Chattanooga-area restaurants have options for your Easter feast, whether you eat in or get their specialties to go

Getty Images / Chattanooga restaurants' Easter menus will vary from traditional to fresh takes. Reservations are recommended whether you'll be eating in or getting specialties to serve at home.
Getty Images / Chattanooga restaurants' Easter menus will vary from traditional to fresh takes. Reservations are recommended whether you'll be eating in or getting specialties to serve at home.

There's nothing better than spending Easter Sunday with family and friends. But after the race to fill Easter baskets and getting everyone dressed and out the door for church or whatever else your morning has in store, making an elaborate Easter dinner might not sound that appealing.

Here are some restaurants in the Chattanooga area that will be serving something a little special on their menus. Or if you'd rather stay at home, included are a few ideas for where to pick up a takeout pack filled with all of your Easter favorites. Reservations, whether takeout or eat-in, are highly recommended. Easter is April 9.

(READ MORE: Things to do in Chattanooga this week include Easter egg hunts and concrete canoe races)

— 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; stuffed pork loin with apple-sausage stuffing over mashed potatoes with green beans; and pecan-crusted North Carolina trout over Riverview Farms grits with caramelized Brussels sprouts and bacon-tomato jam. Traditional Greek Easter bread also will be served, along with creme brulee cheesecake for dessert. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 423-899-5341, acropolisgrill.com

— The Bitter Alibi, 825 Houston St. Enjoy Easter brunch with a feast of 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 Breakfast Wanton Nachos. Or have both sweet and savory with chicken and waffles. Mimosas are $4 by the glass, $14 for a carafe. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 423-362-5070, thebitteralibi.com

(READ MORE: Bitter Alibi, Daily Ration owner expanding restaurant offerings into Red Bank, Signal Mountain)

— Bonefish Grill, 2115 Gunbarrel Road. Enjoy a new menu of brunch specials on Easter Sunday at Bonefish. The new brunch entrees, all served with bacon and seasoned potatoes, include three frittatas: one with crab and fontina cheese, an Italian-flavored Caprese and one with bacon and cheddar cheese. Also on the menu is the Grand Marnier French Toast. And for sipping, try a Bloody Mary, espresso martini, mimosa or blackberry red sangria, one of several that come in a new shareable pitcher. Brunch begins at 10 a.m. Reservations: bonefishgrill.com, 423-892-3175

— 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 your Easter meal in the beautiful surroundings of Chattanooga's historic hotel for either lunch or dinner. The lunch menu, served 11 a.m.-2 p.m., has favorites such as pheasant and rosemary terrine, and applewood-smoked ham. Dinner, served 2-8 p.m., features spring lamb carpacchio and a seafood trio of skillet-seared scallops, colossal shrimp and jumbo lump crab cakes. A 16-ounce rosemary-Dijon crusted prime rib with Dauphinoise potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise will be on both lunch and dinner menus. Reservations: 423-643-1240, resy.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, Tomato Caprese With Fresh Burrata and Linguine Primavera with asparagus, peas and roasted tomatoes tossed with basil-pesto cream sauce. Then loosen your belt and make room for Carrabba's new Citrus Olive Oil Cake with lemon curd, whipped cream, blackberries and mint chiffonade. Carrabba's is also offering meal bundles and individual party pans of many of its favorite entrees serving five or 10 people. Go online to carrabbas.com/catering for the complete menu. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 423-894-9970, carrabbas.com

— The Creag at McLemore, 32 Clubhouse Lane, Rising Fawn, Ga. The Creag opens for a delicious breakfast/brunch on Easter morning. Enjoy a buffet filled with choices, such as egg casserole, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, berry buttermilk pancakes, quiche Lorraine, pasta salad and Shrimp Gemeli pasta. Stay afterward for Sunday golf at the McLemore Highlands Course with one of the best views of any golf course around. Buffet hours: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 706-620-0158, themclemore.com

— Davis Wayne's, 9454 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah. Make beautiful music this Easter as Davis Wayne's premieres its Afternoon Delight Brunch Series with award-winning singer-songwriter Julie Dexter entertaining diners. The menu will include some of the eatery's popular breakfast items, both sweet and savory, such as steak and eggs, hashbrown casserole, fresh fruit and assorted pastries. Hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Facebook.com/DavisWaynes

— Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 2107 Gunbarrel Road. Firebirds will be offering Easter feasts to go: The full meal that feeds up to six people starts at $170 and features baked ham, mac and cheese, asparagus, parmesan mashed potatoes, spiced pecan green beans, bread and butter and, for dessert, mixed berry bread pudding. For $30 more, prime rib with horseradish and au jus along with the same sides are offered. Or dine in and choose from an assortment of brunch dishes, such as the steak and egg bowl, grilled salmon Benedict, bacon and egg brioche, shrimp and grits, Firebird's Brunch Burger and avocado toast salad. Hours: 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (brunch). 423-308-1090, chattanooga.firebirdsrestaurants.com

— The Forge at The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. The Chattanoogan's restaurant has long been known for its buffets, and this Easter promises a basketful of deliciousness for both brunch and lunch. There will be several stations, starting with appetizers, then onto entrees, such as smoked brisket, turkey and seafood at three carving stations. There will also be Easter ham, three-cheese mac-and-cheese, smashed potatoes, fried chicken and biscuits, an egg scramble with bacon and sausage, and yummy warm cinnamon rolls. A dessert station will showcase pastries, red velvet cake, carrot cake, Dutch apple pie and other treats and sweets. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations: opentable.com

