Best Places to Celebrate Mother's Day in Toluca Lake

Mother's Day is a celebration of family, friends, and of course, glorious food. It's a holiday to take mom out of the kitchen and shower her with flowers, chocolates and homemade gifts. This year, Mother's Day falls on May 13.

The holiday dates back over a hundred years.

Anna Jarvis is credited with the creation of Mother's Day in 1908. The unmarried, childless woman, sought to honor her deceased mother by petitioning for a recognized holiday.

The first official Mother's Day celebration took place on May 10, 1908, at Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, and a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By 1909, forty-six states were holding some form of Mother's Day celebration, recognizing it as a holiday even though it would be five more years until it was an official holiday.

In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed Mother's Day into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. It didn't take long however, for savvy businesses, flower growers, florists — and whoever else could cash in — to exploit the holiday.

In 1934, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved a stamp commemorating the holiday.

By the time of Anna Jarvis' death in 1948, over 40 countries observed Mother’s Day. Today, Mother's Day is celebrated all over the world. Many countries have different Mother's Day dates and their own customs. 

Here is a round up of local places to help celebrate with your mom this weekend:

Firenze Osteria, 4212 Lankershim Blvd., 818/760-7081

Owned by Top Chef contestant , Firenze Osteria is hosting two special Mother's Day events. The first is a is $35 brunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the second is special Opera Mother's Day Dinner featuring singers from the Metropolitan Opera and a three course meal for $55.

, 4305 Vineland Avenue

Celebrate with Mom and give to a good cause this Saturday by attending the Old Fashioned Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 86. The event honors Fire Service Day and all proceeds go to the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemans Fund, $5.

, 4410 Lankershim Blvd., 818.985-2275

Spice up Mother's Day dinner with a special deal at Ernie's Taco House. Their three-course dinner includes a chicken and potato flauta, choice of chicken enchilada, shrimp enchilada or grilled tilapia and flan for dessert. A mariachi band will provide live festive music, $21.95.

Chez Nous Restaurant and Bakery, 10550 Riverside Drive, 818/760-0288

This charming French bistro will have a special Mother's Day brunch including croque monsieur — toasted ham and cheese sandwich topped with a bechamel sauce, croque madame — same as croque monsier but with the addition of a fried egg, and seafood roulade in a beurre blanc sauce. Special strawberry crepes will also be on the menu, prices vary.

Toluca Lake Florist, 10601 Riverside Drive, 818/769-1150

Pick up a bouquet of spring flowers at the Toluca Lake Florist. Their bestseller for Mother's Day is The Cotton Candy bouquet with pink roses, spray roses, miniature carnations, and white chrysantheums wrapped in a pink ribbon, $50.