Easter 2023

The Fort is hopping with springtime events, eats, and treats this weekend.

BY JENNIFER BOVEE

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

FRIDAY, APRIL 7 • 6-9:00 PM

MIKE WISSEL & THE PAWN

SHOP PISTOLS | TEXAS COUNTRY

SATURDAY, APRIL 8 • 5:30-9 PM

STEVE HILL TRIO

BLUES, ROCK & SOUL

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

EASTER SUNDAY | STORE CLOSED

4651 WEST FREEWAY | I-30 @ HULEN

NIGHT & DAY

It’s almost Easter weekend. What, you didn’t know? The Fort is currently draped in all sorts of pastels, including everyone’s favorite shades of pink — blush and bashful a la Steel Magnolias — and egg hunts are everywhere. Whether you’re celebrating “religulously” with the Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Pagans, or the unaffiliated group of your choosing or just enjoying the kitschiness of the spring season, there are a lot of events to check out in North Texas.

There’s still time to drag your

happy at the same time by hitting the in Fort Worth (12901 Cabela Dr, 817-337-2400) or the Bass Pro Shop Dr, 972-724-2018). He or she can shop for sport ing goods at the same time. Plus, there is a giant aquarium that takes up the whole front of the store at the Grapevine location. Bonus! Packages start at $15 and include one complimentary print. Reserve a timeslot now at Cabelas.com/Easter.

With Resurrection Day upon us, think about catching up with your mom and them at the Easter services at their church. Be a good kid for once. Afterward (or instead), head to Easter brunch somewhere fancy. We have some suggestions, eight of them in fact, in our ATE DAY8 a Week column in this issue.

With nothing else to do and another Monday workday under my belt, I’m going to check

of gangsters. Our review of its theatrical release in 2021 was not favorable, but I’m still game. I will simply drink a lot of wine during my home screening via the Roku channel, and it will make it all better. Happy Day After!

If you don’t make it out to an Easter egg hunt this weekend, you can still get out there and ramp up those allergies at another spring event. The East Berry Branch of the Fort Worth Public Library (4300 E Berry St, 817-

8pm for an with games and music, enjoy hunting for eggs filled with tickets and prizes especially for the grown folk. This event is free to attend, but let them know you’re coming at Form.JotForm. com/230805092824050. It’s also BYOB, as in bringing your own booze and baskets. 744-8630), features 70 local retailers. This is the perfect spot to do any last-minute shopping for Easter basket filler. If you’re there from 4pm to 6pm today, you can update your profile pic with an #EasterBunnySelfie. There is no cost to pose with the fun fella. There is also a Dolly Parton mural you should check out.

Owner Amanda Pastusek and her sister Kathryn Longbot tom make up the two-woman food display outfit called The Art of Grazing (2740 Lipscomb St, 817-9189900). Known for catering events all around Fort Worth, they also host classes occasionally. At 10am, there is an hour-long Kids’ Easter Class costing $30 per child (6 and up). The class is hands-on, and attendees will make Eas ter charcuterie boxes with dipped Strawberry “carrots,” edible candy egg nests, bunny brie, and more. “Things might get a tiny bit messy, so save those pretty Easter clothes for the next day.” There are only a few spots left, so register ASAP at TheArtofGrazingFW.com.

Easter Sweets & Treats

While Blue Bonnet Bakery (4705 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-731-4233) isn’t the only sweet shop in town, it definitely occupies the most interesting space.

Originally called Harper’s Blue Bonnet Bakery, it has been serving handmade treats

from the same recipes since 1934. In 2010, the Hart family, who had purchased the business from the Harpers in 1993, wanted to expand into a larger cake-baking operation, and a former 1920s-era church was available.

The space that once held the Sunday school rooms is now the kitchen/production area. When you walk in the front door, you’re in the old sanctuary, which now houses the baked goods case on the left and tables on the right. The old church pews were converted to booth benches for dine-in service for breakfast and lunch.

Beyond the wedding and special occasion cakes that the 7,700-square-foot space

helped allow, Blue Bonnet is known for its chicken salad sandwiches, double-fudge cake, monkey bread, petit fours, and handcut cookies. As for Easter goodies, a variety of items are available in the bakery case for walk-in purchases, but for larger orders, you need to call ahead.

Local cottage businesses are also focused on Easter this week. Fort Worth

Cookie Gal (@FortWorthCookieGal, 281725-2441) and Shane’s Cookie Corner (@ ShanesCookieCorner, 516-369-0107) both have sweets worthy of your attention. Fort Worth Cookie Gal has small and large Easter dessert boxes available, and Shane’s specializes in custom-decorated sugar cookies specifically.

One home baker who lives in the eastern quadrant of our circulation is having an Easter pop-up event. Head to Sweet Lizzie’s Bakery (4217 Claremont Dr, Grand Prairie, @SweetLizziesBaker) 2pm-7pm Sat, where she will offer themed mini cookies, sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, and more. There will even be allergy-friendly treats available.

Before arriving, check the Facebook page for updates on what’s available. “Just knock if I’m not outside.” Sounds like a culinary adventure to me.

By Jennifer Bovee

Fort Worth Cookie Gal has small and large Easter Boxes available.

Courtesy Facebook

Easter goodies are in the case this week at Blue Bonnet Bakery, but you may want to order ahead.

Courtesy Facebook

The 89-year-old Blue Bonnet Bakery is still slinging cakes, cookies, and savory lunch bites in a 1920s-era church.

