When they converted Wes Welker's to Pub W, they were closed for 2-3 months.

I can't imagine they didn't have a contingency plan. And KD's interest was compensation for using his name. I doubt KD invested a dime other than signing his name on the line. I was at the groundbreaking, and KD was asked directly if he was an owner and if so what percentage, and he was completely unsure (not as media-savvy in those days). Hal had to step up and after he and investors shared looks he said "25%."

It'll do fine as a different brand, and I'm sure that will be quite soon.

I can't imagine they didn't have a contingency plan. And KD's interest was compensation for using his name. I doubt KD invested a dime other than signing his name on the line. I was at the groundbreaking, and KD was asked directly if he was an owner and if so what percentage, and he was completely unsure (not as media-savvy in those days). Hal had to step up and after he and investors shared looks he said "25%."

It'll do fine as a different brand, and I'm sure that will be quite soon.

If KD still owns that 25%, you have to think the HSG buys him out immediately and then goes out of its way to publicize that KD has no continuing interest in the new restaurant. Even with the rebranding, some folks won't support it if there is any possibility that KD is still involved.

Pretty sure Singler's is not on the contingency name list

If KD still owns that 25%, you have to think the HSG buys him out immediately and then goes out of its way to publicize that KD has no continuing interest in the new restaurant. Even with the rebranding, some folks won't support it if there is any possibility that KD is still involved.

I'm sure there was already verbiage in the partnership agreement that triggered a buyout if/when he left OKC. That is standard. Doubtful it will be drawn out process, either, as it is such a tiny portion of KD's portfolio.

Besides, his portion is a minority portion anyway. The other shareholders can essentially do what they want with the place without his permission, as long as it doesn't violate terms of their agreement.

I also don't think KD would put up a fight. He could partner with a Bay Area restraunt operator and have a new place open very soon if he truly wants the restaurant industry

Not a bad thing. This was easily the worst Hal Smith restaurant in town.

I have to apologize to all of OKC. I never once went in the door. I'm sure that's why he left so I'm very sorry.

The restaurant is very popular not just because of the moniker and brand identity, but for the quality of the food. Comparing it to Wes Welker's is really not a good comparison. Wes Welker's had a really serious issue... there were service problems and issues with the food. The brand was actually suffering within the Hal Smith world, and that is why they closed it and turned it into Pub W. There is absolutely no reason to go that direction with this restaurant.w The food and service are superior. I have heard they may name it "The Thunder Zone," to make it more generic and not tied to a specific player. I would also recommend Westbrook's or something along those lines, but then what happens if he gets traded or moves on from Oklahoma a year from now. Clearly Hal Smith would want to avoid dealing with that issue.

I can't imagine they didn't have a contingency plan. And KD's interest was compensation for using his name. I doubt KD invested a dime other than signing his name on the line. I was at the groundbreaking, and KD was asked directly if he was an owner and if so what percentage, and he was completely unsure (not as media-savvy in those days). Hal had to step up and after he and investors shared looks he said "25%."

It'll do fine as a different brand, and I'm sure that will be quite soon.

You're right. He didn't invest a dime, only lent his name.

The restaurant is very popular not just because of the moniker and brand identity, but for the quality of the food. .... The food and service are superior..

We must have gone on different nights as these are not words I would use to describe KD's food or service.

Interesting article from the NY Times in May on this subject:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/09/sports/basketball/kevin-durant-free-agency-oklahoma-city.html?ref=sports&_r=0

We must have gone on different nights as these are not words I would use to describe KD's food or service.

No kidding.

I deleted a bunch of posts where people are just attacking each other.

Stick to topic, please.

How about Rumble's? lol

^^^^^^^
We went to dinner last night, and we got the Rumble's.

Nope. :)

They invested a huge amount of money on the interior build-out, so I'm sure they will keep all/most of that and then re-brand.

Can't do Mahogany since there is one close by and really Red Rock is about the only other more up-scale type of concept in the Hal Smith group that would begin to fit with the decor.

They could do something completely new but you would think the cuisine would change because it was all built around KD and his southern tastes.

Oh, how quickly OKC has gone from "We love you, please stay" to "don't let the door hit you on the way out". Why would people not go? If they liked the food/ambiance/location last week, none of that has changed. Mickey Mantle's seems to be doing quite well, and he doesn't play here either. Or anywhere, for that matter. Agree! To much emotional reaction from people.

Agree! To much emotional reaction from people.

Emotion goes both ways you know. It was the positive emotion people had for KD that helped draw customers right before Thunder games. Even people had a neutral emotional position toward KD after this. That still brings no value to the restaurant.

And lets be honest, KD is no Mickey Mantel, Michael Jordan, or even a Lebron James for that matter. He just guaranteed he never will be either.

They could re-brand it Serge Ibaka's tapas and wine bar.

