Oklahoma City Restaurants

They’ve got a great atmosphere and they deliver contemporary cuisine in a cool part of town. Still, I’m just not sold on Cafe Nova being one of the premier spots in Oklahoma City. When you’re a higher-end restaurant charging a premium for every plate, you’ve got to stand up to a much greater degree of scrutiny, and I think Cafe Nova falls a little short.

Anytime I am asked about finer dining options in Oklahoma City, I will report that Tom and Jerry’s Steak and Fish Grille is near the top of my list. It is fine dining but not too expensive or snooty. They have diverse menu options, and they can customize their service to adapt to your schedule.

Deep Fork is highly regarded by most everyone I know as one of Oklahoma City’s best restaurants. Yet, I had never been there until recently. Now that I’ve tried it, I can tell you that Deep Fork fires on all cylinders with great atmosphere, great food, great service, and even something unique — the chance to have a chef choose your meal for you.

The very first time I dined at Cheever’s, I knew I had found something special. After stepping inside and getting my first taste, I was hooked. Cheever’s really delivers on everything I love about local dining.

The Red Pin Restaurant and Bowling Lounge opened recently in Bricktown, bringing an upscale spin on the traditional bowling alley. I was intrigued by the Red Pin’s claims to offer gourmet food alongside the bowling experience, so I had to check it out. When I did, I found a unique and interesting experience, but one that is more about concept than it is about cuisine.

It’s not that the food is bad, it’s just that everything they do makes me think they don’t really even care about the food. The focus seems to be on other things. Disagree? I’d love to hear your perspective.

I finally decided to try North Fork Bar and grill. It sits on what I call “chain restaurant row” on Memorial. North Fork filled the building that Applewoods used to occupy.

I always love a good surprise, especially when that surprise is extremely tasty. Saturn Grill was just such a surprise for me. A friend of mine invited me to lunch there. I had never heard of the place before, but now it’s at the top of my list.