All photos courtesy the respective bakery
Heaven in a Slice
The Power of Flowers
All photos courtesy the respective florist
Pure Deliciousness
meatball on puff pastry, cured salmon on crostini; chicken and waffle slider, ricotta fritters with Romesco sauce; bruschetta pomodoro,
shrimp and grits; Justin Thompson Catering, Tulsa; photo by Valerie Wei-Haas
All photos courtesy the respective caterer unless otherwise marked
Candlelit Swoons & Honeymoons
Santorini, Greece
From your whitewashed, blue-domed house high above the Aegean Sea, the sunsets are spectacular. Santorini is the quintessential Greek island combining classic architecture, art and food with romantic settings worthy of Bogart and Bacall.
Go horseback riding along the volcanic coastline, catch a catamaran dinner cruise, enjoy wine tastings with tapas, visit secluded black sand beaches, and stroll the narrow winding streets of Emporio with its charming cafes and fragrant bougainvillea.
The art scene is up close, showcasing galleries that in many cases are also artists’ studios, allowing conversation and interaction involving sculpture, ceramics and paint.
The Akrotiri Lighthouse on Santorini’s southwestern tip combines the two colors most prominent on the island, dazzling white and azure blue. Climb the stone steps for as-far-as-the-eye-can-see views.
Just for fun, head to Fira, Santorini’s capital built into jagged cliffs overlooking the Aegean. Historic churches, intriguing museums and vibrant nightspots await.
Stay in a Jacuzzi-equipped suite at the Kokkinos Villas Santorini. Seaview terraces come with sun-loungers and parasols.
Phuket, Thailand
This mountainous island in southern Thailand boasts legendary food venues, miles of gorgeous beaches and rich cultural heritage.
Phuket (poo-KET) soothes the senses with breathtaking vistas and delightful topography complemented by the fascination of Old Phuket Town, a diverse walkable conglomeration of brightly-painted Chinese, Indian, European and Muslim museums, shops, boutique hotels and restaurants.
Guides are anxious to show you James Bond Island, a rocky pinnacle featured in the flick The Man with the Golden Gun. Nearby, the small village of Koh Panyee juts out into the sea, built on stilts and guarded by a huge rock monolith.
The island has its own cultural theme park, the 30-acre Phuket FantaSea, spotlighting the island’s multi-level history through technology and special effects. If you love the nightlife, check out Koh Phi Phi at Tonsai Beach.
Stay at Amanpuri on Phuket’s west coast. The plush hotel presents visitors with 40 polished teakwood pavilions accompanied by spacious bathrooms that are more like spas.
Cook Islands
Just east of the dateline in the Pacific Ocean, the 15-isle Cook Islands sport a strong Polynesian culture flavored by white sand beaches, palm trees, clear waters and a surprising array of marine animals.
Shop for black pearl jewelry, dazzling sarongs, woven hats and finely-made quilts known locally as tivaevae.
The real star of the show, though, is the Pacific. Caves on several islands are ripe for explorers to discover their ancient limestone coral formations. Cruise to One Foot Island where green turtles, giant clams, clownfish and large trevally swim the warm waters.
Stay down on the beach in one of the Pacific Resort’s bungalows at Aitutaki. Wide verandas are adorned with colorful local artwork.
Côte d’Ivoire
Every chocolate bar sold worldwide contains ten percent Ivorian cocoa. At farms where the beans are raised, chocolate lovers see first-hand the transition from bean to bar.
Sandwiched along the Atlantic between Liberia, Guinea and Ghana where Africa makes a left turn, the Cote d’Ivoire is still decidedly French. The Ivory Coast’s name is a salute to the country’s robust trade in elephant tusks during the 17th century.
The Caribbean has nothing on the Cote in terms of wide, sandy beaches, ranging in color from gold to white. Many are fringed with swaying coconut palms.
Primates, mongoose and pygmy hippos populate Tai National Park over on the border with Liberia. In the center of the country, the massive Basilica Notre Dame de la Paix lays claim to having the most stained glass in the world, nearly 80,000 square feet.
A stunning bridge connects two parts of Abidjan along the coast, the nation’s largest urban center, affording walkers outstanding city views and colorful evening light shows.
Stay at the Hotel Tiama in the heart of Abidjan. Book a poolside suite and enjoy the hotel’s specialty, breakfast in bed.
Palma de Mallorca
Two hundred miles east of Valencia, Spain, in the gorgeous waters of the Mediterranean Sea, lie the four enchanting Balearic Islands, long time a refuge for Europeans seeking the sun, beaches and a simpler lifestyle. The largest city is Palma.
