Where to Eat in Brooklyn on Easter Sunday
Don’t want to take responsibility for roasting lamb and assembling green bean casserole this year, but would rather not navigate through hordes of bonneted and pinafored celebrants, that are bound to descend on your favorite restaurant? We’ve rounded up five sweet but blessedly low-key ways to commemorate Easter Sunday, from a leisurely brunch at Watty & Meg, to a family-style dinner at Glasserie.
James: Discretely tucked into a century-old Prospect Heights townhouse, the husband-and-wife owned James is well removed from the commercial congestion of Vanderbilt. Which means you can actually still snag reservations for either Easter dinner (when they’ll offer holiday specials, alongside their regular menu), or the $35 prix fixe brunch, featuring choices like lemon and ricotta pancakes, black kale salad with smoked almonds and quinoa, or eggs over pork belly and artichoke hash, as well as a gratis cocktail, and sides for the whole table. 605 Carlton Avenue, Prospect Heights
Watty and Meg: Occupying a spacious corner of Court Street just where the crowds begin to thin out, Watty and Meg is a bit of a sleeper, at least compared to much-loved neighbors like Buttermilk Channel, Frankie’s Spuntino and Brucie. So there are tables ready for the taking for both brunch and dinner this Sunday, along with a number of appealing specials, such as Pineland Farms brisket with bourbon and bacon-vidalia jam, Edenbrook Trout over a crab and brussels sprout okonomiyaki, and grilled wild swordfish, served with a Scottish salmon spring roll. 248 Court Street, Cobble Hill
Gargiulo’s: Want to spend Easter in high Italian style? It doesn’t get more traditional than this 108-year-old, white tablecloth restaurant in Coney Island—and if the weather cooperates, you might even be able to squeeze in a walk on the beach after dinner. The holiday menu ranges from $55-75 per person, with choice of appetizers (get the baked clams), pasta (penne pasqualina), entrée (Easter lamb, natch), and dessert—forgo the pedestrian cheesecake and chocolate mousse for customary Easter pastiera, also known as grain pie. 2911 W 15th Street, Coney Island
Glasserie: Specializing in both family-style meals and seasonal lamb-based dishes, this Mediterranean Greenpoint joint is a lock for Easter celebrations. So if you go during brunch, be sure to order the full Mezze Feast, which includes 10 flavorful small plates, such as fava and chickpea stew and lamb pies with cucumber and yogurt, as well as a main course—think a play on shakshuka (poached eggs in a spicy tomato stew), or roasted lamb flatbread, topped with charred vegetables. 95 Commercial Street, Greenpoint
Cooklyn: Who says the Easter fun needs to end this Sunday? Greek Easter actually goes down on April 12th this year, and Prospect Heights newbie Cooklyn—helmed by chef Anthony Theocaropoulos—is observing the holiday with a roster of a la carte specials, including avgolemono, a traditional chicken, egg and lemon soup; beet salad with tzatziki and pickled shallots; black bass with piquillo peppers, mussels and caper berries, served with a celery root puree; and roast leg of lamb over cinnamon orzo risotto. 659 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights