In case you missed the memo, Easter is early this year… Sunday 27th March to be exact! Whilst the onslaught of a chocolate coma can’t come quickly enough for most of us, it also means that if you are thinking about eating out for Easter then you should consider choosing your venue and booking your table now. With so many hotels and restaurants offering incredible menus; we are egg-static to bring you this mega-blog to help you find the perfect place to eat out for Easter in Essex in 2016.
Mulberry House
Ongar, CM5 9NL
Fusing striking Georgian architecture with modern facilities, Mulberry House is a popular hotel nestled within 22 acres of stunning grounds, which include the Mulberry tree from which the house gets its name.
Join them this Easter for their traditional Mulberry High Tea for just £16.95 per person, or alternatively enjoy a delicious 3 course meal from their popular restaurant menu. Adults are priced at £29.95 each, with children aged 2-11 £15.50 and under 2’s eating free. You don’t have to worry about keeping the little ones in your party entertained as there will be an Easter egg hunt for them to enjoy.
Booking is essential. Contact Mulberry House today to find out more and make your reservation.
Pontlands Park Hotel
Chelmsford, CM2 8HR
A regular on our blog posts, this popular family run hotel with a reputation for exceptional service is a firm favourite with families in the Chelmsford area.
This Easter Sunday they invite you to visit them for a sumptuous afternoon tea, featuring all the traditional favourites such as freshly prepared miniature sandwiches and delectable pastries. Priced at just £15 for adults and £9.50 for children under 10, this is sure to sell out fast.
For an Easter Sunday afternoon tea to remember, contact Pontlands Park today to book your table.
Wivenhoe House
Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Spend this Easter surrounded by glorious parkland by choosing to visit the 4* luxurious Wivenhoe House. An 18th century Grade II listed building that perfectly fuses traditional architecture with contemporary facilities.
A real fun family-focused weekend awaits you at this well loved venue. From Friday 25th to Monday 28th of March you can opt to join them in the brasserie for a delicious seasonal British menu including mouth-watering roast dinner. If they don’t want a smaller roast then there is a separate menu for the little ones, complete with a picture of Wivenhoe House ready to colour in. There will even be an Easter Egg hunt in the beautiful surrounding gardens.
There is also a themed Essex afternoon tea available on each day between 2 and 5pm, and this is priced at £24.95 per person. For a truly Egg-cellent Easter weekend head on over to Wivenhoe House. Make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment.
The Thurrock Hotel
Aveley, RM19 1YN
The Thurrock hotel is a popular modern 3* hotel that is close to the M25 and has a reputation for holding great events.
Join them this Easter Sunday for a delicious 2 course meal, choosing an a la carte starter and a filling carvery main course. The children will be happy too, receiving a free Easter egg after their meal. Priced at just £14.25 per person, Easter Sunday at The Thurrock Hotel is guaranteed great food for great value. Make sure you contact them today to book your table.
Stoke by Nayland
Colchester, CO6 4PZ
A very popular hotel, golf and spa resort just outside beautiful Colchester, Stoke by Nayland is a stunning modern venue renowned for quality.
Enjoy beautiful views overlooking the lake and 18th greens while you tuck into a sumptuous Easter Sunday carvery. Served from 12.30pm til 3.30pm, it is priced at a very reasonable £19.95 per adult.
Alternatively why not try their indulgent Chocoholics Afternoon Tea with superb finger sandwiches and decadent desserts including bejewelled chocolate and praline éclairs and triple chocolate chip scones. Treat yourself for just £18.95 per person, or upgrade to a cheeky glass of Prosecco for an additional £5 per person.
Needless to say booking is absolutely essential. Make your Easter Egg-stra special this year and reserve a table at Stoke by Nayland.
The Creek
Great Bentley, CO7 8RE
The Creek is a family run restaurant and bar set within a delightful grade II listed building where a contemporary interior and relaxing and friendly atmosphere greet you.
Celebrate this Easter Sunday with three classic courses. Starters include pressed ham hock and parsley terrine and panko breaded fishcake, with main courses such as traditional Sunday roast or pan roasted chicken wrapped in parma ham. Desserts to tempt your taste buds include their cleverly named ‘Easter Sundae’ made with Lakenhams vanilla and Belgian chocolate ice cream, Cadburys crème egg, homemade honeycomb, crème Chantilly, chocolate shard and wafer.
