MOMMA MIA!
7 charming San Antonio spots for a last-minute Mother's Day brunch
A decadent pancake stack at Full Belly
Dagnabbit! Holidays have a way of sneaking up on the best of us — especially when they are smack dab in the middle of spring's social whirl. We can't fault you for forgetting that Mother's Day is coming through like a freight train.
But we beg you to get off your duff and make plans now. Skip 1-800-Flowers and buy Mom a year-long floral subscription from local service Bell Flor. Snag a gorgeously designed card from the new East Side shop Son of a Sailor. And for goodness sake, make those brunch reservations now!
Botika
Serving one of the most interesting brunches in Alamo City, this Pearl eatery specializes in Asian-Latin cuisine. The focus makes even the most familiar dishes feel new. Steak and eggs are reinvented with lomo saltado, a waffle is made with quinoa, and a classic omelette has crunch from tempura shrimp. Even the cocktails get into the act. Lemonade is spiked with white wine and cachaça — the national spirit of Brazil.
The Bread Box
This darling café at the Alley on Bitters is Valhalla for any Mom with a sweet tooth. From a funfetti blondie with a vanilla wallop to flaky almond croissants, the pastries uniformly impress. And that's all before she slices into the pies. It's not all sugar, of course. Gird the appetite with a hearty breakfast sandwich or the bacon and onion quiche.
Cappy's
As of this writing, no Sunday reservations are available for this San Antonio classic's brunch. But who says you can't celebrate a day early? The menu here is spectacular regardless of the date, especially the Sardou Benedict with spinach, artichoke, and brie. Pair it with a couple of Parisian 75s and an artfully wrapped gift. We promise she won't mind if it's a Saturday.
Frederick's Bistro
Save the cucumbers for the spa. This Shavano Park staple delivers a proper meal for Mother's Day brunch. Though there is an egg dish — a classic Benedict, of course — most of the menu is devoted to seafood entrees like Norwegian salmon with Champagne velouté and a Parmesan-crusted ruby red trout. Either call for at least one bottle of bubbles.
Full Belly Café & Bar
Stay out of the downtown hubbub by brunching at this North Side charmer. From delicate baked eggs made with roasted garlic and thyme cream to beefy barbacoa poutine to outrageously decadent pecan pie French toast, the menu offers a little something for every palate. The bar follows suit with bubbles and whiskey and the jolt of an espresso martini made with tequila and Licor 43.
Mama's Café
Not every mom swoons for a frou-frou frittata — especially when there's great country cooking around. This long-running Alamo Heights spot has all the classics like steak and eggs, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, and biscuits and gravy. That's enough reason in itself, but c'mon, Mama is right there in the name.
Restaurant Claudine
On the last check, a handful of slots were available for this Grayson Street stunner's equally lovely brunch. Start with blue crab beignets served with a drizzle of Champagne vinegar gastrique, then dive into shrimp and grits. An elegant riff on the Lowcountry classic, it features a fling of charred corn and an elegant slick of Cajun-spiced butter.
