Here is a floor plan:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/kdsfloorplan.JPG

KD just posted on facebook "Thanks to my OKC Thunder teammates for coming out to the opening of KD's!" and a picture of him with PJ3, Serge, Russ, Thabeet, Thabo, Fisher. Reggie and Ryan Gomes.

This place has an ample amount of private areas (I like it), almost New Yorkish. Anyone know if there's valet parking or do the high rollers have designated spots up front by the door.

Those lots are shared by the other LB businesses. I'm not sure they can have reserved spaces. Valet has been done before, though that was several years ago.

Sounding like it will be a nice alternative to Mickey Mantles, which is a place good for before and after games but last couple times I tried to go after a Thunder game you couldnt get in the bar without a reservation. Wasnt a big fan of that.

So is the entrance to the restaurant actually on the northeast side facing the Canal and Toby Keith's? Glad it's not facing the parking lot. Gives it more interaction with the canal.

So is the entrance to the restaurant actually on the northeast side facing the Canal and Toby Keith's? Glad it's not facing the parking lot. Gives it more interaction with the canal.

Yes.

So is the entrance to the restaurant actually on the northeast side facing the Canal and Toby Keith's? Glad it's not facing the parking lot. Gives it more interaction with the canal.


Yes.

I never really noticed that in the renderings but that is a great thing. Hopefully more people will enter from the canal stretch than from parking in the lots directly to the south.

KD just posted on facebook "Thanks to my OKC Thunder teammates for coming out to the opening of KD's!" and a picture of him with PJ3, Serge, Russ, Thabeet, Thabo, Fisher. Reggie and Ryan Gomes.

No Perk, should we read something into this? (please)

No Perk, should we read something into this? (please)

I didn't see Perk in that particular picture, but I saw him in several other pictures.

To reiterate, the area marked "private dining" in that drawing is two separate glassed-in rooms (that can be made into a single room). The rooms are completely visible to the rest of the dining room through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, but can be instantly rendered private and the glass opaque/frosted at the flick of a switch. I thought that was a particularly cool feature.

The privacy features are great but it still doesn't fix my concern regarding the separate menus and clientele. If its a couple that's a party of two, they aren't going to be placed in "private dining" and therefore still have to be in the main dining area. I am eager to see how the atmosphere compares to some of the nicer restaurants in which I order nicer entrees, wine, etc. I just cannot seeing this having the ambiance or feel of places such as Mickey's or the Ranch, yet still demanding the same price.

I didn't feel at all that the menus were "separate" when I looked them over (again, it was a draft menu). Like I said, I was there on a training night, so the "Baller" menu wasn't an option, but everything on the other menu was reasonably upscale, and there was nothing I would really consider downmarket about the menu or the restaurant. I can tell you for a certainty that I wouldn't feel comfortable going into the place in shorts and a T-shirt (which is funny, because I do that at the Mickey Mantle's bar ALL OF THE TIME).

I would place the REGULAR menu probably somewhere between Red Rock and Mickey Mantle's/Red Prime/Ranch as far as its offerings. That's the REGULAR menu. Preliminary prices on the menu were surprisingly reasonable (less than $30 for an 8 oz prime filet WITH two sides), but there is nothing about the place that says Hooters or sports bar. It is unmistakably upscale.

I didn't feel at all that the menus were "separate" when I looked them over (again, it was a draft menu). Like I said, I was there on a training night, so the "Baller" menu wasn't an option, but everything on the other menu was reasonably upscale, and there was nothing I would really consider downmarket about the menu or the restaurant. I can tell you for a certainty that I wouldn't feel comfortable going into the place in shorts and a T-shirt (which is funny, because I do that at the Mickey Mantle's bar ALL OF THE TIME).

I would place the REGULAR menu probably somewhere between Red Rock and Mickey Mantle's/Red Prime/Ranch as far as its offerings. That's the REGULAR menu. Preliminary prices on the menu were surprisingly reasonable (less than $30 for an 8 oz prime filet WITH two sides), but there is nothing about the place that says Hooters or sports bar. It is unmistakably upscale.

