405 Magazine November 2017

DESIGNED BY DUO

Inside the Bruner-Koenig home

THE

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

What you need to know and why

FOOD

OKLAHOMA SKIES

Peaceful clouds to powerful storms

ISSUE The chirashi bowl from Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

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OF OUR EW N FAVORITEANTS RESTAUR

WITH BURGER DIVERSITY A GUIDE TO SUSHI SMOOTHIES AND JUICING

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Managing Wealth Isn’t Just About Money. Does Your Bank Understand That?

Managing your wealth is about reaching your life goals, not just a dollar amount.

Our wealth advisors can help you get there.

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© 2017 Bank of Oklahoma, a division of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. The Private Bank at Bank of Oklahoma provides products and services through BOKF, NA and its various affiliates and subsidiaries.

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Investments and insurance are not insured by the FDIC; are not deposits or other obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate. All investments are subject to risks, including possible loss of principal.

in this issue

NOVEMBER 2017

Features

52

BURGER DIVERSITY

If you think the word “burger” refers only to beef in a bun, you’re missing out on a wide range of flavors; these OKC restaurants offer some eye-opening protein possibilities.

58

SMOOTH OPERATOR

While the experts are clear that they’re not a complete substitute for cuisine, augmenting your diet with smoothies and juices can be a tempting way to drink your vitamins, fiber and other nutrition.

60

HOW DO YOU ROLL?

No coastline, no problem: Outstanding sushi abounds in the metro. From terminology to tips on etiquette, here’s a guide for adding it to your dining rotation.

64

NEW TO THE TABLE

Fresh eateries have begun making delicious waves on OKC’s dining scene this year – we encourage you to take these nearly two dozen new restaurants for a taste test.

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

in this issue

NOVEMBER 2017

In the 405

has been renovated into a decorator’s dream; winter is coming, so consider candles such as these to add some cozy warmth to your life.

15 Copper products to help make your home decor shine; Maggie Mcmillan of eclectic boutique Live Boho walks us through some of her favorite things; sorting out scheduling conf licts between early birds and last-minute holiday shoppers; behind the surprisingly contentious title of World’s Largest Peanut; experts offer personal advice on the most important aspects of wealth management; a photographic tribute to the ever-changing Oklahoma sky.

Travel 109 From visiting adorable pandas to contemplating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy to relishing truly elite barbecue and tunes, a trip to Memphis means a cavalcade of hits.

Events

Dining 73 One of OKC’s golden oldies, Jamil’s Steakhouse still serves up Lebanese-inf luenced classics; Vast chef Kevin Lee shares his speedy, simple take on a traditional Korean recipe; exceptional variety and spicy surprises at Indian mainstay Gopuram; share a drink with an icon by sampling The Lobby Bar’s festive Audrey Hepburn.

Home 103 Formerly a vacant house in Gatewood, the Bruner-Koenig home

ON THE COVER

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104

Domestic Dazzle

Since both Richard Bruner and Michael Koenig are design experts, the Gatewood home they share quickly went from a derelict wreck to a feast for the eyes. This space between the dining room and library boasts multiple eye-catching elements, including a spectacular mantelpiece and a custom-painted ceiling.

113 Celebrating the state’s anniversary with a new OK-centric exhibition at the OKC Museum of Art; Armstrong Auditorium offers a double dose of musical excellence for November; prepare for a post-Thanksgiving shopping feast at Deluxe Art Market; world-class authors gather at OU for the Neustadt Literary Festival.

In Every Issue 10 From the Editor 12 Web Sights 22 On the Scene 78 Food and Drink 116 On Location 118 On the Radar 120 Backstory

Tempting sushi variety in the chirashi bowl from Tokyo Japanese Restaurant. Photo by Scotty O’Daniel

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

TM

NOVEMBER 2017 Editor-in-Chief Heidi Rambo Centrella heidi.centrella@405magazine.com

95% BAR EXAM PASSAGE RATE for first-time exam takers ‒ the highest in the state Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners

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EDITORIAL Managing Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@405magazine.com Style Editor Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com Fashion Editor Jennifer Salyer jennifer.salyer@405magazine.com y hot Alread llar the co under as Christm ) about 0 . g (p 2 shoppin

Editorial Coordinator Louise Scrivens

Contributing Writers M.J. Alexander, Mark Beutler, Christine Eddington, Lauren Hammack, Greg Horton, Lance McDaniel, Elaine Warner ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel scotty.odaniel@405magazine.com Graphic Designer Brian O’Daniel brian.odaniel@405magazine.com Design & Production Coordinator Tiffany McKnight tiffany.mcknight@405magazine.com Contributing Photographers M.J. Alexander, Shannon Cornman, Terrell Fry, Charlie Neuenschwander, Don Risi

405 Magazine® Volume 3, Number 11, November 2017. 405 Magazine® is published monthly by 405 Magazine, Inc. at 1613 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, 405.842.2266. © Copyright 2017 405 Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved.

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

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FROM THE EDITOR

Please Pass the Gratitude

HEIDI R A MBO CEN TRELL A Editor-in-Chief heidi.centrella@405magazine.com

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

PHOTO BY SIMON HURST

NOW T H AT T HE GHOU L S and goblins of Halloween ’17 have finished scavenging through their neighborhoods and eaten their weight in candy, it’s time to take to turkey and dressing – or stuffing, whichever terminology you prefer.

My family gathers for our ceremonial dinner on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, for a combination of reasons. We have a large family: my parents have four children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren – and then there are all the spouses/significant others. Also, we all live in different regions, so there’s some travel involved for most of us. And then there are all the work schedules … long story short, the weekend seems to work best for us.

As for the actual Thanksgiving Day, I spend it with friends and fellow volunteers from Other Options, a local nonprofit that cooks, prepares, packages and delivers meals to families affected by HIV/ AIDS. I can’t remember how many years ago I started the tradition with this fantastic group of people (a special nod to Mary Arbuckle and Robert Painter), but last year marked the 16th annual event, and more than 750 people received a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal, delivered to their door before noon. It truly is a wonderful organization, and I encourage everyone reading this page to be involved one way or another: You could help cook and prepare during the time leading up to Thanksgiving, or assist in packaging and delivering the food on the day itself. If you’re physically unable to help or don’t plan to be present in the metro during that time, donations are always welcome, as well. It costs more than $5,000 to feed this many people, and the number grows each year. To learn more about the organization and how to lend a hand, please visit otheroptionsokc.org.

And despite the presence of leftovers, Thanksgiving Day comes but once a year – so you’re likely to need some other food options throughout the coming days (or months). You’re in luck, because this is The Food Issue. We’ve got discussions on smoothies and juicing (p. 58), a city-wide exploration of burger diversity (p. 52) and a primer on sushi and where to find it (p. 60), as well as a round-up of nearly two dozen of our favorite new restaurants beginning on page 64. Trust me, we’ve got you covered when it comes to food across the metro. And if you’re looking for a featured cocktail, try the Audrey Hepburn at the Lobby Bar (p. 84), but if you prefer Scotch, allow me to suggest the Rock Hudson.

It’s hard to believe the year is winding down already – and I know it’s the done thing for everyone to announce their thankfulness about now, but we have an additional reason to express some gratitude: This month marks the second anniversary of our rebranded, upgraded 405 Magazine. I am – we all are – sincerely appreciative of your readership and support, and we’re glad for the opportunity to continue sharing the best of the community with you in the months and years to come.

Happy holidays!

I WANT TO GO! Web Sights

Not to the restroom, but out with the family.

What’s online at 405magazine.com

Home Inspection

ICHELPOK.ORG Interstitial cystitis is a severe bladder condition limiting life.

If you suffer from the urge to go but are unsure or undiagnosed, you may have IC. Consult your physician to seek treatment.

It should be clear at a glance that the Gatewood home of Richard Bruner and Michael Koenig (see page 104) deserves a closer, longer look – the care and effort they put into restoring the 115-year-old house is evident, and practically every room, angle and nook contains a lot to take in visually.

So we invite you to take a more detailed tour online, via the expanded gallery at 405magazine.com/November-2017/BrunerKoenig-Home/, and see for yourself what happens when two designers collaborate on their own space.

Pre-Thanksgiving Feasts

COMMUNITY DRIVEN FITNESS

Given that this is The Food Issue, we hope that at least some of this month’s featured content makes you hungry.

But since there are still a few weeks between now and the traditional turkey-centric celebration, it seems only fair to us that we help satisfy your appetite for fine dining in the meantime. That’s the idea behind the Friday $50 giveaway: each Friday (except the fourth week, since you presumably have plans of your own), we’ll hold a random drawing to give one lucky reader a $50 gift card to one of the restaurants featured in this month’s issue. And all you have to do to enter is make sure you’re signed up for our free newsletters at 405magazine.com/ newsletters/ and then watch for the link inside. Good luck, and happy gobbling.

It’s What’s Happening

MIDTOWN

NORMAN

1501 N. BROADWAY AVE 405.458.0405

3501 WELLSITE DR. SUITE #125 405.777.3202

CROSSFIT405.COM // INFO@CROSSFIT405.COM PHOTOS BY ORE ADESINA PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

Reader response has been excellent so far to 405 Now, a section atop our home page that updates multiple times each week to share fresh news and developments in progress for OKC and the 405 – so we’re planning to keep bringing you more. We hope you’ll keep an eye on its more frequent updates, and feel free to share tips with us by emailing feedback@405magazine.com.

We didn’t need a rule to tell us the right way to do business.

405

in the Shine On

PHOTO BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

The material’s intrinsic advantages for cookware aside, copper makes an eye-catching choice when used primarily for decor. In barware, serving trays, mugs and various accouterments, homeowners can strike it rich visually by using a stylish variation of the Midas touch.

NOVEMBER 2017 405 MAGAZINE

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in the 405 TRENDS

Tray, $30; baskets, $38 for set of 2 from Reclaimed Warehouse

Ice bucket, $119; jigger, $24.99; martini glasses, $33; shaker set, $94.99 from Urbane

Copper’s Tops

Vase, $40; Capri Blue pink grapefruit and prosecco candle, $35; mugs, $12 from Live Boho

W HE N I T COM E S to the kitchen, copper is in a category of its own. Professional chefs of the world swear by the material for even heating and nonstick ease – and who are we to argue? No doubt, copper is on the higher end of the price and quality scale when it comes to cooking. But what about in the entertaining arena? It isn’t difficult to find items in this shiny metal, and with the popularity of such drinks as the Moscow Mule, the copper mug is an essential in your cabinet. Because copper has an insulating element that helps maintain the temperature of whatever your drink of choice, hot drinks are a success in these mugs, as well. Plus, shakers, jiggers and accessories to help you make these drinks are readily available, not to mention items that might add to the mood of your gathering. A vase, a candle, baskets and serving trays … the possibilities are plentiful. You may have to rub more than two shiny copper pennies together to get those pots and pans, but these elements of style are well within reach. - SAR A GAE WATERS Live Boho, 3721 S I-35, OKC, liveboho.com; Reclaimed Warehouse, 3004 S Sunnylane, Moore, reclaimedwarehouse.com; Culinary Kitchen, 7222 N Western, OKC, culinarykitchen.com; Urbane, 1015 N Broadway, OKC, urbaneokc.com

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

Wine cooler, $365; salt and pepper shakers and toothpick set, $32.50; cocktail picks (copper plated), $9.99 from Culinary Kitchen

PHOTOS BY DON RISI AND SCOTTY O’DANIEL

Suggestions to help your décor shine

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in the 405 FAVORITE THINGS

Volcano Capri Blue candle, $26 “The volcano scent from our Capri Blue line of candles has been my favorite for 20 years; its strong and distinct aroma lasts and lingers forever.”

Mongolian lamb fur throw, $75 “I’m obsessed with the Mongolian lamb fur throw because it adds texture to anything … literally anything!”

Ben Nockels

Modern blue and white ginger jar, $44 “I love blue and white ginger jars and vases because they’re classic and never go out of style.”

Maggie Mcmillan

Bohemian Magic

Aidan Gray mid-century modern chair, $495 “The lines are simple and it’s so chic.”

Shop stylish surprises at Live Boho

FA L L I NG “DOW N T HE R A BBI T HOL E” isn’t always a

T-shirts, $20 “I love our T-shirt line because we love to represent ‘Oklahoma proud.’”

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

Wooden beaded Boho chandelier, $250 “This Bohemian beaded chandelier adds an organic feel to a space that’s warm and feminine.”

Leopard print cowhide rug, $250 “I’m obsessed with patterned, printed cowhides, like this leopard print one, because it’s a classic pattern and adds a chic style that looks both elegant and eclectic.”

PHOTOS BY DON RISI

Blue vase, $30; Botanical stems from $8 “These botanical stems add color and whimsy to dull spaces, [and] I love this tall blue vase for the height and simplicity.”

completely positive thing – just ask Alice about some of the craziness she endured in Wonderland – but here, it is nothing but good. Wide-eyed as soon as you enter Live Boho, located off the service road at 3721 S I-35 in OKC, you feel like you have fallen into someplace special, plus you can definitely get a little lost as you wind through the store, since everything is something you want to stop and focus on. One particular thing might catch your eye first, but then, if you are patient, you’ll see there is definitely more … not a single foot of space is wasted in this delight of a store.

In 2014, Live Boho was born out of a love for interior design by mother-daughter team Maggie Mcmillan and Gayle Ballard.

Maggie’s husband Tony is an artist who makes custom pieces for the store and for clients. With a heart for unique items (at great price points), vintage finds and merchandise from large market lines and local artisans, the store is full of surprises. Mcmillan says, “Live Boho literally started as a lifestyle: ‘live bohemian.’

Buy what you love and love what you buy. It’s a mix of classic items, as well as mid-century and Boho and farmhouse. There are no rules in this store, and if you are looking for something, chances are it’s here or we can find it for you.”

“No rules” applies here 100 percent, and while you may feel like you are Alice and have found retail dreamland, well, sometimes dreams come true. - SAR A GAE WATERS

URBAN LIVING:

Where dreams come to life.

Head down to Urban Farmhouse Designs and meet with one of our in-house designers to make all your farmhouse dreams come true. Follow us on social media for daily updates on new products, discounts, and more!

400 South Western Avenue

www.urbanfarmhouse.com

in the 405 LAUGH LINES

Early Birds and Waiters

Polar opposites in shopping scheduling

IF STAT IST IC S A R E COR R ECT , one in four of you reading this in early November will already have finished your holiday shopping. You’ll calmly sail into the gingerbreaded depths of the fourth quarter with nary a care because you’re a planner.

An early bird.

Know this, rare bird: You’re also super annoying to those of us who delay until crunch time. So even if someone asks, you should keep your holiday taskmastery to yourself. You’ll be no fun at parties with that kind of banter.

Who are the other 75 percent, you ask? Most of us navigate the last three months of the year like donkeys on the edge, weaving and heaving frantically about the labyrinth of the holiday hubbub because of what we are: the Waiters.

The Waiters know there’s a deadline looming and a sale on something, somewhere, but we wait because we like to enjoy our holidays one at a time, in chronological order: Labor Day before Halloween; Halloween before Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving before Hanukkah and Christmas.

Call me a purist, but I, for one, can’t be held responsible for any purchasing decisions I might make during the off-season.

It’s unnatural to weigh the merits of one sweater over the other in September, when it’s 96° outside and my main concern is my sweat mustache. I must wait.

October, a month that used to devote itself exclusively to Halloween, has officially sold out to Big Retail and disrupted the natural order of things. Last month, during the first week of October – a time that used to mark the entrance of Halloween decorations and costume contests – I was lured into at least a dozen “Pre-Pre-Black Friday” sales online. It was unsettling. Are the retail gods conspiring to turn the Waiters into Early Birds?

They’d have better luck turning me into a morning person.

Many retail analysts suggest that the shopper who waits until Black Friday to start holiday shopping will be months behind. Can you imagine what this theory would look like when applied to other holidays? I picture the home shopping channel host, in her most sincere tone, as she explains, “Really, Dan, I encourage all our home shoppers to get those Easter baskets filled before Back-to-School time so they can just relax and enjoy the season with family and friends, without all the rushing around. There’s nothing more disappointing than waiting until the last minute and finding out that the Easter grass selection has been picked over.”

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

By November, the shopping soul of the Waiter, troubled though it be, begins to stir. The retail universe shrieks, “You MUST buy this now! It’s our lowest price of the season!” The Early Birds chirp in their chirpiest voices, “Well, even though everything is purchased, I don’t start wrapping until November 1.” But it’s still only November and everything about the Waiter says, “Wait!”

Wait! Those might go on sale the week before Christmas.

Wait! Wasn’t that the same TV you saw at Best Buy for $50 less? You should hang on until you know for sure.

Wait! Didn’t you end up with an extra set of those last year?

Hold off until you find them.

Wait! As long as you’re here, you should smell every candle until the store closes.

The mere urgency of Black Friday wreaks havoc on the shaky nerves of the Early Birds. That’s why they prefer to pre-empt Black Friday in the first place. The Waiter, on the other hand, is unfazed by the panting desperation of Black Friday; his stress comes from knowing that nothing must stand between him and a holiday deadline … especially the Early Birds. Year after year, they get it all done before Labor Day, yet Early Birds insist on flitting hither and yon, occupying parking spaces at every retail outlet in the five-county metro from Nov. 15 until late December.

Dear Early Birds, stay off the roads and out of the way of Waiters on a mission. Make the most of the few remaining weeks of the year to whip up some cookies, watch old movies, take a long winter’s nap – whatever it takes to bide your time until Dec. 26, when your holiday shopping season begins anew.

In other words, Early Birds, just wait. - LAUREN HAMMACK

NOVE THRU

MBER

JANU

10

ARY 2

DEVON ICE RINK • DEVON’S SATURDAYS WITH SANTA • SANDRIDGE SANTA RUN • BRICKTOWN TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY SONIC • FREE HOLIDAY WATER TAXI RIDES • A DOG DAY IN DECEMBER • LIGHTS ON BROADWAY ANNUAL EVENT • LIFESHARE WINTERFEST AND SNOW TUBING • LITTLE WILLIE’S TRIPLE DOG DARE • AUTOMOBILE ALLEY LIGHT DISPLAY • BRICKTOWN CANAL LIGHT DISPLAY • FILM ROW LIGHT DISPLAY • BRICKTOWN HOLIDAY PARKLET SPONSORED BY PAINTED DOOR • DELUXE WINTER MARKET • HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS AT MIDTOWN • MYRIAD GARDENS HOLIDAY EVENTS • OKCMOA HOLIDAY EVENTS • RED EARTH TREEFEST • HISTORIC CHURCH TOUR AND SCAVENGER HUNT • LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL PRESENTED BY DEVON ENERGY • OKC BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER PRESENTED BY DEVON ENERGY • MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER’S CHRISTMAS • OKC PHILHARMONIC’S CHRISTMAS SHOW • CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS AT THE CIVIC CENTER • THE CITY CABARET OKC’S RETRO WONDERLAND • AMERICAN BANJO MUSEUM’S CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS • SHERATON DOWNTOWN HOTEL HOLIDAY EVENTS • SKIRVIN HOLIDAY EVENTS • SANTA FE STATION OPEN HOUSE • OKC ARTS COUNCIL’S OPENING NIGHT

FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENT DETAILS, VISIT DowntownInDecember.com

in the 405 ON THE SCENE

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5

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Contributors and clients gather at 21c Museum Hotels to help us celebrate the dual release of the October issue of 405 Magazine and the Fall 2017 edition of 405 Home.

1. Matt Payne, Heidi Rambo Centrella, Lance McDaniel 2. Rose and Richard Clark 3. Mitchell Todd, Grant Mathiews 4. Chris and Jennifer Salyer, Katelynn Calonkey 5. 405 Home editors Sara Gae Waters and Christine Eddington

Medley/Turrentine is now part of HUB Global Resources. Local Service.

Commercial Insurance

Employee Benefits

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Compliance Consulting Cost Management HR Advocacy Wellness Employee Communications HR / Benefits Technology

High Net Worth Solutions Primary Home & Auto Secondary/Vacation Home Jewelry & Fine Arts Aircraft/Aviation Luxury Watercraft Excess Liability/Umbrella

www.hubinternational.com 405.528.3565

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

PHOTOS BY TERRELL FRY

405 Fall Release Party

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1

PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN

Lyric’s Broadway Ball 2017

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4

It’s a star-studded evening at the Embassy Suites in OKC as Lyric Theatre honors Mary Deane Streich and gives patrons a dose of entertainment inspired by “Hello, Dolly!”

