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Dining Intelligence
Where to Dine on Easter Sunday?
How do we feel about Easter brunch or dinner in a restaurant? Well, it depends on the restaurant. The holiday calls for someplace with a sense of occasion, someplace pretty or festive that is serving spring lamb or ham. More than a few restaurants in our region fit the bill (such as the Red Lion Inn, left), and they were were still taking Easter reservations when we checked in with them this week. Easter is one of the last holidays where most stores don’t open, so it’s a wonderful day to take a drive and enjoy a leisurely meal that someone else has prepared. If you’re looking for another type of dining experience on Easter, check our Restaurant Listings (which are based on anonymous visits by the staff of Rural Intelligence, which does not accept free meals.)
Blantyre
Lenox, MA
If you wish you could celebrate Easter in the English countryside, dining at Blantyre is the next best thing. The uber-elegant Relais & Chateaux hotel, which is owned by Ann Fitzpatrick Brown, will be serving a special three-course meal for $75, and you can bring the children ($20) as long as they’re over ten-years-old. Lunch: Noon - 3 p.m.
Reservations: 413.637.3556
Cafe Adam
Great Barrington, MA
From noon to 5 p.m., chef/owner Adam Zieminski will be serving a two-course ($30) and three-course ($35) Easter Sunday Supper with dishes like Equinox Farm ramp soup with white truffle oil, Nodine’s Smokehouse cherry wood Ham, and roasted Provencal leg of lamb. You can also order a la carte.
Reservations: 413.528.7786
Castle Street Cafe
Great Barrington, MA
After twenty years in the Berkshires, chef Michael Ballon knows how to serve up holiday meals with flair but no pretension. His family-friendly restaurant will be featuring a $29.95 prix fixe menu for adults and a $12.50 menu for children under 12. Noon - 7 p.m.
Reservations: 413.528.5244
Charlotte’s
Millbrook, NY
As you drive through horse country on your way to this traditional country restaurant, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the days when Bing Crosby’s “Easter Parade” was a pop song. The $39.95 buffet (half price for children under 10; under 2 free) includes poached salmon, spring lamb, and ham. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Reservations: 845.677.5888
Cranwell
Lenox, MA
The grand old resort will be serving a lavish buffet brunch (including a waffle station, an omelette station and a carving station with ham and loin of beef) in the mansion ballroom from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults: $45; children under 12 $24.95..
Reservations: 413.637.1364
John Andrews
Egremont, MA
Now declaring itself a “farmhouse restaurant,” John Andrews has long been known as a restaurant that sources as much as possible from local growers and purveyors. Chef Dan Smith will be serving his always delectable regular menu on Easter from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Reservations: 413 528-3469
Mezze Bistro + Bar
Williamstown, MA
The weekly “comfort Sunday” menu ($20 for two courses and $25 for three courses) featuring dishes such as Mighty Food Farm Egg with ramp greens, East Mountain Farm bacon lardon and bacon brioche toast will be served from 5 - 9 p.m.
Reservations: 413.458.0123
The Old Inn on the Green
New Marlborough, MA
With intimate dining rooms illuminated only by candlelight, the Old Inn has a romantic Masterpiece Theatre ambience. Thankfully, chef/owner Peter Platt serves audacious contemporary food, but in deference to tradition he promises that his Easter menu will include leg of lamb and Vermont cob-smoked ham. Dinner: 2 - 8 p.m. $40.
Reservations: 413.229.7924
Old Mill
South Egremont, MA
The Old Mill treats its customers like extended family, and the handsome dining room is homey in an elegant way. If you are putting together a group that includes friends from the Berkshires, Connecticut and Columbia County, it’s perfectly situated for everyone, and on Easter Sunday you can dine early or late, from noon - 8 p.m.
Reservations: 413.528.1421
Red Devon
Bangall, NY
You can have anything you want—from challah French toast to roasted lamb—at this luxe locavore spot in a pastorale setting. Easter brunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Reservations: 845.868.3175
The Red Lion Inn
Stockbridge, MA
You certainly wouldn’t feel out of place wearing a flowery Easter bonnet in the landmark hotel’s Victorian dining room, while gorging on a four-course meal that might start with chilled asparagus-and-king-crab soup and end with strawberry bread pudding with High Lawn Farm cream. Noon - 4 p.m. Adults: $49; children under 12: $24.50. The regular dinner menu will be served from 5:30 - 8 p.m. And if you want to spend the night, the Red Lion has an amazing room special for just $99.
Reservations: 413.298.5545
The Rhinecliff
Rhinecliff, NY
If it’s warm on Sunday, you can have brunch between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the Riverside Patio at this hotel overlooking the Hudson River. The Easter Brunch buffet features eggs Benedict as well as prime rib. There will even be an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids at noon and 2 p.m., and live jazz by Perry Beekman. $35 for adults; $16.95 for children 6 - 12.
Reservations: 845.876.0590
Route 7 Grill
Great Barrington, MA
If you and your kids are not shirts-tucked-in and tablecloth kind of people, then Route 7 Grill is more a down-on-the-farm way to spend Easter Sunday. With its emphasis on locally raised food, this upscale BBQ joint is offering (in addition to its regular menu) a special three-course menu ($28) by new executive chef Jim Gop. 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Reservations: 413.528.3235
Serevan
Amenia, NY
Chef Serge Madikian will be serving his usual exotic fare such as katafi crusted halibut and chicken bastillia with orange-curry emulsion from 5 - 10 p.m. on Easter Sunday.
Reservations: 845.373.9800
Stissing House
Pine Plains, NY
The only time I ever had Easter lunch in a restaurant was at Provence, the pioneering bistro in SoHo, which was owned by Michel and Patricia Jean, who own Stissing House in Pine Plains. Everything tasted like the essence of spring in the French countryside, and it is sure to taste that way this Sunday. They will be serving their regular menu from 11:30 - 4 p.m. and several seasonal specials such as shad roe Meuniere and Black Sheep Hill fresh ham.
Reservations: 518.398.8800
Swoon Kitchenbar
Hudson, NY
It always feels like spring at Swoon, which be open from noon until 9 p.m. on Easter, serving its regular dinner menu the entire day as well as brunch specials from noon until 3:30 p.m.
Reservations: 518.822.8938
Terrapin
Rhinebeck, NY
What could be more appropriate for Easter than dining in a renovated 1825 church? Chef/owner Josh Kroner plans to serve his usual multi-culti fare—such as barbecued duck quesadillas and pork tenderloin with Thai coconut-orange curry—and Easter specials beneath the soaring ceilings of the former First Baptist Church [left]
Dinner: 1 - 8 p.m. Reservations: 845.876.3330
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