Mother’s Day Brunches in Boston 2016

Egg Raviolo at Alden & Harlow. / Galdones Photography

Alden & Harlow

Croissant pain perdu, root vegetable hash, maple-glazed, hickory-smoked pigs’ tails and the rest of chef Michael Scelfo’s weekly brunch offerings are joined by spring specials, like a grilled asparagus and morel tomago (like a Japanese omelet), and hot smoked bluefish with everything bagel gremolata. Plus, Mom has her own list of cocktails: there’s a sparkler called Mother Knows Best, the gin-based Nurturer, and the Littler Helper.

10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, 617-864-2100, aldenharlow.com.

Bergamot

This inventive American restaurant is offering a three-course brunch menu to celebrate Mom. Choices include pickled strawberry salad with fried almonds and whipped feta, a black bean tostada with bright red pepper sauce and avocado, and salmon cakes topped with yogurt sauce. For dessert, indulge in golden beet flan drizzled with caramel, or a Dutch baby with cherry coulis.

$46 per person, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 18 Beacon St., Somerville, 617-576-7700, bergamotrestaurant.com. 

BISq

If Mom has a taste for French wine, eclectic fare, and charcuterie, this cozy neighborhood spot—Bergamot’s little sibling—will appeal. The three-course menu offers crispy pork shoulder with bacon jam and spring peas, a frittata with morels and fiddleheads, and more.

$46 per person, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 1071 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-714-3693, bisqcambridge.com. 

Bistro du Midi

The restaurant gets its name from the south of France, an area known for seafood. Three-course Mother’s Day brunch reflects this, with choices like tuna tartare, pan-seared cod with spring peas, and black olives, and citrus-cured salmon Benedict. Prefer to stay on land? There’s juicy flatiron steak, sun-dried tomato quiche, and more.

$60 per person, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.,  Boylston St., Boston, 617-426-7878, 272, bistrodumidi.com. 

Boston Chops

If Mom’s a dedicated carnivore, this elegant South End steakhouse is a promising option. Three-course brunch features duck omelets, huevos rancheros with carne asada, and of course, steak and eggs, as well as lighter options like lobster Benedict with asparagus.

$49 per person, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.,  1375 Washington St., Boston, 617-227-5011, bostonchops.com. 

The Butcher Shop 

This South End restaurant of Barbara Lynch’s is also a full-service butcher, so don’t miss their classic steak tartare or the hot dog a la maison. Or, try something springy, like an asparagus salad with peas, morels, prosciutto, duck breast, and ricotta.

Items priced a la carte, 552 Tremont Street, Boston, 617-423-4800, thebutchershopboston.com. 

Cafe ArtScience. / Photo by Wayne Chinnock

Café ArtScience

This innovative Cambridge restaurant offers French food and top-notch cocktail bar, though it’s not typically open for brunch. On Mother’s Day, the team makes an exception, with creative takes on classic dishes like a house-smoked fish plate, or French toast with bacon whipped cream (yes, bacon). Pastry chef Renae Connolly is also preparing three different ice creams, spiced chantilly cream, hot fudge, and more, for a special sundae treat.

Items priced a la carte, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 650 E Kendall Street, Cambridge, 857-999-2193, cafeartscience.com. 

Coppersmith

Executive chef Jason Heard is crafting a three-course brunch, complete with blue crab Benedict, and a mushroom omelet with creamy goat cheese and pesto. Bonus: The former East Coast Grill owner has brought its storied DIY Bloody Mary bar to his new digs in Southie. The line has more than 25 ingredients, like okra and pickled peppers, to make Mom’s special.

$45 per person, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 40 W. 3rd  Street, South Boston, 617-658-3452, coppersmithboston.com.

Cragie on Main

Chef Tony Maws is finalizing the offerings for his special, three-course, Mother’s Day brunch, but you can expect a delectable meal from the Best of Boston and Food & Wine-award winning chef.

$50 per person, 853 Main Street, Cambridge, 617-497-5511, cragieonmain.com.

Flour Bakery & Cafe

For delectable tarts and pies, check out Flour Bakery & Cafe, in the South End, Central Square, Fort Point, or Back Bay. Chef Joanne Chang’s Mother’s Day selection includes lemon creme tarts, strawberry rhubarb pie, and a wide array of quiches, from goat cheese and bacon to feta and spinach.

Multiple locations, hours vary based on location, flourbakery.com.

Grill 23 & Bar

If you’re looking a steakhouse with upscale flair, Grill 23 & Bar’s brunch is a good option. Start off with a house-made sticky bun drizzled with orange icing, though maybe Mom wants to start lighter, with a medley of melon and berries. Entrees include sweet stuffed Fresh toast, oozing with ricotta and strawberries, or, of course, flatiron steak with eggs.

Prices vary, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., 161 Berkeley Street, Back Bay, 617-542-2255, grill23.com.

La Morra 

This Brookline Village spot is sure to please, with an array of Italian dishes and well-curated wine selection. It only offers brunch a few times a year, so it’s a extra special occasion. And who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of Tom Brady.

Items priced a la carte, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 48 Boylston St., Brookline Village, 617-739-007,  lamorra.com.  

L’Espalier

L’Espalier is dedicated to elegant French dishes with a New England twist. The Mother’s Day prix-fixe offers elevated takes on classics like quiche Lorraine, served with Maine lobster bisque, and eggs Benedict with Gorges Bank scallops. There’s smoked and roasted duck breast with spring dug parsnips, salmon gravlax, and more.

