Mother's Day Picks from JLQonSRQ and The Dining Diva

In honor of  Mother's Day (May 13), we’ve come up with a list of ideas for how to celebrate the best women in our lives:

Mother’s Day Gifts

Jack Recommends:

Jewelry: Optional Art, 119 S. Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34236

A small “no pressure” boutique offering unique, tasteful jewelry at reasonable prices. Staff are very friendly and service-oriented.

Clothing and Spa: L. Boutique, 556 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota FL, 34236

Fashionable and stylish, casual to classic, organic beauty products and spa treatments.

The Dining Diva thinks that the best Mother’s Day gift this year is a membership to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. There are many different tiers of membership depending on how much you wish to spend, and it truly is one of the most beautiful and peaceful spaces in Sarasota.

If you prefer to give the gift of food: Lee Roy Selmon’s has a fantastic special: buy mom a $50 gift card and get a $10 gift card for yourself. Lee Roy Selmon’s own mom was the inspiration for all the tasty, fresh Southern food on their menu.

Mother’s Day Brunch

On the Water: Ophelia’s on the Bay, 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, FL, 34242

A beautiful waterfront setting on Little Sarasota Bay, with excellent food and service.

Downtown: MoZaic, 1337 Main Street, Sarasota FL, 34236

Now offering brunch, MoZaic brings together fine food and refined decor for an elegant dining experience.

The Dining Diva would happily eat brunch every day of the week, and on Mother’s Day there are a plethora of options---but here are two very special choices:

Fleming’s is offering a three-course brunch menu for $34.95, which includes options such as New Orleans-Style French Toast. They’ve also created a specialty Mother’s Day cocktail called a Blood Orange Fizz, and are offering all mothers a $25 dining card for future use 

The Ritz-Carlton offers a spectacular Mother’s Day brunch for $139 that includes more than 10 different food stations featuring decadent treats such as black truffles and caviar---it may seem over the top, but isn’t Mom worth it?

Mothers' Day Picnic Spot

Jack Recommends:

In the Garden: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236

Without a doubt, the Selby Gardens are one of the most delightful and perhaps overlooked spots in Sarasota. What could be better than a picnic under the banyan trees?

The Dining Diva can’t imagine a more simply pleasurable treat than a basket of goodies and a blanket spread on the ground at Bayfront Park---make sure to pick a shady spot and take Mom for a walk around the marina after lunch.

Mother’s Day Cocktails

Urban Chic: State Street Eating House + Cocktails, 1533 State Street, Sarasota, FL, 34236

A hot new spot, where classic cocktails are served in a very cool yet casual setting.

Classic: Libby’s Cafe + Bar, 1917 Osprey Avenue, Sarasota, FL, 34239

A great bar setting offering cocktails and bar food.

The Dining Diva is always in the mood for a cocktail, and what could be better than one of the delectable and eclectic choices from Michael’s on East’s prolific bar menu? Michael's offers everything from flights of mini-martinis to vintage cocktails to wet your whistle 

For a chic, waterfront setting, head to The Table Creekside for an innovative and inspired cocktails with an exotic twist.