Last-Minute Mother's Day Brunch and Dinner Reservations
By Tara de Lis, City Editor
After all your mother has done for you, you still waited till the last minute to make reservations for her special day, didn't you? Lest I start sounding like your mother, let me give you the rundown on 10 great L.A. restaurants with reservations remaining for May 11.
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Blue Plate
1415 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA
Forget about the last-minute "we can only offer you 10am or 3pm" reservation crunch. Just show up here on Sunday--it's first come, first served. The expansive menu features everything from a special French toast with whipped Amaretto butter (only $9.95!) and regular egg dishes to fish tacos and chili. Even better, all moms receive a free tangerine mimosa! -
House of Blues Sunday Gospel Brunch
This gospel buffet feast has become an L.A. tradition for the major brunch-centric holidays. Surprisingly, there are still tables available at noon. Not surprisingly, there also seats at 2:30pm. $19 to $40.50 per person. -
Three on Fourth
1432 Fourth St, Santa Monica, CA
Normally closed on Sundays, this bistro-like restaurant near the Promenade is wide open for tables between 12 and 2:30pm. Enjoy a three-course meal featuring dishes like cantaloupe soup with Dungeness crab, steak frites and the chef's famous blueberry pie (made from his mom's own recipe). Each meal includes a complimentary peach bellini and biscuits and jam. $65 per person. -
Roy's
800 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this Hawaiian-fusion pioneer will be offering a three-course meal for adults and keiki menu for children. Examples of featured dishes are lobster potstickers, macademia-crusted mahi mahi and warm banana cake. Reservations are still available for all time slots from 10am to 2pm. $30 to $49 for adults; $12 kids. -
Taste on Melrose
8454 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA
You can still snag a table at 11:30am or 11:45am for a traditional brunch at this Melrose mainstay. Meals include sharable starters like a pastry basket, salad and mac and cheese, plus a choice of entrees and complimentary "momosas" for the guest(s) of honor. $36 per person. -
Elite Restaurant
700 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA
Forgo eggs Benedict in favor of dim sum at this San Gabriel Valley Chinese food favorite. There are no reservations taken, so it will probably will be crowded. Get there before 11am for the shortest wait, or be prepared to catch up on the news of the world or take a nice walk. -
Paperfish
345 N Maple Dr Ste 100, Beverly Hills, CA
Patina Group restaurants have been the setting of many special occasion meals. Now, its newest entry is hosting its first Mother's Day event, featuring three courses of gourmet goodies. Since it's still new, reservations are very under the radar, so there are tables available anytime between 10:30am and 2:30pm. Adults $49; kids $21. -
Amaranta Cocina Mexicana
6600 Topanga Canyon Road Ste 1029, Canoga Park, CA
Nestled in the bottom floor of the Westfield Topanga Mall, this authentic Mexican eatery is warm and welcoming. A la carte specials include shrimp-stuffed tamales, scrambled eggs with mole sauce, carne asada and cheese quesadillas. All time slots are open from 10:30am to 3pm. -
Square One Dining
4854 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA
In spite of the recent change in ownership, things are remaining very much the same at this Silver Lake and Scientology-adjacent eatery. That means they still know how to make kickass egg dishes and fresh organic breakfasts. It also means it's remaining reservation-free. Just get there before the hungover hipsters--whose moms live back East or in the Midwest--start to crowd the place. -
Bistro Garden at Coldwater
12950 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA
If you don't mind waiting till 1:45pm or 2:30pm for brunch, this is a nice choice. The room is elegant but also inviting to children, and the food portions are generous. Savor three courses of dishes like butter lettuce salad, cold-poached salmon, and rigatoni bolognese. $55 per person. A separate menu is available for kids at $35.
