Father's Day is the perfect time to celebrate dad.
It happened more than 100 years ago. Back in 1910, the governor of the state of Washington proclaimed the first Father's Day. It was in July.
Over the decades that followed, all sorts of attempts were made to set aside an official day to honor fathers. Finally, in 1972, President Nixon signed the law making Father's Day in the United States the third Sunday in June.
Father's Day is today celebrated in many countries around the world. Some choose other dates, but most will be honoring fathers on June 19.
Fathers tend to have healthy appetites. So I went looking for ways to satisfy cravings for food and drink.
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If you are taking dad out to eat on Father's Day, the Sergeantsville Inn is a special place to consider. This fine restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. In addition to the awesome burgers and craft beers available here, there is so much more.
The range of entrees is considerable, all overseen by executive chef Joe Clyde. He regularly prepares filet mignon, blue crab cakes, lamb shank, duck confit, and more. How about a double cut wild boar rack or a buffalo hangar steak?
"We also offer kangaroo, venison, elk ribeye, pheasant, and special game dishes," said Lisa Clyde. She and Joe have owned and operated the inn for 17 years.
"Fox News named us first in New Jersey," she told me. The menu is unusual for this area, she explained, and the preparation is exquisite. Foods are hormone and antibiotic free.
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The bar offers 12 beers on tap and 31 by the glass. Dad will find craft brews from River Horse here as well as other craft beers. And there is a long wine list.
In addition to the tavern bar, there are four dining rooms. Some have the original fire places. All are shown in detail when you take the virtual tour on the website.
The Sergeantsville Inn experienced a devastating fire last year. The original stone structure dates from the early 1700s. It took a long time to get the place back into operation.
"After months of hard work, and lots of help, we reopened the inn on Dec. 22, 2015," said Lisa. "We added additional dining areas."
The Sergeantsville Inn is open for lunch, Wednesday through Saturday, 11:30 to 3. Dinners are served Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 8. Sunday dinners are served all day.
For more information, call 609-397-3700. Reservations are suggested for Father's Day. Visit the website at SergeantsvilleInn.com. The inn is located at 601 Rosemont Ringoes Road.
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If dad likes to cook his own, he can throw some unusual cuts of meat on the grill. You can pick up local beef, pork, buffalo and yak at area farms or at farm markets.
Brent Walker runs Woods Edge Farm outside Stockton. He raises alpacas, llamas, yaks, and his bees produce raw honey.
"Yak meat sells well," he said. Various cuts are offered as well as sausage.
Yak is similar to beef, but it is leaner with less fat. Yak fat is carried between the skin and the lean meat, so yak meat is promoted as being healthier.
Walker sells yak meat at various farm markets, including the Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers Market at Dvoor Farm in Flemington. You'll find him there on Sunday mornings.
For more information, call 609-847-2425 or 609-397-2212. Read more, including recipes using yak meat, at AlpacasLlamasWoodsEdge.com.
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Jack and Cheryl Gaskill run Blue Jingler Farm, a member of the Croton Farmer's Cooperative. It's a family operation located outside Stockton. They have beef, pork, and chickens, all grass-fed and pasture-raised.
Find them at Flemington's Stangl Factory Farmers' Market on Saturday 9 to 3, the Clinton Farmers' Market Sunday 9 to 1, or the Sergeantsville Farmers' Market Saturday 8:30 to noon.
For more information, call 908-268-3641 or visit BlueJinglerFarm.com.
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Erick Doyle runs the Readington River Buffalo Farm. If dad is hankering for buffalo meat, head out to the farm store at 937 Route 523. It's open Saturdays, 9 to 5.
Various cuts are available, including tenderloin, ribeye steaks, chuck, London broil, and more. Find the cuts you like, together with prices, on the website.
For more information, call 908-806-0030 or visit NJbison.co.nf.
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If dad likes beer, stop in Hunterdon's newest brewery to stock up. The Conclave Brewing Company is located at 15 Minneakoning Road, Raritan Township.
Carl Alfaro is the chief brewer here. He established this operation less than a year ago, and next month he will be celebrating his first anniversary.
"My background is in civil engineering," he said. "I spent 20 years in the field."
All during that time, Alfaro was an avid home brewer. He decided it was time to turn his interest into a business.
"Right now, I have six brews available," he explained.
Pick from Espresso Milk Stout, Hop Ritual Pale Ale, Mexican Morning Stout, Heart of Glass Blonde Ale, Equinox Brown Ale, and Gravitational Waves IPA. All are on tap in the small tap room where you can sample before you decide on a favorite.
"Come in and get growlers," he said. "They're available in 32 and 64 oz. sizes to take home for that barbeque."
Hours here are Friday 5 to 7 and Saturday 1 to 5. Just in time for Father's Day on Sunday, June 19.
For more information, call 908-392-0893 or visit ConclaveBrewing.com.
Al Warr can be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com