By Dominic Li Mandri
Our mothers make us feel appreciated and cherished every day of the year and now it’s our time to shower them in love all day long! This Mother’s Day, plan an extravagant day filled with shopping sprees, fun activities and delectable restaurants, in none other than the beloved East Village neighborhood.
The perfect gift
Before heading out on adventures within the neighborhood, some shopping must be accomplished! For the bibliophile moms, check out the Library Shop, a well-curated nonprofit book and gift shop catered to library lovers and literary obsessives. Located inside the Downtown Central Library, the Library Shop is the perfect place to find good reads, new releases, and other necessities for book worms.
At Altered Décor, you’re bound to find something your mom will adore. This local boutique offers a curated selection of goodies that are perfect for gift-giving, decorating or scenting your space, with items ranging from candles and scented oil sticks to puzzles and pillows. Bonus points to the plant loving moms because Altered Décor has a wide selection of unique plants that your mom is sure to fall in love with.
Nestled in the heart of East Village sits Dadora, a cherished shop offering world-class natural vanilla-based products from the verdant fields of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Dadora’s mission extends beyond producing quality farm-to-table natural vanilla and is fueled by a desire to uplift local communities throughout the world, with an emphasis on empowering women. At the store you can find an assortment of Vanilla Tahitensis bean products that you can mix into your baked goods, beverages, sauces, desserts and more, making it the perfect gift for mom!
Delightful pastimes
The East Village neighborhood is chock-full of fun activities that you and your mom can enjoy together. First stop is Tavern + Bowl, a local favorite for tasty bites, an upbeat atmosphere and some friendly competition. Beyond enjoying the shareable appetizers and delicious bar foods, you and your family can head to the bowling alley and test your skills to see who will take home the title of best bowler.
It’s wine-o-clock somewhere! Specializing in wines from smaller estates and unique locales, Boutique Vino is a hidden gem in East Village. As you walk in, you are instantly immersed in the cozy atmosphere and friendly energy of the local wine bar. Along with being a tasting bar, Boutique Vino also hosts wine classes where participants can delve deeper into the rich history of a variety of wines.
Culinary offerings
East Village’s rich culinary scene makes it easy to find the ideal restaurant for a Mother’s Day meal. Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop is the first restaurant in East Village to serve up a unique neighborhood fine dining experience by fusing contemporary American cuisine with a western twist. Committed to supporting neighborhood farmers, fishers and producers, Cowboy Star’s menu boasts a fine selection of fresh meats and seafood paired with locally grown, natural and organic ingredients.
Importing the authentic flavors of the Isaan region of Northeastern Thailand to San Diego, Sovereign Modern Thai takes a unique approach on traditional Thai food unlike any other in the area. Sovereign serves up only the freshest of ingredients, often including locally harvested rockfish and tuna, depending on availability and the time of year. The chefs prepare everything from scratch, and from the heart, in order to serve delicious dishes that taste as delightful as a home cooked hearty meal.
East Village also boasts an array of perfect spots to savor a delightful Mother’s Day brunch with your loved ones! Indulge in morning delights at eateries like Casa Octavio and Lola 55, where menus showcase everything from breakfast classics to beloved Mexican favorites.
Mother’s Day is a cherished occasion for many and is the perfect excuse to spoil the women who mean so much. Make this Mother’s Day one that she’ll never forget in East Village!
For the latest updates on East Village Association, please visit us at eastvillagesandiego.com and follow us on Instagram @EastVillageSD, TikTok @EastVillageSD and Twitter @EastVillageSD.