Bellver Castle dating back to the 14th century adorns a prominent hillside; the magnificent Palma Cathedral, built in 1229, stands watch over the sea and entices with views from the bell tower; and right next door is the official residence of the ruling Spanish family, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina. The architecture is resplendent stone Gothic with a touch of Moorish.
Down along the waterfront, the narrow streets and alleys of Old Town (Casco Antiguo) lead to parks and squares. Along the way are eclectic shops, cozy taverns, extraordinary restaurants and art galleries.
Stay at the adults-only Hotel Can Cera in the historic center of Palma, once a 17th century palace and now filled with antiques and high-design features. Relax on the rooftop terrace, enjoy the spa and then take in the vermuteria-style eatery where vermouth is the order of the day.
Time to Shine
Guests
Bridemaids
All photos courtesy the designer
Rising to the Occasion
Hedda Gioia Dowd was born in Texas, born a dreamer, and born with a love of France. Her grandmother lived in the sun-kissed south of that country; Dowd spent her childhood summers there. Her grandmother was a fine cook, and Dowd’s favorite dish was what some consider the apex of French cuisine, the soufflé.
Like Proust, Dowd has made a life and career of recapturing her childhood memories and sharing them with the world. She founded an antiques business, which meant that she could spend happy months prowling the dusty attics of chateaux and farmhouses in southwest France. Later, in Dallas, she met a French-born chef, Cherif Brahmi, and together they opened a restaurant specializing in soufflés. Now, she’s brought her dream to Tulsa.
There’s a two-hundred-year-old carved wood door on a building at the northeast corner of Utica Square. Walk through, and you’re in a space decorated with whimsy and panache. Little twinkling lights, French bistro chairs, real antique silver on the tables. That’s Rise.
At the far end, you can see a big, modern kitchen crowded with very busy chefs. Standing to one side, leading like an orchestra conductor, is executive chef Jake Robison.
Robison grew up in Kellyville. When he was a small boy, he recalls, “Grandma made the Sunday dinner, and I’d sit on the counter and watch her.”
He started cooking at home by the time he was thirteen. After college, he was working at the Mayo Hotel as a bartender. A wealthy patron wanted his dinner and the chef was sick, so Robison cooked it. He did such a good job that the hotel hired him as a line cook, and he worked his way up to the top spot in the kitchen. Later, he became chef de cuisine at another lauded fine dining spot in Tulsa, Juniper. And then, one day, he saw a wanted ad for a chef, and that’s what led him to Rise.
Making a soufflé – that glorious concoction of dreams, sauce, egg and air – isn’t easy; it even took Julia Child 28 attempts before she got it right. At Rise, they start, as most classic French recipes do, by making a roux from butter and flour, then blending in milk, and later cheese (emmental and gruyere) and a hint of nutmeg, making a Mornay sauce. It’s put in individual dishes and then the distinctive meats of each souffle are added.
A mixer beats egg whites to a soft peak, which is then hand-stirred into each individual dish. Then it’s put in a very hot oven and baked. When it’s ready, the gleaming golden masterpiece is rushed to your table.
There are quite a few soufflés available. Robison’s favorite is the crab. It’s not on the menu, but it’s always available. You have to know to ask for it. The crab is mixed with roasted red pepper and shallots. Other ingredients include chipotle purée, chive brunoise, thyme and garlic Boursin cheese.
Another popular item is the ham and cheese soufflé. There are dessert options, too. The process is slightly different and the sauce uses creme patissiere (like whipped cream), not cheese. Robison thinks the best is the pecan, with roasted pecans from Texas, Madagascar vanilla extract and crumbled shortbread. But there are a lot to choose from, and you can’t go wrong with any.
You’re taking a friend who just doesn’t like soufflé? Don’t despair. They have French onion soup that takes four hours to make, a lovely steak with green beans, tuna steaks, sandwiches, salads and more. Because they want everyone to leave happy – and you will.
Local Flavors
Tiny Bubbles
Nestled in the Shoppes at Northpark in OKC, Tiny Bubbles is a hidden gem destination for wine, craft cocktails, pizza, shared plates and brunch goodies.
Let’s start with the restaurant’s namesake, shall we? Bubbles! There’s prosecco on tap, alongside a wide range of champagnes and sparkling wines. Browse among nearly 20 whites, plus rosés, oranges and reds. Signature cocktails abound, too. Sip on the Margherita Margarita, with Azteca Azul blanco tequila, Aperol, amaretto, blood orange and lime, or the Girls Just Want to Have Fun, with citrus vodka, winter spiced simple syrup and lambrusco. If you’re feeling whimsical, build your own spritz – you pick the flavors, they’ll add the prosecco and soda.
