Updated: Mother's Day madness

It's this Sunday, May 8, y'all.

Cajun Queen will serve brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and dinner all day (jazz starts at 6:30 p.m.); 1800 E. 7th St.; 704-377-9017.

Zink offers brunch for $29 ($12 for 12 and younger). 4310 Sharon Road; 704-909-5500.

Mimosa Grill offers a chef's table 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with brunch and lunch dishes and a dessert table ($27.95; $10.95 for kids 3-10), plus half-price wines by the glass and $5 Mimosas. 327 S. Tryon St.; 704-343-0700.

Andrew Blair's brunch buffet is $14.95 ($9.95 for 12 and younger). 1600 Montford Drive; 704-525-8282.

Cosmo's Cafe at Ballantyne will have brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for $22.95 (there's a separate kids' buffet). 8420 Rea Road; 704-544-5268.

Kabuto Lake Norman will be open 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mother's Day with a special of hibachi chicken, shrimp and steak, plus a slice of red velvet cake, for $59.95 per couple or $29.99 per person. (The special will be offered May 5-8.) Reservations required: 704-655-0077; 16516 Northcross Drive, Huntersville.

Moms get one free cup of frozen yogurt on Mother's Day at any of the five Charlotte-area TCBY self-serve locations (Myers Park, Birkdale Village, Blakeney, Colony Place and Wesley Chapel: go here for addresses).

At the Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark, kids can make pancakes for mom without the cleanup part: The hotel restaurant offers a station where kids don chef's hats (that they can take home) and make buttermilk pancakes with toppings. Also offered at the brunch buffet, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., for $29 ($14 for kids 6-12, free for younger): omelets and eggs Benedicts, cinnamon apple crepes, grilled mackerel, beef roulade and more. 5501 Carnegie Blvd.; 704-501-2510.

Both Red Rocks Cafe locations will do brunch buffet 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with an a la carte menu kicking in at 3. Reservations required: Strawberry Hill (4223 Providence Road) 704-364-0402; Birkdale in Huntersville 704-892-9999.

Both Melting Pots of Charlotte, at Midtown and University, will be open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., with a four-course menu of cheese fondue, salad, entree and chocolate fondue for $38 ($48 for seafood). There are kids menus, also, at $22 for those 10-15 and $9 for 9 and younger. Reservations recommended: 230 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., 704-548-2432 and 901 S. Kings Drive, 704-334-4400.

Luce will be open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for brunch ($30; $15 for kids). 214 N. Tryon St.; 704-344-9222. Toscana will have the same hours and price; 6401 Morrison Blvd.; 704-367-1808. MezzaNotte will be open for brunch and dinner, adding Mother's Day specials to its regular menu. 2907 Providence Road; 704-365-4650.

Café 157 will offer a limited dinner menu 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. 157 N. Trade Street in Matthews; 704-844-8686.

Vida plans a buffet 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with more than two dozen dishes, including chipotle-rubbed prime rib and mole chicken breast, for $22.95 (half-price for kids 4-1 and free for younger). The restaurant will close at 3, then reopen at 5 for dinner. 210 E. Trade St.; 704-971-8432.

TOMI is doing brunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., with an entrée plus side of whole-grain wild rice, plus dessert (vanilla egg custard cake), all for $10. 7741 Colony Road; 704-759-1288.

Passion8 Bistro offers four courses for $42, with mom getting a complimentary Champagne, Mimosa or white sangria. 3415 Highway 51 North, Fort Mill, S.C.; 803-802-7455.

The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge will do brunch 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for $55 ($28 for those 5-12; free for 4 and younger). Reservations required: 704-248-4100; 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway.

BRIO Tuscan Grille will do brunch beginning at 10 a.m., as well as offer a full dinner menu all day. 4720 Piedmont Row Drive; 704-571-4214.

Mama Ricotta’s buffet will run 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and include breakfast items, classic Italian dishes and desserts for $18.95 ($10.95 for kids 10 and younger). Reservations recommended: 704-343-0148; 601 S. Kings Drive.

Epic Chophouse in Mooresville will be open 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. with its full menu and a chef's feature. 104 South Main St., Mooresville; 704-230-1720.

At The Liberty, diners will start with assorted pastries and breads, then choose an appetizer and main course and finish with a dessert buffet for $24.95 ($9.50 for those younger than 10). Choices include Low Country she crab soup, butter-poached shrimp, brioche French toast, trout, steak frites and more. 1812 South Blvd.; 704-332-8830.

The Morehead Inn and VanLandingham Estate open for brunch, with reserved seatings at 10:45 and 11 a.m., and 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. If weather permits, there will be outside seating as well. $28.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors, $15.95 for 4-12, free for those 3 and younger. Reservations required; The Morehead Inn (1122 E. Morehead St.) 704-376-3357 and VanLandingham Estate (2010 The Plaza) 704-334-8909.