TREAT MOTHER TO SOUTH COAST PLAZA!

Review by Joanne Tucker and Sheryll Alexander

We were excited, as always, to be welcomed by Charlie Palmer South Coast Plaza at Bloomingdale’s for Sunday brunch. And this near nirvana food-and-drink experience got us to thinking about Mother’s Day Brunch. Here’s a list of South Coast Plaza brunches on Mom’s special day as well as a dish-by-dish review of Charlie Palmer’s ultimate make-your-own Bloody Mary brunch.

Charlie Palmer Bloody Mary Brunch Review

NYC- and Sonoma-based super star chef Charlie Palmer has brought his idea of a relaxing Sunday brunch to Costa Mesa ’s South Coast Plaza. Every Sunday afternoon -- in his contemporary, yet nature-filled main dining room – guests happily fill some of OC’s most hospitable tables. Plus, this brunch is highly reasonable for the price (just $35!), the unlimited drinks and the two substantial courses of high quality ingredients and culinary innovation.

Put simply, Charlie Palmer’s Bloody Mary bar rocks! Just walk up and create your own Bloody Mary with either tomato or housemade vegetable gazpacho juice. Then, add all kinds of accoutrements from Worcestershire sauce, 10 types of hot sauce, peppers, salts, pickled veggies and our favorite – a lettuce “stick” wrapped with a piece of bacon!

Or, start brunch with a glass of bottomless champagne or mimosas while ordering the first course. We enjoyed the hearty stone ground grits with honey-glazed bacon and a slow-poached egg as well the truffle wild mushroom quiche with a frisee and arugula salad, which was lightly dressed with citrus vinaigrette.  The mixed green salad was also a perfect palate opener with its fresh lettuce leaves, candied walnuts, manchego cheese and red wine shallot vinaigrette.

Rather than returning for another Bloody Mary, we decided to pair a Loire Valley white with the fantastic sundried tomato and housemade ricotta cheese omelet for the second course. A rich Bordeaux was the perfect companion to Charlie Palmer’s terribly tender, succulent and smoky six-ounce steak, which is accompanied by scrambled eggs, potato hash, watercress and a red win jus.

Although there is no kid’s menu at Charlie Palmer, our small fry was happy with the Kobe beef sliders and a side of the restaurants delicious frites (with housemade catsup and spicy Thousand Island-style sauces!).

For Mother’s Day, splurge on a dessert for the table such as the tart tasting (four different tart slices surrounded by a delectable Irish cream sauce). And while lingering over coffee and perhaps a cappuccino gelato or coconut ice cream, lean in and tell Mom why you love her so. Smile guaranteed.

Mother’s Day Brunch 2012 South Coast Plaza Style

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Celebrate Mother’s Day in elegant style with a special three-course prix fixe menu. For the first course, try the creamy clam chowder, truffle sweet corn risotto, heirloom tomato salad or house smoked sturgeon. Mains include such choices as pan-seared Scottish salmon with asparagus risotto or blue cheese crusted filet mignon, grilled with peppercorn sauce. Some of the dessert dishes are caramelized nut tart, fresh berries or panna cotta. $75 per person, $15 for children under 12, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: 714-352-2525

AnQi by Crustacean: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Book reservations by May 6 and Mom’s entrée of lip-smacking French toast is complimentary at AnQi. (Limited to one complimentary French toast entrée with four paying guests or two mothers per table.) For Mom's Day sample delicate Vietnamese crepes, Peking-style duck breast or New Orleans-inspired beignets from a special brunch menu. The restaurant’s a la cartelunch menu is also available. Reservations: 714-557-5679      

Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine: Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2: 30 p.m.; Dinner 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Enjoy an Indian-inspired buffet brunch, which includes a variety of salads and fish, lamb and chicken dishes and dessert for $21.95 (exclusive of tax and gratuity). For bottomless champagne, add $5.25 or Mimosas, add $6.25. Royal Khyber also serves its 30th anniversary three-course dinner with a complimentary glass of wine for $30.  The a la carte menu is also available for dinner. Reservations: 714-436-1010     

Nello Cucina: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Celebrate Italian style with a complimentary glass of Champagne and a delicious buffet, which includes a carving station and made-to-order omelettes, a variety of salads, fresh fruits and juices, mains of chicken parmigiana, penne pasta marinara and roasted pork chops, plus sides of vegetables and roasted potatoes. Round out the meal with an assortment of desserts. $24.95 per person, $12.95 for children under 12, unlimited champagne refills $4 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: 714-540-3365    

Pinot Provence : 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Treat your mom to a French-inspired three-course prix fixe menu in a South of France setting. Highlights of the menu include smoked pork belly with salmon caviar, Pappardelle pasta with braised short ribs and wild mushrooms and croquet “madame” with black truffle mornay sauce and roasted potatoes. $55 per person, $16 for children under 12, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: 714-444-5900      

Scott’s Restaurant & Bar: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bring mom to Scott’s for a bottomless champagne and three-course prix fixe brunch. Highlights of the menu include prosciutto salad with poached egg and tomato, oysters quartet and cucumber mignonette, cheese blintzes with crepes and drunken strawberries, eggs Benedict with traditional or Dungeness  crab cake and hanger steak with red wine poached eggs. $35 per person, $15 for children, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: 714-979-2400

Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Located at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts, Leatherby's features a Mother’s Day a three-course prix fixe menu with choices such as market melon terrine with Parma ham, grilled striped bass and melted tomatoes or olive oil poached salmon Benedict with potato hash. $35 per person, $16 for children under 12, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: 714-429-7640

Marché Moderne: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Amelia and Florent Marneau treat mom to a bountiful three-course prix fixe menu with choices at their renowned French bistro. $44 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity.Reservations:714-434-7900

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill : 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Located near Carousel Court,  Z’Tejas is serving a Southwestern à la carte menu, plus a complimentary dessert for moms and a photo with family and friends to celebrate Mother’s Day. Prices vary with selections. Reservations: 714-979-7469

The Capital Grille: Brunch 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Dinner 4-9 p.m.

The Capital Grille is offering both brunch and dinner. The buffet-style brunch features hot dishes (like lobster eggs Benedict!), made-to-order omelets, a carving station, a raw seafood bar, plentiful salads and a table of decadentdesserts. The child’s menu features mac and cheese, mini burgers and fresh fruits. $46 per person, $18 per child and children under six are free, exclusive of tax and gratuity.  A la carte menu  served for dinner. Reservations: 714-432-1140

Is Mother busy during brunch hours or would she be more interested in a fine Italian dinner? Pizzera Ortica, which is located on Anton Boulevard across from South Coast Plaza and next to South Coast Repertory, is open from 5-10 p.m. for a special Mother’s Day dinner in addition to their traditional offerings.The a la carte menu features Chino Farm produce with starters like a garden salad or roasted spring vegetables.  The Mother's Day entrée is roasted porchetta stuffed with fennel. And for dessert--a freshly baked hazelnut cake. Reservations: 714-445-4900

Whatever you choose to do for your Mother, South Coast Plaza ’s restaurants, shops, performing arts and gift certificates always fit the bill for an inspiringjust-for-Mom present.

Mother-daughter writing team Joanne Tucker and Sheryll Alexander run a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.