No. 1 Dad

Get a jump-start on Father's Day with this gift guide lovingly complied by our pals at Desert Living Today

Father’s Day 2010 is right around the corner. Sunday, June 20, in fact. So here are eight suggestions guaranteed to make Pops proud:

Do
St. Francis is hosting a specialty Father’s Day Jazz Brunch with live music, “Wood Fire” menu items and classic summery cocktails. In addition, Dads will receive a special surprise gift, and a $5 children’s menu will be available with green eggs and ham! 602-200-8111
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse is offering a $30 three-course brunch featuring fab entrées such as the berry-stuffed French toast with turkey sage sausage, as well as a complimentary $25 dining card for Dad’s next visit. Scottsdale 480-596-8265; DC Ranch 480-538-8000; Chandler 480-940-1900; Peoria 623-772-9463
Metro Brasserie is celebrating with a $10 Burger and Beer Deal. We recommend the Brasserie Burger (brioche bun and piled high with bibb lettuce, tomato confit, cornichon, smoked onions and sauce gribiche) with a pint of Kronenbourg. 480-994-3663

Give
Boat Shoes: Created in 1935, the Authentic Original Sperry Top-Sider is the blueprint for the American boat shoe, and the cornerstone of classic nautical style. This is also a great update if Pop has been wearing the same penny loafers for the past decade. Go funky with dark green suede, or classic white canvas.
Silk Ties: A movement similar to TOMS Shoes, Santa Monica-based FIGS provides a school uniform to a child in Kenya or Tanzania with every tie purchase.
Paper Ties: Or present dad with a package of these Dress For Dinner Napkins, featuring fold-out ties in four stylish patterns. Because nothing tells Dad you love him like letting him wear his fav worn white T-shirt to a fancy dinner.

Make
Martha Stewart’s Rocky Road Brownies: These homemade treats are topped with a chewy layer of marshmallows, nuts and chocolate. 1/2 C unsalted butter, cut into pieces, 1 bag semisweet chocolate chips, 1/2 C granulated sugar, 1/2 C packed light-brown sugar, 1/2 T salt, 2 large eggs, 3/4 C all-purpose flour, 1 C mini marshmallows, 1/2 C chopped nuts (cashews, pecans or walnuts).
Rachel Ray’s Super Stuffed Apples: An easy, yet elegant update to the much-loved apple fritter. 4 Tbs butter, 4 McIntosh apples, 1 T lemon juice, 3/4 C brown sugar, 1/4 C rolled oats, 1 T cinnamon, 1/8 C golden raisins, 1/4 C chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), whipped cream. We recommend topping with dulce de leche ice cream.