Spend time with Mom over brunch this Mothers Day

Spending quality time with Mom or Grandma is the point, whether you do it over brunch or take a spring walk in search of wildflowers. Some of the nicest places fill up quickly, so it’s not too early to plan. Here are some suggestions:

Cleveland Botanical Garden

A setting surrounded by flowers is a wonderful treat at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, where its brunch on May 14 will offer seatings every half hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlights include herb-crusted strip loin, a variety of quiches, banana pancakes, made-to-order omelets, roasted salmon medallions, chicken piccata and an orecchiette pasta with shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes, ramps, lemon zest-infused olive oil and cheese panko crumbs. Child pleasers include chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese. It’s $50 for adults and $20 for children, but members get a nice discount. Reservations: 216-721-1600, ext. 100.

Drive Geauga

The spring drive-it-yourself tour in Geauga County starts at 10 a.m. May 13, as farms, businesses and assorted others open their doors with samples, special sales and giveaways. It’s a great way to hang out with Mom amid the Amish countryside as its awakening for spring. Tour maps available from Destination Geauga — call 440632-1538 or visit DestinationGeauga.com — show the 25 stops and can be stamped at each location visited to be eligible for the grand prize drawing at 4 p.m. That Finale, from 2:45 to 4 p.m. indoors at Middlefield Market, will have free food, vendors, live entertainment and a silent auction.

Sara’s

Find a sit-down meal with a perfect Mother’s Day menu at Sara’s Place, 1501 Chagrin River Road, Gates Mills, one of the prettiest villages around in any season. From 4 to 8 p.m. May 14, they’ll have delectable specials, along with the regular menu. Reservations: 440-423-1000.

Giovanni’s

Giovanni’s Ristorante in Beachwood is another sitdown dining spot with a great Mother’s Day menu, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14. One look at that menu and it’s clear why the holiday one of that restaurant’s busiest days of the year.

Consider, for instance, an open-faced Maine lobster roll on a thick-cut brioche with shave fennel and radish dressed with champagne vinaigrette and served with fries. Or maybe the housemade Cubano English muffin with steam scrambled eggs, slowroasted pork shoulder, dijon, fontina and dill hollandaise is more to your mom’s fancy. There’s a full list of appetizers, breakfast and lunch treats, plus libations such as mimosas, bellinis and bloody marys to choose among. Giovanni’s is at 25550 Chagrin Blvd. Reservations: 216-831-8625.

Steele Mansion

Steele Mansion, 348 Mentor Ave., opposite Lake Erie College in Painesville, hosts seatings at 10 a.m. and noon for its Mother’s Day Brunch May 14, which includes time for moms and others to explore the beautifully restored mansion-turned-inn. Prepaid reservations at $42.95 for adults and $16.95 for those 12 and younger are required at 440639-7948.

Janet Podolak