Wait they lost Serge too??!

They invested a huge amount of money on the interior build-out, so I'm sure they will keep all/most of that and then re-brand.

Can't do Mahogany since there is one close by and really Red Rock is about the only other more up-scale type of concept in the Hal Smith group that would begin to fit with the decor.

They could do something completely new but you would think the cuisine would change because it was all built around KD and his southern tastes.

That's what I'm saying. I don't think the interior is going to change much, if at all. All they need to do is change some signs and the related logos. Reprint some menus. The restaurant is going to do just fine. But in the meantime, we can have fun spitballing ideas. Let's drop the negativity and look to the future. Spaghetti Warehouse, anyone?

Seriously though, I really don't even see a need for the cuisine to change that much. So it reflects Southern tastes...that's where we *are*. I don't care what name is on the building, chicken, fries, and burgers are just plain standard fare around here, if not everywhere. Why not make it MORE southern? Shine the light on those po' boys. Bring those grits front and center, with options. Shrimp and grits? No problem. Chicken and grits? No problem. Cheese grits? No problem. Throw in some more Cajun influence. You've got gumbo, you're got collard greens...get some jambalaya on that menu! While we're reprinting the menus, let's do something about that dessert menu. Either expand it or get rid of it entirely and have a classic (and classy) dessert cart. How about a couple tableside options? Bananas foster, anyone? Maybe a bourbon pecan pudding set aflame and topped with ice cream?

I've never even been in KD's largely because it's always seemed like a very odd mix of upscale and semi-expensive and southern food.

Fried chicken and comfort food at relatively high prices? It's never seen like a good match, apart from the KD tie-in.

I've never even been in KD's largely because it's always seemed like a very odd mix of upscale and semi-expensive and southern food.

Fried chicken and comfort food at relatively high prices? It's never seen like a good match, apart from the KD tie-in.

Cheever's?

Cheever's?

Fair point, but they do it very, very well while the reviews for KD's were mixed at best.

I haven't seen a Restraunt flambé table side in years and years. Not even in France. I just don't think the insurance companies will underwrite that **** anymore. "Oh your restaurant burned down, 10 dead? You were cooking bananas and sugar with flaming booze? No problem, here's a check."

How about Scott Brooks Cooks??

Fair point, but they do it very, very well while the reviews for KD's were mixed at best.

No, I agree. I would choose Cheever's any day of the week. There's definitely a market for it if it's done right.

Hal's places are just too stretched out. I think they do a very VERY good job at mahogany. But you gotta think each one of these high end concepts takes a consultant, a kick-*** GM, and a wide range of happy, well paid staff to run it all. And parking under the I-40 overpass and being abused by rednecks having their birthday dinner in the big city doesn't sound like a cakewalk.

No, I agree. I would choose Cheever's any day of the week. There's definitely a market for it if it's done right.

Whiskey cake too.

I haven't seen a Restraunt flambé table side in years and years.

I've seen it with my very own eyes in both San Antonio and New Orleans, both within this decade, whatever we call it. The teens, the tens, whatever. It's very far from dead.

Damn, now you've got me drooling. I'm going to try making on the BBQ grill this week. Extra cognac :)

I have been to KD's twice, First time the food was ok the service was not so good and big mix up on orders ect and they made good on it. the 2nd time was for someone's Birthday celebration. Food wasn't amazing service was better but for me just wasn't on my rotation. a change might do them good.

I'm surprised to hear all of the hate for the food/service, I guess we just lucked out the 4 or 5 times we went as I always thought it was very good. But yes, there's no way I'm going back without a re-brand.

Hollies Flat Iron, is a top performer for Hal.., that may be due to the location and the fact Moore doesn't have a steakhouse of any sort, but the food is really good and is very similar to RedRock....

Hollies Flat Iron, is a top performer for Hal.., that may be due to the location and the fact Moore doesn't have a steakhouse of any sort, but the food is really good and is very similar to RedRock....

Second this! Been down there a few times and its a very pleasant atmosphere and consistently good food. Recommended.

They would have to really gut KDs and renovate in order to get a Hollie's in there. The décor would have to be completely re-done. Plus, I think a Hollie's next to Toby Keith's.... not a good idea. Anyways, I think the plan is just to change the name slightly to be more inclusive, like "ThunderDome," or something along those lines. My guess is the food concept stays given the popularity of their southern fried chicken.

Personally, I think it should be re-branded as "Russell's Place" and have an upscale cali-style seafood menu.

RW has been the best Thunder player for the past several seasons and now with the team and CITY all his own, perhaps he will truly shine as the league's real MVP and lead OKC to championships.

Having his own restaurant would be a bigger hit than "KD's" ever could/would imo, especially if they expanded it with a club/lounge and had fashion shows featuring Russell's lines. .......

