Now’s the Time to Make Easter Reservations!

Good news! Easter’s late entrance means warmer days and blooming gardens and patios for Easter pictures and outdoor dining -- and more time for Atlanta restaurants to plan out holiday brunches and dinner menus, but spots are filling up fast.

In Virginia-Highland, rise to brunch at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing through 3 p.m. or enjoy dinner until midnight on Sunday, April 20. Deviled eggs and shaved prosciutto make the menu at both meals. The indecisive may be challenged by scrumptious choices, including pork belly Benedict or Grand Marnier French toast for brunch and house-made pappardelle Bolognese or herb-roasted chicken for dinner. Reservations: 404-876-7249.

Both Ansley Mall and Crescent Avenue locations of Bantam + Biddy are loaded with goodies for Easter feasters. From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 20, a special menu offers honey-glazed ham, stewed black-eyed peas, braised collard greens, fresh cornbread and a choice of sweet potato pie or carrot cake, all for $20. Bottomless mimosas and bloody marys for the over-21 set are $10 until 3 p.m. The regular menu is also available. Reservations: Ansley, 404-907-3469; Crescent, 404-835-6450.

Westsiders, hop into Chocolate South for special Easter chocolates. Choose from decorative eggs in a variety of flavors, ranging from peach tea with milk chocolate to lavender with dark chocolate, as well as large eggs filled with Kona coffee ganache. Mrs. O’Hara bonbons hint of lemon verbena (just like Scarlett’s mom) and have the added distinction of cute little chick embellishments for Easter ($3). For a larger dose of festive flair, opt for a Honey Bunny or Kona Cottontail chocolate rabbits that are more than five inches tall and filled with honey ginger ganache and Kona coffee ganache, respectively. Toss in some decorative spring bars in mint or almond flavors ($4) for a sweet holiday. For more info, call 404-815-8859.

Both G’s Midtown and 10^th & Piedmont will host Easter brunch buffets on Sunday, April 20 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for $22.95 per person. Scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes, pancakes, French toast and brunch classics segue into farfalle pesto, rice pilaf, roasted pork loin and shrimp in vodka gravy, plus a bevy of sides from grits to Greek salad. Reservations: 10^th & Piedmont, 404-602-5510; G’s Midtown, 404-872-8012.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown is serving their regular menu all day, plus brunch specials from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Bottomless mimosas are $15, and favorites include the build-your-own-brunch option and HOBNOB French toast made with strawberry-stuffed challah bread and maple cream cheese. Reservations: 404-968-2288.

King + Duke in Buckhead invites guests to enjoy their new brunch menu on Easter Sunday from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended: 404-477-3500.

In historic Crabapple, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails hosts a family-focused Easter brunch on Sunday, April 13. The restaurant is offering brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., followed by an Easter egg hunt on the lawn compliments of the Crabapple Community Association. Families can sign up to have pictures taken with the Easter Bunny by photographers from Blencoe & Co. Sign up now blencoeandco.com. For more information, call 770-817-0161.  

Decatur residents can visit No. 246 on Sunday, April 20 for brunch service from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., a personal visit from the Easter Bunny, and two rounds of egg dyeing and Easter egg hunts (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.). Eggs stand out on the menu in breakfast pizza or classic deviled farm eggs with peperonata, anchovy and dill. Reservations: 678-399-8246.

Old Vinings Inn offers an Easter buffet from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. The hot buffet includes chicken breast with spring pea risotto and eggs Benedict, as well as various vegetables and sides. Cocktail shrimp and a seasonal fruit selection are offered alongside pimento cheese spread and pearl pasta salad with fresh herbs, peanuts and citrus dressing on the cold buffet. Visit the carving station for a slice of marinated flank steak with chimichurri or herb-crusted leg of lamb with horseradish cream and follow up at the dessert table stocked with truffles, miniature fudge cakes and seasonal fruit cobbler. $30 for adults and $15 for children. Reservations: 770-438-2282.

Midtown dwellers rejoice! Olmsted opens its doors for an Easter brunch buffet from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and a children’s Easter egg hunt. $38 per adult and $12 for children age 12 and under covers spring favorites, including fresh-squeezed lemonade and juices plus complimentary white peach Bellinis for the adults. Light options, such as mini yogurt parfaits and seasonal fruit, will be on display alongside smoked salmon bagel plates, cooked-to-order omelet stations, Southern fried chicken and salads galore. Strawberry rhubarb cobbler and Meyer lemon meringue tarts star on the dessert buffet. Reservations: 404-443-8432.

Ray’s on the River in Sandy Springs is offering their award-winning Easter buffet from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. Enjoy an egg-cellent variety of dishes and snap a memento in the Shutterbooth photo booth. $42.95 for adults, $21.95 for kids five to 10 years old and children four and under eat free. Preferred seating: 770-955-1187. In Alpharetta, Ray’s at Killer Creek is serving a buffet from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and the regular menu is available 5-8 p.m. Buffet is priced at $34.95 for adults, $17.95 for kids ages five to 10 and children four and under eat free. Preferred seating: 770-649-0064. Ray’s in the City serves its Easter buffet from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and the regular menu is available 5-7 p.m. The buffet is $34.95 for adults and $17.95 for children five to 10 years old. Preferred seating: 404-524-9224.

             

In Buckhead, Ford Fry’s St. Cecilia hosts a special Easter brunch on Sunday, April 20 from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The à la carte menu consists of popular items, such as crowd-favorite agnolotti with red wine-braised beef short rib and Block Island swordfish, as well as brunch favorites, including ricotta pancakes with fresh strawberries and orange blossom and a delectable fontina “melt” with mushrooms, frisée, prosciutto and a fried egg. In observance of the holiday, St. Cecilia is closed for dinner. Reservations: 404-554-9995.