Easter has typically been a busy day for dining out, drawing big parties for family feasts. Things have obviously changed this year. We can’t be as close as we want to be with our family or friends but we can still make it a special day.
If you don’t feel like cooking a big meal, there are restaurants offering takeout Easter dinners, both family meals and a la carte.
The first night of Passover is tonight and families are likely hosting smaller family seders or holding virtual gatherings — Temple Israel, for instance, is offering a virtual second night virtual seder on April 9th.
While it’s not easy to find kosher food to-go in Tallahassee, Publix is a source of kosher items and chef Magi Mekaiessis is offering kosher Passover meals for takeout (see Cafe Yerushalmi in the attached story).
Whatever your choice, you’ll want to order as soon as possible in case a place has an early cut-off and check to confirm pickup information.
Even if a restaurant doesn’t have a specific Easter menu, chefs may be willing to prepare a dish, or dishes, that would add something special for your dinner — or maybe eat something different for Easter this time around.
Even if your holiday table is smaller or maybe not as traditional this year, it can still be filled with food you love.
I’ll also continue to update on TallahasseeTable.com, so if you know of more Easter or Passover options, please let me know.
Arepana: You have a choice of three meal options, either prime rib au jus with horseradish, a glazed ham or prime rib and ham. All include the same sides: garlic mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, rolls and carrot cake. The prime rib meal is $90, glazed ham is $60 and prime rib and ham combo is $110. Meals feed a family of four with leftovers, said owner Nam Vu. Ordering can be messaged or e-mailed before 4 p.m. April 9. Pickup will be between 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Easter Sunday. Early pickup can be arranged for Saturday. 1176 Capital Circle SE; 850-597-9931.
Bada Bean: Dinners serve up to 10 people. Customers start with Applewood ham then add a choice of three sides and dessert. Orders must be in before noon Friday and picked up by 5 p. m. Saturday. No orders accepted after the cutoff. 2500 Apalachee Pkwy.; 850-562-2326,
Blu Halo: Choose an Easter dinner for two: ham or herb-roasted prime rib with Gulf shrimp, Caesar salad, mac and cheese with truffle and Parmesan, four-cheese potatoes au gratin, broccoli with lemon and garlic butter with carrot cake for dessert. The ham meal is $80 and prime rib is $90. Customers can order from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. All orders need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday. Easter pickup will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, with the latest pickup at 2 p.m. Easter Sunday. Customers will need to reserve a pick-up time slot. Bannerman Crossings, 3431 Bannerman Rd.; 850-999-1696.
Bonefish Grill: Customers can order Easter Family bundles from this seafood chain for up to five people for $49.99 to be picked up Saturday or Sunday. Choices include wood-grilled mahi and jumbo shrimp and a choice of House or Caesar Salad, served with family-style sides including bacon mac and cheese plus seasonal vegetables, bread with pesto and a dessert duo of cheesecake slices and cookies. Customers can add a bottle of wine to their Easter dinner, starting at $15. Call in advance for Easter meals available for carryout or delivery. A Bonefish idea: You can also purchase gift cards online for family and friends so you can enjoy a meal together, virtually. 3491 Thomasville Rd.; 850-297-0460.
Cafe Yerushalmi: Magi Mekaiess prepares kosher meals including chicken, meatballs, salmon and typical seder sides. Right now, he does catering but he will be opening a kosher restaurant called Cafe Yerushalmi at 910 Lake Bradford Rd. Call him at 850-329-0293 and arrange for takeout or delivery options. It’s too late to order kosher meals for tonight but you can order kosher meals for Sunday to Tuesday.
Carrabba’s: The Italian chain is offering family meals for four for $49.99 from April 10 to April 13. Customers have a choice of chicken picatta or mahi wulfe served with bread and family-style dishes of Caesar salad, penne Pomodoro, sautéed broccoli and two Sogno di Chocolate “Chocolate Dream” desserts. Add four New Zealand lamb chops for $19.99. Order in advance online at carrabbas.com or call. 2779 Capital Circle NE; 850-297-1100.
Coosh’s: The restaurant’s Northeast branch is offering a takeout Easter meal that includes a choice of one entree, two sides and one dessert for $75 and feeds six to eight people. Entree choices include honey glazed ham, pork loin, roast beef, lasagna and chicken pot pie. You can add dishes for an additional charge. The cutoff for ordering is April 9. You can pick up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more menu details, visit easter brunch.pdf. 6267 Old Water Oak Rd.; 850-894-4110.
Four Points Tallahassee Downtown: Place your order online, then on Easter Sunday drive up to the main hotel entrance to receive your to-go meal without leaving your car. You can pretend you’re at an Easter buffet. The meal includes carved roasted turkey and spiral ham, blueberry cobbler and a choice of three sides.There’s also a vegan option with Beyond Meat vegan meatloaf with vegan gravy, jasmine rice, ratatouille and vegan orange pound cake. Place orders by 9 p.m. April 10. Arrange for a pickup time between 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $75 and feeds up to four people. Order online or call 850-422-0071
Georgio’s: The longtime restaurant is preparing family style pans of lamb shank or roasted leg of lamb but call in advance to make a request. Pick up your order on Saturday. 2971 Apalachee Pkwy.; 850-877-3211.