But you shouldn’t enjoy all those bubbles without a bite to eat. Shared plates range from seared tuna with chimichurri to hummus, burrata, smoked salmon dip and beef kofta skewers. Thin-crust pizzas are a highlight as well; enjoy classics like pepperoni and margherita or go a bit off the beaten path with the Shrimp Scampi – replete with white sauce, fontina, cherry tomatoes, toasted breadcrumbs and grilled lemon. Or try a hearty salad, with classics like Caesar, house and chopped.
Brunch has its own goodies to nosh, like the mushroom toast, with whipped mascarpone, sautéed mushrooms, fresh Parmesan and chives on sourdough. Head to the sweet side with the Dutch Baby, replete with sweet whipped mascarpone, strawberries, bananas, mint and maple syrup. You can also go classic with the Tiny Bubbles breakfast: two eggs, bacon, sourdough and jam. Brunch also boasts its own cocktails, from Brunch Punch (rotating mimosas), to the Buy Myself Flowers, with spiced vodka, lemongrass simple, lemon juice and prosecco.
Don’t forget dessert. Indulge in five flavors of gelato, crème brûlée cheesecake or a cold brew affogato.
Noche
One of the hippest restaurants in Tulsa, Noche brings ambiance, delicious drinks and authentic Mexican cuisine in equal measures. You’ll hear Noche before you see it – the restaurant, on the ground floor of the Vast Bank building downtown, is often bumping music to add to the festive atmosphere. Noche is, after all, inspired by the sights, sounds and cuisine of Mexico City.
Begin with totopos, or snacks, including house-made guacamole, ahi and avocado tostadas or tlayuda – crispy corn tortillas covered with refried beans, meat and cheese. Soups and salads are ideal for those craving lighter fare. Try the pozole, birria ramen, or the chopped salad with avocado, cucumber, sweet potatoes, tortilla strips and your choice of beef tenderloin, chicken or shrimp.
The wood-fired fajitas are a star at Noche. Options range from marinated chicken or steak to shrimp, mushroom/sweet potato and short rib. Another entrée stand-out is the Yucatan-style pork shoulder, served with golden rice, black beans, pickled red onions and avocado-tomatillo salsa. For seafood enthusiasts, try the Trout-a-la-Veracruzana, with salsa veracruz lime and golden rice. On a date? The ribeye for two is just the ticket, complete with potatoes, refried beans, flour and corn tortillas, plus a salad.
Noche, also open for lunch and brunch, is a great place to grab a cocktail; the circular bar is a hot-spot for Tulsa’s movers and shakers. Drink options include classic margaritas, plus plenty of beers and wines. Cocktail classics like Ranch Water and Palomas can be found on the menu, as well as craft creations like the Hotel Nacional, with rum, apricot liqueur, lime, pineapple syrup and bitters.
A Man on the Go
You have to move quickly if you want to catch Mike Clark for a chat. He’s busy, after all. The New Orleans native is often found creating innovative dishes and entire menus as chef de cuisine at the Drake, one of OKC’s most popular seafood restaurants, helmed by A Good Egg Dining Group. That, and he’s also the head chef for the OKC Thunder thanks in part to their partnership with A Good Egg.
Like many talented chefs, Clark says great food – and great cooking – have been part of his life from the beginning.
“Both of my folks were really big influences on the cooking part of my life,” Clark shares. “They’re not professional chefs, but they always cooked a lot, and we ate out in New Orleans for over thirty years as a big part of our family life to experience different cultures and foods.”
Clark was working in Austin, Texas, when his wife got a job at Chesapeake Energy, now Expand Energy Corp, in 2012.
“I didn’t know about the state and just applied and started at Republic, then Cheevers Catering, then eventually became chef at the Drake,” he says. “And now I’m with the Thunder.”
Cooking for world-class NBA athletes is a balance of creativity and taste, with an emphasis on nutrition, Clark says.
“It’s been fascinating to focus so much on the nutritional side of cooking,” he shares. “It’s all about what certain foods do for your body, and at what times, such as in recovery, in mitigating injury. There’s so much to sports nutrition and it’s really cool to learn – not to mention just being around these superstar athletes and watching them grow. It’s a cool moment to realize that nutrition can help extend the longevity of the career of an athlete by eating right.”
