Despite the recession, many Singaporeans are not holding back on pampering Mum this Mother's Day weekend.

Take national serviceman Marcus Chan, 22, who gave his first-ever Mother's Day lunch treat on Saturday.

His family of five dined at Teochew City Seafood Restaurant. Last year, they celebrated at home.

'Usually when we go out, it's my mum who pays. The recession doesn't really affect me, I can still cope,' said Mr Chan of the $170 bill.

Indeed, many eateries report they were fully booked from a week ago.

Teochew City and Prima Tower Revolving Restaurant sold out all dinner slots for the Mother's Day week, said Mr Benson Loi, general manager at PFS which runs the two eateries.

He added that the number of bookings was similar to that last year - when the economy was in far better shape.

Similarly, popular restaurant Carousel is fully booked this weekend.

'The bookings for brunch, high tea and dinner were taken up a week ago,' said Mr Patrick Fiat, general manager of Royal Plaza on Scotts. The hotel runs Carousel.

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Sunday Time.