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Pisco y Nazca’s French Toast for Mother’s Day.
Pisco y Nazca [official]

12 Last-Minute Mother’s Day Ideas, Mapped

Where to take mom for her big day

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Pisco y Nazca’s French Toast for Mother’s Day.
| Pisco y Nazca [official]

Mother’s Day is just four days away (Sunday, May 12), so the dozen options below are meant to help out any procrastinators.

Like Valentine’s Day or Restaurant Week, the holiday can often create less-than-ideal conditions because of large crowds and prix-fixe menus that don’t always showcase the best food available at a certain place.

So proceed with caution, then consider these options for full-on buffets, a la carte menus, free cocktails and gift cards for mom, and one sky-high package for the whole family.

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Slate Wine Bar + Bistro

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Hands-on chef/owner Danny Lledó’s Glover Park wine haunt is planning a two-course, prix fixe menu from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Options include biscuits with house-made jams; grilled ahi tuna arugula salad with gala apples, fried goat cheese and balsamic; and duck confit chilaquiles. The price ($25 per person, tax and gratuity not included) goes up by $5 for a key lime tart or warm fudge brownie. Tack on unlimited mimosas and bloody marys for $15. Wine pairings or unlimited sangria cost $20 more.

Slate Wine Bar
Slate Wine Bar
Photo: Facebook

Agora’s D.C. location will reward mothers with a free cocktail, garnished with an orchid she can wear in her hair. “The District Bloom” is a mix of gin, cherry blossom, lavender, and Cocchi Americano liquor.

High Street Cafe

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This American brassiere with a Latin twist is celebrating its first Mother’s Day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with shrimp and grits featuring Spanish chorizo, red pepper cream and braised collards; challah bread banana foster French Toast with bacon; a crispy cod sandwich; and boneless braised lamb shanks with pappardelle pasta ($3-$26). Newly released cocktails include a Mai High Tai (Novo Fogo Cachaça, dry curacao and orgeat) and a spicy guava pisco sour for $10 to $12.

High Street Cafe
High Street Cafe/Facebook

Rasika West End

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For those who didn’t nab a reservation for executive chef Vikram Sunderam’s brunch at the OG Rasika in Penn Quarter — it’s completely sold out — the West End branch still has availability for its three-course, prix fixe menu ($50 per person). The Indian spread stars an Anda Bhurjee quesadilla with masala scrambled eggs and avocado chaat; shikampuri kebab with lamb, quail eggs and mint chutney; and green pea dhokla (lentil cakes and coconut chutney, all served with bread and rice. Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and a regular a la carte menu goes live for dinner.

Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill-Georgetown

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This scenic a la carte brunch and dinner option, wedged along the banks of the now-flowing C&O Canal, can be augmented with a range of bottomless bellinis ($35) built with a gamut of fresh juices like clementine, pear, raspberry, beet, and carrot. Eats include roasted veggie quiche with gruyere cheese, roasted fillet mignon with white asparagus and Hollandaise sauce; and a crab cake with red chili garlic remoulade.

Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

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Brunch kicks off early (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for moms. The meal comes with live music, a $20 gift card, and two pink, heart-shaped alfajores. Guests can go a la carte or opt for a $30 prix fixe menu with options for French toast, chicken and waffles, and croque madames.

The chef’s counter at Pisco y Nazca, with a brick backdrop, blue back lighting and cooks at work
Pisco y Nazca
Brendan Kownacki/official

BLT Steak

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For moms who want to sleep in, this meaty feast at the downtown steakhouse begins at 3 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. In addition to regular raw bar selections, warm popovers, and rotating blackboard specials, day-of specials include grilled squid Provençal, a petit filet with a half lobster, and plums with fromage blanc and toasted almonds for dessert.

Opaline Bar and Brasserie

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If mom’s a fan of fashionable French surroundings, head to this retro respite tucked inside the Sofitel. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., executive chef Kevin Lalli is preparing special a la carte orders like a surf and turf Benedict; sticky buns; striped bass with orange, romanesco, and almonds; smoked salmon avocado toast; and chicken and waffles.

DBGB Kitchen & Bar

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Chef Daniel Boulud’s French-American bistro in CityCenterDC is offering a special a la carte menu starring a lobster salad and pan-seared soft shell crab — an in-demand seasonal find. Seasonal cocktails include a rhubarb rickey. 

Punjab Grill

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Despite just being crowned No. 2 on Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema’s best new restaurants list, there are still afternoon seats left at this 4,000-square-foot Indian stunner (open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mother’s Day). Guests can order off the a la carte brunch menu, or choose from a three-course prix-fixe menu for $55 per person, including a glass of wine or bubbly. Options include chicken makhni (tandoori tikka, tomato, and cashew sauce) and Punjabi benedict with pulled jackfruit or leg of lamb, poached egg, and Patiala Hollandaise.

Punjab Grill burrata
Punjab is serving its burrata “badal jaam” (spiced eggplant, heirloom tomatoes) for Mother’s Day, with truffle shavings for an extra price.
Jennifer Hughes/Punjab Grill

The View of DC

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Disclaimer: Mom should be a fan of heights for this Rosslyn brunch atop a 32-story skyscraper. The months-old perch 400 feet high plans to import a brunch buffet from Arlington neighbor Barley Mac. Each $250 ticket for a family of four includes admission and a tour, a bottle of Champagne or rosé for the reserved table, access to the Instagram-friendly outdoor terrace overlooking D.C. landmarks, and a commemorative wine glasses to take home. Seatings are available starting at 10 a.m.

