Food Court: Take Mom Downtown

Deciding where to fete Mom with a feast can be a beast.

When my mom comes for a visit, there is rarely a spot in the Southland that she doesn't love. But when I ask her where she'd like to spend a special day, her answer is often a surprising "Downtown L.A."

Why? As locals we often see only its less attractive side, the inconvenient and overpriced parking and the sense that downtown feels like it's a world away sometimes. But as a veteran shopper, my mom sees another side: Bargains. She spends hours trolling the costume jewelry shops, the endless fabric stores and the clothing marts that are packed with all sorts of goodies, from handbags and suitcases to her primary obsession: shoes. There are bead stores, craft stores, bedding stores, junk stores, leather stores...

She often won't take the time to eat, but the rest of us demand good grub after a day sifting through cheap sunglasses in Santee Alley. So if you want to plan a successful day out in downtown L.A., consider cashing in on the shopping bargains then splurging on a great brunch. The Downtown Center Business Improvement District compiled this mouth-watering video as well as this annual list of top brunch spots:



Mother’s Day Brunch at Café Pinot. Dine al fresco on the olive tree-lined patio or in the  dining room with large windows and natural light. Menu highlights include salmon cobb salad, ricotta pancakes with strawberry confit and Fuji apple crumble with cinnamon ice cream. Three-course menu; $35.50 adults, $15 for kids 12 and under.

Bottomless Mimosas at Ciudad. Get this exclusive deal by mentioning DowntownLA.com: bottomless mimosas for $4.50 for mom. Prix fixe menu highlights include mango, avocado and Greek yogurt salad with wildflower honey and Marcona almonds; mini brie and spot prawn quesadillas; artichoke and goat cheese quiche; and chimichurri roasted prime rib. All moms receive a packet of heirloom lettuce organic seeds from Earthbound Farms. Three-course menu; $39.

Mom’s Day Off at Grand Café. Salute your family’s favorite chef with a champagne buffet at Grand Café at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. Menu items include carving of beef baron, shrimp caesar salad and traditional fish and chips as well as a decadent dessert station featuring dolce de leche flan or tiramisu parfait. All mothers receive a gift. $31.50; all inclusive, including a glass of champagne.

Checkers Downtown Brunch: Moms Eat Free. No matter what mom chooses to eat at Checkers Downtown, it’s free on Mother’s Day.The menu includes buttermilk pancakes filled with strawberries, blueberries or bananas and walnuts; open-faced fried egg sandwich on grilled sourdough with prosciutto, stewed tomatoes and arugula; Maine lobster risotto; and grilled Colorado Lamb Loin with ranch Gordo heirloom bean ragout. Prices range from $9-$31.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Kendall’s. This classic brasserie with contemporary flourishes serves brasserie cuisine with inspired seafood dishes and updated French favorites. Mother’s Day menu highlights include Maine lobster bisque, classic croquet monsieur, Alsacienne tart flambé, and strawberry pistachio sable Breton with pistachio cream and red rose coulis. Buffet; $35 adults, $15 for kids under 12.

Mother’s Day Brunch in Smeraldi’s. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is offering a lavish affair for Mother’s Day at its restaurant, Smeraldi’s, featuring made-to-order brunch entrees, fresh seafood, chef-attended carving stations, an assortment of fruit and salads, a selection of Biltmore desserts and champagne. $49 adults, $25 kids.

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea in the Rendezvous Court. If mom prefers something a little lighter than brunch, then try elegant tea in the Rendezvous Court at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. It includes a selection of assorted tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream and jam, desserts, choice of tea and champagne. $35 adults, $25 kids.

Mother’s Day at the Blue Ribbon Garden Walt Disney Concert Hall. Celebrate mom in Walt Disney Concert Hall’s beautiful one-acre garden 34 feet above Hope Street. Dine among flowering trees and views of the city. Menu highlights include crispy crab cakes, caramelized onion-pear tarts, smoked salmon crêpes, stuffed French toast and a complimentary glass of champagne for mom. Two seatings: 10:30 am and 12:30 pm; buffet; $58 adults, $15 for kids under 12.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Patina. Savor contemporary French cuisine at the Michelin-starred Patina and enjoy a selection of wines from around the world. Three-course menu; $49 adults, $29 for kids 12 and under.

Family-style Brunch at The Restaurant at The Standard. Enjoy a prix-fixe Mother’s Day brunch at The Standard. Toast mom with a choice of “ma”tini or “mom”osa, and enjoy a generous spread for the table: berry “mezze,” Greek yogurt with ricotta and honey; Farmer’s Market veg & cheese scramble; mom’s kickass fried chicken, waffles and grain mustard-maple; smoked salmon “flat bread;” Meyer lemon-crème fraiche; home fries, redbliss potatoes and caramelized onion; and bottomless buttermilk pancakes. $30 per person.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion. This special three-course Mother’s Day menu comes with a bonus – moms receive a $20 gift card to use on their next visit. The restaurant features Hawaiian fusion cuisine: Yamaguchi Sushi and a menu featuring a selection of fresh fish, delicious appetizers and intriguing entrées, combined with signature cocktails and a cutting-edge wine list. $30-$49 adults; $12.95 kids.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Zucca. For a Mother’s Day celebration with Italian fare, treat mom to Zucca Ristorante and enjoy handmade roasted pumpkin tortellini with butter and sage, Italian frittata and poached eggs over Fontina cheese bruschetta. Three-course menu; $35 adults; $15 for kids 12 and under.

