Spring is here and that means we have a few more weeks of cooler weather before the summer heat moves in. It also means that Easter and Passover are upon us. If you plan on doing the whole Easter brunch thing, dust off your bonnet and check out some of these possibilities, who knows, you may just find a great big basket!
Pier Sixty-Six Hotel is under new management and they’ve opened the rooftop dining room with 360° views to the public just in time for Easter, Sunday, April 1 with two seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The buffet offers an array of small plates, hot and cold stations and desserts, served with bottomless servings of Bloody Mary and mimosas. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 954-728-3530. “Brunch in the sky” is $75 per person.
III Forks Prime Steakhouse locations in West Palm and Hallandale will both offer a three-course, prix fixe menu that includes salad, choice of entrée and desserts for $49 per person.
Big City Tavern on Las Olas has specials available on Easter, along with the regular brunch menu. Easter specials include house-made donuts glazed with Easter candy and truffled deviled eggs with toast. In addition, there are $13.00 unlimited Bloody Mary and Mimosas with the purchase of an entree. The restaurant will serve brunch from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Easter.
Passover starts at sundown on Friday, March 30 and all TooJay’s locations are offering a traditional holiday menu. A brisket platter, roasted chicken, salmon fillet, baked stuffed Atlantic cod, and roasted Cornish game hen with matzo, fruit stuffing and an apricot glaze are available on the menu for in-restaurant dining. All in-restaurant entrees come with a glass of kosher wine, savory matzo ball soup, gefilte fish or chopped liver, carrot tzimmes, a potato pancake, macaroons and coffee or tea. Reservations are required for in-restaurant dining.
Spring is not just about Easter and Passover, it also marks the return of Wynwood’s “Grillin N’ Chillin” annual BBQ celebration, now in its fourth year. The Sunday, April 8 event brings together nearly 50 BBQ vendors from around South Florida offering everything from Memphis style ribs to Brazilian churrasco. This year’s festival will take place at the Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW 2nd Ave. South Florida’s premier pit masters will take center stage to smoke the competition out at this year’s BBQ Cook Off. For the first time ever, Grillin N’ Chillin will have a Veggie Corner, where Miami’s top, vegetarian and vegan eateries will showcase their menu. The Hot Dogz playground will have plenty of treats for furry babies to enjoy. In between cooking demos, backyard chefs can enter their best burger recipes in the “Best Backyard Burger” competition. Those interested in participating should register their recipe by requesting an application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The entire event is free to attend, and vendors will be offering sampling sized portions of their wares.
Basque Restaurant, specializing in Spanish tapas, entrees and paella, just opened at Hotel Biba in West Palm Beach’s El Cid neighborhood. It is headed by Chef Miguel Angel Rebolledo, who mastered his culinary skills at Spain’s most famous restaurant, El Bulli, won “Best Taste of Coral Gables” three years in a row, “Best Paella in Miami” two years in a row and “Best Croqueta in Miami” in 2016. The tapas menu consists of fourteen dishes, while diners who prefer a main plate can opt for the platos or paella section. A variety of Spanish-inspired salads round out the menu. Basque’s menu will feature 18 vegetarian items, 12 of which are vegan. For more information, call 561-832-0094.
