Overall, I like it. Some of the stuff seems a little pretentious, and my duck was mediocre. But the second time round was much better, and the service seemed to be great.

Ate there on Monday night and was very impressed.

The space is beautiful and big; very high ceiling and proportions like you would see on Memorial Road. Still, it's very, very nice.

Our server was fantastic and gave a long and engaged introduction into their concept; how they source from local produces and strive for fresh, innovative dishes.

My dining partner and I each had one of their craft cocktails. I had the Paloma, which was like a very fresh and tangy margarita with a twist; I thought it was excellent. My date had the Wabbit Smash, largely gin and carrot and it was also surprisingly good. Very fresh ingredients really make a difference.

We shared the goal cheese appetizer which we both thought was fantastic. Really nice blend of flavors with olives and olive oil.

I had the pork brisket and it was another hit. Tender, flavorful with stewed cherries (very light taste) over the most delicious summer peas I'd ever had. She had the grilled salmon and it may have even been better. All the flavors were very bright, which is something I always appreciate.

Really wanted to try the whiskey cake dessert but we ran out time, largely because we took so much time enjoying the experience.


Highly recommended.

sorry you missed the whiskey cake... it's really good. -M

Now that the transformation is complete and it seems folks like it (not been myself), might a thread name change be appropriate, e.g.,
Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar 1847 NW Expressway (formerly Elephant bar)

Just a thought.

I liked the elephant bar better and for whiskey cake, try the one a TGI Fridays.
I had a burger, the cheese was too strong and overall not worth the price.

I liked the elephant bar better

You are definitely not going to be in the majority with this opinion.

sorry you missed the whiskey cake... it's really good. -M

So so good!

Dave Cathey's article on Whisky Cake.

Local is as local does: Whiskey Cake doesn't act like a chain restaurant | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/local-is-as-local-does-whiskey-cake-doesnt-act-like-a-chain-restaurant/article/4986759)

Dave Cathey's article on Whisky Cake.

Local is as local does: Whiskey Cake doesn't act like a chain restaurant | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/local-is-as-local-does-whiskey-cake-doesnt-act-like-a-chain-restaurant/article/4986759)

Thanks for posting! I agree with Dave Cathey, it's very good. Helps to know a little why it doesn't taste like a "chain."

I was just thinking that it's strange no one seems to talk about this restaurant, maybe because it's not in the core.

But it's very, very good. In fact, it's one of my favorite places in all of OKC.

Went with a group of about 30 bankers from different areas of Oklahoma after a seminar in June and everyone raved about how good it was. One of the girls I was with I told about the Whiskey Cake and she said she would have a bite. After one bite, she ate half of cake and ordered another one between her and a friend.

We go here often. Just love the place. Great food with great variety.

I was just thinking that it's strange no one seems to talk about this restaurant, maybe because it's not in the core.

But it's very, very good. In fact, it's one of my favorite places in all of OKC.

No one talks about it, but it's always packed when we've been, and packed late as well.

I eat here once a month easily. Thai BBQ duck wings are fantastic.

It always seems to be busy and the reviews are largely raves yet for some reason when people are discussing great places to eat in OKC it almost never comes up.

Glad to hear it's being well patronized and appreciated.

It always seems to be busy and the reviews are largely raves yet for some reason when people are discussing great places to eat in OKC it almost never comes up.

Glad to hear it's being well patronized and appreciated.

The problem is the location. Plop this thing down in Midtown and you have a major attraction. Plop it in the middle of a giant mall parking lot and the ambiance leaves something to be desired. Not that it is lacking in business any time I've been there. But it just doesn't feel like a nice place to go, because the surroundings are so unpleasant.

The problem is the location. Plop this thing down in Midtown and you have a major attraction. Plop it in the middle of a giant mall parking lot and the ambiance leaves something to be desired. Not that it is lacking in business any time I've been there. But it just doesn't feel like a nice place to go, because the surroundings are so unpleasant.

Completely agree. Even the Plaza district or 23rd street, not being surrounded by a huge parking lot would make it seem more local and welcoming. That being said, it obviously does really well and I have never had bad service or food each of the four times I have been there.

Given the scale, I'm just glad it's at Penn Square and not Memorial Road.

The problem is the location. Plop this thing down in Midtown and you have a major attraction. Plop it in the middle of a giant mall parking lot and the ambiance leaves something to be desired. Not that it is lacking in business any time I've been there. But it just doesn't feel like a nice place to go, because the surroundings are so unpleasant.

While Penn Square isn't giving the Plaza a run for its money, I wouldn't call it unpleasant. No different than any other suburban eatery in OKC. Plus I am sure they got a really good deal to take over Elephant Bar's lease.

FWIW, their location here in Plano is off the Dallas North Tollway, which is both loud and congested, and sits in a parking area of a strip center.

Given the scale, I'm just glad it's at Penn Square and not Memorial Road.

Fair point.

The problem is the location. Plop this thing down in Midtown and you have a major attraction. Plop it in the middle of a giant mall parking lot and the ambiance leaves something to be desired. Not that it is lacking in business any time I've been there. But it just doesn't feel like a nice place to go, because the surroundings are so unpleasant.I disagree. Everyone that I know has brought up the place at one point or another. Not everything has to be in urban area for it to be known or a major attraction. I like it right where it is honestly.

My only complaint is something I have mentioned here previously. I went there earlier in the day on a weekend and could only order from a brunch menu. Hopefully they have changed that policy.

Went to dinner here tonight with the wife and it was excellent. Really lovely setting and the food was excellent.

Just heard that one of our favorite food truck Chefs will be creating delicious dishes at Whiskey Cake. I think it is a match made in heaven!

I guess I'm in the minority. Wasn't really impressed.

That makes two of us.

I guess I'm in the minority. Wasn't really impressed.

Did you get the Thai BBQ duck wings?

Did you get the Thai BBQ duck wings?
No I had lamb. Can't recall what my lady friend had but she wasn't real impressed either.
It's been a while.

I went last night and fall in the unimpressed camp.

it's a touch above average....don't mind going there at all when people suggest it, but not in my normal rotation.

Too many good restaurants for this to be a frequent favorite.

Went for the first time last week, and it was pretty decent - not stellar, but it didn't suck.

Guernsey Park does duck breast better than they do, grilled salmon was one of the best the wife has ever had, mac'n'cheese was really good - very rich and not too goopy, the other things folks in our party had were decent, they said. Whiskey cake itself was pretty good, more like bread pudding than cake, though.

Service, however, was fantastic. Made reservations for my uncle's 90th birthday party over the phone and she asked if high-top tables would be OK or if we would prefer low-top (I had seen pics of their high tables and was going to ask, but she beat me to it). Server was extremely attentive - just the right amount of time between visits, knew answers to our questions, told us the recommended way the chef cooked the salmon and duck breast and asked if that was OK, asked if the sides that came with the dishes were OK or if we wanted something else, asked if my wife wanted her soup before the meal or with it, packaged the whiskey cake properly (cake in one box, whipped cream in another container, sauce in yet another container). That seems like standard service, you'd think, but it's not now in OKC unless you're at a higher-end establishment.

Probably won't go back, since there's still about 50 places on our to-eat-at list that we haven't gotten to yet, and with eating out only once a week (and eating at places we've been to before, we don't eat at a new place every week), it will take quite a while to get through our list.

Oh man, I love Whiskey Cake. And you're right, their service is top-notch.