Easter brunch, Passover meals and sweet treats — where to find them in Charlotte

While most Passover Seder and Easter meals were eaten last year during COVID-19 quarantine, this year’s outlook looks brighter. Some restaurants are offering dine-in options for Easter meals, and others are offering takeout or take-and-bake kits to enjoy with family at home. From Passover Seder meals to Easter brunch and dinner, there’s plenty available to plan for a special family meal. And if you’re still hungry for dessert, local bakeries and cafes are offering cookie kits, themed macarons and more.

5Church

127 N. Tryon St.

Details: 5Church Charlotte will offer Easter brunch on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Menus:

BRUNCH ($50 for adults, $25 for children 12 and under)

• Shrimp cocktail

• Snow crab

• Oysters on the half shell

• Smoked salmon and lox

• Brisket

• Glazed ham

• Korean fried chicken

• Deviled eggs

• Chicken sausage links

• Bacon

• Scrambled eggs

• Mixed green salad

• Vegetable shakshuka

• Mixed fruit

• Brunch bread, cinnamon rolls, scones

• Dessert: Vanilla macaroons, espresso macaroons, chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons, chocolate-raspberry shooter, fresh fruit tart

DINNER

5Church will serve its traditional menu for Easter dinner, which offers locally sourced items such as herb roasted chicken, Chilean sea bass, ricotta potato gnocchi and wasabi-crusted salmon.

Amelie’s French Bakery

2424 N. Davidson St.; 7715 Pineville Matthews Road; 4321 Park Road; 157 E. Main St., Rock Hill

Details: Amelie’s will offer its Easter menu from March 29 through April 5, which includes a French macaron gift box, cookie decorating kit, and take-home Easter brunch kit.

Menu:

• Easter French macaron gift box: Includes carrot cake, marshmallow sprinkle and chocolate caramel egg. Available for nationwide shipping.

• Easter cookie kit: Includes three egg pâte sucrée cookies, three bunny pâte sucrée cookies and three bags of pastel buttercream in pink, yellow and purple

• Easter brunch kit: Includes one whole quiche, one quart of fruit salad and one 10-piece dessert mix. Serves 8-10.

Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

4001 Yancey Road

Details: Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen is offering both a Passover and Easter menu.

The Passover menu is gluten-free (except for the Matzah Brittle). Order by March 24 at 3 p.m. (or by 8 a.m. if you’re adding brisket). Pickup is available on March 26 from noon to 7 p.m.

The Easter menu must be ordered by March 31 at 3 p.m. for pickup on April 2 between noon and 7 p.m.

Delivery is available almost anywhere in the Charlotte area, and most of the flat delivery fee ($25) goes directly to the driver. Items are prepared to be reheated over the weekend for Passover Seder or Easter.

Passover Seder menu:

• Mains: Braised brisket (2 lbs. for $39), seared striped bass (4-pack for $40), roast chicken ($13 half, whole $24), braised beef pot roast (individual $9 or 4-pack for $34), seared salmon (individual $9 or 4-pack for $34), roasted eggplant (individual $7 or 4-pack for $25)

• Sides (1-quart containers, serves 4-6 for $11 each): Asparagus, roasted carrots with orange glaze, caramelized broccoli, garlic fingerling potatoes, three- or six-piece root vegetable kugel, 8- or 16 oz. caramelized pear and fig charoset (available nut-free upon request)

• Salads (serves 4-6 as a side dish for $16 each): Kale salad, table salad with mixed greens

• Dessert: Olive oil cake with blood-orange-strawberry compote (one slice for $3 or whole cake for $16), Matzah Brittle ($8 pint), chocolate-almond torte ($26)

• Seder Plate Pack ($23): roasted lamb bone, parsley, salt water, vegetable, one hard-boiled egg, pint of pear and fig charoset

Easter menu:

• Mains: Roast lamb shoulder (2.5 pounds for $55), seared wagyu flank steak (individual for $12 or 4-pack for $55), seared striped bass (individual $11 or 4-pack for $40), seared salmon (individual $9 or 4-pack for $34), roasted eggplant (individual $7 or 4-pack for $25), roast chicken (Half $13, whole $24)

