Restaurant Roundup: Mother’s Day Brunch Bonanza

What a mom wants, what a mom eats, whatever makes her happy sets you free. You don’t need a slightly misremembered hit song by Christina Aguilera to remember that this Sunday is Mother’s Day… right? In case this news is hitting you harder than Y2K, we’re here to throw you a lifeline, because there are a ton of special meals happening next weekend, brunch and beyond.

Raise a glass to mom

House of Smith’s Jet City Winery tasting room, normally restricted to members, is inviting the public on Saturday, May 9, for its Spring Release Party. On top of bottles made by legendary Washington winemaker Charles Smith, there will be complimentary bites and live music (plus a few surprises yet to be revealed). Admission is $50.

A table with assorted dishes including grilled fish with mussels and bread, broccolini, a patty with salad, a glass of drink with lemon, and a napkin labeled "Hotel Rodol".

Photo courtesy of All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar / Hotel 1000

Buffet and bubbles

From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, May 10, All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar will host an elevated, Pacific Northwest–inspired brunch featuring seasonal salads, house-made pastries, standout entrees like smoked salmon benedict and steak frites, as well as a fresh raw bar. When it comes to libations, the usual suspects are on hand—bloody marys and mimosas—but the bouquet-building station really ties a bow on the experience. You’ll want to make reservations.

A modern restaurant interior with wooden tables, chairs, a bar area, hanging lights, large windows, and dried herbs suspended from the ceiling.

Photo courtesy of Carrello

Brunch by the cartload

Capitol Hill restaurant Carrello, the Italian word for “cart,” is bringing back its signature cart service (for Mother’s Day brunch only) where the food glides around the room to your table. For the first course, guests will enjoy a brioche French toast loaded with huckleberry preserves and lemon cream, followed by a benedict topped with asparagus, spinach, and king salmon cured with dill, tarragon, and beets. Savory and sweet pastries will be available as well.

A luxurious lounge with dark wood floors, ornate ceiling, modern black and gold chairs, large windows, and river views.

Photo courtesy of Smith Tower

Show how highly you think of her

That means the 35th floor of Smith Tower, where not only is the view unforgettable, but guests will experience a three-course meal to match. Upon arrival, sip a glass of Veuve Clicquot and then dine on a yogurt parfait, quiche, and a fresh herb salad—light and breezy fare to enjoy way up there. Kids will have an alternate menu to choose from. Each reservation also includes admission to the historic building’s museum as well as the observatory.

A slice of chocolate layer cake topped with strawberries, mint leaves, chocolate shards, and chocolate pearls on a white plate—perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch or your next Brunch Bonanza.

Photo by Miraflores Media

Peruvian cuisine of her dreams

La Mar Bellevue will host “Experiencia,” a multi-course showcase of coastal Peruvian food, spotlighting dishes like ceviche and tiraditos, arroz con mariscos (seafood rice), and anticuchos (meat skewers), plus a gift from Fortunato Chocolate. The whole family will enjoy—fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, and more will be offered for the kiddos.

A dining table set with glassware and red floral centerpieces sits beneath a wall decorated with framed black and white photographs.

Photo courtesy of Ramie

Behold, the dessert tower

It has raspberry croissant cake, strawberry shiso tart, peach yuzu entremet, sesame and red bean danish, toasted coconut and yuzu cheesecake tart, and more. You’ll find this gloriously sweet spire at Ramie, the modern Vietnamese kitchen in Capitol Hill from chefs Trinh and Thai Nguyen. On top of typical brunch offerings, you’ll also encounter items like a salmon croque madame and bánh mi châo and cocktails with a bit of whimsy like the Lavender Garden or Gin & Rose Tonic.

A person sprinkles spices over a plated dessert at a restaurant, causing a burst of orange sparks above the food—perfect for a festive Mother’s Day brunch.

Photo by Luke Brown / La Loba

Let’s give her something to howl about

Celebrate mom—and La Loba’s one-year anniversary—with a menu designed to share. The new brunch service will incorporate James Beard Award-winning Chef Oscar Amador Edo’s Spanish, Japanese, and Mediterranean influences, highlighted by Taylor Shellfish oysters topped with a bloody mary granita and trout roe, a benedict with jamón Ibérico and yuzu hollandaise, and tableside bananas Foster waffles finished with a Spanish sherry reduction. Nestled inside 1 Hotel Seattle’s nature-informed space, you’ll feel the stress melt away.