Kd's Restaurant / Legacy Grill

[catch22]

I also don't think KD would put up a fight. He could partner with a Bay Area restraunt operator and have a new place open very soon if he truly wants the restaurant industry

[2Lanez]

Not a bad thing. This was easily the worst Hal Smith restaurant in town.

[ljbab728]

I have to apologize to all of OKC. I never once went in the door. I'm sure that's why he left so I'm very sorry.

[jbkrems]

The restaurant is very popular not just because of the moniker and brand identity, but for the quality of the food. Comparing it to Wes Welker's is really not a good comparison. Wes Welker's had a really serious issue... there were service problems and issues with the food. The brand was actually suffering within the Hal Smith world, and that is why they closed it and turned it into Pub W. There is absolutely no reason to go that direction with this restaurant.w The food and service are superior. I have heard they may name it "The Thunder Zone," to make it more generic and not tied to a specific player. I would also recommend Westbrook's or something along those lines, but then what happens if he gets traded or moves on from Oklahoma a year from now. Clearly Hal Smith would want to avoid dealing with that issue.

[sooner88]

I can't imagine they didn't have a contingency plan. And KD's interest was compensation for using his name. I doubt KD invested a dime other than signing his name on the line. I was at the groundbreaking, and KD was asked directly if he was an owner and if so what percentage, and he was completely unsure (not as media-savvy in those days). Hal had to step up and after he and investors shared looks he said "25%."

It'll do fine as a different brand, and I'm sure that will be quite soon.

You're right. He didn't invest a dime, only lent his name.

[Jeepnokc]

The restaurant is very popular not just because of the moniker and brand identity, but for the quality of the food. .... The food and service are superior..

We must have gone on different nights as these are not words I would use to describe KD's food or service.

[Pete]

Interesting article from the NY Times in May on this subject:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/09/sp...ef=sports&_r=0

[pickles]

We must have gone on different nights as these are not words I would use to describe KD's food or service.

No kidding.

[Pete]

I deleted a bunch of posts where people are just attacking each other.

Stick to topic, please.

[jn1780]

How about Rumble's? lol

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^
We went to dinner last night, and we got the Rumble's.

Nope.

[progressiveboy]

Oh, how quickly OKC has gone from "We love you, please stay" to "don't let the door hit you on the way out". Why would people not go? If they liked the food/ambiance/location last week, none of that has changed. Mickey Mantle's seems to be doing quite well, and he doesn't play here either. Or anywhere, for that matter.

Agree! To much emotional reaction from people.

[Pete]

They invested a huge amount of money on the interior build-out, so I'm sure they will keep all/most of that and then re-brand.

Can't do Mahogany since there is one close by and really Red Rock is about the only other more up-scale type of concept in the Hal Smith group that would begin to fit with the decor.

They could do something completely new but you would think the cuisine would change because it was all built around KD and his southern tastes.

[jn1780]

Agree! To much emotional reaction from people.

Emotion goes both ways you know. It was the positive emotion people had for KD that helped draw customers right before Thunder games. Even people had a neutral emotional position toward KD after this. That still brings no value to the restaurant.

And lets be honest, KD is no Mickey Mantel, Michael Jordan, or even a Lebron James for that matter. He just guaranteed he never will be either.

[Uptowner]

They could re-brand it Serge Ibaka's tapas and wine bar.

Wait they lost Serge too??!

[stile99]

They invested a huge amount of money on the interior build-out, so I'm sure they will keep all/most of that and then re-brand.

Can't do Mahogany since there is one close by and really Red Rock is about the only other more up-scale type of concept in the Hal Smith group that would begin to fit with the decor.

They could do something completely new but you would think the cuisine would change because it was all built around KD and his southern tastes.

That's what I'm saying. I don't think the interior is going to change much, if at all. All they need to do is change some signs and the related logos. Reprint some menus. The restaurant is going to do just fine. But in the meantime, we can have fun spitballing ideas. Let's drop the negativity and look to the future. Spaghetti Warehouse, anyone?

Seriously though, I really don't even see a need for the cuisine to change that much. So it reflects Southern tastes...that's where we *are*. I don't care what name is on the building, chicken, fries, and burgers are just plain standard fare around here, if not everywhere. Why not make it MORE southern? Shine the light on those po' boys. Bring those grits front and center, with options. Shrimp and grits? No problem. Chicken and grits? No problem. Cheese grits? No problem. Throw in some more Cajun influence. You've got gumbo, you're got collard greens...get some jambalaya on that menu! While we're reprinting the menus, let's do something about that dessert menu. Either expand it or get rid of it entirely and have a classic (and classy) dessert cart. How about a couple tableside options? Bananas foster, anyone? Maybe a bourbon pecan pudding set aflame and topped with ice cream?

[Pete]

I've never even been in KD's largely because it's always seemed like a very odd mix of upscale and semi-expensive and southern food.

Fried chicken and comfort food at relatively high prices? It's never seen like a good match, apart from the KD tie-in.

[sooner88]

I've never even been in KD's largely because it's always seemed like a very odd mix of upscale and semi-expensive and southern food.

Fried chicken and comfort food at relatively high prices? It's never seen like a good match, apart from the KD tie-in.

Cheever's?

[Pete]

Cheever's?

Fair point, but they do it very, very well while the reviews for KD's were mixed at best.

[Uptowner]

I haven't seen a Restraunt flambé table side in years and years. Not even in France. I just don't think the insurance companies will underwrite that **** anymore. "Oh your restaurant burned down, 10 dead? You were cooking bananas and sugar with flaming booze? No problem, here's a check."

How about Scott Brooks Cooks??

[sooner88]

Fair point, but they do it very, very well while the reviews for KD's were mixed at best.

No, I agree. I would choose Cheever's any day of the week. There's definitely a market for it if it's done right.

[Uptowner]

Hal's places are just too stretched out. I think they do a very VERY good job at mahogany. But you gotta think each one of these high end concepts takes a consultant, a kick-*** GM, and a wide range of happy, well paid staff to run it all. And parking under the I-40 overpass and being abused by rednecks having their birthday dinner in the big city doesn't sound like a cakewalk.

[Uptowner]

No, I agree. I would choose Cheever's any day of the week. There's definitely a market for it if it's done right.

Whiskey cake too.

[stile99]

I haven't seen a Restraunt flambé table side in years and years.

I've seen it with my very own eyes in both San Antonio and New Orleans, both within this decade, whatever we call it. The teens, the tens, whatever. It's very far from dead.

[Uptowner]

Damn, now you've got me drooling. I'm going to try making on the BBQ grill this week. Extra cognac