(READ MORE: Forge restaurant opens at The Chattanoogan hotel)

— Fresh Market, 2288 Gunbarrel Road. The market's ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook Easter meals will make your Easter cooking a breeze. Order a ham meal that includes a 9-pound spiral-sliced honey ham, a cored pineapple, green bean medley, white cheddar scalloped potatoes, dinner rolls and cake that will serve eight to 10 guests for $100. Members of Fresh Market's Ultimate Loyalty Program will receive an additional 10% off. There's also a ham meal for four people for $60. And if you're a lamb lover, Fresh Market will have a lamb meal for two for $50 that will include a 28-ounce rack of lamb with sides. If brunch is your thing, order the brunch meal for four for $25 and bring home a quiche, a pound of bacon, tropical fruit and muffins. Orders may be placed at freshmarket.com through Saturday, April 8. The ham meal for eight to 10 and the brunch meal may also be picked up in store if you don't meet the April 8 deadline. shop.thefreshmarket.com

— Hello Monty, 306 W. Main St. Say hello to Easter and springtime at Hello Monty where Easter weekend will be filled with deliciousness. The brunch menu features favorites such as the HM Grits Bowl with Riverview Farms grits, Gulf shrimp, cheesy scrambled eggs and other toppings; a Brunch Burger with cheese, bacon and an egg sunny side up; cast-iron french toast and more. Brunch will be served both Saturday and Sunday on Easter weekend with more Easter specials added to the menu. Grab a seat on the patio if one's available. Hours: 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Reservations: hellomontyonmain.com

  photo  Photo by Graham Yelton / Hello Monty's Easter weekend brunch menu, which will be available Saturday and Sunday, includes the HM Grits Bowl with Riverview Farms grits, Gulf shrimp, cheesy scrambled eggs, field peas and other toppings. Sirloin steak or a veggie patty may be substituted for the shrimp.
 
 

— Main Street Meats, 217 E. Main St. All of your Easter favorites will be on the takeout menu at Main Street Meats, from Easter hams to Easter lamb, cold-smoked and braised with honey, rosemary and red wine. Sides include an asparagus-mushroom tart with goat cheese and lemon; balsamic-glazed carrots with fennel and hazelnuts, mashed potatoes and mac-and-cheese. Don't forget to pick up some bacon-and-chocolate chip cookies and a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting for dessert. Orders need to be placed by Thursday, April 6, for pickup Saturday or Easter Sunday. 423-602-9568, mainstreetmeatschatt.com

— Neighbor, 9431 Bradmore Lane. Ooltewah's favorite brunch spot will offer its regular menu of pork chops and grits, Chef's Burrito, chicken and waffles, build-your-own Bennies and other made-from-scratch favorites. But Neighbor will also expand its offerings with Easter specials using select seasonal ingredients to be determined. Brunch hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 423-531-9463, neighborofwinedown.com

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

— Ruth's Chris, 2321 Lifestyle Way. Knowing the popularity of dining out on Easter Sunday, the popular steakhouse extends its hours and will be offering its regular menu of steaks and chicken, wonderful side dishes, good wines and refreshing spring cocktails for a few extra hours, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 423-602-5900, ruthchris.net

— Smokey Bones, 2225 Gunbarrel Road. This popular smokehouse will be serving a special menu through May 1, so your Easter dinner can be a little different this year with Cajun Brown Sugar Fish, shrimp and grits, a Nashville Hot Pork Tenderloin sandwich and a Rack o' Backs RibFeast in addition to the regular menu of smoky favorites. And don't forget a Waffle Strawberry Sundae for dessert. Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. smokeybones.com

— Southern Belle at Ross's Landing, 151 Riverfront Parkway. Set sail this Easter on one of three special cruises. Take the kids along for a one-hour Easter Bunny sightseeing cruise that includes a magic show, coloring sheets, pilot house tours, a visit with the Bunny and a buffet breakfast. There will also be a two-hour lunch cruise with live music, a visit with the Easter Bunny, pilothouse tour and a buffet-style lunch. There's also a one-hour dinner cruise for groups of 75 or more. For more information, log onto chattanoogariverboat.com. For reservations, call 423-266-4488.

— Stir, 1444 Market St. at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Stir's popular weekend brunch is perfect for your Easter celebration. Enjoy $5 double mimosas and $5 Bloody Marys, along with shrimp and crab Benedict; Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast; and avocado toast, among other made-from-scratch favorites. Hours: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Reservations are not accepted for brunch, so get there early to snag a table. 423-531-7847, stirchattanooga.com

— Tupelo Honey inside Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St. 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 a selection of Southern-style Bennies, fried chicken and waffles and avocado toast. Brunch and dinner reservations available. Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. tupelohoneycafe.com/reservations/

— Whole Foods, 301 Manufacturers Road or 1814 Gunbarrel Road. Set the table this Easter with one of several meats from Whole Foods, such as its maple bourbon ham with brown sugar citrus glaze, herb and red wine glazed lamb shanks or a roasted turkey breast with lemon butter sauce. Orders need to be placed by Friday, April 7. Order online at wholefoodsmarket.com or call 423-702-7300 (Manufacturers Road) or 423-425-9133 (Gunbarrel).

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

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