Millennials may have given brunch its modern boost, but the meal has been feeding us long before avocado toast and lavender mimosas started modeling on Instagram. #brunchislife
Back in the day, brunch was an affair for the privileged folk strutting through the country club in golf spikes and tennis skirts. On special occasions, like Easter or Mother’s Day, while decked out in spring bonnets and pastel garb, we’d load up our plates with carved ham piled atop roasted potatoes and sausage links, then return momentarily to the dessert table for way too many tarts and pastries.
Chefs have been slinging omelets since the invention of avocado toast (when sliced bread joined the party). Since brunch has become a modern menu staple, the world can now binge on Benedicts for days. Whether you believe in Jesus, the Easter Bunny or just crave a bourgeois brunch, local spots are ready to feed cravings.
Most local joints that serve brunch have special plates, cocktails and concoctions on tap for the holiday. And, of course, mimosas, Bloody Marys, sangria and sparkling wine. Just don’t hog the table for hours, those are coveted treasures on Easter Sunday.
Check out Dickens 300 Prime’s crab cake benedict, rack of lamb Mediterranean salad and Opera House burrito. Or The Post’s chicken chicharrones, a fried half-bird and green chile mac and cheese. Or dig into Lucile’s Cajun breakfast, shrimp and grits and warm beignets. Check out Corrida’s brand new brunch menu with dishes like tortilla de patatas, jamon fat fries and langostino.
If you’d rather feast at home, pre-order a maple Bourbon glazed spiral ham from KT’s BBQ in east Boulder, pick up local produce harvests at local farmers markets and pastries from artisan shops like Babettes in Longmont or Shamane’s Bakery + Cafe in Boulder (which also offers Easter brunch bundles).
Use Easter as an excuse to channel your inner millennial. Try out a new local spot and make the avocado toast at home (it’s cheaper). You have more than a week to start studying menus.
Brunch
The following spots are posting up varied-course menus or traditional brunch set-ups with carving stations stocked with tender prime rib, honey-smoked hams and legs of lamb, egg stations with Benedicts and crepes galore, salads, griddle stations and all the deserts in buffet-style, all-you-can-handle grub.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 17; $36-$85; 900 Walnut St., Boulder; stjulien.com
The Easter Bunny will make an appearance at this fancy feast with staples like eggs Benedict, goat cheese frittata, smoked salmon and more. Egg hunts begin at 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 17; $35-$75; 2115 13th St., Boulder; boulderado.com
Dine on the mezzanine for a brunch spectacular featuring omelet and carving stations, or nab a table at Spruce Farm & Fish and The Corner Bar and order fare from the regular menu.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 17; $42; 543 Terry St., Longmont; martinisbistro.com
Featuring a four-course meal, choose entrees like blackened shrimp or Moroccan eggs and three tasty courses surrounding them.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 17; $30-$60; 8735 N. Foothills Highway, Boulder; greenbriarinn.com.
Head up the foothills for a decadent brunch with all the trimmings — from oysters on the half-shell to charcuterie for days, dine on prime rib, quiches and more.
Pick up April 15-16; 1043 Pearl St., Boulder; $100-$190; ashkaraboulder.com
The Israeli-inspired restaurant is offering Passover Seder dinner to-go meals with vegetarian and meat options, a curated Seder Kit and various add-ons, like Matzoh Bark. Order by April 12.
Bunnies and egg hunts
Keller Williams is hosting an egg hunt followed by photos with the Easter Bunny; noon April 9, Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont, bit.ly/KWEasterLongmont.
Take a selfie with the big Bunny itself on the lawn at Village at the Peaks, 1250 South Hover Road, Longmont; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 9, 10, 16; villageatthepeaks.com.
Easter Eggstravaganza features an egg hunt, bunny-hop relay race and pictures with the anthropomorphic cottontail; 9-10:30 a.m. April 9 at Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, Lafayette; lafayetteco.gov.
Dive for prizes at the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt at Longmont Rec Center where a special Golden Egg is hidden. Swimmers under age 5 must be accompanied by an adult in the water; two sessions: 4-5 p.m. (sold out) or 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 16 at the Leisure Pool at 310 Quail Road, Longmont; longmontcolorado.gov.
Bring your baskets to Calvary Bible Church for an egg hunt that includes snacks, games and prizes; 10 a.m.-noon April 16 at 3245 Kalmia Ave., Boulder; calvarybible.com/egghunt.
Kids can enjoy a day of face painting, balloon artists, egg decorating and a waffle bar at Faith Community Lutheran Church’s egg hunt; 9-11:30 a.m. April 16 at 9775 Ute Highway, Longmont; fclc.org.
Broomfield is hosting a drive-thru Easter event, Great Egg Roll-Thru, where the Easter Bunny and Helpers will hand out a limited supply of pre-stuffed eggs and candy bags. Walk-ups are not allowed; 10-11:30 a.m. April 16; The Bay parking lot, 250 Spader Way, Broomfield; broomfield.org.
Following an Easter service, Niwot United Methodist Church will host an Easter egg hunt with crafts and activities for kids; 11:30 a.m. April 17; 7405 Lookout Road, Boulder; niwotumc.org.
The Well Church is hosting an egg hunt downtown on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse; 10 a.m. April 16; 1325 Pearl St., Boulder; boulderwell.org.
Events
Join others for a walk in nature to explore the signs of spring at Signs of Spring: An Easter Wonder Walk. The group will explore the land, check out the wildlife and vegetation in celebration of Spring Equinox; 10 a.m.-noon, April 17; $8; The StarHouse, 3476 Sunshine Canyon Drive, Boulder; thestarhouse.org.
The 2020 documentary film “Easter in Art” looks at the biblical Easter story through some of the world’s greatest artists and exhibitions in history, like Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and Salvador Dalí. Catch the film at the Dairy’s Boedecker Theater; 1 p.m. April 17 and 7 p.m. April 19; $12; Boedecker Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder; thedairy.org.
Unity Boulder is hosting an Easter musical production with “Spirit’s Victory!” The Unity Choir will perform selections exploring the mystical, metaphysical meaning behind the Easter story; 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. April 17, with an egg hunt between the two shows at 10:30 a.m.; 2855 Folsom St., Boulder; unityofboulder.com.
Head to The Ranch complex in Northern Colorado for a two-day Spring Craft and Gift Show. In addition to vendor booths, the event touts that it hosts Colorado’s biggest egg toss and egg hunt; 2-7 p.m. April 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 16; 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland; treventscomplex.com.