In the commercial money-making machine masquerading as holidays, it’s often the men that get lost in the stampede. Well, this year we’re making it a real point to ensure your old man gets his. We narrow down the top spots in our book for manly grub this Father’s Day (Jun 19).
BAITS
#01-217/222 The Forum, Resorts World Sentosa, 26 Sentosa Gateway, 6686-3565.
If your father’s a big seafood fan (and let’s be honest, all the best dads are), then take him to Baits, where they have a vast assortment of fresh seafood including geoduck, live prawns, crabs and fresh water fish such as tiger grouper, marble goby (soon hock) and spotted grouper. A sure bet is the zesty chili crab (based on market price). Large and meaty Sri Lankan crabs are cooked in a sweet and spicy secret recipe chili sauce with egg. Or have your crustaceans prepared with black or white pepper or ginger and scallion. Dad’s going to feel very masculine indeed cracking open crab claws. The assam style fish (different prices for different fishes), cooked in an intense tamarind gravy with eggplant, pineapple, ladies fingers, ginger flowers, kaffir lime leaves and tomatoes, is to die for.
BEDROCK BAR & GRILL
#01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, 96 Somerset Rd., 6238-0054.
You don’t have to be Fred Flintstone to appreciate the offerings at this spot. If your dad’s all man (and dying to prove it), then look no further than their legendary tomahawk. But be warned, this isn’t for amateurs. Brace yourself for a gargantuan long bone ribeye 400-day grain-fed F1 Wagyu steak that weighs in at a minimum of 1.6kg and up to a hefty 2.5kg. Cooked to perfection over a mesquite wood-fired grill, this impressive hunk of meat comes with a choice of sauce: Hot whisky mustard, Pinor Noir reduction, classic béarnaise, stone mill mustard sauce or homemade Bedrock chili oil. As a bonus, fathers will get a free three-course set lunch so long as someone else also orders it on Jun 18.
CAROUSEL
G/F Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Rd., 6589-7799.
We reckon it’s hard to go wrong with an international buffet spread. That way, your dad can chow down with wild abandon. With everything from braised oxtail with rosemary bordelaise and slow-roasted prime ribs with Yorkshire pudding, to Irish lamb stew and one-meter-long sausages, there’s bound to be something to whet his appetite. After all, what’s more fun (or more manly) than stuffing your face till you’re about ready to burst at the seams? Head down for lunch ($50) or dinner ($62) and get ready to roll yourself, and daddy dearest, out of the place.
SMOKEY’S BBQ
73 Joo Chiat Place, 6345-6914.
There’s quite possibly nothing more satisfying than digging into some tasty grub and getting your hands dirty. This down-to-earth, family-style eatery serves up fantastic food that’s honest and done well. An ideal choice for the man of the house is the smoked baby back ribs ($21 for regular size, $29 for a full slab), which are seasoned with their special house rub, slow-roasted and slatherd with homemade barbeque sauce, resulting in an irresistible smoky flavor. Or get him to take on the family-sized St Louis spare ribs ($42), smoked with hickory and mesquite wood. It’s messy as hell, but so darn good. Smokey’s also does burgers, such as Grandpa Joe’s Backyard Burger and Black & Blue (both $16). There’s also a range of Archipelago craft beers on tap including Bohemian Lager, Irish Ale and Belgian Wit ($8.50/350ml, $13.50/550ml) if your dad’s in the mood for some boozing.
