405 Magazine May 2019

ALTERNATIVE SPORTS: FIVE FUN WAYS TO PLAY P. 42

Fare From Afar A C U L I N A RY WO R L D T O U R

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G L O BA L DESTIN DINING A RIGHT HTIONS IN THE 4ERE 05

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in this issue

Features 34

AROUND THE WORLD IN 26 MEALS You don’t have to dig out your passport – or even leave the OKC metro – to sample a range of flavors from all across the globe.

From Mexican birria to Greek moussaka to Filipino pancit, this roundup of recommended dishes representing 26 nationalities makes for a diverse and delicious dining itinerary.

42

FIVE FOR THRIVING

Trying a new activity is good for your mental and physical health, so while it might be a bit surprising to find these sports flourishing in Oklahoma, they could prove to be right in your wheelhouse … and there’s always room for one more participant.

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

MAY 2019

in this issue

MAY 2019

In the 405

13 Flowers to form a bride’s crowning touch; year-round treasures at Christmas Expressions; thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts; the Mom Card’s lifetime veto power; charting Oklahoma’s history together

Home

51 The timeless style of the Burrage home; find decorative magic in these carpets and rugs

Travel

57 Take a photographic journey through the alluring wilds of Banff and Jasper National Parks

Dining

67 Bring friends and an appetite to Social Deck + Dining; a recipe and reflection from chef extraordinaire Alain Buthion; Off the Hook’s award-winning family fare; talking tequila at Iguana

Events

77 Kristin Chenoweth returns to OKC for an Allied Arts benefit; actor James Austin Kerr’s model beginnings; May’s bumper crop of great OKC concerts; gearing up for the Paseo Arts Festival; 2019’s beautiful Symphony Show House

In Every Issue

10 From the Publisher 33 On the Scene 72 Food and Drink 80 On Location 82 Speakerbox 84 On the Radar 88 Backstory

Center of Attention The Danby marble that surrounds the Burrages’ fireplace provides a focal point for the living room decorated in creams, grays and golds. It gives the downstairs space – like the rest of the house – a modern-yet-classic feel.

52

ON THE COVER A selection of French flavors from longtime OKC bistro La Baguette. Photo by Rachel Maucieri

VOLUME 5 / NUMBER 5, 405 MAGAZINE (PERIODICALS 21350) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY, 12 TIMES A YEAR, BY 405 MAGAZINE, INC., 1613 NORTH BROADWAY AVENUE, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73103. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT OKLAHOMA CITY, OK AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO 405 MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 16765, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91615-6765.

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

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MAY 2019

The Right Step

Andrew Flinton, CFP® President

Publisher | Editor-in-Chief Heidi Rambo Centrella heidi.centrella@405magazine.com

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@405magazine.com

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 5

405.942.1234 405.246.0404 972.377.2850

Style Editor Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com Travel Editor Matt Payne matt.payne@405magazine.com Contributing Writers M.J. Alexander, Mark Beutler, Lillie-Beth Sanger Brinkman, Jerry Church, Christine Eddington, Greg Horton, Lance McDaniel, Lauren Roth, Elaine Warner

ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel scotty.odaniel@405magazine.com Graphic Designer Brian O’Daniel brian.odaniel@405magazine.com Contributing Photographers M.J. Alexander, Heather Hanson, Michelle LaVasque, Rachel Maucieri, Charlie Neuenschwander, Matt Payne, Don Risi, Shevaun Williams

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Home Loans

MAY 2019

VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 5

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RIGHT TIME. RIGHT RATES. RIGHT TEAM. It takes the right team to make your vision of the right home a reality. Whether you need a conventional loan, a VA loan, an FHA loan or Jumbo Mortgage for a home you want to buy, or a loan structure to take you from lot purchase through construction to permanent financing, we can get you exactly what you need. RIGHT RATES. RIGHT NOW. kirkpatrickbankhomeloans.com

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READER SERVICES 405 Magazine 1613 N. Broadway Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Phone 405.842.2266 Fax 405.604.9435 info@405magazine.com, 405magazine.com Back Issues Back issues are $9.50 (includes P&H) each. For back issue availability and order information, please contact our office.

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405 Magazine Volume 5, Number 5, May 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. Back issues are $9.50 each

CIRCULATION AUDITED BY

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

405.607.4323 | CASADY SQUARE | NORTH PENNSYLVANIA & BRITTON ROAD NAIFEHFINEJEWELRY.COM MON – FRI 10AM – 5:30PM | SAT 10AM – 5PM

“Coming this summer to Nichols Hills Plaza!”

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A World of Flavors W HIL E I T ’S DIF F ICU LT to be all things to all people, we’re

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

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

PHOTO BY SIMON HURST

working on it. We try to be your go-to, or at least a helpful and informative resource, for everything from travel – regional, stateside and international – and local events to culture and fashion. Of course, there’s also our regular food coverage: new restaurant reviews, revisitations of long-time favorites, personal recipes from top metro chefs, beverages worthy of sampling and periodic roundups of the best of the best in certain areas, whether it’s burgers, pizzas, barbecue, brunches or vegetarian options. The monthly feedback we receive from readers on the dining section, as well as the annual Food Issue each November, tells us that our food-focused coverage is thought of by many as a directory, of sorts, on where to find some pretty fantastic fare.

This month, we’re tackling our widest-ranging topic of all – literally – as we take a tasty look at International Dining in the 405 (p. 34). This is a feature we’ve been tossing around for a couple of years, and as our team of food enthusiasts crisscrossed OKC to sample the culinary output of 26 countries, their travels to restaurants representing nation after nation served as an eye-opening illustration of how richly developed and diversely flavorful our hometown has become. We strongly encourage you to step outside your culinary comfort zone and try something new from a faraway land; exploration can be delicious. You should find ample tastings to get this year’s summer adventures started, complete with an accompanying 17 adult libations to try along your travels (p. 39).

While traversing central Oklahoma’s many tasty offerings, several of which you might not have known were available in the 405, you might also opt for a lesser-known sporting event by way of cricket, polo, curling, wind-surfing or even pickleball (p. 42). They might be considered fringe fitness activities by the majority of OKC residents, but they have amassed energetic followings from dedicated enthusiasts. Who knows? You might decide to pick up a new hobby, in addition to a new favorite eatery.

Summer is on its way and the time is ripe for exploration and fun – just allow me to drop in one quick reminder that Mother’s Day is May 12. Don’t forget to get your mom something nice.

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

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405

in the

Crowning Touch

PHOTO BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS

Wedding season is approaching – and while white remains very much in fashion for bridal couture, incorporating natural color via floral adornment is a great way to add a personal, and breathtaking, element of dazzle.

MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

13

in the 405 FASHION

BLOOMING WITH BEAUTY Flowers to make the day magical

BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS

“Someone told me there’s a girl out there With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair ...”

- L ED Z EPPEL I N, “G OI NG TO CA L IFOR N I A”

T HE POET RY OF F L OW ER S , along with the perfume

of summer and the mystery of romance, will help make every dream come true for your June wedding. Be creative with your stylist and individual with your choices – and above all, take their breath away!

Photography by Shevaun Williams; Hair and Makeup by Krista Perry; Floral Design by Tony Foss, 7610 N May, OKC; Wardrobe by Bella Rose Bridal and Formal, 3224 S Broadway, Edmond; Photo and Style Assist

by Heather Hanson​

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

THE CALM after the storm.

Windows damaged in the storm? We’ll help make them beautiful again.

DEALING WITH HAIL DAMAGE CAN BE CHAOTIC AND OVERWHELMING. But Pella of Oklahoma City is with you every step of the way: • Helping find damage • Assisting with insurance claims • Providing repair and replacement options Only Pella of Oklahoma City can bring you The Calm After The Storm.

Call for your hail damage assessment today.

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in the 405 FAVORITE THINGS

Old World wedding set, $69.99 “A customer favorite! This satin boxed set of six glass ornaments comes with a certificate for the bride and groom. We can personalize the ornaments with the couple’s name and wedding date.”

Rifle Paper Co. set of two pocket notebooks, $11.50 “Made in the U.S., these notebooks are great for throwing in a handbag or in your car for jotting down notes.”

Kathy Merkel Cox

Year-Round Celebrations

The joys of Christmas Expressions

Ronaldo Designer Bracelets, $79-$220 “Each bracelet is handmade in the U.S. of sterling silver and 14K gold artisan wire. Each bracelet has a special name and meaning that helps you tell your life story. These look great stacked with multiple bracelets.”

Jon Hart Design Tyler tote, $328; Chico bag, $36 “Handmade in San Antonio, this coated canvas bag with English leather trim is fabulous for travel. The rolled leather handles are long enough to carry on the shoulder or on the arm. The Chico bag is great to keep you organized. Use as a cosmetic bag, hold tech accessories or a mini first aid kit. All are made to order in your choice of color and personalization.”

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

CHR IST M A S E X PR E S SIONS, located in the “cute little red

building with the white picket fence” at 2214 W Lindsey in Norman, has come a long way. Back in 1979, it opened as Donna Couch and Polly Hall’s storefront to showcase unique holiday gifts from local artisans and craftsmen, and success moved the business from seasonal to year-round. Fast forward to 2004, when current owner Kathy Merkel Cox returned to Norman and happened to reconnect with Couch. Cox was ready for something new, Couch was ready to retire and a chance meeting turned into a new era for the store.

While the name points to one particular holiday, all seasons and many annual celebrations are richly represented by gifts and collectibles – and that’s only the beginning. From easy-towear apparel, jewelry and accessories, bath and body products and home fragrance to stationery and printable invitations and a large room filled with sorority gifts, you can find something for every imaginable occasion.

As Cox cheerfully puts it, “At Christmas Expressions, we celebrate every holiday and every milestone in our customers’ lives.

We have gifts for all gifting occasions and celebrate all the seasons of life – from births, getting that driver’s license or making a spirit squad to graduations, sorority membership, engagements and weddings, special birthdays, anniversaries and special life memorials. We celebrate them with you!” - SAR A GAE WATERS

O-Venture Big O keyring and ID holder, $25 each in silicone (also available in leather and vegan leather) “Great for the girl on the go! Slip your ID and cards into the pockets; the keyring is easy to find and slip over your wrist.”

Hand-painted shower caddy, starting at $25 “Personalized and hand-painted by artists at Christmas Expressions, these caddies are great for the dorm rooms.

They look so cute to load up with goodies for the grads.”

Dot & Dash Design Morse code necklace, $44 “Say it in Morse code as the perfect way to connect with a friend, sister or woman to feel special. These adorable necklaces are fabulous, thoughtful gifts.

Custom orders also available.”

Thymes Goldleaf gardenia hand wash, $16.50 each “This duo makes a wonderful little gift. It is a modern-yet-timeless, feminine and delicate fragrance.”

OKC skyline pillow, $165 “Available in day or night scene – I love this embroidered pillow with all the detail of the OKC downtown skyline.”

PHOTOS BY DON RISI

Spongellé body wash-infused buffer, $17.50 “Oh my – these flowerettes are infused with yuza, edelweiss and vetiver to moisturize, soften and cleanse your skin.

Cleanse, exfoliate, massage and nourish all at one time. Tons of great scents.”

Goody Goody house shoes, $50 “Add a little whimsy to your feet. These slippers are so comfortable and fun to wear!

Suede bottoms are adorned with silk and velvet accents and a padded insole.”

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in the 405 TRENDS

From Christmas Expressions Lollia “Wish” no. 22 Eau de Parfum, $60; Lollia “Relax” no. 8 Eau de Parfum, $60

From Café Disco Vanilla bean and cherry blossom macarons (six-pack), $13

From Cayman’s Elizabeth W eye pillow, $28; Tory Burch Miller sandal in light makeup, $198; Rebecca Minkoff Jean clutch, $148; Jude Frances brushed sterling and 18 carat gold necklace with diamond accents, $1,550

The Mother of All Days Making the thought count

is true to moms that it is more about the thought than the gift. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to really think about what that gift should be, and going the extra mile on the meaning can go a long way. Something that communicates your knowledge of something she loves, but would never buy herself, is always a treat. Giving something that shows you know what she likes, even if it is just an everyday kind of thing, is equally special.

Giving just a little extra thought this year will be what makes it count. - SAR A GAE WATERS

Cayman’s, 2001 W Main, Norman, shop-caymans.com; Café Disco, 629 W Main, OKC, café-disco.com; The Flower Shop, 1440 N Porter, Norman, theflowershopok.com; Twinkle Apothecary, 3 NW 9th, OKC, twinkleapothecary. com; Christmas Expressions, 2214 W Lindsey, Norman

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

From The Flower Shop Fresh-cut flowers and arrangements, price on request; Sea salt and plumeria candle, $16; Piper & Leaf loose leaf tea, $12 From Twinkle Apothecary Rose gold heart tea infuser, $9.98

PHOTOS BY DON RISI

SI M PL E OR E X T R AVAGA N T, it really

MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

19

in the 405 LAUGH LINES

Don’t Leave Home Without It Triumphing in hairy situations IF T HER E H A D been a hairy legs contest when I was in the

sixth grade, I would have been its grand champion. I’ll admit to being mathematically and directionally challenged, but I’ve never been follically challenged. Queen of the mammals.

So when God put a disposable razor into the U.S. mail, addressed to me (“Resident”), I took it as an unmistakable sign from the heavens that my furry angst would soon be resolved.

My mistake – one I’ve never repeated, BTW – was asking my mom for permission instead of forgiveness.

Standing between me and that glorious feeling of freshly shaved legs was my mom, who didn’t give two flips about which of the other 35 girls in the sixth grade were shaving. (Fun fact: All of them.)

“No!” she snapped, unbending to the rapid-fire pelting of my pleas, negotiations and threats of dying if I didn’t shave my legs that very night.

My mom was using the oldest method of hazard prevention known to humanity: the Mom Card, a swift, non-negotiable, preemptive strike against all questionable decisions. My siblings and I gave her plenty of practice in playing the Mom Card, which trumped every argument.

Can I join Bluebirds? No. Can I get my ears pierced? No. Pleeeeeease, can we keep this puppy? No. Can I get my hair straightened? No. Will you buy me a camper and let me live in the driveway? No.

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

Can we sleep on the roof? No. Can we have Fritos for dinner? No. Can we adopt a baby? No. Then can we get another hamster? No. Can I build a stage in the driveway? No. I’ve enjoyed playing the Mom Card so many times with my own kids that I’m thinking of laminating it.

