Making your ma breakfast in bed might have been cute when you were a kid, but now it’s time to call in the professionals. Sons and daughters looking to treat their mom to a fabulous Mother’s Day brunch in Vancouver have plenty of options; from elegant afternoon tea to lavish buffet brunches, here’s where to spoil that special lady on Sunday, May 8. [Image courtesy of Boulevard. Photo credit: KK Law]
Will it be scrambled eggs or sweet scones? Mom can pick her pleasure at the Urban Tea Merchant this Mother’s Day. The iconic downtown tea salon invites guests to choose either a special brunch menu or the traditional afternoon tea service. Guests will enjoy everything from finger sandwiches and petit fours to panna cotta and eggs Benny. This special Mother’s Day event is on May 6, 7 and 8 with two brunch seatings available in the mornings and four seatings for afternoon tea throughout the day. Bonus: all moms will be sent home with a takeaway TWG Tea gift.
For sophisticated moms who love their seafood, there’s no better option than Yew. Located inside the posh Four Seasons Hotel, chef Ned Bell’s kitchen is known for turning out some of the city’s finest fish dishes. Fans of under-the-sea delicacies will be spoiled for choice at this year’s Mother’s Day brunch buffet ($85 per person), which includes breakfast goodies, a raw bar, charcuterie platters and live action stations. Take note: the chef’s award-winning chowder and the freshly shucked oysters are a must-try. Meaty mains, pasta dishes and veggie-friendly salads will appease the picky seafood-adverse members of your party.
Why not burn a few calories for a good cause before indulging in a decadent brunch this Mother’s Day. Fairmont is once again hosting its annual Mother’s Day Run and Walk (with 3K, 5K and 10K routes) in support of the Make a Wish foundation. The race finishes at Jack Poole Plaza; just hobbling-distance away from the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, where a delectable spread awaits hungry runners. This exclusive Mother’s Day brunch ($55 per person) will be hosted in the hotel ballroom and is a private event for race participants and their families.
Boulevard executive chef Alex Chen has earned numerous industry awards for his innovative approach to West Coast fare. This year, Chen and his culinary team will treat deserving moms to a gourmet three-course brunch ($59 per person) with an appetizer, entrée and decadent dessert. Reserve a spot in the oh-so-chic dining room or opt to dine al fresco on the newly opened patio. And don’t forget to order a round of bubbly bellinis too! Not a morning person? Boulevard is also offering a prix-fixe three-course Mother’s Day dinner menu.
You don’t have to be a hard-core vegan to appreciate a meal at The Acorn; even devout carnivores have been known to swoon over the modern vegetarian menu at this beloved Mount Pleasant restaurant. Meat-free mamas will rejoice over the well-curated brunch menu that features kale salad with smoked paprika croutons and crispy capers, a breakfast skillet with seasonal veggies, and a hearty grain bowl topped with fresh fruit. The small-scale dining room is known for its lengthy line-ups, but reservations are being accepted for Mother’s Day brunch (and dinner) for the lucky few who act fast.
There’s nothing quite like being by the water, so we bet that special lady in your life would love a daytime date at this scenic spot on Granville Island. And if Dockside’s stunning waterfront view isn’t enough to lure you here, the all-you-can-eat buffet is sure to tempt your taste buds. The bountiful marketplace brunch ($74.95 per person) will feature more than 70 made-from-scratch food items, including omelettes, pastries, eggs Benny, charcuterie, seafood and more. Be sure to save room for dessert and take a dip at the milk chocolate fountain. Seatings are available at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Enjoy live music with your afternoon tea at Vancouver’s swanky Shangri-La Hotel. From 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm, the sixth-floor tearoom will host a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea service ($60 per person). Each picture-perfect tiered tea tower will be adorned with savoury goods (bagels with smoked salmon and lemon caper cream cheese, warm artichoke and spinach tarts), gorgeous pastries (lavender cupcakes, lychee macarons) and, of course, classic raisin scones with clotted cream and preserves. If you really want to spoil Mom, book her in for a morning of pampering at the hotel’s on-site spa beforehand.
A weekend tradition for many Vancouverites, dim sum is a family friendly option for large parties looking to start the morning off with an assortment of Asian delicacies. Upscale Chinese eatery Dynasty Seafood has been wowing locals since 2009 thanks in part to the culinary talents of executive dim sum chef Garley Leung. Grab a pair of chopsticks and tuck into steamed black truffle dumplings, pan-fried pork buns and crispy seafood rolls. Dim sum is on offer this Mother’s Day from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and reservations are recommended. Hint: pre-order the award-winning braised duck ahead of time.
Still a relative newcomer on the Vancouver dining scene, Ancora is the place to be if you’re looking for a sleek dining experience and a picturesque view. Watch the boats travel up and down False Creek while enjoying a-la-carte dishes from the newly launched brunch menu. Contemporary breakfast classics are inspired by chef Ricardo Valverde’s Peruvian heritage, and highlight Japanese influences along with West Coast seasonal flavours. Traditional eggs Benny gets a Latin spin with the addition of corn bread and smoked hollandaise, while Southern fave chicken and waffles is reimagined with spiced syrup and avocado puree.
Forgot to get Mom a present this year? All will be forgiven if you treat her to a daytime feast at Diva at the Met. The hotel’s annual Mother’s Day brunch buffet ($69 per person) features a sumptuous all-you-can-eat menu created by executive chef Ken Galley. Start with a selection of cold nibbles (cheese, antipasto, chilled seafood) and then move on to the main event. Multiple plates will be in order when you see this lavish spread of Western classics and Asian delights. Thrill your taste buds with blueberry pancakes, spring rolls, made-to-order omelettes, Thai chicken stir-fry, and much more.
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