William and Kate (virtually) in Charlotte

And while we're onto Brit style, Big Ben British Restaurant & Pub will open at 5:30 a.m. April 29, serving a "Royal Breakfast," so that you may dine and watch the future king of England marry his intended on BBC America; it's 11 a.m. UK time. Naturally, there'll be other things through the day, as well.

Reservations: 704-817-9697; 2000 South Blvd. (at Atherton Mill). (Photo: Indigo/Getty Images.)

Updated: Easter plans

Both Ruth's Chris locations (uptown and SouthPark) will have brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (entrees $8-$34), and the full dinner menu 5-10 p.m. Those buying brunch will get a Buy 1 Get 1 card to have Sunday brunch another day. 222 S. Tryon St., 704-338-9444; 6000 Fairview Road, 704-556-1115.

The Cajun Queen's brunch will be served 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with the regular menu offered 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 1800 E. 7th St.; 704-377-9017.

Harper's at Carolina Place will do brunch 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and its regular menu 2:30-8 p.m. 11059 Carolina Place Parkway; 704-541-5255.

Andrew Blair's will do a traditional Easter brunch buffet 10 a.m.-2 p.m., for $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids 12 and younger. Reservations suggested: 1600 Montford Drive; 704-525-8282.

Santé in Matthews will do seatings for brunch at 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., and will serve a three-course meal for $29 per adult, $14 per child younger than 10. Dishes include she-crab soup, eggs Benedict, shrimp and grits, baked ham, leg of lamb and more. 165 N. Trade St. in Matthews; 704-845-1899.

The buffet at Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina will be offered 11 a.m.-7 p.m., with dishes such as chipotle-rubbed prime rib, mole chicken breast, smoked salmon eggs Benedict with poblano hollandaise and more. $22.95; half-price for kids 4-12 and free for those 3 and younger. 210 E. Trade St.; 704-971-8432.

Villa Antonio at 4707 South Blvd. offers brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for $25 with non-alcoholic beverage included, along with salad bar, shrimp "boat", omelet station, carving station and more. 704-523-1594.

Harvest Moon Grille will do Easter brunch 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with favorites its regular brunch menu plus a few specials, such as country ham, braised ham and Swiss crepes and fresh strawberry crepes. From 5 to 10 p.m., diners may order from the regular dinner menu or an Easter special. 237 N. Tryon St.; 704-342-1193.

Del Frisco's will be open 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. with live jazz, and diners can choose a three-course brunch ($30; there's a $12 children's menu) or anything from the full dinner menu. Dinner will be 4:30-9 p.m. with a three-course menu or full dinner options, and the $12 kids' menu also. 4725 Piedmont Row South; 704-552-5502.

Mez's Easter brunch buffet will be served 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for $23.95 ($11.95 for those 12 and younger), and a brunch and movie package including tickets to a show at the adjacent EpiCentre Theater is also available for $29.95 ($19.95 for 12 and younger). 210 E. Trade St.; 704-971-2400.

Both Charlotte Melting Pot locations will be open 11:39 a.m.-2 p.m. on Easter with a four-course menu for $25 and a two-course option for children for $14. The regular dinner menu is available 4-9 p.m. 901 S. Kings Drive, 704-334-4400; 230 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., 704-548-2432.

Epic Chophouse will be open 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for a brunch buffet ($21.95) and 5-10 p.m. with its regular dinner menu, plus a chef's feature. 104 South Main St., Mooresville; 704-230-1720.

The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge hosts brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with a visit from the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt for brunch guests at 11:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. (you can request a time when you make your reservation). $55, $28 for those 5-12, free for kids 4 and younger; reservations required: 704-248-4100. 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway.

Luce and Toscana will serve Easter Sunday brunch, each doing a three-course menu for which reservations are recommended. Sibling MezzaNotte will also be open that day with its regular brunch menu, then the regular dinner menu that night. Luce: 214 N. Tryon St.; 704-344-9222. Toscana: 6401 Morrison Blvd.; 704-367-1808. MezzaNotte: 2907 Providence Road; 704-365-4650.

Passion8 Bistro offers a three-course brunch with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for $32 (kids 10 and younger free), and its regular dinner menu 3-7 p.m. 3415 Highway 51 North, Fort Mill, S.C.; 803-802-7455.

Both Red Rocks Cafes will do buffets 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $24.95 ($10.95 for those 12 and younger), with their regular a la carte menu starting at 3. Strawberry Hill: 704-364-0402; Birkdale Village: 704-892-9999.


