Above: Andy Laird of Nunu Chocolates with his family. Photo: Andy Laird
Andy Laird, the co-founder of Nunu Chocolates, has created the ultimate Brooklyn mom and pop chocolate shop with his wife Justine Pringle. Together they own two storefronts, Nunu Chocolates' flagship in Boerum Hill and Nunu Chocolates Cafe & Tap Room in Park Slope, and have retailers all over the city and online (including yours truly!). He's also a devoted dad of Adda, 5 and Senna, 3. So who better to plan the Ideal Father’s Day in Brooklyn than a modern day Willy Wonka?
We asked Laird to name his favorite spots for meals out, playing with the kids, and treating himself. With pit stops all over Brooklyn, you can plan your own epic Father’s Day in Brooklyn using the map of his picks below.
Photo: Dizzy's
Ideal Father’s Day Breakfast
“We like to have our own brunches at home,” Andy says. “Blueberry/banana pancakes, eggs, bacon, maybe a hash mash-up of leftovers.” If you want to skip the mess, Andy suggests “the corned beef hash at Dizzy’s. Truly a fine diner!” A Park Slope institution since 1997, the restaurant has two locations on either side of the neighborhood, and is known for serious comfort food. It’s the perfect place to load up for your Ideal Father’s Day.
Dizzy’s, 511 9th Street, Park Slope or 230 5th Avenue
Photo: _floreee via Instagram
Ideal Father’s Day Lunch
“Late lunch or early dinner we’ll head down to Clemente’s Crab House in Sheepshead Bay and sit on their patio for a few hours of the afternoon with crabs and beers, watching the boats go by,” Andy says. On Mondays and Tuesdays they have all you can eat crabs, but on Father’s Day you’ll have absolutely no problem filling up on shellfish. Buy crabs by the half dozen, or work your way through a raw bar or a lobster roll. Add some Old Bay and a bucket of beer to your tab, and dads will be in crustacean heaven. Please note, it’s cash only.
Clemente’s Crab House, 3939 Emmons Ave., Sheepshead Bay
Photo: Bonnie's Grill
Ideal Father’s Day Dinner
After spending the afternoon cracking crabs, there may not be room for dinner. Andy says, “If we do this right, it’s pretty much a two-meal day.” But if you were to do a dinner out, it's a given that dads love meat. “Bonnie’s Grill has the best burger in town,” says Andy. Black angus beef, Hormel bacon, and Danish blue cheese make up the popular Bacon Blue Burger. Or go western style with onion rings and cheddar. Any way papa likes it, Bonnie’s will make it.
Bonnie’s Grill, 278 5th Avenue, Park Slope
Photo: Blue Marble
Ideal Father’s Day Dessert
An owner of a chocolate shop can attest that one must always leave room for dessert. In Brooklyn, there are unlimited choices, but Andy suggests Blue Marble Ice Cream. “They have the best Organic Cookies & Cream in the world,” he says. The flavors at Blue Marble are classic (think strawberry, chocolate and vanilla) but the ingredients are all organic, sugar is used sparingly, and the results are astonishing. You can find their ice cream served up all over Brooklyn, but bring dad to the Prospect Heights cafe where he can relax with his cone, or grab a hand packed pint to go.
Blue Marble Ice Cream, 186 Underhill Ave., Prospect Heights
Photo: Permanent Records
Ideal Father’s Day Shopping Spree
“Much to the detriment of the available wall space in our apartment, I’m a vinyl guy,” Andy says. “My favorite place to record dive is the really well curated $1 bin at Permanent Records in South Slope. I scored a Gabor Szabo album from the 60’s and the first Cars album on the most recent visit.” Start your Ideal Father’s Day early and visit Wednesday through Saturday when the store is open. Otherwise, dads can shop online with inventory that is updated daily and have the music shipped right to your home.
Permanent Records, 159 20th Street, Park Slope
Photo: Nunu Chocolates
Ideal Father’s Day Maxin’ & Relaxin’
“Being able to ‘relax’ with the kids is a two-step process,” Andy explains. “First, we go to the J.J. Byrne Playground in Park Slope to run around and once they’re good and exhausted, that’s when the ‘relaxing’ part can kick in. We often then head over to our own shop, Nunu Chocolates, a few blocks away on 5th Ave to hang in the back patio with a Frozen Hot Chocolate and IPA from Other Half Brewing Company.” It’s the perfect ending to the sweetest father’s day ever.
J.J. Byrne Playground, 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th St, Park Slope
Nunu Chocolates, 179 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope