This is the new Japanese place going into the old Oak & Ore space in the Plaza.

Looks pretty ambitious.


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This looks amazing and I really want to try it, but I am still so worried about places that want to do fancy in the Plaza. This looks more Paseo or Classen Curve or even maybe Midtown.

Any idea who's opening it?

Yuzo recently closed and these photos remind me of it. An izakaya is just a bar, no need to make it "luxury", especially in the plaza of all places. Luxury or High End has never worked there.

This looks amazing and I really want to try it, but I am still so worried about places that want to do fancy in the Plaza. This looks more Paseo or Classen Curve or even maybe Midtown.

Who cares where it goes? If it’s good, It will draw a crowd. Ma Der Lao isn’t exactly a dive bar and it has done very well. Good for a Few is a nicer bar/restaurant that seems to be doing well. The Jonathan Stranger concept will also be more upscale than a lot of the places down there. I think people tend to forget that the district is anchored by a performance theater as well. As shown by the Paseo, variety in a district is a good thing.

Yuzo recently closed and these photos remind me of it. An izakaya is just a bar, no need to make it "luxury", especially in the plaza of all places. Luxury or High End has never worked there.

What “luxury” restaurants have been tried and failed in the plaza? There was a wine bar that was open for 3-5 years and shut down around Covid but always seemed full prior to that…outside of that, what has “never worked?”

Who cares where it goes? If it’s good, It will draw a crowd. Ma Der Lao isn’t exactly a dive bar and it has done very well. Good for a Few is a nicer bar/restaurant that seems to be doing well. The Jonathan Stranger concept will also be more upscale than a lot of the places down there. I think people tend to forget that the district is anchored by a performance theater as well. As shown by the Paseo, variety in a district is a good thing.

There are so many factors to opening a restaurant that the owners SHOULD care about. The type of people who like high end places like this will want good parking for free close to the door, or have a valet system. If you look at this location in general in the Plaza, Oak & Ore struggled or years to get people in their doors. I was actually surprised at how long it lasted.

You also make a point about the Theater, which correct me if I am wrong, owns the parking lot next to this location. If there are theater events going on there will be no parking at all. Employees will also have to walk a long way and likely leave their vehicles parked on a street in the neighborhood.

Good for a Few works because it is attached to a very popular Burger Joint. We all know we like New State, therefore we want to go to the bar. Ma Der Lao actually struggled before Chef Jeff was recognized as a James Beard nominee. I lived a block from the Plaza when he first opened it and it was very dead even during busy times. If it is good enough I hope it gets a lot of business. I want places like this to succeed. I just wish they understood the location better.

You are also forgetting that a similar restaurant just opened two doors down.

I dont understand the comments that this place looks too nice, as if restauranteurs in the plaza need to make their establishments simple and low end. Would Mahogany work in the Plaza? Probably not. But nice places in the Plaza is doable. We dont even know the price point of this concept so these comments are way premature. But bravo to them for aiming high with the design of the space, it looks great in the renderings. If its good food and well run, people will come.

Aslo, we can tell just from the pictures that this place will be much more different than the other Asian food place a couple doors down.

I dont understand the comments that this place looks too nice, as if restauranteurs in the plaza need to make their establishments simple and low end. Would Mahogany work in the Plaza? Probably not. But nice places in the Plaza is doable. We dont even know the price point of this concept so these comments are way premature. But bravo to them for aiming high with the design of the space, it looks great in the renderings. If its good food and well run, people will come.

Aslo, we can tell just from the pictures that this place will be much more different than the other Asian food place a couple doors down.

Ambitious, Fancy, and Luxury were some of the words used. No one said, "It looks too nice!" It has more to do with the amount of money they will have to spend to remodel this space and make it a higher scale. The images of the bar and the place settings are telling us they want a high end experience for their customers. Fast Casual or just Casual in general is what has done well in the Plaza. If prices are high, I think they will struggle.

I wonder how similar the menu will be with the the other Japanese place going in? Seems it would tough to compete for the food/drink market in the Plaza area let alone against a similar concept

What “luxury” restaurants have been tried and failed in the plaza? There was a wine bar that was open for 3-5 years and shut down around Covid but always seemed full prior to that…outside of that, what has “never worked?”

From what I've gleaned this thread, Plaza's ideal restaurant lineup is identical to a decently nice strip mall in Bixby. When does the Cava open?