1. Paula Love, Mary Deane Streich, Michael Baron 2. Deborah and Scott Senner, Beth Adele, Larry and Polly Nichols 3. Kevin Winsell and Karen Kurtz 4. David B. Hooten and Whitney Hooten 5. Celine and Brad Ferguson, Kurt and Jenny Carter

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To see more On the Scene photos, visit 405magazine.com

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NOVEMBER 2017 405 MAGAZINE

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in the 405 OKLAHOMYTHS

Peanut Envy The unlikely competition to claim the world’s largest legume T HE CL A I M: Durant, Okla., is home to the World’s Largest Peanut SOU RCE: Chiseled granite marker in front of Durant’s City Hall FACT CHECK : False.

OT HER CL A I M: OK, so maybe it’s not the largest now – but at the time it was built, it was.

SOU RCE: Durant Daily Democrat, March 17, 2017 FACT CHECK: Also false.

I N T HE HOT LY contested (really) category of world’s largest peanut, Durant’s cast-metal sculpture soldered to the top of a granite monument at the corner of 3rd and Evergreen has boasted its supremacy for the past 43 years.

Unveiled with fanfare on a chilly Friday, Nov. 15, 1974, it’s 3 feet long and 18 inches around, crafted of 50 pounds of aluminum and dedicated to the Bryan County Peanut Growers and Processors.

Olin Miller, a Durant businessman who chaired the Oklahoma Peanut Princess Pageant – and who, based upon his skill as a community booster, soon would be named president of the Durant Chamber of Commerce – came up with a nutty idea to promote the town.

Under the headline “Goober to Put Durant on Map,” he told The Oklahoman the week before the statue’s dedication: “Durant had been known far and wide as the city with the awful Main Street traffic. We have our bypass in now on US 69-75 and most of the heavy truck traffic that has rubbed down Main Street for years is gone. I wanted Durant to be known for something good.”

The $2,500 cost was split five ways; Miller, the two banks in town, John Haskins at DeLeon Peanut Co. and Jack Sawyer of Goldkist each kicking in $500. To make sure not just any peanut would be memorialized, Miller took a bag of Bryan County peanuts to

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2017

PEANUTS BY THE NUMBERS The National Peanut Board notes that peanuts are grown commercially in 13 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. In 2014, Georgia accounted for nearly half of all production (46 percent), followed

by Florida (13 percent), Alabama (11 percent), Texas (9 percent), South Carolina (8 percent) and North Carolina (7 percent). The remaining 6 percent of the American peanut harvest is from the other seven states combined.

In 1977, three years after Durant’s “World’s Largest Peanut” was installed, Oklahoma harvested its best peanut crop ever: 267.6 million pounds. It was a mark never to be matched again. In 2015, Oklahoma peanut growers harvested 9,000 acres, averaging 3,500 pounds per acre at 21.3 cents per pound. Total production: 31.5 million pounds, down 28 percent from the previous year.

The United States is third among world peanut producers, after China and India.

A.R.K. Ramos in Oklahoma City. An artist from the firm sorted through the specimens, choosing a favorite based on color and shape. He put the winner in a glass jar, examined it from all angles and sketched a precise model that then was cast.

To trumpet the new addition, signs were added three months later on highways leading into town: “DURANT: Home of the World’s Largest Peanut and a Few Other Nuts.”

In a story that made national news, The Associated Press noted City Council members had received so many complaints from unamused residents that they scheduled a public hearing on whether the signs should remain. The report dutifully noted: “Durant is in the heart of Oklahoma’s peanut country and bills itself as the peanut capital of the world.”

The signs – and even the peanut – were taken by pranksters over the years. The peanut returned. The signs did not.

Four decades after its bold declaration, the Durant goober does not rank among the top 60 largest peanuts in the nation.

Miller himself seemed to be in on the joke, admitting before the dedication that it may not be the biggest peanut in the world, but it sure is a monument to the biggest peanut.

NOVEMBER 2017 405 MAGAZINE

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Seven Additional “World’s Largest Peanuts” BL A K ELY, GEORGI A (1954) Population 4,702 An 8-foot stone monument declaring Early County as “the largest peanut producing center in the world” is topped by a carved peanut measuring approximately 3 feet long. The installation has held a place of honor on the lawn of the county courthouse for 63 years.

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F L OR E SV IL L E , T E X A S (1970) Population 7,495 The Jaycees and Jaycee-ettes of Wilson County dedicated this 6-foot-tall vertical peanut “in loving memory of ‘The Peanut King’ Joe T. Sheehy” (1887-1967), who introduced the Spanish peanut to the region. The large snowman-shaped peanut – resembling a limbless Mr. Peanut without monocle, top hat and cane – is installed on the lawn of the county courthouse, near where the town hosts the Floresville Peanut Festival and Goober Games every October.

PE A R SA L L , T E X A S (1973) Population 10,064 The 6-foot-long horizontal peanut is held aloft by metal supports above a concrete base that notes “WORLD’S LARGEST PEANUT” and “55,000,000 LBS. MARKETED ANNUALLY.” The town, home to singer George Strait, built a new foundation for the display in 2011.

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A SHBU R N, GEORGI A (1975) Population 3,737 Standing tall in the pantheon of giant peanuts is the Official State Peanut Monument of Georgia. The 10-foottall peanut stands atop a 15-foot brick column, nestled in a sculpted crown featuring bicycle reflectors at its tips and painted with the declaration “Georgia 1st for Peanuts.” Ashburn is also home to The Golden Peanut Company, billed as the world’s largest peanut-shelling plant, and to a nearby peanut museum.

30 OR UNDER?

PL A I NS, GEORGI A (1976)

Population 734 A 12-foot-tall peanut with a toothy grin greets visitors to the hometown of President Jimmy Carter. The peanut creation was built from plaster and chicken wire for a campaign parade honoring the one-time peanut farmer. It has been set up in different locations around town, surviving being hit by a car in 2000.

PEL ION, SOU T H CA ROL I NA

Population 706 This cast-iron contender, of indeterminate age, stands approximately 6 feet high and is mounted on a 4-foot-tall metal post, giving it the look of a giant corn dog. Pelion is home to the annual South Carolina Peanut Party, which celebrated its 36th year in August. The peanut-ona-pole marks the way to Pelion’s festival, which opens with a Blessing of the Pots and includes a parade, a celebration of boiled peanuts and a PB&J sandwich-eating contest (current record: 8.5 sandwiches in 3 minutes).

DOT H A N, A L A BA M A (1993) Population 68,468 The self-proclaimed Peanut Capital of the World, Dothan is home to the 4-foot-tall Golden Peanut, as well as the two-week National Peanut Festival. The November celebration began in 1938, featuring a nearly octogenarian George Washington Carver as its first guest of honor. It is said that half of the peanuts in the United States are grown within 100 miles of Dothan.

In the 21st century, the city installed more than 60 fiberglass “art peanuts” around town, each a replica of the city’s famous golden peanut – and each larger than the Durant monument.

In addition, a Winnebago-sized peanut emblazoned with “USA,” commissioned in 2006 by the National Peanut Board and hauled around the nation by trailer for the Great American Peanut Tour, was at last report using Dothan as a home base. - M.J. ALEX ANDER

Editor’s note: Oklahoma is rich with history, lore and fun facts, but some of them aren’t quite factual. In this series, M.J. Alexander hunts for the accuracy – or lack thereof – behind some of our state’s stories.

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in the 405 FINANCE

Planning the Fiscal Future Keeping the “personal” in personal investment cial advisement and retirement planning. One doesn’t necessarily need the assets of J.R. Ewing to warrant a financial planner, but sometimes it helps.

According to the experts, wealth management is for high net worth individuals. Financial planning, on the other hand, is what most people will need at some point in their lives. Likewise, retirement planning has become a big part of financial planning, since people are living longer into their retirement years.

“Most people are going to fall into the financial planning category,” says Doug Garone, a financial adviser with Edward Jones Company. “That primarily involves working with middle-class families to save for their kids’ college, perhaps saving for retirement or simply putting together a family budget. Whatever your wealth situation is, we can help with a plan of action.”

Doug Garone It’s important, Garone said, to work closely with his clients to help understand what’s important to them and what their goals are.

“We have an established process at Edward Jones to work with to their employers’ 401k, and, to me, that just goes against the our clients and basically partner with them to determine their philosophy that we are in it for the long haul.” best investment strategy,” he says. “That means sitting down with The old cliché about not putting all your eggs in one basket them one-on-one to find out what their goals are and how we can is true for investing, Garone added, and he advises clients to help them achieve those goals. Usually someone will already have diversify when they can. He also believes in a new trend that has a goal in mind. Maybe they’re saving for … a daughter’s wedding. become known as “rebalancing.”

Is there a medical need? Perhaps they want to travel or do some “That has become extremely important over the last several home renovations. Finding out their goal and what they have years,” he says. “In other words, if you’ve been a moderately consaved now is a primary starting point for us.” servative investor in the past, but maybe you’ve had a promotion Edward Jones has been around since 1922, and Garone said at your job, or received an inheritance or settlement, or some other the company serves nearly 7 million large sum of funds, you may now want investors from more offices than any to become a little more of an aggressive other investment firm in the country.

“All the models and all the reports investor. When you look at your portfoAnd one important thing to rememyou designed 15 years ago, you might you see out there, of course, will lio ber is that it is never too late to start see it is much more conservative than show the benefits of early investing. where you are today. So, it may be wise planning for the future.

“All the models and all the reports But in my opinion – and I think to come back in and let us take a look you see out there, of course, will show re-balance that portfolio.” every financial adviser would agree andWhen the benefits of early investing,” he says. it comes to investing, there’s “But in my opinion – and I think every with me – it’s never too late to start really no such thing as a safe bet, financial adviser would agree with me some kind of investment strategy.” Garone said, other than taking all your – it’s never too late to start some kind money and putting it into gold bars DOUG GA RON E of investment strategy.”

– and that is not something he recomGarone quoted financier Warren mends. But the bottom line is to find a Buffett, saying he believes in his strategy of holding investments financial adviser with whom you are comfortable, and trust them for the long term. to guide you along the way.

“Basically, Warren Buffett says his favorite holding period “I look at life and investing sort of like a roller coaster ride,” is forever,” Garone says. “And I think that would be one of the Garone says. “There will be ups and downs, and as your adviser, top recommendations I would give: Plan to stay in it as long as we are there with you keeping you within the parameters, making possible. During the housing bust of 2007, many people saw sure you are safe and protected.” their portfolio at that time take a significant loss in value, and Another piece of advice comes from Fred Mischler, a financial may have opted to close out their plans or stop contributing adviser with Waddell & Reed. These days, advertisements for

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do-it-yourself investment solutions are everywhere. But in the long run, it pays to have an experienced adviser on your side.

“While most of us know the basics of saving and investing, not all of us have the time to plan,” Mischler says. “I believe that’s where my clients find value in having a financial adviser. Doing it alone can become daunting and frustrating; having someone who has experience with the process can be helpful.”

Mischler has more than 30 years of experience as a tax consultant, attorney and financial analyst. He, too, firmly believes in spending the amount of time necessary to listen to and understand his clients’ needs and goals, and then helping them design an appropriate financial plan to help them reach those goals.

“I seek to be the personal ‘CFO’ for each of my clients, advising them on how to pursue their financial goals, and insure their lives, their families and their assets,” he says. “My job as a financial adviser is to be familiar with my clients’ needs, whether a secure retirement, saving for a college education, building wealth – the approach should be decidedly personal.”

Recommending and providing investments in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance and annuities is how Mischler helps his clients achieve their goals. And while there are a number of organizations and financial advisers available, he said it’s important to choose the right one.

“The majority of my clients are referral-based,” he says. “I feel that taking a personal approach and making a connection

Fred Mischler

with your adviser is key. Attitudes, values and outlook can also be important ways to connect with anyone, and that is no less important here at Waddell & Reed. I believe that in life, a plan is important – and having someone to stand by you to support you is just as important.” - MARK BEUTLER

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territory ahead A land where the fields of golden grain, Like waves on a sunlit sea, Bend low to the breezes that sweep the plain With a welcome to you and me.

Where the corn grows high ’neath the smiling sky, Where the quail whistles low in the grass.

And the fruit trees greet with a burden sweet And perfume the winds that pass.

— Oklahoma — A Toast Oklahoma’s original state song

Autumn, Blaine County

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There’s a bright, golden haze on the meadow There’s a bright, golden haze on the meadow.

The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye And it looks like it’s climbing clear up to the sky.

— Oh, What a Beautiful Morning Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”

Winter corral, Osage County

THE ENDLESS SKYWAY

But the sun in California Don’t shine one half as bright As the one in Oklahoma, So I’m startin’ back tonight.

A visual ode to Oklahoma’s skies

— Merl Lindsay Lonesome Okie Goin’ Home

BY M.J. ALEX ANDER

How long has it taken me to find you?

Five hundred years, five hundred thousand miles It don’t matter now, love’s always on time Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky …

– Miranda Lambert, Oklahoma Sky

Rain, Cimarron County

In Oklahoma, the sky is our ocean.

Its mood may be placid for day upon day, then in an hour’s time awaken to morph from cloudless cobalt to a roiling sea of copper, from inscrutable pewter minimalism to monstrous iron thunderheads, pregnant with rain and strobing with the lightning within.

It calls pilots and astronauts such as Wiley Post and Gordon Cooper and James Stafford and Shannon Lucid to explore its mysteries. Beckons storm chasers from around the globe to witness its ferocity. Inspires artists and songwriters, as well the nomenclature of the state’s largest city – after all, OKC is home NOVEMBER 2017 405 MAGAZINE

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territory ahead I was born upon the prairie, where the wind blew free, and there was nothing to break the light of the sun.

I was born where there were not enclosures and everything drew a free breath ‌ I want to die there and not within walls. — Para-Wa-Samen (Ten Bears), of the Tamparika Comanches

Sunflowers, Ellis County

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Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam Where the deer and the antelope play; Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the sky is not cloudy all day.

— Dr. Brewster Higley, Shawnee

Farmhouse’s final summer, Kiowa County

I’m in a world so wide It makes me feel small sometimes I miss the big, blue skies The Oklahoma kind.

— Carrie Underwood I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore

Red earth, white windmill, blue sky, Dewey County

to the Skydance Bridge, Stonecloud Brewing, Painted Sky Opera and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Every morning, Oklahomans wake and look up as one to scan its expanse. Dozens or hundreds or thousands of times each day, our upturned eyes glance again and again, in a collective tic born of self-preservation and fed by curiosity.

We watch for storms, it is true. But also to witness the cinematic cloudscapes and wind currents and gradations in color; for the ebb and flow of a molten dawn and inky dusk; and for stars that emerge as the sun fades and the tide of darkness rises.

In Oklahoma, the sky is our ocean.

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Your destination is just ahead.

mode

MEET YOU IN MIDTOWN Midtown is more than a district, it's a neighborhood. With attention to detail and personal connections to locally owned businesses, you will love your experience.

Midtown oers everything from fashion and gifts to hotel suites and restaurants. Shopping, dining, hospitality, and choosing local providers is better for Oklahoma, wiser for your wallet, and closer than you may realize. Come see for yourself!

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Holiday Wishes 2017

HOLIDAY WISHES GIFT GUIDE 2017

Metropolitan Museum of Art Silk Art Ties, $119 each Silk twill and made in Italy.

Recycled Vintage Ties Handcrafted Clutchbag, $64.95 Made by Morales Object Design in Denton, Texas, and available in several designs and colors.

Chihuly Pendleton Blanket, No. 13, $510 Part of a limited edition of 250.

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART STORE

415 Couch Drive, OKC | 405.278.8233 | okcmoa.com

Organic Lace Boat with Succulents, $195 An intricately patterned metal boat filled with colorful succulents – lovely inside and out.

Basket with Orchids, $165 A basket of gathered willow, filled with a trio of orchids nestled among grape ivy.

Machu Pot, $77.90 This round bowl’s slightly weathered appearance offsets a Sansevieria “fernwood” and two succulents.

Kerchief Planter, $158 Delicate-looking but sturdy, this metal fluted bowl holds three colorful bromeliads.

Nestle Vessel, $95 A 6-inch aloe plant looks striking in this black ceramic bowl.

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Driftwood, $98 A piece of driftwood adorned with various succulents and air plants for a collection of natural beauty.

CALVERT’S PLANT INTERIORS 5308 N Classen Blvd, OKC 405.848.6642 | calverts.com

GIFT GUIDE 2017 HOLIDAY WISHES

Kirk & Kirk, $585 All Kirk & Kirk eyewear is handmade in London using colored acrylics. Acrylic is lightweight and comfortable and affords the ability to design many unique bright colors.

Gold & Wood, $945 Gold & Wood strives to connect us with the natural materials that surround us. These frames feature African tanganyika wood, buffalo horn, gold and titanium. True handmade elegance from Luxembourg.

Traction, $435 Made in France and inspired by the arts district of Los Angeles, Traction Avenue.

Traction frames are always bright, modern and invoke a French chic.

Tavat, $450 Tavat frames are all handmade in northern Italy and combine a simple industrial design with functionality.

Tavat’s look is sleek and modern but with a classic and iconic feel.

4200 W Memorial Rd, OKC 405.749.4285 | physicians-optical.com

HOLIDAY WISHES GIFT GUIDE 2017

Le Murrine Bowl, $40 Created by Italian design team Pio + Tito Toso, the tricolor Le Murrine Bowl adds a sophisticated touch to your table or can be used as a decor element. Available in six color combinations.

Drumline Watch, $209 Cool and contemporary, the British designed Drumline features a minimalist marker dial and spun gold brass face. Black Italian leather strap with red leather lining. Many designs, materials and finishes available.

Mrs. Weinstein’s Toffee, $29.99 (1 lb.)

Made from a handcrafted recipe originating in Copenhagen. Three different varieties combine buttery toffee with crunchy almonds or pecans and white, milk or dark chocolate for a delicious gift.

Great for hostess gifts and parties.

Silk Hot/Cold Pack and Sleep Mask, $70 Filled with French lavender and flaxseed, the pack can be used as a heat pad or cold compress. The mask blocks light and comes with an adjustable velvet strap.

Variety of colors/patterns available.

City Map Throw, $180 Inspired by a vintage street map, this intricately woven 50” x 65” throw is crafted from fine merino wool with just a touch of cotton. New York, Brooklyn, Chicago and San Francisco available.

URBANE HOME AND LIFESTYLE 1015 N Broadway Ave #100, OKC 405.602.2555 | urbaneokc.com

Bronze Sculpture, $2500 “Two in the Bush,” origami inspired bronze sculpture by Kevin Box, created in collaboration with Robert J. Lang.

Edition of 24.

Ceramic Luminary, $875 “Evening Light,” a high fire ceramic luminary

by Oklahoma City artist Ginger Myers.

HOWELL GALLERY

6432 N Western Ave, OKC 405.840.4437 | www.howellgallery.com

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Acrylic Painting on Canvas, $1775 “Almost Ready,” 30" x 24" framed acrylic on canvas by Oklahoma City artist Nancy Junkin.

GIFT GUIDE 2017 HOLIDAY WISHES

Orchid Vanda, $410 This stunning replica of Orchid Vanda in lavender will take your breath away. Six long stems in a glass vase span 28 inches, and blooms flourish from every angle, making it the perfect focal point on any surface.

Rustic wood box, $120 This black, rustic wooden box makes a statement with its gold feathered lid, and will stand out in a bookcase or on a coffee or side table. Perfect to store remotes, or to keep pen and paper handy.

Ceramic table lamp, $315 This 22-inch tall peacock ceramic table lamp with its gold leaf base has a chiseled shape reflective of organic nature – it will illuminate any room with an unexpected and cheery pop of color.

Antique gold bowl, $210 Our Westby bowl in antique gold has a beautiful scalloped edge and measures 22 inches in diameter and 5 inches deep.

It’s the perfect touch of gilded glam for the coffee table.

Accent pillows, $350 each These 22-inch pillows feature a lavender damask pattern with a fuchsia background of silk linen blend, and a gray linen backside, for a colorful pop on any neutral palette.

Wooden bowls, $180 - $200 Each of these natural wood bowls is a uniquely handcrafted work of art, with size and color that vary by piece. Beautiful and useful, they’re the perfect organic element to mix into any decor, from your entry to kitchen to living space.

7650 N Western Ave, OKC | 405.848.9663

HOLIDAY WISHES GIFT GUIDE 2017

Mohair throw, $69 Luxurious plaid mohair fabric in coordinating neutrals to work with any color palette. Stay cozy and warm this winter!

