Polling is closed, the ballots have been counted and the results are in. No, not for the Presidential election – think local. This is our 4th annual Best of the City survey, and we’re thrilled to bring you the majority selections for highlights of life in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman and surroundings … plus a few helpings of our own two cents in the Editors’ Choice categories.
These are the people, places, tasty treats and overall delights that you (and we) love most about the 405.
Editors' Choice
Best Mac n’ Cheese
Slaughter's Hall
221 n central, okc, 405.606.6063 | slaughtershall.com
Lots of places list mac and cheese as a possibility somewhere amid their litany of sides – but in this Deep Deuce watering hole it has its own section on the menu. That should give some indication of how seriously Jonathon Groth’s kitchen takes the concept, and the execution isn’t just cheesy and good … it’s fromagical.
Our discussion over which of the four flavors reigns supreme got a little heated, but in the end, heat won out: The Fire Mac’s pasta, cheddar-jack cheese and ground sausage are elevated by a sriracha queso that gives your taste buds a persistent but not painful sizzle. Top it with roasted peppers and fried onions, and a star is born.
Good Eats & Drinks • Editors' Choice
Best Alcoholic Accompaniment to the Advent of Summer
Power House's hatch green chile top shelf margarita
1228 sw 2nd, okc, 512.619.1169 | powerhouseokc.com
Summer is coming. And whether you consider that good news or bad, there’s no point in trying to hide from it – lean into it and fight the heat with some heat of a different kind. This specialty of the Power House energizes its mixture of tequila (Cazadores Reposado), Grand Marnier, Cointreau and lime by adding a trickle of ancho/habanero syrup and roasted Hatch chiles for a beverage that’s perfectly drinkable; not too prickly or a personal endurance demonstration like some shots, but deliciously refreshing with a lingering, smoky warmth in the back of the palate. Combined with the bar’s rustic vibe, classic country soundtrack – Hank Sr. to “Hot Rod Lincoln” – and ample patio, it’s a prime choice for the end of a long, balmy day.
Readers' Choice
• Best Coffee Shop
Elemental Coffee
815 N Hudson, OKC | 405.633.1703 | elementalcoffeeroasters.com
• Best Craft Brewer
Coop Ale Works
405.842.2667 | coopaleworks.com
• Best Breakfast
Jimmy’s Egg
Multiple locations | jimmysegg.com
• Best Weekend Brunch
Cheever’s
2409 N Hudson, OKC | 405.525.7007 | cheeverscafe.com
• Best Workday Lunch
Park Avenue Grill
1 Park Avenue, OKC | 405.272.3040 | skirvinhilton.com
• Best Casual Dinner
The Mule
1630 N Blackwelder, OKC | 405.601.1400 | themuleokc.com
• Best Fine Dining
Ranch Steakhouse
3000 W Britton, OKC | 405.755.3501 | ranchsteakhouse.com
• Best Desserts
La Baguette
7408 N May, OKC | 405.840.3047 | labaguettebistro.com
• Best Food Truck
Big Truck Tacos
405.525.8226 | bigtrucktacos.com
• Best Al Fresco Dining
Redrock Canyon Grill
9221 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC | 405.749.1995 | ehsrg.com
• Best Out-of-Business Restaurant You Wish Would Make a Comeback
Nonna’s Euro-American Ristorante
• Best Burger
The Garage
Multiple locations | eatatthegarage.com
• Best Barbecue
Earl’s Rib Palace
Multiple locations | earlsribpalace.com
• Best Pizza
Hideaway Pizza
Multiple locations | hideawaypizza.com
• Best Seafood
The Drake
519 NW 23, OKC | 405.605.3399 | thedrakeokc.com
• Best Steak
Red PrimeSteak
504 N Broadway, OKC | 405.232.2626 | redprimesteak.com
• Best Sushi
Sushi Neko
4318 N Western, OKC | 405.528.8862 | sushineko.com
• Best Vegetarian
Red Cup
3122 N Classen, OKC | 405.525.3430 | theredcupokc.com
• Best Ethnic Restaurant
Queen of Sheba
2308 N MacArthur, OKC | 405.606.8616
• Best Chef
Kurt Fleischfresser
• Best Customer Service
Ted’s Café Escondido
Multiple locations | tedscafe.com
• Best Drinksmith
Amy Nelms at Red Piano
1 Park Avenue, OKC | 405.272.3040 | skirvinhilton.com
• Best Cocktail Bar
R & J Lounge
320 NW 10, OKC | 405.602.5066 | rjsupperclub.com
• Best Watering Hole
McNellie’s
1100 Classen, OKC | 405.601.7468 | mcnelliesokc.com
• Best Place to Take Visiting Friends/Relatives
Cattlemen’s
1309 S Agnew, OKC | 405.673.3073 | cattlemensrestaurant.com
• Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Hideaway Pizza
Multiple locations | hideawaypizza.com
Good Eats & Drinks • Editors' Choice
Best New Restaurant
Chae Modern Korean
1933 nw 23rd, okc | 405.600.9040 | chaeokc.com
It was a crowded field this year for this category; there have been a lot of new names added to the city’s restaurant scene, and many of them are very good. But however subjective the question of accounting for taste may be, you can’t fake numbers. And we eat here a lot. The menu of modern Korean cuisine positively sparkles with tasty temptations, from tempura shrimp nestled in soft buns through creamy, savory risotto-like duck jook and spice-laden seafood soup jjambbong and a heavenly house take on bulgogi. Honestly, one of the only reasons we aren’t even more frequent customers is that the portions are large enough to keep the office fridge fairly constantly stocked with leftovers. Highly recommended.