From what I've gleaned this thread, Plaza's ideal restaurant lineup is identical to a decently nice strip mall in Bixby. When does the Cava open?

Probably right after the 5 guys and the chilis. I’d say BJ’s but that might be “too luxurious”

There are so many factors to opening a restaurant that the owners SHOULD care about. The type of people who like high end places like this will want good parking for free close to the door, or have a valet system. If you look at this location in general in the Plaza, Oak & Ore struggled or years to get people in their doors. I was actually surprised at how long it lasted.

You also make a point about the Theater, which correct me if I am wrong, owns the parking lot next to this location. If there are theater events going on there will be no parking at all. Employees will also have to walk a long way and likely leave their vehicles parked on a street in the neighborhood.

Good for a Few works because it is attached to a very popular Burger Joint. We all know we like New State, therefore we want to go to the bar. Ma Der Lao actually struggled before Chef Jeff was recognized as a James Beard nominee. I lived a block from the Plaza when he first opened it and it was very dead even during busy times. If it is good enough I hope it gets a lot of business. I want places like this to succeed. I just wish they understood the location better.

You are also forgetting that a similar restaurant just opened two doors down.

There is more than enough parking down there. I don’t think there is some massive urban core demographic that will only eat at restaurants they can park directly in front of at this point. But also, you don’t know that they won’t have valet service or that the price point of the food is something that would warrant it. Making a lot of assumptions here.

Yes the theater will use the parking lot next to it and the one down the street that people manage to use when they dress up and somehow find it within themselves to walk a few blocks to the theater. Also, are these unique theater goers that don’t eat or get drinks before/after a show? Seems like it might be the type of crowd to seek out a slightly nicer place than the mule, the press or empire to hit up before or after their show. It’s a built in advantage.

I wouldn’t consider oak and ore fancy nor would I say that price point or poor fit for the area caused them to fail. I think it had much more to do with lack of marketing, stagnation, a plethora of additional options opening nearby without it offering anything super unique, and I’m sure Covid probably hurt it worse than many places because of all of that. I can’t even remember if they offered food there…seems like something one who frequented the area should’ve known of the top of my head. That said it lasted for most of a decade so I’d hardly consider that a complete failure.

“Ma Der Lao struggled before Chef Jeff got the James Beard award” was that because of the location (where Goro seemed to do very well for several years) or was it because no one outside of OKCTalk followers knew it was there or what Laotian food consists of? There are a lot of things owners should care about and effective marketing/branding is way more important than “if their restaurant is too luxurious for the diverse and highly trafficked district that I want to put my restaurant in”. Pete has mentioned it a ton but this is one area that many owners here either don’t understand or don’t care about and I would guess it kills more restaurants than anything.

Putting your restaurant in a very popular district, that probably has some of the highest foot traffic in the state, across from a performance theater is not a bad choice of location. Hell Rocco worked on an island in what was a horrible part of town for most of their time there. If they market themselves well, provide a good experience and the food is good…it will work. Don’t do those things and it won’t.

^

23rd & Penn is not a "horrible part of town".

By that standard, 95% of OKC is horrible.

The type of people who like high end places like this will want good parking for free close to the door, or have a valet system. I

People who walk don't like high end food? I'm not sure what the reasoning for that would be.

In any event, I don't think I've ever had to park more than a block off of 16th, unless there is a festival or special event, and have never paid for parking around there. In an urban area, that is good parking for free close to the door. Valet is always nice (though not free), but if places started offering valet on 16th, that would get annoying pretty fast, If they really don't want to walk, they could also use ride share,

Obviously, none of that means it will be successful, I just don't think it'd be THE reason it'd fail. If it's good, it will do well, even if the people who never go anywhere they have to walk never set foot in it.

I do think (hope) the two Japenese concept differentiate enough from each other. My main worry would be whether they can co-exist,

People in cities all over the world must be devastated to hear that all nice restaurants require a Walmart parking lot or people with money will refuse to frequent their business! /s

The other Japanese restaurant is just two buildings to the west, so it's likely that at least one will suffer from the competition. Lunch business typically doesn't do well in the Plaza District, it's a great area for brunch and dinner.

^

23rd & Penn is not a "horrible part of town".

By that standard, 95% of OKC is horrible.

it was pretty bad compared to all of the areas we’re talking about now, especially in terms of good locations for an expensive restaurant, when they opened and was pretty rough for awhile after that , similar to Cheevers in uptown.

