Best Restaurants for Easter Sunday

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Ann & Michael Martini, GoLocalProv Food Editors

There are more popular holidays than Easter. There is no jolly fat man with gifts; there are no cook-outs; there are no costumes. Easter does have one huge job however, signaling the beginning of spring. We know there really wasn’t a winter this year, but there is just something about spring in the Northeast. It’s all about re-birth and awakening. We look forward to beach days and dream of summer. But, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, Easter is here and we set out to find some good Easter dinner options and came back with these five…

Mill’s Tavern, Providence

Mill’s Tavern has been a favorite of ours ever since they opened…in our estimation, there are few Providence restaurants that can compete when it comes to a polished, sophisticated urban setting. Chef Ed Bolus of Mill's Tavern will prepare a special selection of dishes in addition to an Easter menu that includes offerings from the restaurant's nightly menu. Chef's selection of special dishes include a salad of baby spring vegetables and micro herb shoots in a sweet ginger vinaigrette with creme fraiche caviar – exactly the kind of spring dish we crave at this time of year; Roast Leg of Lamb over Sweet Potatoes Hash with sautéed artichokes hearts finished with a mint lamb jus; and finally for dessert, warm ricotta donuts with amaretto crumble, honey ice cream and mandarin orange coulis. 110 South Main St, 272-3331, www.millstavernrestaurant.com.

Via Roma, Providence

Italians love Easter. In an Italian household, Easter is one of the most revered holidays. And that means lots and lots of food. Via Roma on Federal Hill, has become an outstanding resource for all things Italian. Think of chef Domenic like your personal Italian grandmother for the day. Why go through the work and stress of cooking for the whole clan when you can leave it to Roma. Roma is accepting orders for their take home Italian Easter food. They have incredible baskets featuring an array of Italian specialties like fresh mozzarella, parma prosciutto, Burratta, popresatta and baby lamb and goats cheese. They have a wonderful selection of baked items that you can order also such as ricotta pie, rice pie, wandis, and cookie trays. They will put together just about anything you like from main dishes to pasta and side dishes to make your Easter special. 310 Atwell’s Ave, 331-1717, www.viaromaprov.com

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Iron Works Tavern, Warwick

We’ve long been fans of Iron Works Tavern and chef Kevin Duffney. We first found Chef Duffney plying his trade at the West End Café, in Cranston. When he became the chef at Iron Works we found a new place to love. On Easter Sunday, Iron Works features a couple of different options: first, a brunch buffet featuring everything you would want for your Easter brunch. It features a carving station with ham, roasted leg of lamb and roast beef and every breakfast food you can imagine. The brunch is served downstairs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The second option is a plated 3-course meal upstairs. Chef Duffney has put together a menu that features a first course of a garden salad or soup; a second course that features seven choices and a choice of three desserts. Entrée standouts are the delicious sounding pineapple ginger ham with maple mashed sweet potatoes and the delightfully macabre rabbit pot pie. At least they didn’t call it Easter Bunny pie! 697 Jefferson Blvd. 739-5111, www.theironworkstavern.com

Hemenway’s, Providence

Seafood for Easter? Absolutely, when it comes from Hemenway's. Executive Chef Steve Long’s Easter specials include a beautiful, locally-caught lobster- and crab-stuffed yellow tail flounder with brandy leek smoked gouda cream, sautéed Brussels sprouts and shiitake mushrooms with white balsamic honey gastrique. If fish doesn’t float your boat, nothing says Easter like rack of lamb, and the chef’s version is a crave-able herb-crusted version with spring onion jus, asiago potatoes and grilled asparagus. You can also order off of Hemenway’s regular menu, which has something to please even the most finicky uncle (gorgeous steaks form Creekstone Farms), your mom (baked stuffed shrimp), or your vegetarian sister (the local farm plate, featuring roasted squash, broccoli rabe and cannellini beans, garlic roasted Adirondack potatoes, braised swiss chard, and springtime favorite grilled asparagus). 121 South Main St, 351-8570, www.hemenwaysrestaurant.com.

Luigi’s A Moveable Feast, Johnston

We’ve all been there…you told everyone you were cooking for Easter. Now that the time has arrived, however, you realize that you don’t know how to cook. Well, why don’t you worry about cleaning and getting ready for a Mom or Mom-in-law and leave the cooking to Luigi’s. The great thing about Luigi’s is that they can provide the food for whatever day you’ve promised everyone. You told them it would be a beautiful Easter brunch? Luigi’s has you covered with quiche and frittata. Did you tell them it would be a traditional holiday feast with turkey or ham, soup, stuffing and all the sides they could ev want? Luigi’s has you covered with their full take-home dinner. They have salads, antipasto, breads, desserts; you name it they have you covered. There are eleven selections for dessert alone! Orders must be placed by April second and will be ready for pick-up on the Saturday before Easter. 1357 Hartford Ave. 861-3850, www.luigisgourmet.com

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