December 2019

L E T T H E E N T E R TA I N I N G B E G I N P. 57 4O5 MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019 VOLUME FIVE | ISSUE TWELVE

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

4O5MAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 2019

Seasons Greetings

Have a healthy, happy holiday season and a great 2020!

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CONTENTS

44

Getaways for the Holidays EXPLORE YEAR-END DESTINATIONS NEAR AND FAR

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

DECEMBER

ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR FAMILY YOUR MONEY? OR A MESS?

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

NICHOLS HILLS PLAZA

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER IN THE 405

22 FASHION An edgy, modern take on

holiday dressing 24 PRIME PICKS Lieutenant Governor

Matt Pinnell talks Oklahoma travel 26 SPEAKERBOX Allison Moorer’s tragedy turned into art

44

28 RETROSPECTIVE Holiday memories of Lakehurst lights 30 ON THE SCENE Who went where,

and why

TRAVEL

33 MEDICAL NEWS High tech updates

HEAD FOR A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY...

HOME

from metro medical experts

58 ENTERTAINING 101

Christmas cookies for the win with Camden Cleveland 59 AT HOME WITH John Dawson, custom woodworker and furniture maker 60 GATHERINGS Welcoming warmth

with the Sanchez family 62 HABITAT The halls of Susan and Jeff

Raley’s Norman home have been decked in Christmas finery TRAVEL 68 ADVENTURE GRANDMA Sleeping with

strangers in Amsterdam 70 STATESIDE Southwest Colorado: a day’s drive to another time

DINING 76 INDUSTRY NEWS Colorado’s whiskey and George’s Liquors 78 LOCAL FLAVOR Clarity Coffee 80 A CHEF’S STORY Meet Fabio, the globe-

trotting chef 82 ON THE RADAR Lyric Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” 84 RESTAURANT GUIDE Indulge and enjoy the 405’s vibrant restaurant scene 88 LAST LAUGH Where’d you go,

Beanie Baby?

ON THE COVER Matt Payne captures the beauty of the Colorado sky.

Page 70

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

The Right Step

Andrew Flinton, CFP® President

DECEMBER 2019

OWNER | PUBLISHER

Jordan Regas jordan.regas@405magazine.com EDITOR IN CHIEF

Melissa Mercer Howell melissa.mercerhowell@405.magazine.com SENIOR WRITER

Greg Horton GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

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VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 12

405.942.1234 405.246.0404 972.377.2850

Katie Sloan Julie Babcock Hannah Babb

STYLE EDITOR Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com TRAVEL EDITOR Matt Payne matt.payne@405magazine.com SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Emiley Sexton

emiley.sexton@405magazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS M.J. Alexander, Mark

Beutler, George Lang, Lauren Roth, Elaine Warner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rachel Maucieri,

Matt Payne, Don Risi, Elaine Warner, Shevaun Williams

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405 MAGA ZINE | DECEMBER 2019

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DECEMBER 2019

VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 12

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405 Magazine Volume 5, Number 12, November 2019. 405 Magazine is published monthly by 405 Magazine, Inc. at 1613 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, 405.842.2266. © Copyright 2019 405 Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of 405 Magazine content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. 405 Magazine is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. 405 Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the community’s best interest or in questionable taste. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management. Basic annual subscription rate is $14.95. U.S. single-copy price is $4.95.

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

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In 2004, Oklahomans overwhelmingly approved a gaming compact that has far exceeded estimates of its benefits to the state.

Together, the state and tribes worked diligently to forge an agreement that has provided new revenues for education, helped preserve the Oklahoma horse industry and contributed billions of dollars to the state economy.

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Committed to mutual respect, shared strength and productive partnerships that benefit every Oklahoman.

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UnitedForOklahoma.com

A Vital

Economic Engine The success of the gaming compact can be seen in everything from jobs and wages to education and health care.

In Wages & Benefits to Oklahoma Workers

Supported in the State

Supporting Statewide Education Since 2006, Almost Doubles Original Estimates

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DID YOU KNOW?

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SOURCE: 1. Oklahoma Model Tribal Gaming Compact, Part 15.

405 MAGA ZINE | DECEMBER 2019

15

FROM THE EDITOR

The Holidays, & a New Home

F

or me, the holiday season is all about the feeling of home. It’s a feeling that can be hard to articulate, but you definitely know when you’ve found it.

It was 1966 when my mom and dad announced to my older brothers and me that we were moving from our 80-acre farm north of Wichita, Kansas, to Edmond, Oklahoma.

The announcement was met with a unanimous hue and cry: “Nooo! We don’t want to go to Oklahoma! Oklahoma?”

But the decision was made, and we loaded up in mom’s brand-new Buick station wagon and headed south.

That Buick was a thing of beauty, emblematic of the American dream.

It was a tank, with a 400-cubic-inch engine, automatic transmission, electric windows and the pièce de résistance – air conditioning.

When we arrived in Edmond, 15th Street was a gravel road; the town had only one stop light and our temporary lodging was an honest to God, no lyin’, log cabin. On the positive side, it had indoor plumbing, but heat and air were sketchy at best.

Dad said it would be an adventure.

Mom just spent most of our time there sitting in her swanky Buick, running her swanky air conditioner.

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

Things got better, though. We moved into our new house, the city paved 15th Street and Edmond earned the distinction of being one of the few suburbs in Oklahoma with that all-important crown jewel of civilization, a McDonald’s.

We had found our home.

I’ve lived in a number of cities, chasing a journalism career in newspapers for the past 30 years. The one constant has been that “going home” has always meant coming back to Oklahoma.

I feel I’ve found a home at 405 Magazine too, as its new Editor in Chief.

Coming from a newspaper background, I have in recent years looked longingly at the magazine world as space that takes a painterly approach to storytelling. A good magazine makes artful use of its space, where compelling text and photos interplay to create an environment for the story, not just words on a page. And that describes this magazine.

I’m looking forward to telling those stories and reflecting Oklahoma City as the authentic place it is. .

Melissa Mercer Howell E DI T OR-I N- C H I E F melissa.mercerhowell@405magazine.com

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE PL AZ A DISTRIC T

IN THE 405

Fa la la la FASHION! Rethink the little black dress for a fresher vibe or jettison it entirely! Photo by Shevaun Williams, see our story on page 22.

405 MAGA ZINE | DECEMBER 2019

21

H O L I DAY FA S H I O N

Away for the Holidays

L

et’s get out of town for the holidays ditching traditional picks for a more joyful, fun filled party wardrobe. Sure, a little black dress is always on par for the party scene, but who says holiday dressing has to be so routine? ’Tis the season for Holiday style that leaves behind any “less is more” attitudes.

The magic of the season demands it.

Special thanks to Nelson King and White Dog Hill Restaurant

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

CLOTHING TOP RIGHT: BA&SH Leather Blouse – Balliets, Donna Karan Gold Brass Belt – Library, Julie Vos Gold Bracelet – Balliets, Julie Vos Gold Link Bracelet – Balliets, Elizabeth Cole Gold Earrings – Balliets FAR LEFT: Veronica Beard Suit – Gretta Sloane, Something Elsie Victorian Blouse – The Junk Fairy, Lincoln Bennett & Co Top Hat – The Junk Fairy, Vintage Gold Ruby Earrings – Library, Vintage Colonial 70s Platforms – The Junk Fairy TOP LEFT: Julie Miller Victorian Ruffle Blouse – The Junk Fairy, House of London Black Sequined Trousers – Library BOTTOM RIGHT: Badgley Mischka Gold Sequin Blazer – CK & CO, Kendra Scott Lion Necklace – Library, The Palace Clothiers Bowler Hat – Library BOTTOM LEFT: IRO White Gold Motto Jacket – Cayman’s, Karlie Black Tulle Dress – Cayman’s, Seraphine Gold/Silver Wings Earrings – Cayman’s, Jenny Bird Gold/Silver Chain Necklace – Cayman’s, Classico Andaluz Hat – The Junk Fairy

ART DIRECTION AND PHOTOGRAPHY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS STYLING JESSI MURRAY AND ÃNNA FROST​ HMU AND TALENT ALEXANDRA FORD PHOTO ASSIST HEATHER HANSON

405 MAGA ZINE | DECEMBER 2019

23

PRI M E PI C K S: T R AV E L O N T H E ROA D

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell has devoted himself to promoting Oklahoma’s natural beauty in an effort to boost tourism. Photo

by Matt Payne

Sooner State Splendor LT. GOV. MATT PINNELL ON SHARING OKLAHOMA’S BEAUTY

BY MATT PAYNE | PHOTO BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS

I

n the east wing of the State Capitol, the walls are lined with breathtaking photos: towering mesas under the Milky Way, prairies thick with bison, fall foliage reflected off the surface of a glassy mountain river at dawn. The landscape diversity is so vast that a visitor might conclude that the images had come from all corners of the world. In truth, each of these stunning images was shot in Oklahoma, exclusively by Oklahoma photographers. Earlier this year, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell created a photo competition challenging Oklahoma-based photographers to capture images of our state and post them on Instagram using the hashtag #OklahomaTravelTakeover. The winning images would then be hung in the halls of the Capitol, and ultimately would dress the walls of Pinnell’s office.

Of course, Pinnell knew the outcome of the competition would be spectacular – because perhaps no one right now is as dialed into our state’s natural beauty and hunger for growth as our Lieutenant Governor. In addition to the duties of his elected office, Pinnell also serves as Oklahoma’s first Secretary of Tourism and Branding, and in a short time has done remarkable things to change the way not only Oklahoma, but the world, sees the Sooner State.

“Tourism is the front door to economic development,” says Pinnell in our September interview at the Capitol. “If you could

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

get people spending money in these communities, and people see how great this state is, it changes the perception of our state.”

Pinnell spent part of his campaign on an RV tour across the Sooner State, which enabled him to spend time getting to know Oklahomans and also to take in the beauty and natural resources our state has to offer. “We went all around Oklahoma,” he says.

“We traveled all over the state, from northwest Oklahoma to Broken Bow.” The journey confirmed what Pinnell – thanks to a lifetime of travel – already knew. “You don’t have to go to Arkansas to go hiking and to go trout fishing and to see museums. You can do all of that in Oklahoma … and it is better.”

The state’s natural beauty has played a role throughout Pinnell’s life. “I would say a lot of my early experience traveling around Oklahoma was fishing with my grandfather,” he says.

“Some of my favorite memories growing up were fishing at Fort Gibson Lake and Sequoia State Lodge.” The ubiquitous tradition of fishing in Oklahoma is something Pinnell has considered an opportunity for expansion: The Oklahoma Fishing Trail is one initiative he sees for tourism to boost our state economy.

He has passed his love for travel and the outdoors on to his own children, as well. A father of four, Pinnell often considered what opportunities were 30 minutes outside the front door. “We love camping and museums,” he says. “We are a family of six with four kids, so I can really relate with families around the state that are looking for something that they can do on a tank of gas.

So, I am making sure that in the tourism department, we are highlighting those opportunities.”

Whether it is the small towns around Little Sahara State Park or a farm-to-table experience in Luther, Pinnell wants Main Street to know that he is in their corner. “The small-town charm that we have really sells. Agro-tourism sells. If we put more marketing dollars behind it.” Recently, Pinnell and his wife had a getaway to Guthrie. “It was the last weekend for Red Brick Nights.

We stayed in a loft in downtown Guthrie. One of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had was walking around at night; you feel like you stepped back in time.”

Pinnell has also taken on the task of rebranding Oklahoma.

“Through this branding effort, through this tourism effort, we are showing Oklahomans that we have a beautiful state, we are unique and we do a lot of things well. There are a lot of things that we have to fix, but we should be talking about how great we are at the same time.”

As I walk out of the Capitol after our interview, I think back to Pinnell’s parting words: “If you want to see America, you need to see Oklahoma.” As I glance again at the beauty and diversity of the 24 images of Oklahoma that line the capitol’s walls, I can’t help but think he’s exactly right.

LOC ATED AT THE CORNER OF 15TH STREET & BRYANT AVENUE IN EDMOND

Kendra Scott | White House Black Market | Plenty Mercantile | New Balance | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop | Loft | J.Jill Soma Intimates | Jos. A Bank | Chico’s | Panera Bread | Simmons Bank | Francesca’s Collection Boardroom Salon for Men | Talbots | Salon and Spa at Spring Creek | Optique Vision Center | Nichols Hills Cleaners

SPEAKERBOX

New Releases BECK

Hyperspace

For his 14th album, the 49-yearold musical adventurer collaborated with Pharrell Williams to create a collection of forward-thinking, sonically innovative pop that feels more emotionally honest than his previous album, 2017’s Colors.

