August in the 405 diningscape was aflame with flavor
The best 10 items I ate in those 31 days
The August dining report might’ve been the most difficult to cull down yet. Not only did I have all of Chefs Fest 2023 to contend with, but I started three new restaurant-review projects.
Those reviews will be published in the weeks ahead, but they already provided some high points. In fact, the only low point was delivery-related. Won’t mention the restaurant because it wasn’t its fault. The place is only 2.3 miles from my home, but according to the receipt the food was picked up 27 minutes before it arrived. Gross. Also, bad on me for using a delivery service.
With that bad memory vanquished, let us take a walk back through the most august month on the Gregorian calendar and revisit my 10 favorite meals from it.
1. Smoked Pastrami, Edge Craft BBQ
Pitmaster Zach Edge and his crew are second to none in the 405 diningscape when it comes to classic Hill Country-style barbecue. But his newfangled pastrami sandwich might be my favorite thing on the menu.
2. Sriracha Creste di Gallo Chips, Chefs Fest 2023
Highly addictive, these spicy, cheesy pasta chips with Aleppo pepper and Persian blue salt from chef Chris Becker’s Della Terra Pasta are still on my mind. Probably because I have this image of La Baguette Bistro chef Alain Buthion bear-hugging a king-pillowcase-sized clear plastic bag full of them while growling, “I hate these things!” Chefs Fest 2023 at Super Cao Nguyen Market included 40 top Oklahoma chefs serving some of the best food in the state. Chef Caleb Stangroom’s fried headcheese, which I hope to see at Bradford House on an Offal Falafel sandwich, was up there with Tabb Singleton’s Shoyu Pork Belly and Fried Bulgogi Bologna Sandwich, for me. Perhaps the item that saved the day, though, was the shaved ice sold inside the store at the entrance to beat the record heat.
3. Mussels/Stone Fruit Gazapacho, Rococo
Took a visit to shoot a video with chef David Sullivan and the otherworldly Stone Fruit Gazpacho he sold out of at Chefs Fest followed by perfectly prepared mussels.
4. A La Playa platter, Sabor de la Baja
The only thing this variety platter of shrimp didn’t have was Mykelti Williamson to explain what everything was in his Bubba Blue voice. Seriously, this was awesome. Details here.
5. Khao Soi, Ma Der Lao Kitchen
Been a minute since I made it to Ma Der Lao Kitchen on a Thursday. If you don’t know, that’s the day the Khao Soi is served and it is spectacular.
6. King salmon toro, The Tasting Room/Super Cao Nguyen
Ba Luong asked me to speak to a very nice group of Rotarians at The Tasting Room last month. I knew chefs Kurt Fleischfresser and Jason Jones would knock the food out of the park, but I had no idea Ba would be supplying King salmon toro for them to serve with enoki mushrooms, roasted okra, capers and cherry tomatoes.
7. Lamb Tagine, Riserva
Just before I published my review of Riserva, I stopped in on Aug. 1 for one last lunch. The Lamb Tagine delivered on every level. Also, happy to report the glitchy online reservation portal I wrote about has been fixed.
8. Lamb Burger, Nic’s Place
I mentioned recently that the upcoming Oklahoma State Fair is a good excuse to go to the OG Nic’s Grill in Ten-Penn, but there’s also a good excuse to go to the bigger Nic’s. Owner/chef Justin “Nic” Nicholas has added a lamb burger to the menu. It includes orange marmalade and feta cheese and you won’t soon forget it.
9. Eggplant Miso, JK by Chef King
I attended the soft opening of JK by Chef King early last month, and tried half a dozen different items, but none of them exceeded the quality of the Eggplant Miso.
10. Frozen Mangonada and Ghost Pepper Popcorn, Rev Mex
Made a trip to Rev Mex, which is now under the management of Shared Plate Hospitality. I can report new operators Jamie and Jordan Winteroth (Social Deck & Dining, Aurora Breakfast Bar) are serving the Michelada’s cold, and the popcorn spicy.