Storm deals blow to Alma opening

High winds prove costly for a pair of local businesses

June opened with Nonesuch’s rebirth under the Id Est banner, Alma opening where Ludivine long called home, and Perle Mesta launching a new chapter in the storied history of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.

My goal was simple: Eat at each of these exciting new restaurants in downtown Oklahoma City before July starts. With three days to go, I’m happy to report that goal is on schedule. I’ve been inside Nonesuch’s new dining room called The Den for a tasting with chefs Garrett Hare and Rachel Minick. On Tuesday, I had dinner at Alma for the second time in four nights. Reservations for two are set for Perle Mesta on Sunday.

Have some first impressions to share from Alma, but first understand that you likely won’t be able to dine at Alma this weekend. That’s because, shortly after I left it Tuesday night, high winds blew through downtown and knocked out power for both it and neighboring R&J Lounge & Supper Club. Alma chef/partner Zach Hutton reported the storm wiped out the contents of his walk-in cooler.

Happy to report both Alma and R&J have power again and will reopen their bars tonight. I’ve had enough of drink at Alma to know it’s worth a stop this weekend and has a lovely space for lounging. Give both of them a few more days to restock the groceries. Unfortunately, neither are ready to serve dinner.

Alma and R&J weren’t the only local businesses to take a hit that night. I was still at Alma when the alert warning of high winds gusting through town hit mobile phones. We left minutes later and after dropping off my buddy at his home near Penn Square Mall, the rain and wind arrived. I managed to dodge some remarkable obstacles on Interstates 44 and 35, but just three miles from home I hit a patch of water at the bottom of an inclined street that caused my engine to fail. Halfway up that street I came upon the downed tree that filled the rushing water I’d come into with debris. There was also a car nose first in a nearby ditch and couple of others lined up behind the downed tree.

We handful of strangers managed to determine the car in the ditch was empty then helped untangle each other from the chaos of the stormy night. A kind Samaritan out with his family assessing storm damage dropped me home some time after midnight. The result? My car was pronounced dead, due to the engine taking on too much water, yesterday at around 4 p.m. by a very nice auto technician named Homer.

That’s more than enough detail about that night, and I’m happy to move on to the premium content. I share all that to make it clear that now is the time to become a premium subscriber. The best way to help keep this one-man operation delivering to your inbox three times a week is opting into a premium membership whether it’s $5 a month or a $155 for founding membership. If even half of the current 2,900 subscribers opted for a $5 per month subscription not only would it pay the bills but maybe even create a new job. If you’re already a premium subscriber and want to help, purchase a premium subscription for friends.

Besides, it’s worth it. Today premium subscribers will learn exclusively about a new wine bistro opening this summer near The Village and Nichols Hills, get my first impressions of Alma, first look at the tasting I attended at The Den, and on Sunday, receive my review of the new season of The Bear.