Where To Dine for Father's Day

Father’s Day is right around the corner (Sunday, in fact), so you might want to get on that dinner or brunch reservation.  Thankfully, there is still time and reservations available at some pretty great restaurants around the city.  Whether your dad loves Italian, barbecue, American, deli or steaks, we’ve got you covered. 

Marc Forgione
Address: 134 Reade St. between Hudson and Greenwich Sts.
Phone: 212-941-9401
Website: www.marcforgione.com
Chef Marc Forgione may be the only Iron Chef in his family but he certainly isn’t the only chef. His father, Larry Forgione, is a culinary legend, often called the “Godfather of American cuisine,” earning three stars at the River Cafe.  Since it’s Father’s Day, his son Marc will be honoring fathers everywhere with a special menu showcasing the techniques and ingredients that his father helped popularize. Cedar plank salmon and bison tartare nod to Larry Forgione’s contributions to American cooking.  There’s even a peekytoe crab cake, which he’s borrowed from his father’s menu at An American Place.

Hill Country
Address: 30 W. 26th St. near Sixth Ave.
Phone: 212-255-4544
Website: www.hillcountryny.com
If your dad’s a barbecue guy, this is a perfect place to celebrate Father’s Day.   Located in Chelsea, Hill Country always manages to be fun, festive and laidback.  That would mean nothing to us if the food weren’t so damn good.  There’s no table service.  Instead you head to the counter and order brisket, rib, beer can game hen and a stellar chicken, all by the pound. They’ll weigh your portion out onto butcher’s paper, which will also serves as your plate. Don’t miss the jalapeno and cheese sausage (it’s perfect as a side to share with the table), sweet potato bourbon mash, or the pb & j cupcakes for that matter.
 
Back Forty
Address: 190 Ave. B at 12th St.
Phone: 212-388-1990
Website: www.backfortynyc.com
This is like home cooking out of the house and a hell of a lot better.  Known as much for its burger as it is for its farm-to-table cooking, Back Forty is a standout option for Father’s Day. Start with a local beer and some killer pork jowel nuggets with jalapeno jam or a bowl of onion soup with bone marrow.  As for the burger (pictured right), it comes with spicy ketchup and pickles, but add-ons include rosemary dusted French fries (excellent), cheddar cheese and heritage bacon. For dessert, there’s a stout beer float and a black & white sundae. Sounds good to us.

M. Wells
Address: 21-17 49th Ave. near 21st St.; Queens
Phone: 718-425-6917
Website: www.mwellsdiner.com
Father’s Day is like a birthday to some dads, which means you get to eat whatever you want and lots of it.  With a chef who cooked at Montreal’s famous piggy restaurant Au Pied de
Cochon, this spot is a marvelous place to do just that. The dishes are humongous and made for sharing, so be prepared to let your father do the ordering.  As for the menu, it’s broad to say the least, featuring everything from frog’s legs to pizza to bone marrow studded with escargot (snails).   And most dishes can be upgraded with a slab of seared foie gras.  There may be a bit of a wait at this up-market diner, so arrive on the early side and enjoy a round of cocktails while you wait for a table.

Katz’s Delicatessen
Address: 205 East Houston at Ludlow St.
Phone: 212-254-2246
Website: www.katzdeli.com
This Lower East Side institution has been father’s happy for over a century.  Really, what’s not love about juicy pastrami, pickles, salami, matzo ball soup and chopped liver? If your dad doesn’t want to make a fuss, this is a terrifically casual option.  Order a few sandwiches to share and don’t skip out on the knish or Brown’s cream soda. Quick tip: Palm your slicer a few dollars when you order and your sandwich will arrive far fatter.

SD26
Address: 19 E. 26th St near Madison Ave.
Phone: 212-265-5959
Website: www.sd26ny.com
There’s nothing like a childhood spent cooking alongside your father, which is how SD26 owners Tony and Marisa May (pictured right) spent many years. The father-daughter team behind SD26 will be celebrating Father’s Day this year with a special menu. The four-course prix fixe features Italian classics, which includes zeppola di baccala (salt cod fritters) and roasted baby goat. In lieu of the flowers that restaurants frequently hand out on Mother’s Day, the men will all go home with Italian baguettes tucked under their arms.

Peter Luger Steak House
Address: 178 Broadway at Driggs Ave.; Brooklyn
Phone: 718-387-7400
Website: www.peterluger.com
The “father of the steakhouse” has spawned countless imitators (Wolfgang’s, Mark Joseph, Peter Luger’s in Long Island), but treat Dad to the original for a Father’s Day feast. Come hungry to this Brooklyn institution and prepare to take down Luger’s bacon, onions and tomato, and a porterhouse. Oh, and definitely don’t overlook the creamed spinach and hash browns. If you have to wait for your table, order your dad a martini at the bar. It doesn’t get much better than this classic American steakhouse.  (To note: Peter Luger’s is cash only.)

RG Writer: Lauren Bloomberg