405 Magazine November 2016 by 405 Magazine

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in this issue

NOVEMBER 2016

Features

DISSECTING DIETARY CHOICES

Citing a greater understanding of complete nutrition and environmental impacts, as well as the increasing local availability of better meatless dining options, Christine Eddington makes a case that vegetarians rule and why you should become one.

A QUESTION OF TASTE Sometimes the stomach wants what it wants – and OKC is filled with possibilities for stellar steaks and sophisticated takes on classic comfort food. Consider Greg Horton’s visceral evidence that omnivores rule and why you should remain one.

NEW TO THE TABLE

Neapolitan pizza, Malpeque oysters, a whole host of breakfast and brunch temptations … residents have more reason than ever to be thankful when it comes to the metro’s bounty of delectable restaurants. After some pleasantly filling research, we’ve compiled a list of more than two dozen new eateries you should take for a taste test.

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

THE DATEJUST The archetype of the modern watch has spanned generations since 1945 with its enduring functions and aesthetics. It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST 31

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in this issue

NOVEMBER 2016

In the 405

Home

merchandise to love at Norman boutique Tulips; colorful handbags to keep fashion at your side; classical station KUCO’s ongoing mission to bring art to the radio; a look ahead at OKC’s new riverfront equestrian park; curator Francesca Giani talks Italy and the OKC Museum of Art; childhood memories best left in the outhouse; debunking Guthrie’s persistent Masonic myth; surprises in store at a pair of Oklahoma Amish fall festivals.

a home that’s gained some character through age, and have created a color-filled retreat in Edgemere Heights; a selection of cozy throws and blankets to ward off winter’s chill in style.

Holiday Wishes

107 The Fred Jones Jr.

15 Find some new

91 The Barnetts prefer

Travel

101 A journey to Rwanda puts adventurous trekkers face-toface with a family of gorillas in their natural habitat; Indianapolis holds plenty of draws for visitors beyond the racetrack.

Events

35 The season of

giving is almost upon us, and you can get yourself a lower dose of stress about your shopping list by checking out these deals and delights from a collection of local merchants.

Dining

81 Tips from the pros for concocting your own custom-flavored vermouth at home; Humble Pie’s Matthew Heard shares a saucy recipe; embark on a tasty treasure hunt at The Sushi Bar; lingering over Red PrimeSteak’s bittersweet Long Goodbye.

ON THE COVER

Just Desserts

An immense slice of sticky-sweet coconut cream pie, a chocolate version topped with a mountain of meringue, this blackberry cobbler a la mode … the desserts at Cattlemen’s are worth saving room for, but the true finishing touch for meals enjoyed in this iconic steakhouse is the atmosphere of authenticity honed over more than a century.

Museum of Art’s new exhibition looks back to pre-statehood portrayals of Oklahoma; a collection of local artists ponder the concept of Utopia; six exceptional Sooner state citizens prepare to join the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

In Every Issue 8 From the Editor 10 Web Sights 28 On the Scene 84 Food and Drink 110 On Film 112 On Location 114 Speaker Box 116 On the Radar 120 Backstory

The Beast is a huge, hearty menu mainstay at new Edmond burger palace The Fixx. Photo by Carli Wentworth

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

When It Comes to Your Future, Who’s There to Protect It? After all, it’s not just money at risk. It’s your future and legacy. It takes a trusted financial partner who not only respects your wishes but understands the challenging complexities in implementing them. At The Private Bank, our wealth advisors will help carry out your wishes and faithfully execute your estate plan. Let’s talk about your future, today.

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The Private Bank at Bank of Oklahoma provides products and services through BOKF, NA and its various affiliates and

BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF) offers wealth management and trust services through various affiliate companies and non-bank subsidiaries including advisory services offered by BOKF, NA and its subsidiaries BOK Financial Asset Management, Inc. and Cavanal Hill Investment Management, Inc. each an SEC registered investment adviser. BOKF offers additional investment services and products through its subsidiary BOK Financial Securities, Inc., a broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and an SEC registered investment adviser and The Milestone Group, also an SEC registered investment adviser. Investments and insurance are not insured by the FDIC; are not deposits or other obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate. All investments are subject to risks, including possible loss of principal.

NOVEMBER 2016 flies from NY to OK for pizza

“…an old school investment approach… building a worry-free future…”

Publishing Director Scott Crystal

scrystal@openskymediainc.com Editor-in-Chief Heidi Rambo Centrella heidi.centrella@405magazine.com EDITORIAL Managing Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@405magazine.com Editorial Coordinator

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Louise Scrivens Style Editor Sara Gae Waters

saragae.waters@405magazine.com Fashion Editor Jennifer Salyer jennifer.salyer@405magazine.com Contributing Writers M.J. Alexander, Mark Beutler, Jerry Church, Susan Clark, Christine Eddington,Lauren Hammack, Greg Horton, Lance McDaniel, Chip Minty, Matt Payne, Elaine Warner an unapologe tic omnivore (p. 62)

ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel

scotty.odaniel@405magazine.com Graphic Designer Brian O’Daniel

VOLUME 2 • NUMBER 11 READER SERVICES 405 Magazine 729 W. Sheridan, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Phone 405.842.2266 Fax 405.604.9435 info@405magazine.com, 405magazine.com Story Ideas and Letters to the Editor Your views and opinions are welcome. Include your full name, address and daytime phone number and email to editor@405magazine.com. Letters sent to 405 Magazine become the magazine’s property, and it owns all rights to their use. 405 Magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Back Issues Back issues are $9.50 (includes P&H) each. For back issue availability and order information, please contact our office. Bulk Orders For multiple copy order information, please contact our office. Subscriptions 405 Magazine is available by subscription for $14.95 (12 issues), $24.95 (24 issues) or $34.95 (36 issues). Subscription Customer Service 405 Magazine P.O. Box 16765 North Hollywood, CA 91615-6765 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST Phone 818.286.3160 Fax 800.869.0040 subscriptions@405magazine.com 405magazine.com/subscribe ADMINISTRATION Distribution Raymond Brewer Website and social media 405magazine.com

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FROM THE EDITOR

Foodies and the Feast I T ’S T H AT T I M E AGA I N: Turkey. Ham. Sweet potatoes. Mashed potatoes. Green beans. Cranberry

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

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

PHOTO BY SIMON HURST

sauce. Stuffing. Gravy. Pumpkin pie. Pecan pie. All those fruit pies. Translation: Most of us are about to engage in the annual caloric overload that we call Thanksgiving … only to repeat the process next month with the next holiday. I never quite understood how giving thanks and overeating – for days – went hand in hand conceptually, but hey, who am I to question tradition? That being said, a week’s worth of leftovers can get a little … stale. There are only so many ways to redo turkey outside of the routine sandwich. So for all of you looking for culinary options that don’t relate directly to T-Day, it seems fitting to offer up a not-so-few choice selections in this month’s Food Issue, beginning on page 54. Whether you’re an unrepentant carnivore, dedicated vegetarian or some balance of the two, we’ve covered all the bases, and also traveled the metro to compile a hefty selection of our favorite new restaurants. (And by new, we mean those that have opened within the past year, with a few leaning more toward a year and a half; check out the list on page 70.) Consider this your guide to eating across the metro – I challenge you to not only try the new eateries, but to revisit those more established restaurants that have made a lasting mark on our dining landscape. That’s why we returned to the venerable Cattlemen’s Steakhouse and found it as delicious as we remembered (page 78). And for those of you who might be thinking about changing your ways, there’s a nice little Q&A between our own carcass-eater (Greg Horton) and veg-head (Christine Eddington) writers shedding some light on their respective eating habits (page 61). In addition to food, you’re probably contemplating – or trying not to – the annual frenzy associated with the thought of the list. The Christmas list, that is. We can help there, too. Be sure to check out our Holiday Wishes section to find a load of ideas for those special someones in your world. From stunning jewelry and fine home furnishings to cosmetic procedures and trending attire, you’ll find possibilities by the bundle beginning on page 35. Citywide deliciousness and thoughtful gifts aside, I’m grateful for every day, and for the opportunity to share this magazine with our readers. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

SHRIMP & GRITS Spicy shrimp, garlic, mushrooms, scallions, white wine, lemon juice, and bacon

BARRY SANDERS (1968-present) OSU Football Player and NFL Player for the Detroit Lions

“The reason of football is not to be the best, but to be the best team”

PHOTOS ON LOAN BY

224 JOHNNY BENCH DRIVE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (405) 701-3535 | WWW.LEGACYGRILL.COM

Fred Jones Jr.

Museum of Art

Web Sights What’s online at 405magazine.com

Stay on Your Toes The holiday season is right around the corner, and we want to give you a jump-start – make that a jete-start – on your plans to enjoy its splendid sights and sounds. The OKC Ballet’s grand holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker” is returning to the OKC Civic Center December 10-20, and we’re giving away a pair of tickets to the sugarplum spectacle. Visit 405magazine.com/nutcrackerprize/ by November 30 to enter, and we’ll draw a winner December 1. Good luck, and get ready for a magical experience.

Dec. 1–2, 2016 Save 15– 40% on your

entire purchase! Come browse our large selection of artistic, educational and quirky gifts at Muse, the museum store!

e-News You Can Use

We’re giving you plenty of options for staying up to date on what’s happening in central Oklahoma; sign up for any or all of our free e-newsletters and start receiving your choice of: WEEKEND 101 Our recommendations for fun stuff to see and do as the week winds down SNAPSHOT! A pictorial showcase of local events and the people enjoying them

BECOME A

MUSEUM MEMBER

and save 20% at Muse

every day! Plus: – exclusive invitations – discounted rates for trips – exhibition previews

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art The University of Oklahoma 555 Elm Ave. Norman, OK 73019-3003 www.fjjma.ou.edu For accommodations, please call Visitor Services at (405) 325-4938. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Restaurant reviews and recommendations, recipes and tasty treats of all kinds @HOME Ideas, advice and beautifully tempting products for décor and more INSIDER The scoop on exclusive deals and special promotions from our partners – perfect for savvy shoppers NOW READ THIS! An advance glance at some highlights from the upcoming issue Visit 405magazine.com/newsletters/ to select the ones that match your interests, and then sit back and enjoy as we share the highlights of the 405 with you.

Thought Central

You have opinions – we want to hear them. We’re always excited to hear our readers’ thoughts and reactions, so don’t hesitate to let us know what’s on your mind; shoot an email to feedback@405magazine.com and we may share them in these pages in a future issue. Thanks for writing!

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405

in the

Old Ways, New Days

PHOTO BY M.J. ALEXANDER

Time waits for no one, nor any community – not even the Amish enclaves that have been part of Oklahoma history since the days of the Land Run. In M.J. Alexander’s trips to a pair of fall festivals, she ponders how they have changed, and how much of their traditions remain the same. See page 30.

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

in the 405 FAVORITE THINGS

Garden of Shopping Pleasures

Tiptoe through Tulips’ merchandise WA L K I NG A ROU N D CA M PUS COR N ER

Paige and Susan Potts

in advance, redecorate or update a room in your home or simply treat yourself to something special. It may be a new pair of pajamas (I dare you to find softer ones out there) or a miniature fan that attaches to your phone, gorgeous tabletop and linens or bedding. It’s the unique selection that’s a crowd pleaser, too. “I am inspired to find things that people are not going to see at every other store,” says Paige. “Finding unique items that people fall in love with the way you did is the best feeling. Most items have to pass the test of whether or not I would want to take them home or give them as a gift myself.” And pass the test they have. When it comes to Tulips, I say A++! - SARA GAE WATERS

Coton Colors platter, $50, and attachment, $18 “We love Coton Colors because it makes the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for person. Once you get them a base option, you can buy them the interchangeable attachments for the different holidays.” Lisi Lerch earrings, $98 “These handmade beaded tassel earrings are so stunning, and are sure to be that finishing touch for your outfit.”

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

Watercolor volcano candle, $30 “Everyone is familiar with the Capri Blue Volcano scent, and it is definitely a fan favorite. This new watercolor design has us jumping for joy at how pretty it is.”

PHOTOS BY CARLI WENTWORTH

in Norman can be quite nostalgic. Even though many things have come and gone in this mini-district, some things have stayed, and the two-story, brick-red building with white trim and a welcoming front porch complete with rocking chairs is super hard to miss. Once the Norman Party Pic headquarters, it seems appropriate that this old house is still home to a party, albeit a different kind: Tulips is a one-stop shop for gifts, entertaining supplies, wedding registry, home decor … and just pure fun, as far as a shopping experience goes. The transformation to Tulips took place about 11 years ago; power mother/daughter team Susan and Paige Potts bought it in 2014 and haven’t looked back. Susan, no stranger to retail thanks to running other local shop Occasions, heard through the grapevine that Tulips was going to be for sale around the time Paige was graduating. It seemed like the perfect plan, and as the two crunched the numbers and dreamed of what it could be, their plan became reality. Saying it has been a success is nothing short of the truth. While Susan is primarily at their other store, Paige runs Tulips with an effortless and easy-going way. The store is a feast for the eyes, so much so you might find yourself standing in one place to make sure to take it all in. Once you’ve spent a few minutes looking around, you’re extremely likely to want to do one of the following: Throw a party, buy every birthday and Christmas gift

Opolis kids’ tees, $30 “Opolis is a local company in OKC [that] makes the cutest shirts, and we are lucky enough to carry their kid tees and onesies. They come out with great new designs each year. We carry from newborn all the way up to size 12, so even if you don’t have a baby, we have shirts to fit your middle schoolers, too.”

Easy Tiger YAY! champagne flutes, $22 each “These champagne flutes are our go-to engagement gift right now. What better way to celebrate than with some bubbly in a champagne glass with a gold ‘Yay!’ on it? Sure gets us excited!”

Juliska place setting, $148 “We love Juliska because you can mix and match all the different designs to create your own perfect place setting. The stoneware can be put in the dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven – does it get much better?”

Vietri Incanto pitcher, $126 “This handcrafted pitcher is not only stunning, but also very useful. We love to put flowers in ours and use it as a vase.”

KicKee Pants swaddle blanket, $25 “KicKee Pants are the cutest, softest baby clothes line made of bamboo. They come out with seasonal designs that people cannot wait to get their hands on. Their newest items are these swaddle blankets, and they could not be cuter: the perfect size for swaddling, and a great blanket for your child as they grow.”

Monogrammed purse, $37 “This purse is a bestseller with its perfect size and many compartments. Whether it is for game day, a night out or traveling, the wide variety of colors is sure to suit everyone’s taste.”

S’well bottles, $28, $38, $48 “S’well bottles are one of our favorite things in the store. With their sleek designs and ability to keep things cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours, what is there not to love? Plus, the large one fits a whole bottle of wine.”

Bla Bla knit doll, $46 “I don’t know if these knit dolls could be any cuter. They have recently been our favorite baby gift for the modern mommy.”

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

in the 405 TRENDS

I Want to Hold Your Handbag Keeping style at your side

WA R M, R ICH TON E S of the season are represented in the

many choices among trending handbags. Big or small, subtle or bold, soft in suede or sleek in leather … it is so difficult to choose just one. Or perhaps two; you can always use a small wristlet as the main carrier of all things important and toss it into a bigger version if you can’t quite fit it all into one. These beautiful choices have great design coupled with those delicious colors and unique touches to add to their visual flair. A tassel or two, or maybe rivet detailing? There’s a lot to choose from, but you’ve got this. It’s in the bag. - SARA GAE WATERS

From Dillard’s in Penn Square Mall: Coach Swagger 27 in forest, $450

From On A Whim in Classen Curve: Hammitt Pierce in suede, $285; Hammitt Travis in Carolyn’s, $250; Hammitt Nash in mineral, $225

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

PHOTOS BY CARLI WENTWORTH

From Cayman’s in Carriage Plaza: Tory Burch Shiraz satchel, $495; Rebecca Minkoff brown bag with tassels, $245; Rag & Bone wallets in black and red continental, $275 each

DON A L D W. REY N O LDS VI SUA L A R TS CE N T E R | 41 5 CO UC H D R I V E | ( 40 5 ) 2 3 6 -3 1 0 0 | okc m o a .co m Thomas Ingmire, Ten Commandments (detail), Copyright 2003, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Minnesota USA.

in the 405 MEDIA

The Art of the Airwaves KUCO celebrates 50 years “A RT ON T HE R A DIO.” That’s how Brad Ferguson, general manager at KUCO-FM 90.1, tags the classical radio station, which broadcasts from the University of Central Oklahoma and is commemorating its 50th anniversary. Ferguson, a 33-year KUCO veteran, reflected on the station’s beginnings when it was little more than a glorified megaphone using its original call letters, KCSC. In 1966, Central State College students ran a lone turntable that, combined with a 10-watt transmitter and an antenna on top of a classroom building, broadcast a little classical, some middleof-the-road pop and CSC football games. By 1969, the station increased its signal to 30 watts, its reach dependent on weather and vibrating walls caused by students exiting classes. A decade later, a

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

$100,000 grant resulted in a signal boost to 100,000 watts. Today, the station is considered by many to be one of the top classical public radio stations in the country. “We are the only station that does what we do in Oklahoma,” Ferguson says, “and nationally, few stations in the country still have local announcers who bring you the variety of classical programming we do. “It’s like having a good museum or theater,” he adds. “All music is entertainment, but classical music is high art, a manipulation of themes and layers … it’s mathematical, yet emotional.” Ferguson arrived in 1983, a pivotal time for university-licensed radio stations. NPR programming and the new public radio model were the trend. Students were replaced by professionals, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and annual on-air fund drives became major revenue sources. The state’s other four public radio stations aired the standard NPR model: music and news. To prevent duplication, Ferguson and KGOU manager Karen Holp agreed one station would take on all classical, the other news. “We experimented with some NPR shows, but it didn’t last,” Ferguson recalls. “Our listeners didn’t like it. We’ve always been about the music.”

PHOTO BY TRACE THOMAS

Brad Ferguson, general manager of KUCO 90.1 FM, interviews Clint Rohr, director of the University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab. The show, “Spotlight on the Arts,” airs from the second floor of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Recent Arbitron reports show 41,000 KUCO listeners tune in, a group long defined as well educated, culturally involved and generally age 50 and older. Kimberly Powell, the most recent recipient of KUCO’s three Governor’s Arts Awards to date, produces and hosts “Performance Oklahoma,” a weekly showcase of classical concerts performed by arts organizations such as the OKC Philharmonic, Armstrong Auditorium and Canterbury Voices. Despite the professional operation – which includes business manager April Rutledge, nightly host Ralph Wise and opera host Lane Whitesell – and an outpouring of music from a 14,000-disc library, the station’s digs are tiny: The broadcast studio and offices in UCO’s Communications Building total 1,200 square feet, according to Ferguson. “We are in a shoebox operating on a shoestring budget,” he says. “We are not sitting around in elegant chairs under chandeliers.” Three weekday hosts – Ferguson, Powell and the folksy, passionate Kent Anderson – give listeners friendly companions to their beloved music. “People know us, and it speaks well of a community to support its classical music station,” Ferguson says. “If we can enrich the lives of our listeners, we have succeeded. For us, it’s a cause.” - SUSAN CLARK

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

“Anybody who’s anybody comes on this show,” Carpenter Square Theatre’s Artistic Director Rhonda Clark said during her last guest appearance on KUCO’s “Spotlight on the Arts.” Arts representatives in the metro area will be happy to hear the hourlong interview program has returned to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art after a three-year hiatus due to mechanical problems. General manager and host Brad Ferguson happily explains, “We got a nice new hand-built console, plus three microphones for times we have multiple guests talking about one event or show.” Airing at 10 a.m. each Thursday, Ferguson or summer host April Rutledge spend an hour chatting with artistic directors, musicians, presenters, arts curators, actors, writers and public relations professionals. Each guest has a chance to tell KUCO listeners about upcoming concerts, theatrical performances, gallery openings, festivals, literary events, university shows, classes and other happenings. The museum’s late executive director Carolyn Hill, a classical music enthusiast and friend to the station, invited Ferguson to move the show to the museum when it moved to its downtown location in 2002. The arts community enjoys the location because of proximity to their offices. “The show brings a lot of collaboration, because people in the arts community who don’t have time to see each other get to catch up,” Ferguson says. “One year, we had guests from Canterbury, the Philharmonic and the [OKC] Ballet, and before the hour was over they decided to do ‘Carmina Burana’ together.” To inquire about becoming a guest on “Spotlight,” email Brad Ferguson at bferguson@uco.edu. - SC

An exceptional education opens many doors, so we’re opening ours.

TO LEARN • TO LEAD • TO SERVE

UPPER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE GRADES 9-12

THURSDAY, NOV. 17 6:00 pm

PARENT PREVIEW DAYS EARLY CHILDHOOD (PS-PK)

JAN. 10, 11, 23, 24

LOWER SCHOOL (K-4 TH)

FEB. 1 & 2

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& 6TH: FEB. 6, 7, 22, 23 7TH & 8TH: MAR. 1 & 2

SPACE IS LIMITED. PLEASE CALL 405.749.3002 TO RESERVE YOUR DATE.

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in the 405 DEVELOPMENT

Ride by the River SOM E OF T HE F I N E ST MOM E N TS in life begin with

treasures rediscovered from the past. They can start with an old record album found in the back of a closet, a favorite book hidden on a shelf, a musical instrument or a well-worn jacket. We pick them up, dust them off, turn them over and remember the feelings. They remind us of who we are, where we came from and what we did. They offer a restful reprieve, a time to reflect and rebalance. Those moments are important to us, and Oklahoma City recently discovered how important they can be to communities, as well. The city’s moment came when leaders recently announced plans for a city park dedicated to horses and the central role they have played in our western heritage. Important in Oklahoma’s early settlement, the horse continues to be an iconic figure in the state’s western culture. So when the city designated an expanse of land between the Oklahoma River and the Oklahoma National Stockyards as the site for its new park, the idea seemed like a natural fit. Oklahoma City is widely considered the horse show capital of the world. In addition to State Fair Park, horses are celebrated at Remington Park and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and will soon be part of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum. But this venue will be different – because it will bring horses and a hands-on experience to an urban setting with the OKC skyline as its backdrop. The planned Oklahoma River Horse

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Park will offer residents and visitors opportunities to touch, hear, feel and experience horses the way the earliest Oklahomans did more than a century ago. The $14 million development just east of Exchange Avenue will be built on land managed by the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department. Once complete, it will become another jewel along the Oklahoma River. Plans include a riding OKC Chamber president Roy Williams stable, outdoor and indoor performance arenas, a corral, a polo field, a carousel and a welcome/visitor center. It will enable residents and visitors to rent horses and enjoy miles of riding trail up and down the river’s south shore. City leaders and park advocates announced development plans at a recent staking ceremony that captured the imagination of an entire community by highlighting the western spirit that makes Oklahoma City unique. Artisans demonstrated how they work with leather and western hats, a horse-drawn carriage circled

PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN

Horse park helps OKC reconnect with its equestrian heritage

the grounds, hands served breakfast from a 100-year-old chuck wagon and a couple of television reporters went horseback riding. “Oklahoma’s heritage is uniquely tied to horse culture,” says Rhonda Hooper, chair of the Oklahoma River Horse Park Task Force. “This is the first step in a broader vision to create a fully realized equestrian center in the heart of the city, a mile away from the State Fairgrounds and just steps from the historic Stockyards City.”