Probably not a prime filet…Mahogany doesn't offer prime filets, and Mahogany is Hal's baby….I doubt he's bringing them into KD's.

How's the price on the Meatloaf compared to Toby Keith's and Red Rock?

Probably not a prime filet…Mahogany doesn't offer prime filets, and Mahogany is Hal's baby….I doubt he's bringing them into KD's.

How's the price on the Meatloaf compared to Toby Keith's and Red Rock?

Other than the fact that the general manager of HSRG's Wes Welker's, (and former longtime GM of Mickey Mantle's) who I was dining with pointed out to us that they were prime. Now, they might have just been for that night, but who knows. All I know is what was there that night was indeed prime. And outstanding.

Regarding the meatloaf, I forgot to check the price. The whole evening was a comp (due to being a training night), so I didn't pore over pricing like I probably should have. The filet just stuck out to me because it was outstanding...AND served with two sides rather than a la carte...AND was sub-$30....

More photos from Kd's Facebook page:

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1452440_433573473410974_1923750729_n.jpg


https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1455985_433573443410977_1278894474_n.jpg


https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1422364_433585500076438_1656647352_n.jpg


https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1425619_433588223409499_254666265_n.jpg

I walked by the north side of the building today. Absolutely no interaction. The patio is very small and not connected directly to the canal pathway. Also on a different elevation.

Someone get hogan out of this city.

It is very open to the canal. In the spring with people sitting outside it should be nice. I know a 10" step up may be a major barrier to some people, but I just don't get it being a problem. More of a problem is the lack of anything interesting across the canal from them. The Sonic building is dead at night and people don't hang out there.

I walked by the north side of the building today. Absolutely no interaction. The patio is very small and not connected directly to the canal pathway. Also on a different elevation.

Someone get hogan out of this city.

The design is far better than what Hogan originally proposed which had NO interaction with the canal. This is probably the best thing west of the Harkins, by far. It's still underwhelming compared to what could have been though. All of Lower Bricktown is such a catastrophic waste of an opportunity. It is the epitome of all that is wrong with OKC.

The design is far better than what Hogan originally proposed which had NO interaction with the canal. This is probably the best thing west of the Harkins, by far. It's still underwhelming compared to what could have been though. All of Lower Bricktown is such a catastrophic waste of an opportunity. It is the epitome of all that is wrong with OKC.

Not all, most. The centennial is fine.

Not all, most. The centennial is fine.

The Centennial is west of the Harkins. I said everything east of it is a joke with the exception of the new KD restaurant, which is barely acceptable.

I've never liked the Centennial because of two things: 1) not all brick with cheap looking EIFS/stucco on the upper floors and 2) it misses an opportunity to create a defined corner on Reno and has a setback/parking in front of Starbucks. If only the original designers had replicated the look of the existing buildings on the canal..

It is very open to the canal. In the spring with people sitting outside it should be nice. I know a 10" step up may be a major barrier to some people, but I just don't get it being a problem. More of a problem is the lack of anything interesting across the canal from them. The Sonic building is dead at night and people don't hang out there.

Sure the small part of the patio that is butting next to the canal. The rest is set back by a nice green lawn. And then tapers off to where the grass is a huge buffer between the building and the canal. Nice suburban yard .

Yes, we all hate green, even a few feet of it. Darned anti urban grass. (btw, if that's considered equivalent of a nice suburban yard, then I understand the lack of understanding of the appeal of single family residences many on here have.)

Why not focus first on actually getting a good canal side experience in upper BT? Serious lack of inter connectivity there, but lets gripe about a couple of feet of grass where someone actually has created a nice canal side dining area despite a serious lack of canal ambiance on either side or across the canal. Lol.

I walked past KDs on the canal last night and thought it was a marked improvement over what was there before. I suspect when weather improves it will have some decent patio action.

The Sonic building is dead at night and people don't hang out there.

Not entirely correct. On many weekend evenings during the warm months, some of the city's teenaged breakdancers duck-tape cardboard to the stage there and perform (which would be in view of that patio). Last time I was there during such a performance I was surprised to find more than 20 people sitting there watching them (and putting money in the tip jar).

The Sonic building is dead at night and people don't hang out there.

Not entirely correct. On many weekend evenings during the warm months, some of the city's teenaged breakdancers duck-tape cardboard to the stage there and perform (which would be in view of that patio). Last time I was there during such a performance I was surprised to find more than 20 people sitting there watching them (and putting money in the tip jar). I know it's not enough, but it's SOMEthing...

Not entirely correct. On many weekend evenings during the warm months, some of the city's teenaged breakdancers duck-tape cardboard to the stage there and perform (which would be in view of that patio). Last time I was there during such a performance I was surprised to find more than 20 people sitting there watching them (and putting money in the tip jar). I know it's not enough, but it's SOMEthing...

I saw this same thing, except there was a fairly large crowd.

I saw this same thing, except there was a fairly large crowd.

There's a pic of this action somewhere on this website. Pretty sure Praedura posted the pic since he finds 'em all the time...

There's a pic of this action somewhere on this website. Pretty sure Praedura posted the pic since he finds 'em all the time...

I may have posted mine, but I didn't take a picture of the crowd... here it is again...

http://distilleryimage5.ak.instagram.com/44f93a462e2411e3af8422000a9e28e9_7.jpg

There's a pic of this action somewhere on this website. Pretty sure Praedura posted the pic since he finds 'em all the time...

Yep, I'm a pretty obsessive photo trawler. :redface:

I believe that you're referring to this pic:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8688037292_57f2760549_h.jpg

Which comes from this thread:

http://www.okctalk.com/current-events-open-topic/33868-bricktown-canal-april-2013-photo-thread.html

Btw -- that's a great thread to go back through and browse the photos. With wintry madness heading our way, the sunny spring pics should cheer anyone up. :)

I've also come across some videos from time to time that show activity around that area of LB.

An example:
*Blush Crew* Adorn - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szjqJE5xV8M)

This is some kids who shot a performance video in front of the canal by the Sonic HQ.

A couple of screenshots:

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/xd677ywabznb94d/BlushCrewFrontsSonic.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/zc4027cvyzd9dhg/BlushCrewFrontsKDSpot.jpg

In the second one, you see how they're in front of what is now KD's Restaurant.

So yeah, I think this part of the canal will have people and life and things going on.

And the crowds have been much bigger than what you see here.

Another pic showing activity along that section of the canal:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1052498_10151469319596761_786146863_o.jpg

Kd's Facebook page is now saying Wednesday December 11th will be the official opening.

Time for a Twitter update? ;)

It is very open to the canal. In the spring with people sitting outside it should be nice. I know a 10" step up may be a major barrier to some people, but I just don't get it being a problem. More of a problem is the lack of anything interesting across the canal from them. The Sonic building is dead at night and people don't hang out there.

Maybe if the patio proves successful (I don't know why it wouldn't) they'll expand it in the future. There aren't just a ton of patios on the canal so you never know. If more patio seats = more $$$ there's always a chance.

Here's hoping people choose/insist on sitting outside. It is amazing what demand will do. If people start going their BECAUSE they can sit outside, then we will see more doing it. People need to ASK the restaurant for outside seating.

kd's site -

Kd's Southern Cuisine (http://www.kdsbricktown.com)

Here's hoping people choose/insist on sitting outside. It is amazing what demand will do. If people start going their BECAUSE they can sit outside, then we will see more doing it. People need to ASK the restaurant for outside seating.

Here's to that.

Maybe t is because I grew up with picnics, bbq's, backyard munching, church suppers, political bean dinners and pie suppers galore. But I really have never understood the near complete fascination/obsession some folks seem to have with being able to dine outdoors when they go out with friends, on date nights, with out of town guests, etc. If it floats yer boat, have at it, but give me a comfortable chair and no car noise or exhaust any day.

I like kd's Resturant phone number - 701.3535

No car noise OR exhaust there; and the boats are electric!

So what is the food like? Anything to write home about? I cant try it... since I moved.

Read my review some posts prior. Admittedly it was a training session when I ate there.

