Plaza District pioneers Jeff and Aimee Struble have submitted plans for a new breakfast and lunch restaurant to be called Yolk.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yolk1.jpg

Yolk would occupy the far east end of a building owned by the Strubles, which abuts Stanley's Garage and a proposed snow cone stand that has been opposed by the Strubles. Plans show the new restaurant would have an outdoor patio directly next to the stand, as well as outdoor space in the rear.

The space was most recently a leasing office for LIFT apartments. Tenants to the west include Retro OKC, Out on a Limb and No Regrets Tattoo.

The Mule is just on the east side of Blackwelder.

The Strubles were among the first to buy and redevelop property in the Plaza District and have received much credit for the area's revival and popularity.




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


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Is this the same Yolk that's in Chicago and FTW?

Is this the same Yolk that's in Chicago and FTW?

I don't think so, but I hope so. Yolk in Chicago has some of the best breakfast.

From the article it seemed like it was a new concept, but it does look like they're expanding to closer to us.

This is a chain (small, but still a chain) that we WANT to have. hehe

I don't think this restaurant is affiliated with the chain.

If not, they should probably be prepared for a cease and desist. Ask the folks at Knuck's Wheelhouse, which was originally to be called Homeslice.

right, this very much seems like they're following the Chicago model. ..

right, this very much seems like they're following the Chicago model. ..

Not only the name, but the seating layout looks eerily similar to the Yolk locations I've been in.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/705082_4888175080526_1540058547_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoi dCJ9 delicious!

From their Instagram page.

"Get ready to have your taste buds rattled. Yolk is a elevated breakfast and lunch eatery coming to the Plaza District. Follow for updates on construction, menu items, and our rotating blue plate specials. We are so excited to share this experience with you. See you this winter!!"

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yolk082216.jpg

Kasum Gallery Posted these.

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Not only the name, but the seating layout looks eerily similar to the Yolk locations I've been in.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/705082_4888175080526_1540058547_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoi dCJ9 delicious!

That photo looks similar to an IHOP in every way but the view

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yolk082816a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/yolk103016.jpg

I went on the gatewood home tour and one of the locations was an Airbnb rental there on Gatewood between 15th and 16th. The deck on the rental faces the back alley and you could see the patio area being built on the back of Yolk.

This restaurant is now known as Aurora Breakfast, Bar & Backyard.

I don't doubt the name / trademark issue with the existing Yolk chain had something to do with the change.

Pete, any update on when they will open?

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

Any update on when they will open?

Their Facebook page says they are aiming for March.

Last night it looked like they were painting this and the Kasum part of the building a dark gray. So they are getting close.

I found small rip in their privacy paper that lines the windows last night. This is what I was able to see.

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That's some great snooping right there!

Looks like it's going to be very nice.

I love the pic through the paper...LOL.. that is awesome. and looks nice!

I sure hope they rotate it 90 degrees clockwise when they are finished or all the food will slide off the tables. ;)

I found small rip in their privacy paper that lines the windows last night. This is what I was able to see.

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YES!! great work!

They are now open for coffee and bake goods as a soft opening, from 7-11AM.



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They are now open for coffee and bake goods as a soft opening, from 7-11AM.



I was there this morning. Place looks really good and it appears they will have a good sized patio too. I bet this place will be a hit as it fills a niche that was missing in the Plaza.

Looks beautiful.. can't wait to give it a try.

Any word yet on when they will offer a full menu? Place looks nice!

Looks like they started serving the full menu this morning.

Menu available anywhere? Couldn't find it on the FB page or Yelp nor could I find a website.

Looks like Henry Boudreaux, previously chef at Museum Café and currently at Ludivine, is involved with the menu here. Looking forward to trying it out.

What a cozy-looking space. Love the backyard also.

This is their temporary menu courtesy of warreng88:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aurora040417.jpg

Full menu:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aurora041817.jpg

A breakfast place that is open later than 2:00 on Saturday, yay!!!

I ate here last week... loved the food and the "backyard" patio area!

I called them today to give them a heads up on their website. It'll be up tomororw

The other side of the menu has their lunch options. I was there today and thought I should snap a picture...and then didn't. Sorry. They have several great options for lunch. I tried the BBQ chicken sandwich. It was pretty good. I look forward to trying the other items.

A breakfast place that is open later than 2:00 on Saturday, yay!!!

Wish it would operate all afternoon as a coffee shop once the kitchen closes. Great location for an afternoon espresso drink, always a lot of foot traffic in the area on weekends and in the late afternoons on weekdays.

Sign to go up:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aurora042017.jpg

I had the burger last weekend. It was huge, but really good. They hadn't released the full menu yet, I look forward to going back.

They've added a little stand up patio space on the front sidewalk.

Which is nice (the stand up space), but they don't seem to be using it to actually serve guests (or at least making it clear that they can order real food at the coffee bar and take it to the standup places, if that's really an option). Put in my name for 2 yesterday at about 11:30, was waiting for 72 minutes for a table. That entire time there were the two tables out front unoccupied, and no one using the standup bar to actually eat. Also the inside window bar was only being used by people waiting for seats instead of to be served at. And there were 2-3 tables out back that were empty as well. At no time, even when I checked on our status in person, did anyone make note of available options regarding those tables/bars. Even once we got seated, it was more than two hours before we got our food (from when we arrived, so another 63 minutes from being seated). We had plenty of time to look at the menu so ordered as soon as we were seated. Our total elapsed time from walking in the door to walking out was more than 2.5 hrs. The food was good, the people were nice (we were proactively brought coffee cake as a concession for our wait), but I don't understand the operation differences, especially for 2 people. I've been to Hatch with FAR more total people there, and been in and out in less time. I was just very surprised. I will go back, but after a bit.

