A dish from earlier this year at Hollins House, as posted on their Facebook page February 24, 2015
Dining out on Mother’s Day is a popular plan, so if you haven’t made reservations yet, better hurry: here are a few restaurant highlights for Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, and San Jose.
Also see:
Mother’s Day menus for Monterey, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove
Santa Cruz Area
Hollins House
Hollins House at Pasatiempo has a brunch buffet from 10 am to 2:30 pm; the price is $75 for adults (includes champagne or mimosa) and $25 for kids 6-12 and under, inclusive of tax and gratuity. The menu will include made-to-order omelets featuring Glaum Ranch eggs and egg whites; duck fat hash browns; Applewood smoked bacon and Corralitos sausage; a carving station with items such as spice-rubbed NY Strip Steak with horseradish cream, veal demiglace, and cilantro pesto; seared Morro Bay swordfish with herb crust and lemon-ginger emulsion; asparagus with lemon and pancetta; and several gourmet salads (including red quinoa/padron/feta and roasted gold & red beets with goat cheese mousse). Other highlights include chocolate dipped strawberries, cupcakes and bourbon bread pudding.
Call (831) 459-9177 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
20 Clubhouse Road, Santa Cruz
Chaminade
The Chaminade offers its annual Mother’s Day brunch buffet at Linwood’s Bar & Grill from 9am-3pm; the price is $55.95 (adults), $18.95 (kids 6-12), and free for kids under 6. Mother’s Day is the restaurant’s busiest day of the year; it always sells out. Selections include bourbon glazed honey ham with Jack Daniels glaze; prime rib; a seafood bar with whole poached salmon, Dungeness crab legs, and smoked salmon; omelets made to order; and Belgian waffles with apple compote and fresh berries. Additional highlights: miniature sundried tomato/olive quiches, cheese ravioli (with porcini crème, fried leek, sauteed mushrooms), chocolate fondue, and a sundae bar. The kids’ buffet features chicken strips and fries, mini pancakes, and mac and cheese. Call (831) 475-5600 or visit chaminade.com or opentable.com for reservations.
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz
Sanderlings
Sanderlings at Seascape Resort has a brunch buffet from 10 am to 2:30 pm; the price is $47.95 for adults and $21.95 for kids 12 and under. I dined there last year with my family and it was quite good, plus we sat outside and had a beautiful view. This year’s selections include a prime rib carving station; a fresh seafood bar; a salad assortment (last year’s included roasted beet-feta-arugula, spinach with avocado-walnuts, and Indian-spiced chickpea with cucumber and red onion); fresh fruit; and baked breads. Other highlights include desserts and a special kids’ menu. Call (831) 662-7120 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
One Seascape Resort Drive (at Seascape Beach Resort), Aptos
Los Gatos
Campo di Bocce
Campo di Bocce will offer a brunch buffet from 10 am to 2 pm; due to the popularity of the restaurant’s brunches, table reservations are limited to one hour. Food selections will include made-to-order omelets, a meat carving station, waffles and biscuits, sausage and bacon, fruit, pasta, salads, and homemade pastries. Campo di Bocce will also be serving $10 bottomless mimosas. There are two prices: one for brunch only, and one for brunch and an hour of bocce. Adults are $34.95 without bocce and $42.95 with bocce; kids 5-15 are $14.95 without bocce and $25.95 with bocce. Kids under 5 eat free. Visit campodibocce.com for details. Call (408) 395-7650 for reservations.
565 University Ave., Los Gatos
Dio Deka
The popular Mediterranean/Greek restaurant will offer a special a la carte brunch menu. Selections will include Eggs Benedict (traditional, or with smoked salmon or crab cakes), Strapatsada (eggs with tomato, feta, and Greek oregano), Paithakia (mesquite-grilled lamb chops), sirloin burger, and cinnamon “Greek” toast. Visit diodeka.com for details. Call (408) 354-7700 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
210 E. Main St., Los Gatos
Hult’s Restaurant
Hult’s is serving a prix fixe brunch for $39. Customers can select from two to three selections for each course. Three first course options include Swedish pancakes and Caprese salad; three main courses include North 38 Farm’s duck confit hash and Eggs Benedict. The two dessert choices are rum raisin bread pudding and fruit with sorbet. Visit hultsrestaurant.com for details. Call (408) 354-3434 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
165 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos
San Jose
Fairmont San Jose
The Fairmont is serving a special Mother’s Day Buffet in its Fountain Restaurant from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The cost is $62 per adult and $31 per child 5-12. Kids under 5 are free. The buffet will include entrees such as Petaluma chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto and topped with mushrooms and saltimbocca sauce, and grilled Pacific salmon with strawberry-red onion salsa. Other highlights include starters such as sushi and a grilled baby octopus/cannellini bean/pancetta dish, an omelet station with organic eggs, a carving station, and Caesar salad with a 2-year-aged Parmesan wheel. See fairmont.com/san-jose for full menu or call (408) 998-3960 for reservations. There is also a more expensive brunch buffet at the hotel’s Imperial Ballroom.
170 South Market St, San Jose
Il Fornaio
Il Fornaio, located at The Saint Claire Hotel, is serving a Mother’s Day brunch buffet with complimentary champagne. The cost is $50 for adults and $20 for kids 5-12. Kids under 5 are free. Call (408) 271-3366 for reservations.
302 South Market St, San Jose
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