Editor’s Note: The below article features dining recommendations for the Easter 2011 holiday.
By Melissa Woodley & Amy Strauss
Stop cooking and start booking! No need to slave over the stove on this Easter holiday, Chester County has a wide array of brunch and dinner options that will please all palates and preferences (buffet lovers, included), so make your reservations today!
Downingtown
Amani’s BYOB
105 Lancaster Ave, Downingtown, 484-237-8179
Sun., April 24, 5 to 9 p.m.
In honor of the Easter holiday, award-winning Chef Jonathan Amann will be featuring notable additions to his popular Sunday-special of Surf or Turf, including a leg of lamb with mint pesto and a rosemary demi glace. All diners are invited to take part in his 3-course menu option, too, which prices at only $35 per person.
Downingtown Country Club
93 Country Club Drive, Downingtown, 610-873-0800
Sun., April 24, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; $29.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids ages 5 to 12, 5 and under free
All are welcome to visit this country club for a wide assortment of cuisine found on their top-notch brunch buffet. From an omelet station paired with fresh pastries, to a surf and turf and carving station, your choices are endless. Better yet, the Easter Bunny will be hopping around, ready to pose with attendees in honor of the occasion.
Georgio’s Restaurant & Bar
149 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, 610-269-3232
Sun., April 24, 1 to 7 p.m.
The borough’s mainstay invites all locals to skip cooking this holiday, and instead, take advantage of the eatery’s fine dining approach to Easter. Jump-start your meal with appetizers like lobster ravioli and oysters Rockefeller, and then, speed over to top-notch entrees like a roasted leg of lamb or a stuffed filet of sole. They’re premiering flambeed desserts, too, including their acclaimed bananas foster and cherries jubilee.
Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, 610-873-0881
Sun., April 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m; $20 for adults, $10 for children for ages 6-12, 5 and under eat free
There is no better way to enjoy an Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet than having it paired with many Victory beers! Join the local brewery in their brewpub for a celebration of well-done pub fare and top-notch early morning munchies. The brewpub will only be open for limited hours on this holiday, closing at 2 p.m. Reservations are requested for parties of 6 or more, but walk-ins are welcome.
Exton
Brickside Grille
540 Wellington Sq., Exton, 610-321-1600
Sun., April 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $18.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids ages 5 to 12, 5 and under eat free
This incredible Easter Brunch Buffet starts at 9 a.m., with their last seating at 2:30 p.m. With a mouthwatering lineup of leg of lamb, carved prime rib, make-your-own frittatas from the wood burning oven, eggs Benedict, oysters, clams, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and so much more, you and your family will be impressed with the chef’s success found within these delicious mouthfuls.
The Drafting Room
635 North Pottstown Pike, 610-363-0521
Sun., April 24, Begins at 3:30 p.m.; $19.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids ages 5-12
Executive chef Theo Charitos of The Drafting Room is prepping an Easter Dinner Buffet that is just like how your grandmother would have made it (well, if your grandmother was beer-loving chef)! His lineup of “from-scratch” options will have you continuously coming back for more and will wow your dining companions who love creative culinary creations. Munch through the holiday’s roundup of Belgian cheese fondue, mussels in a garlic lager sauce, roasted leg of lamb, and much more.
Duling-Kurtz House & Country Inn
146 South Whitford Road, Exton, 610-524-1830
Sun., April 24, noon to 9 p.m.
Celebrate Easter Sunday at Duling-Kurtz and weave your way through Executive Chef Joshua Taggart gourmet creations. Whether your party prefers options like bacon-wrapped veal tenderloin with creamed leeks and crispy fingerling potatoes or crepes pumped with fresh lobster and lump crab meat and topped with lobster-brie sauce, the alluring Easter celebration menu roundup will be sure to please your guests. Reserve your spot now online by clicking here.
Main Line
The Desmond
1 Liberty Blvd., Malvern (610) 249-2180
10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., $39 for adults, $17 children ages six to 12, free under age six
Celebrate Easter with The Desmond Hotel’s extensive buffet this Sunday, featuring both brunch and dinner offerings, including Eggs Benedict, Honey Glazed Ham, Braised Short Ribs and Seared Scallops. The full menu online has additional details for this special day!
Aneu
575 Lancaster Ave, Berwyn (610) 251-9600
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $29.99 for adults, $19.99 for kids ten and under
Head to Aneu Bistro to try something new this Easter! Standout offerings at this brunch buffet include Blueberry Muffin French Toast, a pasta station with a lengthy list of options and a dessert lineup that will make your mouth water.
The Silverspoon
Eagle Village Shops, 503 W. Lancaster Ave, Wayne (610) 688-7646
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Indulge in an a la carte menu at The Silverspoon and choose from unique preparations of traditional Easter dinner items, like ham, roast beef and lamb. The Silverspoon’s creative contemporary American cuisine shines in the brunch offerings, which also include soups, salads, eggs and seafood. The Silverspoon is BYOB (if you’re so inclined) and be sure to save room for decadent desserts.
