Easter is fast approaching, and with it a variety of Easter Brunch options courtesy of Newport Beach restaurants. You’ll find numerous spring ingredients on those brunch menus as chefs take advantage of the changing culinary seasons and spring forward foodie style.

BACK BAY BISTRO
1131 Back Bay Drive / 949-729-1144 / www.backbaybistronewportbeach.com

We’ve enjoyed the weekend brunch many times at Back Bay Bistro at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, so we’re looking forward to their elaborate Easter Champagne brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch selections include carving stations, omelette bar and seafood buffet. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to greet and take photos with children. Cost is $75 for adults (includes bottomless Champagne & mimosas) and $35 for children 12 and under.

BALBOA BAY RESORT
1221 Coast Highway / (888) 538-8552 / www.balboabayresort.com

Balboa Bay Resort is famous for its holiday brunch offerings, which includes salad, cheese and charcuterie stations, fresh fruit and bakery items, assorted meats and eggs, a carving station, a waffle station, a seafood raw bar, sushi bar and a dessert bar. Cost is $79 for adults and $39.50 for children 12 and under (ages 3 and under are free).

BAYSIDE RESTAURANT
900 Bayside Drive / (949) 721-1222 / www.baysiderestaurant.com

With views of Newport’s secluded harbor waterways, guests of Bayside Restaurant can enjoy a three-course prix fixe Easter brunch for $42.75 per person from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that includes unlimited champagne. Bayside features New American cuisine served al fresco on a custom-designed, wrap-around patio, as well as indoor seating.

BEACHCOMBER CAFE
Crystal Cove / (949) 376-6900 / www.thebeachcombercafe.com

Casual yet classy (and right on the beach in Crystal Cove), Beachcomber serves Brunch on the Beach from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Start with beignets and ambrosia, then choose from such entrees as surf and turf, smoked Scottish salmon steak, short ribs and eggs, blueberry pancakes, Easter egg salad, and more. Includes a glass of Champagne, mimosa or orange juice, soda or coffee. Adults are $35.95, kids $13.95.

THE CANNERY SEAFOOD OF THE PACIFIC
3010 Lafayette Road / (949) 566-0060 / www.cannerynewport.com

The Cannery has a three course prix fixe brunch menu served from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that includes a choice of five starters such as deviled eggs with smoked bacon or fried calamari, entrees that include short rib, Skuna Bay salmon, crème brulee French toast or Eggs benedict, and dessert. Cost is $45 per person.

FIG & OLIVE
401 Newport Center Drive, Suite 151 / (212) 924-1200 / www.figandolive.com

If you haven’t been to Fig & Olive yet, now’s the time, because Executive Chef Pascal Lorange has created a three-course prix-fixe brunch menu for $40 per person served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the restaurant’s dining rooms or al fresco in the Garden Lounge. Appetizer selections include lobster bisque, truffle mushroom croquette, Fig Gorgonzola Tartlet, and Vegetable Quiche. Five main courses are available, including French omelet, crab cake benedict, Provence roasted chicken, seared salmon, and roasted rack of lamb. Dessert is chocolate cake with hazelnut crunch and raspberry caramel.

FLEMING’S STEAKHOUSE
455 Newport Center Drive / (949) 720-9633 / www.Flemingssteakhouse.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar brings back its annual three-course Easter Sunday brunch served from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy classic brunch favorites for $39.95 per guest. Begin with a choice of appetizer such as lobster bisque, modern Caesar or fresh seasonal fruits. Continue with an entrée selected from prime rib with a trio of sauces, Fleming’s signature eggs Benedict, prime rib hash, baked brioche French toast layered in vanilla and orange custard, and more. Includes choice of sides and desserts.

MULDOON’S IRISH PUB
202 Newport Center Drive / (949) 640-4110 / www.Muldoonspub.com

Irish eyes are smiling at Muldoon’s for one of the best Easter brunch deals in town. For only $24.95 per person, enjoy a three course brunch that starts with a fresh fruit cocktail, then segues into a choice of 20 entrees, including corned beef hash, Irish country breakfast, tavern omelette, Galway eggs benedict, Irish stew and shepherd’s pie. End with a petite sundae with warm homemade chocolate sauce.

THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL
22701 Pelican Hill Road South / (855) 467-6800 / www.pelicanhill.com

Pelican Hill always pulls out all the stops when it comes to celebrating a special occasion such as Easter. In Mar Vista’s grand ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Executive Chef Jean-Pierre Dubray presents traditional brunch favorites, with California and Tuscan accents. $115 per adult, $55 per child ages 5-12, and complimentary for children under age 5. Then, Andrea Restaurant offers a traditional Easter menu with a prix fixe lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a la carte Easter dinner specials beginning at 5 p.m. for $115 per adult and $60 per child for lunch. At Pelican Grill, Chef Derek creates a special selection of Easter a la carte dishes, available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as Easter dinner specials and a featured lounge menu available from 3 to 10 p.m. At Coliseum Pool & Grill, Chef Micah creates an extraordinary breakfast buffet, available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and special a la carte Easter dinner specials. Cost is $55 per adult and $26 per child ages 5-12 for breakfast/brunch buffet, and complimentary for children under age 5.

RED O
143 Newport Center Drive / (949) 718-0300/ www.redorestaurant.com

Thanks to consistently good cuisine and a fun ambiance, Red O has become one of our favorite new restaurants. Their fabulous Easter brunch buffet looks to uphold that reputation. Start with fresh fruit and pan dulce (Mexican sweet breads), then segue into such delights as huevos rancheros, a taco carving station, and guacamole served with the best warm chips in town. $45 per adult, $15 per child, 6 & under Free. Brunch service is 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

ROY’S NEWPORT BEACH
453 Newport Center Drive / (949) 640-7697 / www.roysrestaurant.com

Easter Brunch is the perfect time to try the famous Roy’s Benedict: choice of filet mignon or crab cakes atop a cheddar cheese biscuit with Shiso bernaise. Of course, there’s much more on this two-course brunch menu, including miso lobster and shrimp dim sum, macadamia nut pancakes, and lobster “vol-au-vent.” Cost is $33.95.

SHOR
1107 Jamboree Road at Hyatt Newport / (949) 729-6160 / www.shorgrill.com

SHOR American Seafood and Grill serves a champagne brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that is truly impressive and offers something for everyone. Choose from breakfast bakeries, an omelet station, waffle station, a cheese display, salads, shellfish, sushi, carving stations, pasta, sides, and of course, assorted desserts. There’s even a separate kid’s buffet. Enjoy live music along with a balloon artist, petting zoo, and the Easter Bunny, who will conduct Easter egg hunts on the Hyatt golf course. Cost is $79 for adults, children 12 and under half price.