Union Wood Fired Grill (formerly the Meat Market Refectory)

[kevinpate]

Well, some of us have hands that can tend to go a bit shaky at the most inopportune times. Can really suck when your hands up and decide they're skeered of a soup spoon.

[ctchandler]

Around here, maybe we stuff the napkin in our shirt collar like a bib. . Hopefully not in a nice place though.

I don't need no stinkin' napkins, I have perfectly good sleeves!
C. T.

[foodiefan]

I don't need no stinkin' napkins, I have perfectly good sleeves!
C. T.

[Thomas Vu]

I stopped by this weekend. I re-read all the posts here to see why I didn't stop by when it opened. I thought everything was pretty good.

Ordered the crabcakes for an appetizer, and noticed that they put in chunks of crab as opposed to having shredded crab throughout the cake, which I liked. Ordered the Akuashi ribeye (Wagyu), rare, which was cooked appropriately. I tend to like steaks with a crust, and understand it can be difficult to achieve that while maintaining the rare color. Ordered the bread pudding, and thought it was one of the better desserts I've had at steakhouses recently. Rivals the pecan ice cream ball at Red Prime.

Server was great, knew the menu well, and suggested an excellent Riesling to go with the crab cake. The bread was better than most steakhouses that I can remember as well.

[TheTravellers]

Thanks for posting that, forgot to post our experience back in July - tl;dr is that their service was superb, as was the food (not sure if it's the best in the city since we've only been to Ludivine, Red, and a couple of other high-end places, but it's gotta be way up there).

They had a card and handwritten note on the table (I had called and asked that they put a candle in my wife's dessert or something like that since it was her birthday), got an amuse-bouche to start, a couple of drinks, a couple of appetizers (tuna and the tournedos), a free tasting of some rose wine because it would complement the tuna appetizer I ordered, then we had our entrees (lobster thermidor and lamb ribeye) and my wife ordered brussels sprouts instead of mashed potatoes, but they brought out the potatoes anyway. Then they brought out the sprouts within a couple of minutes and apologized profusely and comped the sprouts (took them home - best ones we've had). Had a couple more drinks, then dessert - ordered a bread pudding to split and they brought out that (with a candle in it ) along with an order of Key lime pie (best Key lime pie we've ever had, and it was also free), and a free glass of Prosecco each (which we like better than champagne). Oh, and the bread was great, as mentioned above, but the butter was smoked salt and rosemary butter, so that just amped it up even more.

Server was great, knowledgeable, funny, attentive, as was the GM who stopped by our table a couple of times. The attention to detail is amazing - short straws for short drinks, long straws for long ones, napkins folded in a Bishop's miter pattern because of the "Refectory" theme, holding the glasses up to the light when they get them out of the cabinet to make sure they're polished perfectly, etc. Decor and music were great too - understated, but contemporary and cool.

[HangryHippo]

How is the place doing? Does it get good business?

[TheTravellers]

How is the place doing? Does it get good business?

Not sure about current business, but on 7/15 (a Sat), it was easily 2/3 full when we left (we got there at 5:30 or so and left around 7:30).

[Thomas Vu]

How is the place doing? Does it get good business?

I came in a little early, and by the time I left it was almost full.

[Pete]

http://newsok.com/mmr-prime-steakhou...rticle/5590187

[hfry]

New Signage going up for Union wood fired Grill.

[shawnw]

Does that mean MMR failed?

[Pete]

Does that mean MMR failed?

No, just rebranding.

Menu will change as well.

[jbkrems]

Pete, is Union going to be same ownership? What kind of concept is Union?

[Pete]

Pete, is Union going to be same ownership? What kind of concept is Union?

It's the same ownership. I'll see if I can get my hands on their new menu and branding.

