Bolero

[mecarr]

I walked by it one time and wasn't even sure if it was a restaurant or not. Most people wouldn't know by seeing a sign that says "bolero" that it is a restaurant. We were gonna go there the other night for dinner but the place is really pricey. Instead, we want to In the Raw which was great and very affordable.

I did see an article about Bolero in the weeks Gazette, it was a small blurb.

[southernskye]

Does Bolero have a website?

[BailJumper]

I've Googled it and got lots of links, but no home page.

[rikkijade]

Just wait until the grand opening in two weeks!

[JRDave]

Here is a link to a review by Journal Record Managing Editor Ted Streuli. I can sum up his reaction in two words:


NOT IMPRESSED!

The Journal Record - Article

[betts]

I had tapas in the bar last night: chorizo with queso fundido, drumsticks in tomato sauce, beef and potato empanadas, calmari and rock shrimp. My assessment: good, but not great. I'd like to try the restaurant. That bar was fairly full, especially considering that we were there pre-game and the restaurant was filling up as we were leaving.

[jbkrems]

The restaurant has the same menu as the bar, except for added entrees and so forth. When I went there for dinner, I ordered several tapas as well. I would encourage you to try:

Chorizo skewers in red wine
White bean salad
Meatballs
Pork loin

It was all very good.

[jbrown84]

How was the crowd when you went, jb?

[jbkrems]

The bar was full, but the restaurant was almost empty. There was a large party in the bar. However, this was a Tuesday night. I did not expect a crowd on a Tuesday.

[JRDave]

Here is an online review that was out Friday in the Journal Record about Bolero titled:
"Fabulous Food: Not at Bricktown’s Bolero"

Verdict? Not so good...

"I am going to save you $100 ... maybe $150.

Boléro is the most popular piece of music by French composer Maurice Ravel. It’s hot. It’s steamy. It’s climactic.

If only I could say the same for the food at the new Bricktown restaurant by the same name!"

Click HERE to read it all...

[soonergolfer]

I can't believe no one posted the Bolero article from the Journal Record.

[mecarr]

I can't believe no one posted the Bolero article from the Journal Record.

Then can you post it?

[soonergolfer]

Fabulous Food: Not at Bricktown’s BoleroNovember 28, 2008

I am going to save you $100 ... maybe $150.Boléro is the most popular piece of music by French composer Maurice Ravel. It’s hot. It’s steamy. It’s climactic.If only I could say the same for the food at the new Bricktown restaurant by the same name!Our experience at the Lower Bricktown eatery, billed as a tapas bar and Spanish grill, was more reminiscent of the 18th century Spanish dance known as The Bolero. That dance, in 3/4 time, is moderately slow. Sadly, that’s a speed to which Bolero’s waitstaff might aspire.I shan’t recount all the reasons we were disappointed at Bolero; I am allowed only a limited bit of space.We arrived just a few minutes before our 7 p.m. reservation and were seated at a table positioned in front of the kitchen’s swinging door and an exterior door that opens to a breezeway. Across the breezeway is Bolero’s bar, so the waitstaff, carrying cocktails and glasses to and fro, must open the door approximately every 12 seconds. When the outdoor temperature is in the low 30s, as it was the night we were there, the resulting environment would make a penguin seek a warmer table.We asked to be seated at a table that had just been set. The request was met with a surly retort from the hostess who was about to seat another couple there. We had to be insistent but were eventually allowed to move to a table that didn’t require us to dine in our overcoats and mittens.We ordered drinks, a Manhattan for me and a Grand Marnier sangria for my companion. They arrived separately. Both were watery. My glass sat empty for more than 10 minutes before we could flag someone down to order another. That one was watery too.The menu looked appealing and we still had hope of great food. We ordered sizzling scallops in garlic sauce and empanadas with spicy beef and potato from the tapas menu and paella for our main course.Our hopes began to dim when 7:30 came and went, then 7:45. The 8:10 movie we’d planned at the theater next door was clearly off the table, but that was less an issue than the lack of food on the table. We inquired, as one might expect. Our server feigned surprise: “Oh – you wanted that before your meal?”Um, why, yes, we said. Generally we prefer that our appetizers arrive before our entrée.“Well, ya,” she said. “I know tapas means appetizer in Spanish, but for some reason here when you order tapas and a meal we bring it all out together.”At 8 p.m. – a mere hour after we were seated – the tapas arrived. The empanadas were tasty until my companion realized the white substance inside wasn’t cheese, it was raw dough, which made them slightly less appetizing. But they were better than the overcooked, rubbery scallops. Those were full of sand.No, I’m not kidding. True grit.The paella was OK, but at a Spanish restaurant, paella, one of Spain’s national dishes, should be outstanding. It’s made with saffron and olive oil – at least it’s supposed to be. In this version the rice was orange rather than yellow and all we could taste where the saffron should have been was tomato.There were two bright spots in this calamity. Joe, the manager, did everything he could to salve our displeasure. He comped the food and was thoughtfully apologetic without being defensive. And the mocha crème brûlée was oh-my-God good.That said, it was still the worst dining experience I’ve had in Oklahoma City.Save your hundred bucks.

[jbkrems]

On what night did you go? Were they busy?

[Steve]

I think that's a reprint of a review Ted did at the JR

[jbkrems]

What is the JR - ? Who is Ted?

[dalelakin]

Journal Record and he is a writer there.

[Platemaker]

Fabulous Food: Not at Bricktown’s BoleroNovember 28, 2008

Save your hundred bucks.

I hate to agree .... but

[streuli]

Here's the original link:

http://journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=94057

[Steve]

I went there last night to take some photos for my story today. The place was empty at 6 p.m.

[BailJumper]

story today

Where's the story? Didn't see it on your blog.

[kevinpate]

> empty at 6 p.m.
On a Tuesday? Might be my kind of place.

Crowd avoidance ... a wonderful way to enjoy a meal

[BailJumper]

Crowd avoidance ... a wonderful way to enjoy a meal

There are never crowds at crappy restaurants. If I were you I would come up with a new standard.

[mecarr]

Where's the story? Didn't see it on your blog.

I think he meant to say that he took photos "today" for his story. That story will probably come out later.

[BailJumper]

I think he meant to say that he took photos "today" for his story. That story will probably come out later.

Ohhhhhhh, I took him at his word... since he's a "just the facts" kinda guy! ;-)