Anne BralyLocal restaurants are hoping to make Easter a special one by offering an amazing basketful of flavors. Tables will fill quickly, so make reservations as soon as you can. Here are some suggestions:
* The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. The Chattanoogan ballroom will have an elegant Easter champagne brunch featuring buffets filled with offerings such as Poached Eggs with Crisp Country Ham and Hollandaise on Cornbread Crostini, Hash Brown Casserole, Smoked Bacon and Sausage Links, Buttermilk Biscuits, Belgian Waffles and omelets cooked to order. If lunch is more your style, try Garlic-Crusted Beef Tenderloin, Rum-Glazed Ham, Peel-and-Eat Shrimp, Seafood Antipasto, Lemon-and-Herb Rotisserie Chicken - and the list goes on. For dessert there will be an assortment of sweet treats, including Carrot Cake with Brown Butter-Cream Cheese Frosting, assorted cheesecakes and Chocolate-Raspberry Mousse Tart. Price: $38.95 adults, $19.95 children 6-12; complimentary for kids under six. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 756-3400.
* Embargo 62, 301 Cherokee Blvd. Embargo gives a nod to our neighbors to the south with live Latin music and a distinctive Cuban menu. Among the offerings on the a la carte Easter brunch menu are: Seafood Ceviche ($13.50), Empanadas ($8), Cuban sandwiches ($8.50) or the popular Cuban Frita Burger topped with a fried egg and potato sticks ($9). Also available are entrees such as Grouper with Puree de Malanga and Grilled Asparagus ($17) or Cuban-style French Toast with Butter Pecan Ice Cream ($8.50). There will also be soup, salad and dessert, such as Flan de Coco ($4). Carafes of mimosas and sangria are $5 with a brunch purchase; Easter mojitos are $6.50. Seating is strictly first-come, first-served. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 551-4786.
* The Acropolis, 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd. Acropolis will roll out several Easter specials in addition to its regular menu, including Diver Scallops and Gulf Shrimp wrapped in Applewood Bacon over Riverview Farm Grits and Grilled Asparagus, finished with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis ($19). Also featured are Braised Lamb Shank over Parmesan Risotto, served with Grilled Asparagus ($19) and sliced Roasted Leg of Lamb with Spinach and Feta over Roasted Red Potatoes with a Herb Jus ($14). All tables will be presented with traditional Greek Easter bread. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 899-5341.
* Food Works, 205 Manufacturers Road. While the regular brunch menu will be served with such treats as its popular Chicken and Waffles, Banana-Walnut French Toast, breakfast burritos and $1 mimosas, Easter Sunday brunch hours will be extended from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to accommodate more diners. 752-7487.
* Easy Bistro, 203 Broad St. The downtown bistro will add several specials for Easter brunch, including a Monte Cristo made with Main Street Meats Lengua Pastrami, Gruyere Cheese and Fried Egg served on house-made bread spread with homemade jam. ($15, with fries). Or choose the Cornmeal Pancake with Veal Bacon, Poached Egg, Maple-Bourbon Syrup and Candied Pecans ($16). The dessert special will be Apple-Lemon-Poppy Seed Brioche. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 266-1121.
* 1885 Grill, 314 St. Elmo Ave. In addition to its regular brunch menu, 1885 will feature two Easter chef selections: Prime Rib ($26) and Easter Ham ($12). And no surprise - they'll both be prepared with an 1885 twist. They will also have a Bloody Mary bar ($3.50), mimosa specials ($3) and live music on the patio, weather permitting. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Preferred seating: 485-3050.
* Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. The cafe will serve an array of a la carte Easter entrees, including Shrimp Cocktail, Grilled Peach Caprese, Pork Belly and Waffles, Eggnog French Toast with Strawberry-Mascarpone Butter, Pepper-Crusted Ahi Tuna, Slow-Roasted Prime Rib and Shrimp and Grits. Weather permitting, the patio will be open for al fresco dining. Entree price range: $12-$32. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 265-5033, ext. 4.
* Bald Headed Bistro, 201 Keith St. If you're in the Cleveland area, try the fare at Bald Headed Bistro, which will feature a buffet filled with fruits and salads, Bacon-Arugula Quiche, Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Bacon and Tennessee Pride Sausage, Carved Leg of Lamb, Wood-Fired Rotisserie Pork Loin, Lemon Pound Cake with Blueberries, Key Lime Pie and much more. The kids will have their own buffet, too, with chicken tenders, mac and cheese, tater tots and steamed broccoli. Price: $32 adults, $16 ages 7-14, $7 ages 6 and under. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. www.baldheadedbistro.com. 472-6000.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.