SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Easter is this Sunday and after a two-year COVID-19-related hiatus, Easter brunches are back at local restaurants.
For many, Easter Brunch is a time for families to get together and create memories. For restaurant owners, it requires a lot of work. Owner and Chef of LGBTQ+ bar Wolf’s Den Peter McGinnis said the preparation for Easter Brunch is a different breed.
“There are 30 items on the menu, everything is made from scratch,” McGinnis said. “We started yesterday, and we’ll keep going until Saturday prepping every day.”
Manager at Phoebe’s Restaurant and Coffee House Sam Henwood shares a similar sentiment to Mcginnis. Henwood said the pressure to deliver is on.
“We have the chef back there, he is being very hands-on, kind of directing everyone, kind of keeping everything organized back there,” Henwood said. “We just want to make sure that we are not running out of any product.”
Phoebe’s is expecting to have more than 300 people on Sunday. Henwood said it’s all about fostering community.
“All my easter memories involve family,” Henwood said. “So I just want to bring that sense of family, that sense of community here to Phoebe’s for our Easter lunch and I want to make sure that all our guests feel at home while they are here for their Easter lunch.”
McGinnis said it’s important for Wolf’s den to provide a place for LGBTQ+ families to go to on the holiday.
“Our business has grown from the community, almost tripled our business,” McGinnis said. “I think it’s because people feel safe here.”