This Easter leave the jellybeans and chocolate eggs for the kids and fill up on a real meal. We hunted around town to find out who hatched up special brunch menus for the occasion and came up with this basketful of picks.
One of the newest hotels on the block, the Embassy Suites (600 E Benson Blvd, 332-7000, embassysuites1.hilton.com) is offering brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $40 for adults, $20 for children under 12 that features red currant glazed ham, leg of lamb and chocolate eclairs.
Orso (737 W 5th Ave., 222-3232, orsoalaska.com) executive chef Rob Kinneen said the restaurant is taking its weekend brunch and adding some embellishments on Sunday. The menu will feature a salmon nicoise $13.50), a lamb and eggplant ragout ($15.95) and an Alsatian tart with marinated wild shrimp ($11.95). The meal will be served from noon to 4 p.m. Reservations are recommended and the lounge will be available for walk-ins.
Late sleepers can head to dance club and diner Platinum Jaxx (901 W 6th Ave, 278-5299, platinumjaxx.com) for an Easter dinner served from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The $24 meal comes with options such as beef osso bucco, potatoes au gratin and a green bean casserole chef William Corey raves is to-die-for.
Easter is one of the busiest days at Settler's Bay Lodge (Mile 8 Knik-Goose Bay Road, 1-907-357-5678, settlersbaylodge.com). This year, the Valley restaurant has a fixed menu ($39 for adults, $18 for children 5-12, $8 for kids 2-4) with a hot buffet with carved meats and the ever-important waffle station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown stalwart Simon & Seaforts (420 L St, 274-3502, simonandseaforts.com) is serving up a la carte treats such as a breakfast Wellington ($16) and a seafood scramble with smoked Alaska salmon, king crab, bay shrimp ($16.50) and a chicken scramble with basil, rosemary and red pepper ($14) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. reservations are recommended for the dining room, but the saloon will be available for walk-ins.
On the south side, Suite 100 (1000 E. Dimond Blvd., 341-1000, suite100restaurant.com) is taking its brand new brunch menu and adding special dishes for the occasion. Diners can pick dishes such as a New Orleans style eggs Benedict with crawfish and Cajun spice ($14), Grand Marnier French toast ($12) and sip on watermelon belini ($7.50).
• Find Spencer Shroyer online at adn.com/contact/sshroyer or call 257-4328.
Plan ahead Just remember, if you want to be nibbling on carved ham instead of canned Spam this Sunday it's a good idea to do some pre-meal phoning. Some locations will accept walk-ins, but if you want to ensure you'll be eating something that doesn't come in a foil wrapper, call ahead and make reservations.
Embassy Suites
Location: 600 E Benson Blvd.
Phone: 332-7000
Website: embassysuites1. hilton.com
Orso
Location: 737 W 5th Ave.
Phone: 222-3232
Website: orsoalaska.com
Platinum Jaxx
Location: 901 W 6th Ave Anchorage
Phone: 278-5299
Website: platinumjaxx.com
Settler's Bay Lodge
Location: Mile 8 Knik-Goose Bay Road
Phone: 1-907-357-5678
Website: settlersbaylodge.com
Simon & Seaforts
Location: 420 L St.
Phone: 274-3502
Website: simonandseaforts.com
Suite 100
Location: 1000 E. Dimond Blvd.
Phone: 341-1000
Website: suite100restaurant.com
By Spencer Shroyer
sshroyer@adn.com