Several additional restaurants have submitted their plans for Easter, so I’ve expanded my column from last week to help you make your Easter dinner decisions.
Orange Tier: No Change For Restaurants
Although we’ve recently graduated to Orange Tier, our restaurants are still seating outside patios as well as just 25% inside. They are not allowed to move to 50% capacity until we reach our next tier. In short, this means you should If you reserve a dining table indoors, please make reservations as quickly as possible.
Please check my social media and Restaurant Directory (check the search box for “Easter”) as more restaurants check in with their details
Easter Dinner To Go
While Nirvana Grille won’t be open for in-restaurant dining on Easter Sunday, Chef Lindsay has created a sizable “Mix & Match To-Go Family Style Meal” that can be ordered anytime online. Choose from a variety of appetizers, salads and sides with proteins including rack of Pork Loin, Basil Aioli Crusted Steelhead Salmon, Grilled Seabass, Herb-Crusted Rib Eye or Pistachio Dijon-Crusted Rack of Lamb. Desert choices are just as plentiful.
Simply pick up Easter Sunday between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Orders must be placed by next Friday, April 2nd before 9 p.m. Remember too: All open restaurants are providing to-go and take-out on Easter Sunday as well.
Easter Specialty Menus & Specialty Items
Fresh-air breakfast and endless views at The Cliff Laguna Beach
These are ordered according to the time of opening. This list reflects dine-in locations (not counter service).
The Cliff Laguna Beach – opens 8 a.m. on Sunday, Easter specials throughout the day. No reservations; first come, first served.
GG’s Bistro – opens 9 a.m. on Sunday, with their usual (lovely) Sunday brunch menu and an Easter special of grilled lamb chops with mashed potatoes and mint yogurt sauce.
Driftwood Kitchen – opens 10 a.m. on Sunday with a Seaside Easter brunch served as a prix-fixe meal. Enjoy breads and pastries at the table, along with a choice of Eggs Benedict, Laguna Beach Omelette, Rack of Lamb or Roasted Atlantic Salmon Filet. Desserts will be presented at the table and a separate kids’ menu will be available. Pricing is $69 for adults and $20 for children with 6 years and younger being free. Move quickly to make reservations online or by calling.
Mozambique – opens 10 a.m. on Sunday with the vaunted return of its Easter Jazz Brunch with none other than crowd favorite Mando & Friends. It’s Mando’s first show back in more than a year, and he’ll be returning every Sunday from this point forward. Mozambique’s extensive brunch menu runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the live jazz beginning at noon and rolling through 3 p.m. The regular dinner menu begins at 2 p.m.(Sorry, no happy hour on Easter Sunday.)
Oak Laguna Beach – opens 10 a.m. on Sunday with Chef Chris’ extensive brunch menu as well as Easter specials into the evening.
Sapphire – opens at 10 a.m. for Sunday Brunch with a dinner special of poached lobster. Owner Russ Bendel tells me that remaining reservations for Sunday Brunch are very scant but the later afternoon and evening hours still offer availability; please call in advance.
Selanne Steak Tavern – opens 10 a.m. on Sunday for its Easter Sunday brunch menu. Enjoy Bananas Foster French Toast to Teemu’s “Brunch” Burger, chilled oysters and more. Reservations via phone only, please.
The Deck on Laguna Beach – opens 10 a.m. on Sunday with a made-to-order omelette bar and carving station, along with at-table brunch menu options. Enjoy bottomless mimosas or two trips to the Bloody Mary Bar for an additional $19 per guest. Pricing is $60 for adults and $20 for children with 6 years and younger being free. No reservations accepted; first-come, first-served.
GG’s Bistro serves up grilled lamb chops as an Easter Sunday special.
Reunion Kitchen – opens at 10 a.m. on Sunday with breakfast/brunch menu extended to 2:00 p.m. Their Easter special is Oven Roasted Prime Rib from noon through the evening.
Lumberyard & Yard Bar – opens 11 a.m. on Sunday with egg specials during the day and Easter Ham with all the fixings served throughout the day and evening.
Harley Laguna Beach – opens 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday with new brunch menu. Easter specials will also be available, including Weiser Farms Sunchokes, Seared U-10 Scallops and a Roasted, Shaved Leg of Lamb Sandwich with slow-roasted tomato and olive tapenade, as well as a Strawberry Shortcake (strawberries compliments of The Ecology Center) on a buttermilk biscuit with chantilly cream.
Royal Hawaiian – opens at noon on Sunday, with an added Easter special of grilled rack of lamb.
Chef Maro at Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill serves an Easter special of a full rack of wood-grilled lamb.
Maro Wood Grill – opens at noon on Sunday, with an Easter added special of grilled leg of lamb.
The Drake Laguna Beach – opens at 2 p.m. on Sunday with added egg and meat dishes for Easter Sunday.
Breakfast/Brunch as Usual
The Harvest Restaurant at The Ranch is now open for limited dining to both guests and public.
A handful of restaurants will be serving their normal breakfast and brunch menus on Easter Sunday, including Reunion Kitchen, Skyloft, C’est la Vie, Harley Laguna Beach and the newly re-opened Harvest Restaurant at The Ranch Laguna Beach. For me, any breakfast on any day of the week at Harvest is a special one!
Restaurants Closed on Easter
AHBA (but fun news is arriving shortly with our SoLag newbie favorite).
Broadway by Amar Santana (Chef Amar’s Vaca location will be open with Easter specials for both in-restaurant dining and take-out in Costa Mesa).
Ristorante Rumari
Wine Gallery
Check my Directory for More
I’ll be updating this list as new information arrives; just check the Restaurant Directory here. Have a happy and safe Easter!