Columnist Muriel Stevens: Dining choices are plentiful for Easter feasts

Friday, April 21, 2000 | 9:01 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at muriel@lasvegassun.com or 259-4080.

Celebrating Easter by dining out has become as much a tradition as the holiday itself. Whether you opt for brunch or dinner, there are a plethora of choices:

Desert Inn: The D.I. is offering a lavish brunch Sunday in the Terrace Pointe, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This lovely dining room overlooks the lush gardens and the lagoon-style swimming pool. Featured are: made-to-order omelets, French toast, cheese blintzes, eggs Benedict, breakfast meats and potatoes, a large assortment of breakfast breads -- including hot cross buns -- rack of lamb, rotisserie chicken, roasted strip loin of beef, baked ham, filet of sole, vegetables, and a killer assortment of desserts that includes the delicious European Kugelhopf, a raised yeast coffee cake baked in a special mold. Brunch prices are: $22 per adult; $11, children 4-12; free for children 3 and under.

Caesars Palace: The Easter Bunny will hop over to Caesars on Sunday to offer candies to those enjoying holiday dining in Cafe Roma or the Palatium buffet. Cafe Roma will serve breakfast, 7-11 a.m.; brunch, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; dinner, 6-10 p.m. Breakfast and brunch are priced at $14.95; dinner at $17.95. The early breakfast selection includes eggs, omelets, waffles, eggs Benedict, blintzes, potato pancakes, Dutch apple pancakes and much more. A variety of carving station items, Chinese specialties, lobster bisque, chilled shrimp and crab legs and a lavish dessert table will be added at brunch. The Cafe Roma dinner will feature prime rib.

The Palatium champagne brunch will offer breakfast items from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. From noon-10 p.m. a variety of entrees will be added. Thai chicken, Asian barbecued pork, chicken Florentine, glazed country ham, roasted duck legs, fresh and smoked seafood, sweet and savory breads, bagels and cheeses, salads and fruits are among the vast selection. And desserts, of course, including bananas Foster. Champagne will be served throughout the day. The buffet decor will include Easter eggs, large chocolate bunnies and dozens of Easter baskets. Prices are: $19.95 per adult; half-price for youngsters 4-12 years: free for kids 3 and under.

Nevada Nick's at the Regent: A three-course Easter dinner will be served noon-8 p.m. Prices are: $34 per person (tax and gratuity not included); children, $17. Among the appetizer and entree choices are: shrimp cocktail, Red Rock soup, Nevada Nick's salad or Caesar salad with or without real lump crabmeat, prime rib, grilled filet mignon, country ham, linguini and shrimp Primavera or seared salmon; Key lime pie or chocolate mousse cake are offered for dessert. Children 5-10 years old can dine on prime rib, country ham or the linguini; children under 5 years old dine free.

Station properties: All four Station properties -- Sunset, Boulder, Palace and Texas Stations -- will have Easter meals in a variety of restaurants. Just choose your favorite location. Everything from Easter brunch to dinner specials will be available. All of the Station buffets will offer Easter brunch. Best of all, the restaurants (not the 24-hour cafes) in each hotel accept reservations.

Harrah's buffet: The colorful Fresh Market Square buffet at Harrah's will be even more colorful Easter Sunday. Prices are $14.99 per adult; $9.99 for youngsters 10 years old and under. Easter champagne brunch service is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Included among the many offerings are a selection of breakfast items, all sorts of breakfast breads and desserts, chicken Oscar, prime rib, leg of lamb and rum-glazed ham. The regular dinner buffet will be available from 4-10 p.m.

Easter meal deals at Fiesta: The old San Francisco Steak House is featuring a price fixed dinner ($22.95) that includes a choice of entrees -- prime rib, sea bass, grilled duck breast, roast leg of lamb or veal chop; salad and dessert. Service is from 3-9 p.m. Festival Buffet's all-you-can-eat price is $12.95. Smoked turkey with walnut stuffing, smoked pork loin, osso buco, leg of lamb and halibut with basil sauce are just a few of the entrees.

La Chandele at Reflection Bay: La Chandele, the waterside fine restaurant at Reflection Bay Golf & Beach Club at Lake Las Vegas, will serve an Easter brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Included are salads, appetizers, bakery selections, omelet and carving stations offering maple and bourbon-glazed ham, prime rib, Thai chicken, roast chicken with portobello mushrooms, salmon with baby clams, and dessert. The view is worth the price of the buffet -- $24.95 per person; $9.95, ages 3-12 years old. Reservations are accepted.

Zeffirino's at Venetian: A special Easter dinner at Zeffirino's at the Canal Shoppes will include a complimentary champagne cocktail, a choice of appetizer, homemade pasta, Zeffirino's salad, a choice of entree, and a choice of Italian Easter pastries. The price is $55 per person (plus tax and tip). Service is from 3-10 p.m. Reservations are strongly suggested.

Sahara buffet: The Sahara hotel will offer an Easter Day brunch for $7.99 per person; children 3 and under eat free. A variety of breakfast favorites, meat, poultry, fish and seafood are included. Among the many offerings are prime rib, mango-stuffed mahi mahi, baked Virginia ham, boneless leg of lamb, crab legs and peel-and-eat shrimp. Service is from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Access to the buffet is through the NASCAR Cafe.

Ethel M chocolates: What could be a better Easter gift for a chocolate lover than our own Ethel M chocolates? The gift packages are gorgeous, the Easter-themed boxes worthy of saving. There are too many to list, but the beaded boxes of chocolates and the Easter bears wearing bunny ears and carrying chocolates are wonderful. A shopping tip: All holiday specialties go on sale at the Henderson factory store a few days after. Go early for the best selection.

International Food Festival: The 25th International Food Festival takes place Saturday at the Rainbow Library on North Buffalo at Cheyenne. There will be ethnic food galore at reasonable prices from many member countries. Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund of the International Festival and its affiliate memberships. Tickets ($3) may be purchased at the door. Food and drink are extra; entertainment is included. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m.