Grove Market Cafe: The cheery breakfast and lunch spot — from David and Elizabeth Gwynn, also the owners of Cypress Restaurant and Vertigo — features two Easter specials: Peach preserves glazed ham with picnic potato salad, marinated green beans, deviled eggs and biscuits for $15 per person or roast lamb with mint jelly, scalloped potatoes, chilled asparagus, baby carrots and yeast roll for $21 per person. Preorder and pick up between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. 1370 Market St.; 850-894-5060. SOLD OUT
Honey baked ham: The shop, classified as a grocery store, offers ham, turkey, sides and dessert. It’s open for takeout and curbside service. Walk-ins will be limited based on social distancing. Hours are extended Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s closed Easter Sunday so pick up in advance. 1519 Capital Circle NE; 850-205-1426. Credit: photo at top from Honey Baked Ham
Jeri’s Midtown Cafe: You can order Easter brunch and lunch from Jeri’s, which is offering side dishes and treats. All items are available for pickup between 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday. A half-pan serves eight to 10. A full pan 16-20. Choices include smoked gouda grits with apple butter, butter-glazed rainbow carrots and farmhouse brunch casserole. Check online for more options. Costs vary depending on what you order. 1123 Thomasville Rd.; 850-385-7268.
KitchenAble: Chef Jessica Bright McMullen is offering daily takeout items if you’re looking for a la carte choices. A chicken cordon bleu dinner is available on Friday and a charcoal smoked pulled pork dinner is offered on Saturday. The cost for either is $16.13 each. Pick up your meal between 4 and 6 p.m. Preorder at 850-264-2308 or online. Lake Ella cottages at 1635 N. Monroe St.
LongHorn Steakhouse: On Easter, families can enjoy Family Meal Deals starting at $9 per person for a family of four, featuring a choice of a shareable entrée, hand-chopped salad and four sides (with 15 percent off Easter orders using code LH44). Guests can also order steaks from the LongHorn Steak Shop with seasoning and cooking instructions. There’s curbside to go service. To order, call or place orders online. 2400 N. Monroe St.; 850-385-4028.
Lucilla: All Easter dinners from chef Joe Richardson will include deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, house salad with buttermilk ranch dressing, chicken fried chicken, herb crusted salmon, whipped potatoes and gravy, lemony asparagus, bread and hummingbird cake. The deadline for orders is noon Saturday and you can schedule pickup between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Dinner for two is $75 and dinner for four is $140. There’s 40 percent off wine and beer. 1241 E. Lafayette St. 850-900-5117.
Madison Social: Customers have lots of options. You order an adult Easter basket for $25 that includes a bottle of champagne with oranges; “Hot Totty,” herb-Parmesan tossed tater tots, shredded short rib, charred jalapeño cheddar fondue, Sriracha drizzle and scallions and four Easter eggs filled with candy. Pick up at Madison Social, 705 S. Woodward Ave. between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Also: You can order two Creekstone Farms eight-ounce filets, and sides for two: Yukon gold potatoes, grilled carrots and a bottle of champagne. From Madison Social: “Steaks will be prepared to your choice of medium rare or medium (via sous vide for a perfectly cooked steak) and you will receive instructions on how to finish the steaks at home and reheat the sides in less than three minutes.” The cost is $50. Call 850-894-6276 for more details or go online. Order in advance and pick up meals between noon and 1 p.m. Sunday at SoDough Baking Co., 1306 Thomasville Rd. Social Catering and Events is offering meals for two and four people.
Marie Livingston: The steakhouse is open to pre order Easter dinner featuring a three-course dinner with a starter, entree and dessert. Pickup is noon to 5 p.m. for both curbside and pickup. Marie Livingston’s Steakhouse is open for preorder and Sunday April 12, from 12-5pm for both curbside and pickup. The cost is $24.95 and add 7.5 percent for tax. The starter is a house salad. For entree, choose either roast turkey or honey baked ham. Entrees include cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potato casserole and seasoned green beans. You’ll get a choice fo one dessert. The regular dinner menu is also available. 2705 Apalachee Pkwy.; 850-562-2525.
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Mimi’s Table: Family meals are now a takeout specialty at Mimi’s and the restaurant is open for curbside pickup on Sundays. Mimi’s is offering three-course meals starting at $25 and family meals starting at $40. Dinners include bread, salad, entrees and dessert. and include several options. Preorder for Easter (Type “EASTER” when choosing Pick Up Time) mimistabletally.com pickup. Call for details at 850-999-8406. 1311 Miccosukee Rd. or check online.
Olive Garden: Classics from the Italian chain restaurant are available for carside pickup or free delivery for orders over $40 (fees waived), including family bundles of lasagna, chicken Parmigiana and chicken Alfredo with soup or salad and breadsticks. To place an order and more details, visit OliveGarden.com. 1103 Apalachee Pkwy.; 850-878-2949.
Outback Steakhouse: The restaurant chain is offering items off the menu available through Easter Sunday: steak and ribs or a lobster tail dinner. Guests can also add a lobster tail to any entrée for $9.99. Visit www.outback.com to place an order online for curbside takeaway or free delivery to your door. 1820 Raymond Diehl Rd.; 850-385-1998.
Sonny’s BBQ: The barbecue chain will feed up to 10 people with a holiday feast. Dinners come with a turkey or ham and “all the fixins” for $79.99. Available through April 12. Dishes can be picked up hot when ordered 24 hours in advance. Multiple locations.
SoDough: The bakery is taking online Easter orders for its popular banana pudding, cheddar and black pepper buttermilk biscuits, veggie strata among other items. Pickup times are 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon Sunday. 1306 Thomasville Rd., 850-765-8991.
