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Treat Mom to a nice meal (and maybe even a few mimosas) at these Bay area restaurants offering brunch and dinner specials on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8.
AQUA BAR & GRILLE The Westin Tampa Bay, 7627 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, 813-675-8700, aquabarandgrille.com. Treat Mom to fresh seafood from around the globe and live music by Fernando Diez at Aqua. Serving brunch from 11 am-4 pm with indoor and outdoor seating at this waterfront restaurant.
BELLA BRAVA 204 Beach Dr NE, St. Pete, 727-895-5515, bellabrava.com. Treat Mom to a great meal on picturesque Beach Drive this Sunday. Bella Brava is opening early, at 11 a.m., and serving up some tasty specials on both the brunch and dinner menus. Reservations recommended.
BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE 2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-877-3939; brioitalian.com. Opening at 10 a.m. this Sunday, BRIO will offer a special Tuscany-influenced Mother's Day Brunch menu, in addition to the full dinner menu which will be available all day.
BON APPETIT 150 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, 727-733-2151, bonappetitrestaurant.com. Choose from either the loaded buffet from 12-6 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom, or the five-course prix fixe dinner in the main dining room from 12-8 p.m. Brunch is $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids; dinner is $44 for adults and $22 for kids 10 and under. See both the brunch buffet and dinner menus on website.
CHARLIE'S STEAK HOUSE 4444 W. Cypress St., Tampa, 813-353-9706, charleyssteakhouse.com. Charley's is offering moms a free 10-ounce filet (with purchase of one adult entrée or equal or greater value) this Sunday. 4-10 p.m.
CHART HOUSE 7616 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, 813-289-7773, chart-house.com. Another spot in Tampa with a stunning view, Chart House offers a daily selection of fresh fish, as well as an extensive collection of fine wines and desserts. Indulge in the brunch buffet from 10:30 am-3 pm, or choose the chef's special menu for dinner from 3 p.m. until close. Reservations recommended.
THE COLUMBIA RESTAURANTS 2117 East 7th Ave, Tampa, 813-248-4961; 800 2nd Avenue N.E. (on the fourth floor of the Pier), St. Pete, 727-822-8000; 1241 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater, 727-596-8400, columbiarestaurant.com. Treat Mom to Spanish delights with Columbia's special Mother's Day menu, featuring lobster flatbread, Mahi Mahi with Gulf shrimp, sundried tomatoes and caper saffron sauce, and coconut cream cake with grilled pineapple compote. Reservations requested.
FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE 4322 W Boy Scout Blvd, Tampa, 813-874-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com. Give a double treat: Treat Mom to Fleming's special three-course brunch (complete with a "Tickled Pink" cocktail) and she'll receive a free $25 gift card. Open at 11:30 a.m. Prix fixe brunch is $32.95 per person. View the menu on website.
MALIO'S PRIME 400 North Ashley Drive. Tampa, 813-223-7746, maliosprime.com. If downtown Tampa is more Mom's scene, take her to Malio's and try the chef specials: chateaubriand for two, filet, fresh caught fish and more.
MARCHAND'S BAR & GRILLE AT THE RENAISSANCE VINOY 501 5th Ave NE, St Pete, 727-824-8072, marchandsbarandgrill.com. Treat Mom to an elegant brunch at Marchand's and enjoy the various interactive food stations, offering gourmet fruits and cheeses, tapas, carved meats, made-to-order eggs Benedict and more. The complimentary bubbly is an added bonus. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $52.95 for adults, $26.95 for kids 12 and under. Reservations recommended.
OCEAN PRIME 2205 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-490-5288, ocean-prime.com. Opening early to share their special Mother's Day brunch and dinner menus. Forget the flowers and give Mom a few of OP's signature cocktails instead.
PELAGIA TRATTORIA 2223 N. West Shore Blvd (lobby level of the Renaissance International Plaza Tampa Hotel), 813-313-3235, pelagiatrattoria.com. Do brunch Italian style with Mom at Pelagia's all-you-can-eat spread. Offering an array of seafood and meat dishes, as well as sides and traditional breakfast items and an omelet station. Reservations required. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $35 for adults and $14 for kids 12 and under.
POLLO TROPICAL 6276 West Waters Ave., Tampa; 3285 West Hillsborough Ave., Tampa; 3900 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park; 3134 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, PolloTropical.com. If your wallet is near empty but you still want to take Mom out for a bite this Sunday, head to Pollo Tropical for their "Mommy & Me" deal. $9.99 gets you two entrees, two fountain drinks and a regular size order of yuca sticks, sweet plantains or cheezy yuca bites, finished with a free flan for Mom.
THE RUSTY PELICAN 2425 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, 813-281-1943, tampa.therustypelican.com. Head out to Rocky Point for a view of Old Tampa Bay and one of the best brunch buffets in town. Offering fresh seafood, a raw bar, carving and omelet stations, more desserts than you can shake a stick at and plenty of complimentary bubbly to go 'round. 10:30 a.m.-2:30p.m. $39.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids.
SHEPARD'S BEACH RESORT 601 South Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater, 727-441-6875, shephards.com. To treat Mom to the most well-known brunch buffet on the Pinellas side, take her to Shepard's on Clearwater Beach for a plethora of dishes from both land and sea. Served from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. $28.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids 3-10. Reservations strongly recommended.
THE VENUE 2675 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, 727-571-2222, thevenueclub.com. The Venue may be a popular nightclub, but it's also got a special brunch going on during daylight hours for Mom, complete with omelet, waffle, pasta and carving stations. Try the Bloody Mary bar and let Mom sip on complimentary mimosas. Also featuring live jazz and free portraits taken. 11-3 p.m. $34.95 per person and kids under 5 eat free.
This article appears in May 5-11, 2011.