More OKC Reviews

I gave you 5 new places I visited during my last blog, today I'd like to give you some not-first-time-visits (just go with it) reviews over restaurants, bars, bistros, and more in OKC.  As my former professor, Jerry Stewart, used to say, "Let's rock and roll!"

Kitchen No. 324 http://kitchen324.com/
Other than 324 being the first three digits of my land line growing up (ah, nostalgia) this downtown kitchen has a lot to offer.  I have only been for breakfast right at opening (7 am) with Heather, my morning buddy.  I normally opt for the cathead biscuit with chorizo gravy and sometimes if I'm feeling wild I'll add the poached egg.  The cathead biscuit is so good, but due to the name I felt it was only necessary to ask what made it a "cathead" biscuit---it's about the size of a cat's head, of course!  Silly April, get with the program.  I'm not a cat fan, but this didn't deter me from this carb heaven.

Service has always been great.  They couldn't have chosen a better location and I could be wrong, but I think this is the first restaurant of it's kind in the business district of downtown OKC?  Winning all around. 

I realized I am not sharing an important bit of info with you, the unusually affordable price:

Cathead Biscuit with Chorizo Gravy:  $3.99 (poached egg .99 cents extra)
Coffee:  $2.99

You can get out of this breakfast under ten, y'all.  Don't forget the tip.  Never, ever forget the tip.

Jamil's Steakhouse
I went here a few times growing up and then recently saw a Groupon for Jamil's for $49.50 for two people.  Before you continue reading, just go ahead and purchase this Groupon:  http://www.groupon.com/deals/jamil-s-steakhouse-3  you'll thank me later.

I once bought a Groupon for a Bed and Breakfast in Eureka Springs where I discovered Jon has an aversion for old homes.  I tell you this to clue you in on Jamil's architectural space---it appears to be an old home.  Don't be afraid, Jon actually enjoyed the space and wasn't ready to run.  Moving right along...

With the Groupon we received two of the following:

Starters
Cabbage Rolls
Hummus with fresh pita bread
Veggies
Tabbouleh
Smoked Bologna
*This was just the beginning

Entrée
Steak & Shrimp with a baked potato
Steak & Chicken with a baked potato

Dessert
Chocolate Cake

All of this scrumptious food for $49.50---you'd be a fool to not purchase this Groupon.  We also indulged in a White Russian (for moi) and whiskey for my whiskey connoisseur husband.  We were both equally pleased with our cocktails.

So, if you're looking for some Cow-laries (haha) head over to Jamil's.

Waffle Champion http://www.wafflechampion.com/
I almost feel like I need to give WC larger recognition than others because this was the first place I caved and tried the infamous Chicken & Waffles.  Those of you scrounging your face thinking, "NEVER"  I was right there with you.  Not only are the waffles fluffy and delightful, the chicken has one of the best flavors I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.  But, before I go on and on about the food, you must know the one thing I crave from there almost daily:  Maine Root Soda.  They have a MAINE ROOT SODA fountain.  This was new to me, but now I'm basically a school girl head over hills for this piece of heaven.  I'll share with you my secret combo:

Blueberry soda mixed with ginger soda.  I could barely type that without tears of joy. 

The pricing isn't phenomenal (for breakfast), but it's worth the value and you're worth it:
Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Waffles:  $11.95
Main Root Soda (unlimited refills):  $2.50

The Garage (Downtown OKC) http://www.eatatthegarage.com/
Jon and I went here after we decided against attending H&8th and also after Packard's was completely booked...was my last blog so good that Packard's is constantly busy?  I hope.

I was a little confused on the concept of The Garage, but I think I have the hang of it now:

If you sit at the bar you get full service (drinks and food), but if you sit at a table you only get a bartender and you have to go to the counter (not the same as the bar) to order your food where you get a number.  After typing this it sounds really simple, but maybe that's because I like to see my instructions not hear them?  Anyway, confusion is cleared. 

