Culture

Fathers Know Best

Real dads. Real sons. Real talk.

By Megan Duffey

June 17, 2016 9:00 am

A wise fella once said that “a father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.”

A mouthful, but a sage one.

And also the inspiration behind Fathers Know Best, a real-talk roundtable in partnership with DEWAR’S in which we invited a few notable NYC gents to talk to us about what it means to be a good father in 2016.

Just a couple genuine dads (and one son, to boot) sharing some knowledge (and a bit of Scotch, as fathers are wont to do) on how to navigate the tricky waters of parenting as painlessly as possible.

Be you somebody’s old man, an old-man-to-be, or just looking to appreciate your own this Father’s Day, it behooves you to hear ‘em out.

Adam Schoenberg

Adam is the co-founder of Hook + Albert, a stylish men’s accessories concern proffering some of the most dapper socks, ties, bags, pocket squares and other gent’s accoutrement we’ve come across in many moons. Most definitely recommended for your old man this Father’s Day, or perhaps for your own wish list if your kids are, you know *cough cough* looking for ideas.

Adam’s Picks

Leather Garment Weekender Bag
Hook & Albert / $585

“Every dad needs a great weekend bag and this one is super functional and sleek.”

BUY HERE

QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones
Bose

BUY HERE

POWER8workshop
Cel / $499

BUY HERE

Conrad Foa

Before taking over as the fourth generation Foa to run international insurance brokerage Foa & Son, Conrad was an Airborne and Ranger-trained Captain in the US Army and a drummer in several ‘50s rock n’ roll bands. These days he’s passed the keys to the kingdom to his son Justin (brother of Barrett), and is known to be one of the most stylish cats in New York. Veteran, businessman, father, musician, clotheshorse. Now that’s a resume we can get on board with.

Conrad’s Picks

DEWAR’S 12 Year Old Whisky

“In our family, every day is Father’s and Sons’ Day; responsible drinking of 12 and even 18 Year Old DEWAR’S Scotch is a frequent catalyst for good discussions and the closing of any generation gaps.”

BUY HERE

Multiple Wallet
Louis Vuitton / $600

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Leather Card Holder
Salvatore Ferragamo / $240

BUY HERE

Barrett Foa

While Broadway buffs may recognize born-and-bred New Yorker Barrett from starring roles in everything from Avenue Q to Mama Mia! To Godspell, he’s most known from his longtime role on the opposite coast as cheeky, Bermuda-short wearing intelligence analyst Eric Beale on the CBS series NCIS: Los Angeles. Also a regular on Entourage (as assistant/punching bag to Ari Gold), Foa most recently found himself back home showcasing his raucous cabaret Grin and Barrett to sold out crowds at 54 Below. If you’re in San Francisco, try to catch the next stop on the tour.

Barrett’s Picks

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams

“One thing every dad needs is to be fatter, right? Ice cream is my downfall. McConnell’s is my brand. “

BUY HERE

Sport-Brella Umbrella
Sport-brella / $40

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Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO / $49.95

BUY HERE

Dan Hellman

Hellman is co-founder of ultra-luxury furniture line Hellman-Chang — along with partner Eric Cheng, they’re producing the sort of artisanal, Brooklyn-y wares that might sound twee … until you see them. Gorgeous woods from granite oak to brandy walnut honed to sleek lines and bold shapes, all by hand in the brand’s 11,000 square-foot warehouse in Bushwick. This is the sort of stuff you can request for Father’s Day if you, say, recently rescued your child from a burning building single-handedly.

Dan’s Picks

Exped
Carina IV / $499

“I love to go camping with my wife and my two boys, so this tent from Exped is the best 4-person around; it has plenty of room for playing games and hanging out, and if it rains it is waterproof even in 6″ of water!”

BUY HERE