Dressed for Dinner Magazine

Dressed for Dinner

Participating Restaurants:

HumanKind Hospitality, Cover, Pages 4 & 5

La Baguette, Page 7

Mattie’s Coffee Company, Page 9

Rococo, Page 11

Beauty, Brains and Grace at every age

Stella, Pages 13 & 22

Western Concepts Restaurant Group, Pages 15 & 24

Juniors, Page 17

The Skirvin, Page 19

Papa Dio’s, Page 21

Other Advertisers:

Oklahoma City Community College, Page 2

Krista Anne’s, Page 3

Habitat for Humanity, Page 18

Verona Marble, Page 20

OKCPHIL, Page 21

Richard Clifton

Photography, Page 23

Special Thanks

Krista Anne’s Boutique • Frida Southwest Richard Clifton • Each of Our Models

Lance McDaniel • Jason Jewell

On the cover:

Our Beauty, Brains and Grace toast each other at HumanKind Hospitality’s Frida Southwest Restaurant, from left: Perrin Duncan, Page 6; Emily Fiaccone, Page 8; Dr. Mautra Jones, Page 10; Lori Burson, Page 12; Davonna Milam, Page 14; and Ann Felton Gilliland, Page 16.

From left: Models Emily Fiaccone; Lori Burson; Davonna Milam; Krista Anne’s Boutique owner Krista Souther who dressed the models in fashions from her store; Dr. Mautra Jones; Perrin Duncan; and Ann Felton Gilliland.

Restaurant group attracts game‑changing pros

HumanKind Hospitality

616 NW 21st Street

SShaun and Emily Fiaccone partnered with Kim Dansereau in 2009 to launch Picasso Café and The Other Room Bar in the Paseo Arts District. Fourteen years later, they oversee HumanKind Hospitality, one of Oklahoma’s most success‐ful hospitality companies, with seven concepts, hun‐dreds of employees, thou‐sands of customers, and a 2023 James Beard Foundation Award nomination.

HumanKind Hospitality owns and operates Picasso Café, The Other Room, FRIDA Southwest, OSO Paseo, the daley, Flamingo TIKI, and the newly relaunched, neighbor‐hood pizza joint, Sauced on Paseo. All of their concepts draw enthusiastic crowds and garner awards and recognition. Their recently opened Flamingo TIKI was listed as one of the Top 20 Tiki Bars in the US by Tasting Table.

Founder and President Shaun Fiaccone has worked in restaurants since he was 16. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, he worked his way up from kitchen staff and waiting tables at Applewood’s, The Ranch Steakhouse, and Deep Fork Grill to participate in Kurt Fleischfresser’s esteemed chef apprenticeship program. At 26,

Shaun bought into Café NOVA and launched his illustrious career as a restaurant group owner.

Partner Kim Dansereau also graduated from the University of Oklahoma and moved up the ranks in hospi‐tality, ultimately becoming General Manager of Chica’s Mexican Café in Nichols Hills Plaza. She joined Shaun as a manager at Café NOVA and together, they opened Picasso Café. In addition to her role as partner, Dansereau serves as spirits director for HumanKind Hospitality, which was specifically called out by the James Beard Foundation. Owner and Creative Director Emily Fiaccone is an Oklahoma State University graduate and award‐winning artist. She oversees the market‐ing and media for HumanKind. Emily also launched the art exhibition program at Picasso Café, which introduced hun‐dreds of local artists to larger audiences and sold hundreds of their paintings.

The secret to HumanKind Hospitality’s success is its abili‐ty to attract and employ game‐changing super stars in the hos‐pitality industry. This starts at the very highest level with Culinary Director and Partner Ryan Parrott and Vice President and Partner Kindt Steven Myers.

SHAUN FIACCONE Founder, President

KIM DANSEREAU Partner Beverage Director

EMILY FIACCONE Partner, Owner

RYAN PARROTT Partner Culinary Director

KINDT STEVEN MYERS

Partner, Vice President

The secret to HumanKind Hospitality’s success is its ability to attract and employ game-changing super stars in the hospitality industry. i i i i i

Chef Ryan Parrott started cooking at age 15 and spent the next few decades perfecting his craft as a chef and help‐ing launch some of the most remarkable restaurants in Oklahoma City, including The Mantel Wine Bar and Bistro, Deep Fork Grill, Café Nova, Iguana Mexican Grill, Table ONE, and the farm to table restaurant LOCAL in Norman. Since joining HumanKind in 2014 as executive chef, Parrott has become a partner and Culinary Director.

