CHEERS!
A LA CARTE
I’m not sure there’s anything better in the bitter cold of January than a steaming hot bowl of pho. If you’ve never had it, picture chicken noodle soup but with more flavor, texture and ka-pow. This Vietnamese street fare has now become American (PRICES: $: LESS THAN $10 $$: $10-$15 $$$: $16-$25 $$$$: OVER $25) comfort food. — NATALIE MIKLES
Pho Nhi
Pho Da Cao
Linda and Quan Do greet diners at their restaurant located next door to the Nam-Hai Market. The broth and rice noodles are made even better with big helpings of basil, bean sprouts, cilantro and scallions. Don’t miss Pho Nhi’s spicy egg rolls, which round out a perfect meal, along with hot tea. $
At lunchtime, Pho Da Cao is sometimes packed with hungry people escaping their workday. It might be a room of strangers, but they all seem to bond over the same thing. It’s fun to watch how different people interpret the best pho. Some pour crazy amounts of Sriracha before tossing in bean sprouts and thinly sliced beef. For a heartier pho, try the beef and meatball version. $
11514 E. 21ST ST. | 918-947-4388
9066 E. 31ST ST. | 918-270-2715
MAD ABOUT
manhattans Pholicious
W
orld-renowned bartender and cocktail historian Gary Regan says the Manhattan changed the face of cocktails. Thought to have originated in the 1870s or 1880s in New York, the Manhattan is reportedly the first cocktail to add sweet vermouth to the Old Fashioned, spawning a variety of cocktail innovations like the martini, Rob Roy, Vieux Carre and others. The tried-and-true Manhattan is comprised of bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters and a cherry garnish. For a slightly modified version, try one made with brandy at Palace Café, 1301 E. 15th St. The bartender, Luke Constable, says that’s how people in his home state of Wisconsin drink them, and he has slowly turned Tulsans on to the variation. It carries about the same level of sweetness as the classic but is a tad brighter. — LIZ BLOOD
Pho 71
I’ve never recommended mall food to anyone — that is, until I heard about Pholicious at Promenade and Woodland Hills malls. What a nice surprise to find something to eat at the mall besides typical fast food. The pho here is served fast, but it’s fresh, with a nicely flavored broth and most of the toppings you would expect to find. It is served in sturdy little take-out bowls. $
The menu at Pho 71 is relatively and refreshingly small. Owners Trang Hoang and Phuong Nguyen keep it simple, knowing most people are there for one thing: the pho. Pho 71’s broth is nicely seasoned and really delicious on its own. Beyond the pho, the banh mi sandwiches — and the pork in particular — are great, layered with a crunchy arrangement of radishes, pickled carrots, cucumber, jalapeño and cilantro. $
FOOD COURTS OF PROMENADE MALL, 4107 S. YALE AVE., AND WOODLAND HILLS MALL, 7021 S. MEMORIAL DRIVE
1001 N. ELM PLACE, BROKEN ARROW | 918-259-0030
ASIAN
Whether local or chain, Tulsans have a plethora of Asian cuisine from which to choose, and everyone has their favorite. These are the winners from TulsaPeople’s annual A-List Readers’ Choice Awards.
PF Chang’s 1978 E. 21st St. 918-747-6555 | pfchangs.com
Pei Wei 3535 S. Peoria Ave. | 918-749-6083 5954 S. Yale Ave. | 918-497-1015 10005 S. Memorial Drive, Suite 10; 918-254-2151 | peiwei.com
Osaka Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 11016 E. 81st St. | 918-872-6014 osaka-steakhouse.net
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TulsaPeople JANUARY 2017
KEO 3524 S. Peoria Ave. | 918-794-8200 8921 S. Yale Ave. | 918-794-0090 keorestaurant.com
Lanna Thai 7227 S. Memorial Drive 918-249-5262 | lannathaitulsa.com
Yokozuna 309 E. Second St. | 918-508-7676 9146 S. Yale Ave., Suite 100, 918-619-6271 | yokozunasushi.com