The Easter Bunny made an early appearance in Cranston after being invited to breakfast at the Chapel Grille on Sunday in exchange for bringing a little Easter cheer to children and making himself available for photos with the youngsters.

“The kids love it,” said Anne Doughty, who attended the event with her daughter Jill. “Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as he came into the room was enough to just lift everyone’s day.”

The chapel turned restaurant was originally built in 1891 and still has the gravitas one would expect from a building over a hundred years old. With a gorgeous stone facade and well maintained exterior it’s no wonder Chapel Grille has been a staple of Cranston since opening its doors in December of 2011.

“The developers of the land a couple of centuries ago, the Wescotts, sold the land to the state,” General Manager of Chapel Grille Jody Tores explained. “The original chapel was part of the reformatory school for boys. The actual chapel was originally used as part of the school.”

With a price of $44 per adult and $35 for children over the age of two, attendees were treated to a buffet style breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, home fries and pastries. Not to mention a warm welcome and high-fives from the Easter Bunny himself.

“I want to thank Judi T Dance Studio Party Line for organizing with the Easter Bunny to have him come in and spend the morning with us on Sunday,” Tores said. “We’re going to have some coloring, some crafts and the Easter Bunny is going to come make an appearance and spend time with the kids, and adults, who live in our area.”

Though often thought of as a higher end dining establishment, an impression hard to forget when entering the stately conservatory dining area with its massive windows allowing the bright morning light to pour into the room, the restaurant took on a different feel in order to make the Easter Bunny’s visit a little more special. From the moment guests pulled up a soundtrack of Disney songs filled the air. Kids at the event quickly got into the music with many singing along as they waited to be allowed downstairs into the dining area. Greeted by the Easter Bunny at the bottom of the stairs, many children found themselves unable to control their excitement as they bashfully giggled and ran up to hug him as their families checked in for breakfast.

After everyone had taken their seats the music in the room changed suddenly as Gene Autry’s “Peter Cottontail” filled the room as the Easter Bunny began hopping from table to table giving each child a personal high five and a hug.

As the children smiled and let out aww filled whispers of “it’s the Easter Bunny,” parents had a chance to sit back and enjoy their breakfast, maybe even choosing to order up a mimosa or other cocktail to go with their meal.

A chance those looking for a more adult Easter meal can find again at Chapel Grille next Sunday when Chapel Grille will be serving a special Easter menu from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations can be made through the restaurant’s website at www.chapelgrilleri.com, but parties of 6 or more must call the restaurant directly at 401-944-4900.