Easter is a time to celebrate rebirth, spring, life—and brunches.

Chicagoland restaurants will be out in full force on Sunday, March 31, offering Easter meals—some with their own twists (including ethnic and drag)—and SAVOR with Andrew has a rundown of what some restaurants will have (including morning and evening meals):

—This Easter, Fioretta, 318 N. Sangamon St., is inviting diners to a four-course tasting menu curated by Chef Kevin Kathman.

The culinary journey will start with a choice of meatballs or shrimp scampi, with the addition of caviar service ($85) and a shellfish tower ($48 per guest). The second course will present a choice between burrata and cherry tomatoes and a classic Caesar salad. For the third course, options include macaroni alla vodka, monkfish piccata or hand-cut filet mignon, with the option to substitute a Kansas City strip ($35), king crab linguine ($30) or a 24-oz. dry aged bone-in ribeye ($40). The meal concludes with a selection of olive oil cake, lemon meringue pie, tiramisu or sorbet. A selection of sides is available at $15 each.

Priced at $125 per person, the special menu is available on March 31 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations can be made at Website Link Here .

—Celebrity Chef Joe Flamm and Day Off Group will introduce a weekend brunch service at BLVD Steakhouse, 817 W. Lake St., starting Easter weekend (March 30-31).

Every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests can now enjoy steakhouse favorites alongside new dishes like a king crab Benedict, TK Chopped Salad and Maine lobster roll in the restaurant's covered atrium. The team will also debut a new beverage menu with brunch-forward cocktails and an expanded list of Champagne and rosé. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.

—The Lincoln Park bakery Verzenay 2507 N. Lincoln Ave., will host teas on March 29-31.

The traditional high tea will include a wide selection of Palais des Thes French Tea, coffee or hot chocolate; sandwiches and savory canapes; scones with clotted cream and jam; and petit fours. (Let the hosts know of any food allergies or a preference for an all-vegetarian menu.). RSVP at Website Link Here .

—Crumbl's latest non-cookie offering that will be available nationwide for the week leading up to Easter Sunday is carrot cake. Other dessrts that people can purchase through March 30 include Double Fudge Brownie, Lemon Crinkle, and candy eggs as well as an all new Strawberry Pretzel Pie cookie. See CrumblCookies.com.

—Northbrook restaurant Prairie Grass Cafe, 601 Skokie Blvd., will serve its very popular Easter Brunch Buffet on Sunday, March 31.

The expansive menu will include selections such as deviled farm eggs, crispy cod, twice-baked potato casserole, applewood-smoked bacon, glazed local ham, mixed-green spring salad and chicken pot pie, among other items. There will also be made-to-order omelet and crepe stations, and dessert will include cheese danish coffee cake, raisin buns, chocolate croissants, a berry platter and other offerings.

Brunch will be served buffet-style from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The price is $85 each for adults and $54 each for children 10 and younger. Reservations are strongly recommended; call 847-205-4433 to make reservations.

BTW, you can also pre-order an Easter dinner package for takeout as long as it's done by Thursday, March 28 for pick-up on Easter Sunday, March 31 between 4:30-5:30 p.m. Call the same number to order.

—Celebrate the hoppy holiday with the family at Carnivale's Easter brunch at 702 W. Fulton Market on Sunday, March 31, at 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet serving breakfast classics, flavorful Latin dishes, sweets and more. During brunch, visit the Easter Bunny and capture photos with the family. Brunch is available for $60 for adults, and $25 for children 12 years and younger. Reservations can be made on the spot's Tock or at Website Link Here .

—It's also offering a cool dinner at the restaurant but for an upscale dinner at home, Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar, 2700 W. Chicago Ave., has a family package option.

The Easter family meal package (available for pick-up 10 a.m.-noon on March 30-31) includes a charcoal-roasted leg of lamb, beet salad, Palmer House Hilton shrimp de jonghe and spring cake (with poppyseed vanilla, yuzu curd, raspberry, vanilla buttercream and vanilla tuile). Add-ons include oysters, house cured and smoked fish, ice cream and caviar, among other items.

The $300 package serves four; visit ExploreTock.com to pre-order.

—The Italian spot Vinci, 1732 N. Halsted St., will host its annual Easter brunch on March 31.

For $36 per person, plus tax and gratuity, brunchgoers can enjoy one main course dish, along with an appetizer and dessert buffet. Main-course options include eggs Benedictine (toasted focaccia with pancetta, poached eggs and fonduta), French Toast stuffed with bananas and Vermont maple syrup, Vinci's frittata and nine other dishes, including pastas. The appetizer buffet will feature salads, meatballs, fresh fruit, cheese and poached shrimp, while the dessert buffet will include tiramisu with chocolate sauce, mini-cannolis, chocolate cake and panna cotta with raspberry sauce. See Website Link Here .