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While it is nowhere near complete, the 20-acre park is already open for use. Horse owners can trailer their horses in and ride a trail around the circumference. Meanwhile, leaders have launched a multi-year effort to raise public and private funding to build the facilities and complete the vision in stages, Hooper said. While the park remains a work in progress, it is already an important resource for the river district, added Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation director Doug Kupper. “This is another step in the diverse recreational opportunities envisioned for the Oklahoma River,” he says. “It’s a place where local riders can enjoy a day out along the river, or riders traveling with their horses can take a break and stretch their legs for a bit.” The park also will be a place for the public to experience Oklahoma City’s western heritage. “We envision being able to introduce our recreation program participants to horseback riding and horse-related activities, helping our young people learn a new skill while connecting with Oklahoma’s rich horse history,” Kupper says. Once complete, the city will have an urban horse park that is unique, offering activities and learning opportunities to people who want to rediscover OKC’s western tradition and culture. The Oklahoma River has become a magnet of activity for Oklahoma City residents and tourists looking for fun and excitement,” says Oklahoma City Councilwoman Meg Salyer. “The horse park is destined to be the next big attraction along what is becoming a national destination point.” - CHIP MINT Y

OKLAHOMA CITY

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NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

in the 405 CONVERSATION

Future Focus

Francesca Giani and the OKCMOA

As a professional curator, describe your favorite part of the OKC Museum of Art. “I think our Washington Gallery of Modern Art collection is just dynamite and certainly one of our strengths. Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Diebenkorn, Gene Davis, Morris Louis, Edward Corbett, Robert Indiana, Josef Albers … the works are too many to mention, and they are all treasures. We also have a small but strong collection of op and kinetic art, really cool work from the ’60s and early ’70s I am hoping to showcase in 2018. I am very excited about that. “Also, OKCMOA is now looking to showcase its collection more and to expand it, which is very exciting for a curator. Other large museums have more encyclopedic collections. Large, encyclopedic collections are of course wonderful, but smaller, more focused collections can put up very strong and less dis-

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persive exhibits, especially with the help of other institutions. What I like about OKCMOA is that it has a unique history, with a collection that traces the history of the city. It is a civic institution in a sense, and integrated in the community.” What are some of the plans you have for the Museum? “Michael (Whittington, OKCMOA president) and I have talked about possible ways to showcase and expand our collection and to open up to local artists. We also talked about trips to other cities as a way to expose ourselves to what major institutions are doing. I have discussed with Michael Anderson, our director of Curatorial Affairs, the possibility of featuring work by artists active in regions of the world that are going through deep socio-political change. We think the community can benefit from an institution that opens a window onto an international arena.” Is your family still in Italy? “Yes, my whole family is there between Naples, Rome and Sicily – except for my brother, who lives in London, and my sister,

who lives in Valencia, Spain. I guess we are all scattered.” How different is the rolling Italian countryside from the heartland of Oklahoma? “It is hard to compare the two. As far as the landscape goes, in a city like Naples, my eyes tended to migrate upward and sideways to the historic buildings and architecture. On the Amalfi coast, my eyes are always glued to the sea, which is the bluest blue you will ever see. And I get high on the salty sea breeze. In Oklahoma, my eyes get lost in the sky, which is just spectacular, both when it is completely clear and when it is populated by cloud formations, the most impressive I have ever seen. I also love driving on a straight line forever, something you definitely cannot do where I am from. It is liberating in a sense.” Positano, Sorrento and the Amalfi coast have a sheer grandeur all their own, but what are some of your favorite parts of Oklahoma City? “I like the River Walk and I love walking at the Myriad Gardens as a break from work. I do not

eat out very often, but I am a sucker for a well-crafted cocktail and I think Sidecar makes excellent ones. I was also very impressed by R&J Supper Club. Great old-fashioned cocktails and tasty dishes. It’s a bit like stepping back in time.” Where will we find you in your spare time? “I do not have much spare time. When I’m not working, I study, and when I’m not studying, I spend time with my two children, who are 10 and 5. We go to movies, jump on the trampoline, eat out some and travel some. I do have fun cooking nice Italian meals for them and friends who visit us for dinner, and sometimes I have time to watch my favorite TV series. Right now I am hooked on ‘Humans,’ ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Mr. Robot.’ I don’t have time to read, but since I commute from Norman, I listen to audiobooks and podcasts quite a bit.” Final thoughts you want 405 Magazine readers and Museum guests to know about you? “I am just very glad and thankful to be here in Oklahoma!” - MARK BEUTLER

PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER

I T ’S A LONG WAY – geographically and conceptually – from the rustic beauty of Naples and Italy’s Amalfi coast to the flat Midwestern plains of Oklahoma, but Francesca Giani feels right at home in the heart of Oklahoma City. Giani is a native of Italy, but came to the United States a few years ago for volunteer and internship opportunities that were not available in her country. She was guest curator at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at OU before being named curator of modern and contemporary art at the OKC Museum of Art earlier this year. We caught up with Giani and asked about her vision for the museum, as well as her life in Oklahoma.

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in the 405 LAUGH LINES

The Detour M Y MOM GR EW U P on a farm that I visited about a

dozen times before the age of 6. Last month, during a drive to Santa Fe, The Beau announced on a lark that he’d like to take an impromptu detour off I-40 to see the farm my mom had told him about. “Why do you want to see that?” I asked, making a mental note of the unholy hour we’d be rolling into Santa Fe, now at least nine hours away if we acted on this impulse. “Because I’d like to get some dirt from the place where your mom grew up and bring it to her,” he said, sounding every bit like a well-meaning cat with his heart set on delivering a dead blue jay to the porch as an affectionate offering to the humans. “I was 6 the last time I saw it,” I told him. Highway signs on the periphery of our vision reminded us, “Fools, the weekend will be halfway over by the time you get to Santa Fe if you exit now!” “I don’t remember enough about it to tell you how to get there,” I said as code for, “There will be other blue jays. Just keep driving.” “It’s a small town. Everyone will know where it is,” he assured me with no regard for my not-so-subtle hints. The detour led us to several locals who – probably tipped off by my flip-flops and eyelash extensions – immediately recognized us as not being from the tri-county area. Several exchanges included expressions like, “yonder,” “up the road a piece” and “as the crow flies.” Eventually, as The Beau had predicted, a local tractor mechanic who doubled as a volunteer mail carrier scratched his head, contorted his face and gave a convincing recollection of my grandparents, right down to which fruits my grandmother grew in her orchard and canned for jelly. When we finally arrived at the farm, the only recognizable markers remaining were a line of trees that separated the house and yard from the fields and an intimidating barbed-wire fence that really didn’t care how much you paid for your jeans. The two things I’d remembered most weren’t there, but I still haven’t ruled out hypnosis therapy to erase my memory of them. 1.) The Outhouse 1a.) Stench of outhouse 1b.) Horseflies the size of blackbirds inside the outhouse Take a minute and try to get your mind around the outhouse concept. Don’t confuse this with the time or two that you were out in a remote part of the wilderness and answered nature’s call. Also, don’t confuse this with the time you rented an RV and had to deal with emptying the “gray water” tank. Instead, take that brown cloud over the stockyards west of Amarillo and condense it a hundred

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thousand times into the kind of unmistakable stench that would make mustard gas seem like a good candle fragrance in comparison. Then tell yourself it’s better to wet your pants inside the warm house than to go outside, where it’s 10 degrees in the frosty outhouse air. And agree that it’s even better to wet your pants inside the warm house than to go outside, where it’s 99 degrees – still a full 10 degrees cooler than the outhouse. 2.) The Chicken Coop 2a.) Stench of chicken coop 2b.) Learning how fresh the chicken in Grandma’s chicken ‘n’ dumplings really was I remember actually loving the chicken coop, despite my failed attempts to step carefully through it. “Watch your step, city girl,” Grandma would say. In the chicken coop, as in the outhouse, you could see the air you were breathing. Likewise, anyone within 20 feet could guess where you’d been after you left either the coop or outhouse. Grandma had no qualms about selecting a chicken for dinner. This kept her in great shape – she only had to be more fleet of foot than the slowest chicken. I remember crying when I heard about Grandma’s no-nonsense preparations for getting the bird from the coop to the frying pan. The detour put us in Santa Fe in the middle of the night. With Thanksgiving on my mind, I asked The Beau if he thought he could thin out the population of wild turkeys in the neighborhood by one. “Sure I can,” he said confidently. “How would you kill it?” I asked the man who carries spiders and unsightly bugs outside before wishing them luck and setting them free. “With a gun, of course.” “Wouldn’t that make it taste like lead?” I wondered. “Not if you shoot it in the head,” he reasoned. “His head is the size of a walnut!” I scoffed. “I’m a good shot,” The Beau countered. “No. You’ll have to chase it, catch it, wring its neck, wait a few minutes for it to stop running through the yard and then gut it, pluck it and clean it. That’s how Grandma did it.” “Yeah, well, we’ll probably just buy one then,” The Beau conceded. Connecting the dots, he added, “Don’t ask me to build you an outhouse.” - LAUREN HAMMACK

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRIAN O’DANIEL

Farm livin’ is the life for … someone else

in the 405

OKLAHOMYTHS

No Big Mystery Guthrie’s claim to Masonic fame THE CLAIM: With 400 stained glass windows and 14 rooms, each designed to showcase a different world culture – from Assyrian to French Gothic to Roman – the Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie ranks as the largest Masonic temple in the world. THE SOURCE: Exploring Oklahoma Highways by Michael Heim (2006) FACT CHECK: Close, but no square and compasses: The Guthrie temple, whose stately entrance is shown here, is the largest Scottish Rite Masonic temple in the world. However, the largest Masonic temple overall is the 14-story Masonic Temple in Detroit, which opened almost exactly 90 years ago – on Thanksgiving Day in 1926 – after six years of construction. The Detroit edifice was designed to house 47 distinct Masonic orders and to serve as a civic center for the city. The imposing Gothic complex houses 1,037 rooms, ranging in design from Corinthian to Art Deco and including cathedrals, chapels, two ballrooms, hotel rooms, a pool hall, a 16-lane bowling alley, a swimming pool, a 160-foot-long drill hall and a 4,404-seat venue ornamented in elaborate Venetian Gothic style, which has hosted acts ranging from The Who to Jascha Heifetz to Jimi Hendrix to B.B. King. While not quite as immense, the Guthrie temple is also available to lease for musical performances, weddings and other events, and to visit for public tours ($5) twice daily on weekdays. And it is quite a bit closer to home. - M.J. ALEX ANDER Source: Detroit Historical Society Editor’s note: Oklahoma is rich with history, lore and fun facts … but some of them aren’t quite factual. In this series, M.J. Alexander hunts for the accuracy – or lack thereof – behind some of our state’s stories.

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

in the 405 ON THE SCENE

Wine, Women and Shoes It’s an evening of philanthropic pleasures at 21c Museum Hotel as Impact Oklahoma allows guests to sip fine vintages, shop stylish footwear and bask in the glow of doing good.

3 4

1. Lexi Sparks, Jennifer Kastl 2. Kristen Linholm, De’Aun Sandvig, Jennifer Grigsby 3. Betsy King, Meg Rinehart 4. Terri Cornett, Steve and Julie Hahn, Deborah McAuliffe Senner 5. Julie Moore, Elaine Honig, Jaree Haines

St. Anthony POP! Guests raise a glass – or more than one, among many options to sample – at a sparkling fundraiser to benefit patient care at St. Anthony Hospital.

1. Sonya Haley, Joanna Haley, Madison Haley, Megan Siravo 2. Sherry and Lee Beasley 3. Ashley Anderson, Katie Tiegreen, Tasha Houck, Jane Jenkins, Ashley Smith, Paul Folger 4. Chuck Skillings, Tammy and Mike Powell 5. Casey Delany, Wendi Shipp, Erica Holley

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OKCMOA Renaissance Ball The OKC Museum of Art celebrates the spirit of creative renewal and the conclusion of its epic Matisse in His Time exhibition at this 41st annual gala in the OKC Golf & Country Club. 1. Curran Fudge, Marymar Fierros 2. Roshan and Alisha Pujari 3. Mary Blankenship Pointer, Ann Lacy 4. Greg Story, Mary Frates 5. Doug and Susie Stussi, Steve and Linda Slawson

PHOTOS: WINE, WOMEN AND SHOES, RENAISSANCE BALL AND DAYS OF WINE AND ROTARY BY JUSTIN AVERA; ST. ANTHONY POP! BY TERRELL FRY

Days of Wine and Rotary Philanthropic service organization Bricktown Rotary serves an evening of outstanding vintages, hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and good times in this annual fundraiser.

1. Chris and Bryna Thomas, Morgan Flom, Dena Shackelford 2. Lori Nordstrom, Samantha Davidson 3. Kayla Alston, Nick Stangl 4. Jason Constable, Tami Loch 5. Henry Carter, Bre Disheroon

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

territory ahead

Skillet Throws, Peacocks and Aunt Maple Oklahoma’s fall Amish festivals BY M.J. ALEX ANDER

F IR ST OF F, I totally could have won the 2016 Women’s Skillet

Throw in Chouteau. The town’s Black Buggy Day festival – the second of two autumn Amish celebrations held on back-to-back Saturdays in eastern Oklahoma – features carriage rides, bake sales and friendly contests: the tractor pull, egg toss, stick-horse races, cow patty bingo and the skillet toss. When the announcement went out in the park’s Horsin’ Around Corral for pan-throwers, I figured since I wasn’t Amish, I wasn’t qualified. Which is a shame, because I had been a discus-thrower in high school and have been waiting for someone to ask me to hurl an item ever since. Still, it’d be fun to see. So I bided my time while contestants gathered, checking out the tables offering woodworking and ribs and pies for sale. I realized too late: you didn’t have to be Amish to enter.

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The tattooed and bouffanted and bedazzled skillet-tossers far outnumbered the handful of contestants wearing bonnets and ankle-length dresses. Each took a turn selecting a frying pan from a pile of old cookware. The crowd oohed and ahhed at the tosses, and shrieked in delight as some rolled a few feet. Others careened out of the corral, causing spectators to duck. None of the throws were the stuff of legend. If only I’d known that all were welcome. But it was a lesson learned: With the Oklahoma Amish, never assume. In a culture known for rejecting modern lifestyles and technology, from cars to zippers to television to education past eighth grade, visiting Oklahoma’s fall Amish fundraising festivals was enlightening. Both events thrive by welcoming visitors of all stripes, from the completely non-Amish to traditional Amish to the I-didn’t-know-Amish-could-do-that-Amish. At Black Buggy Day in Chouteau and the older Amish School Auction in Clarita, the Amish were far outnumbered by “the English,” The Clarita Amish non-Amish friends, neighbors and School Auction is held the second Saturday curiosity seekers. in September, rain or In case you have a romanticized shine, on the farm of idea that Amish life resembles the Raymond Miller, just north of Clarita. The event movie Witness, know that there are will celebrate its 30th no slow-motion hayfields waving your anniversary on Sept. 9, 2017. Chouteau hosts its way into the festivals. No solemn line 16th annual Black Buggy of black buggies. No soft-focus horses Day on the following pulling plows. weekend, Sept. 16, 2017.

Beginning soon after dawn, a parade of cars and mostly trucks turns off State Highway 31 near the decidedly unromantic fields north of Clarita. Parking is $5. At the open-air breakfast, the smell of pancakes and sausage wafts over the grounds. After paying $7 for all-you-can eat, you pass through the line with a paper plate and choose a seat at one of the long tables. Awaiting you is not fresh creamery butter, but a bucket of Parkay and a bottle of Aunt Maple’s Original Syrup, purchased in bulk from Aldi. Aunt Maple’s top three ingredients: high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup and water. But the sausage is delicious, shipped down from the Yoder Farm in Kansas. Friendly Amish women circulated between the long tables, asking if anyone wanted seconds and thirds. Outside the breakfast tent, auctions are held across the grounds like a 10-ring circus. Items range from antiques and livestock to old playground equipment and a buffalo robe. There is a battered tuba. Old paintings. Three miniature ponies with saddles. A rusty bike. A set of dishes. A live peacock. Clarita’s signature event, the quilt auction, features more than 100 colorful quilts and weavings, hand-sewn by Amish seamstresses. The opening work, done in an intricate Japanese

TRACTOR TALES

The news out of Oklahoma’s Coal County in the spring of 1995 was so startling, it made the front page of The New York Times: “Some Amish to Use Tractors; Those Opposed May Move.” The Clarita enclave of Old Order Amish had established a foothold in Oklahoma in 1978. Amish farmer Chris Yoder moved from Ohio to the unincorporated town of about 200 people, and purchased the old Rice farm. Others followed. The Clarita Amish kept to the traditional Ordnung, the code of conduct for a way of life: no motorized vehicles; no divorce; no military service; no television or radio; no education past eighth grade; modest, home-sewn clothing; hats and suspenders for men; prayer bonnets for women; no jewelry; beards for married men, like the patriarchs of the Bible. But after years of farming the rocky, hard-scrabble Oklahoma land, the community of 26 Amish families voted to break with tradition … at least a little. Tractors would be allowed in the field. Raymond Miller, a minister and farmer, told of their dilemma: “We farmed with horses for the first couple years. We really all tried. Well, with good horses, we could plow two acres a day, and you plow 10 acres … it’s just a completely different ball game than what we had back East. The reason we agreed to go on and use the tractor ourselves, own the tractor, was so that more of our young people can stay on the farm and raise the family at home.” After the vote, the Amish who disagreed with allowing tractors, fearing the abandonment of traditional ways, moved back north to more conservative orders. “The Amish do not consider technology evil in itself, but they believe that technology, if left untamed, will undermine worthy traditions and accelerate assimilation into the surrounding society,” says Donald Kraybill, senior fellow emeritus at Elizabeth College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. “The Amish seek to master technology rather than become its slave.” Twenty years later, those who have stayed in Clarita have maintained one of the 460 Amish settlements in the United States, and the second largest in Oklahoma, with more than 300 members. A recent survey found 308,000 Amish in the United States and Canada; of those, 945 live in Oklahoma. Two new Amish communities, both formed by a handful of families in the state during the past six years, are in the towns of Welch, in Craig County near the Kansas-Missouri border, and Westville, in Adair County near the Arkansas border. Oklahoma’s oldest and largest Amish community is in Mayes County, in and around Chouteau, population 2,100. Founded in 1910, and now with four church districts and a combined membership of more than 600, the Chouteau Amish have allowed tractors for years despite the fear that rubber tires might take them far enough away that they would forget where they belonged. Decades later on the Chouteau main drag – home to thriving businesses such as the Amish Cheese House and the Dutch Pantry – farm tractors park in front of stores as the farmers drive into town for errands. The horse-and-buggies are saved for Sundays. NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

territory ahead

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fan design, fetches $1,000 to kick off the packed house that featured more spectators than bidders. Away from the auctions and food booths, the vendors channel an arts-and-crafts-meet“Duck Dynasty” vibe. Items such as lawn ornaments, cutting boards, grill accessories and rattlesnake-hide keychains cut in the shape of Oklahoma ($10 apiece; two bucks more for the ones with a rattlesnake-skin ball) are interspersed with Amish-made wooden rockers, gliders and dining sets. Confederate flags flap in the wind, along with variations of the yellow Don’t Tread on Me flag, silhouettes of a star and AR-15 carbine with “COME AND TAKE IT” and professions of allegiance to colleges and football teams. The next weekend in Chouteau, near the entrance to Black Buggy Day, the Highway Ministry Riders out of nearby Pryor manned a tent marked by the sign “Bikes Blessed Here,” near their membership banner from the Christian Motorcyclist Association: Riding for the Son. Another group, perched on a pickup by the tractor pull, was raffling off chances for a gun safe. An Amish girl watching the tractors looks down, distracted, and checks her cell phone. An Amish boy by the pony rides pulls his wooden gun on me, squinting down the barrel and whispering pow pow pow. An Amish man, in traditional broad-brimmed hat and long beard, drives a battered Ford 1100 tractor around the park, towing kids behind him in a chain of 10 plastic barrels cut in half and mounted on wheels. Some of the Amish teens wear reflective wrap-around sunglasses. One drinks a can of Coke. In between, neighbors visit and barefoot kids riding bareback pick their way through the crowd on horses and ponies. Women restock the baked goods table. Men turn the ribs on the grill. A line of brothers and sisters and cousins in boxy homemade clothing climb on the fence to watch their other brothers and sisters and cousins race in the Horsin’ Around Arena. The mashup of old and new and evolving expectations illustrate that modern Amish want “not the right to remain the same, but the right to change at their own pace and in their own season.” Scholar Garrett Epps notes: “They remain irreducibly other, stubbornly themselves. We have tried and failed to absorb and Americanize the Amish – and we should be grateful that we failed.” I remain grateful, as well, that the skillet throw will be featured again at next year’s Black Buggy Day. This time, I’ll know that I’m welcome.

JOURNEY TO OKLAHOMA

The Amish are descendants of the 16th century Swiss Brethren Anabaptists, who sprang from the Protestant Reformation. The Anabaptists, or “rebaptizers,” believed in voluntary baptism of the faithful, irking Protestant and Catholic authorities by baptizing not infants, but consenting adults. In 1693, escaping persecution in Switzerland, Jakob Ammann formed a distinct group of followers – the Amish – in France, where he stressed New Testament teachings and outlawed fashionable dress and the trimming of beards. The first Amish immigrants to the United States settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1736. The numbers of U.S. Amish have jumped from an estimated 6,000 before World War I to more than 300,000 today, thanks to large families where nearly all of the children opt to become baptized into the religion as adults. Converts are allowed, but rare. The first Old Order Amish families in Oklahoma Territory came from Kansas in 1892, on Land Run parcels near Thomas in present-day Custer County. The last Old Order Amish left Thomas in 1960. The community had voted to use tractors in 1937, and eventually embraced electricity and automobiles before evolving into the Beach Amish-Mennonites. Another group of Kansas Amish moved to farmlands near Watova in Nowata County in 1931, but abandoned the settlement in the middle of World War II. NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

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L.A. Eyeworks designs eyewear to celebrate the diversity of faces and the uniqueness of individuals. The frames are sparks of imagination; you complete these thoughts and bring the dreams of L.A. Eyeworks into being. Tupelo, $390 (3), and Birdy, $450 (4), both stainless steel and acetate frames, handcrafted in Italy.

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Dissecting Dietary

Choices

VEGETARIANS RULE AND WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME ONE BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON

PHOTOS BY CARLI WENT WORTH // ILLUSTR ATION BY CHAD CROWE

Hey, guess what? Peter Dinklage from “Game of Thrones” is a vegetarian. So are Betty White and Natalie Portman. So is Joe Namath. Vegetarians in history include Rosa Parks, Mr. Rogers, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Pythagoras (thanks for the theorem). Vegetarian writer, philosopher and historian Voltaire said, “Men fed upon carnage, and drinking strong drinks, have all an impoisoned and arid blood, which drives them mad in a hundred different ways.” What he meant is, you are what you eat.

