Get Some History, and the Chili Too

Never made it to Chasen’s, the West Hollywood haunt that until it closed in April 1995 fed Hollywood’s old guard? Not to worry. You can catch the scene on film at the premiere of “Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen’s,” a documentary produced and directed by husband-and-wife team Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman. The Los Angeles Independent Film Festival screening is set for April 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Directors’ Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. It will be followed by chili from Chasen’s and eats from other local restaurants. Tickets, $30. Reserve through Theatix, (213) 466-1767.

On Parade: Bonnets aren’t mandatory this Sunday when L.A.’s restaurateurs and chefs salute Easter with special brunch menus. A few places throw in an egg hunt, puppet show, petting zoo, balloon artists or live music and other diversions for youngsters. Read on, but don’t ponder the possibilities too long. It’s essential to reserve now.

* The Easter Bunny will lead a morning Easter egg hunt at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel while the chefs set up caviar, omelet and dessert stations for the elaborate brunch. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $55 adults; $30 for kids 3 to 12; complimentary for kids 3 and under. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point. (714) 240-5008.

* Free ice cream sundaes for kids 10 years and under at Sisley Italian Kitchen. Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sisley Italian Kitchen, 24201 W. Valencia Blvd., Valencia. (805) 287-4444.

* Shake hands with the Easter Bunny in the main lobby of the Beverly Hills Hotel, and then check out the heady aroma of the Easter Village, a display of 50 bunnies sculpted in Valhrona chocolate by pastry chef Darrell Gilbert. Then it’s time for brunch in the Polo Lounge. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $42 adults; $21 for children 8 and under. Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 276-2251.

* Cuddle a real bunny at the petting zoo and sleuth for a gift-filled Easter egg before sitting down to a champagne brunch at Terrace Il Ristorante. 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. $32 adults; $16 children. Century Plaza Hotel and Tower, 2025 Ave. of the Stars, Century City. (310) 551-3359.

* Celebrate the day in the French spirit at Les Freres Taix Restaurant with a country-style menu that includes baked ham or leg of lamb plus soup, salad and dessert. $12.95 adults; $6.95 children. Les Freres Taix Restaurant, 1911 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 484-1265.

* Will the magician pull a bunny or lifeguard from his hat? Find out at the poolside brunch at Griff’s in the Beverly Hilton Hotel. $39 for adults; $20 for kids under 12. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Griff’s, the Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 285-1268.

* The Jim Gamble Marionettes and a special kids’ menu keep the little ones entertained while adults relax and dine at Gazebo Garden. Meanwhile over at Accents, cyber-surfers can go online with four computers at Sutton Place Hotel. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $39 adults; $15 per child 6 to 12. Sutton Place Hotel, 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. (714) 476-2001.

Lunch Break: New carpeting, lighting and refurbished furniture heralds the rite of spring cleaning. And so it goes at Border Grill. With its new cosmetics, the restaurant will open for lunch, beginning April 25, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon onward, where tortas (crusty bolillos stuffed with veggies, chicken or turkey), soft tacos, quesadillas and gorditas have been added to the menu. Border Grill, 1445 4th St., Santa Monica. (310) 451-1655.

Open Sesame: Chef Serge Burckel will open Splash, a casual restaurant in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Redondo Beach, sometime in mid-April. The space, occupied by the hotel’s sports bar, is under renovation and will seat 110, feature patio dining, an open kitchen and chef’s table for eight.

“This will be the kind of [chef’s] table for those who want to be around cooks,” Burckel says. “It won’t be enclosed. You’ll have noise, aromas, everything.”

The food will be Euro-Cal-Asian fusion. Splash will also have a cigar lounge.

Burckel was hired from Hong Kong last September to open Cristal, the formal restaurant in Hotel Sofitel. But a kitchen accident on opening day sidelined the Alsace-born chef for four weeks. He later resigned. Plagued with problems, Cristal closed in January.

“Cristal was originally conceived to be an elaborate cigar lounge with restaurant,” says General Manager Jean-Pierre Deleurme. “We’re working with new investors to revive the original idea in the Sofitel.”

Such a Deal: Live jazz, corned beef hash, Creole eggs and banana-stuffed French toast highlight Sunday brunch at Jake & Annie’s. The a la carte menu is served from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the music, from 3 to 6 p.m. Jake & Annie’s, 2700 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 452-1734. . . . Tea-smoked quail, hot and sour soup as well as fish in spicy bean sauce are just a few dishes offered at a la carte prices during the Sichuan promotion now through April 13 at Yujean Kang’s in West Hollywood. Cooking class in Sichuan cuisine will be held Saturday morning. Yujean Kang’s, 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. (310) 288-0806.