Clark, an ambitious man, says there will always be new goals to reach. 2025, he says, is all about “taking on more responsibility by networking with other chefs in the NBA,” he says. “We’re working on a sort of chef’s summit so that we can continue to share experiences, optimize and help each other grow programs across the league.”
Back at the Drake, Clark is on a mission to help landlocked Oklahoma diners appreciate seafood.
“It’s all about incorporating ingredients that are familiar to them in the dish,” he says. “For example, you can utilize tomatoes in a chutney. Being familiar is what drives most people to try something new like seafood.”
The Drake, an OKC culinary staple, has plenty of gems on the menu.
“I like all the fresh fish options as it’s just fun to work with,” Clark says. “Fresh fish can work with any type of cuisine and it’s a worldwide resource.”
Unlike many chefs who hang up the apron when they get home, Clark enjoys cooking for his family.
“In cold weather, the go-to dish I really like is a curry, whether Thai or Indian,” he says. “It has the warmth and the spices and the flavor. I just made that the other night!”
Kicking Off 2025
If your New Year’s resolution is to get more involved in the arts in Oklahoma, we have you covered.
In Tulsa, support local by visiting Theatre Tulsa’s Oliver! at the PAC, running Jan. 10-16. Stick around the venue for Wagner’s Tristan and Isoldes, courtesy Tulsa Symphony, on Jan. 11. One of the world’s most beloved musicals, Les Misérables, returns to Tulsa courtesy Celebrity Attractions from Jan. 21-26; you won’t want to miss this enthralling story of broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption at the PAC. And the PAC Trust brings Time for Three – a Grammy- and Emmy-winning violin/bass ensemble – on Jan. 27. If Tulsans haven’t gotten their fill, head to the TCC Van Trease PACE on Jan. 25 for Signature Symphony’s Pictures Reimagined, which offers aerial flyers and dancers courtesy Perpetual Motion Dance alongside the local musicians you know and love.
At the Civic Center Music Hall, OKC Phil is staying busy with three performances in January. First is Dichter Plays Grieg on Jan. 11, with Gerard Schwarz as guest conductor with Misha Dichter on piano. Then comes Music of the Knights on Jan. 24-25, which highlights the works of Sirs Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John and Paul McCartney. Lastly, and perfect for the whole family, is As Heard on TV on Jan. 26; the orchestra will play some iconic tunes from television, movies and video games. At Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond, performances include Celtic Throne II – a collaboration between Armstrong Dance and Herbert W. Armstrong College – on Jan. 12 and 19, as well as Boston Brass and Imani Winds on Jan. 28.
Around the state, visit Broadway in Bartlesville’s Pretty Woman the Musical, Jan. 6 at the Bartlesville Community Center; and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jan. 23-24 at Stillwater’s McKnight Center for the Performing Arts.
Flying High
If you’re feeling a bit bummed about the end of the holidays, fear not – community events abound.
In Tulsa, bundle up to enjoy the First Friday Art Crawl, Jan. 3 downtown. New exhibitions, live music, snacks and a cash bar help that festive feeling stick around a little longer. Similar events can be found in OKC’s Paseo District, also on Jan. 3, as well as the Norman Arts District on Jan. 10. Also in Tulsa, enjoy the Go Short, Go Long, Go Very Long race, with options for 5K, 10K, 25K and 50K runs. The event, which takes place Jan. 18, is looped through the Tulsa River Parks system. Venture to N. Detroit Ave. and John Hope Franklin Blvd. downtown to enjoy the Tulsa Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Jan. 20, or head to Expo Square for the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show, Jan. 27-Feb. 2.
OKC has a smattering of varied community events this month. Start with the Arcadia Lake Eagle Watch, happening Jan. 3-5. The OKC Fairgrounds has several gatherings to enjoy: the National Pigeon Association Grand National Show, Jan. 15-18; the OKC Gem, Jewelry & Bead Show, Jan. 17-19; and the Oklahoma Home & Garden Show, also Jan. 17-19. And remember, Downtown in December – with ice skating, holiday events, free Bricktown ferry rides and more – runs through Feb. 2.
Around the state, head to the KNID Agrifest, Jan. 10-11 at Enid’s Chisholm Trail Expo Center, or the HERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show, Jan. 11-12 at Shawnee’s Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center. Fans of traditional bluegrass music and gospel won’t want to miss the Western Hills Winter Bluegrass Festival, Jan. 16-18 at the Lodge at Sequoyah State Park in Wagoner. Or for a sharp left turn – literally – visit the Stephens County Fairgrounds in Duncan for the Duncan Monster Truck Wars on Jan. 18.
