Father's Day 2012 dining

Allium
The Four Seasons Hotel switches up its brunch service for Father’s Day, making it much more gender normative with buffalo sloppy joes, pulled chicken and barrel-aged Manhattans. 120 E Delaware Pl, seventh floor (312-649-2349, alliumchicago.com). 11am–3pm; $58.

Due Lire
Dad loves Italian food but hates red wine? That’s bizarre. But lucky for him, at this Italian spot’s dinner, Metropolitan Brewery beers and Hirsch whiskey cocktails will be on special. 4520 N Lincoln Ave (773-275-7878, due-lire.com).

L. Woods
Every day is Father’s Day in this faux tavern (if your dad is into steak and ribs, at least). But for the official holiday, the restaurant is holding a contest for dads in which they can win a pair of noise-canceling headphones. 7110 N Lincoln Ave, Lincolnwood (847-677-3350, lwoodsrestaurant.com).

La Madia
Coupon-clipping dads everywhere will love celebrating at La Madia, where they’ll receive a $10 gift certificate for a future meal. 59 W Grand Ave (312-329-0400, dinelamadia.com).

Magnolia Bakery
Why won’t your dad feel emasculated by a dozen mini cupcakes? Because the bakery is calling this a cupcake "tool kit." 108 N State St (312-346-7777, magnoliabakery.com). $24.

O’Donovan’s
Dads of any size can partake in this Father’s Day buffet, which will offer both a "He-Man" pasta salad and tiny finger sandwiches. 2100 W Irving Park Rd (773-478-2100, odonovansbar.com). 10am–2pm; $14.

The Peninsula
A build-your-own-burger bar. An oyster bar. Bacon macaroni and cheese. Three spice levels of chicken wings. Cowboy ribs and smoked brisket. Why can’t the Peninsula’s brunch always be like this? 108 E Superior St (312-573-6695). 10:30am–2pm; $100.

Red Canary
Get a group of at least four people together for brunch here, and the one dad in the group will eat for free. 695 N Milwaukee Ave (312-846-1475, theredcanarychicago.com). 10am–3pm.

Shaw’s Crab House
This Dad’s Day brunch buffet features omelettes, waffles, oysters, crab legs, beef tenderloin, a dessert station and a $25 gift certificate for Dad to
use the next time he’s craving Shaw’s. 21 E Hubbard St (312-527-2722, shawscrabhouse.com). 10am–2pm; $48.

Smoke Daddy
The smart people at this barbecue shack are throwing a pre–Father’s Day pig roast on Sat 16, which gives your dad the ultimate gift: a Sunday to recover. 1804 W Division St (773-772-6656, thesmokedaddy.com). Noon–3pm.