Photo Credit: Kelsey McClellan
This Sunday, June 19, fathers, new and old, will be celebrated across the United States. If you’re in San Francisco and need something to do with dear old dad, you’ve come to the right place: we are full of ideas. You could hop in your Bentley and take a drive down the coast and stop for brews at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. You could play a round of golf at the famed Olympic Club and stop for burgers and beers at Hot Dog Bills. Want something more exclusive? Trevor Traina’s IfOnly offers a variety of cool experiences: let dad learn how to order wine with confidence when he has some one-on-one time with Rajat Parr, the wine director at Michael Mina. Or perhaps pops would like to sail with America’s Cup champion, Brad Webb or enjoy a helicopter flight over San Francsico? Need more ideas? Here are eight wonderful ways to celebrate Father’s Day in the Bay Area.
Surf and Turf Extravaganza at Farrallon
Farallon is one of San Francisco’s hautest seafood restaurants. However, this weekend from Friday, June 17th through Sunday, June 19th, it’s transforming into a steakhouse. Guests will be able to enjoy traditional and decadent steakhouse items like prime grade 24-day dry-aged rib eye with lemon verbena béarnaise sauce and baked potato with roast shallot créme fraiche. If your father is in the mood for surf and turf, Farallon’s greatest seafood hits are also on offer. There is Dungeness crab and bone marrow with summer truffles and grilled garlic sourdough, smoked octopus fettucini with arugula pesto, and pan-roasted sablefish with sweet tomatoes, charred corn, and basil aioli.
A Pig Roast at Presidio Social Club
The Presidio Social Club is launching its 10th annual Sunday pig roast series on Father’s Day. Who wouldn’t want to indulge in a succulent spread of slow-cooked pork with flowing mai tais?! Every Sunday from now until October, the restaurant is serving a three-course dinner with the highlight being executive chef Wes Shaw’s whole-roast pig that’s cooked in a Caja China. Shaw gets the heritage breed pigs from Walnut Keep Farms in Napa, which raises them in the Spanish style (they are acorn fed), and slow cooks them for five hours. This results in the most melt-in-your-mouth delicious pork around. For dessert, there is pastry chef Rene Cruz’s wildly addictive pineapple upside down cake.
Picnic in the Presidio at Off the Grid
If you want to honor your husband, but you’ve got the kiddos in tow, the best place to commemorate Father’s Day is Off the Grid’s Presidio Picnic. This event occurs every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer. The grassy lawn of the Presidio green turns into a giant picnic with kids running around, live music, gorgeous views of the bay, and over 30+ local food vendors. Pack a blanket and dad’s favorite bottle of red wine, then head out for some fun in the sun. He can enjoy that aged Cab Sav with a bacon cheeseburger from Bacon Bacon, chicken biryani from Dum, or a housemade sausage pizza pie from Del Popolo.
A Four-Course Rustic Italian Meal at Cotogna
Leave the kids with a sitter and take your husband out to a leisurely four-course meal at Cotogna. Michael Tusk’s casual rustic eatery features a special supper every Sunday. This weekend the meal includes baked fresh farm squash blossoms with ricotta, pork sausage garganelli, marinated flat iron steak with new potatoes and eight-year aged balsamico, and bomboloni with blueberry compote and vanilla bean. If you can’t think of going to Cotogna without ordering their legendary giant egg yolk-filled raviolo di ricotta, don’t worry, a la carte menu items are also available. Wine pairings are must.
A Brew-Centric Experience at Indian Springs
Get out of the chilly city and spend a leisurely weekend at Indian Springs in Calistoga. This longtime bohemian getaway just completely remodeled its cottages. While at Indian Springs, take dad to dinner at Sam’s Social Club where he will enjoy a complimentary pint of the seasonal beer brewed onsite at Sam’s cellar. The beer program at Sam’s is lead by brewmaster Kyle Hipp, who uses local organic hops sourced from nearby Lake County. The beer offerings change per week and there is something for every dad’s tastebuds, from a light refreshing blonde to a high gravity dark ale.
Make Your Own Spice Rub at the Ritz in Tahoe
If you and dad are heading to your lake house in Tahoe, consider spending some time at the Ritz-Carlton on Saturday, June 18. Book poppy a spot in the make-your-own barbecue spice rub class, which takes place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. During this interactive culinary experience, he will learn how to turn a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, and chili powder into a flavor-packed rub for beef, pork, or chicken. A party will commence after the class with live music, lawn games, and a full spread of scrumptious barbecued eats. If dad isn’t into cooking, the Ritz-Carlton offers another experience: book him a 60-minute personal training session followed by a soothing 80-minute sports massage.
Golf at the Rosewood CordeValle
Dad an avid golfer? Head South to the Rosewood CordeValle, in the picturesque Santa Cruz mountains. The resort has a tournament-level golf course—in fact it’s hosting the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open in July—and ultimate father’s day golf package. It includes a two-night stay at the hotel, breakfast, and rounds of golf at both the breathtaking CordeValle course (which was designed by the renowned architect, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.) and the nearby, Pasatiempo course in Santa Cruz. After a day on the green, enjoy a meal at one of the resort’s three dining options.
Photo Credit: Kelsey McClellan
A Surprise Tasting Menu at Ninebark
If your dad is an adventurous eater, book a reservation at Ninebark’s Sunday Supper. Matt Lightner and Avroko’s Napa eatery is a sensation: it’s three stories of wine country chic decor and a variety of menu items that range from simple (a burger made with aged beef) to complex (smoked foie gras with seasonal shelling beans in broth and fermented truffle). On Sundays, they offer a surprise tasting menu. It’s a surprise because you don’t know what is going to come out next. The six-to-nine course meal is served family style and allows the chefs to experiment with new ideas and dishes. One recent meal included a small bowl of the most delectable housemade ricotta and apricot jam, melt-in-your-mouth prime rib with bright yellow creamed corn, and sorrel ice cream pops coated in chocolate with rich caramel and toasted walnuts.