Highlights include “Uneventful Days” and his duet with Sky Ferreira, “Die Waiting.”

MIRANDA LAMBERT

Wildcard

Not one for sitting still for long, Lambert quickly follows up the Pistol Annies’ acclaimed 2018 album Interstate Gospel with abundantly fresh, pop-inflected country. Murderous comedy takes center stage on the Maren Morris-featuring “Way Too Pretty for Prison,” and Lambert gives bro-country a makeover on the irresistible “Pretty Bitchin’.”

DJ SHADOW

Our Pathetic Age

Music in the Blood

A

ALLISON MOORER SHEDS LIGHT ON A TRAGIC PAST

BY GEORGE LANG

llison Moorer’s emergence as one of the clearest voices and most gifted lyricists in alt-country was presaged by a horrific origin story: the 1986 murder-suicide of her parents, Franklin and Lynn Moorer. That story of childhood terror and the transcendence of tragedy is told in Moorer’s new autobiography, Blood: A Memoir, and the concurrent release of her 10th studio album, Blood. Moorer will perform songs from Blood and tell her story 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Woody Guthrie Center, 102 E. Brady in Tulsa.

Moorer and her sister, Grammy winner Shelby Lynne, were raised in Frankville, Alabama, a small, unincorporated town north of Mobile. The sisters grew up in a musical family, but Franklin Moorer’s aspirations as a songwriter were undermined by his violent alcoholism, which was brought to bear on the entire family. Lynn Moorer eventually moved her daughters to a rental house in Mobile, but Franklin found them. On Aug. 12, 1986, Franklin shot his wife in her front yard and then turned the gun on himself.

In the wake of this great tragedy, both sisters achieved uncommon success and accolades for their respective music careers, and they collaborated on 2017’s Not Dark Yet, a collection of covers by artists such as Nirvana, Bob Dylan, the Killers and Nick Cave. For the Blood album, each song speaks to the experience of Moorer’s family members, living and dead, but all of them find new life in songs such as “Bad Weather,” “The Rock and the Hill” and the first single, “All I Wanted (Thanks Anyway).”

Seating is limited. Visit woodyguthriecenter.org for information.

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

His 1996 debut, Endtroducing… still casts a long Shadow, but Our Pathetic Age takes a bright approach to both modern hiphop and old-school classicism, as one of the great innovators collaborates with some of the best rappers of the past 30 years, including Nas, three members of the Wu-Tang Clan, De La Soul and Run the Jewels.

GIRL RAY

Girl

The London trio made its first headlines with 2017’s Earl Grey, which frequently evoked the “C-86” genre of post-Smiths guitar-pop, but Girl feels more present-day. Just try to evict the synthetically brilliant title track or “Show Me More” from your prefrontal cortex.

ROB HALFORD

Celestial

Judas Priest’s Halford has one of the strongest and most enduring voices in heavy metal, and while a collection of Christmas carols such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Hark!

The Herald Angels Sing” might sound like a joke, Halford’s metallic zeal proves that you’ve got another thing coming.

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A B O V E M I C K E Y M A N T L E S T E A K H O U S E O N T H E 4 TH F L O O R

RETROSPECTIVE

A Lakehurst Noel MEMORIES OF THE SEASON IN THE ’60S

BY MARK BEUTLER | PHOTOS PROVIDED

M

ost Oklahomans of a certain age will remember the Lakehurst neighborhood on North May Avenue as the place to be for Christmas lighting displays in the 1960s.

The first houses had been built in 1961, and the addition was still relatively new.

Residents got into the spirit of the holiday with the most glorious displays, and each street had its own theme. Landsdowne Lane, for example, might be all Santas and reindeer, while a couple of streets over, Pelham Court was decked out with elves, snowmen and candy canes.

Lakehurst at Christmas was always a big deal. Oklahoma City’s finest would often block May Avenue between Britton and Grand to allow the steady stream of nightly traffic, while signs urged drivers to “please turn off your lights.” The traffic in and out of the neighborhood was bumper-to-bumper.

As a kid growing up in a small town, coming into Oklahoma City to see Lakehurst’s lights was one of the best parts of the entire holiday season. The other highlight was going to see Santa at Edmond Plaza TG&Y. When Mom and Dad split in the summer of 1969, things got rough. Mom traded her beautiful 1966 charcoal gray Jackie Cooper Oldsmobile for a 1953 Ford with no heater. As a single mother making $1.50 an hour working in a factory, she did her best to make that final Christmas of the 1960s memorable and fun.

For starters, I got an early Christmas present when she surprised me with a new puppy – a spunky little black and white Jack Russell terrier. We instantly

from. But looking back, it could have been from my parents’ 1960s afterdinner beverage-of-choice, peppermint schnapps.

One cold December night, Mom, Snopsee and I climbed into that clunky old Ford with no heater. Mom had some quilts in the car she used to keep warm on her way to work. She and Snopsee and I snuggled under the quilts and started on our journey toward May Avenue. Next stop – Lakehurst!

We got as far as Edmond Road, or NW 178th as it’s called now, and all three of us could see the steam from our breath in that bitterly cold, old car.

“It sure is cold,” Mom said. “Are you sure you want to keep going?”

As much as Snopsee and I wanted to see Lakehurst, he and I both agreed it was just too cold. So, we made a U-turn and headed back home toward our home in Cashion.

“When it warms up, we’ll go to the Plaza

you want for Christmas,” Mom said.

The next Saturday, that’s what we did (though Snopsee couldn’t make it). My stupid 1960s flat top haircut had finally grown out into bangs. I put on my cousin Tony’s hand-me-down green plaid coat for a trip to Edmond and my photo with that jolly old elf.

Santa had set up a temporary North Pole in TG&Y’s garden center, and I couldn’t wait to give him a hug. After all, he had always been one of my favorite people. I’d been mostly good that year, and I felt confident he would grant most of my wish list.

“I want a Slinky, and a new Viewmaster, and some Klackers,” I whispered. “And bring my mom and Snopsee something nice, too.”

On Christmas morning, 1969, Santa delivered.

Looking back, I didn’t get to see Lakehurst’s lights. But I got a puppy and got to see Mr. Claus at TG&Y. Mom and

became BFFs. I named him “Snopsee.” I still don’t know where that name came

(which is what we called TG&Y) and you can sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what

Santa both did good.

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

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MEDICAL NEWS

Healing Locally NEW TREATMENTS FOR OKLAHOMA’S HEART AND CANCER PATIENTS OFFER MORE EFFECTIVENESS AND BETTER RECOVERY.

L

BY GEORGE LANG | PHOTOS PROVIDED

iving in Oklahoma should not be bad for anyone’s health, but the statistics say otherwise. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is not only the leading cause of death in the state, but Oklahoma ranks No. 1 for heart disease among all 50 U.S. states.

If that number does not make Sooners crush out their cigarettes and head straight to the nearest salad bar, CDC reports that cancer is the No. 2 cause of death in Oklahoma. This is not how Oklahoma wants to be, in the words of Gov. Kevin Stitt, a “Top 10 state,” but here we are.

While preventative measures in the form of exercise and diet can make a difference, Oklahoma City hospitals are stepping up their game in the form of new detections and treatments in both heart health and cancer treatment. And these procedures are not just on the horizon — they are available for heart and cancer patients now.

BLOOD WORKS For nearly a century, physicians have employed angiograms as a key method for detecting heart disease. The current procedure involves injecting a radioactive dye into the femoral artery and then studying the heart using X-ray technology to determine whether there is blockage or abnormal blood flow to and from the heart. But new technology in the form of fractional flow reserve derived from CT or FFRct, is helping cardiologists develop a fuller picture of heart health through three-dimensional computer renderings of patients’ hearts.

“FFRct is a computer algorithm that a company called HeartFlow is able to do with CT images of the coronary arteries to determine flow down the coronary arteries,” said Dr. George Chrysant, interventional cardiologist with Integris Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City.

While early detection measures traditionally involve a stress test, which usually requires patients to walk and run on a treadmill while undergoing an electrocardiogram, FFRct bypasses the stress test and allows cardiologists to reach more accurate conclusions.

“It eliminates a lot of testing,” Chrysant said. “For example, if someone comes into the emergency room with chest pain, if they

ABOVE Dr. David Olek

go the nuclear stress test route, 20 percent of the time or more, that stress test would be interpreted as abnormal. Then those people would undergo an invasive coronary angiogram only to find out that they don’t have anything to worry about and their coronary arteries are actually open. It (FFRct) is just going to provide better analysis with just one test.”

Conversely, traditional stress tests are more likely to come up with an inconclusive diagnosis, even for patients who have blockages, he said. So if a cardiac abnormality is determined, there are new procedures for correcting heart issues such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, MitraClip and Watchman.

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that, until recently, was used only for replacing a defective aortic valve in patients who are at high risk for undergoing traditional open heart surgery. With TAVR, cardiologists can implant a self-expanding artificial valve by accessing the heart through the femoral artery, and recently the procedure has been approved for patients with low or intermediate risk.

“It’s more like having a catheterization than a surgery,” Chrysant said. “So now, if you have a narrowing of the aortic valve, you can have a conversation with your doctor about not having open heart surgery.

For patients dealing with mitral regurgitation, in which the mitral valve does not close properly during blood outflow from the heart, a single suture can be used to treat the abnormality.

MitraClip is literally a tiny clip that can be inserted through the femoral artery and closes the leak, Chrysant said. By avoiding open heart surgery, cardiologists using MitraClip can reduce hospital stays by half and deaths by nearly 40 percent.

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MEDICAL NEWS

Patients experiencing atrial fibrillation run the risk of blood clots forming in the left atrial appendage, which are then released into the bloodstream and can cause strokes. However, a new implant was approved four years ago called Watchman.

“It’s a device that basically stuffs the appendage,” Chrysant said.

“So, you put this device inside the appendage.”

Watchman implants itself and within 30 to 45 days, tissue grows around the Watchman, making the release of blood clots into the bloodstream almost nonexistent. Chrysant said the Watchman is especially effective for patients who cannot take blood thinners.

“So, those people were, for the most part, left with taking an aspirin and hoping for the best,” he said. “These devices are now available to help minimize strokes.”

All of these measures are being employed at Integris Heart Hospital to minimize the risks associated with opening up the body cavity, and as a whole, the procedures result in less time hospitalized and faster recovery.

“If you have open heart surgery, you’re going to be in the hospital five to seven days, and then you’re going to undergo rehab somewhere and miss work for at least two weeks until your sternum gets cleared,” Chrysant said. “With one of these catheter procedures, a lot of people go home the next afternoon.”

UNDER THE SKIN In Oklahoma, where summers are brutal and a large number of people work and play outdoors, incidence of skin cancer is unusually high. At Mercy Cancer Center - Coletta, radiation oncologist Dr. David Olek has introduced a new procedure that replaces the use of electron beams in skin cancer treatment.

To better pinpoint and reduce the number of treatments of affected areas, Olek employs the use of radioactive pellets that move through catheters. This groundbreaking procedure has proved over the course of treating 273 lesions on 172 patients to

ABOVE Dr. David Olek

Catheters used in brachytherapy, deliver radioactive pellets through catheters to better pinpoint and reduce the number of treatments.

have greater efficacy while requiring less time in the hospital.

“What it will do is spend time in each position in the catheter to treat the skin,” Olek said. “The advantage of that is, instead of doing (the treatment) in 22 to 30 treatments, I do it in 8.”

This process, called brachytherapy, treats .5 to 1 centimeter of area. The only area where Olek will not treat the immediate area surrounding the eye using brachytherapy, because the use of the pellets is known to generate or exacerbate cataracts. Use of brachytherapy also results in greater acceleration of healing and recovery, with most lesions disappearing after about two weeks.

Similar brachytherapy is being used at Coletta for treatment of breast cancer, decreasing the need for mastectomy in many patients. In the breast cancer treatment, a catheter is inserted from the side of the breast into the lumpectomy cavity, minimizing scarring.

At any time, two to five patients might be undergoing the treatment at Coletta’s breast cancer treatment facility, and only one in 100 patients are not cleared for it.