Diversions • Editors' Choice
Best Comeback
Ou vs. Tennessee
The Sooners were in only the second game of the season and the first against real competition, down by 14, with less than 14 minutes to go, having a mere field goal as the highlight so far amid 8 punts and 2 interceptions, as the biggest audience they’d ever had (102,455) redefined “hostile territory.” No problem. QB Baker Mayfield led OU 80 yards to score, the D got a 3-and-out, then Mayfield capped another grinding drive by hitting Sterling Shepard in the end zone to tie it with 40 seconds to go. Tennessee scored first in OT, so Mayfield ran it in himself, then nailed a gorgeous TD lob to Shepard in double overtime for the game winner. It was an incredibly gritty, resilient team performance that coach Stoops called “maybe my favorite” of his many victories. If your blood runs even the slightest bit crimson, your heart was racing with joy after this one.
Readers' Choice
• Best Art Gallery
JRB Art at the Elms
2810 N Walker, OKC | 405.528.6336 | jrbartgallery.com
• Best Museum
OKC Museum of Art
415 Couch, OKC | 405.236.3100 | okcmoa.com
• Best Cultural Event
Festival of the Arts
April 19-24, 2016 | 500 Couch, OKC | artscouncilokc.com
• Best Performing Arts Venue
Civic Center Music Hall
201 N Walker, OKC | 405.297.2264 | okcciviccenter.com
• Best Theater Company
Lyric Theater
1727 NW 16, OKC | 405.524.9312 | lyrictheatreokc.com
• Best Dance Company
Oklahoma City Ballet
7421 N Classen, OKC | 405.843.9898 | okcballet.com
• Best Street Festival
H&8th
Hudson and NW 8 | h8thokc.com
• Best Charity Event
Memorial Marathon
April 24, 2016 | okcmarathon.com
• Best Live Music Venue
ACM@UCO Performance Lab
329 E Sheridan, OKC | 405.974.4700 | acm.uco.edu
• Best Casino
Riverwind Casino
1544 Highway 9, Norman | 405.322.6000 | riverwind.com
• Best Movie Theater
Warren Theatre
1000 S Telephone, Moore | 405.735.9676 | warrentheatres.com
• Best Sporting Event
OKC Thunder game
• Best Tourist Attraction
OKC National Memorial and Museum
620 N Harvey, OKC | 405.235.3313 | oklahomanationalmemorial.org
• Best Hotel
Skirvin Hilton
1 Park Avenue, OKC | 405.272.3040 | skirvinhilton.com
• Best B&B
The Grandison
1200 N Shartel, OKC | 405.232.8778 | grandisoninn.com
• Best Romantic Staycation
Skirvin Hilton
1 Park Avenue, OKC | 405.272.3040 | skirvinhilton.com
• Best Family Excursion
OKC Zoo
2101 NE 50, OKC | 405.424.3344 | okczoo.com
• Best Saturday Destination
Myriad Botanical Gardens
3001 W Reno, OKC | 405.445.7080 | myriadgardens.org
• Best In-state Getaway
Beaver’s Bend State Park
Near Broken Bow | 580.494.6300 | beaversbend.com
Diversions • Editors' Choice
Best Place to Watch a Sunset
Lake Hefner
Oklahoma is known for many weather-related phenomena – sweltering summers, torrential rains, ice storms, tornadoes, earthquakes and so on. On the flip side, it’s also often deserving of its reputation for some of the most stunning sunsets across the nation. Must be the big skies.
Whether you’re cycling along the trails, taking a leisurely stroll, making a foray out onto the water itself (warmer weather is coming, after all) or simply enjoying an adult beverage on the deck at one of the local eateries, Lake Hefner provides a stunning stage for the sun to settle; we consider it the best place for viewing the end to daylight hours.
