Taste of the Town / Dining News
EASTER EXTRAVAGANZAS
In the midst of its 20th anniversary offerings , Montage Laguna Beach is hosting two Easter brunch events April 9 . Sit outdoors on the lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean to enjoy a buffet with charcuterie , seafood , carving stations and breakfast classics , then let the children enjoy special activities including an egg hunt and live entertainment . Or , opt for the Champagne brunch at The Loft , a more upscale offering with bottomless mimosas and bloody marys in addition to a three-course meal with a shared appetizer , a la carte entree and dessert . ( 949-715-6420 ; montagehotels . com )
Splashes , the signature eatery at Surf & Sand Resort , will offer a special prix fixe menu for the holiday brunch from noon to 3 p . m ., with appetizers like a baby spinach salad , Maine lobster quiche and local bass aqua accompanying your choice of seared branzino , Colorado rack of lamb , beef Wellington or the foraged mushroom toast . Don ’ t skip dessert , with options like carrot cake or a festive chocolate pecan egg . The restaurant ’ s regular dinner menu starts at 5 p . m . ( 888-281- 3502 ; surfandsandresort . com )
Also in town , beachside restaurant Driftwood Kitchen will host its own Easter buffet , with cold stations for fruit , salads , ahi tuna poke and salmon tartare ; madeto-order omelets and other hot breakfast items ; carving stations for honey baked ham and prime rib ; specialty kid ’ s items ; a dessert table and more . ( 949-749-6367 ; driftwoodkitchen . com )
In nearby Dana Point , another brunch will take place at The Ritz-Carlton , Laguna
Niguel , with a number of specialty stations ranging offering caviar , smoked fish , a raw bar , sushi station and dumpling cart , as well as waffle , French toast and omelet bars , plus traditional breakfast bites and numerous Indian items from Sanjay Rawat , chef de cuisine of a culinary program dedicated to South Asian weddings . Stunning floral arrangements and oversize Easter eggs will be on display while guests can also enjoy family-friendly activities . ( 949-240-2000 ; ritzcarlton . com )
Also in Dana Point , the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club will present a number of Easter events , including brunch experiences such as a buffet at Aveo Table & Bar and a resort guests / members only a la carte option at Monarch Bay Beach Club . For lunch or dinner , stop by Bourbon Steak , where Executive Chef Christopher Sanchez will offer a special holiday menu in addition to the restaurant ’ s regular offerings . And guests or members with children can enjoy the day , too , with a special Easter egg hunt on the Grand Lawn , meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny , crafts , face painting and more . ( 949-234-3200 ; waldorfastoria monarchbeach . com ) — Ashley Ryan
SIX SIPS
Though they ’ re known for having one of the most outstanding wine lists in town , Selanne Steak Tavern also boasts a number of signature sips , with six new cocktails in the lineup through April 1 . Two bourbon drinks , Forbidden Love and Sunset Boulevard , grace the menu , with the former
New Selanne Steak Tavern cocktails
offering a fruiter option with passion fruit and lemon with frothy egg whites and the latter serving as a spin on the classic boulevardier . Tequila lovers will enjoy Burning Red , which combines blood orange , lemon and agave for a citrusy sip while Wild Thoughts offer a fruity play on a gin and tonic with the inclusion of Chambord , blackberry and grapefruit tonic water . For a vacation-inspired cocktail , drift away with Tiki-style Island Dreamin ’, which features rum , pineapple and more . When Hearts Collide — a dessert cocktail made with vanilla vodka , creme de cacao , white chocolate liqueur , blackberry and raspberry — rounds out the menu . These winter drinks are part of a mixology program that changes seasonally , so keep an eye out for the upscale restaurant ’ s spring concoctions next . ( 949- 715-9881 ; selannesteaktavern . com ) — A . R .
Easter at Montage Laguna Beach
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