Priced at just £25 per person, and with a complimentary chocolate treat for everyone, spending Easter Sunday at The Creek is a no-brainer. Deposits are required for bookings, so contact them today and make sure your name is on the list!
West Street Vineyard
Coggeshall, CO6 1NB
A stunning working vineyard that has been lovingly restored and expanded to include a delightful restaurant, West Street Vineyard is beautiful location to spend this Easter weekend.
Join them for 2 or 3 stunning courses priced at £24.9
9 or £29.99 respectively. Starters include crab ravioli and broccoli veloute, and you can choose from main dishes such as roast sirloin of beef, wild garlic chicken kiev and poached salmon. Traditional deserts include amarena cherry bakewell and sticky date pudding. There is a separate menu for children which includes an Easter egg hunt around the vineyard, and this is priced at £8.95 for 2 courses or £10.95 for 3 courses.
It goes without saying there is an incredible selection of wines to accompany your meal. For an awesome Easter Sunday lunch in a truly unique venue, head on over to West Street Vineyard.
The Chequers
Matching Green, CM17 0PZ
The Chequers combines contemporary and elegant dining with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that is suitable for the whole family.
Visit them over Easter Bank Holiday where they will be serving their special roast menu alongside their main menu, or alternatively join them for a delicious brunch on the Saturday where you can enjoy fresh pasties and hot coffee. The Easter Bunny will be stopping by on the Sunday, and rumour has it he will be leaving some eggs in the garden…!
Easter in Essex wouldn’t be the same without a visit to The Chequers. Contact them today to reserve a table for your family.
Duke of York
Billericay, CM11 2PR
The Duke of York hosts a stylish yet relaxed environment, and is well known for quality modern pub food and a broad selection of real ales.
Join them for their popular Sunday menu which has an extensive number of dishes as well as a traditional roast dinner. We particularly like the sound of the Salmon Tostada, a fillet of salmon on crispy tostada and shredded lettuce, topped with homemade tomato salsa, sour cream and guacamole, served with sweet potato chips. There will also be an Easter egg hunt for younger guests – and no doubt some older ones too – to enjoy!
Head over to the Duke of York for a smashing time this Easter, you won’t regret it! Contact them now to make your booking.
The Rose Garden Restaurant
Leigh-On-Sea, SS9 2SF
A quaint little restaurant in the beautiful location of Leigh-on-Sea, The Rose Garden is the perfect venue for a quiet and cosy Easter Sunday lunch in Essex.
With two sittings to chose from (1pm and 4.30pm) you can expect a delicious roast dinner main course with all the classic trimmings. Starters such as chicken Caesar salad or smoked salmon and prawn parcel are available, and freshly prepared desserts will be revealed on the day. Two courses will set you back just £17.95 per person, and 3 courses is £19.95.
Booking at this intimate restaurant is crucial, so contact The Rose Garden today to avoid disappointment.
Muthu Westcliff Hotel
A charming Victorian hotel set close to the seafront with spectacular views over the Thames Estuary, Muthu Westcliff Hotel is a fabulous seaside retreat.
Visit them this Easter Sunday and enjoy a sumptuous 3 course carvery lunch in their new Brasserie Bar and Grill restaurant, and Easter egg hunt for the children and some fantastic live music, all for just £18.50 per adult and £9.50 for under 12s. Lunch takes place between 12.30pm and 2.30pm and booking is essential.
For a cracking Essex Easter by the sea, look no further than Muthu Westcliff Hotel.
The Bay Horse
Chelmsford, CM2 0LG
Set within an exquisitely refurbished Grade II listed building; The Bay Horse offers gastronomic artistry thanks to its award-winning chefs and locally sourced organic ingredients.
Celebrating Easter at The Bay Horse guarantees you 5* food and 5* surroundings. Starters include chicken terrine with salad and toast, and pan fried King Prawns with salsa and chorizo. Fill up on your main course with dishes such as beef wellington with mushroom stuffing or roast lamb with basil and mint pesto, and if you have a sweet tooth like us you will love the Cadbury crème egg cheesecake served with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Two courses cost just £17, or indulge in all 3 for only £20 per person.
If you are looking for Egg-stra-ordinary food this Easter Sunday, then make sure you book your table at The Bay Horse today.
Well folks, there you have it – our pick of some of the best venues in Essex to spend your Easter weekend 2016! We hope that whatever you decide to do and wherever you decide to spend your Easter, you have an egg-stra special one!