Mother’s Day and the brunching go hand-in-hand. And since your mom probably isn’t into Denny’s Lumberjack Slam, here are a few suggestions for a more impressive brunch in Santa Monica.

Whether you are headed to Montana Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Ocean Park,  you can’t really go wrong with lots of mimosas so, you’re welcome. 

And to all mothers, grandmas, stepmoms, foster moms and aunties, too, Happy Mother’s Day!

HUCKLEBERRY CAFE: Celebrate at home with “Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed” takeout ($125 serves two) that includes breakfast strata, fruit, cinnamon-roll scones & mimosa kit, plus other options. Pre-order via Tock or e-mail catering@huckleberrycafe.com. On-site brunch dining, with kids’ menu option, also offered, with Croque Madames & Monsieurs, pancakes & breakfast burritos. Brunch menu here. At 1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica.

1 PICO AT SHUTTERS ON THE BEACH: This is where you will find me and my family this weekend. They have a Mother’s Day, pre-fixe brunch planned May 8 ($115 per person), offering: starter choices including oysters, Caesar salad, braised octopus or beef carpaccio: entrees of lobster carbonara, halibut, caviar omelet, ham Benedict or wagyu skirt steak. Dessert selections: cinnamon roll or sugar spice doughnuts. Info & reservations. At 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.

SUGAR PALM AT VICEROY SANTA MONICA: Family-style Mother’s Day brunch May 8 from Executive Chef Jason Francisco to feature shareable platters, including sashimi platter (salmon, hamachi, ahi tuna), seafood (crab cakes, salmon croquettes, shrimp), mini sandwiches (BLT, caprese, herbed chicken, pork belly) & sweet platters with French toast stuffed with Nutella, cheesecake batter & cocoa dust. Duck confit chilaquiles, vegan hash & cast-iron-baked Dutch baby also on the menu. Brunch is 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Reservations here. 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica.

MILO + OLIVE: Reservations underway for Mother’s Day brunch that includes breakfast pizza, cast-iron cinnamon rolls & French toast with vanilla brandy whipped mascarpone. Or pre-order heat-and-serve, brunch to-go kit, featuring asparagus & feta frittata, chimichurri potatoes, sausage, mimosa kits, plus more. Pre-order kits online via Tock, or call 310-453-6776 by May 4 for May 8 pick-up. Reservations here. 2723 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica.

THE PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS: Surprise Mom with lavish Sunday brunch or high tea at the iconic hotel. Four-course brunch ($155 per person/$80 for kids under 12) will be served 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. May 8 at The Belvedere, featuring pastries, lobster bisque, diver scallops, hamachi yellowtail filet, beef tenderloin & more, plus dessert station, entertainment & complimentary champagne. Menu here. High tea in The Living Room runs Thursdays through Sundays in May, with lavish, traditional tea service, butterfly-themed pastries & harpist. Reservations for both via OpenTable, or at 310-551-2888, restaurant reservations extension #3339. At 9882 South Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.

TALLULA’S: If Mom loves Mexican cuisine in a beachside atmosphere, check out brunch, Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for Mother’s Day weekend. Among menu options: chilaquiles; breakfast burritos & tacos; “Eggs in a Blanket” (fried or scrambled eggs & refried black beans between two corn tortillas & topped with salsa suiza, crema, queso fresco, jack cheese & tortilla strips); Milanesa (flank steak, mojo de ajo potatoes, eggs & poblano gravy); ham & cheese quesadillas; blue corn pancakes; huevos rancheros & more. Reservations via Resy, but walk-ins welcome. Website. At 118 Entrada Drive, Santa Monica.

BIRDIE G’S: Bring home a sweet treat: a whole “World Famous” Rose Petal Pie, Crème Brûlée Pie or Malted Chocolate Layer Cake. Also offered: wines by female vintners & St. Germain Cocktail Kit (with edible glitter!) to make three different cocktails. Pre-order desserts & drinks online via Tock or at 310-310-3616 by May 5 for May 8 pickup. The eatery, at 2421 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, also will be open May 8 for on-site dining.

BOA STEAKHOUSE: On May 8, a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet planned (11 a.m. – 3 p.m./$95 per person), featuring surf & turf carving station, breakfast classics, seafood bar, fried chicken, ribs, Wagyu tacos, sushi, BOA’s signature Caesar salad & more. Floral cocktails available. Complimentary gift for Mom, too. Live jazz at BOA on Sunset. Reservations here. Locations at 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood & 101 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.

In current 90402 real estate news-

Right now there are just 11 active listings North of Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. Four of those are new since my last update.

1525 San Vicente Blvd – Re-Listed for $69,000,000. This has been on and off the market for a long time. The asking price last summer was a whopping $90M! Since then they have reduced the price a few times in $10M increments, trying to find that uber-wealthy Buyer.

816 San Vicente Blvd– Listed for $6,499,988. Lots of charm and character in this 1929 Spanish. Situated on an 8300 sqft lot with saltwater pool. This sold and closed only a few months ago for $5.8M.

428 17th Street– Listed for $7,500,000. This listing is for a soon to be built new construction home by Thomas James Homes. Construction has not yet started so a Buyer could make plenty of personal decisions and customizations to this planned 5 bedroom, 4,100 sqft foot home. Completion expected in Fall of 2023.

717 21st Place – Listed for $5,995,000 and very likely to sell in the $6’s. Beautifully renovated 1930’s Spanish home, almost 4,500 sqft, with pool and spa.

535 16th Street– Listed for $3,699,000. First time on the market since 1969, this 1920’s Spanish should receive multiple offers and be under contract quickly.

Five properties under contract since my last update-

314 Euclid Street– Listed at 3,349,000. Was on the market for just a week before receiving more than 10 offers.

723 21st Place– Listed at $4,700,000.

808 Woodacres Road– The re-listing at $14,250,000 ($4M less than the initial attempt) seems to have done the trick and this property is under contract, possibly with one of the neighbors.

401 17th Street– Listed at $3,490,000. Sold with multiple offers for nearly $4M

707 11th Street– Listed at $6,495,000

Three newly sold properties-

266 20th Street– Sold “off-market” for $6M! I sold this home in a flurry of activity in September 2020 for $5M. A million dollar value increase in less than 2 years!

614 12th Street– Sold for $3,490,000. Originally listed as high as $3,700,000.

308 14th Street– Sold for $4,380,000. Originally listed for $4,300,000.