Specialties at Jimmy's Kitchen include surf and turf (above), classic baked Alaska (below) and prime rib on the bone (bottom). Provided to China Daily

Hong Kong

Nothing makes dads happier than going for familiar favorites, and Donna Mah suggests how to give him a blissful meal on his special day.

Father's Day is upon us - the perfect day for taking dad out for a meal and showing him how much he means to the family. Men are notoriously difficult to buy for, but as the saying goes, the way to his heart is through his stomach.

For Father's Day this year, treat him to a nostalgic meal that will surely bring a smile and evoke fond memories.

For a traditional meal that has been served in Hong Kong since 1928, a visit to Jimmy's Kitchen in Central or in Kowloon is a wonderful blast from the past. Started in 1925 in Shanghai, Jimmy's Kitchen has been an institution in Hong Kong for over 80 years now.

"New dishes have been added but the menu remains true to its creator's vision. It is an eclectic mix of old-time favorites from back in the 1920's to present day classics. Lobster bisque, chicken Madras, beef Stroganoff, the classic Sunday roast, bangers and mash, great steaks, wiener schnitzel, Cordon Bleu or chicken Kiev, desserts to die for like our signature baked Alaska - it's all on Jimmy's menu, and has been for over 85 years," says Grant Baird, group operations director, Epicurean Group.

The Madras Indian curries are worth a special mention as the recipe is about 30 years old. According to Baird, when one of the Indian staff brought along his lunch of madras vegetable curry to work, the owner, Aaron Landau, was so impressed with the taste that he decided to add beef and chicken curry to the menu.

"The curry recipe is followed to this day with a special mix made by our chefs from the old recipe handed down over the years of five different curry powders from Madras (Chennai), India," Baird says.

"It is said that, in Hong Kong, more deals are made over the tables at Jimmy's than in any board room, and it's the most enduring family celebration venue in the region," he says, adding that Jimmy's Kitchen's warm, welcoming atmosphere is reminiscent of a bygone era.

Jimmy's Kitchen has also recently opened a new Shanghai branch in the historic Jin Jiang Hotel at Cathay Building in Luwan. (See review this page.)

If the need for speed is more your dad's style, a meal at the three-Michelin-starred Caprice or Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons Hotel will give him the chance to test-drive the eco-friendly Tesla Roadster, the world's first "electric supercar". This sleek sportscar emits no fumes but still goes from zero to 100 mph in a staggering 3.7 seconds. Book a test-drive when you book your meal.