]The Meat Market Refectory, a new prime dining experience, will be located in an extensively renovated building at NW 63 & May, one of the busiest intersections in Oklahoma City and an area long lacking fine dining options.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr1.jpg

MMR will have an expensive and elaborate interior design while serving fine food, European style cocktail service both table side and at the Omega bar, an extensive wine list as well as some of the finest coffee and teas, such as Blue Mountain coffee and Mighty Leaf teas.

The restaurant will feature live bands/musicians on weekend evenings as well as Saturday Jazz brunch and Sunday Gospel brunch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served 7 days a week offering organic, free range and prime meats exclusively.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr2.jpg

In addition, there will be a market within the restaurant where guests can purchase the same cuts of meats and products served in the dining areas. The market will also offer a organic smoothie and juice bar.

Three private dining areas with private entrances will be available, seating anywhere from 12 to 70 guests. The rooms will also offer fixed state of the art audio and video equipment for meetings and events. Total seating will be approximately 220.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr3.jpg

Steve Spitz, executive chef and national television personality has created an exclusive menu for MMR. Sptiz is the former host of the nationally syndicated shows Intoxicating Cuisine with Steve Spitz and Living Better with Steve Spitz.

Everything served including breakfast jams, New Mexican Hatch Green Chile and smoked sausage are made from scratch in house. A few of the menu items that will set MMR apart from other local establishments for breakfast, lunch and dinner will include serving organic eggs, authentic New Mexican Hatch red & green chili, whole oven roasted bone-in hams and turkeys, hand carved to order and served on artisan breads. All steaks will be USDA prime and dry aged in house served with an organic salad, organic baked potato as well an organic vegetable selection at no added charge.

Managing partner, Chris Curry will be in charge of the daily management of MMR. Chris has extensive restaurant/food service experience. He has previously been general manager for Cracker Barrel and The Cheesecake Factory for several years. Other owners include Steve Thompson, business manager and Cindy & Lance Ruffel. All owners will be very involved with the execution of MMR and excited to be a part of this opportunity.


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

Nice.. I bet that building is gonna need some serious rehab.. was in it once when it was a chinese buffet and it was a bit rough.. looking forward to trying this out though sounds great!

Nice.. I bet that building is gonna need some serious rehab.. was in it once when it was a chinese buffet and it was a bit rough.. looking forward to trying this out though sounds great!

I was thinking the same thing. And the building's been boarded up for years. It'll be nice to see it fixed up.

They are spending a ton of money. The interior design is going to be something else.

That area is in desperate need of some good dining options.

I bet this place will be a home run.

Its certainly a great location and that building needed some love. will be great to see some new life on that corner. It certainly is one of the busiest intersections in town

At one time, that area had a lot good dining and night life options and although the demographics have remained very strong and development has only increased, there is surprisingly little around there.

I bet this will turn into one of those situations where this place goes in, does great, and then suddenly a bunch of new places follow suit.

It makes no sense that there are so few good restaurants and bars on May in particular.

Wow…this is out of nowhere.

Continuing good news for OKC's dining scene. I'm having trouble seeing the OKC ties with the 5 people mentioned in the article, at least form a restaurant perspective.

I'm having trouble seeing the OKC ties with the 5 people mentioned in the article, at least form a restaurant perspective.

They all are from OKC and live t/here now.

Aw come on Pete. What do you mean no good restaurants? There's McDonald's, Arby's, Taco Bueno, Taco Bell, Freddy's, Whataburger, Jack in the Box and Chick Fil A all in that general vicinity. What more could we possibly ask for? :Smiley122 Ha ha just kidding.

I had my first house in that area from 1996-2005 and don't really remember there being much more in the way of "real" restaurants during that time period. There are more fast food places than there used to be, for sure. The Ted's Cafe Escondido was a big thing back then, as it was their only location. People crowded outside that place for hours waiting to get in. Not so much any more, I would suspect.

To me, it seems like the area for the nicer dining options has shifted more toward Grand/Western/Classen, with the opening of Classen Curve.

BTW, for those too young to remember, this place was Charlie's Chili for quite a while in the 80's and 90's and was quite the raging nightspot.

What is the address of the building?

They all are from OKC and live t/here now.

Right, but where are there ties to the OKC restaurant scene at this point? Are they or have they been involved with any other establishments?

