Commentary: Bunnies, displays highlight Easter dining

Friday, March 29, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

PUT ON YOUR Easter bonnet, don't forget the short white gloves -- once again in style -- and celebrate Easter with brunch or dinner at a favorite restaurant.

There is no shortage of choices. Expect an even larger selection of dishes than usual at the brunch buffets. Our buffets have more stations than a railroad and they're more fun.

* On Easter Sunday (April 7), the gorgeous Champagne Brunch in the Monte Carlo Room at the Sheraton Desert Inn will be greatly enhanced and so will the price, from the normal $50 to $65.

Attentive service, caviar and French champagne, and the romantic decor of the Monte Carlo all contribute to a fine dining experience. Enjoy being pampered? This is the place. Enter the Monte Carlo and receive a warm welcome from maitre d' David, who will then provide a personally guided tour of the many food stations arranged throughout the room.

Savor the caviar with Stolichnaya vodka or Taittinger champagne and let the captain provide table service, or make the rounds on your own. Food selection changes weekly but always includes the caviar, fresh seafood and other elaborate choices. Intimate, personal dining is the goal of the management -- only 70 guests per seating.

Service is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are strongly suggested.

The 24-hour Terrace Pointe restaurant will feature a bountiful Easter buffet ($16.75 per person, tax included) in addition to the popular a la carte menu. Service is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Terrace Pointe's dinner buffet ($19.75, including tax), served from 5-10 p.m., will feature Maine lobster among the vast array of special foods.

* Bally' Sterling Brunch was the first of the upscale Sunday Champagne brunches. The Sterling Brunch included a host of extras that more than justified the higher than usual price, now $49.95. This lively brunch is known for the quality of the service offered by venerable maitre d' Alerio. This gracious, soft-spoken gentleman epitomizes Old World charm and manners.

Food selection changes weekly. A typical array of dishes includes freshly made sushi and sashimi, fresh seafood, many hot and cold dishes, exotic omelets and a lavish display of desserts of every kind.

The Sterling Brunch is offered 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Sunday. Reservations are always wise, especially on a holiday such as Easter. Call 739-4111.

* Cafe Michelle West will feature Easter brunch, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with such dishes as Oscar Benedict, a savory mix of fresh crab meat, asparagus, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Easter dinner will introduce the new Euro-American menu created by Chef Mario Andreoni. Dinner service is from 4:30 to 11 p.m.

* Mark Miller's Coyote Cafe Grill Room will serve a holiday brunch menu from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The price, $18.95, includes a choice of appetizer -- seasonal fruits and berries with honey-lime yogurt, grilled yellow tomato gazpacho or field green salad with fried green tomatoes; a choice of one of six entrees, including brioche French toast, Tampiqueno steak and eggs, and chicken-sausage hash with poached eggs and ranch potatoes; and a choice of scrumptious dessert. A children's menu is also available.

Reservations are requested. Call 891-7349.

* Sfuzzi Chef Dan Drayer is offering an "Easter Sunday celebration filled with joy."

An Easter buffet with Tuscan antipasti; create-your-own omelets and frittatas; the chefs Grand Buffet featuring pasta, chicken Romano, grilled salmon, leg of lamb and breakfast specialities; and an assortment of delectable desserts, is priced at $16.95 for adults, $7.95 for children under 12. According to Sfuzzi spokeswoman Amy Lawler, "even Peter Cottontail will need a reservation." Call 699-5777.

* Lavish brunches and Easter displays will be offered at Caesars Palace on Easter Sunday. Included are strolling bunnies who will distribute chocolates.

Cafe Roma will feature a buffet brunch of holiday delights, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a carving station with roast lamb and prime rib, assorted hot entrees, a selection of freshly baked breakfast pastries and breads, pasta made to order, an omelet station and an array of Easter desserts.

The Cafe Roma Brunch, with beverage, is $15.95 (tax and tip not included). Children under 5 years eat free. Cafe Roma's usual Sunday Breakfast Buffet ($13.95), served 7-10 a.m., will be available.

The Palatium Buffet will serve a similar buffet ($19.95) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Children under 5 dine free. Included are champagne, beverage and tax. The holiday entree selection includes ham, turkey, leg of lamb, prime rib, flank steak, salmon and stuffed chicken breast. Of course, there are many salads, side dishes, vegetables and assorted breads. A special holiday dessert display and a frozen yogurt sundae bar completes the Easter buffet.

Primavera Italian restaurant will serve a four-course brunch ($23.95) between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Included are an antipasto plate, pasta appetizer, choice of entree and a scrumptious array of Easter desserts.

Easter dinner at Primavera ($49.95) will be available 6-11 p.m. Included are a risotto; antipasto; choice of beef, lamb, veal or fish; and an array of holiday desserts. Those wishing to order off the regular menu may enjoy the Easter dessert buffet for an additional $8.95.

Wherever you choose to go, if the restaurant accepts reservations make them well in advance to avoid being disappointed.