Summary:
72 mins to be seated
63 mins from being seated to food arriving
150+ mins total time in the building (didn't take us long to eat, we were starving)

I was also there yesterday, but later in the early afternoon (I think I showed up just after 2pm). I was by myself, so I sat at the small bar and ordered pancakes, bacon, and 2 eggs scrambled. I was not happy with the service at the bar. The baristas/bartenders were inattentive and failed to acknowledge me while they immediately acknowledged another guest who walked in shortly after I did. After a long wait, both the other guest and I were given waters. I had questions about the menu, but the baristas/bartenders lacked menu knowledge. I know the place is fairly new, but its common sense to have waitstaff be menu-trained. How many pancakes in an order should be an easy question for them to answer... they should not have to ask someone... who ALSO doesn't know the answer.

I also was unhappy with the scrambled eggs I received. For a side order of 2 scrambled eggs, the portion was skimpy and the eggs were not cooked right. This is a basic item that needs to be right... why should I return to a place where they do not have basic things down right?

why should I return to a place where they do not have basic things down right?

I would say because they're new. Most new restaurants work through various problems, particularly local ones that are a brand new concept. Some people don't even go to new restaurants to avoid early problems so maybe wait 6 months. Personally, I understand that new restaurants need some time, but go anyway and expect a few miscues.

While new places need some time to iron out miscues, they should also adjust the customers bill to reflect these miscues. If you expect me to leave $13.00 for an order of biscuits and gravy that does not have any meat, it better be correct. A breakfast place that does not know how to fix scrambled eggs is more than just a miscue. SHAWNW you have the patience of Job to have stayed that long.

I went for lunch last week around 1pm. The service was quite slow but the food was very good. I had the vegetable frittata and the eggs were the perfect texture. Not too hard and not too soft and not a bit of weepiness which is difficult to do.

I'm disappointed to see so much frustration. My experience was quite the opposite. I went in for breakfast at 9:30 am on Sunday and was seated immediately. The food came out as expected and promptly. When I left I did notice the crowd had grown significantly from when I arrived, so maybe I just hit the perfect time. Lox spread was delicious and the atmosphere was ideal. It's fairly small and meshes with the culture of the Plaza district nicely.

I stopped by today. Service wasn't as bad as mentioned here. Waited a bit longer than I would have liked given the crowd at the time.

Ordered the open faced breakfast BLT (looking to try the burger and bbq sandwich later).
Bacon texture was perfect (really crispy, but not burnt), and the bread holding it up wasn't soggy. Pesto aioli ran a bit rich, and I wish there were more tomatoes.

Heads up for anybody that orders the juice, they offer this "wheeze the juice" from some other OKC manufacturer. They list "juice" for $3, and it was really $8. I bought in this time cause that's what it cost, and it was good. However, I probably won't get it again.

^

Wheeze the Juice is located in OK Sea in Deep Deuce.

I ate brunch at Aurora on Sunday. First, I just want to say they did a tremendous job with this building. The interior with the coffee bar and the outdoors area with a bar and everything in between are perfect for a brunch spot. While it was just a bit too hot, it was really cool to see people eating and hanging out in the outdoor area with a great band playing at a perfect volume (I hate when you have to yell over music at a dinner place). Also, the servers and our waiter were friendly and attentive even if our waitress probably had too many tables. I am a very patient person when it comes to waits because I just think of it as time to spend with friends. In this case, we spent our wait walking the district and getting a mimosa at the wine bar down the street. We were also specific in that we asked to be seated inside. However, we put our name in at 10:59am and we didn't get our food until after 2:30pm. Of course, that was our choice, but man, it was probably the longest I've ever waited at a restaurant. Again, we probably could have shaved 30 minutes off that by sitting outside and that was our choice. In the end, the food and presentation were good. I'd still recommend it, but maybe just plan to show up early and do something else in the district for a bit. More brunch places opening like Syrup should also help lower wait times a bit too.

Aurora announced on social media they will soon be adding dinner.

^ with egg-centric dishes I hope.

Saw that on Insta! Love this place - can't wait to see what they do at dinnertime!

The single word single syllable naming scheme is getting out of control! Glad to see a three syllable restaurant, I will definitely go!

They have a great burger.

Oklahoman reporting Aurora will reopen at the end of November and wll be operated by the couple that owns Social Dining + Deck.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5645619/plaza-spot-gets-second-chance-pizza-options-expand-in-norman?fbclid=IwAR1D2Vth9IWIzvPhryZEkYoe2WFEfRdexX wb7cfhf_xAqeHTEip3KjH2Xmk

That will be good, we've done Social Dining + Deck a couple of times now for breakfast and really liked it.

Saw in (I believe) edible magazine that Henry Boudreaux is now working for Ben E. Keith (that was his email address in the story/recipe), and just checked Linkedin and he's a sales rep for them. Guess those great thyme biscuits are a thing of the past. :(