Passover meal at Gelson’s. | Gelson’s Where to get traditional seder plates, tender brisket, and matzo ball soup for takeout or dine-in Passover, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelite exodus from ancient Egypt, spans over a week, starting this year at sundo wn on April 12 and running through April 20. Most families gather on the first night for a traditional seder, which includes a retelling of the Passover story, and a meal of traditional dishes like tzimmes (Ashkenazi stew with carrots and dried fruit), braised brisket, matzo ball soup, and of course matzo, the unleavened bread the Israelites brought with them on their passage. At the center of the table sits the mostly-for-display seder plate with parsley, egg, shank bone, charoset, and horseradish. Whether you’re planning to celebrate Passover by gathering with friends and family for a festive feast at home or by enjoying a dine-in or takeout celebratory meal, these San Diego restaurants and markets are offering everything from seder staples and traditional dishes to kosher desserts and other special foods to commemorate the occasion. D.Z. Akin’s Longtime Jewish deli, restaurant, and bakery D.Z. Akin’s is adept at catering large parties and serving meals perfect for solo diners. On April 12 and April 13, a Passover dinner menu will be available for $32.95 per person and $19.95 for children under 10. The meal includes a chopped liver appetizer; matzo ball soup; the diner’s choice of brisket, roasted chicken, or stuffed cabbage roll; carrot and sweet potato tzimmes; potato kugel; and a macaroon. A la carte items include beef brisket, gefilte fish, potato latkes, and a variety of cakes like honey, marble, and sponge. Reservations are preferred for dine-in; individual meals and group packages are available for takeout. Morena Provisions This cafe and catering hub of the Urban Kitchen Group (Cucina Urbana, Artifact at Mingei) is offering a take-home Passover dinner, available for pick-up or delivery on April 12. The menu features classic dishes with a modern touch, like owner Tracy Borkum’s grandmother’s recipe for matzo ball soup, which is priced at $34, serves four, and is also available vegan. Other dishes include a six-pack of artichoke potato feta latke for $18, a Passover plate for $32, and an apple cider-braised Brandt Beef brisket for four, priced at $65. Orders must be placed online by Tuesday, April 8. Terra Catering Since shuttering his El Cajon Boulevard restaurant Terra American Bistro, Jeff Rossman has shifted his focus to his family’s longtime catering business, Terra Catering. This year’s Passover menu features gefilte fish with carrots and potatoes, matzo ball soup, a mixed baby green salad with the choice of chicken adobo or chile braised brisket, herb-roasted potatoes, and roasted carrots and cauliflower. For dessert, flourless chocolate cake, matzo toffee, and macaroons are available. Terra will also offer one traditional seder plate for every two people. Order online for pick-up on April 12. Elijah’s Kearny Mesa restaurant Elijah’s will offer a Passover dinner special on April 12 and 13 for dine-in and takeout. The meal is priced at $29.95 per person and $17.95 per child under 12, and includes dishes like chopped herring, roasted chicken, carrot tzimmes, and potato kugel. The restaurant’s catering arm will also offer an array of to-go Passover items, including charoset, gefilte fish, potato kugel, chicken soup, and matzo balls. Reservations can be made by calling (858) 455-1461. Milton’s Del Mar’s popular deli, Milton’s, is doing a lineup of Passover foods to go that includes family-style Passover feasts priced at $39.95 per person. Each multi-course set meal comes with a choice of appetizer or soup before moving into a choice of entrees, including roasted chicken, turkey, salmon, or beef brisket. Sides include a choice of roasted potatoes or potato pancakes and steamed vegetables or carrot tzimmes. A la carte dishes for sale include roasted turkey, matzo stuffing, sweet and sour cabbage, and tzimmes. Dessert options start at $13.95 each and include honey cake, sponge loaves, and coconut or almond macaroons. Orders can be placed and picked up from April 11 to April 15. Gelson’s With several locations around San Diego, Gelson’s offers a convenient option to put together a Passover dinner without doing all the cookies. The upscale grocery store has put together a Passover menu of individual dishes and meal packages for up to four people that can be picked up from April 10 to April 20. Choices of mains include certified Angus beef brisket with julienne vegetables and au jus, as well as organic chicken. Classic sides include matzo ball soup, tzimmes, and potato kugel. Gelson’s Passover items are not kosher. The last day to place an order is on April 18. Extraordinary Desserts Pastry chef Karen Krasne is offering desserts made with kosher ingredients available for pre-order and pick up from April 12 to April 14 at both the Little Italy and Bakers Hill locations. Her elegant creations include a lemon praline gluten-free cake made with lemon juice-moistened flourless almond sponge cakes and hazelnut almond pralines, the flourless Dame Chocolate with chocolate mousse, and a Mexican preparation of macaroons called cocadas. For a show-stopper, try the white chocolate cheesecake layered with a flourless chocolate cake and garnished with flower petals, shaved chocolate edges, and fruit. ...read more read less