Take Mama Downtown

Whenever my mom comes out for a visit, she always asks – or rather demands – that we take a trek downtown. She easily looks past this slightly grittier, urban side of Los Angeles and rather focuses on the endless blocks of costume jewelry, clothing, bedding, craft supplies, fabric, food, attractions, toys and her favorite, assorted knick-knacks.

If you're wondering how to create a memorable Mother's Day (on May 10), consider these 10 nice little suggestions from the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID), many of which come with special offers:

1. Sample Downtown’s Culinary Delights: Celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch at the outdoor Blue Ribbon Garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall or at the Grand Café at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. You can also enjoy a special pre fixe dinner at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. The Grand Café and Roy’s have created special deals exclusively for the DCBID.


2. Delight in Afternoon Tea: Relax in the afternoon and enjoy the wonderful tradition of aromatic tea, delicious pastries and desserts, finger sandwiches and delightful conversation with your mom with exclusive DCBID packages at the Japanese American National Museum and SipTea. Treat her to Asian-inspired treats and tea at the museum or healthy, organic dishes at SipTea. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is transforming its Rendezvous Court into a live garden for this special occasion and hosting tea for Mom.


3. Wine Tastings in the City: Test your knowledge of colors, flavors and smells of various wines at the San Antonio Winery, the last of the 100+ producing wineries that once lined the L.A. River Basin. The winery is offering an exclusive DCBID package that includes free wine tasting, a winery tour and a Mother’s Day menu as well as complimentary glass of sparkling wine. You can also treat Mom with a delicious brunch, created exclusively for DCBID, at the new Corkbar. Check out its wide selection of wines afterward.


4. Shop Til You Drop: Make mom feel like a VIP with exclusive DCBID offers at Tiara Café, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Store and the L.A. Philharmonic Store. Known as the Fashion District’s trendiest spot, Tiara is the place to be to savor fashionably gourmet and healthy courses.  Also, receive a gift certificate for a personal shopping trip with Urban Shopping Adventures. End your tour of the MOCA at its store and receive a free gift or a 10% discount at the LA Phil Store by mentioning the DCBID.


5. Relax and Pamper: If your mom needs a day of relaxation, pamper her with spa services with the DCBID exclusive “Mother’s Day Mix-and-Match Spa Treatments” at the Hilton Checkers Spa on its sunny roof spa or indoors at its serene spa. Mix and match different 30-minute treatments for your mom and for yourself. If you’re planning to stay the night, just add a room for two at the very reasonable price of $149 per night, plus tax. Also, check out Neihule, a sophisticated urban oasis on Olive Street, and sign up for one of three different Mother’s Day spa packages, all exclusive to the DCBID. While being pampered, enjoy an assortment of teas and sandwiches.


6. Absorb the Arts: If your mom enjoys live theater and musical acts,  surprise her with tickets to a classical concert, “Bronfman Plays Prokofiev,” at the Walt Disney Concert Hall or snap your fingers and tap your toes to “Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Weller Musical Show” at the Ahmanson Theatre.


7. Marvel at Rare, Museum Collections: If your mom likes to take in some history, modern or ancient, then she can peruse the new GRAMMY Museum, which offers an exciting and interactive celebration of the power of music. Mention DCBID on Mother’s Day, and moms get in for FREE when accompanied by their children. Nearby, learn about Dan Graham, a central figure in the development of contemporary art since the 1960s, with a free Mother’s Day tour of the “Dan Graham: Beyond” exhibit at MOCA.  Or check out the Central Library and awe at the sketches, figure drawings and building renderings by Richard Neutra, one of modernism’s most important architects.


8. Dabble in Downtown’s Diversity: If Mom likes exploring, then hop on a nighttime bus tour of neon signs, movie marquees and permanent installations of contemporary neon art through Downtown and Hollywood, offered by the Museum of Neon Arts. Also, explore the rich architecture and history of the magnificent Biltmore Hotel, which was known in its early days as the “The Host of the Coast.” Over the years, the Biltmore played nonstop host to high society, international political figures, movie stars and royalty.


9. Pack a Picnic: If you’re looking for something low-key, then laze around on a grassy knoll at Elysian Park, a green haven right in the back yard of Downtown L.A.  You can also try Downtown’s Vista Hermosa Park, which features walking trails, streams and picnic grounds amid native Mediterranean vegetation. Both are free!  You can purchase a basket of goodies for a picnic at Ralphs Fresh Fare, Bottega Louie or any of the Famima locations in Downtown.


10. Downtown Getaways: For the mom who wants to stay and make a weekend of her trip to Downtown, several marquee hotels are offering DCBID exclusives. The Wilshire Grand is offering the “Just for You Package,” which includes an Executive Jr. Suite, $50 food and beverage credit and other amenities for just $229.  At the Millennium Biltmore, whisk your mom away for a relaxing weekend in one of the Classic or Club Level rooms, from $239-$289.  For quality time for both parents, check out the “French Kiss Package for Moms and Dads” at the Omni Hotel. The Omni is sealing the special getaway with champagne and French toast breakfast in bed.