More Added: Easter Round-Up

If you're not in the mood to cook on Easter Sunday, hop on over to the many Washington area restaurants as many are offering fabulous holiday brunches and dinners on Sunday, March 31st. I like to celebrate the day before so I can do some cooking and then relax at the Virginia wineries on Sunday.  If I missed your restaurant, please email me with the details in the format below.

DC:  

The Hamilton, located at 600 14^th Street, NW 20005, on the corner of 14^th and F streets is serving its full brunch menu with Easter specials. Guests will enjoy Executive Chef Sal Ferro’s House-made Hot Cross Buns, French Toast with Rhubarb Jam, Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham with Scalloped Potatoes, Half Rack of Spring Lamb, English peas, carrots, and fingerling potatoes.Dessert specials for the day are Lemon Meringue Pie and Coconut Cream Cake. The Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance at The Hamilton, as well as all of Clyde’s Restaurant Group’s establishments, to give out candy, hugs, and provide photo opportunities for young diners.  For reservations, please call (202) 787-1000. Easter brunch is served from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Celebrate Easter two blocks from the White House at P.J. Clarke's, the legendary saloon in the heart of Washington’s power center. On Sunday, March 31st, P.J.s will serve Easter specials including 3 cheese apple wood smoked bacon soufflé, stuffed leg of Spring lamb with farro risotto and rosemary jus, Alaskan halibut with herb roasted new potatoes and shaved fennel, and a 3 layer carrot cake. Specials range in price from $7.60 - $27.70. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling 202.463.6610.

Hop on over to Sou'Wester for Easter Sunday Brunch! As spring blossoms, make plans to join us for our annual Easter Brunch in Sou'Wester on Sunday, March 31 from 11:45am to 3pm. Spend the day enjoying a "family style" meal at each table, complete with an egg hunt and visit from the Easter Bunny. Cost is USD 65* per adult, USD 35* per child up to 12 years old, and complimentary for children three and under. Please call +1 (202) 787 6148 for reservations.  

Celebrate Easter at the Howard Theatre’s gospel brunch featuring gospel singer and songwriter, Ayana McDonald for a special double header edition.  Enjoy a vast buffet of southern inspired cuisine including mac’n’cheese, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, corn bread, collard greens and much more. Morning brunch will begin when doors open at 10am. Ayana’s performance will begin at 11 a.m. Afternoon brunch doors are at 1pm and Ayana performs at 2pm.  Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 day of show and are available at the Howard Theatre box office at 620 T Street NW or at ticketmaster.com. Valet parking will also be available. 

Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault and Chef de Cuisine John Melfi at Blue Duck Tavern, located at 24^th and M Streets, NW, 20037, are introducing new seasonal, American classics to the restaurant’s Easter menu.  Brunch will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31 at $95 per person for adults, and $45 for children between six and 12.  The three-course, fixed-price menu begins with a choice of starters, including seasonal salads, meats, breads and cheeses, on display throughout the open kitchen.  Next up, guests will have a choice of entrée and sides from the holiday menu.  Highlights include Duck Confit Hash with Fried Egg, Green Peas, Chanterelles and Romaine Heart; Scrambled Eggs with Rock Shrimp, Hash Brown Potatoes, and Caramelized Vidalia Onions; Wood Oven Roasted Scallops with Garden Ratatouille and Lemon Vinaigrette; Lobster Ravioli with King Trumpets, Tarragon and Farm Butter, as well as Roasted Lamb Rack with Spring Garlic, Rosemary Jus and Lemon Confit.  Brunch concludes with seasonal desserts, which are on display in the pastry pantry.  Standouts include Rhubarb Blackberry Crumble; Bourbon and Date Pecan Pie; Pears Poached in Prosecco, as well as Sour Cream Cheesecake with Brandied Cherries.  Please call (202) 419-6755 or visit www.blueducktavern.com for reservations. 

Situated just one block from the White House at 815 Connecticut Ave, NW, 20008, the Bombay Club will be offering its popular Champagne buffet brunch this Easter.  Guests can enjoy live piano music and a buffet of traditional brunch fare with highlights to include Lamb Palak with Spinach, Garam Masala and Ginger; Shrimp Pepper Masala with Black Pepper, Tomato and Tamarind; Achari Baingan with Eggplant, Onion, Fennel, Mustard and Fenugreek, as well as Paneer Makhni with Cottage Cheese, Fenugreek and Cinnamon.  Easter brunch is priced at $25 per person, or $35 with bottomless Champagne (tax and gratuity not included), and will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31st.  For more information, please call (202) 659-3727 or visit http://www.bombayclubdc.com. 