Some new photos from Kd's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/KDsBricktown) -- they officially open today:


Private dining room; private bar on right:
https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1497755_437261179708870_1362316297_n.jpg


https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1471188_437261183042203_1059118779_n.jpg


https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1483280_437261186375536_814772225_n.jpg


https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1466020_437261213042200_604163096_n.jpg

I want you guys to take this moment to soak in how nice the inside dining area of this establishment is. And then after you do that, I want you to question why anyone would want to dine out on a patio compared to inside in these surroundings. Some of you guys..... SMH

i want you guys to take this moment to soak in how nice the inside dining area of this establishment is. And then after you do that, i want you to question why anyone would want to dine out on a patio compared to inside in these surroundings. Some of you guys..... Smh

like

I want you guys to take this moment to soak in how nice the inside dining area of this establishment is. And then after you do that, I want you to question why anyone would want to dine out on a patio compared to inside in these surroundings. Some of you guys..... SMH

Same reason that people will sit outside on the wildly popular patio at Packard's. There's no reason you can't have a nice interior and nice outdoor dining space too.

Not every visit there will be for a formal-ish dinner. The restaurant is scheduled open for lunch several days a week. Some folks will just want to have drinks pre-game or pre-concert, and not sit for a full dinner. Some people might feel under-dressed when they stumble across the place during the summer, wearing shorts and sandals. Some people just love sitting outside, especially when the setting is as nice as it is there. I can think of a thousand reasons why the outside dining area is worthwhile.

Some new photos from Kd's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/KDsBricktown) -- they officially open today:


Private dining room; private bar on right:
https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1497755_437261179708870_1362316297_n.jpg
...

This room is represented as KD's private dining room (though it is available for other private bookings). As you mention, it has a private bar on the right. To the left of the door is an alcove that serves as a DJ booth (pre-wired). The windows on the left look onto the canal, to help orient you. Behind the spot where the photo was taken is a private entrance/exit, which opens directly to the outside.

In the bottom two photos in that series you can see the other private dining area(s) both from the inside and the outside. They are separated from the main dining room with clear glass (looks cloudy in the photo, but it is clear). They are also divided from each other with a folding glass wall (it is retracted in the photo, making it one room). When a switch is flipped, all of the glass surrounding these spaces instantly turns opaque white, making them totally private.

Also, in the second pic from the top you can see the spiral staircase tower inside the wine room. When you get to the top of the stairs, there is room for a single small table for private wine tastings. Bring a sweater!

None of these replies are validation for all the negative feedback this establishment has received on this board (before it was even open, nonetheless).

If you want to eat outside (yeah, on the 5 days of the year where sitting outside is actual a good idea in OKC due to weather: Wind/heat/cold/severe) there are a few patio spots. So why complain? Most of the people on this board felt like the patio should be the defining feature and focus of this restaurant/bar.

Believe it or not, a lot of companies shift their focus to a defined consumer market THAT YOU ARE NOT A PART OF. Get over it, or eat inside and enjoy the pleasant decor and aesthetics while dining at one of the premier establishments in the entire city.

If you want to eat outside (yeah, on the 5 days of the year where sitting outside is actual a good idea in OKC due to weather: Wind/heat/cold/severe) there are a few patio spots. So why complain? Most of the people on this board felt like the patio should be the defining feature and focus of this restaurant/bar.

Believe it or not, a lot of companies shift their focus to a defined consumer market THAT YOU ARE NOT A PART OF. Get over it, or eat inside and enjoy the pleasant decor and aesthetics while dining at one of the premier establishments in the entire city.

Well first, what would be the point of building a canal if we just put up blank walls along it?
Second, Im not sure I saw anyone say that a patio should be the defining feature, only that it should have an actual canal side patio. I think early permitting plans had zero patio.
Lastly, there are much more than 5 temperate days a year that allow you to enjoy a patio. And on the many slightly warm/cold days, its quite easy to provide shade/space heaters. If you sweat uncontrollably when its 80 or shiver when its 60, you have tons of space inside to eat. But several of us like the option of dining al fresco

Yeah, if done right, there are a solid several months of outdoor dining weather. You can put space heaters for the colder days and shaded areas and fans for the warmer days. Look at all the restaurants on 23rd street who have outdoor dining and how busy it was in the spring, fall and sometimes in the summer, like this past July. That comment about 5 days of the year only being a good idea is ignorant at best.

