For Easter
Cater to the AM crowd
Easter calls for a festive brunch with all the upgrades. In Ojai, California, The Farmhouse at Ojai is going all out with their Easter grand buffet, complete with honey-glazed ham and roasted turkey carving stations, a raw bar stacked with oysters on the half shell, shrimp, and crab claws, and unlimited champagne, wine, and spirits for the adults, plus freshly-squeezed juices for the kids. For a high-end experience, Sip Tea Room is providing a special afternoon tea service all Easter weekend long with scones, rolls, tea sandwiches, and fresh fruits presented on a tiered tea tray.
Family-Style Dinners
The holiday calls for a special prix-fixe dinner. Take for example Fiola’s five-course Italian prix-fixe menu. Or, offer family-style á la carte options at your restaurant ready for the pick-up. Note: don’t forget to optimize your floor plan for large groups and families.
Luxurious Add-Ons
Tack on add-ons such as caviar and truffles or special wine and spirit packages. Create additional opportunities for memories by adding a photo booth package for family pictures with the Easter Bunny.
To-Go
Take the burden off of guests by offering meals to go from your restaurant. Holiday packages can include ham or lamb for mains, hearty sides, plus desserts. Wineries, breweries, and distilleries can promote spirit packages or bottled cocktails made to pair with honey-glazed hams or slices of carrot cake. Speaking of desserts, this is a great opportunity to upsell some of your favorite in-house sweets.
Experiences For all to Enjoy
Make it a memorable experience for the kids, and a bit of reprieve for the adults, by building in some Easter fun. Riverbench Vineyard & Winery is utilizing their outdoor garden to host their kid-friendly annual egg hunt. Following the festivities, the winery is inviting guests back to their tasting room so kids can sort through their candy and the adults can indulge over a special wine tasting. For an adults only experience, Montaluce Winery and Restaurant’s annual 21+ Easter hunt hides eggs filled with vouchers for free wine and exclusive tastings. Don’t have an outdoor area? Activate your space with colorful decor or go even further and create an Easter basket decorating station that also serves as a take home treat.
For Passover
To Go
Offer up Passover meals to-go so your guests can celebrate at home. In Los Angeles, Skirball Cultural Center is prepping pick up dinners for two or three with the choice of pomegranate molasses-glaze seared salmon, whole chicken, and cider-braised brisket, complemented with matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, and roasted vegetables for sides, plus coconut macaroons for dessert. Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen in Chicago has two preset pick up options, one with brisket and the other with chicken, as well as a full menu of à la carte options for guests to build their own feast. Remember to communicate your order and pickup deadlines for a smooth experience for both parties.
Read more tips on The Prep List.
