Austin, TX

These restaurants would be my picks among those offering Easter brunch:

Eastside Cafe
Sundays from 10am to 3pm.

If you’ve never eaten at Eastside Cafe then this is a perfect opportunity. Their food is fresh and delightful due to growing their own vegetables and herbs. Although I’ve never sampled their brunch fare I can’t imagine it would be less than wonderful. The brunch menu is making me wish I wasn’t headed to Dallas for Easter! I do imagine that you’ll need to call ahead for reservations, however. (512) 476-5858

Green Pastures

Easter brunch buffet: $50 for adults and $25 for kids Easter Egg Hunts at 12 and 2 o’clock
When:

* Starts: 11:00 AM on Sunday, March 23rd 2008
* Ends: 2:00 PM

Beautiful setting. To be safe, call for reservations. (512) 444-4747

The Driskill
Sunday, March 23rd

The Brunch: Easter Brunch, complete with complimentary champagne and accompanied by live music, is served on the hotel’s Mezzanine, with seatings from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will be a special menu for kids.

The event will include carving station with rosemary prime rib, leg of lamb and baked ham; an omelet and waffle station featuring omelets to order and Belgian waffles with whipped cream and fresh berries; a creperie station; and traditional breakfast and lunch entrees, along with a cold seafood display and raw bar. For the first time, this year’s brunch will include a commal grilling station with coriander-crusted ahi tuna prepared on a flat griddle. It’s all followed up by a big selection of desserts, including the hotel’s signature 1886 Chocolate Cake.

Price: Prices are $58 for adults, $24 for children ages 6-12 and complimentary for children under age 6. A special children’s buffet is available.

For buffet reservations:
• call 512-391-7041

Chez Zee American Bistro
Easter Sunday March 23rd from 9am – 3pm

The Easter Brunch Buffet will be in the Gallery

The Brunch: Crème Brulee French Toast, Zee Migas, Fruit, Potatoes, Ceasar Salad, Eggs Benedict, Juice, Coffee, Tea, Italian Cream Cake, Chocolate Decadence

Bar: Cash Bar

Reservations : Not required, not accepted – FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS ONLY

Price: $24.95 per person for adults and $12.95 per person for children under 12

Other Details:

Clowns and magicians all day long on Easter from 9am-4pm, Easter Egg Hunts 7:30 AM and 1:00PM in the garden.

Crú Celebrates Easter With A Special Brunch!
Sunday March 23rd - Reservations are available from 11am -3pm. Seating is Limited.

Crú: A Wine Bar is presenting a delectable menu of Easter brunch fare on Sunday, March 23. Cru, known for its wine country cuisine as well as its extensive wine collection, will feature a three-course, prix-fixe menu featuring offerings such as Flank Steak Frittata, Alaskan Salmon Cake Benedict and Herb-Scented Roasted Leg of Lamb (menu varies by location). Bring the whole family - kids eat for 1/2 price!

Please call for reservations:
Cru Austin - (512)-472-WINE (9463)

Easter Brunch with the Easter Bunny
When: Sunday, March 23rd, 11am-2pm
Where: Renaissance Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd
$$$: $49 adult, $19.95 age 6+
Info: (512) 795-6100

In addition to the outstanding appetizers, delectable main dishes and tantalizing desserts the Renaissance will host the Easter Bunny who will be available from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for the enjoyment of children of all ages. The wildly popular annual Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 1:00 p.m., where kids can search high and low for candy and other treats courtesy of the Renaissance Austin.

For more fun Easter things to do this weekend, look here.

Austin, Texas, Easter, Weekend, Brunch, Wine, Chee Zee, The Driskill, Eastside Cafe, Cru, Green Pastures, Holiday, Egg Hunt, Best, Restaurants, What to do, What’s, Happening, Going on, Bunny, Rabbit, Fun, Events, March, 2008, buffet, Sunday

February was a strange month here in Austin. We had a record high of 92F. 92F in February. That’s just not right! Meanwhile up in Seattle they had snow which really doesn’t happen all that often in Seattle proper.