There is more than enough parking down there. I don’t think there is some massive urban core demographic that will only eat at restaurants they can park directly in front of at this point. But also, you don’t know that they won’t have valet service or that the price point of the food is something that would warrant it. Making a lot of assumptions here.

Yes the theater will use the parking lot next to it and the one down the street that people manage to use when they dress up and somehow find it within themselves to walk a few blocks to the theater. Also, are these unique theater goers that don’t eat or get drinks before/after a show? Seems like it might be the type of crowd to seek out a slightly nicer place than the mule, the press or empire to hit up before or after their show. It’s a built in advantage.

I wouldn’t consider oak and ore fancy nor would I say that price point or poor fit for the area caused them to fail. I think it had much more to do with lack of marketing, stagnation, a plethora of additional options opening nearby without it offering anything super unique, and I’m sure Covid probably hurt it worse than many places because of all of that. I can’t even remember if they offered food there…seems like something one who frequented the area should’ve known of the top of my head. That said it lasted for most of a decade so I’d hardly consider that a complete failure.

“Ma Der Lao struggled before Chef Jeff got the James Beard award” was that because of the location (where Goro seemed to do very well for several years) or was it because no one outside of OKCTalk followers knew it was there or what Laotian food consists of? There are a lot of things owners should care about and effective marketing/branding is way more important than “if their restaurant is too luxurious for the diverse and highly trafficked district that I want to put my restaurant in”. Pete has mentioned it a ton but this is one area that many owners here either don’t understand or don’t care about and I would guess it kills more restaurants than anything.

Putting your restaurant in a very popular district, that probably has some of the highest foot traffic in the state, across from a performance theater is not a bad choice of location. Hell Rocco worked on an island in what was a horrible part of town for most of their time there. If they market themselves well, provide a good experience and the food is good…it will work. Don’t do those things and it won’t.

Saying that the Plaza would have substantial national chains reside in it is overdoing it. The only one currently is UP/DOWN.

Saying there is more than enough parking down there makes me think you have never lived in Gatewood or Classen Ten Penn. I was there for four years. The only nights with good parking were when no events were happening, and it was Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

The theater seems to be an advantage, but it doesn't have a show every week, so it wouldn't be a consistent source of income for the restaurant.

I never said Oak & Ore was fancy; I was commenting on its location. I agree that Oak & Ore had many problems, and the location wasn't the defining factor in closing. However, it may be the only reason it was open for so long.

Chef Jeff tried another concept before Ma Der Lao. It failed so quickly that most people don't even remember it. Not every restaurant will make it in the Plaza, but we have plenty of examples of what type does.

I just drove by, and there has yet to be much progress. Late Summer doesn't look like it will happen.

People who walk don't like high end food? I'm not sure what the reasoning for that would be.

In any event, I don't think I've ever had to park more than a block off of 16th, unless there is a festival or special event, and have never paid for parking around there. In an urban area, that is good parking for free close to the door. Valet is always nice (though not free), but if places started offering valet on 16th, that would get annoying pretty fast, If they really don't want to walk, they could also use ride share,

Obviously, none of that means it will be successful, I just don't think it'd be THE reason it'd fail. If it's good, it will do well, even if the people who never go anywhere they have to walk never set foot in it.

I do think (hope) the two Japenese concept differentiate enough from each other. My main worry would be whether they can co-exist,

You seem to forget who has most of the money in this City. They are likely not looking to walk far for dinner. So price maybe more of a defining factor when it comes to the success of this restaurant.

People in cities all over the world must be devastated to hear that all nice restaurants require a Walmart parking lot or people with money will refuse to frequent their business! /s

Most other countries think Americans are crazy when it comes to cars and parking. We don't live in a walking state in case you didn't notice. We even have parking requirements for new builds.

And most first world countries are more urban in nature with a culture of mass public transit.

it was pretty bad compared to all of the areas we’re talking about now, especially in terms of good locations for an expensive restaurant, when they opened and was pretty rough for awhile after that , similar to Cheevers in uptown.

Rococo wasn't any more expensive than any of the places in the Plaza which is less than a mile away. And Tony's Italian Specialties had a long and successful run in that same location. Social did well just around the corner.

23rd and Penn has OCU right next door, Shepherd neighborhood is directly west, Gatewood to the south and the rest of the area is just fine.

