Easter brunch: Restaurants offering special meals
Library Cafe in Farmingdale serves both a special brunch menu that includes Texas-style French toast and eggs Benedict as well as its a la carte menu that may include regulars such as chicken bruschetta (pictured). Credit: Newsday / Danielle Finkelstein
The celebration of Easter Sunday often involves a holiday meal, at home or in a restaurant. Brunch is especially popular. Here's an eclectic list of 12 establishments among those that will be offering a special Easter brunch on April 20. Prices in most cases do not include tax and tip.
THE PALM COURT, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, 516-542-0700
The stylish, main restaurant in the Carltun complex will host a buffet brunch. Reservations are on the hour, starting at 10 a.m. Cost: $48 adults, $20 children. The buffet includes stations for breakfast, salad and pastas; plus others for fish, with salmon in citrus sauce, and one for chicken scarpariello; a carving station with roasted turkey and roasted leg of lamb; and desserts.
CARACARA MEXICAN GRILL, 354 Main St., Farmingdale, 516-777-2272
This casual Mexican restaurant has an a la carte brunch menu on Easter. The price range for dishes is $6 to $18. Choices include eggs Benedict, breakfast tacos with chorizo sausage and Chihuahua cheese, salmon-and-goat cheese omelet, huevos diablo with habanero hollandaise sauce, French toast with plantains, chile-marinated hanger steak and eggs.
GARDEN CITY HOTEL, 45 Seventh St., Garden City, 516-877-9385
The elegantly redesigned hotel's Easter Sunday brunch buffet will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For adults, it's $75; children 2 to 12 years old, $37. The buffet includes a raw bar; omelet, carving and dessert stations; and fresh fruit. Hot main courses include spinach-and-feta stuffed lamb, bourbon-bacon glazed ham, marinated and grilled chicken, and veal saltimbocca.
GEORGE MARTIN'S GRILLFIRE, 33 W. Sunrise Hwy., Merrick, 516-379-2222,
Brunch will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an a la carte menu. It includes one free Bloody Mary, mimosa or screwdriver. Dishes include crabcakes Benedict, quesadilla ranchero with scrambled eggs, French toast, lemon-ricotta pancakes, buttermilk pancakes with Nutella and bananas, macaroni and cheese, barbecued baby-back ribs, grilled salmon. Price per dish: $11 to $25.
LIBRARY CAFE, 274 Main St., Farmingdale, 516-752-7678
The Easter buffet brunch at the casual restaurant is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $21.95 for adults; $10.95 for children. Menu features fresh fruit, miniature pastries, mini-bagels, Texas-style French toast, buttermilk pancakes, eggs Benedict, home fries. Unlimited sparkling wine and mimosas. The a la carte menu also is available.
THOM THOM, 3340 Park Ave., Wantagh, 516-221-8022
The sushi-and-steak specialist will serve a buffet brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Selections include roasted leg of lamb, teriyaki salmon, pineapple-glazed ham, eggs Benedict, deviled eggs and a goat-cheese frittata. There will be sushi and omelet stations, too. The cost is $24.95 a person.
WILDFISH, 507 Guy Lombardo Ave., Freeport, 516-442-0565
It will be an a la carte brunch menu, with specials, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Selections include lobster and eggs, $18; smoked salmon-egg whites omelet, $16; eggs Benedict, $14; stuffed French toast with strawberry compote and mascarpone cheese, $13; shrimp cocktail $15; braised lamb shank, $32; grilled snapper filet, $36; ham steak, $26.
THE WOODLANDS, 1 Southwoods Rd., Woodbury, 516-921-5707
Two-hour seatings for the brunch buffet are at 11 a.m. and noon in the converted 1918 mansion. Cost: $60 for adults; $25, children ages 4 to 12. All reservations are prepaid. Photos with the Easter bunny on site. Unlimited mimosas, Bloody Marys, screwdrivers and soft drinks. Displays include iced shrimp, omelets, hot breakfast items, turkey breast, leg of lamb and assorted desserts.
JAMESPORT MANOR INN, 370 Manor Lane, Jamesport, 631-722-0500
An a la carte brunch starts at 11:30 a.m. at the handsome inn. Price range for appetizers is $9 to $13; main courses, $19 to $32; desserts, $7. Main dishes include strip steak, three-cheese ravioli, organic eggs Benedict, a Maine lobster BLT, roasted turkey club sandwich and roasted organic chicken hash; appetizers: smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, mussel soup, salads.
LOMBARDI'S ON THE BAY, 600 S. Ocean Ave., Patchogue, 631-654-8970
The buffet starts at 11 a.m. It includes wine, mimosas and soft drinks. And the Easter bunny promises a visit. Cost is $55 for adults; $25 for children 3 to 10 years old; free for 2 years old and under. Buffet includes Italian antipasti, breakfast dishes, salads, an unlimited shrimp bar, chicken scarpariello, eggplant rollatine, tilapia Livornese, desserts. Water-view site.
NICK & TONI'S, 136 N. Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-3550, nickandtonis.com
This three-star Hamptonian will serve brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A la carte Easter specials include spring-pea soup with lump crabmeat salad, $14; house-cured salmon on a potato cake with poached egg, $18; lamb chops with roasted vegetables and salsa verde, $38; ricotta cheesecake with vanilla-rhubarb compote, pistachio crumble and rhubarb sorbet, $13.
DARK HORSE, 1 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-0072
Dark Horse will start serving brunch at 11 a.m. The options include eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine, hanger steak with poached eggs and Bearnaise sauce, and huevos rancheros. The restaurant's regular menu also will be available at this time. Cost: high $20s.
