I remember when I was a kid, after Christmas and Halloween, there was no day I was more excited about than Easter. I was aware of the religious aspects of the holiday, but that wasn’t the basis of my excitement. It was candy, so much candy. Easter baskets filled with egg shaped chocolates, bunny gummies, Reese’s Pieces carrot-shaped bags and so much more. While I still thoroughly enjoy candy, as an adult there is more to get excited about. I actually compiled a short list of things for us all to be excited about. There is still sweets of course but as adults we now know that we can’t survive on candy alone, so I have found a couple restaurants doing Easter in Chicago right. Treat yourself to some sweets from Vanille Patisserie (2108 North Clark) and Magnolia Bakery (108 North State, Block 37), while the Intercontinental Chicago (505 North Michigan) and III Forks (180 North Field) are serving up some good Easter eats.
Vanille Patisserie
Vanille Patisserie offers an array of custom-made specialty treats perfect for Easter baskets, including chocolate bunnies filled with jelly beans, decorated sugar cookies, nougat bars, pate de fruit, and buttery caramels. Vanille also features larger items for holiday group gatherings, such as Easter celebration cakes, tartes, entremets and pastries. The complete menu is outlined below.
Limited quantities will be available in-store, and pre-orders are welcome by Tuesday, April 15 for guaranteed pickup at Vanille. Vanille Pastisserie’s Lincoln Park locations (Clark Street and Clybourn Avenue) will be open regular hours on Easter Sunday .
Easter Essentials
Chocolate Bunnies filled with jelly beans
small: $6.75, large: $14.65
Large Decorated Sugar Cookies
Eggs and Bunnies, individually packaged $3
Nougat Bars $5
Pate de Fruit
small: $8, large $15.50
Buttery Caramels
bag of 10 $9.50
Easter Celebration Cake
Available in 6-inch (serves 10 people) $44 or 8 -inch (serves 18 people) $74
Suggested Flavor Combinations:
Lemon Poppyseed Cake, Lemon Curd
Carrot Cake, Cream Cheese Filling
Vanilla Pound Cake, Passion Fruit Curd, Coconut Diplomat Cream
Magnolia Bakery
Easter Cupcakes $3.50
Happy Easter! Celebrate with our classic vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla and chocolate buttercream, beautifully adorned with Easter decorations and sprinkles.
Pastel 3 Layer 6” Cakes $32.00
Pretty as an Easter egg and just in time for spring. Our classic vanilla and chocolate cakes iced with vanilla buttercream in Magnolia Bakery’s pastel colors.
Vintage Springtime Cupcakes $5.25
Easter themed edible images decorate these classic chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream.
Mini Easter Cupcakes $18.00
An assortment of 12 classic chocolate and vanilla mini cupcakes with festive Easter decorations.
Pastel Coconut Mini Cupcakes $18.00
A box of twelve mini coconut cupcakes topped with pastel-colored sweetened coconut shreds.
Spritz Cookies $8.00/bag
A 4-ounce package of pressed floral butter cookies in assorted pastel shades.
Chocolate Lace Meringues $3.50
Rich milk chocolate swirled into a light and fluffy meringue.
Egg Cookies $8.00/bag
Two egg-shaped butter cut-out cookies topped with decorative pastel royal icing.
Lemon Cupcake $3.50
April’s cupcake of the month is a delicate lemon cake filled with tart lemon cream and topped with lemon meringue buttercream.
Mini Assorted Pastel Meringues $6.00/bag
An assortment of 20 pastel bite-size morsels.
Matzo Crunch $8.00/bag
Indescribably delicious layers of Matzo cracker, Magnolia handmade buttercrunch candy, chocolate, white chocolate and toffee pieces.
Mandel Bread $8.00/bag
Twice baked, our mandel bread is loaded with chopped almonds and chocolate chips. Made with cake meal (pulverized matzo), a flour alternative for Passover.
III Forks Primehouse
III Forks Prime Steakhouse will offer an Easter feast in Lakeshore East on Sunday, April 20. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., a special prix fixe dinner menu will be offered. The three courses incorporate choice of salad, entree and dessert ($49.95 adults, $16.95 children 12 and under). Guests may also choose to dine from the Easter a la carte menu (both menus outlined below).
Reservations are encouraged. Tax and gratuity is not included. Please call III Forks at (312) 938-4303.
