Make Plans, Reservations Early To Honor Mom; Mother’s Day Is Denver’s Busiest Day At Restaurants
“She set me straight and then set me free, And that’s what the word ‘mother’ means to me.”
— Karl Fuchs
by Glen Richardson
Pillar Of The Rockies: There’s a wide range of events from grateful children, husbands, brothers, and sisters to honor mom on Mother’s Day, May 14.
It goes without saying that moms deserve it all and then some! That’s why there’s an entire day to celebrating moms. A gift and Mother’s Day dinner hardly seems like enough. Celebrated on the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day this year is May 14. Roughly 84% of U.S. adults are expected to celebrate in 2023.
Family celebrations include grandmas, aunties, sisters, caregivers, and guardians. It is a big holiday where grateful children, husbands, brothers, and sisters show their appreciation for the mothers in their lives. Moreover, the holiday is celebrated in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Believe it or not, it’s a holiday that is generally without controversy. Those who love it see it as a day set aside to simply honor their mother and mother figures in their life. To get your Mother’s Day celebration plans started, here’s the Chronicle’s guide for finding fine food and fun things to do:
Feast With Mom
Take mom and the family out for brunch or dinner on Mother’s Day. Mom will love the food, beverages, and festive family time without the cooking and cleanup.
Brunch
Beach Brunch: The Lake House at Pelican Bay in Cherry Creek State Park is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch with breathtaking views May 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Lake House Brunch
Take mom and the family to Denver’s only lakeside venue for a special Mother’s Day brunch in the Lake House at Pelican Bay May 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Located in the heart of Cherry Creek State Park, this one-of-a-kind location offers breathtaking views, lifestyle amenities, and pure leisure. Information: 393-220-5253.
Local Jones
The bistro in Cherry Creek’s Halcyon Hotel is featuring a Mother’s Day bubblies and brunch fête, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The brunch is paired with a special moment for mom, curated by Link x Lou, the nationwide Denver-based jeweler.
Jax Fish House
Enjoy a special brunch menu with mom and the family at Jax Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar just off Colorado Blvd. in Glendale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 303-756-6449.
Brunch Downtown
Grilling Gala: Mom can help judges decide winner of Denver’s top steakhouse chef at Rare, a one-of-a-kind steak contest May 25 at DCPA’s Sculpture Park.
For families taking mom downtown, these are your top options: If you’re taking mom to the DCPA, the Edge Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel hosts a brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: 303-389-3050; For brunch or tea, the Brown Palace Hotel is sure to impress. Ellyngton’s in the Brown offers a brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: 303-312-5924; or for art aficionados, The Ponti in the Denver Art Museum has a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: 720-913-2761.
Dinner
Chocolate Lab
If your mom is a chocoholic, take her to this newly opened eatery on the corner of 3rd Ave. at Holly. The 32-seat spot that incorporates chocolate in every dish — entrees, cocktails & desserts — tripled its kitchen size and doubled the bar space. More: Patrons can also buy chocolate candy and other creations. Information: 720-536-5037.
Monaco Inn Restaurant
Feast with mom and the family from noon to 8 p.m. at this enjoyable holiday eatery offering five Mother’s Day specials for $25.95 each. Or, you can order from the regular menu. Specials are New York Steak & Deep-Fried Shrimp, Lamb Chops & Grilled Shrimp; Lamb Shank, Grilled Salmon, and Trout. Specials are served with Greek Potatoes and a Greek Salad or Avgolemono Soup. Specials include either a dessert or glass of Prosecco wine. Information: 303-320-1104.
Dinner Downtown
Well-liked spots downtown serving Mother’s Day dinner include: Posh yet casual Panzano, the Italian eatery in Hotel Monaco featuring Northern Italian cuisine. Information: 303-296-3525; or for dazzling weekend dining, treat mom to dinner and jazz at Dazzle, offering menu service. Information:303-839-5100; or uptown’s Humboldt Kitchen + Bar, featuring fresh, fish-centric choices. Information: 303-813-1700.
Rare Or Smoked
Food & Finery: The bistro in Cherry Creek’s Halcyon Hotel is featuring a brunch paired with a special moment for mom, curated by jeweler Link x Lou.
RARE is May 25 at DCPA’s Sculpture Park, 5:30-10 p.m. It’s a one-of-a-kind steak contest pitting 25 of Denver’s steakhouses in a thick cut of beef grilling competition. Mom can help judges decide on the winner, as chefs try to win the hearts of steak lovers. Information: 720-865-4220.
If mom is the barbecue fanatic in the family, treat her to the fifth annual Denver BBQ Festival, May 27-28 at Empower Field at Mile High. Information: denverbbqfest.com.
Events-Diversion
Home Tour & Street Fair
Tour East Wash Park homes May 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Stroll the properties while enjoying local artisans, vendors, and entertainment at the Mother’s Day Street Fair on the 500 block of South Race St. Hosted by Steele Elementary’s PTA, funds raised support school programs-services. A percentage also benefits Virginia Village families through Steele’s sister school, Ellis Elementary. Information: steelewpht2023@gmail .com.
Les Miserables
Take mom to one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history, playing at DCPA’s Buell Theatre, May 10-21. Songs include “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” and many more. Information: 720-865-4220.
Breakthroughs
Choices Count: New York Steak & Deep-Fried Shrimp is one of five Mother’s Day specials at the Monaco Inn Restaurant, serving from noon to 8 p.m.
If mom enjoys art, she’ll love this juried exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art through May 27. A celebration of RedLine Art Center’s 15th Anniversary, it presents artworks made within the last two years, most on view for the first time. Information: 303-298-7554.
Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty
Let mom page through the original Treaty, at the History Colorado Center through May 23. On display in Denver for the first time ever, the document expanded the United States and set the stage for Colorado’s statehood. Information: 303-447-8679.
Books & Birds
If mom’s a bookworm, treat her to an afternoon at the Bookies Bookstore in Glendale. The store hosts author Mary Taylor Young for the launch of her newest work, Bluebird Season, May 7, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Then on May 9, the Family Book Club discusses How Birds Sleep by Sarah Pedry & David Obuchowski, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Information: 303-759-1117.