Vice President Kindt Steven Myers became a partner in 2017 at HumanKind after consulting for a few years and overseeing the building and launch of OSO Paseo and FRIDA Southwest. Myers started his hospitality career as a teenag‐er, waiting tables at the Haunted House restaurant. He ran catering for A Good Egg Dining Group, managed large scale events, coordinated high profile weddings, and created all of the fabulous parties for the deadCenter Film Festival before joining HumanKind Hospitality fulltime. Kindt now runs the operations of the company and works alongside the other partners to manage to expand the empire.

HumanKind Hospitality creates great career opportuni‐ties for employees at all levels, attracting the best general managers in the business. OKC’s beloved Robert Painter now oversees operations for OSO Paseo, Flamingo TIKI, and Sauced on Paseo. OCU Law graduate and OCU soccer star Dawn Dickerson orchestrates FRIDA Southwest and the Daley. And, Jeana Marchant, who managed the Panera Bread on Western for more than a decade, now directs the teams at Picasso Café and The Other Room Bar.

Stop by any of these delec‐table destinations during the Paseo Arts Festival and pre‐pare to be blown away.

— Lance McDaniel

Inside the Flamingo TIKI Bar at OSO, 603 NW 28

OSO, 603 NW 28

Picasso Café 3009 Paseo

Above: Inside the daley, 500 Paseo. At left: The Other Room, 3007 Paseo. Sauced, 912 Paseo

The 20s

Perrin Duncan Special Projects Manager Arnall Family Foundation

After spending the first 18 years of her life in Edmond, Perrin moved to Greencastle, Ind. where she received a bachelor of arts in economics and stu‐dio art. Following her undergraduate education, Perrin moved to Ireland to pursue a master of fine arts from the Burren College of Art. Upon completion of her masters, she relocated to Bangkok, Thailand to manage the marketing and communications of a global nonprofit called JUMP! Foundation. In 2020, Perrin returned to Oklahoma, where she has reestablished her roots with a matured perspective and care for our community as a young adult.

Perrin currently works as a special projects manager for the Arnall Family Foundation where she is “grateful for the opportunity to learn every day.” She serves on the boards of Bike Club OKC and Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation ‐ YP4Kids! and is a member of VEST, Downtown Club of Oklahoma City, the Economic Club of Oklahoma, and LOYAL Class XVII. Perrin said her parents, Walt and Ann‐Clore Duncan, taught their children about the value of community care, thoughtful discussion, living a life of purpose and, most importantly, love. Outside of work or time with family, Perrin likes to be outdoors as much as possible, running or cycling through OKC’s beautiful trails and streets. Honored to serve, she is brand ambassador for her favorite running shoe manufacturer, Newton Running, and for one of the best nutri‐tion companies for athletes, TheFeed.

Best beauty tip/secret

In my opinion, the most beautiful people are the ones who present them‐selves with kindness, love and a sense of ease with their body and appear‐ance. Because I am often participating in outdoor activities when I am not at work, I’ve learned not to care too much about my makeup, hair or about always having the perfect outfit. Of course, I love dressing up and feeling spe‐cial! I also believe there is a level of care that we should take in the way we present ourselves. However, I want to be part of shaping a culture that encourages people to show up as they are. A smile and joyful heart are often all you need to be your best YOU.

Getting it all done

My life is filled with people who bring me good energy and with activities that make me feel alive. I passionately believe in the power of education as a catalyst for opportunity and I will always advocate for a more equitable world, but I don’t think I can claim to “get it all done” and I definitely can’t claim to get most things done without the support of others. My parents are two of the most incredible built‐in mentors. Under the guidance of Sue Ann Arnall, I feel incredibly lucky to be a small part of leading our community into a future we can be proud of and my team at the Arnall Family Foundation deserves many thanks for their collaborative approach to prob‐lem‐solving, solution‐finding, and for helping me see the gaps of my own knowledge.