• Sides: (1-quart containers, serves 4-6 for $11 each): asparagus, blistered tomatoes and herbs with olive oil, roasted carrots with orange glaze, caramelized broccoli, garlic fingerling potatoes, Mediterranean orzo salad, mac and cheese

• Salads (serves 4-6 as a side dish for $16 each): Kale salad, table salad with mixed greens

• Dessert: Olive oil cake with blood-orange-strawberry compote (one slice for $3 or whole cake for $16), carrot cake whoopie pie (2-pack for $11)

Copain

6601 Morrison Blvd.

Details: Copain is offering three Easter suppers that feed 4-6 people. Order online by March 31 for pickup on April 2-3.

Menu:

• Proteins: Choice of honey-brined smoked pork loin with sorghum citrus glaze ($95), rotisserie lamb leg with spring herb pistou ($115), wood-fired grilled salmon with citrus-fennel salad ($105)

• Sides (included with proteins): Smoked carrots with red onion, fennel and mint; spring succotash with asparagus, leeks, spring peas and corn; potatoes aligot with gruyere

• Served with: Little gem salad, endive, radicchio, radish, lemon vinaigrette baguette, herb butter

• Additional a la carte offerings: Hot cross buns, coconut cupcakes, 6-inch coconut cakes, lemon and coconut chess pie, sweets and beets pie, strawberry and cream pie, sticky bun minis (4-pack), 4-inch quiche for two, 6-pack of mini oatmeal cream pies, brunch basket with six pastries and two spreads.

Dogwood Southern Table & Bar

4905 Ashley Park Lane

Details: Dogwood will offer an Easter meal for $55 on April 4. Reserve your spot.

Menu:

• First course: Choice of cremini and gruyere quiche, pimento deviled eggs, arugula balsamic, farm greens, celery root bisque, crab and chorizo hushpuppies

• Second course: Choice of duck burger, lamb loin, Joyce Farms chicken, shrimp and grits, sunburst trout, shrimp tagliatelle

• Third course: Choice of farm apple bread pudding, ricotta rum gelato, Mom’s Cheesecake, chocolate cake

Dressler’s

8630 Lindholm Drive

Details: Enjoy Easter brunch at Dressler’s from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 4 for $55 at the Birkdale location or $59 at the Metropolitan location. Reserve your table at Birkdale or Metropolitan.

Menus:

BIRKDALE

• First course: Choice of French onion soup, iceberg lettuce, classic caesar salad, Thai calamari, seared rare ahi tuna, jumbo shrimp cocktail, pimento cheese, tomato and fresh mozzarella, blackened tenderloin

• Second course: Choice of blackened mahi mahi, seared salmon, pan-roasted crab cakes, blackened heart of ribeye, shrimp and grits, seared rare ahi tuna, Joyce Farms chicken, shrimp linguine, heritage farms pork chop

• Third course: Mom’s cheesecake, key lime pie, chocolate espresso layer cake, Mom’s carrot cake

METROPOLITAN

• First course: Thai calamari, tomato and iceberg wedge, seared rare ahi tuna, classic caesar salad, jumbo shrimp cocktail, baked pimento cheese

• Second course: 8 ounce filet mignon, seared salmon, broiled lamb chops, oven-roasted chicken, shrimp and clam linguini, pan-roasted crab cakes, grilled mahi mahi

• Third course: Mom’s cheesecake, Mom’s apple cake, chocolate cake, Mom’s carrot cake

Fin & Fino

135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100

Fin & Fino will have a tuna and salmon poke bowl, crab cake benedict, and beet-cured salmon lox at its Easter brunch. Courtesy of The Plaid Penguin

Details: Fine & Fino will offer Easter Brunch on April 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $55. Reserve your table.

Menu:

• First course: Choice of beet-cured salmon lox, tuna and salmon poke, arugula salad, corn bisque, brunch flatbread

• Second course: Choice of crab cake benedict, lobster and shrimp roll, Boys & Girls farms spring vegetable frittata, grilled mahi, Korean beef rice bowl

• Third course: Choice of Mom’s cheesecake, carrot cake or chocolate mousse with pistachio crumble and strawberry coulis

Fine & Fettle

4905 Barclay Downs Drive

Details: Fine & Fettle will offer Easter brunch on April 4, complete with an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. with the Easter Bunny. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at $45 per adult and $15 for children (6-12). Children under 6 eat free.

