4. Atomic Cowboy 4140 Manchester Avenue; 314-775-0775 Is Mom less fancy, more fun? Why not take her to the Grove for the live-music brunch at Atomic Cowboy? From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., nosh on an a la carte menu that includes Mexican-inflected favorites like tamales, tostadas and Cajun crabcakes, which feature blue crab studded with poblano and red peppers, topped with panko breadcrumbs, and served with mango-jalapeno relish and and sriracha aioli. Mom doesn't like it hot? How about tres leches French toast? Mimosas are mango-strawberry and just $6, so prepare to indulge.
5. Jimmy's on the Park 706 Demun Avenue, Clayton; 314-725-8585 Every Sunday, Jim Manley and Mark Friedrick play the standards during Jimmy's jazz brunch, and Mother's Day will be no exception. In fact, for this special day, they've expanded their set to play from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. -- a full hour longer than usual. Despite the high-caliber entertainment, Jimmy's a la carte menu is no more expensive than its Clayton-area counterparts -- entrees run from $7.95 (for the buttermilk pancakes with a side of bacon) to $14.95 (for the Tenderloin benedict). On a sunny day, the music wafts outside, so request a sidewalk table when you make your rez; the street, which overlooks Concordia Seminary, is one of the prettiest in town.
6. Piccione Pastry 6197 Delmar Boulevard; 314-932-1355. This pastry shop on the Delmar Loop is more than, well, a pastry shop. Piccione also has brunch served weekends from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Mother's Day, that's amped up into a communal-style brunch with dishes served family-style. Seatings begin at 9 a.m., and $19.95 will get all you can eat from an eclectic menu including fruit and caprese salad, eggs benedict, bacon, sausage, lemon ricotta pancakes, chicken alfredo, frittata, Italian potatoes and -- most importantly -- an assortment of Piccione's beloved pastries. Admit it: That's really why you're here.
7. Cantina Laredo 7710 Forsyth, Clayton; 314-725-2447. Sunday brunch at Clayton's Cantina Laredo is always from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and always comes with a complimentary mimosa or bloody mary. None of that changes for Mother's Day. Nor does the core of the menu; this is one spot that won't be pushing you to an all-inclusive all-you-can-eat deal. But there's one pretty nifty addition the restaurant is offering: a dish called "Strawberry Buñuelos." This concoction features sugar-cinnamon dusted chips topped with strawberries, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream -- all for just $6.99. Remember what we said about Mom just wanting to spend time with you? We lied; she probably wants this dessert, too.
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