“Come and learn about this nonprofit organization working with Oklahoma City Public Schools to improve the quality of the food we feed our children in school,” said Cristina McQuistion, one of the founders of Slow Food OKC, in a release.
Proceeds from the silent auction will support Eat Wise’s project to build a full kitchen at Taft Middle School that will allow the staff to cook meals from scratch.
Kamala Gamble of Kam’s Kookery, 2834 Guilford Lane, will provide the catering. While there is not an admission for this fundraiser, donations are appreciated. Items up for auction will focus on all things local: gift certificates to restaurants, artwork and jewelry from artists, admission and memberships to local venues and more.
An RSVP to this Slow Food event is required. The party will be held at a private residence. More information is available by e-mailing [email protected].
MORE CLOSINGS
Lots of disappointed people may be going to the door at the Midwest City location of Falcone’s, 7201 S.E. 29th, only to discover that it is gone. The Italian eatery was a popular deli and place for pizza, but two more Falcone’s are still drawing customers at 6705 N. May and 208 Johnny Bench Drive in Bricktown.
Broome’s Fried Pies, 210 W.
Highway 66 in Arcadia, is gone, as are Cafe 53, 5305 S. Western, and Banta’s Ribs & Stuff, 1120 N. Meridian.
Scott Snow, owner of Chubby’s Chicken, 400 E. Main in Yukon, called to say that although his Yukon restaurant has closed, he has relocated to a new space across from Home Depot, 7640 Northwest Expressway.
Snow sells whole and half chickens and has gizzards and livers, chunks of chicken, wings and catfish, plus fried peaches for dessert. Reach Snow at 577-6848.
LOOKING AHEAD
“We are just working on it,” said Simeon Adda, of the popular Cajun King Buffet, 5616 N.W. 63rd.
He was speaking of a second Cajun King that will be opening sometime in March. Meanwhile, research the original location at 603-3714.
JUST FOLLOW THESE RULES
With food prices going up, here are a few tips to use to save some cash at the grocery store.
Remember that it is best to use a shopping list to avoid impulse items. Look for advertised specials and work with coupons.
Do some comparison shopping to discover where the low prices really are, and remember to look at unit pricing. And don’t be afraid to try out store brands. It’s best to purchase perishable items only in needed quantities, because they tend to spoil quickly.
One way to save money is simply by having a healthy diet. Avoid processed and sugar-filled foods, eat less meat (instead, look for protein substitutes) and above all, just eat less. Restaurant portions are huge, but the portions you eat at home should be much smaller. Remember: You can’t ask for a white box in your own kitchen.
OPENED AGAIN
Joy Zhao and her husband, Neo Dake Zhang, from House of Hunan/ White Swan, 1316 N. Interstate Drive in Norman, have a little problem that we can help clear up.
The restaurant has been going for more than 20 years and has developed a great reputation, but a minor kitchen fire last year temporarily closed the place. After buying and installing brand new kitchen equipment, the restaurant is up again and running, but unfortunately, not everyone got the picture.
“We are still getting phone calls, and they ask if we are opened yet,” Zhao said.
READING, WINE & ROSES
On Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Monday this year, one option is to attend Reading, Wine & Roses, a 6:30-9:30 p.m. event at the Beacon Club, 210 Park Ave.
The nifty event will benefit Community Literacy Centers and will include dinner, music and a chance to enjoy the lights of Oklahoma City from high above the streets.
Representatives from Republic National Distributing will be on hand to present fine wines from Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
Community Literacy Centers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching adults to read.
Tickets are $150 per person.
To purchase tickets, visit www. communityliteracy.com or call 524- 7323.
NO SMALL POTATOES
The bustling Sean Cummings’ Irish Restaurant & Pub, 7523 N. May, was recently filled with hungry patrons who entered their favorite spud dish in the restaurant’s annual mashed potato contest.
People who adore potatoes perked up, with spuds adorned with bacon, sausage, cheese, butter and more.
In
the home-style division, first prize was awarded to Chris Bickel,
second prize went to Matt Bennett, and third prize went to Jessica
Lothrop. In the creative division, Myles and Jamie Mungle took first,
Chris Bickel came in second and Justino Barboza was awarded third — and
there was not a couch potato in the bunch.