Can we dive off the roof into the pool? Nope.

Can we watch “Rugrats”? No. Can I get a blink-182 CD? No. Can we ride our bikes across May Avenue? No. Can we jump in the ball pit at McDonald’s? Not until you’re 25.

Can I get a navel ring? Not while I’m alive.

Can I have a drum set? Hell, no.

Can I cut my hair into a Mohawk? Not while my mom’s alive.

Can we have Fritos for dinner? Mehhhh … don’t eat the whole bag.

Occasionally, the Mom Card is essential to the very survival of the species (e.g., Can Jennings and I get some real swords?).

More often, it’s essential to the survival of Mom’s sanity (e.g., Can I get a harmonica? Can we throw some firecrackers into the fireplace?) The challenge is knowing how to strike a good balance: keep the Mom Card in your pocket too often and you could end up posting Junior’s bail a time or two; pull it out too often, I’m convinced, and your kids will turn into pole dancers.

It was the Case of the Disposable Razor that proved to be my mom’s undoing. Whether she’d pitied me for the unholy pelt pressed under my L’eggs suntan pantyhose on Sundays or she just appreciated not having to buy the razor that would finally shut me up, I’ll never know.

But I do recall that the sound of her buckling to my plea was nearly audible. “Once you shave your legs,” she reasoned while tucking away her Mom Card, “you’ll have to keep shaving your legs for the rest of your life!”

“I’m in!” I assured her as I lathered up my woolen calves.

Years later, when my equally mammalian daughter asked, as a sixth grader, to shave her legs, I responded with an enthusiastic “Yes,” but “Rugrats,” blink-182 and navel ring? I’m sticking with my Mom Card for the win. - LAUREN ROTH

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I AM NOT SOMEONE THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO BE AN AVID CROSSFITTER. I was never athletic, never went out for sports, and never joined a gym before coming to CrossFit 405. One morning as I was getting dressed for work, I struggled to get into my plus-sized jeans. I decided that if was going to buy new pants, they should be smaller, not bigger. I feel better now than I ever have. I’ve done things I never thought I could or would do. The CrossFit 405 coaches and members are always encouraging.

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MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

21

in the 405 OKLAHOMA HERITAGE

Our Story, Together Bob Blackburn and the importance of history gan long before statehood. From the Tallgrass prairie in the west to the rolling green hills in the east, the history of Oklahoma lies as much with its people as it does with its landscapes. Preserving that heritage falls not only to state historians; it’s a matter for local communities, civic leaders, even each family who wants their legacy preserved for generations to come.

History can also mean big business for the state; whether it’s Tulsa’s Gilcrease, OKC’s National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the OK Route 66 Museum in Clinton or the Beutler Brothers Rodeo Museum in Elk City – all play a role in the state’s tourism industry.

“How do you connect the dots of all these individual assets?” says Dr. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. “How do we pull together these resources into a business plan that fuels heritage tourism?”

Dr. Bob Blackburn That takes leadership, he explained.

“Right now, I am very optimistic, because we have a lieutenant governor – Matt Pinnell – who has made heritage tourism the 1930s with a “New Deal” spin would look different than the histocornerstone of his administration,” Blackburn says. “We are rians of the 1980s with more of a “Reagan” kind of spin on history. working with him on a number of different levels. One of the “If we’re going to make good decisions today in any community, first things we did was to begin work on creating a Route 66 whether it’s the community of the nation, the state, the county, Centennial Commission, because in 2026, it will be 100 years the town, the neighborhood – whatever the community is – we all old. So we are working on pulling all our assets together on face challenges and hopefully seize opportunities,” he says. “In my Route 66 and asking, ‘What can we do together?’” opinion, we can make better decisions about how to deal with our Blackburn said he is working with the lieutenant governor challenges or seize opportunities if we know our history. Hopefully, and others on a business plan that will take advantage of all the people will look back on what we have done in the late 20th and state’s assets. early 21st century and see that we made progress in telling our “We can do that with our 30 museums story and preserving where we came from.” and sites under our umbrella,” he says, Pulling together the history of Oklahoma “In my opinion, we can “and we can reach out to others throughout is like putting together pieces of a mosaic, the state and let them know we want to he said. Oklahoma was a political creation, make better decisions work together. But we need someone to created from land that was left over. about how to deal with create that comprehensive umbrella to pull “We are a land of immigrants,” Blackour challenges or seize everyone in and create a business plan, and burn says. “People came here from opportunities if we know different places with different political and I think Matt Pinnell can do that.”

Preserving the state’s history as a tourism social and economic baggage. They had our history.” and money-making venture is important, their own worldviews and their own reliDR . BOB BL ACK BU R N but so is capturing that history so people gious views. It came in little bitty snippets. can learn from it in the future.

These stories around the state make the “We have an ingrained knowledge from what we know from story more complex. So, you take all these stories and try to our parents, and our grandparents, and our aunts and uncles,” make sense out of it, and it’s very difficult. I feel like we are still says Blackburn. “A lot of people have that ‘clan history.’ We know collecting the foundation materials to understand our state. what was important to Grandma is probably important to me, But out of all those stories comes a vigorous culture of hard but we need to look beyond that. What is the bigger story? What work and values and being friendly. And bottom line – that is was the impact of the railroads, the highways, agriculture, oil our Oklahoma attitude.” - MARK BEUTLER and gas? That information needs to be collected and preserved.

Every generation needs to look at that evidence again.”

For a list of Oklahoma’s more than 500 museums, visit For example, Blackburn said the history of Oklahoma in the okmuseums.org/oklahoma-museums/

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PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

OK L A HOM A H A S A R ICH and colorful heritage, one that be-

DISCOVER

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COME TO REMEMBER. LEAVE WITH RESOLVE. A trip through the Memorial Museum is more than a trip through one of OKC’s most formative events.

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in the 405 DENTAL HEALTH

Matters of the Mouth Discussing dentistry with Dr. Shannon Griffin

AT A N E A R LY AGE , kids are (hope-

fully) taught the importance of good oral hygiene: Brush after every meal, floss, go easy on sweets and get regular checkups.

As we grow older, the need for regular dental care becomes even greater. Today, technology is re-shaping the dental industry via new trends and procedures – but some tried-and-true methods will always be practical.

“Everything we do is geared toward living a healthy lifestyle,” says Dr. Shannon Griffin, President of the Oklahoma Dental Association. “We must first have healthy teeth, so we can eat healthy foods to fuel our bodies. If we eat well and maintain good oral health, we will have a better quality of life.”

Brushing regularly is perhaps the most important rule of the day. But when it comes to brushing, should you use the traditional brush or switch to one of the newer battery-powered options?

“It all depends on your own personal preference,” Griffin says. “With the power brushes, most have a built-in timer, which I find useful. They will let you know after 30 seconds when it’s time to switch to a different region of the mouth, and they typically shut off after two minutes, which is the recommended brushing time.”

Flossing is important too, Griffin added, because it gets to areas where the brush simply cannot.

“The goal with flossing is to prevent bacteria,” she says. “If you brush but don’t floss, you are leaving bacteria in your mouth, which will either affect your teeth with decay or your gums with disease

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– so I can’t stress enough the importance of flossing.”

The use of fluoride has been around for decades, Griffin said, and is still a popular treatment. It has been used largely as a preventative measure and to stop cavities where there is rapid decay.

Some new cutting-edge trends are re-shaping dentistry, as well.

“One of the remarkable things about dentistry occurred not so long ago,” Griffin says. “The use of implants has led to a new way of life for many people. Most dental plans are now leaning toward coverage, and implants mean a person won’t have to rely on dentures.

“Another new emerging trend is oneday crowns,” she adds. “Typically, if a patient needs a crown, the tooth is prepped and a temporary crown is installed. Now, new technology is letting us install the permanent crown all in one day.”

A few years ago, the Oklahoma Dental Association began its “Mission of Mercy” program, an annual event providing free dental care to Oklahomans who otherwise may not be able to afford it.

“We hold the event for two days in a different region of the state each February,” Griffin says. “In 2020, we will visit Stillwater. It is on a first-come, firstserved basis, and we offer fillings, cleaning, partials and other services – all at no cost to the patient. It’s so moving to see someone getting dental care while their child is asleep on the floor beside them, knowing they have sometimes stood in line all night to be seen by one of our doctors. Helping our fellow Oklahomans is what we are all about.” - MARK BEUTLER

Dr. Shannon Griffin

2019 MISSION OF MERCY Feb. 1-2, State Fair Park, OKC The Oklahoma Dental Association’s two-day event providing free dental care was a success in 2019: Event Totals $1,512,266 Donated Dental Care 11,750 Procedures Performed 1,684 Patients Treated $898 Per Patient Average 1,970 Volunteers 272 Dentists 151 Dental Students 350 Dental Assistants 186 Hygienists 1,011 Other Procedure Breakdown 2,736 Extractions 124 Endodontic Care 1,293 Fillings 710 Cleanings 112 Partial Dentures 79 Porcelain Crowns 21 Pedo Crowns Other Services Provided 198 Flu Shots Smoking Cessation Resources Dental Clinic Resources Infant Crisis Services Aging Services Additional Information okda.org or 405.848.8873

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2745 S. I-35 SERVICE ROAD • MOORE, OK MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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PROFILE

Victoria J. Ball

D.D.S., M.S.D., P.L.L.C.

ENDODONTIST & OWNER OF CONTEMPORARY ENDODONTICS OF OKLAHOMA WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DR. VICTORIA BALL received her D.D.S. from West Virginia School of Dentistry in 2014. Honors at graduation included induction into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, Outstanding Achievement in Operative Dentistry

by The Academy of Operative Dentistry and the Student Achievement Award in Endodontics by The American Association of Endodontists. Dr. Ball also served two terms as President of her dental class. Following dental school, Dr. Ball continued her education at the Medical University of South Carolina and graduated in 2016 with a Certificate in Endodontics and a Master of Science in Dentistry.

Dr. Ball has served on the Membership Services Committee for the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) and the Special Committee on Outreach and the Marketing Committee for the AAE Foundation. She was also Chair of the AAE SERVICES Foundation’s Reach Committee and was ROOT CANAL TREATMENT selected as 1 of 14 participants nationally to ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT PERIAPICAL SURGERY attend a Leadership Development Program ROOT RESORPTION funded by the AAE. CRACKED TEETH Dr. Ball has established her own EndDENTAL TRAUMA odontic practice in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma opened in June 2018 with the goal of providing patients with the finest endodontic treatment in a relaxed, upscale environment.

Dr. Ball emphasizes individualized patient care and comfort. She utilizes the most modern techniques and equipment, such as Carl Zeiss Microscopes and a J. Morita Cone-Beam CT 3D Scanner, to ensure the optimal diagnosis and treatment for each patient. Procedures Dr. Ball performs include: initial root canal treatment, root canal retreatment, periapical (root-end) surgery, as well as treatment of cracked teeth, dental trauma, and root resorption.

Although most procedures are performed under local anesthesia, Dr. Ball offers safe 2916 Astoria Way, Suite 100 sedation options when appropriate. Her Edmond, OK 73034 beautiful practice is conveniently located off I-35 in Edmond, Oklahoma, and she is 405.285.5042 currently in-network with many dental info@ceoklahoma.com insurance companies. www.ceoklahoma.com

Maintaining healthy, beautiful smiles for the whole family Dr. Ray Plant has been providing quality patient care for more than 30 years.

Our practice focuses on the three main aspects of your oral health: Prevention of Disease, Restoring Areas of Concern and Cosmetic Enhancement. Our goal is to provide you with a healthy mouth and beautiful smile.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE Dental Exams Professional Cleanings Dental X-Rays Fillings Emergency Dentistry Sedation Dentistry Teeth Whitening Dental Bonding

11212 N May Ave # 311 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.752.2499 www.drrayplant.com

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PROFILE

Chris Poore D.D.S, M.S. UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

Tracey Whitley D.M.D, M.S. TUFTS UNIVERSITY OF DENTAL MEDICINE

OKLAHOMA CENTER FOR IMPLANTS & PERIODONTICS IF YOUR DENTAL HE ALTH isn’t what it should be, or you want to ensure your teeth and gums remain in tip-top shape, consider turning to Chris Poore (D.D.S., M.S.) and Tracey Whitley (D.M.D., M.S.), the experts at the Oklahoma Center for Implants and Periodontics. Teeth get most of the attention, but having healthy gums is essential for the overall state of your oral well-being. OCIP’s dental experts can treat and help prevent gum disease in the least invasive ways possible – often through the adjunctive use of specific lasers, which are part of an effective treatment program for periodontal disease.

Speaking of healthy gums, gingival recession can lead to tooth sensitivity and pain. OCIP now offers new techniques in soft tissue grafting to improve the condition and stability of the gums in a much more patient-friendly manner.

And if you need to recover a smile that’s been damaged along the way, implants are a highly effective way to replace single or multiple teeth. OCIP’s $99 implant consultations include a CT scan that gives the doctors a 3D picture of the patient. This allows for proper treatment planning, and the scan can be used to make a surgical guide to ensure accurate implant placement.

Repairing past damage, protecting your teeth and gums for the future, and working to make sure your ideal smile stays intact – make the Oklahoma Center for Implants and Periodontics part of your plan for optimal oral health.

Tracey Whitley and Chris Poore

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Oklahoma Center for Implants & Periodontics 9112 North May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405.947.0486 okperioimplant.com

MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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PROFILE

Mark T. Hanstein D.D.S UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

THE E XPERTISE , SKILL and cutting-edge technology to give you the best possible dental results, combined with a genuine commitment to caring, personal interaction that makes the experience as pleasant as it can be – Mark T. Hanstein has been putting better, brighter smiles on Oklahoma City faces for more than 30 years.

From dental x-rays, exams and cleanings to restorative work such as crowns and root canals to diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, your dental health is in expert hands … and so is your mental health, as their entire team is dedicated to establishing comfort, trust and long-term patient relationships with each individual who enters their practice. Their warm, welcoming professionalism makes a real difference in stressful circumstances, and the clinicians’ skilled work speaks for itself.

Dr. Hanstein also has a sincere dedication to the OKC community: He’s a longtime member and past president of the Sarah Loyd (left), Dr. Mark Hanstein Downtown OKC Kiwanis and Lori Aquino (front right) Club, and has served on the boards of the Myriad Gardens Foundation and Infant Crisis Services. He’s also been an energetic participant in the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy since its 2010 inception. The annual event has provided professional care free of charge to thousands of Oklahomans who are uninsured or have limited access to dental assistance.

