Lots of Great Brunch Places

Moms in Essex County are lucky.

There are several wonderful places to enjoy brunch on Mother's Day. The restaurants highlighted as reader favorites feature everything from fresh fruit platters to hot Italian delicacies, fresh seafood, and dessert buffets.

All that's left to do now is to go and enjoy a wonderful meal. Here are some suggestions we heard from you this week:

In Millburn-Short Hills, diners like to treat their moms to something big.  usually includes a fashion show or some kind of special event that draws hundreds of diners honoring their mothers every year. Patch readers chose the hotel as their favorite Mother’s Day brunch in the area, with both and tying for their next choice.

Montclair readers choseas their fave place for brunch. This Montclair institution on the broad-sidewalked Church Street has racked up a heap of accolades in recent years, winning "Best Of" awards in reader polls conducted by New Jersey Monthly and many other publications. Those wanting to go here for brunch have an array of scrumptious dishes to choose from. They include: Migas traditional Mexican scramble with crisp tortillas, poblanos and salsa verde for $8.25; Steak and Eggs hanger steak, potato-shallot cake, sunnyside eggs and chimmichurri for $10.75; and Eggs in Brioche with Grafton cheddar, and spinach salad with bacon and asparagus for $8.50.

Above Restaurant & Bar is South Orange and Maplewood's favorite spot to celebrate Mother's Day Brunch! Readers in our gave a decisive win to the elegant restaurant in downtown South Orange. Other restaurants that garnered votes were Grid Iron Waffle in South Orange, and , and , all or which are in Maplewood. Above, which is located one floor above Eden Marketplace, opened its doors in 2009 and has been popular ever since. It serves lunch, dinner and brunch, and has a full bar and a special bar menu. There is even a sushi menu. The restaurant consists of the main dining room, the bar dining area, and two rooftop terraces. There is a third floor dining area for private parties.

Caldwells readers this week about the best place to bring mom for brunch, with the majority of votes going to The Manor in West Orange. The fine dining establishment is offering a brunch buffet, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at $52.95 for adults and $19.95 for children (plus tax and gratuity).

With its view overlooking the water, it's spacious and airy interior, and eclectic menu, McLoone's Boathouse Restaurant was the clear winner in the West Orange Patch Readers' Choice Mother's Day Brunch poll. It's Sunday brunch menu features not only the standard waffle station, salads and fruit, but a fresh assortment of seafood, a carving station, international selection of cheeses, and mimosas.

Bloomfield readers have their knives and forks ready for Fitzgeralds 1928, an old-fashioned pub and restaurant located at 13 Herman Street in Glen Ridge. With its natural, gleaming wooden bar, comfortable booths and down-to-earth, classic charm, it's no wonder Fitzgerald's is a popular destination for locals. For Sunday brunch, Fitzgerald's serves old-fashioned favorites like NY strip steak-and-eggs, pancakes and traditional Eggs Benedict, as well as some trendier options like Breakfast Pizza and Vanilla Bean French Toast. For $18, brunch specialties come with fresh fruit and a variety of drinks like Mimosas, Bloody Marys and St. Germain cocktails. 

Verona readers have had their say and voted West Orange’s Highlawn Pavilion as the place they want to take their mothers for Mother’s Day brunch. Located at 2 Eagle Rock Ave. within the Eagle Rock Reservation, the Highlawn Pavilion was renovated in 1986. The former open-air "casino" offers a romantic setting for everyday dining, as well as for events such as weddings and special occasions. The area is breathtaking and the views are indescribable.

In the Belleville-Nutley area, Belleville’s Nanina’s in the Park, Nutley’s Chestnut Street Café and Eatery and Newark’s The Café are your favorite destinations for Mother's Day brunch, coming a week from Sunday. Belleville’s Porto Restaurant and Bar and The Pancake House in Rutherford also got nods as places worthy of taking your mom.

Nanina's In The Park is nestled in an historical park setting with a winding staircase and balcony that lead to a Grand Ballroom styled as a romantic Tuscany villa, and features a menu to please the entire family.Nutley’s The Chestnut Street Café and Eatery anchors the corner of Chestnut Street and Passaic Avenue, and offers a choice of indoor or outdoor dining for Mother’s Day. Newark’s My Café was known as Beehive Cafe, and the new ownership emphasizes quality food and services, as a family restaurant for Mother’s Day.