Broken hearts abound in the 405 diningscape today

Cathy Cummings leaves a legacy of kindness, grace, and getting sh#t done for her community

Valentine’s week got off to a heartbreaking start on Sunday when word began to circulate that we’d lost Cathy Cummings to a bout with gallbladder cancer. She was 62.

As I posted on social media, Cathy was Oklahoma City’s best friend, looking after it and caring for it whether it was as kind to her as she was to it. But that was Cathy’s way. Relentlessly kind, optimistic, and tolerant, she was the best humanity had to offer. Truly.

She and her husband Sean Cummings ran Vito’s Italian Ristorante Sean Cummings Irish Pub out of the same building on North May Avenue. The couple brought their Brady Bunch-blended family from Kansas City back in 2000. While Sean’s Boca Boca sought to build an audience, Cathy gathered where ever she stood.

Born and raised in food-service in her beloved Kansas City, Cathy eventually opened Vito’s after one too many suggestions for Boca Boca triggered Sean to tersely suggest she open her own place. That was 2004. By the time Sean was rebranding Boca Boca into his eponymous Irish pub in the Collonade Shopping Center, Vito’s was building an audience for lunch (yes, there once was lunch service!) and dinner down May Avenue at Vito’s. He eventually joined forces with Cathy in the same building in January of 2010. They moved across the street to the current home in 2014.

Vito’s was named for a favorite uncle, but Cathy grew up working in restaurants owned by one family member or another. She began working at age 12.

I remember her telling me it was routine to see her mother or father, who owned their own place for 36 years, to feed folks who couldn’t afford to pay. She recalled witnessing her father give his coat away to a man who lived on the streets one winter evening. They were on their way home, and it was freezing out.

That spirit of charity followed Cathy her entire life whether raising funds for school lunches, volunteering for the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner, or offering her time in public service for the city of The Village. She was also an active member of the Democratic Party, which puts you at odds with a lot of folks in these parts. But that didn’t stop Cathy from hugging each guest that entered her dining room.

Anyone who knew Cathy was better for it, and that’s not something folks will say about the rest of us. The only way to truly pay homage to her memory is through service. That’s not so much a call to arms for any specific cause as it is a call to embrace whatever causes mean something to you and give them oxygen. Like Cathy did.

Cathy was a proto-pixie dream girl. Her super-powers were cooking, compassion and ringleading.  She left far too soon at the age of 62 but stopped aging at least 30 years ago despite the Irish umbrage concentric to her soul.

Her priorities in life were simple: Familia, familia, and famila. She cherished the familia planted in Kansas City soil that raised her and cultivated a future in service. Then there was the community familia she made at Vito’s and in her years in public service. But the capital F went to Sean, the children they raised and the extended members they employed at Vito’s and the Pub. Turnover was rare at Vito’s, and those who left rarely lost contact.

The loss is heavy because her impact went deep into the community fabric. We’ll mourn her in the weeks to come – Sean promises a celebration of life at one of The Village’s public parks – but then it’ll be time to start picking up the slack. No doubt it’ll take a village to fill her void.

I’ve spoken to Chefs Fest organizers, who all agree a fundraising event in her honor is a great place to start. As soon as Sean signs off on it, we’ll release details.

Much more about the event, Cathy’s legacy and details on any funeral services will arrive in your inboxes soon. For now, let’s make sure Sean and Cathy’s Familia are well supported by the rest of the familia.

Pachinko to Crown

A week from today, chef Eric Smith will reopen his restaurant on Western Avenue under a new name. On Tuesday, the restaurant previously known as Pachinko will be known as The Crown. It will still be home to private, chef-curated tasting menus in The Crown Room and the same sushi-centric menu with steaks as before. The change is strictly to alleviate headaches.

“I can’t tell you how many times I called a guy who made a reservation with us who was downtown at Parlor,” he said. “Then they say, ‘This looks pretty good right here’ and my server is out a cover. It’s really just to reduce confusion.”

More details next week.

Good heavens, Kevin!

Chef Kevin Lee’s odyssey into Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions last summer began its run on Food Network last Wednesday and continues Sunday. The show continues through April 7, but Kevin’s end could come quick since he enters as an 8 seed who will have to defeat a No. 1 to advance. The show airs at 7 p.m. on Food Network.

Tis the Season(s)

Lunar New Year started Saturday and continues for the next couple of weeks, but Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day interrupt the holiday dining calendar this week. For Fat Tuesday, I’ll be doing the Mudbug Shuffle with a Nawlins native over at Power House, which is collaborating with Sedalia’s on the special event.

Power House is far from the only place featuring a special Fat Tuesday menu. For decades, Pearl’s Oyster Bar has been Fat Tuesday central, and this year is no different. The restaurant will be closed to anyone under 21 after 4 p.m. on Tuesday for the festivities. Pearl’s Crab Town will host a family-friendly Fat Tuesday party in Bricktown. Cajun Corner has specials at its three locations.

As for Valentine’s Day proper, usually I would say you’re out of luck. However, you might not know that recently closed Ludivine will host popups on Wednesday night, Friday night and Saturday night. The ticket link takes you to the R&J Supper Club website for ticket purchases, but chef Russ Johnson wanted me to make sure everyone understood these dinners will be in the Ludivine dining room.

I won’t be out on Valentine’s night, but I will celebrate the season with chef Luke Fry and his Fryed House gang, who are taking over The Diner in downtown Norman. Check out the menu if you’re looking to localize your Valentine’s ritual.

Don’t forget, El Sabor de la Baja’s chef Gerardo Banuelos promised free margaritas at both locations.

Enjoy which ever holidays you celebrate this week. On Wednesday, I will launch the Pizzabout series with Rob Crissinger. And in case anyone forgot, fuck cancer!