Mother's Day 2022: Where to go for a fancy brunch in metro Phoenix

2022-05-28 13:35:21 By : Ms. Renee Chan

Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of the article gave an incorrect address for Rita's Cantina & Bar, JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. It is located in Paradise Valley. 

Moms are always on duty, ready with a handbag full of solutions for every mishap—wet wipes, Tide Pens, superhero bandaids, extra soft tissues and enough napkins to soak up to-go cup malfunctions. To thank her for all the carpool shifts, loud clapping at recitals and exactly-when-you-need-them-most hugs, why not make her feel like the queen she is and treat her to a luxurious brunch this year.

From decadent spreads that come with endless mimosas to elegant plates and special surprises that are included with your meal, these restaurants know how to pamper. 

All the menus are available exclusively on May 8, except where noted. Reservations are highly recommended and in some cases, required. 

Here are the fanciest Mother's Day brunches in metro Phoenix and beyond.

Lons is a destination, with beautiful outdoor seating areas and historic indoor digs. This year, Mother's Day brunch ($90, $25 for ages 4-12) is being offered May 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. In addition to Monkey Bread for the table, the three-course feast offers starter choices such as poached lobster tail served with Boursin cheese grits and country French toast made with Noble bread adorned with lemon whipped ricotta, chocolate chips and berry compote. For the main course, ponder a lineup that includes pecan wood-grilled beef tenderloin with duck fat potatoes, bacon creamed spinach and red wine demi; a Baja stone crab benedict served on a griddled LGO muffin with poached eggs, O’Lon’s potatoes and lemon hollandaise; or short rib hash and eggs with cippolini onions, potatoes, poached eggs and horseradish crema. For dessert, the peach tiramisu gets our vote with its whipped mascarpone, vanilla-peach syrup, lady fingers and earl grey syrup. Each meal comes with a complimentary glass of rose bubbles. 

Details: 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley. 602-955-7878, lons.com.

This lavish brunch ($85, $39 for ages 1 to 10, $99 for VIP ticket that includes a mimosa and bloody mary bar) served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes loads of activities and freebies. Boasting Sonoran Desert views, this restaurant is debuting to the public with an enticing spread that includes a prime rib carving station, raw seafood tower, made-to-order pancakes, waffles and crepes, charcuterie, a fresh fruit bar, freshly baked pastries and doughnuts and globally-inspired entrees. Pricing also includes a family photo taken by a professional photographer, a kids area with activities, live music and drawing for $1,000 medspa and $500 spa gift cards. Reservations are required. 

Details: 1175 E. Lone Cactus Drive, Phoenix. 623-266-8747, chateauluxeaz.com.

At the iconic Wrigley Mansion, an indulgent five-course extravaganza ($125, $60 for ages 5-12) awaits from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Among the indulgent dishes are tacos árabes made with Lebanese-spiced lamb adorned with labneh, tomato and cucumber and french toast brulée made with caramelized pain de mie, a soft French bread that’s soaked in egg, brown sugar and orange zest custard before getting griddled and lightly dusted with caster sugar and served with vanilla whipped cream and berry confit. A mango Bakewell tart is one of the sweet ending options. Want to up the ante? Dine in one of the five elegantly appointed dining rooms for an additional $200. If you wish, you can submit a photo of your mom along with a sentimental paragraph or two for public display at the Mansion. 

Details: 2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix. 602-955-4079, wrigleymansion.com.

Let mom choose how she wants to roll. If she’s a stroller, head to the ballroom for a buffet ($65, $26 for ages 4-12) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where there will be options spanning traditional breakfast favorites, pastries, salads, seafood, pasta and desserts. The carving station will offer maple-glazed bone-in ham, wood-fired leg of lamb with artichoke pomegranate salsa and prime rib accompanied by au jus, whole grain mustard and creamy horseradish. If she prefers to sit and be served, take her over to the signature restaurant Litchfield’s, where a three-course prix-fixe farm-to-table brunch ($85, $26 for ages 4-12) will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlights include a plate of mixed berries, mascarpone, pistachio, mini pancakes and lemon honey, French country benedict with a poached egg, kurobuta hickory ham, gruyère and crème fraîche hollandaise on a croissant and steak frites featuring a New York strip steak alongside garlic parmesan fries with lemon arugula and herb aioli. Add a Maine lobster tail ($25 additional) or truffle butter ($10 additional) to push the meal over the top. End with a triple chocolate sundae made with Oaxacan chocolate ice cream, dark chocolate glaze and chocolate chunk. Reservations are required for both brunch options.

Details: 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. 623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com.

This posh resort brunch includes live music, face painting for the kids, a caricature artist and the opportunity to have professional family photos taken with the majestic Camelback Mountain as the backdrop. The hearty brunch ($130, $39 for ages 4 to12, children ages 3 and younger eat free with the purchase of an adult brunch) includes bottomless bubbles and mimosas from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features classic breakfast favorites, made-to-order omelets and eggs, made-to-order carne asada and chicken tacos, a fresh guacamole and salsa bar, trout with Veracruz sauce, chimichurri lamb chops, assorted pastries and desserts. 

Details: 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. 480-948-1700, camelbackinn.com.

