Saj Lebanese (formerly Cultivar)

**Pete** · 07-29-2015, 09:31 AM

A new Mexican food concept is coming to 714 N. Broadway directly between Bluewater Divers and Waters Edge Winery. The space was formerly occupied by Frontline Church.

Cultivar Mexican Kitchen will feature fresh, healthy Mexican fare along with a wide arrange of salads and a full bar.

The concept is fast-casual, where customers order at an interactive counter, choosing desired ingredients. Burritos and other items will be made on the service line to order; several different selections of greens, protein and ingredients will be selected in a similar manner before salads are hand-tossed. A tortilla making station will be prominently featured as well.

Cultivar will place an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Morning offerings will include breakfast burritos and tacos, fresh fruit and juices. Rotisserie chicken, craft tacos and a few soups will be on the menu later in the day.

The restaurant will be operated by Gary Goldman, a former partner and consultant at KD's Southern Cuisine. Goldman previously worked in restaurant operations for Marriott, Chesapeake Energy and the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. Goldman and his wife Carolyn also own Uptown Kids and Uptown Candy in Classen Curve.

Culinary partner is Dean James Max, a South Florida base chef who has developed farm-to-table restaurant concepts from coast to coast.

After opening this first location, the group hopes to expand the Cultivar concept to other areas of Oklahoma City and beyond.

The restaurant space will be comprised of 4,800 square feet with two large overhead doors that can be opened to form a semi-enclosed patio. Directly outside along Broadway will be sidewalk seating. A large bar will run along the north side of the space.

Goldman said a second phase of the project will feature a rooftop bar and deck, offering panoramic views of the skyline.

Plans also show a large private dining area and an arcade.

Larry Pickering is handling the design work and construction should begin in the next few weeks, with an opening slated for late fall.

Cultivar had previously filed plans to renovate and occupy a building just slightly north on Broadway but a lease with owner Chris Salyer was never finalized.

**Canoe** · 07-29-2015, 10:13 AM

How will this be different than iguana grill? Will they have multiple salsas? What price point are they hoping to come in at?

**Pete** · 07-29-2015, 10:25 AM

I believe it will be quick service, as in order at the counter ala Chipotle.

**sooner88** · 07-29-2015, 10:59 AM

It will be nice to have another option on Broadway. I think that it is far enough away from Fuzzy's that it will draw a different crowd. I wish that it had worked out in Salyer's building, weren't they planning on having a relatively large rooftop/bar?

**pickles** · 07-29-2015, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by HHE

How will this be different than iguana grill?

Hopefully the food will not be consistently mediocre.

**Bullbear** · 07-29-2015, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by pickles

Hopefully the food will not be consistently mediocre.

Agreed. I have given up on iguana since their big turnover.. so it will be nice to have another option in the area.

**Pete** · 07-29-2015, 12:43 PM

Just learned there will be a rooftop bar that will be added later as a 2nd phase.

And this building has fantastic views from the roof, with no tall buildings to the south.

**sooner88** · 07-29-2015, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Pete

Just learned there will be a rooftop bar that will be added later as a 2nd phase.

And this building has fantastic views from the roof, with no tall buildings to the south.

Awesome!

**Bullbear** · 07-29-2015, 02:07 PM

that is great!.. rooftop margaritas are the best kind!

**soonerguru** · 07-29-2015, 07:52 PM

Any discussion about the food? More corporate HSRG drivel?

**Pete** · 07-29-2015, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by soonerguru

Any discussion about the food? More corporate HSRG drivel?

No, nothing to do with Hal Smith.

I'll have more on this later today or tomorrow.

**ljbab728** · 07-29-2015, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Pete

I believe it will be quick service, as in order at the counter ala Chipotle.

That is certainly what it looks like in the depiction since it shows a long service line.

**Pete** · 07-30-2015, 07:11 AM

I added a bunch of additional info to the article at the top of the page.

**Martin** · 07-30-2015, 08:51 AM

this sounds great... really looking forward to another lunch option. -M

**jrod** · 07-30-2015, 09:12 AM

Chipotle w/ a full bar and patio seating (and potentially a rooftop)?? Um, yes please. I will be here often.

**Pete** · 07-30-2015, 12:04 PM

Yes, a bit like Chipotle + Coolgreens (they will do their salads in a similar way with tons of choices) but they will also make tacos in the kitchen, have a full bar, have a rooftop deck and offer breakfast.

These guys have a ton of restaurant experience and a great chef.

I like the idea of being able to get something quick, or taking more time and enjoying a drink.

The space should be pretty cool as well and inject some much needed life into that part of Auto Alley. They will get a ton of people from The Metropolitan.

**Teo9969** · 07-30-2015, 12:45 PM

I just can't get over the name. I can't get Hipster Tex-Mex out of my mind.

**Pete** · 07-30-2015, 01:02 PM

Love the name.

**Teo9969** · 07-30-2015, 01:08 PM

To be sure, I don't dislike it. It just feels weird.

And for those that are unaware, "v" in Spanish is pronounced as we pronounce "b" in English…so you could almost call it "CultiVAR" what with the rooftop deck and all…kinda like RePUBlic.