Spring Holiday Happenings: Things to Do and Ways to Celebrate
/By Arielle Weg, Edible DC
Springtime in D.C. means farmers markets, crowds of tourists at the Tidal Basin getting the perfect cherry blossom photo and dining al fresco at one of the city's beer gardens. But this sunny season also brings out locals for glorious Easter brunches and Passover dinners full of friends, family, and most importantly; delicious food. We have places to go and celebrations to add to your calendar to make the most of this spring holiday season.
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery's Sour Cherry Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns are an Easter tradition and Chef David Guas of Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery is putting a twist on the sweet treats. From now til Easter, diners can enjoy sour cherry hot cross buns, stuffed with dried cherries and spices and topped with that oh so gooey glaze. And if that isn’t enough to get you through the door, for every two dozen buns Bayou Bakery sells, they plan to donate a dozen to A-SPAN, a local nonprofit that works to fight homelessness, so that those who celebrate Easter at A-SPAN can enjoy the festive treat too.
Passover and Easter at Dino’s Grotto
From now through April 17th, Dino’s Grotto is serving a festive Passover experience you won’t forget. The feast includes traditional Passover favorites like charoset (a mixture of nuts, apples, and wine), hard-boiled eggs with horseradish and parsley, gefilte fish, matzo ball soup and chopped liver. Entrees include Amish raised chicken, Chapel Hill’s Randall Lineback Ruby Veal, and Chraime (a firm fish with a spicy tomato sauce). Then stop in for bottomless Easter (and Passover) brunch on April 16th for $39 per person (or $27 not bottomless). Menu options include local farmer produced starters like asparagus ‘gratinato, charred ramp with potato and pork belly, and ceviche and mains like ‘frambled eggs alla carbonara di primavera with ramps, shakshuka, and roast pork.
Kale and quinoa salad at the grilled oyster company- photos are their own property
If you find yourself looking for the ultimate Easter brunch, The Grilled Oyster Company locations at Cathedral Commons and Potomac are offering a prix fixe menu in addition to a la carte menu for $28 per adult and $12 per child. The menu includes coffee and tea with two courses from the selections. Brunch options include deviled eggs, Maine lobster hash, or Mediterranean salmon salad.
Join chef Santosh Tiptur for a Brunch that celebrates Easter in the best way possible; chocolate eggs! For $50 per adult and $25 per child, you’ll dine on an array of brunch specialties. The menu includes a main entree, breads, pastries, coffee, juice, and fresh fruit with the main event of unlimited desserts. The multi-course brunch serves up dishes like fresh toast s’mores, breakfast flatbread, and grown-up grilled cheese with a creamy tomato soup.
Nazca Mochica “Eggs Three Ways” pisco sour flight. Photo is their own property.
If eggs aren’t quite your thing, but you’re looking to celebrate Easter the traditional way check out the Peruvian hidden gem, Nezca Mochica, just off of Dupont Circle. Easter morning they’ll be serving up a flight of the classic Peruvian drink pisco sour, made from egg white, pisco, and lime, served up three ways; the classic pisco, a maracuya sour with tart passionfruit and a cherry sour crafted with cherry-infused pisco. So you can have your eggs, and drink them too!
Lincoln is offering a locally sourced Easter brunch for $55 per person and $22 per child (including a complimentary Easter basket). The menu includes family style sides and 3-courses. Enjoy carrot soup, lobster pancakes, lamb and cinnamon French toast and warm rhubarb crumb cake to celebrate the season.
WhistlePig Whiskey at Bourbon steak's bottle hunt
Head over to the Four Seasons Hotel on Easter morning for an Easter bottle hunt. You’ll enjoy a delicious brunch followed by an adult scavenger hunt on the patio searching for hidden prizes to take home, like a ribbon wrapped bottle of the rare WhistlePig Whiskey. The activities are complementary to those who dine in house for the three-course, prix fixe brunch menu. Options include apricot and almond Dutch baby pancakes and Bourbon Steak tater tot poutine. If you’re looking for something extra special, try their off-the-menu eggshell filled with custard; available only by request.
From now until April 18th try the Passover tasting menu nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $50 per person (a la carte pricing is available). The 4-course tasting menu offers delicious takes on Passover dishes like salmon gefilte fish with horseradish and beet sauce, matzoah stracci with braised lamb shank and watercress, and a flourless chooclate torta. And if you’re looking for an Easter celebration, swing by on April 16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to enjoy the special a la carte menu. You can also order Easter baskets stuffed with delicious treats and Easter specialties.
Pastrami at dgs
Now that Passover is in full swing, stop by from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. through April 18th for an assortment of Passover delights for $55 per person with an optional wine pairing. Think classics like matzo ball soup, lamb shank with ricotta blintz, and a cheesecake with fresh dates and toasted hazelnuts. But if you can’t make it in with all of the extended family it town, DGS is offering all week Passover catering with staples like house made pickles, gefilte fish, red wine braised brisket, chopped liver, potato latkes and more.
Arielle Weg is an intern at Edible DC and a senior journalism major at American University.