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Can you see where this is heading? While 405’s enthusiastic carcass eater, Greg Horton, will eloquently argue otherwise (see page 62), and while many of you won’t give up eating meat until it’s pried from your cold, dead hands, there is mounting evidence that what we’ve long suspected is true: vegetarianism rules. “Based on what I know, I should be a vegetarian,” says the University of Oklahoma’s Dr. David Sabatini, David Ross Boyd professor and Sun Oil Company endowed chair and director of OU’s Water Technologies for Emerging Regions (WaTER) Center. “We know that producing meat for consumption uses much more water than plant crops like rice, soybeans or potatoes. Meat production leaves a bigger carbon footprint, but also a larger water footprint. To produce one kilogram of potatoes, it takes 500 liters of water. One kilogram of soybeans takes 1,600 liters, and the same amount of rice requires 1,900 liters. “A kilogram of poultry takes 3,500 liters of water, and one kilogram of beef takes 15,000 liters of water,” he says. “There is no question that a vegetarian lifestyle is more environmentally conscious than a meat-eating diet.” Another, grosser environmental hazard of the beef industry are CAFOs, or concentrated animal feeding operations. “I have colleagues who are interested in CAFOs, because the negative impact of animal waste becomes very severe when it’s concentrated. You really see a large, damaging impact to

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the environment with confined animal feeding operations,” says Sabatini. All that poo and pee, as much as 1.6 million tons per year per operation, according to the Center for Disease Control’s publication Understanding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Their Impact on Communities, can wreak havoc in several important categories. “Human health can suffer because of contaminated air and degraded water quality, or from diseases spread from farms. Quality of life can suffer because of odors or insect vectors surrounding farms, and property values can drop, affecting the financial stability of a community,” reads one paragraph. So, OK, yikes. Not the best for the environment. But if done in a non-factory manner, raising animals for slaughter is slightly better. Probably no way to get around giving them water, though.

And, she added, we eat many more foods today that are fortified, meaning that another old saw about vegetarians not getting enough iron or minerals is also kaput. “It depends on the type of vegetarian diet you’re following, but there are really no downsides if you do it right,” she says. “But you can also be a vegan and be really unhealthy. Did you know that Oreos are vegan?” No, we did not, but let us rejoice! The quintessential Hortonian eating plan, followed fervently by many of our fellow Oklahomans – meat and potatoes – easily can leave you depleted. “There is no vitamin C in a traditional meat and potatoes diet,” Palmer says. “You can only get vitamin C in fruits and vegetables. You also won’t get any antioxidants, like vitamin E, which may help us fight against cancer.”

But You Won’t Get Enough Protein. Or Will You? “There are 20 essential amino acids that the human body does not make; we get them from food,” says Catherine Palmer, OSU-OKC’s nutritional sciences department head. “There is an old misconception that if you don’t eat meat, you won’t get all of those 20, or ‘complete’ proteins, unless you combine certain foods. We now know that we don’t have to, because the liver stores essential amino acids, so as long as you are eating a well-rounded diet, you’ll get plenty of protein.” Turns out, though, that if you did want to get all 20 essential aminos in one bite, you could do it with tofu or quinoa. “Both of those actually are what we used to call a complete protein,” Palmer says.

Catherine Palmer

“There is an old misconception that if you don’t eat meat, you won’t get all of those 20, or ‘complete’ proteins ... " - CATHERINE PALMER

The kale Caesar at Kitchen 324 isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t particularly complex or filled with secret ingredients, but its fresh flavor has made it one of the best-selling salads in the Good Egg family of restaurants.

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Once Limp and Steamed, OKC’s Vegetarian Scene Blossoms “We launched the first vegetarian entrée at Cheever’s in 2000. It wasn’t an item we gave a lot of focus to, so it was the standard, token grilled vegetable plate. We thought our sauces were creative, but really it was pretty sad,” says Good Egg Group’s co-founder Keith Paul. Paul and his wife Heather are the creative force behind many of the metro’s favorite eateries including Red PrimeSteak, Cheever’s, Republic Gastropub, Kitchen 324, Tucker’s Onion Burgers, The Drake and Iron Star.

“We are seeing a trend toward more and more vegetarian and glutenfree customers, so we just adjust."

- KEITH PAUL

The chicken-fried Portobello from Picasso’s easily passes the eye test and is filled with flavor, too.

D VEGETARIAN Does not eat animals of any kind – including fish, which are animals. Eats no animals. Often eats eggs and dairy, though. Wears leather, but not exclusively.

“These days, we challenge our chefs to create thoughtful vegetarian dishes at every menu change. In fact, my favorite one right now is our new eggplant dish at Red Prime,” Paul says. “Even our steakhouse has two really creative vegetarian entrees, the eggplant and a great chile relleno. “Our chefs love it because it pushes them outside of their wheelhouse creatively, and lets them showcase their talent. It’s fun to let them spread their wings. We are seeing a trend toward more and more vegetarian and gluten-free customers, so we just adjust. And as Heather and I have spent more time

Non-Meat Eaters: A Field Guide

VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, RAW … WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? READ ON, FRIENDS. FEEL FREE TO TEAR THIS OUT AND KEEP IT IN YOUR WALLET.

Q T

VEGAN Eats no animals of any kind, like her vegetarian brethren, but takes it a step further and eats no products made by animals. So no honey, eggs, milk or cheese. May also reject wearing leather. And if they don’t, it seems reasonable to wonder why.

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P L

RAW VEGAN Ups the game even further. No animals, no animal products, and nothing that has been heated more than 118 degrees Fahrenheit, with the idea that cooking destroys vital micronutrients. Many raw vegans also feel spiritually or environmentally called to eat this way.

o S

FRUITARIAN This group eats fruits, nuts and seeds. No animals or animal products. If you don’t eat meat or animal products and your diet consist of 75 percent fruit (or more), you can correctly call yourself a fruitarian. You will be hard pressed to find a chubby fruitarian.

Young, Vegetarian ... But Don’t Call Him Green

Red Cup chef and co-owner Patrick Clark II

PESCETARIAN These folks don’t eat land animals, but they do eat fish and shellfish. They generally do eat dairy, eggs and honey. FLEXITARIANS OR PART-TIME VEGETARIAN These diets include meat, but usually in a fairly limited fashion. Flexitarians tend to eat meat once or twice a week, or only when they eat at a restaurant, or only if the meat comes from a reliable source – but the vast majority of their meals are vegetarian.

PATR IC K C L AR K , I I, is part owner and chef at The Red Cup on Classen, which serves breakfast and lunch … and is the only completely vegetarian restaurant in town. “We are 100-percent vegetarian and 99-percent vegan,” Clark says. At 24, he may seem green, but Clark has been cooking at The Red Cup since he was a wee sprout of 16. He attended culinary school, and in 2011 became a part owner of the Cup, with an eye toward elevating its food even further. “We are about to launch a new menu, which is mostly vegan. We went completely vegetarian around 2010, and our challenge was to do it in a way that didn’t alienate our meat eaters, so we transitioned them with fake meat options,” Clark says. Now that everyone’s comfortable, he’s taking it up another notch with the addition of the Green Plate, coming in March. It’s a moderately priced, three-course dinner series, and everything is gourmet vegetarian or vegan. “It’s more satisfying to experiment with vegan food than meat. I view meat as a monster,” Clark says. The Green Plate is the offspring of the Red Cup Supper Club, which unofficially began in March, and will conclude early in 2017. “In February, we have our annual Un-Valentine’s Banquet, and then we started hosting a dinner on the third Thursday of each month. We keep it small, 18 people at the most, and it’s an eight-course, small-plate meal, at $65 per person. We realized that even though that price is a great value, it’s still a little exclusive, so we are changing the model. We will keep the Green Plate dinners at $35 per person.” Clark thinks it’s a shame that most of OKC’s fine dining restaurants are steakhouses, and it angers him that exquisite, beautifully prepared food is often priced out of a regular Joe’s budget. “There is always something anyone can afford at Red Cup, and it’s well-prepared. To exclude people from dining well, on beautiful food, because of money is absurd,” he says. “One way to lower cost is to cook vegan.” He happily tells a story about a man coming in to The Red Cup and asking how many pieces are in an order of bacon. “Our employee looked at him, and without missing a beat, she said ‘Zero.’”

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The Legend of the Pauls Valley Vegan LI F E AS A small-town vegan in

A garlic vinaigrette laces extra flavor through the corn, goat cheese, pico de gallo and namesake ingredients in the quinoa avocado salad from Cheever’s.

in the L.A. area, we’re seeing more ways to serve vegetables and more vegetable-based entrees.” The black bean stack at Republic is a decent seller, although it stays in the bottom 25 percent of menu item sales. Cheever’s quinoa and avocado salad, on the other hand, consistently sells in the top 50 percent. “It’s not really fair to judge vegetarian items that way, though, because there isn’t a huge population that is going to eat that way. We have the ingredients on hand anyway, so we just have fun with them.” More insight from this Good Egg: Broccolini sells great, which surprises Paul a little. People love beets and root vegetables, and Kitchen 324’s kale Caesar is the No. 2 selling salad in the company. “We’re doing things you just wouldn’t have seen 15 years ago. I find myself eating vegetarian two or three times a week. It’s not hard, and it’s fun to experiment. My favorite dish right now is the new eggplant at Red

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PrimeSteak. It’s grilled, and roasted with garlic puree, and it’s seasoned with garam masala. It’s so good.” Other restaurants hopping on the lentil train are Picasso’s in the Paseo Arts District – which may have actually started the lentil train – and Vast, the fancy restaurant atop the Devon Tower. Picasso’s offers an entire menu section filled with creative vegetarian and vegan entrees, like the crispy and satisfying chicken-fried Portobello served with vegan cream gravy and fries. Under the culinary eye of longtime Oklahoma City chef Kurt Fleischfresser, whose culinary masterpieces include co-founding Metro Wine Bar & Bistro and Coach House, Vast now offers vegan items on its regular menu, and Chef Kevin Le has experimented with vegan menus of late. So it would appear that these days, when it comes to vegetarian dining in the 405, the sky truly is the limit.

Oklahoma can be harder than a diamond in an ice storm. In fact, there are those who deny that such a creature even exists. 405 found one, and followed a trail of lettuce leaves and pumpkin seeds until we caught up with her. Tara Kirby is an occupational therapist living in Pauls Valley. She spends her days driving from home to home, helping people regain control of their lives and limbs. She also eats her share of limbs, leaves, tubers, shoots and nuts, because she’s not only a vegan, she also follows the fantastically healthy whole food, plant-based diet, which takes run-of-the-mill veganism and kicks it up a notch – or 10. “‘Whole food, plant-based’ means I don’t use oils, or refined foods like flour or sugar,” Kirby says. “I’ve done it for a year, but was working up to it for two years before that, by eating vegan.” Her reason is simple: her health. On the recommendation of her doctor, Kirby went to hear Oklahoma City’s whole food guru, and one of the founders of the group Plant Based OKC, Dr. Jimmy Conway. The group meets monthly, and welcomes anyone veg-curious. “After I heard him speak, I decided the effort was worth it. My mother has heart disease, and both of my parents are diabetic. I’ve lost 100 pounds so far, and when I was pregnant, I only gained three pounds but got gestational diabetes. I walk into my patients’ homes and see 30 drugs on the table, and I don’t want that.” An admirable attitude to be sure, but Kirby gets extra points for doing it in Pauls Valley, a small town like many in rural Oklahoma: full of fast food, processed food and lots of meat. People here eat the way they’ve always eaten, either ignoring or unaware of the hazards of a carcassbased diet. “I try not to have to eat out in Pauls Valley. I try to plan when I’m going to eat out and go to Oklahoma City. If I try it here, I get stuck with iceberg lettuce and beans.” She works around her town’s dietary proclivities by prepping meals on the weekends and subscribing to Bountiful Baskets, a national food coop that gives participants fresh fruits and vegetables each week for just $15 per basket or $25 if the basket is certified organic. “I always pack food,” she says. “Since I’m working from my car, I bring salads and other raw vegetables that I don’t have to heat. If I forget and get stuck in Pauls Valley or Wynnewood, I’m stuck, so I stock my car with nuts and snacks that will keep.”

Consumption Junction CHEWING THE FAT (OR KALE) WITH CHRISTINE AND GREG

Here at 405, we’re all about bringing people together and resolving contentious issues through conversation … besides, arguing is bad for your digestion. So we let the authors of these features share perspective on their opposing viewpoints by asking each other a few questions. 405: Should a veggie burger really be considered a burger? Christine: Absolutely! First of all, they’re delicious and can be made a zillion ways. Second, a burger is like sushi – it’s a preparation method, not a designation of ingredients. Greg: No. It’s a vegetable smoothie between bread. Contrary to what the leaf-eaters say, a burger is by definition a sandwich containing meat, not a preparation method or presentation style. No meat, no burger. Greg: When did you become a vegetarian and why? Christine: In high school, on the debate team – and it stuck. I had a pregnancydriven week of cheeseburgers, and in college I ate so much junk I was what you call a “Sara Lee vegetarian.” Christine: Would you eat meat if you had to process the animals yourself? Greg: I grew up in a hunting family in which we were taught clean kills, and respect for the animals was paramount. I have no problem processing animals; I know how meat ends up

in a grocery store. This does not mean I automatically sign off on mass slaughter techniques. Animals should be slaughtered humanely. Period. And, yes, I can hear the vegans and vegetarians saying humane slaughter is an oxymoron. Greg: Some say steak is everything. How do you replace steak? Christine: If you say that, vegetarianism may not be for you. Most vegetarians I know do not want to replace steak, and don’t at all feel it’s “everything.” Especially when things like grilled eggplant or mushrooms are so savory and satisfying. Christine: Could you go a week or a day without eating meat? Greg: Yes. I have. And do. It’s meat, not heroin. Greg: What exactly is nut cheese? Christine: There’s a hygiene joke in there somewhere, so be careful Googling it. But a basic cashew cheese is different. It’s soaked, unsalted cashews, pureed with

nutritional yeast, seasonings and aromatics. Christine: What’s your cholesterol level? Greg: Under 200, but I’m a flexatarian. I eat several non-meat meals a week. Bacon is still the best thing in the world though. Greg: Is a Portobello sandwich a good transition food for omnivores? Christine: It is if it’s a good one. I’d definitely serve an omnivore the chicken-fried Portobello from Picasso’s, and a friend of mine’s husband makes a remarkably meaty Portobello burger.

405: If your life depended on it, and you could only eat one of the following three things for a week, which one would you choose? For Greg – kale, tofu or vegetarian “roasted spring chicken?” Greg: Tofu. It takes on the flavors of what it’s cooked with, so I’d cook it in bacon fat since that was apparently not one of the restrictions. Kale is actually composed of thinly sliced loofahs dyed green, so it’s not technically a food item, and I always avoid food items in scare quotes, and you should, too. For Christine – sausage, chicken wings or pork rinds? Christine: Can I have Greg’s “roasted spring chickenish?” If not, I guess pork rinds. I wear leather shoes and I imagine if I fried them up and salted them, they’d be pork rinds. Or cow rinds.

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Question ofTaste OMNIVORES RULE AND WHY YOU SHOULD REMAIN ONE BY GREG HORTON

PHOTOS BY CARLI WENT WORTH // ILLUSTR ATION BY CHAD CROWE

Growing up in Oklahoma, Sundays usually meant coming home from church to the aroma of pot roast filling the house. The cut had been allowed to thaw overnight, and then placed in the slow cooker or “electric skillet” before we left for Sunday school. The smell of pot roast still sends an involuntary pleasure response through my brain, but my mother’s overcooked carrots and potatoes are seldom replicated in restaurants.

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S 64

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Like many of us, Smith grew up eating Okie food – fried chicken on Sundays for his family, meat loaf, French dips and even shrimp and grits. When he looked at the Kd’s menu, he realized that it could be adapted with only minor tweaks because it already had several items that, while not necessarily Oklahoma-specific, were certainly part of our culinary traditions. So it is that Legacy Grill now has fried chicken and waffles, a newly designed

meat loaf, ridiculously delicious pot roast, mashed potatoes and a new shrimp pasta dish. The food, like all HSRG food, is produced with attention to detail and a commitment to quality and affordability. The fried chicken is brined for 48 hours, so it is full of flavor, and the juices are locked in by the deep fryer. While I’d never say it was better than my Okie grandmother’s, it is better than some people’s grandmothers could produce.

“We knew there was a possibility that KD would leave, so we came up with the idea of a destination restaurant where people could enjoy Oklahoma and Oklahoma food.”

- HAL SMITH

LEGACY GRILL PHOTO COURTESY HAL SMITH RESTAURANT GROUP

Still, Southern comfort food is central to the culinary history of Oklahoma. For other Okies it was fried chicken on Sundays or fish fries on Saturdays. Pinto beans and ham hocks or bacon were staples in public schools and family tables, cost being a key factor in that choice. In most cases, feeding families meant high carb, high protein, high fat diets, and my mother fed three teenage boys with a loaf of white bread and a boat of gravy more than once after football practice. The problem with comfort food is that the associations are usually based on family contexts, so replicating it in restaurants is difficult. While my favorite leaf-eater, Christine Eddington, will handle vegetarian options in this issue (page 54) – we omnivores eat vegetarian, too; we simply call them sides – my task is to offer the reader choices around the 405 for places that do “meat and potatoes” well. That phrase should not be construed too narrowly, though, because comfort food takes all kinds of shapes, including dessert and the occasional side dish (mac ‘n’ cheese, anyone?). Hal Smith Restaurant Group has established its reputation as a collection of concepts that produce comfort food with remarkable consistency and serve them with outstanding efficiency. When Kevin Durant left town, Smith himself had to fire up his contingency plan for the Bricktown location previously known as Kd’s. “We knew there was a possibility that KD would leave,” Smith says, “so we came up with the idea of a destination restaurant where people could enjoy Oklahoma and Oklahoma food.”

Legacy Grill appreciates the classics, like this savory plate of fried chicken and waffles.

An Oklahoma icon: Mashed potatoes and jalapeño cream gravy smother the tender chicken fried steak at Cheever’s. NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

The Magical Beast

The Okie Standard – BEEF

In one of the greatest “Simpsons” sequences of all time (which is a high bar), Homer is trying to understand why Lisa is choosing to become a vegetarian. He questions her about eating meat ever again and then lists three of his favorites. “What about bacon?” “No.” “Ham?” “No.” “Pork chops?” “Dad, those all come from the same animal!” [Chuckles.] “Yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.” Omnivores do understand that Homer is only accidentally exaggerating here. Pigs are wonderful, magical animals, and the list of incredibly delicious cuts and applications is far longer than the one in the episode. While Chef Chris McKenna at Packard’s New American Kitchen is as good with pork cuts as anyone we know, the Piggy Burger stands out as one of the most comforting of comfort foods in the metro. The mix is ground, blackened pork shoulder, a little bit of bacon and sliced ham. The French fries at Packard’s are more than an

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afterthought, too, but you’ll need to ask for ketchup, since they usually come with tomato jam. For a more traditional use of pork, try the pulled pork at Back Door Barbecue. Really, though, the meats and sauces – hot or mustard for the pork – are delicious, but the sides at Back Door really stand out. The potato salad is inexplicably delicious; it’s potato salad! The bacon in the mix might be the secret, but whatever the case, both the beans and potato salad are must-haves.

Since this is about meat and potatoes, Redrock Canyon Grill is worth mentioning, since they have some of the best meat loaf available anywhere. If your mom was the type who finished the meat loaf with ketchup, you have our unqualified sympathy. That’s not how meat loaf should be treated. HSRG Executive Chef Brad Johnson is a big believer in beef, but he’s not opposed to blending the meats either. The Legacy Grill meat loaf is 5 percent sausage, but at Redrock it’s all beef – the trimmings from beef tenderloin and ribeye. It’s almost impossible to talk about the best comfort food in the 405 without mentioning the chicken fried steak at Cheever’s Café. At this point, the dish is justifiably iconic. Two hand-breaded cutlets – enough to cover a dinner plate – are served with mashed potatoes and jalapeño-cream gravy. There is another side in there, but I’ll need a vegetarian to explain to me which kind of green garnish it is. The gravy alone is worth the dish, and at this point, unless you are on a plant-based diet or have other restrictions, you should have to try this dish to call yourself an Oklahoman. The sides at Cheever’s are fantastic, even the ones featuring vegetables, and this is probably a good place to concede a point. The vegetarians among us are right about a few things, but the vegetarian vs. omnivore discussion is won or lost on taste, and omnivores win that one. We could eat less meat; that would be better for the planet and better for our health. That’s sort of indisputable at this point, but beef and pork and lamb, etc., are delicious, so finding a way to eat them ethically and healthily is the goal, not abandoning them entirely.

On a Budget

Mac ‘n’ cheese is one of the easiest, most delicious ways to add calories, flavor, protein and fat to a diet. How many of us haven’t had Kraft Macaroni & Cheese? For some of us, it’s still a guilty pleasure. Remember grabbing

Seriously sumptuous comfort food in the form of The Muleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Macaroni Pony sandwich

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Beef reigns in Oklahoma, and the 22oz bone-in ribeye at Ranch Steakhouse is a king among steaks.

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a microwaveable bowl as a kid? Remember grabbing a quick sandwich? Maybe even the pot roast from the day before with a little mayo and tomato. Why not combine them into one amazing meal? That was sort of the solution they came up with at The Mule. The Mule decided that if mac ‘n’ cheese and sandwiches are great separately, they’re even better together. (Note: This does not work with every possible combination of two things you love.) The most obvious choice is the Macaroni Pony since it combines mac ‘n’ cheese with pulled pork and jalapeno cornbread – yet another comforting staple we haven’t yet mentioned. From there, an obvious realization occurs: Macaroni is really pasta! Therefore, pasta is an Okie comfort food! Of course it is. Most of us grew up with spaghetti once a week. Since it first opened, Café 7 has been serving fast, affordable, delicious pasta dishes to a vast number of Oklahomans since it first opened. Managing partner J Mays said the pasta dishes far outsell their sandwiches, salads and pizzas. While the downtown location only does breakfast and lunch, the North May store is open for lunch and dinner, and dinner includes a longtime favorite Pasta Maggio: rigatoni, chicken, mushrooms and artichokes in creamy pesto sauce. Café 7 features other childhood favorites, too, like fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti with meatballs. The team focuses on processes, so they get food out hot and fast – which is to say, don’t let a long line deter you.

