Insider Guide to Best Mother's Day Brunch

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The sun is shining, the spa treatments are tempting and the inventive brunch specials abound. It must be time for 2008 Mother's Day in San Diego.

While mothers' interests are as varied as the new fields of blooming spring flowers, it's safe to say all mothers will enjoy a personalized spin on the tasty, the sweet, and the extravagant. Whether you're pampering your mother or wife, get the Insider scoop on Mother's Day in San Diego.

Treating the special mother in your life is no longer as simple as discovering where to brunch.

Seek a buffet at the Park for fun loving moms, a prix fixe menu on the Bay for elegant moms, sushi and diamonds in La Jolla for indulgent moms, and massages and overnight stays for hard-working moms that need a time-out to relax. And before you brunch on Sunday, May 11, give back by sampling fine dining fare in the spirit of charity at Mama's Day with Mama's Kitchen on May 9 and perfect your Breakfast in Bed skills at the Grand Del Mar on May 10.

Buffets, Park, Cove and Bay views

Choose The Prado for a unique Mother's Day brunch in the picturesque Balboa Park. Sit outside on the garden patio and enjoy a brunch buffet from 10am to 2:30pm with omelettes a' la carte, hot and chilled food displays, a fresh sushi bar and salad bar, carving station, and decadent pastry display. $54.95 for adults, $15.95 ages 6-12.

George's California Modern is the perfect coastal restaurant for lunch overlooking La Jolla Cove. Chef Trey Foshee's special Mother's Day menu offers Brioche French Toast with Chino Strawberries, Strip Steak and Poached Eggs, and Eggs Benedict made with Canadian bacon and served with Meyer Lemon Hollandaise and Dungeness Crab.

Soak in beautiful views of the San Diego Bay this Mother's Day at Island Prime and choose your favorites from Chef Deborah Scott's three course menu between 11am and 9pm. Treat Mom to Fennel Crusted Diver Scallop followed by the Cedar Pink Roasted Salmon, and the Pistachio Torte for dessert. $49.95 for adults, $12.95 ages 12 and under.

Diamonds, massages, suites ... and brunch

Choose Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar for a special prix fixe three course meal and the chance to win Mom an 18-karat white gold diamond necklace. Maybe you don't have an extra $1,570 to spend on a present this year, but you may score big brownie points at Roppongi as all mothers are eligible to win this dazzling Charriol Princess Collection necklace. Participating mothers sign up at Roppongi on Mother's Day between 11:30am and 9:30pm, and no purchase is required for entry.

RICE and the Away Spa at W San Diego welcome moms with a three-course brunch menu and complimentary mini massages. Moms will refresh in a bubble bath of champagne and fresh fruit, delight in crab napoleon, indulge in grilled tenderloin skewers and porcini dusted day boat scallops, and celebrate with chocolate confections. Top off your brunch with a complimentary mini-massage from Away Spa. $45 for adults.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa will host a special Mother's Day package that includes a gourmet brunch, relaxing spa treatments, and overnight accommodations for two. The specialty overnight stay in a deluxe suite includes two 50 minute spa treatments in which recipients choose between a custom Swedish massage or a deep cleansing facial for two. Executive Chef Jesse Frost will prepare a special menu of breakfast and lunch favorites including Adobe chiquiles with ancho chili pesto and avocado crema fresca. Package price starts at $545.

Maternal charity and charm

Mama's Kitchen announces the 17th annual Mama's Day culinary benefit on Friday, May 9 from 6:30 to 9:30pm at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. Mama's Kitchen is a non-profit organization that cooks and delivers nutritious meals to clients with critical illnesses throughout San Diego. This signature fundraising event will feature sample fare from 70 top San Diego restaurants, such as Soleil @ K, Vigilucci's, Jade Theater, Red Marlin, and Jake's Del Mar. Tickets are $125 and are available online at mamaskitchen.org.

The Grand Del Mar hosts the sweet culinary event, Breakfast in Bed, just in time for Mother's Day. On Saturday, May 10, the Resort Kitchen will invite local dads and children to learn the secrets of preparing a French toast breakfast in bed with Executive Chef Jason McLeod. Dad and the kids will bring home the knowledge and supplies needed to surprise Mom on Sunday morning. $75 for one adult and one child, $20 for additional child.

Need a gift for Mother's Day? Treat your Mom to a day at San Diego day spas and salons. To find the best spas in San Diego, click here.