Good to know/hear that. I can surely see how their location would have made Sunday service problematic, especially at lunchtime, and it certainly stands to reason a Monday isn't a very busy day. I was surprised at the number of folks there last night, on a Thursday...

I could see Sundays being an issue as well. Though I bet if they made a brunch menu, it would be packed in the morning/early afternoon.

Really like Gabriellas food, just kind of a crappy location.

Really like Gabriellas food, just kind of a crappy location.

Disagree. . .love the location. . . one of the best suburban views of the City IMO. . .

I agree that it is a great location. They also have fantastic Sangria.

Yeah, agree about the location. The NE quadrant is really the last place in town to connect with the rapidly-disappearing "old" OKC, from the first half of the 20th century. OKC has done such a fine job of erasing its own history over the past 60 years, but it really was shaping up as an interesting place prior to the 50s. Gabriella's, much like The Haunted House or Jamil's, lets you peek into that history, albeit with a new twist on the food served there. It's also nice to be surrounded by the mature trees in that part of town, and the place has a dynamite view of the State Capitol and the downtown skyline.

I might have posted this before (too lazy to check) but the spinach and artichoke dip is the best in the city. If you come here, you have to order it. Seriously.

Pretty sure Gabriella's has been closed on Sundays and Mondays since the first opened for business.

They served on Sundays when they first opened, and I know this because we had planned a visit near their first opening for a Sunday lunch. When I called to make a reservation, they advised they were no longer open on Sundays. Now, they didn't serve on Sundays for very long, but they did.

I haven't searched back on this thread to verify, but I believe someone here mentioned when they stopped serving on Mondays. In fact, note the header for this thread from when they first opened, and you'll note that it includes Monday hours.

I only make the comment on location due to the other places surrounding it. I know the patio view is very nice. But what you have nearby: the museum, a wedding venue, I guess you can make arguments for Tinseltown and Remington Park. I just feel it has more potential in another location.

Anyone been lately?

Wondering how their food quality and business is holding up.

The last time I was there was on a Saturday night probably about two months ago. The place was packed at 5 PM, to the point where they asked if we had reservations and politely acted like there was zero chance of being seated in a reasonable amount of time if not. I will reiterate, this was 5 PM, not 7 or 8. We WERE able to score a couple of seats at the bar, which itself was full nearly the entire time we were there. Both the food and the service were great.

I tried to make a reservation a few weeks ago two or three days before and couldn't find anything. My guess would be they are doing all right.

Trying to get in Gabriella's on a Friday or Saturday night is like trying to get into The West on a weekend night, wearing jeans and without a reservation. Forget about it.

We ate there almost a month ago on a Tuesday or Thursday night at about 5PM and got the same treatment even though the restaurant was 80% empty. They really want you to reserve seats. But besides that the food was still solid though they did discontinue the Chicken Alfredo much to my wife's horror, she couldn't imagine an Italian joint without that staple of a dish. I'm not sure if the food was quite the level it was a couple years ago when I first ate there but that could just be fuzzy memories as well.

When I met the owner right before they opened, he mentioned wanting to turn the little building out front into a market and breakfast place.

Sounds like they've been too busy to do much else other than manage their restaurant.

Yes they have a great bar there. Nice view of the city.

Yeah definitely nothing like that seems to be occurring around the place.

I did forget to mention that the service was a bit rough the last two times we've gone. Our waitress the last time just kept disappearing for 10-15 minutes at a time and you could tell she was really new so we gave her the benefit of the doubt and chalked it up to nerves. The time before that we had a very Italian waiter who meant well but his English was bad enough that he couldn't describe well what he was trying to sell us and he acted almost insulted if you didn't choose the entrees he mentioned that he preferred.

Nothing major just a couple quirky things.

On the bright side . . . at least one doesn't have to drive all the way to Krebs to get "meh" Italian cuisine . . .
And is that so "WRONG"? =) rhetorical question, no answer required. (The Original "Gabriella's"--over around 50th and Western, run by Chef Peter Seay--was a couple of steps above Magnificent if not specifically "Italian" =)

We really like Gabriella's. I always judge an Italian restaurant by whether, or not they have Pesto. If they don't, then I don't bother going.
Once I establish that they DO have Pesto, then I see how good their Pesto is.
The first time we went to Gabriella's the Pesto was great. i loved it.
The last time we went, it wan't on the menu anymore?!?
BUT, I told the waiter that was really what I had came for. he went back in the kitchen, and they made me Pesto! So, bonus points for Gabby's! :-)

Hasn't been a post on this thread for over two years!

Last night, I finally ate here. I had been in a couple of times but never ordered food.

