Go Local(ish) for Mother’s Day Gifts, Dining and More

On holidays, shopping and dining local – instead of chasing all over town for food and gifts – can save you precious time, leaving more time and energy to spend with your loved ones…something especially valuable on Mother’s Day.  Our community is particularly rich in options for both Mother’s Day shopping and dining this weekend. (Note: restaurants are likely to fill early, so make your reservations asap!)

Restaurants

OK, the Ebell of Los Angeles is not a restaurant per se, but the venerable women’s club offers fine dining  (courtesy of house chef Louis Pechan) that rivals many of the area’s best eateries, and it’s offering not one but two seatings of a gala Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., complete with string quartet and a musician to entertain the kids. Price is $52 for adults and $32 for children (both members and non-members are welcome), but reservations are absolutely required (no walk-ins!), and the 1 p.m. event is already close to sold out.

For a maximally charming location  (it’s been rated one of the most romantic restaurants in town), Off-Vine,  located in a 1908 Craftsman cottage at 6263 Leland Way in Hollywood, is offering a special  Mother’s Day Brunch menu featuring egg dishes, seafood, salads and more.

And what’s Mother’s Day brunch without a Mimosa?  For one that’s really special, try Vernetti, 225 Larchmont Blvd.  Their mimosas are made from a fresh squeezed mix of locally grown Blood Orange, Navel, and Valencia oranges. They’re gorgeous as well as delicious.  And even better – moms get either a free Mimosa with brunch on Mother’s Day, or a complimentary glass of  either Le Colture “Fagher” Prosecco Superiore or Luca Paretti Spumante Rose Brut.  And if you go for dinner instead, moms can choose a free dessert, including, perhaps, a slice of Steve’s Meyer lemon cheesecake.

Instead of brunch, mothers might also appreciate an elegant afternoon tea…at Wilde Wine Bar and Restaurant, 320 S. La Brea.  From 1 to 5 pm on Sunday, “come celebrate wonderful moms or treat yourself for being a Supermom” with a traditional English Tea, including a tiered cake stand overflowing with finger sandwiches, savoury bites, sweet treats and, of course, teas…including a special “Celebration Tea” that adds bubbles and a special gift for every Mom. Kids menu also available. $30 per adult and $15 per child.

If you’d rather picnic or dine at home, but want to skip the time-consuming prep, the Larder (a bit west of our area, with locations in Brentwood and Beverly Hills – but owned by Hancock Park neighbor Carolyn Styne), is offering both complete all-in-one takeout menus for Mother’s Day brunches or dinners, as well as a large a la carte menu and gift baskets.

For a Filipino twist on the holiday, try the Rice and Shine Mother’s Day Brunch, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lock and Key tavern,  239 S. Vermont, in Koreatown.  The four-course menu includes 1) Bibingka Brulee (cake cooked in banana leaves, topped with cream cheese), 2) Sisig Chilaquiles (crispy tortillas, scrambled eggs, salsa verde, cilantro, and cotija) OR Adobo Chicken & Waffles (thrice cooked wings, garlic rice waffle, and adobo gravy), 3) Longanisa Scotch Egg (egg encased in garlic sausage and panko, served with garlic rice) and 4) a trio of Auntie Rose’s Sweets (mini filipino dessert cakes filled with ube, leche flan, and buko pandan…made by Chef AC’s mom). Note that this is a 21-and-over event only.

Finally, if you seek the true elegance of a hotel dining room and you’re willing to drive to find the perfect ambiance,  DiscoverLosAngeles.com has a nice list of hotel brunches for Mother’s Day – including offerings at many of the city’s truly iconic establishments.

Gifts

For those who never know what gift to choose, Larchmont’s Landis Gifts and Stationery, 138 N. Larchmont Blvd., has created a lovely and handy list of gift suggestions, all available at the store.  Shown here: 1. Forest Feast Cookbook 2. Willow Tree Child of My Heart, 3. 8 Oaklane Ring Dish,  4. Mudpie Ramekin Trio, 5. 1Canoe2 Recipe Box, 6. Simon Pearce Pitcher, 7. Kate Spade Glass Water Bottle, 8. Agraria Lavender and Rosemary Diffuser.

