SWITCHING GEARS
A new year is upon us. All the trappings and trimmings of the holidays have been packed away (maybe), and thoughts have turned to all the things we will and will not do (maybe) in the coming year. In our house, there was no Christmas tree to take down and haul away. We didn’t make the trek to the tree farm to labor over the decision of which conifer was the perfect size, shape and color. We never put one up at all, in fact. Our living room is in a state of semi-chaos, a rather lengthy one resulting from an enduring remodel-in-the-works. So, we made the most of the situation. My daughter Chloe recently turned 13, and part of the celebration of such a momentous occasion was a slumber party, where she and her friends Maya, Clare and Holly painted a Christmas tree on one wall of the living room, complete with decorations and presents underneath. Why not? After all, the wall will eventually be repainted when the remodeling project is complete. Maybe. There’s nothing wrong with shaking up the routine. In this issue, you’ll meet four locals who shook up their own routines, taking big detours from their chosen paths and embarking on new adventures. The payoff, it seems, often far outweighs a little fear and trepidation. We also take a look at some of the projects that have altered our city’s cultural landscape – many that made it better, a few that can’t quite get off the ground and others that hold promise for the future. All things change, and we change with them. And so we arrive at the dawn of a new year, taking stock of what is behind us and what lies ahead. We seek to correct mistakes, but will likely repeat a few, and to undertake new endeavors – large and small – that will make life better for ourselves and those around us. As you embark on your journey, we at Slice wish you peace, love and laughter in the coming year. May your approach be unique and your confidence unwavering. You never know what’s just around the bend.
A new year is upon us. All the trappings and trimmings of the holidays have
been packed away (maybe), and thoughts have turned to all the things we
will and will not do (maybe) in the coming year.
In our house, there was no Christmas tree to take down and haul away.
We didn’t make the trek to the tree farm to labor over the decision of which
conifer was the perfect size, shape and color. We never put one up at all, in
fact. Our living room is in a state of semi-chaos, a rather lengthy one resulting
from an enduring remodel-in-the-works. So, we made the most of the situation.
My daughter Chloe recently turned 13, and part of the celebration of such
a momentous occasion was a slumber party, where she and her friends Maya,
Clare and Holly painted a Christmas tree on one wall of the living room, complete
with decorations and presents underneath. Why not? After all, the wall
will eventually be repainted when the remodeling project is complete. Maybe.
There’s nothing wrong with shaking up the routine.
In this issue, you’ll meet four locals who shook up their own routines, taking
big detours from their chosen paths and embarking on new adventures.
The payoff, it seems, often far outweighs a little fear and trepidation. We also
take a look at some of the projects that have altered our city’s cultural landscape
– many that made it better, a few that can’t quite get off the ground and others
that hold promise for the future.
All things change, and we change with them. And so we arrive at the dawn
of a new year, taking stock of what is behind us and what lies ahead. We seek to
correct mistakes, but will likely repeat a few, and to undertake new endeavors
– large and small – that will make life better for ourselves and those around us.
As you embark on your journey, we at Slice wish you peace, love and laughter
in the coming year. May your approach be unique and your confidence
unwavering. You never know what’s just around the bend.
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WAFFLE CHAMPION A Midtown diner<br />
bringing joy to those addicted to its gourmet<br />
sweet or savory waffle options. 1212 N<br />
Walker, OKC, 525.9235 $<br />
WHISKEY CAKE High-quality locally<br />
sourced food served in a homey<br />
atmosphere. Enjoy – and don’t forget the<br />
namesake dessert. 1845 NW Expressway,<br />
OKC, 582.2253 $$<br />
ASIAN<br />
180 MERIDIAN GRILL Blending Asian<br />
cuisine with U.S. culture: sirloin with teriyaki<br />
butter, hoisin BBQ duck pizza and sushi<br />
options. 2541 W Main, Norman, 310.6110<br />
$$<br />
DOT WO GARDEN Dot Wo continues its<br />
legacy by pairing sumptuous classics of<br />
Chinese cuisine with fiery, fresh sushi. 6161<br />
N May, OKC, 608.2388 $$<br />
GRAND HOUSE A Chinese restaurant<br />
that goes the extra mile to provide<br />
enjoyable ambiance alongside its<br />
excellent cuisine. 2701 N Classen, OKC,<br />
524.7333 $$<br />
GUERNSEY PARK A hidden treasure on an<br />
Uptown back street, it’s home to tasty Asian<br />
fusion with a hint of French influence. 2418 N<br />
Guernsey, OKC, 605.5272 $$<br />
O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in<br />
a wide span of culinary influences –<br />
freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in<br />
cool, vibrant digs. 105 SE 12th, Norman,<br />
701.8899 $$<br />
SAII Rich ambiance boosts expertly done<br />
Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare plus<br />
stellar sushi. 6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244<br />
$$<br />
VII ASIAN BISTRO A bright, sleek<br />
interior and savory spate of Chinese and<br />
Vietnamese options. 2900 N Classen, OKC,<br />
604.2939 $<br />
BAKERY<br />
BIG SKY BREAD Enjoy cookies, scones,<br />
