Area Restaurants Offer Easter Specials
This Easter be sure to hop on over to one of the many restaurants in the DMV offering holiday brunch or dinner Sunday, Mar. 27. From family-friendly events to intimate and sophisticated dining, guests have a bounty of options for creating a memorable Easter experience.
1789 Restaurant, 1226 36th St. NW, will be dishing up an Easter a la carte brunch served from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and the Easter Bunny will make a guest appearance delivering candy to children. Entrée prices range from $27-$50 with the first course included in the entrée price. Desserts are $10. The first course menu will includes bucatini carbonara with pancetta, shallots and parmigiano-reggiano; spring pea salad with spring peas, pea shoots, smoked yogurt and almonds; velouté- roasted mushrooms and chorizo; and duck strudel à l’orange with duck confit, orange marmalade, spiced walnuts and bitter greens. Main course selections feature quiche with goat cheese, bacon, asparagus and a mixed spring greens salad; 35 day dry-aged beef with new potato hash, onion confit and sunny-side up eggs; shrimp and grits with white grits, fried green tomatoes and roasted gulf shrimp; duck cassoulet with sausage, cranberry beans, soffritto and duck skin cracklings; rack of lamb with porchetta, garlic puree, artichokes, charred baby leeks and roasted mushrooms; and Alaska halibut with charred spring onions, fava beans, fiddlehead ferns and red Miner’s lettuce. Dessert choices include hummingbird cake with brûléed banana, vanilla pudding, compressed pineapple, dark rum-toffee sauce and banana ice cream; key lime soufflé cake with toasted coconut puff, honey graham crackers, key lime custard, white chocolate and coconut sherbet; and chocolate espresso tart with chocolate croquant, salted caramel espuma, toasted hazelnuts and gianduja ice cream.
701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will serve a $55 per person three-course menu. Brunch will be available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner from 5-9:30 p.m. The menu includes beet salad with maple labne, green apple, pecans and pomegranate vinaigrette; burrata with oyster-salsa verde and focaccia; doppio raviolo with braised rabbit, butternut squash fondue and truffle; leg of lamb with fregula, almond, cranberry and green harissa; roasted ham with scalloped potatoes, asparagus and honey mustard jus; poached hake with artichoke consommé and artichoke tortellini; and smoked duck with plantains, black beans and salsa verde. Dessert includes chocolate molten cake with salted peanut butter ganache and vanilla ice cream; carrot cake bread Pudding with praline ice cream and raisin brown butter; or elderflower parfait with rhubarb compote and almond streusel.
Bar Dupont, 1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW, in the Dupont Circle Hotel, will host its annual Easter egg hunt. Beginning at 2 p.m., the café and bar will distribute decorative eggs to its guests with special promotions and deals from neighboring businesses. Eggs will also be filled with promotions and discounts from Bar Dupont and sister restaurant Café Dupont, including gifts like a free cocktail and a complimentary dessert or discount.
Blue Duck Tavern, 1201 24th St. NW, is introducing new seasonal, American classics to the restaurant’s Easter menu. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for $110 per person for adults and $55 for children between 6-12. Children under 5 are free. The three-course menu begins with a choice of starters, including seasonal salads, meats, breads and cheeses on display throughout the open kitchen. Next guests choose their entrée and sides from the holiday menu, which includes dishes such as brioche French toast with rhubarb jam, crystalized orange and house crème fraîche; chicken and waffles with pepper relish and honey butter; baked egg with Sea Island red pea stew, duck leg confit, house-made pork sausage and broccoli rabe; pan-roasted salmon with kaffir lime beurre blanc; herb-roasted leg of lamb with natural jus; and oven-roasted porchetta with Castelvetrano olives. Brunch concludes with seasonal desserts, which are on display in the pastry pantry. Children between 6-12 will receive a semi-sweet chocolate bunny to take-home. Also, a collection of freestanding white chocolate rabbits, from Mom and Dad Easter Bunny to their young offspring, will be on display in the pastry pantry throughout the weekend.