Get the very best in dental care from truly caring experts who have been serving downtown OKC for decades. Dr. Hanstein encourages you to see your dentist regularly, but if you don’t have one, call Lori to make an appointment. And remember… Only floss the ones you want to keep!

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in the 405

ON THE SCENE

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OKCMOA Omelette Party Guests’ taste buds live happily ever after at the OKC Museum of Art’s flavor-filled fundraiser with a fairytale theme.

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1. Elise Fischbein; Erica Daniel; Emily Evans 2. John Michael Williams; Renate Wiggin; Chuck Wiggin; Kathy Williams 3. Ashley & Steve Petty 4. Larry McNeal; Michael O’Hara 5. Shae Calhoun; Mike McAuliffe; LeAnn Calhoun

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PHOTOS BY HEATHER HANSON

Red Tie Night Patrons and supporters paint the town red at the elegant soiree benefiting the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund.

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1. Lee Allan Smith, Barry Switzer 2. Michael Laird; Phil Burke; Robert Mills; Mary Blankenship Pointer 3.Ron & Liv Matthews 4. Mark Sullivan; Cindy Cooper-Colton; Barbara Cooper; Bob Browne; Larry Nichols 5. Joseph Ibiloye; Cory Butler; Deonne King; Julian Wilson; Kendall Taft

MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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Around

World the

Meals 26 in

international dining in the 405 IF THERE’S ONE THING W E LE A RNED FROM BELOV ED CHEF, AUTHOR A ND T V HOST A NTHON Y BOURDA IN, it’s that stepping outside your arena of familiarity to try new things often pays huge rewards in personal growth and memorable experiences. And while most of us don’t have the budget or schedule flexibility to match his travel itinerary, the OKC metro is home to a surprising breadth of options when it comes to cuisines of other countries and cultures. Many of these dishes are authentic as they come, and are waiting right around the corner to take visitors on a flavor journey around the world.

BY GREG HORTON AND STEVE GILL PHOTOS BY SCOT T Y O’DANIE L

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Vietnam

LIDO With such a wealth of great Vietnamese food in OKC, it’s nearly impossible to recommend just one restaurant. Pho abounds in the metro, but Lido also offers an array of more rustic dishes that are a little less familiar to local diners. Thit Ko To (clay pot pork) is Vietnamese comfort food. In fact, Denise Duong, the artist whose work is on the cover of the April issue of 405 Magazine, said clay pot pork was one of her favorite childhood dishes. The sauce is garlic, ginger, fish sauce and magic, apparently, and the tender meat is served with steamed rice. 2518 N Military (Asian District)

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Italy

Spicy shrimp puttanesca

PATRONO If there is anything that Chef Jonathan Krell can’t make well, we haven’t found it yet.

His work at Patrono has turned a little-known Italian eatery into one of the city’s brightest spots.

Get the bread service; the salsa verde and balsamic butter that come with the bread are going to haunt your dreams. Krell excels at seafood dishes – likely due in part to his sushi background – so if there is crudo or octopus on the menu, it’s an easy yes. The pasta dishes are flavorful and well balanced, and the front-of-house staff is as good as you’ll find anywhere.

305 N Walker (Arts District)

Thailand CHADA THAI A couple of years ago, CNN Travel did an online poll for the world’s best foods that drew more than 35,000 votes – and Thailand’s cuisine got more love than any other country’s, including dishes 4, 5, 6 and 10.

Frankly, it’s hard to argue with the school of thought that everyone should be eating more Thai food all the time. This Norman restaurant’s Pad Thai, a traditional heap of rice noodles and deliciousness, is very good, but that can be said about lots of places; try something more distinctive by ordering the stir fry using the paste from their yellow curry, and chase it with a dessert of mango and sweetened rice. 1324 N Interstate (Norman)

Philippines CHIBUGAN Chibugan is a Filipino word that translates to “eating,” which is solid advice at this Del City hidden gem. One of the benefits of getting out of the urban core is that food prices drop dramatically, and the $7 lunch specials at Chibugan are as delicious as they are affordable.

Start with lumpia (fried egg rolls) with a dash of banana ketchup, and then move on to the pancit.

These rice noodles are traditional Filipino cuisine, and the lunch at Chibugan features pork and vegetables in a savory broth. 4728 SE 29th (Del City)

Egypt Greece ZORBA’S The menu overseen by owner and GM Mark Javidi is filled with family recipes and flavors from around the Mediterranean.

If you hear “Greek food” and think of gyros or beef kabobs, they can deliver the goods, but we’re staunch proponents of the moussaka: a casserole of eggplant, potato and ground beef that’s smothered in a rich, creamy béchamel sauce, topped with bread crumbs and baked. The dish’s only downside? It’s filling enough that you might not have much extra room for baba ghanouj. 6014 N May (North OKC)

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YUMMY MUMMY Mohamed and Nesrine Hussein started Yummy Mummy – two locations of authentic Egyptian food – after Mohamed discovered the television program “Shark Tank.” He credits the program with his entrepreneurial drive, and if that’s the case, all of Oklahoma City is indebted to the show … because the fatta served at Yummy Mummy is one of the best tastes in the city. A dish of jasmine rice, beef or chicken (or both!), and toasted pita, fatta is tangy, savory and filling. The accompanying garlic sauce and chili sauce add even more flavor, and a touch of heat. The red pepper hummus is stellar, as is the falafel. 13415 N Penn, 119 N Robinson (North OKC and Downtown)

India

TANDOOR This one brings out people’s trust issues; everyone probably feels the same trepidation on hearing the phrase “truck stop Indian food,” just like “gas station sushi,” but one trip to Tandoor will make you a convert. Go easy on the spice level – maybe start with a 4 out of 10 – and don’t skip the garlic naan. The traditional Indian dishes include chicken tikka masala, curried goat and a butter chicken that’s a rich, savory pleasure with just the right heat (if you followed the advice above).

When the food in a truck stop is this good, you just know it isn’t the ambience. 1901 E Reno (East OKC)

France LA BAGUETTE The Buthion brothers, Alain and Michel, were on a cross-country trip when they arrived in Oklahoma City. Fortunately for us, they never left, and La Baguette has become a staple in international dining as a result. Chef Alain is particularly good with duck and seafood; his fish dishes are some of the state’s best. The focus on breakfast has added a unique option to our city’s breakfast-scape, with traditional crepes, and what many local chefs insist is the best Croque Madame in town. 7408 N May (North OKC)

Mexico BIRRIERIA DIAZ A traditional dish from Mexico, birria is typically made with beef and/or goat, but Birrieria Diaz offers a choice of beef or lamb. The spiced meat stew is served in a bowl family style, and diners use fried or steamed tortillas to scoop the meat, along with condiments such as diced peppers, red onion, cilantro, etc. The family-owned restaurant across from SNU has other traditional Mexican fare, but it’s impossible to say no to birria.

6700 NW 39th Expressway (Bethany)

Ethiopia

LA BAGUETTE PHOTO BY RACHEL MAUCIERI

QUEEN OF SHEBA Try to bring a friend or two – Ethiopian dining is a social occasion, and many of this well-established restaurant’s specialties are at their best when shared. It’s an outstanding destination for vegetarians, with plenty of well-seasoned and delectably spicy choices, but neophytes who don’t mind a little meat would be well-advised to start with the Queen of Sheba Messob sampler platter. Help yourself to the spongy bread called injera and try a taste of, well, everything. 2308 N MacArthur (West OKC)

Ireland SEAN CUMMINGS Corned beef is on the menu – and it’s good – but you already know that’s more of an Irish-American dish, right? For the food of the Emerald Isle itself, look no further than the boxty, a crepelike potato pancake. It comes folded around your choice of a flaky salmon filet doused in a delicate dill cream sauce, or beef with mushrooms and onions, or even a vegetable medley. Vegetarians might be sad, though – not because they’ll have nothing to eat, but because they can’t try the delectable rashers, bangers or black and white puddings. 7628 N May (North OKC) MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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Morocco COUSCOUS CAFÉ Three words to know when checking out this tasty purveyor of North African goodness: #1: Tagine, the heavy clay pot used to slow-cook stews (which are also called tagines). #2: Couscous, the tiny balls of crushed semolina that are optional as an ingredient along with the savory broth, tender vegetables and optional meats, but of which you should avail yourself for the full taste experience – the restaurant’s name should be a hint, after all. Oh, and #3: Cake. Their selection of pastries is quite good, but the Moroccan almond cake is a cut above. 6165 N May (North OKC)

Syria SIMPLY FALAFEL Magid Assaleh is a Syrian immigrant who’s been making great Mediterranean food in Edmond since he opened this restaurant. Given the name, you’d expect the falafel to be excellent – and it is, but so are the kabobs, shawarma and kafta. Having said all that, it’s important to note that you should definitely get the kibbi to start. You won’t find a better version outside of a home kitchen, and depending on how busy the day is, you can probably get Assaleh to tell you a story or two.

343 S Blackwelder (Edmond)

China KWAN’S KITCHEN From the building’s architectural style and decorative details to the contents of the menu, Kwan’s is designed to evoke elements of Chinese cultural heritage. Chef Pak Kwan learned to cook in Guangzhou, near Hong Kong, and brings flavors from that upbringing to dishes including fried rice with chicken and abalone that’s served in a large lotus leaf, and the stunning Crispy Sea Bass that’s immersed in oil for days and then roasted, as well as wondrously smooth bisques. And if your taste runs toward trying a little bit of everything, don’t miss out on the dim sum service during weekend lunch hours. 3031 W Memorial (North OKC)

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Laos

FOUR J’S As Four J’s Alex Panhguay cheerfully says, “When Laotians get together to have a party, there has to be larb.” A lot goes into the Lao specialty – lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chili, cilantro, onion, galangal (a relative of ginger with a more citrusy taste), lime juice, fish sauce, mint, ground meat – and a ton of flavor comes out in the results.

Just don’t test Bouakham Panhguay when it comes to spice: Her scale goes from 1-10, but she told us she has a regular who gets a 15, and she once fulfilled a request for a 45(!) We didn’t ask what happened to the customer; presumably he’s now the Kwisatz Hadderach. 2920 S Agnew (South OKC)

The Spirit of the Nation

As long as you’re eating authentically, you might give some thought to having a sip of the national beverage, as well – here are a few possibilities for toasting:

Brazil

BRAZIL – cachaça, made from sugarcane and often used in caipirinha cocktails

CAFÉ DO BRASIL Ana Davis was an early arrival in the newly redeveloped Midtown when she relocated Café do Brasil from its original location (which is now home to Café Antigua). The menu is filled with traditional tastes, including feijoada, the black bean and pork stew that is the traditional dish of Brazil.

Breakfast and brunch are popular choices, and the Divorciados – two eggs with tomatillo pork and chipotle chicken sauces, rice and beans – is one of the city’s heartiest breakfasts. 440 NW 11th (Midtown)

CHINA – baijiu, grain alcohol that’s been produced for more than 600 years ETHIOPIA – tej, made from honey and powdered leaves FRANCE – probably the strong licorice-flavored pastis, though it’s hard to argue with wine GERMANY – schnapps from various fruits, such as apfelkorn

Jamaica

Peru

CARICAN FLAVORS Carican (as in Caribbean-American) should definitely be on your radar – it’s not fancy, but entrees range from fried catfish to stewed oxtails to curried goat, and the side dishes aren’t the familiar standbys of fries or mashed potatoes; think black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese and plantains (you should definitely get the plantains). They even have the vegetable stew called callaloo on Fridays and Saturdays, and you’re unlikely to find better jerk chicken in OKC. 2701 N Martin Luther King (East OKC)

NAYLAMP PERUVIAN RESTAURANT Among the many cultural contributions Peru has made to the world, two will stand out to diners: potatoes and ceviche. Yes, all the potatoes in the world started in Peru, so expect a variety of options at Naylamp (pronounced NIGH-lahmp), including the traditional Papa a la Huancaina. That’s sliced boiled potatoes served with boiled eggs and huancaina sauce, which is made with garlic, onion and aji amarillo peppers. Peru has approximately 1,500 miles of coastland, so seafood dishes are popular; the Ceviche de Pescado, with strips of marinated fish, sweet potatoes and hot peppers, is the ideal introduction to Peruvian ceviche. 2106 SW 44th (South OKC)

GREECE – ouzo, anise-flavored spirit

Germany ROYAL BAVARIA Celebrating its 25th anniversary a few months ago, Royal Bavaria’s festive atmosphere makes a trip to Moore feel like a worthy time investment, and it’s extremely unlikely that anyone will head home hungry. The various wursts are always a good choice, although the golden fried schnitzels are popular for good reason, and the house specialty of Schweinebraten – roasted pork shoulder in beer gravy – is, according to the menu, “one a Bavarian cannot live without.” That should tell you something. Pro tip: The house-brewed beers are absolutely fantastisch. 3401 S Sooner (Moore)

ICELAND – brennevin, a potato schnapps whose name means “burning wine” INDIA – feni, made from cashew apples or coconut palm sap IRELAND – technically Irish whiskey, but Guinness goes with everything ITALY – try grappa, a grape-based brandy served as an after-dinner drink JAMAICA – rum for sure, and Jamaica’s also known for ginger beer, so try a Dark and Stormy JAPAN – the rice wine sake; try higher-quality sake chilled, because heating blunts the flavor KOREA – soju, made from rice or wheat and with a flavor similar to a sweeter vodka MEXICO – tequila, made from only blue agave, or mezcal, from other agaves and with a smokier flavor MOROCCO – mahia, a brandy made from figs PHILIPPINES – tuba, wine made from date or coconut palms that can be further distilled into lambanog THAILAND – mekhong, “The Spirit of Thailand,” is distilled mostly from molasses for a rum-like flavor MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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Guatemala

CAFÉ ANTIGUA Café Antigua focuses on breakfast and lunch, a perfect combination if you wish to become a brunch hot spot. The Guatemalan restaurant is owned and operated by Ana Sofia del Cid and her family, pioneers of the Guatemalan food scene in the metro. Breakfast is served all day at Antigua, and many of the dishes feature refried black beans, which, at Antigua, are somehow better than anyone would expect black beans to be. The chirmol sauce adds a tangy, spicy kick to many of the dishes, including Huevos Motuleño. For meat lovers, the carne asada’s generous slice of chimichurri-marinated steak topped with an egg pairs deliciously with fried plantains. 1903 N Classen (Midtown)

Japan GORO For being a landlocked region on the other side of the world from Japan, OKC has a surprisingly high number of sushi places. But for a delicious and less well-represented window on Japanese cuisine, look to the Plaza’s izakaya (a casual pub). The menu’s centerpiece is ramen – a far cry from 15-cent grocery store mush, it’s the rich, filling real deal – although visitors could easily make excellent meals from the nikuman (soft steamed bun) selection and extras such as Brussels sprouts salad, crispy fried chicken and mochi cake.

1634 Blackwelder (Plaza District)

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Korea CHAE CAFÉ Daniel Chae’s eponymous restaurant on NW 23rd was a delight, introducing many OKC residents to the joys of Korean cuisine.

Its closing was a grievous blow to fans’ palates – but new restaurant Social fills that building nicely (see p. 68), and a facet of the Chae experience has been resurrected on Western. Chae Café deals more in omelets, waffles and benedicts, but the crunchy rice, tender beef, fresh vegetables and tangy gochujang – ask for extra – of the Iron Bibimbap remains on the menu, and a must-try. And rumor has it the oxtail soup should be making a comeback soon.

7300 N Western (Western Avenue District)

Lebanon

Colombia

NUNU’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE The house specialty is hashwa, and Nunu Farhood makes it from a recipe that’s been in her family for generations. While not as well known in OKC as other Lebanese staples, hashwa is deserving of more love. The beef and rice dish is made with clarified butter and a spice mix that creates delicious cohesion. The toasted almonds are both texture and flavor. All of Nunu’s dishes are delicious, but the hashwa is the best reason to go. 3131 W Memorial (North OKC)

EL FOGON DE EDGAR The family-owned Colombian restaurant moved from north side to south last year, and left a wave of grief along NW 23rd. Edgar Devia, an immigrant from Bogota, serves traditional fare that begins with a basket of empanadas. Smaller than the variety served most commonly in OKC, Devia’s are lighter, and even include a vegetarian option. The aji verde sauce is served in a small ramekin, but the staff will bring more, and you’ll likely want more. The Sobrebarriga – flank steak in a tomato-based sauce – is a wonderful introduction to Devia’s skill in the kitchen. 7220 S Western (South OKC)

Pakistan

GORO PHOTO BY QUIT NGUYEN

Canada Ooh, sorry. OKC doesn’t have a Tim Horton’s, eh? But THE MULE at 1630 N Blackwelder does have some pretty good poutine.

SHEESH MAHAL The combination of hefty portion size and small price tag make visiting this cozy little restaurant feel like you’re getting away with something … even more so considering the food is so delicious. They specialize in halal Pakistani cuisine, so it’s similar to some Indian food in terms of fragrance and spice, but with perhaps a little more emphasis on meats, including beef. The beautifully seasoned biryani – a rice-based dish with heat that’s present but not overwhelming – makes a good starting point, especially with the complimentary mint tea. 4621 N May (North OKC) MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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FIVE FOR THRIVING FUN IS WAITING IN THESE OKC-AREA PARTICIPATION SPORTS

It’s springtime in the 405 and there’s no better time of year to up your fitness game. If you’ve spent too much time on the treadmill – or the couch – this winter, it’s time to get up and get moving. Experts agree that one of the best things you can do for your body, and your brain, is to try something new.

From “7 Reasons to Switch Up Your Workout,” on onemedical.com: “Exercise is essential for keeping your brain sharp and helping to prevent memory loss. And learning new skills also helps keep your neurons firing better. So learning a new exercise activity is a double-whammy when it comes to brain health.”

In the spirit of learning something new, we’ve spoken with proponents of five doublewhammy-inducing fitness activities and sports you may not know are trending in the 405 – get out there and enjoy.

BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

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POLO

D PHOTOS: POLO BY MICHELLE LAVASQUE; AERIAL BY JAMIE RUSSELL

David Ragland, founder of the OKC Polo Club, began his sporting career on a lark some 35 years ago, on some polo fields built by the late Bob Moore Sr. off Highway 9 outside Norman.

“I’d never ridden a horse. A friend of mine invited me to play, and I went twice and fell in love,” he says. “I played in Norman for 18 or 20 years.” Then polo in Oklahoma fizzled, and Ragland was forced to travel to Palm Springs and Jackson Hole to play. “I still had a company to run, but I traveled on the weekends to play polo.”

Five years ago, Ragland, weary of travel, formed the OKC Polo Club.

“Traveling with 12-14 horses is a hassle, and I was just getting tired of doing it. I bought the property here, built barns and a polo field, and we began.” Just four years ago, Ragland was the only player in the club aside from his son, who doesn’t live in Oklahoma. Slowly, he built the club’s membership. An initial membership of six has grown to more than 20 today.

The OKC Polo Club is an active member of the United States Polo Association (USPA) and part of its Great Plains circuit – of which Ragland is currently serving as governor.

HOW TO PLAY IT A polo field is huge, 300 by 160 yards, because the horses can reach speeds of 35 mph. Nine football fields fit on one polo field. There are goals at each end, with goal posts set eight yards apart. Teams score by hitting the ball through the opposing team’s goal.

There are four players – numbered 1-4 – on each team, and two (mounted) referees are also on the field. Player 1 is offense, player 4 is mostly defense, and numbers 2 and 3 are mid-fielders, and do a little of each. Each player has a numerical handicap, and the individual handicaps make up the team’s handicap.

The game is played in 7.5-minute time periods called chukkers.

Games at the OKC Polo Club are four, five or six chukkers long. Players will change horses between (and sometimes during) chukkers.

HOW TO TRY IT The Oklahoma City Polo Club offers multi-week Polo School courses for beginners, as well as group and private lessons. Riders with no experience may be asked to start with lessons, not Polo School. Lessons are $100 per hour and include one lesson and one day of riding during the same week. Polo School, a 4- or 5-week course, costs $500 and includes two-hour lessons on Saturdays, plus a one-hour practice ride each following week. Students will learn riding skills, polo horsemanship, mallet swing technique, proper tack, rules of the game and team strategy.

Horse and tack are provided. Visit okcpoloclub.com to learn more.

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KITEBOARDING

D

Drive past Lake Hefner on a windy day, and you’ll see people speeding across the water’s surface and launching high into the air, attached to colorful balloon-like sails.

Are they daredevils? Certainly. Are they having the time of their lives? One hundred percent. The sport is called kiteboarding, and it’s only been around two decades.

One of the earliest adopters in the 405, self-described adrenaline fiend Daniel Nicholson, took to the new sport like a duck to water, largely because kiting enables the kiter to fly 20, 30, even 40 feet above the water and to do tricks. “I used to windsurf. I’d seen it back in 1996, and a guy I knew had a couple of them to sell, cheap,” says Nicholson. The first model of a commercial kiteboard was released in 1999, and Nicholson bought a 2000 model. “Those early ones were dangerous. Your ability to release the kite from your kite harness wasn’t easy.”

Nicholson recounts a tale of his near-drowning with the gallows humor of a seasoned extreme athlete, and encourages men and women interested in learning to kiteboard to spring for lessons. “The first three or four hours of lessons are worth every single dollar. You learn on safe equipment. I would have taken lessons if they had been available when I started. Kiting cannot be learned on YouTube.”

Once a person is competent with the equipment, Nicholson said, the real fun begins. “Out at Hefner, it’s mostly pleasure riders. It’s a sport that is as calm or as active as you want it to be. I ride all year, as long as the lake isn’t solid ice. It’s great to be able to go out and forget about anything else in life. It has an addictive component. The adrenaline, the freedom and the flying are amazing, and it’s an excellent workout.”

HOW TO TRY IT Nicholson recommends working with 405 Kite, and specifically owner David Van Nostrand, whose dedication to safety, knowledge, patience and athleticism are the best in the area. “He will also help you choose the right equipment that you know is safe. Never buy from Craigslist. You don’t know what you’re getting; could be old stuff, could be bad stuff,” Nicholson says. With a few hours of lessons under your belt, prepare to enjoy your new sport into your 70s! Visit 405kite.com to schedule your lesson.

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PICKLEBALL

I

It’s a tennis/ping pong/squash mashup with a fun name, and once you’ve played, odds are good you’ll want to do it again. Pickleball is a full-fledged sensation that’s been sweeping the nation since its invention by families summering on Bainbridge Island near Seattle in the summer of 1965, and it’s growing more popular all the time. In 2009, Don Stanek and Ron Barnes started the pickleball scene in OKC. Their small pickleball group grew to 30 people and officially became a club in 2011. “By 2017, we had 274 members; in 2018 we were up to 406, and in January of 2019, we were at 663. Today we are at 706 members,” says Brad Merritt, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Pickleball Club.

Pickleball courts have popped up in church gymnasiums, community centers, gyms and outdoor courts.

“We have 19 places to play pickleball in Norman, Edmond, at the First Baptist Church in Moore and all over Oklahoma City. Some people play every day,” Merritt says.

OKC’s Santa Fe Family Life Center, 6300 N Santa Fe, is a hub of pickleball activity most mornings, and ballers range in age from 40s on up. Many are former tennis players or other athletes who find the small size of the court to be a little easier on the knees and shoulders.

PHOTOS BY DON RISI

HOW TO PLAY IT More often than not, pickleball is played in doubles. The court is 20 feet by 44 feet, the same dimensions as a badminton court. There is a seven-foot no-volley zone on either side of the net, to prevent spiking the ball. The ball is served diagonally (starting with the righthand service-square), and points can only be scored by the side that serves.

The ball has to bounce once on each side before players can volley. Only the serving team can score; teams serve until they fault.

Play continues until one side wins by scoring 11 points.

HOW TO TRY IT The Greater Oklahoma City Pickleball Club offers beginner lessons at 9 a.m. every Wednesday at the Santa Fe Life Center. Guest day passes are $8; the club will loan you a paddle. A second regular beginner class is in the works for Saturday evenings, contact the club for details. Annual membership to the GOKCPBC is $40; fees for the 19 play locations vary. For details visit greaterokcpickleballclub.wildapricot.org/.

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T

CRICKET

HOW TO PLAY IT Cricket is a complex sport, with various match lengths.

Here is a simple overview: Two teams of 11 play on an ovalshaped grass field, with a flat strip called a pitch in the center. The pitch is 22 yards long, with a wicket at each end, each made of two posts with a crosspiece laid atop them.

A player from one team is the bowler, which is similar to a pitcher. The bowler throws the ball toward the other team’s wicket, which has a batsman standing in front of it. The batsman must defend the wicket by hitting the ball, after which s/he runs and “exchanges ends” (a.k.a. trades places) with another batsman, thus earning points.

The opposing team fields the ball and attempts to get the batsman out by throwing it and hitting their wicket.

HOW TO TRY IT The Strikers is a very open club, so if cricket tickles your fancy, head for a Strikers practice. You’ll find them each Thursday from 5:30-8 p.m. at Douglass Park, located at the corner of NE 4th and Eastern. Just show up! Or visit the Strikers’ web site, okcstrikers.com, and learn about other events.

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T

CURLING The Oklahoma Curling Club was founded in 2010, but the sport’s origins date back to 16th-century Scotland, where a similar game was played on frozen lochs and ponds. Captured in the paintings of Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder, the sport was first referred to in writing in 1540. By the 19th century, curling had spread to chilly countries around the globe. Olympic curling was first played in 1924. Nearly a century later, ex-Canadian and dedicated player Jonathan Havercroft joined forces with cousin-in-law Fred Mischler, and the Oklahoma Curling Club slid into being. Today, there are between 60 and 70 members playing in three leagues each year.

HOW TO PLAY IT Aside from some unfamiliar terms, it’s a straightforward game much like shuffleboard. The playing field, a rectangle 138 by 14 feet, is called a sheet (as in sheet of ice). There’s a bullseye shape 12 feet from each end.

The middle of the bullseye is called the button; the rings around it are called the rings; the ring-and-button area is called the house. So far so good?

Two four-player teams take turns throwing stones toward each other’s houses … which, fortunately, are not made of glass. Stones are literally that: 38- to 44-pound hunks of granite with handles on top. The last person to throw is called the skip. That person is also the team’s strategist, and will tell the others where to try to throw their stones.

To throw one, a player braces herself at the end of the sheet, resting her feet against a starting block-like piece of rubber called a hack. She pushes off, slides across the ice and releases the stone before she gets to a line called the hog line. From there, the stone careens toward its prey: other stones, the rings and the button.

This is where the sweepers come in. The skip stands back behind the house, giving direction. The thrower is sliding and throwing. The other two teammates are the sweepers. They use brooms to scrub the ice in front of the stone, which changes the surface of the sheet and can make a stone travel 8-12 feet farther. A team with a righteous sweeping game can also alter the stone’s course. The team with the most stones closest to the button after the last throw wins.

HOW TO TRY IT The Oklahoma Curling Club regularly hosts Learn to Curl (LTC) sessions. For $25, you get a two-hour curling lesson, including the basics of delivery, sweeping and scoring, and plenty of throwing and sweeping. Wear warm, stretchy clothing and rubber-soled tennis shoes. Find the LTC schedule and more information at okcurling.com.

PHOTOS: CRICKET BY RACHEL MAUCIERI; CURLING BY DON RISI

The English game we know as cricket today probably began in the 13th century as a game called club ball. Its first official rules were codified in the 16th century, and the game spread beyond its mother country into India and beyond in the early 1700s. The game made it to the States in the 18th century, and to Oklahoma even later. It’s a bat-and-ball game, with teams attacking and defending each other’s wickets, giving it similarities to baseball and soccer.

Mahesh Krishnan, president of the OKC Strikers Cricket Team, has been devoted to the game since boyhood. “In India, sports are not as big, or a direction to go into, except for cricket. It’s the number one or two entertainment there, and every Indian person grows up loving cricket.” The game is immensely popular in all British Commonwealth nations.

The cricketer most beloved? Krishnan doesn’t hesitate.

“Sachin Tendulkar,” he says. “He is the Michael Jordan of India.” A child prodigy, Tendulkar holds the record as the highest run scorer in the world, and began his career in international play at 16.