With any project that I am involved with, there are many people behind the effort — and that’s part of the fun! I choose to surround myself with peo‐ple who I respect, admire and who bring mutual value.

Perrin Duncan is wearing a Samuel Dong Signature Bubble Dress in Midnight from Krista Anne’s Boutique. This piece features a layered adjustable collar and belt that can be worn three ways. Her earrings are by Virtue, which support both children and adults in need.

La Baguette

It’s all in the family

La Baguette Bistro and Buthion Fine Food & Wine

7408 N. May Ave.

JJust to the west of Nichols Hills, beneath the famous shadow of the Eiffel Tower, sits Oklahoma City’s most popular spot for French cuisine, La Baguette Bistro.

The legendary bistro, opened by brothers Michel Buthion and Alain Buthion, offers the greatest selection of French delicacies as well as a wine shop, a boulangerie filled with French pastries and cakes, and a boucherie offering the finest cuts of meat.

Michel Buthion is the business man, the marketer, the entrepreneur. He came to America after graduating from school in the south of France and went to work in food and beverage at the Skirvin Hotel downtown. After the oil bust, he purchased the La Baguette Bakery on north May and built it into a full‐service French bistro.

Alain Buthion is the master chef, the food expert, the creative force. Like his brother, Alain gained his love of food observing their father, Jean, at his popular boucherie in the South of France. Alain moved to America to help his brother launch La Baguette Bistro. The two have been collaborators and partners on a vari‐ety of projects ever sense, including the revitalization of Bellini’s.

La Baguette is famous for its delicious cakes, its great wine selection, and its outstanding meat shop. But, the heart and soul of La Baguette is the fabulous French bistro which offers a wide array of family recipes like beef bourguignon and French classics like quiche, niçoise salad, and crepes. It’s the perfect place to make your night out sparkle like the City of Light.

— Lance McDaniel

La Baguette serves the finest cuts of meat from its own boucherie.

The 30s

Emily Fiaccone Partner, Founder HumanKind Hospitality

Emily and her Husband, Shaun own HumanKind Hospitality, a restaurant group in the Paseo Arts District consisting of Picasso Cafe, the Other Room Bar, OSO Paseo, Flamingo Tiki Room, FRIDA Southwest and the daley and Sauced on Paseo. They have two chil‐dren, a 6‐year‐old boy named Scout and a 3‐year‐old daughter, Charlotte, as well as Ralphie, their 11‐year‐old Goldendoodle. They have lived in Nichols Hills for 10 years.

Emily graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bache‐lors of fine arts in studio art. With a passion for art and design, and of course good food, she takes a largely creative role in the compa‐ny with concept development, design, marketing and social media. Her favorite part of her job is doing research and development in other cities and bringing ideas back to Oklahoma City.

She loves traveling, spending time with her family and being in the Paseo Arts District, which is their home away from home.

Best beauty tip/secret

My best beauty tip is to stay active. I try to exercise four times a week by playing tennis, lifting weights and going on family walks through the neighborhood. My best beauty secret is a fresh haircut by Travis at Trichology, or treating myself to a facial by Whitney Nicole Skincare.

Getting it all done

To be honest, getting most things accomplished with small chil‐dren right now can be a challenge, but I have some amazing people in my life who help to keep me balanced. I am very lucky to have close family who live nearby, a great group of mom friends who have been the most supportive in every stage of motherhood, an incredible restaurant family who make our restaurants the special places that they are, and an unbelievable husband who supports me in everything I do.

We try hard to have a good work/family balance and make it pri‐ority to spend time together every week, so we can re‐energize for our kiddos.

Emily Fiaccone is wearing the ever-sophisticated Kennedy Pencil Dress in Emerald and matching Emerald Drop earrings by Mariana from Krista Anne’s Boutique.

It’s an experience Matties Coffee

MATTIE’S COFFEE COMPANY

9235 N. Pennsylvania Place, The Village

MMattie Wise loved Jesus, good coffee, home cooking, and sweet desserts. She baked amazing cakes and pas‐tries and taught the Good News in small south Alabama churches, despite the rantings of her husband, Mr. Robert. I was her ninth grandchild. Somehow — in one of those ways that only the good Lord understands — she dropped her love of Jesus, coffee, and cooking on me when I was just 13 and she moved up to Heaven.

