Dear ol’ dad’s best-of
Scours the city for the top options in beef, beer, driving ranges and luxury rides
ROYAL BEEF Royal Beef’s best-selling cut is the fresh Alberta Angus tri-tip sirloin, but if you want a special order for your special dad, owner Carmen Estrella will be happy to make a personalized recommendation. royalbeef.ca
1968 Danforth Ave., 416-421-1029
VINCE GASPARRO’S QUALITY MEATS A west-end tradition since 1960, this shop is open Sunday for lastminute barbecue runs. Try Gasparro’s short ribs. mybutcher.ca
857 Bloor St. W., 416-534-7122
ST. JAMESTOWN STEAK AND CHOPS For a Father’s Day grill fest, St. Jamestown’s Mark Michelin recommends their Aaa-grade wellaged and very well-marbled P.E.I. grass-fed naturally raised rib-eyes. “They are a favourite of my four sons as well.” steakandchops.ca
516 Parliament St., 416-925-7665
TOP-CHOICE PUBS
THE QUEEN AND BEAVER For sports-loving dads, celebrate the day at this traditional downtown pub. Says owner Jamieson Kerr, “This year will be our busiest to date as there are two huge Euro 2012 football matches.” June 17 is also the date of the Queen and Beaver Cup charity soccer game for the Right To Play organization and the North by Northeast Music Festival. queenandbeaverpub.ca 35 Elm St., 647-347-2712
GRANITE BREWERY Buy your pop a pint at this popular uptown establishment (it was voted best brewpub at the 2011 Golden Tap Awards) and get a free Father’s Day glass. “It’s a big day here,” says owner/brewer Ron Keefe. “Last year we had more than 100 dads collect their Granite pint glasses.”
If your dad likes fast, exotic cars, there are a lot of luxury rental options around the GTA.
granitebrewery.ca 245 Eglinton Ave. E., 416-322-0723
C’EST WHAT This subterranean St. Lawrence Market pub is celebrated for its vast selection of beer and its casual ambience. Settle in by the fireplace for a game of Scrabble and recreate the vibe of the family rec room. Owner George Milbrandt recommends a beer float made with chocolate ale and Nickel Brook Root Beer. cestwhat.ca
67 Front St. E., 416-867-9499
STAR STEAKHOUSES
BARBERIANS Aaron Barberian’s dad, Harry, opened what’s now Toronto’s oldest steakhouse in 1959 and instilled in his son a passion for great food and service. “I knew since kindergarten that I wanted to carry on the business,” says Aaron. To make room for you and your daddy, Barberians is open until midnight on Father’s Day. barberians.com
7 Elm St., 416-597-0335
GOODS & PROVISIONS Get the jump on Father’s Day with a Saturday dinner at Goods & Provisions (it’s closed Sunday). Dressed up like an old-timey tavern, this Leslieville spot serves up one of the choicest cuts of beef in town — flat iron steak — with duck-fat fries. 1124 Queen St. E., 647-340-1738
MORTON’S Carnivorous dads will appreciate Morton’s huge slabs of steak. The Yorkville outpost of the Morton’s empire is also a favourite of sports celebs — if your pa is lucky, he may spot a Blue Jay or two. Call or visit the website to browse their special Father’s Day menu. mortons.com/toronto 4 Avenue Rd., 416-925-0648
DRIVING RANGES
LAKESHORE LINKS This high-tech indoor golf facility is offering free golf to all dads on Father’s Day (but you must book in advance) and special lesson packages. Your pops was an old pro and still has it? Give him 10 hours of golf-simulator time.
lakeshorelinks.com
750 Lake Shore Blvd. E., 416-405-9888
MARKHAM GOLF DOME Recently voted one of the top 10 driving ranges in a survey across North America, Markham Golf Dome features a 60-stall outdoor driving range for a sunny day of swinging. They frequently offer driving-range deals, so call ahead to check out gift packages available for your dad.
markhamgolddome.com 150 Burncrest Rd., Markham 905-475-3663
POLSON PIER How about some power driving at Polson Pier’s 300-yard outdoor range? For $16, you get a bucket of 68 balls, and if your father is a silver fox, he may qualify for the senior’s special — $9 per bucket before noon. For après-golf refreshments, try Polson’s lakeside patio. polsonpier.com
11 Polson St., 416-469-5655
LUXURY RIDES
GTA EXOTICS For an incredible father-child bonding experience, take your dad for a half-hour spin in a supercar — your choice from six makes — for only $149. If he can’t decide which to drive, opt for the dream car tour with six exotics for six hours so he can say he drove one million dollars’ worth of luxury wheels in a single day. gtaexotics.ca 1064 South Service Rd. E., Oakville 905-815-1300
GRAND TOURING AUTOMOBILES If you’re interested in purchasing a Rolls-royce, Bentley, Bugatti or Jaguar, Grand Touring will take you and your dad for a free test drive. If you can’t afford the full-on luxury experience, go for the Father’s Day Yorkville Exotic Car show (Grand Touring Auto is a sponsor) and your dad will still be able to get up close and personal with 160 specimens of classics by manufacturers such as Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari. grandtouringautos.com yorkvilleexotics.com 740 Dupont St., 416-534-7082
AFFINITY CAR RENTAL Consider this — $249 gets your dad a30-minute test drive in a fancy car, say, a Lamborghini or Ferrari on the 407. And get a photo and video to document the occasion. affinitycarrentals.com 1110 Dupont St., 416-724-0724