2008 Father’s Day dining guide

By Alison Brown and Warren Rojas

It’s time to show Dad how much you appreciated his keeping that roof over your head and admit that you actually learned something from his “mow-the-lawn-or-you-can-forget-about-borrowing-the-car” parenting edicts by ferrying him around to some of the special events scattered all over Northern Virginia this Father’s Day!

Breaux Vineyards
(36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville; 540-668-6299; www.breauxvineyards.com)
Do something a little different with Dad this year and enjoy a day of bayou delights. At the 11th Annual Cajun Festival you can taste authentic Cajun cuisine, sample wines and listen to live music. Kids activities are offered to keep them satisfied while Dad savors the food and drink. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 14. $15 per person.

Cucina Vivace
(509 S. 23rd St. S., Arlington; 703-979-7676; www.cucinavivace.com)
Indulge Dad’s tastes for all things Italian by sitting him down to a four-course dinner where he can choose from gourmet delicacies like herb-stuffed zucchini, homemade cannelloni, lamb “osso bucco” or swordfish steaks and traditional tiramisu. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, June 15. $54 per person ($71 with wine pairings).

Elements on Level One
(2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Herndon; 703-713-1234; www.hyatt.com)
The Dulles Hyatt wants to help Dad live it up with a special three-course menu featuring seafood-stuffed tomatoes, bacon-wrapped filet (a classic never goes out of style) and ending with a custom chocolate-peanut butter sponge cake. $40 per person (three-course menu); a la carte options vary.

First Colony Winery
(1650 Harris Creek Road, Charlottesville, 22902; 434-979-7105; www.firstcolonywinery.com)
What says “Happy Father’s Day” more than an authentic pig roast with all of the works? Slim to none, really. Make sure to take Dad to the 6th Annual pig roast at First Colony Winery so he can pig out on food, wine and live music. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 14. $25 per person; $12 for kids 12 and under.

Great Country Farms
(18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont; 540-554-2073; www.greatcountryfarms.com)
Treat Dad to a fun filled day of catch and release fishing for catfish, bass and blue gill. Prizes for the largest fish caught between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and the most fish caught between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. are something Dad can win! Carve soap with the kids, fish or eat a picnic lunch featuring kettle corn, kickin’ chicken, coleslaw and cookies. Rent fishing poles and register at the Country Store first. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 15. $6 per person

Lake Anna Winery
(5621 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania; 540-895-5085; www.lawinery.com)
Jazz up Father’s Day this year with a live concert at Lake Anna Winery. Bring Dad and have him enjoy the feast fit for a king. With wine, music and food, lasting all evening, what else could he ask for? From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 14. Reservations required.

Photo by Erik Kvalsvik/Courtesy of the Alexandria
Convention & Visitors Association

Oronoco Bay Park
(700 N Fairfax St., Alexandria; 703-549-8300; www.waterfrontfestival.org)
Old Town Alexandria is full of ships each June as the Alexandria Red Cross sponsors the Alexandria Waterfront Festival. Take Dad to go see the historic vessels, live entertainment and arts and crafts. A food court is available on Pendleton Street offering tons of food Dad will love—barbecue, seafood, smoothies and old-fashioned sodas. From 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, June 14 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, June 15. $10 per person; $5 for children between the ages of 12 and 2.

Potomac Point Winery
(275 Decatur Road, Stafford; 540-446-2266; www.potomacpointwinery.com)
What better way to celebrate Dad than by doing what he’s best at? Barbecue. Potomac Point Winery offers a cook-out with Blue & Gray Brewing Company beers, wine and live music to help you and Dad relax and enjoy the summer, the company and most importantly, the food and drinks. From noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 15. $22 person ($20 for wine club members; $11 for children 8 to 4.

Swedenburg Winery
(23595 Winery Lane, Middleburg; 540-687-3802; www.swedenburgwines.com)
For the wine connoisseur in the family, a stop at Swedenburg Winery is the perfect Father’s Day gift. For just $3 for both you and Dad, you can sample six of the winery’s premier wines. Bring a picnic or purchase some light fare to enjoy with your wine. From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15.

Taste of the Town
(11901 Democracy Drive, Reston; 703-471-9242; www.restontaste.com)
Treat Dad to Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor food festival—the annual “Taste of the Town”—where he can sample to his heart’s content from over 40 local restaurants! With live music all day and beer and wine gardens, Dad’s sure to have a blast with the other 40,000 attendees. From noon to 11 p.m., Saturday, June 14. Free admission; $1 taste tickets.

Veramar Vineyard
(905 Quarry Road, Berryville; 540-955-5510; www.veramar.com)
Celebrate Father’s Day with barbecue at Veramar Vineyards. Dad’ll get to try the winery’s finest wines, listen to music (beginning at 1 p.m.) and enjoy the scenery—after all, it’s Dad’s Day at the winery! From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Sunday, June 15. $25 per person; $12.50 for children 12 and under.

Photography by Anastasia Chernyavsky

Vintage 50
(50 Catoctin Circle N.E., #100, Leesburg; 703-777-2169; www.vintage50.com)
This hometown brewery offers two chances to celebrate with dear old Dad, rolling out a special barbecue brunch during the day (from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and assorted dinner specials (including a five-course beer dinner deal and three-course single malt scotch dinner) in the evening (from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.). $55 per person (five-course beer dinner): $85 per person (three-course scotch dinner).

Willowcroft Farm Vineyards
(38906 Mt. Gilead Road, Leesburg; 703-777-8161; www.willowcroftwine.com)
Let Dad sup wines straight from the source at Willowcroft Farm Vineyards’ Father’s Day barrel tasting. Join the winemaker as he opens up the casks and helps Dad celebrate. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 14. $8 per person.

(June 2008)