I heard from a reliable source that a Ruth's Chris will be coming to Classen Curve.

If that were to happen, I bet it would be on the property near Whole Foods, known as "The Triangle at Classen Curve".

If that were to happen, I bet it would be on the property near Whole Foods, known as "The Triangle at Classen Curve".

As in next to Anthropologie? You don't think it would go where they are clearing all the dirt within Classen Curve?

Oklahomans like their steak, possibly because we're cattle people. If we were closer to the coasts and had a history of appreciating excellent seafood, then we'd probably support a top drawer seafood house. The former won't happen, but the latter only time will tell.

This.

You can find good seafood here, its just not common due to the cost of flying stuff in fresh. Most seafood here is Gulf-influenced just because it so much closer, so no lobster or crab.

Likewise, I have found a lot of the so-called world famous steaks in New York and points out east to be pretty unimpressive every time I go out there, at least compared to here. Just not a big beef-eating culture that way.

I've heard that the Ruth's Chris is actually going in where the dirt is currently being moved, south of the existing Curve parking lot.

Oklahomans like their steak, possibly because we're cattle people. If we were closer to the coasts and had a history of appreciating excellent seafood, then we'd probably support a top drawer seafood house. The former won't happen, but the latter only time will tell.

Pretty much agree, with the exception that I didn't realize Tulsa, Wichita, or Kansas City were closer to the coasts or have enough of a seafood culture that they can support an upscale seafood restaurant while we cannot.

We have NO great or very good seafood restaurants. We have a few that serve fish and things that crawl in the mud.

I'm not a seafood fan, so I don't purchase it, but I think your assessment is wrong. I've heard that people thing Rococo is great or at the very least "very good".

I'm not a seafood fan, so I don't purchase it, but I think your assessment is wrong. I've heard that people thing Rococo is great or at the very least "very good".

i agree ..

and just for example ..

Mccormick and Schmicks 9 sea food starters .... Rococco 12 sea food starters ....

soup and salad .. 2 soups 1 salad for M+S 1 soup no salad for Rococco ... (at both places you can add shrimp to any salad and a rococco the soup of the day is often crap or lobster based)

entrees 17 at M+S 16 of them at rococco


now is there a bigger selection of fish at M+S yes ... but don't discount the sea food fare at not just Rococco's but several OKC restaurants ..

also of note is that Rococco has specials all the time .. including shark ..

I've heard that the Ruth's Chris is actually going in where the dirt is currently being moved, south of the existing Curve parking lot.

Correct...if it happens.

Correct...if it happens.

tuck, how do you feel Ruth's Chris would perform in this market? I lean toward way underperform...

Correct...if it happens.

tuck "if it happens" is this building still the plan


Here is what was originally proposed and approved:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/classencurve101111.jpg

tuck, how do you feel Ruth's Chris would perform in this market? I lean toward way underperform...

OKC has great local options for steak so I am not sure how Ruth's Chris would do. However, being that it is such a trendy chain that many people have asked why they aren't here they might do well. However, OKC is the kind of town that tends to support local establishments over chains so who knows.

tuck "if it happens" is this building still the plan

I think it will be in that general area...

I think Ruth's Chris will do fine, probably revenue below their average unit.

tuck, how do you feel Ruth's Chris would perform in this market? I lean toward way underperform...

I have co-workers that travel extensively and think Ruth's Chris is the best in business. Knowing their actual taste and exposure to non-chains, they are certainly over-reaching. It'll do well with people that want to go to a nice place but don't understand that national doesn't mean better.

We have them here in Southern California and I've never been once.

But, if it's going to come to OKC at least it won't be on Memorial.

We have them here in Southern California and I've never been once.

But, if it's going to come to OKC at least it won't be on Memorial.

See, I would prefer the large chains to be on Memorial versus closer to the central core. That will keep the people who would prefer to eat at chains (many of which are my friends) away from the better more local flavors which would make it easier for me to eat at :)

We have them here in Southern California and I've never been once.

But, if it's going to come to OKC at least it won't be on Memorial.

How about we just replace Opus with Ruth's Chris...then it will be right where it belongs :)

i agree ..

and just for example ..

Mccormick and Schmicks 9 sea food starters .... Rococco 12 sea food starters ....

soup and salad .. 2 soups 1 salad for M+S 1 soup no salad for Rococco ... (at both places you can add shrimp to any salad and a rococco the soup of the day is often crap or lobster based)

entrees 17 at M+S 16 of them at rococco


now is there a bigger selection of fish at M+S yes ... but don't discount the sea food fare at not just Rococco's but several OKC restaurants ..

also of note is that Rococco has specials all the time .. including shark ..

Sure, Rococos is good and has several seafood options. Their crabcakes are second to none. But I tend to agree with others that we don't have a great seafood joint. And Ill believe this until I can get huge, delicious crab legs like you can get at places like Joes Stone Crab.

speaking of seafood, if you like it with a gulf flare, you taste buds just took a hit, The Shack caught fire this afternoon

Was going to say, about the shack...might not have that chance for awhile...
Firefighters battle blaze at The Shack | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2013/06/13/firefighters-battle-blaze-at-the-shack/)

I'm not a seafood fan, so I don't purchase it, but I think your assessment is wrong. I've heard that people thing Rococo is great or at the very least "very good".

