Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday – let’s do brunch!

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Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday. What to make? Reservations – for brunch!

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Brunch has been edging out breakfast, lunch and dinner as a star eating moment for quite some time now. And Canadians love to brunch – it’s a phenomenon that has grown in popularity recently, with restaurants across the country rising to the challenge, especially after the last two years of pandemic lock-down helped put a damper on many celebrations.

There are places in Canada that have elevated brunch to an artform. A recent study commissioned by Money.co.uk and using TripAdvisor data, revealed the “brunch capitals” of Canada with Montreal taking top spot followed by Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa.

This Mother’s Day continues the country’s love affair with brunch, with word that reservations are up 21%, compared to pre-pandemic 2019. This according to OpenTable data, provider of online restaurant reservations, and part of Booking Holdings, Inc.

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The company recently announced that, with 40% of Canadians planning to dine out this Sunday, May 8, it comes as “no surprise that diners plan to splurge,” with a recent survey showing more than 50% of Canadians “intend to spend upwards.” of $50 per person on their Mother’s Day meals,” said OpenTable in a recent media release.

Survey data also reveals that, in addition to the main meal, mom’s going to be surprised with extra goodies including champagne, flowers and even a special dessert.

“We are seeing pent-up demand for dining out across the country with reservations up 21% compared to pre-pandemic levels,” said Matt Davis, country director for OpenTable Canada, in a recent media release to announce the top 100 Best Brunch restaurants in Canada.

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“Mothers and mother figures will be truly celebrated this year, as they should … the OpenTable’s 100 Best Brunch list is aptly timed, as 66% of Canadian diners believe choosing the right restaurant is the most important part of the Mother’s Day experience.”

Restaurants from coast to coast are represented on this year’s list, which features top-rated establishments spanning five provinces. Ontario tops the list with 51 restaurants, followed by BC with 33, Quebec with 10, Alberta with five and Atlantic Canada with one.

For a complete list of the 100 restaurants, check out opentable.ca/lists/best-brunch-ca-2022. Here’s a small listing of some of the restaurants reviewed for excellent brunches:

1931 Gallery Bistro at the Vancouver Art Gallery – Vancouver

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Allen’s–Toronto

Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort – Victoria, BC

Cabana Waterfront Courtyard – Toronto

Cafe Boulud–Toronto

Craft Pharmacy – London, Ont.

Dockside Restaurant & Brewing Company – Vancouver

Dolcetto–London, Ont.

Hart’s Table & Bar – Edmonton

Lake House Restaurant – St. Catharine’s, Ont.

Le Pois Penche – Montreal

Starbelly Open Kitchen + Lounge – Calgary

The Merchant Tavern – St. John’s, NL

MOST POPULAR BRUNCH DISHES?

We checked a variety of food-based sites (Food Network Canada, Martha Stewart, food industry websites) and concluded brunch must-haves should include traditional favorites like Eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce (smoked salmon is a nice change from peameal bacon), French toast, any type of pancake, eggs any way, yogurt parfait and sweet and savory scones, to name just a few favourites.

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That said, out of making the perfect soft-boiled eggs, to the crispiest bacon to most and delicious scones, one dish stands out as a fan favorite: French toast. It’s an exceptionally easy dish to make – fried, baked in the oven, plain, with different toppings – but there’s a certain art to creating the perfect French toast. Too much of this, too little of that, and you’re off the mark.

Here are several to choose from if you opt for brunch in bed on Mother’s Day! (Just add a mimosa, or glass of freshly squeezed juice and good cup of coffee.)

Creme Brulee French Toast

Simple yet fabulous, you can create it the night before and pop it in the oven in time for brunch. recipe courtesy Dairyfarmersofcanada.ca.

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

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2 Tbsp. corn syrup

5 eggs

1 cup 35% cream

1/4 cup milk

1 Tbsp. Grand Marnier or orange juice

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. jump

12 slices stale raisin bread cut in half

In a small saucepan or microwave, melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup, cook until sugar begins to dissolve. Stir until smooth. Pour into 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish, chill until hard.

In medium bowl, whisk eggs, cream, milk, Grand Marnier, vanilla and salt. Place half of bread slices in a single layer over chilled topping, and pour custard mixture over bread until just covered. Add another layer of bread slices, top with remaining custard. Cover and refrigerate on a flat surface overnight (8-12 hours).

Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown and firm in center to touch and center piece is not shiny. Run a knife along outside edges to release, let stand 5 minutes. Turn out onto serving platter, be careful not to lose any of the syrup. Serve immediately.

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Savory French Toast

Packed with flavor and a nice change from the usual. recipe courtesy eggs.ca.

8 slices day-old Italian (or crusty) bread

8 slices mozzarella cheese

8 prosciutto slices

1 cup baby arugula

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 Tbsp. prepared basil pesto

Pinch each salt and pepper

2 Tbsp. olive oil

Prepared tomato sauce

Place bread on working surface; top half of slices with 1 mozzarella slice, 2 prosciutto slices, 1/4 cup arugula and remaining mozzarella slices. Cap with remaining bread. In shallow baking dish, whisk together eggs, milk, pesto, salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet set over medium heat. Dip each sandwich into egg mixture, coating completely; cook, in batches, for 6 to 10 minutes, turning once, or until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted.

Serve with warm heated tomato sauce for dipping if desired.

NOTE: You can switch up the ingredients – Black Forest ham and smoked havarti would be ideal.