Once grown, I found there weren’t enough people at my table to cook for, so I opened the original Miss Matties Tea Room in a charming 110‐year‐old house that flaunted its tin roof and gingerbread trim in true south Alabama style. People flocked from everywhere to eat homemade breads, creamy quiches, unique crepes, huge sandwiches, fresh salads and enormous desserts.

I loved Miss Matties Tea Room like it was my child. After I sold it in 1987, I never had the heart to drive down that street again.

They say, though, the Lord likes to restore things. In January of 2000, I set aside 40 days to get an answer to one of my biggest questions yet: What should I do with the remainder of my life? The last morning, my eyes opened to see the blueprint of a store, then I found myself walking through it; there were books, gifts, cof‐fee, food and children being read Bible stories in the back. “Lord,” I squealed, “This is exactly me! I love books and coffee and the restau‐rant business!”

He spoke clearly, “Later.”

It's finally “later.”

MATTIES COFFEE COMPA‐

NY in The Village’s Casady Square, roasts top‐grade beans right out front and brews them into amazing coffee, espresso drinks, and the best frappes you ever set a sip to. We are a café, serving sal‐ads and over‐the‐top sandwiches, including our almost‐famous Chicken Salad Croissant or Loaded All‐Day Breakfast Sandwich, and mouth‐watering pastries such as scrumptious cream‐cheese filled scones and home‐made cinnamon rolls.

MATTIES touts a huge wall of beautiful local art for sale, a large book and gift store crammed full of titles by current and classic Christian authors, along with the coolest mugs, puzzles, and gifts. True to the vision, there is a kid’s fort chock full of books.

MATTIES COFFEE COMPANY isn’t just a coffee shop. It’s an experience.

The 40s

Dr. Mautra Staley Jones President

Dr. Mautra Staley Jones has become one of the nation’s most sought‐out thought leaders. As the president of Oklahoma City Community College she leads the fourth largest institution of higher education in the state of Oklahoma. With her appointment, Dr. Jones made history becoming both the first woman and the first person of color to serve as president of the college which serves over 17,000 students. Her appointment also made Oklahoma history as she is the first African American female to serve as president of any institution of higher education in the state that is not an HBCU (Historically Black College and University).

Beyond her professional life, she is an active and engaged member of the communi‐ty, providing leadership to various corporate, civic and charitable organizations. Dr. Jones serves as a board director for BancFirst and BancFirst Corporation, South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, StitchCrew, Oklahoma Philharmonic Society, Oklahoma Watch, OKC/County Historical Society and the Civic Center Foundation. She is a Salt and Light Leadership (SALLT) Fellow, a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City (Class XXIX), a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., VEST, Rotary Club 29, Oklahoma County Bar Auxiliary and Visionary Women of Oklahoma (VOW).

Dr. Jones has been honored by numerous organizations for her service and leader‐ship to our state and nation. She was recently named Oklahoma’s Remarkable Woman by KFOR/Nexstar Media. She was inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2022 and has been named Woman of the Year by 405 Magazine, The Journal Record, Perry Publishing and Broadcasting and With Love OKC.

Dr. Jones was named the 2021 National Mother of the Year and 2021 Oklahoma Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. She has also been honored as an Achiever Under 40 by The Journal Record, OKC Biz and Oklahoma Magazine, among other noteworthy achievements. Forbes Magazine recognized Dr. Jones as one of 10 top Black Higher Education CEOs to watch in 2023. Luxiere Magazine featured her as a woman of influ‐ence in 2023. She has been featured in Fortune Magazine, American Association of Community Colleges Journal, Diverse Issues in Higher Education and Black Enterprise Magazine.

Dr. Jones holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma, an MBA from the University of Phoenix at San Diego, and an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Peabody College. She is married to United States District Judge Bernard M. Jones II and they are the proud parents of three children.

“Although free time is quite rare, we enjoy supporting our children at their various activities. When the occasion presents itself, we also love spending time with friends, dining, and catching a good movie,” she said.

Best beauty tip/secret

One of my favorite quotes by Rashida Jones says, “Smiling is definitely one of the best remedies. If you have a good sense of humor and a good approach to life, that is beautiful.”