Georges’
Eagle Village Shops, 503 W. Lancaster Ave, Wayne (610) 964-2588
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $35 for adults, $17 for children
Easter is the perfect excuse to experience the new Sunday Brunch buffet menu at Georges. With a dizzying array of decadent breakfast treats and scrumptious lunch items, you won’t walk away hungry!
Patisserie Francaise
207 Haverford Ave, Narberth (484) 562-0500
Of course you need some sweet treats, and Narberth’s Patisserie Francaise is your one-stop shop. Place your order by Wednesday, April 20 to take home your very own chocolate egg, bell, bunny, hen or fish filled with smaller sweets, or for a sponge Nest Cake topped with ganache or flavored buttercream to compliment your Easter ham.
Phoenixville
Columbia Bar & Grille
148 Bridge St, Phoenixville (610) 983-0300
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $29.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 12 and under
You’ll find something for everyone at the Columbia Bar & Grille on Easter Sunday. Kids will love seeing the Easter Bunny and adults will appreciate the complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary with the prix fixe meal. Also, the incredibly talented Dale McCauley will be performing on the piano upstairs. Later, an a la carte Easter dinner will be served from 4 to 9 p.m.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
130 E. Bridge St., Phoenixville, 610-983-9333; 3 West Gay St., West Chester, 610-738-9600
Sun., April 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you come from a family who appreciates well-done, local craft beer, be sure to reserve your spot at Iron Hill’s Sunday brunch, which always pairs fresh, from-scratch New American cuisine aside in-house brewed beers. Consider either Phoenixville or West Chester’s location if you’re craving brioche french toast and fresh berries, eye-catching omelets, and innovative variations on eggs Benedict. Iron Hill Phoenixville’s breakfast pizza, topped with scrambled eggs, exotic mushrooms, ham, green peppers, scallions and Fontina cheese, always has us coming back for more!
Phoenixville YMCA
400 E. Pothouse Road, Phoenixville (610) 933-5861
Friday, April 22, 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Do good on Good Friday by attending a breakfast at the Phoenixville YMCA benefiting the YMCA World Service Program. The complimentary hot breakfast buffet starts at 6:30 a.m., and a information on the Program’s work in Russia will be presented at 7 a.m. A good will offering will be collected.
Nudy’s Cafe
Devon, Frazer, Phoenixville, Exton, Downingtown, Eagleview, West Chester
7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate Easter at Chester County’s favorite brunch spot, Nudy’s Cafe. Nudy’s is known for serving up pancakes, French toast, omelets and more, in a flash. If you’re looking for a quick post-church meal, look no further than your closest Nudy’s Cafe.
West Chester
Avalon Restaurant
312 South High Street, West Chester, 610-436-4100
Sun., April 24
Chef John Brandt-Lee of West Chester’s well-received rustic Italian eatery will satisfy food lovers near and far with his Easter-appropriate brunch menu. Grab your foodie family and enjoy many kitchen delights, including Brioche French Toast with vanilla maple, fresh berries and mascarpone, or the bow-tie pasta with poached pear, Gorgonzola basil cream and walnuts. Childrens’ options are also available.
Mas Mexicali Cantina
Fri., April 22 to Sat., April 23
Mas has your covered all Easter weekend, with their Easter Weekend Eggstravaganza, PUSH Fundraiser and Bunny Hop. Celebrate the holiday first with their PUSH America evening fundraiser, which will host raffles, prizes and giveaways all night long, plus DJ Romeo and tons of drink specials! On Sat., April 23, participate in the 1st Annual Bunny Hop and Easter Egg Hunt, where every hidden egg is said to have great prizes inside. More details by clicking here.
Side Bar and Restaurant
10 East Gay Street. West Chester, 610-429-8297
Sun., April 24
Chef Blaise Labik will prepare his notorious brunch menu this Sunday, highlighting some tempting Easter specials, including many creative variations on Eggs Benedict. Better yet, if you’re looking for a little entertainment on your holiday morning, convince your family members to tackle Side Bar’s Breakfast Burrito Challenge (sculpted with 8 eggs, bacon, sausage, rice, beans, cheese, signature voodoo sauce, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and home fries in a flour tortilla) and they will forever remember this Easter holiday!
The Olive Branch – Dilworthtown Location
1411 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, 610431-7141
Sun., April 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dilworthtown location only; Adults $18.99, $9.95 for kids–who have own buffet
Enjoy all of the traditional brunch and Easter foods you know and love, plus so much more. Eat your way through options of lamb, ham, baked goods, fresh fruit, stuffed French toast, salads, potatoes, vegetables, omelets, pasta, egg specialties and other Easter favorites, and be sure to toast to your celebration with a mimosa or Bloody Mary!