Rococo isn't even a good Italian restaurant, let alone a good seafood restaurant. Most people here have very little experience with seafood anyway and have a very low bar as a result of very limited experiences at real seafood restaurants.

Rococo isn't even a good Italian restaurant, let alone a good seafood restaurant.

I agree.

Sure, Rococos is good and has several seafood options. Their crabcakes are second to none. But I tend to agree with others that we don't have a great seafood joint. And Ill believe this until I can get huge, delicious crab legs like you can get at places like Joes Stone Crab.

Their crabcakes may be second to none here in Oklahoma, or OKC, but they are not outstanding. Go eat at most average or better seafood or non-seafood restaurants in Maryland and they will be superior. This is like asking you for great barbeque pork ribs in NYC...good luck with that. Our average is better than their best.

As some one that has lived by the coast most of their life I would disagree

Correct...if it happens.

I haven't heard much about this, I was just passing along what I have heard. I also agree that it will draw a decent crowd due to the name recognition, but there are too many better, local, steak houses around for that to be a huge hit.. Just my opinion.

Rococo isn't even a good Italian restaurant, let alone a good seafood restaurant. Most people here have very little experience with seafood anyway and have a very low bar as a result of very limited experiences at real seafood restaurants.

Agreed, because there aren't any good ones. Red Lobster is where you go for seafood. Only people who are transplants or people who have spent some real time elsewhere know any better. Tulsa has a few though and so does Wichita. It doesn't make sense that OKC doesn't.

See, I would prefer the large chains to be on Memorial versus closer to the central core. That will keep the people who would prefer to eat at chains (many of which are my friends) away from the better more local flavors which would make it easier for me to eat at :)

Yes, because those bums in Gaillardia have no taste or money to eat at fine restaurants.

Their crabcakes may be second to none here in Oklahoma, or OKC, but they are not outstanding. Go eat at most average or better seafood or non-seafood restaurants in Maryland and they will be superior. This is like asking you for great barbeque pork ribs in NYC...good luck with that. Our average is better than their best.

I have to say after gorging myself with crabcakes in Baltimore, Rococo is a couple notches below. Still, I don't hate it with the enduring passion you seem to. If anything, it's a bit uneven, but when it's good, it's quite good.

I have twice taken large parties to Rocco to have them serve pasta that was literally mushy and water standing in the plate. The shrimp in mine was mushy like it was taken out of the freezer and the outside cooked while the inside was still cold. I sent it back and the replacement dish was identical. It was expensive for very average or below food. I only go by my personal experiences and things I observe. Have been there twice and served poorly prepared food twice.

Agreed, because there aren't any good ones. Red Lobster is where you go for seafood. Only people who are transplants or people who have spent some real time elsewhere know any better. Tulsa has a few though and so does Wichita. It doesn't make sense that OKC doesn't.

whoa...what is the good seafood restaurant in Wichita? I spend a lot of time there (my inlaws are there) and don't know of any.

whoa...what is the good seafood restaurant in Wichita? I spend a lot of time there (my inlaws are there) and don't know of any.

Bonefish Grill? We stopped there and it was very good. It's a chain (there's one in Tulsa).

Bonefish Grill? We stopped there and it was very good. It's a chain (there's one in Tulsa).

In a place like OKC far from the coast, we will have to rely on a chain if we are ever to have a good seafood place. Bonefish Grill is in Tulsa, Wichita, Little Rock, and of course DFW. It doesn't make sense they aren't in OKC.

In a place like OKC far from the coast, we will have to rely on a chain if we are ever to have a good seafood place. Bonefish Grill is in Tulsa, Wichita, Little Rock, and of course DFW. It doesn't make sense they aren't in OKC.

So maybe you should talk to them about that. Maybe they just don't realize what they're missing until you tell them.

So maybe you should talk to them about that. Maybe they just don't realize what they're missing until you tell them.

I actually am going to write them and ask them why they aren't in OKC and if they have any plans to open here.

Anybody heard any rumors about a Mexican restaurant going in the old Matthew Kenney building?

I noticed a permit for an expensive vent hood in the Matthew Kenney space, so something is brewing.

Tamazul will open in the former Mathew Kenney space sometime this summer.

Figured this out... Will be called Tamazul Restaurant.


Upscale Mexican restaurant and mezcal bar specializing in modern preparations of traditional Mexican cuisine and spirits

http://www.tamazulokc.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TamazulRestaurant

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/970308_132327650295878_1749635083_n.jpg

Cool. I wonder if this will put Casa De Los Milagros out of business. I ate there a few weeks ago and wasn't impressed.

We have them here in Southern California and I've never been once.

But, if it's going to come to OKC at least it won't be on Memorial.
I never went to them when I lived in Dallas or Austin.