Money to Burn Here we arrive at steak. There may not be a more signature Oklahoma choice. Did your dad fire up the grill on weekends? Hopefully, he knew how to cook it to temp, and hopefully you didn’t grow up in one of those families where they treat steak unethically … by which I mean cooking it past medium. The state produces beef, and largely because of that, we get some of the best beef in the world right here in Oklahoma City. Beef prices are as high as they have been in recent memory, so prime steaks are going to cost you dearly. Sorting through the selection of prime steakhouses in the 405 can be an impossible task. How do you prefer one prime filet to another? Sides can help sort through that, and Ranch Steakhouse, Mahogany and Red PrimeSteak all have good sides. Ultimately, it comes down to the meat, though, and that becomes a personal preference. I go for ribeye – marbling matters – but friends prefer filet or strip. It’s impossible to go wrong at our city’s best prime steakhouses. Just expect to lay out some serious cash for now. Vegetarian meals will always provide a healthy option to eating meat every day, and unlike some of my omnivorous friends, I really do enjoy a Portobello sandwich. I’ve even eaten the occasional veggie burger; I just wish they’d call it a veggie-mash sandwich instead of a burger, since that’s what it is. Omnivores do themselves a favor by opting for a flexatarian diet, but we are unlikely to convert, because the “carcasses or corpses,” as some vegetarians and vegans are prone to call them, are delicious. And, yes, I know how they ended up on my plate.

A Legacy of Teamwork WH E N TH E TR AN S ITIO N from Kd’s to Legacy Grill was underway, Hal Smith and his team made the decision to retain and pay the employees during the 45-day preparation time. In order to keep the team focused and foster a sense of community, managing partner Nathan Couch got them involved in charitable work in Oklahoma City. “At first we were suggesting projects, but before it was over with, the employees were coming to us with ideas of how they could help the community,” Couch says. “It was amazing to see.” Hank Kraft, the COO of HSRG, said they knew the employees they had were special, but their willingness to dive into the community to help where they could confirmed it for the company. “Individual stores will get involved in projects, but this team was choosing projects, working together and staying together through a transition period.” The projects included work at both Ronald McDonald Houses in Oklahoma City, centers for the charity that provides temporary lodging to the families of sick or injured children who are receiving medical treatment in facilities away from their hometown. Legacy Grill employees helped families staying in the houses by feeding them extremely well on a special guest chef day. In addition to the Ronald McDonald House events, employees volunteered at a local animal shelter and worked on a Habitat for Humanity home together. “HSRG took an unusual and expensive step in keeping the team together,” Couch says, “and they responded by working together, helping the community and getting closer together as a team. It was inspiring to be a part of it.”

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ew N to the Table

A BIGGER BOUNTY FOR METRO DINERS BY STEVE GILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARLI WENTWORTH

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Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and while on one level that leads to thinking about food (this is, after all, the food issue), it also makes this an excellent time to take stock of how much growth the metro has experienced, and how that’s been reflected in an even larger bounty of restaurants that are looking to make their mark on Oklahoma City palates. Yes, we’re back to thinking about food again. We’ve rounded up more than two dozen of our favorite fresh flavor purveyors; please feel free to feast on these recommendations.

THE FIXX

When it began: October 2015 Where to find it: 644 W Edmond Road What’s the story: It’s a classic tale – boy meets burger, boy eats burger, boy looks for opportunities to head back up to Edmond to eat more burgers. Which are huge, by the way, and the result of some painstaking taste-testing and refinement on the part of the owners. What to try: Go for the gusto: The Beast is a burger topped with house-made chili, cheddar, a Schwab hot link, grilled jalapenos and onions and bacon that’s been treated with maple essence. It’s a messy, ferociously flavorful monster.

HATCH

When it began: October 2016 Where to find it: 1101 N Broadway, Automobile Alley What’s the story: Purveyors of “early mood food,” they’re certain to get you in the right mood to kick off your day, thanks to the open feel, natural light, yellow-and-blond-brick color scheme … and completely delicious breakfast. What to try: For sweet, try the Oklahoma-shaped pancake with little crumbles of pecan and bacon; for savory, the migas laced with onions and peppers or the avocado toast. Either way, do *not* leave without some hash brown tumblers. They’re spectacular.

GUYUTES

When it began: August 2015 Where to find it: 730 NW 23rd, corner of 23rd and Shartel What’s the story: Even if temperatures are keeping you from enjoying the second-floor patio, you can swing by for some “elevated street food” and beverages in this Uptown bar; kick back and drink in the come-as-you-are vibe. What to try: If you have any room left after tearing through a huge plate of messy, delicious Tequila Sunfryz, fill it with the Widespread Panic meatloaf pizza or the vegetarian goodness of the hummus/falafel/ quinoa-stuffed Peace in the Middle East wrap. Dude.

Brent ’s Cajun When it began: September 2016

Where to find it: 3005 S Broadway, Edmond What’s the story: The restaurant business is in Brent Hickman’s blood, and metro diners should already be familiar with his work via The Shack. Now he’s moved his knack for spicy seafood and welcoming atmosphere up the Broadway Extension, which should be a cause for celebration among Edmondites. What to try: Boudin balls, Caesar crab salad, blackened catfish topped with crawfish etouffee, even Oysters Brent (that’s topped with shrimp, crab, garlic butter and cheese and grilled) – choose any spicy, steaming Cajun creation and get after it. And then come back on the weekend for an Andouille omelette.

CHAE MODERN KOREAN When it began: October 2015 Where to find it: 1933 NW 23rd, between the OCU campus and Penn What’s the story: OKC had a bit of a gap in its culinary map where Korean cuisine was concerned; Chae has filled the bill with such style and savor that Okies who’d never tried the genre before are now recommending dak galbi and praising bulgogi like pros. If we were doing rankings, it’s hard to imagine this wouldn’t be right at the top – it’s excellent. What to try: Public consensus is that the oxtail soup is an absolute knockout, but I still haven’t been able to talk myself out of the superbly soft pork belly buns and either the silky duck jook or the crunchy rice/beef/vegetable/egg medley of the bibimbap. Guess I’ll just have to eat here more often. Boo hoo hoo. NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

BELLE KITCHEN

When it began: March 2016 Where to find it: 7509 N May, and 30 NE 2nd in Deep Deuce What’s the story: Sweetness for sale in two locations – and the original on May also does a few sandwiches for lunch. Pints of ice cream, macarons (not roons), square doughnuts from a special brioche-and-butter dough, super tiny “pearls” – and if you want to grab some and go, godspeed, but they also brew coffee and stock flavored Pellegrinos if you want to dawdle a few minutes. What to try: We’re told the best sellers are the hibiscus and the maple bacon; taste either of them and you’re likely to think, “Well, obviously.”

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FAT DOG

When it began: March 2016 Where to find it: 1234 N Western, just south of the intersection with Classen What’s the story: It seems almost cruel to tout their topnotch patio just as winter is rolling in, so bear that in mind for April and enjoy the food instead. What to try: The titular Fat Dog, a massive half-pound beast of a frank, is a natural choice, and the buttery, flaky fish and chips is also great.

CULTIVAR When it began: March 2016

Where to find it: 714 N Broadway, Automobile Alley What’s the story: They call it farm-to-fire Mexican; that means top-notch ingredients combined in delectable ways, in an airy open space whose bar and patio are both nicely inviting. What to try: I’m partial to the fully customizable build-yourown burrito bowl, but if the line’s a little long (which can happen during peak hours), the smoked chicken quesadilla is also delicious, especially with some chorizo-laced beans.

Ember THE HASH RETRO DINER When it began: June 2015

Where to find it: 1149 E 2nd, Edmond, just east of UCO What’s the story: The “retro” part of the name refers to a mindset, not a lack of freshness. Just about everything in chef Vetiana Phiasiripanyo’s little old-school diner spot is homemade, down to the jellies and dressings. What to try: The hash, obviously, which comes in half a dozen varieties – try the Fiesta or Trainer – plus the waffles are done to perfection and the salads are especially bountiful.

When it began: November 2015 Where to find it: 6300 Waterford Blvd, in the Waterford What’s the story: An extensive renovation to the hotel resulted in this cozy “Modern American Tavern” that attempts to celebrate the Prohibition era in its cocktail menu while exuding hospitality (you don’t have to know the password to get in). What to try: The Kobe burger with white truffle mayo, preferably after a helping of the duck and Andouille gumbo. Yessir.

PROVISION KITCHEN When it began: October 2015

Where to find it: 6443 Avondale, Nichols Hills Plaza What’s the story: The best ideas come from the ground up, says owner Whitney McClendon. And working with a namesake organic farm in OKC, her restaurant pours locally sourced goodness into salads, soups and take-and-bake entrees, the better to give you healthy meal choices. What to try: The ginger-lime salmon (to take away) puts a lot of flavor into 250 calories, and the Thai shrimp salad on-site will keep your day moving along nicely.

DERAILLEUR When it began: April 2016

Where to find it: 10 W Main, Yukon What’s the story: That’s right, fine dining in Yukon! Sharing its name with a widget that helps cyclists switch gears, this recommended spot constantly rotates its dinner offerings to keep its focus on bold, simple, refined flavors and fresh local ingredients. What to try: Can’t help you there – the menu changes too often to be certain any dish will be available two weeks in a row. But while it’s technically a gamble, the odds are ever in diners’ favor thanks to the expertise of owner Richie Bean and former Ludivine chef Bryce Lack. Go give it a shot. Yukon, ho! NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

NOIR

When it began: November 2015 Where to find it: 701 W Sheridan, The Paramount Building on Film Row What’s the story: It’s a pity this spot doesn’t open until 5 p.m., since it’s less than a block away from the 405 office. But if you need some dinner, drinks or a latenight brunch (midnight-2 a.m.), it’s a stylish reason to swing by Film Row. What to try: Depends on your scope: you can go big with a huge helping of chicken coconut curry, medium with the French dip-esque D.O.A. or snacky by tackling the chips-pork-and-black-bean nachos. And for a liquid kicker, the Double Indemnity is an untethered star.

PATRONO

TEXAS DE BRAZIL

When it began: July 2015

When it began: August 2016

Where to find it: 305 N Walker

Where to find it: Penn Square Mall, by the main entrance on the south side

What’s the story: To avoid burying the lede: Try this place soon, and often. The small space tucked away in the Avana apartment complex downtown is filled with southern Italian flavor in a panoply of pasta and protein. What to try: Everything I’ve tried is excellent, from arancini to almond cake, but the bucatini amatriciana makes a perfect, spicy starting point.

What’s the story: The OKC addition to the nationwide chain of churrascarias lets diners choose from leg of lamb, filet mignon, spicy sausage and more cuts of meat carried through the restaurant on skewers. What to try: Whatever you feel like – the primary menu option is an all-you-can-eat pass to sample anything on tap, including the massive salad bar and the array of side dishes, bread and imported cheeses.

The Fit Pig When it began: January 2016

Where to find it: 722 N Broadway, just off Automobile Alley What’s the story: Eating healthy can often be a lot of work, a flavor wasteland or both, so a spot like this that dishes up genuinely appetizing options to go is much appreciated. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, gluten-free, paleo … you’re all set. What to try: Always give the namesake dish a shot: The Fit Pig combines hunks of chicken with sweet potatoes, greens, a dab of garlic and even bacon. See, eating smart isn’t necessarily frustrating.

GORO RAMEN + IZAKAYA When it began: July 2016 Where to find it: 1634 Blackwelder, Plaza District What’s the story: A Plaza District portal to Japan (flavorfully, not physically), it aims to replicate the bustling, casually communal vibe of a Tokyo pub. What to try: The nikuman (soft buns) and cauliflower appetizers, as well as the warm, fragrant mochi cake, make excellent additions to the namesake ramen, itself a savory and potentially spicy treat.

SUNNYSIDE DINER When it began: June 2016

Where to find it: 916 W 6th, just off Classen What’s the story: Has this been a great year for new diners or what? If you haven’t tried this cheery spot on the west side of downtown, do – they do lunch, but have more than enough breakfast prowess to fill you up before you even look at the sandwiches. What to try: The kitchen displays good execution on simpler dishes such as pancakes and eggs benedict, as well as range on more imaginative stuff: the lemon-blueberry French toast is a delicious dose of sugar and carbs, and the Eggs in Purgatory uses spicy marinara to outstanding effect.

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PUEBLA

When it began: May 2015 Where to find it: 305 E Main, downtown Norman What’s the story: This taqueria of fresh-made tastes is a trifle older than the other entries on this list, but – if you’ll pardon its inclusion – it was new to us. And a revelation; it’s genuinely wonderful. What to try: Everything we tried was legitimately delicious, and we tried a fair portion of the menu. Even I, no fan of fungus, had to admit the smoked Portobello is tasty, as well as innovative, but start with the incredibly rich, savory beef barbacoa that made us involuntarily groan with appreciation.

Mary Eddy’s When it began: May 2016 Where to find it: 900 W Main, 21c Museum Hotel

EGGINGTON’S

When it began: November 2015 Where to find it: 737 W Danforth, Edmond What’s the story: Based on a Wyoming dining concept, this colorful diner down the street from Edmond North is a prime stopover when you’re in that end of the metro and in the mood for hearty eats. What to try: It’d be difficult to hold yourself merely to something comparatively light like the chicken salad stuffed into and heaped upon an avocado – it’s quite good, but the rest of the menu is awfully tempting, and the rich Florentine Benedict or hunk of focaccia smothered in sausage gravy are liable to overwhelm your resistance. As they should.

What’s the story: Resurrecting the old Fred Jones Manufacturing Plant into a classy boutique hotel has paid a couple of extra dividends: Its contemporary art gallery is always open for public exploration, and its house restaurant brings some serious flavor to Film Row. What to try: The house-made charcuterie platter is a brilliant starter, the pizzas display crafty flavor combinations, and the snapper is one of the best pieces of fish I’ve ever had in the city. Plus, they’re bullish on bourbon, so bear their bountiful bar selection in mind.

LEGACY GRILL When it began: September 2016 Where to find it: 224 Johnny Bench, Bricktown What’s the story: In the interest of not re-opening any fresh wounds, we’ll just say this is a slightly revised take on a previous Hal Smith Restaurant Group concept. It now focuses on paying homage to Sooner State legends through images on loan from the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and on dishing up house takes on traditional American cuisine. What to try: The honey-fried chicken is probably the specialty of the house, but give some thought to the blackened catfish stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp, as well.

BAY STREET BISTRO When it began: August 2016 Where to find it: 1315 24th Avenue SW, Norman What’s the story: It takes a little work to find, considering the construction on Lindsey and its location off 24th (turn east at the tag agency and look for the blue building with wrought iron railings), but the persistent Normanite will find some nice, tasty offerings at the end of the rocky trail. What to try: A grilled chicken kabob bowl if you’re feeling virtuous; a heavenly bacon-boosted gourmet grilled cheese if temptation gets the better of you. And since it should, you can balance out your caloric karma by adding a Jump Start smoothie. Everybody wins! NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

Volare

When it began: October 2016 Where to find it: 315 White, Norman What’s the story: Parking is always a salient concern for someplace in the heart of Campus Corner, but make the effort – this is a cool, stylish space with a menu thoroughly worth exploring. Be sure to take a gander from the third-floor rooftop patio, too. What to try: The powerhouse oven can knock out Neapolitan-style pizzas in about 90 seconds, so you shouldn’t have to wait long to try classics (the Margarita makes the most of its fresh, tangy tomato sauce) or more experimental pies such as the honey-laced Bee Sting. And the namesake short rib sandwich should be in your thoughts, as well.

GIGGLEZ BAR & GRILL When it began: November 2015 Where to find it: 1016 N Walker, across from St. Anthony and just south of the roundabout on 10th What’s the story: It’d be easier to recommend if it had a name like Jerry’s or Food Palace, but even with the … suboptimal branding, the taste of the product makes it eminently worth a visit. What to try: The burgers – like the avocado-enhanced Guac Guac, Who’s There? – have a beef/ pork blend, the pizzas are delicious and they have a really inventive weekend brunch menu.

THE DRAKE When it began: August 2015 Where to find it: 519 NW 23rd, in The Rise What’s the story: It takes a certain level of determination to open a seafood-focused restaurant thousands of miles inland, but Good Egg has a golden touch for restaurateuring – and this newest flagship is a sleek, stylish marvel at presenting and sharing the splendor of the seas. What to try: The oysters are varied and plentiful, any fish is going to be well-presented and they have a mac and cheese tinted with squid ink (come on, how are you going to miss that?), but the scallops are the tender, succulent apex.

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THE HUTCH ON AVONDALE

MEATBALL HOUSE

Where to find it: 6437 Avondale, Nichols Hills Plaza

What’s the story: Though they do a tasty spaghetti, this is not solely an Italian restaurant – you’ll find plenty of influences from Japan to France to the U.S.A. on their menu, and a wide variety of delicious options.

When it began: September 2015 Where to find it: 333 W Boyd, on Campus Corner, Norman

When it began: September 2016

What’s the story: The Coach House is gone; long live The Hutch. One of OKC’s legends has been given a 21st century redesign, maintaining exceptional cuisine in a more relaxed bar-type atmosphere. What to try: Whatever you pick – pork rillettes, smoked brisket sandwich, pork steak with spaetzle – plan to pair it with a craft cocktail or two, as the bar is packed with creativity thanks to mixologist Kyle Fleischfresser.

Coming Soon Barrios En Croute Hopscotch Jones Assembly

What to try: The Balls on Buns – sliders, basically – allow for trying multiple combinations of proteins and sauces, and I’m partial to the mac and cheese with embedded beef balls. Plus, the cocktail menu is excellent.

Future flavors to put on your radar

Nic’s Place The Pritchard Revolucion El Toro Chino

Union at SoSA Yokozuna Yolk Yuzo

Award-Winning Italian Dining locally owned fine food and great service

17200 N MAY, #700, EDMOND 405.285.5991 // MONISOKC.COM

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all T addle S

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LOCAL FLAVOR

Still

in the

REVISITING AN OKC LEGEND

Given that one of our features for this issue looks at the newest set of dining establishments to hit the metro (p. 70), we thought for our standard restaurant review we’d head in the other temporal direction and revisit a classic. And in OKC, they don’t come any more venerable than Cattlemen’s – founded in 1910. Seriously. BY STEVE GILL // PHOTOS BY CARLI WENT WORTH AT HOME ON THE RANGE

Like the Ship of Theseus, individual elements have been replaced now and again without disrupting the overall identity and atmospheric collection of leather chairs, dark red carpet, exposed brick and wood and decorative touches ranging from small vintage photos to the giant illuminated picture that takes up the south wall. The menu gets occasional minor updates, such as the recent addition of a creamy, breadcrumb-topped mac and cheese to the reliable sides of sautéed mushrooms or steamed broccoli, and during the photo shoot I overheard some of the waitstaff discussing brunch at Café Kacao, which seems like a good indication of a slightly more cosmopolitan city than a visitor would have found 80 years ago. But it remains identifiably Cattlemen’s, the spot where ranchers and farmers and John Wayne and George Bush

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CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE 1305 S Agnew, OKC (in Stockyards City) 405.236.0416 cattlemensrestaurant.com Sunday-Thursday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday 6 a.m.-midnight Bear in Mind: While the restaurant’s rep tends to rely on its dinners, it also does an excellent breakfast, and can serve omelettes, pancakes and French toast all day. Yes, and also steak and eggs.

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LOCAL FLAVOR

and innumerable unrenowned folks have sat and eaten for a century and counting. If you set out to create this restaurant today, it would almost certainly feel forced and fake, but it turns out a steady flow of months and years and decades results in a perceptible, inarguable authenticity. Cattlemen’s isn’t trying to be a Western-themed steakhouse, it just is as it is – and when (not if) you see a patron in a cowboy hat, it’s probably part of their daily attire. This might sound counterintuitive, but unless your party is just immense or it’s a peak hour, I would argue that it’s actually a good thing they don’t take reservations. The waiting area upstairs is spacious and comfortable, with a couple of TVs spread around and a bar should you need to wet down any trail dust in your throat. They even have a house beer: the refreshing, hoppy Double Deuce. A little extra time to soak up the atmosphere is, in this case, a good thing.

VITTLES AND VIANDS

If you don’t know what lamb fries are, I won’t ruin it for you, but since they’re a house specialty, we steeled ourselves and gave them a try … and were pleasantly surprised to discover they’re tasty and astonishingly tender. I might have wished for a dab more pepper in the breading, but as long as you don’t fixate on precisely where they came from, they’re genuinely good. Test these yourself, and enjoy. The steaks are obviously the main event; cut from corn-fed beef and specially aged, they have beautiful cross-hatchings of grill marks and

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a flame-broiled savor, especially the bacon-wrapped filet (which is a thick, tender pleasure). The decision to hold the plating to just a splash of jus and let the meat speak for itself, rather than adding a pistachio crust or béarnaise, is a prime example of well-considered restraint. Since Cattlemen’s is of the old school, all steaks come with a baked potato, massive yeast rolls and a small green salad (don’t let anything dissuade you from getting the house dressing). So plan ahead for a feast, and be forewarned that the cream pies and cobblers are immense, as well as delicious. It’s a fairly particular kind of meal – I don’t imagine they go through very many orders of the salmon in a week – and to a greater degree than many places, the experience of eating here is about more than just the food on the plates. During this most recent visit, I reached across the table for a piece of toast to crumble into my salad as croutons, and suddenly had a powerful, clear memory of doing the same thing as an 8-year-old seated across the table from my grandfather, a lifelong horse and cattleman who rarely left the house without his own cowboy hat. He passed 20 years ago; I still have his watch in a box at home. And for that moment all the seconds of the last three decades had disappeared. You can’t order a memory like that off the menu. And if you don’t already have a connection to this OKC institution to draw memories from, you still have time to go make one. Cattlemen’s isn’t going anywhere.

dining

SPIRITS

sugar – either syrup or caramel. Caramel works best, but it’s the most tedious method of adding sugar. Mays decided he wanted to make homemade vermouth. The Internet is a wonderful resource for such endeavors, and Mays quickly found a couple of recipes and lists of possible botanicals. “It was much easier than I expected,” he smiles. “Not the actual making of it, but the discovery of how to make it and what goes in it.”

