Deal Family Featured Food, Restaurants & Dining Fara Illich April 1, 2010

The great weather we’re experiencing in Downtown Phoenix is perfect for sitting at a local cafe and enjoying a mimosa or bloody mary (or both!) with family or friends. Easter Sunday is almost here and many restaurants near the light rail are offering up some delicious off-menu items as well as the usual crowd pleasers for you to enjoy. See anything you just can’t resist?

The District at the Sheraton (Central station) is going all out for Easter Brunch. The restaurant will have a bloody mary bar, unlimited mimosas, breakfast bar, raw bar (sushi, tuna, oysters, shrimp cocktail), a Dr. Pepper glazed ham and bbq chicken for $29 ($12.50 for kids). Talk about grazing! The brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (restaurant website)

food_brunch_mainFez (Osborn station) is a foodie fave in CenPho! Thomas the manager says on Easter Sunday, the restaurant will feature lump crab and ricotta egg white omelets topped with cherry tomatoes ($12). Another off-menu item: pork chops Milanese with creamy smashed potatoes and grilled asparagus ($18). The restaurant also has $3 mimosas and bloody marys. Riding your bike?  The racks are located in the back parking lot. (restaurant website)

Hula’s Modern Tiki (Camelback station) is on my list of new favorite places to dine. The restaurant recently started serving a weekend brunch, just in time for Easter Sunday. The staff tells me their eggs benedict dishes are to die for. Don’t like ham? Try the dish with Spam, Portuguese sausage or seared Ahi tuna. Oh, and the mimosas are bottomless until 2:30pm.  Bike racks are in the back. (restaurant website)

Local Breeze (Central station) is the perfect place for patio dining! The owner tells me the Fire Island eggs  are a hit, however my favorite is the Banana Foster french toast. The restaurant scores bonus points for giving customers a 10 percent discount off their order when they ride their bikes to the restaurant. WIN!

Steve’s Greenhouse Grill is located in the heart of Downtown near the Washington and 3rd Street station or the 1st Avenue and Jefferson station. The restaurant features a buffet for $12.95 ($8.95 for kids) which includes a beverage. You can also order off the regular menu as well. (restaurant website)

Taking your bike to brunch this weekend? Valley METRO just kicked off a bike awareness campaign and is encouraging people to extend your clean air commute by using a bike in connection with the bus or light rail. Learn about the bike safety education efforts here and see what events are scheduled during the month of April here.