MBG Restaurant & Cafe - OPINIONS WANTED

[tuck]

Food doesn't have to be exotic or weird. However concepts can be different and interesting even with traditional elements. There are plenty of places I enjoy here, but few are very forward or outstanding. Even Wichita has greater variety of concepts and more innovation. OKC restaurants are by and large good but outstanding is rare here. Sorry. Just my humble opinion.

Would like some examples of concepts you enjoy, from such an expert...thanks!

[HOT ROD]

I agree. So for the purpose of this thread, in my humble opinion, if there are three concepts, there should be one that is of national note that might draw out of towners (like a 5 Guys Burgers, etc.) Then one should be a local "find". It should be the one used most often by the downtowners - maybe the dining room and bakery. That way, if the tourists come because they recognize the national name, they might be lured into coming back to their local discovery and its wonderful local flavors. The third food concept might actually be kiosks or carts like fresh crepes, gellatos, Indian taco's, etc.) - grab and go on the cheap.

Just a thought.

Rover, you and I are in agreement on this and other posts you have made in this thread! Spot on!

As for concepts, I also am interested in your thoughts. I agree that OKC is quite challenged, but I'd like to hear a well-heeled local's prospective since I mostly hit the "not in my town" type of restaurants when I visit 'home/OKC' (as Betts pointed out her daughter's list).

[metro]

Food doesn't have to be exotic or weird. However concepts can be different and interesting even with traditional elements. There are plenty of places I enjoy here, but few are very forward or outstanding. Even Wichita has greater variety of concepts and more innovation. OKC restaurants are by and large good but outstanding is rare here. Sorry. Just my humble opinion.

Yeah, let's get some examples from the expert! I'm curious how much you've got out in this town. Have you tried 105Degrees, RedPrime, Panchiko Parlor, RePUBlic, Soleil (before it changed to La Baguette in Colcord), Trattoria Il Centro, Stella, or any of our more forward thinking concepts?

[Rover]

Yes, I get out often and have guests from not over all over the country, but foreign guests, as well. My job takes me to virtually every major city in the US and have traveled through about 30 different countries. I have sampled thousands of restaurants from hole in the wall places in China to the best restaurants in Paris and elsewhere. While I don't qualify as an expert or gormand, I do have extensive experience (I love to eat and treat it like a hobby) and definite likes and dislikes. I also have spent considerable time in Lyon, France and Geneva, whom many consider gastronomic centers of the world). I have enjoyed virtually every catagory of food in its native area. So, sorry some get bent out of shape that I express my opinions from comparisons I have personally made.

I have been to virtually all on your challenge list. 105Degrees - No (it just hasn't worked out but am anxious to try), RedPrime (yes, multiple), Panchiko Parlor (not a fan but that is just me), RePUBlic (yes - atmosphere great, service was below avg. and food pretty mediocre), Soleil (liked it but I thought it was expensive for the quality) and it wasn't special (before it changed to La Baguette in Colcord) (happen to like LaBaguette and that is who I thought could pull off a "Balthazar" for MG), Trattoria Il Centro (multiple times - food just okay - good enough Italian for OKC), Stella (tried to go last week and it was party days and couldn't get in).

I enjoy Cheevers, Iron Star, 1492, Cafe do Brazil, Metro, Big Truck Tacos, Coachhouse, Boulevard, Micky Mantles, The Mantle, Vito's, The Grand, Cool Greens, 501, Red Prime, The Wedge, Little Germany, Nomad, Cattlemens, and I am sure I am leaving out other locals. I didn't say I don't have ones I enjoy here and ones that are quite good. But those would not be leading or innovative (save Big Truck and Cool Greens) restaurants in many large cities. We lack great bakeries, Middle Eastern, Italian, Greek, Thai, seafood and in my humble opinion, Mexican food options. Our steak houses (Ranch, Boulevard, Micky Mantles, Mahogany, Opus sometimes) are all very competitive to the national chains (except I think Flemings). I would love some options like McCormick and Schmicks / M&S Grille, Legal Seafood, Roy - some of my favorites. I would even like a Ghengis Grille here. Would LOVE to get our ex-Ok Citian Rick Bayless to open a Frontera Grille or Topolobamo (amazing Mexican food) here in OKC (would he be local or chain then )...what better than have a celebrated local return.