Vermouth for You

Crafting a homemade mixer A S OF T E N A S NOT , we’re likely to see vermouth

poured into a martini glass, swirled around and then unceremoniously dumped. The “vermouth wash” is a disdainful way to treat a beverage that is, in fact, delicious in its own right. Fortunately, there is a vermouth revival of sorts right now, and brands such as Cocchi, Dolin and La Quintinye Vermouth Royal are helpful reminders that the fortified wine works well as a cordial, too. J Mays, managing partner of Café 7 and Venue 7, often applies a playful curiosity to ad hoc projects. When the mood arises, he might Uber around town to find “the best Mint Julep” or “the best Old Fashioned” in the metro, sampling cocktails from six or eight of the city’s bartenders along the way. Recently, he turned his curiosity to vermouth, and not just the kind you buy off a shelf. “I wanted to make my own vermouth,” he says. If you think “Why?” is the obvious response here, you might suffer from a deficiency of curiosity, or you might not like to cook, but to hear Mays talk about it is suddenly to become fascinated with what Europeans have long known is a wonderful aperitif. Essentially, vermouth is wine – usually white – fortified with botanicals that have been macerated (softened) in neutral spirits. The botanicals are strained out, and then the mixture is added to wine along with

BUILDING YOUR BLEND With the exception of wormwood, the botanicals most commonly associated with vermouth are easily found. We sent the list to Able Blakley, owner of Savory Spice Shop, and he confirmed that he had everything in-house. Kyle Fleischfresser, managing partner of The Hutch on Avondale and a bartending expert, said the wormwood is an easy fix, too. “You can grow your own,” Fleischfresser says. “Many people in Oklahoma have it growing in their yard and just don’t know it.” You can also order it from the Internet. That’s what Mays did, as it’s not illegal. Fleischfresser also said the maceration process would give greater character to the homemade vermouth. In addition to serving the tippler as a cordial, sweet vermouth can be used to make a Negroni, a Rob Roy or a Martinez, thereby creating a cocktail with your own signature blend. In typical fashion, Mays intends to experiment with wine varietals. Ordinarily, a dry white wine is sufficient, but he intends to broaden the scope of flavors. “I’m wondering what other varietals, even rosé, will impart in terms of flavors,” Mays says. “I also want to use local honey in place of sugar to see what that will do.” To get started, choose between dry and sweet vermouth as your target, since the list of botanicals is radically different. Savory Spice can work with you on herb/spice combinations to suit your own flavor preferences. In fact, Mays said the most difficult part is getting the botanical mixture right. “You have to macerate each one in its own jelly jar,” he explains, “but that allows you to taste them individually after they have soaked for a couple of weeks. You can build your own flavor combinations that way.” As for neutral spirits, both Fleischfresser and Mays said vodka will do just fine. Blakley recommends being adventurous with ingredients, such as using rosebuds for dry and allspice or kaffir lime leaves for sweet. Other commonly used botanicals include vanilla pods, marjoram, gentian root, juniper berries, sage, rosemary, orange peel, lemon zest, bay leaves and many, many more. The variety allows for nearly unlimited combinations to create a personalized vermouth. Here’s to possibilities. - GREG HORTON

FIND YOUR OWN MIX Your preferred flavor profile will determine what type of botanicals you should collect. DRY

Black Pepper

Lavender

Ginger

SWEET

Cardamon

Cinnamon

Cloves

Star Anise

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CHEF’S TABLE

Flavor That Runs Deep Matthew Heard and his Humble beginnings T HE F L AVOR S and foods of childhood

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The Heard clan: (l to r) Ranger Blaze, Joyanne, Matthew, Britain and Peylin

new dishes and trying new flavors and combinations. With no formal training, he learned all he knows by cooking, sampling, mixing and experimenting. “I always wanted to take formal cooking courses, but I also think having a knack for knowing what flavors and ingredients complement each other is important,” he says. Humble Pie is the culmination of a dream he had when he was a kid, even if a fairly unspecific dream. “I’ve known since I was 10 that I’d have a restaurant,” he asserts. Of course, at 10, he never imagined it would be a deep-dish pizzeria, nor did he know all that would be involved. “I had no idea how expensive they were to start, or how much work it takes to run one,” he says. “I had no gray hair when I started Humble Pie.” The amount of time required to run a family-owned restaurant requires that he and his family curtail their leisure time. Although he is trying to get more into paragliding, the restaurant makes vacations and hiking trips – another favorite – hard to manage. “We spend a lot of family time together,” he says. “We rest on days off and try to do things together that make memories.” Since he’s always enjoyed new things, Heard shared a recipe for a new dish he’s been working on: pasta with vodka sauce. - GREG HORTON

HOW IT’S DONE Heard Vodka Sauce 1 cup vodka (your favorite) 1 tsp hot sauce (your favorite) 1/2 pound smoked bacon 1/2 pound chicken, chopped or ground 3 large cloves fresh garlic, minced 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1 28-oz can roma tomatoes (or 12-14 fresh tomatoes) 2 8-oz cans tomato sauce 1 cup heavy cream Salt and pepper to taste Combine vodka with the hot sauce in a separate bowl. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, and finely chop it. Drain off half of the fat from the pan. Add the chicken to the pan and sauté it with the garlic, 1 tbsp basil and red pepper flakes. When the chicken is done, add the vodka/hot sauce and bacon to the pan and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Crush the tomatoes and add those, along with the two cans of tomato sauce. Add the heavy cream and simmer for 10 more minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Salt and pepper to taste. Ladle sauce over your favorite pasta or garlic toast, garnish with remaining basil and enjoy.

PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN

don’t always follow us into adulthood, sometimes because we’re too much of a child to know what’s good. The first time Matthew Heard tasted deep-dish pizza – at the age of 10 – he was underwhelmed. “We were eating at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in Chicago,” he remembers, “and when the server brought the pizza to the table, I looked at it in disgust and wondered who came up with that dumb idea.” That not-so-dumb idea is now the focal point of Heard’s Humble Pie Pizza & Deli in Edmond. The pizzeria specializes in deep-dish pizza and is only open for dinner. As for why its focus is on deep-dish, Heard would eventually come to love it. “I tried deep-dish again at the age of 14, and I realized how amazing it can be, especially if it’s done right,” he says. “Just about anybody can mess a dish up, and my first attempts at recreating the Chicago-style, deep-dish pizzas were anything but spectacular.” Growing up, his culinary life was shaped by a lot of casseroles and baked dishes. The family did not have a lot of money, so Heard learned to take inexpensive ingredients and transform them into something delicious. “Cooking was a chore at first, and I mean that literally,” he says. “My mom insisted all of us learn to cook when we were young; I started about 4 or 5.” Like most of us, he had mixed success as a young home cook. “I remember making meatloaf soup once,” he recalls. “I undercooked the meatloaf, so we made soup with it.” As he got older and got better with ingredients and techniques, he discovered he enjoyed cooking, especially making

LOV E . L I F E . B E E R . CO R E . OUR PHILOSOPHY IS SIMPLE. IT’S MUCH EASIER TO LOVE LIFE, WITH GOOD BEER. AND EACH FLAVOR WE CRAFT IS BREWED TO ENSURE THAT WE ADHERE TO THAT PHILOSOPHY. FROM BEHEMOTH PILSNER, TO OATMEAL STOUT, ARKANSAS RED TO LEGHOUND LAGER, EVERY BEER THAT WE PRODUCE WILL REMIND YOU THAT LIFE, AND GOOD BEER, ARE TO BE SAVORED. THE NEXT TIME YOU’RE AT YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT OR BEER RETAILER, ASK FOR CORE BY NAME. YOU’LL THANK YOURSELF LATER.

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NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

food drink Symbols

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

American ANCHOR DOWN Sip a beer or specialty cocktail and munch on a selection of gourmet corndogs in this fresh Deep Deuce concept housed within repurposed shipping containers. 30 NE 2nd, OKC, 605.8070 $ CAFÉ 501 Rustic stone oven pizzas, fresh salads and specialty sandwiches on house-made artisan breads. Add welcoming atmosphere and enjoy. 501 S Boulevard, Edmond, 359.1501; $$ DEEP FORK GRILL Crisply elegant atmosphere complements the menu of superb seafood (wood-grilled cedar plank salmon is a house specialty), steaks and accoutrements. 5418 N Western, OKC, 848.7678 $$

breakfast (or lunch), it should be right up your Automobile Alley. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 232.3949 $$

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

in-house, as are the bevy of wondrous craft cocktails. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900 $$

THE HUTCH ON AVONDALE The all-time classic Coach House receives an update with a more modern menu sprinkled with experimental twists, and a full suite of tempting cocktails, wines and spirits. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 $$

POPS The incredible profusion of soda varieties will dazzle visitors – and the sandwiches, salads, burgers and diner fare are certainly worth careful, repeated examination. 6447 Avondale, OKC, 928.7677 $

SUNNYSIDE DINER A new day dawns for breakfast and lunch on the west side of downtown as a former service station becomes a no-pretense, made-fromscratch diner. Order up! 916 NW 6th, OKC $

HEFNER GRILL Upscale fare of handcut steaks and seafood plus a tempting brunch to boot, enhanced by a live piano and a spectacular view overlooking scenic Lake Hefner. 9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 748.6113 $$ KITCHEN NO. 324 A seasonally inspired café and craft bakery serving spectacular rustic American cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, and a thorough treat for breakfast or brunch. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $ LEGACY GRILL The décor is rich with artifacts and imagery honoring Oklahoma’s great leaders and stars, and the menu’s collection of comfort food and fresh tastes includes more than a few greats of its own. 224 Johnny Bench, OKC, 701.3535 $$ LEGEND’S A Lindsey Street landmark for over 40 years, this casually upscale restaurant still serves exceptional seafood, steaks and more amid welcoming surroundings. 1313 W Lindsey, Norman, 329.8888 $$

EMBER A spate of classic cocktails and some nicely comfortable ambience make this “Modern American Tavern” in the Waterford a solid gathering place for drinks, but the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner is filled with food temptations, as well. 6300 Waterford, OKC, 585.2490 $$

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 $$

FAT DOG This flavor-filled kitchen and bar dishes up treats from fish and chips to a killer Cobb salad … but if you just want to cool your heels on the patio with burgers, hot dogs and beer, you’re in the right place. 1234 N Western, OKC, 609.3647 $

MEATBALL HOUSE The focus in this Campus Corner restaurant is right where the name says, but the variety of ingredients, sauces and presentation in salads/sandwiches/pizza/pasta gives a surprising breadth of satisfying dining options. 333 W Boyd, Norman, 701.3800 $$

FLINT Approachably casual style, plus the kitchen’s impeccably serious attention to detail in the outstanding contemporary cuisine, winningly combined in the Colcord Hotel. 15 N Robinson, OKC, 601.4300 $$ GUYUTES The vibe is definitely and deliberately mellow in this Uptown watering hole; the diverse and musically named collection of pizzas and wraps and such have a ton of flavor to offer, adding more temptation to the loaded drinks menu and incredible patio. 730 NW 23rd, OKC, 702.6960 $ HATCH They call it “early mood food,” and if you find yourself in the mood for a sumptuous made-from-scratch

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NIC’S PLACE Already justly renowned for his skill at the grill, burger master Justin Nicholas offers breakfast, dinner, drinks and late night treats served in outstanding style at this Midtown diner and lounge. 1116 N Robinson, OKC $$ PACKARD’S NEW AMERICAN KITCHEN They’re not kidding about the “new” – the entire lunch and dinner menus are filled with innovative tastes for a distinctive dining experience. 201 NW 10th, OKC, 605.3771 $$ PICASSO CAFÉ Their neighbors in the Paseo are painters, potters and sculptors, so it’s apt that creativity abounds in these zippy sandwiches,

PROVISION KITCHEN The concept sounds deliciously promising: fresh and local meals for the taking. This Nichols Hills Plaza locale offers chefprepared portion-controlled meals and salads in a seasonally rotating menu of organic and locally sourced ingredients; perfect for taking a healthy lunch or dinner to go. 6443 N Western, OKC, 843.2310 $ THE R&J LOUNGE AND SUPPER CLUB A sentimental dining experience with vintage recipes and atmosphere. Seating is limited but the patio is a year-round treat, and the drinks menu is a thing of beauty. 320 NW 10th, OKC, 602.5066 $$ REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas, pork chops and steak by the lake in a casual, energetic, hacienda-style atmosphere of stone walls and mahogany beams around an open kitchen. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995; 1820 Legacy Park, Norman, 701.5501 $$ SATURN GRILL A star of the lunchtime stage in Nichols Hills Plaza, its rotation of daily specials and tasty twists on pizza, sandwiches and salads keep it crowded on weekdays. Calling ahead is recommended. 6432 Avondale, OKC, 843.7114 $ SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Top-of -the-line ingredients are combined into entrees and sides that are carefully concocted

VAST Keeping your attention on the steaks, seafood and other temptations might be difficult; the view from atop the Devon Tower is truly unparalleled in Oklahoma, making this a fantastic date spot. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$$ VICEROY GRILLE Opulent décor, comfortable environs and some outstanding cuisine make a strong recommendation for the Ambassador Hotel’s in-house restaurant; don’t overlook the brunch options. 1200 N Walker Ave, OKC, 600.6200 $$ WAFFLE CHAMPION A food truck that expanded into a brick-and-mortar location in Midtown, its gourmet flavor combinations use waffles as the foundation for sweet and savory sandwich treats. 1212 N Walker, OKC, 525.9235 $ WHISKEY CAKE High-quality locally sourced ingredients, prepared using slow cooking techniques that’s a prime recipe for outstanding dining. Enjoy – and don’t forget the namesake dessert. 1845 NW Expressway, OKC, 582.2253 $$

Asian CHAE Found near OCU, this pancultural treat puts a delectable influence on embracing traditional Korean cuisine and showcasing its versatility by blending its ingredients with dishes from around the world. Grab your chopsticks and enjoy. 1933 NW 23rd, OKC, 600.9040 $$ GUERNSEY PARK A hidden treasure on an Uptown back street, reflecting traditional Asian flavors expertly fused with a hint of French influence. Try the chicken lollipops and curry salmon. 2418 N Guernsey, OKC, 605.5272 $$

Syrup

The most important meal of the day is also the most enticing at this unique breakfast boutique serving a heaping helping of signature dishes (the crunchy French toast is something special) and Stumptown coffee. 123 E Main, Norman, 701.1143 $

O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in cool, vibrant digs. Call ahead for dinner, because it becomes a packed house in a hurry. 105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$ SAII With a dark, rich ambiance that elevates it over its surroundings, the captivating Saii serves expertly done Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare plus an extensive and adventurous sushi menu. 6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244 $$

Bakery BELLE KITCHEN Doughnuts, macarons, pastries and ice cream created from scratch, in small batches – making treats like these with care and passion makes a difference that’s easy, and a pleasure, to taste. 7509 N May, OKC, 430.5484; 30 NE 2nd, OKC, 541.5858 $ CUPPIES & JOE The name is only part of the story: the Uptown nook holds cupcakes and coffee as well as pie, live music, a cozy, trendy vibe and more. Park around back and take a peek. 727 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $ LA BAGUETTE Comfort and exquisite baking make a tres chic destination for brunch and beyond. They supply pastries throughout the metro, but the source is especially delicious. 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman, 329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman, 329.5822 $ PIE JUNKIE A Plaza District haven for serious pie aficionados. Call ahead to order a whole pie or quiche or walk in and choose from what’s on hand; either way the flavors are incredible, and you may never find a better Key lime. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $ SARA SARA CUPCAKES The ambiance and milk bar make great additions to the variety of specialty cupcakes - selections range from traditional chocolate to blueberry honey and even bacon, egg and cheese. 7 NW 9th, OKC, 600.9494 $

Bar & Pub Food THE BARREL The menu is wellstocked with intriguing and delicious twists on pub cuisine like shepherd’s pie and shrimp and chips, but the equally ample bar makes it a great spot to relax over drinks as well. 4308 N Western, OKC, 525.6682 $ BLU FINE WINE & FOOD Just south of Main Street, this sleek bar stands out due to quick, courteous service and a menu with gourmet range from mojitos to barbeque chicken pizza to fresh hummus. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$ THE LIBRARY Despite the name and its location adjacent to the OU campus, this low-light hangout spot won’t help you study … unless you’re doing independent research on local beers and excellent pizza. 607 W Boyd, Norman, 366.7465 $ THE MONT While the food should tempt palates inclined toward a Southwestern zing, it’s beverages like the beloved Sooner Swirl and the primo patio (with misters) for which this landmark is justly renowned. 1300 Classen Blvd, Norman, 329.3330 $ OAK & ORE A Plaza District port of call built with repurposed rustic materials, it offers more than a handful of creative sandwiches that practically require a knife and fork, as well as a tantalizing selection of lovingly chosen craft beers. 1732 NW 16th, OKC $ O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB & GRILLE Beloved by students, alumni

and townies alike, it’s served up killer burgers, beer and festive atmosphere since 1968. A St. Patrick’s Day must. 769 Asp, Norman, 217.8454 $

become a gathering place for genuine java enthusiasts, especially during its periodic educational sampling seminars. 1015 N Broadway, OKC, 606.2763 $

PUB W Multiple sections provide a choice of atmosphere, but the menu filled with choice beer and “new classic” fare from barbeque wings to pork chops is a constant pleasure. 3720 W Robinson, Norman, 701.5844; 3121 W Memorial, OKC, 608.2200 $$

ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house - the passionate staff is always eager to share knowledge about the process augmented with locally sourced salads, breakfast options and other treats. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Part beer bar and part upscale eatery, this noisy, amply attended Classen Curve locale pairs a vast selection of quality brews with tasty menu items, including a great burger selection. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577 $$ SLAUGHTER’S HALL A good-vibe hangout in the heart of Deep Deuce, it’s home to great sandwiches and brunch options, a strong beer selection, a notoriously tasty take on poutine and some of the best mac and cheese in the city. 221 N Central, OKC, 606.6063 $$

Barbeque EARL’S RIB PALACE A popular choice among locals in a genre that’s hardly lacking in options, the local chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $ IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE Iron Star specializes in “a unique and tasty spin on comfort food.” While its entrees are excellent, the sides here are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$ LEO’S BAR-B-Q Dense, rich flavor and tender texture, delivered in genuine unpolished style for commendable value – no wonder its ribs and brisket are favorites among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367 $

Burgers & Sandwiches COW CALF-HAY This tempting burger spot offers ample flavor combinations, and the delicious never-frozen patties are mmmmmassive. Don’t forget the onion rings. 3409 Wynn, Edmond, 509.2333; 212 N Harvey, OKC, 601.6180 $ THE FIXX Massive, monstrous burgers and hot dogs, put together with thought and care. Don’t forget to get a shake or something from the full bar. 644 W Edmond, Edmond, 285.2311 $ THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER It can get noisy in the sports-bar atmosphere, but even so your focus will likely be on savoring the many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 8 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com $ IRMA’S BURGER SHACK Hand-cut fries, hand-breaded onion rings and simply great burgers, especially with No Name Ranch patties - lean and flavorful thanks to a local breed of cattle. 1035 NW 63rd, OKC, 840.4762; 1120 Classen Dr, OKC, 235.4762 $

Hillbilly’s

There’s mighty appealing flavor in their land-based or seafood sandwiches, and the licit thrill of moonshine cocktails is a bonus. The shady patio is a genuine pleasure. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 702.9805 $

THE MULE Solid beer and beverage selection plus a delectable array of gourmet grilled cheeses and melts (ingredients range from fontina to figs) 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 $

RED CUP Comfortably ramshackle surroundings encourage curling up for conversation over great coffee, baked treats, vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch specials, and live music. It’s highly recommended. 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430 $ T, AN URBAN TEAHOUSE Proving that an establishment’s focus can be at once narrow and broad, these retreats offer over 100 varieties and expert counsel to explore a world of possibiliteas. 511 NW 23rd St, OKC, 7518 N May, OKC, 418.4333 $

Continental BIN 73 Think of it as a wine bar but don’t overlook the tasting menu - diners can fill up on filet mignon or simply top the evening off with tapas while enjoying the full gamut of libations and chic ambiance. 7312 N Western, OKC, 843.0073 $$

S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these burgers’ exquisite flavors - including such showcase ingredients as peanut butter or a coffee crust - come as sliders too, the better to sample more kinds. 5 metro locations, sandbburgers.com $

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 $$

TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS With one burger, one side dish (fries) and one salad, the menu is easy to remember - and the execution makes the meal unforgettable. Add a shake and enjoy. 3 metro locations, tuckersonionburgers.com $

CHEEVER’S Southwestern-influenced recipes (the chicken-fried steak is a house specialty) and love of seafood drive the contemporary comfort food in one of the city’s finest dining destinations. 2409 N Hudson, OKC, 525.7007 $$

Coffeehouse & Tea Room

LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally sourced ingredients - but every dish is the result of genuine culinary artistry. 805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$

ALL ABOUT CHA Universal standards and unusual concoctions (the sweet potato latte is a wonder) in a cheerful atmosphere; the food options are worth investigating, as well. 5 metro locations, allaboutcha.net $ CAFÉ EVOKE Outstanding coffee drinks and other beverages from one of the area’s great caterers; if patrons wish to stick around to sample soup, sandwiches, snacks or sweets, so much the better for their palates. 103 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.1522 $ CLARITY COFFEE The vibe is crisp, clean and cool while remaining welcoming and comfortable – including seating for sipping or getting some work done – and the brewers have their beverages down to a science. As the sign says, “Drink the Coffee.” 431 W Main, OKC $ COFFEE SLINGERS Rocking a brisk, urban vibe on Automobile Alley, it has

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 $$$ THE MELTING POT Special occasion? Here’s where to make a meal into an event. Specializing in four-course fondue dinners, this Bricktown restaurant rewards a time investment with delectable memories. 4 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1000 $$$ 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 $$

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

MICHAEL’S GRILL Thoroughly urbane dining in an intimate setting: the steaks, chops, seafood and pastas are all reliably excellent, and the Caesar salad prepared tableside is the stuff of legends. 2824 W Country Club, OKC, 810.9000 $$$ THE MUSEUM CAFÉ A setting as inspiring as the OKC Museum of Art warrants something special in cuisine: delicately light or delectably robust, its European-inspired menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$ PARK AVENUE GRILL A one-ofa-kind dining experience inside the luxurious Skirvin Hilton, blending traditional steak and seafood with the high style of its 1930s setting. 1 Park, OKC, 702.8444 $$$ PASEO GRILL Quiet and intimate inside, cheerful and comfortable out on the patio, with an award-winning menu filled with distinctive flavors inspired by the cuisines of Europe in both areas – try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079 $$$ ROCOCO An “East Coast-style” restaurant with a diverse menu of international dishes, all set off by carefully selected wines to create the perfect dinner pairing. 12252 N May, OKC, 212.4577; 2824 N Penn, OKC, 528.2824 $$

Treasure Trove Savor creativity at The Sushi Bar

AS A CO NC E P T , sushi is pretty broad – the term can technically apply to any combination of ingredients that includes sushi rice, and Americans even tend to lump the rice-less raw fish of sashimi into the same category. Regardless of your degree of orthodoxy, there’s a whole enormous world of delicious, eye-catching possibilities beyond the humble California roll. And if you’re interested in beginning to explore that world, The Sushi Bar is waiting to act as your travel agent. Consider this bounty whipped up by executive chef and owner Andy Lau: In his left hand, the Sashimi Sampler combines tender slices of yellowtail, tuna, salmon, albacore, escolar and octopus, with lemon, cucumber, a ginger rose and a wasabi leaf. The Citrus Snapper, in his right, adds tang to its titular fish with pickled cucumber, orange segments, ponzu sauce and chopped oba leaves. And on the bar rests Pandora’s Box (which you won’t find on the menu), a roll of seafood mix, spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado and atomic sauce topped with tuna, salmon and tobiko, surrounding a central hoard of spicy tuna chunks, crab, lemon zest and flakes of gold. It is, in multiple respects, dazzling. The Sushi Bar has locations in Edmond (NW 178th) and OKC (on Memorial) – bon voyage. - STEVE GILL

