Lots of choices

Procrastinator's Guide to Father's Day: Treat Dad to these hearty — andsometimes free — specials

Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen is offering a special Father's Day Jazz Brunch
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The price is right: Treat Dad to a free burger at The Counter
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The Peruvian-style tamale is one of many Father's Day brunch offerings at LatinBites
Courtesy photo

Who's says mom gets to have all the fun? While Mother's Day is the most popular holiday to dine out — even surpassing Valentine's Day — don't leave dad out of the equation on his big day. Not as many restaurants offer special meals on Father's Day, but there are some cool, out-of-the-ordinary options.

Free burger

Treat Dad to a free burger at The Counter , where he can enjoy a BFD, aka "Burger for Dad." Dads who come into either The Woodlands (9595 Six Pines Rd.) or Washington (4601 Washington) locations and request it a "BFD" will receive a complimentary 1/3-pound "Build Your Own Burger" (maximum value $8.50) on Sunday. Dad must be accompanied by a paying guest who orders any burger or sandwich, limit one complimentary burger per dad, and dine-in only.

Latin Jazz Brunch

Treat Dad to a Latin Jazz Father’s Day Brunch on Sunday at Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway. The menu features Fortera grill tacos of cabrito, beef fajitas and pork tenderloin and more; $21.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Brazilian singer/songwriter Lois Albez will entertain. For reservations call 713-334-7295. Or go for the $19.95 breakfast buffet, which includes choice of a mimosa or agua de sandia (watermelon smoothie), made-to-order breakfast station of pancakes, eggs, huevos rancheros, migas, huevos con chorizo, chilaquiles, omlets made-to-order and lots of side dishes.

Steak buffet

Treat Dad to a hearty Father's Day meal at Fogo de Chão, 8250 Westheimer, at lunch or dinner. Among the offerings: 15 cuts of fire-roasted meat, sliced and served tableside by traditional Gaucho chefs, as well as a variety of Brazilian side dishes including crispy polenta, carmelized bananas and garlic mashed potatoes.

The prix fixe menu also features Fogo de Chão’s gourmet salad and sides bar with over 30 items to choose from, including Brazilian hearts of palm, sundried tomatoes and jumbo asparagus. Finish off the meal with Fogo de Chão’s signature Papaya Cream dessert.

In addition, each Dad will receive a card for complimentary lunch or dinner. $51.50 per person; for reservations visit www.fogo.com or call 713-978-6500.

Steak and free sauce

Treat Dad to a steak. Sullivan's Steakhouse, 4608 Westheimer, is celebrating the "manly month" with two featured steaks, bourbon-based sauces and signature bourbon drink specials. On the menu: a 14-ounce dry-aged New York strip ($42) or a 26-ounce dry-aged long bone (Tomahawk) ribeye ($58), with two delectable bourbon-based sauces that are served free (the sauce, not the steaks) during Father's Day weekend. For reservations, visit www.sullivanssteakhouse.com or call 713-963-0333.

More steak

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, 5061 Westheimer, is also offering complimentary sauces for its man-sized 16-oz. bone-in filet mignon ($65) or 20-ounce boneless prime ribeye ($49) throughout Father's Day weekend. Also on tap: TheWoodford Reserve Kentucky Mule ($10) a twist on the classic Moscow Mule that includes Woodford Reserve and ginger beer. For reservations, call 713-355-2600.

Free appetizer

Treat Dad to a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree at BlackFinn American Grille, 1910 Bagby, on Father's Day. For reservations, call 713-651-9550.

Fajitas and a ball game

Treat Dad to one of Chef Alex's specials: a Fajitas Platter, succulent ribs, or grilled Gulf shrimp Diablo — along with a custom Margarita — at the Original Ninfa's on Navigation, 2704 Navigation, and don't worry about having to drive to the stadium for a soccer or baseball game. Ninfa's offers free shuttle service to BBVA Compass Stadium, where the Dynamo play, or to Minute Maid Park, home of the Astros. There's no game on Father's Day, but the Dynamo play FC Dallas on Saturday and the Astros have a long home stand from Monday through June 28, so plan an early or late Father's Day celebration. For reservations, call 713-228-1175.

