Bouquet of Easter brunches

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Easter is early this year, and brunch on Easter Sunday, April 8, is the name of the game all over town. At 1789 Restaurant (1226 36th St. NW, 202/965-1789), executive chef Nathan Beauchamp's Easter menu includes lamb with Grafton cheddar galette, English pea soup, and eggs galore. Complimentary canapes will be served while the Easter Bunny makes a guest appearance at each table to deliver candy to the children. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; entree prices, which include a first and second course, range from $22 to $31, with dessert at $9.

In Bethesda, Mon Ami Gabi (7239 Woodmont Ave., 301/654-1234) will offer Easter brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brunch will include eggs Benedict, apple French toast and market fruit salad. Guests can start the festivities with a drink from the make-your-own bloody mary bar. A Little Frites menu will be available for children 12 and younger.

The Colonnade (2401 M St. NW, 202/457-5000) in the Fairmont hotel is once again preparing for its sumptuous annual Easter brunch, featuring the flavors of the Chesapeake. Cherrystone clams, bluepoint oysters, shrimp, green-lipped mussels and diver scallops will be on display. Hot selections include rack of spring lamb, baked snapper and cornmeal cakes. Children can enjoy a selection of corn dogs, pepperoni-and-cheese pizzas, macaroni and cheese and french fries. Children are welcome to pose for a photo with the Easter Bunny. Brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it is priced at $95 for adults, including free-flowing Taittinger champagne, and $45 for children under 12.

Speaking of children, on April 22, the Fairmont will present an Afternoon of Etiquette. The three-hour class will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Washington protocol expert Carole M. Randolph will teach young ladies and gentlemen ages 7 to 12 the importance of proper behavior in a variety of social situations. The class also includes a reception that will offer delicious treats and will conclude with a presentation of an etiquette booklet and gift to each student. The $95 fee includes the class, materials and a formal afternoon reception. To make reservations, contact Mrs. Randolph at 301/881-9144. Proper attire is required.

That busy VIB (Very Important Bunny) will hop over to the Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. NW, 202/416-8555) on April 8 to have his picture taken with children, who will receive a special treat from the basket. The Kitchen Brunch Buffet will include challah French toast, a carving station, an oyster bar, gourmet salads and a kiddie table. Brunch is $39.95 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger.

At the Willard InterContinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202/637-7440), the newly redecorated Willard Room will feature a festive Easter buffet with piano accompaniment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., priced at $85 for adults and $42.50 for children. Offerings include a carving station, a farmers market and a selection of house-made pastries.

The Easter brunch buffet in the Willard's Grand Ballroom (202/637-7305) will have seatings at 10:30 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 1:30 p.m. Prices are $78 per adult and $38 for children 5 to 12. Guests will be entertained with piano music, and special menus and entertainment for children will be provided, as will a visit from Peter Cottontail.

In Georgetown, Cafe Milano (3251 Prospect St. NW, 202/333-6183) will serve a sumptuous Easter brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. priced at $95 per person, $35 for children 6 to 12. Weather permitting, tables will be set up on the outdoor patios. The buffet will have an egg station, a bread station, including assorted pastries, an antipasto and raw bar, a carving station and a dessert station.

Oceanaire Seafood Room (1201 F St. NW, 202/347-2277) will be open Easter from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fresh wild salmon will be available early in April, and chef Rob Klink notes that warm winter means that shad, shad roe and soft-shell crabs will be available earlier than usual this spring. His almond-crusted soft shells are a specialty.

The Dupont Grille (1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW, 202/483-6000) is celebrating the Cherry Blossom Festival with a special dessert, a sun-dried-cherry creme brulee for $8. The dessert will be on the menu until April 14.

On Sunday, Jaleo (2250A Crystal Drive, Arlington, 703/413-8181) will hold a screening party for the premiere of "Iron Chef," featuring Bobby Flay versus Washington's Jose Andres. Attendees will enjoy the popular show and cheer Mr. Andres and his crew as they craft the secret ingredient for the show and compete against Mr. Flay. Hosted by Mr. Andres, the party will begin at 8 p.m. and is free, with donations and proceeds from the evening going to the D.C. Central Kitchen. During the event, guests can sample paella and Spanish ham and can order from Jaleo's tapas menu.

A special cocktail forum, "Shaken ... Not Stirred: The History & Lure of the Martini," will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 11 at Zola (800 F St. NW, 202/393-7798) in partnership with the International Spy Museum and co-sponsored by the Museum of the American Cocktail. Guests are invited to hear Dale DeGroff, author of "The Craft of the Cocktail," discuss the history of the martini and to enjoy martinis and other Zola specialty cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and tales from the golden age of the cocktail. Tickets are $125 per person, and advance registration is required.

Wine Wednesdays continue at Charlie Palmer Steak (101 Constitution Ave. NW, 202/547-8100). Next week features Jade Mountain mourverdre from Contra Costa County, Calif.; for April 11, a Paso Robles Tablas Creek, Cotes d'Tablas is scheduled; April 18 is a Napa Valley Summers charbono; and April 25 will bring a New York state Millbrook cabernet franc.

April 30 is the date chosen by Les Dames d'Escoffier for "The Art of Food," the 12th Epicurian Food & Wine Auction Gala Dinner. The Washington area's top female chefs will create colorful cuisine in honor of the April-through-July ColorField.remix celebration of Washington's famous Color School of stripes and fields of color. The artistic black-tie dinner will be held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave. NW, 202/973-2168) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $250, with proceeds benefiting the D.C. Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier.

As the weather warms up, outdoor dining opportunities flourish in the city. We'll tell you where next month. In the meantime, happy Easter.