Restaurant Review: More Easter Brunches and Bunny Fun!
Easter is celebrated throughout the world. Fortunately, thanks to Chicago’s rich cultural heritage and multi-ethnic communities, you never have to leave the city to celebrate annual traditions or explore new ones! Here’s just a small sample of Chicago’s Easter offerings throughout the city:
In West Town, Momotaro, 820 W. Lake Street, is serving up Japanese-inspired takes on breakfast classics in a four-course, pre-fixe menu for $75 per person and a special kids’ menu (ages 3-10) for $20 per child. The feast begins with a house-made pastry basket to share, followed by a first course of Broccoli Goma-ae, Curried Deviled Eggs, Miso Soup, or Edamame. The second course includes Sashimi (3pc), Nigiri (3pc), Spicy Tuna Maki, or Momomaki, followedby Smoked Salmon Bagel, Spicy Tuna Dip, TakoSu, or Chicken Dango. Finally , indulge in hearty fare of Pancake, Omelette, Teishoku, Chirashi Don, or Steak & Eggs. YUM!! The kids will feast too, with their choice of Pancake, Scrambled Eggs, Crispy Chicken Katsu, or Tuna Maki ~all served with fruit. For reservations, click here.
Bridgeport’s Easter Brunch Extravaganza at The Duck Inn, 2701 S. Eleanor Street. The renovated, renowned Prohibition-era gastro-tavern at Loomis Street and the Chicago River is serving up a $90 per person feast. Where else can you get Sweet Jesus Grits, Duck Bacon collard greens, and Duck Fat Potatoes for the table, followed by Amuse Boards of mini biscuits with strawberry lavender jam and duck fat butter, bagels & lox with a cream cheese schmear, crudité and capers, rabbit pâté served with pickled mustard seed and foie crostinis, and deviled eggs with wasabi tobiko? Then, your choice of entrées, including their famous Duck Hash with roasted romanesco, thumbelina carrots, and preserved ramp hollandaise, or an Omelette with mushroom duxelles, truffle mornay, and chives, or a Short Rib Benedict with bbq hollandaise, collard greens and cornbread. But that’s not all! Sweet Thangs include a Chocolate miso brownie with matcha cremeux, Mrs. Hickey’s cookies, HOLY Cannoli!! withMeyer lemon ricotta and basil powder, and Coconut mango tartlets with toasted coconut and mint crunch. For reservations, click here.
At its River North location, Avli, 702 N. Wells Street, is hosting a traditional Anastasi Greek Easter Midnight Feast on Saturday, April 19. Curated by Executive Chef Panos Chalikiopoulos, the four-course dinner for $59 per person features Lamb Magiritsa Soup, anegg lemon soup with, leeks, herbs, spinach, lettuce, and leg of lamb, a Salad of Baby Gem lettuce, dill, red onion, cucumber, Kalamata olives, Cretan carob rusks, feta, chive, and red wine vinaigrette. The main course is Arni Fournou, slow-roasted lamb shoulder with garlic, Aleppo pepper & spiced herb sauce served with mashed potatoes. Finally, dessert is a Yogurt Mousse, with mint, and fresh berries. As if that weren’t enough, complimentary red eggs, Koulourakia (Greek cookies) and Tsoureki (Greek bread) are also on hand! For reservations, click here.
In Bucktown/Wicker Park, Manchamanteles, 2009 N. Western Avenue, as Choose Chicago notes, is celebrating Easter with a vibrant menu honoring Mexico’s rich culinary traditions. Start with bold appetizers like Sopa de Lentejas with smoky bacon and pineapple or Ceviche de Hamachi with yuzu and serrano chile. Another signature dish is Ceviche Manchamanteles, featuring Pacific Kampachi, lime, tomatoes, Manzanillo olives, cilantro, avocado, orange, radishes, chile Serrano, and Closed Loop Farms’ microgreens. Not to be missed is their Pulpo al Mojo de Ajo–grilled octopus infused with red chile, sweet and tangy roasted garlic, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and served with a side of guacamole. For reservations, click here.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
