Mother’s Day 2011: Where to Dine in Carefree

Still searching for a spot to take mom on Mother’s Day? We’ve got you covered!

We’ve highlighted some of our favorite Mother’s Day brunches and celebrations around the Valley to make your planning a little easier.

Consider spending this Mother’s Day at one of these Carefree restaurants:

*Looking for a last-minute gift for Mother’s Day? Check out Local Dines for restaurant gift cards at half price. Choose from some of the best restaurants in the Valley. Visit LocalDines.com to learn more.

• Carefree Station | Carefree | 9am-3pm | prices vary

Treat Mom to a leisurely Sunday while dining on Carefree Station’s award-winning brunch menu items, served with complimentary champagne. Try the Crab Benedict with two poached eggs on brioche toast rounds, with chunks of jumbo lump crab and Boursin cheese, smoked tomato sauce and traditional hollandaise, served with grilled potatoes and fresh fruit ($17.95). For a Southwestern experience, order the Sonoran Stack, a layered dish with grilled potatoes, housemade chorizo, cheddar cheese sauce, eggs, Chile Colorado sauce, sour cream and pico de gallo ($13.95).

Chef Thomas Nasworthy has prepared several special dishes for the holiday. Choose from Berkshire Ham with black eyed pea “salsa,” sweet potato waffle, and caramel corn syrup ($18.95); the B.L.T (Braised Lamb and Tomato) with sweet tea braised leg of lamb, cherry wood smoked bacon, grape tomato jelly, rosemary pink lemonade aioli, and black peppercorn foccacia ($18.95). For a sweet and savory dish, order the French Toast Benedict with cinnamon brioche, maple braised ham, “Easter Eggs,” white chocolate hollandaise sauce, and Kona Coffee-spiked home fries ($16.95).

• Latilla at the Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa | Carefree | 11am-2pm

A Mother’s Day Brunch featuring a variety of seafood, salads, fruits, carving & omelet stations and dessert buffet. Menu items include: Spicy Sesame Crusted Chicken Salad with Oriental Vegetables; Scottish Smoked Salmon and Trout; Stuffed Breast of Chicken with Indian Curry Coconut Sauce; Baked Grouper with Pistachio Crust and Red Bell Pepper Sauce; Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Shallot Cabernet Sauce; Walnut and Macadamia Tart; Strawberry and Mango Mousse Cake. Pricing: Adults: $75 with champagne; children ages 6-12: $28; children 5 & under: free.

• Palo Verde Restaurant at the Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa | Carefree | 7am-2pm | Pricing is a la carte

An a la carte menu that includes culinary delights from the Southwest. Menu items include: Huevos Rancheros wrapped in a jack cheese tortilla with black beans, poached eggs, guacamole and roasted salsa; Artichoke Benedict with mushrooms and spinach in a porcini sauce; Boulders Sweet Potato Hash with fried eggs, maple sausage, roasted salsa, and pico de gallo; Belgian Waffle with Cinnamon Apples, Raisins, and Spiced Pecans Armagnac Sabayon; Blue Corn Crusted Crab Cake with a watercress salad and citrus buerre blanc; Chicken Breast stuffed with cilantro, shitake mushroom, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mashed potatoes, poblano cream.