Nani

[Pete]

[category=]Restaurants[/category]

[category=]Current[/category]
[category=]Plaza[/category]
[toc]no[/toc]

Address: Phone: (405) 420-7569 Hours: Thu - Sun, dinner by reservation only Development: Status: Opened June 26, 2014 Links: Official Website Twitter Menu Facebook Page Yelp Urban Spoon

Information & Latest News

Nani is a dinner club that seeks to explore and interweave the humble sensibilities of Japanese and Native American cuisine.

Gallery

[soonerguru]

I have some friends who have experienced the extreme pleasure of eating this guy's food. They have told me without equivocation that this is going to be the best restaurant in OKC. This guy is apparently a food artist / genius.

[Ginkasa]

I like the name. Unfortunately, sea food isn't my thing. Maybe they'll expand their menu when they get past the soft opening.

[Teo9969]

How's the licensing thing on this work? I love love the idea…I just hope they don't experience any problems from the state/city regarding permitting/licenses, etc.

[ljbab728]

How's the licensing thing on this work? I love love the idea…I just hope they don't experience any problems from the state/city regarding permitting/licenses, etc.

I don't know for sure but I'm guessing that it's similar to this previous OKC business. I suspect they have done all of their homework about what is required.

Table One: culinary immersion | Oklahoma City Restaurants

[Urbanized]

How's the licensing thing on this work? I love love the idea…I just hope they don't experience any problems from the state/city regarding permitting/licenses, etc.

I'm sure they operate under a catering license. Someone operating under such my cater liquor/wine/beer anywhere legally, even into a church or a school.

[NWOKCGuy]

I like the name. Unfortunately, sea food isn't my thing. Maybe they'll expand their menu when they get past the soft opening.

Doubtful. Nani means fish in Choctaw.

[Andon]

Doubtful. Nani means fish in Choctaw.

We actually work with all varieties of protein!

Grilling Oke-Asian | News OK

That menu posted was just for that evening, and it can change from day to day. We are, however, working with a fair amount of seafood right now because it's abundant (and, thus, more affordable) during the summer months.

[Pete]

Welcome Andon and thanks for the info.


For those that don't know, Andon was the chef at Saints before leaving to start this venture.

Also, they DO have a permanent location near the Plaza District, but they only provide it when you make a reservation, as they don't want drop-ins.

It's all BYOB at this point.

[Pete]

Cool video on Nani:

Nani - OKC on Vimeo

[Ginkasa]

We actually work with all varieties of protein!

Grilling Oke-Asian | News OK

That menu posted was just for that evening, and it can change from day to day. We are, however, working with a fair amount of seafood right now because it's abundant (and, thus, more affordable) during the summer months.

Awesome!

[Dave Cook]

Doubtful. Nani means fish in Choctaw.

Thanks for the clarification. The word 'nani' in Japanese is 'what'. Was trying to figure out why someone would call it that.

Granted, I've been trying to figure out for years why someone would name a restaurant 'Sushi Neko' (sushi cat).

[Urbanized]

[Andon]

Thanks for the clarification. The word 'nani' in Japanese is 'what'. Was trying to figure out why someone would call it that.

Granted, I've been trying to figure out for years why someone would name a restaurant 'Sushi Neko' (sushi cat).

That's why I chose the name, actually, because it means both of those things. We feel it's a clever play on words given what we're trying to do with the exploration of both cuisines together.

[Mel]

The video was cool. The food sounds great. It's original and has a Okie touch. Okie is not a bad word and we need more original ideas like this. Celebrate your heritage no matter what or where.

[Pete]

Just received this update from Andon Whitehorn, one of the chef / proprietors:

"We've started our 'full' service at Nani, operating Wednesday thru Saturday (instead of Tuesday thru Saturday, though we are open for private events and catering earlier in the week,) with a contribution of $45 per seat. The dinners now include 8-10 courses, numerous amuse bouche, and an incredible, inventive coffee service. The space is still being slowly renovated, but we're really stoked on the progress and reception we've had thus far.

At Nani, 5% of all proceeds go to benefit a local social outreach program/non-profit organization, and through the support of dinners during the months of July and August we were able to raise $500 for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma! Our partner for the months of September and October is the YWCA of Oklahoma City."

[seaofchange]

In case anyone was wondering, you bring your own wine/beer and they will provide the glasses for you to use. We brought beer and wine, and they kept our wine chilled until we finished the beer.

I mean to post these pictures a while ago from one of the dinners back in July.

Everyone should definitely give them a try!

[BoulderSooner]

I have heard great things from a few friends

[MikeLucky]

In case anyone was wondering, you bring your own wine/beer and they will provide the glasses for you to use. We brought beer and wine, and they kept our wine chilled until we finished the beer.

I mean to post these pictures a while ago from one of the dinners back in July.

Everyone should definitely give them a try!

You were there the same night my wife and I were there. Lol

And, yes, it was an amazing experience. I highly recommend it. Not only unique food, but also a singular experience here in OKC.

[sooner88]

Has anyone been recently? I'm going at the end of the month when a few friends are in town... I've heard nothing but good things so far.

[sooner88]

We went this past Saturday and had a great time. Definitely one of the more unique dining experiences I've had in OKC (or anywhere else for that matter). Including the multiple amuse bouche, it ended up being around 13 courses. For $45 and BYOB it is very hard to beat. Everyone at the 14 person table interacted and we ended up running into a couple groups after at Ludivine.

I wish I took pictures but, overall, great experience and I'd highly recommend.

[Andon]

Nani was featured on Discover Oklahoma over Valentine's Day weekend (seen here: Nani on Discover Oklahoma | Nani OKC), and Caitlin Turner over at Oxford Karma just put up a really fun, sweet review of her dining experiences over at Restaurant review: Nani | Oxford Karma.

We're entering our ninth month of operations, and we're still just so super stoked and humbled by how awesome and receptive everyone has been through all of this. It's been a blast!

The end of our lease is coming up in May, so we're looking into possible renewal and/or re-location or expansion from here. March is almost completely booked, and April is filling up quickly, so if you'd like to dine at Nani as it currently exists we'd love to see you!

[iMAX386]

Glad this got bumped. I've been wanting set up a date for a group of 8-12 to try Nani out for the 1st time...what's the best way to do so? Hunt through the calendar until I find an open day, or give you guys a call and see if something can be worked out? Problem is I wont know a for-sure number until I figure out the day, and vice versa.

[Andon]

Glad this got bumped. I've been wanting set up a date for a group of 8-12 to try Nani out for the 1st time...what's the best way to do so? Hunt through the calendar until I find an open day, or give you guys a call and see if something can be worked out? Problem is I wont know a for-sure number until I figure out the day, and vice versa.

Either way works, though it also depends on when you're looking to stop in. Fridays and Saturdays almost always book out a month or two in advance, while Wednesdays and Thursdays have a more gradual booking rate. Having said that, we're like any other dining experience in that we have cancellations and rescheduled reservations from time to time, so if you're flexible (or quick enough, whichever the case may be,) last minute seats can be had, and we always post on social media whenever we have two or more seats available.

Tomorrow (Wednesday the 25th) is a good example: we had a party of four reschedule, and a party of eight cancel, so we actually have 12 seats open for tomorrow.

[Mel]

Thanks for the clarification. The word 'nani' in Japanese is 'what'. Was trying to figure out why someone would call it that.

Granted, I've been trying to figure out for years why someone would name a restaurant 'Sushi Neko' (sushi cat).

Ask Sashimi Inu.