I get tired of people looking down their noses at anything not Heritage Hills or Edmond. The huge majority of people in OKC live in areas just like this, including yours truly and I love my neighborhood. "Horrible" is a strong and denigrating word.

You seem to forget who has most of the money in this City. They are likely not looking to walk far for dinner. So price maybe more of a defining factor when it comes to the success of this restaurant.

Maybe you just don't know everyone in the city who has money.

This is honestly a strange take. Are you saying that people who have money no longer will walk a couple of blocks for a meal or that people who will walk don't have any money. lol

And what are we talking about here, anyway? Is this supposed to be the most expensive restaurant in the city targeted to senior citizens or something?

I wouldn’t say 23rd and Penn is horrible. But I also would not argue with someone that said that it is. I mean, look at this Google streetview and image. My own personal anecdote is that I have seen some pretty raunchy stuff at the intersection.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qRVuw7xtwzVBqQy26?g_st=ic

I do agree that horrible is a pretty strong term. But then again, it’s kinda relative to what you’re referring to.

From my circle of people that I know, and am related to in Oklahoma City metropolitan area, Anything that is not Edmond, Far northwest OKC, Or Nichols Hills, Has a negative stereotype. I don’t all agree with that. But I suspect a lot of people feel that way.

I’ll also add, If you’re ever drunk/high, Can’t sleep, Or just want some entertainment, Go to the pizza house south of 23rd on Penn around 3am. You’ll meet some pretty interesting characters there.

I wouldn’t say 23rd and Penn is horrible. But I also would not argue with someone that said that it is. I mean, look at this Google streetview and image.

Looks about the same as any OKC major intersection and better than most.

I realize ignorant people want to claim some sort of superiority because they live in a suburb, but we shouldn't be furthering that crap here.

There are tons of people on OKCTalk that live within a couple of miles of that intersection and love their neighborhood.

Looks about the same as any OKC major intersection and better than most.

I realize ignorant people want to claim some sort of superiority because they live in a suburb, but we shouldn't be furthering that crap here.

There are tons of people on OKCTalk that live within a couple of miles of that intersection and love their neighborhood.
Absolutely I agree with you. I’m just saying there is a stereotype that exists Around the city about the inner parts of the city. as I said, it’s not one that I agree with. In fact, I think there’s kind of a silver lining in that it keeps these gems hidden. I’ve noticed whatever trendy areas, when they get “discovered,” they kind of lose their charm. The Plaza District and the Paseo are both very nice districts, but they have a completely different vibe from the one they had back in the late 2000s and even early 2010s. I don’t hate the way it is now, but I do kind of miss the old versions.

I think the city should do more placemaking here.

Something like this would be cool for 23rd St.: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cUUYGE8741GCMCXx8?g_st=ic

Though they could probably only do one car each way instead of two due to ROW restraints.

Most other countries think Americans are crazy when it comes to cars and parking. We don't live in a walking state in case you didn't notice. We even have parking requirements for new builds.
You’d probably be shocked at some of the traffic jams I've been in in London, Paris, Istanbul, Mexico City, Seoul, Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Athens, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Rio, Sao Paolo, and other places you don't seem to think people drive cars.

And in many, many years of my travels I've never had anyone express that they think Americans are crazy when it comes to cars. They mostly think we are rich because so many have one or more.

Looks about the same as any OKC major intersection and better than most.

I realize ignorant people want to claim some sort of superiority because they live in a suburb, but we shouldn't be furthering that crap here.

There are tons of people on OKCTalk that live within a couple of miles of that intersection and love their neighborhood.

I mean yeah…like I did for 8 years and do again after moving away for a few years. When I bought my house in 2011 and especially around the time Rococo opened (2003), I thought that was a crappy part of town along with uptown, most of which was dilapidated at the time. I am far from ignorant about inner core OKC after spending most of my adult life in it. I’ve lived inside of the inner core of either OKC or Tulsa for all but a total of 1.5 years since graduating 15 years ago. I loved my neighborhood and loved several nearby neighborhoods that I looked to buy in and still thought most of 23rd sucked and was a rough part of town for awhile after I moved down here. If someone had said “I want to put a fancy/expensive restaurant out on an island at 23rd and Penn in 2011, I would’ve thought that was a much worse idea than putting a fancy restaurant in the Plaza in 2024…which is way nicer than 23rd and Penn is even now…and the point of my post was that Rococo worked (in a much less ideal location than the plaza) because the food and experience are good.

