Restaurant Review: Celebrate Mom with Brunch in Chicago
This Sunday, May 14, children across the United States will celebrate the women who brought them/raising them into the world. Mother’s Day is upon us! And more than a few Chicago restaurants are making it possible for grand celebrations!
According to History.com celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday” in the United Kingdom. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914.
Reservations are filling up fast for Chicago’s Mother’s Day buffets and feasts. But we’ve scoped out a few that still have prime spots available. For example, at the upscale gastropub State and Lake Chicago Tavern, 201 N. State Street, the $65 per person Mother’s Day buffet features Greek yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit and lavender honey, herbs de provence free range, farm- fresh scrambled eggs Sicilian, ricotta blueberry pancakes, braised green beans, and steel-cut oatmeal, topped with brown sugar, candied pecans, cinnamon, and roasted apples, and braised beef among many other tantalizing specialties. Kids have their own buffet at $15 per child. For reservations, click here.
In Humboldt Park, Nellie’s Restaurant, 2458 W. Division Street, honors mothers with its blend of Puerto Rican fare and American breakfast favorites. Of special interest here is Nellie’s specialty, Avena de Coco (coconut oatmeal). For Mother’s Day, their $30 per person breakfast buffet includes Pastelon (sweet plantain lasagna) breakfast potatoes, Maduros (sweet plantains), Arroz con Gandules (Puerto Rico’s national dish) along with Pernil (roasted pork), and an omelet station. Children 3-10 are $12 each. For reservations, click here.
At the Gold Coast’s NoMI, 800 N. Michigan Avenue, on the 7th floor of the Park Hyatt Chicago, Mom receives the royal treatment with “modern American fare, rooted in French techniques,” featuring exclusive seating in the NoMI Kitchen main dining room with sprawling views of Lake Michigan and the historic Water Tower. The $130 per person, four-course feast includes your choice of a Frittata, made with free-range eggs, forest mushrooms, heirloom baby tomatoes, spinach, scallions, in roasted garlic tomato sauce, and aleppo, with an herb salad, or Smoked Atlantic Salmon, served with dill cream cheese, red onion, chive, capers, and lemon zest. Second course options include Grilled Asparagus Salad withwhite and green asparagus, shaved parmesan, cremini, gribiche sauce and fried basil. Or Snap Pea & Roasted Cauliflower, withsugar snap peas, herb-roasted cauliflower florettes, arugula, mizuna, and fresh basil in an heirloom tomato vinaigrette. Entrées include Chateaubriand in rosemary jus and Red Snapper with grapefruit crème. And as we warn every week, save room for dessert! Your choice of strawberries ‘n crème & brazilian fudge Macarons, Strawberry Shortcake, or Chocolate Pots de Crème. Children are $50 each. Afternoon spots are available by clicking here.
In Andersonville, Uvae Fromagerie and Tasting Room, 5553 N. Clark Street, is serving a Mother’s Day $45 Pre Fixe three-coursemenu, including starter choices such as Nutella Croissants or Fried Oysters, main course choices include a Lobster Cake Benedict, Herbed Goat Cheese & Roasted Tomato Omelet, or Brioche French Toast. Round it out with your choice of Grand Marnier Crème Brulee or Chocolate Pots de Crème. Unlimited non alcoholic brunch beverages (coffee, tea, soda & juice) are included, and children under 10 are $20 each. For reservations and more information, click here.
Happy Mother’s Day to all who mother!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