The Bombay Club, 815 Connecticut Ave. NW will be offering its champagne buffet brunch with live piano music and traditional Indian fare. Dishes include saag murg with chicken, onion, tomato, garlic and mustard greens; lamb zafrani with onion, yogurt, cashew, saffron and mace; shrimp pepper masala with black pepper, tomato and tamarind; aloo matar with potato, green peas, onion and ginger; baingan mirch ka salan with eggplant, jalapeno, onion, tamarind, sesame and peanut; and carrot pulao with basmati rice and carrot. Dessert choices include berry phirni, milk, rice and berries; mango pannacotta; gulab jamun; and mixed fruit. Brunch is $30 per person or $45 with bottomless champagne from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Bourbon Steak, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in the Four Seasons Hotel, will offer a three-course brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. with options like asparagus salad served with warm burrata, vin cotto and lemon Marcona almond streusel; and rhubarb clafoutis with brown butter gelato. After the meal, brunch guests can participate in a WhistlePig Whiskey Easter-bottle hunt. On the restaurant’s patio, diners can search for diminutive pastel ribbon-wrapped bottles to take home as a gift, while the kids hunt for candy-filled eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny from 12:30-1 p.m. on the lower level.
Brasserie Beck, 1101 K St. NW, is serving brunch special dishes along with its usual brunch fare from 11:30 a.m-4 p.m. Special dishes include rabbit “blanquette de veau,” slowly simmered creamy white stew flavored with cognac and vermouth braised with celery, cippolini onions, oysters and shitake mushrooms; spring pea soup topped with Maine lobster, smoked bacon and crème fraiche; garlic lemon and herb marinated Colorado leg of lamb with roasted local baby carrots, boulangère turnips, carrot top salsa verde and house-made yogurt.
Burtons Grill, 6452A Burton St., Alexandria in the Hilltop Village will offer five Easter specials in addition to their regular a la carte menu. Specials include beet-dyed deviled eggs with sweet pea and mint filling and crispy ham chiffonade; smoked salmon with chevre and apple caprese salad with arugula and dill pesto; gluten-free lemon and poppy seed pancakes with strawberry compote; asparagus, brie and cherry frittata with sunflower sprouts; and red velveteen mini-waffles with a Nutella-cream cheese sauce. Specials are priced from $10-$16 each.
Centrolina, 974 Palmer Alley NW in CityCenterDC, is selling house-made Easter candy and other treats through the end of the week. As part of its holiday decorations, chef and owner Amy Brandwein and pastry chef Jennifer Costa have made a massive, 3-foot, 30-pound chocolate display egg. The egg will be in the Centrolina market through Mar. 27. Smaller versions of the cherry blossom-themed chocolate egg are available for purchase. A small 3.5-ounce standing egg is $7.75, a medium 8.75-ounce egg is $16 and a large 40-ounce egg is $62. The market is also selling baskets. A large basked with Prosecco, an 8.75-ounce egg, four sugar cookies and two Rice Crispy eggs is $65; a medium basked with six marshmallow eggs, a 3.5-ounce chocolate egg, two sugar cookies and one Rice Crispy egg is $38; and a small basket with a chocolate bunny, two sugar cookies and two Rice Crispy eggs is $25.
City Tap House, 901 Ninth St. NW, is serving a special menu and drink specials. During brunch, it will be serving an asparagus salad with Benton’s country ham, a sunny-side-up egg, fava bean puree, chicory and grana Padano; and a crab cake benedict with poached eggs, spinach and orange mousseline. Dessert specials include “peeps” made with vanilla marshmallow and served with chocolate sable crumble, strawberries and almond gelato; and Cadbury Crème Egg lollipops with raspberry gel and pistachio brittle crumble. Select “hoppy” beers are $5.
Del Frisco’s Grille, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will open early on Easter at 11 a.m. Special offerings include a 16-ounce prime rib and lemon cake “jar” filled with the restaurant’s tart, sweet dessert.
District Commons, 2200 Washington Circle NW, will offer special à la carte brunch and dinner menus. From 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., will offer traditional brunch dishes like eggs benedict with artisanal Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce and new dishes such as hearth-crisped flatbread topped with creamed spinach, shaved country ham, and quail eggs. Dinner is served from 5-9 p.m. featuring dishes such as roasted duck “low and slow” with wild rice-sweet potato Hash and sorghum chili glaze.
Et Voila!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, will showcase festive holiday specials in addition to its regular brunch and dinner menus. Specials include vegetable tian with poached eggs and Iberico ham de bellota and rack of lamb with Napoleon tomato confit and potato olivette. For a special dessert, diners can enjoy Arthur the Rabbit, pate a choux with chocolate Chantilly, hazelnut cream and pear jelly. Arthur the Rabbit is available from Mar. 24 through Easter. Et Voila! will be open during its regular hours, with brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner from 5-9:30 p.m. Specials will be priced from $10.50 to $35.95 each.
