My Mom LOVES Laguna Beach. (And I so love my Mom. The photo is us when I was about 8.) There’s no place she would rather be on Mother’s Day than here in Laguna Beach. So, by default, I’m sure your mothers all feel the same. Fortunately, there are a number of Laguna eateries catering to Moms this Mother’s Day.
Here’s my lineup from Chefs who have reported specialty Mother’s Day brunch menus. Many restaurants are serving their standard weekend brunch, which follows this initial list of special menus. Reverse alphabetical this time as Easter was alphabetical. (Mom always taught me to be fair.)
SPECIALTY MOTHER’S DAY MENUS
Splashes, Surf & Sand Resort. Enjoy a 3-course prix fixe menu from a hearty selection of options (even through dessert, of course). This year’s options include items such as Roasted Radish Salad, Sautéd Branzino, Lamb Loin Cauliflower Potato Terrine and Strawberry Shortcake (sassy!).
Two timeframes:
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m, Adults $85
And, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Adults $100Reservations: (949) 376-2779.
Sapphire Restaurant. Chef Azmin is stirring up a 3-course prix fixe brunch menu with options such as Eggs Benedict (with melted Brie and carb cake, yum), Roast Chicken and Artichoke Fricasse and Lobster & Shrimp Enchiladas. Enjoy indoors or patio seating.
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Adults $88, Reservations: (949) 715-9888.
Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill. My new favorite in town because one of my most favorite chefs of old is BACK! Chef Maro Molteni, formerly of Maro Wood Grill, has joined forces with his brother, Martin Molteni (#1 chef in Argentina) for a gorgeous revival of the Royal Hawaiian. Nope, it’s not the fried coconut shrimp but it IS Polynesian and Global Coastal culinary love of a whole different nature. Just opened the first week of April, this is the only Sunday brunch they’re offering for a long, long time. Enjoy an a la carte menu that includes Punalu’u’s Orange French Toast, The Royal Hawaiian Loco Moco, Avocado Toast, Steak & Eggs, Hawaiian-style Ahi Poke, salads, fresh fish and more.
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m, Reservations: (949) 715-1740
(The) Ranch at Laguna Beach. Enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch of savory breakfast and lunch favorites as well as an expansive spread of fresh pastries and baked goods. Enjoy egg dishes and an omelette station, a beef tenderloin carving station, salads, cured meats, and more. It all takes place in the Sage ballroom with patio and indoor seating (directly below the Harvest restaurant).
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Adults $95, Children under 12, $40. Reservations: (949) 499-2271.
Montage. Trust the Montage Laguna Beach to always go big. We have four options available for Mother’s Day that include:
• Mother’s Day 2019 Masterpiece Celebration – Decadent brunch includes family photos, live entertainment and special gifts for mothers. Breakfast-centric stations offer eggs benedict, made-to-order omelets, lemon ricotta pancakes, seafood stations, seasonal fruit and salads and more. (And don’t miss Pastry Chef Lee Smith’s annual dessert display.)
10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Adults $175, Children ages 4-12 are $55. Reservations: (949) 715-6420.
• Studio 4-Course Brunch – More decadence as Chef Martinek provides a Mother’s Day Tasting Menu that’s truly over the top.
11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Adults $160, Children ages 4-12 are $60. Reservations: (949) 715-6420.
• The Loft 4-Course Tasting Menu – Chef Joosung Lee offers an innovative tasting menu that includes items such as Short Rib and Eggs with Cheddar Grits, Chicken and Waffle, French Toast Bites and more.
9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Adults $130, Children ages 4-12 are $45. Reservations: (949) 715-6420.
• Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Lounge – Enjoy all those tea sandwiches, scones and crumpets you dream about in the newly renovated Lobby Lounge.
Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Adults $75, $95 with a glass of Veuve Clicquot, Children ages 4-12 are $45. Reservations: (949) 715-6420.
Nirvana Grille. Chef Lindsay has devised another creative and tasty 2-course brunch menu with crowd favorites throughout. Enjoy indoors or rooftop seating at the Bliss Bar. Dinner with full menu of new spring additions follows from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. See my latest Nirvana Grille review.
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Adults $39. Reservations: (949) 497-0027.
Driftwood Kitchen. Chef Rainer has cooked up another seaside Mother’s Day Buffet with carving stations featuring Roasted Prime Rib and New Zealand Rack of Lamb along with col and hot stations, a fish stations and a plethora of desserts.
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Adults $89, Children $25, kids under 6 are free. Reservations: (949) 715-7700.
Broadway by Amar Santana. We all know Amar loves his Mama, and he shows it with a specialty menu with his Mother’s Day brunch menu. A 3-course prix fixe, choose from items such as Organic Egg Salad, Poached Eggs en Cocotte, Braised Lamb, Shrimp & Grits and a Creamy French Style Omelette.
11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Adults $70, Children 12 and under, $35. Reservations (949) 715-8234.
SERVING THEIR REGULAR (BUT ALWAYS STELLAR) A LA CARTE BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
White House Laguna Beach serves brunch from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reservations: 949-494-8088.
Watermarc serves brunch from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Reservations: 949-376-6272
Skyloft serves brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Reservations: 949-715-1550
Lumberyard serves one of my favorite brunches from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar. Reservations: 949-715-3900.
K’ya Bistro – The Rooftop (up above!) actually handles weekend brunch, served 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations: (949) 497-2446.
(The) Cliff opens at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast and brunch. Reservations: 949-494-1956