Mother's Day in Washington D.C., May 2008

This is a special on-line feature that I will produce every year on Mother's Day. Many DC restaurants are offering delicious Mother’s Day Brunches. So who is doing what to whom and for how much? Here you go:

Charlie Palmer Steak will be honoring Washington D.C.’s moms this Mother’s Day with a three-course pre-fixe brunch ($55) that will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 11th.  A special children’s menu will be available for $20.  Highlights from Chef Hill’s brunch menu include: Bacon Wrapped Hawaiian Blue Prawns with Anson Mills Farm grits; Pan Fried Soft Shell Crabs with grilled tomatoes and country ham vinaigrette;  and Diver Sea Scallops with braised wagyu short ribs and grilled bone marrow.  For dessert, Chef Hill will offer a dessert buffet with some of “Mom’s favorites,” such as strawberry rhubarb cobbler, hazelnut chocolate tart and apple tart tartin.   

Acadiana will be open for brunch, featuring its 3 course prix fixe menu from 11 AM to 4 PM, and for dinner from 4 to 7 PM.    

Ici Urban Bistro is offering a hot and cold brunch ($65) with dishes like Roasted honey glazed ham, Seared Chesapeake rockfish basquaise and Slow roasted Prime strip loin au jus and more.

2941 is offering special menus for Mom’s($85) and kids ($25) with dishes like- Maine Peekytoe crab salad and chilled carrot soup for Mom and a hand-made pasta and crab cakes for the kids.

DC Coast will be open for dinner from 2 to 7 PM.  Celebrate with selections from the dinner menu and special offerings, such as Pastry Chef Lauren Whitledge’s Strawberry Mousse Cake with Strawberry Lime Frozen Yogurt and White Chocolate Ganache. 

The Willard InterContinental is celebrating Mother’s Day on May 11 with two distinctive offerings. The Willard Room will serve a Mother’s Day Sunday Brunch buffet ($95 for adults and $45 for children) featuring dishes like Maine Scallops, Herb crusted Shenandoah Lamb rack with natural jus, and dark chocolate truffle cake, while sipping a complimentary glass of Moet et Chandon Rose. (A special gift from the luxurious I Spa at the Willard will be included – a perfect end to a perfect meal!)   Also,  Mother’s Day brunch in the grand ballroom ($85 for adults and $40 for children) will feature a welcome sparkling wine bar, a Seafood Bar, a Chef Carving Station, and a buffet especially for kids.

The Fairmont is offering a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch in the Colonnade featuring dishes like Grilled East Coast Lobster and Green Pea Risotto, Plum Tomato Jam Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Truffled Potato Gratin with Gruyere Cheese, and a decadent Dessert Station. Sample our Extravagant Display of Mother’s Day Treats. Elegant Taittinger Champagne and Mimosas-$95 per person - $47.50 for children under 12.

Ping by Charlie Chiang’s is offering an Asian fusion brunch ($16.95 per person (tax and gratuity not included) for Mother’s Day.  Mothers and Mothers-to-be will also each receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or blooming jasmine tea plus a fresh carnation as an added, symbolic take home gift. Menu highlights for Mother’s Day include Chicken-Nappa Gyoza, Creamy Sesame Shrimp Pearls and Fa-Shi Lemongrass Pepper Steak Cubes served with a sweet soy sauce and lemon grass. 

1789 Restaurant will be offering a special Sunday brunch featuring brioche French toast served with glazed bananas, peanut butter and maple butter; pan roasted chicken served with creamy grits, Swiss chard, black pepper biscuit and country gravy, as well as eggs benedict served with country bread, Virginia ham, poached eggs and espelette hollandaise.  Brunch prices ranging from $24 to $38.

701 will be offering a three-course pre-fixe Mother’s Day Brunch menu($45 and half price for kids).  Featured menu items will include chilled crab salad with ‘lemonade-pickled’ melons, cilantro cream and a sesame rice crisp; banana-walnut pancakes with grilled pork belly, sautéed quail egg and Thai chili-maple glaze.

Ardeo is offering a Mother’s Day three-course pre fixe menu ($40) and features dishes like seared diver scallops with avocado, blood oranges and chipotle syrup; beef carpaccio with ricotta salata, young herb salad and truffled saba; and more.

The Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt is offering a special at $80 per person for adults and $40 for children between six and 12.  The fixed-price menu will include a first course, choice of entrée, and dessert with standouts including Maine scallops with morel mushrooms, peas, cipollini onions and crispy speck; Jameson Farm braised lamb shank with garlic jus, parsley, baby turnips & fava beans; as well as roasted filet mignon and foie gras sauce with mushroom crust and young carrots. 

The elegant Bombay Club is offering a the Mother’s Day Champagne brunch buffet ($28) featuring a special menu with live piano music and complimentary valet parking. Dishes include, chicken tikka makhni, gosht palak, and rice kheer.

