Restaurant rush

Ten standouts in a delicious year for new eateries in Tulsa

The restaurant business has been booming in Tulsa, and the class of 2013 continued the upward trend of great new dining options. From the barbecue rush downtown to the expansion of old favorites to the south, the rise of the Brady Arts District to the roster changes on Brookside, the tenacity and passion of Tulsa’s restaurateurs provides a lush landscape of eateries to choose from. Here are just a few of 2013’s stand-out restaurants, in no particular order.

Tavolo // 427 S. Boston Ave.
Justin Thompson’s take on Italian cuisine hastily swept in to replace Edward Delk’s in the As downtown’s Philcade Building said goodbye to Edward Delk’s this year, Justin Thompson’s upscale Italian concept swiftly swept in to fill the void. Thompson transformed the space to create the kind of ambience you’d expect from a high-end Italian restaurant — with a menu to match. 

Tallgrass Prairie Table // 313 E. 2nd St.
The newest kid on the block, Tallgrass Prairie Table, was one of 2013’s most hotly anticipated new offerings. Rock star executive chef Michelle Donaldson and owner Hope Egan have upped the ante on the farm-to-table, “locavore” theme. Working with local farmers and ranchers, the menu is filled with must-taste dishes. Housed in the space formerly occupied by the Blue Dome Diner, the restaurant’s stunning transformation must be seen to be believed.

Trencher’s Delicatessen // 2602 S. Harvard Ave.
Amid the high-end and exotic options listed here, one newcomer focuses on the humble sandwich — though not the kind your momma made. Zach and Melinda Curren, owners of Shades of Brown coffee shop in Brookside, opened a new deli in midtown to much praise. What makes their sandwiches so special? Everything is made from scratch. Several styles of bread, roasted meats, condiments and salads make up a solid menu of artisanal items made in-house.

Zanmai // 1402 S. Peoria Ave. #200
On the edge of Cherry Street, we all watched as a sleek new building slowly took shape. After much anticipation, the Japanese Steakhouse finally opened — and, judging by the early buzz, it was worth the wait. Dry-aged steaks and fresh sushi are top draws, and guests are treated to a show put on by a talented staff of hibachi chefs and a divine view of downtown.

Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant // 111 N. Main St.
Laffa Medi-Eastern Restaurant has added a little zest to the steak and potato joints in the Brady Arts District. Featuring cuisine from the Mediterranean and Middle East, Miranda Kaiser’s latest scheme has become a favorite destination for those with adventurous palates. Laffa’s walk-up shawarma window has also become a favorite for late-night snacking and downtown lunching.

The Hen Bistro & Wine // 3509 S. Peoria Ave.
Brookside got a French twist with the arrival of The Hen. This bistro features French favorites and elegant entrees in the tradition of its “mother” restaurant, The French Hen. This location, though, is a little less matronly and takes a more modern approach. The restaurant opened up quietly this summer, but the praise has grown louder from discerning foodies and Francophiles alike.

Maxxwell’s Restaurant // 2636 E. 11th St.
Located in the historic Campbell Hotel on Route 66, Maxxwell’s big and bright interior is a welcome respite for the road weary. It has a great selection of comfort foods, such as meatloaf and mac and cheese, along with a full bar. Comfortable yet polished, this hidden gem will fulfill your craving for some down-home cooking.

White Flag Burger Bar // 116 S. Elgin Ave.
When a wave of well-known barbecue restaurants swept into downtown to open up shop, Blake Ewing decided to wave the “White Flag” and retool his Back Alley Blues & Barbecue as a gourmet burger joint, and the change is a welcome one for the downtown dining scene. The menu is filled with burgers with funny names, but they deliver serious flavor.

Downtown barbecue
Downtown is quickly becoming the Barbecue District. Long-time Okie-grown ‘cue joint Rib Crib took up residence on the corner of 1st Street and Detroit Ave., just on the cusp of the Blue Dome District. Then Albert G’s Bar & Q set up shop in a renovated space next door to McNellie’s. These two formidable opponents sent Back Alley Blues & Barbecue running for Hamburger Hill.

Food Trucks
The food truck frenzy continues at a break-neck pace. This year, the number of regularly-operating food trucks in Tulsa nearly doubled. From donuts to pizza, barbecue to sushi, Tulsa has embraced mobile meals in a big way. You can spot a fleet of food trucks often on Wednesdays at Guthrie Green, but as they’re always on the move, you never know where you’ll spot one next.

Southern Exposure
It’s typically a good sign when a restaurant feels confident enough to expand its horizons. Though many new restaurants seem to gravitate toward downtown, there are hungry masses in south Tulsa who are gleefully chowing down on some Tulsa mainstays. Notable migrating favorites include Keo South, McNellie’s South City and Brownie’s Burgers. 

Dearly Departed
As we say goodbye to 2013, we also sadly say goodbye to some fine Tulsa eateries. Gone but not forgotten are Local Table, Casa Frida, Diamond Jack’s, Oui3, Great Wall and Wolfgang Puck Bistro.