“What happens is, you go to the O.R. and it is placed in the cavity and inflated,” Orek said. “It is usually done on a Wednesday. On Thursday, you come to us for a prep scan to make your treatment plan, and on Monday you start your treatment. Instead of getting 16 to 20 treatments, you get 10 done over the course of one week.”

After the 10th treatment, the catheter is removed and the cavity sealed. Two weeks later, the patient returns for a checkup. If treatment is successful, then no further visits are required. With fewer trips to the hospital required for treatment, Olek said the brachytherapy is an excellent option for patients living in Oklahoma’s rural areas.

“So, there are a lot of cool things coming up,” Olek said. “We’re trying to treat more effectively and aggressively, because now we know we can get a good cure rate. But can we push this with our technology to treat smaller fields and treat more aggressively so our cure rate goes up?”

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This Hall Tree is not only gorgeous, it’s useful too! It’s the perfect addition to entryways for coats, umbrellas or even displaying throws, $295

Make a statement with this beautiful french chest of drawers, circa 1890, $4495

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Spruce up your decor with this fabulous watercolor pillow, available now in store, $129

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Gift ageless skin this Christmas, mention this ad and receive 15% off skin care products

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Harley Davidson Women’s Writ leather jacket. Made with midweight cowhide leather reflective material with two sleeve vents and vented action back. Available in extended sizes.

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Getaways for the Holidays YEAR-END DESTINATIONS NEAR & FAR

Cities are constructed of stories as much as they are buildings, and while some places have stories we’ve all heard, there are other (perhaps more interesting) stories just beneath the surface. Yes, West Texas has football and wide prairie, but it’s also a growing wine region, and in Orlando you can experience an immersive vacation on another planet. Kansas City is much more than barbecue and sports.

Giving the gift of travel means tailoring the destination to someone’s passions and interests, but it’s important to remember that every city has more than the obvious to offer.

By Greg Horton and Elaine Warner Photos by Greg Horton and provided

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A Taste of Tennessee

Holida y Get awa y s

T

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HE 21C MUSEUM HOTEL in Nashville is directly across the Cumberland River from the stadium home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. The rooftop suites have decks that open out onto the downtown skyline and a river view, and for hardcore music fans, the hotel is a short three-block walk from Broadway with its abundance of honky-tonks, museums, venues and bars. Better known as the home of country and western music, Nashville also is important because it’s the best place to stay if, like me, you’re headed to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Before embarking on what ends up being nearly a full day tasting whiskey in Lynchburg, I visited Husk, the restaurant made famous by Chef Sean Brock. He severed ties with the brand in 2019, leaving the Nashville eatery in the more than capable hands of Catoosa, Oklahoma, native Chef Katie Coss. Husk is known for Southern cuisine, and Coss has stayed true to that focus, including amazing catfish, zippy deviled eggs, crispy fried chicken and, of course, pork belly. The whiskey and wine lists are both impressive, and service at the bar top is excellent.

Gray & Dudley is the restaurant inside 21c, and like all 21c restaurants around the country, the cuisine is chef-driven and the concepts operate semi-independently from the host hotels. Gray & Dudley’s menu is eclectic in the truest sense: steamed beef rangoon shares space with bacon and sauerkraut lumpia, duck fried rice, biscuits and gravy and steaks. The bar boasts an impressive spirits selection, including a bottle of WhistlePig’s signature The Boss Hogg. I grabbed breakfast there before heading for Lynchburg in a chartered mini-bus. Several of these services provide transportation to and from Jack Daniel’s, and the one I was on as a solo passenger also provided whiskey … at 8:30 a.m. I declined.

Like many drinkers, I had formed an opinion of Jack Daniel’s based on its ubiquitous Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, along with commercials touting Lynchburg as a small town where everyone knows their neighbors. In a world made cynical by advertising, it’s good to know that not all commercials are based on lies. The town is

DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

small, the people are friendly, and the Jack Daniel’s operation is run by locals, often with three generations of the same family involved in various aspects of the process.

My tour group, which included Travis Clark of Clark Crew BBQ, had transportation issues, so I lucked into a solo tour with veteran tour guide Jon Teal. “I quit my job and moved to Lynchburg because I wanted this job,” he told me. “It’s literally my dream job.” His passion for the brand and its story was evident as he walked me through every stage of the operation – from burning the wood for coals, to the water source, to fermentation, filtering and bottling.

I finished the day with an interview with Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant, the repurposed boarding house adjacent to the distillery. Tour groups are seated with hosts – many of whom are retired locals – who act as storytellers, historians and conversation facilitators for the home-style lunch of fried chicken, meat loaf, fresh veggies and pie. It’s homespun awesomeness, and should be added to any tour.

Arnett came to Jack Daniel’s from Proctor & Gamble, where he was an expert on the decaffeination process. An automotive engineer by education, Arnett is one of the best systems thinkers in the country, and he understands distilling at the molecular level, talking easily and brilliantly about yeast strains, microbiology and aging. An evangelist for the Tennessee style of whiskey, he explained the advantage “mellowing” brings to all the Jack Daniel’s products. “Mellowing can do in days what takes years in barrel,” he says. “Bourbon producers call it a ‘short cut,’ but it’s really a head start.”

My last morning in Nashville was focused around one more stop: Five Daughters Bakery. I had heard more than a few locals talk about the 100-Layer Donut, a Nashville variation on the cronut that takes three days to produce. Just imagine 100 layers of delicious donut with cream and glaze, so, yeah, you’ll want to get one before you leave the city.

– GREG HORTON

TOP LEFT: Corn-meal crusted

catfish from Husk TOP: Jack Daniels Distillery BOTTOM: Water source at

Jack Daniel Distillery

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Holida y Get awa y s

Kansas City Prime

“W

HILE YOU’RE IN KANSAS CITY, you have to eat at (insert favorite barbecue joint)!”

Cities are known for certain things – this is no secret – so it’s not surprising I received no less than half a dozen recommendations on “the city’s best barbecue” before I headed to KC. However, I was off to do the unthinkable: eat and drink in KC without so much as walking by a BBQ joint. Texas barbecue is the best west of the Mississippi anyway, and I was more interested in two restaurants that have drawn the attention of the James Beard Foundation (the nonprofit organization that gives annual awards for the nation’s best bars and restaurants), and three cocktail bars generating regional and national attention.

I made two trips to KC in 2019 the first to tour distilleries Union Horse, J. Rieger and Tom’s Town. A traveler can plan any number of itineraries in a city of this size, and on my second trip I was fortunate enough to be in town for “30 Americans,” an installation featuring the art of 30 African-American artists at the stunning Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Like many cities, KC has a thriving sports culture – the Royals, the Chiefs – but there are several ways to build an experience of this city, including food and drink.

Kansas City has a well-deserved reputation as a bar-centric culture. While much of the credit is given to the Prohibition-flaunting speakeasies that Tom Pendergast, the head of the KC Democratic “machine” protected throughout that dark period of our nation’s history, it’s impossible to know exactly how much a nearly 100-yearold story affects the modern bar scene. Still, it’s a good story, and in the midst of a trend toward overusing the word “speakeasy” to describe new bars that definitely are not speakeasies, Manifesto – in the basement of the Rieger Hotel – is definitely true to the ethos and atmosphere of those bygone underground bars.

The Kansas City Marriott Downtown recently underwent a $65 million renovation, and invited us up to stay and play. Located just north of the Crossroads district, the hotel is a handful of blocks from all three Interstate corridors, meaning everywhere I wanted to be was about 10 minutes away by Lyft, and Manifesto was almost walking distance. Asking at the hotel restaurant hostess stand gets you a sympathetic smile and directions, much like a lost 10-year-old would receive if trying to find the bathroom, but I endured the silent ridicule and made my way to the alley … only half convinced the hostess wasn’t Snapchatting me for laughs.

Manifesto was actually a speakeasy during Prohibition, and management is happy to tell you Mr. Pendergast himself was a customer, as was Al Capone. In fact, a brass plaque above a urinal in the lobby bathroom announces “Al Capone pissed here,” in case that’s the sort of celebrity-adjacent experience you’re looking for. Truthfully, the best drink I had in KC was at the Rieger Hotel’s bar, but the cocktails in the basement are boozy, smart and complex. The tab reflects that, just as it does at The Monarch, an uber-sleek, modern-art-focused cocktail bar in the Country Club Plaza district. A semifinalist for a James Beard award, The Monarch is a marvel of comprehensive, integrated design – interior, peripherals and cocktails – and bar director Brock Schulte is a masterful technician and creative genius.

In 2019, Kansas City received eight James Beard semi-finalist nominations. In addition to The Monarch, The Antler Room’s executive chef Nick Goellner was nominated Best Chef in the Midwest. The menu

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CORVINO’S BURGER

is small and focused, and however much food you think you’ll want when you go in, you’ll want more. Everything from the salad course to the soup dumplings to the best duck I’ve tasted was perfection, and bar manager-partner Leslie Newsam Goellner’s wine program has garnered more national accolades than the food. A very pleasant surprise was finding OKC’s own COOP Ale Works Spare Ribs Pale Ale on the happy hour menu.

Around town, people kept talking about The Savoy, the bar-restaurant inside the 21c Museum Hotel, where I’d had a wonderful stay in January of this year on my first trip to KC. Mainly, though, they were talking about the bar, which is the polar opposite of the almost cafeteria-style vibe of main dining. The Savoy Bar feels historic; there’s a weight to it and it’s the perfect place to start the day with breakfast, and end the day with an amazing whiskey selection.

Of those eight award nominations, only one advanced to the finalist stage: Chef Michael Corvino of the eponymous Corvino restaurant. The giant corvid on the main dining wall sets the quiet mood in the Supper Club. Dim lighting and soft-spoken service are the norm. (Corvino is divided into supper club and tasting menu concepts, with seating in supper club much easier to come by, and much more affordable.) I started with an Old Fashioned, and then ordered what I was really there for: Michael Corvino’s famous uni toast, a bright, umami-rich indulgence. I told the bartender a friend had recommended the burger, but I was going to pass because I felt like I should go a little more upscale at Corvino.

“I think you’ll regret that decision,” he said.

He was right. Maybe ambience really does matter, but the burger was extraordinary, and walking out of a James Beard nominee’s restaurant for under $100 is a pretty sweet night out, too.

– GREG HORTON

KICKIN’ IT IN KC

• T he Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art A KC staple, is home to the dazzling Hindu Temple Room, a medieval cloister with an armored and mounted knight and the mysterious Egyptian exhibit, “The Penitent Magdalene.” The museum is worth a whole day’s visit, with lunch in the Rozelle Court. And admission is free.

• T he Arabia Museum Features discoveries from a sunken 1856 steamboat, and includes the inspiring story of the family who found it, excavated it and built a museum for it.

• Union Station Home to Science City, Gottlieb Planetarium, shops, restaurants and traveling exhibits. The current blockbuster is “Genghis Khan,” on exhibition until late April.

• T he National Museum of Toys and Miniatures Fun for the young and not-so. The toy collection is extensive and the miniatures are true works of art.

• T he American Jazz Museum Appeals to adult jazz fans, who will love the history and listening to recordings of some of the greats, and younger visitors, who can experiment with choosing instruments and rhythms to create their own compositions.

West Texas Wine Tour

F

OR OKLAHOMANS, THE LURE OF LUBBOCK, TEXAS, tends to be collegiate sports. Why else make the short flight or fivehour drive to a small city in the middle of a massive prairie? Surrounded by cotton fields and perched atop the Caprock Escarpment, the geological endpoint of the High Plains, Lubbock is mostly known for Texas Tech athletics. But the university also boasts one of the nation’s largest public art programs, including more than 100 pieces scattered around campus.

Since the early 1970s and accelerating in the past two decades, many of those cotton fields have been repurposed as vineyards, thanks in large part to the work of Clinton “Doc” McPherson, a Texas Tech professor who was the first to plant Sangiovese in Texas. McPherson believed the High Plains had the perfect combination of soil and climate for certain grapes, and he spent most of his career as a grower experimenting with varietals. His son, Kim McPherson, now owns McPherson Cellars near downtown Lubbock, and with all due respect to the Red Raiders, McPherson ought to be the biggest draw in town.

The Pioneer Pocket Hotel is six blocks from McPherson Cellars, and it was my first pocket hotel. The rooms are on the third floor of a downtown apartment complex in the fully restored Lubbock Hotel, a historic landmark that was built in 1926, and all steps in the process – from booking to check-in to room access – are handled via cell phone. It’s very much like a perfect marriage of Airbnb and hotel. The rooms are spacious, with plenty of work space, and the ground floor is home to a brewery, coffee shop and one of Lubbock’s best restaurants.

