Patch Picks: Dad, King for a Day

This Sunday, June 19, dads have their day to be acknowledged for all the things they do.

Whichever variety of father your dad is–step, full-time, part-time, grand, to-be or other–at some point, he may have done any of the following activities: changed your diapers, stayed up late to keep you calm and put you to sleep; as a child, played sports or games with you; as a teenager or adult, taught you home repairs, showed you how to drive a car, and in some cases, showed his favorite recipes.

Father’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on all the nice things your dad has done for you.

Happy Father's Day to My Dear Dad

Happy Father's Day to my dear Dad!
As you have loved me, so have I loved you,
Pleased to tell you, now that words are due,
Pleased to have this chance to make you glad.
Your years of love and sacrifice have had
For me the force that you would wish them to,
A wind that takes me home to harbors new,
The inner voice in clothes familiar clad.
How might I be myself, except I see
Each gesture in the mirror of your grace,
Remembered as it was when long ago,
'Ere I knew why, I looked to you for love?
So am I of you inextricably,
Defined by trends not difficult to trace
As I grow into someone that I know,
Yet myself in ways that time will prove

Credit:  Nicholas Gordon

While most restaurants in town will be open at their normal hours and serving from their regular menus, these eateries will be offering something different for Father’s Day:

•  will have a special Father’s Day BBQ lunch package from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrée choices include options for vegetarians, beverage, potato chips, fruit or green salad and desserts created by their new pastry chef, all for $10. In addition, just for the day, they will have an all-day pass to enjoy the use of their kayaks, rowboats, canoes and stand-up paddle boards for $10. Located at 3160 N. Shoreline Blvd. Telephone: 650-965-1745.
• Bushido invites you to join them for “1-dollar oyster” on a half shell and happy hour drinks all night long on Sunday. Located at  156 Castro St. Telephone: 650-386-6821.
• will have a special menu for Father’s Day. Located at 400 Moffett Blvd. Telephone: 650-625-9388.
• will have a special menu from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.  Menu is not available at this time–check with restaurant for details. Located at 155 Castro St. Telephone: 650-967-1689.
• will give dads complimentary cheesecake from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Located at 2312 Central Expwy and Rengtorff Avenue. Telephone: 650-968-6050.
• Sakoon will offer a different buffet menu from noon to 3 p.m. Located at 357 Castro St. Telephone: 650-965-2000.

Check out other Father's Day Brunch or Dinner options in the area:

• Birk’s in Santa Clara will be open for dinner at 5 p.m serving their Classic Americana menu with 3-courses. Offerings include soft shell crab, steak, lobster, and prime rib in addition to their core hardwood grilled steaks, chops, and seafood. Located at 3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara. Telephone: 408-980-6400.
• California Café in Palo Alto will have a California Style feast for a king, buffet brunch. Located at 700 Welch Rd., Palo Alto. Telephone: 650-325-2233. 
• Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Palo Alto will treat Dad to a $25 Dining Card. They will have a 3-course brunch menu from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in addition to the regular menu selections. Located at 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Telephone: 650-329-8457. 
• Gravity Wine Bar in Palo Alto has a 3-course prime rib dinner for $30 during their Cabernet Sunday. Located at 544 Emerson St., Palo Alto. Telephone: 650-327-3161. 
• Il Fornaio in Palo Alto will be serving a 3-course Taste of Toscana dinner menu for $29.99 with their special wine flight for $14.99. Located at 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto. Telephone: 650-329-9644. 
• Junnoon in Palo Alto will have 3 types of dads covered – beer and kebabs, cocktails and chicken tikka and coastal food and a copy of “Sh*t My Dad Says” for Dads. Located at 150 University Ave., Palo Alto. Telephone: 650-329-9644.
• Quattro Restaurant in East Palo Alto will have a seasonal 3-course brunch for $58. A childrens’ menu is also offered.Located at 2050 University Avenue at University Circle, East Palo Alto. Telephone 650-470-2889.
• Restaurant Soleil–Westin Palo Alto will be adding some flair to their normal Sunday Brunch offering, featuring sliders, prime rib and all things Dad! Parking will be complimentary for this special occasion. Price is $32.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids and seniors. 
• Siam Orchid Organic Fine Dining in Palo Alto will give dads a complimentary bottle of beer or glass of wine while enjoying Thai organic healthy dining. Located at 496 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. Telephone: 650-325-1994.

Check out things to do with Dad:

• Take Dad to a book-signing at Barnes & Noble Bookseller Pruneyard in Campbell, by Dave Keane Author of Daddy Adventure Day on the 18th at 2 p.m. A young boy narrates a special time spent with his dad at his first big-league baseball game.  Located at 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 240, Campbell. Telephone: 408-559-8101. Cost is free. The book is approximately $12.
• Take Dad to a music festival. World Music Day in Palo Alto is an annual celebration every Father’s Day. It will be from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Amateurs and professionals will perform a variety of genres on street corners and plazas. You’ll hear jazz, blues, classical, pop, rock, choral, Celtic, Klezmer, Greek, Balkan, French, Chinese, World Music, and more, performed by approximately 50 (last year’s) musical groups. Location is on University Avenue between Cowper and High Street. University Avenue will be closed to automobile traffic. This is a free event.
• Treat Dad to an outdoor musical adventure! Dad’s Day on the Farm with the Banana Slug String Band from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., presented by Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills. Enjoy family time as you are entertained with great music theater, puppetry and lots of audience participation including the “Dad Dance.” Pack a picnic basket, bring a blanket or lawn chairs and come early to stroll around the farm. Located at 26870 Moody Rd., Los altos Hills. Telephone: 650-949-9704. Cost is $15 in advance and it’s free for toddlers under 2 years old.
• Take Dad Camping at the Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy for the weekend. Gilroy Gardens invites the entire family to celebrate Father's Day weekend at the Park. Guests will enter the camp facility in our South County Picnic Grove on Saturday, enjoy an overnight family camp experience; then on Sunday enjoy the fun, excitement and learning that you can get only at Gilroy Gardens. Package includes three meals, Park admission and a special camp activity. Cost is $45 per person–check the site for details and contact Gilroy Gardens to ensure your order is received in time for the upcoming weekend at 408-840-7100.
• Keep things simple and relaxed and take Dad to the award-winning Mountain View Farmers Market and see what fruits and vegetables are in season, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at the Caltrain Station on Castro and Evelyn Streets. Cost is free, purchase from each vendor separately.
• After the Farmers’ Market, walk across the street to  and enjoy a leisurely fresh Italian coffee with perhaps a Belgian cheesecake or chocolate fondue or whatever Mediterranean snack Dad would fancy. Located at 135 Castro St. Telephone: 650-625-9888.  

Neither mourn nor celebrate

Neither mourn nor celebrate
This day that fathers should be kings,
But let it be appropriate
To sing of sunlight sorrow brings.

This day that fathers should be kings
Our child's death has all undone.
To sing of sunlight sorrow brings
Brings back in tears our dearest one.

Our child's death has all undone
Our joy in life, and yet our pain
Brings back in tears our dearest one
That we might hold him once again.

All joy in life must end in pain,
So let it be appropriate
That we might hold him once again
And neither mourn nor celebrate.

Credit: Nicholas Gordon

To all the dads, have a wonderful Father’s Day fit for a king!