While there, I read through this entire thread (I was trying to find the name of the owner because he remembered me and was very friendly) and it goes to show how local places can stumble out of the blocks and still turn out pretty great.

At 8PM on a Tuesday, the back room was completely full, only 2 seats at the bar and the booths / side rooms were full in the front, although the large area in the middle was unoccupied.

They have lots of good beers, many on tap. And the bar area and views to the south are still beautiful, especially over the green carpet of trees in that part of town.

I had the house salad ($3) which I liked but it was soaked with Italian dressing. Too much so, but not a big sin.

The complimentary garlic bread and olive oil was excellent.

For the entree, I had the lasagna ($18). As others have mentioned, it's sweet. Maybe a bit more than I'd prefer but still very good and I devoured every bit of the block you are served on hot skillet/plate.

Service was great and I just love the atmosphere there. I will definitely be back.

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I haven't been there in a year or so. I always liked it but never around that part of town now days

I've only been once and enjoyed the dish I had quite a bit but it being in a part of town I don't frequent often and Italian not being a cuisine I'm in the mood for very often.... I haven't been back.... Glad to hear they are still doing good business because my experience there was in stark contrast to a lot of the complaints I was hearing at the time I went. Service and food were both great.

It's been about a year since we've been and actually talked about going tomorrow. We sat in one of the side booths last time and really enjoyed the privacy. Our food was good from what I remember, but we had a server who, while nice and attentive, spent most of the evening trying to up sell us on apps, entrees, wine, dessert, etc. It really look away from the meal and was one of the reasons we haven't rushed back.

Gabriella's and Patrono are by far the best Italian places in town, Both in their own way. I eat at Gabriella's atleast once every few months and always enjoy it. The baked ziti really is to die for there.

I need to check it out at some point. when I can spare the carb load! that looks amazing!

i haven't been to gabriella's in ages... when i saw that this thread was resurrected i initially thought it was to say that they had closed... glad that wasn't the case!

that lasagna looks amazing... and i like the idea of serving in on a hot skillet. had to check their menu to make sure that they don't use ground beef instead of italian sasage... that's lasagna sin #1 in my book. might have to make it back over there soon to try some.

On my next trip, I want to try their sausage and peppers which is served over pasta.

Honestly, everything I saw looked pretty darn good.

i haven't been to gabriella's in ages... when i saw that this thread was resurrected i initially thought it was to say that they had closed... glad that wasn't the case!

Yep... I thought the same especially when I saw the poster was Pete. ;)

On my next trip, I want to try their sausage and peppers which is served over pasta.

Honestly, everything I saw looked pretty darn good.

The night I went I had the Roast Beef Pappardelle and it was really good and really hearty.

I really enjoy Gabriella's. Ground beef in lasagna? The mafia will handle that! Another common substitute is cottage cheese instead of ricotta. That's criminal. And as a garlic lover, I love the comment on the menu about how the chef loves garlic and if you don't, be sure and tell your server.
C. T.

Been meaning to post these but Gabriella's is now open for lunch in the space directly east they call Nana's.

They've also moved all the food cases over there.

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Nice, thanks for the info, we haven't been by there in a while since we usually eat out on Sat afternoons and they haven't been open then...

I had dinner there a couple of weeks ago -- sausage and peppers over pasta -- and it was soooo good.

They do such a great job with the comfort food type dishes and the service has always been great.

I had dinner there a couple of weeks ago -- sausage and peppers over pasta -- and it was soooo good.

They do such a great job with the comfort food type dishes and the service has always been great.

I *do* wish they'd bring back their marvelous, awesome, I-can't-believe-I-chose-it-over-chocolate-but-I-did, yummy carrot cake. Alas. :)

14331

First timer last night and it was outstanding. Awesome draft beer selection and the Coal Miner’s spaghetti was amazing.

Friend and I did lunch at Gabriella's (aka, Nana's) today. Really like the little place - reminds me of the little places in Krebs.

Had the fried ravioli and the 'Soprano' pizza - excellent as always. *And, really good service.

Haven't been back in years. Won't return after how rudely I was treated by the owner.

Haven't been back in years. Won't return after how rudely I was treated by the owner.

Details man, details!

Historic restaurant building sold; new tenants sought (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=775-Historic-restaurant-building-sold-new-tenants-sought)

Two buildings constructed in the 1940s and currently home to Gabriella's Italian Kitchen have been sold and will soon be refurbished and repurposed.


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Preservationist Chip Fudge paid $1.35 million for the property which is comprised of nearly 3 acres atop a hill to the west of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

The Italian restaurant opened in June of 2012 and remodeled the space at 1226 NE 63rd that had last been County Line Barbeque but had been shuttered for a number of years.