Personally, I think it should be re-branded as "Russell's Place" and have an upscale cali-style seafood menu.

RW has been the best Thunder player for the past several seasons and now with the team and CITY all his own, perhaps he will truly shine as the league's real MVP and lead OKC to championships.

Having his own restaurant would be a bigger hit than "KD's" ever could/would imo, especially if they expanded it with a club/lounge and had fashion shows featuring Russell's lines. .......
Perhaps after next summer, such a concept could/should be considered, but to do so before that would be foolish at best given we're likely to see the same process next summer and the odds are no better in keeping Westbrook than in keeping Durant — in fact, a few weeks ago, the conventional wisdom was that between the two Durant was more likely to stay. To haphazardly rebrand to a Russell-themed restaurant with the future so readily in doubt would be a big (and expensive) gamble for Hal Smith — not worth it, IMHO.

To bad they just don't rename it "The Thunderdome" and have each current player inspire a dish for the menu. So there wouldn't be the constant name changing and remodeling

To bad they just don't rename it "The Thunderdome" and have each current player inspire a dish for the menu. So there wouldn't be the constant name changing and remodeling

Honestly, that's a DAMNED good idea!

Otherwise, I'm thinking...just turn it into Bricktown Charlestons (With Flair).

Personally, I think it should be re-branded as "Russell's Place" and have an upscale cali-style seafood menu.

RW has been the best Thunder player for the past several seasons and now with the team and CITY all his own, perhaps he will truly shine as the league's real MVP and lead OKC to championships.

Having his own restaurant would be a bigger hit than "KD's" ever could/would imo, especially if they expanded it with a club/lounge and had fashion shows featuring Russell's lines. .......
Russell's Brussels

http://youtu.be/mJjw2oYL8A0

Call it Steven Adams' Stomphouse, specializing in Maori cuisine.

Aww shoot, maybe just go ahead and rebrand it as Hal's Pals and use removable signage and easily replaceable digital menus.

Call it The Sellout Cellar.

with sonic hq around the corner, they could buy the space from hsrg and turn it into an upscale sonic concept... a super sonic, if you will. -M

with sonic hq around the corner, they could buy the space from hsrg and turn it into an upscale sonic concept... a super sonic, if you will. -M

HAHA.... I thought it would have been funny if Sonic had bought the naming rights to the Arena a few years back and named it the Super Sonic Center.

ZOMBIE KD.. zombiefy everything..lol

Is it still open? If so, I wonder how business is doing.

So disappointed that K. D. just abandoned everything he invested in Oklahoma City.

Yes, let's not forget all the good he did for our city.

Would love to see something like a version of the Spaghetti Warehouse where KD's now stand. It's time to forget about Durant's decision and move on. The best way we can adjust:

KILL DURANT WITH KINDNESS.

. . . show him what he really missed. Oklahoma City doesn't have to chase a ring to cement our legacy. Our future is bright.

Is it still open? If so, I wonder how business is doing.

Closed with a sign on the door that says it is closed temporarily with a new concept coming soon.

Closed with a sign on the door that says it is closed temporarily with a new concept coming soon.

http://www.news9.com/story/32523761/kds-southern-cuisine-to-temporarily-close

So, sounds like the will only make minor changes to the menu and interior and reopen under a new name around Labor Day.

So, sounds like the will only make minor changes to the menu and interior and reopen under a new name around Labor Day.

Sure sounds like that. Betting a lot of the collective theories here pan out - some sort of agreement with the team for a generically Thunder-themed restaurant.

It'll take a while to have a bonfire big enough to get rid of all the paraphernalia for the person-who-shall-no-longer-be-named.

I bet it will have nothing to do with the Thunder.

Their endorsement deal was with KD directly, not the team.

They would likely have to pay much more to get that type of arrangement.

Remember, after the arrangement with Wes Welker changed, they just rebranded as a Pub W. I suspect in this case, it would be a completely new name.

Honestly doubt it will have anything to do with the Thunder. Just guessing though.

Oops. Pete beat me to it.

I am very disappointed that they will not open until after Labor Day. Opening before Labor Day weekend would be better so people can use their time off and holiday weekend to try the new concept.

I am very disappointed that they will not open until after Labor Day. Opening before Labor Day weekend would be better so people can use their time off and holiday weekend to try the new concept.

Naw as long as its open before the Thunder season opener or preseason games.

https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/757768645191823360

Brianna Bailey has a sister article just out which suggests a LLC subsidiary of Hal Smith Restaurant Group has trademarked 3 new names. Legacy Grill was trademarked on July 21st most recently, and Henry Bar and Buzz Breakfast Club were trademarked back in June. I could see Legacy Grill being the new moniker for the former KDs.

^That would be a perfect fit considering KD's consistent talk of legacy.