“Let’s Eat Out” is Second Only To “I Love You” on Mother’s Day, May 11

The first meal I remember making for my mom was Mother's Day breakfast in bed when I was four years old. My older brother and I thought it would be great to make her a "balanced breakfast" like they showed on the cereal commercials. First, we made her a bowl of cereal, then, we made her two slices of toast and finally, poured her a glass of orange juice. To make the tray look pretty, I ran to the garden and picked her a flower.

Needless to say that by the time we got the breakfast to her, the cereal was soggy, the toast was cold (and messy) and I got thirsty so a drank a sip of her juice. She said she loved it!

Fortunately, I am wise enough now to know that there are better options for mom's special day. This Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, I can't wait to say those three magic words – “Let’s eat out!”

Chefs at these restaurants have been preparing for Mother’s Day with buffets and menus that will have her saying “I love you!”

Two hot spots are already sold out so make a note to check these out early next year: Canoe's riverside brunch and Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery's mountain setting brunch.

Aqua Blue heaps mom’s favorites on the brunch buffet. From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., grab a plate and fill it with items such as strip steak and carved turkey, chicken rotini primavera in cream sauce, eggs Benedict and breakfast pastries. $29.95/adults, $9.95/children ages four to 12 and free for children under four. Regular dinner menu takes over from 5 to 9 p.m. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.

Bonefish Grill brings out the grilled fish and delectable sauces that grace the regular menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Buford: 3420 Buford Drive; 678-546-8240. Johns Creek: 11705 C Jones Bridge Road; 770-475-6668. Macon: 5080 Riverside Drive, Building 500, Suite 506; 478-477-5256. Snellville: 1350 Scenic Highway 124 in The Avenue Webb Gin; 678-344-8945.

Ecco whisks Mom to a European bistro brunch with a special menu from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. 40 7th Street at Cypress in Midtown; 404-347-9555.

Fogo de Chão salutes moms with savory slow-roasted meats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day; $38.50 per person. The Brazilian churrascaria will be serving dinner that night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $46.50 per person. 3101 Piedmont Road; 404-266-9988.

Food Studio® paints a masterpiece of food and art to celebrate Mom’s day. Special brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $39.95 per person. Children’s menu for $10 per child (12 and under). Open for dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. 887 West Marietta Street in the King Plow Arts Center; 404-815-6677.

The GLOBE provides the ideal spot for Yellow Jacket and Midtown moms to celebrate the day from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Regular brunch menu. 75 Fifth Street, NW in Technology Square; 404-541-1487.

La Tavola Trattoria jets Mom to Italy in nearby Virginia-Highlands. Order from the brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or the regular dinner menu from 5:30 to 10 p.m. 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

Marlow’s Tavern (Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Midtown and Vinings) pours it on for the American casual mom with the regular brunch menu from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the regular dinner menu from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800. Kennesaw: 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777. Midtown: 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323. Vinings: 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526.

Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead and Downtown serves a mom-worthy prix fixe menu on Mother’s Day for $59 per person. Choose a salad; one entrée from a selection of filets, fish and chicken dishes; one side dish; and a dessert. Open from 3 to 9 p.m. in Buckhead in the Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Open from 4 to 9 p.m. Downtown in the SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

South City Kitchen® whips up contemporary Southern dishes that give mom the day off from cooking but not from good eating. Enjoy brunch at the Midtown location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or the regular dinner menu from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358. Brunch will be served at the Vinings location from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; order from the regular dinner menu from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

Trilogy is East Cobb-close for an all-you-can-eat buffet brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day. $23.95/adults; $8.95/children. Seating is limited and reservations are required. The restaurant will not be open for dinner. 4930 Davidson Road; 770-971-4770.

VITA will serve the regular dinner menu from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will have flowers for moms. Mama mia, now that’s Italian! 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Woodfire Grill serves mom local ingredients prepared with Northern Californian style from the regular menu. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mother’s Day. 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.