Food Features
Beauty and brawn
Even the American-style fruit baskets are pleasant in the right context: summer patio, light lunch or chilled red. The American style may not appeal to fans of big reds, however. For red wine lovers who enjoy some tannic backbone, a grippy finish and some weight and density, fruit baskets are off-putting. Burgundy wasn’t built on […]
Long-lived libations
The project is still ongoing, so don’t look for the recreated Celtic beer in liquor stores quite yet, but there are plenty of other options for those wanting to taste history. Beer is a relative newcomer when compared to the world’s oldest libation: mead. The fermented honey-water and yeast drink dates back to around 7,000 […]
DIY drinks
With classic cocktails coming back on the scene, more and more people are taking it upon themselves to create their own alcohol infusions. They are easy to make, add great flavors to a cocktail and are an interesting twist to a well-prepared dish. Chef Kurt Fleischfresser, of The Coach House, 6437 Avondale Drive, and Western […]
Tiki time
It was tiki night at the Martin household, and the adults would be sampling five different rum punches, with the kids testing out their nonalcoholic equivalents. Tiki culture is a nod to Polynesian and South Pacific food, art and architecture that flourished post- World War II as vets returned home from the Pacific theater, bringing […]
Uneasy eats
Or an artichoke suddenly appears on the table and quickly separates a diner from his or her dignity because they have no idea how to cope with the green globe. A little coaching, plus a dose of daring, can transform intimidating situations into a pleasant experience. Take that artichoke, for instance. Artichokes, although delicious, do […]
Thunder up!
That is to say, the Thunder changed the city. Now, instead of Charles Barkley not knowing where Oklahoma City is, he lampoons it weekly on TNT. Progress! The NBA’s arrival has energized the city, and no sector feels that energy more than the metro’s hospitality industry. Sure, one can snag a couple tickets from the […]
Uncommonly revealing
above Jason Poll with a bottle of wine at Mahogany Prime In the right hands, the grape is exceptionally good at revealing terroir, or the place the grapes came from, and so lends itself to many stylistic variants. The grape has so many strengths, including approachability, that it is more difficult to explain why worldwide […]
OMG
O Asian Fusion is housed in a freestanding building in a strip mall parking lot on one of Norman’s busiest corners. Even with extensive and tasteful exterior renovation, it’s still unmistakably a former Pizza Hut. But inside O, the dining room transformation is complete. Hardwood floors, stone walls and a central flowing water sculpture grace […]
Little monsters
“I’ve referred to it in the past as ‘the beast,’” Yarrow wrote. “Possessing tannins that need to be tamed through intelligent wine-making, Petite Sirah can truly be a monster of a wine.” Anyone who has tried a bad one will know exactly what Yarrow means: excess bacon, smoke and graphite are common in over-the-top Petite […]