In
the dessert division, Justino Barboza, Chris Bickel and Teri Largent
took the top three prizes. Overall winners of the night were Myles and
Jamie Mungle, with a unique cabbagewrapped baked potato.
The
first-prize winners won $20 and a beer, second-prize winners won a
beer, while the third-prize winners won some ridicule (but it was all in
good fun). All the folks who came to the pub that night dined on the
leftovers from the contest potatoes.
Among
the potato judges, who ate for quite a while that evening, were Chef
Holly Geller, last year’s winner Angelina Curiel, bartender Aaron Ellis
and yours truly.
CHOW CHAT
George
Earl Johnson III is co-owner of Bean Juice with his father, George Earl
Johnson Jr. Bean Juice, 2141 W. 15th in Edmond, specializes in
specialty coffees, teas and other beverages.
Website: “Stumbleupon.com”
Best feature: “My winning smile.”
Family: “I am divorced with two kids, Lyric, 8; and McKinzey, 5.”
I
would never drink: “Soy milk.”
Listen to music: “On ‘The Twister.’”
Tip
for amateur cooks: “Turn the fire down; you don’t have to burn the
food.”
People don’t know that: “I am an excellent guitar player.”
Most treasured possession: “My two kids.”
Used
to be: “Afraid of the dark until I was 26. (I) was speaking at a
conference at a camp near Detroit, and I was in a cabin in the woods
with no electricity the day before. I had to get over it.”
Favorite
splurge: “Kobe beef steaks.”
Believe your horoscope? “Yes, sorta.”
You
just tossed out: “Old clothes.”
But you would never part with: “A Pendleton herringbone tweed jacket that is 12 years old, and I still wear it.”
A movie that gets your heart pounding: “Ronin.”
I’d take a pay cut to: “I did and I opened my own coffee shop.”
Balance your checkbook? “You have to have money to be able to do that.”
I
still can’t believe: “I got to party with Madonna. True story. This was
10 years ago. My buddy and I went to see her perform in Miami. She
liked us and invited us back the next night. Then we all went out to a
club — me, my buddy and her entourage.”
BYTES
What’s your favorite local place to catch breakfast? That’s what we asked last week on Oklahoma Gazette’s Facebook page. Here are your answers, verbatim.
“Old Orchard in Bethany everything is good!” —Kelli Mckay-Conrady
“Red Cup. Check out the exotic breakfast sandwich: egg, feta, and tomato on rosemary bread.” —Ben Corbett
“Moe’s on MacArthur. Pancakes and sausage :o)” —Shannon Ainsworth
“I
love the Country Fried Steak breakfast at Jimmy’s Egg. It is bad for
you in just about every way imaginable, but so tasty!” —Rex Lynn Ragan
“Cowgirl Benedict at Cheever’s.” —Garrett Blevins
“The oatmeal at the red cup...its soooo good...” —Christine A. Woodall
“Colby’s Grill on Broadway in Edmond. The Meat Lover’s Omelette w/ biscuit & gravy is my usual order.” —Robert Broome II
“Kamps 1910 Cafe, 10th and broadway downtown, biscuits and gravy derailed!!! Excellent homemade bagels too” —Jillian Patterson
“Gotta be Cheevers brunch on Sunday! Waffles and Fried chicken!” —Amber Turley
“Scramble Mountain @ The Earth in Norman. Yummers!” —Kathy Welbourne Williams
“Kolache Kitchen on NW expressway! Their meat filled Kolache’s are the best!” —Elizabeth Potter
“Madison’s Diner on SE 29th street! Their country scramble is delicious and their biscuits are so soft and fluffy” —Priya Desai
“Cocina
guatalinda! 16th and drexel. Horchata, fried plantains, black beans,
eggs,and home made tortillas! This place is a hidden gem in okc!” —Robin
Wyatt
“The Diner in Norman. Blueberry pancakes and huevos rancheros are the best!” —Liz Breen
—Carol Smaglinski
top photo/Marianne Pickens
