Dining matters in the 405 diningscape

The return of the national spotlight, restaurants on the move, and a charity ready to jam are in the news

Happy Monday everyone, the news has been thick and fast lately.

The state fair has arrived, and I sent out breaking news about Leo’s going back to Kelley last night. Before that, I posted about more national attention for the 405 diningscape. (Details below) That post also included news about 1492 leaving Midtown as Louie’s Bar & Grill did not too long ago. That post did NOT include news that Casa Perico would soon be opening at 11109 N May Avenue., replacing a Jimmy’s Egg location.

The longtime purveyor of premium Tex-Mex food has two Oklahoma City locations and one in Yukon. Will be interested to see if the current location at NW 63rd Street remains open to compete with the new one.

The aforementioned national news was about Sedalia’s Oyster and Seafood. I stopped by Thursday after a long day of salad-judging at the fair to congratulate owners Silvana and Zack Walters for being named as one of Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants of 2023.

The young couple opened Sedalia’s in 2022 on property Zack’s family operates the Rex Playground Equipment company. On Thursday, that property was filling up fast at 5 p.m. with folks curious about what was so special about this eclectic little restaurant.

My last trip to Sedalia’s was in May when they had just completed the patio dining room. Was lucky to grab a counter seat on Thursday before the evening dinner crowd.

Silvana confirmed that in just a couple of days, reservation requests were on the uptick.

“Everybody wants to see if the hype is real, I guess,” she joked.

Sedalia’s is a serious dining haunt, and the Incan Contentment (Hayman's London dry gin, Berto vermouth, and quinquina) cocktail Silvana delivered was a reminder. Under a thin sheet of ice it arrived, harboring a balanced, divine cocktail. More please.

Then came mussels in a piquant tomato broth with fresh aromatics and a sprinkle of focaccia crumbs.

Riding shotgun was fresh-baked focaccia with Szechuan oil and Salt Cod butter. Luscious bread contrasted by the salty, funkalicious topping makes for a meal itself but is welcome dipping a toe in broth.

I walked away satiated and anxious to return only to be chased down by Silvana in the parking lot next door. She had my receipt.

“I know what a pain bookkeeping is!” she said.

She was right about bookkeeping, but I happen to know chasing down forgetful guests when you have a full house is an even bigger pain. Going to that trouble is indicative of why Sedalia’s is one of the best 23 new restaurants in the country.

Pivot ready to Jam!

Pivot, Inc., a charity that serves homeless youth, is on the verge of finding out who is ready for its jelly.

On September 28, Pivot Preserves will launch retail sales of its signature jellies, thanks in part to a grant from the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority.

Pivot has been around for more than half a century, but in recent years built a neighborhood of Tiny Homes to buttress the living options of its young clientele. For years, it has offered living and dining options for youth in need and also works with parents and local police in helping manage and support youth in crisis.

Whether they live in the Tiny Homes or on Pivot’s campus, the kids need food and jobs. Their need for food led to the hiring of Lydia Shelton as Food Service Manager. In that capacity, Shelton received a bountiful donation of berries about three years ago. She turned the excess into jellies and jams, which inspired the Pivot Preserves program. It’s a program that will now clients supply jobs and practical education, right on Pivot’s campus.

The ODFA granted Pivot Preserves $150,000 in May. It helped build a canning facility with a commercial-grade kitchen manufacturing capacity.

Chandy Rice, Senior Director of External Affairs, said Pivot Preserves is working with Hal Smith Restaurants on a deal that will have Pivot doing private label products for Neighborhood JAM.

I’ve had a chance to sample through the first three flavors, which include Peach, Mixed Berry, and Cherry Limeade. All three are worthy of toast and/or biscuits. So worthy, don’t be surprise if they become the centerpiece of a contest very soon.

When the retail website is cleared for launch, I’ll share the link here on the Feed.

Prayers for Cathy Cummings, please

Last week, Vito’s Restaurant owner Cathy Cummings disclosed on social media that’s she been diagnosed with and has been undergoing treatment for gallbladder cancer.

She posted:

Dear family and friends! I wanted to reach out to you all and let you know what’s been going on in my life. The last few weeks have been a little crazy. I was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer.

C/T scans, biopsies, and lots of blood tests have been my routine for the last 3 weeks. My first round of chemo was Wednesday. I’m feeling pretty good right now. There’s really not much I need at the moment! Sean and my daughters Rosie, Danielle, and Angelina have been with me every step of the way, “Tag-teaming” ! My daughter Angelina has truly been a blessing. She’s a dietitian at Stephenson Cancer Center, where I am also receiving the most amazing care from the best team of professionals! Two of Angelina’s coworkers brought me the loveliest chemo-care package today! Lina is making sure I’m gaining weight and keeping up my strength, to get the best possible chemo outcome. I want to thank ALL of my family and friends who have reached out to send their love, positive energy, and prayers my way. Huge THANKYOU to my wonderful, compassionate husband Sean Cummings and my rock solid Vito’s family! They are taking such good care of the Restaurant in my absence. Much love to all of you! And I will keep in touch! And give updates as this crazy process moves along. Much love to you all!

Sincerely, Cathy

Needless to say, the entire 405 diningscape is calling for prayers from any and every creed on behalf of Cathy, her husband Sean and the entire family –  not to mention the doctors who are fighting on her side. We love you, Cathy!

Events

We start the events section with a Save the Date. Mark Oct. 29 on your calendars for the inaugural $2K Cookie Contest at Twisted Tree Baking Company from 4 to 6 p.m. Right now, I can tell you it will pit 16 of the 405 diningscape’s top bakers and chefs against each other in a gourmet pumpkin cookie bake-off. I can further tell you food trucks and a latte bar from Evoke will also be there along with a pumpkin patch and carving station. More details soon!

The Oklahoma State Fair continues through Sunday. Don’t miss the Made in Oklahoma cookoff on Saturday in the Creative Arts Building.

Greek Festival of Oklahoma City, St. George Greek Orthodox Christian Church:  Oct 13-15; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Autumn Abundance Farm-to-Table Dinner, Tanglefoot Farm: Oct. 21; 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Chef Luke Fry will cook at Tanglefoot Farm in Blanchard. Dinner will include live music. Cost is $75 per person and includes a tour of the farm, drinks, coffee by the fire and a four-course menu of Okie Sunrise Spread, Hen in the Greens, Prairie Homestead Pie, and October Apple Fritters. Click here for tickets and details.

St. Elijah Food Fair, St. Elijah Antiochian Church:  Nov. 10-11; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday.