By Candice Coleman
Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere.
Okay, so dad jokes are kinda hard to swallow. But Father’s Day is right around the corner and since many of us see Dad as “the King of Everything,” here are some amazing restaurants ready and raring to roll out the red carpet!
But first, let’s talk about the joy in June surrounding Pride:
Hi-Pointe Drive-In and Chicken Out, the fast-casual restaurant concepts from the team behind Sugarfire Smokehouse, are getting “Hi On Pride” all month, with a series of colorful shake specials and an LGBTQ+ giveback initiative.
Hi-Pointe Drive-In has a Rainbow Funfetti Cake Shake, featuring Ronnie’s vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and half of a Hostess Cupcake with more sprinkles ($7). Chicken Out offers a Vanilla Funfetti Shake, featuring Ronnie’s vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles and rainbow tropical fruit purée ($7).
A portion of the proceeds from every shake sold will go to PROMO, a statewide organization that confronts systemic inequities to liberate the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and oppression.
Mission Taco Joint has a hot dog-inspired taco collaboration with Steve’s Hot Dogs Pride Month during the month of June. Inspired by Steve’s Hot Dogs, the “Hot Dog Taco” features a soft-flour tortilla piled high with hot dog-spiced beer-braised pork, hibiscus pickled onions, cilantro, Mission Taco queso and fried jalapeños. All Mission Taco locations are offering the special, with a portion of proceeds from St. Louis locations going to Metro Trans Umbrella Group, a nonprofit that brings together the transgender community in the St. Louis area through support, advocacy, education and ally groups.
Clementine’s Creamery is selling its signature rainbow cones for Pride Month, with a portion of sales from all Pride cones going to several LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations, including Vivent Health and HRC St. Louis.
And here’s something to roar about: Clementine’s tropical lime coconut flavor, “The Lime King,” is a new ice cream created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Disney’s “The Lion King” tour, currently on stage at the Fox Theatre through June 19. The flavor is available in single servings during intermission at the Fabulous Fox, and also in pints at the scoop shops!
So, now, let’s make those Father’s Day plans…
Cinder House at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis will pair its spectacular views of the Gateway Arch and downtown skyline with craft beer, whiskey and steak for a truly unforgettable, over-the-top celebration.
Throughout Father’s Day weekend, Cinder House’s private dining space, Dia’s Room, will be turned into a tasting room for the weekend, with the founder of Still 630 and brand ambassadors for New Belgium Brewing / Bell’s Brewery providing guests with a personalized experience, highlighting the brands’ history. Guests will also receive a keepsake to remember their Father’s Day celebration. There’s also a very special menu item for June 18 and 19 prepared especially with Dad in mind: koji aged certified black angus tomahawk, a bone-in ribeye steak ranging between 26 to 32 ounces and served with foie gras dirty rice.
Another super place to spoil your fab dad is at Tony’s in Clayton, which has, once again, been named a AAA Four Diamond restaurant in recognition of its distinctive fine dining and upscale ambiance. Tony’s first received this coveted designation in 2000 and has maintained it every year since. It’s the only restaurant in Missouri to have held the AAA Four Diamond designation for more than two decades.
If variety is the spice of Pop’s life, he’ll be pleased to know City Foundry STL is now welcoming guests seven days a week to enjoy the 17 different kitchen concepts housed within its walls. If you haven’t been, City Foundry is a curated mix of restaurants, entertainment spaces, shops, offices and more in the heart of St. Louis’ Midtown. Transformed from the century-old Federal Mogul manufacturing foundry, the space pays homage to the city’s industrial roots while celebrating the future of St. Louis’ hospitality leaders in its central Food Hall.
Perhaps you’d rather give Dad a decadent gift bag of delicacies? At The Cellar Shop at Winslow’s Table, you can select from an impressive array of wine, specialty foods, spirits and more from the best producers and artisans from St. Louis and beyond – all of which can be gift wrapped. Some examples include: Red Bear Tipsy Cow Salami, Larder & Cupboard Beer Mustard, Matiz Marcona Almonds, 7th St. BBQ Sauce, Wildwood Chocolates, an assortment of local coffees, Messner Bee Farm Beard Oil and more. Custom gift orders are available, too!
And finally, if you really want to be a super duper ‘clone’ trooper, don’t forget to drop a stellar dad joke of your own. Here’s mine:
What was the first thing Luke Skywalker said to the diners at his new restaurant?
May the forks be with you!
Happy Father’s Day!