Oz Restaurant & Bar

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One of the best deals in town is this brunch option for two for just $60. Along with an unlimited number of small Aussie-themed plates, there’s penny mimosas and $2 bloody marys (in Virginia, restaurants legally can’t be “bottomless”).

Slate Wine Bar + Bistro

Hands-on chef/owner Danny Lledó’s Glover Park wine haunt is planning a two-course, prix fixe menu from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Options include biscuits with house-made jams; grilled ahi tuna arugula salad with gala apples, fried goat cheese and balsamic; and duck confit chilaquiles. The price ($25 per person, tax and gratuity not included) goes up by $5 for a key lime tart or warm fudge brownie. Tack on unlimited mimosas and bloody marys for $15. Wine pairings or unlimited sangria cost $20 more.

Slate Wine Bar
Slate Wine Bar
Photo: Facebook

Agora

Agora’s D.C. location will reward mothers with a free cocktail, garnished with an orchid she can wear in her hair. “The District Bloom” is a mix of gin, cherry blossom, lavender, and Cocchi Americano liquor.

High Street Cafe

This American brassiere with a Latin twist is celebrating its first Mother’s Day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with shrimp and grits featuring Spanish chorizo, red pepper cream and braised collards; challah bread banana foster French Toast with bacon; a crispy cod sandwich; and boneless braised lamb shanks with pappardelle pasta ($3-$26). Newly released cocktails include a Mai High Tai (Novo Fogo Cachaça, dry curacao and orgeat) and a spicy guava pisco sour for $10 to $12.

High Street Cafe
High Street Cafe/Facebook

Rasika West End

For those who didn’t nab a reservation for executive chef Vikram Sunderam’s brunch at the OG Rasika in Penn Quarter — it’s completely sold out — the West End branch still has availability for its three-course, prix fixe menu ($50 per person). The Indian spread stars an Anda Bhurjee quesadilla with masala scrambled eggs and avocado chaat; shikampuri kebab with lamb, quail eggs and mint chutney; and green pea dhokla (lentil cakes and coconut chutney, all served with bread and rice. Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and a regular a la carte menu goes live for dinner.

Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill-Georgetown

This scenic a la carte brunch and dinner option, wedged along the banks of the now-flowing C&O Canal, can be augmented with a range of bottomless bellinis ($35) built with a gamut of fresh juices like clementine, pear, raspberry, beet, and carrot. Eats include roasted veggie quiche with gruyere cheese, roasted fillet mignon with white asparagus and Hollandaise sauce; and a crab cake with red chili garlic remoulade.

Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

Brunch kicks off early (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for moms. The meal comes with live music, a $20 gift card, and two pink, heart-shaped alfajores. Guests can go a la carte or opt for a $30 prix fixe menu with options for French toast, chicken and waffles, and croque madames.

The chef’s counter at Pisco y Nazca, with a brick backdrop, blue back lighting and cooks at work
Pisco y Nazca
Brendan Kownacki/official

BLT Steak

For moms who want to sleep in, this meaty feast at the downtown steakhouse begins at 3 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. In addition to regular raw bar selections, warm popovers, and rotating blackboard specials, day-of specials include grilled squid Provençal, a petit filet with a half lobster, and plums with fromage blanc and toasted almonds for dessert.

Opaline Bar and Brasserie

If mom’s a fan of fashionable French surroundings, head to this retro respite tucked inside the Sofitel. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., executive chef Kevin Lalli is preparing special a la carte orders like a surf and turf Benedict; sticky buns; striped bass with orange, romanesco, and almonds; smoked salmon avocado toast; and chicken and waffles.

DBGB Kitchen & Bar

Chef Daniel Boulud’s French-American bistro in CityCenterDC is offering a special a la carte menu starring a lobster salad and pan-seared soft shell crab — an in-demand seasonal find. Seasonal cocktails include a rhubarb rickey. 

Punjab Grill

Despite just being crowned No. 2 on Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema’s best new restaurants list, there are still afternoon seats left at this 4,000-square-foot Indian stunner (open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mother’s Day). Guests can order off the a la carte brunch menu, or choose from a three-course prix-fixe menu for $55 per person, including a glass of wine or bubbly. Options include chicken makhni (tandoori tikka, tomato, and cashew sauce) and Punjabi benedict with pulled jackfruit or leg of lamb, poached egg, and Patiala Hollandaise.

Punjab Grill burrata
Punjab is serving its burrata “badal jaam” (spiced eggplant, heirloom tomatoes) for Mother’s Day, with truffle shavings for an extra price.
Jennifer Hughes/Punjab Grill

The View of DC

Disclaimer: Mom should be a fan of heights for this Rosslyn brunch atop a 32-story skyscraper. The months-old perch 400 feet high plans to import a brunch buffet from Arlington neighbor Barley Mac. Each $250 ticket for a family of four includes admission and a tour, a bottle of Champagne or rosé for the reserved table, access to the Instagram-friendly outdoor terrace overlooking D.C. landmarks, and a commemorative wine glasses to take home. Seatings are available starting at 10 a.m.

Oz Restaurant & Bar

One of the best deals in town is this brunch option for two for just $60. Along with an unlimited number of small Aussie-themed plates, there’s penny mimosas and $2 bloody marys (in Virginia, restaurants legally can’t be “bottomless”).

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