Getting it all done

I’ve learned the key to achieving success in any endeavor is pri‐oritization. My life is far from stress‐free, but ultimately, I decide where I focus my energy. I’ve learned through the years to avoid negativity at all costs and to strictly focus on the positive.

Dr. Mautra Jones looks bright and at ease in this lovely Faux-Wrap Waterfall dress by Lyman paired with a complementing necklace and earrings handmade in Israel by Mariana. From Krista Anne’s Boutique.

Rococo Western

Food is love at East Coast‐style restaurant

Rococo Western 4308 N. Western Ave.

AAt Rococo, food is love. Owner and Executive Chef Bruce Rinehart and Partner and Executive Chef Jason Bustamante have produced thousands of platefuls of pleasure for the past 20 years across a hand‐ful of fruitful locations and concepts. Now the team has planted their flagship Rococo in the heart of Western Avenue’s culinary cluster and it has blossomed.

Rococo on Western continues the Rococo legacy by providing the freshest seafood from New England alongside traditional Italian pastas and sauces. Clams and mussels, scallops and oysters, lobster rolls, shrimp, and crab cakes mix and mingle with spaghetti, risotto, and even mac ‘n’ cheese.

Chef Bruce Rinehart spent his early years honing his craft in some of the best kitchens in America. Chef Jason Bustamante started working with Chef Bruce Rinehart as a food runner at a Connecticut resort. After moving up the “line,” Bustamante followed Rinehart to an upscale Boston restaurant where he learned to master every corner of the kitchen. In 2003, they both moved to Oklahoma City to open a great East Coast‐style restaurant here on the Middle Coast.

Rococo’s legacy of excellence has led to new business ventures and new opportunities to experience their food. The original Rococo Restaurant on Penn is now the home of Rococo Catering and available for private events, including corporate luncheons, rehearsal dinners, cocktail receptions, and celebra‐tions of all kinds. Rococo is available for catering and is an official partner of several local event venues. And, you can pick up Grab‐and‐Go Rococo, featuring prepared dishes to heat up at home, at five Oklahoma City Metro Homeland locations.

Chef Bruce still makes every visit to Rococo a familial homecoming with his gigantic smile. So sail on over to Rococo Western, dive into the sensational seafood, soak up the authentic Italian sauces, and sink into the flavors that have kept this Italian seafood vessel afloat for the past 20 years.

— Lance McDaniel

BRUCE RINEHART Owner and Executive Chef Rococo Western

The 50s

Lori Burson Owner Stella Modern Italian Cuisine

Lori grew up in the Dallas area and graduated with a degree in psy‐chology from the University of Dallas. To help pay for school, she worked in restaurants which is how Lori discovered her love for the hospitality industry. During Lori’s sophomore year, she studied at UD’s Rome campus.

The boards and nonprofits Lori supports have a focus on women, children, arts and hospitality.

“There are so many incredible nonprofits in OKC that I think it’s important to focus your time and talent on the ones that you feel like you can make a difference with or an impact on,” she says.

Throughout the years, Lori has served on the boards of Oklahoma Contemporary, Allied Arts, Red Cross, YWCA and the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.

She attends St Luke’s Methodist Church.

Single, Lori says she is blessed to have her mother, brother and aunt who all live in the Dallas area. She recently adopted Bella the boxer from The Boxer Rescue.

“I also have an incredible group of friends who I travel with, dine and enjoy wine with and play pickleball,” she says. “I will be traveling to Paris with the Oklahoma Restaurant Association board in May. Looking forward to exploring France and discovering the best restau‐rants in Paris with my industry friends.”

Best beauty tip/secret

Happiness, lots of water, enough sleep, clean eating. There are many fabulous products out there that can be fun to use and will help your skin, hair, etc but from observing my mother and grandmother I think beauty comes from within.

Getting it all done

I don’t know that women can get it all done at once, but I think we can find a balance. Sometimes our family will be the priority and some‐times it will be work or something else that gets the majority of our attention while the other areas might get a little less attention during that time.

Lori Burson is wearing this elegant Greek-Key Off Shoulder dress by Frank Lyman in Black and White with Jewelry by Ali & Bird. From Krista Anne’s Boutique.