La Ferme Restaurant, 7101 Brookville Road, Chevy Chase, will offer a special three-course menu from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. for $59 per person. First course dishes include jumbo lump crabmeat and avocado salad with sweet corn; scallions with a spicy remoulade sauce; or goat cheese ravioli with sun dried tomato cream sauce and arugula and fennel salad. Entrées include traditional roasted leg of spring lamb with rosemary jus and mashed potatoes; trout almandine; or sautéed veal scaloppini served with Calvados and mushroom cream sauce “Normande” style. The chocolate Easter tradition is presented in profiterolles au chocolat or bittersweet chocolate and marzipan charlotte served with espresso crème anglaise for dessert. The full menu is available online.
Fuego Cocina y Tequileria, 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, will serve brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with chilaquiles verdes, a tortilla “casserole” of queso fresco, salsa verde, and sunny-side up eggs and Latin-style French toast finished with roasted pineapple, canela, agave nectar syrup and chorizo. Dinner, served from 5:30-9 p.m., will spotlight the “Feast of the Chupacabra,” a family-style supper with locally-raised organic roasted goat plus cilantro rice, black beans, handmade corn tortillas and other accompaniments. Both brunch and dinner are à la carte.
The Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW, is serving its full brunch menu with Easter specials. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance to give out candy, hugs, and provide photo opportunities. Brunch will be served from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the dining room. The Hamilton Live will also be offering its gospel brunch with three performances at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. It includes music by The Gospel Persuaders along with an all-you-can-eat buffet filled with breakfast classics and Southern dishes as well as one Mimosa or Bloody Mary for $45 per person.
The Hay-Adams will serve an Easter holiday brunch at the Top of the Hay from 10 a.m-3 p.m. for $120 per person and $60 for children 12 and younger. It will feature an appetizer buffet with seasonal specials. Then diners can choose from a variety of starters and salads, as well as seasonal specials such as chilled white asparagus and truffle oil Soup with edamame peas; baby romaine lobster salad with boiled egg, pickled red onion and basil vinaigrette; carved black Angus beef tenderloin with Yukon gold and sweet mashed potatoes and perigourdine sauce; spinach tortellini with herb roasted tomatoes and white asparagus; baked organic chicken breast with oregano and parmesan crust, fava beans, diced heirloom tomato and piquillo pepper sauce; and Colorado lamb noisettes with spring vegetables and tarragon lamb jus complemented by either a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne, a classic Bloody Mary or a strawberry orange mimosa. A dessert buffet with White Rabbit carrot cake; lemon bundt cake with blueberries; brown butter layer cake with dulce de leche; mango-coconut parfait; bunny tail bonbons; rhubarb cobbler and others finishes the meal.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, 750 15th St. NW, will be offering specials in addition to its a la carte menu from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dishese include strawberry waffles and half-priced signature cocktails and wines by the glass. Children will receive a surprise Easter treat.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, 401 E. Braddock Road, Arlington, will offer a variety of specials in addition to its regular a la carte brunch menu from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Holiday specials include beef carpaccio with baby arugula, parmesan, balsamic reduction, cracked pepper and olive oil; lamb chops nello stile di Roma, rosemary rubbed grilled chops with roasted potatoes, artichokes and a red wine sauce; pasta carbonara with house-made spaghetti, pancetta, fava beans, asparagus, grape tomatoes and pea tendrils; and cioppino with mussels, clams, shrimp and seafood broth served with toasted focaccia. For dessert, there is a special mascarpone cannoli with pistachios and chocolate ganache. Easter specials range from $6-21.
Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, will celebrate the Italian holiday Pasqua, which translates to “Easter,” from 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. The restaurant will feature three specials in addition to its regular a la carte brunch menu. Specials include torta pasqualina (Easter pie) with eggs, spinach, cheese, onions, raisins and herbs served on top of a roasted marinara sauce ($14); and agnello scottadito, marinated lamb chops served with roasted potatoes, fried artichokes, parsley cream and an Amalfi lemon dressing ($30). Colomba Pasquale, or “Easter Cake,” with custard and berries ($14) will be available for dessert.