When we lived in Austin we frequented Truluck's (http://trulucks.com/) for seafood, it is just hard to compare to Boston, NYC or Baltimore but it was always very good and consistent. They have locations in Texas, Florida and California. Ate at Bonefish once and was not impressed, it is now a Twin Peaks in South Austin.

Just came across the facebook page for Tamazul (https://www.facebook.com/TamazulRestaurant), the new Mexican restaurant that's going into the former Matthew Kenney space.

Some great photos there. Let's have a look:

New signs going up:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/p480x480/1003282_141469556048354_1767852693_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/p480x480/983958_141729506022359_545905228_n.jpg


Testing a flaming menu item:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/1017291_142460455949264_994965605_n.jpg


The first bar to have Ilegal Mezcal in Oklahoma, so they say:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/p480x480/971450_138705542991422_121419065_n.jpg


Cool light fixtures:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/p480x480/196432_139713446223965_1310421165_n.jpg


Ok, they're open for business now.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/p480x480/1044950_143147465880563_1225095161_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/1017380_143147532547223_1984292507_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/7189_143147859213857_365080456_n.jpg


https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/943524_143192899209353_1577296553_n.jpg

Tamazul is open today at 5PM per their Facebook page.

Tamazul is open today at 5PM per their Facebook page.

Whenever I see the word Tamazul, I think of that scene from Fools Rush In (late 90's movie with Matthew Perry, Salma Hayek).

Perry's character arrives in a small town in Mexico, looking for a way to get to Tamazula, where he thinks Salma has gone to.
All he sees is an old mexican gentlemen who he assumes only knows Spanish.

Perry: Tamazula?
Old guy: Trambia!
Perry: (confused, repeats) Tamazula?
Old guy: Trambia!
Perry: (now really confused, tries one more time, slowly) Tam-a-zu-la?
Old guy: (mockingly answers slowly) Tram-bi-a!
Perry: (shakes his head, mutters out loud) What the hell is a trambia?
Old guy: That bus over there!

So basically every time I see/hear "Tamazul", I want to instantly say "Trambia!"

I know, it's a personal problem that I'm going to have to learn to overcome.
:)

Whenever I see the word Tamazul, I think of that scene from Fools Rush In (late 90's movie with Matthew Perry, Salma Hayek).
....

By the way, for those who've never seen that flick and are wondering what the holy heck I'm talking about... here's the YouTube clip:

Fools Rush in - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzRsVc4yqbI)

(well, the first 40 seconds or so, anyway)

I drove home from work early this morning, and made a quick detour by the dark building near Anthropology. There was some construction equipment and building materials next door. Didn't stop because I didn't want to bother the Chesecops. Might be unrelated to the building, but I still wonder what it is going to be.

I drove home from work early this morning, and made a quick detour by the dark building near Anthropology. There was some construction equipment and building materials next door. Didn't stop because I didn't want to bother the Chesecops. Might be unrelated to the building, but I still wonder what it is going to be.

I saw the same thing last night. There were several pallets of materials in the parking lot, a few people cranes (you know, the small blue ones that only lift people into place, not sure exactly what they are called) and a few of the panels on the triangular extension were down or being changed out.

There hasn't been any sort of building permit for that location, and there would be before they could finish out that space.

There hasn't been any sort of building permit for that location, and there would be before they could finish out that space.

Honestly, it has been there for a while without any sort of tenants, I am curious if they have to do a little outdoor maintenance since is has sat empty for an extended period of time.

Is it possible they are just using it for storage?

I know in Austin they would start getting materials in a space before the permit was approved and sometimes start building partitions but only rocking one side. Many times the permit was issued and they would have electrical/plumbing inspectors out for inspection the next day. I know that is not the case in San Antonio, they will cause a big fuss if you start building but storage of materials was OK. I didn't do that much tenant work in OKC (and it was more than 10 years ago) so I can't remember how OKC handles it.

I'm not part of the running community but obviously this business has been doing something right.

Expanded Red Coyote celebrates local running community | News OK (http://newsok.com/expanded-red-coyote-celebrates-local-running-community/article/3865507)

For what it's worth, now there is a large construction trash can to go with all the wooden crates and small equipment on site.

For what it's worth, now there is a large construction trash can to go with all the wooden crates and small equipment on site.

Are you talking about the area next to Anthropologie?

Are you talking about the area next to Anthropologie?

Yes.

Wouldn't it be nice if it were going to be Urban Outfitters? I've about given up on then coming downtown.

In this building housing Anthropologie they removed most of the roof cap last week. Obviously something is going on, but it may be as simple as roof maintenance. With all of the rains we've had lately, I hope that they're not having roof failures on a mostly-unoccupied building.

Still no building permit for that space.

I drove by again on the way home from work. They are putting a red/orange cladding on the top part of the building. I might be wrong about the color, because it was at night.

I drove by again on the way home from work. They are putting a red/orange cladding on the top part of the building. I might be wrong about the color, because it was at night.

Like for roof repairs or is it like they are building a sign?

No is a slight change. from black to orange...