Hey Charlotte, get ready for Easter brunch

The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge

Kick off Easter weekend at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge with Easter Tea in the main lobby. Tea is offered 1-5 p.m. March 28-29. Loose leaf teas, confectionaries and tea savories are included in the cost of $32 for adults and $16 for children ages 4-12 (tax and gratuity extra). Call 704-248-4100 for reservations. March 31, the hotel hosts its annual Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy decorative displays, breakfast items, seasonal entrees, carving stations, desserts and live entertainment. Cost is $65 for adults, $32 for kids ages 5-12 (plus tax and gratuity) and complimentary for children 4 and younger. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance and host an egg hunt at 11:30 a.m., and 1 and 2:30 p.m.. Reservations are required and can be made online at www.gallery-restaurant.com, or 704-248-4100. Make sure to request your egg hunt time when reserving your spot.

•  The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge

10000 Ballantyne Commons Way

704-248-4000

www.theballantynehotel.com.

P.F. Chang’s

Four new dishes are on the menu for spring at P.F. Chang’s in SouthPark at Phillip’s Place. Vietnamese Prawn Rolls come with Thai basil, mint and cilantro, bibb lettuce and toasted sesame-soy sauce. A Thai Beef and Noodle Salad features seared caramelized beef, egg noodles, mango, cucumber, avocado and crisp greens served with a citrus vinaigrette, chopped peanuts and cilantro. Thai Basil Sambal Noodles include rice noodles, fresh vegetables, Thai basil and spicy coconut sambal sauce; chicken, shrimp or both can be added to the dish. Sea Bass with Tropical Salsa features marinated sea bass, tropical salsa and micro greens served over grilled asparagus with sweet chili sauce.

•  P.F. Chang’s

6809-F Phillips Place Court

704-552-6644

www.pfchangs.com.

Chuy’s

Chuy’s, based out of Texas, is preparing to open this spring in SouthPark in the former Zink location at 4310 Sharon Road. Chuy’s is known for its fun, eclectic décor and authentic Mexican cuisine including “Big as Yo’ Face” Burritos. Stay tuned.

•  Chuy’s

www.chuys.com.

Harper’s at Carolina Place

Stop in to Harper’s Carolina Place for dinner throughout March to receive one of 2,000 mystery envelopes filled with prizes including gift cards, cooking class passes, free appetizers and Sunday brunch for four. Participants can like Harper’s on Facebook this month to double their winnings. Guests who participate in the mystery envelope promotion cannot open their envelopes until they return to Harper’s at Carolina Place in April.

•  Harper’s

11059 Carolina Place Mall, Pineville

704-541-5255

www.harpersrestaurants.com.

OGGI

Due to customer requests, Eloy Roy’s OGGI of The Shoppes at Ardrey Kell is now open for lunch and dinner on Sundays. OGGI’s signature dishes are lasagna and tiramisu; both dishes are made fresh on site. Pastas and more are made from scratch daily at this new casual Italian spot. Open for lunch and dinner but closed on Mondays; coupons and deals can be found on their Facebook page.

•  OGGI

16646 Hawfield Way Drive

704-716-9400

www.oggicharlotte.com.

Mama Ricotta’s

A number of things are happening at Mama Ricotta’s during March. In conjunction with the opening of “Wicked,” Mama’s is running a special featuring Shrimp Diavolo on angel hair pasta with spicy tomato sauce for $18 through March 31. A glass of Hob Knob Wicked Red can be hadfor $7 a glass or $26 a bottle. New Old Italy favorites are being featured for Ravioli Day, March 20. Amma’s Cheese Ravioli (Frank Scibelli’s own grandmother’s recipe) comes stuffed with ricotta, fresh mozzarella, Parmesan Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Ravioli Alla Florentina is mushroom ravioli served in a fresh spinach and tomato cream sauce.

•  Mama Ricotta’s

601 S. Kings Drive

704-343-0148

www.mamaricottasrestaurant.com.

Umai Sushi and Asian Bistro

Coming to the redesigned Quail Corners at the intersection of Park Road, Gleneagles Road and Sharon Road West is Umai Sushi and Asian Bistro, an upscale Asian restaurant. The 3,305-square-foot-space will have 100 seats plus a sushi bar and patio. The owner, restaurateur Huy “Ricky” Zhao looks forward to providing Japanese, Thai and Chinese favorites. Umai plans to open in the third quarter 2013.

Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios

Opening in July in Quail Corners, Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios will offer cooking classes for kids and adults during the week and on weekends. The studio also plans to offer a Kids’ Night Out on Friday evenings beginning in August for kids ages 5-12 so parents can take advantage of the area’s restaurants. Birthday parties can also be held at Flour Power on Saturday and Sunday afternoons; plans are in the works for “Camp Yummy” summer camps as well. •  Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios

8438 Park Road

919-889-2598

www.flourpowerstudios.com.