Haunted House
7101 Miramar
478-1417
What better time to dine in a haunted mansion than in the month of October? It might be a little spooky, but the food of this longtime, by-reservation-only restaurant will leave you feeling safe and warm. Try the shrimp scampi sautéed with garlic butter, the boneless breast of chicken, the deep-fried shrimp or the pasta and shrimp.
The Mantel Wine Bar & Bistro
201 E. Sheridan
236-8040
Conveniently located in Bricktown, The Mantel is the perfect stop before an evening on the canal. The Wellington Trio is an excellent start: a shrimp, beef and wild mushroom pastry with lobster sauce. Dive into the main course with a baked chicken rigatoni or prime filet.
Blu Fine Wine & Food
201 S. Crawford, Norman
360-4258
Sunday brunch at Blu serves up all the hangover must-haves: a Bloody Mary bar, French toast, eggs Benedict and, of course, mimosas. Can’t make it out of bed on Sunday? Stop in for its lunch special, half a sandwich or salad or cup of soup. Or enjoy a dinner entree: portobello chicken quesadillas or rosemary and dijon pork tenderloin.
Lottinvilles
801 Signal Ridge, Edmond
341-2244
Tucked off the road under the cover of trees, Lottinvilles is cozy and inviting. Start with the rustic guacamole, a blend of fresh avocado, corn, onion, cilantro and tomatoes. Don’t pass up the Coyote Chicken, done with pulled rotisserie chicken, Jack cheese, jalapeños and onions and balanced with a chipotle mayonnaise. Other top picks are the enchiladas or the chicken-fried steak.
Paseo Grill
2909 Paseo
601-1079
For exceptional service, delicious food and very private dining areas, it’s in your best interest to call ahead for reservations. Enjoy the Chilean Sea Bass with citrus lime beurre blanc or the Paseo Grill filet, done with mushrooms in a light butter and garlic sauce. Don’t pass up the wine; the selection is one of the best in the city.
Rococo Restaurant & Fine Wine
2824 N. Pennsylvania
528-2824
Rococo is known for its amazing crab cakes. In fact, they even have their own Twitter, @RococosCrabCake. You can also enjoy fettuccini carbonara, rigatoni pomodoro and some East Coast-inspired chicken dishes. Never fear, Chef Bruce Rinehart has plenty of dishes for the herbivores, too. Bonus: Oklahoma City University staff and students get 10 percent off!
Flint
15 N. Robinson
605-0657
An indoor fire wall/art installation, sleek wood-grain and stone decor and a nearly completed outdoor dining space (with fireplaces) is what you can expect from this restaurant on the ground floor of the Colcord Hotel. Start with the hummus and the Mix Salad to begin your meal. For your entree, indulge in the pan-seared scallops or 7-ounce filet.
Photos by Shannon Cornman and Mark Hancock
This article appears in Oct 3-9, 2012.