Marcel’s, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will serve a three-course brunch from 11:30 a.m-2 p.m. Dishes include Maryland crab cake dressed with dijon crème fraiche, confit Dutch potato and lemon; farmhouse chicken with gruyere cheese potato cake, melange of vegetables and tarragon jus; and a flourless Valrhona chocolate cake with caramel ganache accompanied by a chocolate raspberry mousse bombe and Baileys Irish ice cream. Bruch is $28 for children 12 and under and $65 for adults.
Nopa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, is offering a special a la carte brunch menu from 11 a.m-3 p.m. Dishes include yellowfin tuna carpaccio with watercress, shiso, crispy quinoa and yuzu-fresno chile vinaigrette; spring pea shoot salad with watermelon radish, English peas, shaved carrots, ricotta salata, fennel, egg 63 and warm guanciale vinaigrette; deviled eggs with basil mousse, pea tendril, espelette and smoked salmon; buttermilk biscuit sandwich with house-made fennel-sage sausage, smoked cheddar, sunnyside egg and bacon jam aioli; grilled bistro filet and eggs with baby kale, andouille sausage, smoked farro, Skuna caviar and truffle crème fraiche; and carrot infused spaghetti with braised lamb shoulder, preserved lemon, green chickpeas, mint and feta. Prices range from $6-$27 each.
The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave. NW, is serving a three-course, prix fixe Easter menu from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for $60 per person or $85 with wine pairings. Dishes include English pea velouté with olive oil croutons, pineapple mint and lemon crème fraîche; house-made pappardelle with rabbit ragout, peas, chanterelles and marjoram; hamachi crudo with avocado, spring lettuce, hearts of palm and a ginger soy vinaigrette; lemon ricotta ravioli with English peas, baby carrots, spring onions and farm butter; crispy skin salmon with spring garlic, honey cap mushrooms, fava beans and preserved lemon; beef tenderloin with king trumpet mushrooms, potato pavé and charred onion vinaigrette; and roasted leg of lamb with piquillo pepper romesco, charred eggplant, peas, olives and mint. Dessert offerings include frozen local strawberry soufflé with rhubarb, basil and cracked black pepper; angel food cake with whipped lemon ricotta and grapefruit condiment; or chocolate mousse with hazelnut brittle and coffee ice cream.
Occidental Grill & Seafood, 1475 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering a three-course prix fixe brunch menu for $45. Dishes include wild mushroom and sweet onion tart with gruyere and aged balsamic; and sautéed jumbo lump crab cakes with kimchi puree and fried green tomatoes. Dessert includes cherry peach crisp, three layer chocolate torte with passionfruit gel or a crème brulee. Handcrafted brunch cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages like blueberry lavender soda are available a la carte.
PassionFish, 7187 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, and 11960 Democracy Dr., Reston, will serve a $19, two-course brunch from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dishes include seafood crepes stuffed with shrimp and crab, holy trinity and royal glacage and smoked Great Lakes whitefish hash with Yukon gold potatoes and sunny-side up eggs. The restaurants will serve an à la carte dinner menu from 5-9 p.m. with a medley of ceviches and signature sushi rolls like the Bar Harbor, a roll of Maine lobster, romaine lettuce, avocado and honey-lime aoili.
Roof Terrace Restaurant, 2700 F St. NW at the Kennedy Center, is offering a $45 prix fixe brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. complete with a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Tadich Grill, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, which is normally closed on Sundays, will offer a seafood-centric brunch, from noon-6 p.m. The menu will feature three new dishes including a benedict with smoked salmon from Washington’s Ivy City Smokehouse; shad roe with lemon caper brown butter and a fingerling-frisée salad; and a chilled colossal prawn salad with baby spinach, citrus ‘jewels’ and a roasted shallot vinaigrette. The full menu will also be available a la carte.
The Willard Intercontinental Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering a brunch buffet at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. with seafood, carving stations and more. Sample dishes like country sausage and mahi-mahi ceviche, and browse stations offering made-to-order pancakes, roasted leg of lamb and more. The dessert spread includes a dark chocolate fountain. The buffet is $110 for adults, $55 for children 5-12 and children under 5 are free.
Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro, 11750 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, is serving a brunch buffet priced at $59 for adults and $25 for kids 5-12 featuring items like fresh baked breads, oyster, pork tenderloin with roasted peaches and maple glazed ham. There will be an Easter egg hunt and petting zoo in the parking lot for children.
If you plan on eating out on Easter, you better hop to it and make your reservations now before they fill up.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.