May all our months be so delicious
Counting down the best bites from last month
What started as National Barbecue Month ended as the most delicious month of the year so far.
No flavor shortages to report in 2024, but the last 30 days have been remarkably delicious around the 405 diningscape. This month’s dining report includes flavors from Mexico, Thailand, Pakistan, Guatemala, Korea, Laos, Japan, and the Texas Hill Country — all hand-crafted in Oklahoma enroute to becoming culinary art.
Looking ahead a little, the big question will be whether or not Perle Mesta, chef Andrew Black’s new restaurant opening in the Skirvin Hilton Hotel on June 24, will make the June Dining Report’s Top Ten.
Let’s not waste anymore time and jump right into May’s:
1. Churrasco, Ma Der/Café Kacao
The collaboration between chefs Veronica Zelada (Café Kacao) and Jeff Chanchaleune at Ma Der inspired me to write about in real-time. But my favorite dish was called Churraso: An arepa topped with fugimuji pork marinated in Lao flavors and Argentine chimichurri. NomNomNomNom
2. Just for the Halibut/7-Layer Strawberry Cake, The Hamilton Supperette & Lounge
Months had passed between visits to chef Stephanie Miller’s playground, which I knew was a sin. How big a sin I did not know until the food started to arrive. It was impossible to pick a winner between halibut served over bucatini with lemon chevre and capers and the 7-Layer Strawberry Cake. Just writing it now makes me want to go back for seconds.
3. Ginger-Garlic Beef Tartare/Grilled Scallops & Creamed Corn, Birdie’s by Kevin Lee
Birdies is a great new restaurant, and the Ginger-Garlic Beef Tartare is amazing. Those two factors make it practically impossible to keep the dish off this list for the foreseeable future, so I’m just going to pair it with the next best thing I had. This time it was a scallop feature served over creamed corn. Sublime.
4. Smoked pastrami, Edge Craft Barbecue
When I asked chef Andrew Black where he wanted to have lunch last week, he did not hesitate: “Edge Craft! I’m obsessed with that pastrami, man!” ‘Nuff said. Pastrami is served Friday’s, but don’t sleep on Thursday’s Jerk Pork Belly Burnt Ends!
5. Dorados, El Metate
Two trips to this new east-side taqueria have unearth gold, but my favorite has been the dorados. Every time I’ve had them before, they’ve been mini fried tacos filled with mashed potatoes. Delicious for sure, but these were full-sized tacos fried to order with my choice of filling. Sold!
6. Hot rolls and lemon cake, Social Deck & Dining
It was a bittersweet farewell to Social Deck and Dining at the end of May. Sweet because we know owners Jamie and Jordan Winteroth maintain the space to use for private events and catering. Sweet also because much of the Social menu will land at the new Aurora when it’s move within the Plaza is complete. Further sweetened was it by hot baked rolls with honey butter, and sweetened to the nth degree because Lemon Cake. Come to think of it, it wasn’t bitter at all. Completely sweet.
7. Baingan bharta, Kebabish Bites
I have a new favorite eggplant dish, and it’s thanks to chef Waseem Ahmed and his brother Hamsa. This one is blended with tomatoes, garlic and onions and it’s ideal on garlic naan. Or slurped straight from the bowl.
8. Flautas, Café Antigua
It just seems fair that if chef Zelada is going to be on this list that Café Antigua be on It, too. She founded Café Antigua back in 2007 before selling it to future in-laws Benjamin and Elida Valdez and opening Café Kacao down the street. It’s all in the family now, and I usually get Huevos Motulenos whichever one I’m at; however, last month my love for flautas was rekindled at Café Antigua.
9. Ahi Tuna: Tiny Bubbles Wine Bar
This cool little wine bar in the Shoppes at Northpark has a great wine list, and distinctive pizzas ideal for the setting, but don’t sleep on the grilled ahi tuna that’s served with sumac pasta chips, salsa verde and fresno chilies for snap, crackle and pop.
10. Ginger chicken, Thai Corner Bistro
Chef Kevin Lee and I stumbled into this gem where last Bistro 22 toiled. The ginger chicken was good enough to stave off some stiff competition to make this list. Return trip imminent.
Cafe Miel, Bradford House
This month it was coffee drink that caught my attention among beverages. Brunch at Bradford House put me squarely in front of Cafe Miel, a blend of espresso, honey, steamed milk, and a little cinnamon. Perfection!