Treat mom to a smorgasbord of culinary adventures on May 12 right here in our fair city. Here’s a handy list of brunches, dinners and everything in between for your day celebrating that maternal figure in your life. This is also a great list to share with the ones that need to be in the know on where you’d like to go. The diversity of our communities here in Irvine offers opportunities for a fun trip for those taste buds!

Mother’s Day in The Backyard at Hotel Irvine

A sun-filled garden party complete with music, a chef-driven brunch, bottomless “mom”-osas, a game room for the kids, a petting zoo, live music and plenty of space for the perfect family photo op in front of the colorful flower-filled photo wall. A.M. Sweets and the Egg Bar will have build-your-own pancakes. There will also be seafood, salads, cheese and charcuterie, as well as homestyle cooking dishes such as buttermilk fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, saffron basmati rice and much more. Advanced purchase recommended. Admission includes entry into the event, brunch and games for the family.

Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine; Sun., May 12, seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; $75 adult, $35 children ages 5-12, 4 and under free. (877) 614-2137, hotelirvine.com/mothersday.

Courtesy of Andrei’s

Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails

Enjoy salmon toast featuring thinly sliced salmon gravlax and free-range California egg salad; crab Benedict and Dungeness crab cakes served with California free-range poached eggs; and a pina colada carrot cake, a pineapple carrot cake with coconut mousse and rum-infused pineapple. There are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options as well. A Mother’s Day Conscious Kids Menu featuring a main course and dessert is also available.

Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails, 2607 Main St., Irvine; Sat.-Sun., May 11 and May 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $49 for three courses. (949) 387-8887, andreisrestaurant.com.

The Clay Oven

Rice Pudding with Seasonal Fruit Chutney – Photo courtesy of Clay Oven

For irresistible Indian cuisine make a beeline for executive chef Geeta Bansal’s The Clay Oven where apart from the regular dishes there are also a few special items for Mother’s Day. These include their tandoori Kurobuta triple-cut pork chop; rack of wild boar; 40-oz. Wagyu tomahawk steak; rose panna cotta; and rice pudding with seasonal fruit chutney. Most of their dishes feature edible flowers and greens that are either organically grown by the chef or sourced from small local suppliers and farms.

The Clay Oven, 15435 Jeffrey Road, Suite 116, Irvine; Tue.-Sun., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. & 5:30-10 p.m.; (949) 552-2851, clayovenirvine.com.

Gullivers Restaurant

Specials for the day begin at noon on Sunday at this English dining venue, with all the favorites such as their famous prime rib, rack of lamb, king salmon, filet and lobster tail. Appetizers include sautéed scallops and crab-stuffed mushrooms and their wild mushroom cappuccino soup. Lemuel’s provides a casual pub atmosphere too, but it’s really the feel of enjoying a roadside inn with warm interiors and a lively ambiance that the team has recreated here for your to partake. Also, English trifle with Devonshire cream, anyone?

Gullivers Restaurant, 18482 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine; Fri.-Sat. 5-9:30 p.m. Sun., 5-9 p.m.; (949) 833.8411, gulliversrestaurant.com.

Bistango

For elegant new American dining, head to the Atrium Building to experience a mix of arts and entertainment while you enjoy a meal. Bistango has laid out a special three-course prix-fixe menu for Mother’s Day, including a glass of sparkling wine. On the agenda is lobster and shrimp ravioli, pan roasted New Zealand lamb chops and almond crusted Alaskan halibut. Indulge in a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list and take advantage of the weather sitting out on the patio or indulge in some people watching at the bar and lounge. If mom enjoyed the arts then she will appreciate this venue.

Bistango, 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine; Sun., May 12, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; (949) 752-5222, bistango.com.

Del Frisco’s Grille

Twice the celebration awaits here at this classic steakhouse location. Among other options, the brunch includes a smoked salmon tower and green and grains bowl, and the dinner has cheesesteak egg rolls and pan-seared scallops. The steakhouse also  has other new spring features and its regulars, so no matter the size of your party head on for a hearty meal and a celebration mom won’t forget.

Del Frisco’s Grille, 772 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine; Sun., May 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. & 4-10 p.m.; (949) 341-0376, delfriscosgrille.com/irvine.

Cucina Enoteca

Get in on some California-inspired Italian fare at this open kitchen concept with community and patio seating available. Chef’s specials, bites, wine and cocktails are in store. For your fill of focaccia, burrata, fried squash blossoms, polenta, ricotta and more, make a reservation here. You can always walk on over after shopping at Spectrum Center or movies at the Edwards IMAX Theater.

Cucina Enoteca, 532 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine; Sun., May 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; (949) 861-2222, urbankitchengroup.com/cucina-enoteca-irvine.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse

Of course, if you are craving Italian food and some hearty stake then Irvine won’t let you down. Special additions to the dinner menu for the occasion include a spring flowers heirloom salad, salmon and beef ribeye entrees, and a strawberry shortcake dessert. Whether it’s veal chops and handmade pasta or other grilled specials, Davio’s at Irvine Towers has you covered.

Davio’s, 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine; Sun., May 12, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; (949) 477-4810, davios.com/irv.

Sunmerry Asian Bakery

For fresh Asian pastries and desserts and a variety of breads and cakes look no further than Sunmerry, where you can find delicacies such as taro milk cake, BBQ pork chashu bolo buns and green tea croissants. For Mother’s Day they have a 15 percent discount on pre-ordered cakes, but don’t let that stop you from trying other signature finds at this Taiwanese bakery including matcha daifuku, strawberry Japanese pudding, rainbow roll cake and more.

Sunmerry Asian Bakery, 14805 Jeffrey Road, Suite E, Irvine; Fri.-Sat., May 10-11, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. & Sun., May 12, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; (949) 398-8066, sunmerryus.com/.

Courtesy of Lady M

Lady M

Head here for a selection of cakes for Mother’s Day. The popular rose mille crêpes cake is available from May 10-13 until sellout, and it consists of twenty paper-thin crepes layered with rose pastry cream and topped with rose jelly and delicate rose petals. Lady M will also carry its berry berry shortcake and brand-new salted caramel mille crêpes, with hand-made chocolate crepes, salted caramel pastry cream, caramel glaze and cacao nibs, at the Irvine boutique throughout the month of May, so mom can indulge a little longer if she wants.

Lady M, 2967 Michelson Drive, Suite B, Irvine; 11 a.m-7 p.m. everyday; (323) 825-8888, ladym.com/boutiques.

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