$650,000 building permit to remodel the Elephant Bar building at 1845 NW Expressway (just in front of Penn Square Mall) to Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar.

Whiskey Cake is a "farm to fork" concept, featuring from-scratch local and fresh food.

The only other location seems to be in Plano:

Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar | From-Scratch-Only Slow-Cooking | Kid Friendly (http://www.whiskey-cake.com/index.php)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H19oVHIaEJU/TgTvgLLfZYI/AAAAAAAABKY/KOZCleV0skc/s1600/whiskey-cake-002.jpg



Here's a video; lot's of tap beers and interesting cocktails:

CIUt1EgdV2w

Honestly, this looks fantastic and different from anything else in OKC.

Reviews on Yelp are very good.



It's owned/operated by Front Burner Restaurants of Addison, TX, who also owns:

Twin Peaks: http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina: Ojos Locos (http://www.ojoslocos.com/)
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar: Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar | From-Scratch-Only Slow-Cooking | Kid Friendly (http://www.whiskey-cake.com/)
The Ranch at Las Colinas: The Ranch at Las Colinas (http://www.theranchlc.com/)
Red Dog Right: Red Dog Right - Welcome! (http://www.reddogright.com/)

I went to Elephant Bar once and almost anything would be an improvement. This definitely sounds like a major improvement.

this sounds promising. i completely agree that elephant bar was pretty underwhelming. to me, it was like an overpriced chili's with a safari theme. -M

Elephant Bar was/is just a chain and a not very inspired one at that.

Whiskey Cake (terrible name!) is run by a group that not only know what it's doing, it also offers something at least a little different.


I also love the strong emphasis on beer and drinks... The one in Plano is clearly a lively spot.

Are they still going to have The Best Braised Lamb Shanks deal in OKC?
I hope so. (sigh)

Does anyone already have dibs on the stuffed elephant head?
Or the door hardware?

hope the lobster rolls are good; anyone know of any other place to get those?

Chicken and waffles for brunch!

chicken and waffles for brunch!

yes!!!!!!

Chicken and waffles for brunch!

(To the waiter/ess W.C. Fields impression not necessary):
Excuse me young sprat/lady . . . Would it be possible to substitute a slice of your famous Whiskey Cake for the waffles?
No? Okay then . . . How about a nice slice o' soda bread and a couple of shots of Jameson?
I'll make my own.

I agree: "Whiskey Cake" is a very [strange] name. "Yellow Cake Urainium Bar and Grille" on the other hand . . .

So we should start to see the work begin soon?

been there a couple times with friends. . .fun place, packed (!!), good food. burgers/sandwiches are big enough to share (or take part home), salads and soups good. . .redfish and pork tenderloin great. . . name comes from one of their desserts that is served with a whiskey sauce (TDF. . .'nuf said!!)

What an awesome addition. Glad they chose OKC!

Whiskey Cake (terrible name!) is run by a group that not only know what it's doing, it also offers something at least a little different.

I disagree about being a terrible name. It's certainly unusual but it's something people should remember which is the main thing. It's sort of like the cliche that for celebrities there is no such thing as bad publicity.

I didn't really care for the name when I first read it, but the more I read it, the more I like it now. I think it's going to be a great addition to OKC.

Came across this on Facebook. Sounds like an interesting concept.

General Manager for 'Whiskey Cake Kitchen + Bar' (http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/fbh/3387833315.html)

hope the lobster rolls are good; anyone know of any other place to get those?

Flint has a lobster roll on the menu.

And agree with others, any place will be an improvement from Elephant Bar. This actually looks like a place I would go.

We went to Whiskey Cake in Plano, and my wife really likes it. I honestly don't remember if I liked it or not. However, I do remember hating the Elephant Bar the one time I went there in Kansas City. I remember it being really overpriced Chinese food.

Has Elephant Bar already closed?

Has Elephant Bar already closed?

It looked open yesterday.

I can't say I eat there all the time, but I love their salmon, sesame salad dressing, and creme brulee. Wish I could afford to eat there more often.

It looked open yesterday.

