Ultimate Easter Dining Guide 2014
In case you haven’t noticed all the colorful eggs, stuffed bunnies, and mountains of tooth achingly sweet candy in store windows and pharmacy aisles (bring on the Peeps!), Easter is right around the corner. It’s Sunday, April 20th, to be exact. Which means, if you’re looking for a place to show off your spring finery and flouncy bonnets, and eat like there’s no tomorrow, the time to make your holiday brunch and dinner reservations is now. How does a roof-to-table, Italian brunch at Rosemary’s sound or an elegant, “Parisian versus American” breakfast at Francois Payard’s FP Patisserie? Or perhaps a Lebanese spread at Ilili in the Flatiron District? We have all that and more right this way…
Rosemary’s
One of the loveliest spots for brunch in the city (and that’s really saying something), this West Village favorite culls many of the vegetables and herbs they use from their own rooftop garden. In fact, your little ones will be able to paint eggs atop their lush enclave on Easter Sunday, while you feast on treats, like a homemade bread basket with Carrot Muffins and Raisin-Walnut Filone, Uovo ‘In Purgatorio’ sauced with a Fresno chile-laced pomodoro, and a grilled Lamb Chop, paired with belly bacon, charred asparagus, and a tender poached egg.
Read MoreThe Elm
The always creative chef, Paul Liebrandt, is offering a surprisingly affordable ($35) brunch prix fixe on Easter Sunday, beginning with a spread of delicate Viennoiseries for the table, and a goblet of housemade Granola with Yogurt and Huckleberry Compote for each guest. And that’s just for starters. You’ll then choose between savory dishes, like Steak and Eggs with salsa verde, Scottish Smoked Salmon with pickled juniper berries, or Lobster Benedict on a fresh crumpet, followed by the red fruit sorbet-topped Gold Bar, a silken Buttermilk Panna Cotta ladled with burnt honey ice cream, or warm Churros con Chocolate, drizzled with spiced cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce. Then, roll yourself home.
Read MoreAquavit
The holidays are always serious business at haute Scandinavian favorite, Aquavit (we love their traditional Smörgåsbord at Christmas!), and Easter is no different. Chef Marcus Jernmark will present a $75, three-course prix fixe for both brunch and dinner, featuring highly unique, utterly seasonal dishes, like Cold Smoked Salmon with Burrata, Cream of Stinging Nettles with a hardboiled Heirloom Egg, Grilled Neck of Lamb with Asparagus and Quark, and Rum Baba with Toasted Sesame Ice Cream served in a floral Rosehip Soup. Sounds serious, no?
Read MoreRoman’s
Of course, when it comes to Easter, the Italians are super serious about their culinary festivities. Why is why you’ll want to seriously consider heading to Andrew Tarlow’s Roman’s, located in Fort Greene, for lunch or dinner. For just $65 per person, patrons will start with a slew of Italian antipasti, like Bagna Cauda, Stuffed Eggs, Veal Tonnato and Fried Polenta with Fonduta, followed by a flavorful Porcini Risotto, Roasted Lamb with potatoes and a spring vegetable salad, and a rich Bunet (Piedmontese chocolate terrine cake) for dessert.
Read MoreThe Lamb's Club
Tender spring lamb is a signature Easter ingredient, so where better to indulge than at Geoffrey Zakarian’s lush Midtown eatery, appropriately named, The Lamb’s Club? For $89 per person, you’ll start your evening with Tartare of Lamb Tenderloin, followed by Braised Lamb Shoulder Agnolotti, Roasted Loin of Lamb, and even a Sheepsmilk Millefeuille for dessert. Not a big fan of the seasonal protein? They’re also hosting a celebratory jazz brunch from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, featuring live music and hearty dishes, such as Farro Porridge with Fresh Fruit, Currant and Rolled Oats and Eggs en Cocotte with San Marzano Tomato, Spanish Capers, Pecorino and Fennel.
Read MoreIlili
Feel like spicing things up this year? In addition to hosting a number of kid-friendly games like an egg decorating contest, this funky and delicious Lebanese eatery has added a number of Easter-appropriate options to their brunch menu. Look for Artichoke Mekle with labne and mint, Silk Road Lamb Shank with baby carrots and kale, and Spring Risotto with English peas, caraway and parmesan. Take a deep breath as all of this is followed by a decadent Chocolate Easter Bunny Sundae (topped with tahini whipped cream!) or an Easter Cookie Plate including Fig Mammoul Mad and Pistachio Karibij for dessert. Your choice, and don’t worry, you can’t go wrong.
Read MoreFP Patisserie
Who does Easter better, the French or Americans? You can decide for yourself with Francois Payard’a “Parisian versus American” brunch at his luxurious Salón de Thé, located in the back of FP Patisserie on the Upper East Side. Francophiles can enjoy a traditional French Easter entrée of Shredded Rosemary Lamb Shank with spinach salad, bacon and a soft-poached egg, accompanied by Viennoiserie and a Rhubarb Cocktail, while the all-American menu includes options like Country Ham Eggs Benedict, Chicken Caesar Salad, or Seared Salmon with Arugula and Quinoa in a sesame-soy vinaigrette.
Read MoreButter Midtown
Alex Guarnaschelli’s brand new Midtown outpost of Butter will be celebrating its very first Easter brunch with an over-the-top, yet still reasonably priced buffet for $49 per person. You’ll receive a complimentary glass of Bressette Rose or sparkling Perrier Jout Brut (signature cocktails like an Ancho Chile Bloody Mary are available a la carte), to accompany a serious spread of Waffles with spiced maple syrup and bourbon whipped cream, an Omelet Station with fillings like pork cracklins and marash pepper-rubbed ham, and house-baked goodies like Cheddar Cheese Biscuits, Allspice Coffee Cake and Meyer Lemon Streusel.
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