For authentic Mexican cuisine, head to Fiesta de Reyes, a shopping and dining venue where frosty margaritas, tasty tacos and succulent seafood dishes tempt the palate at diverse restaurants: Casa de Reyes, featuring a garden setting, fire pits and a fiesta with lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch; and Barra Barra Saloon, a friendly watering hole serving California Mex fare and an extensive list of tequilas. At Fiesta de Reyes, mariachi bands and beautiful folklorico dancers entertain visitors regularly. Check out all the fun here
SanDiegoFoodie
Treat your mom to a special Mother’s Day dinner at Blade 1936 in Oceanside. Stop by from noon-3 p.m. for an open menu or from 4-9 p.m. for a three-course set menu (pictured) on Sunday, May 12. Call or text (760) 420-8883 to reserve your spot. Blade 1936 serves Neapolitan style wood-fired pizza, freshly prepared pasta and succulent seafood as well as creative cocktails in a celebrated historic newspaper building. Originally home to Oceanside’s Blade-Tribune newspaper from 1936 to the 1960s, the space was revitalized by the new owners, who paid homage to its journalistic history in the restaurant’s name, decor and menus. Pizzas are all made with imported Italian flour, tomato sauce and cheeses, as well as oil made from olives grown in Italy. Pastas include Italian classics such as Pappardelle alla Bolognese, and Linguine alle Vongole. Open at 4 p.m. daily.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Balsamico Italian Kitchen, which has prepared dishes just for this special occasion. The regular menu is also available. The restaurant also offers wonderful gift ideas for Mother’s Day: Balsamic and olive oil packages, Italian wines, Italian cooking classes and Italian wine dinners. Main-course selections include homemade pastas Vecchia Modena and Lasagna Classica, and the crispy-crust Roman-style pizzas, which owners Elisa and Michele Borelli have named after Modena’s iconic stars. The Ferrari pizza, for example, comes with mozzarella, mortadella, pistachio, and arugula; and the Big Luciano, a tribute to Modena-native and opera legend Pavarotti, is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, sausage, and mushrooms. Bottles of traditional balsamics from Modena grace each table, inviting patrons to drizzle the condiment on bread, salads, gelato, and even crème brûlée.
Casa de Bandini In Carlsbad is the place to celebrate in May! On Sunday, May 12, take your mom to a mouthwatering Mother’s Day Brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The bountiful buffet includes:
• Mouth-watering Chilaquiles and succulent birria
• An array of fresh fruits and delectable Mexican “pan dulce”
• A custom omelet station to cater to every taste
• Sweet sensations like cinnamon pancakes, churros, flan, and Danishes
Casa de Bandini
Make Mother’s Day one to remember — from amazing eateries to specialty shops to luxe beauty salons — at Del Mar Plaza. Perched on a corner in the seaside village of Del Mar, the multi-story open-air complex features a collection of men’s and women’s boutiques carrying everything from distinct apparel and footwear to fine jewelry and designer sunglasses. Its restaurants cover a broad selection from gourmet seafood and steaks to Italian, Japanese, and Mexican cuisine. A bistro-style cafe further draws guests to its sun-filled patio for breakfast and lunch. A new brunch spot, a specialty gourmet market, and yoga studio are set to open at the plaza in 2024. Stop by for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and breathe in the fresh salt air on the expansive third-floor Ocean View Deck, where live music is enjoyed 5-7 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays from March to November. The venue also hosts pop-up markets and fun family and dog-friendly experiences. delmarplaza.com