The Procrastinator’s Easter: 6 Last-Minute Brunch Venues

Hop to it! These seats at the table won’t last long.

March 31, 2015

Natalie Schack,

The brunchiest day of the year is nigh upon us, so unless you plan on cooking up a storm with one of these culinary beasts (and good luck with that), you’re already, like, a month behind in reservations. Time to spring into action. Hit the phone ASAP, and save your spot at one of these delicious options for an Easter that will leave you as full, satisfied and happy as the good Lord would want you to be. But hurry!

MAC 24/7

10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Photos: Courtesy of MAC 24/7

Slow-roasted prime rib and cherry-glazed honey ham carving stations compete for your attention against the “MAC-Daddy” pancake station, complete with nine toppings. Once you tire of those—if ever—dive into the chicken piccatta, shrimp cocktail, eggs Benedict, seven-cheese macaroni and cheese and more at this hodgepodge of an Easter buffet.

$45 for adults, $21 for kids under 12, 2500 Kūhiō Ave., 921-5564.

Hau Tree Lānai

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Sure, there are steamed Alaskan crab legs with Pernod butter, a customize-your-own-omelet station, luscious macadamia-nut coconut French toast and three types of poke. But what will really get you excited at this spring brunch affair is the whole suckling pig carving station, prepared to perfection in mouth-watering lechon-style.

$52 for adults, $24 for kids under 10, 2863 Kalākaua Ave., 921-7066.

Oceanarium Restaurant

9 a.m.–3 p.m.

This menu spans the globe in delicious influences: Think strawberry mascarpone and seafood paella, steamed bao with hoisin, an assortment of sushi and tempura, and poached Cajun spiced shrimp with passion-fruit cocktail sauce, all alongside classics such as prime rib, waffles, omelets and honey-glazed ham.

$60 for adults, $21 for children, 2490 Kalākaua Ave., 921-6111.

Plumeria Beach House

11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Gazpacho is always a good idea, and we love the idea of indulging in it alongside sashimi, lomi salmon, baked apricot-glazed ham, lamb chops, slow-cooked pork and potato soup at the beautiful Plumeria Beach House brunch. Plus, every entrée looks good when it’s followed by a dessert station like this one: Mandarin orange cheesecake, li hing mui pineapple upside-down cake, roasted banana crumble tart and almond coffee opera cake are just a few of the treats available.

FYI: If you’ve got your heart set on Hoku’s, it’s all booked up, but you can still put your name on the wait list.

$75 for adults, $37.50 for children under 12, The Kāhala Hotel and Resort, 5000 Kāhala Ave., 739-8760.

Roy’s Hawai‘i Kai

9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Roy’s Hawai‘i

Pick your pleasure at Roy’s Hawai‘i Kai this holiday, where entrée selections range from a corned beef “loco moco,” to a Hawaiian sweetbread French toast sandwich with Portuguese sausage, bacon, eggs and kimchee fried rice, crab cake eggs Benedict, to Hāmākua mushroom and Waimānalo kale omelette with smoked gouda. Entrees come with your choice of first and second courses, such as a smoked salmon mousse and Kamuela cucumber crepe, or fruit and granola with cinnamon whipped cream.

Prices range from $21 to $45, 6600 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, 396-7697.

Grand Café and Bakery

9 a.m.–11 a.m.

You can go for rich (herb-crusted prime rib of beef, au jus, whipped potatoes and asparagus), or lighter classics (smoked salmon eggs Benedict) at this downtown Easter feast, or swing toward the more unexpected: cioppino or pork Milanese. Finish it off with assorted breakfast breads and pastries, seasonal fruit with strawberry yogurt, deviled eggs, pasta salad and Easter desserts.

$45 for adults, $22.50 for kids under 12, 250 S. Hotel St., 531-0001.