Diversions • Editors' Choice
Best Impending Development
21c Museum Hotel
900 w main, okc | 21cmuseumhotels.com/oklahomacity
While Oklahoma City has no shortage of hotels, or museums, a snazzy new combination of the luxury of a boutique hotel with a twist of modern art is poised to impress.
So far, only a few cities, such as Louisville and Nashville, have experienced what the 21c Museum Hotel brand is all about. Now it’s OKC’s turn, and owners say it may prove to be the crown jewel of downtown’s west side.
It’s located in the old Fred Jones assembly plant in the 900 block of West Main – where old Model T Fords were built a hundred years ago. Now guests will enjoy all the modern conveniences of the 21st century: The hotel offers a full-service restaurant and bar, workout facilities, a 3,000-square-foot penthouse and exceptionally well-appointed guest rooms. The museum space downstairs houses contemporary art with exhibitions that will change throughout the year.
We’ll be taking a closer look in 405 Magazine’s May issue, but for now suffice it to say that our new neighbor has us quite excited for its upcoming opening.
Gotta Love Those Okies • Editors' Choice
Best Local Grocery Employee
Marni Vincent at Forward Foods
2001 w main, norman | 405.321.1007 | forwardfoods.com
A resident of Norman, Marni has worked at Forward Foods for seven years, currently serving as store manager and cheesemonger. Yes, really.
“I’m there to educate customers about the cheese, charcuterie and other products we sell,” she explains, “but I try to also build relationships with the customers so that they feel welcome and comfortable enough to approach the counter or call the shop with any questions.
The world of cheese can be intimidating – I was really intimidated when I started this job – but Forward Foods made that world really approachable for me, so I try to emulate that experience.”
Given that cheese is her favorite food, especially Wabash Cheese Cannon Balls, the ability to share her enthusiasm and foster it in others makes the job a pleasure.
So next time you’re in Norman, especially if it’s during one of the cheese classes on Friday evenings at 6:45, pop into Forward Foods and ask for Marni; she’ll help you find something delicious.
Readers' Choice
• Best Elected Official
Mayor Mick Cornett
• Best Celebrity
Kevin Durant
• Best Musician
Kyle Dillingham
• Best Bar Band
My So-Called Band
• Best Visual Artist
Gayle Curry
• Best Local Actor (nope, Brad Pitt doesn’t count)
Susan Riley, Pollard Theatre
• Best Filmmaker
Lance McDaniel
• Best Author/Writer
Laura Wilcox
• Best Blogger
The Lost Ogle
• Best Comedian
Spencer Hicks
• Best Meteorologist
David Payne, News9
• Best News Anchor
Erielle Reshef, KOCO 5
• Best Sports Journalist
Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman
• Best Radio DJ
Ferris O’Brien, The Spy FM
• Best Radio Team
Jack & Ron, FUN 96.9 FM
• Best Ambassador Who Makes You Proud To Be An Oklahoman
Kevin Durant
• Best News Reporter
Steve Lackmeyer, The Oklahoman
• Best Non-Elected Community Official
Jim Couch, City Manager
• Best Humanitarian
Jan Peery, CEO of YWCA
• Best Nonprofit Organization
Positive Tomorrows
405.556.5082 | positivetomorrows.org
• Best Leader of a Nonprofit
Brad Barghols, American Red Cross
405.228.9500 | redcross.org/local/oklahoma
Gotta Love Those Okies • Editors' Choice
Best Community Developer
Steve Mason
Building a community isn’t just about buildings, businesses and bright ideas. It takes true vision and leadership. It takes the know-how to not only conceptualize the possibilities but also see projects through to completion. It takes knowing your market and the people within it. Steve Mason has been around that block more than a time or two. From Automobile Alley to Ninth Street to the Plaza District, Mason has shown leadership and the dedication necessary to build and encourage multiple thriving communities that all add to the fabric of the greater metro. And if that’s not convincing enough, he also was recognized at the 26th annual Dean A. McGee Award ceremony as the recipient of the Neal Horton Award, which is presented to a visionary who creates a renaissance in a downtown area. Yeah, he checked that box!
Shopping • Editors' Choice
Best Place for Vintage Sound
Guestroom Records
125 e main, norman | 405.701.5974 | 3701 n western, okc | 405.601.3859 | guestroomrecords.com
Digital music is great. Catalogs are huge, streaming is simple, rocking out to your heart’s content is only a few clicks away. But there are times when we yearn for the more concrete experience, and when that urge hits, it’s time to hit Guestroom. Both locations – Main Street in Norman and 36th and Western in OKC – are packed with new and used CDs and vinyl, from local bands to an AC/DC EP you’d forgotten existed to the latest from The Struts (see p. 112). And if you need a recommendation or want to get into a pickup conversation about The Cult or Bowie’s best album, you’re in the perfect place.
