Truth be told, I never really liked Mother’s Day breakfast in bed. I think my family tried it a couple times years ago, but toast crumbs would linger on the sheets for days, and the coffee and juice on the tray would wobble precariously as the kids gathered on the bed.
And it would all be over so quickly; by 10 a.m., I was back to being just Mom again.
I’d rather extend the festivities—have a leisurely brunch out, and then come home for a nap.
Here’s a sampling of 10 area brunches that provide something special for Mother’s Day. For more ideas about places that serve brunch, check out our online dining guide. Also, remember to call for reservations, as a lot of people have the same idea…
8407 Kitchen Bar: All-new pre-fixed menu for moms includes two courses, plus house- made beignets tossed in cinnamon sugar with whipped cream to start. First course choices include buffalo mozzarella salad, house-made bratwurst sausage with house-made sauerkraut, or Jerusalem artichoke bisque with sage croutons and apple. Main plates feature duck barbacoa tostada with sunny-side up eggs, refried beans, cilantro and sour cream; challah French toast with rhubarb-plum cream cheese stuffing and local syrup; shrimp and wild ramp omelette with camembert cheese, or grilled marinated salmon nicoise salad with lemon-artichoke vinaigrette. Desserts a la carte. Fixed price menu is $28 per person, and will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
8407 Ramsey Ave., Silver Spring, 301-587-8407, www.8407kb.com
Addie’s: Highlights include New Orleans-style beignets; smoked half chicken with a buttermilk biscuit, sausage gravy and braised collard greens; eggs Ponchartrain (two poached eggs with Tasso ham, jumbo lump crab meat and roasted corn served over an English muffin with stone ground grits and asparagus). A la carte entrees range from $12 to $19. Served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
11120 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301-881-0081, www.addiesrestaurant.com
Assaggi Mozzarella Bar: Dishes range from asparagus soup with boiled egg yolk and crispy prosciutto to soft shell crab with lemon butter sauce; seared sea scallops with spring pea and chanterelle mushroom ragu; risotto with wild ramps and rock shrimp; peach tart tatin with vanilla ice cream. Moms get long-stemmed roses. A la carte and pre-fixe menus served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
4838 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-951-1988, www.assaggirestaurant.com
Black’s Bar & Kitchen: Unlimited brunch buffet, featuring seven different food stations. Look for Chesapeake Bay blue fish rillette; house-made brioche French toast; artisan cheeses and charcuterie; Gulf shrimp; scrambled organic farm eggs, herb crusted prime rib with natural jus, caramelized onions and horseradish cream. Buffet is $33; with unlimited champagne, $45. A la carte options and children’s prices. Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
7750 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, 301-652-5525, www.blacksbarandkitchen.com
Black Market Bistro: Starters include Black Market Salad with mixed greens topped with fresh oranges, toasted almonds and goat cheese, plus house-cured salmon served with brioche toast points and dill crème fraiche. Entrées include hardwood grilled skirt steak and scrambled eggs; eggs Benedict; Croque Monsieur. A la carte brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A kids menu will also be available for children 12 and under.
4600 Waverly Ave., Garrett Park, 301-933-3000, www.blackmarketrestaurant.com
Grapeseed American Bistro + Wine Bar: Fixed-price brunch menu includes potato and herb frittata, ham and gruyere omelet, baguette French toast, and crab cake sandwich. Dinner menu features family-style starters and pasta, plus main courses such as sautéed shrimp with Tasso ham gravy and grits, or maple-smoked grilled chicken with fava beans and fingerling potatoes. Fixed-price brunch ($22 for adults, $15 for kids) served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner ($40 for adults, $20 for children) served from 5 to 9 p.m.
4865 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, 301-986-9592, www.grapeseedbistro.com
Lia’s: Special fixed-price brunch includes an entrée such as brie-stuffed French toast or asparagus with three sunny-side-up eggs and truffle pecorino cheese, breads, fresh fruit, coffee and choice of juice, Mimosa or Bloody Mary. Fixed price menu ($25) served from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
4435 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase, 240-223-5427, www.liasrestaurant.com
Potomac’s Founding Farmers: A few specials will be added to the restaurant’s already extensive Sunday brunch. Good for early-riser moms, it’s served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
12505 Park Potomac Ave., Potomac, 301-340-8783, www.wearefoundingfarmers.com
Redwood Restaurant & Bar: The restaurant’s regular buffet of eggs, bacon, home fries, fruit, etc. will be extended with a carving station, waffle station and more desserts. Buffet is $34 per person and will be served from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
7121 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda, 301-656-5515, www.redwoodbethesda.com
Tower Oaks Lodge: Mother’s Day specials will be added to the regular brunch menu. That menu already features items such as Pina Colada French toast and Belgian waffles. Entrees range from $10.50 to $19.95. Brunch starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m.
2 Preserve Parkway, Rockville, 301-294-0200, www.clydes.com
