CultureMap Procrastinator's Guide

Procrastinator's guide to Mother's Day: 9 last-minute brunch options sure to make Mom happy

Treating Mom to brunch on Mother's Day is a time-honored tradition. Families pack restaurants to pay homage to the people in their lives who offer consistent sources of care and comfort.

As with any holiday, making plans early offers the most choices, but procrastinators need not worry. We've identified a few possibilities that still have tables available. Or just stay home and cook. After all, isn't it the thought that counts?

Fig & Olive
The New York-based Mediterranean restaurant has been a hit since it opened in March. For Mother’s Day, the restaurant will serve a three-course, $42 prix-fixe for brunch and a $49 prix-fixe at dinner. Starter options include the signature croquettes, and the entree choices accommodate just about every taste. Only early seatings are still available for brunch, but a few prime dinner spots are still available. Call 832-632-6632 or use OpenTable for reservations.

Aces of Taste
Let the pop-up masters provide mom with a memorable experience. Chef Evelyn Garcia’s three-course menu includes passed appetizers, blood orange salad, and a crab cake benedict. Plus, the $35 includes a bouquet of flowers from Amanda Bee Floral. Best of all, CultureMap readers can save 15-percent with the code CM15.

The Grove
This scenic restaurant in Discovery Green recently rolled out an all-new brunch buffet. For $35 ($15 for kids 12 and under, kids two and under are free), diners can choose from a range of options including a carving station, an omelet station, dishes like barbecue brisket Benedict and bananas Foster French toast, and more. Those looking for refreshment can choose from mimosa, margaritas, sangria, or mojitos; the first one is $15, but every refill is only one cent. What mother could say no to a deal like that? Reservations available via OpenTable.

Moxie’s
If mom’s a sports fan, she’ll love this stylish Canadian import that recently opened in the Galleria area. The three-course, $39 menu starts with a choice of soup or salad and continues with entree choices such as chipotle mango chicken and lobster and shrimp linguine. Or splurge on a 12-ounce, USDA Prime New York strip for an extra $15. Call 346-571-6164 for reservations.

Bellagreen
Already have plans on Sunday? The healthy, fast casual restaurant is offering its Mother’s Day specials all weekend. They include $1 mimosas until 2:30 pm, half price appetizers with the purchase of a bottle of wine, and $10 gift cards for mom. Of course, the restaurant’s full range of salads, wraps, pizzas, and more is available.

Jaxton’s Bistro
Cypress-area residents may want to consider this European-inspired restaurant that recently welcomed veteran Houston chef Micah Rideout to its kitchen. The three-course, $34.95 menu includes starters such a smoked salmon dosa or wood-fired patatas bravas and entrees such as crab cake Benedict and summer squash and onion quiche; kids ages 12 and under eat for just $12.95. Beverage options include a mimosa pairing for $15, a mimosa flight for $24, or a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar for $9.95. For reservations, email reservations@jaxtonsbistro.com or call 832-653-2297

Peli Peli
On a busy restaurant day like Mother’s Day, the safest plan is to choose a well-established restaurant with a reputation for good service, and few places take pleasing diners as seriously as this South African-inspired fine dining concept. The brunch menu includes chicken schitzel with deep fried waffles and stuffed kitka French toast. All three locations have tables available, so check OpenTable for specific times.

Carmelo’s Cucina Italiana
This Memorial-area favorite is serving a decadent, $35 brunch buffet from 10 am to 3 pm that includes everything from omelets and prime rib to fresh fruit, pancakes, bacon, and more. Brunch is also family friendly; kids 12 and under are $12, and a balloon artist will be on hand to keep the youngsters entertained.

Lady M Confections
For moms with a sweet tooth, consider this pop-up that’s taking place Saturday and Sunday in The Galleria. The NYC-based bakery will be serving its signature Mille Crêpe Cake (made with at least 20 layers of delicate crepes) as both whole cakes (pre-order here) or slices from a stand directly in front of Nordstrom. Three flavors are available, and quantities are limited.

All three Peli Peli locations still have tables available.

Courtesy photo

All three Peli Peli locations still have tables available.

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family-friendly outdoor bar

Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project

Photo by Eric Sandler

The new beer garden will be similar to Katy Beer Garden.

One of Houston’s most successful bar operators is bringing his talents to the Energy Corridor. Steven Salazar is opening Ashford Beer Garden at the Ashford Yard mixed-use development.

Slated to open in early 2026, Ashford Beer Garden will build on the success Salazar has had with Katy Beer Garden, the project he opened last summer at The Dryer, a mixed-use development on the property of Katy’s historic Cardiff Rice Dryer. Like KBG, Ashford Beer Garden will be large — roughly 21,000 square feet — divided into a 10,000-square-foot indoor beer hall with a companion cocktail bar and a 11,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden that’s shaded by trees.

“We’re sticking with that Bavarian charm,” Salazar says about his vision for Ashford Beer Garden. “Bring your family. It’s really relaxed. The kids are playing. You have multiple generations hanging out. It’s worked well in Katy. We’re excited to bring it to a new area.”

Of course, the new project will make some improvements on the original. Most importantly, Ashford will have a full kitchen (KBG mostly relies on food trucks and a nearby food court). Salazar says he’s looking for a chef to lead the kitchen.

In response to customer demand for private event space, Ashford Beer Garden will also have a larger second floor patio than KBG does. The beer garden will have a larger screen to make it easier for people to watch sports.

Located on the site of a former Schlumberger campus near the intersection of Dairy Ashford Rd. and Briar Forest Dr., Ashford Yard is a 12.7-acre development that will include apartments, restaurants, and retail tenants. Salazar says he found his values aligned with the projects developers, Houston real estate firms Market Square Companies and Tenon Property Company.

“We have a similar vision of quality for the community and creating a space and having great neighbors. Not being a strip center but a true development that’s above and beyond what the area has to offer,” Salazar says. Later, he adds, “It seems great for us to be surrounded by companies such as Shell and Baker Hughes and all these great neighborhoods."

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