[Pete]

They've completed the rebranding and have a new website which shows the menus:

https://www.unionwoodfiredgrill.com

We are a Union of inspirations of popular worldwide cuisines, fresh food, great wines, cocktails and our wood fired grill. Chef-owner Jonas Favela only uses the finest ingredients from local and dependable sources. Located at the South West corner of NW 63rd & May Avenue, Chef Favela uses his understanding of American, Italian, Latin & Asian flavors along with French and Italian Techniques to create memorable food and experiences. Local owners Lance & Cindy Ruffel worked closely with Chef Favela to ensure that any special occasion or a night out with friends and family is a great experience, from the artwork on the walls to the specialty cocktails to the featured Chef's creations, they are always around to ensure that everything is consistent and executed with precision. A relaxed and comfortable setting allows for a unique service experience, servers are very knowledgeable about food, wine and cocktails and can accommodate any occasion.

The centerpiece of the restaurant is the Omega Bar, the perfect place to begin the Gastronomic journey. Union Wood Fired Grill was created with the idea that there are many different types of people, with many different needs. We offer a casual relaxed atmosphere for a quick bite at the Omega Bar or a night out friends and family.

For dinner as a starter try our Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Skillet Cornbread cooked to order or Pimento Cheese dip. The crisp Caesar salad is a must do - and perhaps the best in OKC or try the full flavored Thai Salad. We are really proud to offer great seafood selections such as Jumbo Diver Scallops, Cedar Plank Seabass, Lobster Tagliatelle, Wood Grilled Lobster Tail and Wood Grilled Steel-head Salmon. Our Landfood offerings include Boneless Short Ribs, Wood Grilled Filet, and 45 day Dry Aged Wood Grilled Ribeye. If you have a plant based diet or choose to not eat meat we offer a grilled Italian Brown Mushroom "Burger", Glass Noodle Vermicelli, and a full flavored Buddha Bowl. There will also be a kids menu to boot!

It will be difficult to save room for dessert. Then again, it is hard to not to with choices like Chocolate Mousse, Creme Brûlée , Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake, and our famous Brioche Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce.

[Bullbear]

wondering if gift certificates I have for MMR will still be honored.. hmmmm

[Pete]

wondering if gift certificates I have for MMR will still be honored.. hmmmm

I think there is a good chance.

You should call them and ask.

[Pete]

Went for dinner with friends on Saturday night and had a really good experience.

Service was great, all the food was tasty and interesting and they were quite busy.

I really like their bar area. It's a beautiful spot and the bartenders are friendly and professional.

[Pete]

They are closing their doors at the end of this week per the Oklahoman.

[PaddyShack]

They are closing their doors at the end of this week per the Oklahoman.

Well darn, my wife and I were thinking of trying this place out... Oh well.

[TheTravellers]

They are closing their doors at the end of this week per the Oklahoman.

We loved MMR, only got there once since it was kind of expensive, though, only so many trips to Red, Ludivine, MMR, etc. that we can do in one year and it's not many. We looked at the new menu for Union, and both went "Nah, don't need to go back". It seemed to be nothing new/unique that wasn't served at a bunch of places already. Bummer they couldn't make it, though. The interior is great (or was when it was MMR, at least), hope it gets repurposed and not completely gutted and redone.

[jn1780]

Another one bites the dust. High end food service is a tough business to get into.

[Jeepnokc]

We looked at going several times but the reviews were mixed bag so we always ended up elsewhere. Like travellers, there are only so many nights out and there are so many choices.

[RadicalModerate]

We looked at going several times but the reviews were mixed bag so we always ended up elsewhere. Like travellers, there are only so many nights out and there are so many choices.

It was a darn good Chinese Restaurant while it lasted. My SweetHeart and I Loved it. Then it turned into an Upscale Beefery. With easy access to The Worst Parking Lot. Ever . . . (French Market Maul)

I heard a story from a Real Chef once: "The Next Time I think about opening a restaurant I'm going to get a quarter of a million dollars, put it in a pile, and burn it. It's quick, it's easy and gets the same result."

So . . . Have you heard the one about the Kluster involving Penn and Britton/Hefner/Memorial? =~)

[citywokchinesefood]

People really need to stop trying to open up fine dining steakhouses in OKC. The market is saturated already and with Ruth’s Chris and Bob’s coming relatively soon it will be too competitive of a space for at least one of the established OKC high end steakhouses.