By the way, there is a great new coffee/tea/desert shop at 33rd & Bdway extension in Edmond now. Good deserts, atmosphere and a variety of hot drinks. Is the only one of the concept/brand outside of Korea. Locally owned and operated by the owners. It is tasteful and enjoyable.

[metro]

Rover, FYI Genghi's Grill is building several locations here, see the threads in Food Court. And I totally agree with you about Rick Bayless, maybe not for MGB, but once it's done, Devon's done, I could totally see luring him back to our new Central Park signature restaurant.

[betts]

XOCO or Frontera Fresco would work at the Park, and are probably more likely to be a moveable concept. And I don't really want any steak chains here competing with our already excellent steak restaurants. I've eaten at all of the above mentioned ones (I have a son who REALLY likes steak so we eat it more than I would ordinarily). I have never had a better steak than the ones I've had at the Ranch and Red Prime. We need to do everything we can to support our local restaurants. But, we have no Chinese restaurant that remotely resembles Tao, so that's why I'm all for it, although I recognize it will not happen. I wouldn't mind someone copying it......

[Rover]

Here's a concept. We could incorporate the strength of the ACM's School of Rock into a local concept like Max's in San Francisco. They employ opera singers as waters and waitresses and it is entertaining while the food is pretty good. Why not have an upscale diner with singing and performing wait staff?

Or, also in San Francisco is Teatro ZinZanni. It is in an old eastern European style circus building and the dinners are intermixed with entertainment of a zany circus style. Think Cirque du Soleil does Juniors. Campy and a great destination. In the park, only open in the evening...one or two shows a night. Seats at most maybe 150-250. Dinner in the round. Amazing fun. Perfect setting in a park. Shoot, if we were willing to make fun of ourselves, we could even do a "Pawnee Bill does Cirque" type of dinner show and showcase the western side of our uniqueness. Think of the fun things we could sell tourists that would promote the show and the city. Something truly unique and unforgettable. Something for tourists to talk about to their friends and for something different for locals to take their guests to. By the way, the performers are the wait staff. Maybe we could get some of our many local celebs to join in for a week or two at a time....like Megan Mullaly. How fun would that be.

[metro]

Rover, I thought of another world-class concept OKC does have, Table One.

[Rover]

I've heard a little about it, but have no idea where it is. It must keep a really low profile. Give me details. Would love to try the concept. I heard it was going to locate in AA, but I am not aware that it is really open as a business there. Do you have a personal review to share here?

Is this like Bespoke that was in Guthrie a few years ago? Seems like the same concept from what I have heard.

[metro]

Yeah it kind of operates underground, they don't need to advertise, etc. It's over in the Plaza District and by appointment only. Usually you need a group of 8 or more. They don't have a website, but you can read some reviews online. It's OKC's version of "Top Chef"

Table One: culinary immersion | Oklahoma City Restaurants

[Larry OKC]

Here's a concept. We could incorporate the strength of the ACM's School of Rock into a local concept like Max's in San Francisco. They employ opera singers as waters and waitresses and it is entertaining while the food is pretty good. Why not have an upscale diner with singing and performing wait staff?

Or, also in San Francisco is Teatro ZinZanni. It is in an old eastern European style circus building and the dinners are intermixed with entertainment of a zany circus style. Think Cirque du Soleil does Juniors. Campy and a great destination. In the park, only open in the evening...one or two shows a night. Seats at most maybe 150-250. Dinner in the round. Amazing fun. Perfect setting in a park. Shoot, if we were willing to make fun of ourselves, we could even do a "Pawnee Bill does Cirque" type of dinner show and showcase the western side of our uniqueness. Think of the fun things we could sell tourists that would promote the show and the city. Something truly unique and unforgettable. Something for tourists to talk about to their friends and for something different for locals to take their guests to. By the way, the performers are the wait staff. Maybe we could get some of our many local celebs to join in for a week or two at a time....like Megan Mullaly. How fun would that be.

Sort of an updated Molly Murphy's? I like!

