Great Options for Easter in Chicago

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.