Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

( L - R ) Seaga, Campbell

( L - R ) Watson, Playfair-Scott

Oh, luvs, May is upon us, and so is the day set aside to toast and celebrate mothers and motherhood.

Dears, it is one of the areas of life where both the rich, poor and everyone else find a commonality of interest, as Mother's Day is not only revered by all, but in some quarters is sacrosanct to the point of being a national festival.

And so, with this in mind, this here scribe offers his best picks for the perfect Mother's Day outing, whether it is for a picnic, brunch or dinner.

The Courtyard at the Marketplace on Constant Spring Road is the city's restaurant row, offering a variety from Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Middle-Eastern, and, of course, the cosmopolitan.

Hot picks also are Cafe Aubergine, China Express and East Japanese.

On Holborn Road in New Kingston, the Akbar Complex, with the Thai Gardens Restaurant serving up genuine Thai fare, as well as Akbar, with its authentic Indian cuisine.

Further up the way (still in New Kingston), one of Kingston's best kept-secrets and one of the capital's finest restaurants specialises in traditional Jamaica cuisine, and is housed in what was once the official residence of the mayor on Argyle Road. It is now the Gallery Café, operated by the fabulous Diane Watson (formerly housed in the Contemporary Art Centre in Liguanea).

Brunch at the Courtleigh and the Terra Nova All-Suite hotels, the former on Knutsford Boulevard and the latter on Waterloo Road, represent excellent choices in ambience and fare beyond the ordinary.

In Ocho Rios, there is no brunch like that served up at the simply fabulous Royal Plantation Hotel. And dear, we are talking Hollywood fabdom as well as the resort currently being featured on cable's Cinemax, in the simply marvellous movie titled Licence To Wed, starring the iconic Robin Williams and the fab Mandy Moore, filmed on location at the hotel.

Down the way a bit, the ever popular and oh so classic Evita's, overlooking Ocho Rios Bay, will be serving up another all-time fab Mother's Day fare, and then some.

Over in Montego Bay, the place to be and be seen, as well as to indulge the culinary senses, will definitely be The Event Place, as here, co-owners Joan Lee and the gorgeous April Parchment Knight will be serving up a mix of fab food and great entertainment.

The other destination of distinction will definitely be Cecile Levee's Wine With Me, wine bar and restaurant in the upper lobby of the Altamont West Hotel, at the top end of the Hip Strip.

For those wishing to indulge in a picnic-style outing, The Guardsman Serenity Wildlife Sanctuary near Bushy Park offers the perfect escape in an idyllic setting.

On the north coast, Cranbrook Flower Farm and Gardens in St Ann, just off the highway between Laughlands and Priory, is a slice of recreational escape.

Still on the north coast, the place to be is the picturesque Liberty Hill Great House for a weekend of jazz that starts tonight featuring Detroit's Tola Lewis. On Sunday, brunch starts at 11 a.m. For reservation, call 972-5441.

Birthdays

And speaking of fabulous people places and things, we say a happy birthday to the serenely elegant Mitsy Seaga, who celebrates her birthday today.

Also celebrating today is the lovely Tara Playfair-Scott.

Belated wishes to Robbie Epstein, who celebrated his big day on Tuesday. Many happy returns to y'all with champagne toasts and beluga treats.

And last Sunday's birthday brunch for Wallace Campbell, hosted by his sister Jennifer Lim, was one of fun and games, as it was all about backgammon, kalooki, dominoes and camaraderie.

We saw Joe Matalon and wife Bernadette McKinley Matalon, Madge Seaga, Tony Lindo, social grande dame Lorna Myers, Michael Campbell, Annette Burrowes, Sydney and Marlene Abrahams, Francis Delgado, Liz McAdam and the birthday boy's first born, Vance Campbell, plus a number of others, sharing in fun and games before breaking bread and toasting the birthday boy.

Excellent contribution

Congratulations are in order for Dr Olivia McDonald MacMillan and Sarah Newland Martin on being among four women of excellence who were recognised for their contribution to the development of our nation and women, at the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston's annual champagne luncheon last Wednesday. Also honoured for their contributions were Sister Maureen Clare Holt and Fay McIntosh.

And the fab crowd are en route to South Florida as we speak for the staging of the now fourth annual South Florida gala and auction, as the South Florida chapter of the American Friends of Jamaica host the premier event, the annual Peacock Ball tomorrow at the Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove.

The esteemed Father Richard Ho Lung and developer and businessman Phillip Gore are this year's recipients of the association's humanitarian award.

A number of business and community leaders from both Jamaica and Florida are to attend, with William Tavares-Finson being the compere and auctioneer, and Susan Couch, solo performer. We are talking black tie hot here!