I love Easter brunch because it's a chance to show off the best of breakfast and ease into afternoon delights like blackened halibut and prime rib. Churchgoers and late sleepers don't worry. Most restaurants serve until 3 or 4 p.m. Here's some of what local eateries are doing on April 4.
Simon and Seafort's (420 L. St., 274-3502, simonandseaforts.com) offers a spectacular view and dishes that sounded so good I was drooling on my keyboard. Simon's prime rib hash ($16.50) is slow roasted meat, corned beef, sweet peppers, onions, potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon and jalapeno cheddar sauce. The Alaska seafood scramble ($16.50) is smoked Alaska salmon, king crab, bay shrimp, mushrooms, spinach and green onions. Breakfast Wellington ($16) looks like a must, with flaky puff pastry, scrambled eggs, smoked ham, spinach and creamy smoked Gouda cheese. 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., reservations recommended.
Muse, inside the Anchorage Museum (625 C. St., 929-9210, anchoragemuseum.org), will offer its regular brunch menu plus specials. Highlights include vanilla French toast topped with strawberries served with hickory smoked bacon and eggs ($11.75) and Obi's omelet Florentine with sauteed tomatoes, crimini mushrooms, white onions, spinach and Provolone cheese ($12.25).10 a.m. to 3 p.m., reservations highly recommended.
The downtown Hilton has a brunch in its Hooper Bay Cafe with a buffet loaded with waffles, eggs Benedict, New York strip, ham, fruit and a dessert bar. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $13.48 - $26.95, reservations reccomended.
Pi Kitchen + Bar (600 E. Benson, 332-7000) at the Anchorage Embassy Suites will offer a hot and cold buffet along with a glass of champagne or a house cocktail. The buffet has prime rib and there's also a cold crab and shrimp bar. The restaurant is taking reservations for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., $20 - $42.
Josephine's in the Sheraton (401 E. 6th Ave., 276-8700, sheratonanchoragehotel.com) has a carving station with prime rib and ham and a waffle station. Look forward to champagne, cold salmon, crab claws as well as a fresh fruit and cheese station. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $19.95 - $42.95, reservations recommended.
Kinley's Restaurant and Bar, (3230 Seward Highway, kinleysrestaurant.com, 644-8953) has a carving station with cracked black pepper crusted prime rib with rosemary au jus or honey glazed ham with a cherry peach compote. Entrees include ginger orange barbecued chicken with bok choy, bell peppers and onions as well as Alaska red salmon with dill cream sauce. There's also spinach and artichoke raviolis in a sun-dried tomato cream and grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut, demi glace and whole grain mustard. Brunch also comes with a custom omelet station. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $20-$40, reservations recommended.
The Anchorage Senior Activities Center (1300 E. 19th Ave, 258-7823) is serving up a menu that includes eggs and bacon along with glazed ham, roast turkey with lemon meringue pies and upside down cake for dessert. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $10-$23.50, reservations requested.
If you're in the Valley stop by Settlers Bay Lodge, (Mile 8 Knik-Goose Bay Road, Wasilla, 357-5678, setterlsbaylodge.com). Dine on a hot buffet loaded with eggs Benedict, stuffed jumbo prawns with lobster sauce and teriyaki chicken. There's also a carving station with garlic peppered prime rib and a roasted leg of lamb. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 - $36, reservations recommended.
Not to be out done, Jack Sprat in Girdwood, (165 Olympic Loop, 783-5225, jacksprat.net) has a large, brunch menu with dishes such as a Meat Tarzan omelet ($14) with reindeer sausage, bacon, zucchini, yellow squash, green onions, cheddar cheese and sour cream with roasted Yukon gold potatoes. There's also Baja Tacos ($15), with chorizo sausage, eggs and corn tortillas, cheddar cheese, cabbage, tomatoes, green onions with chili verde sauce. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., reservations recommended.
The Indian House (103.5 Seward Highway, 653-7313) has a menu of prime rib, crab legs, eggs and dessert. There will also be a champagne and orange juice fountain. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $11 - $22.
Pond Cafe at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood (1000 Arlberg Avenue, Girdwood, 754-2237, alyeskaresort.com) has an Easter egg hunt for the kids and a menu to leave you wishing Easter brunch was a daily ritual. Hickory smoked ham and rosemary roasted prime rib as well as made-to-order omelets with smoked salmon, reindeer sausage and veggies. The first seating starts at 8 a.m. the fourth, and final one, begins at 2 p.m. $8-$34, reservations recommended.
Easter brunch is a popular dining event and if you want to be eating eggs, not hunting for them, make reservations in advance.
By Rebecca Palsha
Daily News correspondent