2015 Easter and Passover Dining in Chicago and its Suburbs

Luella's Southern Kitchen Ups the Ante for Easter Brunch with Delicious Southern Dishes CHICAGO (March 2015) - Ever since his February opening of Luella's Southern Kitchen in Chicago's Lincoln Square (4609 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago; 773-961-8196), Chef/Owner Darnell Reed has wowed Chicagoans with his impeccable renditions of great Southern regional dishes. He also will bring his masterful touch to Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 5 with two wonderful specials in addition to the regular brunch menu. His special Easter entrée will be Crawfish Étouffée with Carolina Gold Rice ($14) and he will also add a scrumptious dessert special, the Dessert Sampler ($6), featuring a Beignet, Blackberry Hand Pie, Milk Chocolate Bread Pudding and Caramel Ice Cream. Luella's popular weekend brunch, served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, has received rave reviews. Among the favorites are Buttermilk Fried Chicken with smoked gravy ($12), Southern Benedict with Slagel Farms pork, poached eggs, crystal Hollandaise and buttermilk biscuit ($11); Bananas Foster Pancakes ($10); Chicory Coffee French Toast with crème brulee batter and fresh berries ($11) and Shrimp and Grits, made with BBQ shrimp, dandelion greens and cream cheese grits ($15). For the kids, Chef Darnell serve s a Mickey Mouse Pancake ($4), with an artfully created face of the famous cartoon icon baked into the pancake.   About Chef Reed Reed is a graduate of Washburne Culinary Institute in Chicago. He began his professional career in 1997 at the Palmer House Hilton where he served as Restaurant Chef at the French Quarter and the Big Downtown. In 2005, he was promoted to Executive Sous Chef at the Embassy Suites Chicago Lakefront where he handled banquet functions for up to 700 people. In April 2007, Reed was promoted to the dual Executive Chef position at the Hilton of Oakbrook and Hilton Garden Inn of Oakbrook. In May of 2010, he accepted the Executive Sous Chef position at the Conrad Chicago Hotel and was promoted to Executive Chef in 2011. About Luella's Southern Kitchen Luella's Southern Kitchen, located at 4609 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago's Lincoln Square, is a casual independent restaurant owned by Chef Darnell Reed. The restaurant opened February 3, 2015. Luella's serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Weekend brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; dinner is served until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday. All major cards are accepted. Luella's is a BYOB establishment; no corkage fee is charged. Takeout and delivery service are available. For more information, call the restaurant at (773) 961-8196 or visit the website at www.luellassouthernkitchen.com.

Lavish Buffet for All to Enjoy This Passover and Easter at Maxwell's at the Club Maxwell's at the Club (500 N. Kingsbury St., 312-527-5800, Ext. 301), is offering a special Passover Dinner, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday, April 3. Maxwell's executive sous chef Richard Hall, along with East Bank Club's executive chef Mike Lodes, have teamed up to prepare a lavish buffet complete with appetizers, entrées and desserts. Passover favorites will include Matzo Ball Soup, Gefilte Fish with beet horseradish, Braised Brisket of Beef and Roast Lamb. "Many of our Passover dishes are prepared from family recipes," says Mike Romano, Director of Food and Beverage. "Passover dinner has been an East Bank Club tradition for years. We are thrilled to invite all of Chicago to enjoy this tradition with us." Reservations are recommended. PASSOVER 2015 Friday, April 3, 2015 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. MATZO BALL SOUP, SERVED APPETIZERS and SALADS Gefilte Fish, beet horseradish Chopped Chicken Livers with matzo House Cured Salmon, dilled mustard sauce Romaine Salad with Roasted Peppers, Herb Vinaigrette Smoked Whitefish with Fennel and Arugula Spring Greens with Orange-Fennel Vinaigrette Roasted Beet Salad Cucumber and Onion Salad Quinoa and Asparagus Salad with Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette Caponata Salad Tabbouleh Honey-Orange Carrot Salad Potato Salad with Spring Onions CARVED in the ROOM Braised Brisket of Beef, natural jus Roasted Breast of Turkey, cranberry-orange relish ENTRÉES Zucchini Potato Pancakes, sour cream, apple compote Roasted Cauliflower, Carrots and Asparagus Noodle Kugel Herb Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes  Roast Lamb with Vegetables Horseradish Crusted Baked Cod, Lemon Sauce Roast Chicken Breast with Spicy Sweet Peas Beef Pot Roast Braised with Beets and Almonds Roast Salmon with Pomegranate Sauce DESSERTS Seasonal Fresh Fruit and Berries Charoset   Assorted Macaroons Matzo Baklava Chocolate Dipped Matzo Flourless Chocolate Cake Marjolaine Amaretto Olive Oil Cake Assorted Cheesecake Kosher wine also is included with the buffet, and each table will receive a traditional Haggadah so guests may participate in the Passover tradition of reading of the story of Passover. The Passover buffet is $45 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under.  