When it comes to Father’s Day, most dads are easy to please. For some, all they want is the latest gadget. For others, tickets to the game. And then there are some dads who just want the gift of your time for brunch or dinner, where you’ll likely have to fight to pick up the bill.
Not to be overshadowed by Mother’s Day, here are seven restaurants and brunch spots to take all of the father figures on Sunday — from a free beer for dad at The Boat House to specialty menus, buffets and dishes offered throughout Columbus.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Polaris serves its slow roasted prime rib all day on Father’s Day. Otherwise the regular lunch menu, featuring 21-day-aged steaks, hand-filleted sustainable seafood and more from the restaurant’s 100 percent scratch kitchen is offered. Pair the meal with one of Firebirds’ signature seasonal cocktails, wine or one of the draft beers.
Firebirds is located at 8760 Sancus Blvd. For more information visit columbus.firebirdsrestaurants.com.
Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse
Easton-area restaurant Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse pegs itself as the only steakhouse brand dedicated to dry-aging USDA Prime steaks on-site. On Father’s Day, the restaurant offers dishes from its spring and summer menus, including the dry-aged American Wagyu steak — a traditional “swinging” tomahawk ribeye that is charred and sliced tableside.
Find Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse at 4145 The Strand W. For more information visit smithandwollensky.com.
J. Gilbert’s Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood
J. Gilbert’s in Worthington offers a special three-course menu in honor of dad. This includes a selection of soups and salads and menu items like seared sea scallops, Prime Kansas Strip, a selection of desserts and barrel-aged Manhattans offered throughout the day.
This special menu is offered for both brunch and dinner, in addition to the restaurant’s regular dinner menu.
J. Gilbert’s Wood is located at 1 E. Campus View Blvd. For more information: jgilberts.com/columbus.
Mitchell’s Ocean Club
Mitchell’s Ocean Club shows “menu love to the men you love” — that clever pun courtesy of the restaurant itself. The Easton establishment offers a true brunch menu selection for Father’s Day — opening early for the occasion starting at 11 a.m. The menu includes steak paired with truffle poached egg and bacon roasted potatoes, lobster toast, crab and eggs, and more.
For more information: ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/mitchells-ocean-club.
The Boat House
The Boat House’s father’s day special includes a Father’s Day champagne buffet that replaces the restaurant’s regular menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The summertime buffet includes a standard adult price and half-priced kid’s meal, featuring a BBQ station with dishes like prime rib, grilled steak, smoked brisket, plus a seafood raw bar and a free beer for dad.
The Boat House is located at 679 W. Spring St. at Confluence Park. For more information visit boathouserestaurantoh.com.
Harvey & Ed’s
Harvey & Ed’s offers Sunday brunch all day Father’s Day, featuring mimosas or spritzes and egg-based dishes like hash and eggs, omelets, toasted egg sandwich at the restaurant’s breakfast platter with schmaltz potatoes, chicken breakfast patties and seasonal fruit.
Harvey & Ed’s is located at 698 N. High St. in the Short North. For more information visit harveyandeds.com/menus/brunch.
Union Cafe
This Short North restaurant and cafe offers nearly the same brunch buffet options for Mother’s Day as it does Father’s Day — so at least there’s consistency. The buffet is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes breakfast pizza, shrimp and grits, made-to-order Belgian waffles and Omelette stations. There are also special on drinks, including regular and “giant” sized mimosas, and jumbo Bloody Marys.
Union Cafe is located at 782 N. High St. For more information visit unioncafe.com.