Kathleen Hill: Where to find Easter meals this weekend
Just a reminder: Easter (or any other bunnies) don’t drop Easter or any other kind of eggs. Chickens do, but for some fun reason we go through this ritual annually.
History.com says “Easter is a religious holiday, but some of its customs, such as Easter eggs, are likely linked to pagan traditions. The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection.
“Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. Eggs had been a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.
From food historian Sam Rilton of English-heritage.org.uk
“Early Christians in Mesopotamia dyed eggs in the period after Easter. The practice was adopted by the Orthodox Churches, and from there it spread into Western Europe. Eggs represent new life and rebirth, and it’s thought that this ancient custom was absorbed into Easter celebrations.”
Eggs laid on Good Friday were said to turn into diamonds if they were kept for 100 years. Some thought that eggs cooked on Good Friday and eaten on Easter would promote fertility and prevent sudden death, and it became the custom to have your eggs blessed before you ate them. It was also said that if your egg had two yolks, you’d soon become rich.
Besides possibly going to church to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus or whatever you believe in, here are some fun things to do in Sonoma on Easter.
Cook a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner for the family or for yourself.
Go to the beach. Take a walk, plant vegetable starters or other growing food for you and your neighbors, or give someone some flowers to brighten their lives. Maybe even invite someone who is alone to join you for a cup of tea, glass of wine, or a meal.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
Chef Danielle of Murphy’s will add some Easter brunch specials to their regular menu this Sunday, such as an Irish breakfast of sautéed assorted mushrooms, Irish bangers, and a poached egg; Lyonnaise salad with frisée, lardons, croutons, a poached egg and sherry vinaigrette; grilled Wagyu sirloin steak with truffled mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts; and pan-roasted seabass with bulger pilaf, sautéed kale, and preserved lemon relish. ($18.95 to $25).
Chef Danielle would love for you to check out his bonsai feature on the bar at Murphy’s.
Sonoma Grille
Nima Sherpa and crew will come up with a veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, zucchini, red bell peppers and cheddar cheese served with spring mix salad; a smoked salmon Benedict with two poached eggs, spinach, Parmesan, heirloom tomatoes, on an English muffin with country potatoes; two slices of sourdough French toast soaked in vanilla bean batter with Mascarpone cheese and berry compote; Easter ham plate with two eggs any style and potatoes; and a shrimp omelet with bacon, tomatoes, arugula, pepper Jack and potatoes. ($17 to $26).
Much of their regular menu will be available as well such as trio cheese ravioli, wild King salmon, and filet mignon. ($32 to $44). 165 W. Napa St., Sonoma. 938-7542.
Tips Roadside
The Pryfogles again offer their Easter Bottomless Brunch served family style with “all you can eat.”
It all starts with a fresh garden salad for the table, followed by main courses of smoked brisket, fried chicken and shrimp and grits with sides of scrambled eggs, bacon, housemade biscuits and a hash of Brussels sprouts an root vegetables. Dessert brings their famous beignets. All for $55 adults, $20 for ages 7 to 12, and 6 and under eat free. bottomless Bloody Mary’s and mimosas $19. 90-minute seatings 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood. Reserve at 509-0078, tipsroadside.com. or exploretock.com/tipsroadside.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
“The Inn” as it is now being called, will host an Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawns for hotel and restaurant guests at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 17, with the Easter Bunny “Hopping Inn” during the hunt.
The Inn will serve a three-course family-style menu from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. includes a smoked fish platter to share of smoked salmon, Sable fish, pastrami cured salmon, mini bagels, potato latkes, rye crisps, cream cheeses, homemade pickles and heirloom tomatoes.
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