Mayfest 2015

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April 24, 2015

2014Mayfest448 — Photo courtesy Mayfest.

Every year in May, downtown Tulsa turns into an arts and entertainment festival that draws visitors from all over the state and beyond. Outdoor art exhibits line the streets and sidewalks showcasing artwork and handmade goods from all over the country. Indoor galleries house more than 100 Tulsa artists and their works of a variety of mediums, including oil, metal, photography and more. Top musicians and performers from Tulsa and headliners from all over the country attract crowds to the front of their stages. How can it get any better? All of Mayfest’s performances are free. Food trucks and other vendors offer traditional festival flavors like corn dogs and funnel cakes, among other delicious selections, so patrons don’t have to stray far from the festivities to get a bite to eat. This year’s festival runs May 14-17. Support local artists while enjoying great food and entertainment. For more information, visit www.tulsamayfest.org.

Million Dollar Quartet

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April 24, 2015

MDQ-Year-4-Photo-1 — Photo courtesy Celebrity Attractions.

Opening Tuesday, May 5 –

On Dec. 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins found themselves in the recording studio at Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn., for an impromptu session that has been called the greatest jam session ever recorded. The next day, an article about the now-famous session was published in the Memphis Press-Scimitar. It was titled “Million Dollar Quartet.” Inspired by that famed recording session, a musical by the same name is touring North America with a stellar cast. Hear some of the greatest hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Walk The Line,” that are sure to keep your toes tapping. With two stops in Oklahoma, don’t miss this smash-hit production that the New York Times says “whips the crowd into a frenzy with blast after blast of explosive vitality.” The show will run May 5-10 at Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall and May 26-31 at the Tulsa PAC. For more information, visit www.okcciviccenter.com or www.tulsapac.com.

Cal’s Chicago Style Eatery

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April 24, 2015

Cal's-Chicago-Eatery--041015-1232 — Chicago Dogs are done right at Cal’s Chicago Eatery. Photo by Brent Fuchs.

Chicago Dogs are done right at Cal’s Chicago Eatery. Photo by Brent Fuchs.

Chicago is well known for many things, including its food. With ethnicities of all types, Chicago offers diversity in fare, but Cal’s Chicago Style Eatery keeps it simple in bringing Chicago’s tastes to Oklahoma City.

Sticking with the classics – hot dogs, hamburgers and hoagies – everything on Cal’s menu comes loaded with flavor for reasonable prices.

Among delicious burger options, the most unique is the Gyro Burger, a third-pound certified Angus beef patty with gyro meat piled high and topped with tzatziki sauce. One of Cal’s classics, the Chicago Dog, is an all beef hot dog topped just how they do in the Windy City: yellow mustard, onion, diced tomato, relish, sport peppers, celery salt and a kosher pickle spear, served on a poppy seed bun.

Others specialties include the Gyro, a popular dish in Chicago, and the meatball sub, topped with marinara sauce. Also choose from the Classic Philly, which comes slathered in Cal’s signature sauce, and the Italian beef, Italian sausage and Polish sausage hoagies. 7202 W. Hefner Rd., Oklahoma City. www.calseatery.com

Pho Lien Hoa

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April 24, 2015

Pho-Lein-Hoa--040915-1300 — Bun Tom Thit Nuong Cha Gio, rice noodles served with meat, is a menu favorite at Pho Lien Hoa. Photo by Brent Fuchs.

Bun Tom Thit Nuong Cha Gio, rice noodles served with meat, is a menu favorite at Pho Lien Hoa. Photo by Brent Fuchs. — Bun Tom Thit Nuong Cha Gio, rice noodles served with meat, is a menu favorite at Pho Lien Hoa.
Photo by Brent Fuchs.

Vietnamese flavors liven up taste buds at this popular Oklahoma City eatery. With options like fresh spring rolls, rice plates and vermicelli bowls, the bulk of Pho Lien Hoa’s menu is made up of its noodle soup selections. Inside sparkling white bowls, broth, spices, herbs, noodles and proteins create tasty combinations. Separated into three categories – For The Beginners, Just The Regular and The Adventurer’s Choice – its menu helps customers choose the right dish by explaining the different proteins and associated flavors of each. With every soup, the meat comes thinly sliced, making for perfect sized bites, and cilantro, mint and fresh jalapeños arrive on the side, allowing each patron to mix and mingle the flavors to their liking. For non-meat-eaters, the Pho Khong Thit – pho without meat – is for you. 901 NW 23rd St., Oklahoma City.