Members of the OKC Strikers hail from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and the U.S. Krishnan has played his whole life. After attending Wichita State University, his career in IT took him to Cleveland, Los Angeles and, finally, Oklahoma City. He took cricket with him to each new city, and would like to see it become a mainstay in Oklahoma. There are now more than 25 members of the Strikers, which now fields two teams. They hold demonstrations on a regular basis and welcome new players, or those who want to learn the sport.

“To be a good batsman, you need good hand-eye coordination, powerful arms and stamina. In outdoor play, the field is 50 by 44 yards,” he says.

405 Magazine Readers’ Choice Eyewear Source

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405 MAGAZINE MAY 2019

Wellness and Prevention Noel Williams, M.D., and Benjamin J. Barenberg, M.D., are the two physicians at Optimal Health Associates. The most important thing to know about their practice is that visiting Optimal Health is not a typical clinical experience. The clinical team has over 30 years of experience in complex GYN as well as annuals, surgeries and hormone replacement. In addition, they are highly focused on wellness and prevention. Their goal is to get in front of disease events and prevent them from ever occurring, or to address the root causes in order to treat the already occurring symptoms.

“So much of medicine is reactive,” Dr. Williams explains.

“Wellness is about being proactive; trying to stop people from getting sick and feel their best. Our goal is to get them on the right path, so they don’t have health problems, and will feel well.”

He describes it as a process that works for both men and women because it’s tailored to the individual. It starts with discussions of their personal health concerns, the specific way in which they don’t feel well, what part of their physicality isn’t where they want it to be and what different etiologies could be at play. A person’s family history, genetics, lifestyle and environmental exposures all need accounting in this process.

For wellness, “We give guidance on what you need to do, things that are more based on keeping you healthy versus treating you once you’re sick,” says Dr. Williams. “It trends towards behavioral, nutritional and hormonal interventions, as opposed to medicinal.”

Through their years of experience, Optimal Health’s staff gives patients the benefits of medical expertise while working to improve their overall well-being, which results in improvements

because they see the difference the first person has gotten and then everybody else wants to get there, too,” says Dr. Williams.

Results are generally noticeable between 3 and 12 months, sometimes faster, he said, and most people can follow the procedures laid out fairly easily. Most importantly, if you feel bad,

such as higher energy levels, weight loss, better clarity of thought, improved sleep … and more enjoyment of life.

“As quality of life gets better, people are happier – that’s one of the reasons why in our practice, once we see one member in the family, we tend to get the rest of the family eventually,

“You’re not imagining it; there’s something wrong. If you’re tired, you’re feeling worn out, or you’re sad, there’s a reason. And we can develop a plan to help.”

Greater wellness starts with a phone call or visit; get in touch with Optimal Health and begin the journey toward feeling better.

Noel R. Williams, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

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home

PHOTO BY DON RISI

A Warm Welcome Guests love to gather around the custom Danby marble-topped island in the Burrages’ kitchen; besides being comfortable, it’s emblematic of the way a recent renovation incorporated modern touches into the 70-year-old Nichols Hills home’s original architecture, unifying old and new with timeless taste.

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home HABITAT

THE BURRAGES’ SWEET HOME Timeless taste in Nichols Hills

BY LILLIE-BETH SANGER BRINKMAN | PHOTOS BY DON RISI

A L ET H A A N D MICH A EL BU R R AGE are high school sweet-

hearts who married as teenagers 51 years ago, had successful professional careers in southeast Oklahoma and are now enjoying the view from their freshly renovated home in Nichols Hills.

Michael Burrage, a former federal judge, is the founding and managing partner of Oklahoma City law firm Whitten Burrage; Aletha Burrage is a retired educator.

Designer Jennifer Welch featured the Burrage home on the second season premiere of the revamped Bravo show “Sweet Home” (formerly “Sweet Home Oklahoma”). On it, Welch talked about the work transforming the nearly 70-year-old home into a modern-yet-traditional oasis. Gone are the frills and jewel tones from a 1980s remodel.

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The cozy living room right off the home’s foyer features a striped cowhide rug by Austin designer Kyle Bunting and decorative touches centered around the Danby marble fireplace.

The house “has to feel warm and comfortable,” Welch says on “Sweet Home”; the judge’s “aesthetic is just very timeless and elegant.”

A tour of the home with the Burrages reflects these very qualities – they are as gracious and welcoming as the decor, which radiates the warmth and comfort of the hosts. Gray, tan and metallic shades provide a backdrop for the luxurious furnishings throughout.

Originally built in 1951, the stone home sits on a three-acre lot that includes a turret in front and a pond and a pool in back. The grounds first attracted the Burrages to the property; they bought the home in 2017, cleaned up the pond areas and renovated the upstairs before they moved in. The upstairs office had once been a servants’ quarters, but the Burrages turned that area back into a living space, complete with a kitchen, which their sons and families can enjoy when they visit from Durant. The Burrages lived and cooked in that space while the downstairs went through more extensive remodeling, with construction done by Jim Stevenson.

Originally a “Florida room,” the sunroom facing the back patio has a nice, cheery view of the pool and pond, and contributes to the now-open floor plan downstairs. It features the same charcoal grays and rich textures found throughout the house, along with the white oak flooring that covers the downstairs. The arched windows were original to the 1951 home.

What once was the formal dining room is now a signature kitchen with a large island topped with Danby marble – perfect for family gatherings. The home’s original kitchen in back is now the master closet. Welch moved the master bedroom downstairs; aside from the closet-kitchen, the rest of that space used to be an office. She also removed walls between living areas to open up the space. The Burrages kept the intricately detailed, swan-shaped brass faucets in the downstairs guest bathroom and the arched windows overlooking the pool and the pond, but they and Welch scrutinized every other part of the house from the art and furnishings to the original built-in china cabinets, which they moved from a hallway to a foyer.

Upstairs, the living quarters connect to a large family room with a leather sectional large enough to hold family gatherings. On the coffee table is a wooden bowl with turquoise inlays crafted by the late Derald “Van” Beauford from Seminole. That room opens up to a deck covered in limestone tile, and features comfortable seating and a dining area overlooking the backyard pond and fountains.

The Burrages also painted, changed out flooring and updated the bathrooms on the second floor, removing dated fixtures such as a pink tub and floral drapes matching the wallpaper.

The Burrages’ art throughout the home is inspired by their interests, heritages and aesthetic likes. All of the colorful Native art is by Jamie Semple Umsted of Durant, who – like Michael – is of Choctaw heritage. Several bronze sea life sculptures placed throughout the home include sea turtles by artists D. Scott and J. Townsend, and dolphins by L. Ward and Townsend.

“If he likes it, we get it, and he’s got great taste,” Aletha Burrage says.

Michael Burrage has spent his career as an attorney. Initially in private practice in Antlers, he was appointed by President Clinton in 1991 as the first Native American federal judge. He served as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern, Northern and Western districts of Oklahoma from 1996 to 2001, and has been with Whitten Burrage since 2007. Aletha Burrage retired in 2013 as the principal of Antlers Elementary School after 38 years in education. They have two sons and daughters-in-law who live in Durant – Sean is president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and David has a private law practice. They also have three grandsons and a granddaughter, ranging in age from 9 to 22.

After 51 years of marriage, the Burrages are enjoying every bit of

A six-tier shale chandelier and new wrought iron work on the original stairs make the Burrage home’s foyer a grand entrance. The carpet on the stairs is silk and wool, and the built-in wood cabinet that was original to the house was meticulously moved from a hallway around the corner.

The new bar between the sunroom and the downstairs living room shows what happens when you remove walls and open up living space. The striking space with a built-in wine cabinet sits between the downstairs living room and the sunroom.

their house – along with their dogs, a Shih-Tzu named Bentley and a Yorkie named Cocoa – and find themselves enjoying time together in each area, upstairs and downstairs, inside and outdoors.

“We are very appreciative of what we have now,” Aletha Burrage says.

MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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home DÉCOR

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Henry Home Interiors, 3720 W Robinson, Norman, henryinteriors.com Designer Rugs, 7118 N Western, OKC, designerrugsokc.com Mister Robert Fine Furniture, 109 E Main, Norman, misterrobert.com

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travel Wilderness Awaits

PHOTO BY MATT PAYNE

Rugged mountains, tranquil lakes, glaciers glittering in the distance and wildlife such as moose and bighorn sheep passing right up close … the scenery is unbelievable in Canada’s Jasper and Banff National Parks, and they’re immense enough to allow for luxurious amenities and a breathtaking feeling of discovery.

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travel

INTERNATIONAL

THE BIG BANFF THEORY Canadian mountains + luxury lodging = outstanding getaway

BY MAT T PAYNE

Situated in Alberta on the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies, the stunning peaks contained within Banff and Jasper National Parks are the kinds of mountains that rise with an authoritative grandeur so beautiful that not only do they seem to stop time in our human perception, but are the truest testament to the passage of time itself.

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travel

INTERNATIONAL

On a geological and ecological scale of grandeur from one to Homeric, Alberta is akin to The Odyssey – the kind of vertical terrain that might make a George R.R. Martin or even Tolkien pause and think, “I wish I’d imagined that.”

The beauty at the macro level is just the beginning. From ice hiking through deep canyons ensconced in epic ice formations to snowshoeing through dense forest; from ice fishing to watching the entire universe give way to a monumental sunrise, there are countless ways to experience and absorb the winter beauty that is Alberta as you push in deeper and explore.

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Sticks for the honored game of STICKBALL are made from hickory, pecan or ash wood and woven with deerskin.

TIMELESS SUMMER

TOOMPALLI '–CHICKASAW FOR SUMMER Memories of summer adventure last a lifetime. Escape the ordinary to find a myriad of cultural activities waiting to enrich your summer getaway. Now is the time to tour sun-ripened gardens, share in stickball in our Traditional Village and enjoy dining outdoors. Join us as the season brings a renewed vigor for exploration.

Wander through the SPIRAL GARDEN where our fresh produce grows.

Enjoy outdoor dining and traditional Chickasaw cuisine at AAIMPA' CAFÉ.

C hic k a s a w C ul t ur a lC e n t e r.c om S ulp hur, OK • 580-62 2-7130 MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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travel 03-11-19

INTERNATIONAL

Roswell, NM 405 Magazine

Campaign :: Tourism Type :: Quarter Page, full Color Print Ad

Discover the most diverse collections of American West and Contemporary Art in the universe at the Roswell Museum & Art Center, Anderson Museum & Art Center, and beyond!

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No matter where you are in the province, there is a Fairmont property to start your vacation. For those looking for solitude and small-town charm, the cabins at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge are the perfect interweaving of luxurious and laid-back.

So removed is Jasper that it is the world’s second largest dark sky preserve, offering glimpses into the universe that rival the beauty of the surrounding earthly terrain. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, with its horse-drawn carriage rides and ice skating rink surrounded by ice sculptures, is perfect for a romantic getaway; and for those who want the energy and restaurant variety of a Vegas hotel (the chef opened Wynn) within a 10-minute car ride of perhaps Alberta’s most beautiful peaks, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel will make your heart palpitate. Need more convincing that a Canadian Rockies getaway needs to be in the cards? Take a gander at this photo essay and see for yourself.

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Ozarks National by Coore & Crenshaw

Plan an unbelievable stay and play getaway to America’s Next Great Golf Destination. Big Cedar Lodge is currently home to four distinctively unique courses designed by some of the most legendary names in golf: Nicklaus, Fazio, Player and opening this spring, Ozarks National by Coore & Crenshaw. The stay and play experience is continuing to grow with the opening of the spectacular Payne’s Valley course designed by Tiger Woods.

Big Cedar offers numerous golf packages, combining inviting accommodations, world-class activities and legendary golf. Call or visit the website to plan your getaway today!

855.494.1077 GOLFBIGCEDAR.COM MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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Meet Me The Black Scintilla is a lifestyle boutique that not only carries sizes xs to 5x, but also offers personal one on one styling sessions.

We specialize in making every woman feel beautiful inside and out and also offer complimentary hemming alterations, gift wrapping, affordable prices, and we are dog friendly. And with our carefully selected variety of giftable items, you're sure to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list.

Photo by Charlie Neuenschwander www.charlieneuenschwander.com

The Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City just celebrated its 5th birthday, and is home to 54 luxurious guest rooms that have served over 75,000 restful nights and counting. The boutique hotel features Café Cuvée, a neighborhood French café, and O Bar, OKC’s Best Rooftop Bar – favorites of locals and guests alike!

1112 N Walker Ave #104 405. 824.7599 blackscintilla.com BlackScintilla @blackscintilla

TRADE Men’s Wares was founded on the idea of bringing a store to OKC that specialized in products blending style with rugged masculinity. We’re a quality retailer for apparel, grooming, gifts, and accessories.

1200 N. Walker Avenue | 405.600.6200 | AmbassadorOKC.com | @ AmbassadorOKC

Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday 11am-11pm Saturday Brunch 10:30am-2:30pm, Dinner 5pm-11pm Sunday Brunch 10:30am-2:30pm, Dinner 5pm-9pm Monday Closed

stellaokc.com | 405.235.2200 | 1201 N Walker Ave

1112 N Walker Ave #102 405.595.5018 trademenswares.com

in Midtown Julia McLish, owner

Barkeep in Midtown is a supply shop and full bar that offers a wide range of cocktail ingredients, tools, and drinkware. We also have a variety of learning and interactive experiences such as cocktail classes, tastings, bar takeovers and more. Come #drinkandshop!

1121 N Walker Ave | 405.613.5672 barkeepokc.com

Meet Daniel and Samantha Mcloud, owners of Chirps and Cheers.

Daniel and Sam have 3 kiddos, 3 businesses and they LOVE Midtown. Daniel can be found running the day to day operations and Sam gets to order all the fun stuff that makes Chirps and Cheers one of the happiest places in Midtown. Whether you’re looking for the perfect birthday card or show stopping custom wedding invitation, Chirps and Cheers has you covered.

1112 N Walker Ave #101 | 405.509.6336 | chirpsandcheers.com Women’s Contemporary Apparel & Accessories

New summer arrivals for graduations, showers, and summer vacations Personal styling available - Sundays by appointment only

nhuavenue.com |

1111 N Walker Ave | 405.778.8387 Nhu Avenue | @nhuavenue |

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Midtown offers: 28 restaurants • 6 spots for a cup of Joe • 1 dog park • 4 streetcar stops 2 locations to grab a Spokies bike • 13 local retail shops • 2 places to lay your head

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We do brunch every weekend on Saturdays from 11-2 and Sundays 10:30-3 along with our full menu.

