Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and for me, that means spending an entire weekend with my mom in Des Moines, heading to the opening of the Downtown Farmers’ Market on May 7 and going to brunch on May 8. While we already have our reservations in, you may still need to make yours. Here, a look at six brunches just for Mother’s Day, along with some of the newer brunches that have opened recently.
1. Le Jardin
2815 Beaver Ave.; 515-255-5787; lejardindsm.com
This French bistro in Beaverdale is well-known for its Sunday brunches, and for Mother’s Day, that means special seating times between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., between 10:20 a.m. and 10:50 a.m., from 11:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., and from 1:10 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Each seating allows for an hour and 20 minutes to dine. Each dish comes with the choice of two sides and free honey cornbread muffins and coffee for all guests. Bonus: Now Le Jardin is open for brunch on Saturdays, too, with a scaled-down menu of omelets and crepes.
2.Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW Ninth St.; 515-287-0848; blankparkzoo.com
Head to brunch with the animals at the Blank Park Zoo, which teams up with Johnny's Italian Steakhouse chefs. Look for chef-carved prime rib, traditional breakfast entrees, smoked salmon, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, chef's pasta, assorted salads, homemade pastries and desserts, children's buffet and more for $26 for nonmembers, $23 for members and $12 for kids under 12. Seatings are at 9:45, 10, 10:15 and 11:45 a.m., noon, and 12:15, 1:45, 2 and 2:15 p.m
3. HoQ
303 E. Fifth St.; 515-244-1213; hoqtable.com
Suman Hoque and his team put together a special brunch menu that includes a la carte items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Look for roasted sweet potato toast, deviled duck eggs, cinnamon rolls, hand-dipped doughnuts, pomme Bryon with potatoes and Milton Creamery white cheddar cake omelets, stuffed French toast and more. Also nab bottomless mimosas, screwdrivers or bloody Marys for $18.
4. Strudl Haus
1951 Indianola Ave.; 515-259-9886; strudlhaus.com
Michael Leo’s Vienna-style restaurant with an in-house Austrian bakery serves up a smaller version of its breakfast menu for Mother's Day. That means eggs any style with German sausage or ham, crepes with Nutella or jelly, Strudl Haus eggs over easy with Hollandaise and ham and more. Make reservations at 8, 9:15 or 10:30 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m.
5. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse
550 Bass Pro Drive, Altoona; 515-957-9600
6800 Fleur Drive; 515-287-0848
6075 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines; 515-333-5665
johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com
With three locations in the Des Moines area, that gives you three more places to take mom. All three have a buffet with salmon, pasta dishes, carved prime rib and ham, salads, fruits, plus a special children's buffet. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $26 adults, $13 ages 5-11, 4 and under free.
6. The Radish Dining & Catering
721 E. First St., Grimes; 515-986-1900; theradishdining.com
Grab the all-you-can-eat buffet for $24.99 for adults and $6.99 for kids 3 and up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kick in an additional $5 for the bloody Mary bar and mimosas.
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