<p>We’re flying out to spend that weekend with DS, which will be our first Mother’s Day together since high school because his finals overlapped it all four years of college. So I do want something pretty nice although not excessively expensive.</p>
<p>I’ve come up with four options for a festive brunch: The Fairmont in downtown San Jose, the Crowne Plaza or Westin in Palo Alto, and the Dolce Hayes Mansion south of SJ, which looks the most intriguing. I did consider Monterey or San Francisco but felt the drive times would take away too much of the day. Has anyone had experience with any of the these brunches? Or is there something better that I’ve missed?</p>
<p>On a related note, Santa Cruz is having “Art & Chocolate” both days that weekend. Is this worth the trip? Apparently a dozen galleries are open for the walk and offer chocolate in some form. I thought that might be fun for that Saturday, then maybe hit the beach if the weather is good.</p>
<p>There are a number of nice restaurants on Santana Row. I would suggest looking there. Most have indoor and outdoor seating. We went to two great places during DD’s graduation weekend.</p>
<p>OK…the place we went to was LB Steakhouse. It was located on Santana Row. They had a very nice menu. We went in the early afternoon when both their brunch AND dinner menus were available. My bet is they have a special menu for mothers day…and they will be crowded. I thought the food AND service was terrific and so did everyone in our party.</p>
<p>My H says that there is a very nice hotel in Santana Row, so you might want to check it out. I second everyone who recommended Santana Row for dining options. My H really liked the Hyatt in Santa Clara (which is next door to San Jose). H is very picky about hotel beds, and he gave the Hyatt two thumbs up for their bed quality.</p>
<p>Why not get a rental car (hotels and cars at SJC are cheaper on the weekends) and drive north to Sonoma/Napa for a change of scenery and some wine tasting? There are fabulous restaruants in that area as well, especially if you like French-inspired dishes.</p>
<p>We don’t need a hotel; we need a special place for Mother’s Day brunch and preferably a buffet. I know there are lots of restaurants at Santana Row (we’ve been to some of them) but I was looking for something a little different and more relaxing. Santana Row can be quite a zoo on the weekend. Also as noted, we’d rather not spend several hours driving so if SF is too far, then Sonoma definitely is (over 2 hours each way).</p>
<p>So no one local has been to any of the buffets I researched? Or the Art & Chocolate Walk in Santa Cruz?</p>
<p>Napa/Sonoma is a l-oo-o-ng way away and will be crowded and the surface roads very traffic-y at that time. I love them, but I wouldn’t recommend if you have a short time.</p>
<p>Thanks all but I think it’s pretty clear from my posts that I ** do not intend to go to Napa**! Just want somewhere special near San Jose (within half an hour). At present my top options are:</p>
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<p>Maybe the CC crowd stays home for Mother’s Day in the south bay?</p>
<p>Sorry, Marylin, I derailed your thread a bit. :)</p>
<p>I’m not really fond of hotel buffets (unless, of course, it is the breakfast buffet at the Lodge at Sonoma - yummm). I would check Chowhound or Opentable reviews for your current top choices and also look for alternatives.</p>
<p>I second the Mountain Winery suggestion…It’s supposed to be great. Here are several other suggestions: Filoli Gardens about 30 minutes north of San Jose has a big Mother’s Day flower show with both a tea and champagne brunch. The Plumed Horse in Saratoga, a very cute town, adjacent to San Jose generally has a Mother’s Day brunch that is supposed to be good but expensive. The Arcadia Restaurant in the SJ Marriott is excellent but not as special an experience as some of the others mentioned here. Finally the Village Pub in Woodside, another very neat little town about 25 minutes north of San Jose comes highly recommended.</p>
<p>Perhaps someone here will know…we took the train from Santa Clara to a charming little town someplace on the way to Palo Alto. The main street was FULL of restaurants. In fact, it seemed that this was how the little town was “branding” itself. We went to an outstanding Thai restaurant but there were LOTS of great choices. If someone can think of the town, this might give the OP some good options. It was a very short train ride from the Santa Clara station (which isn’t very far from San Jose).</p>
<p>Marilyn: I’ll second eating at a resturant in Santana Row. Our favourite place to hang out.
For steaks LB Steak is the best. Try also the rack of lamb there, you’ll love it. Very good wine list too.
Another one we really like is “SINO”, dumplings are must there. Village Bistro serve brunch. If the weather is good you can actually sit outside and it’s awesome.
Maggiano’s Italian food is very good too. There is an Irish pub “Rosie McCanns” which is another good place to bond.</p>
<p>You just can’t go wrong with it and too many good stores for the gift.</p>
<p>The little town probably was Mountain View but maybe Sunnyvale. I’ve been in both downtowns and there are indeed a multitude of nice places. In truth, we’re better off at a buffet than an order-off-the menu restaurant, even if the buffet food may not be quite the same quality. I’m sure there are many fine restaurants with brunch menus, but our family does enjoy all the options at a buffet plus all the exercise getting up from the table! We will be going out to dinner Friday and/or Saturday so will get to one or two restaurants then.</p>
<p>I would love to go Filoli Gardens - the Carrington mansion from Dynasty! So I asked my husband last night - would $85/pp be too much for Mother’s Day? Apparently so! Unfortunately The Ritz Carlton ($108 last year) and Mountain Winery ($75) are up in that range also.</p>
<p>Someone elsewhere suggested the brunch at the Montalvo Arts Center. That one is $50; the Hayes Mansion $55. I think that’s probably the upper limit. </p>
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Actually, the brunch probably is the gift! Although I am still interested in that Art & Chocolate Walk in Santa Cruz! (The stores in Santana Row are well represented back home.)</p>