SMALL BITES FATHER'S DAY FAVORITES.

Father's Day (June 18) doesn't get anywhere near the dining-out recognition and attention of its Mother's Day counterpart, but restaurant brunch sales do zoom up nationally on this day, and locally, the weather should probably be better for alfresco activity.

Hotels continue to be major brunch venues. One local hotel, the Universal City Hilton, actually offers a barbecue and champagne brunch on the day prior to Dad's Day as well as presenting its regular Cafe Sierra dad's brunch event plus its Father's Day evening seafood dinner buffet. Information and reservations: [phone].

Meanwhile, a San Fernando Valley weekend outdoor-indoor brunch favorite, Sagebrush Cantina, 23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, puts together something special for dads on the big day, featuring such menu items as prime rib, roast beef, barbecued brisket, fresh seafood (clams, oysters, shrimp) along with a breakfast bar, side dishes, salads and desserts plus live music. Information: [phone].

COCKTAIL HOUR: New flavored liquors inspire new cocktails, and savvy restaurants take advantage of such with their own promotional events.

Arnie Morton's, the Burbank steak house at 3400 W. Olive Ave., jumps on the bandwagon with the launch of Absolut Ruby Red, a new grapefruit-flavored vodka that has already inspired drinks titled the Ruby and the Ruby Red Cosmopolitan.

These and other concoctions will be served with a variety of appetizers, such as petite filet mignon sandwiches and miniature crabcakes, at the Burbank Morton's on Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the restaurant's private Boardroom.

Cost is $35 per person. Information and reservations: [phone].

SIPS AND NIBBLES: Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Sonora Cafe, 180 S. La Brea Ave., will give away bottles of Dom Perignon to those making 20 documented visits to the restaurant before the end of this year. Make sure you mention this 20th anniversary deal each time you make reservations at [phone].