These Chattanooga-area restaurants are taking reservations for Easter dinner

Of course you'll want the traditional spread for Easter dinner, but that doesn't mean you have to prepare it yourself. /File/AP Photo/Larry Crowe

Ham, lamb, fresh veggies and, of course, colorful eggs. While there is still time to plan and cook a meal - and it's so nice that we can all gather again as the pandemic wanes - you may want to celebrate spring without the chores of cooking and cleaning up afterward. So, as Easter approaches, Chattanooga restaurants are preparing to open their doors and greet guests with some of your favorite Easter dishes.

Here are a few places around town that are planning something special, from a relaxing Easter brunch to a beautiful Easter dinner after those all-important egg hunts.

Restaurants are expected to be busy this Easter Sunday, April 17, according to the National Restaurant Association. Best advice? Make reservations as soon as possible.

- Acropolis Mediterranean Grill, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. Acropolis will open its doors Easter morning serving roasted leg of lamb with spinach, feta and rosemary over lemon potatoes; grilled Porterhouse lamb chops over roasted vegetable couscous; and pecan-crusted North Carolina trout over roasted red potatoes with Brussels sprouts and bacon-tomato jam. Traditional Greek Easter bread will also be served. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 423-899-5341, acropolisgrill.com

- The Bitter Alibi, 825 Houston St. Enjoy Easter brunch on the restaurant's new patio and feast on made-from-scratch entrees such as Saigon French toast topped with chocolate, sweetened condensed cream, Viet sugar and fresh fruit. Or go the savory route with avocado tacos or Richy's coffee-crusted burger. Mimosas are $4 by the glass, $10 for a carafe. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 423-362-5070, thebitteralibi.com

- Bridgeman's Chophouse at the Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd. Hours will be extended on Easter Sunday so that you can enjoy such menu favorites as jumbo lump crab cakes, oysters on the half shell, French onion soup, herb-crusted rack of lamb, braised short ribs and filets, rib-eyes, New York strips and the amazing 20-ounce bone-in rib-eye. Easter hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 423-643-1240, bridgemanschophouse.com

- Carrabba's Italian Grill, 2040 Hamilton Place Blvd. Carrabba's is setting the table for you this Easter with flavorful new dishes, including Tuscan-grilled lamb chops, Tuscan-grilled filet with Marsala and champagne pasta with shrimp, featuring linguine pasta tossed with shrimp in a champagne cream sauce with roasted red bell peppers and sautéed mushrooms. Then loosen your belt and make room for Carrabba's new Berries and Butter Cake, a rich butter cake with blackberries, raspberries and drizzles of strawberry sauce topped with vanilla ice cream. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 423-894-9970, carrabbas.com

Photo Contributed by Carrabba's / Branch into something a little different for Easter dinner with champagne pasta with shrimp, one of the new spring specials at Carrabba's Italian Grill.

- The Creag at McLemore Cove, 32 Clubhouse Lane, Rising Fawn, Georgia. Easter brunch on the bluff of Lookout Mountain promises a memorable feast of starters, including lemon ricotta pancakes, crab Benedict, wild mushroom soup, spiced leg of lamb, smoked Cornish hens and a cornucopia of other delicious starters, salads and entrees. For dessert? Chocolate coffee matzo; olive oil cake with orange, honey and almonds; or rhubarb tart with strawberry, pistachio and meringue. Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 706-620-0158, themclemore.com/dining

- Davis Wayne's, 9454 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah. Davis Wayne's is closed on Mondays and Sundays, so their Easter favorites, including deviled eggs, potato salad and honey ham, will be on the menu Friday and Saturday, joining such house favorites as slow-cooked pot roast, jerk pork tenderloin, fried corn and collard greens. Hours: 3-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 3-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 423-269-8969, Facebook.com/DavisWaynes

- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 2107 Gunbarrel Road. A delicious new brunch menu just in time for Easter will feature steak and eggs, grilled salmon Benedict, bacon and egg brioche, shrimp and grits, Firebird's Brunch Burger and avocado toast salad. 423-308-1090, chattanooga.firebirdsrestaurants.com

- The Forge at The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. The tradition of buffets resplendent with Easter dishes comes back to The Chattanoogan hotel's restaurant. There will be several stations, starting with appetizers, then onto entrees, such as roast suckling pig, prime rib, seared salmon and lots of side dishes. Don't miss the omelet station, a selection of quiches, French toast and other brunch items. For dessert? Cakes and pies, oh my! Plus bottomless mimosas (upcharge for those) along with coffee, teas, sodas and assorted juices. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: opentable.com

- Hello Monty, 306 W. Main St. The Southside's newest darling, Hello Monty, will be hopping on Easter Sunday, so make reservations early for Sunday brunch with added Easter specials. Hours: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Reservations: resy.com or hellomontyonmain.com

- Main Street Meats, 217 E. Main St. All of your Easter favorites will be on the takeout menu at Main Street Meats, from smoked lambs and hams to cold-poached jumbo asparagus, Grandma's green beans and potato gratin. Don't forget to order the apple strudel or creme brulee. Orders need to be placed by Thursday, April 14, for pickup Saturday or Easter Sunday. 423-602-9568, mainstreetmeatschatt.com

- Neighbor, 9431 Bradmore Lane. Ooltewah's newest place for brunch will offer its regular menu of shrimp and grits, steak and eggs, its popular skillet dishes and made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls, but will also expand its offerings with Easter specials using select seasonal ingredients to be determined. Brunch hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. 423-531-9463, neighborofwinedown.com

- Rembrandt's Coffee House, 411 E. Second St. Order your Easter treats now - carrot cake cheesecake, Easter pastries, carrot cake and more Easter treats. Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 423-321-0235, ext. 3, bluffviewartdistrict.com/rembrandtscoffeehouse

- Rodizio Grill, 439 Broad St. The all-you-care-to-eat offerings on the food bar will expand on Easter Sunday to include roasted lamb, salmon, coconut fish, cocktail shrimp and much more. Hours: 11 a.m-9 p.m. Reservations: rodiziogrill.com

- Smokey Bones, 2225 Gunbarrel Road. Let this popular smokehouse do the work for you and prepare one of its honey hams to serve at your Easter table this year. The hams are available now for pre-order and are priced at $49.99. Guests should call 423-893-7850 or stop by in person at the restaurant to place orders no later than Thursday, April 14.

- Stir, 1444 Market St. at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Stir's popular weekend brunch is perfect for your Easter celebration. Enjoy $1 mimosas and $5 Bloody Marys, along with chicken and waffles; shrimp and crab Benedict; and avocado toast, among other made-from-scratch favorites. Hours: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Note that reservations are accepted for Saturday brunch but not for Sunday brunch. 423-531-7847, stirchattanooga.com

- Tupelo Honey, 1110 Market St. inside Warehouse Row. Celebrate Easter weekend with Southern-inspired dishes such as Tupelo Shrimp & Grits with creole sauce and chorizo sausage, or explore the new spring offerings, which include the Chili-Lime Roasted Half Bird and a selection of cast-iron scrambles, which add savory toppings to cheesy scrambled eggs made in a cast-iron wok. Brunch and dinner reservations available. tupelohoneycafe.com/reservations/

- Whitebird at The Edwin, 102 Walnut St. Brunch on the bluff of the Tennessee River will feature big, beautiful Belgian waffles dripping with fresh butter and maple syrup; shrimp and grits; eggs Benedict with country ham and poached eggs drizzled with Hollandaise sauce; along with a selection of additional Easter specials. Enjoy brunch with a Bloody Mary or a bucket of mimosas. Hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 423-269-8539, whitebirdchattanooga.com

Want to add your restaurant to this list? Email Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.

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