Holiday gatherings

Easter brunches hop to every taste

Cooking a celebration meal on Easter is nice, but eating out is a real treat. Most hotels have wonderful buffets and several restaurants will have special spring spreads on April 4 catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets. Reservations are a must for holiday meals, so hop to it today. Here's an overview of Easter brunches and specials. Prices do not include gratuity and taxes:

The Black Olive, 22 E. Pine St., Orlando; 407-849-1689: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; $39.95 for adults and $19.95 children ages 11 and younger, children under age 5 free. Menu highlights: Flash seared tuna with polenta and champagne poached shrimp. Extras: Tableside crepe service.

BRIO Tuscan Grille, 4200 Conroy Road ( Mall at Millenia), Orlando, 407-351-8909; and 480 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park (Winter Park Village); 407-622-5611: 10 a.m.; $9.75-$12.95 holiday specials. Menu highlights: Tuscan-inspired fare. Extras: Full menu available.

Cafe Gauguin at the Rosen Centre, 9840 International Drive, Orlando: 407-996-9840, Ext. 3593: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.; $39.95 adults, $16.95 children ages 4-12. Menu highlights: Pan-seared salmon with braised leeks and roasted chicken with grilled artichokes. Extras: Unlimited mimosas and sparkling wine.

Café Matisse at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando: 407-996- 0256: 11:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.; adults $31.95, children ages 5-12 $15.95. Menu highlights: Baked ham with bourbon-praline sauce and Lake Superior whitefish with pinot grigio and rock shrimp tapenade. Extras: One child age 4 and younger free with each paying adult.

Café Osceola at the Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando; 407-996-3663: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; $55.95 adults, $24.95 children ages 4-12. Menu highlights: Expect knock out desserts from award-winning pastry chef David Ramirez. Extras: 25 percent Florida resident's discount with valid identification.

Columbia, 649 Front St., Celebration; 407-566-1505: 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; $17.95-$19.95 for holiday specials, plus complete dinner menu is available. Menu highlights: roast leg of lamb "Dali" and baked Virginia ham. Extras: Founded in 1905, here's a chance to celebrate one of the newest locations of one of Florida's oldest restaurants.

Fiorella's Cucina Toscana at the Westin Imagine, 9501 Universal Blvd., Orlando; 407-233-2950: 10:30 a.m., 11:00a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. seatings; $39.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 3-12 and children under 3 eat free. Menu highlights: Lobster ravioli with sherried lobster sauce and Parmesan and chicken rollatini with prosciutto, goat cheese and arugula. Extras: Easter egg hunt at 12:30 p.m. for children ages 12 and younger.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 8030 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, 407-352-5706; and 933 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-699-9463: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; 3 courses for $29.95. Menu highlights: Beef tenderloin and vegetable frittata and filet Benedict on buttermilk biscuits. Extras: Fleming's offers 100 wines by the glass.

Grand Bohemian Hotel, 325 S. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-313-9000: 10:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.; $59.95 for adults, $29.95 for children ages 4-12, children under 4 are free. Menu highlights: Special kid-friendly buffet, plus chilled seafood platters and spring lamb chops. Extras: Hotel is famous for its Sunday jazz brunch.

J.W. Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando; 407-206-2300: a la carte menu at Primo (5-9 p.m.) and brunch at Citron – An American Brasserie (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) booking quickly; brunch $60 adult, $20 per child. Menu highlights: Over the top buffet and complimentary champagne. Extras: Surprise visit from the Easter Bunny 12:30-2 p.m. and candy for the kids and a lily for the ladies.

Lakeside Inn, 100 N. Alexander St., Mount Dora; 1-800-556-5016, 352-383-4101: $34.95 adults, reserved seatings from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; $18.95 children 6-12. Menu highlights: Braised lamb leg with rosemary sauce and roast pork loin with peach marsala sauce. Extras: Nice water view.

Luma on Park, 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park: 407-599-4111: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; regular a la carte menu with special holiday items: Menu highlights: Chef Brandon McGlamery works with local purveyors when developing his menus. Extras: Al fresco dining and chance to walk off the Easter treats in Central Park.

Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club, 7900 Mystic Dunes Lane, Celebration; 407-396-1311: $29.95 for adults and $9.95 for children (ages 8-12). Menu highlights: Chicken stuffed with spinach, roasted tomatoes and smoked mozzarella as well as honey glazed ham with raisin port sauce. Extras: Children 7 and younger eat free from the kids station (1 per paying adult).

Park Plaza Gardens, 319 S. Park Ave., Winter Park; 407-645-2475: 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.; $39.95 special holiday meal, children under 12 are free. Menu highlights: gourmet salads and chef's roast of the day. Extras: Nice location to stroll off those calories.

Villa de Flora at the Gaylord Palms, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee; 407-586-2000: $52 adults, $21.50 children ages 4-11. Menu highlights: made-to-order omelets, fresh Belgian waffles, apple crepes, eggs benedict and a chef's carving station. Extras: Rain or shine, the atrium offers a nice setting for special occasions.

Food editor Heather McPherson can be reached at 407-420-5498 or hmcpherson@orlandosentinel.com.
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