George

[TheTravellers]

No website with a menu? Really? :-( And yeah, I know you posted one, Pete, thanks, but why do restaurants like this not have a real website? Can't wait until the "everything on FB" fad ends, and it will, eventually....

[jn1780]

No website with a menu? Really? :-( And yeah, I know you posted one, Pete, thanks, but why do restaurants like this not have a real website? Can't wait until the "everything on FB" fad ends, and it will, eventually....

Especially when everything averages around 45 dollars a plate. Not that hard to create a basic website with a menu. It could literally just be their menu on their.

[PhiAlpha]

Especially when everything averages around 45 dollars a plate. Not that hard to create a basic website with a menu. It could literally just be their menu on their.

I mean they just opened after experiencing a bunch of delays that they weren't expecting. I'm sure they had more important issues to take care of and just haven't gotten to it yet. It's a lot easier and cheaper to make a Facebook site then a good webpage, they will probably add one down the road.


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[ChaseDweller]

So we ate there Friday night. The service was great (meeting you downstairs is a really nice touch). The food was very good but a bit uneven. We all had steaks - my ribeye was a bit tough. The appetizers were great (sweetbreads and Foie Gras), and the sides were well prepared. The homemade bread was fantastic. The folks we were with ordered the wine, so I didn't get a look at it. Overall, the presentation of the food was very good. Portions were just OK, but we were full when we left.

They weren't particularly busy and we took over 3 hours for dinner. The bar was pretty full, but was down to 3-4 people by the time we left at 10:20. The design of the space is really nice and provides a great view.

But, it was expensive. One of the most expensive meals I've ever eaten - anywhere, any time. The ticket was well over $125 per person. Now we had some decent wine (2 bottles at $80 each), but still, it will be difficult to go there more than about once a year. I hope they do well, but I have my doubts that the city will support a price point that high.

[Pete]

^

Thanks so much for the review.

I know they had to put a ton of money into that space due to all types of unknown problems, and they actually bought that whole top floor, so they have a lot invested.

I suppose if there is resistance to the prices, the menu can be adjusted. But the space is now vastly improved and whatever needed changes (if any) should be relatively straight-forward.

So, so glad that this space has come back to life. Can't wait to go up and see it... That building and top floor holds a lot of sentiment for many.

[SoonerFP]

We have reservations for my wife to take me for my birthday next Monday. Can't wait to check it out personally!


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[soonerguru]

We really need more steakhouses in this town.

[Of Sound Mind]

But, it was expensive. One of the most expensive meals I've ever eaten - anywhere, any time. The ticket was well over $125 per person. Now we had some decent wine (2 bottles at $80 each), but still, it will be difficult to go there more than about once a year. I hope they do well, but I have my doubts that the city will support a price point that high.

Red Prime seems to be holding its own, so there's at least some who are willing to continue to support a price point that high (if the place is good enough).

[Dubya61]

... The appetizers were great (sweetbreads and ...

For so long, I've lived under the misconception that sweetbreads were brains. Watched a "Chopped" where sweetbreads were in the basket. Had to look it up to find out that sweetbreads were simply a segment of offal. All the same, I don't know if I can overcome my (now) prior misconception about them to eat them.

[bchris02]

But, it was expensive. One of the most expensive meals I've ever eaten - anywhere, any time. The ticket was well over $125 per person. Now we had some decent wine (2 bottles at $80 each), but still, it will be difficult to go there more than about once a year. I hope they do well, but I have my doubts that the city will support a price point that high.

By George that's expensive. I think it will work though if the food is good. The view is spectacular. The upscale, fine dining market has long been underserved in OKC so I think there is definitely room for stuff like this.

[Jeepnokc]

For so long, I've lived under the misconception that sweetbreads were brains. Watched a "Chopped" where sweetbreads were in the basket. Had to look it up to find out that sweetbreads were simply a segment of offal. All the same, I don't know if I can overcome my (now) prior misconception about them to eat them.

I thought the same. Had to go look up Offal........I'm still not eating it.

[Teo9969]

I thought the same. Had to go look up Offal........I'm still not eating it.

Sounds Awful...

[Teo9969]

So we ate there Friday night. The service was great (meeting you downstairs is a really nice touch). The food was very good but a bit uneven. We all had steaks - my ribeye was a bit tough. The appetizers were great (sweetbreads and Foie Gras), and the sides were well prepared. The homemade bread was fantastic. The folks we were with ordered the wine, so I didn't get a look at it. Overall, the presentation of the food was very good. Portions were just OK, but we were full when we left.

They weren't particularly busy and we took over 3 hours for dinner. The bar was pretty full, but was down to 3-4 people by the time we left at 10:20. The design of the space is really nice and provides a great view.

But, it was expensive. One of the most expensive meals I've ever eaten - anywhere, any time. The ticket was well over $125 per person. Now we had some decent wine (2 bottles at $80 each), but still, it will be difficult to go there more than about once a year. I hope they do well, but I have my doubts that the city will support a price point that high.

The city has been sustaining at least 5 if not closer to 10 restaurants at that price point for quite awhile now.

[Roger S]

Josh Valentine has left The George after only 4 months..... Guess now I have to go back and see if the next Exec Chef in line is as good.

Valentine leaves The George and other news to chew on | News OK

[sooner88]

I went to the George last week, and while it was good I feel that there are better options out there for a cheaper price (I didn't pay for the meal either).

I still think that the $40 fixed menu at Red Prime is the best deal in town.

[Teo9969]

Josh Valentine has left The George after only 4 months..... Guess now I have to go back and see if the next Exec Chef in line is as good.