Special Dad's menu

Tantalize Dad's taste buds with a special Father's Day menu Saturday and Sunday at Phoenicia Specialty Foods Mkt. Bar, 1001 Austin St. in downtown Houston. Offerings include fried calamari with spicy marinara and braised short ribs served on Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Or take part in the Mkt. Jazz Brunch Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. On the menu: Banana waffles with whipped cream, strawberry bread pudding with lemon sauce, Hogs in a Snuggie (larger version of pigs in a blanket), fried egg sandwich with tomato, bacon, spinach and garlic mayo, and gourmet coffee. No reservations required.

Bring back the brunch

Latin Bites, 5709 Woodway, is bringing back the buffet brunch, beginning on Father's Day. Chef Roberto Castre offers 30 different hot and cold items, including: a variety of egg items, traditional Papas a la Huancaina (golden potatoes with a creamy cheese sauce of aji amarillio), Cebiche Pescado (a seasonal fish marinated in your choice of aji limo, amarillio or rocoto leche de tigre), Humitas (Peruvian sweet fresh corn tamales with queso fresco), Peruvian style corn cilantro tamales with queso fresco, Seco de Carne (slow cooked beef in a cilantro stew), grilled Argentinian sausage, sweet plaintains, and a variety of sweets.

The brunch is $35 for adults; $28 for seniors; and children under 12, $10. For reservations, call 713-229-8369.

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say hey to Hypsi

Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

A new Italian restaurant is now open in the Heights. Located within the newly opened Hotel Daphne, Hypsi marks chef Terrence Gallivan’s return to professional cooking in Houston.

Known for his time as the co-execuive chef of The Pass and Provisions and owner of ElRo Pizza and Crudo, Gallivan brings strong culinary credentials to Hypsi. Although he isn’t known explicitly for Italian fare, he has significant experience making pizza, pasts, and other Italian-inspired dishes. After closing ElRo last year, the chef says that working for Bunkhouse Hotels, the Austin-based company that operates the Daphne, had a lot of appeal.

“My wife and I always made it a point to stop at their places whenever we’re in Austin. They know how to make cool stuff,” Gallivan says.

Hypsi’s menu includes updated takes on Italian fare begins with starters such as lamb meatballs, black truffle arancini, and Caesar salad. A selection of house-made pastas include squid ink radiatori with rock shrimp, butternut squash tortellini, and lumache with vodka sauce that gets a little heat from nduja. Entree choices include a roast chicken, pork Milanese, and roasted snapper with salsa verde.

The restaurant is also open for breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends with items such as a panatone waffle, frittata, and breakfast sandwich. Lunch will follow in January.

“We took inspiration from tradition without being traditional,” Gallivan says. Later, he adds, “For me, it’s about balance. You try to please everybody. I want my mom to enjoy herself as much as a 25-year-old foodie. It’s important to hit as many marks as you can.”

One of the restaurant’s signatures will be the mozzarella cart that rolls through its dining room. Gallivan says he’s sourcing a mix of both American and imported Italian cheeses that will rotate every week or two. The cheese is served with a range of pickled fruit and vegetables, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, focaccia, and more. Of course, seeing a cart immediately grabs diners’ attention, making them want whatever is on offer.

“That’s the beauty of carts,” Gallivan says. “It’s a fun thing to do. I think sometimes we get a little too serious in restaurants. It’s supposed to be fun. People are here to enjoy themselves.”

All that eating and drinking takes place in a dining room that’s inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies, according to press materials. Details include blueberry lava stone on the bar, vintage velvet chairs, and custom Carimate dining chairs by Vico Magistretti. An outdoor patio features brick pavers, mosaic tables, and sculptures.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

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