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dining

Some Assembly Suggested

PHOTO BY RACHEL MAUCIERI

You certainly can visit Social Deck + Dining on NE 23rd by yourself, but it couldn’t hurt to round up some company – the relaxed atmosphere is tailor-made for enjoying a meal with a group of friends, and as you can see, the menu is way too full of treats to tackle alone.

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dining

LOCAL FLAVOR

IN TUNE It doesn’t affect the food, but music is a component of overall ambience, so I want to share a note of praise for Social’s soundtrack. When separate trips include Etta James’ “A Sunday Kind of Love” and Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine,” my dining experience gets even better.

Stacking the Deck Cuisine and community at Social

BY STEVE GILL PHOTOS BY R ACHEL MAUCIERI

TO GET A N IDE A of what to expect from a new restaurant,

start by looking at the name. That might sound elementary, but consider how different your expectations are likely to be between places called Mother Earth’s and Meat Palace. Buonasera’s might not automatically do a better lasagna than Ray’s

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Café, but the odds are good. I frequently drove past (and never stopped at) a place on I-40 near Henryetta called the Pig Out Palace, which later became Chair Crushers, and is now closed completely.

Go figure. By choosing a particular name, the owners are likely trying to tell you something, and in the case of Uptown 23rd’s new addition Social Deck + Dining, the message is clear.

There are actually two decks, north and south, each with a handful of tables near shade, and close enough for conversation.

The interior preserves the salutatory effects of plenty of natural light on blonde wood that made the place so welcoming when it housed Chae. There are some four-tops, but with much of the central space given over to long tables and longer bar seating, the design emphasis seems to be unobtrusively encouraging a more communal atmosphere for dining. You might call it a more … Social approach.

As for the “Dining” aspect? “Simple done well, that’s our philosophy,” says Jordan Winteroth, co-owner with his wife Jamie. They cite the Pacific Northwest as a prime culinary influence, and while I don’t know enough about that region to speak to its presence on the menu, I think you’ll like what you find here.

The Shrimp Louie is a salad in everyCorned beef hash thing but name; the poached shrimp are enormous (truly among the most delicious of oxymorons), and the dressing has a subtle, increasingly enjoyable spice. The Cheshire pork rack is a serving more than large enough to be intimidating, and comes with a bean-and-ham cassoulet that will evoke your fondest memories of home cooking; it’s excellent.

For dessert, the crumble is listed on the menu as seasonal – I can tell you that ours had apples and blackberries under a granola streusel topping, and if its heat ensures the crowning touch of vanilla bean ice cream doesn’t last very long (as Frost so evocatively put it, “nothing gold can stay”), it at least results in a thoroughly delicious melty mess.

Plus, Social serves up a beautiful brunch every day. Start with the big, SOCIAL DECK + DINING sturdy biscuits, which are presented with a trio of honey butter, finely whipped peanut butter and jelly so wonderfully

1933 NW 23rd, OKC besocialokc.com

(clockwise from this photo) Ample bar seating, Cheshire pork rack with cowboy cassoulet, buttermilk biscuits and crumble a la mode

sweet and rich it might have been a Luxardo cherry jam … which just became one of my favorite phrases. And the corned beef hash, made with both Yukon Gold and sweet potatoes, might be the best thing on the menu – and I’m not just saying that because I love corned beef and these thick, tender slices are sublime. It certainly does an outstanding job at following the restaurant’s philosophy of letting quality ingredients speak for themselves.

It’s also – because the components are cut into such comparatively large pieces – more variable than other takes on the dish; any individual bite will have a slightly different flavor profile depending on the amount your fork ensnares of house-cured beef, potato, crispy fried onion, mustard seed, egg yolk, etc.

And there’s so much more that I want to try: baked eggs with lamb meatballs, seared scallops over Della Terra pappardelle, crispy Brussels sprouts with lardons … the menu is plenty tempting enough to warrant multiple return trips.

Think of it this way: If you were to make a list of the best things in life, it probably wouldn’t be long before you cited good food, warm sunshine and the company of friends. A place like Social, dedicated to providing ample servings of all three, should be well worth your while to visit.

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CHEF’S TABLE

Life à la Buthion A luscious legacy of French cuisine A F T ER F I N ISHI NG HIS commitment to the Armée de Terre

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For Chef Buthion’s Goat Cheese Cake with Prosciutto recipe, go to 405magazine.com/Eat-Drink

soufflé, quenelle au gratin and meats from the butchery. Many of those dishes are on the menu at La Baguette in one form or another, and fish is still Buthion’s favorite ingredient.

“Fish is a challenge,” he says. “It has no mercy; it is sensitive. And I love it with sauce; the sauce is important.”

Given that La Baguette has an excellent burger on the menu, it’s surprising that Buthion doesn’t like hamburgers – really doesn’t like them. “I’m scared of hamburgers,” he says. “I’ve only eaten two hamburgers at La Baguette since we started offering them, and they are very good; all tenderloin trimmings with no fat added. But I don’t eat hamburgers, and I don’t really like ground meat.”

While answering questions for this piece, Buthion said he realized he’s been cooking for 42 years, and 30-plus of those have been in OKC. He’s also trained dozens of chefs in the La Baguette kitchen. Still, he said he’s still learning and still loving cooking. Away from the kitchen, he gardens and spends free time – what little he has with the expanded store and consulting business – with his family.

For his recipe, Buthion said he chose the Goat Cheese Cake with Prosciutto and Local Honey because it’s a light, flavorful dish for summer, and home cooks can easily substitute ingredients. Experiment and enjoy. - GREG HORTON

PHOTOS BY RACHEL MAUCIERI

(French Army), Alain Buthion came to Oklahoma three times to visit his brother. Michel Buthion had met some OU students who were in France as part of an exchange program at the university in Grenoble, came to Oklahoma to visit them during a cross-country trip … and never left. The third time Alain visited, he stayed, too.

As the chef-partner of La Baguette Bistro, Alain Buthion has been one of the primary drivers of French cuisine in central Oklahoma, both at the restaurant and in the small store adjacent, where customers purchase pastries, packaged foods and cheese, for decades. He has also started his own consulting business, Sunset Cuisine, to help people organize their home kitchens.

The Grenoble native is the youngest son of a butcher and the grandson of restaurateurs. “I guess it’s in my blood,” Buthion says. “But I didn’t like the killing part; it was rough, so I apprenticed at a friend’s restaurant when I was a teenager. Even now, Alain Buthion when I have a large piece of beef in the restaurant that needs to be portioned, it reminds me of my father. He was a good cook, too, and the Beef Bourguignon recipe we use at the restaurant is the one he cooked when I was growing up.”

At 14, Buthion attended Le Clos d’Or, a prestigious hotel/ restaurant school in Grenoble that was the largest school of its kind in Europe at the time. Afterward, he worked at the restaurant of family friend Christian Blusset, to whom Buthion still refers as a mentor. “I still talk to him regularly about cooking,” he says. “He quit the restaurant business, but he has opened a little deli in the south of France similar to the one we have at La Baguette now.”

In addition to the Beef Bourguignon, Buthion’s family mostly ate regional French cuisine, including local fish, chicken liver

T R E AT THE

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food drink Symbols

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

American AURORA Its warmly comfortable atmosphere makes a perfect backdrop for a quick cup of Hoboken coffee or hearty breakfast or lunch assembled from superb ingredients – just be certain not to miss the beautiful secluded backyard area. 1704 NW 16th, OKC, 609.8854 $ BLACK WALNUT Casual atmosphere meets cuisine that takes inspiration from the rich history of the restaurant’s Deep Deuce roots and cocktail temptations from around the world for a great place to relax. 101 NE 4th, OKC, 684.0851 $$ THE DRUM ROOM March your own drumsticks in for a heap of crispy, juicy fried chicken (among the city’s best) starring alongside fried okra, waffles and a fully loaded bar. 4300 N Western, OKC, 604.0990 $$ EDDIE’S BAR & GRILL This stylish spot not far from UCO is equally ideal for a casual drink, appetizers while watching the game or a dinner date.

And bear in mind that the wings are outstanding. 930 E 2, Edmond, 285.7725 $$ THE JONES ASSEMBLY It’s noteworthy as a spectacular concert venue, but don’t overlook the kitchen’s output the rest of the time. The bar (try a Frosé) and main menu (try everything) are sufficient to make memories even on non-special occasions. 901 W Sheridan, OKC, 212.2378 $$ MARY EDDY’S Inside the inviting environs of Film Row anchor 21c Museum Hotel, this showplace of a restaurant turns out a seasonally driven menu of expertly tuned flavors and dishes meant to be shared. 900 W Main, OKC, 982.6900 $$ NASHBIRD Make tracks to this 9th Street spot serving Nashville-style “Hot Dang!” chicken, with whatever spice level you like. Speedy service, whiskey cocktails and beer and a spectacular patio add extra savor. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 388.0033 $

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NED’S STARLITE LOUNGE A successful family catering business grew into a lavishly retro-decorated restaurant and bar dishing up delectable burgers, chicken-fried steaks and more.

7301 N May, OKC, 242.6100 $$ NEIGHBORHOOD JAM Serving tasty takes on classic American dishes and more specialized options such as pineapple bourbon pancakes, this breakfast-centric spot aims to become a community favorite through outstanding execution. 15124 Lleytons Court, Edmond, 242.4161 $ PICASSO CAFÉ Their neighbors in the Paseo are painters, potters and sculptors, so it’s apt that creativity abounds in these zippy sandwiches, salads, pizza and surprises, including plentiful selections for vegetarians.

3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $ THE PRESS Built in a former printing facility and garage, this concept from The Mule’s team adds Oklahomainspired comfort food to the Plaza District – the chicken-fried steak comes recommended. 1610 N Gatewood, OKC, 982.1010 $$ SOCIAL Steak frites to teriyaki salmon to corned beef hash, the menu at this gathering spot is packed with American classics – and brunch is served every day of the week. 1933 NW 23rd, OKC, 602.8705 $$ UNION WOOD FIRED GRILL Ribeyes to cedar plank sea bass to vermicelli bowls, chef Jonas Favela brings disparate influences together for a more perfect whole in this casual, but memorable, dining environment. 2920 NW 63rd, OKC, 608.8866 $$ VAST Keeping your attention on the steaks, seafood and other temptations might be difficult; the view from atop the Devon Tower is truly unparalleled in Oklahoma, making this a fantastic date spot. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$$

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 with visually splendid and palate-pleasing treats. 311 S Blackwelder, Edmond, 340.8956 $$ GOGI GO Fast-casual Korean barbecue comes to Midtown thanks to chef Kevin Lee’s dream of making the traditional cuisine approachable for OKC diners. Pick your protein, grab it as it comes off the grill and get ready to come back again and again. 1325 N Walker, OKC, 778.8524 $ GORO An “izakaya” is a Japanese pub; visitors to the Plaza District will quickly

come to associate the term with expertly crafted deliciousness thanks to this cheerful spot for ramen, yakitori, bar snacks and more. 1634 Blackwelder, OKC, 606.2539 $ O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in cool, vibrant digs. Call ahead for dinner, because it becomes a packed house in a hurry. 105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$ SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style with substance (in the form of an especially wideranging and creative sushi menu). 4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 $$

WAGYU BBQ Extremely high-quality meats, including the namesake top-shelf beef, brought to you so you can cook them yourself on the grill set into the table. As a group experience, it’s a meal like no other in OKC. 3000 W Memorial, OKC, 285.9796 $$$ YUZO Variety is the word in this sushi tapas bar, boasting a tempting swirl of Colombian, Brazilian and Japanese culinary influences. 808 N Broadway, OKC, 702.9808 $$

Bar & Pub Food BANQUET CINEMA PUB An elevated take on familiar pub standards – wings, pizza, plenty of beer choices – in a retrostylish venue that hosts a pair of movie screens for dinner and a show. 810 NW 4th, OKC $ SEAN CUMMINGS IRISH RESTAURANT The namesake chef brings the food, drinks, music and atmosphere of an Emerald Isle public house back to the metro – go raise a glass. 7628 N May, OKC $$ WHISKEY BISCUIT Serving “Southern cuisine with a modern twist” – think oyster sliders, biscuits and gravy with fried crawfish, steak po’ boys and brunch all day – it’s a Deep Deuce hangout with a cozy vibe. 322 NE 2nd, OKC, 673.7944 $ THE WINSTON A menu packed with intriguing possibilities among “elevated pub food” balances out an impressive selection of beer, wine and whiskies.

Cheers. 106 W Main, Norman, 561.7616 $$

Barbeque THE BUTCHER BBQ STAND It’s open three days a week and is a good distance from the heart of the metro – but it doesn’t matter, because this is absolutely some of the best barbeque you’ll find anywhere. Go early and prepare to be dazzled. 3402 W Hwy 66, Wellston, 240.3437 $$

DECKLE SMOKEHOUSE BBQ Offering true Texas-style pit barbeque (nothing but oak for their smoke), its brisket, ribs and house-made German sausage are set off by imaginative sides.

324 W Edmond, Edmond, 657.2992 $ EARL’S RIB PALACE A popular choice among locals in a genre that’s hardly lacking in options, the local chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $ LEO’S BAR-B-Q Dense, rich flavor and tender texture, delivered in genuine unpolished style for commendable value – no wonder its ribs and brisket are favorites among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367 $ SWADLEY’S Expertly prepared meats – the honey-rubbed ribs are especially succulent – star at this Oklahoma family-owned favorite. And if a special occasion is approaching, they’re also award-winning caterers. 6 metro locations, swadleys.com $$ TEXLAHOMA BBQ Family owned and fabulously flavorful, its meats (especially the beef ribs) are eye-rolling good. Don’t forget the espresso barbeque sauce! 121 E Waterloo, Edmond, 513.7631 $$

Burgers & Sandwiches THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER It can get noisy in the sports-bar atmosphere, but even so your focus will likely be on savoring the many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 8 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com $ THE MULE Solid beer and beverage selection plus a delectable array of gourmet grilled cheeses and melts fill the menu at this relaxation destination in the Plaza District. 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $ NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s crowded … and it’s incredible. It’s only open for lunch and the lines are often long, but the colossal burgers are easily among the metro’s best. Don’t forget some money, since it’s cash-only. 1202 N Penn, OKC, 524.0999 $ S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these burgers’ exquisite flavors including such ingredients as peanut butter or a coffee crust - come as sliders too, all the better to sample more kinds.

