Mother’s Day: Time for a Sunday Drive and a Hearty Spring Feast in Chicago

Mother’s Day is the unofficial beginning of spring. So hop in the car and enjoy a Sunday drive with the family, then sit down to a gracious brunch at one of these popular spots.

WEST: Glen Prairie, 1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, IL (630) 613-1250; www.glenprairie.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $29 for adults, $12 for kids age 5-12, kids 4 and under are free

One of Chicago Magazine’s top new restaurants in 2008, the beautiful Glen Prairie has won a large following with its top notch locally produced contemporary American fare.
Highlights: Salad Station, with Grilled Vegetable Salad with herb and balsamic glaze or Spinach and Berry Salad; Bakery Station, with assorted house baked breakfast pastries, artisan rolls and maple thyme butter; Farm Fresh Buffet includes Omelets Made to Order, Broiled Tilapia, Scrambled Eggs with chives and aged cheddar, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Maple Sausage; Chefs Station offers Honey and Sage Roasted Turkey Breast with cranberry citrus relish and Herb Roasted Iowa Farmed Beef Sirloin with marchan de vin; Kids Corner, with French Toast Sticks, Amish Chicken Nuggets, Pasta with Marina Sauce, French Bread Pizzas and Fruit Cup. For dessert, indulge in the Sweet Table.

NORTHWEST: Birch River Grill, 75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL; (847) 427-4242; www.birchrivergrill.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $31.95 for adults, $13.95 for kids 5-10; kids under 4 are free.
Birch River Grill, with its comfortable lodge décor and rustic gourmet American cuisine, is a special restaurant in the Arlington Heights area.

Highlights: Seafood Station, with whole smoked King Salmon, whole smoked trout and peel and eat cocktail shrimp; Continental Station, with fresh baked bread, muffins, croissants, Danish, fresh fruit and berries; Made to Order Station featuring eggs, omelets, waffles, fresh Belgium waffles, country sausage links and peppered bacon; Carving Station, sirloin of beef and roasted turkey breast; Hot Buffet, fire roasted rainbow trout with wild rice pilaf and citrus butter; Salad Station; Kidz Buffet, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mac and cheese, pizza sticks, French toast sticks and fruit cups; Desserts, including their signature carrot cake, cakes and tortes.

SOUTH-SOUTHWEST: Courtright’s, 8989 South Archer, Willow Springs, IL; (708) 839-8000; www.courtrights.com
Mother’s Day All-Day Dinner, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; 4 courses, $55; 3 courses, $49; kids menu, $29.
Courtright’s has been a noteworthy fine dining staple in the southwest suburbs for years. It’s an attractive and welcoming restaurant, both inside and out, and the extensive wine collection is exceptional. Mother’s Day is an all-day feast, with 3- and 4-course menus and a special children’s menu.
Highlights: Starters such as Duck Terrine with Vidalia onion-rhubarb chutney; pan-seared scallops with artichoke-bell pepper terrine, tomatoes and basil-feta vinaigrette; or prosciutto-wrapped asparagus with sauce gribiche; entrees include roasted Alaskan halibut with fennel puree, saffron brandade, roasted peanuts, pearl onions and mussel jus; roasted rack of lamb with minted lamb sausage, bacon-spring pea puree, braised baby carrots and lamb jus; and beef tenderloin with celery root puree, shiitake mushrooms and Cabernet sauce. Dessert includes Grand Marnier-marinated strawberries with a chocolate waffle and Chantilly cream.

NORTH: Restaurant Michael, 64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL; (847) 441-3100; www.restaurantmichael.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; adults, $39; kids under 10, $19.50
Take the scenic route along Sheridan Road and then migrate to nearby Green Bay Road to enjoy iconic chef/owner Michael Lachowicz’s always amazing French fare.
Highlights: six appetizer choices including smoked salmon, Seared Scallops, Bacon and onion tarts, three entrées including Baby Lamb Chops, Roast Chateaubriand of beef tenderloin and Lobster Risotto, plus traditional omelets and Eggs Benedict, and four seasonal desserts.

WEST-NORTHWEST: Entourage on American Lane, 1301 American Lane, Schaumburg, IL; (847) 995-9400; www.entourageventures.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; adults, $36.95; kids 6-12, $15.95; kids under 5, free
Entourage is one of the best suburban restaurants to open in the past few years. It’s spacious and stylishly contemporary, with excellent food and creative drinks.
Highlights: Chef-carved prime rib, turkey and ham, omelet station, smoked salmon, cocktail shrimp, oysters on the half shell, egg specialties, lots of salads, French toast, pasta dishes, Hawaiian chicken, a children’s table and a decadent dessert station.

NORTH-NORTHWEST: Karma, 510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, Illinois, 847-970-6900, www.karmachicago.com
Mother’s Day brunch, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; adults, $27.95; kids, $12.95; kids under 5 free
Karma is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the Chicagoland area. For Mother’s Day, Karma will offer an eclectic brunch featuring contemporary American dishes as well as their signature pan-Asian fare.

Highlights: Seafood Station with citrus poached King Salmon and Creole Seafood Salad;
Omelet Station; Hot Food Station with Asian BBQ seared Salmon and Mustard Crusted Roast Pork Loin; Carving Station with Herb and Garlic Crusted Roast Beef and
Oak Roasted Turkey Breast; Dessert Station with assorted mini French pastries and bakery fresh Tortes and Pies

IN THE CITY: Dine, 733 W. Madison, Chicago, IL (312) 602-2100; www.dinerestaurant.com
Mother’s Day brunch, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; adults, $39; kids, $15; kids five and under, free
Dine’s generous, tasty brunch has been popular in Greektown for quite awhile. For Mother’s Day, they’re turning it up a notch with a down-home comfort food feast.

Highlights: Carving Station, with smoked bone-in ham, oven roasted turkey and beef tenderloin; Build Your Own Omelets; Breakfast Selections with peppered bacon and sausage links, biscuits and gravy, waffles with maple syrup, smoked salmon, fresh fruit and berries; Lunch Entrees, including stuffed chicken marsala, poached salmon, beef stir-fry; Build Your Own Pasta, featuring homemade sauce with fresh meats and vegetables; Assorted Seafood, including shrimp, oysters, clams and mussels; Kids Station, with macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, cheese pizza and creamed corn; Assorted Gourmet Desserts.