Easter is upon us, and it's hard to resist a holiday that encourages smashing confetti eggs on unsuspecting heads and eating mass amounts of chocolate. With friends who applaud themselves for a "brunch well done," we've got you covered when it comes to any holiday or meal that's egg-related. Even if you didn't plan on Easter brunching, it's not too late to change your mind and join in for egg hunts, mimosa sipping and live music to accompany all that pastel shell pulverizing.
Almost as famous for its brunch as it is for its delicate little garden patio, this is a must-list for anything that has to do with frittatas or mimosas. Stop in between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for an Easter egg hunt, live jazz and a special three-course menu featuring Benedict-style eggs with Virginia ham and Sardou with artichoke and spinach. The cost is $42 per person and $12 per child age 10 and under.
For a genuine Pascua celebration, stop in to the big bad for a tasty menu of their award-winning cocktails at happy hour prices all day and night and $15 bottomless fresh-squeezed mimosas. You can count on this spot to offer the most creative holiday discount on the list: Slap a fried egg on anything for $1.
This opulent little patio overlooking Highland Village is welcoming brunchers to celebrate with an Easter Sunday champagne buffet. They will offer two seatings — one at 11:00 a.m. and another at 1:30 p.m. — and apart from a raw bar featuring Scottish salmon and a station carving up roasted prime rib, the meal will offer generous amounts of bubbly.
This is one of the most popular brunch menus any time of the year, with a string quartet playing from their indoor balcony, as brunchers nom on warm and cold Mexican dishes. This Easter, Hugo's will also host an egg hunt for children — and expect plenty of Mexican Easter cheer. The usual prices apply: $39 per person and $12 for children age 10 and under from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
While this Heights hotspot doesn't usually offer brunch, it's hopping on the weekend tradition this Easter with a special menu featuring plenty of egg dishes, my favorite being the frittata with spinach, feta, heirloom tomato and olive-tomato tapenade. Glass Wall will also offer great drink specials, like $12 pitchers of mimosas and $5 glasses of rum punch (in case you need a pre-family buffer).
This Upper Kirby hotspot that houses famous raw bar Cove will celebrate Easter with complimentary amuse bouche before their brunch seating. The upscale atmosphere is sleek and modern, but cozy enough to encourage a warm family reunion with a special menu by chef Randy Rucker cooking up three festive dishes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The cost is $40 per person.
This is the only place on the list that will offer brunch all Easter day — in case you want to double brunch it this Easter. We won't judge. A three-course prix fixe menu will run you $59 per person and $25 for children (ages 12 and under). Standouts on the entrée menu include the Eggs Riviera, a dish of scrambled eggs over smoked salmon bruschetta with chive cream cheese and asparagus, as well as the eggs and bacon with Swiss chard and a red wine redux.
Look out for a visit from the Easter Bunny, who will be making the rounds all brunch long at this Four Seasons eatery. Four stations, including breakfast, sushi and pastry stations will be served up for $79 per adult and includes Bloody Marys, mimosas and champagne. The cost for kids ages 6 to 12 is $39.50 and includes ice cream and milkshakes. This is on the steeper end of the price scale, but the food is solid and the festivities will delight children and parents alike.
This Bagby favorite will offer the "Breakfast Balboa" on their Easter brunch menu, the feature item serves up prime rib, mozzarella and breakfast potatoes topped with two eggs on toasted garlic bread. Apart from the mimosa specials, the build-your-own Bloody Mary bar is a must-visit this Sunday and is close enough to Discovery Green that you won't miss the best downtown Easter festivities.
With Easter being a time for rebirth and religious reconciliation, head to this downtown staple for a gospel brunch and Easter brunch. The cost is $40 for adults and $17 for children to enjoy a performance by a gospel choir to accompany your hearty Southern Easter dishes.
Celebrate Jesus' resurrection and chef Monica Pope's creative lineup at her reimagined restaurant, which will host its first ever Easter brunch with a globally-inspired three-course prix fixe menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Starters like the avocado sashimi with almond sambal and lamb crepinette with corn grits and spicy red chili chutney will surprise palates for $35 a person and $15 for kids.
A tiny hobbit hut might not seem like the likeliest place for Easter cheer, but with solid offerings like the salmon burger with a creamy dill sauce and arugula, the fare is always tasty. Come here to avoid the Easter brunch rush at the other places on the list.
For some out-of-ordinary Easter brunch choices, check out these choices featured in this week's KHOU CultureMap Moment.
In addition to its regular brunch buffet, Hugos's will host an Easter egg hunt for the little ones.
The cheesesteak is served on a seeded hoagie roll.Photo by Michael Ma