The West Table is an upscale, casual dining experience in a beautiful setting with a menu that changes daily, an excellent whiskey selection and an impressive wine list, including tons of Texas options.

Kim McPherson is the winemaker Dave Phinney (of Orin Swift fame) sought out when he wanted a Texas wine for his Locations series. A graduate of Cal-Davis, McPherson has the chops to make wine anywhere in the world, but he’s happiest expanding the program his father started, and his Chenins Blancs – still and sparkling – are among the best I’ve tasted from any region. Tours and tastings are available, and

LA DIOSA

Come for the food, stay for the … all kinds of other cool things to see and do. Here is a sampling of some of my favorites in Kansas City – happy exploring.

WEST TABLE

you’ll want to pick up his Mourvedre, Picpoul, Cinsault and Carignan to bring home.

Walk across the street to Sylvia McPherson’s (married to Kim since 1979) La Diosa Cellars for lunch (Friday and Saturday only) or happy hour. The restaurant specializes in tapas, but color, art, texture and lighting are also featured in bright, complex explosions of color and texture. You can also taste McPherson’s wines alongside some of Lubbock’s best food.

For other dining options, don’t miss King Street Pub for dinner. Chef-owner Sara North has put together a remarkable menu and expansive wine list. You’ll find selections from McPherson, English Newsom – another Texas winery that’s a must-try – and familiar names from regions around the world. There is game on the menu every day, so trust the chef and get it, especially antelope or wild boar.

Everyone you meet is going to tell you to get the coconut cake from Queen of Tarts Bakery adjacent to King Street; you will thank them if you follow through.

While in Lubbock, make time for a tour of English Newsom Cellars in the Old Cap Rock Winery, and let Andy Timmons take you on a tour of Texas Wine Company in nearby Meadow. Hit those two places, along with McPherson Cellars, and you’ll join the growing chorus of wine lovers who insist West Texas wines are to be taken very seriously.

– MATT PAYNE

– ELAINE WARNER

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An Adventure Far, Far Away

Holida y Get awa y s

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50

T WAS HOT – HOT AS ONLY A PLANET WITH THREE SUNS CAN GET. I was on Batuu, a planet on the edge of Wild Space and a hideout for the Resistance forces trying to regroup to battle the First Order. In spite of the underlying anxiety, life goes on. Batuuans greet one another with the traditional “Bright Sun” and go about their daily chores. It’s a bit disconcerting for Earth visitors, but you soon get used to it here in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Walt Disney World in Orlando.

This may be the most immersive experience in the park. I wandered through the marketplace, looking at droids, lightsabers, stuffed porgs and Kowakian monkey lizards. I drank blue milk and sampled Batuuan dishes such as the Felucian Garden Spread with an Oi-Oi Puff for dessert. (Very tasty!)

Best of all, I co-piloted the Millennium Falcon. Each outing consists of a crew of six – two pilots, two gunners and two engineers. I wish I could say I was good at it … but I ran into buildings, smashed through mountaintops and collided with asteroids, all while being fired upon by enemy ships.

I was there for the park’s opening in August and I can tell you, for Star Wars fans, this is an absolute must.

And the ultimate experience opens this month – The Rise of the Resistance. We were given a sneak peek at part of this newest attraction and, believe me, this will be one mind-blowing experience.

Then there’s the whole rest of Walt Disney World. A trip to the park is a big investment, but there’s a reason so many people consider this the world’s premier theme park. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is icing on the park cake.

– ELAINE WARNER

DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

BOTTOM LEFT: Felucian

Garden at Docking Bay TOP: Millennium Falcon RIGHT: Millennium Falcon

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Holida y Get awa y s

Norway by Sea

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HE HARDEST THING ABOUT GOING ON A CRUISE is the making the decisions and filling out the paperwork before you go. I’ve never been a cruise fan and haven’t taken one for years – until this summer. Times have changed; ships have changed and now I’ve changed.

Holland America and its newest ship, the Nieuw Statendam, are responsible. From the minute we arrived at the ship terminal in Amsterdam, all my worries melted away. These folks are so organized, pleasant and helpful – from the porters who handle the luggage to the captain of the ship – our vacation became a constant delight.

First off, the ship is gorgeous. It was just the right size, and even with approximately 2,500 passengers, we never felt crowded. The décor was stunning – interesting and unusual with lots of art generously displayed in public areas.

The main dining room was elegant, and the Lido Market’s elaborate buffet was scrumptious and beautifully presented. Specialty restaurants presented a variety of cuisines and casual cafes made snack meals a pleasure.

When we made our plans, I thought the ship was just a means of getting to ports along the Norwegian coast.

And we did enjoy each of our stops – seeing Viking ships and a folk-life village in Oslo, wandering quaint streets in Kristiansand and Haugesund, traveling into the mountains above Eidfjord to see waterfalls.

But there was so much to do on the ship, we wished for more time at sea. Activities ranged from cooking demonstrations to illustrated lectures about Norway, movies, games from chess and bridge to pickleball, wine tasting … I don’t have space to list everything to do.

Then, of course, there are hot tubs and pools, a casino and entertainment.

Besides the art, music is key on the ship. Most of the decks are identified by composers’ names, and there was live music for every taste. Venues include the Lincoln Center Stage (classical music), B.B. King’s Blues Club, the Rolling Stone Rock Room and, our favorite, Billboard Onboard, where dual pianos played all sorts of favorites and encouraged singing along.

There’s also an excellent spa, which I indulged in, and a fitness center, which I didn’t.

Our cabin was great – plenty of room for three of us – and the bathroom was much more than the tiny compartment we’d experienced before. Our stewards were excellent, turning down our beds each evening, leaving chocolates on our pillows and surprising us with different towel creations. (And yes, there’s a class on board to learn to fold towels.) First, we had a simple stingray, and each night, the animals became

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more complex. The last night’s pièce de résistance was a monkey hanging from a light fixture.

The Nieuw Statendam also has a kids’ program, and there were children on the cruise. I personally think this cruise is ideal for grown-ups. For families with small children, I’d suggest a Disney cruise or a ship like Carnival’s new Mardi Gras, debuting in October. That ship even has a roller coaster high above the water.

For me, Holland America has me sold. I’ll happily book future trips with them. And I’m saving my money so that when senior living becomes a necessity, I can forget about a retirement facility. I want to live on a Holland America ship.

– ELAINE WARNER

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PHOTO PROVIDED

SPOTLIGHT

Visions of Scissortails NORMAN BALLET STAGES CLASSIC BALLET WITH OKLAHOMA FLAVOR

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BY MELISSA HOWELL

he Norman Ballet Company will present “Oklahoma Nutcracker,” Tchaikovsky’s beloved classic ith a local twist, at 8 p.m. Dec. 21 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Nancy O’Brian Center for Performing Arts at 1809 Stubbeman, Norman.

When artistic director and choreographer Marjorie Kovich set out to do “The Nutcracker” 18 years ago, she wanted something that was both traditional and distinctive, she said.

“I thought if we were going to do a Nutcracker, I want to do something different,” she says.

And different it is. Kovich’s rendition features elements that are emblematic of Oklahoma including a rose rock throne, scissortail flycatchers, even baby armadillos.

The 18th-century Nuremberg family with young Clara as its protagonist from “The Nutcracker” has transformed into the iconic family of Henry Overholser, who built the first two-story mansion in Oklahoma City. Sets

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TRADITIONAL AND DISTINCTIVE Oklahoma Nutcracker’s Sand Plum Fairy and her Prince dance for Henry Ione and the Nutcracker Prince atop the Rose Rock Throne in Act II.

include replicas of the mansion and its rooms.

“Instead of going to Candyland … the prince takes young Henry Ione, Henry and Anna’s daughter, to the prairie at sunset, where she watches the scissortail do its dance,” Kovich says.

“Everything has been built specifically for this production.”

Even the Christmas tree is comprised of ornaments that are rooted in Oklahoma lore.

“A lot of the production elements are things that are 18 years old,” says Courtney DiBello, assistant professor of stage management at Oklahoma City University and a member of the Norman Ballet Company artistic advisory board.

A few years ago, DiBello was tasked with replacing the original Christmas tree for the ballet, so she went to schools throughout the Norman area, asking children to draw what Oklahoma meant to them. The drawings were then made into ornaments that would decorate the tree.

“We received different impressions of the scissortail flycatcher. There were a lot of Native American influences … a couple of cowboy hats. These are the impressions of the children of our state,” DiBello says.

Set in 1907, the year of Oklahoma’s statehood, the production reflects a new state’s hopeful spirit while retaining the original ballet’s classic charm.

“It’s really beautiful. Audiences love it. If you need a “Nutcracker” fix, you can see this and get it. The mice, the soldiers, you’ll still see that,” Kovich says.

Tickets for “Oklahoma Nutcracker” are $15 to $25 for reserved seating, and are available through TicketStorm.com or by calling 866.966.1777.

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405 MAGA ZINE | DECEMBER 2019

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Gardner Hale (American, 1894–1931).

Triumph of Washington (detail), 1931.

Oil on canvas. Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Gift of D. Wigmore Fine Art, 2017.070

HOME

Entertaining 101: Call in the Experts When the holiday hustle has you by the head, don’t panic. Beautiful cookies make delicious gifts and they’re a phone call away. See what we mean on page 58.

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E N T E R TA I N I N G 101

Tasty Wintertime Treats ADDING SPARKLE TO HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

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BY SARA GAE WATERS | PHOTOS BY RACHEL MAUCIERI

f there is one thing you can count on during the holiday season, it is an abundance of sweets.

Cookie making, decorating, serving and giving are among the most popular activities, especially during the month of December. One of my favorite events of the year is an annual cookie decorating party a dear friend hosts in her home. We are serious about it, but we also enjoy each other’s company and the chance to catch up, while perfecting our skills in the decorating arena.

Sometimes, however, it’s not a bad idea to call in the experts. Taking one thing off that list for entertaining can be so liberating, especially when the cookies are so beautiful you think they are too perfect to eat. I want to be clear, though: This is not the case for these beautiful nontraditional Christmas trees created by baker Camden Cleveland of “Mixed Sugar” (on Instagram @mixed. sugar). They are just as delicious as they look and are the perfect way to take the stress out of what to serve for dessert, or as a present or party favor. What could be a better farewell treat than handing out cookies encased in a cellophane bag tied with twine at the end of the evening? Visions of sugar cookies dancing in heads seems to be a guarantee after that.

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DELICIOUS AND DELIGHTFUL According to Camden Cleveland of Mixed Sugar, taste is paramount. “Find a recipe that tastes good and that you love. Start with it, and then move onto the design and decorating.

Taste is so much more important than looks!”

DESIGN

At Home with John Dawson, owner of Timber & Thimble

BY SARA GAE WATERS | PHOTO BY RACHEL MAUCIERI

W

hat led you to woodworking and building custom-made furniture?

“In my experience, woodworking has required creativity, problem solving and attention to detail. The creative part of my work comes directly from my mom’s side. Her dad saw the world through a unique, innovative mind, always repurposing and turning old things into new for his family. Her brother was a skilled artist and writer. My mom was a talented photographer and graphic designer. The attention to detail and skill of woodworking comes from my paternal grandfather; he had a shop and built furniture growing up.

I started thinking like a woodworker in my very early years. I was fascinated as a child with how things were made. I always wanted to take things apart to better understand how they were made, and then figure out how to put them back together (much to my parents’ dismay). From Lincoln Logs to LEGO, to helping my mom with projects, to watching both grandfathers in their very different workshops, it only made sense for me to take up woodworking, at least as a hobby. I started building in high school, and it has since been a bit of a snowball effect, from helping with sets and props in the theatre to building inexpensive pine furniture for myself in early college (mostly out of poor college kid financial necessity).

I was eventually able to build and sell pieces to my kith and kin, which helped replace older pawn shop tools with more suitable tools. Over the years, I became more serious and focused on furniture. It was my wife who urged me to spend more time building than in an office. She saw that I was more alive and more me when in my workshop and working with my hands. I wouldn’t be building custom-made furniture without the sphere of creative and skilled influencers in my life.”

Do you have a style of furniture that you favor over others?