[metro]

I've heard a little about it, but have no idea where it is. It must keep a really low profile. Give me details. Would love to try the concept. I heard it was going to locate in AA, but I am not aware that it is really open as a business there. Do you have a personal review to share here?

Is this like Bespoke that was in Guthrie a few years ago? Seems like the same concept from what I have heard.

I ate there last night, I'll try and post a review in the Food Court today. All I can say is fantastic! RedPrime and TableOne are definitely the city's jewels in the restaurant biz.

[Euphoria]

...
We lack great bakeries, Middle Eastern, Italian, Greek, Thai, seafood and in my humble opinion, Mexican food options.

Bakeries - Aside from Prarie Thunder I'll give this one to you.
Middle Eastern - Granted
Italian - Granted
Greek - Granted
Thai - Try Panang at 89th and Penn. I've had Thai in NYC, Seattle, San Fran and Panang can hang with any of them. There are a few other little hole in the wall places that are, apparently, even better. I haven't had the chance to try them yet though.
Seafood - Granted
Mexican - Try driving around in some of the seedier places in OKC. We have some FANTASTIC mexican food here. It's not advertised, promoted, or easily accessed, but it is here. I'm not talking about Tex-Mex crap that's served with orange goop that passes for cheese. It's real deal mexican. I will say we don't have any upscale mexican places but we do have some very good authentic mexican in OKC if you're willing to park in neighborhoods where you're likely to get your car stolen.

[Rover]

Hey, please post some authentic Mex restaurants. I don't mind hole in the wall. Heck, I go to Mexico and outside of the tourist areas there are mostly hole in the walls with great food.

Prairie Thunder is good...wish there was more than one in town. I live and work up north and it isn't easy to get there. I love going to Paris or Florence where there is a great bakery every half block. I am lobbying for one at 150th & Western in the new and empty Italianesque shopping center. So far, no luck.

I forgot in the Middle-Eastern catagory a place called Nunu's on Memorial. Very authentic Lebanese and good quality. I highly recommend it. However, it is the only one in the city with distant second place going to the little deli-grocery at May & NW Expressway.

[jbrown84]

La Costa (SW 25th & May)

[Rover]

I'll try it. More, more!

[DelCamino]

We need a nice seafood restaurant. We do have several currently that specialize in the 'cajun' style/shrimp boil seafood, but I'm talking about a very nice white tablecloth seafood restaurant that serves fresh halibut, wild salmon, king crab legs, whole cold-water lobsters.

I suggest McCormick & Schmick's Seafood. They're already established in Texas and Missouri, and a nice restaurant in the MBG would fit on the route. (If not there, then perhaps AutoAlley, or maybe the 1 North Hudson building or the Hightower building.

[metro]

Don't think MBG is the place for a nice seafood restaurant as it won't appeal to the masses in this part of the country. Now maybe if we had two restaurants going in that would be fine. Perhaps maybe on the river by boathouse row?

[DelCamino]

Don't think MBG is the place for a nice seafood restaurant as it won't appeal to the masses in this part of the country. Now maybe if we had two restaurants going in that would be fine. Perhaps maybe on the river by boathouse row?

I disagree. A good part of the clientel for the MBG restuarant is going to be the downtown business community, well-healed locals, as well as out of town conventioneers, who would support such a restaurant.

And no - the type of restaurant I talked about wouldn't fit on the river. Although our existing ones such as Trappers, Pearls, Joes, would. A Mc&S would work well in the gardens, maybe even better in a old building such as what I already mentioned.

[metro]

Agree to Disagree.

[ljbab728]

I disagree. A good part of the clientel for the MBG restuarant is going to be the downtown business community, well-healed locals, as well as out of town conventioneers, who would support such a restaurant.

And no - the type of restaurant I talked about wouldn't fit on the river. Although our existing ones such as Trappers, Pearls, Joes, would. A Mc&S would work well in the gardens, maybe even better in a old building such as what I already mentioned.

I agree that a good seafood restaurant would go well downtown at some point but I don't think the MBG is the right place for a specialty type of restaurant. It needs to be more general cuisine.

[Rover]

McCormick and Schmicks has a less formal concept restaurant called M&S Grille. Food is great - just a little more limited than Mc&Schmicks, but still good variety. It would be a good fit for downtown.