Easter Prix Fixe
includes tea and coffee
First Course
III Forks Salad – our signature salad prepared with crispy green apple slices, local blue cheese, toasted pecans and field greens with our house made maple-walnut vinaigrette
Steakhouse Wedge Salad – baby iceberg lettuce, ripe tomatoes, apple wood smoked bacon and local blue cheese
Entree Choice
Roasted Tenderloin in roasted shallot thyme veal demi-glaze with whipped potatoes and asparagus
Pan-Seared Atlantic Salmon with charred truffle corn beurre blanc on roasted wild mushrooms
Double-Cut Herb Crusted Lamb Chop with braised fennel and roasted fingerling potatoes
Airline Chicken Paillard with oyster mushroom and smoked bacon veloute, served with whipped potatoes and crispy Brussels sprouts
Dessert Choice
Texas Pecan Cake – crushed pecans and shredded coconut in a moist white cake, layered with whipped cream frosting and candied pecans
Chocolate Lovers Dessert – the chef’s choice of his favorite chocolate dessert, house-made and sure to delight the most demanding chocolate lover
Easter Menu
Beginnings
Seafood Medley $19.95
Ahi Tuna $16.95
III Forks Salad $9.95
Wedge Salad $9.95
Beef Market
Filet Mignon 8 oz, $37.95
Filet Mignon 12 oz, $44.95
Bone In Filet, 14oz $55.95
USDA Prime New York Strip 16 oz, $45.95
USDA Prime Bone In Ribeye 18 oz, $45.95
USDA Prime Bone In Ribeye 22 oz, $59.95
Tomahawk Ribeye, 32oz $89.95
Rack of Lamb $42.95
Steak Toppers
Oscar Style $11.95
Blue Cheese Crown $4.95
King’s Butter $8.95
Parmesan Crust $8.95
Fish Market
Chilean Seabass $36.95
Cold Water Rock Lobster Tail, Market
Sides
Sauteed Spinach $9.95
Roasted Mushrooms $9.95
Off-the-Cob Cream Corn $8.95
Mashed Potatoes $7.95
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes $8.95
Seasonal Vegetables $8.95
Lobster Mac & Cheese $19.95
Intercontinental Chicago
This Easter Sunday, April 20th, guests are invited to celebrate with friends and family at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile with a delightful spring-inspired buffet. Executive Chef Randy Reed will present a lavish brunch spread, offering an endless array of gourmet specialties for guests of all ages. Set inside the historic downtown Chicago hotel‘s gorgeous fifth floor Renaissance Ballroom, Easter Brunch will be served between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. To make the event a memorable experience, Chicago-based photographers Furla Photography will be capturing the fun and offering complimentary family portraits for the holiday. Brunch-goers will also have the chance to win weekend stay in the property’s newly renovated, luxury Presidential suite.
Samplings of the expansive spread include:
Breakfast Corner
Assortment of pastries including croissants, fruit danish and assorted muffins
Fruit Salad with mint coconut rum infusion
House-Made Granola Parfait with fresh berries and low fat yogurt
Chef’s Action Stations
Farm-fresh made to order omelets
Waffles with berry compote
Seafood Station
Shrimp cocktail, Crab Claws and Green Tip Mussels with mignonette, brandy and cocktail sauces
Scallop Ceviche shooters with lemon and tabasco
Garden Favorites
Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with candied pecans and maple gastrique
Bibb Lettuce with roasted pear, Stilton cheese, caramelized pecans and balsamic vinaigrette
Arugula and Watercress Salad with walnuts, figs, parmesan and roasted shallot vinaigrette
Sweet Potato Panzanella Salad with romaine greens, arugula, tomatoes, red onions, cucumber and herb vinaigrette
Cheese and Charcuterie Board with rustic breads and spreads
Hot Foods Display
Spring Pea Soup with crème fraiche
Neuske Bason and Slagel Farm Sausage Quiche Loraine
Warm Beignets with crème anglaise
Hunter Style Chicken with pearl onions, wild mushrooms and medera jus
Wagu Beef Ravioli with caramelized onions and Roquefort sauce
Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon with red onion confit and beurre rouge
Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with herb hollandaise
Garlic Mashed Red Skin Potatoes
Medley of Seasonal Vegetables
Carving Table
Brown Sugar and Pepper Rubbed Ribeye with au jus
Slow Roasted Honey Glazed Ham with mustard crust
Herb Crusted Leg of Lamb with olive jus
The Dessert Nook
Chef’s selection of seasonal tarts, cakes and pies including:
Carrot cake, chocolate mouse trifle, mini milk shakes, Peep’s Tower,
macaroons, apple bread pudding, crème brulee Shots
mini cupcakes
Chef Reed will also prepare a Kid’s Buffet offering Mac and Cheese, Crispy Chicken Fingers, Green Beans, Mini Cheese Burgers, Fruit Salad, Mini Sandwiches, Candy, Cookies and more.
Easter brunch at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile costs $75 per adult and $28 per child, ages five through 12. Brunch for children under five is complimentary.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (312) 321-8844.