Drive by last night and signs were ripped off the building, but I emailed the owners of WCK and they said they couldn't disclose the location because it was currently in operation until end of the year and they haven't taken possession yet.

Has anybody been by this site lately? Progress report?

Here is the restaurant floor plan:

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

I think its still under construction. They probably are needing to do a lot of renovation since Elephant Bar got kind of trashy towards its' end.

I drive by it everyday on my way to work. The exterior has been modified to match the new exterior but only plywood has been put in place where the exterior modifications have been made.

It seems to be taking a long time.

moving very slow, any exterior renderings?

Saturday, 4/27:

3684

Thanks Shawn!

Looks like they are getting close. I predict a smash hit.

That looks pretty awesome! Gonna have to try that place some day.

I work about 5 minutes from there so going to try it for sure.

We drove by there a couple of days ago and they have their own veggie and herb gardens out front! I thought that was pretty cool!

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/551414_177443399077821_1178505044_n.jpg

Here is where they're getting local ingredients! Roxy's Ice Cream? I think so!

Are they already open ? How did you get inside to get the photo ?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/551414_177443399077821_1178505044_n.jpg

Here is where they're getting local ingredients! Roxy's Ice Cream? I think so!

This use of local ingredients is great! Is this some kind of chain? If so, color me impressed with the ambition.

i'm not seein' a braised lamb-shank on the menu . . .
hell . . . gimme a whiskey cake. make it a double to drown my sorrows.
(from a single recycled barrel organic please, from out around choctaw)

Seriously: Nice Concept . . . Great Ambition . . . I Wish Them The Very Best (and hope the food goes along with the idea)

This use of local ingredients is great! Is this some kind of chain? If so, color me impressed with the ambition.

There's only one other location (I believe) & it's in Plano, TX.

There's only one other location (I believe) & it's in Plano, TX.

Correct. . .I've eaten there a couple times and was very good. . .great casual atmosphere.

Not sure how much good the "local" spin is...have only heard of a couple of the places before.

There's only one other location (I believe) & it's in Plano, TX.

Is the "local" menu different in Plano? Or is the entire state of texas considered to be "local"? =)
(i bought some lamb shanks at the local farmer's market and cooked them. they were good. i bought some lamb shanks at Buy For Less and Homeland. they were just as good. the lamb shanks at the Elephant Bar couldn't be beat--anywhere--in terms of convenience, taste, and the lack of cleanup. The recipe I used for the perfect lamb shanks was from a now closed restaurant in Door County, Wisconsin that appeared in Gourmet Magazine . . . or maybe Bon Appetit.)

btw: i once bought some of the Christian Cheese. thought they were maybe doing some subliminal advertising. it really IS very good. Even if it is or is not from Okarche or Watonga or wherever. =)

They're proud of their new building:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/478739_177826722372822_1463684156_o.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=177826722372822&set=a.139182969570531.30510.136719309816897)

Looks great! Can't wait to try it! I've heard nothing but good things from family in Plano.

They are supposed to open on Monday, May 6th

According to their Facebook, opening is set for the "Week of May 13th"

From this, it looks like they're open:

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/459397_180999242055570_1721650900_o.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=180999242055570&set=a.139182969570531.30510.136719309816897&type=1&relevant_count=1)

Yep, they are officially open for business.

Please someone go soon and provide a report!

This is their OKC "grow room" where they harvest fresh herbs:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/936948_179829738839187_570076182_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/316061_177826722372822_1463684156_n.jpg

This is their OKC "grow room" where they harvest fresh herbs:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/936948_179829738839187_570076182_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/316061_177826722372822_1463684156_n.jpg

I'm kinda LOL about the signage of the absurdly diverse offerings. Whiskey, Farm to Table, Stacks, Melts? Wow.

I'm kinda LOL about the signage of the absurdly diverse offerings. Whiskey, Farm to Table, Stacks, Melts? Wow.

I love it. I think it looks worlds better than what was there and if it's anything like the one in Plano, this is going to be a welcome addition to the scene.

As I have predicted since we sniffed out the plans months ago, this is going to be a smash success.

Yep, they are officially open for business.

Please someone go soon and provide a report!