“The answer to this question ebbs and flows for me. I am currently personally drawn to George Nakashima and Danish modern influences on furniture, along with a blend of modern and urban modern. I have also always loved Shaker furniture because of its commitment to simplicity, utility and honesty. I have noticed these styles impacting my design in recent projects.

I like these styles because the mentality is “function meets form,” practical and simple. As far as wood goes, walnut and oak are a personal favorite. I

also love the opportunity to draw in oak that has been finished in black. This allows the piece to exhibit subtle contrast while keeping functionality. It keeps the focus on the wood, simple finishes, straight lines or slight contours. I want to design pieces that last and will work long-term in the open-space feel many people are wanting today, but will also be able to transition when trends change over time. Again, I like when styles prioritize both art and functionality. I’m finding what excites me most is when I get to build aesthetically beautiful, fully practical pieces for my clients.”

What icon, designer or artisan has had an influence on your work?

“My family has had an incredibly strong influence on my work. As far as more well-known icons, George Nakashima, ... Jory Brigham and Børge Mogensen are all furniture designers or artisans I admire. Matthew Crawford also inspires me. He’s a motorcycle mechanic who wrote “Shop Class as Soulcraft,” a book about his experiences and the life-giving aspect of working with our hands.”

For more with John Dawson visit 405magazine.com

NATURAL BEAUTY: THE GERALD COFFEE TABLE Crafted from a solid body of oak and contrasting walnut legs, the Gerald is designed with a focus on the natural beauty of the materials. The walnut base and figured oak top are showcased by a natural oil finish, accentuating the naturalistic and raw state of both. The cracks in the surface have been decoratively reinforced with a contrasting striped butterfly joint, also made using walnut and oak.

“This coffee table pays homage to my late maternal grandfather, Gerald Daniel Murley, with his unique and innovative mind, repurposing and turning old things into new.” Length: 55” Height: 18” Depth: 26”

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H O M E H A B I TAT

Camaraderie and Connection THE WELCOMING WARMTH OF LIN AND ERNESTO SANCHEZ

BY LILLIE-BETH SANGER BRINKMAN | PHOTOS BY DON RISI

TOP The Sanchezes worked with David Gipson of Gipson Design in Oklahoma City to decorate their home for Christmas. It included this 15-foot-tall tree decorated with cotton balls, magnolias, pheasant feathers and more.

Their nearly floor-to-ceiling bookshelves hold art by Ernesto Sanchez and many of their art books.

ABOVE Ernesto and Lin Sanchez with their squirrel terrier Lucy.

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W

hen Lin Sanchez recently became the fourth member of an established mahjong group in Oklahoma City, according to her friends, she elevated the weekly dinner and game to a new level.

No longer was it OK to serve pizza, or have “clean-out-your-fridge” night, said Cindy Miller, another member. Sanchez “upped the ante on presentation and food,” and has had a wonderful influence on the entire group.

Another member, Debbie Nauser, agreed.

“She does a beautiful job of entertaining, even when it’s just the four of us,” Nauser says.

“She’s just really very, very creative and innovative and makes everybody feel right at home.”

Sanchez, Miller and Nauser also are in a Sunday brunch book club, for which Sanchez usually hosts the Christmas meeting. A typical meal includes her mother’s hot curried fruit dish, served alongside ham and her peppermint-dipped meringue cookies.

ABOVE Book club members, from left to right, are Cindy Miller, Susan Shead, Merrill Williamson, Sara Regier (behind group), Cassandra Lewis, Debbie Nauser, Margaret Jeffers, Lin Sanchez, Marcy Roberts, Kris Balaban and Amanda Cornmesser. BELOW The kitchen island artfully displays the meal for the book club, which includes a ham underneath the silver tableware cover, Lin Sanchez’s hot curried fruit displayed in the yellow dish, jalapeno cheese grits and her meringue cookies in the back. The eclectic centerpiece includes copper baby shoes that belonged to her father and a Christmas cactus in a Talavera pot.

Sanchez’s recipe for meringue cookies is cut out of a magazine and pasted on paper to go in her well-worn, spiral-bound notebook of recipes. Handwritten under the cut-out photo is “WOWZERS!! IS THIS GOOD!!!”

– with the extra exclamation points emphasizing her enthusiasm for the recipe. Other recipes she uses when she entertains are dotted with drippings, asterisks and more marks that indicate lots of use through the years hosting friends and family members.

Sitting in the living room Sanchez shares with her husband Ernesto, it is easy to sense the couple’s welcoming spirit that Nauser and Miller described. They offer tea and scones to a guest and talk about why the items in their home mean something to them. Lin Sanchez is owner of Paseo store Su Casa, which offers needlework and classes, antiques and art. Ernesto Sanchez is head of exhibition design and installation

for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and also is an artist.

Their home in the Waterford complex, where they have lived for more than two years, is filled with art and color and light, and items that they have collected through the years. These include estate sale finds, furniture that connects them to family, needlepoint items and homages to Ernesto’s roots in Monterrey, Mexico, as well as those of Lin, who comes from San Angelo, Texas, and Oklahoma City. It also includes a small space with an antique prayer chair from her grandmother, and photos arranged in a shrine to beloved pets, including their dogs and Sunshine the Chicken – who showed up at their house one day and lived with them for the next nine years.

Outside, their garden greets guests with a gate covered in hyacinth bean vines and makes them feel they’re in a secret oasis of greenery and flowers far from the city.

“I love feeling connected to my past,” Lin says. Of her needlepoint, she adds, “I feel very connected to my grandmother and my childhood when I do it … I’ve always felt like an artist, and it feels like I can express that with needlepoint.”

Together, the Sanchezes enjoy cycling, traveling, attending the opera, collecting – often through estate sales – the outdoors and more … anything that includes a “passion of life and creativity,” Ernesto says.

Lin said that even though she isn’t a “dayin and day-out cook,” she loves to entertain and to offer lovely food, décor and flowers to friends and family. She even finds camaraderie and connection in cleaning up.

Miller said Lin Sanchez always makes everyone she hosts feel included.

MERINGUE COOKIES 6 large egg whites 1 ½ tsp white vinegar 1 ½ cups sugar 1 tsp peppermint extract Red food coloring gel HANDS-ON TIME:

40 minutes

TOTAL TIME: five hours, 55 minutes NOTE: Use food coloring gel in a squeeze

bottle or a food-safe paintbrush to make lines in the piping bag. Once meringues are cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Let egg whites stand 20 minutes. Beat at high speed with an electric mixer, using whisk attachment, until stiff peaks form. Reduce speed to medium.

Add vinegar. Add sugar, one-half cup at a time, and beat until blended. Beat two minutes. Beat in extract.

Paint three or four evenly spaced thin strips of red food coloring gel on inside of a decorating bag, starting at tip and ending three-fourths of the way up bag. Gently spoon meringue into center of bag, filling three-fourths full. Snip end of bag. Pipe about two tablespoons meringue onto one parchment paper-lined baking sheet, leaving one inch between each cookie. Repeat with remaining meringue, using a clean bag for each batch.

Bake at 200 degrees for two hours.

Turn off oven, and let meringues stand in oven until completely cool (about three hours).

FOR CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PEPPERMINT MERINGUES: Prepare recipe as directed.

Melt two cups milk chocolate morsels in microwave according to package directions. Stir until smooth. Dip bottom of each chocolate cookie in melted chocolate, and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let stand 15 minutes or until chocolate sets.

HOT CURRIED FRUIT 1 can (16 oz.) each: peaches, apricots, pears and pineapple chunks 8 oz. jar maraschino cherries 1 c. brown sugar 2 Tbsp cornstarch 1 tsp curry powder 6 Tbsp melted butter Cinnamon to taste Drain fruit well. Place in a buttered nine-by-13-inch baking dish. Combine brown sugar, corn starch and curry powder. Sprinkle over fruit. Drizzle butter over mixture. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Great accompaniment for ham!

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H O M E H A B I TAT

Lin and Ernesto Sanchez celebrate the Holidays with a large Oklahoma-themed Christmas tree decorated with boots, hats and pheasant feathers.

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The Most Wonderful Time LASTING JOY IN THE RALEY HOME

BY MARK BEUTLER | PHOTOS BY DON RISI

I

t’s a sweltering July morning when Susan Raley in-

vites us into her Norman home. “Merry Christmas,” she says with a chuckle. “Please come in. It may not feel like Christmas outside, but in here, we always have a little holiday spirit going on.

Raley is taking us on a walk-through of the home she and her husband Jeff built 11 years ago. She is the chair of Operation School Bell, a project that helps clothe Norman-area children who are on the reduced lunch program. Jeff, meanwhile, is a practicing lawyer, and served 17 years as Norman’s city attorney.

“We just love Christmas,” she says, “so we typically leave at least two trees up all year. Jeff has one in his office that is western-themed, and then in the den upstairs we have the OU tree. We never put those away.”

As December approaches, though, the Raley house is transformed into a Christmas wonderland that would make Clark Griswold jealous.

Entering the home, guests are greeted by a magnificent 12-foot tree, shimmering with twinkling lights and elegant Christopher Radko ornaments.

“I began collecting Christopher Radko back in the early 1980s,” Raley says. “Each year, I try to add something new, but I must admit I am running out of room on the tree. We typically place this tree in the foyer by the staircase, and it makes a nice focal point. One year the tree was still up in March when I had knee surgery.

By summer, my knee was still bothering me, so I just decided to leave the tree up. And I never got tired of it.”

The formal living room has a massive stone fireplace adorned with boughs of holly and colorful stockings, while a floor-to-ceiling display shelf holds a collection FAR LEFT Susan and Jeff Raley keep Christmas spirit alive with festive, Holiday decor year-round.

LEFT A gingerbread home is flanked by nutcrackers, Christmas trees and colorful candy.

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H O M E H A B I TAT

FAR LEFT The formal living room features a floor-to-ceiling display case with illuminated glass Santas. LEFT A variety of vintage Santas fill shelves in the Raley home.

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of illuminated glass Santas, glowing in all their holiday glory.

Elsewhere in the house, the kitchen gets its own tasteful Christmas whimsy. A charming gingerbread house adorns one counter, surrounded by jars of peppermint candy, nutcrackers and vintage holiday glassware.

“This is where we spend most of our time,” she says as we move into the family room.

“And here is my famous ‘Elf Butt Tree.’”

Did she say, “Elf Butt?”

“I have this collection of elves I always put on this tree,” Raley explains. “But one year, an elf fell over, and all you could see was his derriere sticking up out of the tree.

I thought it was kind of cute, so I turned a few more elves around, and that’s how my ‘Elf Butt Tree’ was born.”

Raley works with her decorator, Jeri Saliba, in transforming the house into central Oklahoma’s own version of the North Pole.

“Jeri and I can do most of the decorating in three days,” she says. “Then it takes about three months to take it all down! We have a room upstairs that we had built specifically for storing Christmas items.

We call it the ‘Funny Room,’ and that’s where all of the tubs are stored … through the year.”

The Raleys grew up in Pawhuska and moved to Norman to attend the University of Oklahoma. Their Sooner pride is on display in the den upstairs, a space they call their “OU Room.” Photos of Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops and various OU football stars fill the walls.

“The OU tree stays up all year,” Susan says. “We have it wrapped in red and white ribbon, footballs and OU-themed ornaments. During fall football season, we always keep it lit.”

The Raleys enjoy entertaining family and friends at the holidays, and last year, the home played host to their daughter’s wedding on New Year’s Eve. Their daughter lives nearby and their son and his family live in Dallas.

“The house really comes alive at Christmas,” she says. “It is warm and inviting, and friends are always welcome here. I have loved Christmas since I was little – and I believe it really is the most wonderful time of the year.”

“Jeri and I can do most of the decorating in three days. Then it takes about three months to take it all down!”

ABOVE The Raleys keep a University of Oklahomathemed tree up year ‘round. LEFT Plaid ribbon and red ornaments reflect the Holidays on one of many trees in the Raley home.

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Thinking about a holiday getaway to Dallas? Stay in Farmers Branch! We are in the heart of it all with small town vibes, and at a fraction of the cost – close to shopping, entertainment and all the Dallas attractions.

Create new holiday traditions at Christmas in the Branch, where you can ice skate under the stars at our outdoor skating rink, explore Santa’s Village and shop our holiday Marketplace. Dates and times vary – visit discoverfarmersbranch.com/holiday for details.

