Our moms are our biggest fans. File photo.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday — what better way to celebrate all she has raised you to become than with a brunch to remember?
Long Beach’s wide array of eateries and seaside venues are once again offering bottomless mimosas, stuffed french toast, Latin jazz on the water and unforgettable views of downtown, the Queen Mary and our prized coastline. Check out these 10 locations and events that are sure to please the person who still manages to show you how worthy you are of a hug and a helping hand no matter how hard you think you’ve failed.
Sophisticated Soirees at Landmark Locations
Lift your sophisticated pinkies for The Queen Mary Champagne Sunday Brunch or lunch in the Queen Mary Tea Room. The brunch held in the Grand Salon will feature over 50 unique dishes from around the world, free flowing champagne and live music.
Reservations are required for brunch at The Sky Room, where the bottomless Mimosas will runneth over to the jazzy notes of Richard Sherman’s piano playing. This three-course-plated event certainly has a view worth the price and possibly the most course options to choose from.
Follow the white rabbit to The Mother’s Day Mad Hatter Tea Party presented by Dream Come True Party Room and Alfredo’s Beach Club, to be held at, very fittingly, Mother’s Beach. A high tea service with your favorite and fancy Alice in Wonderland characters and a costume contest for both kids and adults should make for a maddeningly fun time for mom and the family. Reservations must be made in advance.
Mingle with the sea lions, ogle at the jellyfish and pet the stingrays after a full meal at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Mother’s Day Brunch, featuring sustainable seafood and organic options to satisfy any health-minded mother and her fans. Join the aquarium for this annual seaside celebration of mom.
If your madre is looking for a little twist on the typical Mother’s Day outing, then Fuego at The Maya’s Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch is the Latin-American inspired buffet-style event you’ll have to take her to. Live Latin jazz and an enticing array of food options such as seafood paella and lobster ravioli will make for a drool-worthy day at this chic location on the water.
Casual Spots in the ‘Hood
Restauration seems to have their facts straight. As one of of Long Beach’s newest neighborhood joints, their “American fare with a modern flare,” will please the palate of any mom and her adoring family. “Moms love brunch, Moms love patios,” they claim, so enjoy the outside seating with a plate of seared albacore soba for an affordable price. Reservations required for parties of all sizes.
Starling Diner, nestled quaintly among the homes of Belmont Heights, is one of the community’s best not-so-kept secrets. This adorable neighborhood spot will be serving up a Mother’s Day special of Meyer lemon-stuffed french toast, a rich and citrusy take on their popular signature menu item. Make sure to show up early because the wait tends to be lengthy. Also, parking is limited — making the diner a great destination for a local cruise-by-bicycle.
Get your “Naked Cakes” on at the The Breakfast Bar in the the East Village, a hole-in-the-wall spot that is always generating quite a bit of brunch buzz. Stop by and sit down for a pleasantly casual meal and impress mom by ordering her a peach bellini alongside a stack of health-conscious whole wheat grain (naked) cakes. If you’re a Yelp user, make sure to check in to receive a free White Peach Sangria.
Schooner or Later knows how to throw a brunch with their scrumptious breakfast served all day. And while the wait may be a small feat to endure, there’s no reason why you can’t listen for your name to be called with a hot coffee in hand, watching the docked boats bob up and down as the sea breeze whisks your hair out of your face. Bring mom in for a casual catch-up to this family-owned neighborhood joint and she won’t be disappointed.
Hamburger Mary’s Sunday Drag Queen Brunch with The Brunchettes is an all-you-can-eat, affordable and entertaining, drag-tastic soiree paired with bottomless mimosas and whole lot of good clean fun, to say the least. Bring mom in for a wild afternoon, but don’t forget to bring $1 bills to tip the queens as you celebrate Mother’s Day at Mary’s. Make sure to call ahead for reservations unless you want to wait for the limited first-come first serve seating.