They are open for business ONLY AFTER FIVE PM this week. Lunch begins next week.

...

btw: i once bought some of the Christian Cheese. thought they were maybe doing some subliminal advertising. it really IS very good. Even if it is or is not from Okarche or Watonga or wherever. =)
Last I heard, due to the remains of hurricane Erin a few years ago that parked itself on top of Watonga, the Watonga Cheese plant was functionally destroyed and relocated to somewhere in Texas???

ON EDIT: yep, Perryton Texas
http://www.watongacheesefactory.com/history.html

Yet they are still calling it the Watonga Cheese Factory etc. Know they still have the Watonga Cheese Festival (in Watonga) but not sure where they are getting the cheese now???

Had dinner at Whiskey Cake this evening. The burger was awesome, the duck was pretty good. Appetizers are a little odd, but interesting. Drink list is extensive. I'd recommend it.

Went here tonight. It was great. They give you a speech how they use a lot of local ingredients which was interesting. Appetizer Beef jerky was solid, and the other people in group loved their appetizers as well (deviled eggs and sliders). Beer and whiskey list were extensive and i was glad i got to try the black mesa beer. I had the BBQ pork sandwich for entree and it was really good. The desert was solid as well. I will def be back and recommend it.

Went here tonight. It was great. They give you a speech how they use a lot of local ingredients which was interesting. Appetizer Beef jerky was solid, and the other people in group loved their appetizers as well (deviled eggs and sliders). Beer and whiskey list were extensive and i was glad i got to try the black mesa beer. I had the BBQ pork sandwich for entree and it was really good. The desert was solid as well. I will def be back and recommend it.

That's crazy, we got the same things..

I took my mom here for a late mothers day dinner and it was great! We had the beef jerkey and the deviled eggs to start and they were really good! The deviled eggs were the delicious and I'm not really a big fan of deviled eggs. I had the BBQ Banh Mi and my mom got the crispy chicken salad. Both were excellent. We finished our meal with the desert that gives the place it's name, the Whiskey Cake, and it was amazing! Everything on the menu is local. Will def be back!

I went the other day and it just seemed like the kitchen was out of it's element. I had the hangover burger and they messed up the order both for me and the guy who ordered it at the table next to us. The burger was really messy, and not in the good way that Nicks is. The bacon was chewier than I'd like it. The meat was well cooked, but the kettle chips it came with were really bland. The fries were the same variety that you'd get at an onion burger joint, and it's hard to mess those up. We had the hummus appetizer and the hummus was good, although some of the pita was burnt. None of us were impressed enough to stay for the cake.

I may try it again later, I like to give places at least two chances, but it's not the type of place that I'd take visitors to or anything.

We went...party of 6. Everyone really enjoyed their food (except my great nephew who discovered he didn't like horseradish lol). I had the OMG burger and it was really, really good. Others had salmon, pork and other burgers. All are ready to go back. Oh yeah, deviled eggs were good. Didn't have the cake because I'm not a sweet eater, but everyone around had it and were raving about it.

Service was good, not great. Sat at the hightops because of the wait for tables.

Lots of out of towners that night...helping in Moore....and everyone we talked to just loved their dinners. Sounds like Hawks experience was the anomaly.

Very, very strong reviews considering the newness of this establishment.

Bodes well for a smash success and a great addition to the OKC dining scene.


With Whiskey Cake, Guernsey Park, Packard's and Kitchen no. 324 we have four excellent, brand new restaurants.

Seems like standards are being raised and that's a good thing.

I went here today to try it for the first time and ended up being disappointed. We arrived at about 1:30PM and found out they were only serving the brunch menu. None of us were interested in anything from that menu so we left. The waiter was very nice and said that happens all of the time because they don't serve the lunch menu on Saturday on Sunday. I can understand that the kitchen might not be equipped to handle a complete lunch and brunch menu but I think it might be nice to offer at least a few items from their traditional lunch menu during brunch hours.

Now that this has been open for a while, what is the general opinion?

I know it got off to a promising start but since then there has been little discussion.

Any particular dishes or drinks you would recommend?


And is it still crazy busy?