Right, but where are there ties to the OKC restaurant scene at this point? Are they or have they been involved with any other establishments?

The GM served in the same role at the local Cheesecake Factory and Cracker Barrel.

What is the address of the building?

2920 NW 63rd.

BTW, for those too young to remember, this place was Charlie's Chili for quite a while in the 80's and 90's and was quite the raging nightspot.

Was also a Spencer's Smokehouse for a few years after they broke away from Gary Dale's.

Was also a Chinese buffet for a number of years.

Yes, most recently it was Hunan Garden.

Ooh, just read the full article. Count me in on Blue Mountain coffee.

The GM served in the same role at the local Cheesecake Factory and Cracker Barrel.

If that's the extent of everyone's involvement with the OKC local food scene, then they're essentially new players in the scene, which is great. I really hope this is a successful project because we really could use 2 or 3 more local Restauranteurs.

Yes, it's essentially a new restaurant group with substantial backing and ambitious plans.

BTW, for those too young to remember, this place was Charlie's Chili for quite a while in the 80's and 90's and was quite the raging nightspot.

I actually remember it as a BBQ place when I was growing up. It was Gary Dale's BBQ, then became Spencer's BBQ. Loved their ribs and huge dinner rolls and apple fritters, both reminiscent of Applewoods. This would have been early to mid '80s, I believe. There is still a Spencer's in the Midwest City/NE OKC area.

So glad to see this building have life again. It looks like it's really gonna be done with class. Can't wait to try it out!

Was also a Spencer's Smokehouse for a few years after they broke away from Gary Dale's.

Actually, before it was anything else, it was Luther's BBQ. I know that because when it first was built and opened, it was my first job; I worked the drive through window.

Peaches Records and Tapes was on the same corner.

Actually, before it was anything else, it was Luther's BBQ. I know that because when it first was built and opened, it was my first job; I worked the drive through window.

That would have been before my days as a BBQ addict.

^^^^^^
I figured you probably had puréed ribs mixed in with formula in your baby bottles...

damn they used to have Luther's up here? way back machine for me from my Houstonian youth

Actually, before it was anything else, it was Luther's BBQ. I know that because when it first was built and opened, it was my first job; I worked the drive through window.

Peaches Records and Tapes was on the same corner.

I still have a Peaches wooden crate!

This restaurant really looks nice. That area has a little of everything but, as turnpup already mentioned, it's almost all fast food.

Don't know what is included in the "area", but Michael's Grille and the George are pretty nice restaurants and just up/down may a short ways. Dot Wo and Vito's are pleasant enough. All are local and good quality. Couscous Cafe isn't upscale, but is good. Nomad is tired, but isn't bad, and is local too. Junior's might be considered in the area, I guess. And, if you consider that a lot of the area upscale diners come from the Nichol's Hills, Glenbrook area, the competition is also Coach House, Metro, West, Cafe 401, and Bellini's. I guess it depends on what is considered the area. If it is just the corner of 63rd and May, there isn't any upscale dining on that corner.

This will be a good addition and if truly upscale I guess the closest is probably the George, Michael's and Ranch (maybe Junior's)

I still have a Peaches wooden crate!

This restaurant really looks nice. That area has a little of everything but, as turnpup already mentioned, it's almost all fast food.


Zorba's, Dot Wo, Ted's. Hardly fast food.

Zorba's, Dot Wo, Ted's. Hardly fast food.

That's why I said "almost all fast food."

La Baguette and the Ranch are also in the area, and sounds like they'll offer a service similar to La Baguette's butcher counter. It's kinda of in a weird location, or at least for what I expect for an upscale restaurant.... but so are La Baguette, Ranch and to an extent Michael's. If the food and ambiance are good it should do great.

Was also a Spencer's Smokehouse for a few years after they broke away from Gary Dale's.
Don't see how I missed this post! Sorry for the double post earlier, everyone...

Don't know what is included in the "area", but Michael's Grille and the George are pretty nice restaurants and just up/down may a short ways. Dot Wo and Vito's are pleasant enough. All are local and good quality. Couscous Cafe isn't upscale, but is good. Nomad is tired, but isn't bad, and is local too. Junior's might be considered in the area, I guess. And, if you consider that a lot of the area upscale diners come from the Nichol's Hills, Glenbrook area, the competition is also Coach House, Metro, West, Cafe 401, and Bellini's. I guess it depends on what is considered the area. If it is just the corner of 63rd and May, there isn't any upscale dining on that corner.