Orchid, $149, in pot, $289 Add lasting beauty to your decor with this 30” silk Phalaenopsis orchid.

Pictured in an eye-catching honeycomb gold container.

New Satin Lipstick, $25 Color saturated, buttery smooth, lush, satiny finish.

SOOO LILLY

12100 N May Ave Ste N, OKC 405.306.2060 | sooolilly.com

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Porcelain jar, $99 This beautiful piece is decorated with golden polka dots, to enliven any room in your home.

Mini painting, $98 Capture nature’s vividness with an original floral painting from local artist Lana Lopez.

CHATEAU DESIGNS

9205 N Pennsylvania Ave, OKC 405.842.2262 | chateaudesignandinteriors.com

Jacket by Michael Stars, $198 Super soft faux suede + fur reversible short jacket. Both sides equally fabulous!

KO KO P E L L I

Shoppes at Northpark NW 122nd & May Ave 405.748.5200 | kokopelliokc.com

Facial Crème and Sea-Salt Spray, $39.98, also sold separately Organic and unscented, Coco-Olive Facial Crème is an all-in-one must-have beauty item. Pair it with a nutrient-rich spring water spray.

CREEK BABY creekbaby.com

GIFT GUIDE 2017 HOLIDAY WISHES

Silk Pillows, $2800 Fabulous custom-designed hand-knotted silk pillows.

7118 N Western Ave, OKC | 405.842.9000

Multi-Colored Wool Rug, price varies according to size Hand-knotted multi-colored wool rug. Can be made in any size.

Grand Palais 180 Range, size and price varies The beautiful La Cornue Grand Palais 180 Range is the crown jewel of the Château Series. Custom color available.

Nova Cake Plates, $80 - $110 Stackable Nova cake plates by Vista Alleges.

Papier Mache Bowl, $590 Papier mache bowl, hand-made with unique European papers.

Salad Bowl, $240 Ebony salad bowl hand-made in Canada.

Staub Cast Iron Cookware, $249.99 Available in a variety of colors and sizes.

Dinner Plate, $85 Christian Lacroix by Vista Alegre.

7222 N Western Ave, OKC | 405.418.4884

HOLIDAY WISHES GIFT GUIDE 2017

Sweater by Sita Murt, $178 Cozy up in style with this boxy knit sweater from Barcelona-based Sita Murt, a family-owned fashion house specializing in updated classics and quality textiles.

Exclusively at rosegold.

Stoneware Set, $241 (pieces sold separately) Juliska’s pewter stoneware adds a lovely layer to all their collections. Whether paired with soft hues or gold and silver accents, express your personal style by incorporating these versatile pieces into your next holiday tablescape.

HAUS de LUX

13230 Pawnee Drive Suite 105, OKC 405.608.8048 | hausdelux.com

Habanero Hot Sauce, $8 per bottle (3 bottle minimum) Made in Oklahoma using 16 ingredients including handcrafted vodka, Chiki Chiki Boom gourmet habanero hot sauce has a rich, smooth, one-of-a-kind flavor that absolutely delivers.

CHIKI CHIKI BOOM chikichikiboom.com

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Flores Lane OKC Candle, $24 Give an OKC candle! Flores Lane is known for their candles named after NYC and LA neighborhoods, so we partnered with them to create an exclusive custom scent to represent our hometown in the middle, OKC.

House of Harlow 1960 Earrings, $82 Add a little art deco glamour to any outfit with these House of Harlow 1960 Patolli earrings whether it’s statement, dainty, bold or minimal, jewelry is the perfect finishing touch.

ROSEGOLD

7302 N Western Ave, OKC 405.775.0105 | shoprosegold.com

Black Friday Beauty BOGO, $100 Spend $100 get four $25 gift cards for free.

Cyber Monday, $150 Buy $150 get four $25 gift cards for free.

SOLERENITY SPA AT THE ARTESIAN 1001 W 1st St, Sulphur 580.622.8128 | solerenityspa.com

Style Drivers, $55 NBA and fashion MVP Russell Westbrook’s guide to style.

EMORY ANNE INTERIORS

120 NW 150th St, Edmond 405.753.4466 | emoryanneinteriors.com

Skin Care set, $124.97, also sold separately Protecting Daily Lotion, Nourishing Daily Serum and Hydrating Night Cream combine to give you clearer, more radiant and noticeably younger skin.

CYANTIFIC SKIN CARE cyantificskincare.com

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WONDERL AND THE OIL TREE IS MOVING TO WILSHIRE VILL AGE AND OUR GRAND OPENING IS DECEMBER 1.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR GRAND OPENING FESTIVITIES. WE’VE GOT TASTINGS, GIVEAWAYS AND LOTS OF FUN PLANNED ALL DAY LONG, AND THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF DECEMBER. We’ll be right in the middle of Oklahoma City’s gourmet food district, at a much more convenient location, and our shop will double in size, with a beautifully-designed interior with spaces for demonstrations, a reading area and lots of space for perusing and tasting our wonderful artisanal and small-batch wares.

See you there!

7646 N WESTERN AVENUE OK L AHOM A CIT Y, OK 73116 405 242 6457 | HELLO @THEOILTREE.COM

HOLIDAY WISHES GIFT GUIDE 2017

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Original Oil Painting, $1,995 Oregon Impressionist artist Shelley Radovich created this vividly colorful piece.

Kate Spade Lamp by Visual Comfort, $1,395 Crystals and pearls adorn this glittering lamp atop a marble base.

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Hancock and Moore Wing Chair, $3,470 Made in America with hand-burnished croc leather.

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Give the gift of stylish warmth this holiday season with a variety of vented and ventfree gas log sets. Made in Oklahoma; sets starting at $400. Professional installation and service available.

Find holiday gifts and décor as well as home décor for all seasons.

A great gift for all seasons, the Social Light is an eye-catching, refillable lighter that you will want to keep on display as a work of art. Numerous styles and colors available, $65-$75.

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GIFT GUIDE 2017 HOLIDAY WISHES

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BURGER

DIVERSITY A sampling of tastes between the buns

BRACE YOURSELF FOR A SEEMINGLY PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION WITH SURPRISINGLY DIVISIVE REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS: WHAT IS A BURGER? IF YOU SAID “A BEEF PATTY ON A BUN,” YOU’RE NOT WRONG … BUT WHAT DOES THAT PRESCRIPTIVE DEFINITION MEAN FOR SANDWICHES THAT DON'T DEPEND ON COW? AFTER SOME HEATED BACK-ANDFORTH IN OUR OFFICE ABOUT WHAT SHOULD OR SHOULDN’T MAKE THE CUT (OR GRIND), WE DECIDED TO GO BY THE NAMES ON THE MENU IN TRYING SOME FAR-RANGING METRO ALTERNATIVES TO THE RELIABLE-BUT-PREDICTABLE BEEFWICH. PURISTS MAY SCOFF, BUT IN THIS CASE THE JOKE’S ON THEM – BECAUSE THEY WON’T GET TO ENJOY THESE VARIED, OFTEN VERY DELIGHTFUL POSSIBILITIES.

BY GREG HORTON AN D STEVE GILL PHOTOS BY SCOT T Y O’DANIEL 52

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Lamb Burger

More pungent than beef, lamb makes for a spicy (not hot), rich, earthy burger. While you can make a lamb burger with New Zealand’s version of beef, why would you do that to yourself? It will smell like sweaty sneakers and taste similar. Start with Colorado or New Mexico lamb, and all goes well from there.

You can find good ones here and there around the metro – chef Melissa Aust at Stella, 1201 N Walker in OKC, does an excellent rendition – but they’re usually specials that crop up periodically, not staples that are available daily. Fortunately, that’s not the case at The R&J Lounge, where you can always get an extremely tender, juicy patty of lamb on a sturdy bun, with your choice of cheese and fancy toppings. How fancy? The lettuce is arugula, it has house-made chow chow instead of pickles and forgoes mayo in favor of an aioli laced with capers and truffle oil. Classy and delicious. The R&J Lounge, 320 NW 10th, OKC

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The Monday Burger While there is no entry on Ludivine’s menu that says “Monday burger,” ask a denizen of Midtown or downtown what it is and they’ll know. Every Monday, beginning at 5 p.m., Ludivine serves a $10 burger with a side, and without substitutions. Think of it as a blue plate special; for those too young to remember the old days, if you didn’t like something on the blue plate, you did the grown-up thing and pushed it to the edge where it was safely ignored.The Ludivine burger is always Wagyu beef, sourced as close to locally as possible, and the toppings vary from week to week. It’s a small burger, so no need to worry about getting overstuffed, and you’ll still have room for a local beer. Check Ludivine’s social media Monday afternoon for the announcement, and then, especially if you have never been, go eat the most affordable, supremely delicious introduction possible to their style of cuisine. Ludivine, 805 N Hudson, OKC

Salmon Burger

You won’t find it on the dinner menu, but even though it’s served by a steakhouse, this fish dish is worth building your lunch plans around. Salmon instead of beef and presented as a fresh filet rather than ground, it’s a well-seared slab of Atlantic goodness that’s then lightly breaded and fried for a rewarding crunch, and crowned with lettuce, red onions and a tangy remoulade. The meal comes with a choice of side; the mac and cheese is good, though so are the fries, and they might help reinforce the “burger” idea. It’s light, classy and really very good.

Highly recommended. Broadway 10, 1101 N Broadway, OKC

Onion Burger

Beef is part of the equation, true, but the true onion burger is a package deal – and an Oklahoma classic. The El Reno-style onion burger was born of a desire to stretch food a bit further during the Depression, by mashing the shredded vegetable into a disc of the protein, but since the result happens to be delicious, it’s still on the menu nearly a century later if you know where to look. And while you can’t beat Robert’s Grill for authenticity (it’s passed its 90th anniversary and still feels timeless), the nearby Sid’s is a little comfier and also sells shakes. It’s inexpensive because it’s a thin patty that’s not very big, but that’s a good thing: It’s at its best when eaten quickly while steaming hot, so inhale and enjoy. Sid’s Diner, 300 S Choctaw, El Reno

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Quinoa-Black Bean Burger

In a world where definitions are as interchangeable as Legos, a vegetable medley can become a burger; it simply has to be pressed into the proper form – because shape matters, even if components don’t. However, there are good veggie “burgers” in the world, and Picasso Café has one of the best and most popular in town. Starting with two items that are delicious in their own right – quinoa and black beans – surely helps, but the texture is where veggie burgers usually fall short (as well as, just saying, taste), and this one does not. No, it doesn’t have the texture of a beef burger; that requires a delicious piece of meat. But the texture is not off-putting, and if that sounds like damning with faint praise, it is not meant to – this is a solid sandwich option.

The earthy, spicy qualities of quinoa and black bean are wisely complemented with solid crunch from Romaine lettuce, tomatoes and onion. The spicy aioli adds a welcome kick, and don’t be afraid to ask for hot sauce to spice it up even more. The burger is listed as vegetarian, but it can easily be made vegan by scratching the aioli. Picasso Café, 3009 Paseo, OKC

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Chickpea Burger

Republic has succeeded at this hamburger alternative by deliberately leaning away from trying to force too much similarity to ground beef – the patty is a looser mixture that lets its chickpeas keep some of their distinctive texture, and that makes it better than if they had blended it into a homogenous mush. It’s lightly toasted for a little more cohesion, and has a surprising but very welcome spiciness and a pleasantly nutty aftertaste. Slathered in a cool, zippy cucumber raita on one of Republic’s dense pretzel buns, the result is a sandwich that looks like a burger but has its own tasty identity. Republic Gastropub, 5830 N Classen and 12320 Pawnee, OKC

Grilled Jalapeno Bacon Bison Burger

This is not exactly a printed menu item, but if you’ve been to The Garage, you already know that you can get any burger on the menu with bison. This is Oklahoma, after all, and if you want to serve Oklahoma food, shouldn’t bison occasionally appear on the menu? The Garage believes so, and the world is a better place as a result. Bison is gamier than beef, so it works well with stronger flavors. It’s also very, very easy to overcook, so be civilized and order it medium or below.

The bacon cheeseburger is an American classic, so it rightly belongs on this list, and jalapenos are a wonderful modification, as they pay tribute to our sort-of-Southwestern location. The Garage adds garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion, but you can build it how you prefer. These are big, bold flavors, so the jalapenos will help cut through all the heavy proteins and fats, as well as add a little punch.

By the way, the housemade chips are some of the best in Oklahoma, and we highly recommend them as your side. The Garage, Multiple locations, eatatthegarage.com

Wynnewood Thunder

While you’re seeking diversity, why not get it in a single burger? This dramatically named powerhouse tops its beef with a hot link, and a fried egg (seriously, eggs on burgers), and pepper jack cheese, and also a scoop of chili in case everything else gets lonely. Plus, the beef in question is the exceptional No Name Ranch brand, an organically raised breed free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics and loaded with flavor – and Irma’s is among the only places in the metro to get it. The ranch is located in Wynnewood, hence that part of the burger’s name; the other is probably an homage to either OKC’s NBA franchise or the sound it makes when the waiter sets this savory monster on your table. Irma’s Burger Shack, 1035 NW 63rd and 1120 Classen, OKC

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Turkey Burger

If you know Tucker’s – and you should – you probably know it as a source for thick shakes (mint chocolate chip 4 lyfe), big bags of fresh fries and vast heaps of charred onions on a slab of local beef in a buttery bun.

A double with cheese, mustard and pickles is a sincere joy. What you might not have internalized is that if you’re feeling slightly more health-conscious, you can swap out the beef for a patty made with ground turkey – similar in size and texture and not that far away in taste, especially once you add in the onions and condiments. This is one alternative burger whose substitution a customer might be least likely to notice, and since this is Tucker’s we’re talking about, that’s a good thing. Tucker’s Onion Burgers, Multiple locations, tuckersonionburgers.com

Piggy Burger

Chef Chris McKenna came up with the Piggy Burger a couple years ago, and now he can’t take it off the menu. Customers – this writer included – would revolt. Made from ground blackened pork (with a little bacon in the mix) and topped with sliced ham, this burger combines pork’s best smoky, peppery and savory qualities. It comes with smoked Gouda and pickled jalapenos, but an earlier iteration had Anaheim peppers, and it’s worth asking if they have any lying about. House-made mustard and a brioche bun finish it off, but the best news is that the smaller size leaves you satisfied but not stuffed. It’s a perfect lunch-sized burger.

The Piggy Burger is only available at lunch on weekdays, but reappears on the Saturday and Sunday brunch menus – and at those times, add a fried egg. Just do it. Eggs make everything better except bubble gum and non-alcoholic beverages, and Chef McKenna will not be insulted if you add one; he’s likely done it, as well. If you have no concerns for your arterial health, might as well add some bacon, too. Packard’s New American Kitchen, 201 NW 10th, OKC

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FOISSOUED Mike Rhodes, co-owner of Organic Squeeze

Smooth Operator PROS AND CONS OF SMOOTHIES AND JUICES

BY CHRISTI NE EDDI NGTON / PHOTOS BY SHAN NON CORNMAN

SMOOTHIES AND JUICING ARE DELICIOUS WAYS TO ADD VITAMINS, FIBER AND OTHER NUTRIENTS TO YOUR DIET IN THE FORM OF A MEAL OR SNACK THAT CAN FEEL LIKE A TREAT. There are smoothie shops all across the 405, and when enjoyed responsibly, smoothies can sneak a day’s worth of fiber, good fats, protein and all sorts of vitamins into one satisfying slurp. Juicing is a little trickier to navigate, but armed with a little information and a dash of self-discipline, juicing also can be a healthful treat.

But you’ve got to choose wisely.

“As a whole, smoothies and juices can serve a purpose in providing nutrients in

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your diet, but should be used in moderation,” says Kristen Forbes, RN, RDN and founder of Forbes Wellness. “A smoothie can take the place of an occasional meal, if it’s well-rounded. A good smoothie will give you protein, fiber, good fat and a dose of vitamins.”

Juicing has its die-hard proponents, and while Forbes agrees that it can give your diet a boost, the practice can also be unhealthy. “There are definite benefits of juicing, which are that they break down the nutrients from fruits and vegetables into a more absorbable form. Juicing also delivers nutrients in a higher concentration, which is easier on your digestion – but may be harder on your liver, depending on whether the ingredients are organic or if they have been treated with

pesticides.” It makes sense that if a juice provides a concentrated dose of whatever is in the produce, that would be as true for pesticides as it is for vitamins.

Forbes warns that juicing can be sugar-laden, and that since the fiber’s been removed, juice won’t fill you up for long and may lead to a spike in blood sugar, followed by a hangry crash.

“Fiber blunts the blood sugar response and keeps us full, with our metabolism where it should be,” she says. “Juice is not what our bodies are designed to fuel on every day, so I wouldn’t recommend using juice in place of food, and I generally steer people clear of juice diets or juice fasts. But a couple of veggie-heavy juices used supplementally each week can boost vitamin intake. And if you’re

Kristen Forbes

Liquid

Refreshment

LOOKING TO GET YOUR SMOOTHIE ON? NEED SOME JUICY GOODNESS? HERE ARE SOME STOPS TO TRY: ORGANIC SQUEEZE

Playfully named organic juices and smoothies are the name of the game here. Try the Up Beet, Green Giant or Butter Cup – or, if you’re feeling like your colon needs to be cleaned out, go for the 16-ounce bottle of Bentonite Clay, which is added to other beverages a tablespoon at a time, twice a day. If you dare.

6434 Avondale Drive, Nichols Hills

Eric Massey, co-owner of Wheeze the Juice

the kind of person who will just not eat vegetables but you will drink a juice, then they can be beneficial.”

Mike Rhodes, co-owner of Organic Squeeze – with locations in Nichols Hills Plaza and (soon-to-be-reopened) Midtown – has been a fan of both genres since high school, and is doing his best to spread the word. “My family made a significant health change when I was in high school. My mother bought a juicer in the 1990s, and she literally threw out every cookie in the house,” he says, shaking his head and smiling with a dash of residual disbelief.

Rhodes and his siblings come from an entrepreneurial family, and Organic Squeeze is just a grownup version of the first business he opened as a teenager in Giddings, Texas. “We started the only drive-through snow cone shop in the area, Texas Sno-ball. We were very busy, partly because our dad told us we could open it but made it clear that we’d better have customers.” And they did: On the first day, they had more than 200 people lined up, ready for a cone.

Flash forward to 2013, when the siblings, along with their parents, experienced the same sort of fervor at the grand opening of Organic Squeeze, which saw

thousands of people flooding Nichols Hills Plaza. It’s easy to make a big splash once, but the family’s sustained success is a function of a meticulous, all-encompassing obsession with smoothies.

“We spent a full year designing recipes,” Rhodes says. “My brother Robert, who has a real talent for that, experimented with thousands of variations.”

The recipe for one of the shop’s most popular smoothies, the Cocoa Cashew Swirl, came to Robert in a dream. “He came in one day and said he’d had a dream about a smoothie recipe and that it was going to be a breakfast smoothie with oats and flaxseed in it,” he says. This is tricky, because the oats and flaxseed must be used in the exact right proportion and blended completely – otherwise the mixture is not smooth. (That rather goes against the idea.)

Another wildly popular choice, Rhodes said, is the Muscle Westbrook, a concoction of blueberry, banana, hemp protein, hemp powder, cocoa chips, almond milks and Himalayan salt. Westbrook himself has come in to sample his namesake smoothie and enjoyed it, but generally goes for the Cocoa Cashew Swirl. No word yet on whether a Caramel-o Anthony smoothie is in the works.

THE EARTH CAFÉ & DELI

Local, organic and a part of the Norman community forever and a day, there are no quirkily named smoothies here; just a straightforward list of options, including “blueberry+mango.” There is, however, a concoction called the Dragonslayer: a mixture of garlic, lemon, ginger and habanero, which would quickly make me cry.

309 S Flood, Norman

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

Not local, but definitely organic and a convenient choice if you’re struck by a smoothie or juice craving while filling your shopping cart. 6001 N Western, OKC

WHEEZE THE JUICE

Cleverly housed in a building made from shipping containers, Wheeze the Juice offers smoothies, smoothie bowls, fresh juices and cold-pressed bottled juices.

30 NE 2nd, Ste. 1B, OKC

A BetterBalanced Smoothie

Forbes enjoys a smoothie every now and again, but is careful about what she chooses to include. Her Superior Smoothie is full of fiber, protein, calcium and vitamins, plus it sounds delish, and is easy to whip up at home!

