Classen Curve

[bchris02]

Sunday afternoon what time? 2-5 is pretty much a completely dead time for restaurants all across the country. Even on Sundays.

Probably around 12PM. There was a 50 minute wait at Cafe 501 so I went to Tamazul.

[soonerguru]

It had promise, but then they went for pure vegan haute Mexican cuisine.

[Teo9969]

Probably around 12PM. There was a 50 minute wait at Cafe 501 so I went to Tamazul.

That's fair. 12 PM generally is going pretty good just about everywhere.

[Chadanth]

It had promise, but then they went for pure vegan haute Mexican cuisine.

Didn't they serve meat dishes when they first opened? I went there once and I seem to think they had it.

[sooner88]

Didn't they serve meat dishes when they first opened? I went there once and I seem to think they had it.

They did. I was especially excited to try their al pastor tacos (spit-grilled) which you can get at some of the better Mexican restuarants around town (Abel's specifically), but it was just sub-par in my opinion. I tried to give them a chance.... but a $15 lunch better be well worth it, and this was not.

[Chadanth]

They did. I was especially excited to try their al pastor tacos (spit-grilled) which you can get at some of the better Mexican restuarants around town (Abel's specifically), but it was just sub-par in my opinion. I tried to give them a chance.... but a $15 lunch better be well worth it, and this was not.

Ok, so I'm not crazy. So, we'll see if after two vegan restaurants failed here, if they try the concept again.

[gopokes88]

Mexican food has to have some heart and soul behind it. This had none of that. It was also very bland. I hate paying for chips and salsa to the point I might just close out and eat somewhere else. It's like an Italian food place charging for bread and butter. From the looks of it the vast majority of okc agrees.

[LakeEffect]

Ok, so I'm not crazy. So, we'll see if after two vegan restaurants failed here, if they try the concept again.

Well, to be fair, his first concept wasn't specifically vegan, it was raw food.

[sooner88]

Well, to be fair, his first concept wasn't specifically vegan, it was raw food.

Was Matthew Kenney vegan after 105 degrees? I'm trying to remember the different types of restaurants that were there.

[gopokes88]

Was Matthew Kenney vegan after 105 degrees? I'm trying to remember the different types of restaurants that were there.

It was. To make matters worse it was right in between two burger joints one of which is the best sports bar/pub in OKC. Vegan would do well in the plaza, midtown, or paseo not in Classen curve.

[LakeEffect]

Was Matthew Kenney vegan after 105 degrees? I'm trying to remember the different types of restaurants that were there.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. So he did 105 first, then Matthew Kenney, then Tamazul w/ meat, then Tamazul w/out meat...

[gopokes88]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. So he did 105 first, then Matthew Kenney, then Tamazul w/ meat, then Tamazul w/out meat...

I guess some people are just a glutton for punishment?

Here's what would do well there in this order

Steak
Seafood
Steak and seafood
More burgers and beer
Cigar lounge/bar-with sammiches

[sooner88]

Here's what would do well there in this order

Steak
Seafood
Steak and seafood
More burgers and beer
Cigar lounge/bar-with sammiches[/QUOTE]


With Ruth's Chris coming in there's probably not a need for another streak/seafood restaurant. I think something along the lines of a more casual deli/grill would be great. As long as you can capitalize on both the lunch and dinner crowd. Maybe have live music a few nights a week out on their patio?

[gopokes88]

Here's what would do well there in this order

Steak
Seafood
Steak and seafood
More burgers and beer
Cigar lounge/bar-with sammiches

With Ruth's Chris coming in there's probably not a need for another streak/seafood restaurant. I think something along the lines of a more casual deli/grill would be great. As long as you can capitalize on both the lunch and dinner crowd. Maybe have live music a few nights a week out on their patio?[/QUOTE]

That would be cool. The area has a lot of potential as a weekend bar spot similar to the plaza on weekend nights.

[jbkrems]

It appears this space is already available for lease. There is an ad on Craigslist I saw today.

[OKCDrummer77]

With Ruth's Chris coming in there's probably not a need for another streak/seafood restaurant. I think something along the lines of a more casual deli/grill would be great. As long as you can capitalize on both the lunch and dinner crowd. Maybe have live music a few nights a week out on their patio?

Is that still on? I hadn't heard anything on this front for awhile.

[Pete]

Is that still on? I hadn't heard anything on this front for awhile.

Glimcher (new owner) has clearly put any big deals on hold while they were being sold.

Not sure if Ruth's Chris is still planned but it wouldn't surprise me if they are just waiting so they can factor in the larger development to the north and their plans for NH Plaza.

[metro]

I'll ask Glimcher and report back.

[metro]

Went to the Classen Curve, NHP meeting yesterday. They could neither confirm nor deny that Trader Joe's is coming, mentioned if you hear rumors they might be true, but due to agreements in place, and "nosy reporters looking at permit applications" that they can't announce specifics until everything is official on leases (understandable). Also mentioned several other leases are in negotiations and possibly at least one of those a national tenant. One space mentioned was Red Coyote's old space, and I forget the other space being leased.

Also as was reported in the Zoe's Kitchen thread, their space next to West Elm is also well under way.

New landscaping improvements coming in the next 3 months.

[Pete]

Updated lease plan:

[rte66man]

Updated lease plan:

So it looks like the Ruth's Chris is a dead issue at this location?

[Pete]

No, I wouldn't say it's necessarily dead.

That area has always been shown as future development.

[bchris02]

OKC has so many good steak houses I don't think the city will be missing out on anything if Ruth's Chris never comes to the market. I would much rather eat at the George, Vast, Red Prime, Mickey Mantles, Mahogany, heck even Cattleman's. On the flipside, OKC has such a dearth of good seafood restaurants for a city its size I wonder why more national seafood chains aren't interested.

[Pete]

Pretty sure Del Frisco's is coming to Chisholm Creek as well. Absolutely tons of steakhouses right now.

[Chadanth]

OKC has so many good steak houses I don't think the city will be missing out on anything if Ruth's Chris never comes to the market. I would much rather eat at the George, Vast, Red Prime, Mickey Mantles, Mahogany, heck even Cattleman's. On the flipside, OKC has such a dearth of good seafood restaurants for a city its size I wonder why more national seafood chains aren't interested.

I'm with you, I'm surprised we don't have a McCormick and Schmicks on the way (not that it's the best).