But on 23rd and Penn and uptown…guess what? Over a decade later it’s all a ton better. I never said that I thought it was currently a horrible part of town or even recently was a horrible part of town.

Rococo wasn't any more expensive than any of the places in the Plaza which is less than a mile away. And Tony's Italian Specialties had a long and successful run in that same location. Social did well just around the corner.

23rd and Penn has OCU right next door, Shepherd neighborhood is directly west, Gatewood to the south and the rest of the area is just fine.

I get tired of people looking down their noses at anything not Heritage Hills or Edmond. The huge majority of people in OKC live in areas just like this, including yours truly and I love my neighborhood. "Horrible" is a strong and denigrating word.

Again…I didn’t say it was a horrible part of town now or even that recently nor did I say the surrounding neighborhoods were horrible…but that intersection was pretty bad when I moved down here as were the neighborhoods around OCU. Shepherd was fairly nice, Gatewood was coming along (though the northwest corner of it was noticeably farther behind the rest), Las Vegas and Pennville both were very rough aside from a street or two and military park was a little better than OCU/Epworth but not by much. While house hunting, I looked extensively through every neighborhood between downtown and essentially I-44 because I knew little to nothing about it at the time and ended up with a very good feel for the state of that entire area back then. There were also a bunch of dilapidated apartments right next to rococo. Maybe horrible was a strong word but it was certainly close as was most of uptown.

Rococo is/was absolutely quite a bit more expensive than most of the Plaza restaurants, especially vs the plaza restaurants early in its transformation…but again the point was that the spot Roccoco chose in 2003 was far less ideal than the old Oak and Ore space, that several are questioning, is today. It sounds like they will be in the same price range and Rococo has been very successful because it’s a great restaurant…if this restaurant promotes it self and provides a great experience, it will work. If the food or service suck or it’s generally mismanaged…it will fail but it won’t be the location that causes it.

^

We can drop this because I know what you meant, I just get triggered on this subject because I see similar things said all over social media it's ridiculous.

But there are plenty of good neighborhoods in all directions of that intersection and everything else is improving.

^

We can drop this because I know what you meant, I just get triggered on this subject because I see similar things said all over social media it's ridiculous.

But there are plenty of good neighborhoods in all directions of that intersection and everything else is improving.

Well yeah. People on social media say those areas are horrible NOW because the collective IQ of most social media is below that of a Labrador Retriever.

And absolutely, today most, if not all, of the north inner core neighborhoods are far enough along that they would be considered at least reasonably safe, if not just as safe as the suburbs. Even Classen-Ten-Penn, which I thought was near hopeless south of 15th St in 2011, is moving along rapidly now.

^

We can drop this because I know what you meant, I just get triggered on this subject because I see similar things said all over social media it's ridiculous.

But there are plenty of good neighborhoods in all directions of that intersection and everything else is improving.
Do you really read social media comments? I just recently stopped reading comments entirely because it hurts my brain.

You’d probably be shocked at some of the traffic jams I've been in in London, Paris, Istanbul, Mexico City, Seoul, Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Athens, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Rio, Sao Paolo, and other places you don't seem to think people drive cars.

And in many, many years of my travels I've never had anyone express that they think Americans are crazy when it comes to cars. They mostly think we are rich because so many have one or more.

My statement was a generalization about how we consume. The majority of people who go to coffee shops in the US are just going through a drive thru at Starbucks. I know our way of living is spreading around the world, but for the most part they travel in more diverse ways. Walking, biking, scooters, public transit. We are starting to do the same, but in Oklahoma the Car will be king for a very long time and most people end up driving their SUV to the Plaza and spend 30 minutes trying to find a parking space.

16th still has a high traffic problem with people using it instead of going to 23rd or 10th. That would also seem like a plus for a new restaurant, but more than likely it is actually the opposite for this area.

^

We can drop this because I know what you meant, I just get triggered on this subject because I see similar things said all over social media it's ridiculous.

But there are plenty of good neighborhoods in all directions of that intersection and everything else is improving.

I live in Putnam Heights and go South on Penn almost everyday to work. Recently they have started to Upgrade the sidewalks and bus stops down this stretch of Penn. So 23rd will soon have a new intersection of sidewalks. I love living in this area and rarely feel like I am in danger.

