Could someone please tell me where the "West Village" is located. Thanks!
Could someone please tell me where the "West Village" is located. Thanks!
This is fantastic! So much warmer and more interesting than the bar, which I always found cold and off-putting.
What about the Clock?
I went to Mary Eddy’s last night with a couple friends and the redesign is absolutely top notch. The new cocktails are very good and the service was excellent. I highly recommend going to check it out. I would say it’s not for large groups of people (7+), though they have a large private room. It is set up to be much more intimate than it was before and makes for a nice change of pace from the super busy or crowded places like Jones Assembly. This is definitely going to be one of my regular spots.
By the way, when we went last night, it was busy but not overly so—I’d say 50% full—and one of the managers told me it was nice to get a bit of a breather after a whirlwind first two days open. He said that after OKCTalk posted the pictures and the story on social media, people flooded in there. Goes to show you how influential OKCTalk has become.
Thanks for mentioning this.
Our Instagram post on Mary Eddy's received over 4,300 likes and 40,000 engagements. For the year, we are averaging over 2,400 (!) likes per post.
The script has completely flipped in the last few years. It used to be that the Oklahoman would steal our work and it would upset me to no end. Now, we can post the same information at the same time (like OKANA) and our digital traffic is exponentially larger. They really aren't competition any longer and even those who defend them completely recognize their unethical tactics, and that is coming home to roost especially since most of their content is no longer local.
OKCT is huge on Facebook as well (and Twitter to a lesser extent) and I now get daily messages asking that we promote something.
Just remembered a funny story... When Mary Eddy's and the bar were under construction in the 21c, I was able to get a couple of interior photos through the papered windows. They sent me a not very happy message demanding that I take them down. Now, look at how things have changed.
I've talked to local social media managers and people in PR, and it's unquestionable that OKCTalk has way, way more engagement than ANY social media account in OKC. There are some that have more followers (like the TV stations) but our engagement numbers are many multiples higher. And, I track the trends of all the most popular social media accounts in OKC and we are growing at least 10x as fast as any of them. We now have over 130,000 social media followers and have added more than 30K this year alone, and that number is increasing at an increasing rate.
But, as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. I refuse to promote dodgy things like Relax Park or Farmers Bank or TEEMCO when the Oklahoman is serving as a shill with full-page, PR-driven 'stories' they don't even bother to fact check. And of course, we do a good job of independent research that uncovers such scams.
It's really rewarding after spending a decade pouring my heart and soul (and money) into this work. But even more important, it's awesome to be able to educate people on all the great things happening here and all the many more yet to come.
Have to thank you again for all the work you've done for this site and OKC. This site is, hands down, the best informational site about OKC out there, and probably one of the best repositories of this type of information about any city in the US (city-data.com may be the best source for statistics for cities, but OKCTalk bests them for actual info about what's going on in a city).
It really can't be understated just how much of an asset OKCTalk is and how incredible Pete is. OKC is very fortunate to have someone like Pete who selflessly donates their time to making information like this known.
My wife and I gave Mary Eddy's a try Friday night.
What a smashing interior, maybe the coolest and most glamorous in OKC right now. This place is a must visit, either for a full dinner or a couple of drinks and small or shared plates.
The food and service were both very good, but the real star is just the space itself. It is a-ma-zing!
The restaurant was packed (even the bar seats) and despite our lack of reservations, we were immediately seated and then quickly greeted by our server.
I don't really remember the old Mary Eddy's menu, so I'm not sure what has changed, but for a starter, we had the excellent French onion dip with house made potato chips that I remember from past visits. Very good. Honestly there are few restaurants in which I enjoy house made potato chips. Mary Eddy's' are among the best I've tried: crispy, slightly salty, and not noticeably greasy. The chips are substantial enough to gather generous scoops of the dip itself, which features caramelized onions and also would make the perfect bar snack.
We moved on to salads. My wife had the wedge, which is dressed with a somewhat elevated ranch (with bleu cheese I think?), and I had the house green salad. The wedge was good as expected. As for the house green salad, I wasn't super pumped about the vinaigrette; it's probably just a matter of preference but it leans a bit on the sweet side for my tastes.