$85 per person, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 774 Boylston St., 617-262-3023, lespalier.com.

The Middle Gray

Brunch and a concert? If Mom would like that, take her to this Brookline café-cum-art gallery. Munch on choices like egg and kale muffins, chorizo quiche, and arroz con leche y chocolate (chocolate rice pudding), to the tunes of folk duo Sweet Wednesday. The band’s set will highlight mothers and love.

$16.37 – $47.12 per person, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 6 Station St., Brookline, 617-608-3480, themiddlegray.com. 

No. 9 Park

The Barbara Lynch Gruppo’s Beacon Hill flagship offers a three-course prix-fixe at both brunch and dinnertime. Try carnaroli risotto with spring peas and trumpet royale mushrooms, and a triple chocolate marquis. When the eating is through, you’re in a perfect place to walk off the meal and soak in the views of the flowers blossoming around the Common.

11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (brunch), 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. (dinner), 9 Park St., Boston, 617-742-9991, no9park.com.

Parsnip Restaurant and Lounge

Head to the heart of bustling Harvard Square for a international take on brunch from executive chef Peter Quinion and chef de cuisine Ryan Marcoux. There will be seared tuna niscoise, pan-roasted halibut with tomato butter, coconut cashew bread pudding, and more.

$65 per person, optional $30 per person for wine pairing, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 91 Winthrop St., Cambridge, 617-714-3206, parsniprestaurant.com.

The private room at Puritan & Co. Will Gilson’s restaurant has Mother’s Day specials. / Photo provided

Puritan & Company 

Chef Will Gilson is crafting a three-course menu including a Greek yogurt parfait with house-made granola, grilled swordfish with spinach-olive puree, and an asparagus and mushroom scramble. For dessert, try the strawberry shortcake garnished with tTai basil, or the chocolate franjipan infused with pomegranate and rose hips.

$45 per person, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 1166 Cambridge Street, Inman Square, Cambridge, 617- 615-6195, puritancambridge.com.

Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar

In Somerville’s Davis Square, the charming converted railcar that is Rosebud can’t be missed. Inside, it’s cozy and modern—and there’s an extensive brunch menu. Highlights include chicken and waffles, smoked salmon omelet, and banana Nutella donuts. And, because brunch isn’t quite complete without it, there is a DIY Bloody Mary bar.

Items priced a la carte, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 381 Summer St., Somerville, 617-629-9500, rosebudkitchen.com. 

Shepard 

Typically New American and French by night, Susan Regis’ new spot takes puts a twist on its seldom-offered brunch service. Here, you’ll find dim sum, her takes on the traditional Chinese small plates like dumplings, pork buns, and sticky rice.

Items priced a la carte, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 1 Shepard St., Cambridge, 617-714-5295, shepardcooks.com. 

A springy salad at Sportello. / Photo by Brian Samuels Photography

Sportello 

Treat your mother to a goat cheese tart, a fritatta accompanied by a spring salad, a bellini, or other brunch classics at this Barbara Lynch Gruppo spot.

Items priced a la carte, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 348 Congress Street, Boston, 617-737-1234, sportelloboston.com. 

SRV

This new South End spot is celebrating moms with its first-ever lunch service on Mother’s Day. The three-course prix-fixe from co-chefs and owners Michael Lombardi and Kevin O’Connell has options like chilled pea soup, maltagliati with spicy lamb sausage, favas, and ramps, biscotti misti for the table, and more. No cichetti, though the Venetian-style snacks are available at an additional cost.

$35 per person, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 569 Columbus Ave., Boston, 617-536-9500, srvboston.com.

Top of the Hub

Come for a prix-fixe menus, stay for the breathtaking view of Boston from the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower. It’s executive chef Stefan Jarausch’s first Mother’s Day here, and his new menu includes dishes like Meyer lemon Greek yogurt parfait with house-made granola, chia seeds, and strawberry relish, corn, artichoke, and sun-dried tomato ravioli, and blueberry and cream cheese-stuffed French toast.

$68 per person, $34 for children, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Brunch), $75 per person, $34 for children, 3:30 p.m.-8 p.m. (Dinner), Top Of The Hub, 800 Boylston St., Boston, 617-536-1775, topofthehub.net. 

T.W. Food 

T.W. Food sits at the intersection of French, Italian and New American food. Run by husband and wife team Tim and Bronwyn Wiechmann, this Cambridge restaurant is offering a three-course refined brunch menu: buckwheat crêpes topped with poached eggs; beef ragout, and saucission seasoned with Persian lime vinaigrette.

$55 per person, 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 377 Walden Street, Cambridge, 617-864-4745, twfoodrestaurant.com.

Yvonne’s

The Downtown Crossing supper club is opening early on Sunday, May 8 with classy brunch dishes inspired by the mothers of culinary director Tom Berry, chef Juan Pedrosa, and their colleagues in the kitchen. Pedrosa is making a Benedict for his mom, there’s zucchini bread for Berry’s mom Toni, and more. Plus, proceeds from the hazelnut friand cake will benefit Boston’s Bakes for Breast Cancer, to help support breast cancer research and treatment institutes.

Items priced a la carte, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2 Winter Place, Downtown Crossing, Boston, 617-267-0047, yvonnesboston.com.