Easter Brunch In Washington, D.C.
Brunch contains three of life's greatest pleasures: food, the weekend, and drinking before noon without judgment. And Washingtonians certainly love brunch. With Easter only a few days away, brunch hot spots are booking up quickly. Luckily, we're here to help. Here are some options that are sure to please both you and the family.
Art and Soul — Art and Soul will be offering a brunch buffet with several food stations serving lamb leg and maple ham, eggs your way, fried chicken and waffles, grits, collard greens, cured meats and cheeses, and Southern dessert favorites like red velvet cake. [$55 adults/$25 kids 12 and under]
Crème — Crème is known for their chicken and waffles, which is up there with the city's finest. The restaurant is offering its usual a la carte brunch menu as opposed to a special Easter menu, but there are still plenty of reasons to spend your Easter afternoon here. Namely, shrimp and grits, green eggs and ham, and Louisiana benedict (poached eggs with sauteed shrimp, andouille sausage,and Tabasco hollandaise).
Graffiato — Mike Isabella's popular eatery will be serving a four-course brunch ($40) featuring items like flatbread with Isabella's famous pepperoni sauce, cinnamon knots with nutella, breakfast pizza, meatballs over polenta, agnolotti, pork belly hash, and olive oil cake. Kids under 12 can select items off a special a la carte menu in lieu of the four-course option. For adults that prefer a less indulgent meal, grab a seat at the bar or pizza bar and order off the regular a la carte menu. Oh, Graffiato, you had us at nutella.
Equinox – Eggs? How pedestrian. Aside from one egg dish (the egg "torta"), Equinox will offer an upscale three-course brunch menu ($48) full of delectable dishes such as gooseberries, asparagus and shaved duck ham, grilled lamb tenderloin, 142 degree Angus beef short rib with pommes frites, and pan roasted black sea bass. Oh, and for the third course (dessert), there are options like mocha pot de crème, warm beignets, and pistachio biscotti (yes, that's one dessert) and German chocolate cake terrine.
Blue Duck Tavern — If Equinox isn't fancy enough, Blue Duck is offering its own three-course brunch ($95) featuring highlights like duck confit hash with fried egg, roasted rack of lamb with rosemary jus and lemon confit, bourbon and date pecan pie, and sour cream cheesecake with brandied cherries. The same menu will be available for $45 for kids 6-12 years old and is complimentary for kids under 6.
Dino – Diners can choose any two courses plus dessert or a cheese course for $39. Some notable dishes include a charcuterie plate, "Tuscan Scrapple" (duck neck), wild boar, duck leg confit salad, and a slow-roasted ham with braised onions. If you're feeling more breakfast-y, Dino will offer Nutella french toast and fritattas as options for the second course. Both dishes come with local greens "sformata" (think cheesy vegetable soufflé) and a choice of steak, bacon (applewood smoked or Tuscan) or breakfast potatoes. For dessert, choose any option off the regular dessert menu (which is anything but regular). Items include Nutella bread pudding, tiramisu, chocolate torta, and gianduia "Nico," which is a combination of bittersweet chocolate gelato topped with chopped chocolate, hazelnut gelato topped with toasted hazelnuts, chocolate sauce, and amaretto whipped cream. If that's not enough, throw in a few Sfogliatelle, a Neapolitan-style breakfast pastry with citrus-scented semolina and ricotta filling ($3 each). You may need to be carried out of the restaurant after such a decadent meal, but it'll be worth it.
Lincoln – Lincoln is offering a three-course brunch. First course offerings include lobster parfait and foraged mushroom salad with fried egg. Second course offerings include mouth-watering dishes such as chicken and sweet potato waffle with bacon, steak and eggs with tarragon cheddar bread pudding, lamb chops, and jumbo lump crab cake benedict. For dessert, check out the chocolate and peanut butter bar with burnt marshmallow ice cream, meyer lemon panna cotta or strawberry-rhubarb crumble. [$45 adults/$21 kids 12 and under]
Co Co. Sala — Decadence is CoCo Sala's middle name. Its three-course brunch starts with breads, fruits, pastries, champagne cocktail and warm chocolate fritters. Diners can then choose from entrees that include French toast s'mores, breakfast flatbread with chicken sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, and hollandaise, crab cakes with chipotle chocolate tomato glaze, and grown-up grilled cheese and bacon. For dessert, diners can choose treats from the Chef's display of chocolate desserts. Kids get a special Easter treat! [$60 adults/$30 kids 10 yrs old and under]