Menu:

• Made-to-order egg station

• Carving station: Beef steamship and Cheshire pork steamship ham

• Market fish station: Cedar plank bourbon-glazed salmon and almond-crusted Sunburst Farm trout

• Seasonal fruit display

• Local chef’s charcuterie display

• Salad bar

• Breakfast and lunch hot buffets

• Dessert station

• Kids buffet

Little Mama’s

4521 Sharon Road

Details: Little Mama’s will offer brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and usual dinner service. The specials include the Chef Dinner Feature (3-9 p.m.), including lamb ragu with fresh cavatelli pasta and carrot cake.

Menus:

BRUNCH:

• Steak and eggs

• Spinach and prosciutto quiche

• Crab cake benedict

• French toast

• Uncle Louis’ handheld

• Bagel and lox

• Eggs with bacon or Italian sausage

• Giant cinnamon roll

DINNER:

• Starters: Goat cheese with mascarpone dip, broiled whole cauliflower, Zuppa di Giorno

• Salads: Tuscan, Mama’s, chopped, Caesar

• Mozzarella Bar

• Pasta: Ziti al Telefono, Fettuccine alla Pugliese, Radiatore, organic spaghetti and wagyu-pork meatballs, Amma’s Ravioli, penne broccoli and chicken, penne alla vodka, lasagna

• Entrees: Chicken Carciofi, Little Mama’s big ribeye, broiled salmon, Tommasino’s broiled chicken, shrimp oreganata

Mama Ricotta’s

601 S. Kings Drive AA

Details: Mama Ricotta’s will offer dine-in brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and pizza from 3-9 p.m. Specials include a lamb feature from 3-9 p.m. and carrot cake.

Menus:

BRUNCH:

• French toast

• Uncle Louis’ Handheld

• Giant cinnamon roll

• Spinach and prosciutto quiche

• Ham and Fontina omelet

DINNER:

• Appetizers: Goat cheese and mascarpone dip, mozzarella and tomatoes, calamari

• Soup and salad: Zuppa del Giorno, Greek yogurt Caesar salad, chopped salad, Tuscan salad, Mama’s salad

• Pizza: Tomato and mozzarella, chicken oreganata, vegetariana, chicken sausage, white, Joe’s Favorite, personalized

• Pasta: Pasta primavera, Amma’s cheese ravioli, angel hair pasta with tomato basil, organic spaghetti and wagyu meatballs, lasagna, penne alla vodka, penne with broccoli and chicken

• Entrées: Pollo alla griglia, pollo bianco, Chianti-braised short rib, chicken parmesan, salmoni arrostiti olivada, pollo carciofi

• Sides: Lemon basil mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus with lemon and garlic, sauteed broccolini with chopped tomato and garlic, garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach with garlic and olive oil, assorted grilled vegetables, mascarpone and goat cheese Anson Mills polenta

NAPA at Kingsley

1310 Broadcloth St., Fort Mill, SC

Details: NAPA at Kingsley will be offering Easter brunch and dinner in-person, as well as options for takeout. Call 803-458-6335 to reserve a table. For takeout, call to place your orders by April 1 at noon. All orders will be available for pickup on Easter day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COVID-19 precautions: NAPA at Kingsley is following state and CDC guidelines. Masks are required, and hand sanitizer is available.