—The festive spot Wake 'n Bacon, 420 W. Belmont Ave., will serve Easter brunch and dinner on March 30-31.

The brunch menu is served at 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and dinner is served at 4-9 p.m. Wake 'n Bacon will feature mustard and honey glazed salmon over garlic rice with seasonal vegetables. Other highlights will include berry bliss crepes and spiced maple chicken and waffles for brunch; and South by Southeast ribs and the Bombazo Pambazo (a Mexican-style sandwich filled with chorizo, potatoes, avocado, sour cream and pineapple-pickled red onions that is served on a roll brushed with guajillo salsa and griddled) for dinner. See Article Link Here .

—On Sunday, March 31, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., celebrity chef Fabio Viviani's newest restaurant, the Lake Zurich spot LAGO, 350 N. Rand Rd. will offer a modern Easter brunch buffet for the family.

Highlights will include classic brunch items like scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, roasted breakfast potatoes, various pastries and housemade brown sugar bacon. There will also be a made-to-order omelet station; a cold bar featuring salads, fresh seasonal fruits and shrimp cocktail; and a carving station featuring maple glazed ham, whole roasted prime rib, housemade pasta with Wagyu bolognese and more. Desserts will include Italian espresso tiramisu, strawberry tres leches cake, key lime tart, and freshly baked cookies and brownies.

Pricing will be $75 each for anyone older than 12; $25 each for those 6-12; and free for those younger than 6. Visit Website Link Here to RSVP.

—At River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St., on March 31, Executive Chef Jason Qureshi will serve a special three-course pre-fixe menu for $65/person.

Items will include smothered Scotch egg with gravy; roasted chicken or pineapple-honey glazed ham; asparagus tarragon or roasted carrots (the latter with "dirt"); and carrot cake. Also, the Easter bunny will appear and kids can take part in a mini-Easter egg hunt before or after their meals.

Reservations for parties of two to six guests can be made through OpenTable or at 312-822-0100. For reservations for six or more guests, email rrevents@levyrestaurants.com .

—The refined spot Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson St., will have an Easter brunch at 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Priced at $84/person ($40 for children under 12), the menu will include shareable items such as chocolate babka, an everything bagel croissant, cherry almond muffin, and tomato and olive focaccia; and endive salad, prosciutto tartine and smoked whitefish salad. Entree choices will involve everything from braised lamb to foie gras French toast while shareable desserts will include roasted vanilla pavlova and chocolate profiteroles (with caramelized banana, coffee-cocoa nib ice cream and buckwheat).

Visit OpenTable or Website Link Here to RSVP.

—Lure Fishbar, 616 N. Rush St., will have more of a seafood-themed Easter brunch—but it looks pretty intriguing.

The menu includes a creamy spring pea soup with a mix of spring vegetables; French Toast with mascarpone and berries; and the intricately crafted Jade Dragon Roll. For those seeking traditional flavors, there's the smoked salmon and whitefish platter as well as the grilled lamb chop. To finish, there's the carrot cake, with candied pecans and caramel sauce. RSVP at Website Link Here .

—Aba, 302 N. Green St., will celebrate Easter 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Items will include spring frittata with lump crab for brunch and slow-braised eggplant lamb during dinner in addition to mezze classics. End your experience with Kataifi Carrot Cake or Chocolate Orange Cremeux for the table. RSVP at OpenTable and check out the restaurant's menus at Website Link Here .

—The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, 1401 S. Michigan Ave., will offer brunch on Easter Sunday at 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

For $75/person, the three-course meal will include an appetizer, entree and dessert, curated by Chef de Cuisine Oscar Montesinos—and there are plenty of choices. For the first course, diners will enjoy their choice of strawberry and goat cheese salad, knife-and-fork Caesar, Signature lobster bisque or asparagus and parmesan soup. Entree choices will include sauteed Faroe Island salmon, slow-roasted leg of lamb, half of a roasted Amish Chicken or a prime 6oz. center-cut filet mignon. For dessert, offerings will include strawberry shortcake or tiramisu.

See Website Link Here to RSVP.

—The Easter brunch at Adobo Grill, 215 W. North Ave., will, naturally, have a Mexican vibe.

Priced at $29 for adults and $16 for kids, there will be such apps as grilled wings and Mexican-style shrimp with cocktail sauce; main courses will include huevos poblanos, al pastor tacos, barbacoa hash and more. Desserts will include fruit salad, cinnamon-dusted churros with chocolate sauce, pineapple upside-down cake and chipotle chocolate brownies. Visit Website Link Here .

—The Italian spot Quartino, 626 N. State St., will actually hold its annual event, "Breakfast with the Bunny," on Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.-noon.

The brunch will include kids' activities (face-painting, temporary tattoos); a buffet with juice and waffle bars, scrambled eggs, meats, potatoes and pastries; a cash bar; and, of course, a visit from the Easter Bunny (with photo opportunities available). The $36 ticket includes tax and gratuity (and the event is free for kids 3 and younger); visit "Breakfast with Bunny at Quartino" on OpenTable to RSVP.

