Here it comes — Mother’s Day, the Biggest Busiest Dining Day of the Year. 

The opposite of Valentine’s day when almost all the tables are two-tops, Mother’s Day diners tend to be larger parties, you might even say family size. Larger parties take longer to serve, larger orders take longer to come out of the kitchen, and so the kitchen can get backed up fast. 

That’s one of the reasons that buffet brunches are so popular on Mother’s Day. It’s a Sunday, too, which is typical brunch day all year round. But brunches can tend to be all-you-can-eat glutfests with questionable quality. What sort of message does that send to Mom? Plus there’s the whole thing about her not having to work for the day, so she ends up having to stand in a line and get her own food.

But if the brunch route is the way you want to go, go for those who know how to do it and have a track record for doing it well.

Most of you should be able to recite this with me by now: make your reservations early; be patient when your table isn’t ready when you arrive; be nice to the people working (they’d rather be with their mothers — or being treated by their kids); and if you find that your plans have changed, notify the restaurant so that your reservation can be filled by someone else.

Below are some of the restaurants that have indicated to me that they will be open and serving on Mother’s Day. I’m giving you direct links to their websites for more information. And restaurateurs: if your restaurant isn’t listed and you plan on being open, leave your details in a comment below.

K restaurant is doing a rare Sunday brunch in honor of Mother’s Day. 

Chef’s Table at the Edgewater is open for dinner only.

Hilton Orlando: The Bistro’s Mother’s day brunch with Shamu and friends. I’m assuming it’s a stuffed Shamu and not the actual whale, but I could be wrong.

The Loews hotels, including Royal Pacific and Portofino Bay, will be doing the buffet thing and offering a few extras like face-painting, which I assume is for the kids and not the mothers, but hey, if that’s what she wants it’s her day.

And the Rosen Hotels — the Plaza, Rosen Centre and Shingle Creek — are usually good bets.

Swan and Dolphin Hotel will offer brunch in the Garden Grove restaurant.

If you want to do the sit-down thing, both Emeril’s restaurants — Emeril’s Orlando and Tchoup Chop — are doing special mom day menus.

Something a little less pricy? Brio Tuscan Grill and Bravo Cucina Italiana will have extended hours. 

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