The Drake

[OkieBerto]

Sedalia's would beg to differ.

Exactly. Right next door to Sedalia is El Sabor de la Baja! So many seafood options on their menu and they stay packed. Seafood is a major ingredient in Sushi and we just saw three Sushi places open up in downtown. Southside has a ton of seafood locations that stay busy. Some of the best food I have had in the last few years have been seafood dishes by local restaurants.

[Urbanized]

Sedalia's would beg to differ.

Sedalia's would beg to differ with Which statement? Clearly they are incredible, and thriving, but it is also a tiny place in a funky part of town in a non-traditional space, owner-occupied. Speaking of owner-occupied it's entirely possible that the property itself is paid for. They are an apples-and-oranges comparison to almost any other restaurant. Who knows, maybe that's the business model that allows elevated seafood to work in this town. But every single thing I said in that post was accurate and I stand by those statements.

[sooner88]

Sedalia's would beg to differ with Which statement? Clearly they are incredible, and thriving, but it is also a tiny place in a funky part of town in a non-traditional space, owner-occupied. Speaking of owner-occupied it's entirely possible that the property itself is paid for. They are an apples-and-oranges comparison to almost any other restaurant. Who knows, maybe that's the business model that allows elevated seafood to work in this town. But every single thing I said in that post was accurate and I stand by those statements.

Obviously there are a lot of differences between the two, but this statement "Unfortunately OKC is an absolutely terrible market for seafood, especially seafood that is elevated and even SLIGHTLY adventurous." was what I was responding to as that describes Sedalia's to a t.

[Urbanized]

Still a terrible market for seafood, in general. If we can only sustain a single locally-owned, non-sushi or Cajun, elevated seafood-primary restaurant in a 1.5 million MSA, I think it bears out my statement. Many cities our size have multiple dozens that meet this criteria.

[Rover]

Still a terrible market for seafood, in general. If we can only sustain a single locally-owned, non-sushi or Cajun, elevated seafood-primary restaurant in a 1.5 million MSA, I think it bears out my statement. Many cities our size have multiple dozens that meet this criteria.

Even for being inland, it is a poor seafood market.

[Pete]

There isn't enough demand for good seafood here. Some people say they want it but there have been attempts, like The Drake, and they can't cut it.

This is beef country which is why we have dozens of steakhouses that always seem to be busy.


I'm in the minority in that I don't like steak at all but we keep opening new places that seem to do very well. Heck, we've opened 3 Brazilian places in just the last few years.

[Thomas Vu]

There isn't enough demand for good seafood here. Some people say they want it but there have been attempts, like The Drake, and they can't cut it.

This is beef country which is why we have dozens of steakhouses that always seem to be busy.


I'm in the minority in that I don't like steak at all but we keep opening new places that seem to do very well. Heck, we've opened 3 Brazilian places in just the last few years.

I won't say I like steak, but to me it's becoming increasingly difficult to separate yourself from other steakhouses.

Brazilian at least has the variety.

[OkieBerto]

Rumor has it that Chef Kevin Lee of Birdies is taking over the lease of the Drake and bringing in a Steakhouse concept.

[progressiveboy]

There isn't enough demand for good seafood here. Some people say they want it but there have been attempts, like The Drake, and they can't cut it.

This is beef country which is why we have dozens of steakhouses that always seem to be busy.


I'm in the minority in that I don't like steak at all but we keep opening new places that seem to do very well. Heck, we've opened 3 Brazilian places in just the last few years.

It is baffling why seafood is not popular in OKC? Tulsa is able to support great seafood restaurants like White River Fish Market, Bodean Seafood,, Bonefish Grill. You would think OKC would have at least a Bonefish Grill?

[Jake]

Rumor has it that Chef Kevin Lee of Birdies is taking over the lease of the Drake and bringing in a Steakhouse concept.

Taking over the Drake to turn it into another steakhouse about sums up OKC's relationship with seafood.

[Urbanized]

I made a similar observation earlier in this thread but was assured that I was totally off base and that apparently OKC is a seafood mecca.

[progressiveboy]

I made a similar observation earlier in this thread but was assured that I was totally off base and that apparently OKC is a seafood mecca.

more like a fast food mecca. Lol.

[bison34]

I guess tulsa is more upscale than OKC, since they like seafood.

Kevin Lee is a very successful chef, so this will likely be very good, and will be popular.

[BDP]

It is baffling why seafood is not popular in OKC? Tulsa is able to support great seafood restaurants like White River Fish Market, Bodean Seafood,, Bonefish Grill. You would think OKC would have at least a Bonefish Grill?

Looking at those menus, there isn't really anything that isn't available at restaurants in OKC. A lot of the "steakhouses" offer similar seafood options and there's plenty of places offering fried seafood.

The Drake was good because it offered choices that aren't standard seafood options at steakhouses.

[OkieBerto]

I guess tulsa is more upscale than OKC, since they like seafood.

Kevin Lee is a very successful chef, so this will likely be very good, and will be popular.

I have always loved Kevin Lee. I am a little worried about longevity of his ideas though. He seems to move from one idea to the next at lightning speed.

[BoulderSooner]

Rumor has it that Chef Kevin Lee of Birdies is taking over the lease of the Drake and bringing in a Steakhouse concept.

so he is just opening a second Birdies ?? (which is a Korean steak house concept )

if so that would be amazing .. Birdies is great

[Decious]

Do Pearls and Sedalia’s not count? Loved The Drake! Went often. They were open for a decade.

[Pete]

Loved The Drake! Went often. They were open for a decade.

But they really struggled throughout.

Changed their entire model (remember, sides started as 'family-style), their menu, and hours multiple times, including dropping lunch entirely.

[Decious]

But they really struggled throughout.

Changed their entire model (remember, sides started as 'family-style), their menu, and hours multiple times, including dropping lunch entirely.

True.

I’ve just had a pretty standard midwestern and “non-coastal” journey here… when it comes to finding and enjoying seafood. Lived in Signal Hill for a few years and enjoyed that fresh caught flavor. Same goes for all of my coastal and tropical experiences.

I simply haven’t found any difference between the offerings in OKC versus other land locked cities. I’m sure there are exceptions but those would be anomalies. In fact… Sedalia’s rivals all but the absolute best I’ve had anywhere. Just my opinion, of course.

RIP The Drake! Your oyster prep did things for my wife that I’m not sure my middle aged behind can do. Well done.

[BDP]

Do Pearls and Sedalia’s not count? .

I would think so.

Hefner Grill, too? Their menu seems to be more seafood than not.

[onthestrip]

But they really struggled throughout.

Changed their entire model (remember, sides started as 'family-style), their menu, and hours multiple times, including dropping lunch entirely.

I had heard they only paid a percentage rent, therefor they probably operated it in a way that made sure the other bills were paid and rode it out the 10 years. Side note, time seems to fly by, cant believe it had been 10 years since they opened and that property was redeveloped.

It was an unconventional seafood menu at the start, but I liked the fresh oyster offerings. I dont know why a basic seabass, halibut, lobster roll seafood restaurant wouldnt work. However, if you want some seabass or halibut, theres other restaurants that serve it. Not sure you can find a lobster roll in OKC though.