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TRAVEL Southwest Colorado

A day’s drive from the 405, the spectacular sights of southwest Colorado are breathtaking.

Mesa Verde National Park, the Ute Tribal Park and the town of Cortez are full of outdoor adventure for all fitness levels, eclectic restaurants (think breakfast tamales!) and quirky shops. Matt Payne takes us there on page 70.

PHOTO BY ??????

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T R AV E L

Adventure Grandma WIT H EL AIN E WA R N ER

An Amsterdam Surprise

I

slept with a drunken stranger in Amsterdam.

My husband, our adult daughter, Zoe, and I had booked berths on a canal boat. Most European hotel rooms aren’t built for three, but the canal boat had one available, and it sounded like a cool experience. I was half right … it was an experience.

The boat had 10 regular cabins accommodating two guests each, with two shared bathrooms. We were in the bow – two bunks on either side of the front of the boat – with a ladder to get down into the cabin. Unlike the regular rooms, there were no windows, just two vents in the roof. Only one opened.

It was it was above 90 degrees in Amsterdam that week. When we asked the captain about ventilation, he suggested that we leave the cabin door open. “This is a really safe area and we’re at the very end of the pier,” he told us.

The boat didn’t have a fitness center, but we got a workout anyway. A middle-of-the-night trip to the bathroom meant climbing the ladder – being careful not to bang our heads on the small door – getting off the boat, walking down the dock to the main section of the boat, climbing up onto the main

deck, and going down a short ladder to the bathroom. Zoe and I made that arduous trek at about 3 a.m.

In spite of the heat, we slept soundly, exhausted from our long flight. Zoe and I woke up first the next morning. She commented, “Boy, I slept so soundly I didn’t even notice when dad changed beds.” I was thinking about our plans for the day and the comment went right over my head. Until …

Zoe, in a strange voice, said, “Mom, why are there FOUR PEOPLE in our room?” Sure enough, there was someone sleeping in the bunk above mine – and it wasn’t Jack, who was still sacked out on the other side.

How fast did we head up the ladder to corner the captain in the dining room in the other part of the boat? In an octave above my usual tone, I shouted, “Why is there a strange man in our room?”

The captain hustled down the dock toward the bow, with us following close behind. We waited on the dock while he scrambled down into our cabin, coming up with a dazed and confused young man. The exchange, in Dutch and featuring mumbled responses from our unwelcome guest, revealed that this kid, probably a student, had been celebrating with the pleasures of Amsterdam. He had obviously booked a cabin on a boat somewhere … but there are dozens of docks and many boats in the area. Apparently, the open door looked inviting and the empty bed called his name.

So, while it was briefly exciting, it wasn’t dangerous (though we slept with the door closed the next night). But you have to admit, it provided a great headline.

PHOTO BY EL AINE WARNER

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T R AV E L

The Home of the Spirits EXPLORING UTE MOUNTAIN IN WESTERN COLORADO

BY MATT PAYNE

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Y

ou feel that?” asks Wolf, our guide and member of the Ute Mountain tribe, as a gentle wind swirls past us. The breeze makes a cool respite from the untamed desert sun. Wolf’s voice is as weathered and timeless as the southwest Colorado mountains and buttes that surround us. In his hand, a shard of pottery, one of countless remains on the edge of ruins from the ancient Pueblos (now, in part, Ute) who once occupied the Mancos River and surrounding cliffsides. The wind blows again.

“Right there,” he says with a steady, knowing cadence. “What do you think that was?” Silence from our group of six.

An unimpressed 13-year-old finally answers. “The wind,” he sneers, apparently eager to get back to his video game.

“That’s not the wind,” says Wolf.

Again, no one spoke.

“That is our ancestors. They are right here now. Saying hello,” says Wolf. “They’re on the cliffs, too. Watching us. Always watching.”

The teenager eyes Wolf, his 21st-century adolescent suspicion waning to intrigue pockmarked with fear.

“They’ve been here for 1,000 years. Some far longer.” He lets it sit there. “They are everywhere.” He glances towards the mountain tops and spies a hawk.

“Shall we go see where they live?” And with that, with Olympic precision, Wolf scampered up a sun-swept cliffside. “Don’t forget to drink water. It gets hot.”

For centuries, what is now the Ute Mountain Tribal Park – situated half an hour outside Cortez, Colorado – and Mesa Verde National Park to the west were occupied entirely by different waves of ancient Puebloans. In the 13th century, due in large part to drought and famine, the Puebloans abruptly abandoned the cliffs permanently. They remained hidden until December 1888, when a cattle rancher – who had permission to be there from the Ute reservation – discovered Cliff Palace, and the excavation began.

In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt and the U. S. government turned part of this region into the nation’s first cultural National Park. Now, the famed and visually captivating cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park also make up a UNESCO World Heritage site and receive almost 600,000 visitors

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T R AV E L

“They lived all around here.

There they are again. The spirits are everywhere.”

annually. There are more than 5,000 archeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings, in addition to informative excavation sites, a striking lodge and gripping canyon hikes complete with ruins and petroglyphs contained within the park’s 52,500 acres.

And while the immaculately kept ruins – most notably the reservation-requiring Cliff Palace and Balcony House – offer an arresting glimpse into the ways of the Puebloans. To really understand the spirit, visitors must spend a day on a guided tour, not in the National Park, but an hour away at the Ute Mountain Tribal Park.

The 125,000-acre Tribal Park is located in the Four Corners region of Colorado, and is owned and operated entirely by the Ute Mountain Nation, so visitors are required to have a guide. The Ute offer half-day and full-day tours, each equal parts outdoor adventure, history lesson and immersion into the area’s deep sense of spirituality.

The closest town to Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute Tribal Park is Cortez, Colorado. It’s a hub of activity, with a handful of eclectic restaurants and quirky shops. Among the handful of chain hotels is the non-corporate Retro Inn. Each room in this family-owned renovated motor lodge features photos of cultural icons from different decades. The breakfast (TAMALES!) is as good as any you’ll find to fuel a day in either Ute Mountain or Mesa Verde.

For a stronger coffee and equally good food, pop into the Bean Tree. For dinner, grab a yak burger or relleno pie at The Farm Bistro. Blondie’s Trophy Room is also a crowd favorite, and for local brews and some funky shopping, stop by the WildEdge

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Brewing Collective. To see some of the region’s most beautiful kachinas and native American art and jewelry, you must stop into Notah Dineh Trading Co. on Main Street. The art there, more than any other shop in Mesa Verde country, captures the local native American spirit.

On our hike through Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Wolf, like many Ute, offers little insight into his day-to-day life, and even claims not to have a last name … nor will he allow his photo to be taken. What he lacks in surname is made up for in a profound understanding of the region’s history as it relates to his ancestors. As we scurry up the cliff toward more ruins, Wolf points out wild horses and homesteads in the distance.

To Wolf, this park is not just his backyard, but the backyard of all of his people for all of eternity. Along the way, he picks up shard after shard of broken pottery, showing each to us with reverence. He points out vague shapes of dancing Kokopelli figures etched into cliff walls. Finally, we reach an outcropping with traces of stacked stone that lend themselves to a hint of ancient structure.

“They lived all around here,” says Wolf, scanning the cliffsides all around. Unlike Mesa Verde, where the ruins have been carefully excavated, the Ute have let nature take over their ruins. As important as the structures were to the people, the occupying spirit in the Ute Mountain Tribal Park is what is most crucial. The wind blows again. Though his face doesn’t change, Wolf seems to smile. “There they are again. The spirits are everywhere.”

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When you just want a perfectly messy, packed-with-flavor cheeseburger, Nic’s will do you right. Not sold on a burger? Check out our Restaurant Guide on page 84 for all the food!

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INDUSTRY NEWS

A Toast to Colorado WHISKEY FROM THE ROCKIES COMES TO OKLAHOMA

BY GREG HORTON & STEVE GILL | PHOTOS PROVIDED AND BY STAFF

T

he Colorado Spirits Trail now includes 62 craft distilleries. Yes, Colorado. The state better known for mountains (and weed) is producing excellent craft spirits, especially whiskey, and has been for several years. Colorado’s industry is relatively small, but the quality of its output has pushed a few of the distilleries onto back bars and liquor store shelves ahead of other states. Matt Sterr, owner of the Spirit Shop in Norman, said he stocks all the Colorado whiskey available in Oklahoma, and Breckenridge Distillery from the city of the same name is his favorite.

“Colorado distilleries have the same problem all younger distilleries have: a lack of time in barrel,” Sterr says. “It takes time to age any whiskey to maturity, and thereby achieve optimal flavor. That said, distilleries in Colorado like Breckenridge and Stranahan’s are producing quality whiskies, often in creative and innovative ways.”

One of those innovative ways is cask finishing. Stranahan’s puts its “red label” whiskey into sherry casks for finishing, a process that imparts deeper, richer flavors and textures to young whiskey. Their cult whiskey “Snowflake” varies from year to year, and is finished in wine, sherry, Cognac,

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rum or tequila barrels. It’s only sold at the distillery, where people wait in line for a week, and it typically sells out in a matter of hours.

The industry has not caught up to Bourbon, nor is it likely to – that Kentucky county has a century or two of experience on the Mile High State. Still, the quality and flavor of Colorado whiskey is evident. Ask your favorite bartender to blind taste you against entry-level Bourbons if you’re a skeptic. In addition to the Breckenridge and Stranahan’s, three other whiskeys are available in Oklahoma: Tin Cup: It looks like a gimmick, and it might have been one, but the spirit is solid and affordable. Along with Breckenridge or Old Elk, this is an approachable introduction.

Old Elk: It’s called Bourbon, so it has to be 51 percent corn. The distillery uses a third malted barley and the rest rye, which adds a nice spice to a balanced bottle of booze.

Vapor Distillery: Known more for its Ginskey and coffee liqueur, this Boulder distillery seems to be still working out the kinks on its whiskey program.

Most good package stores will have these, including Freeman’s Liquor Mart, where you’ll find a great selection, and the newly opened George’s Liquor downtown. For Stranahan’s, in addition to the sherry-cask finished, Oklahoma has the “yellow label,” which is the entry level, but the “black label” called Diamond Peak is the best we have in the state. Talnua, an Irish-style whiskey from the Arvada distillery, should be in Oklahoma next year – hopefully sooner rather than later, because initial tastings revealed a fantastic product.

Finally, Matt Payne writes on page 70 about travel in southwestern Colorado.

Should you head that way, Durango has Honey House Distillery and Durango Craft Spirits, and K J Wood Distillers is just north of Telluride. Happy travels.

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405 MAGA ZINE | DECEMBER 2019

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LO C A L FL AVO R

A Clear Favorite STYLISH CAFFEINE AT CLARITY COFFEE

C

BY GREG HORTON & STEVE GILL | PHOTOS PROVIDED AND BY STAFF

larity Coffee is the coffee shop that defies, in a way, the taxonomy of coffee shops. From Starbucks to the suburban strip mall shop to the downtown hub, coffee shops are now a staple of the community, even small communities. There is a way of thinking about them – a taxonomy much like class, order, family, genus and species – that involves verbiage such as hipster, coffee nerd, coffee snob, comfortable, pretentious, loud, welcoming, obnoxious, etc.

When Steven Willingham opened Clarity in 2014, he did so because he takes coffee very seriously – but not in the way that some shops take it so seriously they lose the ability to communicate with the “airpot crowd,” people who need a cup quick on the way to work in the morning. The vibe at Willingham’s shop truly reflects the demeanor of the owner: kind, quiet, welcoming and gracious. It may feel at odds with the uber-sleek, modern look and feel of Clarity; while the lines, angles and colors of the shop are not necessarily what you’d call homey or comfortable, the people behind the counter are patient and friendly.

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The look of a place is always secondary to the quality of the product or service that place provides, but the aesthetics should never detract from the experience. Clarity flirts with that line, but the coffee and service are so good, no one seems to care. As in many shops, local art hangs on the walls, and lounge-y furniture shares space with functional tables and counters. The water counter across from the front door is the most striking feature; designed

by TAP Architecture, it successfully manages to combine modern design with warm, rustic woods. It’s as if interior design were a secondary consideration, and that is the defining feel of Clarity: What and how they serve matters, and everything else is secondary.

“I decided to do a coffee shop with very limited food because I’m very passionate about coffee, and I know coffee; I don’t know food that way,” Willingham says. “The bakers at Brown’s and Kitchen 324 do a much better job than I can ever do, so I just make sure we always have pastries that are baked fresh that day by one of our partners.”

