Want to treat the family to an egg-stra special Easter brunch? These local restaurants are serving up lamb and Benedicts, French toast, carving stations and mimosa towers. Some will have visits from the Easter Bunny, fairytale and princess meals and candy eggs to make sure everyone leaves hoppy.
AmbarÂ
Why settle for just one dish? Order up a tableful of unlimited small plates evoking the culinary traditions of the Balkan peninsula. The Easter “Balkan Without Limits” brunch includes options such as lamb flatbread with chimichurri, pickled onion, feta and red sauce; a zucchini fritter slider with capers and Greek yogurt; and smoked trout spread with cilantro, lemon juice, tomato and onion. Brunch runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and costs $41.99 per person. Plus, enjoy an endless supply of cocktails for an additional $14.99 per person. // 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Cheesetique and Corso Italian
Easter Sunday brings the famous bunny to Cheesetique in Alexandria and sister restaurant Corso Italian in Shirlington from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The celebrity rabbit will be handing out candy-filled eggs for kids and golden eggs for grown-ups stuffed with prizes and exclusive retail discounts. Both restaurants will show Easter movies throughout brunch service. Corso Italian will be serving an All-You-Can-Mangia Easter spread for $29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations recommended. // 2411 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray); 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)’
Ellie Bird
Treat yourself to this award-winning restaurant in The Little City from the duo behind D.C.’s Michelin-starred Rooster & Owl, where the the Easter specials include a “pastry basket” of Portuguese egg tarts, miso-caramel cinnamon rolls and spam cheddar scallion scones. These sweet and savory delectables are courtesy of the restaurant’s new executive pastry chef, Corey Jamison, a competitor on Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship season 11, which began airing in March. //Â 125 Founders Ave., Falls Church
Immigrant Food
Chef Ben Murray will be whipping up a special Lamb Kofta pita with hummus, cucumber, tomato, garlic yogurt and chermoula for Easter. Also on the brunch menu: PB&J Bao Buns, a Peruvian double fried chicken sandwich and chilaquiles. // 4245 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Ireland’s Four Provinces
Book a table at the 4P’s and you won’t go hungry. A massive brunch buffet on April 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes roasted Leg of Lamb, Virginia ham, roast beef, Irish oak-smoked salmon, an omelet bar, bacon, eggs, waffles, fruit, Shepherd’s pie, seafood pasta, salads, desserts and a make-your-own bloody Mary bar. Reservations required. // 105 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Joon
Tuck in to unlimited small plates for $55 per person, or go a la carte with Persian-inspired dishes from James Beard semifinalists Chris Morgan and Najmieh Batmanglij. Easter menu highlights include a Sour Cherry Dutch Baby with rosewater pistachio cream and a breakfast parfait made with labneh, pistachio and kataifi granola, cara cara orange and orange blossom water honey. Specialty brunch cocktails, including mimosa towers, will also be flowing. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and reservations are suggested. //Â 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna (Tysons)
Makers Union
At Makers Union, Easter brunch isn’t limited to one day. Bring the kiddos April 12 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for crafts, bunny photo ops and brunch specials such as eggs Benedict, cornflake-crusted French toast and chicken and waffles. Easter Sunday (April 20) brings a family-style or a la carte brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with options such as deviled eggs, monkey bread, benedicts and French toast. Reservations recommended. // 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)
Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen
Neutral Ground will be serving its popular Sunday Jazz Brunch on April 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Keep your eyes peeled for the Easter Bunny, who will be hopping over on the early side of brunch. Keep your eyes peeled when entering the patio. If you find a hidden egg you might score an egg-ceptional surprise. Easter brunch specials include spring lamb, Eggs Sardou (creamy spinach Madeleine, artichokes, poached eggs and Hollandaise atop an English muffin) and fancy deviled eggs with crabmeat ravigote and smoked trout roe. Round out your feast with Easter-themed sugar cookies. // 6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Palette 22
Celebrate Easter Sunday with a bottomless brunch between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For $32 per person, enjoy unlimited menu items, including a chef-attended taco and waffle bar, plus a variety of sweet treats. The brunch menu features monkey bread, szechuan sausage biscuits, and French toast sticks, along with guest favorites—marinated cucumbers, jerk chicken skewers, and street corn brick oven pan pizza. Top off the experience with a Bellini, mimosa, or create-your-own bloody Mary for $4.22 each with the Bottomless Brunch option (all guests at the table must participate). // 4053 Campbell Avenue Arlington (Shirlington)
The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City
Treat yourself to a swanky Easter Sunday brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at hotel restaurant Santé, complete with live music and a visit from the Easter Bunny ($145 per person; $55 for children 4 to 12). Buffet selections will include a raw bar, chilled and grilled specialties, a carving station, a salad bar and desserts, plus mimosas, Bellinis and bloody Marys. Adults can enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne. If high tea is more your style, an Easter Tea on April 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($88 per person; $55 for children 12 and under) brings petite sandwiches, pastries, scones and a variety of loose-leaf teas, plus bubbly. Young visitors can enjoy treats paired with tea or hot chocolate, as well as a take-home Easter bunny plush toy. //1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington (National Landing)
The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
Treat yourself to a classy Easter Brunch from 10:30 to 2 p.m., April 20 ($165 per person; $60 for kids ages 4 to 12), complete with a live jazz trio and children’s entertainment area, plus caviar, sushi, a charcuterie station and carving station. Capture the moment at the portrait station, where a photographer will be snapping family pics. If you’re doing Easter at home, bring your little ones to an enchanting, fairytale-inspired Princess Fairytale Afternoon Tea on April 19 at 2 p.m. ($170 per person; $60 for children ages 4 to 12) featuring Cinderella-inspired cake pops and happily-ever-after citrus madeleines. Kids are encouraged to dress the part for this fanciful afternoon. Â // 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean (Tysons)Â
Surreal
Settle into the botanical dining room of this National Landing restaurant for Easter specials such as Chef Luis Gonzalez’s eggs Benedict with a house-made hollandaise, accompanied with your choice of cured salmon, prosciutto, Canadian bacon or wild mushrooms. Other creations include a tomato puff pastry tart, corn cheddar quiche and swirl pancakes. // 2117 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)