5 metro locations, sandbburgers.com $ TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS With one burger, one side (fries) and one salad, the menu is easy to remember - and the execution makes the meal unforgettable.

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GOOD TASTE

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 won’t tempt palates.

575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$ EN CROUTE A warmly welcoming, comfortable café in Nichols Plaza offers treats all day long, from fresh pastries to select spirits and beer, with special emphasis on artisanal cheese and charcuterie. 6460 Avondale, OKC, 607.6100 $ LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally sourced ingredients - but every dish is the result of genuine culinary artistry. 320 NW 10th, OKC, 778.6800 $$$

Jumbo shrimp and grits

The Taste of Victory Off the Hook’s winning ways YO U M IG HT B E a pretty good cook … but when’s the last time you won $10k in the kitchen? The Harris family of OKC brought home the cash this March by winning an episode of The Food Network’s “Family Food Showdown.” Their good news is also great for metro diners, because we can give their cooking a try anytime: They’re the proprietors of Off the Hook Seafood & More.

While the spotlight is nice, the food was and is worth a trip anyway – especially if you’re a fan of soft-shell crab po’ boys, or a huge, steaming mound of cheese grits smothered in lobster cream sauce and topped with grilled shrimp. I agree with Loneisha Harris that an especially excellent pick is the Blackened Chicken Fries, a dish her son Daymon created “so the menu wouldn’t be all seafood.” Chicken, cheese, bacon Blackened chicken fries and onions piled on a heap of fries and smothered in spicy ranch and sriracha, it’s the kind of dish that will tempt you to take another bite or two regardless of whether you’re already full.

Over the last five years, the Harris family has gone from just starting out in a food truck to serving up their seafood-centric treats in two brick-and-mortar locations, so hustle has not been in short supply, and their skills in the kitchen speak for themselves.

If you haven’t visited them at 125 W Britton or 1920 S Meridian, stop by to congratulate them and try some spicy goodness – but don’t be surprised if you get hooked. - STEVE GILL

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THE MANTEL Marvelous steaks, seafood and other specialties combine with a refined atmosphere and outstanding service to set the stage for a truly memorable meal, especially if you have a date to impress. 201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$ THE METRO A perennial favorite that feels comfortably upscale without exerting pressure to impress on its clientele, the far-reaching menu covers culinary high points from vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$ THE PRITCHARD WINE BAR Tempted by tempranillo? Musing about muscat? This Plaza District stop is amply stocked with an extensive list of exceptional wines, and sampling the varied dishes is a pleasure in itself. 1749 NW 16th, OKC, 601.4067 $ SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; magnificent culinary rewards.

The expertly considered menu mixes French and Italian flavors to present a wide spectrum of amazing flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$

French CAFÉ CUVEE Located in Midtown’s magnificent Ambassador Hotel, this paean to the flavors of la belle France is the result of a collaboration between star chefs and elite ingredients. 1200 N Walker, OKC, 898.8120 $$ LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Les Freres Buthion have deep roots in the city’s culinary landscape, and this flagship combines fine dining with a great bakery, deli and butcher on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$ FAIT MAISON Foie gras to Brandy Alexander, this classical French restaurant delivers exceptional cuisine made with exacting care – the name translates to homemade – for exquisite, if pricy, event dining. 152 E 5th, Edmond, 509.2555 $$$

German DAS BOOT CAMP Longtime fixture for Deutsch festivities Royal Bavaria has brewed up a second round of exceptional cuisine and magnificent beer in a less expensive, faster-paced location in downtown Norman. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $ FASSLER HALL Bringing German flavor to Midtown via house-made sausages, warm soft pretzels with cheese sauce, duck fries and a heftig beer menu, plus a weekend brunch – what’s not to love? 421 NW 10th, OKC, 609.3300 $ ROYAL BAVARIA Superb takes on traditional dishes like Weinerschnitzel, Jagerbraten and sausages, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. The time spent is a worthy investment in this familystyle dining hall. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

Indian GOPURAM - TASTE OF INDIA A fullservice 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 tandoori-cooked delicacies and boasting healthy, natural, delicious cuisine served amid splendid ambiance.

580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$ TAJ A tremendous set of Indian staples and delicacies - the menu has sections for vegetarian, tandoori, South Indian and Indo-Chinese specialties - plus full lunch and dinner buffets. 1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$

Italian & Pizza BIRRA BIRRA Sit down by the water in Chisholm Creek for some fresh, hot pizza from a wood-fired brick oven and some ice-cold (genuinely, thanks to the frosted rail bar) craft beer. 1316 W Memorial, OKC $$ EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style (that means thin, flexible crust with a lot of surface area to cover in cheese and tasty toppings), it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC $ FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA Managing to feel rustic despite its location in a busy corridor of OKC, this cozy Italian joint keeps extended hours, and tends to get busier and louder as the hour gets later.

5801 N Western, OKC, 843.1527 $$ THE HEAT There’s really no need to be humble about this true Chicago-style pizza, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. It’s one of our favorites; choose your toppings and think deep thoughts. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $ MONI’S Handmade, New Jersey-style brick oven pizza and authentic pasta

PHOTOS BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

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New Spring Menu The best Italian is modern & traditional VOTED BEST ITALIAN BY 405 READERS

Chef Melissa Aust, General Manager Todd Davis and Lori Burson, owner Tuesday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday 11am-11pm Saturday Brunch 10:30am-2:30pm, Dinner 5pm-11pm Sunday Brunch 10:30am-2:30pm, Dinner 5pm-9pm Monday Closed

stellaokc.com | 405.235.2200 | 1201 N Walker Ave

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AT THE BAR

OSTERIA Casual, welcoming and unforgettable, thanks to a knockout menu of Italian inspiration and expert interpretations from star chefs Fabio Viviani and Jonathon Stranger. 6430 Avondale, OKC, 254.5058 $$$ PATRONO The space is small and casually intimate – reservations are a good idea – and the f lavors huge, carefully considered and thoroughly authentic. It’s Italian cuisine, elevated.

305 N Walker, OKC, 702.7660 $$ PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (which harnesses an extremely hot fire to quickly cook superfine f lour crusts and quality ingredients) stars alongside Italy-inspired salads, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker, OKC, 437.4992 $$ STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of legitimately Italian tastes for a casual lunch, or romantic dinner, amid stylish scenery. The weekend brunch offerings are especially superb. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$

A tequila tasting at Iguana

Saludos, Mexico Talking tequila at Iguana IT ’S O F TE N R E LEGATE D to a grimace-inducing shot or covered up with margarita mix; as Cinco de Mayo approaches, it seems apropos to reflect that, when made with fine agave and distilled with expertise and care, a good tequila can be an exquisite pleasure to sip and savor. For some pro guidance, we went to 9 NW 9th in OKC to chat with Shane Melton, bar manager of Iguana Mexican Grill.

Their bench is deep when it comes to tequila, but when asked for a tasting, Melton set us up with three varieties of Tequila Ocho, a brand high on his list because of its attention to detail when it comes to quality. They only use agave grown in their own fields, and each bottle’s label specifies the field and vintage. Variations add up – higher elevation tequilas are sweeter, lower are grassy and peppery, and the age differences matter too: Plata or blanco is aged less than two months, resulting in a sharper, stronger taste; reposado is aged at least two months (Tequila Ocho’s is two months and eight days); añejo is aged at least a year. My advice is to ask Melton for the extra añejo, aged three years and an extra eight days for a truly impressive mellow flavor. You shouldn’t even need the salt and citrus wedge.

Take a small sip, let it sit under your tongue for a moment and breathe through your nose to let the alcohol vapors dissipate.

Then swallow – and enjoy a true taste of Mexico. - STEVE GILL

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UPPER CRUST A chic, contemporary pizzeria and wine bar specializing in wood-fired, thin-crust New York-style pies complemented by a full menu and wine list. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$ VICTORIA’S A comfortable atmosphere, with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – the chicken lasagna and linguine with snow crab are especially excellent. 327 White, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th, OKC, 759.3580 $ VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff and management treat customers like guests in their home.

It’s a small space, so calling ahead is recommended. 7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867 $$ THE WEDGE Wood-fired pies crafted from fresh ingredients (the possibilities range from pepperoni all the way to figs or truff le oil) and made-from-scratch sauces. 230 NE 1st, OKC, 270.0660; 4709 N Western, OKC, 602.3477 $$

Mexican & Latin American BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s nearly always standing-room-only at lunch, but don’t let that deter you; spend a few minutes in line and get an ample reward in the form of fast, fresh, imaginative taco creations. 530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $ CULTIVAR A farm-to-fire Mexican kitchen that stresses sustainability, local sourcing and fresh, fast, f lavorful food. Gluten-free options, chefcrafted tacos, a substantial bar and plenty more are on the menu. 714 N Broadway, OKC $$

HACIENDA TACOS Quality, of both ingredients and execution, and variety make this restaurant in the Shoppes at Northpark a pleasure to visit, and to explore the menu again and again.

12086 N May, OKC, 254.3140 $ OSO ON PASEO Make sure your appetite is loaded for bear when you visit this patio-centric spot in the Paseo Arts District – their mantra is Tacos & Cocktails, and they produce both with expertise and enthusiasm. 603 NW 28th, OKC, 309.8226 $ 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. 916 NW 6th, OKC, 606.6184 $$

Seafood CRABTOWN A huge Bricktown warehouse where the Cajun Crab Boil is a favorite, guests are encouraged to “leave the silverware at home and dig in” and taste is king. 303 E Sheridan, OKC, 232.7227 $$ THE DRAKE The Good Egg Group’s flagship and a standard-bearer for diners who crave excellent seafood, it serves chef’s creations featuring the sea’s finest, plus an oyster bar and tempting cocktails. 519 NW 23rd, OKC $$$ OFF THE HOOK It’s a choice destination for po’ boys, fried or grilled baskets and specialty items such as the smothered seafood fries. Go get hooked.

125 S Britton, OKC, 840.3474; 1920 S Meridian, OKC, 606.6040 $

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 Saving room for your steak, lobster or prime rib is difficult when your gratis appetizers arrive in the form of a Lebanese bounty, but make the effort. Jamil’s has been feeding Oklahoma exceptionally well since 1964. 4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$$ MICKEY MANTLE’S This lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées and sides with a full complement of amenities destined to impress. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$ RANCH STEAKHOUSE Customaged hand-cut USDA Certified Prime tenderloins and ribeyes, served amid warm Southern hospitality. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$

PHOTO BY SCOTTY O’DANIEL

recipes from Southern Italy in a casual, comfy ambience (ideal for dates). 17200 N May, Edmond, 285.5991 $$

events

PHOTO BY GIAN ANDREA DI STEFANO

Return Engagement Tony winner, Emmy winner, genuine star of stage and screen and also a Broken Arrow native … odds are pretty good you know the name Kristin Chenoweth.

The enormous bundle of star power and brio in a 4-foot-11 frame remains in high demand, but she’s making time to swing back through the old familiar Sooner State May 14 to deliver “My Love Letter to Oklahoma” – a one-night-only concert at the OKC Civic Center benefiting the community-enhancing work of Allied Arts.

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events PRIME PICKS

Murder, They Spoke May 2, OKC Civic Center If the phrase “true crime comedy podcast” sounds oddly self-contradictory, you might be on the verge of discovering a whole new obsession. Because Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark are bringing their hit show to OKC for a night of “My Favorite Murder” Live, and the 19 million fans who download the podcast monthly know that the duo’s distinctively funny take on discussing deadly mayhem makes for a strangely captivating and thoroughly entertaining time.

Starry Night May 7, OKC Zoo Amphitheatre Rejoice, citizens of Oklahoma! Spring is at its height, the perfect climatological conditions to get outside and get some fresh (if well-pollinated) air – and especially to enjoy some live music under the open night sky. The Zoo Amphitheatre is kicking off its season by welcoming Brandon Flowers and seven-time Grammy nominees The Killers.

Expect hits from most recent album Wonderful, Wonderful all the way back to smash debut Hot Fuss.

Wet, Wild and Wonderful May 18, Oklahoma River

The temperature is rising, and the season of watery entertainment centered on the Riversport OKC complex is heating up with the return of the OKC Whitewater Festival. A day packed with thrilling racing for kayaks and rafts is interspersed with opportunities for family fun, including a new 600-foot waterslide and an all-day dog adoption event.

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Say Ole May 17-19, OKC Civic Center One of the most popular operas in history is getting a streamlined reinterpretation, cutting the runtime nearly in half, paring the cast down to four singers and turning the intensity way up. (Which is saying something considering the passion, jealousy and body count of the original.) Painted Sky Opera sings of a bloody love triangle between gypsy, bullfighter and soldier in “La Tragedie de Carmen.”

PHOTOS: RIVERSPORT OKC BY GEORGIA READ; MY FAVORITE MURDER COURTESY MYFAVORITEMURDER.COM; THE KILLERS COURTESY THEKILLERSMUSIC.COM

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events ON LOCATION

with Lance McDaniel

Creating Success on Film James Austin Kerr models young creativity

Oklahoma Creativity Ambassador. Kerr is an actor, writer, director and producer from Edmond who now lives in Hollywood. He has modeled for Vogue; acted in popular television shows including “The Mentalist” and “Scandal”; and starred in a variety of short and feature films, a few of which he wrote and directed himself.

For the past decade, Creative Oklahoma and the governor have given Creativity Ambassador Awards to famous OklahoJames Austin Kerr mans from Blake Shelton to Leona Mitchell to Bart Conner, but Kerr is only the fourth person to be selected as a Young Ambassador, joining Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter stopped by a modeling agency to get side work while he figured John Fullbright, “Criminal Minds” and Broadway actress Annie everything out, and the choice proved prophetic.

Funke and “America’s Got Talent” winner Darci Lynne.

“I went in to the Ford Modeling Agency with super-long Kerr’s journey from Edmond to Hollywood started, as you might hair,” Kerr remembered. “They loved it and thought I had expect, at his local movie theater in Kickingbird Square. He loved a great California look, even though I was from Oklahoma. going to the movies with his dad and making They lined me up work with Hot Topic, VHS tapes with his brother Wilson to send in to PacSun and T.J. Maxx. The print work This career is filled “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” but he never got me a commercial agent, which led to a with CONSTANT really considered acting as a way to get on TV. manager, which led to a theatrical agent. But “Senior year of high school, I just wanted to REJECTION that many it really started with modeling.” get out of my shell,” Kerr recalls. “It was less people can’t handle. I like All of those agents have kept Kerr busy for about being interested in film and more about the past few years. He has acted in 13 movies DEFYING THE ODDS . and television shows in the past three years gaining confidence. When the movie Ivory came JA M E S AUST I N K ER R to Oklahoma in 2007, I decided to step out of alone, ranging from guest-starring turns on my comfort zone and audition to be an extra.”