Spring Bounty

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Jami Mattox

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April 24, 2015

Springtime brings with it the bright, fresh flavors that sing. Eating produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner becomes a luxury; lettuces, artichokes, beans and carrots are bountiful and beautiful gleaming from the shelves at grocery stores and the booths at farmers markets. Asparagus, arguably the king of spring produce, is a versatile vegetable that holds its own. Rich in vitamins K, C and E; folate, copper and selenium, asparagus is a cousin to onion and garlic. It can be shaved thinly and eaten raw in a salad; steamed and patted with butter as a side dish; or roasted and put on a pizza for a kick. The thinner the spears, the younger and more tender the asparagus will be. This recipe treats asparagus with the respect it deserves. Seek out farm-fresh eggs and quality Parmesan for this recipe, to enjoy the true flavor of spring.

Asparagus with Eggs and Parmesan

This dish makes a great breakfast or starter. Makes six servings.

1 bunch young asparagus (about 3/4 pound)
6 hardboiled eggs, quartered
18 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 c. shaved Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. good quality olive oil or truffle oil
1/2 tsp. fleur de sel or kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Snap the woody ends of the asparagus off and lay in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle one tablespoon of the oil onto the asparagus, top with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast in the oven for 7-8 minutes, until asparagus is tender. Once asparagus has cooled enough to handle, arrange the spears onto six plates or one large serving platter. Top with the remaining tablespoon of oil, boiled egg quarters, cherry tomato halves and Parmesan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Oklahoma Five: Perfect Afterwork Cocktail Spots

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April 24, 2015

11088262_1114990471860069_5072126043436576883_n — Photo courtesy Leftys on Greenwood

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Republic Gastropub

With an unmatched selection of draft and bottled beer and an equally impressive food menu, this gastropub is an OKC treasure. Located in Classen Curve, Republic features the famous Classen Burger, which when coupled with a cold local brew, is the perfect taste of Oklahoma City flavor. Excellent for large groups, the expansive dining area and large shotgun style patio with multiple big screen TV’s is a great place to meet cohorts from the office.

Don’t miss: Republic Scotch Egg/COOP F5 on Tap

More info: www.republicgastropub.com

Sheesh Mahal

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Jami Mattox

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April 24, 2015

Tandoori chicken at Sheesh Mahal. Photo by Brent Fuchs.

Curries, tikka masala, samosas and naan are but a few of the delicious selections at Sheesh Mahal, an authentic halal Pakistani and Indian restaurant located in northwest Oklahoma City. Favoring traditional takes on cuisine, Sheesh Mahal serves fresh food spiced with flavors of the East. Menu options are written on a chalkboard, and prices are beyond reasonable. Goat curry, tangy with tomatoes, onions, ginger and coriander, is stewed until tender and served with rice. Butter chicken, palak paneer and chicken tikka masala are also popular options, as are the naan, samosa and pakoray that are traditionally found in Indian restaurants. A friendly staff that’s eager to walk new diners through the menu enhances the great experience at Sheesh Mahal. 4621 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City. 405.778.8469.

Miss Scarlett’s Tea Room

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April 24, 2015

Pies--040115-0612 — Tea service at Miss Scarlett’s. Photo by Natalie Green.

Tea service at Miss Scarlett’s. Photo by Natalie Green.

The plantation-style, historic Burnett Mansion, a special events facility in Sapulpa, was built in 1911 by Bates Burnett and Dannie Ross. In 2007, after passing through many hands, the Firey family – Shirley, John and their daughters Scarlett and Holly – took the reigns. In November 2013, the entire first floor of the mansion became Miss Scarlett’s Tea Room.

White tablecloths with embroidery and lace cover the tables where tea is served. With delicious sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts on the menu, Shirley Firey emphasizes what Miss Scarlett’s is really about: teatime.

