Oklahoma City diners will have The Catbird Seat for two months

Nonesuch crossed off the calendar for September and October

Nonesuch will be crossed out for a couple months to reimagine its future.

That’s the messaging from Id Est hospitality in announcing the arrival of chef Brian Baxter of The Catbird Seat in Nashville for a guest residency starting next month. The news came in a press release with a line drawn through the restaurant’s name:

Nonesuch, the intimate, eccentric dining experience known for celebrating local ingredients and innovative culinary techniques proudly announces chef Brian Baxter’s takeover starting September 5. …

Nonesuch Presents: Chef Brian Baxter will be a complete takeover of the restaurant from September 5th to November 2nd. Guests will experience a multi-course tasting menu with optional supplements, celebrating the highly anticipated release of his cookbook, “In The Catbird Seat: A Nashville Chef’s Journey at the Convergence of Art & Cuisine.” …

“We’re honored to have prolific chef, artist, and our new friend Brian Baxter join us in Oklahoma City to present his culinary journey to guests in our space. At The Catbird Seat he prioritized sustainability and presented a unique vision of fine dining, and we’re excited to be the first to see his book come to life in Oklahoma City,” said Kelly Whitaker. “During this time our Nonesuch team will be re-engaging with our community, reconnecting with our farmers, and spending time thinking about what the next iteration of Nonesuch will be. When we officially reopen Nonesuch in November it will be a reimagined experience.”  

A core tenant of his Id Est, the most decorated group for restaurant and sustainability awards, is connecting with the local land. This takeover affords the existing Nonesuch team the opportunity to increase their focus on, and knowledge of, regenerative agriculture and grains and enhance their commitment to sustainability and innovation. 

Reservations are now available on OpenTable.

Baxter’s residency will operate Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30-close.

Nonesuch drawing a celebrity chef to town for an extended residency follows news that chef Kevin Lee is bringing some of his new best friends from Food Network to town for a two-night engagement.

But I want to direct your attention to the last bit from Kelly’s statement. The part where he says Baxter’s residency will allow the Nonesuch team to re-engage and reconnect with the community and “spend time thinking about what the next iteration of Nonesuch will be.”

Whitaker’s comment that Nonesuch will return in November as “a reimagined experience” it makes me wonder if the cross through Nonesuch could be permanent. Stay tuned.

Drive-Thru News

Rendezvous Pizza announced via social media yesterday that it was shuttering it’s Quail Springs location. That leaves the Bricktown location to get those tasty Chicago-style tavern pies. …

Organic Squeeze announced the opening of a new location on Memorial Road. The new spot is at 4225 W Memorial Road. That makes three locations for the local smoothie purveyor. This one will serve folks across from Mercy Hospital. …

Look for Mexican Radio to reopen in its new home in Midtown on Aug. 19 if this weekend’s preview services go off without a hitch.

Two Doors Down Wine & Bistro officially opens at 9207 N Pennsylvania Avenue on Aug. 23. The latest concept from Empire Concepts owners Dave Osborne and Jason Pool is literally two doors down from the duo’s first restaurant, Symmetry, in Casady Square. The new wine bar opens at 7 p.m. that evening. …

Rococo and The Crown are at it again. Chefs Eric Smith and Bruce Rinehart announced they will collaborate on Aug. 26 for a Redneck Riviera dinner. The chefs promise a spruced-up tailgate to get folks ready for football season. Reservations help, but they’re not necessary. Just drop by Rococo on Western that evening. …

Chef Jonathan Krell will host what he’s calling a Bella Vista Dinner at Patrono. The four-course dinner is $70 with available cocktail and wine pairings. The menu starts with a Caesar, picks up a prosciutto and cheese arancini then arrives at a tenderloin Milanese. Peach butter cake for dessert. Dinner is Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m.; make reservations at 405-702-7660. …