Sweets & Eats
110 N. Robinson
235-3010
Open
every day from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch, the eatery specializes
in honest home-cooking. There is a blue-plate special; don’t miss the
beef stroganoff this week. Owner Bill Gold said you can find meals such
as roast beef, gravy, potatoes and green beans, with everything made
from scratch. Grab the strawberry cake, made in-house daily, to go.
$$ American
The Library
119 N. Robinson
235-8880
The
Library is notable since most items tab out at under $10. Try the daily
dessert, and if you can catch “apple cobbler” day, you’ll be in for a
treat. Located in the lower level of the Robinson Renaissance building
and now at 23 years in business, it is the oldest bar in downtown
Oklahoma City.
$$ Eclectic
First Edition Cafe & Espresso Bar
300 Park
605-8347
A visit to the downtown
library should involve a stop at its cafe, First Edition. Owner Alice
Murphy said business has slowed a bit, but the menu is studded with
names familiar to anyone who appreciates fine literature.
Traffic-stoppers include its Tolstoy pizza, the Hemingway chicken
sandwich or the Whitman panini with marinated steak.
$$ Sandwiches, soups and coffee
Snow Pea Restaurant
119 N. Robinson
235-0963
Here
you’ll find lemon chicken and fried rice, which is the most popular
dish. Also on the menu is a traditional sesame chicken, kung pao shrimp
and chicken fried rice. Yes, they have egg rolls, too. No desserts
available just yet, but you will have had enough to eat. The staff takes
orders efficiently and brings them out swiftly.
$$ Asian
The Museum Cafe
415 Couch Drive
235-6262
Nothing
stops the crowds from getting to this restaurant in the same building
that houses the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in downtown Oklahoma City.
Get this: lamb shank that’s amazing, veal T-bone, seafood mac and cheese
or tuna tartar. For a finale, cafe favorites are its triple-chocolate
terrine and a Chambord lemon crumb cake.
$$$ Elegant dining
Markie’s Deli
612 N. Robinson
239-6275
Markie’s
said business has been down a wee bit during the construction. People
still find their way to get the wrap, done with pico de gallo, jalapeño
peppers and chicken, all splashed with ranch dressing and tucked in a
jalapeño tortilla. The Markie’s burger, which comes with freshcut fries,
and the Markie’s club are both winners. Finish with a chocolate-chip,
peanut butter or oatmeal-raisin cookie to soothe your aching sweet
tooth.
$$ American
Trattoria il Centro
500 W. Main
601-5858
In
Italy, a trattoria is an intimate casual restaurant serving simple
Italian dishes. However, in our Oklahoma City version, there is a
spacious and confident feeling in Trattoria with top-notch service from
seasoned pros. Stop by for its popular threecourse $20.12 deal, where a
dollar of each ticket goes to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
Indulge in its quattro stagioni: the four-seasons pizza topped with an
egg, sunny-side up. Expect a new menu soon, which will feature lobster
risotto.
$$$ Italian
—Carol Smaglinski photos by Mark Hancock and Shannon Cornman
$$: Up to $15 $$$: $15-$30 $$$$: above $30
