Charleston’s Restaurant
3409 S. Broadway, Edmond
478-4949
A delightful aspect of Charleston’s is the seemingly effortless way everything is done in this comfortable place. Zero in on its new 13-buck enchilada, or its attractive appetizers that are offered for half price from 4 to 7 p.m. during happy hour, one of the best-kept secrets around Edmond. Order up the shrimp “cargot,” the irresistible creamy spinach and artichoke dip or the chicken-fried steak.
$$$ Eclectic
Whispering Pines Bed And Breakfast
7820 E. State Highway 9, Norman
447-0202
For those old enough to remember, Chinda and Rany Kchao used to own and operate l’Indochine, but now it’s Whispering Pines in Norman and is open to non-guests with prior reservations. The menu is ever-evolving and could involve freshly baked bread, along with entrées around $18. For example, the panseared chicken breast is served with wild mushrooms and a rich Marsala and veal demi-glace.
$$$ Bed and Breakfast
Haunted House Restaurant
7101 Miramar Blvd.
478-1417
The Haunted House, a part of culinary history in Oklahoma, is celebrating its 47th birthday and has become an Oklahoma institution. Several items for less than $20 are available. Savvy diners order its shrimp scampi sautéed with garlic butter, its boneless breast of chicken, the deep-fried shrimp and the pasta and shrimp. Note that they will be open Oct. 30, the Sunday before Halloween.
$$$ American
The Mantel Wine Bar & Bistro
201 E. Sheridan
236-8040
Conveniently
located in Bricktown, get to The Mantel early enough for free parking
out front and an attendant watching the area. A $15 appetizer called the
Wellington Trio is pretty filling because the food comes wrapped in
puff pastry. It contains beef Wellington, a shrimp Wellington and wild
mushrooms. The balanced menu keeps things interesting.
$$$ American
Blu Fine Wine & Food
201 S. Crawford, Norman
360-4258
The
Sunday brunch here has an average price of around $8, with nothing more
than $15 — and that includes a filet. Its fish is flown in from Hawaii
once a week, and those dishes are never more than $20. The seared ahi
tuna remains popular, too, along with the half-price pasta that gets
crisp in the oven and is served 3 to 6 p.m. for happy hour. The pizza is
just plain delicious.
$$$ American
Lottinvilles Wood Grill
801 Signal Ridge Drive, Edmond
341-2244
Tables
here are comfortably spaced and the setting is quiet and tasteful. What
captures the attention of its regulars are its Coyote Chicken sandwich
for $10, done with pulled rotisserie chicken, Jack cheese, jalapeños and
onions and balanced with a chipotle mayonnaise. Or, try the Cuban
sandwich, also $10, done with pork carnitas. Other top picks are its
enchiladas or its chicken-fried steak — all honest, enjoyable, basic
fare.
$$$ Eclectic
Rococo
2824 N. Penn
528-2824
To
tell the truth, Rococo is known for its crab cakes, but there are
several other delights. In the $20 range, they include its fettuccini
carbonara, rigatoni pomodoro and some neat, East Coast chicken dishes.
By the way, all Oklahoma City University staff and students get 10
percent off with proper OCU identification, and check back soon for a
special bistro lunch menu geared toward the prices and foods college
students will love.
$$$ Seafood and More
—Carol Smaglinski, photos by Mark Hancock and Shannon Cornman
$$: Up to $15
$$$: $15-$30
$$$$: Above $30
This article appears in Oct 5-11, 2011.