[1] You know how it goes; every Easter you stand, uncomfortable in a scratchy suit, keeping your greedy paws clasped behind your back in an attempt to stop yourself from stealing candy meant for kids. Little ones in their Easter finery shriek and giggle with chocolate stained faces, chomping jelly beans, and your stomach rumbles through the early service. Fear not, for I have compiled a list of fine Louisville restaurants ready and willing to satisfy whatever your little heart is craving on perhaps the only Sunday morning you have to get up wicked early, endure cheek pinches from your great Aunt, and wear a tie.
1. Hillbilly Tea [3]
This trendy downtown tea house [4] specializes in local offerings and the best tea around. In the past, their special menus have featured items like a scotch egg (hard boiled egg wrapped in pork sausage and fried) and chai cake (with thick creamy icing) accompanied by their house made fizzy sodas, with flavors like lavender and red bush. Their house cured bacon is TO DIE FOR.
2. The Belle of Louisville
The Belle [5] is offering an Easter Brunch cruise for a family oriented experience with music, games and complimentary cupcakes. Photos with the Easter Bunny as well as concessions and a full-service bar will be available for purchase, and tickets for the cruise including the brunch buffet are $37 for adults. Tickets without the brunch are $21 for adults.
3. The Holy Grale [6]
For those without family it tow, The Holy Grale [7] offers a later Beer Brunch from 1pm to 4pm! This Bardstown road establishment is housed in a previous church (hence the name!) and Chef Joshua Lehman will be preparing an a la carte brunch menu, including beer mimosas and micheladas, a spicy peppery Mexican drink. The Holy Grale also has deep fried boiled quail’s eggs, really unique and quirky.
4. Volare [8]
The Frankfort Avenue favorite [9] will have an Easter brunch buffet with Italian flair: dishes like white truffle fried potatoes, penne bolognaise, salmon croquettes and homemade gnocchi in vodka sauce! The house made pasta at Volare is an experience you absolutely must have, tender and succulent with that toothsome vodka sauce. Cost for adults is $30.00, for children, $15.00.
5. Varanese [10]
Varanese [11]will serve their regular menu from 1pm to 11pm, along with vegetarian and vegan options they are billing as “bunny friendly” (hardy har!) they also have poached eggs over crab cakes and truffled greens, and artichoke with two dipping sauces! Perfect for your vegetarian cousin to participate in the family meal!
6. Proof on Main [12]
Michael Paley, one of the most celebrated Louisville chefs, will be dishing up the brunch-y goodness! Regular brunch items at Proof [13]include a smoked salmon bagel and steel cut oatmeal--no doubt an elegant and swanky brunch spot to see and be seen!
7. The Brown Hotel
Louisville is known for the Hot Brown, and the Brown Hotel [14] is offering a pretty hot Easter Brunch buffet with the iconic sandwich among the other options, like Roasted Leg of Lamb with rosemary au jus and Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad with cilantro lime dressing. The cost is $40 per adult and $19.50 for children.
8. Corbett's
Corbett's [15] is an Easter brunch classic. Their menu is a three course prix-fixe for $35.00, with a starter, main course and dessert--appetizers like crab cakes with cornishon remoulade and bibb salad with brie, pecans and strawberry yogurt. Main course options include steak and eggs with bacon and leak hash--not to mention dessert of lemon strawberry pave with vanilla buttercream, or baked brie with honey and fresh berries. Totally the place to take your parents to prove to them you’ve “made it”.
9. The Village Anchor
The Village Anchor [16] will be offering their regular brunch menu, which has red velvet pancakes and bacon bloody marys, not to mention bleu cheese and ham biscuits. The Anchor’s terrace is always supremely shady and relaxing, and they have this light fresh champagne cocktail, the Daisy Buchanan made with honeysuckle bitters, that will just wipe your cares away.
10. The Seelbach Hilton
For those of you with someone to impress (mother in law who hates you? Grandparents with lots of Walmart shares to bequeath? Girlfriend who thinks you take her for granted?) The Seelbach [17] is holding an Easter brunch in the Oakroom for $50.00 a head for adults and reduced prices for children. This menu has fois gras with hollandaise sauce, duck and roasted shitake crepe, and applewood smoked bacon.
Happy Easter to everyone! If you have any Easter Brunch suggestions, leave them in the comments section! Happy egg hunting, ham-eating, suit-wearing Easter!
Photos: Article—Elizabeth Orrick. Cover—Flickr/BlueWaikiki [18]