Reservations are recommended. Large groups are welcome. Bring the Family to Maxwell's at the Club for Easter Brunch This Easter, leave the cooking up to someone else and join Maxwell's at the Club (500 N. Kingsbury St) for Easter Brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 5. This extraordinary buffet features prime rib and roast turkey carving stations, an omelet bar, a waffle bar, assorted pastries and seasonal berries, as well as a variety of appetizers, salads and entrée choices. Your kids will enjoy a special visit from the Easter Bunny, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., so be sure to bring your cameras to capture the memory. Brunch costs $45 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under. Call 312-527-5800, Ext. 301 to secure a reservation. EASTER 2015 SUNDAY, APRIL 5th 2015 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. SALADS and APPETIZERS Shrimp Cocktail with Cocktail Sauce and Lemon Chilled Roasted and Poached Salmon, Mustard Sauce Lox and Cream Cheese Sliced Tomatoes and Red Onions Chive Cream Cheese Assorted Bagels Caesar Salad Chopped Kale Salad, toasted almonds, blueberries, lemon vinaigrette Mesclun Salad, balsamic vinaigrette Mediterranean Farro Salad Spring Potato Salad with Tuna Jasmine Rice and Edamame Salad Panzanella Salad Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Dates and Oranges Shrimp and Pasta Salad Barley, Sweet Pea and Mint Salad OMELETTE and WAFFLE BAR CARVED in the ROOM Roast Prime Rib of Beef, au jus and Horseradish Roast Breast of Turkey, Cranberry Sauce Spiral Sliced Ham, Bourbon-Mustard Sauce ENTREES Bacon Chicken and Apple Sausage and Pork Sausage Breakfast Potatoes Eggs Benedict/Florentine Sour Cream Pancakes/French Toast Maple Glazed Fried Chicken Tenders with Waffles Maple Syrup, Whipped Butter and Berry Topping Cheese Blintzes Seafood Gnocchi with Asparagus and Wild Mushrooms SEASONAL ARRAY of FRUITS and BERRIES ASSORTED PASTRIES, BREADS and DESSERTS Maxwell's at the Club, always open to the public, is located in Chicago's East Bank Club (500 N. Kingsbury St., 312-527-5800, Ext. 301). It is open weekdays for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. for dinner. The bar/lounge area is open 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Maxwell's serves brunch every Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Valet parking is available across the street. For more information, please visit http://www.maxwellsattheclub.com Share: Best Easter Brunch Buffet in North Suburban Chicago  at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook When looking for a restaurant to celebrate Easter, you want to make sure that there's something offered for the entire family to enjoy. Look no further than Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062; 847-205-4433) in Northbrook. Chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris have created a buffet experience with something for everyone to enjoy. Prairie Grass Cafe is known for its sustainable, local and a deliciously healthy focus. Their reasonably priced brunch buffet, at $48 for adults and $18 for children 10 and under, won't disappoint. Guests will enjoy a wide variety of selections, from Prairie Grass Cafe's signature "PGC Benedict" with Poached Egg and Spinach and Roasted Tomato Hollandaise, to an array of salads, savories, creative side dishes, and desserts.  Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 5. Prairie Grass Cafe also will be open for dinner on Easter Sunday, offering its regular menu along with specials, Roasted Lamb Shank with Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Sauteed Fennel ($34), Sauteed Wild Fluke with Seasonal Sides ($32) and Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting ($7.50). Easter Brunch Menu: April 5th 2015 10 - 2pm     $48 Adult / $18 Children 10 and under Every guests starts with our Signature "PGC Benedict" Poached Egg with Spinach, and Roasted Tomato Hollandaise Buffet•    Pasta Salad with Watercress Pesto and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes •    Marinated Beets with "Capriole Farm" Goat Cheese and Sliced Pears •    Chopped Greek Salad with Peppers, Cucumbers, Onions, Olives, Feta and Red Wine Oregano Vinaigrette •    Deviled Farm Eggs •    Smoked Sturgeon with Cream Cheese, Chives and Candied Red Onions •    Warm Baked Feta Topped with Thin Slices of Banana Peppers•    Our Signature Moussaka - Layers of Eggplant, Potato and Braised Lamb topped with Bechamel Sauce •    Panko and Pumpkin Seed Crusted Chicken Fingers with Dipping Sauces •    Sauteed Tilapia with Grapefruit and Capers •    Fresh "Peekytoe" Crab Cakes over Roasted Tomato Chutney;  Lemon Butter Sauce •    Crispy Yukon Gold Potatoes with Spicy Aioli Sauce ( Boiled & Fried) •    Roasted Tri-Color Cauliflower with Spicy Sauce and Bread Crumbs •    Fennel Raisin Bread, French Baguettes, Multigrain Loaves, •    Warm Raisin Buns, Cheese and Jam Danish, Chocolate Croissants •    Applewood Smoked Maple Creek Farm Bacon / Ancho Breakfast Sausage •    Carved-to-Order Bone-In Glazed Ham •    Ancho Marinated Skirt Steak •     "Made to order" Omelet Station: Homemade Crumbled Maple Creek Farm Chorizo, Poblano Peppers, Spring Onions, Tomato, Jack cheese, Cheddar, Mushrooms and Spinach •    Hot Fresh Waffle Station with Maple Syrup Dessert Buffet •    Fresh Sliced Ripe Fruit •    Platter of Berries •    Crepe Station: Chocolate and Whipped Cream,  Raspberry Jam with Powdered Sugar •    Double Chocolate Cup Cakes •    Mom's Homemade Banana Cream Pie •    Warm Cherry Crumble with Toasted Oat Topping About Prairie Grass Cafe Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd.; Northbrook, IL) supports Chicago's Green City Market and local sustainable farms, selecting the freshest ingredients to reflect the season. Prairie Grass Cafe currently serves lunch Monday - Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Prairie Grass Cafe also serves breakfast Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 9:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Light fare is available in the bar Monday through Friday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (847) 205-4433 or visit prairiegrasscafe.com. Share: