BOOM(ER) TOWN
Find more to love in Norman
BIG IN JAPAN
Taste Tokyo at Goro Ramen
DISTRICT MAKERS
Predicting the next big thing
Dining Destinations Traveling outside the metro? Make time to try these out-of-the-way restaurants and dishes that are well worth a detour.
Like this fried chicken from Eischen's!
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Optimal Health is happy to welcome Ester E. Cobb, MD to our clinical team. Dr. Cobb specializes in family practice, and is now welcoming current and new patients.
As the original center focused on hormonal medicine, the clinicians at Optimal Health have over 45 years experience evaluating and treating patients with these needs. Each patient is treated as an individual, combining science with compassion to develop a plan for long-term vitality and wellness. hormone pellet therapy is a long-lasting (three to five months) method for providing steady, individualized doses of hormones to restore balance to your body’s functions – it’s one of many ways Optimal Health can provide useful results, as well as:
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in this issue
OCTOBER 2016
Features
30
BOOM(ER) TOWN
While OU remains a huge draw for students and visitors (even more so via Memorial Stadium’s new expansion) and substantial influence on the city’s development, Norman continues to evolve an identity of its own around the university. In embracing the arts, improving quality of life infrastructure, attracting retail and celebrating life via public festivals, more news is good news.
38
DESTINATION DINING
PHOTO BY STACEY WEST
A former bank in Marlow, a current airport in Ponca City, a battered old bar in Okarche, a nondescript building on the fringe of the Pawhuska prairie … the state is dotted with unexpected spots – many off the beaten path – that happen to be home to dynamite restaurants. Next time you’re headed outside the metro, plan your trip to include some tasty detours.
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405 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
THE DATEJUST 41 The new generation of the essential classic, with a new movement and design that keep it at the forefront of watchmaking. It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.
OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST 41
rolex
oyster perpetual and datejust are
®
trademarks.
in this issue
OCTOBER 2016
In the 405
Dining
a.k.a. Dorshak Bloch, a.k.a. Bombs Away Art, discusses his creative drive; points of pride and favorite furnishings inside Interior Gilt; rich, robust, eye-catching shades of nail polish to finish your fall look; a chat about music and down-to-earth stardom with County Commissioner Brian Maughan; digesting the persistent myth that Wrigley’s gum had its inspiration in Oklahoma; lingering spirits and luscious steaks in J. Bruner’s at the Haunted House; garage sales demonstrate how secondhand stuff comes bundled with indelible memories.
anese comfort food in Goro Ramen + Izakaya; The Drake chef Mike Clark shares childhood memories and a soulful recipe for red beans and rice; elegantly simple seafood from the Museum Café; a spicy treat for lakeside sipping from Redrock Canyon.
15 Dustin Oswald,
67 Get a taste of Jap-
Events
79 Two outstanding
Travel
59 Looking for a getaway? Bustling nightlife or blissful solitude, the Baja, California coast has the perfect retreat; grisly history and an air of mystery make Salem an enchanting place to visit; Pawhuska rewards visitors with dining, shopping and the natural wonders of a pristine prairie.
ON THE COVER
4
A People's Court
50
Not so very long ago, there was very little to see at the intersection of NW 10th and Walker in OKC; now the entire Midtown area is a thriving testament to what energy, commitment and savvy investors can do to revitalize a district. Local experts are largely agreed on what goes into a successful district, and where the next big thing might be.
exhibitions featuring the finest in Western art intersect at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum for Cowboy Crossings; Lance McDaniel shares a profile of a prolific pair of Oklahoma filmmakers; the Annie Oakley Society and its recognition of female pioneers; OKC Ballet dancers prepare to go en pointe in cowboy boots; paying a visit to the COHBA Street of Dreams.
In Every Issue 10 From the Editor 12 Web Sights 28 On the Scene 72 Food and Drink 84 On Film 86 Speaker Box 90 On the Radar 96 Backstory
You don’t get to be one of the state’s oldest restaurants without serving up serious goodness – just ask Eischen’s. Photo by Carli Wentworth
405 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
protecting your assets, growing your wealth, advising you for life.
david stanley, Executive Vice President and Manager OKC Region; & scott cravens, Vice President
For over 35 years, clients have trusted us with their family’s financial well-being. As an independent trust company, we provide them with tailored and unbiased advice so they can reach their own goals. Learn more at TrustOk.com or call us at 405-840-8401 to discuss your specific needs.
OCTOBER 2016
VOLUME 2 • NUMBER 10
Publishing Director
“…an old school investment approach… building a worry-free future…”
Scott Crystal scrystal@openskymediainc.com Editor-in-Chief Heidi Rambo Centrella heidi.centrella@405magazine.com EDITORIAL Managing Editor Steve Gill steve.gill@405magazine.com Style Editor
In current issues of Money, Fortune, and Bloomberg Business, you can read about what makes Retirement Investment Advisors the kind of firm you’ll want to know more about. You’ll meet CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals who would rather walk a mile in the shoes of their clients than catch the wave of some passing investment trend…why they act as fee-only fiduciaries, required by law to put the best interests of their clients first…and how their investment philosophy is based on building a worry-free future for each client. Read all about it, then call Retirement Investment Advisors. One short call could lead to a long-term relationship with a firm that is all about investing in your future.
Retirement Investment Advisors has been awarded for ethical business practices and community service. It has been recognized 35 times by national financial publications as among the best of its kind in the nation.
Sara Gae Waters saragae.waters@405magazine.com Fashion Editor Jennifer Salyer jennifer.salyer@405magazine.com r the tle unde Still a lit 2) lem (p.6 spell of Sa
Contributing Editor Terry Clark Contributing Writers
M.J. Alexander, Mark Beutler, Jerry Church, Christine Eddington, Lauren Hammack, Greg Horton, George Lang , Lance McDaniel , Matt Payne Excellent fon t of information about the Marvel un iverse
ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel
scotty.odaniel@405magazine.com Graphic Designer Brian O’Daniel brian.odaniel@405magazine.com
Contributing Photographers Shannon Cornman, Terrell Fry, Quit Nguyen, Matt Payne, Carli Wentworth ADVERTISING king Shoots a fine-loo noodle (p.68)
Associate Publisher Tom H. Fraley III
tom.fraley@405magazine.com Executive Director of Advertising Cynthia Whitaker-hill cynthia.whitakerhill@405magazine.com Greenes t th in the offi umb ce
Account Executives Melissa Bake
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@405Mag
MEET YOUR OKLAHOMA RANCHER
Tom Fanning
May, Oklahoma
Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family and your ranch: Tom: My family and I have a cow/calf and stocker ranch. I also manage Buffalo Feeders, a 30,000-head custom cattle feeding operation. My children will be the fourth generation running cattle, but we have bought our own place and built it from scratch. My wife and I grew up here. After serving as a U.S. Army infantry captain and Army Ranger as well as working for Cargill in the Texas Panhandle, we moved back here 16 years ago to raise our family where we grew up. What is a typical day like for you? Tom: It starts out before the sun comes up. We start feeding 30,000 head of cattle at 6 a.m. We feed a third by 9 a.m. The next round is done by noon and we are finished by 3 p.m. We also start shipping finished cattle at 6 a.m. How does technology differ from the technology passed down to you by past generations? Tom: When I first started, we had a card handwritten with the amount of feed. You stamped that card, calculated with a calculator and entered the information into a mainframe computer. Today, the feed truck uses a wireless GPS system connected to the feed mill. Many checks are built in to eliminate mistakes. That information is sent directly into the office system and recorded for every person to see. I have the technology to look up an animal’s individual identification and find out what it weighed today, if it’s ever been treated for illness or what its average daily gain is. The technology allows us to improve the way we do business and handle our cattle. How do you manage your feedyard to ensure care of animals, land and water resources? Tom: We manage every individual animal. Each individual receives a unique identification and is measured daily for weight, gain and health. Every load of feed ingredients is monitored and tested for quality. All our procedures are in accordance with the Beef Quality Assurance program. We’re audited annually by an independent third party in conjunction with our consulting veterinarian and nutritionist. We have both a nutrient management and pollution management plan monitored daily and weekly by the assistant manager. We employ an environmental engineer consultant. We have quarterly inspections to make sure we are compliant. In total, we work with the EPA; FDA; USDA; Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; plus the IRS. EPA covers the environmental management of the lagoons. FDA covers the feed mill and our feed manufacturing process. USDA covers food safety. That’s a big part of what we do every day. What does caring for the land mean to you? Tom: To me, stewardship is about if the practice can be
“We’re creating food for our family and yours.
That’s something we take very seriously.”
replicated. It has to be good for the environment, soil and people. If one leg on that stool is not in place, it tips over and that practice is not sustainable. If you could explain one aspect of agriculture to someone who isn’t familiar with agriculture, what would it be? Tom: People I know engaged in agriculture absolutely love what they do. It’s a labor of love, a passion and a lifestyle more than some lofty career goal. When we get up every day, we like what we do. We are passionate about doing a great job. We’re creating food for our family and yours. That’s something we take very seriously.
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If you could describe in one word the life of a rancher, what would it be? Tom: Passion. Lastly and most importantly, what is your favorite cut of beef and how do you like to prepare it? Tom: I love the rib eye cap steak grilled to medium doneness. That strip of meat on the top side just melts in your mouth!
FAST FACTS
ABOUT THE BEEF COMMUNITY The Oklahoma beef community has 51,000 farming and ranching families and of that there are 42,000 farms and ranches with less than 100 head. 97
percent of beef farms or ranches are family-owned. Fifty-four percent of these farms and ranches have been in the same family for three generations or more.
2 3 4 5
It’s important to note, beef ’s environmental footprint is shrinking. Each pound of beef
raised in 2007 (compared to 1977) used 19 percent less feed, 33 percent less land, 12 percent less water and 9 percent less fossil fuel energy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), beef production accounts for only
1.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
All beef cattle are raised on grass, although mature cattle are often moved to feedyards for four to six months during which time they have constant access to water, a carefully balanced diet made up of roughage (such as hay, grass and fiber) and grain (such as corn, wheat and soybean meal) and room to move around.
Veterinarians, cattle nutritionists and cattlemen work together to look after each animal.
The beef lifecycle is perhaps one of the most unique and complex lifecycles of any food. It takes
anywhere from 2-3 years to bring beef from the farm to your dinner table.
Producing the best beef in the world is an artisan process not a factory one.
Learn more about the farmers and ranchers behind your beef and other beef questions at www.oklabeef.org Don’t forget to visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com for great beef recipes and cooking tips.
FROM THE EDITOR
It’s About to Get Cool M UCH L IK E A N old friend you’re only able to visit once a year,
HEIDI R A MBO CEN TRELL A Editor-in-Chief heidi.centrella@405magazine.com
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405 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
PHOTO BY SIMON HURST
I’ve missed October. For starters, it’s my birth month, and the big day is just a few days prior to my favorite holiday (yes, Halloween is my favorite), plus it also means fall is officially here. The temperatures are cooling – rather unseasonably this year – the leaves begin to turn, school is in full swing, football is well underway, the Thunder are getting ready to storm back onto the court and we’re that much closer to putting away the summer wardrobe in exchange for boots, sweaters and jackets. Besides, there’s nothing quite like the smell of fall in the air. I can appreciate that many people aren’t as enthusiastic, knowing that Oklahoma’s autumns are typically short-lived and quickly lead to the shorter days of winter and its attendant possibilities for bone-chilling temperatures, ice storms and the occasional bout of Seasonal Affective Disorder. But Future Heidi can worry about those potential problems if they materialize; for now, I can’t help getting a little giddy anticipating this glorious time of year. And what’s more, think of all the fabulous food offerings we can now switch back to – kind of like changing out that aforementioned wardrobe. It’s almost time for chili, stews, soups and baking. Hearty fare, if you will. Of course, it might be more fun to cook at home this time of year, but for those who prefer to venture outside the comforts of their own kitchen – or maybe outside the comforts of the city – we’ve got a few recommendations. Matt Payne traversed the 405 and beyond in search of dining destinations (page 38), and while some are fairly renowned, there are likely to be a few new-to-you eateries worth the drive. And while you’re out exploring, consider taking in some of the high points of Norman (page 30). While OU remains an indelible part of the city’s identity, George Lang finds that our neighbor to the south has quite a lot to recommend it beyond the university, from festivals to fine shopping to a spectacular arts scene. It’s often baffling how our city’s developers seem to know what’s going to make for the next great district. Is there a crystal ball that conjures images of where and what will succeed? Doubtful, but I think George still asked the question during his interviews with a select group of those in the know. Check out his Blurred Lines piece on page 50, and see what they had to say about what goes into making a successful district, and what the future might hold for OKC. Coolness is on the horizon, and that’s absolutely all right with me – have a colorful and comfortable October.
Web Sights What’s online at 405magazine.com
City Scenes
You say “Norman,” we say “More, man!” George Lang’s exploration of the growth and development continuing in our neighbor to the south (beginning on page 30) has us thinking about all the city has to offer visitors – so we’re offering you an extended online tour. Visit 405magazine.com/normansights/ to see more of Cary Holton’s captivating images, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself planning a visit in person.
Start Sharing e-News We’re giving you plenty of options for staying up to date on what’s new and exciting in the 405; 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 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 get on the informational express train – next stop, your inbox.
Let Us Hear It So what’s on your mind? We’re always looking for feedback and readers’ opinions, and that means we’re hoping to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to let us know what you’re thinking; shoot an email to feedback@405magazine.com and we may share your thoughts in these pages in a future issue. Thanks for writing!
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405
in the
PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER
Bloch Party Dustin Oswald wears his love for art on his sleeves, and relishes the opportunity to spend a day – or several – concentrating on filling his works with intricate details. So it seems only fitting that we have a brief chat with the graphic artist who publishes under the pseudonym Dorshak Bloch, to fill in some details about his own backstory, his multiple creative endeavors and some of the influences who drive his work.
OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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in the 405 CREATIVES
DETAIL ORIENTED
gallery is Planet Dorshak, and in fact, the novellas are written under the name Dorshak Bloch. “The name is a reference to different things,” Oswald says. “I combined my first name with the Rorschach test and BY GREG HORTON PHOTOS BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are). The last name is a reference to RobDUST I N OSWA L D L OV E S details. Open a copy of The Bloodied Past of Jingle Heimer ert Bloch, author of Psycho and a bunch S.V.S., his newest graphic novella, and you’ll find illustrated panels with line work so of sci-fi stories I like.” detailed it’s practically mind-numbing. In one particularly arresting image, a “pit of Creating names and identities is just anger and vengeance,” the attention to detail is rivaled only by the Giger-esque intensisomething Oswald has always done. ty of the imagery. Most readers are more likely to recognize “I love line-art-driven pieces,” Oswald says. “I love sitting down and composing the picanother of his identities: Bombs Away ture, but the detail drawing is fun; I get into this meditation-like state making tiny marks.” Art. The T-shirts under that label are Many illustrators and cartoonists use premade patterns to add texture to a frame. Who, ubiquitous in Oklahoma, and they sell after all, wants to draw 5,000 dots when you can buy a dot pattern? Oswald well outside the state, too. does. Hashmarks, dots, tiny leaves, stone structures, blades of grass – anyIn the early days of Bombs “I came back to Away, he and his wife thing that requires a detailed pattern, he prefers to draw by hand. In the frame that illustrates Jingle Heimer’s awakening, Oswald has Oklahoma after I Laura, along with a cousin, him atop large rocks, looking out on a partly cloudy sky. It would have sell the shirts store ran out of money. would been clear they were rocks even without the detail, but Oswald saw too to store. Blue 7 was one much white space. White space makes him anxious. He likes the patterns I was ANGRY AND of the first local partners, he uses to fill white space. Whether that is also a metaphor only he can and they’ve been selling the EXHAUSTED.” tell; as it is, he won’t even discuss the amount of time it takes to illustrate shirts for 12 years. DNA DUST I N OSWA L D one of those frames. Galleries has been on board “I don’t like to divulge that,” he laughs. “It’s at least a day’s work.” for nearly eight years. It’s far more than a day’s work, but the evidence of the labor doesn’t really need conThe Oswalds bought screen-printing firmation. Simply stand in front of the full-color “pit of anger” print at Oswald’s gallery equipment for $7,700 in 2004, using in The Paseo, and you will get an idea of the tedium that becomes beautiful art. That money that Dustin’s mother had won in
Dustin Oswald drops bombs as Dorshak Bloch
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had won in a Fen-Phen settlement. “I didn’t want to do commercial or commission printing,” Oswald says. “We started working on original designs from the very beginning.” The turning point was probably the Osage shield design that is still the company’s bestseller. The apparel company doesn’t fund Planet Dorshak nor the graphic novellas, but it does make it easier to do art, and art is all he has ever wanted to do. The Apache High School (Apache, Oklahoma) graduate earned a B.F.A. in graphic design before heading off to San Francisco to be an artist. He burned through his savings while working two and a half jobs seven days a week. “I came back to Oklahoma after I ran out of money,” he says. “I was angry and exhausted.” That anger still seeps through in his art. His first graphic novella, The Story of Ivan A. Alexander, kicks off a series that includes Jingle Heimer, and both juxtapose images of stuffed animals and extreme violence. Oswald plans to create several volumes in the series – in addition to plans for two full-length
graphic novels set in a different world – and the letting go of the anger is clear in the latest novella. Using stuffed animals as surrogates made it easier to process the anger, and it is certainly easier to look at images of dismembered teddy bears as opposed to the human alternatives. This is not to say that the novellas are hopelessly grim; they certainly are not. Only the sloppiest reader could miss the note of hope at the end of Jingle Heimer, and there is beauty and wonder in all of Oswald’s frames, even the most disturbing of them. One person not mentioned so far who certainly deserves notice is Joy Reed Belt. She has been an active advocate for Oswald’s style of art, as distressing as it can be to some, and her encouragement of him taking the Paseo location is to be commended, as he brings something decidedly fresh and evocative to a location that can at times be mired in the conventional. The novellas are on sale at his gallery and online, and a collection of his original work will be on display and for sale on Oct. 14 at the MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery in Norman.
OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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in the 405 FAVORITE THINGS
Points of Pride Find furnishing finery in Interior Gilt
Dunes and Duchess sconce, $812 “Everything from this company is a favorite of mine right now. They hand-make everything on the East Coast, and can custom color your piece to match your room’s palette perfectly.”
Jimmy Rupp
J UST CROS SI NG T HE threshold into Interior Gilt,
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Joanna Gaines rugs by Loloi, $463 “As the only stop in OKC for Joanna’s rug line, we are obviously thrilled, but the care she took in creating her line is undeniable. All of the collections are gorgeous and can be used with so many styles.”
Antique mahogany commode, $6,895 “My interior design roots go back to my mom’s antique store, so I am a firm believer in having vintage or antique pieces incorporated into every design.”
PHOTOS BY CARLI WENTWORTH
opened along Uptown 23rd in June 2015, you know at once you’ve moved into someplace special. The people, led by owner and founder Jimmy Rupp, are all smiles and ready to help, and make you feel right at home … and ready to shop. It’s pretty much an instant feeling of “Oh, this is going to be fun!” Jimmy is a firecracker of friendliness and expertise, and it shows in the store he has so carefully cultivated. In discussing his inspirations, he quickly turns to history. “My family likes to travel quite a bit, and I take inspiration from our travels, as well as history. I have always heard that history repeats itself – in fact, as [Santayana and] Churchill said, ‘Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ I take a lot of inspiration from this philosophy. I think we should let our past help influence our design choices; whether that is family heirlooms, influences from previous decades or life experiences being represented in our homes.” That philosophy couldn’t ring more true as you look around at the myriad choices of furnishing, textiles and accessories that fill Interior Gilt. It’s important to Jimmy that he have many styles represented for his customers, and it’s just that thoughtfulness and attention to detail that Mr. Rupp is “gilty” of. - SAR A GAE WATERS
Brass cage pendant, $825 “Overhead lighting is the crowning piece of every room, so finding something unique is important; so many options are available that I feel special orders are a must. I love how versatile this pendant is, and the large scale makes a dramatic statement.”
Natural Curiosities large format art, $2,985 “This company makes all its art by printing on hand-made parchment paper here in the U.S.A. Their prints have origin stories behind them, and their largeformat ones add a striking element to any room.”
Agate-adorned box, $26 and agate coasters “Natural elements are something I think everyone should incorporate throughout their home, and agate items add that element in a glamorous way.”
Sarah Richardson throw, $112 “Sarah Richardson has inspired me and my design aesthetic for years, and I love that we carry her products here at Interior Gilt. I particularly love the throws and baby bedding.”
Wesley Hall swivel chair, $2,200 “This chair has two of my favorite things in one. Our Wesley Hall upholstery is done better than just about any company on the market, so you get an heirloom item when you buy one of their products. Additionally, I am a big fan of a swivel chair. They are so functional and fun, and I believe every house should have a pair!”
Paladin Footstool in Kate Spade fabric, $448 “I love how Kate Spade is typically known for fashion items, but now you can have her fabrics incorporated in your home through upholstery.”
OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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in the 405 TRENDS
Serious Shade
W H AT DO YOU T HI N K of when you hear phrases such as “Lovers Creep” or “Stockholm Syndrome”? Scary movie titles, maybe? Hopefully not the bios of your friends’ social media accounts … or yours! They’re actually the names of fingernail polish – and who wouldn’t want to be in that think tank? This fall, the colors – apart from the names – are anything but scary. Rich hues of gray, deep red, purple and blue are in abundance and an ideal way to spruce yourself up with a splash of attitude. You’ll love the Smith and Cult family of hues, available at Balliets – the collection seen here includes (from left to right in front) Doe My Dear, Feed the Rich, Dark Like Me, No Poem, Stockholm Syndrome, Lovers Creep and Dirty Baby. Go find your perfect color or three; just don’t try running the results down a chalkboard. That would be scary. - SAR A GAE WATERS
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PHOTO BY CARLI WENTWORTH
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in the 405 CONVERSATION
For the Love of Music Brian Maughan and life among the stars
Are you a native Oklahoman? “Yes, I was born and raised in south Oklahoma City. My dad, Roy, ran his own heating and air conditioning business, and my mom, Charlotte, worked for Oklahoma City Public Schools as a bookkeeper. My best friend during my teenage years was a quadriplegic and was confined to bed for the last 13 years of his life. So one thing we did was collect music because it was something we could both enjoy since he couldn’t leave the house. We traded with fellow music fans all over the world that we met through music trade magazines, and that is how I got started collecting.” When did music first have an impact on you? “I was 9 years old when I saw Roy Orbison perform on ‘Austin City Limits.’ I turned to my dad and asked who it was singing on TV. He said, ‘It’s Roy Orbison.’ I immediately said, ‘That’s my favorite singer!’ And he has been ever since.” What’s your favorite song? “Roy Orbison’s ‘Oh, Pretty Woman,’ and a lesser-known song he did called ‘Coming Home.’” Oklahoma has turned out some great artists like Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Vince Gill, and more recently Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton. But it was pioneers like Wanda Jackson and Jody Miller who helped pave the way. How did you
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meet them? “I first met Wanda when I was doing research for a book on Roy Orbison. I had developed a Facebook page called ‘All Things Roy Orbison,’ and eventually I approached Wanda’s husband and manager, Wendell, to ask if they would like to have a similar fan club. Wanda and Wendell both agreed, but it really grew to be much more than just fan club stuff. We’ve become very close friends and she’s taken me along to see several of her famous friends in concert. “I met Jody Miller a couple of times before, but when Wanda had to take some time off to recover from knee surgery, Jody graciously agreed to fill in some concert dates for her. Today I help her fan club and the career activities she’s doing now.” Both of these artists are involved in your SHINE Foundation. What is that? “It is an organization I started that rewards young people who complete 100 or more hours of voluntary community service before graduating high school or college. SHINE is an acronym for Start Helping Impacted Neighborhoods Everywhere. Thousands have participated all over Oklahoma, and the real phenomenon is how most of the kids don’t stop at 100 hours. This year, a Western Heights graduate set a new record with 1,102 hours. These young people are literally changing the face of Oklahoma. “Wanda Jackson was one of the first people to ask how she could help. She performed the first [installment] of what has become an annual SHINE concert, raising money for the nonprofit. Merle Haggard did it the second year, and this year we had B.J. Thomas. Jody Miller had also heard about SHINE and wanted to get more involved. We taped the Jody Miller Day show she did last summer and sold DVD copies of the concert, with proceeds going to SHINE.” What is your favorite memory having to do with the “Queen of Rockabilly?” “I had been working with Wanda for just a little while and she was well aware of how fond I am of Miranda Lambert. She made a special trip to see Miranda out in western Oklahoma just so she could make sure I not only got to meet her but got to visit for a
PHOTOS BY CHARLIE NEUENSCHWANDER
BY DAY, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan helps oversee miles and miles of the county’s roads and bridges. He serves on governing boards, including Emergency Management, the Planning Commission and others. But when the workday is through, Maughan turns to his real passion, which is listening to and collecting music. He loves all styles but finds his favorite is classic country. In fact, much of his spare time is spent helping promote a couple of legendary Oklahoma artists who were already churning out hits before he was born. As president of the Wanda Jackson Fan Club, the 39-year-old finds himself in regular contact with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Queen of Rockabilly.” He also regularly coordinates social media for Blanchard’s own Grammy winner Jody Miller, and last summer helped organize the first-ever “Jody Miller Day” concert.
good while. Wanda had to spend several hours and make a long trip just to make my wish come true. That’s about the neatest thing any celebrity could ever do for a fan.” Speaking of Miranda Lambert, are you a fan of today’s country? “To me, there are very few bright spots in country music today. Miranda Lambert, Sunny Sweeney and Chris Stapleton are among the lone entertainers who are still attempting to perform what I call country music. Most of the new artists are blending together with not only their voices, but also the production in general. In the past, there were several types of sounds even in the same genre. For example, in rock and roll you had the Motown sound like Smokey Robinson, the Memphis sound of Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys were doing the West Coast stuff. Today, radio acts like it is a sin to vary too far from one sound to another.” As a music aficionado, what’s it like to hang out with famous people? “Wanda Jackson, Jody Miller and Roy Orbison’s son Wesley have all made it possible for me to meet famous singers and all kinds of people from the music industry I could not have met otherwise. As exciting as that is for a music fan like me, I have to honestly say the best part of knowing them has been to be their friend. They all just happen to be among the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. It’s really great when your heroes turn out to be even greater than you imagined them to be.” - MARK BEUTLER
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in the 405 OKLAHOMYTHS
Flavored With Fiction Wrigley’s field of inspiration was not in Oklahoma THE CLAIM: William Wrigley produced his first chewing gum at his office on North Division Street in Guthrie. THE SOURCE: Oklahoma: The Land and Its People, By Kenny A. Franks and Paul F. Lambert (1994) FACT CHECK: It’s a story that has clearly stuck in some people’s minds, as it’s survived for more than a century: Wrigley’s gum was invented in Oklahoma Territory, not long after the ’89 land run. The claim probably started with Fred Wenner, a Territory-era correspondent and Guthrie Chamber of Commerce booster, who noted: “A young boy working in Kimball’s Grocery Store conceived
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the idea of cutting beeswax in strips, rolling these strips in sugar and flavoring them with any flavor the grocer carried. Those sold beyond his expectations. This boy was William Wrigley. Later he put the jaws of the world to work on his ‘Wrigley’s Chewing Gum.’” In reality, the Philadelphia-born Wrigley moved to Chicago in 1891, at the age of 29, and worked as a salesman. He quickly discovered that the sticks of gum he gave as gifts to customers caused more excitement than the merchandise itself, so he decided to create his own brand of gum instead. After early success with Sweet Sixteen Orange and Lotta Gum, he introduced his Wrigley’s Spearmint and Juicy Fruit
lines in 1893, producing them at the Zeno company in Chicago. Wrigley executive Denise Young debunked the fanciful link to Oklahoma history in a letter published by The Oklahoman on June 17, 2003: “I have checked with our corporate archivist who tells me that the town of Guthrie, Oklahoma, lists a fact like this. However, over the years, she has corresponded with a few Oklahomans about this matter, and has told them that William Wrigley Jr. may have visited Oklahoma in his travels as a chewing gum salesman, but we have no record of him making his first chewing gum there.” This should be a lesson to us all not to swallow every piece of trivia we come across; they can stay in our systems longer than we might think. - M.J. ALEX ANDER 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.
in the 405 PLACES
A Legend Lives Again
Patrick Boylan and the revitalized Haunted House
PHOTOS BY J PAT CARTER
T HE NA M E CONJ U R E S up visions of ghostly beings roaming
the stately, wood-paneled halls. But in reality, the Haunted House is one of Oklahoma City’s best-loved and most charming restaurants. Located at the end of a quaint, tree-lined driveway near NE 63rd and Eastern, the landmark establishment has undergone a renaissance within the past year. New owner Patrick Boylan acquired the Haunted House at an auction last year, shelling out a relatively meager $196,000 for the 4,500-square-foot 1935 manor and 2.5 acres of prime real estate. He immediately went to work restoring the restaurant and the grounds. “This was a 1935 mansion that needed a lot of work,” Boylan says. “It was basically deferred maintenance that had built up over a lot of years. I got busy cleaning the carpets, painting, washing the windows, trimming trees. It really came back to life.” According to local legend, the restaurant’s name came from the 1963 murder of 74-year-old auto dealer Martin Carriker, who lived in the house with his wife Clara and stepdaughter Margaret Pearson. Ultimately, Pearson was charged with Carriker’s murder. Investigators claimed she and two handymen had conspired to kill her stepfather. Before she could go on trial, Pearson’s mother, Clara, also died. A jury later found Pearson not guilty of her stepfather’s murder, and she returned to the mansion. It was foreclosed on in 1964, there, and so did Liberace and Lauren Bacall. Sarah Ferguson, and just before she was set to move, Pearson, too, was found dead the Duchess of York, also dropped by while she was in town. inside the house. Her murder was never solved. The restaurant was always one of Boylan’s favorites, a place he “Following those tragedies, the house was sold to Arthur and often entertained clients for more than 30 years. Marian Thibault,” Boylan says. “They bought the mansion and “I first started my production company, PDC Productions, in the grounds on May 30, 1964, which, coincidental1982,” he says. “At that time, Oklahoma City only ly, happened to be the day I was born. They chose had a few fine dining establishments. There was Val J. BRUNER’S AT the name ‘Haunted House’ because of the murders Gene’s at the top of Founder’s Tower, and, of course, THE HAUNTED HOUSE that had occurred there. The restaurant opened Junior’s in the Oil Center. And then there was the 7101 Miramar Blvd., OKC Open 5-10 p.m. that year and operated for 51 years. I re-opened it Haunted House. Back then it was kind of a go-to Wednesday - Sunday last summer on July 4.” spot.” Boylan said the restaurant business is a total When Boylan met his boyfriend, Alek VladiFor reservations, which are encouraged, or to hobby. He also owns J. Bruner’s Steakhouse mirovich, the restaurant soon became a romantic arrange a private event, in the Lake of the Ozarks, near Osage Beach, spot where they spent each Valentine’s Day. The two call 405.478.1417. Missouri, and so renamed his Oklahoma City men were married last September. restaurant “J. Bruner’s at the Haunted House.” “I really didn’t want to change much about the restaurant,” “I usually eat out every meal, every day,” Boylan says. “So the Boylan says. “But I have upgraded the menu, and the steaks restaurant business has always intrigued me. It’s not a lucraand prime rib are totally different than any other steakhouse in tive business, but it’s a fun business. It’s sort of like having a Oklahoma City. Everything comes from Stockyard Beef in Chicabunch of friends over for dinner every night, but I don’t have to go, and it is 100 percent grain-fed beef. Our food is incredible.” clean up after.” And the exceptionally elegant atmosphere is a big part of what During its original run, the Haunted House served everyone gives the revitalized landmark its spirit … however many of from movie stars to British royalty. Bob Hope and his wife dined those might be around this time of year. - MARK BEUTLER OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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in the 405 LAUGH LINES
Memories (Not) for Sale In defense of saving stuff MY DAD ALWAYS used to get sad when he heard the Harry
Chapin song “Cat’s in the Cradle,” for its depiction of how kids grow up so quickly and, all the while, we’re too busy working so we can feed them to spend any quality time with them. Before we know it, they’re grown and gone, just when we’re ready to sit down and have a chat. I can’t even listen to the song all the way through – it’s a complete downer. No other song quite so clearly says, “You were in over your head having kids in the first place, and now look what you’ve done to them.” Harry Chapin must have been getting ready for a garage sale when he wrote the song. There’s just no more fitting theme song – or punishment – for sifting through box after bottomless box of memories in the form of Barbies and baseball gloves. Short of waking up from a 20-year-long coma, what other visual conveys the passing of time more starkly than a couple of decades’ worth of paint guns, glitter batons, hula hoops, Halloween costumes and catapults? The cats in the cradle were just part of the hoard in our attic, which is why we decided it was time for the big purge: the garage sale to end all garage sales. I have friends, neighbors and relatives who have garage sales regularly, and I’ll never understand how they do it. I’d rather have a baby than have a garage sale. Neither being practical, I swore off having garage sales (and babies) years ago after a hosting The Sale from Hell. Something in the ad must have alerted the creepies to pound the tom-toms about my sale. They came from near and far. After shooing away the pre-dawn throngs who refused to get off my lawn when the sprinklers switched on and arguing with customers about what wasn’t for sale in the garage, I tackled a garage sale shoplifter – the universe’s lowest life form – as she scurried across my yard with a still-new-in-the-package sheet set. And it wasn’t even noon on Day 1. (Side note: There’s a special place in hell for your ilk, garage sale shoplifters.) Memories from the Sale from Hell (and the grass stains on my knees from the shoplifter incident) gave us a convenient excuse to postpone holding regular garage sales every two or three years like we should have, but I’ve decided that a good, regular purge is the only sure way to avoid a sudden onset of nostalgia about parting with a Superman cape here or a tire swing there. We could have eased into this separation with those sparkle-plenty glitter flippers years ago instead of crying about them now while “Cat’s in the Cradle” spools on continuous loop in our heads. Until the recent garage sale to end all garage sales, I used to manage burgeoning closets any time trucks made their rounds
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through the neighborhood. Donations like these are so much easier because there are no real rules of engagement (and no physical contact). Garage sales, on the other hand, are all about mental (and sometimes physical, if you must tackle a shoplifter) engagement. The entire process of putting your stuff on display for evaluation and eventual sale is a dance – a dance with my stuff. The logical side of me reasons, “Get rid of it! It’s just stuff!” But the fool in me who put off having the garage sale for 20 years reasons that it’s stuff I didn’t want to send away in the first place. It’s stuff someone places a smaller value on than I do. Stuff I don’t want someone touching if they’re not going to love it. Stuff that used to make me yell out loud when I’d see it scattered through the house, wedged between the bed and the wall, or packed between the cushions of the couch. Stuff I crossed the five-county metro to find before wrapping it at 2 a.m. on Christmas. Stuff someone in my family loved once because it was important at the time. Stuff I collected to start or complete a set. Stuff I made. Stuff my kids made. Stuff that connected us to a certain place and time. Stuff I kept because it meant something to my kids at the time. Stuff I kept because I thought it would mean something to them when they were older, but it didn’t. Stuff I kept because I didn’t want to forget how it felt to own it. Stuff that’s part of who we were. Stuff that made me happy. Stuff I hope will make someone else happy. Seeing it all on display, I know exactly why I’ll put 20 years between me and my next garage sale: I AM unapologetically attached to my stuff. Cue the Harry Chapin. - LAUREN HAMMACK
DON A LD 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 ON THE SCENE
Red Shoe Gala With smiling faces and scarlet shoes, guests enjoy a night of revelry while helping the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City give families of ill children less to worry about. 1. Jessica Brouillette, Wilfred Courtney 2. Travis and Shaye Matthews, Ronald McDonald, Anna and Drew Mains 3. Brady Sidwell, Bambi and Trey Waters 4. Nick and Marcy Niver, Jennifer and Gary Mornhinweg 5. Christina and Adam Bivins
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OK Born and Brewed The Oklahoma Hall of Fame Museum hosts a second annual showcase of craft beer brewed in the Sooner State – bottoms up! 1. Janette Simmons, Emily Dean 2. Lindsey and Phillip Looper 3. Sandy and Art Cotton 4. Eddie and Mallory McDaniels, Jessica and Aaron Cohenour 5. Ashley and Ross Powell, Collins Peck, Bailey Gordon
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Dancing for A Miracle Local luminaries get set to show off their skills on the dance floor in a fun, festive evening benefiting the Children’s Hospital Foundation. 1. Kyle Cummings, Cathy and Sean Cummings 2. Jay and Tracy Panchal 3. Juan and Ziggy Brou 4. Ashley Dunn, Taylor Elliott 5. Ali Brooks, Nicole Jia
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PHOTOS: RED SHOE GALA AND DANCING FOR A MIRACLE BY JUSTIN AVERA; OK BORN AND BREWED AND END OF SUMMER SOIREE BY TERRELL FRY
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End of Summer Soiree
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma hosts a seasonal smash at the Sam Noble Museum, giving guests great tastes and good times along with the opportunity to improve kids’ lives. 1. DG Smalling, Ta’Na Alexander, Linda and Xavier Neira 2. Angie Collier, Jim and Nyky Wilson, Sarah Kerr 3. Sonja and Nicholas White 4. Jordan Haygood, Megan Scaramucci, Ben and Melissa Houston, Melissa Scaramucci 5. Joe and Lynne Siano, Carolyn
and Jeff Cummins
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Boom(er) Town NORMAN’S ENDURING IDENTITY AMID ONGOING GROWTH BY GEORGE LANG || PHOTOS BY CARY HOLTON
Since Abner Norman first surveyed the area in 1890, the city named for him has found its identity tethered to the University of Oklahoma, creating a symbiotic relationship that often made it hard to imagine one without the other. As the largest employer in the city, OU serves as the commercial and cultural beating heart of the community, and the town surrounding it provides the institution with the residences and services such a formidable university requires. While OU continues to serve as a one-degree-of-separation first talking point in any discussion about Norman, the city’s recent growth spurt and commercial boom serve as signs of a city coming into its own and transcending its town-and-gown origins. Since the 2010 census, which put Norman’s population at a healthy 110,925 residents, the city’s Planning Department estimates that it welcomed more than 8,000 new Normanites, making it the third-largest city in the state. And with University North Park, the massive retail and commercial center that began on the north side 10 years ago, Norman has positioned itself as a major destination for long-distance shoppers from the southern half of Oklahoma. “I was out in the parking lot, looking at all the license plates and the stickers on the day the HomeGoods store opened,” says Stefanie Brickman, communications manager for the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It was amazing to see what a draw it was.” These developments, along with other arts programs, beautification projects
and commercial ventures, serve as part of an overall movement to further improve the quality of life in a community that already boasted strong public education, arts programs and one of the best live music festivals in the state. It’s all part of moving Norman forward, which is what the city set out to do with its successful 2015 bond issue.
“Having the arts component in Norman Forward will help us build on the culture that is already in place.” - Stefanie Brickman
NORMAN FORWARD In October 2015, Norman voters approved a one-half cent sales tax to fund “Norman Forward.” The initiative, similar in concept to Oklahoma City’s MAPS, was designed to fund $209 million in “quality of life” projects such as improved public libraries, parks, schools and community centers. Only one Norman Forward project is a more traditional public works initiative: the extension of James Garner Avenue as a direct conduit between north Norman and downtown.
Extensive renovations will take place in 51 of 65 existing city parks, including nine new soccer fields at Griffin Park and a new baseball and softball complex at Reaves Park. In addition, five new parks will be constructed on the city’s east side, which will also be the recipient of a new library branch. Because Norman’s population has more than doubled in the 50 years since the construction of the Pioneer Library System’s central branch at 225 N. Webster, Norman will construct a new main library at a cost of $39 million, as well. OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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“We’re starting to see some of these projects roll out,” Brickman says. “And one of the unique parts of Norman Forward is that there is an arts component to all of these plans. Having the arts component in Norman Forward will help us build on the culture that is already in place.”
ART IS ALL AROUND Norman’s commitment to fine art can be seen in the galleries of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Jacobson House, the Firehouse Art Center, MAINSITE Contemporary Art and other great venues, but that civic dedication to artistic endeavor also helps biking enthusiasts secure their rides. Three years ago, the Norman Public Arts Board began a project to install functional art in the city’s burgeoning downtown Main Street Area, soliciting designs from area artists for bike racks. These were not the standard, gray, utilitarian racks that hold many a Schwinn at public schools and parks, but bright, colorful monuments to uniquely Oklahoman symbols, animals and even hometown heroes. The first five installations of the project appeared on Main Street in August 2013,
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including a bison, an oil palette and a bike rack shaped like a bike. The project, funded by Fowler Volkswagen, came in several stages, culminating in April 2016 with artist Jennifer Robinson’s bike rack on Campus Corner paying tribute to Calvin Steves, the helmet-wearing Norman Transcript paper carrier who has sold papers in the area for more than four decades while continuing his battle with epilepsy. The bike rack project combines form, function and fitness, and also continues the beautification of Norman’s core. “Downtown Norman is already picturesque, we’ve got these beautiful buildings and historical architecture,” Brickman says. “But now we’ve got these bike racks that add to the unique flavor and ambiance that only Norman can provide. It’s really exciting to be in Norman right now.”
BEST OF THE FESTS In 2008, Norman Music Festival debuted as a single-day event with a headlining performance by The Polyphonic Spree, and while organizers originally forecast attendance at around 8,000 people, the original NMF pulled
over 15,000 people onto Main Street. Before that day in April, no one knew whether Norman Music Festival would be anything more than a one-off event, but the day after Tim DeLaughter led his 24-piece Spree off the giant stage, it was on to the next one. Six years later, in a Huffington Post feature titled “The ONE Thing You Must Do In Each U.S. State,” Norman Music Festival beat out everything else in Oklahoma – everything. On average, NMF added 10,000 attendees each year, reaching more than 80,000 by 2015, and featured a festival roster of more than 300 individual acts, and while the main stage hosts regional, national and even international acts, most of the artists on the festival’s multiple stages hail from Oklahoma. Almost every musical genre gets ample representation at NMF, and for music lovers wanting to hear what Oklahoma sounds like, the festival is a three-day crash course. “I’m a proud board member of NMF – I’ve volunteered for several years – and we’re in the planning stages for NMF X,” says Brickman, referring to the 10th
PHOTO BY NATHAN POPPE
Listeners flood Main Street for a performance by Cloud Nothings at NMF 9.
PHOTOS THIS PAGE: MEDIEVAL FAIR COURTESY MEDIEVAL FAIR; JAZZ IN JUNE BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS
annual production of the festival, which will take place in April 2017. “It’s had an incredible impact on community pride. It’s helping shape Norman’s image on a regional scale.” While NMF gets many of the headlines, it is only one of the festivals bringing thousands of visitors to the city. The Medieval Fair of Norman, which returns March 31-April 2, 2017, started in 1977, where it was staged by OU’s English department on the University’s South Oval as a celebration of William Shakespeare’s birthday. Within a few years, the Medieval Fair outgrew the confines of the South Oval and relocated to the OU Duck Pond, where activities such as jousting and the human chess tournament had room to flourish. In 1993, the fair expanded to three days, and 10 years later, it moved to Reaves Park, which was able to accommodate the estimated 350,000 who attend one of the few free renaissance/medieval fairs in the country. Meanwhile, Jazz In June provides music lovers with a consistently superb jazz and education experience. Started by KGOU-FM in 1984, Jazz In June regularly brings in top-flight musicians and about 50,000 fans annually. The festival is a model of positive economic impact: it receives $40,000 each year from the Norman Arts Council and Oklahoma Arts Council and pours $2,227,500 back into the local economy. Beyond dollars, Jazz In June is one of the few events
The Medieval Fair’s fiercely fought human chess games and Jazz in June’s infectious rhythms help give Norman its year-round festival flavor.
where Oklahomans can see legends such as David Sanborn, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jeff Lorber and the Ellis Marsalis Quintet. And there are smaller events, many of them are intrinsic to the character of Norman. Featuring over 60 fine artists and crafters, live entertainment, children’s activities and a 5K run, Brickman points to the May Fair Arts Festival in Andrews Park as an event that provides insight into the innate character of the city. “It’s been going on since the early ’70s,
and it’s a smaller event, but it’s sort of the heart and soul of Norman,” she says. Add in the 2nd Friday Art Walk, the Firehouse Art Center’s annual Chocolate Festival in January, the National Weather Center’s annual National Weather Festival on Nov. 5 and the Oklahoma Wine Walk on the same day, and Norman offers plenty of opportunities to get together, get entertained, get smart or get full, and they’re maintaining tradition in a city that is growing both at the center and around its edges. OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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Tobin Vigil, owner of Buchanan Bicycles, a Campus Corner stalwart since 1973
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GROWING TOGETHER For every generation, Campus Corner has its ghosts: the beloved shops, bars, restaurants and venues that shaped OU students’ experiences before or after class. This means that visitors of certain ages will look up at the old Boomer Theater sign above the Chipotle and remember when they saw Talking Heads, The Specials or XTC there, or hoist pints at Louie’s at the same spot where they clinked glasses at Town Tavern decades before. Change is difficult, but Campus Corner, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017, is thriving. Longtime staples of the district such as Victoria’s, Othello’s and Pepe Delgado’s share the block with more recent additions such as Hideaway Pizza, Seven47, Meatball House and Blackbird Gastropub. Retail continues to be a huge growth area for Campus Corner as mainstays such as the Apothem welcome newer neighbors like Lucca and Threads. Originally conceived as a haven for OU students before they were allowed to drive (yes, that was an actual rule in the early 20th century), Campus Corner is often the first stop when a good portion of Oklahoma’s population descends on Norman for Sooners games.
Tasty treats, delicious eats and funky beats – Campus Corner offers plenty to explore.
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Opolis owners Andy and Marian Nunez
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Steve Calonkey of Mister Robert Fine Furniture, Syrup breakfast boutique, the delectable Scratch Kitchen + Cocktails and music lover’s haven Guestroom Records – all found in one historic stretch of Main Street.
“When we’re talking to the sports writers coming in from Ohio for Ohio State games, we tell them, ‘Be sure to tell your readers to leave plenty of time for Campus Corner for pre-game,” Brickman says. “Not just 20 minutes – a couple of hours.” While those visitors’ first impressions of Norman might come from driving through the University North Park district or past the towering Norman Regional Healthplex, the city’s center is now stronger than it’s been in decades. In the 1990s, downtown Norman suffered from the same maladies afflicting other small downtown areas: defection of businesses to the exurbs, boarded-up storefronts and disuse. But anchors such as Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design and The Diner kept Normanites coming down to Main Street, and the past two decades have seen new investment in the district as a slew of new bars, restaurants and shops now populate downtown, with live music venues like Opolis providing a steady stream of national alternative acts and rising local favorites. “Just in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks, you have Scratch, which is relatively new. You’ve got German food at Das Boot Camp, Puebla Tacos y Tequileria along with The Diner and Bison Witches, Full Moon Sushi, Syrup and Michelangelo’s,” Brickman says. “It really has become a 9 to 5 destination as well as a 5 to 9, along with a 9 until the wee hours. And you have way more than one place to hear live music these days.” Of course, Norman will always be home to the Sooners and to Oklahoma’s largest state university, and that identity will always be there – forever intrinsic to how Normanites think of themselves and their community. But Norman’s growth and its evolution means that the city is not just a college town anymore, while retaining much of the character that attracted people to live and work there in the first place. “As Norman has grown, it still feels like a small town,” Brickman says. “We all still work together.” OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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DESTINATION DINING Out-of-the-way restaurants worth making your way to visit
BY MATT PAYNE
“The idea for a ‘destination dining’ type restaurant first occurred to me when we opened Papa’s Little Italy,” says Donnie Samara, now owner of The Boundary on 66. “We were located off of I-35, south of Frontier City, and people said we were crazy but my former father-in-law and I knew that the place was going to make it.” Despite doubts, Papa’s Little Italy remained one of the premier dining destinations for folks from all over the metro area for years – and Samara has indeed built a career on destination dining. His current barbeque restaurant, The Boundary on 66, is located between Luther and Arcadia on, as the name says, Route 66. Despite being 10 miles from Edmond and almost 30 from downtown OKC, the business enjoys an endless string of loyal customers, most of whom travel more than a dozen miles for some smoked meat and good company. When it comes to the idea of destination dining in Oklahoma, Samara is not alone. For many occasions, be it a birthday, anniversary or just another Saturday, The pulled pork sandwich from The Boundary on 66 Oklahoma City residents have turned special meals into mini-road trips all over the Sooner state. “Destination dining works because people like to seek out something that they can’t have every day,” Samara says. “It makes it special.” Whether driving to Okarche for fried chicken or cruising down I-44 to hike the Wichita Wildlife Refuge, followed by a burger at the Meers Store and Restaurant, the state is filled in all directions with small-town dining experiences well worth the drive. “You’ve gotta have good food, and it’s got to be hot when you serve it,” says Samara, whose restaurant is actually a restored filling station. “It can’t just be because you’re in a nice old building with a bunch of neat things to look at. The food has to be good, and every once in a while, you’ve got to have something new on the menu.” With rotating specials such as smoked salmon and outstanding barbeque, The Boundary certainly meets that requirement. While there are dozens of restaurants worthy of the “Oklahoma Destination Dining” designation, here are some of our most treasured off-the-beaten-path spots across the state.
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KENDALL’S 100 S THIRD, NOBLE
Distance from Oklahoma City: 28.7 miles WHAT TO EAT Free cinnamon rolls. That’s right. Free. Cinnamon. Rolls. At the end of every meal at Kendall’s, each guest receives a free cinnamon roll. Not only is it free, it also happens to be one of the best cinnamon rolls in the 405, if not the state of Oklahoma. As if free world-renowned dessert weren’t enough to warrant a 30-mile jaunt down south, Kendall’s is also an easy frontrunner for best chicken fried steak. Equal parts daunting (it’s huge) and delightful, from the breading to the tender meat and thick gravy, the chicken fried steak at Kendall’s sets a high bar. And speaking of “fried and delicious,” the fried catfish is out of this world. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Although Kendall’s food is of rock-star status in terms of execution, its décor is a tribute to the rock stars of Oklahoma. What started as a tiny, single-room restaurant has grown into three rooms each covered from floor to ceiling with signed guitars, concert posters and other musical memorabilia. All of it, from a Jimi Hendrix concert poster to a signed picture of Carrie Underwood, links back to Oklahoma. Although 30 miles from Oklahoma City, Kendall’s is an easy 10-minute drive from Norman. And while there is always a line for a table on the weekends, downtown Noble is far less chaotic a place to eat before or after an OU game than Campus Corner. And don’t forget: It’s cash-only! OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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EISCHEN’S 109 S SECOND, OKARCHE
Distance from Oklahoma City: 40 miles WHAT TO EAT Okarche’s famed Eischen’s Bar has been featured in countless national magazines, as well as on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” It has a killer Frito chili pie and top-rate sandwiches, but there is one dish on the menu that makes Eischen’s customers sing: the whole Fried Chicken. Best served with a side of okra fried to perfection and a slice of plain white bread, it’s the stuff of legend, and large enough that you’ll likely enjoy leftover chicken for lunch the next day. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Kids love its throwback arcade games, but Eischen’s history is what makes this Oklahoma gem special beyond its fried birds. The eatery originally was opened as a bar before statehood in 1896, making it the oldest bar in Oklahoma. The back bar itself, which was carved in Spain in the early 1800s, was incorporated into Eischen’s eclectic interior in 1950. In 1993, Eischen’s burned down, but a section of that bar was among the few surviving items and remains today.
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STABLES 223 N DIVISION, GUTHRIE
Distance from Oklahoma City: 33.4 miles WHAT TO EAT Walk into Stables and not only are you immediately overwhelmed by the mouthwatering smell of grilled meat, but your eye likely will wander to a case of beautiful fresh-made pies, which all but whisper “save room for dessert.” While most restaurants have a single specialty, Stables offers so many top-tier sides and entrees that to assign such a title as “house specialty” to any single dish is an exercise in futility. That said, no meal – whether it be the perfectly cooked ribeye or a plate of Texas-style barbeque – would be complete without an order of Stables’ fried onion strings to go on the side. The aforementioned pies, whether chocolate or key lime, are equal parts light and rich in flavor, and if you’ve got space in your stomach to try more than one flavor, do it. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Downtown Guthrie has skyrocketed to one of the state’s most recognizable main streets, and Stables Café is at the heart of it all. While the menu’s diversity and the staff’s good cheer are what define this establishment, the restaurant’s layout certainly adds to its appeal. Stables is divided into two distinct restaurants using the same menu. On one side, old, polished gas pumps, antique bicycles, vintage Coke signs and a playful, western vintage aesthetic offer a more casual, family-friendly vibe. On the other side of the building is Taproom 223. With 22 beers on tap, this well-appointed brick and mortar room is to casual sophistication what the front of the house is to time-gone-by. OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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ENRIQUE’S 2213 N WAVERLY, STE 3, PONCA CITY
Distance from Oklahoma City: 106 miles WHAT TO EAT Every now and then, you hear someone say they’ve found the world’s best chips and salsa. Unless they are talking about Enrique’s, which is located in Ponca City Regional Airport of all places, they are wrong. Enrique’s corn tortilla chips are unlike anything you’ve ever had. With the initial crunch of a chip and a soft tortilla-like finish, the chips came about as a mistake years ago when one busy day, Enrique pulled his homemade corn tortillas from the fryer a few moments too early and served them anyway, much to his customers’ delight. Soon, people from all over were lining up to munch on the fortuitous accident. For the brave, Enrique also offers the Texas Hot and Spicy burrito. This carne asada burrito smothered in jalapeño gravy and topped with a grilled jalapeño is guaranteed to light your mouth on fire in the best possible way. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL It is hard not to talk about Enrique’s without mentioning the chips, and more challenging without talking about the location. Few outside Ponca City know that the town of 25,000 even has an airport at all, and stranger still is the fact that two-thirds of that airport is made up of one of the state’s best Mexican restaurants. As they eat, diners get to watch small prop planes coming and going into the little municipal facility. So while it may take a little longer to reach by car than some of the restaurants on this list, if you’ve got a friend with a Cessna, you can be there in a matter of minutes!
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GIUSEPPE’S ITALIAN DINING 203 W MAIN, MARLOW
Distance from Oklahoma City: 70 miles WHAT TO EAT Fine Italian dining generally is not associated with Midwestern towns with populations fewer than 5,000. Giuseppe’s Italian Dining in downtown Marlow proves such a generalization wrong. Giuseppe’s blend of innovation and traditional Italian dishes make for an extraordinary dining experience well worth the gas to get there. For starters is the Italian Chips and Salsa, a crowd-pleaser made up of pasta chips smothered in Alfredo sauce (a house specialty on its own), mozzarella, chicken and diced pepperoncini. The Straw and Hay from the entrees section is also a must-have. This heavy pasta dish features regular and spinach pasta smothered (once again) in Alfredo sauce and covered in peas, mushrooms and diced ham. Also, the lasagna is the dish upon which the restaurant was built. On the dessert side, if you’ve ever traveled to Italy and enjoyed a tiramisu, the made-fromscratch version from Giuseppe’s will take you right back to Roma.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Giuseppe’s spans two rooms with beautiful brick-and-mortar walls and high ceilings, but what makes this restaurant truly memorable is its history. Giuseppe’s originally was a bank built in 1911. It has long since been a restaurant, but the bank’s name still remains etched above the name of the current occupant outside the building, and the bank’s prominent vault now serves as the restaurant’s quite well-stocked wine cellar. OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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MEERS STORE AND RESTAURANT 26005 OK-115, LAWTON
Distance from Oklahoma City: 87 miles WHAT TO EAT You can hardly throw a rock – or a hamburger patty – around here without having it land somewhere close to a restaurant that lays claim to the best burger in Oklahoma. So prevalent are tasty burgers, one could argue that a suitable replacement slogan for the Sooner State might be “Hamburgerland.” And while it is true that the streets of many Oklahoma cities and small towns are (metaphorically) paved with beef and grilled onions, no burger, nor eatery, quite compares to what you’ll find in Meers. With a thin patty and a diameter of an impressive seven inches, Meers burgers are made from extremely lean, locally raised, grass-fed longhorn ground beef procured from the owner’s family ranch. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL While a trip to Meers is worth it for the burger alone, there are few tourist experiences in Oklahoma that can rival a visit to the roaming buffalo herds and prairie dog towns of the Wichita Wildlife Refuge, one of the state’s most popular destinations. Visitors can work up an appetite exploring a local trail or climbing Mount Scott for a sweeping 360-degree view of the state before heading to Meers – located just 15 minutes away – for a well-earned burger and a cold local brew.
GRILL 125 125 E MAIN, PAWHUSKA
Distance from Oklahoma City: 147 miles WHAT TO EAT This nondescript steakhouse located on Pawhuska’s Main Street isn’t fancy-looking, but serves some damn fancy steaks. Whether the ribeye, the chicken fry or the bacon-wrapped filet, there is no better place to get a steak than from Grill 125. For starters, the fried cheese curds are the way to go, and for the brave, Grill 125 serves up calf fries – and while I’m not brave enough myself, the word is that they are delicious. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL Pawhuska is to good steak what the coast of Baja, California, is to fresh fish. With its proximity to the Pioneer Woman’s famed Drummond cattle ranch, the Tallgrass Prairie and some of the best cattle grazing in the world, it seems only appropriate that one might be able to find a good steak in a cow town like Pawhuska. To do so, look no further than Grill 125. This is where real cowboys go to eat real steak, and if you’re in the mood for a cold beer, they’ve got that, too.
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merchandise preview for “Sacred Words: The Saint John’s Bible and the Art of Illumination” in the OKCMOA Museum Store
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©Disney
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culture
BLURRED LINES
Steve Mason cruises the Plaza District
A District Discussion How OKC’s pieces come together, and what the next one might be BY GEORGE LANG PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN
W HE N ST E V E M A SON wants to discover the true essence of
a business district, and its potential for revitalization, he gets on his bike. At biking speed, Mason said, the true character of a district reveals itself. “In the 10 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve learned that a bike ride is a great way to sense a neighborhood,” he says. “A bike is a great way to look around; a car moves too fast and running moves too slow. And I don’t like to run.” Over a decade ago, Aimee Ahpeatone, then a volunteer with the Plaza District Association, persuaded her business partner to get on his bike and ride through the Plaza. Mason was skeptical: For years, people who lived in nearby neighborhoods purposely avoided the short trek to NW 16th – partly because
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there was little to see, partly because what could be seen was often illegal. But with the relocation of Lyric Theatre to the district, Mason, a successful developer and a key figure in the rise of Automobile Alley, took Ahpeatone up on her challenge, and what he saw impressed him. “The housing around the Plaza District is filled with people and families, and also to the south, which is the Classen-TenPenn area, you saw people improving their homes,” Mason says. “To the north, the homes are nicer so they’re more stable and
“Midtown was a little MORE DIFFICULT, because you don’t have a logical Main Street like Broadway.” MICK E Y CL AG G
Commerce flows along Automobile Alley
taken care of, but if you rode through Classen-Ten-Penn, you saw people taking care of their homes, painting their homes. So you see people taking pride in their community, and that’s an important thing to see.” Because he saw residents ready to be good stewards of the Plaza District, not to mention finding a logical layout of vintage buildings with decent structural integrity, Mason took the plunge. Today, the developer and president of Bluebird Consulting has renovated and revitalized 21 historic buildings in Automobile Alley and the Plaza District, dramatically shifting the fortunes of those formerly disused areas. There are also plenty of bike rides in Mason’s future. The Wheeler District, Capitol Hill and other key areas are ripe for redevelopment as Oklahoma City, once on an intractable journey toward endless suburban sprawl, now puts more effort toward looking inward. TOGETHER AGAIN Successfully revitalized districts possess a few common traits, but above all else, most evoke a time when people walked more than they drove. They are, more often than not, the early to mid20th century commerce centers that got left behind in favor of
enclosed malls and Walmarts, but their structures were far more resilient than many of the businesses they previously housed. “You’ve got to have that old, for lack of a better term, ‘main street area,’ where the old shops were,” says Mickey Clagg, president of the Midtown Renaissance Group, which rehabilitated dozens of properties in the area surrounding NW 10th between St. Anthony Hospital and OU Medical Center. “What people are looking for are small shops, not big boxes with big parking lots. So you need a human scale to it.” Midtown’s neighbor, Automobile Alley, was home to Oklahoma City’s first car dealerships. Its layout and scale is so quintessentially “main street” that in 1996 the stretch of Broadway Avenue became a project of the National Main Street Center, a National Trust for Historic Preservation program that helps municipalities and entrepreneurs redevelop disused business districts. But Midtown did not have a concise strip of buildings to define it: the district spreads out along north and south avenues in a broad, amorphous footprint. “Midtown was a little more difficult, because you don’t have a logical Main Street like Broadway,” Clagg says. “We’ve got 10th Street and Robinson and Walker, Harvey and Hudson, but none of them were clearly our Main Street. It’s one of the largest character districts downtown, and so you have pockets of density. There was a lot of vacant property in Midtown when we started – and there still is – and so it’s a lot more difficult to figure it out.” And yet, Midtown successfully branded itself as a premier entertainment district as the area filled with new shops, offices, nightspots and restaurants, new builds offered central residential options and the Ambassador Hotel’s O Bar delivered a signature
The Heart of Midtown OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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BLURRED LINES
view of the Oklahoma City skyline. The transforma“There’s been a huge tion came so dramatically turnover. If you think that the area’s recent past life as a mostly vacant about 25 YEARS ghost district is only AGO , the only thing scarcely remembered. down here was office But Midtown’s pattern of development points out furniture, remember?” the interdependence of M EG SA LY ER districts on one another. Clagg’s development group owns two buildings that serve as bridges between Midtown and Automobile Alley: the Buick Building (home of Broadway 10 Bar and Chophouse) and the Marion Hotel. The 112-year-old Marion is the oldest commercial building in Oklahoma City, but stood empty for about three decades before Midtown Renaissance took on its renovation and also completed a nearby parking garage using tax increment financing, or TIF. “The Marion was just a mess, but we did that just kind of as a historic project to preserve that hotel, which is a lot of people’s favorite building,” Clagg says. “The problem with a lot of these smaller projects is that they take up as much time and effort as the bigger projects, but you don’t make much money. But it’s part of the neighborhood – an integral part of the neighborhood – and it’s Oklahoma City’s oldest commercial building. For us, it just seemed criminal to abandon that one.” Developers like Clagg and Mason take on business districts with a distinctly curatorial bent. A muffler shop situated next to an artisanal bakery does not make aesthetic or commercial sense, so to combat “fragmented ownership” they acquire as much property in the area as possible to maintain control over the district’s concept and execution.
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ASSEMBLING PIECES Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer, who is president of Accel Financial Staffing Solutions on Automobile Alley, was one of the key drivers, along with architects Rand Elliott and Jim Bruza, of the district’s Main Street Program beginning in 1996. She describes the creation and management of a business district as being similar to running a shopping mall: strategic placement of businesses is key to spreading around foot traffic to all tenants. As she explained, malls do not place The Gap near any entrances – it’s always somewhere in the middle, forcing customers to pass at least half the stores in the mall before reaching their destination. Salyer remembers what Automobile Alley was like in the mid-1990s, and one thing comes to mind: desks, desks, desks. “There’s been a huge turnover,” Salyer says. “If you think about 25 years ago, the only thing down here was office furniture, remember? We had Lane’s on one side, we had Office Interiors, we had Desks Plus. It’s had a complete reinvention.” Shops and offices came first, followed by Coffee Slingers, Red PrimeSteak and a slew of new bars and eateries, including recent addition Cultivar. The revival of the Marion and the Buick Building created a smooth transition between Automobile Alley and Midtown. At least in the downtown area, it’s possible now to walk seamlessly from district to district, moving from Deep Deuce to Bricktown to Automobile Alley and Midtown, then skipping south to Film Row and the Farmers Market, and venturing up
Uptown 23rd has become a bustling business district.
Success in Capitol Hill and South Robinson would spur further success in the Wheeler District on the Oklahoma River, and vice versa, Salyer said. How these developments move and what shape they take is yet to be determined, though. “The big question is, should Capitol Hill be redeveloped by the existing Latino community or by outsiders like me? That’s really the sixty-four-dollar question,” Mason says. “I don’t know what will happen there. Both groups are thinking and talking and agonizing. A lot of the Plaza District redevelopment was by people who were already in that neighborhood, along with outsiders like me that brought in some capital and experience. So there is a partnership. Ideally, in Capitol Hill, the existing community will have a strong presence in the redevelopment, along with outsiders who bring some needed tools into the mix.” And then there are projects that will make enormous changes for their surrounding communities, such as the announced redevelopment of Northeast Classen to the 21c Museum Hotel Plaza, the early 1960s shopping center at the corner “Ideally, in Capitol and Jones Assembly to see a prolifof NE 36th and Kelly. Thanks to the Oklahoma City eration of future commercial and Council’s February approval of a $2 million TIF, deHill, THE EXISTING residential building taking shape. velopment is underway on the project and is expected COMMUNITY will Take Classen up to the Plaza or stay to be completed by late 2016. have a strong presence the course to Uptown 23rd, where There are also other districts that are not yet movthe Tower Theater recently reing forward, yet cause an electric buzz of excitement in the redevelopment, opened after a lengthy hibernation among developers. One such area is Old Town of along with outsiders and where restaurants and bars Britton, the former downtown of Britton, Oklahowho bring some needed ma. Stretching about two blocks east from Western such as The Drake, Pizzeria Gusto, Back Door BBQ and The Pump Avenue on Britton Road, Old Town of Britton looks tools into the mix.” Bar are thriving in a previously a lot like many of the now-thriving Oklahoma City ST E V E M A SON depressed district. districts did before their facelifts: shuttered theater, And then there are the future down-market retail and a couple of bars. districts, places where Mason or other developers might be planMention Old Town of Britton to Mason or Salyer, though, and ning bicycle trips. they light up. “I think the next obvious one is Capitol Hill,” Mason says. “It “I was talking to a friend of mine at the Power House in the has the building stock and the people around it.” Farmers Market two weeks ago who lives in The Village,” Mason says. “He said, ‘Gosh, I wish the Power House was in the Britton ON THE HORIZON area.’ It’s going to take an investor that’s going to build what Salyer agrees that the next big move will be in the southwest those people want.” quadrant of Oklahoma City and will not be limited to Capitol Hill, “I see it as perfect. I see it as absolutely right,” Salyer says. “It a district which began redevelopment through a 1997 Main Street makes your heart pound. There is no reason that couldn’t be Project and is headed up by Calle Dos Cinco’s Donna Cervantes. super-slick. But you have to think about what’s around it. Who’s Moves are now afoot to redevelop the SW 29th corridor, as well, going to drive it?” and Salyer said she predicts there will be similar linkage on the Clagg said that whoever drives it will need to have some skin in south side to what has occurred in the downtown-centric districts. the game. If Old Town of Britton becomes a thriving district serv“Capitol Hill is underway,” she says. “And whether or not ing The Village and Nichols Hills, it will happen because people you get a separate node on South Robinson, that could be an are willing to work until they drop to make it come to life. Automobile Alley-Midtown kind of thing, whether they blur “The magic in the Plaza District was that those creative people together … there’s no doubt in my mind that South Robinson is slept in the back of their stores until they could make their going to be super-hot. There are just some great buildings that businesses work,” Clagg says. “So, it’s got to be organic. It can’t be have great potential. There’s just so much opportunity, as there brought to you. And it’s going to take one big thing to start it, and is in Capitol Hill.” I don’t know what that is.” OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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travel Do Not Disturb
PHOTO BY MATT PAYNE
Brilliantly clear skies, balmy breezes, the endless susurrus of the sea – serenity is in ample supply at Rancho Pescadero, a small but well-equipped resort on the coast of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, blissfully distant from the surge and bustle of civilization. As getaways go, this enclave about an hour from Cabo San Lucas comes highly recommended, provided you bring an appetite for tranquility.
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travel
INTERNATIONAL
BAJA BLISS A pair of vacation spots in western Mexico BY MAT T PAYNE
M E X ICO’S BA JA PE N I NSU L A has long been a draw for
travelers around the world – and while many come to Baja to experience solace and respite amid natural beauty, others are drawn to the area to indulge in the region’s explosive nightlife and cutting-edge culinary scene. Neither choice is wrong, especially as it depends on what kind of ambience travelers are seeking … although there should be no argument that the best option is to explore both. SERENITY BY THE SEA Waves crash, thunderous and peaceful, onto a beach that stretches up and down the Baja Peninsula. There are five umbrellas, a handful of simple but tastefully designed bungalows and three miles of Pacific sand in either direction. Despite the magnetic pastel glow of sunset and world-class surf, save my wife and I, there is not a soul in sight. Other than the ocean’s soothing tumult punctuated by the crackle of a wood fire, not just the beach in front of our boutique resort Rancho Pescadero, but the entire world is ours. With a handmade flour tortilla, I mop up the last bits of queso-soaked chorizo from a cast iron skillet, chasing it with the final sip of a margarita made from local limes and house-made tequila, as our entrees arrive.
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“The fish in tonight’s fish tacos is a yellowtail,” says our waiter, setting down two beautifully arranged entrees; one, the aforementioned fish tacos and the other, a flawlessly seared and thinly sliced hanger steak known as an Arranchera. The scent of seared local beef blends with the subtle scents of fire and salty air in dizzying fashion. Our waiter, like all of Rancho Pescadero’s staff, feels more like a proud owner than mere employee. He turns his thoughtful gaze to the sea. “The yellowtail is fresh,” he says. His eyes sparkle from the flicker of the bonfire but more so, they light from a sense of pride and wellbeing. “I caught it this morning.” He shuffles away, and as the stars begin to reveal themselves by the thousands, once again Baja California’s beach belongs to us.
Located an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, Rancho Pescadero, with only 29 rooms, two pools and three dining areas, can most aptly be described as one of Mexico’s finest gems. An overwhelming sense of peace washes over guests as they enter the gates of Pescadero and step into its open-air lobby and courtyard. Each room is decorated with tranquil beach wood accents and canopied beds. Private patios look out onto a well-manicured grove of palm trees, and just beyond is the shore. Guests can choose to relax at the pool where mixologists use locally farmed produce to make craft cocktails, or they can take advantage of private bungalows located on the beach just steps away. While the primary goal of Pescadero is to instill a sense of peace, this boutique hotel is not without its activities. Guests can participate in a daily yoga class, which takes place at the vacation-friendly hour of 10 a.m. Fishing poles are available for anyone interested in fishing from the shore, and if guests want to explore the area’s various beaches, Pescadero has bicycles available at any time. Chefs and mixologists also offer daily cooking and cocktail-making classes for guests hoping to somehow take some of Pescadero’s flavor home with them. Despite no phones nor televisions in the rooms, Pescadero does have Wi-Fi that can be used near the hotel’s lobby. While it is a little jarring at first to unplug entirely, as the Mexican sun washes over you and the only sounds are waves and the occasional coo of a dove, as your waiter delivers your meal to the beach and the sun begins to set, your phone – and the rest of the world – will seem a million miles away. CITY LIGHTS AND NIGHTLIFE For travelers seeking a little more human interaction, Cabo San Lucas offers dozens of high-end hotels within a short drive of the city’s primary harbor and shopping district, and none can compare to The Cape. Nestled along Monuments Beach Point Break, this boutique hotel – designed by Mexico City’s famed architect Javier Sanchez – is a unique interweaving of Baja’s natural beauty and a distinguished but pulsing nightlife. The Cape’s two pools and surrounding cabanas seem to emerge naturally from the surrounding rocks. While cabanas offer seclusion and intimacy, guests gather at the infinity pool’s edge, cocktail in hand, to mingle and people-watch as music pumps and waves pound the shore in the background. While tourists experiencing the nature-immersed infinity pool might feel as though they were a part of the sea, to enjoy a craft cocktail at The Cape’s Rooftop Bar as the sun sets just beyond Cabo’s famed El Arco is an experience akin to floating. The Rooftop is a lushly landscaped terrace centered on a circular bar with subtle décor and nuanced lighting. As the night progresses, so, too, does the energy of the crowd, transforming from ethereal to frenetic and making this one of the area’s most exclusive nightspots.
Each room at The Cape comes with an ocean-facing balcony, copper-leafed tubs, state-of-the-art rain showers and sateen-woven sheets. While any of The Cape’s six dining options are outstanding, few experiences can compare with eating on your own balcony looking over the Pacific. THE BEST OF BOTH BAJAS Whether you choose to stay at Rancho Pescadero or The Cape, no trip to Baja could be complete without venturing beyond the hotel and getting on a boat to experience some of the wonders of the surrounding area. Excursions, ranging from snorkeling with sea lions to sunset cruises, scuba diving to exploring the remote beaches of the Sea of Cortez, can be arranged through Cabo Adventures. With a headquarters and launching spot located in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, guests can explore some of Baja’s most treasured natural wonders before returning to the town of Cabo itself, indulging in the local curio shops, grabbing a drink or three and Cabo’s infamous Cabo Wabo before then returning to their respective hotels; be it a trendy hot spot or a remote resort along the sea, to once again indulge in some of Mexico’s purest pleasures. OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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MYSTICAL HISTORY
GETTING AROUND Pro Tips for Your Salem Day Trip HOLY CANNOLI! Arrive a little early for the Boston side of your ferry trip. After buying your tickets on Long Wharf, take a 7-minute walk to enjoy the best cannoli in Boston at Mike’s Pastry. Mike’s vies with cannoli rival Modern Pastry, across the street, for top honors. The only fair thing to do is to try both.
The House of the Seven Gables
Witch Way to Salem? Spend a Day Under the Spell A DAY T R IP to Salem, Massachusetts, from Boston is beautiful, historic and as witchy as you
want it to be. Our recommendation is to go early and go heavy on the witchy. Especially if you are traveling in October – or June. OK, October, sure: Witches and Halloween go together like spaghetti and meatballs. But why June? Stuff got real in Salem in June more than 300 years ago. That’s when the first witch was hanged. Let’s start with a little Salem history primer. The town, which lies about 25 miles north of Boston, was founded in 1626 by Roger Conant and a group of immigrants from nearby Cape Ann. Salem was not its original name, but is derived from the Hebrew word for peace. It was first called Naumkeag, for the Native people who lived there. In 1628, John Endicott led a group of settlers to the area who opened the door for thousands of Puritan settlers to arrive. Then, early in 1692, they freaked the heck out and began accusing one another of being witches, which led pretty quickly to the event that Salem is most known for: the Salem Witch Trials. In the space of three months, 19 innocent people were hanged and one man was pressed to death. The first witch hanging happened on June 10, 1692. More continued through the summer, with the final execution on Sept. 22. The Salem Witch Museum Three centuries-plus later, our day in Salem began with a serene ferry ride across Boston Harbor. The sun was bright, the air was cool and the waters smooth. The city skyline from the harbor is beautiful, as are the small islands and coastal towns that lie between Boston and Salem. In just shy of an hour, we docked at Salem, hopped a trolley – and off we went to visit Lorelei the witch. On our way to see her, we caught the highlights of Salem: the House of the Seven Gables, the
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DRESS TO EXPLORE Salem is small, so be prepared to walk it. Wear comfortable shoes and layers. A chilly ferry ride may be followed by a warm and sunny afternoon, followed by another breezy ride back to Boston. END OF THE ROAD The ancient cemetery, the Burying Point, is a little more to the right than you think if you are coming from the north. Here lies Justice John Hathorne, an ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne and one of the judges in the Witchcraft Court, among many others. The tombstone reading is fascinating. HEAD FOR SEA LEVEL Lunch at Sea Level Oyster Bar & Kitchen on Pickering Wharf is a treat for the senses. The views of beautiful nearby Marblehead across the harbor are quintessential New England, and the creamy, crispy and delicious Chowder Fries, a riff on the Canadian classic poutine, can easily be justified after all that walking! THE SPELL IS BROKEN AT 5 P.M. While you can certainly still walk around and enjoy the restaurants and historic markers of Salem, the majority of the town, including most of the museums, closes up shop at 5 p.m.
Salem Witch Museum, the outstanding Peabody-Essex Museum, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Witch House (the home of 17th-century witch trial judge Jonathan Corwin) and the oldest candy company in America, Ye Olde Pepper Companie. The small town is packed with historic sights, both witchy and non-witchy, and is easily and pleasantly walkable. When your dogs start to bark, just hop on the open-air trolley. Lorelei Stathopoulos is the proprietor of Crow Haven Corner, Salem’s oldest witch shop. It’s everything you want a witch’s shop to be. The entry is up a tiny, narrow stair, and countless bowls and jars filled with ingredients – available by the ounce – fill a large table Lorelei Stathopoulos by the window. Books of spells, candles, jewelry, crystals, trinkets and a few T-shirts round out the merchandise available in the creaky-floored, incense-filled rooms. I was there for a reading, and was seated in a small parlor filled with framed portraits of cats and dogs, crystal balls, a large golden bowl filled with stones, Egyptian furnishings, lurid floral wallpaper, lots of urns, jars of herbs and, in the corner, a creepy jester doll. Soon, I heard the clump, clump, clump of high heels on the old wooden floors and thought, with a little start, and a whisper in my heart, “She’s coming!” Stathopoulos burst in like the sun and immediately made me feel perfectly at home. She’s a vivid concoction herself, a former burlesque star with bright white-blond hair, pink and blue highlights and an accent like your favorite East Coast auntie. She’s a vegan, and very involved in Salem’s animal rescue efforts. “I always knew I was a witch,” she smiles. “I’ve recreated myself several times. My mother was an astrologer and my grandmother was magic. Things have always happened that I couldn’t explain. There was a shootout in a club I worked in – I knew from the start something was up, and when the shooting started I ran up the stairs and started shoving other girls into lockers to survive. After that, I retired, had my son and wanted some stability, so I came to Salem and opened my shop. “I call myself a witch of action. I pay kindness forward. Your every thought is an action. It starts with how you wake up.” She does just 10 readings a day, and during the course of my session, she said she saw New York City in my future. I shared with her that I would be there the following day. She said, “You are going to have an interaction with a famous person. You’re going to meet someone famous – not a television or movie star, though.” Sure, I thought. And I’ll fly there on my broom. But can I tell you that two days later my husband and I met famed designer Bob Mackie in a clothing store. Coincidence or magic? You decide. - CHRISTINE EDDINGTON
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travel LOCAL
cookbooks personally signed by Ree Drummond. Town Maker 519 Kihekah Avenue Located next to Osage Outfitters, Town Maker is a business incubator made up of booths featuring several local vendors offering everything from apparel to handcrafted home décor and furniture. It’s designed to help fledgling entrepreneurs get a start so that they might one day occupy a storefront on Pawhuska’s main drag.
The Heart of the Prairie History and new beginnings in Pawhuska
“J U L I A ROBERTS SL EP T in the same bed you did last night,”
says Cathy Ross, owner of The Mabelle Bed and Breakfast, as she hands me my morning coffee. The Mabelle’s kitchen window bestows a mesmerizing sunrise view of Osage County’s rolling grassland, which, ultimately, leads 20 miles north to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, one of the region’s primary attractions and the state’s most awe-inspiring ecosystems. “I beg your pardon?” I ask, not recalling the Oscar winner being on television, let alone in my bed the previous evening. “In the movie August: Osage County,” she says, clarifying with a subtle smile. “They used your bed as set dressing.” I follow Ross from the kitchen into the living room, a spacious, beautifully furnished gathering space that houses an impressive art collection, an extensive library and a grand player piano. “They used all kinds of things from here for that movie,” she says. “This house … this whole town … has so much history.” And she is right. The Mabelle is a stately four-bedroom home built in 1992. It sits above the Osage Hills and is a stone’s throw from the impossibly charming northeast Oklahoma town of Pawhuska. Ross, who also owns local interior design business Gray Dog Designs and is a candidate for the District 36 House of Representatives, turned her estate into a bed and breakfast in 2015, and relishes the opportunity to share her deep love for Pawhuska. “We are a town with more than 80 buildings on the historic register, whose history is made up of the Osage Native Americans, cattlemen and the oil industry,” she says. “And really, we have The Triangle Building in downtown some very nice people here too.”
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WHERE TO SHOP
Tallgrass Art Gallery 521 Kihekah Avenue The Tallgrass Art Gallery features more than 30 Western, wildlife and Native American artists including renowned painters, sculptors and photographers. “It’s the rolling hills, the cross timbers and, of course, the sunsets that inspire artists,” says owner Bruce Carter about the area. “We have the best sunsets in the world.”
WHAT TO DO
Tallgrass Prairie 15316 Co Road 4201 With more than 25,000 visitors annually, the Tallgrass Prairie is the area’s largest attraction. Rolling hills, walking trails and nearly 3,000 bison make up one of the last remaining prairies in
the world. Tallgrass also boasts a visitor center located in the area’s historic ranches. Osage Museum 819 Grandview Avenue Perhaps no one has influenced Pawhuskan culture quite like the Osage, and the museum honoring the history of this Native American tribe is not to be missed. Featuring art, artifacts and interactive exhibits for children, the Osage Museum is one of Pawhuska’s treasures.
Osage Outfitters 519 Kihekah Avenue Specializing in boots, tack and cowboy hats, Osage Outfitters is the area’s premier location for western wear. But besides selling practical wares for the working cowboy, it’s also an upscale western boutique for women and features Oklahoma-made jewelry, as well as
WHERE TO EAT
Grill 125 125 E Main Street Given that Pawhuska is a cattle town, it seems only appropriate that diners might be able to tuck into a world-class steak, and Grill 125 is the place to do it. Just off Kihekah, on Route 60, the steaks at Grill 125 give Cattlemen’s a run for its money.
Cowboy boots, frequent equine sightings and bison close at hand - Pawhuska remains in touch with nature.
Julia Roberts is not the only celebrity to sleep in Pawhuska: Ree Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman, also calls Pawhuska home and plays a vital role in its downtown renaissance. With Drummond’s help, Ross and other Pawhuska visionaries are rapidly turning one of Oklahoma’s most distinctive historic downtowns into an artist incubator and cultural hub. This fall, Drummond will open The Mercantile, which will be a deli, grocery and gift shop designed in the spirit of The Pioneer Woman. The Mercantile is only one of several projects that Drummond has slated over the coming years; others include a bakery and high-end steakhouse. While the Pioneer Woman’s brand will most certainly bring people into town, once here, there are dozens of ways to experience Pawhuska’s infectious small-town spirit and cowboy charm. - MAT T PAYNE
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dining
PHOTO BY QUIT NGUYEN
Irasshaimase! Goro Ramen is the name of the Plaza District’s new dining venture from Rachel Cope (Empire Slice House) and Jeff Chanchaleune (Kaiteki Ramen), though while it does its titular dish very well the appetizers also deserve devoted attention. A salad of caramelized Brussels sprouts and beets, perfectly fried chicken wings, pillowy-soft buns holding a variety of delectable treasures ‌ guests can eat very well before even reaching the main course. OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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LOCAL FLAVOR
ONCE U PON A T I M E , after she finished college but before
TOKYO ON THE PLAZA Goro brings new Japanese flavor to the neighborhood BY STEVE GILL PHOTOS BY QUIT NGUYEN
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my niece was born, my sister spent a few years teaching English as a secondary language in Japan (Chiba, right outside Tokyo). As interesting as it sounded, I never went to visit – not because it’s a long trip (it is) or I didn’t want to see Japan (I kinda did) or even because I didn’t have a passport (I didn’t, but I could have gotten one). It’s just that … well, the average height of Japanese males is about 5’7” and the country’s crowded, dense urban centers aren’t designed with a lot of extra head room for people who are 6’6”. I quite literally wouldn’t fit in Tokyo, but it turns out I could be right at home in Goro. A recent addition to the eastern periphery of the Plaza District, Goro Ramen is an izakaya, an informal Japanese pub. It’s sparsely furnished but stylish, with a crisp modern feel thanks to the visible pipes on the ceiling, stained concrete floor and geometric patterns on the wall. (And the ceiling’s a bit low, which is a nice if possibly unintentional echo of Japan.) Like most bars in Oklahoma, there’s a big TV on the back wall … although it was probably the only bar in Oklahoma showing Yasujiro Ozu’s masterpiece Tokyo Story. The effect is barely spoiled at all by having Queens of the Stone Age coming over the sound system rather than a shamisen. I counted about 50 seats in a mixture of tall tables, booths around the perimeter and stools at the bar – that’s where I’d recommend you sit if you get the chance, so you can watch the cooks at work, although you may have to rely on luck given how busy Goro has been since its opening. They don’t take reservations, but you can check in and wander the Plaza District a bit; they’ll text you when your table is ready. The menu isn’t large, and a lot of its variety comes in appetizers ranging from sizzling wings to a Brussels sprouts salad with beets, peppers and mint. The nikuman, or buns, are a particular pleasure – the chicken version’s bun is epically soft, the chicken perfectly tender under its crunchy panko
coating and the gochujang spicier than it might seem at first blush. On the other hand, chef Jeff Chanchaleune’s favorite thing on the menu is the cauliflower – citing its carefully planned balance of textures and tastes, he says, “It took me a while to get it where I wanted it, but I’m really proud of it now.” And considering that the preponderance of people aren’t likely to go looking for cauliflower laced with an anchovy sauce, its popularity is a testament to his skill. I can’t remember the last time I ate cauliflower on purpose – in my mental dossier it’s listed as the less appealing cousin to the already dire broccoli – so it should carry some weight when I say that this dish is genuinely, perhaps even startlingly, good; tender in your soul, you should find the presence of without being soggy and tangy with just a faint sakes named “Tears of Dawn” and “Hawk in the hint of crunch from the bonito flakes. GORO RAMEN Heavens” wonderfully tempting. The ramen itself is a completely different 1634 N Blackwelder, OKC One final word of advice, and I say this knowanimal from the 20-cent packages of cardboard 606.2539, gororamen.com ing Pie Junkie is right across the street: Stay here shavings and salt water that keep college stufor dessert. The poppy seed mochi cake comes in dents from starvation; the Tori Paitan’s broth is soft, warm, luscious cubes that are topped with a silky and savory and filled with character, as the pineapple compote and a heavy whipped cream redolent with bowl is filled with slices of pork belly and half a boiled egg and cardamom and yuzu. Completely delicious, light on the palate additonal treats. Other variants include a spicy version with and also refreshingly distinctive – you can always get some pie pork meatballs and corn or a vegan one with tofu and roasted to take home with you. mushrooms, plus the occasional special such as a chilled tomato It’s already a pleasure to visit these tastes of Japan, and as version with shrimp. the weather cools off it’ll only grow more enticing. To put it in Goro is also a great spot for drinks – our server stressed the form of a haiku, that the cocktail list is fairly small but carefully assembled, Sun fading swiftly, and I can vouch for the pineapple-ginger punch of the Mr. Oh Trees shaved by autumn’s razor. or the marvelous aroma of the Pai Mei thanks to its dose of Go eat some ramen. matcha powder from Urban Tea House. And if there’s poetry OCTOBER 2016 405 MAGAZINE
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dining
CHEF’S TABLE
Mike Clark serves up a delicious memory MIK E CL A R K , chef at
The Drake, started cooking professionally in Mississippi. Admittedly, what drove him to the kitchen at first was not a passion for food as much as a desire to do what college kids like to do. “I cooked so I could make extra money to go out on The Square,” Clark says. For the majority of the world who are not familiar with the other Oxford – in this case Oxford, Mississippi – The Square is located a few blocks
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from Ole Miss, and it’s where students go to shop and eat and, of course, drink. Think of it as an older, cooler Campus Corner. (Sorry, Norman.) Clark was at the University of Mississippi pursuing a degree in parks and recreation management. His was not to be a Leslie Knope-esque life, though. The Jefferson Parish native had always enjoyed cooking, and when his friend got him a job at a restaurant on The Square, he fell in love with the restaurant business.
HOW IT’S DONE Red Beans and Rice 1 ham bone 1 ½ cups water 2 tsp garlic salt ¼ tsp Tabasco 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 lb Camellia red beans, washed 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped onions 1 ½ cloves garlic, minced 3 tbsp oil ½ lb ham, cubed ¼ lb hot sausage, sliced ½ lb smoked sausage, sliced 2 bay leaves Salt to taste Pepper to taste, coarse ground ¼ cup chopped parsley 2 cups cooked rice In a large pot or Dutch oven, place ham bone, water, garlic salt, Tabasco, Worcestershire and beans. Cook, uncovered, over low flame. Sauté celery, onions and garlic in oil until transparent. In another pan, sauté ham and sausage. Drain. Add cooked meats and seasoning to beans. Add bay leaves, salt and pepper, and continue to cook over low flame until beans are soft and creamy; approximately 2 ½ hours. Remove bay leaves and add parsley before serving. For additional thickness, cook longer. Serve over hot, fluffy rice.
PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN
Southern Staples
“I was a certified wild land firefighter at the time,” he says, “and I really thought I’d do something outdoors, but here I am 10 years later still in the kitchen.” A wild land firefighter – he never used the certification – is the person you see digging fire lines to stop the spread of wildfires. It’s almost the opposite end of the employment spectrum from cheffing, except for the fire part. Fortunately for food lovers, Clark chose the kitchen. Growing up in Louisiana meant the family ate plenty of Cajun and Southern cooking, and shrimp boils were commonplace. Clark said his favorites were fried catfish, low country shrimp boils and red beans and rice. He chose the latter for his recipe, mainly because it remains in his list of top three favorite foods. The primary obstacles for home cooks are sourcing the Camellia red beans and the amount of time it takes to make the dish, which was a staple at Clark’s house growing up. “Traditionally, in the South,” he explains, “it is made on Monday evenings (which were considered wash days) with leftover ham and sausage from Sunday night’s dinner. So that is what my parents did, whether or not it was left over from the night before. I am one of five kids, and I have such fond memories of sitting around the table talking and laughing with them over this dish.” - GREG HORTON
BLACKENED STUFFED CATFISH Jumbo lump crab & shrimp medley, herb rice, and brussels sprouts
ROGER MILLER (1936-1992) Singer, songwriter, musician, T V star, humorist, Broadway composer
“I always took a great deal of pride in being original.”
PHOTOS ON LOAN BY
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; 5825 NW Grand, OKC, 844.1501 $$ COOLGREENS This health-conscious establishment has a menu, but customization is encouraged; every available component in their salads, wraps and even the frozen yogurt is naturally delicious. 3 metro locations, coolgreens.com $$ 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 $$ EMBER A spate of classic cocktails and some nicely comfortable ambience make this “Modern American Tavern” in the Waterford a solid gathering place for drinks, but the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner is filled with food temptations, as well. Try the Prohibition Brunch on Sundays. 6300 Waterford, OKC, 585.2490 $$ 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 $ 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 $$ GUYUTES The vibe is definitely and deliberately mellow in this Uptown watering hole; the diverse and
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musically named collection of pizzas and wraps and such have a ton of f lavor to offer, adding more temptation to the loaded drinks menu and incredible patio. 730 NW 23rd, OKC, 702.6960 $ HATCH They call it “early mood food,” and if you find yourself in the mood for a sumptuous made-fromscratch breakfast (or lunch), it should be right up your Automobile Alley. 1101 N Broadway, OKC, 232.3949 $$ 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 $$ HEFNER GRILL Upscale fare of hand-cut steaks and seafood plus a tempting brunch to boot, enhanced by a live piano and a spectacular view overlooking scenic Lake Hefner. 9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 748.6113 $$ INTERURBAN Great food in casual comfort – while there are plenty of options for the health-conscious on the menu, visitors really should try the chicken-fried steak and anything with honey-pepper bacon. 4 metro locations, interurban.us $$ KITCHEN NO. 324 A seasonally inspired café and craft bakery serving spectacular rustic American cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, and a thorough treat for breakfast or brunch. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $ LEGACY GRILL The décor is rich with artifacts and imagery honoring Oklahoma’s great leaders and stars, and the menu’s collection of comfort food and fresh tastes includes more than a few greats of its own. 224 Johnny Bench, OKC, 701.3535 $$ 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 $$ MARY EDDY’S Inside the inviting environs of Film Row anchor 21c Museum Hotel, this showplace of a restaurant turns out a seasonally driven menu of expertly tuned f lavors and dishes meant to be shared. 900 W Main, OKC, 982.6900 $$ 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 $$
NIC’S PLACE Already justly renowned for his skill at the grill, burger master Justin Nicholas offers breakfast, dinner, drinks and late night treats served in outstanding style at this Midtown diner and lounge. 1116 N Robinson, OKC $$
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 $$ PICASSO CAFÉ Their neighbors in the Paseo are painters, potters and sculptors, so it’s apt that creativity abounds in these zippy sandwiches, salads, pizza and surprises, including plentiful selections for vegetarians. 3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $ POPS The incredible profusion of soda varieties will dazzle visitors – and the sandwiches, salads, burgers and diner fare are certainly worth careful, repeated examination. 6447 Avondale, OKC, 928.7677 $ PROVISION KITCHEN The concept sounds deliciously promising: fresh and local meals for the taking. This Nichols Hills Plaza locale offers chef-prepared portion-controlled meals and salads in a seasonally rotating menu of organic and locally sourced ingredients; perfect for taking a healthy lunch or dinner to go. 6443 N Western, OKC, 843.2310 $ THE R&J LOUNGE AND SUPPER CLUB A sentimental dining experience with vintage recipes and atmosphere. Seating is limited but the patio is a year-round treat, and the drinks menu is a thing of beauty. 320 NW 10th, OKC, 602.5066 $$ REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas, pork chops and steak 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 $$ SATURN GRILL A star of the lunchtime stage in Nichols Hills Plaza, its rotation of daily specials and tasty twists on pizza, sandwiches and salads keep it crowded on weekdays. Calling ahead is recommended. 6432 Avondale, OKC, 843.7114 $ SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Top-of -the-line ingredients are combined into entrees and sides that are carefully concocted in-house, as are the bevy of wondrous craft cocktails. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900 $$ 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-from-scratch diner. Order up! 916 NW 6th, OKC $ 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 $ VAST Keeping your attention on the steaks, seafood and other temptaitons 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 $$
Asian CHAE Found near OCU, this pancultural treat puts a delectable influence on embracing traditional Korean cuisine and showcasing its versatility by blending its ingredients with dishes from around the world. Grab your chopsticks and enjoy. 1933 NW 23rd, OKC, 600.9040 $$ DOT WO GARDEN With an elegantly appointed location, Dot Wo continues its crowd-pleasing legacy of over two decades by pairing sumptuous classics of Chinese cuisine with fiery, fresh sushi. 6161 N May, OKC, 608.2388 $$ GRAND HOUSE The takes on Asian classics are quite delectable, and this venerable Chinese restaurant goes the extra mile to provide enjoyable ambiance alongside its excellent cuisine. 2701 N Classen, OKC, 524.7333 $$ 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 $$ O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly
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rolled sushi to fiery curry – in cool, vibrant digs. Call ahead for dinner, because it becomes a packed house in a hurry. 105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$ 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
Quite a Catch
A tasty rainbow at the Museum Café TH E O KC M US E U M of Art is an absolute gem, filled with beauty from its own permanent collection, as well as periodic displays of some of the most transcendently breathtaking artistic creations of the last 500 years – case in point, the magnificent Matisse in His Time exhibition that just concluded its OKC sojourn. All that incredible visual appeal filling the premises means the restaurant has a high bar to clear in order to keep pace, yet the Museum Café consistently serves elegance and deliciousness simultaneously. This Ruby Red Rainbow Trout is a filet seared with toasted almonds, topped with a sauce of lemon, garlic and white wine and served over a bed of asparagus, carrots and green beans. It’s a beautiful dish, and arguably the more appealing for not swimming a bourbon glaze or lying buried beneath an avalanche of toppings. Counterintuitive as it might seem, one of the cornerstones of elegance is simplicity – Clare Boothe Luce said that “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and Sherlock Holmes once called the “supreme gift of the artist … the knowledge of when to stop.” The great detective didn’t say the same applied to gourmets, though, so feel encouraged to add some of the Chocolate Cake, layered with chocolate mousse and topped with chocolate ganache. Where your sweet tooth is concerned, it’s a true work of art. - STEVE GILL
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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 $
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 $
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 $
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 $
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 $$
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 $
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 $$
PIE JUNKIE A Plaza District haven for serious pie aficionados. Call ahead to order a whole pie or quiche or walk in and choose from what’s on hand; either way the flavors are incredible, and you may never find a better Key lime. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $
SLAUGHTER’S HALL A good-vibe hangout in the heart of Deep Deuce, it’s home to great sandwiches and brunch options, a strong beer selection, a notoriously tasty take on poutine and some of the best mac and cheese in the city. 221 N Central, OKC, 606.6063 $$
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 $
VZD’S A revamped menu yields a new dining experience in a classic locale on Western – soups, sandwiches and salads can be found in plenty, plus a few special touches and gourmet twists as well. 4200 N Western Ave., OKC, 524.4203 $
Bar & Pub Food 51ST STREET SPEAKEASY A converted house with a perennially packed porch and patio, the joint jumps with energy and the spirits and beers flow with joyous abandon. 1114 NW 51st, OKC, 463.0470 $ THE BARREL The menu is well-stocked 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 $$ THE LIBRARY Despite the name and its location adjacent to the OU campus, this low-light hangout spot won’t help you study … unless you’re doing independent research on local beers and excellent pizza. 607 W Boyd, Norman, 366.7465 $
Barbeque EARL’S RIB PALACE A popular choice among locals in a genre that’s hardly lacking in options, the local chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $ IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE Iron Star specializes in “a unique and tasty spin on comfort food.” While its entrees are excellent, the sides here are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$ 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 neverfrozen patties are mmmmmassive.
PHOTOS BY SHANNON CORNMAN
GOOD TASTE
Don’t forget the onion rings. 3409 Wynn, Edmond, 509.2333; 212 N Harvey, OKC, 601.6180 $ 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 $ 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 $ 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 $ 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 $ S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these burgers’ exquisite f lavors 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 $ 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 $
Coffeehouse & Tea Room 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 still 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 become a gathering place for genuine java enthusiasts, especially during its periodic educational sampling seminars. 1015 N Broadway, OKC, 606.2763 $ 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 $ 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 $$ BLACKBIRD A Campus Corner gastropub pairing succulently creative dishes like pot roast nachos with a broad beer, wine and whiskey list. There’s little on the menu that won’t tempt palates. 575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$ 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 $$ LOTTINVILLES Rotisserie chicken and wood-grilled salmon are the featured players among a host of Southwestern-influenced entrees, salads and panini; the Sunday brunch is
Dave’s Deep Dish Pizza
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COME FOR BRUNCH Sunday 10-3 Specials on Mimosa and Bloody Mary drinks
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sincerely pretty epic. 801 Signal Ridge, Edmond, 341.2244 $$ LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elitequality, locally sourced ingredients - but every dish is the result of genuine culinary artistry. 805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$ THE MANTEL Marvelous steaks, seafood and other specialties combine with a refined atmosphere and outstanding service to set the stage for a truly memorable meal, especially if you have a date to impress. 201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$ 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 $$$ THE METRO A perennial favorite that feels comfortably upscale without exerting pressure to impress on its clientele, the farreaching menu covers culinary high points from vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$ 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 $$$
Sunset Sizzle
Spice makes Redrock’s cocktail nice IT ’S TH E C LOS EST thing OKC has to a seaside bar – the patio overlooking the waters of Lake Hefner is an enchantingly beautiful spot and makes Redrock Canyon Grill a natural place to gather for appreciating the view over drinks, especially during the picturesque sunsets. However, given that those sunsets seem to keep coming earlier and earlier, and that the mercury is sliding on down through “brisk” and toward “chilly,” perhaps it’s a good time to consider a beverage with a little heat of its own. The Spicy Mezcalita is Redrock’s twist on the classic marg: combine Casamigos Blanco tequila (crisp, clean and smooth – and that’s in reference to the tequila, not the company’s cofounder George Clooney) with Cointreau and lime juice, then give it a little extra kick thanks to a dose of Wild Shot mezcal (that’s Toby Keith’s brand) and you have the makings of a Mezcalita. But they’re not done; the mixture is then shaken with a jalapeño and served up in a margarita glass with a chili-salted rim, garnished with a jalapeño slice. It’s a tastebud-tingling choice for enjoying the trip toward winter … and hopefully we’ll luck into a brief Indian summer to give us all a little more time on the patio with one of these sizzlers in hand. - STEVE GILL
THE MUSEUM CAFÉ A setting as inspiring as the OKC Museum of Art warrants something special in cuisine: delicately light or delectably robust, its European-inspired menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$ PARK AVENUE GRILL A one-of-a-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 $$$
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French LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Les Freres Buthion have deep roots in the city’s culinary landscape, and this flagship combines fine dining with a great bakery, deli and butcher on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$
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
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 $$$
GOPURAM - TASTE OF INDIA A full-service restaurant whose richly appointed interior and attentive staff accord patrons the feel of fine dining, even during the inexpensive and plentifully stocked lunch buffet. 4559 NW 23rd, OKC, 948.7373 $$
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 $$
MISAL OF INDIA A Norman institution for over 30 years, specializing in tandoori-cooked delicacies and boasting healthy, natural, delicious cuisine served amid splendid ambiance. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$
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 $$
TAJ A tremendous set of Indian staples and delicacies - the menu has sections for vegetarian, tandoori, South Indian and Indo-Chinese specialties - plus full lunch and dinner buffets. 1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$
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 $$$ WEST Expert staff and stylish décor augment a menu filled with treats from
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beef pad thai to roasted airline chicken. Don’t forget the zuccha chips! 6714 N Western, OKC, 607.4072; 1 Mickey Mantle, OKC $$
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 $$
PHOTO BY SHANNON CORNMAN
AT THE BAR
BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the splendid menu keeps the booths full and diners planning return trips to this vintage building by the railroad tracks; don’t overlook Sunday brunch. 105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271 $$
JOEY’S A creative pizzeria on OKC’s Film Row, Joey’s serves first-rate appetizers and salads along with its mouth-watering pies. Try to budget room for both, but remember to come back for a sandwich or pasta. 700 W Sheridan, OKC, 525.8503 $$
PIZZERIA GUSTO Neapolitan-style pizza (which harnesses an extremely hot fire to quickly cook superfine flour crusts and quality ingredients) stars alongside Italy-inspired salads, pastas and appetizers. 2415 N Walker Ave, OKC, 437.4992 $$
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 $$
EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style (that means thin, flexible crust with a lot of surface area to cover in cheese and tasty toppings), it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC $
KNUCK’S WHEELHOUSE Homemade daily with sauces from scratch and local beer in the crust, it’s a tasty and varied stopover for Bricktown wanderers as well as a pizza-lover’s destination in its own right. 103 E California, OKC, 605.4422 $
STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of legitimately Italian tastes for a casual lunch, or romantic dinner, amid stylish scenery. The weekend brunch offerings are especially superb. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$
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 $$
FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA Managing to feel rustic despite its location in a busy corridor of OKC, this cozy Italian joint keeps extended hours, and tends to get busier and louder as the hour gets later. 5801 N Western, OKC, 843.1527 $$
MONI’S Handmade, New Jersey-style brick oven pizza and authentic pasta recipes from Southern Italy in a casual, comfy ambience (ideal for dates). 17200 N May, Edmond, 285.5991 $$
TOMMY’S ITALIAN-AMERICAN GRILL An old favorite returns to the metro to provide fresh, plentiful doses of primo pasta and pizzas, always served with plenty of ambiance. 5516 W Memorial, OKC, 470.5577 $$
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 $$
HIDEAWAY PIZZA If you’ve been serving a devoted following for over half a century, you’re doing something right. In this case, that’s incredible pizza in jovial surroundings - a true Oklahoma success story. 8 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$
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 $$
HUMBLE PIE PIZZERIA There’s really no need to be humble about this true Chicago-style pizza, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. It’s one of our favorites; choose your toppings and think deep thoughts. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $
UPPER CRUST A chic, contemporary pizzeria and wine bar specializing in wood-fired, thin-crust New York-style pies complemented by a full menu and wine list. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$ VICTORIA’S A comfortable atmosphere, with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – the chicken lasagna and linguine with snow crab are especially excellent. 327 White, Norman, 329.0377; 3000 SW 104th St, OKC, 759.3580 $
Japanese // Sushi 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 $$ GORO An “izakaya” is a Japanese pub; visitors to the Plaza District will quickly come to associate the term with expertly crafted deliciousness thanks to this cheerful spot for ramen, yakitori, bar snacks and more. 1634 Blackwelder, OKC $ INAKA The main draw of this Casady Square spot is the fresh, savory sushi: with these imaginative combinations, names like Amazing Roll and Fantastic Roll feel like stating
Inaka Sushi and Bar HALF-PRICE HAPPY HOUR*
4-6pm Monday-Friday $4 rolls (select from 27 different kinds) $5 wine $2.50 draft beer *special Happy Hour menu
405-242-2224
9321 N Pennsylvania Ave • Oklahoma City inakasushiok.com
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EDUCATE INFORM ENTERTAIN OKMuseums.org • 405.424.7757
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the obvious. 9321 N Penn, OKC, 242.2224 $$ 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 $$ VOLCANO Creations from the hibachi grill or dazzling displays of handcrafted sushi prowess – this restaurant might not have much seating, but it’s certainly far from short on flavor. 2727 S I-35, Moore, 759.3888 $$
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 $$ MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI The menu is stocked with authentic, quick and savory options from Greek salad to eye-watering cabbage rolls, and there’s even a mini-grocery stocked with select staples. 5620 N May, OKC, 810.9494 $ QUEEN OF SHEBA Practically the definitive example of a hidden treasure, the spicy, vegan-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the bold. Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$ ZORBA’S For well over 20 years, Zorba’s has satisfied appetites and pleased palates. 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 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 $$ BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s nearly always standing-room-only at lunch, but don’t let that deter you; spend a few minutes in line and get an ample reward in the form of fast, fresh, imaginative taco creations. 530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $ CAFÉ DO BRASIL It’s a long way from OKC to Rio, but the savory menu in this
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Midtown hot spot covers the distance in a mouthful. Even brunch is a spicy, inimitable treat. 440 NW 11th, OKC, 525.9779 $$ CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant flavors from the zesty traditions of Guatemala. Lunch possibilities beckon, but it’s the breakfast specialties that truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $
Look closely; it’s pretty small, but the sea bass will make you a convert. 7523 N May Ave, OKC, 755.2622 $$$ PEARL’S CRABTOWN A huge Bricktown warehouse where the Cajun Crab Boil is a favorite, guests are encouraged to “leave the silverware at home and dig in,” and taste is king. 303 E Sheridan, OKC, 232.7227 $$
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 $$
PEARL’S OYSTER BAR A perennial OKC favorite for its flavorful seafood and spicy Creole-inspired dishes: Shrimp Diablo, Tabasco-infused Caesar salads, Andouille omelets at Sunday brunch and more. 5641 N Classen, OKC, 848.8008 $$
IGUANA MEXICAN GRILL Unique Mexican flavor in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices - a treat from the house-made salsas to the handcrafted cocktails, and all the tastes between. 9 NW 9th, OKC, 606.7172 $$
TRAPPER’S FISHCAMP Zesty, widely varied flavor from the Pearl’s family of restaurants finds a comfortable home in a backwoods fishing lodge atmosphere. Don’t forget the bountifully stocked bar, either. 4300 W Reno, OKC, 943.9111 $$
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 $$
THE SHACK SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR A massive selection of nicely spiced Cajun and Creole cooking, plus fried and grilled seafood, in an atmosphere that’s not shy about being as casual as it can be. 3 metro locations, theshackok.com $$
TARAHUMARA’S Beloved by locals (there’s usually a line but it moves quickly), this airy ristorante serves huge, tasty Tex-Mex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like carnitas de puerco and mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$ TED’S CAFÉ ESCONDIDO The universal standard of OKC Tex-Mex comparisons - fast, fresh and amply portioned, it’s often very crowded and always supremely delicious. 4 metro locations, tedscafe.com $$ 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 $ 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 $ 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 $$
Seafood THE DRAKE The Good Egg Group’s flagship and a standard-bearer for diners who crave excellent seafood, it supplies a passel of chef’s creations featuring the sea’s finest, plus an oyster bar and righteous cocktails. 519 NW 23rd, OKC, 605.3399 $$$ LAND & SEA Chef Sean Cummings harnesses the delicious possibilities of multiple biomes in this savory concept.
Soul Food 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 $$ JAX SOUL KITCHEN The team behind Blackbird and Blu dishes up big ol’ helpings of jambalaya, pork ribs, fried catfish and many more deep South classics for OU-adjacent crowds. 575 S University, Norman, 801.2828 $
Steakhouse BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance down to the last detail and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$ 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 $$$ MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the star. 3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959; 100 W Main, OKC, 208.8800 $$$ 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 $$$ MICKEY MANTLE’S This lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées and sides with a full complement of amenities destined to impress. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$ RANCH STEAKHOUSE Effortless opulence, custom-aged hand-cut USDA Certified Prime tenderloins and ribeyes, served amid warm Southern hospitality. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$ RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks, vibrant, imaginative flavors and amenities to make some of the state’s best dining. 504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$ 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 $$$
Thai SALA THAI Pineapple curry, basil squid, fried rice with crab, cinnamon beef ... the variety is exceptional, making this Midtown diner a popular midday option. 1614 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.8424 $ SWEET BASIL The enormous aquarium adds to the cozy ambiance; with its outstanding curries and specialty dishes, it makes a great venue for a dinner date. 211 W Main, Norman, 217.8424 $$ TANA THAI There’s a lot to like about the food in this little spot, from red snapper filet to pad thai. Pay special mind to the varied soups, and do not play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May, OKC, 749.5590 $$
events Spurred to Excellence
SPURS BY ERNIE MARCH
Massive cattle drives watched over by weatherbeaten men on horseback are largely a thing of the past – there’s a reason we tend to call it the Old West, after all – but the spirit of the frontiersman still drives two fine arts organizations that are crossing paths again in OKC. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is proud to host the 51st Cowboy Artists of America and 18th Traditional Cowboy Arts Association exhibitions and sales – which kick off together October 13-15 in an event called Cowboy Crossings.
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events PRIME PICKS
Orange Harvest October 7-23, Myriad Gardens October 29, Urban Farmhouse Designs Other people did the planting and growing and picking, but you can harvest the rewards and have fun doing it in the fall festival Pumpkinville, which fills the Myriad Gardens with crafts, games, treats to taste and scenery to explore. And Urban Farmhouse Designs is hosting a pumpkin patch all month prior to its Fall Festival. Help yourself to some seasonal celebration.
Masterpiece Theaterror Oct 14-29, OKC Civic Center Oct 13-Nov 5, Lyric’s Plaza Theater As the calendar creeps toward All Hallows’ Eve, all manner of spooks are sidling onto the stages of local theaters – an unquiet spirit bent on malevolence haunts Reduxion Theater’s “The Woman in Black,” and a … well, whatever’s happening in Lyric’s “The Rocky Horror Show,” it’s pretty damn weird. Whether you’re in the mood for an unsettling ghost story or raucous musical, there are treats waiting for you.
Cooking With Ideas
The Hughes kitchen
October 16, Nichols Hills
For 25 years, the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance has cooked up heaping helpings of inspiration in their fall Kitchen Tour; patrons can explore the expertly designed and decorated hearts of five well-appointed Nichols Hills homes on the self-guided tour while entering raffles at each, and don’t forget to visit Culinary Kitchen for cooking demonstrations, as well. 80
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Puttin’ on the Ritz October 21, The Criterion Allied Arts is all about supporting creativity throughout central Oklahoma, which means two things for their biennial fundraiser: Attendance helps them help a multitude of organizations, and they know some superstars when it’s time to put on a show. OPUS IX: Club Cabaret features live entertainment, dancing, auctions and plenty of treats to eat and drink. Come be dazzled.
events ON LOCATION
Two for the Show
A dynamic partnership fueling Oklahoma film
with Lance McDaniel
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of the most successful filmmakers working in Oklahoma. Their film Rudderless premiered closing night at Sundance in 2014. Their adaptation of the book The Scent of Rain and Lightning attracted two of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood. And their latest effort, a comedy series called “In the Rough,” is being funded and distributed by new digital power player Verizon Hearst Media Partners. With all of these great projects, it’s easy to think that they enjoyed a smooth, linear path toward success. The reality is far more inspiring. “After Rudderless, everyone said, ‘You are going to be the next big thing. You’re at Sundance!’” Twenter recalls. “So we got managers, we waited, we played all of the games: writing, pitching, waiting. Finally we said, ‘Forget it. We Jeff Robison and Casey Twenter are not going to wait on other people.’ That’s a mistake a lot of people make. You make your own luck. Jeff and I have a career because we did it ourselves.” Robison and Twenter did not start off as writing partners. Robison had written a script and was having a hard time getting honest feedback from friends who were just excited he wrote a screenplay. “Casey was the first to ask about the process. ‘Why did you write this? How did you do that?’” Robison continues. “It became an organic collaboration. We did not set out to be partners, it just happened.” To date, the duo have written and produced four major projects in Oklahoma, and there are more in the pipeline. Their first big attempt was Rudderless. But after funding fell through on that project for the second time, they moved their efforts to The Jogger, a lower-budget thriller they decided to co-direct. Eventually, funding for Rudderless came through, William H. Macy signed on to direct and an all-star cast – including Billy Crudup, Selena Gomez and the late Anton Yelchin – brought the film to life. Their next film, The Scent of Rain & Lightning, attracted another high-end cast, landing Maggie Grace from TV’s “Lost” and Taken and Maika Monroe from the Sundance smash It Follows. “In the Rough,” a ribald golf comedy, is their fourth major project. It is based on the first script Robison ever wrote. “Jason Wiles, who co-starred in our first film, The Jogger, got us the invite. We pitched 10 ideas to Verizon, they liked it, so we took elements of the scripts we already had and pounded out 250 pages in two weeks. Then we cut the script down from 250 to 180 pages for the series.” The series will ultimately include eight 22-minute episodes. The differences between writing a movie and writing a series are major, according to Twenter: “Television and web series are about characters. Storyline is second in television. In a movie, it’s story, story, story. Characters are developed within the path of the story. In a series, you can do things strictly for laughs or character development.” The writing is different, but the production process is basically the same. Eighty percent of the Oklahoma-based crew on “In the Rough” has worked on the duo’s previous projects. “There is no artistic medium more collaborative than film,” Robison says. “When you work with people [who] you get along with, that see the vision you see, you want to keep working with them.” That is great news for Oklahoma. And their partnership seems to get stronger with each project. “The ego part has been tough, learning to give,” Robison notes. “But we learned that when we disagree, we just need to listen.” Twenter agrees, “We had a lot of petty arguments the first three to four years. As we got tighter, we reached a perfect balance.” It is great to meet people with so much talent – but it’s even more inspiring to know how hard they have worked to get every single project off the ground. Robison and Twenter have maintained relationships, leveraged their connections and researched new distribution models to forge their own path as storytellers in the continually evolving cinematic landscape.
PHOTO BY LANCE MCDANIEL; ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN O’DANIEL
J EF F ROBISON A N D CA SE Y T W E N T ER are two
events ON FILM
The Thrill Is Here
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY iTunes, Amazon Prime This 1991 thriller starring Julia Roberts raised the bar for heart-stopping thrillers. In it, Roberts plays an abused housewife named Laura, who after years of violence, decides to stage her own disappearance. After relocating to a small town and falling in love with a local college theater professor, Laura finds herself – for the first time in many years – happy. Her happiness can only last so long though, as her husband begins to put together the pieces of her ruse and sets out to bring her home.
Streaming hits of gripping cinema
ON OCT. 7, the year’s most anticipated thriller is set to hit theaters nationwide. Starring Emily
Blunt (Into the Woods, Sicario), and based on Paula Hawkins’ international bestselling novel of the same name, The Girl on the Train is a psychological mindbender that is equal parts voyeuristic, sadistic, heartbreaking and completely riveting. Rachel, a woman who once believed she had it all, is now divorced and struggling with alcoholism. Her high point each day occurs as her train passes a house where she observes a seemingly blissful couple going about their lives with, at least in her mind, the idyllic verve and tenderness of newlyweds. One day, however, she witnesses the female half of this blissful duo sharing a passionate kiss with another man – and the next day, the woman has disappeared. Certain something nefarious has occurred, Rachel, based purely on a hunch, interjects herself into this stranger’s disappearance and suddenly finds herself in a deeper personal downward spiral … and a suspect in the young woman’s disappearance, as well. With Hitchcockian undertones, a moody mise-en-scène, an unreliable alcoholic narrator and wild twists, the constantly surprising The Girl on the Train is adapted for the screen by writer Erin Cressida Wilson (Chloe) and directed by Tate Taylor (The Help), and is sure to have audiences guessing until the very end. If that sounds intriguing to you, here are five more topsy-turvy thrillers that promise to leave you on the edge of your seat. - MAT T PAYNE
PRIMAL FEAR Amazon Prime, iTunes In a compelling legal thriller, Richard Gere stars as an overly confident defense attorney who takes on a pro bono case of a cherubic and misunderstood altar boy accused of violently murdering Chicago’s bishop. The audience initially reviles Gere as a predatory, fame-seeking lawyer and empathizes with the sexually abused misfit. But slowly, thanks to exceptional writing and strong performances, the tables turn. Despite being largely set in and around a courtroom, Edward Norton’s nuanced performance (which ultimately earned him his first of three Oscar nominations) ends with a twist that changed the way movie-goers watched legal dramas.
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DOUBLE JEOPARDY Amazon Prime, iTunes Another psychological thriller with a mighty twist – a seemingly happy couple’s overnight boat trip seems to go fine until the night Libby, played by Ashley Judd, wakes up to find her husband Nick, played by Bruce Greenwood, missing and the boat covered with blood. Libby is immediately vilified by the press and convicted of murder. After several years in prison, Libby discovers that her husband is actually alive and framed her for his murder. Seeking revenge, she realizes that if she escapes and actually kills her husband, she will prove that she didn’t kill him the first time … and because of double jeopardy laws, she can’t be tried for the same crime twice.
GONE GIRL Amazon Prime, iTunes Directed by suspense virtuoso David Fincher (Zodiac, Se7en) and based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn (also the scribe behind the screenplay), Gone Girl proved one of 2014’s most lucrative and critically acclaimed films. One day Nick (Ben Affleck) comes home to find his house ransacked, his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing and himself a prime suspect in her disappearance and presumed murder. Pretty soon, though, we learn that there is something far more insidious to Amy and her sudden absence than meets the eye.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO iTunes, Amazon Prime Also based on a bestselling international thriller and also directed by the masterful David Fincher, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo stars Daniel Craig as shamed journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who is hired by Christopher Plummer’s reclusive billionaire Henrik Vanger to investigate the murder of his niece. Blomkvist summons the assistance of a dark and troubled hacker, played by Rooney Mara, to help him peel back a troubling onion of problems likely better left unexposed.
events SPEAKER BOX
What’s So Funny ’Bout Peace, Love and Anticipation Welcome Elvis to the 405
T HE BE ST T HI NG about new venues in Oklahoma City and Norman is that they generate competition and spark new excitement in concert activity. After the Criterion Theater made its debut earlier this year on the western periphery of Bricktown, the Chevy Bricktown Events Center, which recently underwent an extensive renovation, has stepped up its game with attracting big names: This month, it’s snagged an enormous coup by
bringing in the legendary Elvis Costello to his first-ever concert in the 405 area code. Born Declan MacManus in London in 1954, he was raised the son of a jazz band leader. As a tribute to his father, whose stage name was Costello, young Declan became Elvis Costello when he signed an indie deal with Stiff Records. Always prolific since his proto-punk debut in 1977, the dynamic singer-songwriter has been England’s answer to Neil Young, a chameleon always experimenting with different genres, from ska/new wave (“Armed Forces”) to traditional country (“Almost Blue”), gospel and bluegrass (“The Scarlet Tide”) to classical (“The String Quartet”), piano ballads (“North”) to slow jam soul and blues (“Wise Up Ghost”). Always restless and busy, Costello also has been renowned for working on one-off projects that are just as impactful, such as his cover of Charles Aznavour’s “She” that set the tone for the final sequence in the rom-com classic Notting Hill. As the king of collaborations, he has performed and written with Burt Bacharach, Roy Orbison, Billie Joe Armstrong, Alison Krauss, Tony Bennett and Fall Out Boy. Rather than aim for crossover superstardom, Costello has spent the past four decades crafting a steady,
Calendar of Wonders
Leaves drop, and so do fall releases
METALLICA “Hardwired…to SelfDestruct” Set to release its 10th proper studio release right before Thanksgiving, the legendary hard rock survivors have recently celebrated 35 years together as one of the most enduring and universally popular bands. This release will come in a variety of different formats, on both vinyl and CD.
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BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Born to Run No, this is not a reissue of the Boss’ 1975 breakthrough album, or Dave Marsh’s bio of him. Born to Run is actually Bruce Springsteen’s first-ever authorized autobiography. Accompanying the weighty tome is supplemental CD “Chapter and Verse,” an audio companion to the book that further enlightens Springsteen’s story.
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yet disparate, body of work. Lauded by critical acclaim since day one, Costello has been a commercial enigma. As David Lee Roth used to joke, “Music critics love Elvis Costello because they look like him!” Though once brash, angry and arrogant, Costello has matured into a romantic poet and a true Englishman. As a showman, and diverse musician, Costello also has plenty of odd acting cameos, playing a coffee-house singer in “Frasier” and, as himself, one of Jean Girard’s posse in Talladega Nights. Last year, he wrote his first biography, Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink, which was more of a personal reflection on songwriting accompanied by detailed, nuanced memories of his observations, experiences, travels and relationships. It is an amusing and wordy diary, an immense read, full of eclectic humor and sincere, vivid stories. Since his last record was with the Roots in 2013, the Detour (Tour) is essentially a continuation of the solo speaking tour that he conducted following the release of his book. This time, he’s bringing his guitar. Costello’s Detour takes place Oct. 10 at 429 E California. Call 866.977.6849 or visit protix. com for ticket information. - JERRY CHURCH
As Bono would sing, “October and the trees are stripped bare/Of all they wear/What do I care?” What do I care? I care because the fall season is prime time for new music releases. Big-league artists like to release new music in the fall to set up winter and spring tours, and the remaining record companies love the season so they can raid the vaults for Christmas and holiday sales. Let’s take a look at what’s going to happen in music multimedia through the end of the year.
LED ZEPPELIN “Complete BBC Sessions” Even after last year’s amazing Zeppelin reissues, Jimmy Page was able to find even more remarkable material left in his vaults – three CDs of mostly live material from appearances on BBC radio between 1969 and 1971, including re-discovered sessions long thought lost. Listeners, get ready to ramble on.
THE BEATLES Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years After conquering America, The Beatles played more than 250 concerts between 1963 and 1966. Those shows are the heart of Ron Howard’s new documentary, The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years. Look for it this fall in conjunction with a companion CD, “Live at the Hollywood Bowl,” recorded from the band’s three concerts at the legendary venue.
KINGS OF LEON “Walls” The band’s seventh release, “Walls,” drops in early October; no word yet if Donald Trump contributed to building the record, or if Roger Waters makes an appearance. Produced by Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Coldplay), this latest CD should take the Followill Family in a new aural direction.
Fred Jones Jr.
Museum of Art
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!
Picturing Indian Territory 1819–1907
BECOME A
Oct. 6–Dec. 30, 2016
and save 20% at Muse
The University of Oklahoma 555 Elm Ave. Norman, OK 73019 -3003
Plus: – exclusive invitations – discounted rates for trips – exhibition previews
www.fjjma.ou.edu | @fjjma
MUSEUM MEMBER
every day! 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
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
Admission is always free! Julian Scott (U.S. 1846-1901); Horseman, Anadarko, Oklahoma (Chief Ahpeahtone) [detail], 1890 Courtesy of private collection For accommodations, please call Visitor Services at (405) 325-4938. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo
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events HERITAGE
Inspiration on Target The Annie Oakley Society aims high OK L A HOM A H A S a colorful western heritage,
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(l to r) Freda Deskin, Mary Ellen Alexander, Diana Fields, Whitney Tatum and Judy Hatfield
SADDLE UP The awards luncheon is open to the public, and both women and men are welcome. Reservations are required by calling 405.478.2250, ext. 233. Seats are priced at $150 per person for nonmembers. More information about the luncheon and the society can be found at nationalcowboymuseum.org.
PHOTO BY J PAT CARTER
one with deep roots in the American West. More than a century ago, Ponca City’s 101 Ranch, Elk City’s Beutler Brothers Rodeo and Pawnee Bill’s Wild West show put the young state on the proverbial map. Today, the west lives on, even though many of the prairies are now bustling cities. In 1955, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum was formed. In 2010, contemporary women leaders established the Annie Oakley Society as part of the museum. Today, the society comprises female leaders and philanthropists who, like Oakley herself did, play significant roles in shaping Oklahoma communities and creating new horizons. The annual Annie Oakley Society Awards Luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 13 in the Museum’s Sam Noble Special Events Center. “The American West is not some historic time or place, but rather it is a living, breathing culture that we all continue to experience and to shape today,” says Cathy Keating, Annie Oakley Society National Chair and former Oklahoma First Lady. “The Society is proud of the strides we have made to help recognize the important contributions of women in the West, not only to our history but also to our country today. Our members live every day under Annie Oakley’s famous mantra, ‘Aim High.’” Oakley was a famous American sharpshooter who played a significant role in shaping the future for women, Keating said. As a 19th century female pioneer, Oakley learned how to combine talent, skill, beauty, femininity and humility, all while acting as an entrepreneur, businesswoman, athlete and wife. “Our society honors Annie’s memory and the history of all women in the West by recognizing the accomplishments of some of our country’s top women achievers,” Keating says. “The annual luncheon and awards really are the hallmark event of the year.” This year’s honorees are Donna Shirley and Jo Rowan. Shirley was manager of the Mars Exploration Program and worked for 32 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, before retiring in 1998. Rowan is chairman of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management, founder of the Oklahoma City University Dance Program and director and founder of the American Spirit Dance Company. She is also a nationally known master ballet teacher and performer. “We have been so excited to honor many accomplished women, both from Oklahoma and from around the country, who have contributed in very diverse ways to our nation,” Keating says. “Some past honorees include Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Reba McEntire, Nadia Comaneci and Kristin Chenoweth. Last year’s honoree was U.S. Navy Admiral Michelle Howard, the first woman to achieve the high rank of four-star admiral.” This year’s theme is about aiming high and reaching for the stars, Keating said. Honorees are selected annually by the society’s leadership team, chaired this year by Judy Hatfield. “Both of our honorees were pioneers of their time and their chosen professions,” Keating says. “They paved the way for young girls today to dream big and know that they can accomplish anything.” - MARK BEUTLER
Oklahoma City Community College 2016-2017 Performing Arts Series presents THE HIT MEN: Legendary Performers with Frankie Valli, Carole King, Cat Stevens & more! Friday, October 21, 2016 • 8:00 pm
Presenting sponsor:
Annie, The National Broadway Tour Thursday and Friday November 4 and 5, 2016 • 8:00 pm
Steppin' Out with Ben Vereen
Friday, November 18, 2016 • 8:00 pm Presenting sponsor:
All performances held in the OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater 7777 S. May Avenue Purchase tickets at tickets.occc.edu • Box Office at (405) 682-7579 occc.edu/pas www.kgou.org
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on the radar
WANT TO SEE MORE? Visit our online calendar at 405magazine.com
The OKC Ballet rides again E VE N B E FOR E IT S members step onto the Civic Center stage this month to begin a new performance season, the OKC Ballet will already have achieved something noteworthy: In its 54-year
Dance RODEO Oct 21-23 The Copland-scored classic headlines a triple bill of new and venerable dance as the OKC Ballet returns. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 848.8637, okcballet.com
Events CZECH FESTIVAL Oct 1 This joyous annual fete featuring a parade and outstanding food is a great way to celebrate Czech heritage, even if you don’t share in it yourself. Downtown Yukon 205 N Czech Hall, Yukon, 324.3567, yukoncc.com FIESTAS DE LAS AMERICAS Oct 1 A parade, fun run, artist market, food court and kids’ fun zone add plenty of zest to this celebration of Oklahoma’s rich multicultural heritage. Capitol Hill 319 SW 25th, OKC, 632.0133, historiccapitolhill.com GARDEN TOUR FOR CONNOISSEURS Oct 1 Nature’s creations star in the Oklahoma Horticultural Society’s selfguided exploration of backyard beauty. Multiple locations OKC, ok-hort.org INDUSTRY FLEA Oct 1 Looking for something unusually cool? This oncea-quarter open-air market of artisans,
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shops and vintage finds might be just what the shopper ordered. Midtown OKC, 399 NW 10th, OKC, industryf lea.com
little festive fuel to the Museum’s weekly rooftop party, featuring a cash bar and gallery tours. OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com
OKCTOBERFEST Oct 1 This new craft beer festival is powered by the finest in local beers and food trucks - should be a OKC Farmers Market 311 S Klein, OKC, okctoberfest.net
1ST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK Oct 7 The historic arts district’s name means “stroll,” which happens to be the preferred form of locomotion while taking in its wonders during a monthly display of arts and culture. Paseo Arts District 3022 Paseo, OKC, 525.2688, thepaseo.com
STOCKYARDS STAMPEDE Oct 1 Head the family up and move ‘em out to a day filled with cowboy food, crafts and entertainment - it’s a pretty good sign that the event begins with a parade led by longhorns. Stockyards City 1305 S Agnew, OKC, 235.7267, stockyardscity.org OKLAHOMA VOICES Oct 2 A monthly poetry interaction allows guests to add more verses to their universes. IAO Gallery 706 W Sheridan, OKC, 232.6060, individualartists.org DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE Oct 6 Preschool audiences should be enchanted by the musical adventures of this ongoing testament to Mr. Rogers’ legacy. Hudiburg Center 6420 SE 15th, Midwest City, 297.2264, okcciviccenter.com ART AFTER 5 Oct 6-27 Live music from a rotation of local artists adds a
PUMPKINVILLE Oct 7-23 The Myriad Gardens’ fall festival is an outstanding place for kids and families to celebrate the season - games, treats and a guaranteed gourd time. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno, OKC, 445.7080, myriadgardens.com SECOND SUNDAY POETRY Oct 9 Rose State creative writing prof Trixie Walther shares some of her words, thoughts and soul with Depot listeners. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org OKC COMEDY SHOWS Oct 10 Enjoy mirth en masse with a special combination of comedy, science and psychedelia called A Good Trip from comic star Shane Mauss. UCO Mitchell Hall Theater 100 N University, Edmond, okccomedy.com
ANNIE OAKLEY SOCIETY LUNCHEON Oct 13 Donna Lee Shirley and Jo Rowan will be honored at this feast celebrating female leaders, trailblazers and philanthropists. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org BACON & BRUSSELS Oct 13 Tweaked a trifle to make it more vegetarianfriendly, this annual pork-powered sampling event gives guests inspired dishes by top local chefs sing the titular theme ingredients. It’s always a delicious pleasure. The Guardian 1114 N Harvey, OKC, 235.3500, downtownokc.com 2ND FRIDAY CIRCUIT OF ART Oct 14 A monthly community-wide celebration of creativity, focused on historic Downtown Norman. Norman Arts Council 122 E Main, Norman, 360.1162, normanarts.org BINGO FOR BABIES Oct 14 Infant Crisis Services hosts this third annual fast-paced evening of gameplay and fun to help local infants in need. OKC Golf & Country Club 7000 NW Grand, OKC, 528.3663, infantcrisis.org EDFEST Oct 14 This collection of local food, brews and musicians is all kinds of fun to benefit the good works of Edmond Mobile Meals. Festival
PHOTO BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES
Leotards and Lassos
history, the company has never been larger. The addition of 19 new artists and apprentices brings the total roster up to 47 dancers, and that comparatively huge collection of immense talent is about to begin strutting its stuff with a triad of performances October 21-23. Rodeo: A Triple Bill: This show is three performances in one, headlined by the legendary Agnes de Mille’s most beloved and most frequently presented ballet. Inspired by American composer Aaron Copland’s world-famous score, “Rodeo” premiered in 1942 at the Metropolitan Opera House. And don’t doubt these dancers’ commitment to the Western theme; I asked, and they will be performing in cowboy boots. Rounding out the slate are “Serenade,” the first original ballet George Balanchine created in America and one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory, and the premiere of an abstract contemporary ballet titled “Our Private Rooms,” choreographed by OKC Ballet Artistic Director Robert Mills. “I am excited to begin a new season with these beautiful artists,” Mills says. “I’ve assembled what I believe to be our strongest company to date; I look forward to working with them all year.” And that year begins … nnnnnow. - STEVE GILL
Market Place 30 W 1st, Edmond, 341.3111, edfestokc.com LIVE ON THE PLAZA Oct 14 Vendors, artists, residents and passerby unite for a monthly fiesta. Plaza District 1618 N Gatewood, OKC, 367.9403, plazadistrict.org HEARD ON HURD Oct 15 The year’s final free monthly festival of live music, food trucks and pop-up shops - come enjoy! Downtown Edmond 32 N Broadway, Edmond, 341.6650, facebook. com/heardonhurd OCMS KITCHEN TOUR Oct 16 Area homes open their hearts for visitors to explore and find inspiration in their design and decoration. Bon appetit! Multiple locations Nichols Hills, 285.1385, ocmsalliance.org AN EVENING WITH GARRISON KEILLOR Oct 20 Now that A Prairie Home Companion is off the airwaves, this is your prime source for catching up on the news from Lake Wobegon, enjoying the gentle humor from this American storyteller. Hudson Hall 2820 N May, OKC, 866.977.6849, dcfconcerts.com ORCHIDS IN OCTOBER Oct 20 Help honor a lifelong supporter of the Myriad Gardens through the presentation of the Crystal Orchid and enjoy natural beauty
at the annual luncheon and orchid sale. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno, OKC, 445.7080, myriadgardens.org TASTE OF WESTERN Oct 20 The annual sampling event studded with Western Avenue’s culinary stars gets more delicious each year. Will Rogers Theater 4322 N Western, OKC, 412.5990, visitwesternavenue.com TOWN HALL: CHARLES PAYNE Oct 20 The engrossing lecture series welcomes the financial analyst and author for a presentation entitled Making Money With Charles Payne. St. Luke’s UMC 222 NW 15th, OKC, 202.4262, /townhall.publishpath.com CREATURES AND COCKTAILS Oct 21 Adults only at this Halloween party there will be some booze for partakers to peruse - that includes a costume contest, killer DJ and tours of the haunted herpetarium. OKC Zoo 2101 NE 50th, OKC, 425.0613, zoofriends.org OPUS IX Oct 21 Allied Arts’ incredibly lavish fundraiser only happens once every two years, making it an occasion it’s even more important not to miss. The Criterion 500 E Sheridan, OKC, 278.8944, alliedartsokc.com PAINT THE TOWN PINK Oct 21 Drinks, dinner, dancing and an appreciation for life - this Project31 gala
honors breast cancer survivors and those who are helping them along. Bricktown Events Center 429 E California, OKC, 503.8427, project31.us EXCHANGE ON FILM ROW Oct 21 The downtown OKC street festival is family-friendly, free to wander through and filled with pop-up shopping and treats for the ears and taste buds. Film Row 706 W Sheridan, OKC, 232.6060, exchangefilmrow.com AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART Oct 21-23 Handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, gourmet foods, accessories, clothing, jewelry, quirky little tchochkes - browsing this bounty of wares is practically an adventure in itself. State Fairgrounds 333 Gordon Cooper, OKC, 632.2652, aaoth.com FRIENDS OF THE NORMAN LIBRARY BOOK SALE Oct 21-24 A treasure trove of varied tomes awaits the reader who makes time for this extremely rewarding literary tradition. Norman Public Library 225 N Webster, Norman, 701.2620, pioneerlibrarysystem.org MAESTRO’S BALL Oct 22 It’s a party, absolutely, and a festive one at that - but this tasty and entertaining fundraiser also helps fuel music education in the metro, which in this era of school cuts is more important than ever. Bricktown
Events Center 429 E California, OKC, 601.4245, okorchestraleague.org STARLIGHT BALL Oct 22 Black-tie enjoyment of cocktails, dinner and dancing marks the annual celebration that helps fund the operations of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. OKC Golf & Country Club 7000 NW Grand, OKC, 271.2260, okchf.org TAPPED Oct 22 Billed as “the ultimate craft beer festival,” it gathers more than 100 brews, wines and ciders to sample amid tunes from a local DJ and cheerful camaraderie. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark 2 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, tappedfest.com STORYBOOK FOREST Oct 23-30 A non-scary outing for teeny-tiny trick-ortreaters to find costumed characters from fairy tales and lore and share some preHalloween fun. Arcadia Lake 9000 E 2nd, Edmond, 216.7471, edmondok.com HAUNT THE ZOO Oct 26-31 Make Halloween a little wilder with a trip through the OKC Zoo’s special seasonal trick-or-treating gamut, open nightly. OKC Zoo 2101 NE 50th, OKC, 424.3344, okczoo.com HAUNT THE HARN Oct 27 History gets a little bit (but not too) spooky with a trick-or-treating event at the venerable estate turned frontier museum. Harn
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on the radar Homestead 1721 N Lincoln, OKC, 235.4058, harnhomestead.com DOWNTOWN NORMAN FALL FEST Oct 28 Main will be closed off for the evening as this fourth annual pleasure offers families games, activities and plenty of trick-or-treating. Downtown Norman 300 E Main, Norman, normanfallfest.com EATS ON 8TH Oct 28 A fleet of food trucks to tempt every palate is just the beginning in this monthly festival that also boasts fun music and lots of shopping. NW 8th and Harvey OKC, 519.8001,
Welcome to Dream Land
COHBA’s luxurious home tour
ON E OF E D MO N D’S most anticipated new luxury home developments is Black Oak at Iron Horse Ranch. Nestled into a landscape of tall blackjack oak trees, the community is located on Coltrane between Coffee Creek and Sorghum Mill Road. Now folks are getting their first glimpse inside during the 2016 Street of Dreams, a 15-day event sponsored by the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association. It’s happening Oct. 15-30, with homes from seven of central Oklahoma’s top builders: Adams Kirby Homes, Allenton Custom Homes, Authentic Custom Homes, Avalon Signature Homes, Rader Building Company, Silver Stone Homes and Wilco Homes. “It’s more like a street fair than a traditional home tour,” says Rusty Appleton, COHBA executive director. “There will be something for the whole family: We will have a kid’s zone, food trucks, luxury cars provided by Bob Moore Auto Group and, of course, the homes.” Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate, and Appleton said 20 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to Edmond Public Schools. “I think as someone walks through each home, above all, he will see each builder’s unique design style,” Appleton says. “The most fantastic part of this show is that each home is so different from the others. The main purpose of the show is to showcase the latest design, technology and décor of some of the premier builders in central Oklahoma. Everyone will be able to borrow ideas … to make the home they live in a little bit more like the home of their dreams.” For more information or to purchase Street of Dreams tickets, visit streetofdreamsok.com. - MARK BEUTLER
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SAINTS BALL Oct 28 An evening of dinner, dancing and auction excitement done up with black-tie elegance, all to benefit the lifesaving care of St. Anthony Hospital. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd, OKC, 272.7070, givetosaints.com VENETIAN BALL Oct 28 It’s casino night, and you’re invited, as Oklahoma Lawyers for Children toasts another year of defending the county’s abused and neglected kids. Fun is in the cards. OKC Golf & Country Club 7000 NW Grand, OKC, olfc.org DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL Oct 30 Local businesses sponsor and organize this annual parade, dance, art show and more to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Plaza District 1618 N Gatewood, OKC, plazadistrict.org PASEO MAGIC LANTERN Oct 30 Crafts, costumes and dancing fill this kid-centric celebration of fall. Paseo Lawn NW 30th and Dewey, OKC, 525.2688, thepaseo.com POOCH PARADE Oct 30 All ages and breeds are welcome at this two- and four-legged good time; picture a Mardi Gras-themed promenade, then add a bunch of canine companionship. Grand Park Huntington & Grand, Nichols Hills, 786.0522, animalrescuefriends.com UPCOMING BROADWAY BALL Nov 4 Lyric Theatre’s glitzy annual fundraiser is always a joyous occasion - enjoy the costumes, performance and fun. Embassy Suites OKC 741 N Phillips, OKC, 524.9310, lyrictheatreokc.com 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
Film CENTER THEATER SHOWS Oct 1-30 The OKC Museum of Art screens overlooked treasures and unsung independent films. OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com CLASSICS SERIES Oct 4-25 Catch a masterpiece you missed the first time around or just want to re-experience on the big screen: The Lost Boys Oct 4, Silence of the Lambs Oct 11, Aliens
Oct 18 and Halloween Oct 25. Harkins Theatres 150 E Reno, OKC, 321.4747, harkinstheatres.com WESTERN MOVIE MATINEES Oct 5-26 Treat yourself to a classic tale as it was meant to be seen (big): Hud Oct 5, Lonely Are the Brave Oct 12, The Misfits Oct 19 and Phantom Empire Oct 26. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org
Galleries ONGOING DIANE COADY Through Oct 21 IAO Gallery 706 W Sheridan, OKC, 232.6060, individualartists.org NEW VIEW Through Oct 21 IAO Gallery 706 W Sheridan, OKC, 232.6060, individualartists.org WHERE THE ROADS LEAD Through Oct 30 Santa Fe Depot Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org FINE ARTS INSTITUTE Oct 3-28 The FAI hosts a collection of wonders painted by local artist James Daniel Gaar. Fine Arts Institute of Edmond 27 E Edwards, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com AT THE HOWELL Oct 6-22 Dazzle your eyes with vivid new creations in acrylic and glass by local artists W. Bennett Berry and Suzanne Wallace Mears. Howell Gallery 6432 N Western, OKC, 840.4437, howellgallery.com PACKER LAND Oct 7-29 The community art space in the Paseo welcomes a timely exhibition from Wisconsin-raised Michael Litzau, whose craft focuses on the Green Bay Packers. The Project Box 3003 Paseo, OKC, 609.3969, theprojectboxokc.com OCTOBER IN YOUR EYE Oct 7-29 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 FEATURING Oct 8-Nov 18 The Plaza District gallery welcomes fresh pieces glowing with color from encaustic artist Gayle Curry. Kasum Contemporary Fine Art 1706 NW 16th, OKC, 604.6602, kasumcontemporary.com
Museums ONGOING CLOUD CITY Through Oct 16 Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org L. DIANE JACKSON Through Oct 22 Artspace at Untitled OKC, 815.9995, artspaceatuntitled.com HELL ON WHEELS Through Oct 23 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org
IMAGES COURTESY COHBA
SPOTLIGHT
EDMOND PEOPLE, EDMOND POLITICS Through Dec 17 Edmond Historical Society Edmond, 340.0078, edmondhistory.org LOWELL ELLSWORTH SMITH Through Dec 30 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org A SENSE OF HIS SOUL Through Dec 30 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art Norman, 325.3272, /ou.edu/fjjma PICTURING INDIAN TERRITORY Oct 6 - Dec 30 A scholarly exploration of the visual history of Oklahoma, emphasizing its early days as portrayed by outsiders. Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art 555 Elm, Norman, 325.3272, /ou.edu/fjjma COWBOY CROSSINGS Oct 14-Nov 27 Take in some outstanding Western art in this joint exhibition featuring the Cowboy Artists of America and the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association - and don’t miss the opening weekend. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org SACRED WORDS Oct 15-Jan 8 A new take on an old tradition: the modern era’s first Benedictine commission of a monumental handwritten, illuminated Bible forms the basis for this spritually stirring exhibition. OKC Museum of Art 415 Couch, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com MELVIN EDWARDS Oct 20-Dec 27 Pioneering contemporary AfricanAmerican artist Edwards returns to OK for his first state solo exhibition in 25 years - this installation should be a powerful experience. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center 3000 General Pershing, OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org
Music ONGOING BROADWAY TONIGHT: MARILYN MAYE Through Oct 1 A queen of the cabaret and one of Johnny Carson’s favorite performers, Maye’s warmth and incredible voice make this Broadway Tonight premiere a must. CHK Boathouse 725 S Lincoln, OKC, 974.3375, uco.edu/ cfad/broadway OK INT’L BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Through Oct 1 The Turnpike Troubadours, Japanese pickers BlueSide of Lonesome, the Byron Berline Band, of course, and plenty more bluegrass stars from near and far are lined up for this 20th annual event. Cottonwood Flats 600 W College, Guthrie, 282.4446, oibf.com I LOVE THE ’90s Oct 1 Decades ago but never far from our hearts, the ‘90s jam again thanks to performances from Coolio, Tone Loc, Salt N Pepa, Rob Base, All 4 One and Vanilla Ice. Cox Center 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC, 602.8500, coxconventioncenter.com OKC PHILHARMONIC CLASSICS Oct 1 Strike up the orchestra; guest conductor Andres Franco leads the OKC Philharmonic and violinist Stefan Milenkovich through an evening of
Dvorak, Sarasate and Strauss. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 842.5387, okcphil.org ZOO AMPHITHEATRE SHOWS Oct 1 Settle in under the Oklahoma sky for a big, beautiful show from Chris Stapleton. Zoo Amphitheatre 2101 NE 50th, OKC, 866.977.6849, thezooamphitheatre.com BLUE DOOR SHOWS Oct 1-21 Selfbilled as “the best listening room in Oklahoma,” it certainly has some of the best music, including Johnny Boyd Oct 1, Amy Lavere Oct 9, Michael Fracasso Oct 14 and Romi Mayes Oct 21 - check online for updates. The Blue Door 2805 N McKinley, OKC, 524.0738, bluedoorokc.com CRITERION SHOWS Oct 1-27 The downtown concert hall keeps pounding out the hits with performances by Porter Robinson Oct 1, Schoolboy Q Oct 2, The Head and the Heart Oct 4, Tour de Compadres Oct 25 and Troye Sivan Oct 27. The Criterion 500 E Sheridan, OKC, 308.1803, criterionokc.com DIAMOND BALLROOM SHOWS Oct 1-30 Crank it up on the south side with a musical blast from Thrice Oct 1, The Struts Oct 5, Melanie Martinez Oct 7, Tory Lanez Oct 9, Clutch Oct 11, Opeth Oct 12, Dance Gavin Dance Oct 21, Bobby Bones Oct 22 and Evanescence Oct 30. Diamond Ballroom 8001 S Eastern, OKC, 866.977.6849, dcfconcerts.com WiNTER WIND CONCERTS Oct 2-30 Cozy up indoors and enjoy a new season of more intimate singer-songwriter sounds from the likes of John Fullbright Oct 2, Susan Gibson Oct 16 and Kevin and Dustin Welch Oct 30. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org OU SUTTON SERIES Oct 3-30 Join the OU School of Music for auditory bliss: the wind symphony Oct 3, Joy Harjo Oct 5, Ensemble Triopolis Oct 9, OU Jazz Bands Oct 18, Gregory Lee Oct 23, OU Symphony Orchestra Oct 29 and homecoming choirs Oct 30. OU Catlett Music Center 500 W Boyd, Norman, 325.4101, /music.ou.edu OK COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA Oct 4 Guest artist Dr. Lance Drege joins the orchestra for the opening concert of its new season. Hardeman Auditorium 2501 E Memorial, Edmond, okorchestra.org OCU CONCERTS Oct 4-25 Students and townspeople alike can head to campus and enjoy musical treats: the Wind Philharmonic Oct 4, pianist Angela Cheng Oct 9, Jazz Ensemble Oct 10, Project 21 Oct 13 and Brad Bennight Oct 25. OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC, 208.5227, okcu.edu/music
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Christ the King Catholic School is a Christ-centered environment for children in Pre-K through 8th Grade. We offer a low student/teacher ratio, weekly Mass and service opportunities, as well as state-of-the-art computer and science labs. Please call for a personal tour. We want you to be part of our thriving community!
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TUESDAY NOON CONCERTS Oct 4-25 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 OPOLIS SHOWS Oct 5-24 Metro, meet Opolis - you’ll make beautiful music together, including Kevin Devine Oct 5,
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on the radar Peelander-Z Oct 11, a speaking tour from Andrew W. K. Oct 21, Kikagaku Moyo Oct 23 and True Window Oct 24 - check online for updates. The Opolis 113 N Crawford, Norman, opolis.org NOON TUNES Oct 6-27 Free lunchtime serenades to sonically spice up your Thursdays: the Christian Pearson Duo Oct 6, Mountain Smoke Oct 13, the John Cole Trio Oct 20 and the Good Friends Bluegrass Band Oct 27. Downtown Library 300 Park, OKC, 231.8650, mls.lib.ok.us BOB SCHNEIDER Oct 7 Singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and unstoppable force of creativity Schneider is heading up from Texas for a powerful show. ACM @ UCO Performance Lab 329 E Sheridan, OKC, 974.4700, acm-uco.com GRAND CASINO SHOWS Oct 7 It should sound great at the Grand this month, thanks to a special performance by legendary songwriter and musical influence Neil Sedaka. Grand Casino 777 Grand, Shawnee, 964.7263, grandresortok.com
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SPIRIT OF AMERICA Oct 7 Canterbury Voices opens its performance season with the premiere of a specially comissioned oratorio composed by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and sung in Chickasaw. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 232.7464, canterburyokc.com ROCKTOBERFEST Oct 8-29 Head to the river each Saturday for some free tunes from local bands and kick back by the water as the sun goes down. Riversport Adventures 800 Riversport, OKC, 552.4040, riversportokc.org ELVIS COSTELLO Oct 10 Forty years later and his aim is still true - the dazzlingly clever and intensely moving music of this English tunesmith is a wonder. Don’t miss this! Bricktown Events Center 429 E California, OKC, 866.977.6849, dcfconcerts.com FARMERS MARKET SHOW Oct 10-27 Find a bumper crop of exciting music: Twiztid Oct 10, Midnight Tyrannosaurus Oct 13, Cherub Oct 19 and Autograf Oct 19. OKC Farmers Market 311 S Klein, OKC, 232.6506, okcfarmersmarket.com
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WHISTLE STOP CONCERTS Oct 13 The Depot is right on the train tracks, after all - making it the perfect place to welcome an artist like singer, songwriter and “The Voice” finalist Tony Lucca as he breezes through town. Santa Fe Depot 200 S Jones, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org CHAMBER MUSIC IN OKLAHOMA Oct 16 Enhancing OKC’s musical appreciation since 1960, the organization begins a new year by welcoming the Ying Quartet for an afternoon of Borodin, Janacek and Beethoven. Christ the King Church 8005 Dorset, OKC, cmok.org
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ARF c/o Town Hall 6407 Avondale Drive Nichols Hills, OK 73116
BRIGHTMUSIC Oct 18 The sensational concert ensemble continues its season with a performance called Chamber Music Reconstructed, featuring guest conductor Joel Levine. St. Paul’s Cathedral 127 NW 7th, OKC, brightmusic.org
CARMINA BURANA Oct 18 Community and collegiate talents combine as the UCO Wind Symphony, Edmond Community Chorale, Santa Fe HS Choir and Edmond Youth Chorus present the Orff classic. UCO Mitchell Hall Theater 100 N University, Edmond, 974.3375, uco.edu/cfad THE HIT MEN Oct 21 An all-star assembly (almost) of career musicians who shared the stage with some of the greatest performers of music history platinum hits and insider stories from men who were there right next to the spotlight. OCCC Theater 7777 S May, OKC, 682.7579, occc.edu/pas RIVERWIND SHOWS Oct 21-22 The casino is hopping this month, with extra energy from veteran country singer Gene Watson Oct 21 and comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo Oct 22. Riverwind Casino 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com STRAIGHT NO CHASER Oct 27 They’ve come a long way from being an Indiana University phenomenon - now this a capella ensemble is celebrating 20 years of tuneful good times, and doing so in OKC. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 297.2264, okcciviccenter.com MACABRET Oct 27-30 It’s almost spooks o’clock, so it’s time for UCO’s annual rockin’ Halloween fundraiser revue, featuring hauntingly familiar characters and tunes - reservations recommended. UCO Jazz Lab 100 E 5th, Edmond, 974.2100, ucojazzlab.com OKC PHILHARMONIC DISCOVERY Oct 30 Young audiences will thrill to the orchestra’s rendition of spooky tunes from the likes of Mussorgsky and Ray Parker, Jr. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 842.5387, okcphil.org
Sports ONGOING OKLAHOMA REGATTA FESTIVAL Through Oct 2 Rowing, kayaking, dragon boating, whitewater rafting … basically any watercraft using oars this side of a Greek trireme stands a good chance of being on the river this weekend, and a family festival awaits on shore too. Riversport Adventures 800 Riversport, OKC, 552.4040, riversportokc.org OSU FOOTBALL Oct 1-29 The Cowboys line up to hold their ground against Texas Oct 1, Iowa State Oct 8 and West Virginia Oct 29. Boone Pickens Stadium 700 W Hall of Fame, Stillwater, 877.255.4678, okstate.com OU FOOTBALL Oct 15-29 The Sooners’ house should be packed as they square off against Kansas State Oct 15 and Kansas Oct 29. Owen Field 180 W Brooks, Norman, 325.2424, soonersports.com ZOMBIE BOLT 5K Oct 8 It’s unlikely that the dead will rise and walk the earth, seeking whom they can devour … but telling yourself so might help motivate you for this frightfully fun 5k run amid moaning, shambling obstacles.
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Commercial or Residential Mitch Park 1501 W Covell, Edmond, 919.9289, zombiebolt5k.com FULL MOON BIKE RIDE & RUN Oct 16 It’s not a race, more of a monthly opportunity to burn some calories in the company of friends and wellwishers as the sun goes down. Myriad Gardens 301 W Reno, OKC, 445.7080, myriadgardens.com THUNDER BASKETBALL Oct 16-30 They’re back! A new era begins as Westbrook leads the charge in preseason tilts against Minnesota Oct 16 and Denver Oct 18, before the season begins against Phoenix Oct 28 and the L.A. Lakers Oct 30. Chesapeake Arena 100 W Reno, OKC, 208.4800, nba.com/thunder MONSTER DASH Oct 22 The Junior League of Norman’s 5k and 1-mile fun run for kids (costumes encouraged!) promotes nutrition while raising funds for community programs. Reaves Park 2501 S Jenkins, Norman, 329.9617, juniorleagueofnorman.org
Theater ONGOING FULLY COMMITTED Through Oct 2 Good news for fans of actor Martin Burke: the Austinite stars as stage-starved thespian and occasional waiter Sam - as well as the other 39 roles - in this frenetic, throughly impressive performance. Lyric at the Plaza 1727 NW 16th, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com HAIRSPRAY Through Oct 2 Sometimes the best thing you can do is dance like everyone’s watching - just ask tubby teen Tracy, who rides her hip-shaking talent to stardom. OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC, 208.5227, okcu. edu/music/omt LET THE RIGHT ONE IN Through Oct 2 A lonely boy, a new female neighbor, a burgeoning friendship, an increasing mystery, a few bodies … this OU Drama production is perfect for a late autumn evening. Just be careful walking away afterward. OU Weitzenhoffer Theater 563 Elm, Norman, 325.4101, /theatre.ou.edu THE ELEPHANT MAN Through Oct 9 Human dignity wars with sensationalism in this tale of the infamously deformed John Merrick and the life he faced among his fellow men. St. Luke’s Poteet Theater 222 NW 15th, OKC, 609.1023, poteettheatre.com PRYOR RENDERING Through Oct 9 CityRep, in conjunction with Tulsa’s American Theatre Company, presents the world premiere of a coming-of-age musical set in 1960s Oklahoma. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 848.3761, cityrep.com HEAVEN CAN WAIT Through Oct 23 Death is not the end … especially if it turns out it was an administrative mix-up and you’re sent back to Earth in a new body, like Joe Pendleton in this classic comedy. Jewel Box Theater 3700 N Walker, OKC, 521.1786, jewelboxtheatre.org ONCE Oct 4 Winner of eight Tonys
including best musical, the bittersweet music-fueled tale of a chance meeting between two strangers blossoming into something more is a delight, but this Broadway tour is only performing in OKC … well, once. OCCC Theater 7777 S May, OKC, 682.7579, occc.edu/pas HEATHERS Oct 7-29 High school is brutal, man - and some people will do all kinds of things to get in with the popular clique. Pollard’s darkly delicious musical mines comedy coal from the teenage wasteland. Pollard Theatre 120 W Harrison, Guthrie, 282.2800, thepollard.org
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THE SOUND OF MUSIC Oct 11-16 The Civic Center is alive with it thanks to OKC Broadway, which brings the spirited tale of the von Trapps and their unusual new governess to the stage. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 877.737.2929, okcbroadway.com A FLEA IN HER EAR Oct 13-16 Jealousy, suspicion, passion, deception … and a whole heaping bunch of confusion. It’s the recipe for farce and folly in a UCO comedy. UCO Mitchell Hall Theater 100 N University, Edmond, 974.3375, uco. edu/cfad THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Oct 13-Nov 5 Janet! Dr. Scott! Lyric Theater! Get ready to rock with a raucously campy classic. Lyric at the Plaza 1727 NW 16th, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com
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THE WOMAN IN BLACK Oct 14-29 Reduxion Theatre scares up a shiverinducing tale of the supernatural in this English ghost story - perfect for late October. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, 297.2264, reduxiontheatre.com THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL Oct 14-Nov 5 To prolong her stay in a mental facility after her insurance runs out, a depressed artist pretends to believe she’s star Darryl Strawberry. Carpenter Square Theater 800 W Main, OKC, 232.6500, carpentersquare.com NEXT TO NORMAL Oct 20-23 A thoughtful and sympathetic but unflinching look inside a family’s façade at the depression that haunts the mother and the toll it takes on her kin. Sooner Theater 101 E Main, Norman, 321.9600, soonertheatre.org PUCCINI OPERAS Oct 20-23 OU musical theater students bring the classics to the stage in the one-act operas Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. OU Reynolds PAC 560 Parrington, Norman, 325.4101, theatre.ou.edu THE CRUCIBLE Oct 27-30 Miller’s play about paranoia and mob mentality can be harrowing, but at least it doesn’t have any contemporary resonance, right? OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC, 208.5227, okcu.edu/ theatre KILLER JOE Oct 27-Nov 5 Based on the first play by the author of August: Osage County, this OKC Theatre Company production is a dark comedy of small-time meanness and lines to be crossed. OKC Civic Center 201 N Walker, OKC, okctc.com
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backstory
Way Out in Quail Springs “NO ON E I N T HE IR right mind would go shopping in a cow pasture. Who will drive all the way out there?” That was the typical sentiment among 1980-era Oklahoma City residents when they learned a new shopping mall was being built “way out” on Memorial Road. After all, the surrounding area was mostly desolate farmland with overgrown brush and the occasional blowing tumbleweed. But it didn’t take long for Quail Springs Mall to catch on. The new 1,115,000-square-foot shopping center opened with much fanfare on March 1, 1980. All three levels were packed with onlookers as Quail Springs officially opened to the public. Prior to its opening, residents in north Oklahoma City either shopped at the (then) open-air Penn Square or the enclosed Shepherd Mall. For all intents and purposes, in 1980, anything past NW 122 was considered out in the boondocks. “It was remarkable the mall had any traffic at all,” says Jack Gallemore, who began working at Quail Springs while he was still in high school in early 1981. “But people came and it was very busy. Since it was new and there were a lot of unique stores in the mall, it was constantly packed. I remember the Christmas of 1981 was extremely hectic with all the shoppers, and the food court was just packed tight with people. So even though it was a bit of a drive for some, people came to shop.” Today Gallemore works as customer support manager for the city of Oklahoma City’s Information Technology Department. But when he looks back at those years working at Quail Springs, he mainly remembers the fun and the friends. “My favorite memory is of all the people who worked at the mall,” he smiles. “For many, they would come to the food court on their break, and so I got to know a lot of people who worked there. I made many good friends at Quail Springs, and some are still friends to this day.” Shoppers today see a much different mall than those who strolled through the corridors in 1980. El Fenix Mexican restaurant is gone, and so is Morrison’s Cafeteria. Record Bar and Walden Books are no more. Rothschild’s and even Sears went away. But today it boasts a 24-screen movie theater, and anchor stores including Von Maur, J.C. Penney and Dillards. “I still recall where the original stores used to be located,” Gallemore says. “The spaces of those old stores are still there, but the friends and colleagues have all moved on and the storefronts have changed. I miss the old windows that covered all three floors of the front entrance and the sculpture that used to be in front of the mall. Of course the hairstyles, makeup, clothes, music and just about everything else has changed in the past 35 years. Going back today, I admit I sometimes get a bit nostalgic. But there are some great memories in that mall.”
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405 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
PHOTOS COURTESY OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BY MARK BEUTLER
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