Magnolia Bistro 722 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 100 magnoliabistro405.com 405-673-7550 What works: The étouffée and gumbo have depth of flavor, and the jalapeño cornbread is unique and tasty. What needs work: The shrimp and grits need more acidity. Tip: It’s only open for lunch Monday-Friday. In a corner restaurant in Automobile Alley that’s only open […]
oklahoma city restaurant review
Posted inFood & Drink
Poseidon adventure
Poe Bouyz House 3500 Interstate 35 Service Road instagram.com/poebouyzhouse 405-458-0556 What works:The bread used for its titular sandwiches has a crunchy exterior and pillowy-soft interior. What needs work:The gumbo misses the opportunity for added flavor, and the sandwich was dry. Tip:The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays. The most interesting-looking restaurant in Oklahoma City is […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Cuvée comfort
Café Cuvée 1200 N. Walker Ave. cafecuvee.com 405-898-8120 What works: It delivers both contemporary and classic French-inspired dishes like cornbread and hazlenut-crusted salmon. What needs work: The Brussels sprouts were a little bland and could have benefitted from texture. Tip: Don’t forget about breakfast and brunch service. On the bottom floor of the Ambassador Hotel, […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Food Issue: Breaking the mold
Black Walnut 100 NE Fourth St. 405-445-6273 blackwalnutokc.com 405-228-8386 What works: The branzino has cripsy skin and delicate balance of flavor between saffron couscous and lobster broth. What needs work: The pappardelle was overcooked and drowning in sauce. Tip: The pappardelle was overcooked and drowning in sauce. Sandwiched between his two other restaurants, Chef Andrew […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Gogi expansion
Gogi Go! 1324 N. Walker Ave. gogigo.co 405-778-8524 What works: Offerings are fresh and flavorful, and the ordering process is quick. What needs work: Signature bowl items are listed on the website but not in the store. Tip:You can order half orders of base items, like both rice and japchae. Gogi Go! first brought its […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Thai expansion
Lotus Thai 1133 NW 25th St. facebook.com/lotusthairest 405-225-1287 What works: The Thai basil sauce is superb and service is speedy. What needs work: There is too much raw red onion in the garden salad. Tip: The lunch menu includes an entree, drink and spring roll for under $10, tax included. There are about 20 restaurants […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Mayan tacos
The Mayan Taqueria & Cantina 3020 N. Walker Ave., Suite A What works:Each taco gets its own treatment, and honey with shrimp works well. What needs work:The chicken in the enchilada was a little dry. Tip:Be on the lookout for new cocktails in early 2020. In late October, Yelp released its ranking of top 50 […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Bellini’s rises
Bellini’s Ristorante & Grill 6305 Waterford Blvd., Suite 100 bellinisristorantegrill.com 405-848-1065 What works:The meatballs are tender and the lobster bisque is a balance of cream and seafood stock. What needs work:The bread on the sandwich got a little soggy. Tip:Its patio makes for a perfect brunch destination. Over three decades, veteran Oklahoma City restaurateur Tommy […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Sichuan rebirth
Yummy Noodles 1630 NW 23rd St. facebook.com/yummynoodlesokc 405-604-4880 What works:Everything on the menu is flavorful and delivered quickly to the table. What needs work:The soup dumpling arrived after the entree. Tip:The restaurant is closed Mondays. As quickly as Tsubaki Szechuan generated fans for its traditional Sichuan cuisine, it was gone. The venture between Peter and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Restorative Deli
From its etymology, the word “restaurant” literally means “that which restores.” Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson is fond of saying the word means “to restore a community.” I think both definitions are particularly apt because when you’re hungry, there’s nothing quite as restorative as a good meal, and when you think about how many plans have […]