“People really need that break and relaxation and just a little bit of teatime in [their] life,” she says. “Sit with your friends, enjoy a cup of tea and relax.”

With Miss Scarlett’s tea service arrives a teapot and teacup. A silver platter decorated with lemons, sugar cubes, cinnamon sticks and fresh mint, when in season, accompanies the tea. On Saturday, there are more than 40 teas to choose from. Inside the tea chest, find flavors from all over the world. Scarlett Firey, the tea connoisseur, even toured the Celestial Seasonings factory in Boulder, Colo., where many of their teas are made.

The Tea Room is open Wednesday through Saturday and can be rented out for private tea parties and special events. 320 S. Main St., Sapulpa. www.burnettmansion.info

In The Limelite

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Jami Mattox

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April 24, 2015

When Mounah Jabara and his wife, Haifa Jabara, moved to Oklahoma in the 1980s from Lebanon, they saw a need for authentic Mediterranean food. Haifa, a talented home cook who learned the craft from her family, decided to fill that niche, and in the ‘90s opened a bakery and deli that sold her homemade pita bread. This was a time before hummus and tabouleh were staples at restaurants and in homes in Oklahoma, says Victoria Jabara Williams, Mounah and Haifa’s daughter.

MAY_1356 — Victoria Jabara Williams and her mother, Haifa Jabara, stock Limelite Catering’s display at a local Whole Foods. Photo by Natalie Green.

Today, Limelite Catering – co-owned by the Jabaras and Williams – focuses on providing tasty, homemade Mediterranean favorites for various clients. Limelite also sells its products at Tulsa Whole Foods locations and in bulk form at Petty’s Fine Foods and Nourish Café.

Williams says that recipes are straightforward but are made unique because of the ingredients.

“The recipes are not a secret, but my family has been making them for years,” she says.

The family’s close ties to the country mean that the family uses olive oil directly from the Jabaras’ olive trees in Lebanon. Recipes used come from Haifa’s village, where she would surround herself with the elderly women of the community and learn how to make traditional foods.

Williams’ favorite dishes are tabouleh and hummus, as well as fattoush, a salad made with crispy pita bread. She says the recipe won a salad contest hosted by the Tulsa World in the 1980s and was submitted by her aunt. Williams likes to serve this salad with kebabs or grilled fish topped with tabouleh. www.limelitecatering.com

Fattoush Salad

2 lbs. tomatoes, chopped
1 lb. cucumber, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 bunch green mint, chopped
1-2 bunches Italian parsley, chopped
½ bunch red radish, halved
20 leaves of romaine lettuce, chopped
1 large green/bell pepper, chopped
5 pita bread loaves, toasted and torn into pieces

For the dressing:

2-3 cloves minced garlic
2 tbsp. sumac
1/3 c. pomegranate molasses
1/2 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 c. olive oil
salt, to taste

Toss salad ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate container, mix together dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing into the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately so pita remains crispy.

Hoot Owl Coffee & Roastery

By

Jami Mattox

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April 24, 2015

HOOT-OWL-COFFEE--041015-1125 — Hoot Owl serves its signature coffee that is roasted in-house. Photo by Natalie Green.

Hoot Owl serves its signature coffee that is roasted in-house. Photo by Natalie Green.

Hoot Owl Coffee has sold direct trade coffee since 2010. The roastery has gained a following in the Tulsa area for its unique blends and exquisite coffee. Now, Hoot Owl followers can get their fix without touching a French press. Hoot Owl Coffee recently opened its first brick-and-mortar establishment in the historical Kendall-Whittier neighborhood in Tulsa. Serving hot and cold coffee drinks, espressos and pour-over, Hoot Owl is a welcome addition to the burgeoning business district here. In addition to selling individual drinks, Hoot Owl also sells whole bean coffee by the pound in its shop. And patrons can buy their coffee with a good conscience: For every pound sold, Hoot Owl donates one pound of food to local food banks. 1 N. Lewis Ave., Tulsa.

Asparagus with Eggs and Parmesan

Republic Gastropub

Fattoush Salad

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