—Pierogi Kitchen, 1856 W. North Ave., will serve a traditional Polish Easter brunch on Sunday, March 31.

Highlights will include pierogi Benedict, brisket skillet and truffle-and-mushroom pierogi. Chef/owner Art Wnorowski will also offer a Polish charcuterie board that includes house-smoked ham, rabbit pate, kielbasa and more. Note: Pierogi Kitchen will only be accepting walk-ins on Easter Sunday; reservations will not be available.

—I/O Godfrey, 127 W. Huron St., will serve an Easter brunch Buffet at 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The menu will have everything from brunch classics and vegan options, to special stations for omelets, pancakes and eggs. In addition, there will be a carving station, salads, pasta and a dessert station. The day also will be filled with family fun, including an Easter egg hunt and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny.

Priced at $65 per adult and $25 per child, the Easter Sunday brunch reservations can be made on Tock (under "I|O Godfrey Roofscape Chicago").

—And what Easter is not complete without a drag brunch?

Kit Kat Lounge, 3700 N. Halsted St., will offer two sets of seatings (at 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.) on March 30-31. There will be bottomless pink Champagne, mimosas, bellinis and Bloody Marys. Angelicia Maria and Keri Traid will perform. Visit KitKatChicago.com to reserve your spot(s)—and be sure to bring cash to tip the performers!

—The upscale Lake Forest restaurant Oaken Bistro + Bar, 200 N. Field Dr., will offer a buffet spread with traditional brunch classics as well as salad, carving, omelet and dessert stations.

Tickets are $65 per adult and $35 per child; visit Eventbrite.

—Celebrate Easter all weekend long with il Porcellino's specials, including roasted artichoke Vesuvio, lobster primavera with linguine and asparagus, and handmade cavatelli with spicy lamb ragu as well as the regular menu.

il Porcellino, 59 W. Hubbard St., will open at 3 p.m. on Sunday for Easter. Specials are available for dine-in and carryout. See Website Link Here .

—Doing something a bit different, Old Town Pour House—with locations in Chicago, Naperville and Oak Brook—will offer its Rock N Roll Brunch on Easter Sunday.

Attendees can start with "Jon Bun Jovi" cinnamon rolls or "Donut Stop Believin'" doughnuts, and then rock on to mains like the "Sweet Child O' Mine" French toast or a dish such as "The Boss" steak and eggs. Surely there also has to be something named after Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'N Roll" or Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," although I do like that the "Chimi Hendrix" is included.

See Website Link Here /.

—The steakhouse Prime & Provisions, 222 N. LaSalle St., will offer its Grand Buffet Easter Brunch on March 31, 10 a.m-4 p.m.

The menu promises to back up the name of the event. Attendees can delight in a wide assortment of breakfast offerings, from eggs Benedict and cinnamon French Toast to housemade granola yogurt. Made-to-order options include Belgian waffles and omelets, while the carving station will have maple glazed ham, slow-roasted prime rib and smoked mustard glazed salmon. Seafood selections will include shrimp, oysters, crab legs and smoked salmon. And the experience will end with a Ferris wheel display of the chef's decadent desserts.

Priced at $95 each for adults and $35 each for children ages 7-12, people can RSVP at Website Link Here .

—Celebrate Easter with brunch at the Italian restaurant Alla Vita, 564 W. Randolph St.

Offerings include its lunch menu, featured brunch dishes and a tableside mimosa cart. Featured dishes will include a Porchetta breakfast sandwich (fried egg, arugula, pepperoncini aioli and salsa roja on a sesame bun, smoked salmon pate, Eggs in Purgatory (caramelized onion, roasted tomato and toma della rocca cheese on ciabatta) and assorted pastries.

Reservations are available at 10 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Visit Website Link Here or OpenTable to make reservations.

—The Goddess and Grocer (various locations) has Easter brunch or dinner available for catering/pick-up.

Dinner serves four people and offers sliced Smoking Goose City Ham for $95; deviled eggs and Easter cupcakes can be added for $30. Brunch serves four to six individuals and includes breakfast pastries, spring vegetable frittata, fried chicken and waffles, blackberry lemon pound cake, a smoked salmon platter and more. Visit Website Link Here for more info.

—Departing from the traditional chocolate eggs and other Easter-related desserts, JARS by Fabio Viviani is presenting a different form of a sweet time.

JARS' limited-edition Easter offerings include Pistachio Ambrosia, Blackberry Pie, Rice Krispies Treats, Peach Cobbler and Easter Peeps (the latter with lemon custard, sponge cake, sprinkles and a marshmallow-Peep topping). Check out Website Link Here .

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Much more news is at SAVOR with Andrew, at future3733.substack.com.

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