Celebrate Easter at the wine bar Tel’Veh Café and Wine Bar, located at 401 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, 20001.  An a la carte menu featuring a variety of specials crafted by Executive Chef Dimosthenis “Dimo” Kolouas will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Standouts include Htipiti, Aged and Roasted Feta with Chili Flakes; Cacik, Yogurt, Cucumber and Garlic; Tel’Veh Omelette with Breakfast Sausage, Parmesan and Arugula; Smoked Salmon with Poached Egg over an English Muffin topped with Hollandaise Sauce; Hazelnut Crepe with Nutella and Fresh Berries, as well as Smoked Ham Crepe with Provolone, Bell Peppers and Cream.  Prices range from $6 to $12 each dish.  Guests can also opt for a $29.95 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity) unlimited prix fixe brunch for the entire table.  For reservations, call (202) 758-2929 or visit www.telveh.com.

From March 31^st through May 5^th, José Andrés and the culinary team at Zaytinya, located at 701 9^th Street, NW, 20001, invite Washingtonians to celebrate the rich tradition of Greek Easter.  The five-week festival kicks off on Western Easter and continues until Greek Orthodox Easter.  The festival will feature special menu offerings designed by Head Chef Michael Costa inspired by the traditions of Greek Orthodox Easter and Lent. Tempting choices include: Lachanosalata, Brussels Sprouts Leaves, Olive Oil, Lemon and Smoked Walnut Skordalia; Sopa Me Lahanika Aladoti, Lenten Vegetable Puree Soup with Cauliflower, Rice, Mushrooms, Onions, Garlic, Bay Leaves, Thyme, Black Pepper, Cumin and Tahini Garnished with Crispy Cauliflower and Black Tahini, as well as Clam Stew from Lefkada with Basmati Rice, Scallions, Garlic, Black Pepper and Lemon.  Dishes are priced from $8 to $14 each.  To open and close this spring festival, Zaytinya will also showcase a $35 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), prix fixe brunch menu, featuring spit roasted lamb shoulder on Sunday, March 31^st, and Sunday, May 5^th.  For reservations and additional information please call (202) 638-0800 or visit www.zaytinya.com.

At the historic 1789 Restaurant, located at 1226 36^th Street, NW, 20007, Executive Chef Anthony Lombardo will be dishing up an Easter menu that incorporates only the freshest spring ingredients along with beautiful leg of lamb, locally sourced from Cumberland Valley, Maryland.  The a la carte brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., with the fuzzy Easter Bunny making a guest appearance at each table, delivering candy to the children.  Whole Roasted Leg of Lamb will be served at brunch, marinated in garlic and mint, then roasted slowly and sliced thin, served with potato gratin and a natural lamb jus.  There will also be breakfast items like Eggs Chesapeake and Spring Vegetable Frittata.  During Easter brunch service the first and second courses include the entrée price, which ranges from $28 to $36.  To conclude the day, an a la carte Easter dinner menu will be served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Items will include appetizers like Duck Confit Strudel with Foie Gras Cream Sauce and Salt Roasted Beets with House Made Goat Ricotta,and entrées like Rack of Lamb and Chesapeake Bay Rockfish.  For reservations or additional information please call at (202) 965-1789.

The Oval Room, located at 800 Connecticut Ave, NW, 20006, features a prix fixe Easter menu, specially crafted by Executive Chef Tony Conte.  You'll find three-courses, which will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $50 per person, or $75 per person with wine pairings (tax and gratuity not included).  Guests will be delighted with dishes such as White Asparagus Soup with Sorrel, Pine Nuts and Brown Butter; Carolina Sweet Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Butter, Pistachio and Lime; Braised Lamb Shoulder with Charred Eggplant and Spring Onion, as well as Fluke with Mushroom-Yuzu Broth, Maitake and Sesame Seasoning.  For dessert, Pastry Chef Cicely Austin is planning a Fennel, Blood Orange Vacherin and Vanilla Yeast Cake; Strawberry Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Ice Cream; Soft Chocolate Ganache with Spiced Short Dough and Ginger Ice Cream, as well as Cinnamon Doughnuts with White Coffee Ice Cream.  For more information, please call (202) 463-8700 or visit http://www.ovalroom.com.

Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, located at 1100 New York Ave, NW, 20005, (entrance on 12^th and H Streets side) offers tempting Italian fare this Easter.  Executive Chef Nicholas Stefanelli has prepared a three-course, prix fixe menu, which includes an Italian sampling of antipasti for the table followed by a choice of secondi and tasting of desserts to share.  Priced at $45 per person, and $20 for children under 12 (tax and gratuity not included), the menu includes standouts such as, Fried Artichokes with Parsley and Lemon; Saffron Rice Fritter with Peas, Prosciutto, Mozzarella, and Tomato Sauce; Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Farro, Fava Beans and Pecorino Zabiglione; Carnaroli Risotto with English Peas and Parmigiano; Ravioli filled with Cacio Romano, Tomato, Marjoram and Basil, as well as Poached Rockfish, Olive Oil Crushed Potatoes, Onion Compote.  For the perfect ending, a dessert tasting is designed to share with families, and includesCassata Siciliana and the Pastiera Napoletana.  Bibiana’s Easter feast will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 31st.  Valet parking is available for $8.  For reservations or additional information please call (202) 216 9550 or visit www.bibianadc.com.

Located at 675 15^th Street, NW, 20005 in downtown DC, Old Ebbitt Grill is offering an a la carte brunch menu with Easter specials from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Easter menu prepared by Executive Chef Robert McGowan, features flavorful classics including Cream Cheese Crepes with honey-cinnamon baked apples; Cheddar cheese grits and scrambled eggs; Grilled Leg of Lamb with spring vegetables, roasted potatoes, herb au jus and cured black olive tapenade, and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with baked spice sweet potato, sautéed green beans, and citrus-cranberry tartar sauce. Brunch offerings range from $5.95 to $17.95 in price. From 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Old Ebbitt Grill will serve an Easter Dinner menu featuring standout dishes such as Pork “Tonkatsu,” a traditional Japanese pork cutlet dish served over steamed rice; Chesapeake Bay Rockfish with Yukon gold potatoes, spring onions, Spanish chorizo, garlic, spinach and oil cured olives with a fennel and blood orange slaw, and Grilled Calf’s Liver with caramelized onions, bacon, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Dinner entrées range from $13.95 and $20.95. For reservations or more information, please call (202) 347-4800 or visit www.ebbitt.com

701 Restaurant, located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 20004, will be offering a $45 per person three-course menu, or $22.50 for children 10 and under, on Sunday, March 31st.  Brunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  Prepared by Executive Chef Tony Conte, standout entrées include Ricotta Ravioli with peas and spring onions; Braised Lamb Shoulder with semi-fried carrots, yogurt and herb puree; Seared Scallops with red lentils, crushed squash and curry broth; Sake-Miso Glazed Salmon with bok choy, water chestnuts and soy oil, as well as Grilled Strip Steak with olive oil crushed potatoes, onion compote and hollandaise.  For the perfect ending, guests can choose from Coconut Panna Cotta with passion fruit curd and sesame tuile; Carrot Cake with basil ganache, carrot ginger sorbet and spiced walnuts; Citrus Doughnuts with Grand Marnier cream, candied kumquats and yuzu ‘noodle’, as well as Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Tart with dark cocoa, chocolate sorbet and vanilla bean chantilly created by Pastry Chef Donald Smith.  Creating the perfect ambiance  701’s live jazz duo of piano and bass will be performing during Easter service.  Valet parking is available all day for $8.  For reservations or additional information please call (202) 393-0701 or visit www.701restaurant.com.

The Willard InterContinental is offering an Easter Brunch Buffet by Executive Chef Luc Dendievel and Pastry Chef Gary O’Hanlon.   Four seatings are available in the hotel’s famous Willard and Crystal Rooms on Sunday, March 31, from 10:30 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. Price is $95 for adults and $35 children ages 6 to 12 years old.  Children ages 5 years and younger dine free.  Price is per person and includes sparkling wine, non-alcoholic beverages and complimentary valet parking.  Price excludes tax and gratuity.  Reservations are recommended, call 202.637.7305.  Live piano accompanies the Willard’s cornucopia of culinary offerings by Executive Chef Luc Dendievel. 

Virginia:

Executive Chef/Owner Domenico Cornacchia and Owner/Operator Aykan Demiroglu of the French oasis, Bistro Vivant, located at1394 Chain Bridge Road in McLean, VA, 22101, are offering an a la carte menu with Easter specials from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31st.  Chef Domenico and newly appointed Chef de Cuisine Ed Hardy bring the authentic flavors of traditional French cuisine to downtown McLean, with appetizer options such as Green Pea Hummus and Easter Radishes; Boudin Blanc and Noir Scotch Egg with Frisée Salad, and the Fried Rabbit with Lavender, Thyme and Meyer Lemon Aioli.  Main dishes include House Cured Ham and Pork Belly Cassoulet; Pain Perdue Avec Foie Gras with Stewed Apples; Lamb Tenderloin with Smoked Potato Fondue and Rhubarb Compote, as well as Duck N’ Waffles with Duck Confit, Wild Rice Waffles, Chicken Liver Butter and Apricot Syrup.  Guests will also enjoy the selection of decadent desserts, which include Carrot Madeleines and Champagne Sabayon, or the Rhubarb Crumble with Strawberry Gelato.  Prices range from $12 to $22 for appetizers, $24 to $26 for entrées and $11 to $12 for desserts.  For reservations or additional information please call (703) 356-1700 or visit www.bistrovivant.com.  

