Easter Brunch Restaurants in New Jersey

With Easter brunch more of a tradition than ever, more and more eateries are turning their energies and creative talents to luring in a crowd on Easter Sunday. Across the garden state many well known as well as niche restaurants are competing for attention. I have listed below a few places that have consistently been featuring on the word of mouth list of 'best brunch ever'.

For the in crowd, Amanda's in Hoboken is a favorite haunt. For Easter brunch they plan to use multiple dining rooms to accommodate a larger crowd from 10:30 am to 1:00pm. Featuring an innovative menu including mushroom and goat cheese salad, assortment of omelets, and their famed bread basket, Amanda's is sure to please. With prices starting at $29.50 for adults, and half that price for children under 12, it is surprisingly affordable, considering its upscale locale and reputation.

Next up is the Grand Summit hotel in Summit. A historical gem, this place was previously a haunt of the genteel, and was called Black Burn House. Its historical ambience carefully preserved, Summit Hotel invites diners on Easter Sunday to anenviable hot and cold buffet display, attended omelet and carving stations along with all the traditional favorites. An additional attraction is the kids' special buffet complete with cotton candy, snow cones, the Easter Bunny and a balloon sculptor. At $60 for adults and $15 for kids under twelve, this is on the pricier side. Both of its dining rooms, the Hunt Club Steak & Seafood Grill, and The Grand Ballroom will be open for brunch. Check their website for updated seating times.

If seafood is your thing, the Chart House in Weehawken overlooking the NYC skyline could be the place to go. Extended timings from 10 to 5:30 allow ample time to enjoy a varied spread. Along with traditional favorites such as Belgian waffles and eggs benedict, enjoy Norwegian salmon and asparagus, devilled eggs with smokes salmon, and seafood crepes with lobster sauce.

The Grain House in Basking Ridge takes diners back almost 240 years. Famous for its décor as well as its cuisine, the Grain House is a favorite with north Jersey diners. Open for Easter brunch from 10 am to 2 pm, they offer delightful twists on classic American fare like domestic and imported cheeses, grilled artichokes and asparagus, and maple smoked salmon. Add to that meat and poultry carving stations, a crostini station, and decadent dessert options, and you have yourself a brunch worthy of the pickiest of families.

If authentic French cuisine is a must have for your Easter celebration, then Madeleine's Petit Paris Northvale, will not disappoint. The Swiss born chef is impressive with a repertoire of dishes including linguini with clam sauce, poached pears, crab cake louisinana, to name a few.

When it comes to good food, trust the locals, and the locals of Short Hills rave about the Easter brunch spread at the local Hilton. At $65 per person and $32.50 for children, this is more expensive than most, and follows a timed seating pattern. Seating times start around 11, with the last seating at 5 pm. It blends traditional displays like artisan bread and domestic and imported cheeses with contemporary ones like chilled seafood and caviar. With items like basted monkfish, and braised lamb in their hot food buffet, you just may run out of room by the time you get to the waffles and omelet stations.

Central and southern jersey has its share of Easter brunch options in an eclectic range of settings form traditional restaurants to country clubs and organized events.

With its bi-level deck in truly oceanfront splendor, Rooney's ocean front is a favorite with Jersey shorers around the year. Their famed buffet reflects the ocean views, and the lobster bisque, seafood lasagna, and crab cakes give even upscale seafood places a run for their money. The regular brunch is priced at $29 for adults and $15 for kids, but call to check prices for Easter.

The Easter Brunch catered by Branches Catering, is one of West Long Branch's best kept secrets. The brunch features a sumptuous spread of freshly baked Danish pastries, made to order omelets, cocktail and antipasto stations, choice of hot entrees and a well rounded carving station. A dessert buffet complete with their famous chocolate fountain with trimmings, and a kids' buffet draw families of all sizes. With prices at $39.50 for adults, and $19.50 for children 2 and above, this brunch ranks among the pricier options in southern jersey.

If restaurants and waiting in line is not your thing, consider alternative venues such a Country Clubs and Golf Clubs. Most country clubs require that you be a member, some clubs welcome non member guests as well. The Sand Barren's Golf Club near Atlantic City is one such option. Featuring traditional menus with an occasional twist, like the O'Brien potatoes, sausage, gravy and biscuits, this brunch is moderately priced at $20 for adults and $11 for kids. Head off to the slots after, and make a day of it.

Traveling inland, the Tre Piani situated at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro comes to mind. Family oriented and family owned their spread includes antipasto platters, entrees with Italian/Mediterranean flair, like grilled ciabbata, and Greek style leg of lamb. Complete with a kid's buffet, and fairly affordable at $30 and $13 for adults and kids respectively, the Tre Piani offers a twist on traditional Easter fare.

Two other places come to mind. The Frog and Peach in New Brunswick and the Brothers Moon near Princeton. Situated in historically restored buildings, both boast an old world décor and ambience. Brunch offerings in both places feature seasonal soups, quiches, filled omelets, and an assortment of paninis. Both establishments pride themselves in their consistent performance in critics' choice lists for food and service.

Whether you prefer old world tradition, or trendier options, chances are, you will find something in the New Jersey area to suit your taste. Easter brunch being a popular tradition, you would want to make your plans (and your reservations) early on. Even places that say that reservations are not necessary, appreciate the heads up on such busy days.