Same with the tea, and Willingham applies his prima-

ry rubric here, too. “I pick our partners for specific products: matcha from Woodshed, chai from Urban Teahouse and green tea from 49th Parallel.”

The front counter has about eight pastries, three kinds of chocolate bars, a bunch of bananas some days (coffee and a banana is an underappreciated breakfast) and a selection of Kize bars. The inventory is mostly local, but if Willingham finds something he loves elsewhere, he doesn’t mind bringing it in. Visitors will find cinnamon apple spice and spices for syrups from Savory Spice, and fresh pumpkin for the best PSL in Oklahoma from Whole Foods. He is meticulous about specifics, but not in a systemic way.

The coffee comes from KLLR, a local roaster that Willingham helped start in 2017, but from which he has now stepped back, leaving day-to-day operations to his partners. Clarity’s board has five specialty drinks – currently including the previously mentioned pumpkin spice latte – and they change monthly and seasonally.

Pour overs are made with a Fellow Stagg XF filter, and since I didn’t know what that meant, Willingham explained it, just as his manager Caleb Savage had explained Yellow Mountain Tip green tea to me the day before: without condescension. They are passionate, informed and friendly; they remember when they didn’t know what they’re telling you, and they are happy to share the information. It even feels like sharing, so they avoid being a snobby coffee shop because you feel welcome, and the coffee is great, and you just learned something you didn’t know you wanted to know.

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405 MAGA ZINE | DECEMBER 2019

79

CHEF’S STORY

TUSCAN TASTES

Feasting With Fabio

Diners can sample Viviani’s cuisine at either of his OKC restaurants: Osteria in Nichols Hills Plaza at 6430 Avondale, and Deep Deuce’s Bar Cicchetti at 121 NE 2nd. Buon appetito!

A CHAT WITH BAR CICCHETTI’S CULINARY STAR

BY GREG HORTON | PHOTOS BY DON RISI

F

abio Viviani, the Tuscan-born restaurateur, writer and contestant on “Top Chef,” arrived in the U.S. in 2005. He remembers the date because it was the first day of what was supposed to be a yearlong vacation.

“September 20, 2005,” Viviani says. “I rented a place in Malibu, California, and after two months I was miserable. I’d never had a vacation in my life, so I found myself a job.”

The math leads to the realization that Viviani took his first time off at 27 – still young, but pretty well into life to have never had a vacation. “I grew up on food stamps,” he says by way of explanation. “I got my first job when I was 11, and worked six or seven days a week until I was 25.”

The extended U.S. trip was the result of his selling his business in Italy – a restaurant, club and small hotel. He used the proceeds of the sale to take care of family debt, and then used the remain-

der for a vacation. When he arrived, he spoke no English, and his experience of the U.S. was similar to millions of other people who have never been.

“For Italians, America is what you see on the TV,” he says.

“Sitcoms and other TV shows give you a little idea of what some of the main cities look like, but I didn’t know what to expect.

Just like Italy, which is made up of 21 very different regions, the United States has ginormous diversity in its 50 states – cultures, cuisines, everything – so for me, it was fascinating.”

His first American meal was In-N-Out Burger, and while he doesn’t say much about the burger, he remembers being puzzled at why he had to sit down at a table to wait for his food. “In Italy, you order a sandwich, they make it in front of you, and then hand it to you,” he says. These cultural differences were especially evident when he went grocery shopping for the first time, roughly two months after his arrival.

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“We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Italy; I know nothing about Thanksgiving, so I walk into the grocery store and I was like, ‘What the hell is with all these turkeys? Why does this country love turkey so much?’ I only knew a couple of Italian people in California, and they didn’t tell me about Thanksgiving, so fast forward about two and a half weeks and I go grocery shopping again: No turkey anywhere to be seen! I think, ‘This is a very odd way to run a supermarket.’”

Viviani would learn the lay of the land over time, and thanks to an American wife from Illinois, he would come to love the Midwest and its cuisine, as well as the Southern states. “They remind me of southern Italy – casseroles, braised meats, seafood, and never-ending boiling things on the stove.” An avid learner, Viviani dove deep into American cuisine, but his love remains Italian food, and the composition of his restaurants reflects that, including his two in Oklahoma City: Osteria and Bar Cicchetti, although the latter is billed as Mediterranean.

For holidays in Italy, Viviani said the food tends to be large format: whole roasted chicken, pork on a spit, big bowls of pasta – anything that “goes in the center of the table and everyone digs into it.” Holiday food is family-style according to what families can afford, and it’s seasonal, not holiday specific. “Turkey is a yearround food, not a seasonal food; it’s like beef or pork.”

His journeys around the world and the U.S. have convinced him of something very important to food and travel: “Travel can expand your understanding of cuisine, but you’re not going to discover new things, except for region-specific items, like okra in the American South. What you find are different ways to use the same ingredients. After all, how many ways can you cook something?”

The one distinctly American thing he loves? “Cheesecake. I want 50 grandmothers – one from each of the states – to make me their recipes. You can never get enough good cheesecake.”

Open Nov. 8 through Feb. 2 See downtownindecember.com for information. @ devonicerinkokc

@ devonicerink

ON THE R ADAR

A Christmas Carol THROUGH DEC. 24

T

his will be Lyric Theatre’s ninth consecutive year presenting Charles Dickens’s classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Christmas ghosts. There will be a total of 26 showings throughout December, including an ASL-interpreted show on Dec. 8. Lyric pulls out all the stops with beautiful costumes and elaborate sets for this one, and it’s appropriate for the whole family. Lyric Theatre on the Plaza, 1725 NW 16th, OKC. LyricTheatreOKC.com.

OKC’s Newest Choice In Dentistry EVENTS THURSDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS UNTIL DEC 22 HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS Find all your locally owned favorite shops in one place every week. More than 30 Oklahoma-owned shops, including handmade goods, will be in the geodesic domes next to Bleu Garten. In addition to the pop-up shops, the Bishop John Carroll Christmas tree lot with a large selection of fresh trees will be open during most shop hours. Holiday Pop-Up Shops, NE corner of NW 10th and Hudson, OKC. OKCpopups.com.

THROUGH DEC 29 HOLIDAY WATER TAXI RIDES Every weekend through December – Thursday is the weekend, sort of – the Bricktown Water Taxi is offering free rides from 6-9 p.m. Each ride is narrated with a brief history of the area and features, and the holiday season means a beautiful light show up and down the canal. Bricktown Water Taxi, 111 S. Mickey Mantle, OKC. BricktownWaterTaxi.com.

DEC 7-8 HOLLY JOLLY SHOPS AT THE BRICK This year, the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will be home to a one-stop shopping opportunity, featuring retail and food booths in the ballpark concourse. The free-to-enter event includes activities like ornament making for the kids, and hot, fresh kettle corn for everyone. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle, OKC. Revolve-productions.com.

DEC 31 OPENING NIGHT For more than 30 years, Opening Night has been the biggest New Year’s Eve party in OKC.

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The all-day celebration includes the Finale 5k run, a New Year’s Cheer tent for adults who want to ring in the new year with a drink, live bands, food and all-ages entertainment. The night concludes with fireworks as we welcome 2020. Bicentennial Park, 500 Couch, OKC. Artscouncilokc.com.

DEC 14 SANDRIDGE SANTA RUN The 5k run and one-mile fun run both begin and end at SandRidge Energy. Feel free to dress in your favorite Christmas attire; there are always a few Santas along for the run, as well as plenty of ugly Christmas sweaters. A costume contest follows the race, and cash prizes are available to the top three overall finishers in the run and the contest. You must be registered for one of the runs to participate in the costume contest.

SandRidge Energy, 123 Robert S. Kerr, OKC. DowntowninDecember.com.

WEEKENDS DEC 14-22 THE NUTCRACKER The OKC Ballet and artistic director Robert Mills will present the classic tale of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall this year. Marvel at the beautiful sets, the gorgeous costumes and Tchaikovsky’s brilliant music, and give a child a family tradition and memories for a lifetime. OKC Civic Center, 201 N. Walker, OKC. OKCBallet.com.

THROUGH DEC 29 WINTERFEST SNOW TUBING Once again this year, a giant snow-tubing slope will be erected at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark for winter adventures. Check out Santa’s Workshop first, grab some hot chocolate or head straight for the slope – it’s family fun for all ages. Nonriders can purchase discounted tickets for admission. WinterFest, 2 S. Mickey Mantle, OKC. OKCBallparkEvents.com.

Now open in Deep Deuce, adjacent to - and walkable from - all points near downtown, Bar Cicchetti is a Mediterranean-inspired sports bar with a communal feel, centered around small and large plates, lounge seating and a 300 inch TV screen set amongst gorgeous decor. Join us for Brunch this month or plan a holiday gathering here. Our lounge and community seating is perfect 4–6 & for large groups.

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Join us in March for opening festivities This March, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center will re-launch in a stunning new building, designed by Rand Elliott Architects to reflect Oklahoma’s unique light and sky. This home for exhibitions, education and performance will anchor the organization’s new, downtown location.

The new center will dramatically increase Oklahoma Contemporary’s capacity for free, internationally relevant exhibitions and programming and increase art access and education for citizens of Oklahoma, students and visitors alike. Great for the whole family, the opening festivities include inaugural exhibitions Bright Golden Haze and Shadow on the Glare, public programming, and more!

At its core, the institution is an inclusive space – Oklahoma Contemporary believes that art is for everyone and places accessibility and education at the center of all programming. Exhibitions are always free. You are always welcome here.

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FOOD & DRINK

NEW CLIENT PACKAGE NOW $125 (Includes 3 Private Sessions)

RESTAURANT GUIDE These listings are not related to advertising in 405 Magazine. If you find that a restaurant differs significantly from the information in its listing or your favorite restaurant is missing from the list, please let us know.

Email steve.gill@405magazine.com

SYMBOLS

most entrees under $10 most entrees $10 to $25 most entrees over $25

AMERICAN EDDIE’S BAR & GRILL This stylish spot is equally ideal for a casual drink, appetizers while watching the game or a dinner date.

And the wings are outstanding. 930 E 2, Edmond, 285.7725

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G I V E TH E G I F T O

THE HAMILTON Tucked into Northpark Mall, this Okie-centric supper club features upscale casual dining with regional favorites like bison tartare, quail, and steaks, as well as an excellent wine list and creative cocktails. 12232 N. May, OKC, 849.5115

F HE A

LTH

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE 3712 N Western Ave, Oklahoma City • pilatesonwestern.com •

THE HUTCH ON AVONDALE The all-time classic Coach House receives an update with a more modern menu and a full suite of tempting cocktails, wines and spirits. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 THE JONES ASSEMBLY It’s a spectacular concert venue, but the bar and main menu are sufficient to make memories on any occasion. 901 W Sheridan, OKC, 212.2378 KITCHEN NO. 324 A seasonally inspired café and craft bakery serving rustic American cuisine for lunch and dinner, it’s a thorough treat for breakfast or brunch. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 NASHBIRD Make tracks to this Nashvillestyle “Hot Dang!” chicken, with adjustable spice level. Speedy service, cocktails and a spectacular patio add extra savor. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 388.0033

holiday warmth

NEIGHBORHOOD JAM Serving tasty takes on classic American dishes and more specialized options, this breakfast-centric spot aims to become a community favorite. 15124 Lleytons Court, Edmond, 242.4161 PICASSO CAFÉ Their neighbors in the Paseo are painters and sculptors, so it’s apt that creativity abounds in this laidback spot’s menu, including plentiful selections for vegetarians. 3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas and steak in a casually energetic, hacienda-style atmosphere of stone walls around an open kitchen. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995; 1820 Legacy Park, Norman, 701.5501

To schedule a private tasting, text or call Russell at:

405.206.4885

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DECEMBER 2019 | 405 MAGA ZINE

SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Top-of -the-line ingredients are combined into carefully concocted entrees, sides and wondrous craft cocktails. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900

SUNNYSIDE DINER A new day dawns for breakfast and lunch in a classic approach to a no-pretense, made-from-scratch diner.