THE RECIPE

1 cup frozen berries 1/2 banana A handful of spinach, kale or other greens 1/3 to 1/2 avocado 1/2 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt Unsweetened almond milk Blend and enjoy!

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HOW DO YOU

ROLL?

A guide to sushi, including the etiquette

BY GREG HORTON / PHOTOS BY SCOT T Y O’D ANIEL / ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHAD CROWE

Guernsey Park’s Dragon Roll

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Moe Roll from GoGo Sushi

Red Canyon Roll from Park Harvey

Surf’s Up Roll from GoGo Sushi

SUSHI, LIKE NEARLY EVERYTHING ELSE THAT LANDS IN AMERICA, HAS BEEN WESTERNIZED. TAKEN A STEP FURTHER, IT’S EVEN BEEN OKLAHOMA-TIZED. THOSE OF US WHO HAVE LIVED HERE A FEW YEARS CAN REMEMBER A RESTAURANT THAT SERVED SUSHI ROLLS MADE WITH BACON. BACON! IF THAT’S A REAL THING, HOW IS THERE NOT ALREADY DEEP-FRIED SUSHI ON A STICK AT THE STATE FAIR? Sushi, which is really a word derived from the rice, not the preparation or the raw fish, tends to be polarizing even among fans of sushi. We all have at least one friend or relative who insists on proclaiming their undying hatred for sushi – usually accompanied by a facial expression communicating disgust or revulsion – every time the group is taking suggestions on where to eat. No one even has to mention sushi; the question “Where shall we eat?” is sufficient to elicit the negative response. We shall leave those people to their chicken nuggets and French fries for now.

But even among people who love this food category, there are also battles to be fought.

Fried or not fried? Raw or cooked? Original or low sodium soy sauce? Why is there human skin on my plate? Ginger? That’s ginger? I’d rather have human skin on my plate. Gross.

You get the idea.

To help sort through sushi terminology and etiquette, we talked to two chefs who have extensive experience in the field. Vuong Nguyen learned about sushi at Sushi Neko and opened Guernsey Park. He’s worked around (and eaten) sushi his entire professional life.

Jonathan Krell, executive chef at Patrono, worked at Morimoto of Philadelphia early in his career, and his private sushi dinners are one of Oklahoma’s greatest secret meals.

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Good Advice

FOR BEGINNERS, KRELL HAS VERY BASIC, SENSIBLE ADVICE. “START WHEREVER YOU LIKE. IF IT SOUNDS GOOD TO YOU, CHANCES ARE IT WILL BE GOOD. IF YOU KNOW YOU DON’T LIKE SOMETHING, DON’T ORDER IT.” IF YOU HATE SHRIMP, WRAPPING IT IN RICE WON’T CHANGE THE TASTE. SOLID WISDOM THERE.

BROWN RICE

Because our editor is adamant that brown rice sushi is (or ought to be) a thing, we decided to start there.

Krell: “No.” Nguyen: “No.” Yes, it exists – but no, it shouldn’t, according to both chefs.

“It’s the wrong texture,” Nguyen explains. “The rice is supposed to melt in your mouth. Brown rice will not do that.”

“It sounds like a Western, ‘health’ thing,” Krell says. “I’ve never rolled brown rice sushi. Ever.”

THE RICE

“SUSHI IS THE RICE! I GET TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING ‘I DON’T EAT RAW FISH.’ THAT’S A MISCONCEPTION. SUSHI BEGINS WITH THE RICE.”

ALL ABOUT EGGS

It’s a short-grain, white variety, and that’s important because the high concentration of amylopectin (a starch) in sushi rice means the grains break down easily after boiling. Long-grain varieties remain firm. This is, by the way, according to an NPR story titled “Why is Brown Rice Sushi so Awful?” We love NPR. What makes sushi rice so special is its balance of vinegar, sugar and salt.

Nguyen explains the standard blend is four parts vinegar to three parts sugar to one part salt. “There can be variations, but that’s pretty standard and you don’t want to stray too far.”

There are all kinds of roe available, but you will usually encounter three varieties: Tobiko, Masago and Ikura.

Tobiko is flying fish roe. These are the red-orange eggs that pop in your mouth. A favorite due to their texture, the taste is slightly salty.

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FIND YOUR TYPE MAKI

These are the standard rolls, of which there are four varieties: Uramaki, Futomaki, Hosomaki and Temaki. Traditionally, these are eaten with your fingers, so all you chopstick experts can stop gloating, and all you forkophiles can stop feeling ashamed for having to ask for silverware.

URAMAKI

Rice on the outside, then nori (seaweed), and then the other ingredients, including fish, shrimp, vegetables, etc.

FUTOMAKI

HOSOMAKI

TEMAKI

Nori on the outside, and rolled with a bamboo mat, making them slightly square.

Nori on the outside, but round, not mat-rolled.

A cone of nori filled with ingredients, like a delicious sushi cone.

SASHIMI

This is the part where people get squeamish. It’s sliced, raw fish served without rice. This course is supposed to be eaten with chopsticks.

NIGIRI

The star of sushi dishes! A perfect ball of rice, brushed with the chef’s proprietary sauce, then topped with a touch of wasabi and a slice of raw fish. Krell has advice on this one.

“If you must dip your nigiri into soy sauce, dip the fish side.

The rice will come apart otherwise. Truly, though, chefs give you the nigiri the way they believe it should be eaten. Piling on wasabi or soy, especially when you’re sitting at the sushi bar, is just like inviting a chef to your table to request ketchup for your prime filet.”

CHIRASHI

A bowl of rice with loose pieces of sashimi and possibly vegetables on top. Literally means “scattered sushi.”

Masago comes from smelt. They don’t pop, and they aren’t usually as tasty as tobiko.

Ikura is hard to miss. They’re the big salmon roe, and they are recommended for the sushi veteran or adventurous eater. Krell again: “These are usually served with rice, and you don’t want to take a big bite of ikura. It’s the same as taking a huge bit of caviar. It’s not the point, and it’s not pleasant.”

THE ETIQUETTE (RULES)

There are rules, some based on tradition and respect, and some based on … not science. These are especially important if you sit at the bar and wish to interact with the sushi chef.

You don’t need multiple rolls at once.

Nguyen warns that nori breaks down quickly, and if you have five rolls on the table, the nori will be tough by the time you finish the dish.

When eating sashimi, it is acceptable to put wasabi in your soy sauce. Otherwise, don’t do it.

Eating with your fingers is expected with maki and nigiri. Just wash your hands after.

Female sushi chefs are rare, and that’s because, according to Krell, in Japan there was a longstanding belief that women’s hands were too warm and would heat the sushi. Sushi Neko employs only female sushi chefs, and good for them.

If you ask the chef to surprise you – the word is “omakase” – expect to pay and tip appropriately, and be ready to be adventurous. You asked for it; you get it.

SAUCY THOUGHTS

Both Krell and Nguyen admit that mayonnaise-based sauces are delicious, but they are also not traditional sushi.

If you want sushi, avoid the spicy aioli.

Traditional sushi is the chef’s proprietary sauce, eel sauce and, begrudgingly, soy sauce. For the “cleanest” sushi in Oklahoma City, both chefs recommend Tokyo Japanese Restaurant in Nichols Hills. It’s as close to traditional as we get.

Our Recommendations THERE ARE A TON OF GREAT SUSHI PLACES IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA. THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE, BUT ONLY MEANT AS A WAY TO GET STARTED. SUSHI NEKO Great for beginners, and the stubborn fish-haters in your group have access to Lobby Bar’s very American menu next door. Sorry, though: There are no chicken nuggets on either menu.

4318 N Western, OKC

Sushi Neko's Super Tootsie Roll

TOKYO Why everyone does not go there every day is a mystery. It’s not always

available, but if they have yellowtail collar (kama), get it. Nguyen asks for it every time he goes. 7516 N Western, Nichols Hills

TSUBAKI The nigiri isn’t just delicious; it’s art. As Krell points out: “Sushi started out as fast food. It was food carts and quick meals. Then an art form evolved.” You can see that art form at Tsubaki. 5900 W Memorial, OKC

GOGO SUSHI

It’s not elegant, and it’s not terribly traditional, but it’s locally owned and solid. Krell calls it the “best fast food sushi in Oklahoma City.” 432 NW 10th, OKC and 1611 S I-35, Moore

YUZO

Some elegantly simple traditional rolls and some less so – such as the bombshell’s glazed strawberry slices. The tapas at night are outstanding, and the poke bowl at lunch is one of the best in town.

808 N Broadway, OKC

Mamasita Roll from Yuzo

GUERNSEY PARK

Most of the menu is dedicated to the restaurants’ imaginative twists on Asian cuisine (i.e., you’ll need a fork), but the sushi menu, small though it might be, pays powerful rewards in taste. (Psst – also, you might want to ask about all-you-can-eat sushi Thursdays.) 2418 N Guernsey, OKC

SAII

Rolls for days – you’ll have no trouble at all finding something delicious in this swanky spot. We’re particularly fond of the Eating Nemo, heartless though it sounds.

6900 N May, OKC

PARK HARVEY

It’s convenient for downtown diners, it boasts some nice weekday specials for lunch and happy hour and most importantly, it’s delicious. Try the seafood-laden mountain of its namesake specialty roll. 200 N Harvey, OKC

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TO THE

A roundup of our favorite new restaurants

BY GREG HORTON AN D STEVE GILL / PHOTOS BY SCOT T Y O’D ANIEL

WE’RE CURRENTLY IN THE SEASON FOR FEASTING, AS WELL AS EXPRESSING GRATITUDE – AND IF THAT MANIFESTS AS EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR NEW PLACES TO DO SOME FEASTING THROUGHOUT OUR BELOVED CITY … WELL, THIS IS THE FOOD ISSUE. OKC’S ONGOING EXPANSION HAS PROMPTED A WEALTH OF FRESH FLAVOR OPTIONS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION (EVEN AS TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE FORCED THE DEPARTURE OF SOME OTHER LONGTIME HITS). WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF SOME OF THE METRO’S NEWEST STANDOUTS, SO PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AN INVITATION TO FEAST ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. EN CROUTE

One of Oklahoma City’s most well-rounded culinary power teams runs En Croute, including executive chef/partner Jonathon Stranger, formerly of Ludivine. Crosby Dyke, cheesemonger and operating partner, is largely responsible for giving shape to this combination bistro, wine bar and cheese counter. What is most noticeable at En Croute is how refined all the smallest details are, from the beautiful banquette to the art on the walls to the Le Creuset butter dishes to an absolutely perfect omelette.

En Croute has three menus: brunch, lunch and dinner. For brunch, the avocado and crab omelette is a must try, or the biscuits and gravy for more traditional fare. At lunch, the heirloom tomato and burrata salad is a delicious, light meal, or you can allow Dyke to choose cheeses and meats for you, accompanied by homemade jam, butter and bread, on the En Croute plate. At dinner, it’s the short ribs, or seafood cioppino, or the Eggplant Roma for vegetarians. 6460 Avondale, 405.607.6100

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Scottie’s Deli

The sandwich business is in Eric Fossett’s blood – his family ran a deli in California called Big John’s, so when he left the energy industry and perceived a lack of outstanding neighborhood delis in OKC, it probably seemed fairly natural for him to take the plunge. The result is a bustling industrial Uptown spot named for his grandmother’s Scottish heritage but celebrating the best of Jewish, Italian and German delicatessens. Soups and salads are made from scratch, and they cure, smoke and cook their meats in-house. The classic combo of roast beef and horseradish makes the Wild Horses a winner, and the meatballs are excellent, too – but leave finding that out for your second trip, because the pastrami is an absolute must. Circle it, underline it, surround it with arrows; you flat-out need to have this sandwich. 427 NW 23rd, 405.604.8940

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Nashbird

After rebooting Iguana Mexican Grill, consulting chef Marc Dunham turned his attention to the building on the edge of the railroad tracks on NW 9th. Formerly Hillbilly’s and Pachinko Parlor, the space has not done well over the years. Thanks to the new quiet zone, though, the main issue of being along a railroad track at an intersection has now been solved. That meant Dunham was free to open a concept he’s been working on since falling in love with Nashville hot chicken: With the assistance of Steve Mason, he converted the space into Nashbird, a hot chicken joint.

If you’ve not had Nashville hot chicken, the name should give it away. Nashbird features four hotness levels: For the faint of heart and palate, the southern fried chicken has no heat, but even the most sensitive among us should be able to handle “chirp” level. From there, though, the heat accelerates dramatically, and “crazy hot” is appropriately named. Choose from white meat, dark meat, mixed, wings and tenders, but be advised that the wings and tenders are huge. The best way to soothe the heat is with the Moscato slushie – it doesn’t really help that much, but it is delicious, and the sweetness does complement the spice.

1 NW 9th, 405.600.9718

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ST. MARK’S CHOP ROOM

Next door to En Croute, and sharing a kitchen with the bistro, is the newest concept from the same team. The name is an homage to sommelier/partner Drew Tekell’s father, and the “chop room” is a joke of sorts related to the size of St. Mark’s.

In addition to Tekell, sommelier Eric Berumen oversees the wine list at St. Mark’s, and the by-theglass list is one of the best in the metro. St. Mark’s is dinner-only, and given the size, reservations are highly recommended.

All the beef served at St. Mark’s is Wagyu from Iron Horse Ranch in Macomb, Okla.

Before you get to the first course, though, your server will bring you popovers. Do not pass on the popovers! You can choose from four different steaks, or just let the chef pick a cut for you. All the beef is cut in-house, and the chef has the option of serving custom cuts.

If steak is not your thing, St. Mark’s has chicken and seafood, as well. 6462 Avondale, 405.848.6200

THE PRITCHARD

Without being classist, it’s fair to say that many people were surprised when news broke that a wine bar was going into the Plaza District. The area was not exactly known for fine dining, after all, as bars in the area sold much more beer and whiskey than wine. Still, the team of Steve Mason and Aimee Ahpeatone believed the concept would work, and they made two very smart hires to aid The Pritchard’s success: executive chef Shelby Sieg and sommelier Mindy Magers, both industry veterans.

With the exception of brunch, small plates drive the menu – the idea being to share dishes while you work through the extensive, internationally diverse wine list.

Much of the charcuterie is done in-house, and some is sourced locally from Native Meat Company. The fried chicken thighs are popular, as is the duck. The Cacio e Pepe is a perfect pasta dish, and for brunch, be sure to

The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen

The food isn’t new; fans have been feasting on their Neapolitan-style pizza for a few years via the Hall’s food truck. It’s not surprising that they expanded, either, given how good the sausage-and-pepperoni Saturday Night is, or the excellent balance in the mustard barbecue sauce of the Okie. What is new, however, is this bright, spacious spot on Hudson, boasting plenty of elbow room inside and a rooftop patio that’s only one story up, but offers a surprisingly great view of Midtown. It’s a perfect spot for relaxing for a drink, or a bite of dessert, or just one more slice of pizza. 1004 N Hudson, 405.600.1991

try The Buckle: skirt steak with eggs and chimichurri. 1749 NW 16th, 405.601.4067

BABA G MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

The “Mediterranean” moniker has become a catchall lately to describe food from that part of the world, and it’s terribly unhelpful. Italy is, after all, on the Mediterranean, as are Spain and Algeria. (Pro tip: Those cuisines are not the same.) What Baba G offers is authentic Arab cuisine from Moahz Dabbour’s family recipes, derived from his father, who operated a food stand in Kuwait. Dabbour is serving up what is essentially Arab street food, and he’s doing it at a great price point with exceptional service.

Flavor matters, and everything Baba G puts out is loaded with flavor, including the oft-pedestrian (in other restaurants) hummus. The spicy hummus is as advertised, so be careful

if you are sensitive to heat.

The place is called Baba G, so you are kind of obligated to try the baba ganoush. For a main course, the chicken or steak shawarma are both delicious, and you can get them on freshbaked pita, on a salad or on a plate. Why would anyone say no to fresh-baked pita? 4401 W Memorial, 405.608.2299

NIC’S PLACE

This dream has been a long time in the works for Justin Nicholas, with the operative word being “work” considering how much of his personal labor went into renovating the space on Robinson. And it shows: This is such a beautiful atmosphere it’s slightly disorienting to look at the menu. Because while he’s renowned – and very much deservedly so – as making one of the most outstanding burgers you’ll ever eat, this location allows Nic and crew more leeway to serve hearty,

huge diner-style classics, from chicken-fried steak to sizzling shrimp. Be sure to take a look downstairs, too: The cozy, lowlit underground bar is a thing of beauty.

The atmosphere and immediacy of the original Nic’s Grill on Penn (which is still open, for the record) will always have a place in our hearts, but it’s inarguably nice to be able to find a place at the table, as well. 1116 N Robinson, 405.601.9234

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Esca Vitae

When Prairie Thunder closed permanently, you could almost hear the groans in restaurant kitchens around town. Locally sourced bread is a staple in area restaurants, so the demise of Prairie Thunder meant owners and managers had to look elsewhere. Don Mills has traveled extensively, and part of that time was spent in Germany, where he experienced classic German bakeries. The space previously occupied by Prairie Thunder proved an excellent spot for his experiment: Bring a German bakery to Oklahoma City.

Esca Vitae is both a commercial bakery and a café. The breakfast sandwich is brioche French toast with eggs, bacon, butter lettuce and tomato jam. It’s difficult to explain just how delicious a sandwich on French toast is. Why is this not the national standard? The morning buns are baked fresh daily, and, combined with an Americano or Cappuccino, it’s a great snack for the early morning crowd. Lunch consists of sandwiches on a wide variety of Esca Vitae’s delicious breads, and you’ll not want to skip dessert. The cakes, pastries and tortes are strategically placed to make saying no very difficult. 1114 Classen, 405.601.0402

UrBun

Small venue, small menu, impressively large temptation for lunch or a swing-through snack. Since day one, one of the best parts of the bill of fare at modern Korean smash Chae has been the impossibly soft, pillowy steamed buns stuffed with various kinds of deliciousness. This concept lifts that section off the Chae menu and drops it in a little nook next to the Tower Theatre, making it quicker and more convenient to pop in for your fix of pork belly with heavenly gochujang, pan-seared duck breast in a hoisin sauce, fried tofu, mushroom ragout, breaded pork loin, widely varying daily special … or any combination thereof, including optional fry-and-drink combos. Get in, get your mouth full of distinctive flavor, get on with your day. But don’t sleep on the house-made soft serve ice cream.

431 NW 23rd, 405.602.1534

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BARRIOS Another Good Egg Group concept, another triumph in dining. Keith and Heather Paul have an excellent track record of doing their restaurants right, and Heather took a personal hand in the design and décor of this Midtown cantina. From molten queso fundido to a decadent tres leches cake, the menu is packed with well-balanced Mexican flavors, and includes some pleasant surprises for those who think they’re tired of Tex-Mex – pay special attention to the hot chicken sopes and the outrageously good chili pequin shrimp fajitas. Don’t overlook the powerfully loaded drinks menu, either, and even though winter weather may be on its way, the covered back patio is equipped with fireplaces and heaters to give visitors a cozy, secluded-feeling hideout.

1000 N Hudson, 405.702.6922

THE JONES ASSEMBLY

Once upon a time, there was a Ford assembly facility on Sheridan and Classen; a building that hung around long after its original purpose had ceased. After a massive renovation by The Social Order dining group, the combination restaurant/bar/concert venue/other bar/semi-covered patio/private event space is a place for putting together special experiences and memories, and OKC aficionados are hoping it stays around a good long time. Chef Brittany Sanger oversees the menu that offers mainly American classics such as pizzas, salads, a house burger and hanger steak – not sure the chili-glazed octopus fits in that categorization, but it’s superb – and there’s plenty of room for your whole coterie. Even if you couldn’t get tickets to hear Willie Nelson right before Thanksgiving, the Jones Assembly is more than worth a visit. 901 W Sheridan, 405.212.2378

AURORA

Chick n Beer

The fine folks at Guernsey Park are dedicated to serving signature twists on Asian cuisine, but last December they helped launch a new way to provide diners with satisfied palates: by serving up Korean-style chicken wings. It could be considered a downside that if you’re not in the mood for wings and brews, they don’t offer much else, but on the other hand, the chicken (free range from Crystal Lake Farms in Arkansas) is top-notch. The bourbon teriyaki glaze is amazing, although so is the BBQ honey red curry, and they do make a hot gochujang – gosh, it would just be a shame if you had to eat a bunch of wings to try all the flavor profile possibilities, wouldn’t it? 715 NW 23rd, 405.604.6995

Out of Service BONJOUR CHARCOAL OVEN DEEP FORK GRILL

DEKORA DOT WO GARDEN FAT DOG

LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS WHOSE KITCHENS ARE NOW CLOSED FUZE HILLBILLY’S J. BRUNER’S

LOTTINVILLE’S OKLAHOMA STATION WEST IN BRICKTOWN

How many restaurants can be packed into one four-block stretch of 16th? As far as we’re concerned, the Plaza District hasn’t become overstuffed yet, especially if the new additions are as tempting as this sunny, simply decorated early-morning stop.

