LINCOLN SQUARE —No two Moms are alike, but all deserve to be celebrated. No plans yet? No problem: we rounded up a bunch of options for treating the mom in your life.
Around The World
• Take Mom on a whirlwind trip to France via Lincoln Square's Bistro Campagne, where the eggs are "oeufs" and the "pain perdu" defies the Americanization of French toast. Click here for the complete brunch menu. Extended hours Sunday are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4518 N. Lincoln Ave. Reservations strongly recommended.
• A trip to the Far North Side neighborhoods of Rogers Park and Edgewater offers a taste of some of Chicago's — and the state's — best East African cuisine at Ethiopian Diamond, 7535 N. Clark St. From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Ethiopian Diamond will offer buffet sampling of its famous dishes like tender lamb, chicken and beef (plus plenty of vegetarian options), many originating from ancient recipes. The cost is $13.95 for food only, or $16 to include a Bloody Mary or Ethiopian beer.
• In Little Italy, Tuscany on Taylor will offer up a bevy of brunch and dinner specials Sunday at the restaurant, 1014 W Taylor St. Specials include the Bue alla Benedict featuring a seared beef tenderloin ($23), Agnolotti, a Tuscan sausage ravioli with wild mushroom sauce ($16), and Agnello, a roasted leg of lamb served with mashed potatoes.
• Hop on over to The Growling Rabbit, 5938 N. Broadway, to nibble on plates from the diner's special global Mother's Day menu — including a decadent Elvis French toast, Spanish frittata and Greek-inspired breakfast flatbread. Brunch is served from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a cookie and coffee hour until 4 p.m. For reservations call 773-654-1444.
For the Foodie Mom
• Michelin-starred food that's served at a brewpub — everybody wins at Ravenswood's Band of Bohemia. Brunch menu items include Beets on Toast and Duck Confit Hash. Beers on tap change regularly. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4710 N. Ravenswood Ave. Reservations requested; walk-ins will be seated first-come first-served.
• Good luck getting Mom a seat at chef Rick Bayless' Topolobampo, just crowned the country's outstanding restaurant by the James Beard Awards. Head instead to Albany Park's Ixcateco Grill, owned by Bayless protégé Anselmo Ramirez, who offers up his own authentic take on the cuisine of central and southwestern Mexico. BYO tequila, and Ixcateco will supply the margarita mix. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3402 W. Montrose Ave.
Need a Distraction?
• Worried about stepping on a conversational land mine discussion topic with Mom? Let Reclaimed's live jazz brunch fill any awkward silences. The Southern-inspired food at this North Center newcomer includes breakfast tacos and fried chicken, and the cocktail menu is just plain inspired. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3655 N. Western Ave. Reservations recommended.
• City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop, will host a Story Sessions brunch at noon Sunday featuring seven mother-lovers sharing true stories about their moms. Tickets are $12 and doors open at 10 a.m.
• Take your mom on a walk along The 606 and stop at Bucktown's Presidio, 1749 N. Damen Ave., a San Francisco-influenced lounge and restaurant for brunch (view the menu). A just-launched new cocktail menu is inspired by the Americas with cocktails from Peru, Jamaica, Brazil. Brunch hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All-She-Can-Eat
• If your mom's favorite cuisine includes "anything under the sea," she might want to check out Lowcountry, 3343 N. Clark St. The boil-in-a-bag hot spot will have a special "Queen's Platter," featuring whole lobsters, snow crab, peel-and-eat shrimp and the restaurant's tasty combo of corn, sausage and potatoes. Be warned: When they say spicy, they mean it. Lowcountry is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
• Treat mom like the queen she is by taking her to Revival Social Club, 1133 W. Granville Ave., where she'll be greeted with a flower and chocolate-dipped strawberry. The popular brunch and dinner spot will be showcasing plates from its spring menu, including strawberry coconut French toast, lemon ricotta pancakes and flavorful chilaquiles. Or, the entire family can devour together Revival's cast iron skillet monkey bread, which stuffs cinnamon and sugary dough into a pan and is topped with ice cream and caramel. Brunch begins at 8 a.m. Sunday; reservations recommended.
Family-style monkey bread at Revival Social Club in Edgewater. [Provided]
Free Stuff
• Glam it up on the Southport Corridor in Lakeview, where the first 50 mothers to dine at Crosby's Kitchen, 3455 N. Southport Ave., will each receive a piece of Kendra Scott jewelry. It's a fun introduction to the new Kendra Scott store nearby, and there's a good chance that mom will walk away not only with a full stomach, but also a free necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings. Known for its elevated homestyle menu, Crosby's opens for brunch at 8:30 a.m. Sunday with dishes like the iron skillet blueberry cornbread ($8), wood-roasted chicken hash ($13) and an orange liqueur French toast ($9).
• Staff will greet your mother with a free bouquet of flowers and a mimosa when you arrive Sunday at Kirkwood Bar & Grill, 2934 N. Sheffield Ave. Kirkwood specializes in sandwiches like the hot fried chicken sandwich, made with bacon ranch dressing and buttermilk-brined chicken ($10). It also offers fresh-baked pretzels and sliders as appetizers.
• At Tocco, 1266 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park, moms will enjoy a free mimosa, a complimentary rosé and maybe even a kiss, Chef Bruno Abate joked. The trendy spot features an expansive menu with appetizers, pasta, pizza and desserts — plus huge windows that open into a courtyard and make the space feel more secluded than it actually is, around the corner from the CTA Blue Line Division L station. Brunch will be offered from 11 a.m. 3 p.m.
• Toast mom in style at Macello Ristorante, 1235 W. Lake St. in the West Loop, where all moms will receive a free flute of sparkling rosé prosecco from 1-8 p.m. Sunday. Macello's full menu will be offered in addition to chef's specials.
If Your Mom Likes Malort, There's a Brunch for That Too
• If your mom is a fan of Sunday Fundays, take her to popular spot Little Goat, 820 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop, where the diner is hosting a special rooftop snack n' brunch featuring the staff's favorite brunch cocktails and bites, including micheladas, Malort LimeAid, breakfast tacos, empanadas and Yucutan pork. Tickets to the Sunday brunch, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, are $55 and are for sale online.
Think Outside the Brunch Menu
• Before the big day, take the kids to Paper Source — which has locations in Lakeview, Lincoln Park and River North — to make a free Mother's Day card on Saturday. The in-store do-it-yourself event will allow children of all ages to create a card with floral paper punch-outs, washi tape and decorative tags. Nothing says, "I love you," like handmade.
• If mom wants to let loose before a day of flowers and tea, take her to wineHouse Friday. The wine shop, 3165 N. Broadway, is hosting a ladies' night 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to support local businesses with women at the helm. Guests can sample wine, shop spring clothes and accessories and sample liquor-infused cupcakes. Businesses like KC Chocolatier, Chilam Balam and Artluxe Design are taking part in the free event.
• Lakeview's Music Box Theatre, 3773 N. Southport Ave., will show the 2008 Meryl Streep flick, "Mamma Mia" on Sunday. The 2 p.m. event kicks off with a '70s fashion contest (dress up for a chance to win a prize) and Mother's Day mimosas in the Music Box lounge, followed by an interactive screening of the ABBA-inspired musical, complete with an audience participation guide. Tickets are $12.50 each and $10 for children.