Well first, what would be the point of building a canal if we just put up blank walls along it?
Second, Im not sure I saw anyone say that a patio should be the defining feature, only that it should have an actual canal side patio. I think early permitting plans had zero patio.
Lastly, there are much more than 5 temperate days a year that allow you to enjoy a patio. And on the many slightly warm/cold days, its quite easy to provide shade/space heaters. If you sweat uncontrollably when its 80 or shiver when its 60, you have tons of space inside to eat. The several of us like the option of dining al fresco

Yeah I completely agree. Most of Hogan's work, with the exception of this and the Centennial, completely ignore the canal. There is no point in even having the canal if you aren't going to build a unique experience that relates to it. Secondly, there is plenty of time when outdoor dining is still enjoyable despite not having the greatest climate in the nation. It's very popular in Dallas and they have hotter summers than OKC does.

I thought my exaggeration would be obvious.. guess not. Hold one one second, I'll go count all the days over the last 5 years that fell between 65-80 degrees during dining hours with less then 5 mph wind and no precipitation and average them on a per yearly basis...

....

...

Okay, I only counted 3. :/

More then half of the discussion in this thread has been about the patio. That in it self leads me to believe some people here expect the patio to be the defining feature whether or not I can get an exact quote saying that, and guess what, I won't even bother to look for one.

The point of everything I said (and you guys can find points right? and not discuss individual exaggerated points like 5 year old would describing a movie) is that this place was made to be an upscale dining experience. "patio dining" is for a more relaxed, laid back setting. This place is not that. They even put in a patio despite not wanting too, and there are still people on here complaining about there not being enough space. If you don't like it, then don't eat there. I'm 100% positive Kd's will be a raging success with or without your business or patio dining.

P.S. Don't go around throwing "ignorant" remarks towards me either Warren. Even I can have a heated conversation without taking a ridiculous insult at somebody.

The canal creates a a walkable median to and from places in a district. Just because its there doesn't mean it has to be the focus of the establishment.

Despite everything I've said, I'm glad there is a patio. But even after they put the patio in there was still constant bickering about it not being nice enough. Ugh.

I thought my exaggeration would be obvious.. guess not. Hold one one second, I'll go count all the days over the last 5 years that fell between 65-80 degrees during dining hours with less then 5 mph wind and no precipitation and average them on a per yearly basis...

....

...

Okay, I only counted 3. :/

More then half of the discussion in this thread has been about the patio. That in it self leads me to believe some people here expect the patio to be the defining feature whether or not I can get an exact quote saying that, and guess what, I won't even bother to look for one.

The point of everything I said (and you guys can find points right? and not discuss individual exaggerated points like 5 year old would describing a movie) is that this place was made to be an upscale dining experience. "patio dining" is for a more relaxed, laid back setting. This place is not that. They even put in a patio despite not wanting too, and there are still people on here complaining about there not being enough space. If you don't like it, then don't eat there. I'm 100% positive Kd's will be a raging success with or without your business or patio dining.

P.S. Don't go around throwing "ignorant" remarks towards me either Warren. Even I can have a heated conversation without taking a ridiculous insult at somebody.

You can have an "upscale dining experience" and patio dining together. Look at urbanspoon and some of the upscale eateries on there. Cheever's, Redrock, Republic, Paseo Grill, Cafe do Brasil, Ranch Steakhouse, Ludivine, Cafe 501, Pearl's, Flint, West, I could keep going, but I won't. Most of these have pretty descent outdoor dining areas and are pretty upscale, restaurants. You can have both, especially on the canal.

PS, I never said you were ignorant, I said the comment was ignorant. You even stated it was an exaggeration, so that is fine.

Ok, I was wrong about saying that patio dining is exclusive to a lower then high end class dining establishments. Though I still think the higher end you go on the scale, the less dining on a patio becomes desirable to the patrons.

I'd much rather eat inside Kd's after seeing these pictures and I consider myself more of a outside person in general. I don't have any problem with them having a patio, I have a problem with all the people talking down on this place for the SOLE REASON of them not having a patio that meets their unrealistic expectations.