Spring is here, and with it comes Easter on Sunday April 5th and Passover, from the evening of Friday April 3rd through the evening of Saturday April 11th. Whether you’re planning a brunch out or perhaps a seder at home, or both, we’ve got you covered with handy (and delicious) pickup items, great places to eat out, and festive treats to celebrate the spring season.
Local adorable pastry purveyors MIETTE are offering Easter baskets for sale this year, and they are just as darling as you might imagine. They’re $40 and come with a variety of Miette’s candies, including a chocolate bunny, jelly beans, sour gummies, housemade vanilla marshmallows, chocolate eggs (and carrots!), and even more. Not only are they supercute, but everyone who purchases a basket will receive an egg with a prize inside. Prizes range from a free ice cream sandwich to a whole cake to a lucky winner who will receive a lifetime supply of birthday cake. So tap into your inner kiddo and go have fun. Multiple locations: Ferry Building and Hayes Valley in San Francisco; Marin Country Mart in Larkspur; Jack London Square in Oakland.
Speaking of adorable, these “hopster” bunnies truffles from Recchiuti Confections are ‘hopper approved (for obvious reasons)l. The dapper bunnies in their hats and glasses are just too cute, and they also happen to be delicious, with burnt caramel inside. Order online or pick up at one of their locations.
Nothing says Easter like brunch, and 15 ROMOLO has a boozy one planned for Sunday April 5th. Starting at 10am, they’ll be serving five different punches, alongside a “very special” brunch menu. Reservations can be made by email here. 15 Romolo Pl. at Broadway, 415-398-1359.
~A16~ is also getting in on the action, with a regional Italian-inspired menu on Sunday April 5th, available at both brunch and dinner. The special à la carte menu will include dishes like verdetto, lamb braised in white wine with peas and pea shoots. Special dishes will be available 11am-9pm and reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant.
For a family brunch that includes a special menu for kids, check out ARGUELLO in the Presidio. The three-course menu (two courses for kids) with choices is inflected with Mexican-style dishes like crispy crab tacos and churros con cajeta, and costs $45 per person or $20 per kid. Brunch is served from 11am-4pm. 50 Moraga Ave. at Arguello, 415-561-3650.
For a special Easter family supper, check out LE MARAIS, where they will be serving a special four-course prix-fixe meal. From 5:30pm to 9:30pm you can try the special menu for $55 per person, with springtime dishes like a deviled egg with trout, asparagus salad, a choice of entrées, and dessert. Reservations can be made here. 2066 Chestnut St. at Mallorca, 415-359-9801.
Celebrate Easter Greek-style with ~SOUVLA~ on Sunday April 12th (the day of the Orthodox Easter). From 1pm to 6pm, the restaurant will be taken over by springtime festivities, including live music and games with prizes, along with traditional foods like a whole lamb roast, kokoretsi (lamb offal), mageritsa (lamb soup), and tsougrisma (red Easter eggs). There will also be lots of desserts and of course plenty of Greek wine and beer. Tickets are $40 for all you can eat and $60 for all you can eat and drink.
THE PASTA SHOP in the East Bay always has lots of items to help with your Passover and Easter celebrations at home. This year, they’ve got their famed hot cross buns, along with quiche, ham, and other take-home items for your Easter dinner or brunch. They can also help you out with Passover, with items ranging from freshly grated horseradish and charoset to a slow-cooked brisket. They also have desserts, including chocolate mousse squares, a springtime pavlova, and, of course, macaroons. Scope the choices here, and then order online for pickup at either their Berkeley or Oakland location. Oakland: 5655 College Ave. at Keith, 510-250-6005. Berkeley: 1786 4th St. at Delaware, 510-250-6005.
If you’re planning a seder at home, let ~WISE SONS DELI~ take care of the heavy lifting for you, with their catering menu for Passover. Lots of classics are available, including a seder plate kit, charoset, braised brisket, and potato kugel. They can also help out with dessert, including macaroons and chocolate torte. Find all the details and place your order here. There are also still a few tickets available to their seder at the deli on Monday April 6th.
Craig Stoll always celebrates Passover at his restaurants, and this year is no exception. ~DELFINA~ will be offering a daily changing menu from Friday April 3rd to Friday April 10th. Menu options will include the edible seder plate, poached trout with spring vegetables, and leg of lamb. Then, at ~LOCANDA~, you’ll find the traditional Stoll family matzo ball soup (the balls have a walnut in the center!), made using the wood-fired matzo from Beauty’s Bagels in Oakland. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurants.
~PERBACCO~ is celebrating Passover with their eighth annual dinner celebration with chef and author Joyce Goldstein on Tuesday April 7th and Wednesday April 8th. She’ll be cooking recipes from her cookbook Cucina Ebraica, which celebrates the dishes of Italian Jews. The menu opens with family-style appetizers like fried artichokes and is followed by two courses with choices like lamb stew with green garlic. There will also be side dishes for the table and family-style dessert. Check out the menu here. The dinner is $55 per person, not including tax, tip, or beverages, and reservations can be made by calling the restaurant.
Noe Valley’s FIREFLY is offering a special Passover-inspired menu from Friday April 3rd through Friday April 10th. All the dishes are served à la carte, and the menu includes classics like a starter plate of charoset, matzo, and bagelach, matzo ball soup, and braised brisket, alongside more inventive dishes like a goat cheese soufflé and grilled lamb sirloin. Reservations can be made here or by calling the restaurant. 4288 24th St. at Douglass, 415-821-7652.
Berkeley’s ~COMAL~ is celebrating Passover with two seders, one on Monday April 6th and another on Tuesday April 7th. The menu will incorporate Mexican traditions, with dishes like beef brisket in adobo and a caldo de pollo with matzo balls. Do note that the menu is a liberal interpretation of the Passover dietary rules, with beans, rice, and corn all included. The dinners begin at 6:30pm both evenings, and tickets cost $70 per person, including tip but not beverages.
While we’re at it, it’s also the season for the colomba di Pasqua (Easter dove), which is like a panettone studded with candied citrus, and then topped with almond paste, sugar crystals, and almonds. EMPORIO RULLI sells a small one for $32 and a large for $45. Let me tell you, it’s a special thing to warm up for Easter brunch.
The folks at MARLA BAKERY will also be baking hot cross buns (four for $12) and a colomba di Pasqua (made with house-candied citrus, golden raisins, and candied almonds) for $30. And don’t forget they make some incredible housemade organic matzo for Passover, with olive oil and salt flakes (three-pack for $9). 3619 Balboa St. at 415-742-4379.
The Easter basket from Miette. Photo courtesy Miette.
Event Info
Friday Apr 3, 2015 – Saturday Apr 11, 2015
