Washington has plenty of places to pick up freshly made doughnuts for Mom. Image via Shutterstock.
It’s the nightmare scenario: Even your plan-D brunch spot is booked for Mother’s Day, and you’ve got zero ideas for a good gift. Don’t worry, you don’t have to escort Mom into a suspiciously empty restaurant or hand her an IOU this Sunday. Plenty of spots offer edible items that could serve as a meal, a gift, or, conveniently, both. Below are a few ideas to get you started.
Farmers market crabcakes
In the current issue of The Washingtonian—which you can pick up on newsstands now—food editors shared some of their favorite farmers market finds. At the top of the list: jumbo lump crabcakes from Chris’ Marketplace.
You’ll find the nearly filler-free cakes at the Sunday morning Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market. All they need is a quick sear or turn in the oven and a wedge of lemon, and you have brunch covered. You can also pick up delicious gazpacho at the stand, salad greens and fresh fruit from other vendors, and, of course, a springtime bouquet.
Picnic breakfast basket
Restaurant Eve owners Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong offer a to-go brunch option at Society Fair, their Alexandria marketplace. The Breakfast Bag, which serves four, includes ready-to-bake scones, mixed greens and strawberry citrus salads, an asparagus and house-made sausage strata, mimosa makings, and an optional guilty pleasure celeb rag. The deadline for orders is Friday. Need an additional gift? The shop is filled with specialty olive oils, vinegars, bar necessities, and more.
DGS Delicatessen offers special deals for Mother's Day brunch. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
There’s still time to reserve a table for brunch on Mother’s Day. We already offered you a list of 29 spots—plus these 15 picks from our food editors—and now here are four more options. Nothing strike your fancy? Check out these unusual ideas for feting Mom. Whatever you do, do something. No maternal figure should be ignored on her special day.
Find lovely last-minute gifts for mom at Salt & Sundry in Union Market. Photograph by Andrew Propp.
Come Sunday, May 12, you’ll find practically everyone and their mother at brunch. Consider breaking from the norm with one of the following activities for the food-loving matriarch.
Meander through a market
She once guided your around the grocery store—now return the favor tenfold. As our latest issue attests, Washington markets are some of the most fun and exciting places to roam these days. For mothers who like their produce with a side of freshly shucked oysters, start at Union Market in the District. The newly built food lover’s paradise houses a variety of vendors. You’ll find plenty of tasty foodstuffs to take home, but we also love grazing and sipping on the premises. Recent favorites include freshly shucked oysters and buttery Old Bay shrimp with deftly crafted cocktails at Rappahannock Oyster Company, flights of fromage with wine or beer from Righteous Cheese, and Red Apron’s meaty sandwiches such as “porkstrami” accompanied by an on-tap G&T. If you haven’t picked a gift for Mom, just head to Salt & Sundry and let her go to town on the charming boutique’s tableware, aprons, cookbooks, candles, and more. Note: The market tends to hit its peak on the weekend around lunch/brunch time. To avoid the biggest crowds, go around 11 when it first opens, or in the early evening.
Mom more of an outdoors type? Check out one of the bountiful Sunday markets for ingredients, and then cook a feast together. Dupont Circle FreshFarm market is the largest in DC, with everything from meats and produce to fresh pastas and crabcakes for an easy at-home supper. Over in Maryland, the Olney Farmers & Artists Market debuts its spring and summer market on Mother’s Day with many items from local artists and craftspeople in addition to the edible offerings. Arlington, Virginia’s Westover Farmers Market is another stocked stop, with plenty of premade foods and fresh items to cook. Check out our online directory for times and locations.
Et Voila! is one of the recommended Mother’s Day restaurants by our editors. Photograph by Chris Campbell.
Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away, and we’ve been pondering our options as much as anyone. (If you think we’re tough critics, you should meet our moms.) Restaurants around Washington are bringing out the big brunch guns—as evidenced by our extensive guide—and it can be hard to choose. Here are a few of our personal picks—places where we’d toast our own moms. Caveat: We haven’t tried certain set menus or judged service during a holiday crush. Consider these guidelines, not guarantees.
701 Restaurant is just one of many places serving up delicious Mother's Day brunch around Washington. Photograph by Chris Campbell.
Mother’s Day is just a couple of weeks away—on Sunday, May 12. That means it’s time to book the all-important brunch for the occasion. Below you’ll find the details on 29 restaurants serving a special midday meal in Washington. Book early, and volunteer to be the designated driver—the lady who changed your diapers and put up with you through your terrible teens deserves as many mimosas as she pleases.
Treat your mom to fried eggs and chorizo and sausage hash from Estadio. Photograph by Erik Uecke
There may still be a bit more than three weeks till Mother's Day, but with popular spots like the Tabard Inn already booked for brunch--a waitlist may open up two days prior--it's time to get planning, and we're here to help. Here are some solid options for Mother's Day brunching, which range from traditional eggs Benedict affairs to elaborate prix-fixe menus and laid-back joints doing nothing more than serving their regular tasty menus. Check back in with us for more Mother's Day coverage next week, including more dining options, gift ideas, and recipes.
