Nonna's

[Pete]

I get the strong feeling they have another operator -- possibly a great one -- already lined up.

[jbkrems]

What is Tapstone?

[GaryOKC6]

What is Tapstone?

Tom Wards oil company. Going into the building behind spaghetti warehouse.

[RadicalModerate]

Maybe the market for $50 frou frou salads finally dried up. #sarcasm

heh, heh, heh. (that's pretty much the impression i've had of the place). ^ like.

[SOONER8693]

Maybe the market for $50 frou frou salads finally dried up. #sarcasm

Bingo.

[Geographer]

I went there one time with my girlfriend (now wife) and it was SUPER expensive for 1) small portion 2) mediocre taste, nothing super special...never went back and don't plan to.

[Teo9969]

For all of Bricktown's glory as the most complete entertainment district we have, there is not a single restaurant that you just absolutely have to go to. Hopefully this space will see something like that come to fruition.

[Pete]

I have only been in Nonna's once, to have drinks at the behest of some older friends.

I remember thinking it was beautiful space but there was nothing about the experience that ever compelled me to return.

Given the prime corner and outdoor deck, this could easily become a very lively hub and that has never seemed to be the case.

[Bullbear]

Seems I fall into the same category as everyone.. I have went once for dinner and it was a great setting however food was not memorable. the other time was to meet friends at the purple bar. company was great. the location was beautiful but just wasn't anything that brought me back again and again.
lets keep fingers crossed for something great in that space because its a great location and space.

[Pete]

The vibe just seemed off to me; even though somewhat busy, the energy was very low.

It also seemed like it was too bright inside; more like a family restaurant. Even in the bar area.

[bchris02]

For all of Bricktown's glory as the most complete entertainment district we have, there is not a single restaurant that you just absolutely have to go to. Hopefully this space will see something like that come to fruition.

Well that is partially because most of the successful Bricktown restaurants have opened additional locations in the burbs so unless you live downtown, there is no reason to go to Bricktown specifically for a restaurant unless you are also going for another reason. What Bricktown needs is some more exclusive, destination restaurants.

[adaniel]

My previous employer use to have our Christmas Party at Nonnas and like everyone else, we felt the atmosphere could not make up for the food. Not that it was bad, just not what you would expect the the vibe and the price. We ended up moving to the Ranch, instead. I think they will have no problem filling that space should Nonna's decide to hang it up.

Looooved Purple Bar, however. I always took out-of-town guests there. In fact, it was usually here that my guests starting losing whatever preconcieved notion they had about OKC. I hope that is not going away.

[CCOKC]

I also love the Purple Bar. I did not eat dinner there very often but I would have appetizers with drinks and always found those to be pretty tasty. I also would get mesmerized by the bottles that changed colors over the bar, esp after a few cocktails.

[bchris02]

Looooved Purple Bar, however. I always took out-of-town guests there. In fact, it was usually here that my guests starting losing whatever preconcieved notion they had about OKC. I hope that is not going away.

Agree 100%

[SoonerDave]

Well that is partially because most of the successful Bricktown restaurants have opened additional locations in the burbs so unless you live downtown, there is no reason to go to Bricktown specifically for a restaurant unless you are also going for another reason. What Bricktown needs is some more exclusive, destination restaurants.

Huh? Which ones? As far as I know, the longest-tenured restaurant in Bricktown is Spaghetti Warehouse, and I know of no suburban locations they've opened in the last two decades. Same for Mickey Mantles (although I'm not a fan), Burbon Street Cafe, even Bricktown Brewery (although it isn't primarly a restaurant). Now some venues that started in the suburbs/outside downtown have opened Bricktown locations, like Zio's and Chelino's. But to blame the dearth of "target" restaurants in Bricktown failing because of suburban versions is, ah, what's the word...ridiculous. For Heaven's sake, the original Nonna's Painted Door was on S Western for years before bailing for Bricktown and taking their pricey salads with them.

[Mel]

I have never been to Nonna's. We looked at the menu posted outside and kept on walking.

[onthestrip]

Hasnt Avis been quite vocal in opposing food trucks in bricktown? I wonder if her leaving Nonna's behind will change that at all.

[gopokes88]

Well that is partially because most of the successful Bricktown restaurants have opened additional locations in the burbs so unless you live downtown, there is no reason to go to Bricktown specifically for a restaurant unless you are also going for another reason. What Bricktown needs is some more exclusive, destination restaurants.

Agreed. Just takes some time to get there. Doesn't even have to be exclusive destination just a #2 or #3 location. Like in the raw. Republic could kill it in the Coaches spot.

[LocoAko]

Longtime Bricktown restaurant to close | News OK

[Teo9969]

I'm not sure what the issue is for Bricktown…if I had to guess, it's because the district has been so wildly successful that it's never really needed to up its game. Restaurants like Signature Grill, The Ranch, and Cheever's have had to do well despite nothing of note being nearby (in Cheever's case, there was nothing for a good long while), so their dining experience has had to be good enough to be a destination for people. You're not going to just stumble into those restaurants like you can easily just stumble into The Mantel or The Melting Pot.

[Urbanized]

I think it's because the bulk of Bricktown's first phases of development predated the vibrant local food scene we're now enjoying. Many of the locals who are now big time restaurant people considered Bricktown during their formative years but were discouraged by what at the time constituted high rents for the market. They chose to open elsewhere out of economic necessity and created a food scene from scratch, but elsewhere. Now that they are successful, Bricktown doesn't have the market cornered as far as urban entertainment is concerned, so they group with the places already succeeding.

That said, I mentioned "first phases of development" because I believe we are entering a new phase with new property ownership and new developers, and I suspect that you will start to see more adventurous food options creeping into the district.

[soonerguru]

...I believe we are entering a new phase with new property ownership and new developers, and I suspect that you will start to see more adventurous food options creeping into the district.

Let's hope so.

[td25er]

I went to Nonna's 2 or 3 times and had a wonderful experience. Unlike some people, I don't go around nitpicking every little thing and pretend like I'm a snooty food critic. I also enjoyed Vast. I thought both of them were no worse than places like Signature Grill or The Ranch.

[bchris02]

I went to Nonna's 2 or 3 times and had a wonderful experience. Unlike some people, I don't go around nitpicking every little thing and pretend like I'm a snooty food critic. I also enjoyed Vast. I thought both of them were no worse than places like Signature Grill or The Ranch.

+1

[bombermwc]

I've mostly had a great experience with Nona's. I more often go as part of lunchinar events, but I've also been for dinner on my own. I did not enjoy my scallops at dinner (very bland), but everything else I've had there was delicious. Service was great. It's really just a great place to eat and if you aren't a fan of it, well it's super easy not to eat there. But with it as busy as it is, quite a few people do enjoy it. The prices simply put it out of reach for the average joe for a regular night out. There's nothing wrong with that either. Mickey Mantles is the same way, but we don't see people crying about it.