Who's fired up for spring?
Saganaki dreams answered plus plenty to do under the sun
We are on the eve of the March Pizzabout but wanted to let you know my ongoing pie tour with Rob Crissinger did unearth a rare culinary gem in the 405 diningscape, Saganaki Flaming Cheese.
It came courtesy of Woodward Pizza in Edmond. Folks from around the 405 diningscape are familiar with the flaming halloumi cheese common at the annual Greek Festival at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church. This is its cousin. Rather than halloumi, Woodward uses Kasseri. The main difference, it Kasseri will eventually melt while halloumi maintains its body.
Served on a flaming griddle with plenty of bread on the side, this is the queso I’ve been looking for and it’s not free!
The visit was Rob’s first to the Detroit-style specialists in Edmond’s Ice House Project. The Ice House just welcomed The Creamery to the neighborhood. Much more on that exciting new concept, but you can now drop by for sandwiches, soups, salads, cookies, brownies, and scones to enjoy with coffee. It’s currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6.
On Thursday, Rob and I will share our ratings for Rendezvous Pizza and The Wedge. Don’t miss that.
Now that daylight savings time has arrived, events will begin to emerge across the 405 diningscape like weeds. Once upon a time, pop-ups were saved for the holidays, but these days local chefs have them practically every week.
Two upcoming collabs really have my attention. First, on Monday Sedalia’s and Palo Santo will collaborate on a Diamonds are Forever pop-up. Chef Zack Walters and his wife Silvana have brought Sedalia’s Oyster and Seafood to national attention while the Bailey and Brian Butler have built Palo Santo into one of the best five cocktail bars in the city. The food is great, too. For this party, at Palo Santo on Monday, the menu will include caviar & martini service, a charred cabbage Caesar, garlic-habanero gambas, demiglace and Foie gras cheeseburger, bone-marrow French Onion soup, duck rillette, and comte creme caramel. That should be spectacular.
Then on Tuesday, Della Terra Pasta founder and chef Chris Becker joining forces with chef Caleb Stangroom and his crew at Bradford House. When Becker cooks for the public like this it’s a rare treat and never disappoints.
Chef Kevin Lee will host another watch party on Sunday at Birdie’s by Chef Kevin Lee. The party will be to root for Kevin as he takes on chef Shirley Chung in the second round of Guy Fieri’s $150,000 Tournament of Champions on Food Network. Lee will feature cocktails and bar food starting at 6 p.m. …
Folks who might be looking for an entry point to Vast that doesn’t include a fancy dinner or a buffet lunch have a new way enjoy the view. Vast has teamed with Wanderfolk Spirits on a collaboration called The Mile High Cocktail Lounge inspired by mid-century modern aesthetics and 1960s airport lounge glamour. The pop-up takes flight every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through April 6 and offer a specially curated food and cocktail menu. Entry requires a boarding pass to embark on this trip into the past. …
The guy in the middle of this photo of local talent has a very cool dinner coming up in a couple of weeks. On March 21, chef Olivier Bouzerand will turn his Fait Maison into a six-course meal exploration of the Côtes de Nuits in France’s Burgundy Region. This menu looks exceptional; make reservations at www.fait-maison-ok.com. …
Wagyu Japanese BBQ is under new ownership and will celebrate it on March 24 with an all-day party, including food and drink specials, free samples, and plenty of music.
St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday, which will make this a busy weekend for the green-beer and Guinness crowd. If staying home for dinner (corned beef) and a movie (The Quiet Man), you might want to check these events out:
The Jones Assembly will host an all-day Paddy O’ Party on Saturday, serving the aforementioned green beer. Expect some Irish bites and live music throughout.
Angry Scotsman Brewing, will host a St. Patrick’s Weekend from noon to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Green beer will aboundalong with food from Fonzie's Hamburgers and Wiener Wagon and live music by Kennedy Fine on Friday; Cajun food from Roux Who and entertainment by Flowers of Edinburgh on Saturday.
James E. McNellie's Public House will host its annual two-day indoor-outdoor St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Party, featuring beer, food and live music. DJ Navi will perform outside from 1 to 4 p.m. both days, with The Irish Breakfast Club playing inside the pub from 1 to 4 p.m. On Saturday. That night, Avenue plays outside from 7 to 10 p.m. Mike Hosty bring his show to the outdoor stage on Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m.
ShamROCK the Gardens runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Devon Lawn and Bandshell inside the Myriad Botanical Gardens. The free celebration will feature local Irish food vendors and music from the Oklahoma Scottish Pipe and Drums, Ravens Three, Flowers of Edinburgh and McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma. Kids can get their faces painted and anyone can take an Irish dance lesson.