Bolero

[metro]

I really hope this place figures it out quickly and makes it. It's a very nice atmosphere and OKC really needs more tapas restaurants. I hate for the only true tapas restaurant to fail and then detour others who might want to open a tapas restaurant from doing so.

[mecarr]

With all the criticism of Bolero, I do think it's important to emphasize that they have only been open a very short amount of time. I can think of countless places that open to a rough start but then get better as they get things in order. However, one thing they must change is their prices. I think they have priced themselves out of the market.

[jbrown84]

fail and then detour others

deter

[metro]

Verb 1. detour - travel via a detour
deviate, divert - turn aside; turn away from

in this case, either spelling would work

[BailJumper]

in this case, either spelling would work

Go Metro! - wait, it that trademarked?

[jbrown84]

It's not a spelling issue. It's a different word. If you "detour others", that would mean that you send them around the long way, but they still get there. (I assume. I've never heard it used that way)

[metro]

Alas, they finally have a website. BoleroIntro

I saw a half page sized ad in the food section of the Gazette today (new edition). There are 1/2 price tapas all day tomorrow and $10 pitchers of sangria. Tomorrow is their Grand Opening celebration.

[kevinpate]

there is far more info in that ad than on the placeholder page for their as yet undeveloped website

[jbkrems]

Yes, tomorrow is the Grand Opening, and I will be there. I am looking at half-priced tapas and everything --- and looking forward to a nice crowd tomorrow night. I want to try fried oysters and other stuff.

[BDP]

With all the criticism of Bolero, I do think it's important to emphasize that they have only been open a very short amount of time. I can think of countless places that open to a rough start but then get better as they get things in order. However, one thing they must change is their prices. I think they have priced themselves out of the market.

Maybe, but I don't know if supporting a bad restaurant is the way to get a good one. It is fair to say that they haven't been open very long, but they have a ways to go to even get close to offering decent tapas. If they have a long lease maybe the slow start will force them to make a change in the kitchen and get it going before they have to hang it up.

[jbkrems]

The Grand Opening was wonderful. And Bolero was drawing a crowd. The bar was packed and the restaurant side (their dining room) had several tables taken. The food was great, the service was as well.

Anyone else go - ???

[metro]

So it was a good turnout? Hopefully this will help keep it afloat until they figure things out. I'd hate to loose our only tapas bar, especially one with a cool atmosphere.

[jbkrems]

Metro,

I think that Curtis (the owner of Bolero) has things figured out. I actually thought they were over-managed for their Grand Opening. I would say they were to 80% capacity, at least in the dining room. The bar was packed. They also had a really good deal going on... all tapas were half off. So, one could eat a lot and save some money.

[BDP]

So, it was cheaper... was it better?

[BG918]

I'll have to try it at some point. I'm still mad about The Centennial though. Like the tenants but HATE the design and site plan.

[BBatesokc]

The wife and I used a Restaurant.com gift certificate there the other day.

Overall we were very disappointed.

The best thing this place had going (on our visit) was the patio/open air dining, and the wait staff.

We wanted to just relax on a Saturday night so we got dressed up and decided to sit on the patio at Bolero and watch the people coming and going.

We started with a pitcher of White Sangria. Pretty tasty but tasted like it was made from Kool-Aid instead of wine. $24

From there we did the fried goat cheese with honey Tapas. Very tasty. Like eating dessert as an appetizer. $8

We also had a fried "Softshell Crabs in White Wine & Garlic" tapas. First - the word "Crabs" is a lie. It was only one complete crab. It was gross! Didn't taste like crab at all and the overall texture, smell and taste made us feel like we were in a food challenge in the show SURVIVOR. It was an entire crab fried. So you ate it guts, eyes, exoskeleton and all. To top it off it was like $14

From there we had salmon and scallop kabobs. They tasted pretty good. One scallop was under cooked. The problem was that this was advertised as an entree but was tiny. Maybe 3 salmon nuggets and three scallops for $26!!!!!!

For desert we did the Flan for $6. Now the Flan was to die for.

We enjoyed the salmon/scallops but it was only worth maybe $9-$12.


Its pretty bad when you spend $70+ dollars on dinner and leave hungry.

In the future we will eat at in The Raw and have desert and maybe drinks at Bolero.

[OKCMallen]

We also had a fried "Softshell Crabs in White Wine & Garlic" tapas. First - the word "Crabs" is a lie. It was only one complete crab. It was gross! Didn't taste like crab at all and the overall texture, smell and taste made us feel like we were in a food challenge in the show SURVIVOR. It was an entire crab fried. So you ate it guts, eyes, exoskeleton and all.

I think that's standard for "softshell crab" no matter where you order it. Which is why I never order it anyplace.

[BDP]

A Beginner's Guide to Soft Shell Crabs | Serious Eats : New York

; )

[metro]

BBates, unfortunately I agree with your review of the place, I hope it makes it, the atmosphere is top notch, the food vs. prices vs. quality is a whole other story. I did enjoy the fried goat cheese though.

[tburn]

oh great. I was so looking forward to using my Restaurant.com gift certif too!

hope they have nice steak or shrimp tapas!

I've never had white sangria, only red. I hope its better!

[progressiveboy]

BBates, unfortunately I agree with your review of the place, I hope it makes it, the atmosphere is top notch, the food vs. prices vs. quality is a whole other story. I did enjoy the fried goat cheese though.

Why would someone spend top dollar on atmosphere and on prime location of BT but, have poor quality of food at high prices. Sounds like the business owner needs a course in "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?". Or perhaps it's just another "fly by night" restaurant good for a great tax write off?

[OKCMallen]

Why would someone spend top dollar on atmosphere and on prime location of BT but, have poor quality of food at high prices. Sounds like the business owner needs a course in "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?". Or perhaps it's just another "fly by night" restaurant good for a great tax write off?

I doubt the owner thinks his/her food is not very good.

[bristolscene]

People talking about not having good tapas places in Oklahoma should take a cue from tapas' home: Spain. In Spain it is rare to see "tapas places" other than in tourist areas. Rather, they are a staple of every bar and a lot of restaurants. Groups of friends and colleagues get together for drinks in the evening and will hop from bar to bar, taking a drink and ordering tapas to share (unless they're included with the drinks, but most places don't do that anymore except in Granada, where it's still very popular). In other words, it's an everyday thing, so just encourage your local bar to offer small bits of food with their drinks and...BAM! You have an authentic place that serves tapas the way they began...accompanying drinks!

[BailJumper]

I looked at the menu prices and saw an example of the portion sizes, laughed and went and ate somewhere else. I'm all for small portions as long as the price is reflective of the smaller portion.

[LakeEffect]

I looked at the menu prices and saw an example of the portion sizes, laughed and went and ate somewhere else. I'm all for small portions as long as the price is reflective of the smaller portion.

Still decided to try it today - BailJumper is right, even though I enjoyed the price, the small portion should be reflected in the price.

Also, they charge $6.50 for a COOP Ale. Regardless of how much COOP is worth (love all their offerings so far), that's excessive. Even at McNellies the price is around $2 less.