Feed thy father

Today, we honor all the fathers around the world.

To the fathers who have taken their roles seriously: Thank you for all you do! And to all the fathers in Heaven now with God our Father, including my own Superman Ephraim, Happy Father’s Day to you, too!

So … let’s celebrate! The hotels have families treating their fathers covered today so you can splurge without hurting your pockets too much. Here are a few deals for some great Sunday buffets:

Nobu

Make your dad feel like a high roller (if he isn’t one, whether by choice or circumstance) at Nobu, that Japanese-Peruvian restaurant best suited for the likes of Robert de Niro, secret plunderers and high rollers.

For Father’s Day, the world-class restaurant of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa brought its buffet price down to just P3,880++ per person. At this rate, you get to enjoy unlimited roasted US prime ribeye, short ribs miso gochujang, Nobu-style porchetta, Wagyu beef Takumi Burger, and truffle butter-crusted freshly baked oysters. These are all well and good but I would take advantage of this price for the sushis and sashimis that are Nobu’s signature as well as the chicken skin kushi, which is extremely addictive.

Nobu is at The City of Dreams, Aseana Ave., Parañaque (just off Macapagal Avenue). Brunch is available today from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For reservations call +632 800 8080. Additional P990++ for alcohol, additional P1,990++ for premium champagne. Kids aged 6 to 12 dine at half the price. Ages 5 and below get to eat free of charge.

Spiral

Spiral, as you may know, has the largest buffet spread, with food stations that travel the globe and with specialty chefs per station. For this Father’s Day, their new executive chef Nicholas Shadbolt has created a special menu called Champ of the House inspired by a special father: Vincent “Chot” Reyes.

For Chot, current Gilas coach, Spiral’s “master chefs” have created a French Basque dish that is high in protein comprised of prime ribs and scallops. (The scallops come with herbs Pipérade from the French atelier.)

Sofitel’s Yasmine Hidalgo said, “Other healthy yet sumptuous dishes and desserts will be on offer during this weekend, promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle in a special weekend homage for the Champ of the House.”

But here is what is interesting, besides the food: in today’s Father’s Day brunch at Spiral, Zara will award the best dressed father. So come dapper, daddies. They are also giving away prizes from Jack Nicklaus, Savile Row, Levi’s Footwear, High Sierra, gym apparel from Champion and a grand prize of gift certificates worth P20,000 from Brooks Brothers.

Spiral is at Sofitel, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd. Buffet is priced at P4,600 net, with unlimited alcohol. For reservations, call +63 2 832 6988.

Marriot

The Marriot Cafe is also targeting dads who love basketball (is there a dad who doesn’t?). Today’s Sunday brunch is basketball-themed, complete with hoops so guests can “score” a gift for dad. They also have basketball game-themed offerings such as a cart of hotdogs and cheesy nachos called Double Dribble and “slam burgers”. The buffet is a steal at P2,800 for brunch and P2,650 for dinner.

Marriot brunch is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner is from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Reservations recommended, call +632 988 9999.

Basketball-themed Father’s Day treats at Marriot Hotel

Hyatt

The Cafe at the Hyatt also has a lunch and dinner buffet called Daddy Dearest for only P2,588 net. This includes free-flowing sparkling wine and house cocktails. Plus, daddies go home with a gift.

After or before this meal, dad can also have a bucket of beer at Centerplay, the bar at the center of the main casino floor of the City of Dreams. According to City of Dreams’ Romina Gervacio, “A group of six can avail of the Father’s Day Bucket Deal at P988++, consisting of a bucket of six bottles of ice cold San Miguel Pale Pilsen or Light beer paired with fried chicken wings with sweet and spicy sauce, truffle cream potato wedges, vegetable spring rolls with sweet chili sauce and chicken liver pate with toasted bread and gherkins.”

The Cafe at the Hyatt brunch is available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and dinner is available from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. For reservations, call +632 800 8080 local 1162.

Spectrum

At Raffles Makati’s Spectrum, fathers get a free glass of draft beer with the Father’s Day buffet for only P2,777. For mothers whose husbands make drinking a necessity (kidding!) and for all others, free-flowing though not free Father’s Day cocktails can be availed of for only P595 (this is a steal considering the prices of cocktails at Raffles). This is also available for dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Spectrum is at the ground floor of Raffles Makati, Raffles Drive, Makati Ave., Makati. For reservations, call +632 796 0777.

Mireio

At the gorgeous Provencal restaurant Mireio, also at Raffles, families can enjoy the weekend menu by chef Nicolas Cegretin but with very special extras for a menu set at only P1,980. This will include a roast beef live carving station (brings me back to the days of Prince Albert at The Intercon), unlimited risotto and unlimited dessert buffet (including cheese). On top of these, guests get 20 percent off select wines by the glass and by the bottle.

Mireio is on the 9th floor of Raffles Makati, Raffles Drive, Makati Ave., Makati. For reservations, call +632 796 0777.

Marco Polo

At Marco Polo’s Cucina, dad gets to eat for free but he must bring with him four other paying guests. The buffet lunch is priced at P2,650 while dinner is only P1,800. This is a time when it will literally pay to have a big family!

Cucina is on the 24th floor of Marco Polo Hotel, Meralco Ave., Ortigas. For reservations, call +632 720 7777.

Wave

For the dads who like the outdoors and grilled food, you can opt for a barbecue buffet at Wave poolside restaurant from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is also at the City of Dreams. Their menu includes Black Angus beef brisket, eight-hour smoked pork ribs, and Angus beef burgers (sounds too sumptuous to be true). This is accompanied by salads, specialty breads, pastas, cheese, and—this is a good one—a halo-halo station. The buffet is priced at P1,280++, inclusive of one round of iced tea, soda or fresh juices. Free-flowing local beers are available for an additional P500++.

Wave is also at the City of Dreams. For reservations, call +632 800 8080.

Bucket of beer for Dad at Centerplay, City of Dreams

Crystal Dragon

For families who love Chinese food, Crystal Dragon takes advantage of this celebration with a couple of special menus: First, the Precious Menu, a seven-course meal good for five to seven persons. This is precious because it comes with double-boiled crocodile tail soup (ladies, don’t bring your crocodile Hermes) with sea cucumber and maca, Hong Kong-style crispy roast chicken, braised pork belly with Australian King brown mushroom in clay pot.

Then there is the Virtuous Set Menu (for virtuous fathers? I will bring my priest friends here), which is for a minimum of eight to 10 guests and includes: home-style steamed cod, Cantonese-style roasted US duck with plum sauce, and braised 10-head abalone with homemade spinach bean curd.

Both menus are priced at P3,380++. You just have to choose whether your dad is precious or virtuous.

Crystal Dragon is another restaurant of the City of Dreams. For reservations, call +632 800 8080. Major credit cards accepted, wheelchair accessible.

I hope these are enough choices for today. Another great option: cook for your dad! I am sure he would love the effort, even if your cooking tastes like paper!

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads! Have a good one, because you deserve it.

All hotels accept major credit cards and are wheelchair accessible. Credit card discounts not available at Raffles outlets.