Easter Eats and Treats on the North Shore

Birdsong, bunny rabbits and blooms bursting on the scene can only mean the Easter season is upon us. What better way to celebrate spring than with oodles of chocolate goodies, colorful treats and sumptuous meals. Fill up baskets for the littles with treasure from these great candy and bake shops. Brunch up at local eateries or fetch a fine feast. Get a hop up on all the happenings this Spring on the North Shore.
 

Cora Lee Candies, Glenview

Dandy Candy and Other Easter Basket Delights
Welcome Spring with a delicious medley of sweet or crunchy treats from Illinois Nut & Candy (3745 Dempster St., Skokie) when you add Jordan Almonds, colorful popcorn and roasted or chocolate-covered nuts to the mix. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (300 Happ Rd., Ste. 114, Northfield) crafts more than 300 varieties of hand-made chocolates and confections from foil-wrapped chocolate eggs to Malted Milk Balls and Jelly Belly Sour Bunnies. Stock up on Marshmallow Eggs, Spring Non-Pareils or an Easter Pretzel bag from Cora Lee Candies (1844 Waukegan Rd., Glenview). Or hand over the whole basket creation process to The Sweet Buddha (660 Vernon Ave., Glencoe): customize or get their Grab-n-go Easter Baskets packed with Peeps, M&M’s, Skittles and toys. Order up custom cakes, cookies or DIY bunny cookie kits, too!
 

Hewn, Evanston

Spring Themed Baked Goods
As the weather warms, different baked flavors become obsessions. Hot Cross Buns and Bunny Cookies from all organic, locally-sourced Hewn (1733 Central St., Evanston) are a must, as are Take and Bake faves like Gourgeres and Croissants. Sweet Ali’s Gluten Free Bakery (1107 Waukegan Rd., Glenview) showcases Easter Specialties including Lamb Cakes and beautifully decorated sugar cookies (all GF and some vegan variations). Cookies by Design (2081 Tower Dr., Glenview) has a bounty of whimsical baskets bursting with hand-decorated iced bunny cookies and other delicious cookie picks. Style your holiday from Patisserie Coralie’s (600 Davis St., Evanston) High Tea by Coralie “to go” with six different menus of premium pastries, savory bits and finger sandwiches. Snag a colorful array of macarons, too.
 

Saranello's, Wheeling

Dine-In Brunch for Easter Day
Best brunching on the North Shore continues at The Barn Steakhouse (1016 Church St., Evanston) in Downtown Evanston as they serve up a tasty Easter Brunch with mouth-watering options like Classic Eggs Benedict, Crab Spaghetti or Steak & Egg Sandwich with top sirloin. The Pinstripes (1150 Willow Rd., Northbrook) Easter Brunch all weekend teases yummy favorites like their Waffle Duo (mini Belgian waffles with fresh berries, whipped cream, Nutella and banana) along with egg dishes, flatbreads and sandwiches. Saranello’s Wheeling (601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling) hosts a Special Edition Easter Brunch enhancing traditional favorites with carving station specials of Baked Honey Glazed Ham, Roasted Prime Rib of Beef and Smoked Turkey Breast. Allgauer’s on the Riverfront (2855 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook) goes all out with their plated Easter Brunch with multiple courses that can start with Avocado Toast, salad options and almost a dozen entrées to pick from, followed by a spectacular dessert display.
 

Maggiano's, Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie

Divine Spreads to Go All Weekend
Order your Easter Brunch to go from Prairie Moon (1635 Chicago Ave., Evanston) with Veggie or Sage Sausage Egg Bake, Baked Pain Perdu (a baked cinnamon French Toast) and more. Experience the tantalizing Wildfire (1300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview) Easter Prime Rib Kit with a roast from Stock Yards Packing of Chicago to cook at home with instructions (plus seasoning, au jus and horseradish cream sauce), as well as cornbread, salad, potatoes, seasonal veg and a Key Lime Pie. Morton’s The Steakhouse (699 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook) Dine in or Easter To-Go Package tempts with “Mini” Jumbo Lumb Crab Cakes, SRF Kurobuta Berkshire Hog Ham with Apricot Bourbon Glaze and delectable accompaniments. Maggiano’s Little Italy (Old Orchard Rd. & Skokie Blvd., Skokie) at Westfield Old Orchard puts an Italian take on your take-out feast when their Easter Family Meal boasts classics like Mom’s Lasagna, Fettuccine Alfredo, Cheesecake and more.