Father's Day is Sunday, June 17. Do you know where your dad is? Golfing? Fishing? Blogging? Mine will be somewhere on a riverboat in Mississippi, no doubt having Mark Twain-esque adventures. For proud papas spending the day in sweet Carolina, the Queen City offers as many brunches and lunches as its matronly counterpart. (Papas love any meal where they neither have to wake up early nor cook.) But for those looking to give dad the full royal treatment, try some of these regal Charlotte pursuits. It may be the Queen City, but he's king for a day.
Very Good, Sir
When it comes to grooming, some dads aren't used to any more than a broken comb and a bar of soap. The king of your castle deserves some pampering, and Emerson Joseph is ready to step into the role as trusty advisor to his royal personage.
Emerson Joseph spoils with a special Father's Day gift card that offers 90 minutes of services to spoil your dad from head to toe. A sports pedicure, facial and combined deep tissue and Swedish massage are included. Haircuts, straight-razor shaves, manicures, and shoe shines are also available. If your dad isn't the type to sit still through 90 minutes, many Charlotte nail salons offer man manicures; a speedier process that still involves relaxing in a massage chair. Emerson Joseph has two locations, so Dad won't have to travel far. Uptown, at 221 S. Tryon St. 704-343-3443 and Ballantyne, at 14835 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite #105. 704-369-5181. www.emersonjoseph.com.
King of Versailles
It doesn't matter what the trappings of masculinity say: No one refuses an excuse to indulge in the tasty delights of Amelie's French Bakery. Even the manliest of men grunt an acceptance to decadent delights like strawberry cream cheese croissants or sweetly multi-layered Napoleons. For the main man in your life, Amelie's offers two unique Pique-Nique Baskets for hire. The Pique-nique de Village includes Saucisson Sec (pork sausage), pate, crostinis (toasted baguette slices), cheese, fruit, two drinks and two pastries for $65, so Daddy-o can have both meat and sweets. The Pique-nique de Campagne includes two sandwiches, two salads, two drinks and two pastries for $40. To order in time for your royal jubilee, send an email to events@ameliesfrenchbakery.com.
The Emperor's New Clothes
If all this talk of pastries and manicures sends your dad running for the hills, there's always an affordable (dad's favorite word) trip to Revolve Upscale Men's Consignment for a new gently used Armani jacket. Those looking for new designer pieces can find them in the folds of Revolve, so prepare the hounds and get ready for a noble hunt. Revolve Upscale Men's Consignment, 1222 East Blvd., 704-817-7845. www.revolvecharlotte.com.
Pops in the park for Pops
The Charlotte Symphony's Summer Pops in the Park makes for a cozy evening in SouthPark, giving Charlotte dads the grown-up version of outdoor drinking and loud music. (Think white wine and Beethoven, not Budlight and KISS.) Children under 18 are admitted for free, and tickets are $10 for adults. Food and beverages are permitted inside the park, so why not go all out with a kingly spread? For those looking to fill their chalices with something other than the usual picnic fare, look into a catered picnic, suggested above. Tickets for Summer Pops are sold online at www.charlottesymphony.org or on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall.
