Peloton http://pelotonwinebar.com/
Peloton is the new wine bar café connected to Schlegel Bicycles. I have now been here twice this month, more times to come. It's a quaint add on to the trendy bike shop and has a unique feel to it. I really enjoy the patio, I will 9 times out of 10 always recommend a venues patio over their indoor seating. The staff is nice, talkative and chill. The food---DELISH. I ordered the Cuban Panini with the spinach salad. It honestly is one of my favorite sandwiches and I'm kind of a sandwich snob. They also have flavored lemonade. My friend was wanting a refreshing adult beverage and they suggested vodka with their basil lemonade---total win. I ordered one, too. I mean I can't let someone experience something alone. Also, you don't have to be into cycling to enjoy this spot, but you'll probably end up wanting one.
Packard's http://packardsokc.com/
Oh how I love Packard's. Last summer I visited their rooftop (killer by the way) for a small birthday but never had the pleasure, until recently, to dine in. My husband, friend and I stopped in for a drink and dessert a few weeks back. Can I just start with our server was awesome? Normally I feel like servers lead me in the wrong direction when it comes to recommendations, but hers were spot on. I wanted something different with a zing and she lead me to The Blossom (St. Germain, Brut Rose, Soda & Lemon). It was life changing. New favorite cocktail by far. Get your pens out, I'm about to give you a little educating in liqueur:
St. Germain is made from elderflower that blossoms in the French Alps. That alone should tell you that you're getting into something good. More on this, here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/st-germain-liqueur_n_1590006.html
Moving on to one of my favorite food groups: Dessert. I ordered the cheesecake in a jar. You read that right. CHEESECAKE IN A FLIPPIN' JAR. Here's the thing, it doesn't take much to impress my sweet tooth, but if it did, this cheesecake in a jar would've won the gold.
Other than the rooftop, service, drinks and dessert being top notch, the design is atmospherically excellent. I can't even explain the greatness, you just need to experience it yourself.
Vito's Ristorante http://vitosokc.com/
Vito's came about in 2004---Happy 10 years, Vito's! The only thing I'm mad about is that I just now got around to visiting this gem.
I went for a birthday dinner this week and sat on the patio. Service was rocking and he was super kind; he actually looked at the date on my ID (when I ordered my Italian Margarita, of course) and wished me a happy birthday. If you know me, I love attentiveness---brownie points. While I was waiting there was a basket of homemade fresh bread with oil and vinegar. I don't shy away from carbs, I actually have more of a magnetic force with them. Obviously I already love bread with oil and vinegar---but this wasn't your Olive Garden (no offense, OG) style treat. The oil was composed of garlic and other tasty elements that made it much different. Then there's the bread, the fresh, homemade bread. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard from just thinking about it. I don't know what they do or how they do it, but the bread alone is worth a visit.
It's kind of illegal to go to an Italian restaurant and not order a pasta dish. I went with Fat Tony's Pasta Special with linguine pasta and meat balls. I feel like you already know "that's amore!". It came out in true Italian style, portions for days! If I visit Vito's too often this dish will be called Fat April's Pasta Special.
To top it off I got a free tiramisu for my birthday. You're probably thinking, free desserts don't taste as good as paid-for desserts. WRONG. I'd have paid if I had to.
They have created a naturally charming aura. Literally has the cultural feel of a quaint Italian ristorante. I'd love to be taken here for a date night (take note, gentleman).
Urban Johnnie http://www.urbanjohnnie.com/
Totally trendy. Located in Deep Deuce. Our first server was spectacular and had an accent and would say things like "Sure, Love", "You got it, Love", etc. Our table of girls were all feelin' the love. You may not visit this area thinking it will be a little compact, but they offer free parking in the Level parking garage. Hold on, free parking, in a garage? Yeah, that's almost too good to be true.
We went for a birthday happy hour and dinner this week. The happy hour was good, the usual discount on domestic bottles and drafts ($2/each).
I've been upbeat for most of my reviews, but I have to be honest, I didn't love the food. We ordered chips, queso and salsa, cheese fries, buffalo dum dums, a beer (or two) and I also tried the Berry Jane cocktail. What you need to know about me is I love all potato products. We are a kindred spirit. The cheese fries were subpar. The cheese was kind of cold and they didn't seem incredibly fresh. I honestly am not 100% sure what a buffalo dum dum is, but I won't order it again. It may be a great choice if you're into it, maybe I'm just not into it? My husband would probably really enjoy them.
The Berry Jane cocktail. Sad face. I was so spoiled at Packard's I thought maybe I was going to be getting another refreshing, enlightening new taste to provide my palate. It was dull. I don't have a kinder way to say it. It wasn't bad, but I should've just stuck with my beer.
Skinny Slims https://www.facebook.com/SkinnySlimsOkc
I can't speak for every night, but I can speak for Thursday night. This place is and should be everybody's happy place. We stopped by here after Urban Johnnie and it was a great decision.
The bartender took a shot with me because he didn't think I should have to take one alone for my birthday. They had live music by Erick Taylor (https://www.facebook.com/ErickTaylorMusic). "Team work makes the dream work" is a true statement in this scenario. When the bartender and musician work together to provide a good time, it is noticeably better than other bars. Everyone in this skinny bar was singing and you could feel an essence of camaraderie in the place. Erick asked what kind of music I liked (being the birthday girl and all), I was going with 90's but Shauna yelled out that I like "TAYLOR SWIFT!" It's not a lie. I didn't expect him to actually perform any T-Swift tunes, but much to our surprise he did and it was fab. He also rounded up the guests in the bar to sing me happy birthday---I love birthdays so much. I think everyone with a birthday should go to one of Erick's shows for a birthday jam.
We were probably getting close to winding down our night when the bartender came by and said:
"This is a lame birthday" (it really wasn't), but I responded with "You're welcome to improve it." he did just that, see below:
Yes, he lined up shots on our table and proceeded to set them on fire! If you notice in the first picture everyone looks so happy. To be clear, we don't know these people---this is what I meant by you could feel a sense of camaraderie. The people of OKC are absolutely one of the greatest aspects our city has to offer.
Okay, I've thrown 5 new options at you. I don't expect you to visit them all in one week, but definitely don't pass them by. The best ingredient to my visits is good company. I don't recommend going anywhere with out it.
{Have a Happy Easter}
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