marys. Cost is $35 per guest. The brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 949-706-8282 or visit RusticaFashionIsland.com.
TRADITION BY PASCAL
Chef Pascal Olhats has cooked up a four-course Mother’s Day menu that includes Ragout of Mushroom Feuillete, Scampi Provencal or choice of salad or soup, four different main courses (Petite Filet of Beef, Grilled Irish Salmon, Roasted Quail of Braised Veal Paprika), and dessert (Opera Cake, apple Tart or Assorted Cheeses). Cost is $42 per person. Pascal also has a three-course kids menu for $20 per child that features such dishes as Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Crepes, Fettuccine with Grilled Chicken Tenders, and Ice Cream. Call 949-263-9400 or visit PascalNPB.com.
OTHER RESTAURANTS
Additional Newport Beach restaurants with special Mother’s Day menus include: brunch at Back Bay Bistro, prix fixe menu at Beachcomber Café, Canaletto (their brunch is dubbed Fiesta del Mamma), seasonally-inspired brunch at The Cannery, three-course prix fixe menu at Fleming’s, a lavish brunch and BBQ at Island Hotel, and a Mother’s Day Brunch at Villa Nova for $19.95.
