In celebration of Mother’s Day weekend, Downtown Los Angeles’ The Palm restaurant will unveil new specials from Friday, May 12, to Sunday, May 14. For chef Omari Williams, the experience was built to feel like home.
“We wanted to offer something that mothers would love,” he said. “We’re right in the right in the heart of Downtown … next to LA Live. We have this beautiful building, and it just feels like a home.”
The Palm’s Mother’s Day specials will include a lobster ravioli appetizer, a filet mignon topped with lobster scampi and the “Ruby Fizz” cocktail made with strawberry puree, Passoa, Licor 43, prosecco and strawberry cream, garnished with a strawberry slice.
“We’re known for our USDA prime steak … (and) our lobsters coming out of Nova Scotia,” Williams said. “You’re going to get a little bit of a claw and tail meat and a nice white wine scampi sauce. … It pairs great with either white or red wine, probably either a sauvignon blanc or a pinot noir, something that’s going to be sweet, not overpower the lobster, but also bring out the flavor of the steak.”
Williams called the weekend celebration a “collaborative effort” from the culinary team, as his peers raised ideas of balancing light and bold, land and sea.
“It’s like our little play on a surf and turf, but it’s nice and it’s light,” he described. “You’re not going to be full or stuffed when you get out of here, but you’re going to enjoy the sea and the land. That’s where we’re coming from.”
Williams, who has worked under the likes of famed chef and restauranteur Wolfgang Puck and appeared on shows such as Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen,” learned to cook in his family kitchen. He was inspired by his mother, Karen Little, and grandmother Danny Kay Ross.
“My mother played a huge part,” Williams said. “I was originally a computer science person, and in my junior year I read a book by Anthony Bourdain that my best friend gave to me while we were vacation in Europe. … I read that book while we were on the trains, and I made that pivot in my life and I never looked back. It was because of my mother always cooking in the home … that I found my way into the kitchen. … We still cook to this day together, and I’m actually setting up to cater her 70th birthday coming up in November. She was my inspiration … and she can still outcook me.
“My grandmother as well, she was a steak and eggs woman. She taught me how to actually cook a steak and the first time actually heating it medium rare, which is hard to do when you’re a kid. But she had that cast-iron skillet with the bacon fat … and she loved New York strip and she had steak eggs four days out of the week. … And that’s my go-to chef meal, always.”
Williams explained that it was The Palm’s “family atmosphere” that drew him to the DTLA destination, and he noted the importance of a restaurant’s ambience in molding a joyful experience.
“We have beautiful décor,” he said. “You’re going to be able to have a fine dining experience but still feel real comfortable at the same time. I think it’s very inviting, and I think it’s going to be a great, great atmosphere for all the mothers.”
Mother’s Day at The Palm
WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 12, and 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 14
WHERE: The Palm, 1100 Flower Street, Los Angeles
INFO: thepalm.com/location/the-palm-los-angeles
Other events
The Palm isn’t the only eatery in DTLA having Mother’s Day specials. Check out these as well.
The Millennium Biltmore
506 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Nestled among the glimmering skyscrapers overlooking Pershing Square, and reminiscent of 1920s Hollywood, The Biltmore has been an iconic landmark of Los Angeles since its inception and transports its guests to the glamor of Hollywood’s golden age.
The historic hotel, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, will invite moms and mother figures, along with their families, to experience an array of decadent dining selections at The Biltmore’s Mother’s Day brunch, which will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14. The brunch will take place in the property’s Rendezvous Court and features a three-course assortment of meats; cheeses; seafood; and an omelet, carving and dessert station, with champagne to raise a glass to mom afterward. Breakfast specialties will include Belgian waffles with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, classic eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce, ricotta cheese and spinach frittata, apple wood smoked bacon and chicken-apple sausage, and fresh fruit and berries.
The brunch costs $75 per person and $45 per child, and reservations via Open Table are encouraged.
ROW DTLA
777 S. Alameda Street, Los Angeles
This Mother’s Day, treat mom to a celebration beyond the traditional flowers and cards. ROW DTLA, Los Angeles’ historic 30-acre urban retail enclave, is offering a variety of experiences on Sunday, May 14. The offerings include:
• Wellness: Book a microfusion facial at skin care brand The Things We Do, all-natural gel nail treatment at Powder Beauty, an innovative scalp treatment and new hair color at Nova Arts Salon, or take a group fitness class on Coreology fitness studio’s XFormer machine.
• Dining: Enjoy brunch, dinner or a quick bite at a bevy of award-winning restaurants, such as Pizzeria Bianco, helmed by JBF-award winner Chris Bianco; Hayato, whose chef is a current semifinalist for a JBF Award and holds two Michelin stars; Michelin-starred Kato; Rappahannock Oyster Bar; or walk the various food booths at Smorgasburg.
• Shopping: Support independent, contemporary designers including womenswear from Bel Kazan, swimwear at Coast by Coast or the best in vintage at Arcade.
• Entertainment: Multiple rooftop flicks are airing at ROW DTLA this Mother’s Day courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club. Catch “Shrek” at 3:30 p.m., which is a dog-friendly showing, “Mamma Mia” at 6:30 p.m. and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at 9:15 p.m.
• Sightseeing: Stroll the breezeways and take in stunning architecture, murals and Downtown skyline views.
Tulsi Indian Eatery
408 S. Main Street, Los Angeles
Tulsi Indian Eatery understands the importance of this day and has curated a special thali to make it even more memorable. Titled the Amma Thali Combo, the Mother’s Day-themed meal blends the restaurants most loved vegetarian dishes. It features two appetizers, dahi vada and khaman dhokla, popular entrees such as dal makhana, chana masala and aloo gobi, a dessert served with rose lassi.
The amma thali combo was built as a tribute to the unconditional love and care that a mom provides and will be available Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14, at Tulsi Indian Eatery’s Northridge, DTLA and Westwood locations. No reservation is required, and customers can order the amma thali combo for pickup or delivery.