This weekend brings one of my very favorite events. The Zilker Kite Fest, now in it’s 80th year. This is a great event for kids of all ages. Usually I can’t keep my youngest brother away but he’s run off to Miami to spend time with one of my other brothers. I hope the weather holds up for it.

My friends Donald and Lucy will be there painting faces so be sure to stop by their booth and tell them Kyla sent you. They do great work. My friend Tye will also be there selling kites. Tye owns World Wind Kites, a wonderful kite shop that never fails to have my kite-loving brother drooling. Every time he comes to town he wants to go there! Poor Tye, he’s love to be flying his kites and having fun at the Kite Fest but is always stuck selling kites instead. He’s happy for the business, though. Be sure to check out his booth and stop by his store, too. Tell him hi for me. He’s a great guy!

There will be free shuttle rides. Don’t try parking at Zilker. It’s not going to happen and you’ll just get frustrated trying. You can Park and Ride at the State Garage East at 17th and Colorado. Shuttles begin at 10am (last one leaves park at 5:30 pm).

When: Sunday March 2, 2008 from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Zilker Park
$$$: FREE

The weather is calling for scattered thunderstorms. In the even that it rains, the rain date is Sunday March 9, 2008. To check the weather call the Zilker Kite Festival hotline at (512) 448-KITE (5483).

The event has food vendors, kite workshops and contests and lots of fun stuff. You can also bring your own lunch and have a picnic. The food booths tend to attract long lines and last year there were no ATMs so bringing your own can be a good option if you want to avoid the lines and save money.

Please be sure to take sunscreen with you, especially if you have children. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people horribly burned at these type of outdoor events. Especially when there is a cool wind blowing. It’s deceptive and sneaks up on you. Also take water if you and stay hydrated. They do have porta-potties but I always carry some tissue in case they run out.

Austin, Texas, Events, Kite, Festival, Zilker, Park, World Wind Kites, Tye, Curvy Canvas, Donald, Ludy, free, hotline, March, 3/2/08

When I think of Green Pastures, the word that comes to mind is genteel. Once the home of gifted storyteller and radio show host, John Henry Faulk, Green Pastures evokes images of the Old South. Nestled among some mighty big live oaks, you can almost picture Scarlet O’Hara sitting on the porch sipping lemonade. Built in 1894, Green Pastures began serving food some 60 years ago and has gained a reputation for fine dining. The restaurant features french-inspired cuisine, regional specialties and desserts to die for! The interior is equally as elegant with carved fireplaces, intimate settings, gracefully tailored curtains and antique furnishings. This is a place guaranteed to make an impression. This is a restaurant perfect for very special occasions. I rarely go more than once a year. The price is steep but well worth it.

On an average night you’ll dine in either the Burgundy Room or the Family Room but on busy nights, like New Years Eve, you’ll more likely be served in the Cotillion Room. Be sure to call ahead for reservations. Green Pastures also offers space for Wedding Ceremonies, Special Occasions, Wedding Receptions and Corporate Events.

Each time I’ve been to Green Pastures they’ve served an amuse bouche, a little palate teaser. Appetizers range from regional favourites like Texas Quail with Jalapeno Cornbread, Black Berry and Horseradish Marmalade to Tempura Maine Lobster Tail with Wasabi Butter and Jicama Slaw, each presented beautifully. The same applies to their entrees. Try their Texas Game Sampler for a real treat! Be sure you save room for dessert, though! While their desserts are fantastic, you might also want to do the European thing and go with their selection of Fine Cheeses. Try the cheese plate with a glass of port for a real treat!

Don’t miss their Sunday Brunch. This would be an ideal place to take your mother for Mother’s Day. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for peacocks!

Green Pastures, Austin, Restaurant, Reviews, Peacocks, Brunch, John Henry Faulk