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The best way to show mom you appreciate everything you put her through is to pay her back all the money and time she spent on you, with interest. The second best way is to take her out for brunch!
As host of You Gotta Eat Here! on Food Network Canada, John Catucci has spent five delicious seasons criss-crossing the country in search of the most mouth-watering dishes Canadian restaurants have to offer. Whether mom likes an over-the-top Barbecue Benedict, a homemade doughnut, or a breakfast pizza, let someone else do the cooking this Mother’s Day at one of these fantastic You Gotta Eat Here!-approved brunch spots.
Toronto, Ontario
You’ll love the smoked duck pancakes, piled with blueberry compote and crème fraiche; or the Barque Benedict with brisket, smoked salmon, or pulled pork with their signature smoked Hollandaise sauce. You’ll also love the smoked bourbon lemonade!
Gatineau, Quebec
Chef Marysol is a magical human who makes the most wonderful food in her tiny little Gatineau restaurant. There are only 11 seats here, and they don’t take reservations, but you’re going to want to line up for her Dutch Baby, an eggier Yorkshire pudding, served in a cast iron skillet with hefty hunks of pork belly, cheese, stewed apples, and maple syrup.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Love eggs Benedict? They’ve got you covered at both of Halifax’s locations. Let Morris East impress you with their wood fired breakfast pizza. The Bedford West location takes reservations, and both have mimosa specials.
Victoria, British Columbia
Brunch is the weekend combination of breakfast and lunch and this Old Town gem does both meals all day long. Try the their signature breakfast hash, the Charlie Bowl, which comes full size or half. Kids will go nuts for the Red Velvet Pancakes – dessert for brunch? Why not!
Creemore, Ontario
Lovely, fresh, and seasonal brunch fare is on offer in this bright and airy restaurant about an hour and a half from Toronto. Chef Caesar Guinto does beautiful French toast with summer preserves, wheat free pancakes and a killer breakfast sandwich on a biscuit. Don’t miss the smoked trout kedgeree, a rice dish with a sunnyside egg.
Vancouver, British Columbia
With a location in Coal Harbour and another in Kits, Chewie’s does a New Orleans brunch fit for the occasion. You’ve got to try the BBQ Shrimp and Grits or the Southern Crab Cake Benny with Cajun Hollandaise.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
For a cosy, rustic, homestyle Prairie brunch, you can’t go wrong with this place. Chef Michael McKeown sources his ingredients locally and changes his menu seasonally, but trust me, it’s all fantastic.
Ottawa, Ontario
A Parisian-style boulengerie where all their breads and pastries are baked in-house every morning. The Crispy Fried Pickle Melt will satisfy cravings of moms-to-be, or perhaps you fancy a Croque Monsuir, madame? Mais bien sur!
Edmonton, Alberta
Brunch starts at 8am at this Edmonton institution, and one look at their famous cinnamon bun and you’ll want to get there early before they’re all snatched up! There’s also a great omelette and Benny if the cinnamon bun is too daunting.
Toronto, Ontario
Eggs, biscuits, and homemade doughnuts? Happy Mother’s Day! Everything’s great on the menu on this St. Clair hot spot. I especially love the griddled red skin potatoes with sea salt and thyme. Get there early, this place will be packed!
John Catucci may not be a chef, but he knows a great burger when he eats one! In fact, just talking about the food featured on You Gotta Eat Here! gets John all worked up. Toss pulled pork smothered in blueberry BBQ sauce onto his plate and he'll embrace the chef. Show this proud Italian the right way to make a pizza, and he's ready to move in with the restaurant owner's family. If making the "liquid gold" hollandaise sauce requires a marathon whisking, then John is the comedian for the job. Working in his uncle's restaurant as a youth must have prepared him for this gig, although his kitchen etiquette might have you wondering! Follow on Twitter @johncatucci