The rising star at the street at The Oval Room, Executive Chef Tony Conte will be doing a pre fixe three-course Mother’s Day menu ( $45 per person) and will include goat cheese custard with red beets, crystallized ginger and blis elixir; potato gnocchi with wild mushrooms, and more.

Mrs. K’s Toll House offers a four-course menu with choices such as corn & crab chowder, pear mesclun salad, blackened rockfish served with heirloom tomato basil salsa and seafood Champagne pasta with jumbo tiger shrimp, scallops and jumbo lump crab meat in a Champagne cream sauce over linguine. The two acres of beautifully-manicured gardens will also be open for strolling. Attendees will receive a complimentary Mother’s Day gift of a potted herb plant for Mom to plant in her garden at home. $60 per person and $20 for children under 13.

My personal favorite Rasika is offering a special three-course prix frixe brunch menu ($35) and will include tilapia with mint, cilantro and coconut; black cod with fresh dill, honey, star anise and red wine vinegar; the Rasika thali, chana pindi, aloo tamatar rassa, palak makki and gobhi matter and for dessert, exotic options such as coconut and jaggery pudding

Restaurant K by Alison Swope is offering an a la carte Mother’s Day Brunch menu, with dishes priced from $9.50  to $19.90 complete with options such as the fried green tomatoes, banana bread French toast, homemade banana-pecan bread, dipped in a light egg batter, sautéed and served with real maple syrup and whipped butter; shrimp and Maine sea scallops with grits, and more.

The Majestic Cafe is serving a fantastic dinner-$78 per dinner that serves up to 4 and includes  Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Mac ‘n Cheese, Creamy Coleslaw, Corn on the Cob and Peach Cobbler.

The Four Seasons in Georgetown is offering an indulgent brunch (Adult: $98.00,Children: $ 49.00 (5-12 years)) for Mom’s. There will be several stations offering different menus with choices like - dishes include - Sesame Skirt Steak and Vegetable Stir Fry with Chili Garlic Sauce, Plum Glazed Tulip Wings, Chicken Pad Se, Coconut-Scallion Steamed Rice Individual Roasted Garlic Hummus with Pita Chips, Eggplant &Goat Cheese Torte with Balsamic and Micro greens and much, MUCH more.

Café MoZU   is offering a decadent Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet ($80) from 12 – 3 p.m. offering a selection of the freshest seafood and sushi, Asian curries, carving and omelet stations, waffles, salads, cheese, desserts and more.

Indique Heights will be offering an extensive buffet which families honoring Mom can enjoy in the restaurant on under market umbrellas on the expansive terrace overlooking Chevy Chase. Indique Height’s Mother’s Day buffet is $20 per person and includes a buffet featuring an expansive selection of Indian cuisine, garnishes and action cooking stations.  The $20 price includes a complimentary glass of Champagne. Mother’s Day Brunch runs from 12-3 on Mother’s Day. Reservations are available by calling the restaurant at (301) 656-4822. Indique Heights is located at Two Wisconsin Circle in Chevy Chase.

 

Comments

[Charmian Christie]

Makes me wish I lived in DC. Thanks for the reminder that Mother's Day is on the horizon. While I'll likely have my mom over, I think I'll use these menus for inspiration.

[Aradhana]

Indique Heights is excellent, not just for its food, but its ambiance as well. Great mixed drinks! Even though it's on the second floor, easy access as well as ample parking.

[Aradhana]

2941 is a must-do food experience (but only for those with fat wallets). More than a bit pricey normally, I wouldn't recommend this unless one is celebrating a very very special occasion. So $85 for Mothers' Day is a treat.

[Aradhana]

The Four Seasons in Georgetown is worth every penny! Diverse and scrumtious buffet selection!

[Aradhana]

I remember eating at Mrs. K's back when I was in elementary school. Its an icon that still has its old world charm. Be sure to request seating with a view of the garden.

[Sumir]

Excellent info..look forward to trying those out when we are in DC.

[Eman]

Even though I am not going to be with my mother this year on Mother's Day, she was recently visiting and I followed your recommendations and took her to Indique Heights, which she loved, even off of the regular lunch menu. But for the real Mother's Day, I am forwarding your list to my husband and underlining "Rasika", one of my favorites for the terrific balance of taste, ambiance, and beat. BTW, Rasika is the most quoted favorite DC restaurant of all of my friends and aquaintenances, most of which are not even Indian or living in DC. Happy Mother's Day!

[Eman]

Even though I am not going to be with my mother this year on Mother's Day, she was recently visiting and I followed your recommendations and took her to Indique Heights, which she loved, even off of the regular lunch menu. But for the real Mother's Day, I am forwarding your list to my husband and underlining "Rasika", one of my favorites for the terrific balance of taste, ambiance, and beat. BTW, Rasika is the most quoted favorite DC restaurant of all of my friends and aquaintenances, most of which are not even Indian or living in DC. Happy Mother's Day!

[sharon]

Nice list...wish I had one for the Baltimore area.