South Bay restaurants elevate the steak and martini combo for Dad
Tempting local options abound for taking Dad out for brunch, lunch or dinner this coming weekend. But maybe cocktails or a wine tasting would also be appreciated.
In Los Gatos, Parkside will offer a Father’s Day brunch buffet on June 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lemon vanilla waffles, pancakes, chorizo tostadas, mac and cheese, Mary’s fried chicken, breakfast potatoes, bacon, chicken apple sausage, quiche, short rib hash and a carving station with tri-tip and pork loin, plus a pastry table. Reserve at https://www.losgatosparkside.com.
Gardenia will feature broccoli cheddar soup for brunch and dinner, and a special flat iron steak and eggs for brunch. For dinner, treat Dad to a massive tomahawk steak with creme spinach, confit garlic roasted fingerling potatoes, beech mushrooms and bordelaise sauce. Special cocktails include the Shakerato with coffee shot espresso, orgeat syrup and vanilla smoked honey bush tea, and Pop’s Day Off, made with tequila/sake-infused liquor with Soho, homemade lychee purée, honey and lime. Zero proof available. Or just order an espresso martini: theirs are superb. Andrew Boyd will be performing 5-8 p.m. on Father’s Day. https://gardenialosgatos.com
While The Tasting House is not open Sundays, bring Dad in on Friday or Saturday for one of Chef Julian’s special menus. Keep the love going all year with a gift of the Tasting House Wine Club, featuring three hand-picked selections monthly, or if he’s a bubbles guy, the exclusive Champagne Club is the way to keep pops popping. Sign up for a tasting club at https://www.tastinghouse.com.
Lexington House, now offering weekend brunch, will stir up a tequila old-fashioned made with reposado tequila, mezcal, agave nectar and Angostura bitters, and will likely have a smoked brisket special. https://www.thelexlg.com
The Cats is throwing a full-on barbecue celebration complete with Smokin’ Good BBQ buffet, live music, and a 1-liter bottle of The Cats Spirits to take home. Seatings begin at 4:30 p.m. Book at https://www.thecatslosgatos.com/fathers-day-specials.
Testarossa will help your Dad celebrate with complimentary shipping when you spend $100. Promotion ends on June 14 at https://www.testarossa.com. Don’t forget Bistro 107 for brunch on weekends.
Peninsula
Thomas Fogarty Winery has curated wine pairing ideas and recipes, including 2021 Gist Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled ribeye, the 2021 Walker’s Nebbiolo with wild mushroom risotto with parmesan and truffle oil or pasta with sausage, tomato and herb sauce, and 2021 Windy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir paired with grilled pork tenderloin with plum and herb glaze. https://www.fogartywinery.com
The Osteria at Domenico Winery in San Carlos will be serving brunch on Father’s Day from 11 until 3 p.m., and dinner from 3-6 p.m. They’re also offering a DIY Pizza Kit, with fresh dough, rich tomato sauce, premium cheese and your favorite toppings. Add a bottle of Barbera and you’re guaranteed a fine meal at home
Dad need a stiffer drink? At The Emerald Hour at Mountain View’s Shashi Hotel, bar manager Michael White’s espresso martini is sweet, frothy and earthy, made with cold brew, vodka, coffee liquor and a dash of almond orgeat. Or go for the cold brew coffee martini made with Hangar One vodka with cocoa nib, St. George Nola coffee liqueur, Spanish sherry, almond orgeat and cold brew.
Meyhouse’s Turkish Coffee Martini is a bold and aromatic blend of Licor 43, home cold-brewed Turkish coffee, Tito’s Vodka and coffee liqueur, finished with a hint of cinnamon. Perfectly paired with classic Turkish desserts like baklava or sutlac. Meyhouse has locations in Sunnyvale and Palo Alto.
In Los Altos, Cetrella is will offer a Chesapeake Bay blue crab cake eggs Benedict and a smoked salmon omelet for Father’s Day brunch. They will also be open for dinner.
Porta Blu at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park is offering a special Father’s Day menu on June 15, blending bold Southern European flavors with fresh Northern California ingredients.
San Jose
In Santana Row, LB Steak serves up special brunch additions for Dad’s day from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fancy avocado toast is made with olive bread, ricotta, capers, sunny side up eggs and a mixed green salad. Steak and Eggs Your Way combines sunny side up eggs and tots with your choice of New York, filet or boneless ribeye, while the brioche French toast is embellished with maple syrup gelée and Grand Marnier berry compote. The Westholme wagyu has with sweet peppers, shallots, snap peas and country potatoes should soak up an adult beverage nicely. Dinner additions, available from 2:30-9 p.m., include slow-roasted lamb shank with Greek potatoes, and Macallan scotch braised ribs with coffee roasted potatoes and smoked apricot barbecue sauce. Treat Dad to a Brother’s Bond whiskey flight.
Meso Mediterranean tempts with lamb spareribs, a 48-oz Halal tomahawk with green garlic labneh, and chocolate pistachio ice cream sandwiches.
In Almaden Valley, La Foret will serve Father’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Downtown San Jose’s Eos & Nyx tops the charts for good party vibes and inventive eats. For brunch, Dad will groove on the Bo Né to Start The Day, with mesquite-grilled flat iron steak, sunny side up eggs, pork paté and Vietnamese bun. Or choose chicken and waffles with kimchi butter, loco moco or the stuffed French toast with billionaire’s bacon. For dinner, they’ll offer a $50 filet mignon special and a $10 Dad’s old fashioned.