Restaurants are busying themselves for one of the busiest days in the restaurant business: Mother's Day. Research by the National Restaurant Association in 2017 showed that Mother's Day continues to be the most-popular day of the year for dining out, with nearly two in five American adults planning to dine out on May 13. And if you don't plan to eat out but opt for ordering take-out or delivery, you'll be joined by 21 million other Americans. These statistics have remained consistent over time, keeping Mother's Day as the most popular day on which to dine out. So it goes without saying that if you want to treat mom to a meal and give her a break from the kitchen, you need to make reservations and do so now.
Anne BralyHere are a few suggestions on places to take mom out and celebrate her in the Chattanooga area.
» Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. The cafe will serve an array of a la carte entrees, everything from creme brulee French toast and pork belly Benedict (both $13) to Rembrandt's Roasting Co. rib-eye ($30) and shrimp and grits ($19). Weather permitting, dine on the patio. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 423-265-5033, ext. 4.
» The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. One of the most splendid buffets in town will be stocked with glorious salads, mouthwatering pastries, seafood, pita and hummus, breakfast fare including scrambled eggs, crab cake Benedict and quiche, an omelet station and several carving stations with pepper-crusted beef tenderloin and pecan-stuffed pork loin, as well as too many side dishes to count. Mom's sweet tooth will be more than satisfied with all the desserts, such as the mint chocolate cheesecake and strawberry shortcake. Mimosas and poinsettias are specially priced at $1 each; Bloody Marys and champagne are $3. Price: $45 adults, $22 ages 5-12. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-424-3700.
» Bald Headed Bistro, 201 Keith St., Cleveland. Choose from a range of fresh salads and house-made dressings; side dishes; entrees including buttermilk fried chicken, fried catfish and rotisserie pork loin with cinnamon apples; or breakfast fare including an omelet station. There will also be a buffet just for the kids, with chicken tenders, mac-and-cheese and steamed broccoli. Featured desserts include strawberry shortcake with sliced berries and whipped cream; cronuts with Bavarian cream; lemon pound cake with blueberries; and bittersweet chocolate mousse with Grand Marnier strawberries and whipped cream. Price: $35 adults, $15 children, $7 children 5 and younger. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Reservations: 423-472-6000.
» Acropolis Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. Known for its many delicious Greek specialties, Acropolis expands its menu on Mother's Day to include a feast of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, such as pan-seared halibut over roasted vegetable Israeli couscous with lemon-artichoke-caper sauce ($22) and pork scallopini over pasta with asparagus and mushroom caper butter ($15). Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: 423-899-5341.
» Ceniza, 9454 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah. Treat Mom to a taste of the Caribbean, along with mimosas and sangria for $1 per glass. The brunch menu includes Ceniza fried chicken with fried eggs, bacon gravy and tater tots ($13); and shrimp Creole over grits with bacon ($14.50). "Almost bottomless" mimosas are $8, and there's a Bloody Mary bar as well. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-760-4198.
» Embargo '62, 301 Cherokee Blvd. The North Shore's favorite Cuban place offers brunch with torrejas (Cuban-style French toast) and vanilla ice cream ($8.50), and brunch burritos with eggs, bacon, congri (black beans and rice), sweet plantains and ropa vieja ($12), among other offerings. Entree prices: $8.50-$13. Mimosas and sangria (almost bottomless servings) are $7. Hours: 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Reservations: 423-551-4786.
» Red Sauce, 14 W. Kent St. Celebrate Mother's Day on both Saturday and Sunday at one of the North Shore's newest and most-popular eateries, dining on entrees such as pork belly Benedict served atop jalapeno cornbread with a fried egg and bacon hollandaise sauce ($15); French toast with Grand Marnier whipped cream and black caramel syrup ($12) or, for vegetarians, the paleo bowl ($9) with oven-roasted zucchini, sweet potatoes, onions, peppers and mushrooms. Mimosas are $1 with entree purchase, and Zia Bloody Marys are $8 each. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 423-805-4733.
» Dorato, the Westin's signature restaurant at 801 Pine St., will celebrate moms with a brunch menu filled with breakfast and lunch items, such as poached eggs on short ribs ($21), shrimp and grits with andouille sausage and Cajun pan sauce ($23), Cobb salad with roasted chicken ($21) and the Westin omelet with ham, peppers, green onions and cheese ($21). Dessert is included with entrees. Bottomless mimosas are $10, and there's also a Bloody Mary bar. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
» Cafe on the Corner, 826 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain. Mother's Day on the mountain will be a delicious affair with a special menu featuring Skillet Spinach Quiche ($13.95), a spring fruit salad with salmon cake and poached egg ($13.95), marinated rib-eye with parmesan-garlic fries ($29.95) and several more choices. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-825-5005.
» And if you want to couple dinner with a scenic drive, Cumberland Mountain State Park, 24 Office Drive in Crossville, Tennessee, is serving a Mother's Day buffet at its Homestead Harvest Restaurant. The menu includes roast beef, turkey, ham and all the fixings, plus several varieties of dessert. Cost is $16.95 for adults, $8.95 children 6-12 (drink, tax and gratuity not included). Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT. 931-484-7186.
The restaurant at Fall Creek Falls State Park usually takes part in these promotions, but it is closed for rebuild, along with the inn and conference center.
Wishing all of you mothers - new and gently worn - a happy and delicious Mother's Day!
THE FIFTH OF MAY
It's not often that Cinco de Mayo falls on a weekend, so Chuy's, 2271 Gunbarrel Road, is pulling out all the stops and throwing a three-day celebration with free food and other specials.
Here's the rundown.
» Friday: Happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with drink specials and Chuy's Fully-Loaded Nacho Car packed with free chips, salsa fresca, queso, ground sirloin and more. From 4 p.m. to close, get $1 off Corona and Corona Light beers and $1 floaters to top your favorite margarita.
» Saturday: Drink specials all day on domestic beers, house Texas martinis and margaritas made with fresh-squeezed lime juice. Keep the party going with $1 floaters and $1 off Corona and Corona Light beers.
» Sunday: Recover from Saturday's Cinco de Mayo with $5 Tito's Bloody Marys all day.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.