Bohemian

• For the health-conscious mom, try the Bohemian Kitchen on Robertson Road in the Bells Corners area. The Bohemian offers an all-organic brunch sandwich of eggs prepared with havarti, red peppers and basil on a grilled tortilla, alongside Belgian waffles, real whipped cream and maple syrup, fresh fruit and organic, fair-trade coffees. As of 2011, entrees are generally under $10, and some local food critics call it the best small restaurant in the Bells Corners area. Vegan brunch is available.
  
  

Meaty and Exotic

• Meat-loving moms might enjoy Ekko de Brazil, a restaurant adjacent to the Chateau Cartier Hotel on Aylmer Road. A brunch of churrascaria--various seasoned bits of grilled meat, including beef, chicken, sausage and lamb--is served with fresh salads, cheeses, smoked salmon and breads. Ekko is not cheap, but this is Mother's Day. The atmosphere is warm and slightly exotic.
  
  

Mom's Cassoulet

• If mom possesses a very good appetite and likes steamy, thick, rich dishes that stick to her ribs all day, you don't have to be rich to take her to Murray Street Kitchen--on Murray Street, of course--and buy her the "breakfast cassoulet." This dish, which costs about $12 in 2011--is brought to her table in the iron skillet in which it was baked, looking like a small mountain. On a bed of molasses-baked beans, there is confit of duck, sausage, bacon, bread crumbs and two eggs. Be prepared to split the dish if she is shocked by the size.
  
  

Eating In

• Maybe your mother doesn't want to go out for brunch--not a problem! Invite the family over to her house, then call Chef Xpress Catering and Delivery. For $16 for each adult and $8 per child (2010 prices), Chef Xpress will cater your Mother's Day brunch. Butter and rolls will start the meal, followed by Thai pasta salad and cole slaw, various cold cuts, French toast, scrambled eggs, poached salmon, bacon, sausage, roast beef, roasted potatoes, fruit, fruit juice, coffee, and assorted pies and chocolate cake for dessert.
  
  

Three for the Road

• Foodie Prints is a kind of restaurant review club in Ottawa that dines all over the city and reports back on its website. Three of their top picks for Mother's Day brunch are Canvas Resto-Bar, Stoneface Dolly's and Fraser Café. Canvas has a well-reviewed $10 smoked salmon hash and a $14 flat iron steak and eggs, and is located on Holland Avenue. Stoneface Dolly's is on Preston Street in Little Italy and offers a very extensive brunch menu. Omelets are around $10 and the ricotta blueberry pancakes are a local legend. Fraser Café is lauded for its eggs Benedict plate, heaping with fresh greens and spicy potatoes for $13 (circa 2010), and for its fresh fruit smoothies.