Mother’s Day is this Sunday and if you haven’t already made plans, Long Beach’s many seaside and historic venues are again offering both traditional and atypical brunches at which to celebrate mom. From Rancho Los Cerritos–where living history actors will be strolling throughout the meal–to a harbor cruise where the campagne promises to flow freely, there are no shortage of options for where to gorge on decadent buffets, hear live music and let mom relax on the day made for her.
Photo courtesy of Rancho Los Cerritos
Rancho Los Cerritos
For a historic twist on the traditional Mother’s Day brunch, Rancho Los Cerritos has planned a champagne meal and catered buffet that will take full advantage of the blooming gardens on the sprawling grounds, which at one point served as headquarters for one of Long Beach’s founding rancho families. TGIS (Thank God It’s Sofia) will be serving everything from carved ham to fritattas and the James Cheesman Trio will be performing. The event also features the opportunity to meet the Rancho’s living history docents, who will be wandering the brunch and sharing the location’s storied history. Sunday, May 11, 10AM-12PM; $42 adults, $25 youth; reservations required.
Rancho Los Cerritos is located at 4600 Virginia Road. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (562) 570-1755.
Photo courtesy of Queen Mary
The Queen Mary
Mother’s Day brunch on the Queen Mary is, for many families, an annual affair, with multiple generations taking to the Queen’s Salon on board for an epic feast featuring cuisines from around the world. Similar to the weekly Sunday champagne brunch hosted on the moored ocean liner, the Mother’s Day brunch also features Southwest-inspired dishes, an extensive salad buffet and fresh seafood. The carving station will be loaded with prime rib and leg of lamb and Katrina Saroyan, the Queen Mary’s celebrated harpist, will perform. Sunday, May 11, 9AM-3PM; $59.95 adults, $19.95 youth; reservations recommended
The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway. For more information and reservations visit queenmary.com or call 562-499-1606.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Maya
Fuego at Hotel Maya
If your madre likes a little more spice in her mid-morning meals, treat her to the Latin-American themed buffet at Hotel Maya, which is hosting its annual Mother’s Day champagne brunch and Latin Jazz experience at the waterfront Fuego restaurant. Salad, omelet and carving stations will offer basic and more imaginative selections (think: roast pork pibil and blackberry and chocolate crepes) while the hot entrees are to include paella, grilled lamb chops, succotash and aji-grilled chicken.Though one of the more expensive Mother’s Day brunch options, it’s the only one that features a self-described “dessert extravaganza.” Sunday, May 11, 11AM-3PM; $64 adult, $32 youth; reservations required.
Hotel Maya is located at 700 Queesway Drive. Call (562) 481-3910 for reservations.
Photo by Thomas Wasper
Aquarium of the Pacific
Celebrate mom while surrounded by the wonders of the Pacific Ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s annual Mother’s Day Brunch, which brings the buffet concept outside and onto the aquarium’s grand front lawn. Sustainable seafood and farmers market vegetables top the menu’s extensive list of healthy and organic options and each ticket comes with free entry to the Aquarium afterwards, letting diners work off the decadent meal with a stroll through the fishies. Sunday, May 11, 10:30AM-1PM; $48.00 adult, $19.00 youth; $38.00 member adult, $15.00 member youth; reservations suggested
Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way. To purchase tickets, click here.
Hornblower Cruise
Take to the seas this Mother’s Day with a champagne brunch on board one of Hornblower Cruises’ pristine white yachts. For two hours, Hornblower’s boat will hug the SoCal coastline as a brunch buffet is served and the drinks flow freely alongside live entertainment and ever-changing scenic harbor views. A special event hosted by the same local company that specializes in dinner cruises, whale watching, birthday parties and weddings makes this one of the more unique ways to treat mom this Sunday. Cruises leave from Marina Del Rey and Newport Beach. Sunday, May 11, 11:30AM-2:00PM. Call 1.888.467.6256 for more information.
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