Looks like we made it through the winter, not that it was too terrible this year around the Monterey Bay. Would it be tempting fate to brag that we never once lost power at my house in the Santa Cruz Mountains?
With fruit trees blossoming and local asparagus and strawberries debuting in the markets, Easter is a good time to celebrate the rebirth of life all around us—no matter what religion you follow.
Easter comes a little early this year—Sunday, March 31—so to help you plan your holiday, EMB has these suggestions from some of our favorite local restaurants, shops and businesses.
Chicks and Eggs
Get ready for Easter by preparing your home, look for charming one-of-a-kind chicks and rabbit Easter decorations at The Garden Company in Santa Cruz.
Ham and Eggs
Get ready for Easter by learning how to prepare the perfect ham at a cooking class on “The Easter Meal” led by Chef Tony Baker at Montrio Bistro in Monterey on Saturday, March 16. To prepare your home, look for charming one-of-a-kind chicks and rabbit Easter decorations at The Garden Company in Santa Cruz.
Lots of seasonal decorations will also be on sale at the Paraiso in Bloom festival on Saturday, March 30 from 12-4pm at the vineyards in Soledad. Activities include an Easter Egg hunt for grown ups, potato sack races and wine tasting.
Easter egg hunts for the kids will take place at Capitola Beach on Saturday, March 30 at 11am and on Saturday and Sunday, March 30-31 in the redwoods at Roaring Camp Railway in Felton.
In Monterey on Saturday, March 30, Old Fisherman’s Wharf is holding an Easter Scavenger Hunt for kids from 10am-4pm, while Del Monte Center hosts an Easter Parade at 12:30pm, followed by a Bunny Hut from 1-3pm—where kids can have a free photo taken with the giant rabbit himself.
The Best Brunches
Eggstravagant Easter Sunday brunches are a holiday tradition in our area. One of the most spectacular takes place at Pacific’s Edge at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Chef Matt Bolton will have carving stations with ham and roast beef, a seafood buffet, a waffle station and several varieties of Eggs Benedict, including Maine lobster. Adults $75, children $35.
Chef Jason Giles at Jack’s at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey will be setting out a carving station with Ginger and Honey Glazed Ham, as well as a buffet that includes Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, eggs benedict and omelets made to order. Adults $39.50, children $19.95.
Sanderlings at Seascape Resort in Aptos is also pulling out all the stops with an Easter buffet that features sweeping views of the Monterey Bay along with prime rib, ham, oyster gumbo and Seascape eggs benedict made with a Dungeness crab cake on a sourdough biscuit. Adults $42.95, children $18.95.
Another spectacular setting is Point Pinos Grill in Pacific Grove, where Chef Dory Ford is offering Wild Smoked Salmon Benedict with Asparagus and Hollandaise Sauce, as well as a bountiful buffet that includes seafood, salads, roast beef and Honey Brined Pork Loin. Adults $32.50, children $15.95.
For a splurge try Stillwater Bar and Grill overlooking the 18th hole at Pebble Beach. The brunch buffet includes chilled seafood and champagne, along with seasonal specials and a carving station. Adults $85, children $42.50.
Aubergine at L’Auberge in Carmel is another fine option. You can sit outside in their sunny courtyard and enjoy an appetizer buffet followed by the entrée of your choice served at the table and a selection of traditional Easter desserts. Adults $75, children $32.
At Tarpy’s Roadhouse in Monterey, Chef Michael Kimmel has added a few specials for Easter Sunday like Grilled Vegetable Quiche and Grilled Colorado Buffalo Strip Loin Steak with Cherry-Port Wine Reduction. He has also added an Easter cocktail called the Pink Bunny, made with Absolute Citron Vodka, Sweet and Sour, Guava juice and a splash of Grenadine—guaranteed to make you hop.
Beyond Chocolate Bunnies
Even if you plan on cooking and celebrating Easter at home, you might want outsource the dessert course. Here are a few places that can help.
Buttercup Cakes and Farm House Frosting in Santa Cruz sells cupcakes and makes gorgeous thematic cakes to order.
Companion Bakeshop is also preparing for the holidays with lemon tarts, lemon buttermilk pie and strawberry rhubarb pie, as soon as they can get their hands on local strawberries.
Stone Creek Kitchen in Monterey is bringing back their popular Baby Bunny Cakes for the holidays and has some seasonal decorations too.
The Bakery Station in Salinas for some pretty pink macarons and delicious hot cross buns or try Pastry and Petals in Carmel for cakes that are almost too beautiful to eat. Likewise, a visit to Sweet Elena’s in Sand City can help round out your Easter menu, with quiches, tarts and savory galettes, along with Hot Cross Buns and Italian Egg Bread Colomba Pasquale.
However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a happy Easter spent enjoying great food in the company of great friends and family.
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