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

SEVEN47 A Campus Corner hotspot boasting sleek, swank décor, an appealingly broad menu including a tantalizing brunch and a consistently celebratory vibe - in toto that makes this a winner. 747 Asp, Norman, 701.8622 $$ SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; magnificent culinary rewards. The expertly considered menu mixes French and Italian flavors to present a wide spectrum of amazing flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$ WEST Expert staff and stylish décor augment a menu filled with treats from beef pad thai to roasted airline chicken. Don’t forget the zuccha chips! 6714 N Western, OKC, 607.4072; 1 Mickey Mantle, OKC $$

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

German DAS BOOT CAMP Longtime fixture for Deutsch festivities Royal Bavaria has brewed up a second round of exceptional cuisine and magnificent beer in a less expensive, faster-paced location in downtown Norman. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $ FASSLER HALL Bringing festive German flavor to Midtown via housemade sausages, warm soft pretzels with cheese sauce, duck fries and a heftig

beer menu, plus a weekend brunch – what’s not to love? 421 NW 10th, OKC, 609.3300 $ INGRID’S Authentic German fare at its best, including outstanding Oklahomamade bratwurst. Join weekend regulars for breakfast, and remember the bakery counter. 3701 N Youngs, OKC, 946.8444; 6501 N May, OKC $$ ROYAL BAVARIA Superb takes on traditional dishes like Weinerschnitzel, Jagerbraten and sausages, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. The time spent is a worthy investment in this family-style dining hall. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

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

Italian & Pizza BELLINI’S Tasteful in décor and Italian offerings alike, this romantic nightspot quietly, confidently exudes elegance. It’s worth a visit even if only for a couple of the namesake beverages on the shady patio. 6305 Waterford, OKC, 848.1065 $$ BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the splendid menu keeps the booths full and diners planning return trips to this vintage building by the railroad tracks; don’t overlook Sunday brunch. 105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271 $$ 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 $$ HIDEAWAY PIZZA If you’ve been serving a devoted following for over half a century, you’re doing something right. In this case, that’s incredible pizza in jovial surroundings - a true Oklahoma success story. 8 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

GOOD TASTE

HUMBLE PIE PIZZERIA 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 $

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 St, OKC, 759.3580 $

KNUCK’S WHEELHOUSE Homemade daily with sauces from scratch and local beer in the crust, it’s a tasty and varied stopover for Bricktown wanderers as well as a pizza-lover’s destination in its own right. 103 E California, OKC, 605.4422 $

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 $$

DAVE’S DEEP DISH PIZZA NOW AT THE BARREL

VOLARE A flavor-filled variety of Neapolitan-style pizzas, produced with haste from a specially imported oven, fill this stylish Campus Corner space boasting a serious rooftop patio. 315 White, Norman, 310.3615 $$ THE WEDGE Wood-fired pies crafted from fresh ingredients (the possibilities range from pepperoni all the way to figs or truffle oil) and made-from-scratch sauces. 230 NE 1st, OKC, 270.0660; 4709 N Western, OKC, 602.3477 $$

Moni’s

Handmade, New Jerseystyle brick oven pizza and authentic pasta recipes from Southern Italy in a casual, comfy ambience (ideal for dates). 17200 N May, Edmond, 285.5991 $$

OTHELLO’S Garlic bread and warm mussels to tiramisu and coffee – all you could want in a romantic Italian café. The Norman location regularly hosts live music, too. 434 Buchanan, Norman, 701.4900; 1 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.9045 $$ PIZZA 23 The tempting selection of specialty pies on especially buttery, flaky crusts is available for takeout, but dining in is recommended; the Uptown joint’s good beer selection and crisp, urban décor add savor to the flavor. 600-B NW 23rd St, OKC, 601.6161 $$ PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (which harnesses an extremely hot fire to quickly cook superfine flour crusts and quality ingredients) stars alongside Italy-inspired salads, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker Ave, OKC, 437.4992 $$ STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of legitimately Italian tastes for a casual lunch, or romantic dinner, amid stylish scenery. The weekend brunch offerings are especially superb. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$ TOMMY’S ITALIAN-AMERICAN GRILL An old favorite returns to the metro to provide fresh, plentiful doses of primo pasta and pizzas, always served with plenty of ambiance. 5516 W Memorial, OKC, 470.5577 $$ UPPER CRUST A chic, contemporary pizzeria and wine bar specializing in wood-fired, thin-crust New York-style pies complemented by a full menu and wine list. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$

Japanese // Sushi Come for Brunch

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 $$

4308 N Western Avenue • 405.525.6682 • barrelokc.com

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 $

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES NOW!

Sunday 10-3 Specials on Mimosa and Bloody Mary drinks

INAKA The main draw of this Casady Square spot is the fresh, savory sushi: with these imaginative combinations, names like Amazing Roll and Fantastic Roll feel like stating the obvious. 9321 N Penn, OKC, 242.2224 $$ MUSASHI’S Exquisitely flavorful Japanese cuisine prepared with genuine artistry, thanks to the skilled chefs executing culinary performance art at tableside hibachi grills. It’s a great spot for a special occasion. 4315 N Western, OKC, 602.5623 $$ SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style (sleek, brisk, classy) with substance (in the form of an especially wide-ranging and creative sushi menu). 4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 $$ TOKYO It’s neither huge nor lavishly appointed, and the menu focuses on tradition rather than creativity; but it’s palpably fresh and routinely cited as among the metro’s best sushi. 7516 N Western, OKC, 848.6733 $$ VOLCANO Creations from the hibachi grill or dazzling displays of handcrafted sushi prowess – this restaurant might not have much seating, but it’s certainly far from short on flavor. 2727 S I-35, Moore, 759.3888 $$

5418 N Western Avenue • 405.848.7678 • deepforkgrill.com NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

AT THE BAR

Mediterranean HAIGET’S Vegan-friendly – and friendly in general, due to the influence of the warm, patient namesake owner – this gem rewards the adventurous with Ethiopian and Kenyan specialties to explore and share. 308 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 509.6441 $$

ubiquitous fare like carnitas de puerco and mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$

MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI The menu is stocked with authentic, quick and savory options from Greek salad to eye-watering cabbage rolls, and there’s even a mini-grocery stocked with select staples. 5620 N May, OKC, 810.9494 $

ZORBA’S For well over 20 years, Zorba’s has satisfied appetites and pleased palates. Serving dishes from recipes passed down through generations, they proudly share flavors of Cyprus, Spain, Greece and Morocco. 6014 N May, OKC, 947.7788 $

Mexican & Latin American

Incentive to Linger Red PrimeSteak’s Long Goodbye

I SAT TH E RE for a while taking life seriously. Then I tried to think of something funny so that I could have a great big laugh. Neither way worked, so I got Terry Lennox’s letter of farewell out of the safe and reread it. It reminded me that I had never gone to Victor’s for that gimlet he asked me to drink for him. Raymond Chandler became one of America’s great authors on the strength of his chronicles of hard-nosed private investigator with a heart of gold (or at least copper) Philip Marlowe. Along with The Big Sleep, The Long Goodbye is his most famous misadventure, a sprawling investigation prompted by the PI’s unlikely friendship forged over cocktails. A classic gimlet is gin and lime juice, but for its fall concoction named the Long Goodbye, Red PrimeSteak has added an extra dash of flavor: it’s Tanqueray London dry gin and the lightly bitter herbaceous liqueur Amaro Nonino, combined with blackberries muddled in a house-made lime cordial, and served in a coupe glass. You don’t have to be a shamus or dissolute dilettante to enjoy this delicious beverage – just ask Toni at the bar to whip one up for you. Or, even better, bring a friend and make it two. Bonding over drinks is a time-honored classic, after all. - STEVE GILL

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1492 Authentic Mexican cuisine in an elegant atmosphere, combining its caliente flavors with fusion decor to make an ideal spot for a romantic evening ... including perhaps the world’s best mojitos. 1207 N Walker, OKC, 236.1492 $$ 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 $

Yucatan Taco Stand A Bricktown haven for feisty Latin fusion cuisine such as paella and tamales wrapped in banana leaves plus signature nachos and combos … and a selection of over 75 top-shelf tequilas. 100 E California, OKC, 886.0413 $

TORCHY’S TACOS Technically a chain but the lone example in Oklahoma (so far), it’s got a rep for mouthwatering and imaginative street taco combinations, and the breakfast and vegetarian options make the menu even more enticing. 2050 24th Ave NW, Norman, 364.0286 $ ZARATE’S In addition to the familiar joys of enchiladas and the like, the chef’s Peruvian heritage shines in dishes featuring plantains, yuca and imported spices. Try something different; find something tasty. 706 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.6400 $$

Seafood

CAFÉ DO BRASIL It’s a long way from OKC to Rio, but the savory menu in this Midtown hot spot covers the distance in a mouthful. Even brunch is a spicy, inimitable treat. 440 NW 11th, OKC, 525.9779 $$

THE DRAKE The Good Egg Group’s flagship and a standard-bearer for diners who crave excellent seafood, it supplies a passel of chef’s creations featuring the sea’s finest, plus an oyster bar and righteous cocktails. 519 NW 23rd, OKC, 605.3399 $$$

CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant flavors from the zesty traditions of Guatemala. Lunch possibilities beckon, but it’s the breakfast specialties that truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $

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

CULTIVAR A farm-to-fire Mexican kitchen that stresses sustainability, local sourcing and fresh, fast, flavorful food. Gluten-free options, chef-crafted tacos, a substantial bar and plenty more are on the menu. 714 N Broadway, OKC $$

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

MAMA ROJA MEXICAN KITCHEN A festive atmosphere on the scenic shores of Lake Hefner sets off a menu loaded with hand-rolled tamales, vendor-style tacos and signature dishes . 9219 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 302.6262 $$ TARAHUMARA’S Beloved by locals (there’s usually a line but it moves quickly), this airy ristorante serves huge, tasty Tex-Mex classics plus less

TRAPPER’S FISHCAMP Zesty, widely varied flavor from the Pearl’s family of restaurants finds a comfortable home in a backwoods fishing lodge atmosphere. Don’t forget the bountifully stocked bar, either. 4300 W Reno, OKC, 943.9111 $$ THE SHACK SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR A massive selection of nicely

PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN

QUEEN OF SHEBA Practically the definitive example of a hidden treasure, the spicy, vegan-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the bold. Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$

spiced Cajun and Creole cooking, plus fried and grilled seafood, in an atmosphere that’s not shy about being as casual as it can be. 3 metro locations, theshackok.com $$

Soul Food BRENT’S CAJUN Sit down to a massive platter of jambalaya, crawfish etoufee, Pasta Orleans or any of the wellseasoned temptations on the weekend brunch menu – and spice up your life. 3005 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.0911 $$ C’EST SI BON The name is accurate: it is impressively good for lovers of Cajun-style catfish and po-boys. Crawfish etouffee, frogs’ legs, fried chicken and shrimp po-boys are among the highlights, but the award-winning catfish is a must-try. 101 N Douglas, Midwest City, 610.2555 $ THE DRUM ROOM March your own drumsticks in for a heap of crispy, juicy fried chicken (among the city’s best) starring alongside fried okra, waffles and a fully loaded bar. 4300 N Western, OKC, 604.0990 $$ JAX SOUL KITCHEN The team behind Blackbird and Blu dishes up big ol’ helpings of jambalaya, pork ribs, fried catfish and many more deep South classics for OU-adjacent crowds. 575 S University, Norman, 801.2828 $

Inaka Sushi and Bar HALF-PRICE HAPPY HOUR*

4-6pm Monday-Friday $4 rolls (select from 27 different kinds) $5 wine $2.50 draft beer *special Happy Hour menu

Steakhouse BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance down to the last detail and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$ BROADWAY 10 Cruise into the Buick building in Automobile Alley to savor steak supremacy or seafood selections (even sushi) in a cozy enclave amid urban bustle. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 212.3949 $$$ 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 $$ J. BRUNER’S AT THE HAUNTED HOUSE Renowned for its spooky past (its name is no accident), it’s a must for its steak, lobster and enduring charm. 7101 Miramar, OKC, 478.1417 $$$ JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE Saving room for your steak, lobster or prime rib is difficult when your gratis appetizers arrive in the form of a Lebanese bounty, but make the effort. Jamil’s has been feeding Oklahoma exceptionally well since 1964. 4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$$

JUNIOR’S The classic restaurant’s decor sets the perfect stage for hand-cut Angus steaks and lobster to fight for attention with knockout fried chicken. 2601 NW Expressway, OKC, 848.5597 $$$

RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks, vibrant, imaginative flavors and amenities to make some of the state’s best dining. 504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$

MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the star. 3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959; 100 W Main, OKC, 208.8800 $$$

TEXAS DE BRAZIL Inspired by Brazilian churrascarias, this festive establishment offers diners cuts from their choice of skewers laden with beef, pork, chicken and sausage, in addition to excellent sides and a massive salad bar. 1901 NW Expressway, OKC $$$

MEAT MARKET REFECTORY The well-aged steaks are excellent, but they’re the tip of the ample menu’s iceberg: fresh seafood and Australian lamb chops command attention as well, and from Hatch green chili crab cakes to champagne sabayon, the carefully selected flavors pop and sparkle in this prime dining experience. 2920 NW 63rd, OKC, 608.8866 $$$

SALA THAI Pineapple curry, basil squid, fried rice with crab, cinnamon beef ... the variety is exceptional, making this Midtown diner a popular midday option. 1614 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.8424 $

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 $$$

SWEET BASIL The enormous aquarium adds to the cozy ambiance; with its outstanding curries and specialty dishes, it makes a great venue for a dinner date. 211 W Main, Norman, 217.8424 $$

RANCH STEAKHOUSE Effortless opulence, custom-aged hand-cut USDA Certified Prime tenderloins and ribeyes, served amid warm Southern hospitality. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$

TANA THAI There’s a lot to like about the food in this little spot, from red snapper filet to pad thai. Pay special mind to the varied soups, and do not play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May, OKC, 749.5590 $$

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

405-242-2224

Thai

25.95

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LUNCH SERVED

M-F: 11am-2pm Sandwiches Burgers Cabbage Rolls Steaks

Holiday Catering and Banquet Rooms Available! Family Owned and Operated Since 1964

4910 North Lincoln | 405.525.8352 One Mile North of the Capital @ 49th Street

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

DETAILS DESIGN DIVINE

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405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

2019 Ruhl Drive, Guthrie, OK 73044

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home Hue To-Do

PHOTO BY CARLI WENTWORTH

New homes have their appeal, but the Barnetts prefer a residence thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had a few decades to develop some character. And theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not shy about filling theirs with color, mixing vibrant shades and patterns with well-chosen furniture and a selection of original art for a frequently evolving but consistently comfortable whole.

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

home HABITAT

THIS COLORFUL OLD HOUSE The Barnetts’ Edgemere estate GE N ER A L LY SPE A K I NG, people fall into one of

two camps – new-house people or old-house people – and we all know which one we’re in. What one person might call a nightmare, things like imprecise door frames or slightly sloping floors, another considers an addition to the home’s charm or character. It takes a lot to love an old house, but it can become a personality, like a member of the family. The Barnetts are old-house people. Kris and Candler Barnett, along with children Bennett and Daly, have called several of Oklahoma City’s historic neighborhoods home, including Linwood, Lincoln Terrace, Crown Heights and now Edgemere Heights. Before that, the Barnetts lived in Norman in, you guessed it, an old house. “We met at OU, in a class called the history of religion in America,” Kris remembers. “I asked Candler to study. I thought he was so cute, and smart and funny. He has a hilarious sense of humor.” Before BY CHRISTINE EDDINGTON PHOTOS BY CARLI WENTWORTH

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

(Above) Above an antique sideboard in the family dining room hangs a painting by Troy Wilson, commissioned by Kris for her husband’s 30th birthday. Titled “Two,” its details include cleverly executed peas in a pod, meaningful words and personally significant symbology. (Left) The neutral wallpaper is original to the home and makes the perfect backdrop for the barely-contained cacophony of color in the living room. Flowers from the yard and mismatched vases deformalize the space.

(Right) The floor in the kitchen is durable cork. It’s eco-conscious, easy to clean and maintains its natural good looks in spite of its heavy canine traffic. (Below) The Barnett home is a deft mix of pattern and color. Painted furniture can be found in every room, and original art, much of it by family friend and artist/designer Troy Wilson, enlivens the home’s walls. Clever details and bric-a-brac top most surfaces, giving the eye dozens of playful places to land. (Bottom) In the kitchen, the tile work and cabinetry are original. “We commissioned the large piece that houses the television and cookbooks, with a large drawer for linens,” Kris says. “The butterfly patterned platter has a secret: It hides an ugly tile swan behind it.”

too long the pair married, and now, 27 years later, they chatter back and forth sharing memories, and smile at one another with genuine camaraderie and love. Daughter Daly and son Bennett attend Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, she a freshman and he a junior. The family has two spectacularly friendly dogs, Goldendoodle Willie and shepherd mix Frisbee, along with somewhat aloof cat Kit Bob. Kris adopted the latter after finding her meowing in the rain in a parking lot outside a Thunder game. The home itself is nearly miraculous, in that before the Barnetts moved in, it was built on an oversized lot and had had only one owner. “It belonged to the Wilson family, and was built in 1950,” she says. “It was ahead of its time, because out back – in what we call the lower 40 – an outdoor kitchen with a grill, a sink and counter space was built and is original to the house.” NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

home HABITAT

“When we bought the house, the carpet on the stairs was the old horse-hair stuff, which had been there probably since the house was built,” she continues. The Barnett school of interior design’s presiding philosophy is that it takes a village. “It’s kind of like raising a child. You need help from lots of people. My dear friend Troy Wilson said I should paint the wall by the stairs blue. Another friend and designer, Shannon Purnell, told me we needed the yellow pillows on the blue settee. My mother-in-law is wonderful at hanging art and placing furniture. The blue leather chair used to be red – making it more whimsical was Can’s idea. And it keeps evolving, and I love every piece.” William, Daly, Kris, Candler, Bennett and Frisbee Barnett love spending time at home together, the closer the better.

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

(Above) The pair of boldly upholstered settees came with the house. “They were covered with an old toile, and just needed some updating,” Kris says. Two seating areas add visual interest and coziness to the long rectangular room, and a faux-zebra rug makes a perfect napping spot for Willie. (Top) “People always comment on the color in our house,” Kris says, “but the walls and floors are very neutral. In our old house, the walls of the living room were bright red, and nobody mentioned that!” Here, a game table snuggles up with four club chairs, covered in a yellow-gold Greek key patterned fabric. (Bottom) “We painted the powder bath the wrong color when we moved in,” Kris laughs. “I finally found the right wallpaper, and our paper hanger was here until late last night getting it installed.” Old, colorful, vintage tiles can be a trick to match, but this paper, “Lotus” by Galbraith & Paul, is perfect.

NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

home DĂ&#x2030;COR

Wrapping It Up Stylish cool-weather comfort F I NA L LY: BL A N K ET W E AT HER . We may

not be shivering yet, but here in the 405 as soon as you get an excuse to snuggle up on the couch with a good book or great movie, you take it. The perfect throw or blanket not only satisfies the need for warmth, but easily can be a stylish accessory for the home. Draped across the end of your bed or over the shoulder of a couch, the right one can add a nice detail or a subtle neutral tone to balance the room. Comfort and texture count for extra points, as well, and this stack of beauties offers both. - SAR A GAE WATERS

PHOTO BY CARLI WENTWORTH

(From top to bottom) Watercolor throw by loloi from Room 22, OKC, $99; Diagonal taupe stripe throw from Emory Anne Interiors, Edmond, $99; Pine Cone Hill tan fleece throw from Room 22, $110; Maine Woolens tan and creme chevron throw from Emory Anne Interiors, $84; Maine Woolens creme throw from Emory Anne Interiors, $108; Elsa ivory knit throw by The Company Store from Emory Anne Interiors, $170

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

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travel

Land of the Apes

PHOTO BY MATT PAYNE

The journey to Rwanda is a long one, and after reaching its Volcanoes National Park the trek on foot up the heavily forested mountainside is grueling. However, once this journey reaches its end, the exertion is more than worthwhile, as these remote clearings are home to a family of massively captivating mountain gorillas.

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travel

INTERNATIONAL

IN THE MIDST OF GORILLAS Face to face with nature in Rwanda BY MAT T PAYNE

AGA I NST T HE BACK DROP of mist and eucalyptus trees,

just before we set off to see the gorillas of Rwandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Volcanoes National Park, locals performed a tribal musical evocation. The base of an inactive volcano rose up just beyond, disappearing into the low-hanging, fast-moving clouds. Rain or shine, we would soon be traversing that volcano in search of the Sabyinyo family, a group of 14 mountain gorillas led by a massive male named Guhonda. The Sabyinyo family is one of 18 families of mountain gorillas, first immortalized by Dian Fossey some 45 years ago, that call the dense rainforest of the East African Virunga mountain range their home. To reach our gorilla family, we weaved along a path cut through narrow stone walls designed to keep Volcanoesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; buffalos in the park and out of the local potato farms. As soon as we picked up the trail, my foot sank immediately into six inches of black sludge. The thick mud sucked at my boots as I extracted my foot again and again, making my way up the steep incline

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on the seemingly interminable hike. The forest canopy was no match for raindrops that cut through the trees, beating a deafening rhythm on the hood of my rain suit. Soon the so-called trail more accurately resembled a quagmire or small river. A tracker just in front of us chopped away hanging vines and brush with a machete, creating a crude path through the bamboo and stinging nettles. As we’d been promised, getting to the gorillas wouldn’t be easy, but the experience would ultimately be well worth it. I hoped so. As a child, my favorite toy was a tiny plastic gorilla. My parents, when tired of my 2-year-old babble, would send me on a hunt for my beloved figurine. Were it not to be found, my dad (fearing meltdowns, and unbeknownst to me) had a stash of these little toys, inexhaustibly producing a new one any time a gorilla happened to disappear. This has not been the case for the African gorilla. In 1980, while I was looking for my toy gorilla, poachers were combing the Virungas hunting the real deal, and succeeding in their quest. According to a 1978 census, these breathtaking creatures had dwindled to a mere 260. Without a massive push for awareness and action, they were on the verge of vanishing from the planet forever. Fortunately, the gorillas have not vanished, but thrived. For more than 30 years, massive conservation efforts by various national and international entities have protected the gorilla and his habitat. Activists have tracked gorillas’ behavior in the park, working with local Rwandans to demonstrate that the park is more valuable in its natural state, generating tourist dollars, than it would be if the forest was cut down and used for farmland and firewood. Permits to go tracking, which usually are purchased months in advance, are $750. Groups are limited to six people, and each group visits one of 10 habituated families of mountain gorillas. The challenging hikes take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours. Once with the gorillas, visitors spend one hour before returning. Weather, as I quickly learned, can be difficult, especially during the rainy season. And rain or shine, gorilla sighting or not (although almost everyone sees the gorillas), there are no refunds. Our guide Feliciens brings us to a halt. After a little more than an hour, we have come to the gorillas. The silverback, he had explained, will either grunt, giving us permission to “join” them, or respond with an aggressive “ah-ah-ah-ah,” suggesting that we stay back, they are busy.