Chef Henry Boudreaux has whipped up a menu powered by locally sourced ingredients and filled with special touches, so whether you’re in the mood for savory (zesty arugula pesto and a runny egg make the open-faced BLT sing) or sweet (the tiramisu pancakes with crème anglaise are delightful), you should have no trouble finding something to linger over.

It closes around 2 p.m., so don’t sleep in too long before making your way in, and draw a mental circle around the surprisingly, invitingly secluded-feeling backyard area for next spring.

1704 NW 16th, 405.609.8854

YUZO

Offering sushi and tapas – and doing both well – Tomi Le’s Automobile Alley restaurant is a pleasure for multiple senses. The fragrance of the Brazilian meatloaf in the locomoco, the beauty of rolls such as the strawberry-topped Bombshell, the savor of … just about everything, really. The menu draws from culinary influences as widely scattered as Colombia and Chiba Prefecture, with enough variety to make it a solid bet that anyone can find something appetizing. Our recommendations would include the gyoza, the crab-based Banjo and/or salmon-based Wabi rolls, something from the cocktail menu and definitely a giant ball of tempura-fried ice cream. You might need some assistance from a second party to polish it off, but it’s completely worth the attempt. 808 N Broadway, 405.702.9808

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El Toro Chino

The name comes from the restaurant’s penchant for fusing elements of Latin and Asian cuisines, as seen in such dishes as the carnitas eggrolls or nachos served on crackly wonton-skin chips – but tracing the sources of the individual flavors is honestly less important than appreciating the dishes coming out of chef Gerry Reardon’s kitchen.

The salmon and its chickpea-chorizo succotash is a beautiful meal, the Akaushi brisket marinated in brown sugar and soy sauce is even better and though lunch is less ornate and more about customizable wraps, they provide plenty of room for enjoyment, too. Full disclosure: Our high opinion was almost certainly influenced by the housemade caramel and sea salt gelato served in an edible churro bowl. Yours should be, also.

Menu aside, it’s a nice space, and works nicely for a solo lunch, dinner date, group brunch, even cocktails and snacks while listening to one of the periodic sets from local musicians. 2801 36th Ave NW, Norman, 405.701.8676

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BACON

One good way to enjoy your work is to make sure you’re doing something that you love, and it turns out that Sean Cummings loves making up new ways to utilize a certain theme ingredient. (Given his new restaurant’s name, we can’t give you any points for guessing what that might be.)

Faddishly popular though bacon is, Bacon succeeds not on mere inclusion of the meat, but on the imagination and variety of the dishes’ various ways to incorporate it. And yes, the chef is quick to assert that every menu item, from sampler pack appetizers to salads to lasagna and meatloaf, includes bacon in some capacity. Even dessert, such as the fiercely recommended Triple Bacon Bypass cake. Sean Cummings went big on pig, and the results are a pure pork pleasure.

7523 N May, 405.848.4868

THE BOXCAR

Moore has been growing by leaps and bounds of late, and the lion’s share of developers’ attention seems to be on adding more chains to the south side and west along 19th.

That’s certainly not a bad thing – nobody’s complaining about having Fuzzy’s fish tacos or Hideaway pizza or Bad Daddy’s delicious burger monstrosities in their neighborhood – but it’s also heartening to find the occasional locally owned spot, especially on the north side, and especially one that serves Topeca Coffee-based beverages and an array of tasty-looking sandwiches. The gleaming, comfortable Boxcar also has an impressive collection of board games, if you and some

Hacienda Taco

That address translates to “inside the Shoppes at Northpark” – it’s the restaurant space in the middle of the west side where CityBites used to be, and believe us that this is a vast improvement.

Especially once spring allows for visitors to venture back out onto the brick-clad patio. The tab at Hacienda might be a trifle higher than you’ll find at some other taquerias around the city, but it’s hard to argue with their variety and execution. Standout flavors include the al pastor’s nice smoky flavor and pineapple; the barbacoa’s marvelous texture and lingering “mouthful of meat” feel; and the seared ahi tuna, which is a little less conventional but delicious, especially with its wallop of sriracha aioli. Throw in one of the house margaritas on tap and you should be all set. 12086 N May, 405.254.3140

friends are looking to dawdle a while. 2100 N Eastern, Moore, 405.759.7295

NEIGHBORHOOD JAM

After much anticipation – the idea was three years in the making – the new breakfast and lunch concept from the Hal Smith Restaurant Group is open for business. The menu is straightforward comfort food, but its quality is outstanding, thanks in large part to operating partner Michael Kraft’s and executive chef Brad Johnson’s commitment to making it from scratch (the biscuit recipe was inspired by Johnson’s mother’s).

Diners can look forward to an

Coming Soon

excellent mixture of traditional and creative items – the pulled pork verde is worth the drive, as is the chicken sausage. Kraft is a barista in his own right, and the coffee service is top-notch, featuring Topeca coffee and well-trained staff. The lunchtime booze menu is also primo. It’s located on the southern edge of Edmond at NW 150th and Penn; go welcome them to the neighborhood. 15124 Lleyton’s Court, 405.242.4161

THE MANHATTAN

More and more people are moving to the center of OKC and calling downtown home, so chef Bruce Rinehart decided

to offer them – as well as office workers and passerby – a neighborhood bar. It doesn’t have a huge space nor an overly expansive menu, but it’s not intended to; this is a casual waystation to kick back with a well-built sandwich for lunch, oysters for happy hour, dinner pasta or weekend brunch. Oh, and a beverage or two anytime; there are more than a dozen variations on the namesake cocktail alone. And by the way, since this is a chef Rinehart project, Rococo’s crab cakes are definitely on the menu.

Next time you’re in the neighborhood, head to the Oklahoma Tower and look for the raven.

210 Park, 405.605.5300

FUTURE FLAVORS TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR

8TH STREET MARKET ARBOLADA BUTTERMILK SLIDERS

BLOCK 23 FRIDA GOGI GO

HUNN Y BUNN Y HOPSCOTCH INDUSTRY GASTRO LOUNGE

MCCLINTOCK NONESUCH OSTERIA

THE PORCH THE PRESS SUSSY’S

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Not For Sale: Graffiti Culture in Oklahoma

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more info: oklahomacontemporary.org | @okcontemporary 3000 General Pershing Blvd. | Oklahoma City | 405 951 0000

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dining Hog Wild

PHOTO BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

We must have made some sound of surprise when Jamil’s owner Greg Gawey set this beast in front of us for its close-up, because he chuckled with satisfaction at the effect, and grinned, “That’s the best sandwich in the state.” Considering that it combines sliced pork loin and ham with the smoked bologna that’s a specialty of the house and tops it with jalapeno-infused bacon, the Ultimate Pig is well named, and its vastness is typical of how well this venerable steakhouse does at giving customers what they want.

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LOCAL FLAVOR

GOLDEN AGE FLAVOR Old-school atmosphere and dining at Jamil’s

BY STEVE GILL PHOTOS BY SCOT T Y O’DANIEL

GI V E N T H AT ON E of our features for this issue looks at the

newest set of dining establishments to hit the metro (see p.64), we decided to devote our standard restaurant review to revisiting a local classic. It’s been more than 50 years since Tulsa’s oldest steakhouse, Jamil’s, spun off a second location in OKC, and the food’s still pretty fine. Plus, if you’ve been in anytime during the last four decades, there’s an excellent chance you’ve met Greg Gawey.

When Jamil’s opened its doors on Lincoln in 1964, Jim Elias was running the show, but after a dozen years he decided to hand it off but keep it in the family; his nephew Greg Gawey has been at the helm ever since.

The vintage vibe is strong in this converted old house, and a keen sense of appreciation for history permeates the entire building. Sometimes it’s overt in the ample memorabilia, framed OU Sooners photos and caricatures of Oklahoma greats such as Sequoyah, Reba, James Garner and Troy Aikman. It’s also implicit in the low light, dark wooden paneling and well-used old chairs that let diners know they’re in a place with a rich heritage. If you get a chance, take a look inside the banquet room at the series of framed photos picturing Lincoln Boulevard from back in the ’60s and ’70s, when it had more than a hint of a Las Vegas vibe in its signage.

The elements of this décor aren’t just a random collection of pieces that look old-timey, either: “Everything in here means something,” Gawey says. He points to the Tiffany light fixtures inherited from his uncle, a painting from former Sen. Enoch Kelly Haney, a commemorative replica of Oklahoma’s first state flag (the one with a “46” in a white star on a red field) and multiple glass panels throughout the restaurant. They are from downtown’s old Hotel Black, rescued before its demolition because Gawey went to school with the younger Black, who invited him over to salvage before the doors closed for good.

Amid all this atmosphere, it makes sense that the menu relies heavily on time-tested dishes – beginning with one of Jamil’s claims to fame: the Hors d’Oeuvre Platter. “These recipes are all from my mother,” Gawey assures us of the hummus, tabouli and

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cabbage roll served with ribs and smoked bologna. Some of this Lebanese bounty is gratis to anyone who walks in and sits down to eat, the way baskets of bread pad the tables of other restaurants, but spring for the whole shebang – you don’t want to miss out on the meats.

The tabouli is zesty and sharp as it should be, without any one of its flavors overwhelming the others, but you might nonetheless want a palate cleanser – the creamy hummus should work nicely – before moving on. It would be a shame to miss the comparatively delicate hint of cinnamon in the cabbage roll’s tomato-based sauce. The ribs are tender and savory enough to reward all your culinary concentration, plus, the smoked bologna is flat-out great. I can even appeal to a higher authority: Back in 2012, Food Network Magazine picked the Senators’ Smoked Bologna off Jamil’s menu as its must-try sandwich in all of Oklahoma. I’ve sampled it a few times now, and I can say that anyone who does try it is not likely to regret it.

Since it’s a steakhouse that has reached its golden anniversary, you should be able to guess that the steaks JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE are great – I will steer you toward 4910 Lincoln, OKC the 17-ounce USDA Prime K.C. Strip, 525.8352 which is big in every dimension, jamilssteakhouseokc.com

including thickness and flavor, and has a beautiful texture inside and out – but you also should pay special attention to the catfish.

Its thin filets are fried up crisp and firm with a nicely seasoned breading that Gawey says, “comes from my cousin’s restaurant in Louisiana. I sell 100 pounds of catfish a week.”

Ask your server about dessert, if you still have room. By the time you read this they should be set up with a seasonal pumpkin cheesecake, and there’s pretty good odds of finding a piece of homemade pecan pie.

In between the radio soundtrack and the clink of silverware, expect to hear a good deal of laughter. Part of the charm of a place such as this is that it attracts and maintains a coterie of regular patrons. Both Gawey and the waitstaff – some of whom have been here for decades, as well – easily build a convivial atmosphere. They regularly stop at this table or that to exchange a few words, from asking how the steak turned out to chatting about the weather and how the winds are blowing at the nearby Capitol to a cheerful, somewhat rambling comparison of birthdays and family sizes.

Perhaps the overall sense of people comfortably enjoying themselves is part of what keeps the wheels turning. After all, after four decades, Gawey isn’t ready to call it quits on running Jamil’s. “I love it,” he grins. “It’s like coming home every day.”

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CHEF’S TABLE

A Korean Classic Kevin Lee’s vast, traditional flavor

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HOW IT’S DONE Ddukbokki

The recipe assumes you will have rice cakes on hand. Lee said the easiest thing to do is purchase them at Super Cao Nguyen grocery store, 2668 N Military Ave. 2 cups rice cakes 2 cups water 3 tbsp sugar 1.5 tbsp gochujang – a traditional Korean chili paste also available at Super Cao Nguyen 2.5 tbsp soy sauce 1/2 cup finely sliced green onion 1.5 tbsp Korean chili powder Sautee the green onions with olive oil on medium heat until translucent.

Add soy sauce, sugar and rice cakes, and cook for two minutes.

Once the sugar is melted, add the rest of the ingredients and reduce until sauce thickens.

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

K E V I N L EE’S FAT HER opened the first takeout and delivery steakhouse in Seoul, South Korea. Lee, executive chef at Vast and co-owner of the soon-to-be-open Gogi Go Korean restaurant in Midtown, said the concept failed miserably.

“In Korea, you can have everything delivered,” Lee says. “Full meals with the sides and everything. My dad got his Ph.D. in electrical engineering at OU, and while he was in school, he worked as a server at a Chinese restaurant. He used to go into the kitchen and learn to cook the dishes, and then he’d try them at home for us. He loved food. When we moved back to Korea, he opened the restaurant.”

It did fail, but Lee talks about it with a smile now. His parents’ love of food and cooking fueled his desire to work in the food industry. Growing up in Oklahoma, Connecticut, Seattle and Korea exposed him to a broad variety of foods, too. He said he can’t remember a time he didn’t want to cook.

“When I was 15 or 16, being a chef wasn’t as cool as it is today,” he says. “You couldn’t tell your friends, ‘Hey, I made this awesome dish last night,’ but the love was always there.”

His mother was a great cook, too, and she made traditional Korean food. Lee said the only American food made in his home was steak. His father loved steak, but his mother made Lee’s favorites: braised Korean short ribs and Gae Jang (spicy, fermented, raw crab meat). His love for Asian food didn’t stop with Korean or Chinese, though. In fact, his early professional success was in Japanese food.

“I was the executive chef at Mizuya at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas,” Lee says. “That was the last gig I had before coming back to Oklahoma.”

The Norman native opened a burger joint that survived for a couple years, and during that time, he built relationships with local food industry professionals, most notably Chef Kurt Fleischfresser.

When Burger Rush closed in 2012, he started Fleischfresser’s chef apprentice program at The Coach House, from which he graduated in 2014.

Lee said he grew up in a “very Korean” home, and the love for Korean food that his mother instilled in him drives his passion for Gogi Go. “I think Chae has done a great job of introducing Oklahoma City to approachable Korean food,” he says, “and now I want to expand on that with more flavors and different techniques and dishes. We are doing fast casual and a limited menu to be more approachable. More than anything, I don’t want people to be uncomfortable at Gogi Go.” The restaurant is scheduled to open sometime this winter, and Lee said he believes it will be January. In the meantime, he chose a traditional Korean dish for his recipe, and it’s one that he said is easy enough for people who aren’t familiar with Korean food to prepare at home. - GREG HORTON

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food drink Symbols

$ most entrees under $10 $$ most entrees $10 to $25 $$$ most entrees over $25 outdoor dining reservations accepted valet parking new or updated entry

American ANCHOR DOWN Sip a beer or specialty cocktail and munch on a selection of gourmet corndogs in this fresh Deep Deuce concept housed within repurposed shipping containers. 30 NE 2nd, OKC, 605.8070 $ AURORA Its warmly comfortable atmosphere makes a perfect backdrop for a quick cup of Hoboken coffee or hearty breakfast or lunch assembled from superb ingredients – just be certain not to miss the beautiful secluded backyard area. 1704 NW 16th, OKC, 609.8854 $ BACON Sometimes the name says it all.

Noted OKC chef Sean Cummings fills a menu – from soup and salads through sandwiches, entrees and desserts – with tempting taste combinations that feature one of America’s favorite theme ingredients. 7523 N May, OKC, 848.4868 $$ CAFÉ 501 Rustic stone oven pizzas, fresh salads and specialty sandwiches on housemade artisan breads. Add welcoming atmosphere and enjoy. 501 S Boulevard, Edmond, 359.1501; 5825 NW Grand, OKC, 844.1501 $$ EDDIE’S BAR & GRILL This stylish spot not far from UCO is equally ideal for a casual drink, appetizers while watching the game or a dinner date. And bear in mind that the wings are outstanding. 930 E 2, Edmond, 285.7725 $$

and a full suite of tempting cocktails, wines and spirits. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 $$

surprises, including plentiful selections for vegetarians. 3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $

HEFNER GRILL Upscale fare of handcut steaks and seafood plus a tempting brunch to boot, enhanced by a live piano and a spectacular view overlooking scenic Lake Hefner. 9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 748.6113 $$

THE R&J LOUNGE AND SUPPER CLUB A sentimental dining experience

HOUSE 333 Meatballs are only the beginning at this Campus Corner hangout; a broad menu of everything from wings to lasagna to vegetarian options sets off the ample bar very nicely indeed. 333 W Boyd, Norman, 701.3800 $$ THE JONES ASSEMBLY It’s noteworthy as a spectacular concert venue, but don’t overlook the kitchen’s output the rest of the time. The bar (try a Frosé) and main menu (try everything) are sufficient to make memories even on non-special occasions. 901 W Sheridan, OKC, 212.2378 $$ KITCHEN NO. 324 A seasonally inspired café and craft bakery serving spectacular rustic American cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, and a thorough treat for breakfast or brunch. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $ MARY EDDY’S Inside the inviting environs of Film Row anchor 21c Museum Hotel, this showplace of a restaurant turns out a seasonally driven menu of expertly tuned flavors and dishes meant to be shared. 900 W Main, OKC, 982.6900 $$ NASHBIRD Make tracks to this 9th Street spot serving Nashville-style “Hot Dang!” chicken, with whatever spice level you like. Speedy service, whiskey cocktails and beer and a spectacular patio add extra savor. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 388.0033 $ NEIGHBORHOOD JAM Serving tasty takes on classic American dishes and more specialized options such as pineapple bourbon pancakes, this breakfast-centric spot aims to become a community favorite through outstanding execution. 15124 Lleytons Court, Edmond, 242.4161 $

FLINT Approachably casual style, plus the kitchen’s impeccably serious attention to detail in the outstanding contemporary cuisine, winningly combined in the Colcord Hotel. 15 N Robinson, OKC, 601.4300 $$

NIC’S PLACE Already justly renowned for his skill at the grill, burger master Justin Nicholas offers breakfast, dinner, drinks and late night treats served in outstanding style at this Midtown diner and lounge. 1116 N Robinson, OKC, 601.

9234 $$

HATCH They call it “early mood food,” and if you find yourself in the mood for a sumptuous made-from-scratch breakfast (or lunch), it should be right up your Automobile Alley. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 232.3949 $$

PACKARD’S NEW AMERICAN KITCHEN They’re not kidding about the “new” – the entire lunch and dinner menus are filled with innovative tastes for a distinctive dining experience. 201 NW 10th, OKC, 605.3771 $$

THE HUTCH ON AVONDALE The all-time classic Coach House receives an update with a more modern menu sprinkled with experimental twists,

PICASSO CAFÉ Their neighbors in the Paseo are painters, potters and sculptors, so it’s apt that creativity abounds in these zippy sandwiches, salads, pizza and

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with vintage recipes and atmosphere.

Seating is limited but the patio is a year-round treat, and the drinks menu is a thing of beauty. 320 NW 10th, OKC, 602.5066 $$ THE PRESS Built in a former printing facility and garage, this concept from The Mule’s team adds Oklahoma-inspired comfort food to the Plaza District – the chicken-fried steak comes recommended.

1610 N Gatewood, OKC, 982.1010 $$ REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas, pork chops and steak by the lake in a casual, energetic, hacienda-style atmosphere of stone walls and mahogany beams around an open kitchen. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995; 1820 Legacy Park, Norman, 701.5501 $$ SATURN GRILL A star of the lunchtime stage in Nichols Hills Plaza, its rotation of daily specials and tasty twists on pizza, sandwiches and salads keep it crowded on weekdays. Calling ahead is recommended.