brownies or granola, plus an incredible bevy<br />
of fresh-baked bread. 6606 N Western,<br />
OKC, 879.0330 $<br />
BROWN’S BAKERY An incredible selection<br />
of delicious traditional and specialty cakes,<br />
cookies, breads and other baked goods.<br />
1100 N Walker, OKC, 232.0363 $<br />
CUPCAKES TO GO GO Love of travel (and<br />
a sweet tooth) inspire the myriad flavor<br />
combinations in this trove of treats – its<br />
rotating menu means every trip reveals a<br />
different taste destination. 2524 W Edmond<br />
Rd, Edmond, 330.2190 $<br />
CUPPIES & JOE The name is only part of the<br />
story: it’s cupcakes and coffee and pie and<br />
live music and a cozy, trendy vibe and more.<br />
727 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $<br />
HURTS DONUT CO. Ignore your childhood<br />
hesitations: you do want a Hurts Donut. The<br />
24-hour Campus Corner locale pumps out<br />
nonstop sweet and savory innovations. 746<br />
Asp Ave, Norman, 417.300.6106 $<br />
KITCHEN NO. 324 Seasonally inspired café,<br />
coffee curator and craft bakery serving<br />
spectacular rustic American cuisine. 324 N<br />
Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $<br />
LA BAGUETTE Comfort and exquisite baking<br />
make a tres chic destination for brunch<br />
and beyond. 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman,<br />
329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman, 329.5822 $<br />
PIE JUNKIE Call ahead to order a whole<br />
pie or quiche or walk in and choose from<br />
what’s on hand; either way the flavors are<br />
incredible. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $<br />
SARA SARA CUPCAKES The ambiance and<br />
milk bar make great additions to the variety<br />
of specialty cupcakes in this charming<br />
little converted house. 7 NW 9th, OKC,<br />
600.9494 $<br />
BAR // PUB FOOD<br />
51ST STREET SPEAKEASY The joint’s porch<br />
and patio are perpetually packed, and the<br />
top-shelf spirits and beers flow with joyous<br />
abandon. 1114 NW 51st, OKC, 463.0470 $<br />
ABNER’S ALE HOUSE Beers and whiskies of<br />
the best, plus knockout dishes aimed at recreating<br />
the true English public house vibe.<br />
121 E Main, Norman, 928.5801 $$<br />
THE BARREL Drink deep of top-shelf wines,<br />
beers and whiskies, braced by thoroughly<br />
appetizing pub fusion cuisine. 4308 N<br />
Western, OKC, 525.6682 $<br />
BELLE ISLE BREWERY Live music,<br />
handcrafted beers and a great burger<br />
selection in 50 Penn Place. 1900 NW<br />
Expressway, OKC, 840.1911 $<br />
BLU FINE WINE & FOOD A sleek bar that<br />
stands out due to quick, courteous service<br />
and a menu with gourmet range. 201 S<br />
Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$<br />
CLUB ONE15 A nightclub vibe with energetic<br />
music and three bars, plus a robust menu<br />
including fajitas, pasta bowls and seafood.<br />
115 E Sheridan, OKC, 605.5783 $$<br />
DEEP DEUCE GRILL A funky, comfortable<br />
alternative to Bricktown crowds, featuring<br />
burgers, beer and a people-watching patio.<br />
307 NE 2nd, OKC, 235.9100 $<br />
JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S Designed to bring<br />
Ireland’s pub culture to OKC, this Midtown<br />
hotspot features 350 varieties of beer. 1100<br />
Classen Dr, OKC, 601.7468 $$<br />
MONT, THE Tempting pub food with<br />
Southwestern zing at a Norman landmark<br />
with a primo patio. 1300 Classen Blvd,<br />
Norman, 329.3330 $<br />
OAK & ORE A neighborhood hangout of<br />
vintage rustic materials, offering more<br />
than a handful of creative knife-and-fork<br />
sandwiches and lovingly chosen craft beers.<br />
1732 NW 16th, OKC $<br />
O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB & GRILLE<br />
Beloved by students, alumni and townies,<br />
it’s served killer burgers, beer and festive<br />
atmosphere since 1968. 769 Asp, Norman,<br />
217.8454 $<br />
PELOTON Brake for a handful of apps,<br />
sandwiches and salads plus a great wine and<br />
beer selection. 900 N Broadway Ave, OKC<br />
605.0513 $<br />
PUB W Multiple atmospheres for whatever<br />
vibe you like, and a menu of choice beer<br />
and “new classic” fare from barbeque wings<br />
to thick pork chops. 3720 W Robinson,<br />
Norman, 701.5844 $$<br />
REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Part beer bar and<br />
part upscale eatery, pairing a vast selection<br />
of quality brews with imaginative menu<br />
items. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577<br />
$$<br />
SAINTS An inviting Irish bar where whiskey<br />
and beer offerings pair nicely with classics<br />
like shepherd’s pie, bangers and fish and<br />
chips. 1715 NW 16th, OKC, 602.6308 $$<br />
URBAN WINEWORKS Made-in-Oklahoma<br />
wine paired with haute culinary creations<br />
featuring rabbit, duck, pork belly and more.<br />
1749 NW 16th, OKC, 525.9463 $$<br />
WES WELKER’S The food shows great<br />
variety and imagination, like duck nachos,<br />
and the bevy of TVs and 83 available beers<br />
ain’t bad either. 3121 W Memorial, OKC,<br />
608.2200 $$<br />
BARBEQUE<br />
EARL’S RIB PALACE Beloved by locals in a<br />
competitive genre, the chain pounds out hit<br />
ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6<br />
metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $<br />
IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE Named for<br />
notorious outlaw Belle Starr, its entrees<br />
are excellent, but the sides are equal<br />
players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC,<br />
524.5925 $$<br />
JANUARY 2015 // SLICE 67
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