At a whisper barely audible over the pounding rain, Feliciens explained that on sunny days, the young gorillas are playful, often intoxicated by fermented celery root. They are curious and often try to play with humans. The experience is typically an intimate one. We are to give the gorillas only a few yards of personal space, and while we must honor their space, they do not have to honor ours. We push through thick bamboo and come to a clearing. There, I see the face of a massive silverback no more than 10 feet from me on the other side of some brush. His deep black eyes catch mine. The guide grunts twice and we wait. The moment hangs … and finally the silverback, as we’d hoped, parrots back the grunt. With his permission, I enter his world. Nonchalant, he chews the leaves off of some foliage. We can hear his breath. Behind him, branches crash as other members of the Sabyinyo family forage for food. A mother sits lost in thought while her baby, the newest of the group, nurses. The rain drenches us one last time and then stops. As it does, so does time. Ultimately, we spend an hour in that little clearing – watching the beasts shake off the rain, roll around, groom, yawn, burp and stretch. It is peaceful. It is terrifying. Occasionally Guhonda grunts. “He wants us to know that it is OK that we are here,” Feliciens explains. At one point, one of the males approaches me. I fumble with my camera as he gets close. With my hands shaking and lens fogging up, I can’t get a picture, but I need no photo to immortalize this moment. I am simply a kid in a toy box who finally found his gorilla. Our car waits for us in a small village on the edge of the park. Outside a tiny building, several young kids sell hand-carved gorillas. I lift one of them and think of how my father had always managed to make another appear. Thanks to the hard work of so many conservationists, environmentalists and politicians, the real gorillas seem to be doing the same thing. At first I buy just one, then think about my nephews and the child I may one day have, and buy more. Many more. NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

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Indy Cred

Recreation, parks in Indiana A L L I K N EW about Indianapolis was

that it is the home of the Indy 500, which, because I’m not a racing fan, ranks right up there with watching “Gilligan’s Island” reruns. I had a lot to learn. Marriott Place in downtown Indianapolis is home to the beautiful blue glass tower of the luxurious J.W. Marriott, as well as three other Marriott properties, providing accommodations to fit all purses. All are adjacent to White River State Park, 250 acres of downtown green space and activities. I stayed in the J.W. Marriott, in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the 1888 Renaissance Revival Indiana State Capitol. But it was the state park with its many attractions that captured my attention. PARK STARS Just south of Marriott Place is Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians, the AAA farm club for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Baseball, brats and beer make this a summer favorite. North of the hotel is the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Artist Robert Clark showed his affection for his state by changing his last name to Indiana, and by creating this almost 50-foot-tall “Indiana Obelisk” for the Indiana State Museum.

Architect Michael Graves designed the NCAA Hall of Champions to remind visitors of a football stadium.

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Art. Although small in comparison to the collections at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the 30,000 square feet of gallery space house impressive examples of Western art ranging from Thomas Moran, Remington, Russell and Georgia O’Keeffe to Allan Houser and Andy Warhol. Next door to the Eiteljorg is the Indiana State Museum, with an all-encompassing collection of Indiana history and culture. On the first floor, exhibits feature geology and natural history. The museum also hosts an IMAX theater featuring film, digital, 2-D and 3-D shows. You won’t be able to miss the INDIANA sculpture by artist Robert Indiana: It’s so big, they had to build the museum around it.

The second floor features culture and characters. Famous Hoosiers include astronaut Gus Grissom, composer Cole Porter, author Kurt Vonnegut, rocker Axl Rose and enterprising entrepreneur Colonel Sanders. Changing exhibitions such as the current “Indiana in 200 Objects” (for Indiana’s bicentennial) occupy the third floor. For sports fans, a few steps take you to the headquarters of the NCAA and the Hall of Champions. Not only are there great exhibitions, visitors can try their hands – and feet – at a variety of activities. Test your skill as an umpire or referee; strike out a batter; see what it’s like to have a tennis ball coming at you at 73 mph or shoot some hoops. And, of course, there are banners for the current championship

Male orangutan Azy is the boss of the 10 orangutans in the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center at the Indianapolis Zoo.

AZY THE ORANGUTAN BY IAN NICHOLS; ALL OTHERS BY ELAINE WARNER

winners in each of the 24 NCAA championship sports. OU is represented for both men’s and women’s gymnastics. MORE FUN Also in the park is the Indianapolis Zoo. The orangutans have to be the primo primates here – with a towering indoor area cobwebbed with ropes, these endangered animals have lots of elbow room when they want to be indoors. Outside, in addition to ground spaces, a network of cables, platforms and bridges 45 to 80 feet high allow the orangs to travel around the exhibit over the heads of guests, plus, a gondola ride takes visitors into the sky for a closer look. Zoo visitors also can take advantage of special animal encounters including the Animal Art Adventure. I watched a 1,500-pound walrus named Aurora paint a picture with her whiskers. She also blows kisses, waves, smiles, puts her flipper over her heart and will bestow a slightly slobbery, sucking kiss on your palm. The Flamingo Mingle is a special treat. Encircled by guests, the flamingos are free to explore. And they did – picking at one lady’s sandals, checking out a crew cut and even rubbing my leg. The Indianapolis is triple-accredited as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. The White River State Park is a big place, but there are easy ways to get

around. See the park by bicycle, pedalpowered multi-seater, paddleboat or Segway. You can even take a gondola ride with a singing gondolier. OUT AND ABOUT A few blocks from the hotel is Circle Centre Mall, with more than 100 retailers anchored by department store Carson Pirie Scott. Farther afield, the Mass Ave Cultural District is a revived historic area with boutiques and restaurants. Don’t miss The Best Chocolate in Town. Decorate has great home items, pillows and more, and Indy Reads, a nonprofit used- and new-book store, will capture the heart of any bibliophile. Hungry? Try Harry and Izzy’s back in Circle Center. A sister restaurant to the iconic St. Elmo Steak House, Harry and Izzy’s also serves the legendary St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail, a combination of cold shrimp and a sauce so hot it has made grown men cry. The steaks are fantastic, and the desserts will rock your world. I’m not big on hotel restaurants, but the Osteria Pronto at the JW Marriott could make me a believer. The Hay and Straw – chive noodles and egg noodles, lardo, English peas, garlic cream and pine nuts, topped with a soft-boiled egg – sounds strange, but it was wonderful. For lunches, I can recommend

the cafes at the Eiteljorg Museum and the State Museum. Two more museums capped my Indy visit. The first, Rhythm! Discovery Center, has to win the prize for loudest museum. Dedicated to percussion, it features every kind of instrument you can bang, shake or hammer. And there are lots of hands-on opportunities. The museum, once known as the Percussive Arts Museum, was located in Lawton, Oklahoma, for several years. Another museum with an Oklahoma connection – it was the inspiration for the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Seminole – is Children’s Museum Indianapolis. A kid’s paradise, the museum has plenty to interest adults, too. A sparkling space exhibition, an archaeology display, dinosaurs and an exhibition on how three children named Ann Frank, Ruby Bridges and Ryan White changed the world are just a few examples of the many features packed in this almost 500,000-square-foot facility. Future plans include a large expansion called the Sports Legends Experience, dedicated to health, fitness and sports. I saw a lot in Indianapolis, but missed even more. I need to go back for the art museum, history museum and monuments … and who knows? I might even make the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. - ELAINE WARNER

Historic and contemporary buildings blend comfortably in the Massachusetts Avenue Cultural District. NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

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events

COURTESY FRED JONES JR MUSEUM OF ART

Pictures of the Past Before Oklahoma became a state, its Native population was a source of curiosity and fascination for much of the rest of the country. In a groundbreaking exhibition, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art looks back at how pre-statehood Oklahoma was portrayed, and how that viewpoint was affected by the outsider status of its chroniclers. Picturing Indian Territory includes guest speakers, family events, a walking tour of territorial capital Guthrie and more. See page 116.

Frederic Remington, “Modern Comanche,” 1890 NOVEMBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE

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events PRIME PICKS

Pondering Perfection Nov. 5-Dec. 23, Current Studio When you contemplate a perfect place, your mind might stray a little farther than South Penn – but for the next couple of months that’s where you’ll find Utopia. The exhibition combines works by more than 20 artists, inspired by the centuries-old concept of an ideal society free of poverty and suffering, and how it might appear to different people.

Lifting up Light Nov. 14, Skirvin Hilton The OKC National Memorial’s Reflections of Hope supports the Memorial and Museum, and is also a chance to honor those working to replace violence with peace and better lives. Congratulations to global youth basketball initiative PeacePlayers International, and to 16-year-old Katie Prior for winning the inaugural Oklahoma Standard Award.

Best in Showcases Nov. 16, Skirvin Hilton

Tracy Felix, “The Mouth of the Canyon”

Little Big Sale

Nov. 11, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

If you tend to believe that a bigger painting is a better painting, take a closer look at this event: the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum fills its annual Small Works, Great Wonders sale with engrossing, evocative, masterfully executed pieces by more than 100 exemplary artists (many of whom show in the Prix de West). Live music, cocktails and beauty to peruse and purchase – it’s a big deal. 108

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The Paseo doesn’t just happen to contain a few painters, sculptors and shapers; the historic arts district exists to celebrate creativity all the livelong year. So when it honors outstanding locals in its annual Paseo Arts Awards, you know they’re legitimately great. Adam Lanman, Christina Pickard, Jack Fowler and Amy Young are in the spotlight for their, oeuvres and efforts to share creativity With the entire community.

Passion Project Nov. 18, OCCC Theater Age hath not withered him, nor custom staled his enthusiasm and love for his repertoire – At the age of 70 and after more than 50 years of performing on and off Broadway, Ben Vereen is still a stellar showman. His one-man act, Steppin’ Out With Ben Vereen, should be a singing, dancing, dazzling blast.

Ben Vereen

events ON FILM

Bring on the Magic Streaming 2016’s cinematic highlights SI NCE JAWS, summer is often the season for big franchise blockbusters.

This year’s box-office magnets included Batman vs. Superman, Independence Day: Resurgence, Warcraft, X-Men: Apocalypse, Suicide Squad, et cetera. These remakes, reboots, re-imaginings and sequels are typically high-budget, high-action popcorn flicks that rest largely on the reputations of their source material and superstars. They rake in hundreds of millions of dollars and sell toys and T-shirts … but often these films, while entertaining and familiar, are thin in plot, largely predictable and rarely nominated for an Oscar or major honor come award season. The season of tear-jerking, emotionally stirring cinematic darlings is largely concentrated in the months of October, November and December. Currently in theaters is the renowned indie film Hell or High Water, as well as Sully, the Clint Eastwood/Tom Hanks film about famed pilot “Sully” Sullenberger. Arrival, the science fiction drama starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, looks promising, as does the heartfelt Manchester by the Sea starring Casey Affleck. Also promising to be a frontrunner is Loving, which tells the moving tale of an interracial marriage in 1967, and Martin Scorsese’s Silence will certainly be a box office draw. But while marking your calendar for coming attractions such as these, remember these 2016 films worthy of praise, if not a golden statue nomination, that are available to stream right now. - MAT T PAYNE

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE iTunes, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now This beautiful, offbeat New Zealand film follows an inner city boy in the foster system who finds himself living in the countryside with a loving, but quirky, family. When a tragedy arrives, the young boy and his foster father choose to go rogue into the New Zealand wilderness, and become the focus of a nationwide manhunt. Although simple in plot, this buddy film is wildly imaginative, with big laughs and an even bigger heart.

HAIL, CAESAR! iTunes, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now Once again, the brilliant minds of four-time Oscar-winning writer and director team Joel and Ethan Coen have come together to create movie magic. George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes and Frances McDormand are but a few of the heavy hitters that populate this caricaturistic portrayal of a day in the life of a studio executive in the twilight of Hollywood’s golden years.

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10 CLOVERFIELD LANE iTunes, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now This J.J. Abrams-produced thriller starring John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Gallagher Jr. tells a claustrophobic story: A young woman wakes up after an accident to find herself trapped in the underground lair of two strange men who claim that the world is no longer inhabitable. Unsure whether they are telling the truth, she decides that she must try to escape no matter the cost. Considered a follow up to the 2008 found-footage thriller Cloverfield, this story breaks from the original’s first person point-of-view becoming something entirely and delightfully its own.

ZOOTOPIA iTunes, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now The middle of 2016 could aptly be described as the summer of the animated movie, and this Disney delight is at the top. Part buddy story, part social commentary and all fun, it’s the story of a rookie bunny police officer (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and a scam artist fox (voiced by Jason Bateman), who are forced to team up and uncover a conspiracy in a world that has been turned over to animals.

THE JUNGLE BOOK iTunes, Amazon Prime, Fandango Now While obviously an adaptation and re-imagining of the beloved tale originally written by Rudyard Kipling, this computer animated version does not dilute the original text, but instead raises the bar for all adaptations to come. Directed by Jon Favreau and featuring the voices of cinematic titans such as Christopher Walken, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, this interpretation of nature and its creatures is visually stunning and narratively gripping for both children and adults.

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events

with Lance McDaniel

Making an Impression Oklahoma offers out-of-state cinema the total package THE LATEST FEATURE FILM to be

produced in Oklahoma is the western romance The Mustanger and The Lady. The film is based on the 150th (yes, really) novel from Arkansas writer Dusty Richards, the most prolific living writer in the western genre. Executive producers Amber Lindley and Kenn Woodard wanted to make a film based on one of Richards’ books for their Arkansas-based production company, Chasing Sunsets. They met with the celebrated author, read The Mustanger and The Lady and decided immediately to adapt the book into a movie … with one twist. They wanted to switch the focus and tell the story from the point of view of the woman. “Richards does not typically focus on women, but he writes great characters,” Lindley explains. “We were drawn most to the character Julie. So, we took the western from her perspective.” “We pursued the angle where she did not have to be rescued by a man,” adds Woodard. “She needed to find her own voice and her own journey, learning to trust herself.” They found a kindred spirit in director James Cotton. “I love the idea of doing a western from a female perspective,” Cotton says. “It’s the story of a woman finding wisdom through

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romance. You put that in a western backdrop and you have something really unique.” In the novel of The Mustanger and The Lady, the story takes place in Arizona. The production company Chasing Sunsets looked at several different states as potential locations for their movie, including California, New Mexico and Nevada, before ultimately deciding to film in Oklahoma. “The rebate program was a huge factor for us,” says Lindley. “We were on our way to Wyoming, but decided to stop the trip and check out Oklahoma since it was right next door. We called the Oklahoma Film and Director James Cotton and Executive Producer Amber Lindley Music Office. The office was so quick to reply, encouraging us to meet local crewmemthe most professional and kind crews we bers and check out the varied landscapes. have ever worked with.” We got a package emailed to us within 15 “They are just like a family,” says minutes of our call. It was a very comfortLindley. “Nathan put together a great able decision.” team where they all know what each Films produced by companies based other can do. I could not ask for anyoutside of Oklahoma account for more thing else. Their experience and profesthan half of the films made in Oklahosionalism is great.” ma. These visiting productions employ Lindley and Woodard admit that hundreds of local cast and crewmembers, Cotton was the perfect bridge between rent rooms at local hotels, buy lumber and Arkansas and Oklahoma. He was born in antiques at local stores and eat at local Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Salrestaurants throughout the productions. lisaw, Oklahoma, before graduating from The biggest incentive for filming in Oklahoma State University and heading Oklahoma is the cash rebate program to California. Cotton directed his first managed by the Oklahoma Film and Mufeature film, Sugar Creek, in Arkansas. sic Office. Oklahoma offers a 35-percent When offered the opportunity to return rebate on every dollar spent in Oklahoma to Oklahoma to make a film, he jumped for film and television productions of at the chance. $50,000 or more. “That was the main thing I wanted But it takes more than a good rebate to to do,” Cotton says. “It is so exciting to land film productions in the current combe back home and meet the filmmakers petitive environment. “Our UPM (unit from the area. We are making a movie production manager) Nathan Gardocki that looks so much bigger and better was great at helping us find a local crew,” than our budget. Oklahoma is the best Woodard says. “They have been one of place to shoot.”

PHOTO BY LANCE MCDANIEL; ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN O’DANIEL

ON LOCATION

events SPEAKER BOX

Carrie’s Nation

America’s Sweetheart returns home with a story to tell E A R LY ON, she was known as the pretty girl from Oklahoma. On the fourth season of “American Idol,” Carrie Underwood had a big voice and a great demeanor, and took what little criticism was thrown her way in a positive manner, with a humble, million-dollar smile. Just a small-town girl from Eastern Oklahoma (not living in a lonely world), she went on to win the country’s biggest talent show and is now unquestionably America’s Sweetheart. At one time, she was even dating the quarterback of America’s Team. Corn-fed – she’s vegetarian! – and outspoken, she’s not afraid to speak her mind: She declared “love is love” as an affirmation of her support for gay marriage, despite a large share of her audience being conservative Bible-thumping carnivores. In the past decade, Underwood has built an empire as a crossover pop/country superstar. She’s signed lucrative endorsement deals pitching for Olay, Vitamin Water and her own line of fitness apparel called CALIA. Every Sunday night during football season, she’s the musical voice of the NFL’s premier game on Sunday Night Football. Taking over the spot

A Joyful Noise

Time for great new music

GREEN DAY “Revolution Radio” After the three-CDrelease misstep of “¡Uno!,” “¡Dos!” and “¡Tré!”, the lads from Green Day decided to focus on quality instead of quantity – Billie Joe Armstrong says it’s “not so much a makeover as a make under.” The result is a collection of songs that examine gun violence, social media and politics. This is a fine return to their wheelhouse.

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from Faith Hill and Pink before her, Underwood re-wrote this season’s intro based on “Somethin’ Bad,” her girl-power hit with gal pal Miranda Lambert. Her success on “American Idol” was not solely based on her looks. She made bold song choices and really worked them into her own signature pieces, such as Heart’s “Alone” and Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home.” She surrounded herself with good songwriters and producers, such as Desmond Child and Zac Maloy, and is fully immersed in the song-writing process. And throughout it all, she has kept her Okie charm. People love Carrie Underwood because she’s confident, sweet and sincere – and she’s also a helluva singer. Girl’s got pipes. Since “Idol,” she’s released five albums that have all gone multi-platinum. Identifying her crossover appeal early on, her label debuted her first single, the Diane Warren-written “Some Hearts,” to pop and adult contemporary radio. This ran counter to the assumption that she would be marketed as a country artist.

Last month, I talked about new releases and how the record companies love Christmas. The holiday season sets up a special time for major record labels to promote the few artists they have that are truly bankable. Here’s a sneak peek at some notable releases.

LADY GAGA “Joanne” “Born This Way” was a female perspective on a Bruce Springsteen record, and I love how Lady Gaga presented her take on ’80s rhythms. Every song was anthemic and memorable and built to the chorus. Sadly, her 2013 follow-up “Artpop” was a contrived mess, without a cohesive theme or concept. “Joanne” should be a return to fluid synth-heavy pop form.

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Her latest record “Storyteller” was released last year, but she has extended its tour due to popularity. The “Storyteller Tour – Stories in the Round” stop in the 405 is Nov. 23 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The stage setup offers a 360-degree experience, and the shows have been lauded by critics nationwide. Visit ticketmaster.com for ticket information. - JERRY CHURCH

STEVENSTEVEN “Foreverywhere” The Flaming Lips have always viewed the world through the eyes of children, so this pairing of Steve Burns, of “Blue’s Clues” fame, and musical wunderkind Steven Drozd from the Flaming Lips is a less weird combination than might at first appear. The initial single, “The Unicorn and Princess Rainbow,” is lush dreampop that has the definitive Lips sound.

KATE BUSH “Before the Dawn” In 2014, the legendary English artist conducted a residency at London’s Hammersmith Apollo theater, and performed 22 concerts that included a career retrospective, live actors and multimedia integration – praised by critics as “exceptional” and a “remarkable experience.” The whole concert will be released to CD and vinyl this month.

KACEY MUSGRAVES “A Very Kacey Christmas” The retro-country cutie is a fantastic songwriter, with a great flair and love for nostalgia. I’m not sure if she has the vocal pipes to carry off these Christmas standards, but because of her personality and genuineness, this will still be a pleasant spin at a holiday party. It’s hard to screw up a record with beautiful standards such as “Let It Snow” and “Feliz Navidad.”

We need your help! Animal Rescue Friends of Nichols Hills helps pets impounded in Nichols Hills find their owners or a new home. Your support will help ARF continue its work in saving strays.

ARTS ASSOCIATION

2 0 1 6

AWARDS RECIPIENTS 1 0 T H A N N U A L PA S E O A R T S AWARDS DINNER & AUCTION

COME SEE US AT PETSMART ON SUNDAYS

T H E S K I R V I N H I LT O N H O T E L NOVEMBER 16, 2016 at 6pm

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ADAM LANMAN

This award recognizes an emerging or established visual artist who has distinguished themselves and their profession during the past year. Donations may be mailed to ARF c/o Town Hall 6407 Avondale Drive Nichols Hills, OK 73116

Call 843.3038

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MICHI SUSAN AWARD

CHRISTINA PICKARD Michi Susan is an admired and accomplished mixed media Oklahoma artist who has been recognized nationally and internationally. She mentors and encourages other artists and provides financial support to arts organizations. The Michi Susan Award recognizes artists who live in her same spirit and work to mentor and encourage Oklahoma visual artists. VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

AMY YOUNG

This award honors a person who has given their invaluable time and experience to benefit an Oklahoma non-profit arts organization over several years. EMERGING ARTIST AWARD

JACK FOWLER

DONATE STUFF. CREATE JOBS.

TO FIND YOUR NEAREST DONATION CENTER GO TO GOODWILL.ORG

This award recognizes a visual artist that has emerged onto the Oklahoma art scene within the past few years and has contributed to the diversity and growth of art and culture in Oklahoma.

To purchase tickets, please go to thepaseo.org or call the PAA at 405-525-2688

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on the radar

WANT TO SEE MORE? Visit our online calendar at 405magazine.com

Looking Back, Looking In The Fred Jones’ picture of Indian Territory

Dance

OKC 741 N Phillips, OKC, 524.9310, lyrictheatreokc.com

KALEIDOSCOPE DANCERS Nov 4-6 UCO’s resident dance troupe presents an ever-changing suite of physical performance featuring new and innovative choreography. UCO Mitchell Hall Theater 100 N University, Edmond, 974.3375, uco.edu/cfad

CELEBRITY SING Nov 4 The United Way of Norman presents dinner and a show as locals take the stage in an evening of singing, dancing and philanthropic fundraising. Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 329.2025, unitedwaynorman.org

OKLAHOMA FESTIVAL BALLET Nov 4-13 The OU School of Dance prepares to delight the eyes of audiences with a suite of dance inspired by the Ballets Russes, including the magnificent “Firebird.” OU Reynolds PAC 560 Parrington, Norman, 325.4101, dance.ou.edu

THE COMEDY GET DOWN Nov 4 Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Eddie Griffin, George Lopez and Charlie Murphy make a monster lineup for laughs - get downtown to enjoy these masters of mirth. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER Nov 25 One night only, the mighty Moscow Ballet puts a uniquely Russian spin on this classic Christmas ballet. Hudiburg Center 6420 SE 15th, Midwest City, 232.7464, okcciviccenter.com

LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK Nov 4 It’s a deeply moving scene that helps build solidarity and raise cancer-fighting funds as survivors, supporters, friends and family members take an illuminated walk. Devon Boathouse 606 SE 6th, OKC, 415.7031, lightthenight.org/ok

Events BROADWAY BALL Nov 4 Lyric Theatre’s glitzy annual fundraiser is always a joyous occasion - enjoy the costumes, performance and fun. Embassy Suites

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JAZZ AND GENEROSITY Nov 5 The League’s annual fundraising gala roars back to the Twenties for an evening of hot music and warm hearts. Embassy Suites Norman 2501 Conference, Norman, 321.9400, assistanceleague.org/norman

405 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2016

Price. “In crafting their images, they relied, in at least a few cases, on written accounts and fertile imaginations rather than personal experience. Whether or not they were eyewitnesses to scenes they portrayed, they painted, sketched and photographed what interested them.” Picturing Indian Territory will remain on display through Dec. 30. Find more info at ou.edu/fjjma, and be ready to reconsider your perspective. - STEVE GILL

OKLAHOMA ALE TRAIL Nov 5 The Edmond FAI hosts a 5k designed for lovers of art (of course) as well as craft beers, complete with a delicious afterparty. Downtown Edmond 32 N Broadway, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com OKLAHOMA WINE WALK Nov 5 Get ready for some sampling: 13 Oklahoma wineries - plus craft brewers and an optional bloody mary brunch - provide good reason to wander among live entertainment and MIO merchant booths. Brookhaven Village 3700 W Robinson, Norman, 232.6552, oktourism.com/ winewalk ONCE UPON A DREAM Nov 9 Gracefulness is on the evening’s menu in the OU School of Dance’s fundraiser for scholarships and touring programs. Sam Noble Museum 2401 Chautauqua, Norman, 325.4051, dance.ou.edu MISTLETOE MARKET Nov 9-12 A one-stop holiday shopping extravaganza thrown by the Junior League of Oklahoma City, giving guests a fully stocked prewinter wonderland to explore. Cox Center 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC, 843.5668, jloc.org WINE THROUGH TIME Nov 11 Toast Edmond’s history and development with

some finely aged grapes at this convivial gathering for dinner and drinks. Edmond Historical Society 431 S Boulevard, Edmond, 340.0078, edmondhistory.org RED DOT Nov 12 Stay on your toes - this Individual Artists of Oklahoma fundraising art sale moves quickly and features local poetry, music and food. IAO Gallery 706 W Sheridan, OKC, 232.6060, individualartists.org REFLECTIONS OF HOPE AWARD Nov 14 The OKC National Memorial Museum honors PeacePlayers International and Oklahoman Katie Prior for contributions and service to bettering humanity. Skirvin Hilton 1 Park, OKC, 235.3313, oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/roh VISIONS Nov 15 Men and women who exemplify leadership while at the helms of Oklahoma nonprofits get their just awards in this annual fete. OKC Golf & Country Club 7000 NW Grand, OKC, 463.6886, okcnp.org PASEO ARTS AWARDS Nov 16 The historic arts district honors some the city’s finest creators and supporters of creativity. Skirvin Hilton 1 Park, OKC, 525.2688, thepaseo.com

PHOTO COURTESY FRED JONES JR. MUSEUM OF ART

TH E OLD ADAG E that “winners write the history books” is accurate, but only part of the truth that anyone telling a story is presenting it from a specific, and usually slanted, point of view. Even in cases that aren’t obviously partisan or controversial (Thunder and Spurs fans describe the end of Game 2 very differently), it’s worth bearing in mind the limitations of the narrator’s perspective. Native tribes and the frontier were subjects of great fascination in 19th-century America, and many people were curious about life in Indian Territory … so who told the stories, and using what information? The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is proud to present Picturing Indian Territory, the first scholarly examination of Oklahoma’s visual history as told through the eyes (and outsiders’ mindsets) of the artists who visited the land over the course of nearly a century – from unincorporated lands through Indian and Oklahoma Territories and the formation of the state. “Newspaper and magazine reporters, government functionaries and artist-travelers were drawn to the region by the rapidly changing fortunes of the region’s traditional Indian cultures in the wake of war and non-Indian settlement,” says co-curator B. Byron

OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION Nov 17 The state’s highest honor will be conferred on several outstanding Sooners at this banquet. Cox Center 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC, 523.3203, oklahomaheritage.com TOWN HALL: CELIA SANDYS Nov 17 The engrossing lecture series welcomes Sandys, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, to share some of her personal memories of the great leader. St. Luke’s UMC 222 NW 15th, OKC, 202.4262, townhall.publishpath.com THE SECOND CITY Nov 18 The famed Chicago-based improv comedy troupe takes a back seat to no one in banging together an evening of laughs from material covering hot-button issues, OKC history and more. Hudson Hall 2820 N May, OKC, 866.977.6849, dcfconcerts.com ALN HOLIDAY HOME TOUR Nov 18-19 You don’t have to carol (though you can) to get a look at Norman residents’ holiday décor, just take the Assistance League’s tour of cozy beauty. Throughout Norman, 321.9400, assistanceleaguenorman.org DOWNTOWN IN DECEMBER Nov 25-Jan 8 Snow tubing, skating, Santa sighting, shopping … joys of the holiday fill the city center with yuletide glee in this month-plus party. Downtown OKC OKC, 235.3500, downtownindecember.com DELUXE WINTER MARKET Nov 26-27 The variety is immense and the rewards are huge, especially if you’re searching for unique and delightful holiday gifts. Leadership Square 211 N Robinson, OKC, deluxeok.net

Film CLASSICS SERIES Nov 1-29 Catch a masterpiece you missed the first time around or just want to re-experience on the big screen: Big Trouble in Little China Nov 1, The Odd Couple Nov 8, The Fugitive Nov 15, Planes, Trains and Automobiles Nov 22 and The Polar Express Nov 29. Harkins Theatres 150 E Reno, OKC, 321.4747, harkinstheatres.com WESTERN MOVIE MATINEES Nov 2-16 Treat yourself to a classic tale as it was meant to be seen (big): Romance Rides the Range Nov 2, The Bronze Buckaroo Nov 9 and The Terror of Tiny Town Nov 16. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org CENTER THEATER SHOWS Nov 3-27 The OKC Museum of Art screens overlooked treasures and unsung independent films - this month includes Django, Gimme Danger, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Certain Women, Fire at Sea and more. OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com

Galleries ONGOING FEATURING Through Nov 18 Kasum

Contemporary Fine Art 1706 NW 16th, OKC, 604.6602, kasumcontemporary.com FINE ARTS INSTITUTE Nov 3-30 The FAI hosts a collection of wonders painted by local artist Behnaz Sohrabian. Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com NOVEMBER IN YOUR EYE Nov 4-26 The visually engaging Paseo gallery hosts a collection of new photography by camera artist Caroline Cohenour. In Your Eye Gallery 3005 Paseo, OKC, 525.2161, inyoureyegallery.com UTOPIA Nov 5-Dec 23 Seeing this exhibition of 2-D, 3-D, installation and performance work might not make your life perfect, but the concept of an ideal place carries some impressive thematic heft. Current Studio 1218 N Penn, OKC, 673.1218, currentstudio.org HOLIDAY GIFT GALLERY Nov 11-Dec 24 There’s plenty to find for the creative aficionado in this immense collection of handmade crafts and artwork that’s passed the muster of the Firehouse committee. Firehouse Art Center 444 S Flood, Norman, 329.4523, normanfirehouse.com SMALL WORKS VI Nov 11-Dec 23 Take a little time to explore the collection of minor-scale works by Mitsuno Reedy, Connie Seabourn, Carol Beesley, Don Holladay, Debby Kaspari and Brad Price. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org NEW VIEW Nov 29-Jan 7 Photographer Zachary Burns channels his personal perspective (he’s blind in one eye) to share his point of view with OKC. IAO Gallery 706 W Sheridan, OKC, 232.6060, individualartists.org

Museums ONGOING COWBOY ARTISTS OF AMERICA Through Nov 27 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org TRADITIONAL COWBOY ARTS ASSOCIATION Through Dec 31 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org EDMOND PEOPLE, EDMOND POLITICS Through Dec 17 Edmond Historical Society Edmond, 340.0078, edmondhistory.org MELVIN EDWARDS Through Dec 27 Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org BALLETS RUSSES Through Dec 30 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma

CHRISTIE OWEN: SURROUNDINGS Through Jan 7 OK Hall of Fame Museum OKC, 235.4458, oklahomahof.com

DIAMOND BALLROOM SHOWS Nov 5-11 Crank it up on the south side with a musical blast from Blue October Nov 5 and Switchfoot with Relient K Nov 11. Diamond Ballroom 8001 S Eastern, OKC, 866.977.6849, dcfconcerts.com

SACRED WORDS Through Jan 8 OKC Museum of Art OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com LOWELL ELLSWORTH SMITH Through Jul 9 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

RIVERWIND SHOWS Nov 5-25 The casino is hopping this month, with extra energy from well-traveled ‘90s sensations Gin Blossoms Nov 5 and Collective Soul Nov 19, plus singer, rapper and movie star Tyrese Nov 25. Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com

RED DIRT DINOS Through Mar 12 Science Museum Oklahoma OKC, 604.6602, sciencemuseumok.org RED EARTH TREEFEST Nov 1-Jan 13 Red Earth is decorating for the season with a distinctive twist: each of its 15 Christmas trees is decorated with handmade ornaments that represent the culture of a Native American tribe that calls Oklahoma home. Red Earth Museum 6 Santa Fe Plaza, OKC, 427.5228, redearth.org

WINTER WIND CONCERTS Nov 6-20 Cozy up indoors and enjoy a season of more intimate singer-songwriter sounds from the likes of Kim Ritchey Nov 6 and Slaid Cleaves Nov 20. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org

SMALL WORKS, GREAT WONDERS Nov 11 The annual art show and sale delivers exceptional creativity in a smaller space, and at a smaller price. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

OKC SYMPHONIC BAND Nov 10 Nearly 100 performers strong and impressively sonorous, the community band is tuning up for for a special Veteran’s Day Salute - join them! OCU Petree Hall 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC, okcband.org REMY-SCHUMACHER & MALONE Nov 10 Armstrong’s season continues with a duet from internationally acclaimed cellist (and UCO professor) Tess Remy-Schumacher and soaring soprano Paula Malone, an Armstrong faculty member. Armstrong Auditorium 14400 S Bryant, Edmond, 285.1010, armstrongauditorium.org

Music TUESDAY NOON CONCERTS Nov 1-22 Spice up your lunch break with a free concert by OU School of Music students and faculty. Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma

CHAMBER MUSIC IN OKLAHOMA Nov 13 Enhancing OKC’s musical appreciation since 1960, the organization welcomes the Hermitage Piano Trio for an afternoon of Glinka, Shostakovich and Dvorak. Christ the King Church 8005 Dorset, OKC, cmok.org

NOON TUNES Nov 3-17 Free lunchtime serenades to sonically spice up your Thursdays: Garling and Wooley Nov 3, Maggie McClure Nov 10 and the East Side Boys Barbershop Quartet Nov 17. Downtown Library 300 Park Ave, OKC, 231.8650, mls.lib.ok.us OPOLIS SHOWS Nov 3-18 Metro, meet Opolis - you’ll make beautiful music together, including Big Business Nov 3, Bully & Car Seat Headrest Nov 4, Helen Kelter Skelter Nov 5, The Anniversary Nov 18 and Night Drive Nov 18 - check online for updates. The Opolis 113 N Crawford, Norman, opolis.org BLUE DOOR SHOWS Nov 3-27 Self-billed as “the best listening room in Oklahoma,” it certainly has some of the best music, including Adam Hood Nov 3, Mike McClure Nov 11, Peter Case Nov 12, Kierston White Nov 18, the Red Dirt Rangers Nov 19 and Gill Landry Nov 27 - check online for updates. The Blue Door 2805 N McKinley, OKC, 524.0738, bluedoorokc.com

PICTURING INDIAN TERRITORY Through Dec 30 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma

OKC PHILHARMONIC POPS Nov 4-5 An orchestral take on rock and roll mastery in the Phil’s first Pops performance: The Music of the Rolling Stones. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 842.5387, okcphil.org

WHEN THE EARTH SHAKES Through Jan 2 Sam Noble Museum Norman, 325.4712, snomnh.ou.edu

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER Nov 5 Americana singer (not that she’s a fan of labels) Carpenter shares music from her

latest release The Things That We Are Made Of and more. Hudson Hall 2820 N May, OKC, 866.977.6849, dcfconcerts.com

STEPPIN’ OUT WITH BEN VEREEN Nov 18 Seventy years old and he’s still got the moves - actor, singer, dancer and showman Vereen shares a life of artistry in this special show. OCCC Theater 7777 S May, OKC, 682.7579, occc.edu/pas ALAN PARSONS LIVE PROJECT Nov 19 Renowned musical personage Parsons has spent much of his career in the studio, but he’s taking his talent on the road for this hit-slinging tour. Hudiburg Center 6420 SE 15th, Midwest City, 297.2264, okcciviccenter.com OKC PHILHARMONIC CLASSICS Nov 19 Strike up the orchestra; guest conductor Alexander Mickelthwate leads the OKC Philharmonic and pianist Andrew von Oeyen through an evening of Clyne, Schumann and Rachmaninoff. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 842.5387, okcphil.org PENTATONIX Nov 19 The powerhouse pop a cappellists move a ton of records, and now they’re bringing themselves to the ‘Peake with Us the Duo for a flood of top-notch harmonies. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

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on the radar CARRIE UNDERWOOD Nov 23 Musical storyteller and seven-time Grammy winner Underwood returns to her native Oklahoma to hold fans spellbound with her exceptional voice. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Nov 27 Kick off your Christmas season with a burst of classically tinged rock as TSO brings its signature sound roaring back into town. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

Sports OSU MEN’S BASKETBALL Nov 1-30 A new season tips off for the Cowboys as they host Pittsburg State Nov 1, Campbell Nov 11, Central Arkansas Nov 14, New Orleans Nov 16 and Rogers State Nov 30. Gallagher-Iba Arena 1046 W Hall of Fame, Stillwater, 877.255.4678, okstate.com

Sky-High Honors Oklahoma paragons join the state’s Hall of Fame TH E PU RSU IT of greatness should be a lifelong goal in all our endeavors, but it’s apropos to pause every so often and celebrate excellence where it appears in the lives of others – a little inspiration is an excellent thing, and in this case includes the prospect of a good meal. This month, the very model of a modern major-general (seriously), a federal judge, a Tony winner and a future NBA Hall of Famer are among the six individual exemplars of excellence who will make up the 89th class to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. The 2016 honorees include Broadway leading lady Kelli O’Hara; federal judge Michael Burrage; groundbreaking sports journalist Becky Dixon; champion of Enid’s growth and development Dan Dillingham; richly decorated Major General (and first female commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard) Rita Aragon; and Russell Westbrook, the point guard whose competitive fire is the engine that drives the OKC Thunder. “It’s incredibly inspirational to be surrounded by such an accomplished group of people who have literally created our history,” says Shannon L. Rich, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame – which he points out is “the single highest honor an individual can receive from our state.” The author William Thackeray wrote that “Next to excellence is the appreciation of it” – that gives the rest of us a solid reason to join in expressing kudos to these inspirational figures at the induction banquet, which is Nov. 17 at the Cox Convention Center. Call 523.3203 or visit oklahomahof.com for tickets or further details. Excelsior! - STEVE GILL

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OU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Nov 2-27 The Sooners’ house should be packed as they square off against Midwestern State Nov 2, OCU Nov 7, Southern Illinois Nov 13, UALR Nov 16, South Dakota State Nov 23 and Colorado State Nov 27. Lloyd Noble Center 2900 S Jenkins, Norman, 325.2424, soonersports.com THUNDER BASKETBALL Nov 5-30 Join the crowds and hear the roar as OKC hosts Minnesota Nov 5, Miami Nov 7, Toronto Nov 9, the L.A. Clippers Nov 11, Orlando Nov 13, Houston Nov 16, Brooklyn Nov 18, Indiana Nov 20, Detroit Nov 26 and Washington Nov 30. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno, OKC, 208.4800, nba.com/thunder OU MEN’S BASKETBALL Nov 8-29 The Sooners’ house should be packed as they square off against Washburn Nov 8, Northwestern State Nov 13, Abilene Christian Nov 25 and Northern Colorado Nov 29. Lloyd Noble Center 2900 S Jenkins, Norman, 325.2424, soonersports.com OSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Nov 11-26 A new season tips off for the Cowgirls as they host Arkansas State Nov 11, Tennessee State Nov 15, Loyola Marymount Nov 17, Northern Iowa Nov 23 and Rice Nov 26. Gallagher-Iba Arena 1046 W Hall of Fame, Stillwater, 877.255.4678, okstate.com OSU FOOTBALL Nov 12 The Cowboys line up to hold their ground against Texas Tech. Boone Pickens Stadium 700 W Hall of Fame, Stillwater, 877.255.4678, okstate.com OU FOOTBALL Nov 12 The Sooners look to leverage home field advantage in a tilt against Baylor. Owen Field 180 W Brooks, Norman, 325.2424, soonersports.com

Theater ONGOING KILLER JOE Through Nov 5 OKC Civic Center OKC, okctc.com

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Through Nov 5 Lyric at the Plaza OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL Through Nov 5 Carpenter Square Theater OKC, 232.6500, carpentersquare.com ANNIE Nov 4-5 Curly red hair? Check. Sunny attitude despite life’s travails? Check. Join OCCC for an uplifting musical as the national tour of this Broadway show swings through town. OCCC Theater 7777 S May, OKC, 682.7579, occc.edu/pas LEADING LADIES Nov 10-Dec 4 Commitment is key to a good scam, so when two struggling actors pose as an old lady’s heirs only to discover those heirs are heiresses, they can only go on with the show. Jewel Box Theater 3700 N Walker, OKC, 521.1786, jewelboxtheatre.org SHREK THE MUSICAL Nov 11-Dec 4 Poteet Theatre sings of ogres, onions, true love and other fairytale concepts in this stage adaptation. St. Luke’s Poteet Theater 222 NW 15th, OKC, 609.1023, poteettheatre.com LA RONDINE Nov 18-20 The glamour of romantic infatuation is only the first step on a mututal journey, but not every couple makes it any farther than that - OCU students expound on love in this Puccini operetta. OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC, 208.5227, okcu. edu/music/omt RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL Nov 21 A very shiny nose and some catchy tunes to boot - the Rankin-Bass holiday classic comes to life onstage in this one-night-only show. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 232.7464, okcciviccenter.com A NICE FAMILY CHRISTMAS Nov 25-Dec 17 It’s good to have goals - even if they’re as simultaneously low-stakes and seemingly impossible as surviving a Christmas celebration with your extended family. Jingle jingle from Carpenter Square. Carpenter Square Theater 800 W Main, OKC, 232.6500, carpentersquare.com A TERRITORIAL CHRISTMAS CAROL Nov 25-Dec 23 The Pollard’s signature performance, this will be its 29th year presenting the uniquely Oklahoman twist on Dickens’ redemptive tale. Pollard Theatre 120 W Harrison, Guthrie, 282.2800, thepollard.org MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS Nov 29-Dec 3 It won’t have Judy Garland, but the UCO adaptation of this classic musical should be a true crowd-pleaser anyway, especially as they wish audiences to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” UCO Mitchell Hall Theater 100 N University, Edmond, 974.3375, uco.edu/cfad A CHRISTMAS CAROL Nov 30-Dec 24 Lyric Theater continues its annual presentation of a spectacle-filled classic - bring the family and enjoy. Lyric at the Plaza 1727 NW 16th, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com

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backstory

Sketching Success at Garfield’s

GA R F IEL D’S was one of those restau-

rants that always felt comfortable. The menu choices were consistently prepared to order, the wait staff offered friendly smiles, and the containers of crayons let kids and adults try out their best artwork on the white paper table coverings. The restaurant was the brainchild of former KOCO-TV news anchor Vince Orza. He made the leap from anchor desk to entrepreneur while working as a marketing professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. “While at KOCO, I was also on staff at UCO,” Orza says. “I had a small ad agency, as well, and ChiChi’s Mexican Restaurants was one of my accounts. After a year, they hired me as their vice president of marketing. But I kept my full-time position at UCO, and was still working at KOCO – three full-time jobs, but I loved all three. I left ChiChi’s a couple of years later and decided to go out on my own.”

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Orza originally thought about creating a restaurant themed around the Oklahoma City television market. It would have been similar to Garfield’s, he said, but would have been decorated with photos and memorabilia featuring sports, weather and news personalities from local TV stations. “While working in television, I came to realize how much the general public made TV [personalities] celebrities,” Orza remembers. “If the restaurant became a place these celebrities frequented, it would also draw a large number of the general public who wanted to see and be seen with their favorite TV personalities. In the end, the easier route was to create a concept that didn’t depend on celebrities. Hence, Garfield’s.” The first Garfield’s was located in downtown Edmond, in what is now Othello’s restaurant. Other locations soon followed, expanding into 26 other states from California to New York. At

their peak, annual revenue was over $100 million a year. “Garfield’s came along when ‘fern bars’ were a big deal,” Orza explains. “Those were bars designed for college kids in the late ’60s and ’70s. They were big bars made for young singles, and booze was the attraction. By the early ’80s, we baby boomers had grown up, had families. We grew up eating out at McDonald’s as kids, and at [T.G.I.] Friday’s and Bennigan’s as adults. So when we became parents, we still wanted to eat out, but didn’t want our young kids in a hell-raising bar atmosphere. From the beginning, Garfield’s was designed to be a mix of the fern bar but in a more subdued atmosphere.” The paper on the tables and the crayons were an idea Orza said he came up with when he saw young couples taking their kids out to eat. “Kids have a short attention span, and when they get hungry, they want to eat that instant,” he says. “The paper and crayons gave the kids something to do. It kept the kids occupied and the parents are happy, not to mention the people at the tables around the family. Noisy kids drive away business; families in a rush to get out spend less. So I learned to keep the kids happy, keep the parents happy, keep the neighboring tables happy – and higher sales keep the restaurant happy. It worked.” Garfield’s still has 15 locations nationwide, including one in Bartlesville, but Orza sold the company in 2005, and said he never looked back. Today, he spends part of the year at his home in Edmond and part at a home in Arizona. For the most part, he said, he is basically retired. “Philosophically, I’m in the late autumn years of my life,” Orza says, “and I want to see and do as much as possible before the leaves fall from the trees and winter sets in.”

PHOTO COURTESY OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BY MARK BEUTLER

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