6432 Avondale, OKC, 843.7114 $ SCOTTIE’S DELI Soups, salads and especially sandwiches, all made from scratch and featuring meats that are cured, smoked and cooked in-house. Start with the pastrami and get ready to fall in love. 427 NW 23rd, OKC, 698.3696 $ SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Top-of -the-line ingredients are combined into entrees and sides that are carefully concocted in-house, as are the bevy of wondrous craft cocktails. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900 $$ SUNNYSIDE DINER A new day dawns for breakfast and lunch on the west side of downtown as a former service station becomes a no-pretense, made-fromscratch diner. Order up! 916 NW 6th, OKC, 778.8861 $ SYRUP The most important meal of the day is also the most enticing at this unique breakfast boutique serving a heaping helping of signature dishes (the crunchy French toast is something special) and Stumptown coffee. 123 E Main, Norman; 1501 NW 23rd, OKC, 701.1143 $ VAST Keeping your attention on the steaks, seafood and other temptations might be difficult; the view from atop the Devon Tower is truly unparalleled in Oklahoma, making this a fantastic date spot. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$$ VICEROY GRILLE Opulent décor, comfortable environs and some

outstanding cuisine make a strong recommendation for the Ambassador Hotel’s in-house restaurant; don’t overlook the brunch options. 1200 N Walker Ave, OKC, 600.6200 $$ WAFFLE CHAMPION A food truck that expanded into a brick-and-mortar location in Midtown, its gourmet flavor combinations use waffles as the foundation for sweet and savory sandwich treats. 1212 N Walker, OKC, 525.9235 $ WHISKEY CAKE High-quality locally sourced ingredients, prepared using slow cooking techniques that’s a prime recipe for outstanding dining. Enjoy – and don’t forget the namesake dessert. 1845 NW Expressway, OKC, 582.2253 $$

Asian CHAE This pan-cultural treat puts a delectable influence on embracing traditional Korean cuisine and showcasing its versatility by blending its ingredients with dishes from around the world. Grab your chopsticks and enjoy.

1933 NW 23rd, OKC, 600.9040 $$ CHICK N BEER Wings and brews are food for the soul; these freshly fried beauties are done Korean-style, and with serious flavor. Grab some kimchi fries and a local beer and enjoy. 715 NW 23rd, OKC, 604.6995 $ EL TORO CHINO Big, bold flavors from disparate cuisines are blended in this self-described “Latin + Asian Kitchen” - creating results that are as excitingly distinctive as they are delicious. 2801 NW 36th, Norman, 708.9472 $$ GUERNSEY PARK A hidden treasure on an Uptown back street, reflecting traditional Asian flavors expertly fused with a hint of French influence. Try the chicken lollipops and curry salmon. 2418 N Guernsey, OKC, 605.5272 $$ O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in cool, vibrant digs. Call ahead for dinner, because it becomes a packed house in a hurry. 105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$ SAII With a dark, rich ambiance that elevates it over its surroundings, the captivating Saii serves expertly done Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare plus an extensive and adventurous sushi menu.

6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244 $$

Bakery BELLE KITCHEN Doughnuts, macarons, pastries and ice cream created from scratch, in small batches – making treats like these with care and passion makes a difference that’s easy, and a pleasure, to taste. 7509 N May, OKC, 430.5484; 30 NE 2nd, OKC, 541.5858 $

COME DINE WITH A

LEGEND!

1309 South Agnew • 1st Light South of I-40 Located in Historic Stockyards City.

405.236.0416 • CattlemensRestaurant.com

Open 6am Every Day

CUPPIES & JOE The name is only part of the story: the Uptown nook holds cupcakes and coffee as well as pie, live music, a cozy, trendy vibe and more.

Park around back and take a peek. 727 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $ ESCA VITAE Food for Life, the name promises, and visitors may well find themselves feeling revitalized after sampling this European bakery and café’s espresso drinks, selection of deli sandwiches and vast selection of tempting breads and baked goods. 1114 N Classen Drive, OKC, 601.0402 $ LA BAGUETTE Comfort and exquisite baking make a tres chic destination for brunch and beyond. They supply pastries throughout the metro, but the source is especially delicious. 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman, 329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman, 329.5822 $ PIE JUNKIE A Plaza District haven for serious pie aficionados. Call ahead to order a whole pie or quiche or walk in and choose from what’s on hand; either way the flavors are incredible, and you may never find a better Key lime. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $

Flavor Voyage Gopuram’s aromatic Indian bounty I N DIAN C U IS I N E is a treasure trove for gourmands, flavoristas and other lovers of wide-ranging tastes – and it’s especially great for vegetarians (at least those who have a decent spice tolerance), who are often starved for choice in cuisines that focus more heavily on chicken-frying various proteins. In OKC, Veeral Mehta’s restaurant Gopuram should be at the top of your list.

The original opened in 1994 at 4559 NW 23rd (on the NW corner of 23rd and Meridian), and they recently added a second location on Memorial opposite Mercy Hospital. Never hesitate to get the Chicken Tikka Masala – the hunks of tastiness cooked in a clay tandoori oven and lacquered in a tomato and onion cream sauce are among the most popular Indian food options among Americans for a reason.

But you shouldn’t fear branching out, either: practically everything is delicious. Poke the menu at random and you could wind up with the seekh kabob (a savory sausage made of heavily spiced minced lamb), or the thoroughly excellent shrimp korma, braised in a rich almond sauce that’s as hot as you want it to be.

Gopuram also has a buffet waiting seven days a week, which is a good news-bad news scenario. You can’t guarantee what’s on tap and might therefore miss something outstanding such as the korma, but on the other hand, you’re practically guaranteed as much soft, chewy naan, samosa pastries, fried spinach pakora and desserts as you can fit in around a choice of at least a few entrees. Given Gopuram’s level of execution, it’s a pretty great deal. Just be prepared to leave it all on the field: They don’t give to-go containers for the buffet, and filling your pockets with the addictively delectable rice pudding known as kheer is considered a faux pas. Whatever you choose, go adventuring, and enjoy. - STEVE GILL

SARA SARA CUPCAKES The ambiance and milk bar make great additions to the variety of specialty cupcakes - selections range from traditional chocolate to blueberry honey and even bacon, egg and cheese. 7 NW 9th, OKC, 600.9494 $

Bar & Pub Food THE BARREL The menu is wellstocked with intriguing and delicious twists on pub cuisine, but the equally ample bar makes it a great spot to relax over drinks as well. 4308 N Western, OKC, 525.6682 $ BLU FINE WINE & FOOD Just south of Main Street, this sleek bar stands out due to quick, courteous service and a menu with gourmet range from mojitos to barbeque chicken pizza to fresh hummus. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$ THE MANHATTAN A stylish neighborhood bar in the heart of downtown, its cocktail menu is packed with variations on its namesake classic, and don’t overlook the selections of sandwiches, salads and tasty treats from chef Bruce Rinehart. 210 Park Suite 150, OKC, 605.5300 $ THE MONT While the food should tempt palates inclined toward a Southwestern zing, it’s beverages like the beloved Sooner Swirl and the primo patio (with misters) for which this landmark is justly renowned. 1300 Classen Blvd, Norman, 329.3330 $ OAK & ORE A Plaza District port of call built with repurposed rustic materials, it offers more than a handful of creative sandwiches that practically require a knife and fork, as well as a tantalizing selection of lovingly chosen craft beers. 1732 NW 16th, OKC, 606.2030 $ O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB & GRILLE Beloved by students, alumni

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and townies alike, it’s served up killer burgers, beer and festive atmosphere since 1968. A St. Patrick’s Day must. 769 Asp, Norman, 217.8454 $ PUB W Multiple sections provide a choice of atmosphere, but the menu filled with choice beer and “new classic” fare from barbeque wings to pork chops is a constant pleasure. 3720 W Robinson, Norman, 701.5844; 3121 W Memorial, OKC, 608.2200 $$ REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Part beer bar and part upscale eatery, this noisy, amply attended locale pairs a vast selection of quality brews with tasty menu items, including a great burger selection. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577; 13230 Pawnee, OKC, 907.5900 $$ SLAUGHTER’S HALL A good-vibe hangout in the heart of Deep Deuce, it’s home to great sandwiches and brunch options, a strong beer selection, a notoriously tasty take on poutine and some of the best mac and cheese in the city. 221 N Central, OKC, 606.6063 $$

Barbeque EARL’S RIB PALACE A popular choice among locals in a genre that’s hardly lacking in options, the local chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $ IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE Iron Star specializes in “a unique and tasty spin on comfort food.” While its entrees are excellent, the sides here are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$ LEO’S BAR-B-Q Dense, rich flavor and tender texture, delivered in genuine unpolished style for commendable value – no wonder its ribs and brisket are favorites among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367 $ MAPLES This Texas-style BBQ stand does serve brisket, pulled pork and sausage in sandwiches, but considering the quality, you might prefer them, or the pork ribs, by the pound. And get in the habit of going early, because they’re in the habit of selling out regularly. 320 NW 11th, OKC $$ TEXLAHOMA BBQ Family owned and fabulously flavorful, its meats (especially the beef ribs) are eye-rolling good. Don’t forget the espresso barbeque sauce! 121 E Waterloo, Edmond, 513.7631 $$

Burgers & Sandwiches COW CALF-HAY This tempting burger spot offers ample flavor combinations, and the delicious neverfrozen patties are mmmmmassive.

Don’t forget the onion rings. 3409 Wynn, Edmond, 509.2333; 212 N Harvey, OKC, 601.6180 $ THE FIXX Massive, monstrous burgers and hot dogs, put together with thought

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

GOOD TASTE

and care. Don’t forget to get a shake or something from the full bar. 644 W Edmond, Edmond, 285.2311 $ THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER It can get noisy in the sports-bar atmosphere, but even so your focus will likely be on savoring the many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 8 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com $ IRMA’S BURGER SHACK Hand-cut fries, hand-breaded onion rings and simply great burgers, especially with No Name Ranch patties - lean and flavorful thanks to a local breed of cattle. 1035 NW 63rd, OKC, 840.4762; 1120 Classen Drive, OKC, 235.4762 $ KAISER’S GRATEFUL BEAN Located in the heart of Midtown, OKC’s authentic ice cream parlor and soda fountain (it’s on the National Register of Historic Places) serves up shakes, malts, egg creams and homemade ice cream, plus burgers and meals for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. 1039 N Walker, OKC, 236.3503 $ THE MULE Solid beer and beverage selection plus a delectable array of gourmet grilled cheeses and melts fill the menu at this relaxation destination in the Plaza District. 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $ NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s crowded … and it’s incredible. It’s only open for

lunch and the lines are often long, but the colossal burgers are easily among the metro’s best. Don’t forget some money, since it’s cash-only. 1202 N Penn, OKC, 524.0999 $ S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these burgers’ exquisite flavors including such ingredients as peanut butter or a coffee crust - come as sliders too, all the better to sample more kinds. 5 metro locations, sandbburgers.com $ TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS With one burger, one side (fries) and one salad, the menu is easy to remember - and the execution makes the meal unforgettable. Add a shake and enjoy. 4 metro locations, tuckersonionburgers. com $

Coffeehouse & Tea Room ALL ABOUT CHA Universal standards and unusual concoctions (the sweet potato latte is a wonder) in a cheerful atmosphere; the food options are worth investigating, as well. 5 metro locations, allaboutcha.net $ CLARITY COFFEE The vibe is crisp, clean and cool while remaining welcoming and comfortable – including seating for sipping or getting some work done – and the brewers have their beverages down

to a science. As the sign says, “Drink the Coffee.” 431 W Main, OKC, 252.0155 $

to explore a world of possibili-teas. 519 NW 23rd, OKC $

COFFEE SLINGERS Rocking a brisk, urban vibe on Automobile Alley, it has become a gathering place for genuine java enthusiasts, especially during its periodic educational sampling seminars. 1015 N Broadway, OKC, 606.2763 $

Continental

ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house - the passionate staff is always eager to share knowledge about the process - augmented with locally sourced salads, breakfast options and other treats. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $ ELLIS ISLAND Their brews use Eote Coffee (thumbs up), but there’s much more in store in this clean, cozy hangout spot – local beers, a selection of wines, treats from La Baguette and Epic Pops and more are waiting to be enjoyed. 130 N Broadway, Edmond, 726.8831 $ RED CUP Comfortably ramshackle surroundings encourage curling up for conversation over great coffee, baked treats, vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch specials, and live music. It’s highly recommended. 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430 $ T, AN URBAN TEAHOUSE Proving that an establishment’s focus can be at once narrow and broad, these retreats offer over 100 varieties and expert counsel

BROWN PAPER PACKAGES TIED UP WITH STRING OKLAHOMA BBQ WILL BE THEIR FAVORITE THING Let Earl’s Rib Palace cater your next Holiday get-together.

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BIN 73 Think of it as a wine bar but don’t overlook the tasting menu - diners can fill up on filet mignon or simply top the evening off with tapas while enjoying the full gamut of libations and chic ambiance.

7312 N Western, OKC, 843.0073 $$ BLACKBIRD A Campus Corner gastropub pairing succulently creative dishes like pot roast nachos with a broad beer, wine and whiskey list. There’s little on the menu that won’t tempt palates. 575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$ CHEEVER’S Southwestern-influenced recipes (the chicken-fried steak is a house specialty) and love of seafood drive the contemporary comfort food in one of the city’s finest dining destinations. 2409 N Hudson, OKC, 525.7007 $$ EN CROUTE A warmly welcoming, comfortable café in Nichols Plaza offers treats all day long, from fresh pastries to select spirits and beer, with special emphasis on artisanal cheese and charcuterie. 6460 Avondale, OKC, 607.6100 $ LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elitequality, locally sourced ingredients

- but every dish is the result of genuine culinary artistry. 805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$ THE MANTEL Marvelous steaks, seafood and other specialties combine with a refined atmosphere and outstanding service to set the stage for a truly memorable meal, especially if you have a date to impress. 201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$ THE METRO A perennial favorite that feels comfortably upscale without exerting pressure to impress on its clientele, the farreaching menu covers culinary high points from vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$ MICHAEL’S GRILL Thoroughly urbane dining in an intimate setting: the steaks, chops, seafood and pastas are all reliably excellent, and the Caesar salad prepared tableside is the stuff of legends. 2824 W Country Club, OKC, 810.9000 $$$ THE MUSEUM CAFÉ A setting as inspiring as the OKC Museum of Art warrants something special in cuisine: delicately light or delectably robust, its European-inspired menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$

Drinks With an Icon The Lobby Bar’s chic, summery Audrey Hepburn TH E B E VE R AG E has English connections, although some of

its makeup adds a more continental flair and its overall appeal is universal. It’s elegant, delicate and stylish, but with enough colorful, vibrant character to make it seem inviting rather than unapproachable. And while timeless, it’s strongly associated with summer. All in all, the Lobby Bar’s luscious cocktail amply earns the name Audrey Hepburn.

The drink is driven by Broker’s gin, which is crafted at a 200-year-old distillery in England, and so British that each bottle comes topped with a little bowler hat. That’s combined with a strawberry shrub (a tangy syrup made from fruit and vinegar), lemon juice and a Spanish white wine called Blanc Pescador, for a little extra lightness and sparkle – plus a swirl of Esprit de June, a delicately flavored liqueur made from the short-lived flowers of grapevines in bloom. A fitting beverage to share its name with a Belgian-born British actress who epitomized vivacious grace in Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. And as for the seasonal connection, Truman Capote introduces Holly Golightly like this: “It was a warm evening, nearly summer, and she wore a slim cool black dress, black sandals, a pearl choker.”

The little black dress Hepburn made so famous is also an iconic symbol of sophistication and taste – which would be right at home in the unmistakable art deco elegance of the Lobby Bar, inside the WWII-vintage Will Rogers Theater at 4322 N Western. The classic venue packs a full menu of both food and drinks, but fans know that an Audrey Hepburn never goes out of style. - STEVE GILL

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PARK AVENUE GRILL A one-of-a-kind dining experience inside the luxurious Skirvin Hilton, blending traditional steak and seafood with the high style of its 1930s setting. 1 Park Ave., OKC, 702.8444 $$$ PASEO GRILL Quiet and intimate inside, cheerful and comfortable out on the patio, with an award-winning menu filled with distinctive flavors inspired by the cuisines of Europe in both areas – try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079 $$$ THE PRITCHARD WINE BAR Tempted by tempranillo? Musing about muscat? This Plaza District stop is amply stocked with an extensive list of exceptional wines, and sampling the varied dishes is a pleasure in itself. 1749 NW 16th, OKC, 601.4067 $ ROCOCO An “East Coast-style” restaurant with a diverse menu of international dishes, all set off by carefully selected wines to create the perfect dinner pairing. 12252 N May, OKC, 212.4577; 2824 N Penn, OKC, 528.2824 $$ SEVEN47 A Campus Corner hotspot boasting sleek, swank décor, an appealingly broad menu including a tantalizing brunch and a consistently celebratory vibe - in toto that makes this a winner. 747 Asp, Norman, 701.8622 $$ SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; magnificent culinary rewards.

The expertly considered menu mixes French and Italian flavors to present a wide spectrum of amazing flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$ WEST Expert staff and stylish décor augment a menu filled with treats from beef pad thai to roasted airline chicken.

Don’t forget the zuccha chips! 6714 N Western, OKC, 607.4072 $$

French LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Les Freres Buthion have deep roots in the city’s culinary landscape, and this flagship combines fine dining with a great bakery, deli and butcher on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$

German DAS BOOT CAMP Longtime fixture for Deutsch festivities Royal Bavaria has brewed up a second round of exceptional cuisine and magnificent beer in a less expensive, faster-paced location in downtown Norman. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $ FASSLER HALL Bringing German flavor to Midtown via house-made sausages, warm soft pretzels with cheese sauce, duck fries and a heftig beer menu, plus a weekend brunch – what’s not to love? 421 NW 10th, OKC, 609.3300 $ INGRID’S Authentic German fare at its best, including outstanding Oklahomamade bratwurst. Join weekend regulars for breakfast, and remember the bakery counter. 3701 N Youngs, OKC, 946.8444; 6501 N May, OKC $$ ROYAL BAVARIA Superb takes on traditional dishes like Weinerschnitzel, Jagerbraten and sausages, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. The time spent is a worthy investment in this family-style dining hall. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

Indian GOPURAM - TASTE OF INDIA A full-service restaurant whose richly appointed interior and attentive staff accord patrons the feel of fine dining, even during the plentifully stocked lunch buffet. 4559 NW 23rd, OKC, 948.7373 $$ MISAL OF INDIA A Norman institution for over 30 years, specializing in tandooricooked delicacies and boasting healthy, natural, delicious cuisine served amid splendid ambiance. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$ TAJ A tremendous set of Indian staples and delicacies - the menu has sections for vegetarian, tandoori, South Indian and Indo-Chinese specialties - plus full lunch and dinner buffets. 1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$

Italian & Pizza BELLINI’S Tasteful in décor and Italian offerings alike, this romantic nightspot quietly, confidently exudes elegance. It’s worth a visit even if only for a couple of the namesake beverages on the shady patio.

6305 Waterford, OKC, 848.1065 $$ BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the splendid menu keeps the booths full and diners planning return trips to this vintage building by the railroad tracks; don’t overlook Sunday brunch. 105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271 $$

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

AT THE BAR

DIVERSIFIED DINING: BRUNCH • LUNCH • HAPPY HOUR • DINNER

4308 N Western Avenue 405.525.6682 barrelokc.com

4309 N Western Avenue 405.604.0990 drumroomokc.com

4709 N. Western Avenue 405.602.3477 thewedgeokc.com

201 E Sheridan Avenue 405.236.8040 themantelokc.com

2408 N Robinson Avenue 405.600.1166 thebluenote.com

5100 N Classen Circle 405.286.1939 drunkenfry.com

EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style (that means thin, flexible crust with a lot of surface area to cover in cheese and tasty toppings), it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC $ FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA Managing to feel rustic despite its location in a busy corridor of OKC, this cozy Italian joint keeps extended hours, and tends to get busier and louder as the hour gets later.

5801 N Western, OKC, 843.1527 $$ THE HEAT There’s really no need to be humble about this true Chicago-style pizza, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. It’s one of our favorites; choose your toppings and think deep thoughts. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $ HIDEAWAY PIZZA If you’ve been serving a devoted following for over half a century, you’re doing something right.

In this case, that’s incredible pizza in jovial surroundings. 8 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$ KNUCK’S WHEELHOUSE Homemade daily with sauces from scratch and local beer in the crust, it’s a tasty and varied stopover for Bricktown wanderers as well as a pizza-lover’s destination in its own right. 103 E California, OKC, 605.4422 $ MONI’S Handmade, New Jersey-style brick oven pizza and authentic pasta

recipes from Southern Italy in a casual, comfy ambience (ideal for dates). 17200 N May, Edmond, 285.5991 $$ OTHELLO’S Garlic bread and warm mussels to tiramisu and coffee – all you could want in a romantic Italian café. ; 1 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.9045 $$ PIZZA 23 The tempting selection of specialty pies on especially buttery, flaky crusts is available for takeout, but dining in is recommended. 600-B NW 23rd, OKC, 601.6161 $$ PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (which harnesses an extremely hot fire to quickly cook superfine flour crusts and quality ingredients) stars alongside Italy-inspired salads, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker, OKC, 437.4992 $$ STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of legitimately Italian tastes for a casual lunch, or romantic dinner, amid stylish scenery. The weekend brunch offerings are especially superb. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$ SUSSY’S An OKC tradition continues, as this quick downtown eatery serves up recipes from one of the city’s first pizza providers more than half a century ago.

