Restaurants have learned to get creative this year. Many are offering meal kits and to-go packages in addition to dine-in options this Easter.
Photo by Hannah Tasker on Unsplash
Remember last Easter? I certainly do. The state of Illinois was under stay-at-home orders. My family sat at home and watched virtual church services and ordered curbside pick-up from a nearby restaurant for Easter brunch.
And this year, well, to be fair, not much has changed. At least for my family. We will still be watching church on TV and ordering food to go.
But the big difference is, this year, restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs are ready, and there are plenty of options for takeout and meal-kits. There is also limited dining available indoors and outside, although reservations are required. The state of Illinois and the City of Chicago are still under Covid mitigation regulations, which means limited amounts of tables will be available. Eating in might be your best bet again this year.
To make it easy, I've rounded up a list of ten of your best Easter choices offering take-out specials and meal kits in Chicago and the nearby suburbs:
1. Found Kitchen and Social House
1631 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois
For $125, guests can choose a take-home meal for four, including morning breads, green bean casserole, fingerling potatoes, a choice of two entrees, and dessert. See their website for the full menu and call or order online ahead of time. Found Kitchen is known for its seasonal farm-to-table offerings.
2. Sepia
123 N. Jefferson Street, Chicago, Illinois
Chef Andrew Zimmerman has reinvented New American dining at Sepia. This Easter you can take home a brunch kit for $80 for two filled with items such as blueberry-yuzu muffins, quiche, and sourdough waffles. Check out their website for all of the details.
3. Chez Moi
2100 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL
This traditional French restaurant is offering an Easter gourmet box for two for $99 with delicious items such as crabcakes, lamb stew, and mini chocolate tarts. Included in the package is a bottle of Veuve Ambal Blanc de Blancs. They also have Easter dine-in specials, but reservations are required.
4. Etta
1840 W. North Ave., Chicago, Illinois
Etta is offering a prix fixe menu for dining in at their River North and Bucktown locations, but you can snag a take-home meal package for four for $200. Included in the package are appetizers, sides, pastries, and dinner entrees.
5. Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
2700 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Illinois
If you want to splurge this Easter, Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar is offering several options for an upscale to-go brunch. There are three available packages priced at $100, $225, or $325. The most expensive choice offers items such as caviar, roasted leg of lamb, two bottles of wine, and much more. Check their website for details and to place your order.
6. Bahama Breeze
406 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, Illinois
For a change of pace, head over to Bahama Breeze for some tropical-inspired food. Though it's not an Easter special, they offer a range of Caribbean Bundles to go. For $54.99, you can enjoy the seafood paella bundle which includes a side, a salad, and warm Cuban bread. They recommend ordering ahead for Easter.
7. Buca di Beppo
90 Yorktown Road, Lombard, Illinois and 604 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling
If you're craving Italian food, this family-style Italian restaurant is offering a variety of Easter packages. Choose from entrees like lasagna, baked rigatoni, or penna alla vodka. Prices range from $55 to $120 and are available for pick up or delivery.
8. Egg Harbor Naperville
175 W. Jackson, Naperville, Illinois
This popular breakfast place in downtown Naperville is offering its full menu for curbside pickup or delivery through Door Dash. Choose from traditional breakfast favorites or try something new with their red velvet French toast, shakshuka, or pot roast breakfast skillets. Egg Harbor has many locations throughout Chicago, check here for one near you.
9. Beatrix
Chicago's River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market, and Oakbrook
Not only do they have take-out options for brunch like scrambled eggs and pecan praline French toast, but you can also take home an adorable cookie decorating kit for kids (or grownups) for $16.95. The brunch costs $28.95 per person, with options to add on mimosa and Bloody Mary kits or bake-at-home cinnamon rolls.
10. Katie's Kitchen
623 N. Wolf Road, Des Plaines
Katie's Kitchen makes cooking Easter breakfast at home easy. They offer eggs Benedict kits, crepe kits, or French toast casserole bakes to bring home and heat up. Or choose from their brunch and dinner packages. Prices vary, so check online and be sure to order ahead.
Many of these restaurants do also offer limited dining options if you'd rather dine out. But be sure to check ahead before you go. Fortunately for the Chicago area, outdoor dining may also be available as the weather looks like it will be a beautiful Easter Sunday.
Comments / 0