The 60s

Davonna Milam

Senior Mortgage Loan Originator Stride Mortgage

Davonna was born in Denver, Colo., the last of five children. Her family was transferred to Norman and Davonna’s oldest brother played basketball at the University of Oklahoma. She currently lives in OKC. with husband Carl Milam.

Daughter, Valerie and her husband Weston have blessed them with three beautiful and talented grand‐children. Valerie and Weston are both graduates of OU Law School and Weston is a partner in a law firm in OKC.

“Valerie is one of my team members, helping me to help our fellow Oklahomans become homeowners,” Davonna says.

In banking for 23 years, Davonna has been with Stride Bank for three years. The Milams also own Western Concept Restaurant Group which includes Sushi Neko, Musashi’s, The Hutch on Avondale, Will Rogers Theatre and The Tasting Room.

“Needless to say, we are very busy people,” she says.

Davonna is on the board of Possibilities, a local com‐munity action organization which brings neighborhoods together. In addition, the Milams are very involved in various charities in the OKC area.

Best beauty tip/secret

I highly encourage a great facial at least once a month along with lots of water and face products. I am a huge fan of Eminence Organic Skin Care. I cannot stress the impor‐tance of water!

Getting it all done

I have always been a fan of praying for favor, giving and encouraging others. I think that helps me through my rather stressful days. My support system which includes my daughter helps me get tasks completed and I have a great husband who understands and encourages me.

Davonna Milam is shining bright in the Resort Dress by Frank Lyman in gorgeous hues of the season. She is wearing Embroidery Multi-Disc Sandals with Lucite Heel. Her jewelry is by Mariana. The outfit is available at Krista Anne’s Boutique.

Carl Milam’s bet on a developing area pays off

Western Concepts Restaurant Group 4318 N. Western Avenue

WWestern Concepts Restaurant Group has been dazzling Oklahoma customers since President and Founder Carl Milam launched Sushi Neko in 1997. Milam believed in the potential of Western Avenue, though it was under developed at the time. His bet paid off. And that initial success led to the opening of Musashi’s Japanese Steakhouse across the street. The Will Rogers Theatre, The Lobby Café & Bar and The Tasting Room soon followed, all located near 43rd Street on Western Avenue.

In 2009, Western Concepts partnered with legendary Oklahoma Chef Kurt Fleischfresser, adding The Coach House and eventually The Hutch on Avondale to the restaurant group and expanding the group beyond Western Avenue. The combined restaurants now gross more than $8 million annu‐ally.

Chef Fleischfresser is the most influential chef in Oklahoma City. He has been invited twice to the James Beard House in New York City as part of the Great Regional Chefs Program, and is a two‐time finalist in the American Culinary Gold Cup Competition. His outstanding career, his unparal‐leled training and his ability to imagine and create new restaurant concepts have elevated the entire food culture in Oklahoma. And his willingness to come back to Oklahoma and train the next generation of great chefs and hospitality leaders has created an impact that will last for generations.

Following in his father’s gigantic footsteps, Kyle Fleischfresser has forged his own path as the the General Manager at The Hutch on Avondale, working alongside Chef David Henry. The vibe is less formal, like Kyle, offering a wel‐coming, neighborhood, British Pub atmosphere where friends gather throughout the week for dinner or drinks. And the food is gorgeous and super tasty.

Musashi’s is still the greatest place ever for a family birth‐day. Few things are more entertaining for all ages than the dancing flames, the juggling spatulas, and the egg that gets tossed until just the last second, when it is cracked and added to your fried rice.

And, Sushi Neko remains the crown jewel of the Western Concepts Restaurant Group. Long time General Manager Midori Carrizosa is the powerful force that keeps the corner‐stone restaurant consistently listed as Oklahoma City’s best sushi restaurant for the past 24 years.

This spring, head down Western Avenue and rediscover the amazing restaurants operated by Western Avenue Restaurant Group.

— Lance McDaniel

The Lobby Café and Bar

Sushi Neko

The Tasting Room

Will Rogers Theatre

Musashi’s

The 70s

Ann Felton Gilliland President and CEO

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity

Ann was born in Corpus Christi Texas, and attended the University of Central Oklahoma majoring in history and political science. She also attended Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England, for several summers.

As she was recently featured in a local magazine, Ann is to be receiving top honors and making speeches through‐out Oklahoma.