I ordered the jalapeno margarita and a hamburger with fries.  Enjoyed it all.  The jalapeno margarita actually tasted like the jalapeños had been infused in the tequila and I didn't see any signs of actual jalapenos so maybe this is the case.  It was a tasty little beverage.  If you don't like spicy, try it anyway.  It isn't the kind of jalapeno that leaves your tongue out wanting a dairy product.  Hamburger and fries were good, but now that there's a hamburger joint popping up on every corner, I'm kind of getting burgered out.  Worth a visit and they may have one of the best patios I've seen, plus it's all kind of hidden which I find nice.

H&8th (http://h8thokc.com/)
Backtracking to H&8th in case you're new to this lingo.  Basically food trucks gather on Hudson and 8th street on the last Friday of each month.  There's live music, an overwhelmingly amount of people and limited parking.  If you go to H&8th make sure you take a shot of patience before doing so and also wear comfortable shoes.  You will, undoubtedly, wait in a line to get food for 45+ minutes.  It is a great, free community event that welcomes all, including furry friends and kiddos.  I think after a few more go rounds it will continue to improve.  Definitely worth attending! 

District House (http://www.districthouseokc.com/)
We visited here over the weekend, we actually needed to utilize their restroom as a dressing room for a boutique's photoshoot.  We bribed them with coffee purchases, not that we needed to because they were so friendly and gladly allowed us to invade their space.  I personally just really enjoy local coffee shops over chains, much cozier, homier and I mean it's local.  What more do I need to say?  Cool space in the Plaza District (http://www.plazadistrict.org/) which I'm finding a lot of you aren't real familiar with yet.  I'm not 100% oriented with the area, but I'm getting there.

Basically it's a down to earth, local, hipster-ish crowd that welcomes all.  All the businesses have each other's back.  You go to one they recommend another and vice versa, nice to see in a world of competition. 

Empire Slice House (http://empireslicehouse.com/)
I maybe would've married pizza if that were an option, instead I found a husband who loves it just as much as me. 

I was eager to try Empire (and every place offering pizza).  I had a slice of 'Fungus Among Us' (Portobello, shiitake, and button mushroom, spinach, light truffle oil) for $3.25/slice and half a house salad for $4.50.  I normally would need a few more slices, but this one got the job done.  It was really tasty, but I may not be the best judge for this joint since I truly find it difficult to dislike anything to do with pizza.

Basically make a day (or weekend) of the Plaza:  District House for breakfast, do some shopping, visit Empire Slice for lunch, visit an art gallery, have a glass of wine at Urban Wineworks, grab some dinner at The Mule and maybe see a show at Lyric Theatre.  You're welcome.  It's not easy being a Type A, but it comes in handy.


Sean Cummings Pub (http://seancummingspub.com)
Little Pub right off May and Grand that you can hide away in.  It isn't a very big place, but it is relative to Vito's so it does have the cozy appeal that you hope to walk into.  We got there for happy hour and dinner; it wasn't long before the place filled up.  They also had a 2-man band performing live.  I can't state enough how much better live music is.  I think the mall, Wal-Mart, Target, 7-11 and every place should provide live music. 

Our server was great.  Quick and attentive.  I ordered the corned beef and cabbage as well as a Pilsner or two.  Food was great and tasted like authentic Irish dish.

We got our checks and then decided to have one last beverage.  Wanting to feel Irish and all, I asked the server for a suggestion.  She explained this Irish Ginger Ale and we were sold.  We soon realized how big of amateurs we were.  It actually didn't resemble ginger ale soda, at all.  Basically it was Jameson with some sort of ginger juice concoction.  Not really our cup of tea, but we drank it.  This would be a good place to visit for a date night, if you have friends in town, or just want to try something good.

I'll leave you with the Irish blessing they have on the menu:

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire



{Mother's Day is this Sunday, folks.  It's always a good idea to go the extra mile for moms.  I have reservations for my mom and I, but I can't spill the beans yet since it's a surprise.}