Where to eat out on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, and if you don’t have plans to treat mom to a meal yet, make a reservation quick.

Several restaurants are hosting buffets. And if you’re looking for something different, Mother’s Day teas are popular this year.

This is not a comprehensive list, so if you don’t see your favorite place here, give it a call.

Let’s start with the teas.

Two teas are scheduled for the day before Mother’s Day on Saturday, May 7.

If you’ve ever wandered past the Vintage Rose tea house in the Tower District – the Victorian house with flowering gardens at 437 E. Olive Ave. – and wanted a peek inside, this is your chance.

This indoor high tea luncheon features Champagne, salads, tea sandwiches, desserts and scones with lemon curd.

The tea is an experiment for the owners, who typically host weddings and bridal showers at the 1904 home. If hosting a tea open to the public is successful, they’ll consider doing them on a regular basis, says owner Angie Rivera.

The Saturday tea has two seatings: 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $45 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. and can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com (search for pre Mother’s Day tea luncheon) or by calling (559) 268-4040.

If dining outdoors under a shady arbor surrounded by roses and wisteria sounds like mom’s cup of tea, a “High tea and handbags” event will be held at the San Joaquin River Parkway at 2 p.m..

The tea is part of the Parties for the Parkway fundraiser for the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust and is held near the restored ranch house that’s the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies.

Handbags will be raffled off and a three-course high tea will be served. It includes tea sandwiches, scones and dessert – enough food to fill you up, organizers say.

Tickets cost $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Reservations can be made online at https://reservations.riverparkway.org or by calling (559) 248-8480.

If mom is a wine lover, the Kings River Winery at 4276 S. Greenwood Ave. in Sanger is hosting a Mother’s Day lunch from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.

Moms will be greeted with fresh flowers and can dine with guests surrounded by views of vineyards. The buffet lunch includes fried chicken, a baked potato bar, salads and strawberry shortcake. Wine is available for purchase.

Tickets must be purchased by Friday, May 6, and cost $31.95 for adults ($28.75 for wine club members) and $14.95 for children. Kids under 2 are free. Purchase tickets at www.mothersdayatkrw.eventbrite.com or call (559) 259-3286.

If restaurants are more your style, plenty host Mother’s Day brunches. They fill up quick, but restaurants often have tables available for dinner.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is offering a three-course brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 8. Brunch costs $39.95. Its regular menu is also available. Reservations: (559) 222-5823 or www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House expands its typical hours on Mother’s Day and is open from noon to 9 p.m. Specials include surf and turf featuring lobster tails and filet or ribeye. Moms will receive a $25 gift card toward a future visit. Reservations: www.ruthschris.com or (559) 490-0358.

Moms who dine at Mimi’s Cafe on Mother’s Day get a special heart-shaped palmier (French pastry) in every bread basket, a take-home muffin square and a French herb seed packet with the French Herb Palmier recipe on the back.

The three-course meal starts at 11 a.m. and includes soup or salad, a main entree and chocolate chip croissant bread pudding for dessert.

Families who order an entree and two beverages can get a free entree to use later in the month (until the French Mother’s Day May 29). Reservations: (559) 439-2669.

Campagnia’s Mother’s Day brunch is already booked, but dinner should have tables available between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 8.

This dinner buffet has all the brunch items plus mac n cheese, leg of lamb and crab legs. Dinner is $29.99 for adults and $15.99 for kids 12 and under. Reservations: Search for Campagnia at www.opentable.com or call (559) 433-3300.

The School House Restaurant & Tavern in Sanger is doing both brunch from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $35 a person and dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The dinner menu is still being created, but brunch will feature breakfast pizza, steak and eggs, burgers with fried eggs and more. Reservations: (559) 787-3271.

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Where to eat out on Mother’s Day."