Now, Fudge plans a complete restoration of what was originally a speak-easy called the Kentucky Club. Fudge has redeveloped several historic buildings on Film Row just west of downtown. New tenants are currently being sought.

Gabriella's will be moving to a new spot in Edmond at 3601 S. Broadway. Their last day of business will be April 2nd and hope to reopen at the new location soon thereafter.



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I saw the new sign in Edmond this weekend and wondered what was going on.

I will be very sad for them to leave this spot, which is special in many ways.

But Chip Fudge will put a fair amount of needed money into the property and I'm sure he'll find another great restaurant tenant.

Also, completely crazy that they've been open for nearly 10 years.

I had to do a double-check, but it's correct that they opened in June 2012.

Yeah.... Have only been to Gabriella's a handful of times but always enjoyed the food. So glad to hear it's not the end for them..... Unfortunately this puts them even further away from me.

Can't say I love the new location, but the food was always excellent.

I'm excited to see what happens in this building. My grandmother used to go dancing there when it was a speakeasy.

I'm excited to see the building get some love and hopefully a great new Tennant!.

That building has a great outdoor deck and views to the south.

Gabriella's never really took advantage of either, and I hope that will change because the setting is unique in OKC and generally beautiful.

Hard to be a fancy italian restaurant in a strip mall tho

Hard to be a fancy italian restaurant in a strip mall tho

Pretty much my thoughts. I love the food at Gabriellas even though they didn't really take advantage of the location. But it being in a strip mall is going to kill a little special magic it had.

I'd love to see a new rendition on the old County Line BBQ. My grandparents took us there often from a young age through teenage years.

Hard to be a fancy italian restaurant in a strip mall tho

Agree. They'll be swimming upstream in shallow water to make that location successful. But, I hope they succeed nonetheless.

There are a number of online articles about the history of the building. Here is one that includes more detail than most, if a bit disjointed in the telling: http://strangestate.blogspot.com/2013/11/it-was-oklahoma-citys-most-exclusive.html

My personal hope would be that Chip does something along the lines with what he and his partners did at R&J, with a bit more focus on “supper.” The spot is special.

Hard to be a fancy italian restaurant in a strip mall tho

It has worked for Moni's, they are sandwiched between a liquor store and an indoor golf practice facility in far NW OKC. (It probably helps they are also right across the street from Rose Creek)

However, I'll agree with others on losing the atmosphere. It would be like Cattlemen's deciding they would do better moving out of Stockyard City and moving to Penn and Memorial because of high traffic counts.

Hard to be a fancy italian restaurant in a strip mall tho

Michael's Grill seems to do pretty well in a strip mall.

Michael's Grill seems to do pretty well in a strip mall.

Can add Signature Grill to the list as well.

I think it could actually be good for them because most people I know have never heard of them. Now they will have a lot more exposure to the casual diner that drives by than they did before.

Michael's Grill seems to do pretty well in a strip mall.

as does signature grill and bistro 22

all 3 are far more upscale the Gabriellas

Can add Signature Grill to the list as well.

I think it could actually be good for them because most people I know have never heard of them. Now they will have a lot more exposure to the casual diner that drives by than they did before.

yep

The above names are adjacent to wealthy folks who eat out a lot.

That bit of Broadway has seen a lot of places come and go. But Othello's and Sparrow have done pretty well. If the quality of their product doesn't change, they'll probably be fine.

--and at least now you can work on your tan, get your nails done and have a nice Italian restaurant without moving the car.

as does signature grill and bistro 22

all 3 are far more upscale the Gabriellas

Fait Maison is in a strip as well.

A good restaurant isn’t about what building it is in.

Fait Maison is in a strip as well.

A good restaurant isn’t about what building it is in.

I don’t know that I’d really consider that a “strip” or strip mall in the same sense that the new Gabriella location is. That whole street has become a walkable urban corridor from sparrow/boulevard/501 cafe down to the the building Nashbird is in with 10-12 restaurants and bars within a block or so. Several of the buildings have businesses or apartments above the restaurants and there are businesses between the restaurants at the ground level. All but one row of parking is in the back. To me, that would be like calling the Edge+Hanks/Mode/Louie’s or Level a strip.

That said, not as cool of a location for Gabriella’s but it should do fine there. There’s a ton of traffic in that area every day. Charlestons, Alfredo’s and Thai delight in the same complex do very well.

Gabriella's has reopened in their new location at 3601 S. Broadway in Edmond.

Hours are Tuesday - Thursday, 4 PM to 9 PM; Friday - Saturday 4 PM to 10 PM; closed Monday and Sunday. I believe these are temporary hours until they get their legs.

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Any Updates on the old location?