7 Top EASTER BRUNCHES in NYC

Celebrate Easter and the arrival of spring at one of our seven top picks around the city. Each of these spots feature a distinctive menu along with a wonderful atmosphere so you can enjoy a truly relaxing and delicious holiday meal.

Benoit (60 W 55th Street) Alain Ducasse's traditional Parisian bistro, Benoit, will be serving a prix fixe three course brunch for $55 that will take you straight to Paris. Guests have their choice of an appetizer, main course and a decadent treat from the restaurant's dessert bar. A two-course children's menu is also available, with a choice of a Croque-Monsieur, Hamburger or Elbow pasta; and Chocolate Mousse for dessert. Visit: http://www.benoitny.com/.

La Gamelle (241 Bowery) This traditional french Bistro on Bowery. The restaurant just began offering a jazz brunch actually, and they'll be serving for Easter Sunday. Newly appointed executive chef Denis Kuc (The Modern, BLT Bar & Grill) serves French classics for brunch like the croque monsieur, croque madame, and steak frites. The live band playing swing and bossa nova, combined with the parisian atmosphere makes for a special Easter brunch experience! Visit: http://www.lagamellenyc.com/.

TESSA (359 Amsterdam between 76th and 77th) The restaurant will be serving its recently re-vamped brunch menu for Easter Sunday. Standouts include the Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich (Sasso chicken sausage, a mini omelette, oven-dried tomato, gooey gruyere, and harissa aioli on an English muffin) and the Valrhona Hot Chocolate (Valrhona dark & milk chocolate, whipped cream, a massive housemade marshmallow, and almond biscotti on the side). Visit: http://tessanyc.com/.

The Garden at Four Seasons Hotel, New York (57 East 57th Street) Enjoy an elegant three-course prix fixe Easter brunch ($139 per person) at The Garden, located in the lobby of Four Seasons Hotel New York. In addition seasonal brunch offerings, highlights that will be available for the holiday brunch include festive spring dishes like Scrambled Egg Popovers with grilled merguez sausage; Pulled Lamb Shakshuka with feta and smoked peppers, served with crispy flatbread; and Pineapple Carrot Cake with ginger carrot gelee. Visit: http://www.fourseasons.com/newyork/dining/restaurants/the_garden/.

The Royal Munkey (438 2nd Avenue between 24th and 25th Street) From Executive Chef Derik Alfaro (Zak Pelaccio's Fatty Crab) and Chef de Cuisine Chetan Patil (Tulsi), brunch at The Royal Muney features a variety of Indian specialties like Dosas (paper-thin, stuffed pancake-like crepes traditional in Southern India), and Pilafs (rice delicacies slow cooked in their base broth with spiced add-ons like chicken or fish), as well as more traditional brunch fare with an Indian twist like the Munkey Chili Cheese Omlett-3-egg omelette, tomatoes, cheddar, bacon and spiced home fries on a toasted pao bun. Cocktails feature Indian twists on classics, like the Munkey Bloody Mary (Sobieski Vodka, spicy tomato juice infusion, crispy okra). Visit: www.royalmunkey.com.

Kellari Taverna (19 W. 44th Street), serves up deliciously authentic Greek dishes for brunch right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. On Easter, Kellari will offer their 3-course price-fixe brunch for $32.95 from 11:30am - 4pm, which includes unlimited Mimosas, Bellinis, Bloody Mary's or Champagne along with coffee, tea and juice. You'll get to sample muffins and croissants to start followed by appetizer options including lobster ravioli, grilled calamari and salmon tartare. Entree choices abound with char-grilled salmon, a lamb salad, eggs benedict, and a Horiatiki Omeleta on the menu. And save room for dessert, with a delicious yogurt cake, baklava or galaktoboureko. Kellari will also over their 3-course Lobster Brunch for $55 for a 2lb lobster and $98 per person for a 4lb. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.kellariny.com.

Burke & Wills Australian Bistro (226 West 79th Street) They will be featuring hot cross buns from Balthazar Bakery on Easter Sunday. Traditionally eaten on Good Friday in Australia, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada, hot cross buns are spiced and sweet, made with dried fruit and raisins. At Burke & Wills, they will be served toasted with butter and jam, 2 to an order for $7. The buns join Burke & Wills' already exceptional brunch lineup, which includes Australian specialties like the Swagman's Breakfast: 2 eggs, hanger steak, pork belly, roasted mushrooms, potatoes, and the Kangaroo Pie Floater, a traditional Aussie hangover cure. Standout brunch beverages include Burke & Wills' bespoke Bloody Mary bar, where you choose your rim, booze, mix and skewer. Visit: http://www.burkeandwillsny.com/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Garden at Four Seasons Hotel