At one of the most over-the-top luxury resorts in the Valley, an appropriately lavish brunch ($126, $59 for ages 5-12) will be served in the Palomino Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast and beyond dishes range from handcrafted omelets, waffles, bacon, chicken apple and fennel sausages, eggs benedict and smoked salmon to shellfish on ice and fresh fruit displays. Specials from all the property's signature restaurants will be served, including artisan pastas, steelhead trout seared with Queen Creek Olive Oil and hand-carved mesquite honey glazed ham from Ironwood American Kitchen; red wine braised short rib and black truffle mac and cheese from Bourbon Steak; Maine lobster and shrimp ceviche and empanadas filled with chicken and mole from La Hacienda and a hand-rolled sushi station from Toro. The desert lineup features a chocolate-dipped strawberry action station and other petite sweets. Reservations are required. Cancellations require 72-hour notice to avoid a 50% cancellation fee.

Details: 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale. 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com.

Head to Scottsdale for a brunch special ($90) of lobster avocado toast embellished with chili crunch, radish and herbs and regular brunch entrees from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Each meal comes with warm beignets with whipped espresso mousse, maple glazed bacon, seasonal scones, fire-roasted filet mignon with beefed-up bordelaise and creamy horseradish sauce, and crispy potatoes with rosemary and parmesan for the table. To make it extra sweet, all moms receive custom floral bouquets at the end of the meal.

Details: 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480-400-8888, mapleandash.com.

In the sunny dining room at The Westin Tempe, a special menu has been crafted with mom in mind. Noteworthy dishes served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. include shrimp ceviche with yuzu, serrano, avocado, cilantro and cured red onion ($18); horchata french toast with toasted almonds, piloncillo syrup, seasonal berries and coconut chantilly cream ($18); the goddess omelet filled with asparagus, basil pesto, haricots verts and feta served with breakfast heirloom potatoes ($16); grilled filet mignon accompanied by fava beans, charred tomatoes and spinach puree; and butter-poached lobster with tarragon-lemon cream, peas, risotto and pea shoots ($52). End the feast on a sweet note with a dark chocolate truffle tart with vanilla bean brûlée cream and Maldon salted caramel ($12) or huckleberry cheesecake with citrus almond graham cracker crust and red wine cardamom reduction ($14).

Details: 11 E. Seventh St., Tempe. 480-968-8885, terratempe.com.

This resort is best known for its picturesque setting among ancient rock formations with views of a scenic duck pond and grassy knolls. The brunch ($115), served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., comes with bottomless mimosas and features a demi buffet of assorted house-baked pastries and breakfast breads, elegant tea sandwiches and hors d’oeuvres, a seafood display, artisan cheese, charcuterie and a decadent dessert display of petit fours and pastries. Savory entrees feature locally-sourced ingredients. Reservations are required.

Details: 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale. 480-595-4668, theboulders.com.

Known for its stunning views and modern, elegant design, the restaurant at Sanctuary is a favorite for fancy brunch. On Mother's Day, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., a three-course brunch ($125) will begin with assorted breakfast breads for the table and options like chicken tortilla soup, fritto misto with calamari, rock shrimp and baby artichokes and gin-cured salmon with pumpernickel toast, hard-boiled egg and caviar. Main course choices include lobster benedict with poached eggs, English muffin, avocado, spinach and saffron hollandaise; braised short rib sugo with ricotta and pecorino gnudi, roasted wild mushrooms and English peas and rock shrimp fried rice with crispy pork belly, local fried egg, napa cabbage, snap peas and gochujang lime glaze. Chose between decadent dessert options like chocolate flourless mousse sponge cake with Valrhona Ivory mousse and milk chocolate ganache and a key lime tartlet with graham cracker crust, tequila whipped cream, fresh citrus and strawberry sorbet. Reservations with full prepayment are required. 

Details: 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. 855-245-2051, sanctuaryaz.com.

Dine amid the lush surroundings of this Paradise Valley resort during brunch ($89, $24 for ages 12 and younger) from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The meal will begin with family-style antipasti and end with a family-style dessert medley. For the main course, choose pan-seared sea bass with heirloom carrots; braised beef short rib hash with bacon onion jam; crab benedict with fingerling potatoes; wood-oven roasted New York strip with roasted garlic mashed potatoes or huevos rancheros with salsa roja.

Details: 5445 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. 480-624-5458, mountainshadows.com.

Two deluxe experiences await at this Mediterranean oasis off of Camelback Road. At T. Cook’s, brunch ($150, $75 for ages 6-12) will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include access to an appetizer buffet and a choice of entree and dessert. Highlights include charcuterie and cheese boards, a chilled seafood display, turkey benedict, lemon poppy french toast and a dessert buffet. In the ballroom, a brunch buffet ($150, $75 for ages 6-12) will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the likes of omelets and eggs made-to-order, a carving station, charcuterie and cheese displays, a waffle bar, a selection of seafood and more. Both brunches include a complimentary Royal Palms Mimosa or sparkling apple cider. Reservations are required for both.

Details: 5200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.  602-283-1234, royalpalmshotel.com.

In north Scottsdale, head to the Vista Verde Dining Room at this luxury resort from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a buffet ($89, $45 for ages 5-12) featuring an omelet station, salad bar, antipasto, a raw bar with shellfish and handmade sushi. At the carving station, find beef tenderloin with au jus, roasted organic turkey, sugar glazed ham, roasted vegetables, Dauphinoise potatoes, pan seared chicken and salmon & shrimp scampi. A dessert display offers a cornucopia of desserts.

Details:  7700 E McCormick Pkwy, Scottsdale. 480- 991-9000, hilton.com.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.