For mains, my wife had the scallops and I gave the crispy chicken breast a shot. Both were well executed dishes. Minor complaint: the potato puree, which forms the foundation for the chicken, could be more flavorful. This is the only item needing a punch or two in the flavor department, and ultimately the potatoes are rescued by a mushroom romanesco broth for dunking. The chicken itself is pretty spectacular with a super crunchy breading that would be hard to replicate at home. We should know because we have labored earnestly throughout the Pandemic to make a great breading for things like chicken cutlets and fish and chips.
The scallops are accompanied with an unctuous saffron cream sauce, but as my wife pointed out, the sauce is almost unnecessary because the natural flavor of the scallops itself is so good. Still, who in their right mind is going to complain about a silky saffron cream sauce for added flavor?
The drink menu is very cocktail focused and if I had any suggestion, it would be to add more wines by the glass. The menu is rather sparse for reds by the glass right now, but the two we tried paired nicely with the food.
We finished up with the apple crisp, which is predictably excellent and served warm with local ice cream (and expertly packed to go because we were totally stuffed).
Our server was delightful, as were the hostesses. Service was professional and conscientious while remaining relaxed and friendly. A rotation of two people ensured we were left wanting nothing. And despite the super cosmopolitan feel of the restaurant, there wasn't an ounce of pretension from the staff, who were warm and welcoming.
The real showstopper is the space itself. It's something to behold after dark because the dim and moody lighting is sensual and warm, and the design of the room lends itself better to the namesake of the restaurant than its previous incarnation, striking a distinctly non-minimal ambiance. Oversized chandeliers and dark green wallpaper with bright floral prints contrast the bright and gorgeous emerald seating, giving the room the feel of a gaudy Victorian parlor shaking hands with a bohemian Parisian salon. And somehow this sensory overload works amid all of the concrete in the building and the postmodern, minimalist design throughout the 21C lobby. It's beautiful and super sexy and warm, something neither the previous bar nor the former restaurant exuded.
Mary Eddy's is an ideal place to take a date, host a newcomer, or welcome anyone visiting OKC. It's worth the splurge and dramatic after dark!
Now that is a review, awesome right up. Cant wait to give it a shot, it's certainly more difficult to get a table than it was before the remodel.
Has anybody been to both here and city and state? I'm interested in an interior comparison.
Press release:
*********
Mary Eddy's Dining Room temporarily closes Nov. 16
The restaurant will debut as the reimagined Mary Eddy's Italian Grill with a new menu in December
OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 20, 2024) – Mary Eddy’s Dining Room, the signature restaurant at downtown OKC’s Fordson Hotel, has temporarily closed as of Nov. 16 to undergo a transformation. When it reopens in December, the reimagined Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill will offer an exciting new dining concept, blending Italian-inspired cuisine with a fresh approach to hospitality. The closure was planned and executed to reimagine the restaurant as the property continues its evolution as the Fordson Hotel after joining the Hyatt portfolio and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand.
“We are excited to reintroduce Mary Eddy’s dining concept as a vibrant Italian grill that builds on the rich history of the Fordson Hotel,” said Fordson Hotel General Manager Melanie Briley. “This next chapter reflects our commitment to providing a welcoming and memorable culinary experience for both locals and visitors.”
Located in Oklahoma City’s West Village District, Mary Eddy’s Dining Room has been the cornerstone of the hotel’s culinary offerings. Named after Mary Eddy Jones, the wife of Fred Jones, a significant figure in Oklahoma's industrial history, and grandmother to the Hall family, the restaurant embodies her spirit of hospitality and adventure.
During Mary Eddy’s closure, guests and locals are encouraged to explore the two other onsite dining options at Fordson Hotel, including fresh grab-and-go items and specialty coffees at Bodega, and relaxing cocktails at the Pool Bar. Mary Eddy's will unveil its exciting Italian Grill concept and menu in December.
The community can follow the journey on Mary Eddy’s website and social channels for sneak peaks, updates and more information. Visit maryeddysokc.com, on Instagram @maryeddysokc, and Facebook @maryeddysokc. For more information about Fordson Hotel, visit https://fordsonhotel.com/.
Pete, do the Halls have any involvement in this restaurant?
Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill Opens January 10
The reimagined restaurant and menu offers a fresh era of sophisticated Italian cuisine
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 7, 2025) – Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill is set to debut on January 10, introducing a bold new dining experience that celebrates the flavors and charm of Italian cuisine. Featuring handcrafted pastas, expertly grilled steaks, and inventive cocktails, this vibrant new concept brings a modern twist to classic Italian dining to the West Village district in downtown Oklahoma City.
“We are thrilled to introduce Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill to the Oklahoma City community,” said Fordson Hotel General Manager Melanie Briley. “This reimagined concept is about more than great food—it’s about creating a space where locals and guests alike can come together, celebrate, and enjoy thoughtfully crafted dishes in a warm and inviting atmosphere.”
A Menu Crafted to Delight
Under the guidance of Chef De Cuisine Damien McCullough, Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill offers a menu designed to ignite culinary curiosity. Guests can begin with enticing starters such as colossal poached shrimp, Nonna’s meatballs, and prime beef filet tartare. Pasta lovers will enjoy dishes like rigatoni bolognese or spicy blue crab campanelle with vodka sauce, garlic, spiced breadcrumbs. Main courses include elevated favorites like the grilled halibut with green beans & cippolini onions or savor one of our premium cuts of steak, including the 14-ounce prime New York striploin and the indulgent wagyu tomahawk ribeye.
For a sweet finish, desserts include the tiramisu parfait, carrot cake ice cream sandwich, and Nonna’s chocolate cake, inspired by a cherished family recipe from Chef Damien’s grandmother.
The bar program offers a curated selection of inventive cocktails and an exceptional wine list, crafted to complement the bold flavors of the new menu. Each drink is thoughtfully designed to elevate the dining experience and provide the perfect pairing for any occasion.
“We’ve reimagined everything but our signature Mary Eddy’s Martini,” said Ryan Richardson, Fordson Hotel Director of Food and Beverage. “Our menu celebrates the highest quality ingredients, bold flavors, and homemade Italian dishes, paired with an exceptional cocktail and wine program. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual dinner, a special celebration, or cocktails before a night out, we’re confident Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill will become a new favorite for the community.”
More than a name — Our Namesake
Nestled in Oklahoma City’s dynamic West Village District, Mary Eddy’s has long been the heart of the Fordson Hotel’s culinary landscape. The restaurant, named after Mary Eddy Jones—the wife of Oklahoma industrial pioneer Fred Jones and grandmother to the Hall family—has been a beloved fixture, known for its inviting ambiance and adventurous flavors.
Jones served as director of Fred Jones Industries for 20 years in 11 states. She was a leader in civic and cultural affairs in both the community and state, was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1976, received an Honorary Humanities Degree from OCU in 1978, and in 1987 received the Distinguished Service Citation, which is the highest honor the University of Oklahoma can bestow. Jones and her late husband, Fred Jones, honored the memory of their son, Fred Jones, Jr. through a major gift for construction of the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, and the creation of an endowment fund for the Museum, thus providing for future acquisitions and exhibitions. Select artwork from the Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art can be seen throughout Fordson Hotel.
Known for her hospitality and community events, she was the Chairman of the Beaux Arts Ball and Chairman of the first Winter Ball. In keeping with this, Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill transports guests to a different era, while tracing the history of the Jones family in Oklahoma City from Fred’s arrival in the early 1900s to the 1960s when the Jones family purchased the building. The interior of Mary Eddy’s Italian Grill remains an immersive and nostalgic space that pays homage to the beaux art style of the building’s architect, Albert Kahn, and to the neoclassical home of Mary Eddy and Fred Jones, located just blocks away on 17th street. Shades of blue, green, and turquoise are highlighted in paint and textiles throughout, referencing her famous blue and green mosaic-tiled lily pond. The private dining room is a direct nod to Mary Eddy’s actual dining room with millwork and wallpaper in rich tones.
For more information and to reserve a table, visit maryeddysokc.com.
i heard from a few people that went to a recent soft opening .. they were all very impressed ..
New Menu looks great!
It is a very reasonable size, pretty fairly priced, and the items are approachable. I wonder if this concept will finally go the distance for them. Mary Eddy's has been reimagined 3-4 times at this point it feels like. Hopefully it works out I really enjoy where the area around them is moving towards.
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