Blue will serve brunch 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with a carving station that includes Kobe top round, porchetta and roasted turkey; salads; main dishes of lamb tagine, paella, grilled salmon; crepes, omelets and other breakfast fare; desserts and more. Live jazz, too. $39.95 for adults, $14.95 for those 7-12 and free for those 6 and younger. Corner of 5th and College streets; 704-927-2583.

Lava Bistro and Bar's brunch will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and cost $35 for adults, half price for children 3-8 and free for those 2 and younger. Among the offerings: carving station, omelet station, housemade pancakes, blueberry cheesecake French toast, shrimp and grits, seared tuna and more.
8708 J.W. Clay Blvd.; 704-549-0050.

Hear someone who's done good

Rye Barcott, author of "It Happened on the Way to War" (if you don't know about this, go here), will be at Owen's Bagel & Deli at lunchtime (beginning at 11 a.m.) April 23 to discuss the book and sign copies.

Geoff Owen of Owen's says, "Rye authored much of the book while sitting in the corner seat at OBD." Barcott's story is remarkable. Owen's is at 2041 South Blvd.; 704-333-5385.

Cheers for beers

April 29 is the grand opening of Biergarten, at Pavilion at the EpiCentre. Draft beers will be served in the open-air rooftop venue at 210 E. Trade St. from 5 p.m. to closing Tuesday-Friday and noon to closing Saturday. The area had a recent facelift that added greenery, water features, seating and games, from ping pong to bocce.

Meanwhile, Brixx, including the newly remodeled and reopened Dilworth location, is revving up its Master's of Beer Appreciation program. Try 32 new beers, attend events and you get your MBA. You can sign up (and find out about "study sessions" on the first Thursday of the month) here.

Bits and pieces

Georges Brasserie hosts a chef's tasting dinner April 26 with Thomas Meunier of Authentique Vin Imports. Among the fare: macadamia-encrusted flounder with purple asparagus, blood orange vinaigrette and micro green salad, with 2009 Laurent Miquel Chardonnay, Pere et Fils; and lamb Wellington with 2007 Clos Troteligotte Cahors Malbec, “La Fourmi.” $55; 4620 Piedmont Row Drive; 980-219-7409.

Blue puts together five dishes inspired by and paired with different beers from Charlotte's Four Friends Brewing for a tasting April 28. Among the dishes are a pan-seared Alaskan halibut with fiddlehead ferns, with black truffles, and a mini-croque-madame. $34.95 and reservations required: 704-927-2583: Hearst Plaza uptown.

Also April 28 is a Whitehall Lane wine dinner at Mimosa Grill, with dishes such as Cape May skate wing and Colorado lamb chops, and winery owner Tom Leonardini on hand. This is part of a nationwide benefit called "Earth Dinner," raising funds for Chef's Collaborative; $10 of each person's $75 ticket will be donated to the Collaborative. Reservations recommended: 327 S. Tryon St.; 704-343-0700.

Santé plans a wine dinner May 1 with six wines and a four-course meal for $49 per person. Reservations required; 165 N. Trade St. in Matthews; 704-845-1899.

Mexquite Mexican Eatery will do specials for Cinco de Mayo (May 5), including kids' meals for 99 cents, burritos for $5 and Mexican beers for $1.99. 16646 Hawfield Way Drive; 704-542-1344.

Dine out, do good

Kalu and Wachovia will partner to offer a dinner April 21 benefitting several charities supporting Japanese relief efforts. Chef Bryan Emperor was in Kyoto in January and says that trip inspired this eight-course menu, which includes sashimi, dim sum, yakimono and more. $75, with $40 going to disaster relief; 6-8:30 p.m. and reservations are required: 704-910-4877. 505 E. 6th St.

Slow Food's annual fundraiser; more

Slow Food Charlotte's upcoming fundraiser is a wine dinner 6-10 p.m. April 30 at Atherton Market, with Tony Coturri attending to discuss his sustainably produced, well-regarded wines. All proceeds go to Slow Food Charlotte's Farmers Fund, described as bringing "farmer driven continuing education to the sustainable farming community." Tickets are $50 and must be purchased in advance; get more information here.

Also coming up: Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend 2012 holds its kickoff event April 16 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame; $125 gets you into the 7-10 p.m. event with wine, food, live and silent auctions and a shot at the Race Day Simulator. Tickets: www.charlottewineandfood.org.

BLT Steak hosts a four-course Shafer wine dinner April 29, with explanations and commentary on the pairings from chef de cuisine Ben Miles. $125; 110 N. College St.; 704-972-4380.