Try a Fleetwood or one of the pasta or salad options and see why it succeeded in the first place. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 600.1195 $

TOMMY’S ITALIAN-AMERICAN GRILL An old favorite returns to the metro to provide fresh, plentiful doses of primo pasta and pizzas, always served with plenty of ambiance. 5516 W Memorial, OKC, 470.5577 $$

truffle oil) and made-from-scratch sauces.

230 NE 1st, OKC, 270.0660; 4709 N Western, OKC, 602.3477 $$

Japanese // Sushi

UPPER CRUST A chic, contemporary pizzeria and wine bar specializing in wood-fired, thin-crust New York-style pies complemented by a full menu and wine list.

5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$

CAFÉ ICON Tempting sushi, Japanese specialties and delicious spectacles like steak cooked at the table on a sizzling stone fill the menu to bursting with visually splendid and palate-pleasing treats. 311 S Blackwelder, Edmond, 340.8956 $$

VICTORIA’S A comfortable atmosphere, with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – the chicken lasagna and linguine with snow crab are especially excellent. 327 White, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th, OKC, 759.3580 $

GORO An “izakaya” is a Japanese pub; visitors to the Plaza District will quickly come to associate the term with expertly crafted deliciousness thanks to this cheerful spot for ramen, yakitori, bar snacks and more. 1634 Blackwelder, OKC, 606.2539 $

VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff and management treat customers like guests in their home. It’s a small space, so calling ahead is recommended. 7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867 $$

MUSASHI’S Exquisitely flavorful Japanese cuisine prepared with genuine artistry, thanks to the skilled chefs executing culinary performance art at tableside hibachi grills. It’s a great spot for a special occasion. 4315 N Western, OKC, 602.5623 $$

VOLARE A variety of Neapolitan-style pizzas, produced with haste from a specially imported oven, fill this stylish Campus Corner space boasting a serious rooftop patio. 315 White, Norman, 310.3615 $$

SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style (sleek, brisk, classy) with substance (in the form of an especially wide-ranging and creative sushi menu). 4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 $$

THE WEDGE Wood-fired pies crafted from fresh ingredients (the possibilities range from pepperoni all the way to figs or

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TOKYO It’s neither huge nor lavishly appointed, and the menu focuses on tradition rather than creativity; but it’s palpably fresh and routinely cited as among the metro’s best sushi. 7516 N Western, OKC, 848.6733 $$ YOKOZUNA The noodles, entrees and snappy drinks menu beckon, but it’s the rolls that stand out in this heavyweight contender for local sushi supremacy – personally, we’re partial to the 405 Roll.

13230 Pawnee, OKC, 500.1020 $$ YUZO Variety is the word in this sushi tapas bar, boasting a tempting swirl of Colombian, Brazilian and Japanese culinary influences. 808 N Broadway, OKC, 702.9808 $$

Mediterranean & African HAIGET’S Vegan-friendly – and friendly in general, due to the influence of the warm, patient namesake owner – this gem rewards the adventurous with Ethiopian and Kenyan specialties to explore and share. 308 W Edmond Road, Edmond, 509.6441 $$ MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI The menu is stocked with authentic, quick and savory options from Greek salad to eye-watering cabbage rolls, and there’s even a mini-grocery

stocked with select staples. 5620 N May, OKC, 810.9494 $ QUEEN OF SHEBA Practically the definitive example of a hidden treasure, the spicy, vegan-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the bold. Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$ ZORBA’S For well over 20 years, Zorba’s has satisfied appetites and pleased palates.

Serving dishes from recipes passed down through generations, they proudly share flavors of Cyprus, Spain, Greece and Morocco. 6014 N May, OKC, 947.7788 $

Mexican & Latin American 1492 Authentic Mexican cuisine in an elegant atmosphere, combining its caliente flavors with fusion decor to make an ideal spot for a romantic evening ... including perhaps the world’s best mojitos. 1207 N Walker, OKC, 236.1492 $$ BARRIOS A serious collection of Latinflavored deliciousness, including a brunch that’s maravilloso, in a cool Midtown space with a back patio that’s pure paradise.

1000 N Hudson, OKC, 702.6922 $ BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s nearly always standing-room-only at lunch, but don’t let that deter you; spend a few minutes in line

and get an ample reward in the form of fast, fresh, imaginative taco creations. 530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $ CAFÉ DO BRASIL It’s a long way from OKC to Rio, but the savory menu in this Midtown hot spot covers the distance in a mouthful. Even brunch is a spicy, inimitable treat. 440 NW 11th, OKC, 525.9779 $$ CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant flavors from the zesty traditions of Guatemala. Lunch possibilities beckon, but it’s the breakfast specialties that truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $ CULTIVAR A farm-to-fire Mexican kitchen that stresses sustainability, local sourcing and fresh, fast, flavorful food.

Gluten-free options, chef-crafted tacos, a substantial bar and plenty more are on the menu. 714 N Broadway, OKC $$ HACIENDA TACOS Quality, of both ingredients and execution, and variety make this restaurant in the Shoppes at Northpark a pleasure to visit, and to explore the menu again and again. 12086 N May, OKC, 254.3140 $ IGUANA MEXICAN GRILL Unique Mexican flavor in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices - a treat from the housemade salsas to the handcrafted cocktails, and all the tastes between. 9 NW 9th, OKC, 606.7172 $$

MAMA ROJA MEXICAN KITCHEN A festive atmosphere on the scenic shores of Lake Hefner sets off a menu loaded with hand-rolled tamales, vendor-style tacos and signature dishes. 9219 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 302.6262 $$ TARAHUMARA’S Beloved by locals (there’s usually a line but it moves quickly), this airy ristorante serves huge, tasty TexMex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like carnitas de puerco and mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$ YUCATAN TACO STAND A Bricktown haven for feisty Latin fusion cuisine such as paella and tamales wrapped in banana leaves plus signature nachos and combos … and a selection of over 75 top-shelf tequilas.

100 E California, OKC, 886.0413 $ ZARATE’S In addition to the familiar joys of enchiladas and the like, the chef’s Peruvian heritage shines in dishes featuring plantains, yuca and imported spices. Try something different; find something tasty. 706 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.6400 $$

Seafood THE DRAKE The Good Egg Group’s flagship and a standard-bearer for diners who crave excellent seafood, it serves chef’s creations featuring the sea’s finest, plus an oyster bar and tempting cocktails. 519 NW 23rd, OKC $$$

Feeding Okies for over 40 years!

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EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

PEARL’S CRABTOWN A huge Bricktown warehouse where the Cajun Crab Boil is a favorite, guests are encouraged to “leave the silverware at home and dig in,” and taste is king. 303 E Sheridan, OKC, 232.7227 $$

Served Nightly 5-6:30 pm Choice of 12 oz KC Sirloin or Jumbo Fried Shrimp Served with all of Jamil’s Famous Appetizers and Baked Potato, Tabouli, Hummus, Rose’s Cabbage Rolls, Smoked Bologna $

PEARL’S OYSTER BAR A perennial OKC favorite for its flavorful seafood and spicy Creole-inspired dishes: Shrimp Diablo, Tabasco-infused Caesar salads, Andouille omelets at Sunday brunch and more. 5641 N Classen, OKC, 848.8008 $$

25.95

TRAPPER’S FISHCAMP Zesty, widely varied flavor from the Pearl’s family of restaurants finds a comfortable home in a backwoods fishing lodge atmosphere.

Don’t forget the bountifully stocked bar, either. 4300 W Reno, OKC, 943.9111 $$ THE SHACK SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR A massive selection of nicely spiced Cajun and Creole cooking, plus fried and grilled seafood, in an atmosphere that’s not shy about being as casual as it can be.

3 metro locations, theshackok.com $$

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BRENT’S CAJUN Sit down to a massive platter of jambalaya, crawfish etoufee, Pasta Orleans or any of the well-seasoned temptations on the weekend brunch menu – and spice up your life. 3005 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.0911 $$

One Mile North of the Capital @ 49th Street

C’EST SI BON The name is accurate: it is impressively good for lovers of Cajun-style catfish and po-boys. Crawfish etouffee, frogs’ legs, fried chicken and shrimp po-boys are among the highlights, but the award-winning catfish is a must-try. 101 N Douglas, Midwest City, 610.2555 $ THE DRUM ROOM March your own drumsticks in for a heap of crispy, juicy fried chicken (among the city’s best) starring alongside fried okra, waffles and a fully loaded bar. 4300 N Western, OKC, 604.0990 $$

Steakhouse BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance down to the last detail and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$ BROADWAY 10 Cruise into the Buick building in Automobile Alley to savor steak supremacy or seafood selections (even sushi) in a cozy enclave amid urban bustle. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 212.3949 $$$

Another Another Fine Fine Rococo Rococo Restaurant Restaurant

CATTLEMEN’S Almost as old as the state itself, this Oklahoma institution’s immense corn-fed steaks and matchless atmosphere are history served anew every day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$ JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE Saving room for your steak, lobster or prime rib is difficult when your gratis appetizers arrive in the form of a Lebanese bounty, but make the effort. Jamil’s has been feeding Oklahoma exceptionally well since 1964.

4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$$ JUNIOR’S The classic restaurant’s decor sets the perfect stage for hand-cut Angus

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steaks and lobster to fight for attention with knockout fried chicken. 2601 NW Expressway, OKC, 848.5597 $$$ MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the star. 3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959; 100 W Main, OKC, 208.8800 $$$ MCCLINTOCK Where better to find a saloon than in Stockyards City? There’s plenty of room at the massive, 50-foot oak bar, and plenty of cocktails and whiskies behind it, but the main draw may be the massive, excellent steaks and chops. 2227 Exchange, OKC, 232.0151 $$$ MEAT MARKET REFECTORY The steaks are excellent, but they’re the tip of the ample menu’s iceberg: fresh seafood and Australian lamb chops command attention as well, and from Hatch green chili crab cakes to champagne sabayon, the carefully selected flavors pop and sparkle in this prime dining experience. 2920 NW 63rd, OKC, 608.8866 $$$ MICKEY MANTLE’S This lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées and sides with a full complement of amenities destined to impress. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$ OPUS PRIME STEAKHOUSE It aspires to the ultimate in upscale dining via handcut USDA Prime Black Angus steaks, a vast wine selection and intimate ambiance.

800 W Memorial, OKC, 607.6787 $$$ RANCH STEAKHOUSE Customaged hand-cut USDA Certified Prime tenderloins and ribeyes, served amid warm Southern hospitality. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$ RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks, vibrant, imaginative flavors and amenities to make some of the state’s best dining. 504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$ TEXAS DE BRAZIL Inspired by Brazilian churrascarias, this festive establishment offers diners cuts from their choice of skewers laden with beef, pork, chicken and sausage, in addition to excellent sides and a massive salad bar.

1901 NW Expressway, OKC, 362.9200 $$$

Thai SALA THAI Pineapple curry, basil squid, fried rice with crab, cinnamon beef ... the variety is exceptional, making this Midtown diner a popular midday option.

1614 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.8424 $ SWEET BASIL The enormous aquarium adds to the cozy ambiance; with its outstanding curries and specialty dishes, it makes a great venue for a dinner date. 211 W Main, Norman, 217.8424 $$ TANA THAI There’s a lot to like about the food in this little spot, from red snapper filet to pad thai. Pay special mind to the varied soups, and do not play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May, OKC, 749.5590 $$

LUNCH AT TOMMY’S Great for Business or Just Fun!

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405.470.5577

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EDMOND With the University of Central Oklahoma gearing up for Winterglow and lights and decorations about to parade and cascade along the streets of downtown, Edmond is getting set for the holiday season. And with the enticing mix of established favorites and new attractions among specialty boutiques, major retailers and delicious restaurants, it’s worth visiting this bustling section of the metro over and over – even after your shopping list is complete.

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FINE HOME ACCESSORIES | GIFTS | FURNITURE 15020 BRISTOL PARK BLVD, SUITE 100 EDMOND, OK 73013 405.286.2025

The Edmond Economic Development Authority exists to offer resources that stimulate the growth of Edmond’s economy by creating and maintaining an optimum environment for both new and existing businesses, offering services that facilitate the growth and expansion of those businesses and generating opportunities to increase the sales tax base of the city of Edmond.

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As women, we’re the caretakers. The mothers. The ones who kiss and bandage the bumps and bruises or nurse the sick back to health. But we need our own special kind of care, and that’s the passion of all the women of INTEGRIS Women’s Health Edmond.

It’s compassionate, gentle OB/GYNs easing the transition to womanhood for young women.

For moms-to-be, it’s everything that makes pregnancy choices easier, like a designated baby friendly and Women’s Choice Award-winning hospital, a dedicated lactation consultant, Level II Special Care Nursery and Edmond’s largest and most comfortable labor and delivery department.

From screenings and surgical services to menopause symptom management and hormone replacement therapy, it’s care tailored to you, at every stage and every age.

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Love your community. Shop Edmond first.

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IN EDMOND 102 South Broadway • 330.2327 • Mon-Sat 10-5:30 •

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105 S BROADWAY EDMOND, OK | 405.844.7465 102

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home

PHOTO BY DON RISI

Eyes for Detail Richard Bruner and Michael Koenig both have extensive expertise in the world of interior design, so the Gatewood home they share is a visual showcase twice over. Layers of texture, warm colors and witty trompe l’oeil are the hallmarks of the library – a relatively small but lovingly executed bibliophile’s paradise.

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home HABITAT

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DOUBLY DESIGNED TO DAZZLE Inside the festive Bruner-Koenig home

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON PHOTOS BY DON RISI

In the dining room, a stretched canvas reproduction of the classical painting, “The Intervention of the Sabine Women,”

by Jacques-Louis David (1799), has been applied to an entire wall. The handpainted ceiling was done by Koenig and Bruner, and is a work in progress.

(Above right) Thanksgiving is a lavish affair in this household, as are Tuesday evening cocktails, Easter brunch or even a morning cup of coffee. The couple has named their home “Allendale,” which combines their middle names.

I T ’S ON E T HI NG to have a creative, interior design genius in the household, but when there are two, the best possible scenario is that they share the same creative vision. Or at least a love of excess. Of course, genius is not a word to bandy about lightly, although make no mistake: There’s no bandying here.

Richard Bruner and Michael Koenig live in a 115-year-old farmhouse in the middle of Oklahoma City’s historic Gatewood neighborhood. There is no question that the house itself loves the care and attention the couple has lavished on it since taking ownership 15 years ago. It is resplendent, inside and out.

Bruner is the manager of the beautiful gift shop at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and Koenig is the visuals manager at Macy’s. The pair met when they were both working as store designers for Foley’s, traveling the country to open new stores.

Richard Bruner, left, and Michael Koenig, Bruner also served as a designer for Ralph Lauren, on the roomy front porch of their ensuring that the company’s boutiques within largbeautifully restored 115-year-old home. er department stores were stylishly aligned with the posh label’s brand identity.

“We moved to Oklahoma City from Houston in 2000, and actually lived in a house across the street from our house,” Bruner says. “It was vacant, and in terrible shape NOVEMBER 2017 405 MAGAZINE

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Between the dining room and library is a spectacular mantelpiece, one of many, and another custom-painted ceiling. Bruner undertook this project one weekend when Koenig was out of town. It’s all the same paint color – he achieved the variation in texture with spray lacquer.

(Opposite) Visitors to the home step immediately into the living room, where a large fireplace and beautifully upholstered furnishings invite relaxation, and perhaps a glass of Prosecco.

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– just horrible. There were squatters living in it, and at one point we looked out and one of the squatters’ dogs was on the roof. It had actually been condemned.”

Koenig, however, kept watch on the house, and began to form an attachment to it. “I’d go over and look around, and then I’d go look again. Richard went with me and immediately said, ‘No, I want to travel and go to Europe, I don’t want a money pit.’ Well, then we found out that our landlords at the time actually owned the house, and we told them we wanted to buy it. They said, ‘No, you don’t,’ but we did. It took a while, but eventually we got the house, and immediately started working on it.”

The first chores were to remove the group of old sofas that filled the dining room, and to begin ridding the house of vermin.

“We trapped 27 mice in two hours,” Bruner says. “Then we started painting. Michael had actually started painting before the deal closed on the house, and he was using Ralph Lauren paint! I said, ‘What if we don’t get the house?’ And he said, ‘Well, the house needed it anyway.’”

The pair moved in right away and began work. They moved in the spring, and made it through an Oklahoma summer with no central air. By fall, there was of course a distinct chill in the air,

and the need to install central heat and air reached its zenith.

Before that could happen, the home’s ancient, rag-tag electrical system had to be evaluated and overhauled.

“Our basement flooded around that time,” Koenig says. “There were 6,000 gallons of water in the basement, and I was down there working in the water, and I realized as I was standing there that the electricity was all located in the basement. Where I was standing knee-deep in water.” To add another wrinkle, the original electrical system was gas-powered, so when it was finally turned on, it had to be immediately turned off because gas was literally coming out of every outlet.

Nowadays, the home is the nucleus of the Bruner-Koenig friend group, whose membership hails from around the country and often descends on this house en masse. The couple loves that their home has become such a connection point for so many. “Everyone loves being here,” Koenig says. “We’ve made the best memories here.”

As many as 15 can easily stay in the spacious, well-appointed home, and sometimes it’s even more than that. “We reserve hotel rooms for people, at wonderful places like 21c, but they never stay in them. Their luggage does, but they don’t,” Bruner says, laughing.

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home DÉCOR

Spiked Cider by Rewined, $29 from Tulips

Pumpkin Chai by Nest, $42 from Tulips

Frasier Fir by Thymes, $42 from Tulips

Tabac and Oudwood by Archipelago, $35 from Reclaimed Warehouse

Black Forest by Archipelago, $32 from Reclaimed Warehouse

Oakmoss and Wood by Archipelago, $25.50 from Reclaimed Warehouse

Get Fired Up!

Add cozy candle power to your decor winter to come, and with the fireplaces all aglow and the blankets piled high, there is one other thing that can add to the coziness of your home in the beginning of the holiday season: candles! While long tapers or short votives definitely augment the ambiance of your dinner table, it’s difficult for anyone to resist the smell of a scented candle used as a decorative accent – most especially if it is one of these. With names like “Black Forest” or “Pumpkin Chai,” you should be on your way to setting the mood for your warm abode. - SAR A GAE WATERS Live Boho, 3721 S I-35, OKC, liveboho.com Tulips, 570 Buchanan, Norman, tulipshome.com Reclaimed Warehouse, 3004 S Sunnylane, Moore, reclaimedwarehouse.com

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Cotton scented, $30 from Live Boho Volcano by capriBLUE, $35 from Live Boho

PHOTOS BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

W E’R E DR E A MI NG of a cool autumn and

travel STATESIDE

BLUES BY THE RIVER

Elvis Presley’s mansion, Graceland, was built in 1939 in Colonial Revival style.

Hot spots in cool, cool Memphis

T HI N K OF M E M PHIS and what comes to mind? The mighty

PHOTO: GRACELAND COURTESY EPE

Mississippi, blues, ‘cues and kings – as in Dr. Martin Luther and Elvis. It’s all that and more. Here’s a checklist of things to do and see that I’ve seen and done.

GRACELAND This is the No. 1 tourist attraction in town, and if you’re an Elvis fan, it’s an obvious must. A total experience would include a stay at the new Guest House at Graceland, a four-star hotel and resort with great amenities, located right across the street from Elvis’ mansion.

Mansion tours have been updated so that visitors use iPads to guide their steps. The house is a time-trip – not the palatial digs one might expect, but a blast from the past complete with shag carpet. Tours include public rooms plus out-buildings with more exhibits, ending in the Meditation Garden, site of Elvis’ grave.

An entire new complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, comprises many more exhibits, including Elvis’ car collection, costumes and displays of musicians who were influenced by the King.

You’ll need to check out packages to determine how much you see – and how much you’ll spend. Go to graceland.com.

THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, and the motel where he was assassinated is now part of the museum complex. While there is a great deal of information about this Nobel Peace Prize winner, the museum covers much more than his own life and work.

