If you don't want to spend Easter Sunday in the kitchen and plan on eating out, several restaurants are offering special Easter menus or other promotions.
It's not too late to call and make reservations, and they are highly recommended since statistics show that 51 percent of Americans eat out on Easter.
» The Acropolis Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd., 423-899-5341. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Lamb meatballs will be served as an appetizer ($7); followed by a choice of five entrees: leg of lamb ($15); bacon-wrapped shrimp and scallops ($20); stuffed lemon sole ($21); stuffed Heritage pork chop ($17); or pecan-crusted North Carolina trout. All entrees come with soup or salad, along with sides.
» The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St., 423-424-3700. Easter brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The buffet will include a variety of breakfast and lunch items: baked pastries, steak and eggs, made-to-order omelets, chicken piccata, roasted salmon, carving stations serving ham and lamb. Finish the meal with cheesecakes, tarts, cakes or pies, or create your own dessert from the sundae station with ice cream from Clumpies along with all the toppings. The meal is $45 adults, $22 ages 5-12 and free for kids under 5.
» Cafe on the Corner, 826 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Tenn., 423-825-5005. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The cafe will serve a special menu with petite lamb chops (market price); individual skillet quiche ($13.95); petite filet eggs Benedict with roasted red pepper hollandaise ($16.95); and a Monte Cristo sandwich ($13.95). All entrees come with seasonal sides fresh from the farm.
» Back Inn Cafe, Bluff View Art District, 423-265-5033. Easter brunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Start with one of the small plates, such as fried green tomatoes with pimento goat cheese ($10), before moving on to a choice of lunch entrees, such as pan-seared scallops with asparagus and tomatoes ($24); or Rembrandt's Roasting Co. Rib-Eye served with garlic mashed potatoes, green beans and wild mushroom red-eye gravy ($30).
' Firebirds, 2107 Gunbarrel Road, 423-308-1090. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Firebirds is taking reservations for Easter Sunday, where the new seasonal menu has mouthwatering entrees such as Lemon-Basil Grilled Salmon with a salad of organic red quinoa, pearl barley, spring peas, toasted pecans, grilled corn and goat cheese ($16.40), or Citrus Grilled Scallops served with an apple slaw and sauteed fresh asparagus ($16.95).
Dinner entrees include Beef Tenderloin with Shrimp served with Parmesan mashed potatoes ($29.95) or grilled Pacific halibut served with a cauliflower mash and sauteed asparagus, drizzled in lemon caper butter sauce. Finish the meal with the sweet flavor of Ooey Gooey Butter Cake topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries ($8.25).
» Homestead Harvest Restaurant, 24 Office Drive, Crossville, Tenn., 931-484-7186. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT.
Several Tennessee State Parks are offering special buffets and family-friendly outdoor activities over Easter weekend, and Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville is among them.
Diners celebrating Easter at Homestead Harvest Restaurant can take advantage of home-cooked favorites on a salad bar and hot bar. The price is $16.95 plus drink and tax per adult, and $8.95 plus drink and tax for children ages 6-12.
The salad bar will include all the expected greens and veggie toppings in addition to deviled eggs, cole slaw, fruit salad, potato salad, garden pea salad, cold baked ham and vegetable beef soup.
The hot bar will offer country-cooking favorites such as turkey with dressing, roast beef and gravy, white cream corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, cooked apples and homemade yeast roles.
» Tupelo Honey, 1110 Market St., 423-779-0400. Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; brunch served 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make a reservation for Easter dinner at Tupelo Honey and you're eligible for a prize. Each table of guests dining at the Warehouse Row restaurant from 4 p.m. until closing will have a chance to pick a prize from the Easter basket. Prizes range from dinner for four or a free small plate to $10 off your check and more surprises.
Just one prize per check, and all prizes are valid through April 30.
» The Chef and his Wife, 6849 Prestige Lane Suite 117, 7315 Lee Highway, 423-508-5823. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Don't want to cook, but still want a home-cooked meal for Easter dinner at home? Let The Chef and his Wife help. Just dial the carry-out service, place an order and schedule when you'll pick it up. The deadline to place an order is today, March 29.
On their Easter menu is a sliced, 4-pound Applewood Smoked Ham ($40); and a dozen yeast rolls ($7). Available sides - each feeding eight to 10 people - are scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, Southern-style green beans and creamed corn, each $28.
Three desserts are offered: strawberry rubarb or chocolate pecan pie, ($12); or cherry cobbler ($15).
- Compiled by Anne Braly and staff writer Susan Pierce