Most families have an Easter tradition.
It might include hiding eggs around the yard (organic, from free-range chickens, hand-dyed with all natural stains made from fruits and berries you foraged from your own organic garden, of course).
It might include a home cooked meal (who are we kidding, no less than a feast will do, with slow-roasted Heritage breed ham, surrounded by fruits and berries and mushrooms you foraged from the wild).
Or it may be as simple as sticking a pair of pantyhose on your head for faux bunny ears, and eating waxy chocolate rabbits.
But if none of those ideas grip your fancy, perhaps a relaxed meal out is a better celebration. Let someone else do the cooking (and the dishes) at these fine restaurants serving up Easter brunch in Wine Country:
Brick & Bottle
Chef Scott Howard presents his home-style menu with a flourish, in this special brunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some signature items include Sonoma duck confit hash with poached eggs and hollandaise; Dungeness crab benedict Florentine; grilled salmon Oscar with asparagus and hollandaise; brioche French toast with market berries and maple syrup; and the delightful pizzas.
55 Tamal Vista Boulevard Corte Madera, 415-924-3366, brickandbottle.com.
etoile
Chef Perry Hoffman breaks out the stops for this fabulous three course tasting menu ($80, plus $30 for optional wine pairing). View the entire menu here, with some highlights including a selection of caviars; crisp Liberty Farms duck confit over star anise spaetzle with roasted kumquats and chickweed; and spiced Valrhona chocolate pot de crème finished in fleur de sel with pink peppercorns and amaretto cookies.
1 California Drive Yountville, 888-242-6366, chandon.com.
FIVE
Executive chef Banks White sends out a $55 brunch featuring bottomless mimosas, and dishes like Easter ham in country red eye pan gravy, smoked beef brisket, and duck confit enchiladas. View the menu here, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hotel Shattuck Plaza, 2086 Allston Way, Berkeley, 510-225-6055, five-berkeley.com.
Picán
Perhaps a taste of the South? This buffet-style brunch that includes a glass of champagne or orange juice/Mimosa, and draws from chef Dean Dupris’ intriguing menu of classics like creamed beef biscuits and gravy, catfish and grits, and fried chicken Benedict. See the regular menu here and ask about the famous flaming drinks. Adults are $39.95, and children 6-12 years are $19.95 (5-under are free).
2295 Broadway Oakland, CA 94612, 510) 834-1000, picanrestaurant.com.
Carneros Bistro
Enjoy one of the best restaurants in Sonoma with an Easter brunch buffet that tastes of springtime, for deviled eggs with caviar, savory goat cheese bread pudding with spring onions, roasted stuffed leg of lamb, honey glazed rotisserie ham, eggs Benedict, and a selection of sweets. $45 adults, $22.50 children 12 and under. Served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1325 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-931-2042, carnerosbistro.com.
Level III
Executive Chef Ben Mattman favors classics, such as a chef-attended stir-fry action station, plus eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, bagels with cream cheese for $39 per person.
500 Post St., San Francisco, 415-929-2087, levelthreesf.com.
Vin Antico
Chef Ed Vigil puts his delicious spin on Italian specialties for a wide ranging menu (read it here) offered from 2 to 9 p.m. Just a few temptations include Bellwether Farms ricotta gnocchi with pine nuts, capers, wild mushrooms and asparagus; vanilla cured pork belly with grilled shrimp and scallops accented in lemon salsa verde; and handmade cavatelli pasta topped in spicy pork Bolognese with crispy veal sweetbreads and Bellwether Farms fromage blanc.
881 4th Street, San Rafael, 415-454-4492, vinantico.com.
Poggio
If you love chef Peter McNee’s Italian masterpieces, you’ll love this brunch, since it selects from his regular favorites in a la cart all day dining. Take in the wonderful spring weather and grab a seat outside.
777 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415-332-7771, poggiotrattoria.com.
Tip: Hop to it, and reserve your Easter Town Car or limo today. Pure Luxury Transportation can bring the whole family door-to-door.
