Mother’s Day Of all the holidays in the year, Mother's Day is the main one for dining out. The National Restaurant Association says 38 percent of Americans go to a restaurant on that day -- more than Valentine's (which comes in second), more than Easter -- hey, more than Father's Day.
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To be totally clear, more people -- 55 percent -- go out for their birthday, but those occasions being scattered throughout the year, Mother's Day can safely be considered the holiday of critical mass for the nation's 844,000 food-service establishments.
Local restaurants are bracing for the day with a wide selection of buffets and fancy meals.
But before we get to those, here is the bargain of season: The Kiwanis Club of Kaneohe is offering a $4.50 pancake breakfast ($2.50 for kids), 6:30 to 11 a.m. at Ben Parker Elementary School. Breakfast includes Portuguese sausage, scrambled eggs and rice. Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis' student organizations. Call 247-6796.
On the somewhat more elegant end, La Mer in the Halekulani is serving brunch for the first time, a four-course extravaganza that begins with a glass of "Classique," Halekulani's private label sparkling wine. Then come appetizer and entrée choices, with an in-between course, Cream of Fresh Peas, and dessert.
Chef Yves Garnier's entrée selections are onaga with tomato confit, Angus beef filet with potatoes and wine sauce; roast duck breast with Belgian endives. What, no Portuguese sausage?
The "Ultimate Mother's Day Brunch" will be served at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $65. Call 923-2311.
Mother's Day is a week from today, on May 13. Here's what some other restaurants are offering:
Ala Moana Hotel: Frank DeLima performs in the Hibiscus Ballroom, during a dinner buffet that features prime rib, chicken in burgundy sauce, poached mahi mahi and an array of desserts ($35.50; $18 children). Dinner served 5 to 8:30 p.m.; DeLima performs at 7 p.m. Plantation Cafe brunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner, 5 to 9 p.m., buffets include seafood selections, prime rib, more ($27.50; $12.50 children). Call 955-4811.
Canoe's, Renaissance Ilikai Hotel: Brunch buffet with roast duck salad, crab legs, made-to-order poke ($38.95; $28.95 seniors; $13 children) Call 922-6611, Ext. 5170.
Kahala Mandarin: Hoku's brunch buffet, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($45); and dinner buffet, 5 to 10 p.m. ($65). Menu includes lamb chops, pan-seared scallops, Thai purple rice pudding and more. Call 739-8780. Tokyo Tokyo: Complete meal with entrée choice of fresh catch or beef tenderloin ($49.95). Call 739-1500. Plumeria Beach Cafe buffet, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ($42; $21 children). Call 739-8760. Maile brunch buffet, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ($42; $21 children). Call 739-8780.
Koolau Golf Club: Brunch with seafood, prime rib and omelette stations, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($34.95; $15.95 children). Call 236-4653, Ext. 241.
Mariposa, Neiman Marcus: Jazz brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with breakfast specialties, roast baron of beef, salmon, leg of lamb, guava champagne mimosas ($39.95). Call 951-3420.
Nick's Fishmarket: Three-course meal with entrée choice of shrimp/scallops, lobster tail or lamb chop with opakapaka and ahi ($29.95). Call 955-6333.
Orchids, Halekulani: Sunday Brunch, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($43; $28 children). Call 923-2311.
Pacific Beach Hotel: Neptune's Garden brunch buffet with crab legs, prime rib and roast duck, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ($29.95; $16.95 children). Shogun buffets with tempura and teppan stations and seafood, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ($24.95; $13.95 children) and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($27.95; $14.95 children). Oceanarium buffets with Cajun salmon, oysters, mussels and crab, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ($24.95; $13.95 children) and 4 to 9:30 p.m. ($26.95; $14.95 children). Call 922-1233.
Pagoda: Brunch buffet, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($21.95; $11.95 children) and dinner buffet, 4 to 9:30 p.m. ($24.95; $12.95 children). Call 941-6611.
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar: Buffet with sushi bar, fry, omelet, seafood and dessert stations, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ($35; $17.50 children). Call 536-6286.
Sheraton Waikiki Hotel: Na Leo Pilimehana performs during brunch buffet, Hawaii Ballroom ($45). Brunch begins 10 a.m., with concert at noon. Call 922-4422.
Star of Honolulu: Three-hour sail, Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor, includes continental breakfast, lunch buffet, champagne toast, a rose for moms ($37.60; $18.78 children). Call 983-7827.
Sunset Grill: Brunch buffet with smoked salmon pasta, Grand Marnier French toast, blue crab eggs benedict, more ($29.95; $14.95 children). Seatings at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. Call 521-4409.
Waikiki Parc Hotel: Dinner buffet with carving stations, salads, Vietnamese hot and sour soup, roast duck, shrimp risotto cakes and more. ($32.95; children pay $1 per year of age). Call 921-7272.
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