For foodie gifts, wines, chocolates, custom gift baskets, and even flowers, try Fancifull at 5617 Melrose Avenue, just east of Larchmont. They even have one basket that contains an adult coloring book among the goodies – another nice way for mom to spend her relaxing day. Bonus – if you mention “Larchmont Buzz,” they’ll give you a 10% discount!

Ampersand Boutique – 658 N. Larchmont Blvd. –  invites you to come and shop for yourself and/or loved ones, or send your loved ones in for Mother’s Day…so the Ampersand staff can help them find the perfect present for you.  An added incentive is 15% off everything through May 8.  Open today through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m,, and Sunday (for you really last-minute shoppers) from 12- 5 p.m.

For other unique gifts mom will treasure, enjoy the 30% off Mothers Day Sale – IN STORE ONLY  at The Sage Lifestyle, 128 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd. The store features owner Sage Machado’s “artsy & bohemian jewelry, fragrances and candle collections,” with items and inspiration from Sage’s worldwide travels.

For a more literary holiday, give mom the gift of shared laughter with a copy of best-selling author Kate Siegel’s book, Mother: Can You Not?  You can find it at Larchmont’s own Chevalier’s Books – 126 N. Larchmont Blvd.

At Claude Morady Estate Jewelry – 9615 Brighton Way, Suite 338 (another business owned by neighbors from our area) proprietors Claude and Jennifer believe that all the wonderful “moms” in our lives – the women who are generous, strong, and a role model to all around them – should be celebrated every day. And their vintage and antique jewelry offerings will help you celebrate your mom in style.

It may not be the first thing you think of when you think of Mother’s Day, but Orchard Supply Hardware, at 415 S. La Brea, has some truly great gift ideas for mom…many of which she’ll be happy to use all summer. Also, be sure to check out their “Paint a Pot for Mom“ event on Saturday, May 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. They supply, for FREE, the paint, the pot, and a plant to go in it (while supplies last; for children 12 and under). And don’t forget your coupon to receive 15% off a single item purchase in the store (valid May 6-May 8).

Finally, The Grove is getting into the Mother’s Day spirit, too, with both numerous dining options and a curated list of gifts ideas available from its merchants.  Can’t beat the convenience of one-stop shopping!

And More…

Last but not least, sometimes you want to think outside the gift box and offer something that isn’t necessarily a “thing.”  If that’s the case, try these special experiences to nourish mom’s heart, mind, body and spirit.

A gift certificate from Healing Hands Wellness Center, 414 N. Larchmont Blvd., can start the pampering off right with massage, acupuncture, chiropractic and reiki services.  Purchase online gift certificates totaling $300 and you’ll pay only $240.  Use this link – http://spab.kr/FCBrHv2 – and the promo code: mom.  For in-store purchases, spend $300 on Healing Hands gift cards, and they’ll give you a bonus $60 card for free. (Notes: gift cards valid for massage services only – deal cannot be combined with any other discounts – no cash back – no phone orders – Deidre & Erika do not accept Healing Hands Gift Cards – offer available for online and in-store purchases only.)

Next, Flywheel Larchmont, 147 N. Larchmont Blvd., offers some fun fitness for you and mom. This Mother’s Day weekend in the Flywheel studio: 1) When you ride with your mom in the studio and sign in at the front desk, your mom is entered to win a “Fly Moms Rock” make-up bag (Saturday and Sunday only). 2) Post on Instagram with your mom, using the hashtag #FlyMomsRock, and you and your mom could win a head-to-toe outfit of Fly Gear (Saturday and Sunday only). And 3), get 15% off all retail (Friday-Sunday).

For more creative stimulation, the Natural History Museum’s “Moms and Masterpieces” event, from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Sunday, includes an inspirational walk through the Nature Gardens, complimentary mimosas and pastries, and working together with your family or friends to create a special painting. All ages and experience levels  are welcome, though kids should be old enough to hold a paintbrush on their own. Members: $50 per adult |$25 per child, non-members: $55 per adult | $27 per child

And finally, if you’d like to celebrate the day by doing what moms do best – helping others – BigSunday.org has seven volunteer projects available on Mother’s Day, as part of its Month of Big Sundays.  You could choose to make gifts for shut-in moms, help clear non-native brush, pitch in at a dog shelter, or several other worthy efforts that will warm both your heart and those of the folks you help.

 [This article has been updated to clarify the dessert details at Vernetti.]