She has also presented various speeches, including being the main speaker during the annual graduating leadership classes of Salt & Light Leadership Training. The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women inducted Ann into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame last month and she was recognized in late April with a Citizenship Award by the Oklahoma Council for Public Affairs.

Ann serves on the boards of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma Council for Public Affairs and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency. With two grown children and four grandchildren, she said she enjoys taking trips with her family.

Hobbies include fly fishing, reading and collecting art.

Best beauty tip/secret

Get lots of rest and a monthly facial.

Getting it all done

Ann Felton Gilliland looks relaxed and elegant in this textured wave top and contrasting wrap by J'Envie. Her pants are by Charlie b in the Coastal Leaf print. The outfit is available at Krista Anne’s Boutique.

You don’t always get it “all” done, but you do prioritize and get done what you can immediately. I am fortunate that I have a lot of energy.

Junior’s

Junior's of Oklahoma City has been specializing in good food and even better service since 1973.

Classic old‑school setting

Junior’s Supper Club

J2601 Northwest Expressway

Junior’s Supper Club is one of Oklahoma City’s most iconic fine dining establishments. For the past 50 years, Junior’s has offered world‐class steaks, lobster, shrimp, fried chicken, baked potatoes, Caesar salad prepared at your table, and the most succulent Brandy Ice to ever grace a snifter.

The service is spectacular and the décor is old‐world fabu‐lous. The lush red walls, golden chandeliers, and sunken piano bar all serve as enticing reminders that at one point in the early 1980s, the most consequential conversations in the world were happening there.

Junior’s opened in 1973 as an elite private club in the Oil Center Building on Northwest Expressway. Proprietor Junior Simon managed the Habana Club in Oklahoma City and co‐owned the Hilton Hotel in Tulsa. With Junior’s, he set out to provide “superb service, style, and culinary excellence.” It worked, and Junior’s became the hub of the oil industry just as things were about to get wild.

Junior’s was famously featured in the books Funny Money and Belly Up about the collapse of Penn Square Bank. It was also featured in the autobiographical movie Heaven’s Rain, produced and written by former State Senator Brooks Douglass. Douglass credits the restaurant with helping him gain the support of fellow legislators to pass his game chang‐ing legislation.

Since 2003, Junior’s has been owned and operated by Jim Shumsky, a long‐time patron and family friend who retired from a 40‐yr. career in pharmaceuticals before taking over the restaurant. Shumsky has kept the legendary restaurant alive and thriving for the past 20 years by sticking to what Junior’s does best: delicious food, great service and a classic, old‐school environment that invites you to sit back, relax, and truly enjoy a fabulous meal.

— Lance McDaniel

Ladies in the News

OOklahoma Hospitality Club’s signature event

OHC’s 55th annual Ladies in the News Luncheon and Style Show benefited Keaton’s Kindness Foundation and Oklahoma Project Women. With a theme of Women Who Lead, 14 models walked the room and up and down three stages. The honorees included the Honorable Catherine “Catt” Burton, Virginia Calame, Perrin Duncan, Kim Garrett, Irene Gianos and Margo Gianos, Danne Johnson, J.D., Lisa Johnson‐Billy, Dr. Mautra Staley Jones,  Megan Law, Alyssa Kaiser Nash, Marilyn Olson, Erin Page and Dr. Jeanie Webb. Tania Smith was the event chair‐man. The honorary chairmen and style show emcees were A. J. Griffin and Bailey Perkins Wright.

At left, Perrin Duncan, this magazine’s 20s model, is honored by the Oklahoma Hospitality Club.

At left: Ladies in the News Honorary CoChairmen Bailey Perkins Wright and A.J. Griffin emcee the style show. Below: Event Chairman Tania Smith welcomes the crowd.

- Photos by Rose Lane

The Skirvin

Iconic hotel has many new choices in cuisine

The Skirvin One Park Ave.

TThe Skirvin Hotel has enchanted visitors and locals alike since 1911 with its opulent décor, architectural splendor and storied history.

Now under new management, the downtown landmark is taking a fresh approach to food and beverage. From its new express lunches to Mother’s Day Brunch in the Grand Ballroom, the Skirvin Hotel now offers more opportunities to snack, scarf, or savor your way around Oklahoma City’s most historic hotel.

