Smag 7: Chow down 

Sophabella’s Chicago Grill
7628 N. May 879-0100
$$$ Italian

This cozy neighborhood place offers seductive Italian fare. Each Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. is ladies’ night. Grab your gals, have a drink and sample free table-side appetizers. Some of the favorites include baked Brie, stuffed mushrooms and prosciutto-wrapped melon.

Royal Bavaria Restaurant & Brewery
3401 S. Sooner, Moore 799-7666
$$$ German

The specialty here is German, with food made by Andy Gmeiner, a master chef of Germany. Visitors may order King’s Gold, a traditional Munich lager made on-site to pair with wiener schnitzel, which takes center stage. Also addictive is a spicy, chunky beef stew, complete with onions, tomatoes and bell peppers, served with sour cream, homemade noodles and salad.

Fung's Kitchen
3231 N. Classen Blvd. 524-4133
$$ Asian

The unique menu includes Peking duck priced under $40 and big enough to feed five to eight people. You’ll also find braised duck with assorted meats, snow pea tips, deep fried tofu and clay pots featuring bitter melon and spare ribs. On weekends, they delight with dim sum.

Jin Wei
500 S. Meridian 948-8168
$$ Asian Buffet

The crowd heads for the buffet to load up on Chinese- and Japanese-style dishes. Unusual items, but only on the weekends, include frog legs and mussels. Not in for a buffet or exotic weekend meal? No problem. Order sushi, mango chicken and a variety of other dishes daily.

Park Avenue Grill
1 Park Ave. 702-8444
$$$$ Hotel Dining

The Skirvin Hilton is the downtown landmark that houses this elegant restaurant. The grill’s ambitious chef serves triple-seared tenderloin, fragrant pork chops brined with apples, seared sea bass and even chicken and dumplings. Cap it off with its excellent sticky toffee pudding for a fine dessert.

Jo's Famous Pizza
7011 W. Hefner 470-8787
$$$ Pizza and more

Jo’s Famous Pizza has a most convenient drive-thru and is known for its lunch specials. Customers know that they can trust the crust. This is a popular neighborhood restaurant where the simpler, the better. Besides pizza, its menu offers a variety of salads, a Canadian bacon and cheese sandwich, an Italian meatball sandwich and a BLT.

Kristi's Cafe
4401 N.W. 23rd 949-9970
$$ American

Rise and dine with eggs and pork chops, hash browns and biscuits and gravy. The impressive onion burgers and hamburgers are made by hand and served piping-hot with fries. They also serve up a mean chicken-fried steak with real mashed potatoes.

—Carol Smaglinski photos by Mark Hancock and Shannon Cornman

$$: up to $15 $$$: $15-$30 $$$$: above $30