Restaurants Rise to the Easter Occasion

Sunrise services, the Hallelujah Chorus, colorful baskets, egg hunts--to all these longtime Easter traditions, many Orange Countians now add dining out. So virtually all local hotels and most restaurants meet the demand by offering gala brunches or holiday dinners, or both, on Sunday.

Reservations, of course, are essential. Here are just a few of the possibilities:

* At the Disneyland Hotel’s Easter brunch, children up to 12 years old will hunt for eggs on the gazebo lawn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The brunch itself, served in the grand ballroom from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., highlights a buffet of round of beef, roast leg of lamb, seafood, freshly made waffles and omelets, intricately decorated Easter eggs. Reservations: (714) 956-6709.

* With an Easter bunny to snap your picture, a magician to entertain, the Reuben E. Lee in Newport Beach serves a champagne buffet brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s $16.95 for adults, $7.95 for children ages 5 to 12. Sunday Easter dinner, starting at 3 p.m., features a complete ham dinner for $12.95. (714) 675-5910.

* At John Dominis overlooking Newport Bay, the buffet brunch will be served on both floors from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. A sampling: carved baron of beef, turkey, made-to-order shrimp scampi and sushi, fruits with Belgian chocolate for dipping. It’s $18.95 per person without champagne and $21.95 with. (714) 540-5112.

* Also on the bay, Newport Landing on Balboa peninsula features a sit-down champagne brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Selections vary from Belgian waffles with macadamia nuts, chocolate chips or berries to abalone benedict, New York steak and eggs. Afterward, move upstairs to the oyster bar and lounge, when the calypso band, The Islanders play from 1 to 5 p.m. Reservations: (714) 675-2373.

* At the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, the hotel’s award-winning executive chef Christian Rassinoux and his staff will create an Easter brunch to enjoy in the Cafe and at the Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The tab is $35 per person, with children under 12 half-price. (714) 240-5008.

* Spring lamb will be the specialty for Easter dinner, beginning at 5 p.m., at Mon Chateau in El Toro. Other entree possibilities: fresh Dover sole, mussels Brussels style, rabbit with prunes and red wine, and frog legs in garlic butter. Prices for complete dinners, including soup and salad, are $13.50 to $23. Reservations: (714) 830-3810.

* Serenely located in Aliso Canyon, Laguna Beach, Ben Brown’s will begin brunch at 9 a.m. and serve until 3. Highlights of the a la carte menu include cheese blintzes; poached eggs in puff pastry with Canadian bacon, Belgian endive, and glazed pear; and poached salmon with mousseline of tarragon. Prices range from $6.50 to $12.50. Dinner, starting at 4:30, will feature prime rib, roast pork loin German style and roast leg of lamb in addition to the regular menu.

* To accommodate sunrise-risers, the El Torito-owned family of restaurants will all open earlier on Easter. Las Brisas in Laguna Beach ((714) 497-5434) will begin serving brunch at 8 a.m., Chanteclair in Irvine ((714) 752-8001) at 8:30 a.m., the El Torito Grills in Newport Beach ((714) 640-2875) and South Coast Plaza ((714) 662-2672) and Remicks in Irvine ((714) 553-1305) at 9. Hint for last-minute reservations: The early spots are most likely to be open (and there will be no waiting for others to finish).

* At the Bouzy Rouge in Newport, a string quartet will entertain while brunchers order from the menu. Specialties for Easter vary from duck lasagna and Danish veal frikadeller to Caribbean curried chicken and apple quiche. Served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., brunch includes a glass of champagne, and prices range from $9.50 to $15.95. Reservations: (714) 673-3440.