All that said, there are parts of this area that have struggled. Even the McDonald's cut all the limbs off of their tree so that homeless people didn't use it for shade. There are problems, but it is still a great area with tons of great places to be. I go to Vasa weekly, I love Salad and Go. I am at Panda Express sometimes and it has never been a problem.

Maybe you just don't know everyone in the city who has money.

This is honestly a strange take. Are you saying that people who have money no longer will walk a couple of blocks for a meal or that people who will walk don't have any money. lol

And what are we talking about here, anyway? Is this supposed to be the most expensive restaurant in the city targeted to senior citizens or something?

You are right. I think I went to far with that comment. Thanks for calling me out!

There are alot of factors that determine if someone is going to walk versus drive somewhere. We just got back from the Portland area (Hillsboro) and there were walkers everywhere. I was surprised at the number of people outdoors. Then my wife pointed out that it was a nice 80 degrees and not 102 like it was in OKC,

There are alot of factors that determine if someone is going to walk versus drive somewhere. We just got back from the Portland area (Hillsboro) and there were walkers everywhere. I was surprised at the number of people outdoors. Then my wife pointed out that it was a nice 80 degrees and not 102 like it was in OKC,

There is really one big factor: the built environment. People will walk in most any climate. If OKC was more walkable, dense, and had good pedestrian (e.g., tree lined streets which lower the temperature), people would walk more. For anyone interested in better understanding it, Jeff Speck's TED Talks are a good start. He advised OKC and often uses it as an example in his presentations.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cL5Nud8d7w

When it comes to trees and walkability, imagine if most streets in OKC were lined with mature trees like those around Myriad Gardens or along Western Avenue in front of Chesapeake campus. I’d walk everywhere! Why don't we require new tract housing developments to plant a tree or two for every house they build? Neighborhood streets lined with trees not only enhance the beauty of the area but also increase property values. A great example is the Abbot Lake Community by Ideal in Moore. They plant trees with every new house, and in 5 or 10 years, that neighborhood will look incredibly pleasant.

When it comes to trees and walkability, imagine if most streets in OKC were lined with mature trees like those around Myriad Gardens or along Western Avenue in front of Chesapeake campus. I’d walk everywhere! Why don't we require new tract housing developments to plant a tree or two for every house they build? Neighborhood streets lined with trees not only enhance the beauty of the area but also increase property values. A great example is the Abbot Lake Community by Ideal in Moore. They plant trees with every new house, and in 5 or 10 years, that neighborhood will look incredibly pleasant.

Not to mention the environmental benefits!
Green infrastructure including urban parks and forestry can reduce and the energy demand of nearby buildings by 10 percent.
Roadside vegetation that is tall and dense can lessen downwind pollutants by approximately 30%.
Urban trees can reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing 15 to 27% of annual rainfall.

Studies show that human interaction with nature reduces high heart rate and blood pressure, and increases immune system function.5 Increasing tree cover also reduces heat illnesses such as heat stroke.6 Similarly, tree cover is linked to fewer heat-related deaths in urban areas. One analysis estimates that a 10% increase in tree cover would result in approximately 50 fewer deaths per year in Salt Lake City, Utah and 3,800 fewer deaths in New York City, New York.7 Additionally, trees and vegetation can act as a physical barrier to reduce noise and light pollution.

One review of 308 studies found that, on average, urban forests were 3.0° F (1.6°C) cooler than urban non-green areas.
Scale-dependent interactions between tree canopy cover and impervious surfaces reduce daytime urban heat during summer | PNAS (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1817561116)
Benefits of Trees and Vegetation | US EPA (https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/benefits-trees-and-vegetation)

Sidewalks with mature trees on both sides creates an almost magical experience. It really is so relaxing and peaceful. I wish every city would prioritize it... and it's going to matter as temperatures continue to rise.

We dined at Takaramono last night for our Anniversary. It was great! We enjoyed everything we ordered. I was skeptical that this would be a good spot for a fine dining restaurant, but it will do just fine here.

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We dined at Takaramono last night for our Anniversary. It was great! We enjoyed everything we ordered. I was skeptical that this would be a good spot for a fine dining restaurant, but it will do just fine here.

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that looks great thank you

A lengthy review didn't post because I logged myself out somehow...still wanted to share:

Party of six: five adults, one child. They were totally unprepared for dinner service last night. Some staff had never worked in a restaurant before - they said as much. Server told us to only order wine or sake, actively discouraged cocktails because the bartender did not know how to make them. Remodel is beautiful but the number of staff and pateons made it feel extremely cramped and added to the chaos.

