Don your bonnet,
head to brunch

Searching for a place to take your family for the Easter holiday? Here are some suggestions.

By CORRIE BENFIELD

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 21, 2000

With Easter upon us and Mother's Day in the wings, the following list offers a sampling of brunch choices around Tampa. But before you get lost in thoughts of coffee and croissants, don't forget, reservations are required.

(Prices do not include tax or gratuity.)

Armani's

• 6200 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa
• Call: (813) 281-9165
• Time: noon to 6 p.m. Easter Sunday
• Atmosphere: Armani's has been ranked a four-diamond restaurant by Zagat's. Located on the 14th floor of the Hyatt Regency Westshore, the restaurant offers views of both Tampa Bay and the airport. Jackets required.
• Menu: The first course is a create-your-own dish from an antipasto display. The second consists of a choice of clam chowder, pheasant breast salad with macadamia crust and goat cheese and mango dressing, saffron risotto with lamb porcini and asparagus, or rigatoni pasta with classic bolognese sauce. The main course offers a choice of lamb chops coated with fresh mint, Maine lobster with leek and mussels in a Moscato glaze and potatoes and semolina dumpling.
• Price: $48 a person including champagne, $24 for children 4-11.

Bay Cafe

• 555 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa
• Call: (813) 875-1555, ext. 1865
• Time: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easter Sunday
• Atmosphere: The cafe is in the Embassy Suites Hotel, so dress tends toward business casual, with slacks and shirts winning out over T-shirts and shorts.
• Menu: The buffet includes breakfast cooked-to-order omelets, bacon, sausage, potatoes, waffles, french toast, pancakes, a carving station with roast striploin and garlic mushroom sauce, leg of lamb, medallion of pork, seafood marinara, breast of chicken gardinere, herb linguini and saffron rice and assorted desserts.
• Price: $20.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors 55 and up, $10.95 for children ages 6 through 12, free for children under 6.

The Brunchery Restaurant

• 3611 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
• Call: (813) 873-7745
• Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Easter and Mother's Day
• Atmosphere: Antiques surround diners in this homey restaurant. Casual attire, including shorts, is permitted. The restaurant is non-smoking.
• Menu: Bunny Benedict (grilled croissant, shrimp with bacon, scallop, avocado, swiss cheese and hollandaise sauce), Easter's Omelette (grilled chicken, asparagus, mushroom cheddar cheese and hollandaise sauce) and stuffed peach French toast.
• Price: $6.95.

Cafe by the Bay

• 1350 S Howard Ave., Tampa
• Call: (813) 251-6659
• Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays
• Atmosphere: Casual dining two blocks from Tampa Bay. The restaurant features outside tables.
• Menu: The fiesta-style menu includes crab meat and assorted omelets, vegetable skillets, eggs Benedict, Benedict Florentine, grits, biscuits and gravy, grouper sandwiches, garden griller sandwich, jumbo shrimp, portabella mushrooms and assorted breads.
• Price: Menu items range from $5.50 to $8.

The Castaways

• 7720 Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa
• Call: (813) 281-0770
• Time: Easter Sunday seatings from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Atmosphere: The restaurant has a view of Tampa Bay and has a casual, finer-dining atmosphere. A family restaurant, high chairs and booster chairs are available.
• Menu: The 150-item buffet includes carved lamb, sushi, a raw bar, breads, fruit, hot breakfast and lunch items, juices and a dessert table.
• Price: $24.95 for adults, $7.95 for children 3-10 and free for children under 3.

Cypress Landing

• 7401 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
• Call: (813) 626-0999
• Time: Easter and Mother's Day seatings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Atmosphere: The casual Floribbean-themed restaurant is part of the Four Points Hotel.
• Menu: Buffets include a raw bar, a carving station, an omelet station, honey baked ham, roasted turkey, shrimp and crab Newberg, roast leg of lamb with tarragon sauce, red bliss mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, vegetable medley, cream of asparagus soup, a salad bar and a variety of desserts.
• Price: $18.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 10 and under, children under 3 are free.
• Extras: The restaurant has a free petting zoo on Easter Sunday.

First Watch

• 11610 N Dale Mabry
• Highway, Tampa
• Call: (813) 961-4947
• Time: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily
• Atmosphere: The non-smoking restaurant has a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.
• Menu: Includes omelets, a Siesta Key cocktail of low-fat yogurt and fruit, crepes, breakfast burrito, classic reuben and salads.
• Price: Menu items range from $1.95 to $6.50.