Mother's Day is always one of the busiest days in the restaurant business.
Research by the National Restaurant Association in 2017 showed that Mother's Day continues to be the most popular day of the year for dining out, with nearly two in five American adults planning to dine out on May 13. For this reason, if you want to treat Mom to a meal and give her a break from the kitchen, you need to make reservations.
Here are a few suggestions for places to take Mom on Sunday.
' Acropolis Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. Known for its Greek specialties, Acropolis expands its menu on Mother's Day to include a feast of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, such as pan-seared halibut over roasted vegetable Israeli couscous with lemon-artichoke-caper sauce ($22) and pork scallopini over pasta with asparagus and mushroom caper butter ($15). Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: 423-899-5341.
' Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. Enjoy brunch on the bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. Back Inn Cafe is serving its annual Mother's Day Brunch featuring dishes from its new spring menu created by Chef Regina Johnson and her culinary team.
The menu includes steaks, seafood, soups and salads along with a specialty cocktail menu of traditional brunch drinks such as mimosas, poinsettias, Bloody Marys and wine. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 423-265-5033, ext. 4.
' Bald Headed Bistro, 201 Keith St., Cleveland, Tenn. Choose from a range of fresh salads and house-made dressings, side dishes, entrees such as buttermilk fried chicken, fried catfish and rotisserie pork loin with cinnamon apples. There will also be a buffet just for kids with chicken tenders, mac-and-cheese and steamed broccoli.
Featured desserts include strawberry shortcake with sliced berries and whipped cream, lemon pound cake with blueberries, and bittersweet chocolate mousse with Grand Marnier strawberries and whipped cream. Price: $35 adults, $15 children, $7 children 5 and younger. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Reservations: 423-472-6000.
' Cafe on the Corner, 826 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain. Mother's Day calls for a special menu featuring Skillet Spinach Quiche ($13.95), a spring fruit salad with salmon cake and poached egg ($13.95), marinated rib-eye with Parmesan-garlic fries ($29.95) and several more choices. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-825-5005.
' Ceniza, 9454 Bradmore Lane, Cambridge Square in Ooltewah. Treat Mom to a taste of the Caribbean, along with mimosas and sangria for $1 per glass. The brunch menu includes fried chicken with fried eggs, bacon gravy and tater tots ($13); and shrimp Creole over grits with bacon ($14.50). "Almost bottomless" mimosas are $8, and there's a Bloody Mary bar as well. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-760-4198.
' The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. One of the most splendid buffets in town will be stocked with salads, pastries, seafood, pita and hummus, as well as breakfast fare such as scrambled eggs, crab cake Benedict, quiche and an omelet station.
There will be carving stations serving pepper-crusted beef tenderloin and pecan-stuffed pork loin, as well as too many side dishes to count. Finish with a dessert of mint chocolate cheesecake or strawberry shortcake. Mimosas are specially priced at $1 each; Bloody Marys and champagne are $3. Price: $45 adults, $22 ages 5-12. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-424-3700.
' The Chef and his Wife, 6849 Prestige Lane or 7315 Lee Highway. If you're planning a quiet day at home with mom, but you don't want to spend time in the kitchen, have The Chef cook for you. The carry-out service is offering a "Mother's Day Menu for 2" that includes roast prime rib au jus, double-baked potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad and strawberry cake slices for $49 plus tax. You just swing by and pick it up Friday or Saturday; or, have it delivered Saturday for an additional fee. To order from either location: 423-508-5823.
' Countryside Cafe, 8223 Mahan Gap Road. Take Mom to lunch at this Ooltewah diner and she might just leave with a pair of diamond earrings ($250 value). Guests can enter a drawing to win the earrings, and the winner will be announced at 2 p.m. Sunday. Good home-cooking and jewelry - what woman can resist that? For more information: 423-344-8646.
' Cumberland Mountain State Park, 24 Office Drive, Crossville, Tenn. Couple dinner with a scenic drive to Crossville for the Mother's Day buffet at the park's Homestead Harvest Restaurant. The menu includes roast beef, turkey, ham and all the fixings, plus several varieties of dessert. Cost is $16.95 adults, $8.95 children 6-12 (drink, tax and gratuity not included). Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT. 931-484-7186.
The restaurant at Fall Creek Falls State Park usually takes part in these promotions, but it is closed for rebuilding, along with the inn and conference center.
' Dorato Cuisine + Spirits, 801 Pine St. The Westin Hotel's brunch menu is filled with breakfast and lunch items, such as poached eggs on short ribs ($21), shrimp and grits with andouille sausage and Cajun pan sauce ($23), Cobb salad with roasted chicken ($21) and the Westin omelet with ham, peppers, green onions and cheese ($21). Dessert is included with entrees. Bottomless mimosas are $10, and there's also a Bloody Mary bar. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information: 423-531-4653.
' Embargo '62, 301 Cherokee Blvd. The North Shore's Cuban restaurant offers brunch with torrejas (Cuban-style French toast) and vanilla ice cream ($8.50), and brunch burritos with eggs, bacon, congri (black beans and rice), sweet plantains and ropa vieja ($12). Entree prices: $8.50-$13. Mimosas and sangria are $7. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-551-4786.
' Red Sauce, 14 W. Kent St. The Italian restaurant celebrates Mother's Day on Saturday and Sunday with entrees such as pork belly Benedict served atop jalapeno cornbread with a fried egg and bacon hollandaise sauce ($15) or French toast with Grand Marnier whipped cream and black caramel syrup ($12). For vegetarians, there is the paleo bowl ($9) with oven-roasted zucchini, sweet potatoes, onions, peppers and mushrooms. Mimosas are $1 with entree purchase, and Zia Bloody Marys are $8 each. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: 423-805-4733.
' Tupelo Honey in Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. The restaurant honors mothers Friday through Monday with a free, full-sized dessert with any entree purchase during dinner hours of 4 p.m. until closing. Moms can choose from Banana Pudding, Pecan Pie, Blackout Cake and Buttermilk Cheesecake. The free dessert-with-dinner promotion is valid for moms May 11-14. Reservations: 423-779-0400.