This will be a good addition and if truly upscale I guess the closest is probably the George, Michael's and Ranch (maybe Junior's)

Yes, there are restaurants in the area. It's the middle of the most densely populated area of Oklahoma City, after all.

But it's still woefully under-served by good restaurants. All of the places mentioned are limited; either they are older and tired (Nomad, Juniors) or are only open for dinner (Ranch, Vito's; George just added lunch) or closed on Sundays (most) or don't offer full bar and almost none offer breakfast (La Baguette is about the only exception).

This place will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and late dinner seven days a week and have a large full bar and weekend brunch. They are also spending half a million dollars just on the renovation, not including art and other expensive extras. It will seat 220, have valet parking, etc., etc.

There is nothing like this in the area.

Half a million dollars? You'd think they could spring for something more than freeware autocad for the design then.

Half a million dollars? You'd think they could spring for something more than freeware autocad for the design then.

Much bigger projects often don't bother with 3-D renderings at all, or at least don't invest much in the quick-and-dirty ones they do generate.

Ehhh, half a million doesn't go as far as you would think. Or as far as I used to think. 10grand for renderings here, 100k for equipment and setup there. The new grease trap code for 1000 gallons + new sewer tap puts you back 20k...If they put half of one on their building permit applications it's probably more like a cool mil.

^ This.

The name confuses me. I had to google the definition of "Refectory". Why mash up the slang term of "Meat Market" with an obscure word "Refectory" that has yet to make its way across the Atlantic and into the lexicon of Okies? :confused:

Ehhh, half a million doesn't go as far as you would think. Or as far as I used to think. 10grand for renderings here, 100k for equipment and setup there. The new grease trap code for 1000 gallons + new sewer tap puts you back 20k...If they put half of one on their building permit applications it's probably more like a cool mil.

Right, the $.5 million is only the building permit which does not include furniture, fixtures and equipment, nor A&E and other costs.

Do they have a projected open date?

Do they have a projected open date?

Late summer / early fall.

I know what a refectory is, but separating "meat market" and "refectory", they seem like an odd combo. The Refectory is a cool name. I'd leave off the Meat Market part, with its negative image for women.

I'd leave off the Meat Market part, with its negative image for women.

lulz, wat?

I noticed Saturday they are already working on the building. looks like they are cladding the sides with Foam assuming they are going to do a EIFS on the exterior and they added some decorative doors to the back side.

I know what a refectory is, but separating "meat market" and "refectory", they seem like an odd combo. The Refectory is a cool name. I'd leave off the Meat Market part, with its negative image for women.

betts...come on you can't be serious. I agree that just Refectory sounds better, but your reason is ridiculous.

They are moving pretty fast here:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr052514.jpg

Some recent photos... They are putting a ton of money into this place:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr060215a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr060215b.jpg

Holy smokes that last picture makes me excited. That's some great branding right there.

I'm told the interior will be stunning.

Should have some photos of that soon.

They hope to have a soft opening in August.

Sweet. This is right by me too.

not "next door", but close enough to be dangerous!! bring it on!!

Thanks to hfry for the photos. The proprietor told me last week they should have some photos of the interior soon, which is supposed to be killer:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr071915a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr071915b.jpg

They are aiming for a September opening. I hear the interior is going to be amazing:



[img]http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr073115b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr073115.jpg

gotta be honest, i was skeptical about whether or not they could pull of the exterior... but they did. that looks great. -M

They did a really good job on the renovation! Very tasteful and modern.

This place continues to look super sharp and take shape as they still open late next month.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr082315a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr082315b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr082315c.jpg

This place continues to look super sharp and take shape as they still open late next month.
Looking forward to this place opening, drove by the other day and it looks pretty close. It looks like an opening in early October now, according to their website:
Meat Market Refectory (http://www.meatmarketrefectory.com/)

It does not look like they have any social media accounts established however the website does have facebook/twitter icons on the bottom right of their page.

Here is a preview of one of the rooms which is still not completely finished.

They are putting a ton of money into this place and the decor will be quite elaborate.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/mmr091415.jpg

wow... that doesn't even look like the same place. hope their investment pays off. -M

Can I still get General Tso's chicken?

Can I still get General Tso's chicken?

Yep.... Right down the street at Dot Wo Garden. ;)