Executive Chef Bertrand Chemel and Pastry Chef Caitlin Dysart have teamed up to create the perfect sweet and savory Easter-themed edible adventure at 2941 Restaurant (2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042; (703) 270-1500; www.2941.com, @2941Restaurant), one of the top restaurants in the DC area. Available Easter Day - Sunday, March 31st, 2013 - from 11:00am to 8:00pm, 2941 will be offering a 3-course Prix Fixe menu priced at $65pp, and a 3-course Vegetarian Prix Fixe menu priced at $48pp. Holiday-themed dishes and desserts include Chef Chemel's Rabbit "Porchetta Style" with fennel raviolini, baby artichoke, and saffron broth, Virginia Beef Rib Eye with fricassée of spring mushrooms & potatoes, and asparagus and sweets from Chef Dysart including the 2941 Easter Basket chocolate cake, pistachio mousse, strawberry sherbet, and Carrot Cake Entremet walnut parfait, orange-pineapple marmalade, caramel glaze.  For reservations or additional information please call (703) 270-1500 or visit 2941.com.

Maryland:

Assaggi Mozzarella Bar, located at 4838 Bethesda Avenue in Bethesda, MD, 20814, is dishing up authentic Italian cuisine in an elegantly rustic restaurant for Easter.  An a la carte menu featuring a variety of specials prepared by Chef/Owner Domenico Cornacchia will be available.  Highlights include Crispy Smoked Mozzarella with Eggplant Puree and Frisée Salad; Shrimp and Scallops Skewers over a Chick Pea Puree and Baby Spinach; Tagliatelle Pasta with a White Lamb Ragu and Green Peas; Pan Seared Halibut Fillet with Crispy Pancetta, Pearl Onions, Butternut Squash and Manila Clams, as well as Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin over a Potato Leek Cake with Forest Mushrooms and Marsala Cream.  For dessert, guests can enjoy selections such as Traditional Neapolitan Spelt and Cream Tart or the Vanilla and Hazelnut Bombshell with Crispy Chocolate and Berry Sauce.  Prices range from $9 to $37 each.  Guests can also opt for a $69 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity) five-course tasting menu for the entire table.  For reservations or additional information please call (301) 951-1988 or visit www.assaggirestaurant.com.

Situated in a historic stone cottage along the C and O Canal, with beautiful gardens and expansive outdoor terraces for dining, the Angler’s Inn, located at 10801 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD, 20854, is a charming retreat for celebrating Easter.  Executive Chef Nick Palermo is preparing a three-course, prix fixe menu priced at $65 per person (tax and gratuity not included).  Easter Brunch at Angler’s Inn will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  For reservations or additional information please call (301) 365-2425 or visit www.oldanglersinn.com.

The Carolina Kitchen, with two locations in Hyattsville, MD, and Largo, MD, has everything one could want for this year’s Easter feast.  Catering orders can be made from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through March 27th and all pick-ups will be scheduled on March 30th.  The menu begins with a choice of entrée: Roasted Whole Turkey or Deep Fried Cajun Turkey; Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham, or theRosemary and Garlic Roasted Leg of Lamb.  Prices range from $89 to $120 each, and each entrée serves 12 to 15 guests.  An a la carte menu is available for the perfect accompaniment.  The lineup includes Mac & Cheese; Collard Greens; Candied Yams; String Beans; Cabbage; Potato Salad; Black-Eyed Peas; Coleslaw, as well as Baked Beans.  Prices for sides range from $42 to $48 per half pan, which serves 12 to 15 guests.  Lance London’s famous cornbread muffins are also available and priced at $9 for a dozen.  The Carolina Kitchen is located at 800 Shoppers Way in Largo, MD, 20774; (301) 350-2929.  The Carolina Kitchen Bar and Grill is located at 6501 America Blvd in Hyattsville, MD, 20782; (301) 927-2929.  For additional information on either location please visit:  www.thecarolinakitchen.com.

 *This round-up is a compilation of the Easter menu summaries received from the listed restaurants.