Courtesy Blue Bonnet Bakery

1.) Starting at 10am Sun, Anderson Distillery & Grill (400 S Oak St, Ste 100, Roanoke, 817-203-0623) is offering $5 mimosas and $7 champagne cocktails along with its regular breakfast menu items. For $13, try the banana split waffle, which includes a chocolate chip or plain waffle with bananas, berries, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a side of meat and fried potatoes. Meat choices are bacon, ham, sausage patties, or jalapeno sausage links. For more ideas, visit AndersonDistillery.com/Menu.

2.) The annual Napa-style wine country Easter brunch is back this year at CRÚ (5188 Marathon Av, 817-737-9463) 10am-3pm Sun. Special menu offerings will be avail-

able, including avocado toast with heirloom cherry tomatoes; smoked salmon deviled egg toast; goat cheese beignets; and popular items like Crab Cake Benedict. Indulge in butter-toasted lemon pound cake, Key lime cheesecake, or chocolate lava cake for dessert. There are also wine discounts and $6 Bellini Ciprianis and mimosas. Threecourse brunch meals are $38 per person. Dinner specials are available a la carte.

3.) The folks at Horny Toad Cafe & Bar (5812 N I-35, Denton, 940-383-2150) invite you to “saddle up and ride into flavor country this Easter Sunday at our legendary Southern Grandma’s Easter Brunch Buffet.” This year, start with a breakfast of pe - can-crusted French toast, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, applewood bacon, and smoked sausage. If lunch is what’s on your mind, start with classic deviled eggs and a mixed field greens salad, then move on to chicken-and-broccoli casserole, bourbon brown sugar-glazed ham, and herb-roasted pork loin. Side options include au gratin potatoes, braised collard greens and kale, honey-glazed carrots, and truffle mac ’n’ cheese. Save room for coconut cream pie, pineapple upside-down cake, and Texas double-chocolate cake. The cost is $17.99 per adult and $8.99 for kids (3-10).

4.) In the heart of the Near Southside, Lili’s Bistro (1310 W Magnolia Av, 817-877-0700) offers its Holiday Piano Brunch 10:30am2:30pm Sun. For starters, try the gorgonzola fries or fried dill pickle spears. Brunch items include breakfast sliders, breakfast tacos, Crab Benedict, smoked salmon scramble, Texas steak ’n’ eggs, and veggie frittatas, all served with potato hash and fruit. Generally, the price is $12-22, but there are a couple of bigger ticket items as well, including roasted lamb loin ($44) and tenderloin medallions with eggs ($42). To reserve a table, visit LilisBistro.com/Reservations.

5.) From 11am to 3pm Sun, Omni Hotel Fort Worth (130 Houston St, 817-535-6664) hosts its annual Easter Brunch on the second level with locally sourced items in a decadent buffet setting with fun stuff for the kids, including an activity station, egg hunt, petting zoo, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Cold selections include a smoked duck salad, deviled eggs with crispy chipotle-maple bacon, spinach salad, lemon shrimp, seafood ceviche, and salmon gravlax on ice. As for entrees, enjoy the chef’s carving station with honey-baked Paris ham, bourbon honey-smoked brisket, pan-seared salmon, and Texas Spice-rubbed chicken. The cost is $76 for adults, $40 for children (6-12), and complimentary for kids 5 and under. Reservations are required at OpenTable.com (Cast Iron). Seatings are available in 45-minute increments. For full descriptions, including the sides and desserts offered, visit bit.ly/34zPryN.

6.) Though usually closed on Sundays, Silver Fox Steakhouse (1651 S University Dr, 817-332-9060), is inviting guests to an exclusive Easter Sunday Brunch 11am-4pm Sun. The regular menu will be available, but a specialty item is also offered. The Roasted Beef Tenderloin Benedict is $60 and includes a poached egg with hollandaise, asparagus, and fingerling potatoes in addition to the delicious beef. Drink specials include a Tito’s Bloody Mary for $18 and a mimosa for $12. For reservations, call the restaurant or visit SilverFoxCafe.com.

7.) The new kid in town, Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall (122 E Exchange St, Ste 200, Tannahills.com), is kicking off its first Easter with a Gospel Brunch & Social Sunday and then every Sunday thereafter. The lounge opens at 11am, brunch begins at noon, and then a live performance by gospel band Linny Nance & The Network begins at 12:30pm. Brunch menu items include blistered tomato-and-basil strata, pecan-smoked Easter ham, herb-roasted leg of lamb, hot smoked salmon, and more. Tickets are $40 plus 20% gratuity, excluding alcohol, on Eventbrite.com.

8.) Join Toro Toro (200 Main St, Ste B, 817975-9895) for Easter Brunch 10am-2pm Sun, featuring food stations with a Pan-Latin flair by Chef Jonathan Esparza. The appetizer station will include a customized salad bar, a shrimp agua chile cocktail, a zucchini tiradito, and prime beef tenderloin tiradito with truffle aioli, shimeji mushrooms, garlic chips, Fresno chiles, and chipotle ponzu sauce. On the grill, there will be beef anticuchos, grilled street corn, and flatiron steak. Specialties presented will be arepas, crab-and-shrimp enchiladas, fruit and seasonal cheeses, and waffles with berries or bacon, plus dark chocolate Grand Crus ganache Easter eggs. Prices start at $75 per person. Reservations are required at ToroToroFortWorth.com.

By Jennifer Bovee

Head to the Horny Toad for Grandma’s Easter Brunch Buffet this Sunday. Tell them the Easter Steer sent you.

Courtesy Facebook

Silver Fox Steakhouse will be slinging Tito’s Bloody Marys for $18 a pop Sunday. Courtesy Facebook