Valentine leaves The George and other news to chew on | News OK

The non-dessert menu recipes will still be Valentine's so the only thing Chad Willis will be putting together are the specials, chef selections etc. I believe Valentine was supposed to continue putting together the upcoming Fall menu. It will be interesting to see how much of the menu changes. The salad/soup selections are so far ahead of the rest of the city that it would be silly to remove them from the menu.

Shelby Sieg is still there and she's easily as good of a chef as Valentine and she takes a back seat to no one in this market in terms of her creativity and craft. She will be hard to keep in this market.

[bchris02]

I am pretty sure with George, like Vast, the view is a big selling point. You may be able to get better food elsewhere, but you won't get dine overlooking the city lights.

[Pete]

The non-dessert menu recipes will still be Valentine's so the only thing Chad Willis will be putting together are the specials, chef selections etc. I believe Valentine was supposed to continue putting together the upcoming Fall menu. It will be interesting to see how much of the menu changes. The salad/soup selections are so far ahead of the rest of the city that it would be silly to remove them from the menu.

Shelby Sieg is still there and she's easily as good of a chef as Valentine and she takes a back seat to no one in this market in terms of her creativity and craft. She will be hard to keep in this market.

Have you eaten there, Teo?

I've yet to hear much about the execution.

[Teo9969]

I am pretty sure with George, like Vast, the view is a big selling point. You may be able to get better food elsewhere, but you won't get dine overlooking the city lights.

You may get a better steak elsewhere (though only a few restaurants), but you will not beat the salads, non-steak entrees, nor many of the sides. The desserts approach michelin quality.

[Teo9969]

Have you eaten there, Teo?

I've yet to hear much about the execution.

Something like that

It's a really good restaurant but needs to gain an identity and quick. Steakhouses and faux fine dining do not go together.

As you've mentioned, Kevin George bought the top floor for $1.3M + had renovation and start-up costs and the place is doing nowhere near the business of the other successful steakhouses in town (Mickey's/Red/Ranch in particular) with less profit margin. You can't make 3 breads in house every day and charge the same amount as the rest of the steakhouses for your 10oz Filet.

[Roger S]

Have you eaten there, Teo?

I've yet to hear much about the execution.

I gave them a month to get the kinks worked out before my first visit and I have to say the execution was nearly flawless.

The bacon and onion tart had the most perfect soft egg on it that I've ever been served.

The 3 breads that Teo mentioned were some of the best bread I've ever eaten. To stand out like that with a food as mundane and commonplace as bread impressed me.

I went with the ribeye and it was cooked perfectly. I would have preferred it served on a hot plate but that's just a personal preference. Did not take away from how well it was cooked.

About the only thing I didn't like about my visit was the lemon juice in the creamed corn..... While I like that acidity in something like elote. It overwhelmed my palette in this dish.

[sooner88]

I need to make an addition to my post. The service was great, the bread was some of the best I've had, deconstructed caesar salad was different, but very good. I think my biggest drawback was, like what Teo said, that there seemed to be a lack of identity. I went expecting a steakhouse and our waiter really pushed the other entrees. I did go ahead and order the ribeye, and while it was good, it was not the best I have had. I realize that the higher prices has to do with the large initial investment and relatively varied, but labor intensive specialties, but I think that focusing on a few things will be beneficial for them to remain competitive in the long run.

I gave them a month to get the kinks worked out before my first visit and I have to say the execution was nearly flawless.

The bacon and onion tart had the most perfect soft egg on it that I've ever been served.

The 3 breads that Teo mentioned were some of the best bread I've ever eaten. To stand out like that with a food as mundane and commonplace as bread impressed me.

I went with the ribeye and it was cooked perfectly. I would have preferred it served on a hot plate but that's just a personal preference. Did not take away from how well it was cooked.

About the only thing I didn't like about my visit was the lemon juice in the creamed corn..... While I like that acidity in something like elote. It overwhelmed my palette in this dish.

[bchris02]

I was really thinking this restaurant needs better promotion and any lack of business can be tied to poor marketing. A lot of potential customers probably don't realize they are even open. Everyone knows about Vast and Red Prime, but ask your friends if they want to go to the George and they will say "where?" The restaurant has NO dedicated website and the Facebook page is very minimal. Having a solid online presence not only helps advertise but it also confirms legitimacy to many people. It's EXTRA important being that the restaurant is in the suburbs and not in a walkable urban district.

[Teo9969]

I was really thinking this restaurant needs better promotion and any lack of business can be tied to poor marketing. A lot of potential customers probably don't realize they are even open. Everyone knows about Vast and Red Prime, but ask your friends if they want to go to the George and they will say "where?" The restaurant has NO dedicated website and the Facebook page is very minimal. Having a solid online presence not only helps advertise but it also confirms legitimacy to many people. It's EXTRA important being that the restaurant is in the suburbs and not in a walkable urban district.

The lack of promotion is not at all a problem. I've very occasionally seen advertisements for Mahogany, but none of the other Prime Steakhouses in the metro. The demographic this restaurant is targeted toward knew about the place before it opened and word spreads quickly in the upper-middle to upper class in OKC. It has quickly developed a solid reputation for quality food and service. The lack of business is a three fold combination of concept, overly conservative management, and size of the restaurant.

[Rover]

Frankly, I have heard many more bad comments than good. And these come from persons who are pretty worldly, with good taste, and spend at this level regularly. There are too many other good options in OKC now than to have to settle. They just go elsewhere.