Menus:

BRUNCH ($30)

• Starters: Carrot and ginger bisque, soup of the day, Napa salad, Caesar salad, fava bean hummus, mozzarella-stuffed meatballs

• Entrees: Chicken and waffles, French toast, sausage frittata, vegetable frittata, hanger steak and eggs, lamb benedict, bucatini pomodoro, grilled salmon, steak burger

• Desserts: Vanilla bean mascarpone cheesecake, flourless chocolate cake

DINNER ($50)

• Starters: Carrot and ginger bisque, soup of the day, Napa salad, Caesar salad, fava bean hummus, mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, crispy calamari, crab cake, lemon gnocchi

• Entrees: Pan-seared filet (+$5), New Zealand lamb chops, grilled pork chop, Maple Leaf Farm duck breast, grilled salmon, lobster fettuccine, portobello mushroom

• Desserts: Vanilla bean mascarpone cheesecake, flourless chocolate cake

TAKEOUT ($170, serves 4)

• Starter: Napa salad

• Entrees and sides: Herb-roasted prime rib, horseradish mousse, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, lemon butter broccolini

• Dessert: Mascarpone cheesecake, flourless chocolate cake

• Additional sides (1 quart, $14 each): Cavatappo mac and cheese, bacon-fat Brussels sprouts, asparagus, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sorghum-glazed rainbow carrots

The Porter’s House

7417 Waverly Walk Ave.

Details: The Porter’s House will offer Easter brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 4 for $59. Reserve your spot.

Menu:

• First course: Choice of smoked salmon, iceberg-wedge smoked bacon lardons, sugarloaf radicchio, quiche Lorraine duo, pimento cheese beignets

• Second course: Choice of smoked bacon-and-pimento-cheese-crusted filet mignon, seared Florida red grouper, Verlasso salmon, Joyce Farms chicken breast

• Third course: Choice of Mom’s Cheesecake, ultimate chocolate chip brownie sundae, classic creme brulee

Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen

6601 Morrison Blvd.

Details: Rooster’s SouthPark location will offer a three-course prix fixe Easter menu in place of the grand buffet that usually takes place on Easter Sunday. Meals are $47 per person, and a kids’ menu is available. Reserve your spot.

Menu:

• Copain pastry basket: Assorted house-made pastries and breads, whipped butter and preserves

• Hors d’oeuvres for the table: Smoked salmon tartin, deviled egg tea sandwiches, chilled pea soup, herb goat cheese with roasted tomato, farro salad with spring vegetables, pimento cheese with bacon jam and crostini, Edward’s country ham and biscuits

• Entree: Choice of quiche, lump crab benedict, pain perdu, rotisserie lamb leg, grilled hanger steak, Joyce Farms rotisserie chicken, wood-grilled salmon

• Sides: Choice of herb-roasted spring potatoes, Anson mills grits & bacon, roasted baby carrots, grilled asparagus, spring peas, mac & cheese

• Dessert: Coconut cake with vanilla anglaise and chantilly cream, sweets and beets pie with citrus curd and shortbread.

The Stanley

1961 E. 7th St.

Details: The Stanley will offer an Easter brunch prix fixe menu for $30 per person, which includes a doughnut, one small plate and an entree.

Menu:

• Small plates: avocado toast with sunny egg, crispy kale with a poached egg, hot pepper beef with veggie slaw, mixed greens with apples and walnuts

• Entrees: Buttermilk pancakes, pork belly, fried chicken biscuit, The Stanley burger, crab cakes, confit duck hash, two eggs any style with choice of sides

• Sides: sweet potato home fries, cheddar grits, bacon, eggs your way, biscuit and gravy

Steak 48

4425 Sharon Road

Details: Steak 48 will open early for Easter at noon (until 10 p.m.) and offer the full menu.

COVID-19 precautions: Steak 48 is adhering to state and CDC guidelines for COVID-19 and has implemented Accufectant machines to prevent the spread of the virus. Masks are required when not eating and drinking. Guests must be seated, and no gathering at the bar is allowed. Social distancing guidelines are in place.

Menu: The full menu will be available. Highlights include prime steakhouse meatballs, Wagyu beef tartare, Rhode Island calamari and shrimp, heirloom tomato salad, Maine lobster cocktail, Hawaiian poke, NY strip steak, bone-in ribeye and fresh seafood.

Stoke

100 W. Trade St.

Details: Stoke is offering its full brunch menu from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Reserve a table.