Chase Rollins, the 2021 Outstanding General Manager of the Year from the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, has moved to the Skirvin Hotel from the Renaissance Waterford. His positive leadership style and great ideas have already breathed new life into the iconic venue.

Park Avenue Grill is the culinary epicenter of the Skirvin Hotel. Its dinner remains elegant and scrumptious, like their refreshed classic Maple Leaf Farms Duck. But their new focus on lunch is bringing back downtown customers through‐out the day. Park Avenue Grill now offers express lunches in 15 minutes; soup, salad, and sandwich combos made from scratch; weekly dinner specials; and holiday brunches in the Grand Ballroom, starting with Mother’s Day.

The Red Piano Bar is still one of the greatest downtown bars. The dark wood, big comfortable chairs, eponymous piano, and picture windows that look out over Broadway and Park Avenue ignite an urban flair unmatched anywhere else in the metro. The new addition is live music: jazz, blues, classics, and more; six days a week; all year long.

Come rediscover the Skirvin Hotel, a revitalized culinary destination in the heart of downtown.

— Lance McDaniel

Under new management, the Skirvin Hotel has taken its culinary offerings to a new level.

P Papa Dio’s

Three generations serve up delectable Italian dishes

Papa Dio’s Italian Restaurant 10712 N. May Avenue

Papa Dio’s is Oklahoma City’s oldest family‐owned Italian restaurant. Opened in 1979 by Bill Bonadio, the restaurant is now run by his sister Candace Bonadio Gideo, who manages three generations of Bonadio’s and their Italian friends and family. Together they serve up delectable Italian dishes in two distinct atmospheres.

First is their casual or family side dining room. You can bring the kids after a soccer game or meet your spouse on the way home for a quick bowl of pasta. The food is the same in both dining rooms. This casual one is more like home, only they cook and clean up the mess.

The Wine Bar Side is a fine dining restaurant. Its wine list has been awarded the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence several years in a row. And, its horseshoe bar is made of wood from an 18th century home in Louisiana. Both of the dining rooms were remodeled and refreshed in 2021, making the Wine Bar even more intimate and inviting.

Papa Dio’s has been offering delicious Italian food for 40 years.

Papa Dio’s offers an awesome number of Italian dishes. Regulars gravitate towards their imported pastas, chicken, veal, shrimp, fresh fish, five different types of lasagna, and a dozen pasta sauces. Other features include weekly Chef Specials, a Tuscan Fusion menu, and Dio’s Original Fried Pizza, the initial food concept that launched the family empire.

For the past 40 years, Papa Dio’s has offered a delicious product at a fair price with consistency and great service. Come taste the tradition.

— Lance McDaniel

Stella Modern Italian Cuisine

A true neighborhood restaurant in Midtown

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Stella Modern Italian Cuisine

1201 North Walker Ave.

Nestled on the edge of downtown, near the tree‐lined streets of Heritage Hills, Stella Modern Italian Cuisine is one of Oklahoma City’s most stylish and delicious gathering places.

The clean design, warm colors and intimate setting provide a perfect atmos‐phere for family celebrations, romantic dates, or nights out with friends.

Restauranteur Lori Burson created Stella as an homage to the summer she spent studying in Rome. She immediately fell in love with the food and wine. But what impressed her most was the way Italians integrated food and eating into their lives. She wanted to bring that philosophy back home and create a familial culture in her own restaurant.

After working in the food service industry for two decades, Burson opened Stella Modern Italian Cuisine in April of 2010 to rave reviews and eager crowds. It quickly became the new cen‐terpiece of the burgeoning food scene in Midtown. It’s fresh take on Italian food differentiated it from its more tradi‐tional peers. And, its location in the soon to be developed area allowed it to grow with the neighborhood and become part of the cultural fabric.

Thirteen years later, Burson still welcomes steady streams of regulars and new customers to her neighborhood Italian restaurant. She serves up brunch, lunch, wine after work, pizza before Thunder games, birthday celebrations, and robust dinners with family and friends. If you sit against the window and watch Burson laugh with customers or pour wine at a friend’s table, you get a sense of those Italian neighborhood restaurants she fell in love with that fateful summer in Rome.

— Lance McDaniel