Ay, Papi

It doesn’t take much to make your pops happy. All the poor guy wants is to kick back on the couch with a cold brewski and a hot sports event on the tube — or for you to move out of your old bedroom and get a job. So maybe you can’t make that perfect gift happen this Father’s Day, but the pressure is on for you to demonstrate your love for dear old dad. We implore you to bypass the display of socks and ties at the department store. The best bet to impress the old man isn’t with played-out presents; you need to drag him off the aforementioned couch for a fun day out with the fam. We have just the suggestion you’re looking for.

Your mama is not the only one who loves a good brunch; we’re guessing Dad feels a tad left out following the Mother’s Day ostentation. Hey, mimosas can be manly too, right? At Cascata Grille at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, there’s a Father’s Day brunch from noon to 3 p.m. that combines the delicate with the down-home. Yeah, there are complimentary mimosas and sparkling wine, omelets, pastries, and fancy breads galore. But there’s also an outdoor grill offering fresh fish, Kobe beef sliders, and corn dogs. Who doesn’t love corn dogs? It’s $50 per adult, $25 per child (ages 5 to 12). Call 786-279-6800. Looking for something even fancier? Pull out all the stops at the Mandarin Oriental (500 Brickell Key Dr., Miami), for the Ultimate Father’s Day package. There’ll be a lavish brunch (we’re talking dry-aged porterhouse steaks carved at your frickin’ table, butter-poached Maine lobster with black caviar “pasta,” and a fresh seafood display that Homer Simpson would utterly decimate. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., it’s a cool $95 per person ($25 for kiddies). Other facets of this fly and pricey package include a dad’s day at the spa package (three hours for $375), a Padrón cigar box set, golf instructions on Key Biscayne, or a luxury driving experience (complete with polo shirt, mug, and driving gloves; bring your own ridiculous white scarf and goggles). Call 305-913-8358 to book any of this high-end luxury.

If your dad is the king of the fam, take him out to meet the king of Jungle Island (1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami) at a special Father’s Day event. Three different animal shows will star Hank the 2,000-pound Crocasaurus, Peanut and Pumpkin the orangutan wonder twins, and Hercules the liger. He rules! Bring your swim trunks for the 168-foot water slide; it’s gonna be a hot one. Dads get in free when accompanied by a son or daughter, otherwise admission is $27.95 for grown folks, $22.95 for kids three to 10 years old.
Sun., June 15, 2008