It’s official, restaurants are back, and while that is the best news we have heard all year, making a reservation is proving slightly more difficult than our pre-pandemic halcyon days, especially when it comes to special occasions. If you (or your pop) would rather stay home this Father’s Day rather than battle the crowds for that all-too-short time slot, here’s where to hit for a Father’s Day dinner to remember.
FX Buckley’s
Nothing will guarantee a smile on Dad’s face like The Porterhouse Meal at Home from FX Buckley’s, available this June. A double T-Bone steak with all the classic steakhouse trimmings, the usual graft required for a decent steak dinner is already taken care of by the FXB chefs in this perfct offering. All you have to do is follow the simple cooking instructions for the meat, and enjoy. This mammoth steak comes with pepper sauce, caramelised onions, sautéed chestnut mushrooms with spiced butter and wilted watercress, creamed spinach with parmesan cream and oven baked chips. For dessert, a chocolate fondant with homemade honeycomb and clotted cream.
Mister S
The talented team behind Mister S know a thing or two about cooking over fire. The Mister S BoSsam meal kit was the take-home superstar of the culinary world over the past year. The feast centres on a generous Andarl Farm Pork Shoulder which has been dry brined with sugar and salt, rubbed with the house blend of spices and smoked over applewood for 12 hours. The €85 kit is unbeatable value – it comes with a selection of breads, dips and salads and feeds an impressive 4 – 8 people. That’s each of your dad’s nearest and dearest, fed in one fell swoop.
Michael’s (Sutton and Mount Merrion)
The seafood platter from Michael’s would certainly set you up for a show-stopping Father’s Day lunch, particularly if the father concerned is a fish-fan. The delivery includes a selection of fish and seafood, featuring (depending on freshness) halibut, wild seabass, John Dory, prawns, crab, mussels and cockles in a lemon and garlic butter with lobster fishcakes and chips. Priced at €32 per person, just add wine for a meal to remember.
China Sichuan
You must have heard of this one. One of Ireland’s most popular Chinese restaurants, a take away from China Sichuan in Sandyford is like no other Chinese take away in the country. If the sun appears, and potential for a barbecue beckons, order the BBQ skewers to cook outside or alternatively stick to the classics – like fish fragrance shredded pork with hot ginger and garlic or the stir fried beef with black pepper and Merlot. For dessert, we have it on good authority that the Millionaire’s Twix is a revelation. Book in advance.
Pickle
Dads do love a good curry. Actually, so do mums and most kids from my experience – thus, dinner from Pickle is a crowd-pleaser. The standout dish to feed the family is the Raan, a slow cooked lamb shoulder steeped in saffron, brown onion, whole spices, Kashmiri chilli and a yogurt marinade. It’s served with black lentils, cumin potatoes, rice and naan. The entire meal is €85. 24 hours’ notice required.
