Columnist Muriel Stevens: Hop on over to restaurants for Easter Sunday meals

Don't delay making reservations for Easter Sunday brunch or dinner.

The Sterling Brunch at Bally's, Brown Derby Brunch at the MGM Grand, the Circus Circus Sunday Champagne Brunch and the Broiler restaurants at Boulder and Palace Stations are just a few that accept reservations.

The Easter Bunny always makes a special appearance at Caesars Palace. He'll be hip-hopping around the Palatium Buffet and Cafe Roma from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The Palatium Buffet will serve champagne brunch from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The price is $19.95 per person plus tax. Among the many specialties are Thai chicken, fresh and smoked seafood, prime rib with creamed horseradish, glazed country ham, charbroiled duck breasts, herb-roasted turkey, roasted leg of lamb and oven-roasted salmon with lemon-pepper sauce. Peach-filled crepes and Bananas Foster are just a few of the dessert selections. A multitude of decorated Easter eggs, large chocolate bunnies and Easter baskets will adorn the buffet.

Cafe Roma will offer a breakfast buffet ($14.95) from 7 a.m. to noon, a lunch buffet ($19.95) from noon to 4 p.m., and a dinner buffet ($19.95) from 6 to 10 p.m. Children ages 4-12 eat for half price; children 3 and under eat free. Prices include fresh juice, coffee or soft drinks.

Cafe Roma's breakfast buffet includes made-to-order eggs and omelets, waffles, Scottish salmon, potato pancakes and much more. At noon the chef will add an array of carving items, Chinese selections and a lavish selection of desserts. Appealing chocolate Easter displays will decorate the buffet tables.

The dinner buffet will feature seafood chowder, iced shrimp, North Shore crab legs, salt-crusted prime rib, grilled swordfish, tenderloin of beef and much more.

Mark Miller's Coyote Cafe in the MGM Grand will offer a Southwestern- style Easter Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $17.95 per person. Included are fresh fruit, assorted Danish pastries, a glass of champagne and a choice of entree -- the Eggs Benedict with chilied ham and a black bean Hollandaise sounds wonderful. For reservations, call 891-7349.

The brand new Four Seasons hotel will showcase its first Easter Sunday Brunch in the garden-like Verandah Cafe. Brunch is available from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prices are $39 for adults, $18 for children 4 to 12 years -- children under 4 dine free.

A separate child-size buffet, where children may help themselves, includes their own plates, cups and food -- among the child-pleasing foods are PB&J sandwiches, pizza, chicken fingers, carrot salad, melon, and macaroni and cheese. The children's table is a regular feature at the Four Seasons Sunday Brunch. Adults will have plenty to choose from -- a breakfast station, salad bar, international deli corner, a fish and seafood bar, a number of entrees and breads and desserts from the Four Seasons bakeshop.

An Easter Bunny will hand out treats to everyone, and an electric train will add even more excitement. If the weather is benevolent, request a table on the lovely verandah, but don't be disappointed if the tables are spoken for. The patio is always in demand. Call 632-5000 for reservations.

Taste of the Nation

This year's Taste of the Nation promises to be the best ever. The 12th annual Share Our Strength event is an nationwide benefit that raises funds for organizations fighting hunger. All but a small amount of the monies raised stay in Nevada. The beneficiaries include Chef & Child, Community Food Bank, St. Vincent Dining Room Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada and Project M.A.N.A.

Thanks to donations by the participating restaurants, chefs, food and beverage corporations and national business firms, there are no expenses.

The Taste of the Nation chairman is Aramak Executive Chef Jesus Cibrian, who directs all of the food operations at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where the event will take place.

Tickets for the food and wine extravaganza remain a reasonable $45. VIP tickets at $65 guarantee seating in a reserved section with table service and china.

Many of our exciting new restaurants will be there -- House of Blues, International House of Blues Foundation and Trattoria del Lupo at Mandalay Bay; Aqua, Olives, Le Cirque and Circo at Bellagio; Pinot Brasserie from the Venetian; Chinois at the Forum; and the new Garlic Cafe, Star Trek: The Experience at the LV Hilton and Hamada of Japan.

Among the many regulars are Fellini's, Mayflower Cuisinier, Lawry's The Prime Rib, Panini, Great Buns Bakery, Portobella, Gordon Biersch, Big Dog Hospitality Group, DIVE! Las Vegas, the Riviera hotel, The Fraternity of Executive Chefs of Las Vegas, the Food and Beverage Director's Association of Las Vegas, Maxim hotel, Superior Coffee & Foods, Catering by the Chefs, UNLV College of Hotel Administration, Vo-Tech and Seagram America. This is not a complete list; there are many more restaurants and food specialties.

Since the beginning, Southern Wine and Spirits has contributed the wide array of wines and beverages that are always a big hit.

Tickets may be purchased by calling: Aramark's Kristen Wise at 943-6910; USA Hosts at 735-1963; or Prestige Travel at 251-5552.

Special parking has been arranged for this event.

Short orders

UNLV's dining series: UNLV's College of Hotel Administration will continue to serve lunch in the Boyd Dining Room, Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 28. Hours are 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The students are offering a variety of a la carte meals and a buffet with action stations. A la carte prices range from $1.95 to $8.95; the buffet is $6.95 to $7.50, including a soft beverage. Lunch sponsors for the remaining lunches are: Cafe Nicolle, P.F.Chang's, Rubio's Baja Grill, Jazz Cafe and Harley-Davidson Cafe.

On April 22, a "Meet the Winemaker" dinner will feature wines from Wolf Blass, a fine Australian winery. The price, $40, includes the wines and a six-course dinner. For reservations for the lunches, call 895-1650; for the winemaker dinner, call Judy Feliz at 895-1330. Reservations and deposits for the winemaker dinner must be made at least three days in advance. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Card and American Express can be used for payment.

Paris signs LeNotre: LeNotre, the world famous French baker, has been signed to open a bakeshop and cafe at the soon-to-open Paris hotel. Finally, I can get him to sign his dessert and bread books that I've owned for years. A group of LeNotre bakers will come with him for the opening. Six will remain in Las Vegas to oversee the Las Vegas bakery. LeNotre breads will be served in the Paris restaurants. LeNotre in Las Vegas? Yes!

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