Prime rib dinner at The Brazen Head
3166 Buchanan Street (at Greenwich), 415-921-7600, www.brazenheadsf.com; daily 5 p.m.–1 a.m. (bar opens 4 p.m.)
Every night but Saturday is prime rib night at The Brazen Head in Cow Hollow, and it’s one of the best deals in town — a 20-ounce slice with all the fixin’s for $22. Brazen Head owner Eddie Savino put up a shiny new awning, but there’s still no sign, and the legions of regulars like it that way. This is a great neighborhood spot, cozy enough so that you and Dad can have an intimate chat during dinner, but with a fun, lively bar crowd so the two of you can settle in and watch the game afterward.
Prime rib lunch at The Stinking Rose
325 Columbus Avenue (at Vallejo), 415-781-7673, www.thestinkingrose.com; Monday–Thursday & Sunday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.
It’s a rare place that serves freshly roasted prime rib for lunch, and the Stinking Rose is one of them. My dad and I spent a few Father’s Day lunches chowing down on garlic-crusted, medium-rare heaven, and whenever I get a lunchtime craving for prime rib (and it happens more often than I’d like), I still head over to get my fix. The generous regular cut will set you back just $34.95 with mashed potatoes and creamed chard, or you can make it surf and turf with their Dungeness Killer Crab roasted in their famous garlic sauce for $49.95.
Dungeness crab Louie at No. 9 Fishermen’s Grotto
Pier 45 (at The Embarcadero), 415-673-7025, www.fishermensgrotto.com; Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
I’ve known the Giraldi family since before I could walk (the fourth generation is working there now). You will not only find spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the picture windows in the upstairs dining room, you’ll also find the City’s biggest and best crab Louie (under $30, it feeds four people as a starter; two as a main course). This is the only place I’ve found where you have to dig through the crab to find the lettuce. Over half a pound of fresh-picked Dungeness (including meaty legs) is piled on a bed of crisp iceberg lettuce and garnished with hard-boiled egg, tomato, black olives, and beets cut into little stars, served with sweet and tangy house-made dressing. This was my dad’s favorite restaurant, and my mind still floods with fond memories every time I’m there.
Authentic Japanese Wagyu rib eye at Harris’
325 Van Ness Avenue (at Pacific), 415-673-1888, www.harrisrestaurant.com; Monday–Thursday 5:30–9:30 p.m., Friday 5:30–10 p.m., Sunday 5–9:30 p.m.
If you really want to splurge on Dad, slap down $190 at Harris’ for a Japanese Wagyu rib eye. Most people know Japanese Wagyu as Kobe beef; but while all Kobe beef is Wagyu, not all Wagyu is Kobe. Like French wine, Japan produces beef by region, or prefecture, Kobe being the most famous. The fat of Wagyu is better for you than other beef, containing 30 percent more monounsaturated fatty acids and higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6, known for their heart healthful benefits. When raw, Wagyu is almost pure white due to the intense marbling, but that’s what produces the incomparable buttery, velvety texture and flavor.
Asparagus pizza at Greens
Bldg. A, Fort Mason Center, 415-771-6222, www.greensrestaurant.com; Monday–Sunday 5:30–9 p.m., Tuesday–Friday noon–2:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Not all dads are carnivores, so for amazing San Francisco views and hardy vegetarian fare head to Greens. Yes, I said hardy — vegetarian doesn’t always mean rabbit food without fat or flavor. At Greens, you’ll find both in the seasonal asparagus pizza with spring onions, green garlic, ricotta, asiago, Meyer lemon, pepper flakes, and Italian parsley for $17.
