We shouldn’t need a designated time to celebrate all the mothers, grandmothers and maternal figures in our lives, but Mother’s Day is certainly a great reminder to show them some love. If you’re thinking about treating them to a nice meal out on May 9, then this guide is for you. Several restaurants around the Valley will be offering special menus and deals. Here’s a list of a few of them.
Treat mom to a wonderful afternoon tea experience at Arcadia Farms Café the weekend of Mother’s Day, complete with petit croissant sandwiches, savory mushroom tarts, tea cakes, cookies, and an assortment of Harney & Sons English loose leaf teas in silken sachets. Advance tickets are required and cost $50 plus a service fee and tax. You can attend on May 7 and 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. Don’t forget your best hat, gloves and sundress! Arcadia Farms Café is located at 7014 First Avenue, Scottsdale; 480. 941.5665; www.arcadiafarmscafe.com
Mother’s Day brunch is on at Fat Ox from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Start with family style antipasto featuring prosciutto di san daniele with whipped ricotta, hazlenut and truffle honey; crostini all’avocado; and banana bread with amaro butter. The second course is a Caesar salad followed by your choice of main course — salmon con uova; cacio e pepe scrambled eggs; spicy pork sugo benedict; steak and eggs; Nutella french toast; Italian breakfast; carrot top cavatelli; gigli; malfadine carbonara; and organic chicken al mattone. Family style accompaniments are grilled asparagus and polenta and wild mushroom ragu. Assorted desserts will also be served to the table. The cost is $85 plus tax and gratuity for adults and $25 for kids 5 to 12 years old (there’s also a kids’ menu available). Fat Ox is located at 6316 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale; 480.307.6900; www.ilovefatox.com
Moms should not be lifting a finger on Mother’s Day, and Liberty Market has some great special dishes planned for brunch sure to please. In addition to the regular menu, there will be griddled bread pudding with fresh whipped cream, blueberry compote and powdered sugar; steak and eggs; and strawberry shortcake made with a vanilla scone, strawberries and whipped cream. Raise a glass to mom too with a Liberty Mom’s Cocktail featuring vodka, orange juice, grenadine; and a Prosecco float. Liberty Market is located at 230 North Gilbert Road, Gilbert; 480.892.1900; www.libertymarket.com
Mom should love this speciality Mother’s Day brunch buffet at San Tan Brewing Company. On the breakfast side, you’ll enjoy brioche French toast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage links, bacon and fresh food. For lunch, pile on the carnitas; shrimp and grits; chef’s mac ‘n’ cheese; buttermilk fried chicken strips; Brussels sprouts; chipotle bacon green bean casserole; wild rice pilaf; and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes. Dessert is a Bosa donut bar. The meal is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $25 per person, $15 for kids 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Tax and tip is not included, and reservations are limited. San Tan Brewing Company is located at 8 South San Marcos Place, Chandler; 480.917.8700; www.santanbrewing.com
Going to the Queen Creek Olive Mill is always a unique experience. Not only can you take a tour of the grounds and the olive oil making process, there’s also a gourmet marketplace and shop to check out and a tasty restaurant. For Mother’s Day, the Mill’s hosting a special event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a brunch buffet, live music, games and complimentary Momosas. Look for entrées like carved roast beef and herb roasted chicken breast plus breakfast items like cinnamon French toast with Bourbon maple syrup. A pastry bar will have housemade mini scones, cannoli and more. It’s $49.95 plus tax and gratuity for adults 13 and older, $16.95 for kids 5 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Reservations are required. Queen Creek Olive Mill is located at 25062 South Meridian Road, Queen Creek; 480.888.9290; www.queencreekolivemill.com
Revolu modern taqueria + bar is celebrating moms all day and night. Stop in at either location for Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or dinner. Every mom will receive a $10 gift card to use on her next visit. Brunch takes place from 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and features dishes like chilaquiles verde and stuffed French toast. If you come in for lunch or dinner, consider ordering the fajitas with a choice of surf and turf, blackened shrimp, steak or cilantro lime chicken. You may even prefer a sweet treat of churro bites or double choco-coco cake. Revolu has locations in Peoria and Phoenix; www.revolutaqueria.com
There’s another brunch buffet to be had at Harold’s Corral. Harold’s usually has a Sunday breakfast buffet from 8 to 11 a.m. (which is still happening), but this time there’s the addition of a special Mother’s Day brunch version from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that’s sure to knock your mom’s socks off. It’s $32.99 for adults and $16.99 for kids 12 and under. You’ll get French toast; biscuits and gravy; bacon, sausage, eggs benedict; chicken and waffles; quiche; and bagels plus prime rib, smoked salmon and bone-in ham. Live music will be playing from 2 to 6 p.m., and Mother’s Day dinner specials start at 4 p.m. All mothers will also receive a carnation and a glass of champagne! Call to make reservations. Harold's Corral is located at 6895 East Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek; 480.488.1906; www.haroldscorral.com
The Cracked Egg is known for serving up different breakfast and lunch specials every weekend, and Mother’s Day is no exception. Sign your mom up for a razzle dazzle mimosa made with fresh raspberry compote added to sparkling wine with a sugar rim. There’s also s’mores crepes stuffed with Nutella and topped with marshmallow glaze and graham cracker with your choice of two sides (like eggs, home fries, sausage and more). The Cracked Egg is located at 3422 West Glendale Avenue, Phoenix; 602.242.2288; thecrackedeggaz.com
If you don’t want to sit down in a traditional restaurant but don’t want to cook, this package from The Farm at South Mountain is for you. You’ll be able to picnic at the Farm in a socially distanced way although seating is not reserved. Each picnic package does include a blanket and bottled water. You’ll also get build-your-own bruschetta, spring snap pea hummus, Mediterranean pasta salad, fruit salad, caprese on focaccia and Italian meats and cheese on baguette. For dessert, it’s Mother’s Day shortbread cookie and strawberry lemon trifle. Add-ons include a kids bag and bottle of champagne. The cost for two is $110 plus a 20 percent production fee and tax. Reserve your spot online now as time slots are limited. The Farm at South Mountain is located at 6106 South 32nd Street, Phoenix; 602.276.6360; www.thefarmatsouthmountain.com
Verdura Plant Based Eatery is offering seating indoors, outdoors and on their extended patio. They require you to wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart from other parties. On May 9, they will be offering a special brunch menu from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Be sure to get there early because they do not take reservations. The special sweet offering is an orange lavender french toast with chocolate covered strawberries. The savory special is a traditional eggs Benedict on a Noble English muffin with Canadian “bacon”, asparagus, and a cashew hollandaise sauce served with breakfast potatoes. For drinks they are offering a sparkling hibiscus mimosa and $5 Boochcraft. The regular brunch and lite lunch menu will be offered all day as well. Verdura is located at 5555 N 7th Street, Suite 108, Phoenix; 602.203.5168; www.verduraphx.com