Mother's Day is the one day out of the year that this important woman in your life should be able to take a break from the kitchen and let you serve her.
Here are a few suggestions on places to take mom to celebrate her day. Wherever you decide to go Sunday, May 12, don't wait until the last minute to make reservations.
» The Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd.: The elegant Silver Ballroom will be hosting its first Mother's Day buffet since the historic hotel's reopening last fall. The menu will include a number of salads; a carving station with oven-roasted turkey and prime rib; entrees such as fried chicken, rosemary-crusted pork loin and pan-seared salmon; lots of side dishes; a cold seafood station; breakfast pastries; eggs and omelets prepared to order; assorted cheeses and desserts. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Price: $43 per person. Reservations: 423-266-4121.
» Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St.: The cafe on the bluff overlooking the Tennessee River will serve an array of a la carte items from its new spring menu, with entrees ranging in price from $17 to $36. Menu items include steaks, seafood, soup, salads and entrées. A full specialty cocktail menu including traditional brunch drinks such as mimosas, Bloody Marys and an extensive wine list will also be offered.Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 423-265-5033, ext. 4.
» Easy Bistro & Bar, 203 Broad St.: In addition to its usual brunch offerings - shrimp and grits, bacon omelet, steak and eggs - there will be house-made saffron gnocchetti pasta with lobster-saffron cream and pickled ramps ($23) and tuna tartare with citrus emulsion and caviar ($16). Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Reservations: 423-266-1121 or resy.com.
» Bald Headed Bistro, 201 Keith St., Cleveland: Sunday brunch at Bald Headed Bistro is a fairly new offering. Along with the regular brunch entrees, a couple of new items will be added: smoked prime rib with au jus and horseradish sauce ($24) and lobster Benedict with hollandaise sauce on a biscuit with poached eggs, tarragon and asparagus ($21). Hours: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Reservations: 423-472-6000.
» Acropolis Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd.: Known for its Greek specialties, Acropolis expands its menu on Mother's Day. This year, it includes fried green tomatoes topped with prosciutto ham and herbed goat cheese ($9); pan-fried pork chops with Riverview Farm grits ($17); pan-seared sea bass with fingerling potatoes and grilled asparagus ($23); Springer Mountain chicken over roasted vegetable orzo ($15) and Black Angus flank steak served over red potato gratin and steamed broccolini ($18). Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: 423-899-5341.
» The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St.: Mother's Day buffet starts with a tremendous salad bar offering seafood selections, breads, vegetables and traditional salad fixings before moving on to main dishes such as quiche, eggs Benedict, pan-seared salmon, an omelet station and pepper-crusted beef tenderloin. The dessert table is filled with sweets to tempt Mom, including chocolate mousse tarts, Andes mint cheesecakes and strawberry shortcake. Price: $39 adults, $19 ages 5-12, free for children under 5. Reservations: 423-424-3700.
» Bonefish Grill, 2115 Gunbarrel Road: Mother's Day brunch includes endless hand-crafted bellinis ($11.50), mimosas ($11.50), Bloody Marys ($13.90) or blackberry sangria ($11.50) beginning at 10 a.m. Dishes include Crab Cake Rancheros ($12.90); avocado toast ($8.90); tuna steak and eggs ($13.90); Bang Bang Shrimp Benedict ($10.70); and creme brulee French toast ($11.50). Hours 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Reservations: 423-892-3175.
» Smokey Bones, 2225 Gunbarrel Road: This barbecue eatery offers a Southern brunch that includes five courses ($20), starting with Southern buttermilk biscuits with honey butter, a choice of St. Louis or baby back ribs or Southern Eggs Meaty Skillet; a choice of a large Belgian waffle or a full skillet of cornbread; finishing with a waffle sundae or warm fresh doughnuts. Guests can sip bourbon brunch cocktails, Bloody Marys and mimosas or champagne for an additional cost ($5 per glass, $15 bottomless). Every mother who dines on Mother's Day will receive a coupon for $10 off $25 to come back in to dine. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices start at $20. Reservations: 423-893-7850.
» Cafe on the Corner, 826 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain: Mother's Day on the mountain features lamb chops with sides ($20.95); eggs Benedict filet with roasted red pepper hollandaise and new potato hash ($15.95); and a plate of fried chicken with sides ($18.95) among other choices. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-825-5005.
» The Edwin Hotel, 102 Walnut St.: Chattanooga's newest hotel hosts its first Mother's Day buffet in the Whitebird. The buffet will feature dishes from all of the chefs' mothers. In addition to multiple salad choices, there will be chef-carved lamb with okra-tomato stew from chef Khaled Albanna's mom; house-smoked turkey; crusted trout with Hoppin' John from chef Nick Goeller's mom; egg dishes; plenty of side dishes, such as chef Kevin Korman and his mother's signature potato salad; assorted breads, including sausage bread from chef Jeremy Crow's mother; and a dessert station that includes chef Mitchell Stanford's mom's pumpkin roll. Hours: Price: $45 adults, $20 children. Reservations: 423-713-5900.
» The Westin, 801 Pine St.: Mother's Day at The Westin's buffet offers freshly baked pastries and salads, an omelet station, French toast, salmon, beef tenderloin and piccata Benedict - pan-seared chicken and spinach on an English muffin drizzled with caper hollandaise sauce. Desserts include cream brulee cheesecake and banana bread pudding. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Price: $32 adults, $16 children 4-10, no charge for children under 4. Reservations: 423-803-5942.
» Polly Claire's, 6178 Adamson Circle off Bonny Oaks Drive: Mother's Day is the only Sunday of the year that the tea room opens. The Mother's Day brunch will include the Presidential First Ladies Tea with printed recipe booklet to keep. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations necessary: 423-521-4832 or PollyClaires.com.
» Mountain Oaks Tea Room, 9508 Church St., Ooltewah: Celebrate Mom with either the Courtyard Sampler with soup, Strawberry Salad with soup or Philly Cheese Steak with potato salad and pickle. All are accompanied by hot or iced tea and Angels Dream orange blossom water. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Price: $21.95. Reservations required: 423-238-9333.