Food was fine, presentation was the best part. Crunchy tuna starter and desserts were excellent. Must get better for the $$$. Will give them a long time before returning but lots of potential if they get service sorted. Akai far superior.

A lengthy review didn't post because I logged myself out somehow...still wanted to share:

Party of six: five adults, one child. They were totally unprepared for dinner service last night. Some staff had never worked in a restaurant before - they said as much. Server told us to only order wine or sake, actively discouraged cocktails because the bartender did not know how to make them. Remodel is beautiful but the number of staff and pateons made it feel extremely cramped and added to the chaos.

Food was fine, presentation was the best part. Crunchy tuna starter and desserts were excellent. Must get better for the $$$. Will give them a long time before returning but lots of potential if they get service sorted. Akai far superior.

I was afraid that this would happen. With just two people it was easy for our server, but I can see a larger party feeling cramped and the staff is all pretty new. Our server also said they were new, but he did a fantastic job. The entry space is too small to fit more than a few people and if you sit in the front just past the waiting area the draft from a cold day will come in and get you. When we went on Monday they didn’t even have their liquor license yet. So we weren’t even offered drinks. I hope they get it figured out for larger groups, they did have a larger room in the back that look nice.

They did not even have drink menus printed (or at least available) and none of the sake was chilled.

Trying to exit after dinner was pretty frustrating because there were probably 20 people at the entrance and no one could/would get out of the way.

They did not even have drink menus printed (or at least available) and none of the sake was chilled.

Trying to exit after dinner was pretty frustrating because there were probably 20 people at the entrance and no one could/would get out of the way.

Yeah, that sounds like a cluster.

They did not even have drink menus printed (or at least available) and none of the sake was chilled.

Trying to exit after dinner was pretty frustrating because there were probably 20 people at the entrance and no one could/would get out of the way.

I mean, some of that is just the design of the building. The exit is not really their fault, they worked with what they had. If people don't move, that isn't on the restaurant.

Either all we ever see on here are negative reviews, or OKC just has no good restaurants with good service.

I mean, some of that is just the design of the building. The exit is not really their fault, they worked with what they had. If people don't move, that isn't on the restaurant.

Either all we ever see on here are negative reviews, or OKC just has no good restaurants with good service.

I honestly don’t think Will was trying to give a bad review. I think Will was informing the forum that there are some things that they need to work on. They are new and in a busy district. I have a feeling they will get it figured out. I thought the food was great and I will be back soon!

I honestly don’t think Will was trying to give a bad review. I think Will was informing the forum that there are some things that they need to work on. They are new and in a busy district. I have a feeling they will get it figured out. I thought the food was great and I will be back soon!

I am legit curious. It seems every new restaurant has the same people saying the same things about them. Is it just an OKC thing?

I am legit curious. It seems every new restaurant has the same people saying the same things about them. Is it just an OKC thing?

Good grief. Get over yourself and quit posting and complaining about every single thing.

You got banned once and it's going to happen again, and next time it will be permanent.

I am legit curious. It seems every new restaurant has the same people saying the same things about them. Is it just an OKC thing?

With tip, my bill was $450. I have high expectations.

I challenge you to find anything I've posted about a new bar or restaurant that's unfair.

If people don't move, that isn't on the restaurant.

It is 100% on the host and GM to ensure patrons can enter and exit their restaurant, particularly when it's people without reservations just waiting.

I am legit curious. It seems every new restaurant has the same people saying the same things about them. Is it just an OKC thing?

Yelp is available in every city. Satisfy your curiosity and take in the wealth of critical reviews of service in new restaurants around the world.

It's not an "OKC thing".

I am legit curious. It seems every new restaurant has the same people saying the same things about them. Is it just an OKC thing?

When this restaurant was first announced I was critical of the location and the fact that another new sushi restaurant was literally two doors down. That didn't stop me from going and trying it out and I genuinely loved it and thought the service and food was excellent. It was on a Monday night and was not super busy, but I can see how they might struggle on a full house with new people waiting tables. I have been critical and I have given them praise. What more do you want from people?

I am legit curious. It seems every new restaurant has the same people saying the same things about them. Is it just an OKC thing?

While it's not a take I agree with, in general there aren't vast amounts of people that are in a position to have expendable income to try new restaurants as a hobby.