Restaurants expand menu choices for Easter and Passover
By Patricia Cobe on Mar. 23, 2021Spring officially arrived on Saturday, and Passover and Easter are following close behind—on March 27 and April 4 respectively. Last year, restaurants were forced to quickly transition these spring holiday menus to takeout and delivery only. Although most are now open for dine-in service and are offering holiday brunches and dinners, many are going the hybrid route, also menuing meals to-go for customers who prefer to celebrate at home. That adds up to a lot more choices for guests to enjoy all or part of an Easter or Passover menu prepared by a restaurant in a range of prices.
Lettuce Entertain You
Customers in Chicago, Washington D.C., Austin, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and the Twin Cities can score a holiday meal or menu items from a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. Aba in Austin is packaging some of its Mediterranean specialties into a Passover carryout meal comprised of hummus, Parmesan Potato & Brussels Sprout Latkes, matzo ball soup, salad, braised short rib and za’atar roast chicken, with a Flourless Chocolate Tahini Tart for dessert. The menu is priced at $48.95 per person—the same as the dine-in Passover meal which offers a few more choices.
Aba in Chicago is offering a similar menu, and other traditional Passover meals are on offer from Beatrix, Joe’s Seafood and Ema in the Windy City.
At Wildfire in Eden Prairie, Minn., guests can order an Easter Sunday dinner of roast leg of lamb with fresh spinach, classic Diane sauce and white cheddar au gratin potatoes for $29.95 to go or enjoy in the restaurant. For those who want to do a little cooking, there’s a Prime Rib Kit that serves four to six people for $240. It includes a prime rib roast with cooking instructions, plus seasoning, au jus and horseradish cream sauce, along with cornbread, Tuscan kale & spinach salad, redskin mashed Potatoes, roasted mushroom caps and asparagus and a whole Key Lime Pie—all fully prepared.
Bob Evans
Family-size brunches and dinners to-go are on hand at Bob Evans. The Easter Celebration Family Meal ($59.99) feeds up to six and includes slow-roasted turkey, eight hickory-smoked ham steaks, three sides, a dozen home-baked rolls and cranberry relish. Similar items are available in single dinners ($11.99) and feasts for eight to 10; the latter includes more sides and apple and cherry pies for $129.99. The morning crowd can opt for an Easter breakfast or brunch featuring some of Bob Evans’ classics.
Cowboy Chicken
Cowboy Chicken is expanding from poultry into hams for Easter. The chain is debuting spiral-sliced hams in its holiday package for up to 10 people. It includes a 10-pound spiral-sliced ham, twice-baked potatoes, a second side of choice, a garden salad and peach cobbler for $125. The package is available for pickup now through April 4, and comes with complete reheating instructions.
Cotton Patch Cafe
Southern-style concept Cotton Patch Cafe is menuing several heat-and-serve carryout options. The centerpiece of the Classic Holiday Spread ($66) is an Easter ham with pan-size dressing and gravy ($66) that feeds eight to 10. For $99, customers can also add sides and carrot cake or cobbler to the feast. A variety of sides and a la carte items are also available.
Junior’s Cheesecake
It may be best known for its cheesecake, but New York City restaurant Junior’s has catered Passover dinners for seven decades. This year, the concept is offering a Passover Dinner Kit for four to six diners ($119) that contains homemade chopped liver, roast brisket, mushroom gravy, potato pancakes, applesauce and chocolate-dipped macaroons. For another $59, purchasers can get a matzoh ball soup kit with chicken broth, matzoh balls and egg noodles.
Easter celebrants are not getting left out. The restaurant created an Easter Egg Cheesecake ($66) featuring its original cheesecake baked into an egg shape, enrobed in chocolate ganache and garnished with pastel decorations.
Prime & Provisions
This upscale Chicago restaurant is hosting its annual over-the-top Easter brunch, which is returning as a full-service buffet-style meal with new safety guidelines—socially distanced service staff will plate selections. The $65 spread features eggs Benedict and cinnamon French toast, as well as more heartier options such as maple glazed ham, carved-to-order prime rib and raw bar selections. Desserts include individual sweets, such as banana cream pie bites. A chef-created Easter Brunch To-Go is available for those who want to celebrate at home.
Steak 48 Chicago
Steak 48 is opening at noon on Easter Sunday for brunch, with options such as Steak Farina—a bone-in filet topped with a fried egg. A holiday dinner menu is also available, with choices including rack of lamb, prime steaks, chicken fried lobster tails and Alaskan King crab and rock shrimp mac-and-cheese. Prices are a la carte, with the mac-and-cheese going for $34.
Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Several hotels around the country are getting in the spring holiday spirit and welcoming guests with Easter eats and activities. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is focusing on seafood with a selection of fruits de mer, seasonal sides and festive desserts in a four-course meal for $85 per person. An Easter egg decorating activity is also in the works. At the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island in Florida, the hotel is treating kids to breakfast with the Easter bunny on April 3, with a pancake station and varied toppings on offer. And Burlock Coast at the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale is serving family-style meals ($79 per person) featuring spring flavors, such as grilled