“NCIS” and “Queen of the South” to leading Kerr was hired as both an extra and a stand-in on Ivory, film roles opposite Judd Nelson and Francesca Eastwood. which offered him the rare opportunity to watch every part of Kerr has also enjoyed the opportunity to return home to Oklahothe filmmaking process from the best view in the house. Plus, it ma for projects, including award-winning short films Culpability introduced him to casting director Chris Freihofer, who taught and You People. And earlier this year, Kerr starred alongside JonaKerr how to audition and offered him classes through The Actor than Rhys Myers in a movie called Wake Up, filmed in Guthrie.

Factory in Norman. He got some local film offers, and after a “The reason I have a career is because of the values and work year at UCO, he decided to take the leap and move to Los Angeethic I learned from my family in Oklahoma,” Kerr says. “This les to pursue acting full-time. career is filled with constant rejection that many people can’t Once in California, Kerr was unsure of how to get started, since handle. I like defying the odds. It is the continual bounce back he knew virtually no one and had limited acting experience. He that I learned from Oklahoma.”

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ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN O’DANIEL; PHOTO BY OVETH MARTINEZ

JA M E S AUST I N K ER R has been selected as the 2019 Young

NEW ARTS CENTER OPENING JANUARY 2020 NW 11th and Broadway

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

events

THANK U, NEXT UP

SPEAKERBOX

Ariana Grande brings sweetener to OKC

Show Saturation

An excellently crowded sonic calendar had a subscription to alternative newsweekly the Dallas Observer, and every week I would turn to the back just to read the advertisements for club and theater shows, and fantasize about going to see a show every single night.

Decades later, it’s déjà vu all over again, this time in my own home burg. This month’s concert calendar is insane. There are almost too many great shows to take in, so here are some quick takes on what’s happening in May.

TOWER THEATRE towertheatreokc.com

Dwight Yoakam

DON MCLEA N, MAY 4 One of the finest songwriters of the 1970s, McLean is forever intrinsically

linked with his epic, iconic anthem “American Pie.” McLean isn’t just an old storyteller resting on his body of work, though; he tours constantly and recently collaborated with Ed Sheeran.

THE ALLMA N BETTS BA ND, MAY 6 The Allman Brothers Band ended their glorious reign in 2014, and sadly, acrimony with guitarist Dickey Betts prevented a reunion. With Gregg Allman departing this Earth in 2017, the band became another rock ‘n’ roll memory. But the Allman spirit is alive and well, with Gregg’s son Devon and Duane (son of Dickey) Betts joining forces on their first tour together. To complete the circle, Berry The Allman Betts Band Oakley Jr. has also joined the group. This sounds promising.

THE LEMONHEADS WITH TOMM Y STINSON, MAY 29 Evan Dando’s Lemonheads were one of the defining acts of indie rock in the late 1980s. Still going strong after all these years, Dando and crew are touring this spring with a new covers LP, “Varshons II.” Special guest is the always charming Tommy Stinson, former Replacements bassist.

THE JONES ASSEMBLY thejonesassembly.com OLD 97’S, BOB SCHNEIDER AND BOTTLE ROCKETS, MAY 9 Simply put, this is a roots rock legends bill. Dal-

las-based Old 97’s have been slugging it out for decades, shaping their Americana music with polished chops and noguff singing from Rhett Miller. Bob Schneider is another Texas veteran who has generated a faithful audience that has helped his music career through crowdsourcing. Finally, The Bottle Rockets open the show with their songs of lost characters livBottle Rockets ing on the fringe of nowhere. This show will be a barn burner.

DWIGHT YOAK A M, MAY 16 Known musically for resurrecting the Bakersfield Sound, the versatile Dwight Yoakam has also dabbled in acting, playing notorious characters in Sling Blade and Panic Room – but music is where his heart is, and he’s celebrating 33 years and 20 albums since his debut. - JERRY CHURCH

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WE’VE BECOME SPOILED as a major league city.

During Thunder season, we’ve gotten used to our sister city up north getting premier concerts, because of limited availability at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

But the NBA is a justly big deal, and sometimes we are able to attract a huge get that helps even things out for music fans. One of the fastest-rising young superstars in pop music is coming to the 405 when the multi-talented Ariana Grande plays the CHK Arena, 100 W Reno, on May 23.

Musically, she has been remarkably prolific and adventurous. Since her debut “Yours Truly” in 2013, she has consistently produced new music year after year.

And with each record or single, her boundaries have expanded, and she’s become bolder and more willing to break the mold of cookie-cut-

ter hip-hop pop.

Her video for “Thank U, Next” is a pop culture mishmash, interpolating familiar scenes from Mean Girls, Bring It On and Legally Blonde. With Grammy awards, 18 billion streams and multiple platinum records, Grande, at 25, seems in full grasp of a long, adventurous career.

Tickets to The Sweetener World Tour are available at ticketmaster.com. - JC

OOPS, I DID IT

I have to figure out how to read a calendar. I made multiple errors when describing the Paseo Arts Festival in the March 2019 Music Issue of 405 Magazine. What I meant to say is that music will take place on two stages pretty much throughout the festival, which will be held in the Paseo District on Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27. Visit thepaseo.org for a complete schedule of performers.

PHOTOS: DWIGHT YOAKAM COURTESY DWIGHTYOAKAM.COM; THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND BY TOUR MANAGER 101; BOTTLE ROCKETS BY CARY HORTON

BACK I N T HE L AT E 1980s and early 1990s, I

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events SPOTLIGHT

Major Making The bounty of the Paseo Arts Festival T HE 2019 PA SEO A RTS F E ST I VA L

is going to be an XL affair. Wait, sorry – make that XLIII, because this is the 43rd annual celebration in the historic district known for being home to creativity, and that neighborhood is getting bigger than ever by the day.

The footprint and infrastructure of the district have been growing by leaps and bounds after several years of relative stability, so expect more energy (and company) than ever at this year’s celebration of creativity Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27.

“It is truly a thrill to bring the Paseo Arts Festival back for its 43rd year; every year it gets better and better, and this year is no exception,” says Paseo Executive Director Amanda Bleakley. “Our festival features incredible artists from California to Pennsylvania, and everywhere in between.”

Just about 100 artists overall, in fact, augmenting the Paseo’s resident painters,

EVENTS MAY 2 5x5 Oklahoma artists have contributed paintings measuring five inches on a side, all for sale for $55 each. You won’t find a squarer deal.

Edmond FAI, 27 E Edwards, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com MAY 2-3 Design Appetit A four-course meal for sponsors and guests and a special celebration for 50 deserving local kids, who will each be receiving a new customdecorated bed. OKC Farmers Market, 311 S Klein, OKC, 706.7484, designappetitokc.com MAY 3 Broadway & Brew Live music, food and drink from local restaurants and breweries and sneak previews of upcoming productions; Lyric Theatre’s riverside bash is a blast. McClendon Whitewater Center,

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creators who will be exploring their abilities in the free children’s area.

So visit thepaseo.org for a schedule and more info, then bring a friend or two or several – you’ll be in good company among the tens of thousands of visitors – and be ready for enjoyment; this year’s going to be big. - STEVE GILL

WANT TO SEE MORE? VISIT OUR ONLINE CALENDAR AT 405MAGAZINE.COM 800 Riversport, OKC, 524.9310, lyrictheatreokc.com

Skirvin Hilton, 1 Park, OKC, 235.3500, downtownokc.com

MAY 3-5 Downtown Edmond Arts Fest The 41st annual celebration brings more than 75,000 people and a weekend of entertainment back to the city’s center - food, music, visual excellence and more. Downtown Edmond, 32 S Broadway, Edmond, 923.2084, downtownedmondok.com

MAY 25-26 Chuck Wagon Festival This weekend of cowboy-themed arts and crafts, games, activities and chuck wagon grub is a Memorial Day must for kids. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

MAY 11 Ostrich Egg Breakfast Think big - this plus-sized tradition offers all-you-can-eat breakfast goodies to hungry guests, benefiting the fun and conservation of the Zoo. OKC Zoo, 2101 NE 50th, OKC, 425.0618, zoofriends.org

MAY 31 H&8th This massive, family- and pet-friendly gathering of food trucks, vendors and fun-seekers comes but once a year, so enjoy - and keep a lookout for the OKC ProAm Classic. Midtown OKC, 815 N Hudson, OKC, h8thokc.com

MAY 17 Dean A. McGee Awards Downtown OKC honors Chuck Wiggin, Peter Dolese and Stan Lingo for their numerous, voluminous contributions to the quality of life in the heart of OKC.

MUSIC MAY 11 Deep German Romanticism The OKC Philharmonic goes Deutsch

with an evening of Strausses both Johann and Richard, plus a Liszt concerto with special guest pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. OKC Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, 842.5387, okcphil.org MAY 19 Combined Concert What do you get when you combine the talents of the OKC Symphonic Band and OK Community Orchestra?

Hint: It sounds fantastic. Oklahoma Christian University, 2501 E Memorial, Edmond, okcband.org

THEATER MAY 21-26 Cats T.S. Eliot’s odd, furry tale lives on, as OKC Broadway brings Andrew Lloyd Webber’s epic smash musical to the metro - come make a memory. OKC Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, okcbroadway.com

PHOTOS BY PAIGE POWELL

ON THE RADAR

sculptors and craftspeople with nationally acclaimed experts in ceramics, photography, glass blowing and other media. And that number doesn’t include the more than 50 performing artists who will fill two stages with music throughout the festival, the vendors crafting culinary treats in the fully stocked food court or the youngest

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MAY 2019 405 MAGAZINE

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events SPOTLIGHT

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES START HERE At the Y, we are focused on providing a comfortable atmosphere and a variety of opportunities for you to have a healthy spirit, mind and body. Enjoy all of this, and so much more, at the Y.

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Design’s Center Stage Tour the 46th annual Symphony Show House

North Side & Rankin)

• Functional Fitness & Body Weight Training • Free weights Not a member?

Try us out before you commit to membership with a Day Pass: Youth & Teen $5, Adult $10, Family $25.

Financial assistance is available for membership and programs.

SPR I NG IS A T I M E of rebirth and reinvention – and if you’re

also thinking about making it a time of redecoration where your home is concerned, inspiration of multiple kinds is waiting to be explored this month. More than a dozen top local designers are working to breathe new life into a repurposed space, as the 2019 Symphony Show House transforms a vintage building in Mesta Park May 11-19.

The space in question is at 620 NW 21st in OKC, a 1929 building that was the longtime home of Sunbeam Family Services before Marva Ellard and MidTown Builders worked to preserve the structure by converting it into apartments.

“The blend of the modern and the historic – the blank canvas of new construction and the character of a grand manor – is the perfect opportunity for the Symphony Show House to try some new concepts,” says Design Chair Jo Meacham of Urban Kitchens. “This year, we will be transitioning the way the Show House works, giving the selected interior designers a stronger role; a bit more creative freedom and participation.”

As always, proceeds from the tour help the OKC Orchestra League support the OKC Philharmonic and music education programs for the community. League president Wendi Wilson says, “I don’t think people will want to miss this one; we’ve never had a Symphony Show House that has offered the chance to see 13 complete residences at once. The League is delighted to celebrate one more part of the cultural revival of Oklahoma City.”

The design showcase is always worth a visit; find hours, ticket prices and more info at okcorchestraleague.org. - STEVE GILL

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backstory

A musical journey to motherhood

BY MARK BEUTLER

FA SHION, SOCI A L AT T I T U DE S, POL I T IC S – many

elements of American life began changing rapidly in the early 1960s, and that definitely included music. The early rock-androll greaser days of Elvis Presley, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis had given way to folk music by Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan and the Kingston Trio.

In Oklahoma, a young Blanchard High School graduate was ready to chart her way in the music business. Jody Miller and her husband Monty Brooks loaded their car and headed west on Route 66 – destination: Hollywood.

“Not long after we landed in L.A., I got a contract with Capitol Records,” Miller says. “I was a very happy girl, because everything I cut charted. I was recording folk music then, and I felt great. I was busy all the time recording or performing on shows like ‘Shindig’ or ‘American Bandstand.’ Then I found out I was expecting.”

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Jody Miller and Three Generations

PHOTOS COURTESY JODY MILLER

MS. MILLER’S MOTHER’S DAY

In those days, she said, being pregnant while working and traveling was frowned upon by her label.

“I was working in Europe early in my pregnancy,” Miller says. “I was recording in German and in Italian, which was very difficult. Not only learning the language, but trying to breathe from my diaphragm while pregnant.”

When Miller learned she had been invited to perform at the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival in Italy, she worried she wouldn’t be allowed to travel.

“But Capitol let me go,” she says. “I performed a new song I had just recorded, ‘Io Che Non Vivo.’ It was a beautiful song, and Dusty Springfield had a hit with it a few years later when she released it in English as ‘You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.’ That festival was certainly one of the highlights of my career.”

When she returned to the States, Miller moved into pop and country, with a new song called “Queen of the House.” Upon its release, it rose to the top of the charts, just missing the number one spot.

“Back then, chart position relied on record sales,” Miller says. “The printing plant north of Los Angeles couldn’t keep up with the demand, so I just missed hitting the top. But that was overshadowed, because two weeks later, I had my baby! My beautiful daughter Robin was born on Saturday, before Mother’s Day on Sunday. The first night we brought her home from the hospital, we slept on the floor in her nursery. We loved that baby so much. That spring of 1965 was definitely my year.”

Early in 1966, “Queen of the House” earned Miller a Grammy Award. Her career continued to flourish through the 1970s and early 1980s. Today, at 76, Miller has reinvented herself once again, touring with daughter Robin and grandson Montana Sullivan.

“We call our act ‘Three Generations,’” Miller says. “We open our show together, then I do a few of my radio hits. Robin performs, then Montana. He writes and performs his own music, and really is a genius! So, life these days is good. And every year on Mother’s Day, I remember that first one in 1965. I really have been blessed.”

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