Here’s a quick rundown of some of this city’s offerings for Mother’s Day celebrations. I’m too far away from mom to take her out but if you are treating mom to a special day/s, then these local suggestions should come handy!

What are your plans to celebrate mom on her special day this month? Here's the first in a series of recommendations as we run up to the occasion!

This Mother's Day, enjoy a scenic brunch, taking in views of the Marina at SALT Restaurant & Bar at Marina Del Rey Hotel. Executive Chef Mark Gold has carefully curated a special Mother's Day menu that will be offered during brunch hours on Sunday, May 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00pm. This specialty menu provides the perfect selection and pairings to come together to celebrate Mom and highlights Chef’s authentic California cuisine.
 
The exclusive Mother’s Day menu will include many specials and favorites, including the Smoked Salmon plate (Norwegian smoked salmon with whipped cream cheese on a toasted bagel) and the Beausoleil Oysters, served with SALT’s very own house cocktail sauce. Be sure to try Chef Gold’s delicious Japanese Hamachi, hand cut sashimi with fresh citrus yuzu kosho and olive oil, served with cucumber ‘ceviche’. For the main course, try Chef Mark Gold ’s flavor-packed Halibut, served with whole roasted cauliflower straight from Tutti Frutti Farms.
 
Also on offer are SALT’s signature cocktails such as the “In Bloom” a mix of Vida Mezcal tequila, pineapple liquor, hisbiscus agave and lime juice, or “The Salt” consisting of sauza tequila, grapefruit liquor, lime, agave, and orange bitters. If you’re a wine enthusiast, SALT offers an extensively curated wine list including sparkling whites, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot ranging from wineries along the California coast. Cheers to mom!

Food and wine connoisseurs unite as the top chefs from Southern California battle for ultimate supremacy at one of LA's most mystical landmarks, the legendary Paramour Estate. The sophisticated grand entrance welcomes you into a decadent world of glamour and escapism from the entrance, with the highlight; a greeting all the way from Scotland. A bagpiper sets the tone for an afternoon of cultural immersion as the chefs prepare for the ultimate culinary face-off.
 
Taste of the World is a uniquely immersive experience featuring an orchestrated day fueled with excitement that transports guests around the world through food and beverage, accompanied by a masterfully curated entertainment experience, ultra-premium beverage offerings and a competitive Chef showdown where you decide who wins. As the competition begins, the chefs come to life and the spectacle commences as guests sample each and every dish in order to vote for their favorite at the end.
 
Sample all of the chefs' incredible creations, sip fine wines and specialty cocktails made by Flair Bartenders or visit the Rosé & Bubbly Bar provided by Celebrity Cruises while you are entertained by some of LA's top cultural performers throughout the day. From World Champion Salsa dancing to authentic Flamenco and Bollywood entertainment, the day will be filled with bright colors and big flavors from all over the globe.
 
Only a few lucky guests will be able to partake in this very private and exclusive event so get your tickets early! This is an exclusive event and space is limited. All attendees must be 21+ with an ID.  Uber/Lyft strongly encouraged as there is no street parking available outside the venue.
 
Get your tickets here! 

You know that saying about April showers? Well, you can expect a downpour in May as well – one that will have you buzzing all summer! Effervescence, the first major West Coast event entirely devoted to Champagne and sparkling wine, makes its debut in Los Angeles May 3-5, featuring master classes taught by renowned industry experts. The three-day fiesta will also feature Champagne and sparkling wine tasting events at the historic Avalon Hollywood, and an exclusive gala dinner for collectors, winemakers and enthusiasts prepared by chef Walter Manzke at République. 

Andaz West Hollywood will be displaying collections from two young up-and-coming artists in its next Salon art exhibit opening March 29th. Both artists also happen to be Andaz employees! The collections will be unveiled with an exclusive event at Andaz West Hollywood on March 29, 2018 from 6-8pm that is open to the public and free of charge.

Los Angeles has a few festivities on offer for the Irish event of the year. Take your pick from some of these options for your March 17 shenanigans!

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLA) will present Sin Censura: A Mural Remembers L.A. featuring Chicana artist Barbara Carrasco’s landmark 1981 mural L.A. History: A Mexican Perspective, on view today until August 18, 2018.

This is the first time the full length of the mural, which portrays the city’s history through a series of vignettes woven into the flowing hair of la reina de Los Ángeles (the queen of Los Angeles), will be shown inside a museum setting, presented across three walls of an intimate gallery to bring visitors eye-level with the 80-foot panoramic work. The rarely exhibited mural was most recently on view last fall at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles as part of the Getty-led initiative Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. I didn’t get to see it then but plan on heading out for this soon.

The Heart Series – a conference designed to propel businesses toward greater global impact – was held over the weekend in the EL Camp co-working space in El Segundo, California. Attendees were in for a learning experience involving connecting with leaders from game changing companies through talks, panels, and workshops. Speakers included founders of Thrive Market and Soko, CEOs of Common and Glass Ladder Group, and many more as they shared how their companies and actions/efforts are helping to make a change in the way business is done today. Sponsors and partners for the event included Suja, Yoobi, Sweetgreen, Bare and more. Co-founded by Gail Cayetano and Meg Sette, entrepreneurs with heart and heading businesses in the area, the event was sold out and had standing room only at some of the breakout sessions. 

I’m a big supporter of national parks and try to discover as many in the area I live or visit so I am super excited to share this list of options with you on the west coast at least for your spring and summer travel consideration!