Beginning with the first Africans brought to America, the exhibits use all sorts of graphics, artifacts and technology to give a comprehensive picture of the ongoing struggles of black residents in this country. Several exhibits give visitors the opportunity to examine state histories; Oklahoma’s Clara Luper is featured in the area concerning the sit-ins of the ’50s and ’60s.

There’s so much to see here, you’ll need to plan hours to experience it all. I was there two hours – scanning and running – and I only saw about half of the complex. For me, this museum is the most important thing you can see in Memphis. It says so NOVEMBER 2017 405 MAGAZINE

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BEALE STREET Definitely wait until dark for this one – the neon alone is worth the trip. But it’s the crowds and the vibe that make this historic drag famous: Street performers draw attention, while music and the aromas of barbecue and beer float on the air and beckon visitors in for distinctive, vibrant entertainment of all kinds. Don’t miss the Elvis statue.

A nighttime stroll on Beale Street is a Memphis must.

MEMPHIS ROCK N SOUL MUSEUM AND MEMPHIS MUSIC HALL OF FAME Both of these museums, within walking distance of each other, are worth a visit, and you can save a couple of dollars by buying a combined ticket. The Rock n Soul Museum is more about the history of music in Memphis, while the Hall of Fame highlights inductees from Elvis to Justin Timberlake. The Smithsonian did all the research for the Rock n Soul Museum, established it, then gave it to the city – making this a truly unique institution. The Hall of Fame, tucked between the Hard Rock Café and Lansky Brothers, Clothier to the King, is as quirky as the artists it salutes. Criteria for inclusion specify that the honorees must either have been born in Memphis or played a significant role in the development of the music scene here. My favorite exhibit is two-thirds of Jerry Lee Lewis’ 1983 Cadillac El Ballero: The other third is on display in the Jerry Lee Lewis Café and Honky Tonk, a couple of blocks down Beale Street.

Be sure to visit both these tributes to the city’s sounds; find more info on their websites at memphisrocknsoul.org and memphismusichalloffame.com. ’CUES AND BREWS Taste-testing all the barbecue Memphis has to offer would be more than a full-time job. I loved Blues City Café on Beale Street, where the ribs are hickory-smoked, the sauce has a maple-y sweet flavor and the meat did fall right off the bones. There’s live music on the menu, and they also offer lots of other southern favorites, but when in Memphis … I finished my meal with an apple dumpling served in a cast iron skillet and topped with ice cream.

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Another great choice is Central BBQ, who smoke their meats with a combo of hickory and pecan. Expect a line here – they’re so popular that they had to open extra locations.

I have to confess, I’m a beer newbie, so starting my education at Wiseacre Brewing Company was just what the teacher ordered. Public tours are on Saturday with reservations necessary, but I got a great one-on-one with Amanda McQuary. This crew is serious about beer – and enjoying life. I learned lots of facts, tasted lots of beer and came home with a great lesson on brewing. Here’s McQuary’s summary: “In making beer, yeast eats sugar, poops alcohol and farts CO2 .” I wrote down a lot of technical details … but this is the part I remember. They also claim that Memphis is the best place to brew, because Memphis water has no minerals or salts in it. I’ll take their word for it. It was at Memphis Made Brewing that I discovered that I prefer malty beers to hoppy ones. There are several other breweries in Memphis, but I figured two was a good start for me – other, more experienced tipplers should feel free to explore and enjoy.

BASS PRO SHOPS AT THE PYRAMID Housed in a giant pyramid on the banks of the Big Muddy, this stop is a stunner. It’s like the Springfield Mother Ship on steroids. Inside is a cypress swamp with 100-foot-tall trees and even a couple of resident alligators. The tallest freestanding elevator in the U.S. takes you to the top of the pyramid, where a great restaurant with an observation deck waits. Also inside, Big Cypress Lodge features 103 hotel rooms, 90 percent of which have private balconies overlooking the scene below.

The Memphis Pyramid, originally built as an arena, now houses a huge Bass Pro shop.

MEMPHIS ZOO I go to zoos as often as I can when I travel. The newest exhibition, the Zambezi River Hippo Camp with new addition Winnie (born in March), is well worth seeing. But for me, the big draw was the China area. Stars of this section are Le Le and Ya Ya, giant pandas. There are only three other zoos in the U.S. where you can see these special animals.

As you can tell, I’ve barely scratched the surface of things to do, see and experience in Memphis. Make your own trip for more discoveries; memphistravel.com will help. - ELAINE WARNER

PHOTOS: BEALE STREET COURTESY MEMPHIS CVB; PYRAMID BY ELAINE WARNER

much about our past … and gives so much food for thought for the future. For more, visit civilrightsmuseum.org.

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events A Story of Us

PHOTO BY JOSEPH MILLS, COURTESY OKC MUSEUM OF ART

Happy birthday, Oklahoma! The Sooner State is turning the big one-one-oh this month, and the OKC Museum of Art is celebrating with an exhibition that displays the creativity of our state and its citizens so far: The Art of Oklahoma opens Nov. 16. Including Otto Duecker’s “Robinson,” as well as pieces

by Oscar Jacobson, Richard Goetz and more, it focuses on work by or about Oklahomans – if, as Shakespeare said, art’s purpose is “to hold, as t’were, the mirror up to nature,” this is a good chance to take a look at ourselves.

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events PRIME PICKS

Israel and Oz November 3-18, OKC Civic Center The OKC Philharmonic invites you to head off to see the wizard this month: the incredible Yossi Arnheim, principal flautist for the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, who will be appearing in the next Classics concert Nov. 18 alongside conductor Michelle Merrill. Oh, and before that, don’t miss the season’s first Pops show Nov. 3-4, a soaring setlist inspired by the land over the rainbow that’s called “The Wonderful Music of Oz.” And while you’re thinking of the Phil, don’t forget tickets to their annual Christmas Show coming up Dec. 1-2.

“Pensive,” Edward Aldrich

Petite Perfection November 10, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Power Play November 9 and 28, Armstrong Auditorium

Edmond’s Armstrong Auditorium delights in bringing culture from around the world to its stage – including a double dose this month. Christopher O’Riley of NPR’s “From the Top” joins forces with Grammy-winning pianist Pablo Ziegler for a rhythmically rewarding evening titled “Two to Tango” Nov. 9, followed by violinist extraordinaire Ray Chen whisking listeners away on a “Journey Across Europe” Nov. 28. The performer’s itinerary is an impressive one, spanning music from Spain, France, Germany, Hungary and Belgium.

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See Change November 9-February 25, Current Studio Looking at art is excellent, and highly recommended under practically all circumstances. But this is something a trifle different and new for OKC; a chance to explore art from the inside in a group installation that examines the concept of human consciousness. Shift is a joint effort by more than a dozen local artists in a nascent collective called Factory Obscura, and while this is a temporary undertaking, it’s intended to lead to the development of a permanent installation-based venue.

Come change your perspective.

CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY BY DAN WILLIAMS, “PENSIVE” COURTESY NCWHM

Christopher O’Riley

As you can tell from the title, size is definitely a factor in the annual art sale called Small Works, Great Wonders – but the prices are diminutive, too, and as the name also implies, the quality of these often Western-themed decorative pieces is exceptional. With cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and door prizes, the opening night event is a pleasure all around, giving guests the opportunity to take their newly purchased little treasures home afterward.

events ON LOCATION

Oklahoma’s Silver Screen Champion Gray Frederickson’s cinematic touch HE IS T HE ON LY Oscar-winning filmmaker who lives in Oklahoma. He produced three of the 100 greatest American films of all time, selected by the American Film Institute. Plus, he founded and serves as artist in residence for the largest film and video program in Oklahoma at OCCC. Gray Frederickson is an Oklahoma legend.

Every single production that takes place in Oklahoma is filled with people who were trained by, worked with or took classes from Gray Frederickson. The impact he has had on the Oklahoma film industry is immeasurable – and with three film and television projects already lined up for 2018, he is still the hardest working man in show business.

Gray Frederickson grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Casady School and the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, he moved to Europe to travel and to teach water skiing to wealthy Europeans. He was working in Switzerland when he met a movie producer from Italy, who convinced him to move to Rome and start making films.

In Italy, Frederickson dove in headfirst, serving as producer on his very first film, Nakita. His competence on that film led to other producing jobs. Eventually, he was hired by legendary Italian director Sergio Leone to manage the production of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly with Clint Eastwood.

Its success inspired Frederickson to move to Hollywood and launch his career stateside. He continued to work with Italian producers doing films in Hollywood, and landed a production manager job for Robert Redford on Little Fauss and Big Halsy.

But his career and life changed when he was hired by Albert S. Ruddy to help produce The Godfather.

The Godfather is now considered one of the top three films of all time, alongside Citizen Kane and Casablanca. But before it

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(L-R) Gray Frederickson, Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Roos and Carmine Coppola celebrating Oscar wins at the 1975 Academy Awards for The Godfather Part II

was made, gangster movies were out of fashion, and the Italian bosses in New York were doing everything they could to prevent a mafia film. Frederickson’s experience working in Italy, and his connections with people there, helped ease the tensions and open up discussions that led to the picture being made.

The Godfather also established a partnership between Frederickson and director Francis Ford Coppola that would define his career for the next decade. Frederickson won the Academy Award for producing The Godfather, Part II. He led the enormous threeyear production of Apocalypse Now, resulting in a second Oscar nomination. He also produced the musical One From the Heart and The Godfather, Part III. But the film that would ultimately lead to Frederickson’s next career phase was The Outsiders.

Frederickson was the person who gave S.E. Hinton’s book to Coppola. He believed that The Outsiders was not only a great story, it was one that could be told more authentically if it was filmed on location in Oklahoma. Frederickson flew the director to Tulsa, led the location scout and convinced him that the studios would be far less intrusive if they made the movie in Oklahoma. Coppola agreed. The film was produced in Tulsa, kicking off a string of productions in Oklahoma that continues to this day.

If all Gray Frederickson did were produce Oscar-caliber movies with Francis Ford Coppola, he would still be a legend. But Frederickson’s next move would prove to be his most significant: After writing the original story for the Drew Barrymore film Bad Girls, he moved his wife and two kids back to Oklahoma to help build the film industry here.

Since his return to Oklahoma, Frederickson has produced more than 15 feature films, including the Emmy-winning documentary Dream No Little Dream: The Life and Legacy of Robert S. Kerr. The academic program he started at OCCC has trained thousands of working professionals in the film, video and commercial advertising business in Oklahoma and beyond. And his connections to Hollywood have allowed Oklahomans to work with movie titans such as Francis Ford Coppola, who produced a live cinema event at OCCC using all locals in the cast and crew.

Gray Frederickson is an Oklahoma legend. Not because he won an Oscar, but because he leveraged his own personal success to elevate the lives of others and provide opportunities for thousands of Oklahomans to accomplish their own dreams.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN O’DANIEL, PHOTO COURTESY ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

with Lance McDaniel

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events SPOTLIGHT

Winter Wonderland Deluxe Winter Market turns 10

A RT IST A N D CR A F T enthusiast Sara Cowan attended a lot of markets to sell her creations, but never found the perfect one. “I wanted a market with a charitable component; small and not too loud, so people could bring really small children,” she says. So, with the help of her best friend and weaver J.D. McCoy, Deluxe Winter Market was born. This year, the event

ON THE RADAR NOV 19 Great Russian Nutcracker Spectacular talents from the Moscow Ballet’s touring company bring the holiday classic to life just a trifle earlier than usual, with lavish costumes, beautiful music and the stuff memories are made of. Rose State Hudiburg Center, 6000 S Prosper, Midwest City, 297.2264, okcciviccenter.com

EVENTS NOV 3 Celebrity Sing The Sooner Theatre produces the song-anddance element of this “Night at the Cabaret,” while guests eat, drink and enjoy in an event that benefits the United Way of Norman. Riverwind Casino, 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 329.2025, unitedwaynorman.org NOV 30 Winter’s Eve Saints Ball Black-tie elegance meets an atmospheric wonderland to create a soiree not to be missed; proceeds support St. Anthony

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WANT TO SEE MORE? VISIT OUR ONLINE CALENDAR AT 405MAGAZINE.COM Hosital’s Frank C. Love Cancer Center. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd, OKC,272.7070, givetosaints.com

GALLERIES NOV 10-DEC 23 Firehouse Gift Gallery If anyone on your shopping list appreciates local creativity, add the Firehouse to your itinerary; its gallery space is converted into a cornucopia of paintings, jewelry, blown glass, hand-carved wooden items and more. Firehouse Art Center, 444 S Flood, Norman,329.4523, normanfirehouse.com

MUSEUMS NOV 13-JAN 5 Red Earth Treefest The holiday season receives a Native flair in this third annual celebration of cultural commingling - more than two dozen Christmas trees decorated with ornaments made by and depicting elements from individual Oklahoma tribes. Happy exploring!

Red Earth Art Center, 6 Santa Fe, OKC, 427.5228, redearth.org

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MUSIC

Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, 877.737.2929, okcbroadway.com

NOV 3-19 OCU Music Help yourself to a double dose of musical goodness from OCU’s outstanding school of Opera and Music Theater: catch Sondheim’s sprawling examination of romance in NYC, “Company,” Nov 3-5 and The Marriage of Figaro Nov 17-18. OCU Kirkpatrick Center, 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC, 208.5227, okcu.edu/music/

NOV 18 Opera Under the Stars Drink in the music of the night with the vast Oklahoma sky as the backdrop, as Cimarron Opera takes its hit production of “La Pizza con Funghi” outside. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 235 W Duffy, Norman, 364.8962, cimarronopera.org

NOV 7 Brightmusic Classical titans rule the evening’s setlist in “Masterworks for Three,” the elite chamber ensemble’s presentation of trios composed by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Brahms. St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW 7th, OKC, brightmusic.org

THEATER NOV 7-12 Rent No kid stuff here; this musical smash is filled with frustration, rejection, poverty, confronting mortality - and also hope and triumph and love. OKC Broadway brings this 20th anniversary touring production to the 405. OKC

NOV 24-DEC 16 Me & Jezebel Meeting your idol is thrilling. Having her move into your home for an unspecified (and increasing) length of time is a bit more … challenging.

CST recounts the time Bette Davis dropped in on a fan in this mostlytrue story. Carpenter Square Theater, 800 W Main, OKC, 232.6500, carpentersquare.com NOV 24-DEC 23 Territorial Christmas Happy 30th anniversary to a state-centric classic: the Pollard’s uniquely set spin on the Dickens tale, set on the untamed prairies of pre-statehood Oklahoma. Pollard Theater, 120 W Harrison, Guthrie, 282.2800, thepollard.org

PHOTO COURTESY SARA COWAN

DANCE

celebrates its tenth anniversary – and has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

Their first event included 35 vendors at OKC Farmers Market and was “kinda hodge-podge,” Cowan admits. “But it was all handmade, and we could tell it was the start of something exciting.” This year’s market on Nov. 25 is the first one organized

by Cowan alone, and includes elements that have become family favorites, such as the Elf Market, a kid-only safe zone where youngsters can shop and help raise funds for this year’s chosen charity, The Curbside Chronicle.

Cowan said she always gets more applications from artists than she can accommodate, but strives to offer something different from each chosen artist. This year’s highlights include Regina Waters’ Native American rawhide leather jewelry, one of Sara’s personal favorites; handmade soap from a company run by 13-year-old Bella called Little Bubble; and Cowan’s 10-yearold son’s cat button creations – a business he has building since the age of 7. This year, he will be donating 10 percent of his profits to the Oklahoma Humane Society.

Moving away from live bands – which, according to Cowan, don’t get the attention they deserve at these events – entertainment has included a breakdancing contest and roller derby girls.

Visitors to the Leadership Square market can meet the creators behind their purchases, as all the artists and makers represent their own work, something Cowan has always insisted on. It’s “one unique thing about Deluxe,” she says.

So mark your calendar for an after-Thanksgiving collection of creativity – more information on this year’s event can be found at deluxeok.net. - LOUISE SCRIVENS

events SPOTLIGHT

We need your help!

Animal Rescue Friends of Nichols Hills helps pets impounded in Nichols Hills find their owners or a new home.

Your support will help ARF continue its work in saving strays.

COME SEE US AT PETSMART ON SUNDAYS

Marilyn Nelson

Powerful Prose Neustadt Festival honors author Marilyn Nelson

PHOTO OF MARILYN NELSON COURTESY WORLD LITERATURE TODAY

SOM E OF T HE very finest literary minds from around the

globe will converge in Norman for the 2017 Neustadt Festival of International Literature and Culture. The three-day festival will honor poet, children’s book author and translator Marilyn Nelson, who is this year’s recipient of the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature.

Robert Con Davis-Undiano, executive director of event sponsor World Literature Today, said Nelson’s work has acted as an advocate for race relations and women’s empowerment, adding, “Her engaging, lyrical style builds awareness around sensitive issues through human, and even humorous, storytelling that both children and adults can relate to.”

Nelson, a University of Connecticut professor emeritus, will be discussing her inspirational work and her life, followed by a Q&A session. The Ohio-born writer also will be giving the festival’s keynote speech “Bowled Over: A Life in Poems,” and signing copies of her work as part of a roundtable discussion during the festival – which awarded its first literary prize in 2003. Her powerful prose is also set to be performed by students from OU’s Contemporary Dance Oklahoma troupe.

Ten other visiting writers from as far afield as Russia and Somalia also will be attending, and nine of them will make up a jury – described by Davis-Undiano as “one of the most prestigious Neustadt juries ever” – to decide next year’s Neustadt International Prize for Literature; previous winners have included Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Polish poet Czeslaw Milosz. The 2018 Neustadt Prize winner will be announced at the festival, which will take place Nov. 8-10 at the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus.

More information on this free literary festival can be found at neustadtprize.org/the-neustadt-festival/. - LOUISE SCRIVENS

Donations may be mailed to ARF c/o Town Hall 6407 Avondale Drive Nichols Hills, OK 73116

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HISTORIC FLAVOR The enduring appeal of OKC steakhouse Junior’s

BY MARK BEUTLER

DI N I NG OU T I N OK L A HOM A CI T Y is much different today

than it was a generation or two ago … but not completely different. Although beloved restaurants such as Der Dutchman, Glen’s Hik’ry Inn and The Cellar are long gone, at least one old favorite is still in business, serving up familiar foods in an elegant atmosphere.

It was Sept.10, 1973, when Junior Simon opened his new restaurant on the ground floor of the Oil Center on Northwest Expressway. Simply named “Junior’s,” the steakhouse soon became an Oklahoma City landmark.

“There’s an old saying that more oil deals were made here than in some of the board rooms downtown,” says Jim Shumsky, who purchased the restaurant from Simon’s widow in 2004. “I was a longtime patron, and when Genell (Simon) sold me the restaurant, I made a promise to her that I would keep not only the décor the same, but the quality of food.”

In fact, Shumsky said he has upgraded the menu and they cut all their own steaks, which are certified Black Angus beef.

“You can cut the filet with a fork,” he says proudly. “We also have chicken that we fry in cast iron skillets with our own special recipe, and lobster tail that is imported from the cold waters of Australia.

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I added king crab legs from Alaska, and also added a ribeye to the menu. There are a lot of restaurants in Oklahoma City that serve steak, but we pride ourselves on our consistent quality.”

Entering Junior’s is like stepping into another era, so dramatic is the effect of its lush, red walls, crystal chandeliers and sunken piano bar. The restaurant has only had two chefs during the past 44 years. And one server has been there since the beginning.

“Joanne has been with Junior’s since day one,” Shumsky says. “She just celebrated her 69th birthday and does a heck of a good job. She has clients that have been coming here from the beginning.”

Dinner begins with a Caesar or Syrian salad, made tableside.

The entrée is served with Junior’s famous “Trash Potato,” which is another name for a loaded baked potato. And dessert is a generous slice of homemade cream pie, or the specialty of the house: a brandy ice.

“We still make our brandy ice the same way Junior made it 44 years ago,” Shumsky says. “We take three gallons of vanilla ice cream, a generous portion of cacao liquor and half a bottle of brandy, then before we serve it, we sprinkle a little nutmeg on top. We mix that up and freeze it right after lunch. That’s what makes it unique. You can get a brandy ice elsewhere, but it’s normally from a machine. On a busy Friday or Saturday night, we might go through 50 or 60 canisters.”

Junior’s is open for lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and evenings beginning at 5:30 p.m.

“This place is legendary,” Shumsky says. “Many restaurants have opened and many have closed. But Junior’s has survived the ups and downs of our economy. I think we are the most consistent restaurant in terms of quality and service, and every day I am grateful to keep a true piece of Oklahoma City history alive.”

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

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