Last-minute Easter dining still available
Easter caught you off guard this year by falling on the first day of April? Never fear, there’s still time to catch a reservation at local restaurants, and there’s a nice variety of cuisines to choose from. Reservations are suggested, even at this late date.
Brunch
Acorn, Shadyside: Chef Scott Walton is planning twists on traditional Easter dishes, including homemade biscuits with sweet goat butter and pickled strawberries; pancakes with goat buttermilk, walnuts, unripened apricot and smoked maple; and lamb with grits, fava bean mostarda and mint. Signature cocktails will also be available. The four-course prix fixe menu is $39 for adults or $18 for ages 12 and under. Reservations are available between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. 5528 Walnut St.; 412-5305950; acornpgh.com.
Ditka’s, Pine: Choose from an Easter brunch menu with features such as French toast with berries ($14.95), crab cake with spinach frittata ($19.95), chicken madeira ($18.95) and slow-roasted prime rib ($32.95). 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 12980 Perry Highway; 724-934-3660; ditkasrestaurants.com.
fl.2, Downtown: The restaurant’s usual brunch menu will be available along with special Easter features including bananas foster sourdough pancakes, rosemary crusted steak and eggs (prime rib), Alabama-style fried chicken, and oysters with whiskey hot sauce. One of the restaurant’s regular brunch specialties is duck confit cinnamon rolls ($11), and there’s a brunch cocktail and mocktail menu including grapefruit tarragon mimosas ($10); “Lot 75” ($10), which contains gin, waterfront tea syrup and lemon; and the “zeroproof” Ginger Fizz ($7) with kiwi, ginger, mint and soda. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fairmont Pittsburgh hotel, 510 Market St.; 412-773-8848; fl2pgh.com.
North Park Lounge, Lawrenceville: Choose from the regular brunch menu or order the honey-glazed ham dinner ($14) with chef-carved ham, Lyonnaise potatoes and grilled asparagus. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 4717 Butler St.; 412687-2000; northparklounge.com/lawrenceville.
The Commoner, Downtown: The spring brunch a la carte menu includes such selections as crab