Houston-Area Easter Brunch: Here's Where You Should Dine

I don't like to dine out on Thanksgiving or Christmas, because I cook, and those two holidays were made for food. Easter, however, is another matter entirely. For one thing, the spring event seems perfect for brunch, and since it always falls on a Sunday, there you go. Brunch it is.

Now, where to make those Sunday, April 16, reservations? That depends on what you are after. Are you more the traditional type, looking for ham and potatoes and green beans in a quiet setting with tablecloths and flowers? Or would you prefer a bustling place offering gumbo and hamburgers and rollicking music? In the Houston area, the possibilities are nearly limited, so you're in luck.

Here are five restaurants for your consideration; all of them will give you great food and a good experience, no matter your style.

First, let's go steak, and B&B Butchers. It's housed in a historic building in the Heights, and the meat's the thing. You'll find a variety of cuts, including top-notch rib eyes and strips, plus a decent carbonara and an extensive wine list. It can be loud, and the main dining room is a bit crowded, but if you like a bustling atmosphere, good service, and fine steak, book a table here. I recommend the smoked lamb bacon, followed by the 55-day dry-age rib eye, ending with a wedge salad. For wine, go with a Robert Foley Merlot.

Want seafood? I'll send you to Oceanaire Seafood Room, in the Galleria. It's a Landry's property, the young chef in charge is thoughtful and talented, and the wines are varied and appropriate (and the list is full of good values). Try the seared char, and pair it with a bottle of La Caña Albariño. The dining room is more than spacious, and the service is remarkably attentive most of the time. The general manager here knows her stuff, so you're guaranteed a pleasant Easter meal.

Next, for residents in The Woodlands, or those wanting to take a trip up there, we'll pay a visit to Perry's Steakhouse & Grille. You'll find exemplary hospitality, very good steaks and seafood, and a trouble-free time at the table. When I visit a Perry's location, I start with oysters, East Coast (Blue Points and Malpeques if they have them), then decide between the crab cakes and escargot as a starter and Perry's Famous Pork Chop and double-cut lamb chops for the main event. Cocktails are not an afterthought here, and the wine list is excellent. Try a bottle of the 2013 Chateau Mongravey.

We go to Italy next, and Ciao Bello, in the Galleria area. Brunch here is an adventure, with families and couples dining casually in a lively and comfortable room (the patio space is also available, and if you have a large family or party it's a great choice). The brunch menu includes the usual suspects — eggs Benedict, shrimp and grits, and burgers, all excellent — but I'm partial to the crab cake Benedict or the Italian steak and eggs (skewered prime filet, braised escarole, cannellini beans, giardiniera hollandaise, poached egg). The Aperol spritzers are only $5, and the wine selection will please all palates and budgets. The 2014 Planet Chardonnay is one great selection, as is the COS Frappato. Excellent staff, under the direction of an experienced and gregarious general manager, round out this choice.

Finally, we'll venture south, to Friendswood, to a fairly new restaurant that's brought much-needed vitality to the area. It's called Brasserie 1895, and the food is well worth the drive, no matter where you live. Chef and co-owner Kris Jakob and his team have a great thing going, and their Easter brunch should be no exception. Expect dishes such as chicken fried steak, spring rabbit, deviled eggs, and roasted chicken. Wines here are great values — many in the $30 range — and the craft beer list is hearty and diverse.

Wherever you choose to celebrate Easter, make sure you make reservations soon, because these places are popular and are sure to be busy on April 16.

(For more local stories like this, sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter. No spam - just neighborhood news).

— Main image: Wikimedia Commons/Peter Biela