A peaceful retreat

The Tropical offers an edible landscape and top-notch options for all eaters

A great dining experience is like a great read: It combines the familiar with the unexpected, the typical with a bit of mystery, the known with a hint of the unknowable. A meal at The Tropical is such a dining adventure, filled with the consistency of great service and traditional dishes along with unexpected delights. 

The Karnchanakphan family, who brought Lanna Thai Restaurant to Tulsa more than a decade ago, owns The Tropical, a peaceful retreat sequestered amidst the bustling retail corridor at Memorial and 49^th Street. Though it’s only a few feet from one of Tulsa’s busiest thoroughfares, the restaurant’s entry garden is more than just a collection of plants. Here, Renoo, a Thailand native, harvests fresh herbs and vegetables for the menu. Tomatoes, eggplants and peppers line the courtyard fence and stylishly mingle with Japanese Maples and lilies. This scene is a great example of edible landscaping: a garden that marries beauty and function. It’s an idyllic backdrop for the patio and a great spot to enjoy a seasonal drink before dinner (try the Green Dragon, Mai-Tai or June Bug).

Read the rest of this story and find other delicious morsels at TulsaFood.com, covering restaurants, products, events, recipes—everything a Tulsa foodie needs.