Menu highlights:

• Stoke pancakes with cinnamon butter, fresh berries, bourbon-maple syrup

• Shrimp and grits with country ham, red-eye gravy, green onion

• Breakfast pizza with gruyere, mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted tomato, frisse

• Stoke chicken waffle with fried chicken, chipotle butter, pickles, pimento cheese

• Chicken biscuit with pimento cheese, bacon, maple syrup

View the full menu online.

Sweet Spot Studio

4412 Monroe Road

Details: Sweet Spot Studio will offer Easter-themed sweets to enjoy at home. All items are available for shipping or local pickup. The deadline to order is March 28.

Selections include:

• Bunny Bait Bags: Includes five mini carrot sugar cookies that are individually heat-sealed in a bunny bag. For shipping, the cookies will be bubble-wrapped individually outside of the bag. ($12)

• Paint-your-own Easter egg cookies: Includes six Easter egg cookies (regular or gluten-free), individually heat-sealed and presented in an egg carton. The kit comes with edible paint and markers, as well as a paint brush. (One for $14, two for $24, three for $16)

• Multi-peep cutter: This tool will help you recreate Peep cookies at home. Available in chick or bunny shapes. ($8)

• White chocolate Easter egg: Decorated with glitter and gold specs, filled with chocolate-covered marshmallows. ($8)

• Bunny Buns: Three sugar cookies (regular or gluten free) with cotton tails, heat-sealed for freshness. ($8)

• Sweet Spot Cookie Club Bonus Box: Includes four “Peep” bunny cookies, four “Peep” chick cookies, sanding sugar, colorful royal icing, black dragees, scribe tool and a video tutorial ($30)

Sweet Spot Studio will also host an Easter block party featuring a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On April 3. Vendors include Ashworth’s Cookies, Bake Mohr Sweets, Baked by Jamese, Boda Bee and the Mighty Oats, Cakeable, City Farm Foods, Kema’s Cakes, The Pillar Celebrations and Sweety Craves.There will also be a Spring Cleaning Yard Sale with shirts, cups, towels, ingredients, sprinkle blends, cookie decorating grab bags and kits, cake stands, dessert table decor and cookie cutters. Coordinates Coffee will be on site.

COVID-19 precautions: Masks are required.

Wentworth + Fenn

270 Camp Road, Suite 103

Wentworth + Fenn will offer Easter treats for the weekend, including fresh berry tarts and “carrot cake carrots.” Courtesy of Sam Allen

Details: Wentworth + Fenn will offer a special Easter menu from April 2-4.

Menu:

• Salted caramel “baby chick” macarons ($4)

• Hot cross buns (4-pack for $12)

• Fresh berry tarts ($7)

• 4-inch robin egg cakes ($40)

• Shortbread cakes ($5)

• Carrot cake carrots ($9)

• Lemon zest doughnuts with fresh lemon curd filling ($5)

Your Farms, Your Table

Details: This year, Your Farms, Your Table will partner with Meshugganah for Passover and will substitute its standard shrimp and grits delivery for a Passover/Seder meal. Order your Passover Seder feast for delivery on March 26 between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Your Farms, Your Table will also offer an Easter meal. Order for pickup on April 3 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at The City Kitch (2200 Thrift Road).

Menus:

Passover/Seder ($30/person)

• First course: Traditional Matzo Ball soup

• Second course: Wagyu beef brisket, fennel, Meyer lemon and herbs. Served with steamed potatoes

• Third course: Flourless chocolate-strawberry cake

Easter ($320, feeds 4)

• Roasted red pepper and fontina bruschetta

• Local bread, baby arugula

• Bibb and radicchio salad with apples, apricots, mozzarella, hazelnuts

• Prime rib with rosemary jus

• Yukon gold mashed potatoes with lemon, scallions and cream

• Roasted heirloom carrots, golden beets, benne seeds, asparagus

• Early spring berry cheesecake with graham cracker

• Parker House rolls (1 dozen)

Editor’s note: This story is developing and will be updated as more places announce Easter and Passover plans.

This story was originally published March 22, 2021 at 11:57 AM.

Jessica Swannie

The Charlotte Observer

Jessica is a writer fueled by coffee, cookies and long walks in the Magic Kingdom. She’s often found exploring the culinary scene (mostly pasta) and traveling. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @jessicaswannie.