Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Eight for Easter Brunch

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C-House chefs Toni Roberts and Seth Siegel-Gardner are whipping up something special for their "Bossa Nova"-themed Easter Brunch. (Photo: C-House)


With so many incredible brunches happening around town, it's almost impossible to make a choice for Easter—happening on Sunday.

You've got the info on all the great buffet deals (which is great when you've got a fam to feed), but what if you just want to indulge in some truly creative options prepared by our local culinary geniuses?!

Check the list for the best chef-driven brunches in the city:

ajasteak's Sunday School features female servers in plaid Catholic school skirts and pigtails, but don't let that distract you from the main event: the 16-inch pancakes in lemon poppy seed, milk chocolate caramelized banana or spiced apple with hot caramel. Chef Josh Linton's also whipping up indulgent egg dishes, plus roasted wild salmon BLT and a generous Wagyu beef stew. 11am-3pm. $9-$22 for entrees.

312DD had the scoop on Radhika Desai's forthcoming move to New York. The executive chef at Between Boutique Café & Lounge is serving one last Easter brunch before she takes off in May. You don't want to miss the Back-to-Basics Sunday Brunch with all sustainable ingredients and organic produce like Duck Confit Eggs Benedict and Ginger Pancakes with cinnamon maple syrup. $8-$12. Or, for $15, go for the all-you-can-eat buffet filled with exotic items like bacon and cilantro muffins, cardomom rice pudding, and paneer and egg samosas. 10am-2pm.

Just last night, the one and only Charlie Trotter made an appearance at The Bristol, so Executive Chef Chris Pandel must be doing something right. For Easter, he's doing a two-course menu for $21 (includes coffee or tea), featuring Bristol's fantastic burger, a duck confit Reuben and housemade maple sage sausage. 10am-5pm.

Over at Cafe des Architectes, chef Martial Noguier's doing a three-course treat for $45. Choose from entrees: braised lamb shank with English peas; Swan Creek Farm chicken with poached baby leeks and served in a cast iron skillet; and Arctic char with spring onions and pancetta. 11:30am-5pm.


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Bristol Burger with Cheddar and Pickles. (Photo: Neil Burger)


C-House’s weekly Brazilian Bossa Nova Brunch gets an Easter twist as chef Seth Siegel-Gardner introduces specials like C-Monkey Bread, the C-House version of the classic loaf. Festive Green Eggs and Lamb will also be served, and pastry chef Toni Roberts hooks up house-made PEEPS for dessert! 10am-3pm. A la carte; prices range $12-$15.

If you're rolling like a rock star, why not treat yourself to chef Laurent Gras' $90 three-course, prix-fixe feast at L2O?! Dishes include Asparagus, Truffle vinaigrette, Olive; Lamb, Rosemary Crumble, Zucchini; and Caramel, “Egg,” Chocolate. 4-10pm.

Michael McDonald's Easter Brunch at one sixtyblue is also three courses, but this one will only cost ya $35. You'll get made-to-order Belgian waffles for kids, plus a tropical fruit salad with “Angel Food” croutons; slow-cooked pork belly with buttermilk biscuits and spicy sausage gravy; and farfalle pasta with spring morels, pea shoots and fava beans. Also, the cocktails: 160 Smokey Mary (kissed with a drop of liquid smoke) and a Champagne Cosmo ($9 each). 11am-2:30pm.

We've never seen so much hype over a brunch than at Paul Kahan's new Sunday sensation over at The Publican. Where do we start?! The surprisingly good Beer Mimosa (with fresh-squeezed OJ and 1809 Berliner Weisse), red wine-poached egg with La Quercia prosciutto, or the smoked ham chop with Bird Mill grits and poached egg. No matter what you do, you cannot go wrong here. 10am-2pm. $3-$18.

1 comment:

Cindy & Lee said...

Did you know that Maxwell's at the Club is now open to the public. The popular restaurant at the East Bank Club (500 N. Kingsbury) serves an awesome brunch. Check out what Chef Hall has cooked-up for Easter. Their large buffet will be filled with a variety of choices including Shrimp Cocktail, Chilled Roasted and Poached Salmon with mustard sauce, Lox and cream cheese, Curried Chicken Salad with apples, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Sausage, Toasted Cinnamon Brioche with peaches, Lemon Herb Chicken Breast, Roasted Potatoes and Vegetables, Three-Cheese Tortellini with spicy tomato sauce, plus a seasonal array of fruits and berries along with assorted pastries, breads and desserts. An Omelet and Waffle bar will also be available in addition to a Carving Station with Roast Prime Rib, Roast Rack of Lamb and Honey Glazed Spiral Ham. Children will enjoy a special visit from the Easter Bunny after 11 a.m. The cost of the buffet is $45 for adults and $15 for children under 10. Brunch is served 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12. For reservations, call 312-527-5800 ext. 301.