Order up! 916 NW 6th, OKC, 778.8861 VAST Keeping your attention on the elegant cuisine 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

ASIAN CAFÉ ICON Tempting sushi, Japanese specialties and delicious spectacles like steak cooked at the table on a sizzling stone fill the menu to bursting. 311 S Blackwelder, Edmond, 340.8956 GORO An “izakaya” is a Japanese pub, like this cheerful Plaza District spot for expertly crafted ramen, yakitori, bar snacks and more. 1634 Blackwelder, OKC, 606.2539 GUN IZAKAYA A Paseo District hot spot, Gun features yakitori and yakimono, as well as dumplings, gyoza, hot chicken and regular fish features. The catfish is stellar, and the whiskey highball will bring you back for cocktail hour. 3000 Paseo, OKC, 900-6615 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 SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style with substance (in the form of an especially wide-ranging and creative sushi menu). 4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 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 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 YUMMY NOODLES Szechuan noodle house with outstanding pork soup dumplings, Szechuan beef, spicy pork and some very authentic dishes for the more adventurous eaters. If the menu says spicy, take it seriously. 1630 NW 23rd, Ste. D, OKC, 604.4880 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

BAKERY BELLE KITCHEN Doughnuts, macarons, pastries and ice cream created from scratch, in small batches, with care and passion. 7509 N May, OKC, 430.5484; 30 NE 2nd, OKC, 541.5858

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 LA BAGUETTE Comfortable ambience and exquisite baking make a tres chic destination for brunch and beyond.

1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman, 329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman, 329.5822

BAR & PUB FOOD 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. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 OAK & ORE A Plaza District port of call, it’s best known for a carefully curated rotating selection of craft beers, although the menu (especially the fried chicken) is amply rewarding. 1732 NW 16th, OKC, 606.2030 PUB W Multiple sections provide a choice of atmosphere, but the menu filled with choice beer and “new classic” fare 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, these noisy, amply attended locales pair a vast selection of brews with tasty menu items, including a great burger selection.

5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577; 13230 Pawnee, OKC, 907.5900

BARBECUE 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 good 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 Rich flavor and tender texture, delivered with authenticity for commendable value – no wonder its ribs and brisket are favorites among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367

BURGERS & SANDWICHES THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER A noisy sports-bar atmosphere houses many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 8 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com THE MULE Solid beer and beverage selection plus a delectable array of gourmet grilled cheeses and melts; this relaxation destination in the Plaza District stays popular. 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 NEW STATE BURGERS A small, focused menu with burgers and a few sandwiches and sides in a burger joint that understands the most important thing is the burger. Sneaky good whiskey list, local beers, and thoughtfully crafted

cocktails round out a great meal. 1705 NW 16th, Ste. A, OKC, 724-7524 NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s cash-only and the lines are often long, but the colossal onion burgers are easily among the metro’s best. Cheese and everything?

1202 N Penn, OKC, 524.0999 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 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 CLARITY COFFEE The space is crisp, cool and comfortable – including seating for sipping or getting some work done – and the brewers have their beverages down to a science. 431 W Main, OKC, 252.0155 ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house, augmented with locally sourced salads, breakfast options and other vegetarian and vegan friendly treats and entrees.

815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 ELLIS ISLAND Their brews use Eote Coffee, and local beers, a selection of wines, treats from La Baguette and Epic Pops and more are also waiting to be enjoyed.

130 N Broadway, Edmond, 726.8831 RED CUP Curl up for conversation over great coffee, baked treats, and vegan breakfast and lunch special. It’s highly recommended. 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430

GETTING IS GOOD. GIVING IS BETTER. We have an extraordinary opportunity to ensure a brighter future for our community. But we can’t do it without your help.

Your donation powers critical programs outside of our walls and allows all of our neighbors the opportunity to have a Y experience.

Donate today, for a better us tomorrow.

ymcaokc.org A SHORT DRIVE WELL WORTH YOUR TIME

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

CONTINENTAL 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’s not tempting. 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 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 elite-quality, locally sourced ingredients - but every dish is the result of genuine culinary artistry.

805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800

N O R M A L - N AT U R A L G A S O N LY

www.swansonsfireplaceandpatio.com

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FOOD & DRINK

BECAUSE

YOU ARE

AWESOME enjoy a free shake and tea on us*

TAJ A 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

PASEO GRILL Quiet and intimate inside, cheerful and comfortable out on the patio, with an award-winning menu inspired by the cuisines of Europe– try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079

ITALIAN & PIZZA

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

5230 N Meridian Ave 405.517.5637 *1ST VISIT ONLY

FRENCH

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

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

DAS BOOT CAMP Longtime Deutsch fixture Royal Bavaria brews up exceptional cuisine and magnificent beer in a less expensive, faster-paced location in downtown Norman. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748

FREE!

ROYAL BAVARIA Superb takes on traditional dishes like Weinerschnitzel, Jagerbraten and sausages, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. The time spent is a worthy investment. 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. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 SHEESH MAHAL While billed as a combination of Pakistani and Indian cuisine, the menu will be familiar to fans of Indian food, with butter chicken, delicious curries, basmati rice, and fresh naan. You won’t find a buffet in the building, but you get complementary tea with every meal. 4621 N. May, OKC, 778.8469

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EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style, it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC THE HEAT Deep-dish doesn’t get any deeper in the metro than this Chicagostyle paradise, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. It’s one of our favorites. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818

GERMAN

RENEW NOW AND GIVE A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION

BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the splendid menu keeps the booths full and diners planning return trips; don’t overlook Sunday brunch. 105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271

SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; magnificent culinary rewards. The expertly considered menu mixes French and Italian flavors to present a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548

CAFE CUVEE A classic French bistro in the Ambassador Hotel, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch.

Choose from fresh oysters, beef Bourguignon, Dover sole, escargots, and delicious French desserts. A solid French wine list and well-trained staff make it an overall excellent experience.

1200 N. Walker, OKC, 600.6200

1/2 OFF FOR REPEAT CUSTOMERS

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THE METRO A perennial favorite that feels comfortably upscale, the far-reaching menu covers culinary high points from vichyssoise to crème brulée.

6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463

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 PIZZA 23 The specialty pies on especially buttery, flaky crusts are available for takeout, but dining in is recommended; the beer selection adds savor to the flavor. 600-B NW 23rd, OKC, 601.6161 PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (which uses an extremely hot fire to quickly cook superfine flour crusts) stars alongside Italy-inspired entrees, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker, OKC, 437.4992 STELLA 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 VICTORIA’S A relaxed atmosphere for enjoying superb pasta – the chicken lasagna and linguine with snow crab are especially excellent. 215 E. Main, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th, OKC, 759.3580 VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff and management treat customers like guests in their home. Calling ahead is recommended. 7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867

MEDITERRANEAN & AFRICAN MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI The menu is stocked with authentic, quick and savory options, 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 with family recipes and 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. 1207 N Walker, OKC, 236.1492 BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s nearly always standing-room-only at lunch, but 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 EL FOGON DE EDGAR Colombian food made from family recipes is the heart of this hidden gem. The empanadas are made with cornmeal and served piping hot. A bowl of aji verde accompanies every meal and it should be ladled liberally on nearly everything, including flank steak, morcilla, arroz con pollo and patacones.

7220 S Western, OKC, 602.6497 HACIENDA TACOS Quality, of both ingredients and execution, and variety make this restaurant in 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 house-made salsas to the handcrafted cocktails, and all the tastes between. 9 NW 9th, OKC, 606.7172 REVOLUCION You say you want a Revolucion? You easily might once you try this spicy taco-centric haven – start with the queso fundido and don’t stop until you reach the delectable arroz tres leche dessert. Healthier options are abundant on the menu, including a Beyond Meat taco and a spiced farro bowl with roasted cauliflower. 916 NW 6th, OKC, 606.6184 TARAHUMARA’S Beloved by locals (there’s usually a line but it moves quickly), this airy ristorante serves huge, tasty Tex-Mex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 ZARATE’S 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

PLANT BASED & VEGETARIAN PLANT The Midtown restaurant features beautiful, creative vegan cuisine--

including ice cream--for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food is fresh, smoothies are made without ice, and flavor is the focus. A small selection of beer and wine is also available. 1120 N. Walker, OKC, 225.1314

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 PEARL’S OYSTER BAR 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

SOUL FOOD BRENT’S CAJUN Sit down to a massive platter of jambalaya, crawfish etouffee or any of the well-seasoned temptations on the weekend brunch menu – and spice up your life. 3005 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.0911 FLORENCE’S For more than 60 years, this eastside eatery has been serving crispy fried chicken, hearty meatloaf, tangy greens, and all the country cooking associated with soul food. Don’t leave without trying the pear pie. 1437 NE 23rd, OKC, 427.3663 C’EST SI BON The name is accurate: it is impressively good for lovers of Cajunstyle po-boys and crawfish etouffee, and the award-winning catfish is a must-try.

101 N Douglas, Midwest City, 610.2555

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 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 Steak, lobster or prime rib with a Lebanese bounty of gratis appetizers; Jamil’s has been feeding Oklahoma exceptionally well since 1964. 4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 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’S Where better to find a saloon than in Stockyards City? Get a drink at the massive, 50-foot oak bar, and stick around for massive steaks and chops. 2227 Exchange, OKC, 232.0151

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L AST L AUGH

Where Are You, Princess Di? THINK OF THE PRESENTS … AND THE FUTURE

BY L AU R E N ROT H

F

or those of you who are still in the hunting and gathering stage of seasonal shopping, consider this a holiday PSA: Give the gifts – give all the gifts, take pictures of the smiling recipients, regale your co-revelers with tales of what you overcame to procure the gifts – but don’t, repeat, DON’T let your kids keep the gifts. In a few days, quietly retrieve them and store them in a cool, dark place like they’re nuts for the winter.

The sensible among you may be asking, “Where’s the fun in that?” The fun, as I’ve recently discovered, is on a time-release schedule of about 20 years, when the toys you (or Santa) bought for your kids become worth 100 times what you paid for them.

I’m talking here about the rare, coveted Princess Diana Beanie Baby that I purchased for $100 in a silent bidding war at a school auction. (I did it to help the kids!) Diana, the crown jewel of our Beanie Babies collection, reigned over an extensive collection from the hermetic protection of her acrylic case on a tall, tall shelf.

Out of curiosity, I decided to check eBay for the current value of my sentimental investment in the purple fur-covered tribute to Princess Di: $1,000 – 10 times what I paid for it. (Note to self: add soothsayer to my résumé.)

Deep in the fur-lined Beanie Baby section of eBay, the economy is thriving. I scrolled through a Who’s Who, recognizing nearly all of them. As predicted in the mid-’90s, the key to their value is the heart-shaped paper ID tag. My kids teethed on quite a few Babies before we knew to keep the tags intact, but our oversized Rubbermaid tub was full of the very collectibles that are raking in big bucks online.

The sensible among you may now be asking, “So whatever happened to the Princess Di?” I asked my daughter, the original Keeper of the Beanie Babies, where Her Highness was. “Hmmm … I’m not sure where she is, but I do remember that we couldn’t play with her.”

OK, OK, I thought. She’s obviously around somewhere. We wouldn’t have tossed her in a move or sold her in a garage sale

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– can you just imagine getting 50¢ for a rare collector’s edition Beanie? The very thought of it sets me off in a cold sweat.

Seeing eBay’s going rate of most of the others prompted me to take a cursory mental inventory of our tub o’ Beanies. A ballpark estimate suggested early retirement and extended global holidays for the first person in my family to liquidate the entire lot. Cha-ching!

I’m now in a group text with my three (grown) kids. “You guys!” I type, nearly snapping a nail to alert them to our impending wealth. “Where is the tub of Beanie Babies? You won’t believe how much they’re going for on eBay – we have almost every one of the top earners!”

My daughter dropped the big one: “I donated most of them a long time ago,” she replied, essentially writing herself out of my on-again-off-again will.

“Whaaaaaaaaat?! Donated??” I pounded at my phone in denial.

One of my sons weighed in: “I kept them all together in that Rubbermaid tub for a long time, but yeah, I’m pretty sure we donated them along with the tub.”

Clearly, while I’ve been waiting for my many wise investments to pay off like a winning scratcher, my family of what-me-worry philanthropists has been donating assets AND the Rubbermaid tub, to boot. I don’t even know who the lucky beneficiaries were, but if prices on eBay for Beanie Babies are any indication, I’ll wager a Princess Di Beanie Baby (as soon as I find it) that there’s an oversized Rubbermaid tub nearby, stuffed with cash.

A perfectly designed closet is a gift to open again and again.

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61 YEARS

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