Shopping • Editors' Choice
Best Place to Buy Your Booze
Broadway Wine Merchants
824 n broadway, okc | 405.231.0031| broadwaywinemerchants.com
David Lack, owner of Broadway Wine Merchants, prides himself on one very important thing: He does not put a bottle of wine on the shelf he has not tried and liked. That commitment to curating a quality list means customers can trust they are getting a wine Lack personally recommends. Follow that up with his commitment to ongoing education for his staff, which has at times included sommeliers, and you’ll understand why this is a favorite stop in downtown. The beer selection is as impressive as the wine, including many local brews available in bottle or can, and there’s also an excellent array of quality spirits. Finding a liquor store in OKC isn’t difficult, but it’s worth going an extra mile or two for someplace this dedicated.
Readers' Choice
• Best Antique Store
23rd Street Antique Mall
3023 NW 23, OKC | 405.947.3800 | antiques23.com
• Best Bookstore
Full Circle Bookstore
50 Penn Place 1900 NW Expressway, OKC | 405.842.2900 | fullcirclebooks.com
• Best Bike Shop
Schlegel’s Bicycles
900 N Broadway, OKC | 405.232.4040 | schlegelbicycles.com
• Best Auto Dealership
Bob Moore Auto Group
Multiple locations | bobmoore.com
• Best Furniture Store
Mathis Brothers Furniture
3434 W Reno, OKC | 405.943.3434 | mathisbrothers.com
• Best Jewelry Store
BC Clark Jewelers
Multiple locations | bcclark.com
• Best Grocery Store
Crest
Multiple locations | crestfoodsokc.com
• Best Home Accessories Store
Interior Gilt
519 NW 23, OKC | 405.608.1923 | interiorgilt.com
• Best Florist
New Leaf Florist
Multiple locations | newleafflorist.net
• Best Women’s Clothing Store
Five & Company
335 S Mustang, Yukon | 405.494.7504 | fiveandcompany.com
• Best Men’s Clothing Store
Mr. Ooley’s, Penn Square Mall
1901 NW Expressway, OKC | 405.879.0888 | mrooleys.com
• Best Kids’ Clothing Store
Uptown Kids
5840 N Classen, OKC | 405.418.8881 | uptownkidsstyle.com
• Best Gift Boutique
On A Whim
5850 N Classen, OKC | 405.848.3488 | onawhimokc.com
• Best Shoe Store
Balliets
5801 NW Grand, OKC | 405.848.7811 | balliets.com/shoes
• Best Vintage Store
Bad Granny’s Bazaar
1759 NW 16, OKC | 405.528.4585
• Best District Shopping
Plaza District
405.367.9403 | plazadistrict.org
• Best Eyewear Source
TSO Optical
3431 S Boulevard, Edmond | 405.341.6941 | tsooptical.com
• Best Fitness Center
YMCA
Multiple locations | ymcaokc.org
• Best Personal Trainer
Brian Attebery, Results Fitness and Nutrition Center
• Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
YogaLab
1745 NW 16, OKC | 405.528.4288 | yogalabokc.com
• Best Family Doctor
Titi Nguyen Fitzsimmons
120 N Robinson, OKC | 405.232.3111
• Best Family Dentist
Dr. Krista Jones
2000 E 15, Edmond | 405.341.0203 | edmonddentist.com
• Best Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Krista Jones
2000 E 15, Edmond | 405.341.0203 | edmonddentist.com
• Best Cosmetic Surgeon
Dr. Tim Love
11101 Hefner Pointe, OKC | 405.751.5683 | drtimlove.com
• Best Hair Stylist
Rachel Baldwin, Revel Eight
201 NW 10, OKC | 405.702.1688 | reveleight.com
• Best Hair Colorist
Rachel Baldwin, Revel Eight
201 NW 10 OKC, OK 73103 | 405.702.1688 | reveleight.com
•Best Makeup Artist
Jennifer Bentley
6051 N Brookline, OKC | 405.209.6267 | beautybeebuzz.com
• Best Barber
Doc Gattis
Broadway Barber Shop | 217 S Broadway, Edmond | 450.340.0202
• Best Salon
Revel Eight
201 NW 10, OKC | 405.702.1688 | reveleight.com
• Best Spa
Renaissance Salon & Spa
10440 N Broadway Extension, OKC | 405.751.8888 | salonsparen.com
• Best Mani/Pedi Salon
Polished Nail Salon
Multiple locations | polishednailsok.com
• Best Salon/Spa for a Massage
Eden Salon and Spa
Multiple locations | edensalon.com
• Best Salon/Spa for a Facial
Renaissance Salon & Spa
10440 N Broadway Extension, OKC | 405.751.8888 | salonsparen.com
• Best Veterinarian (because pets matter)
Chris Rispoli
17200 North May, Edmond | 405.285.9663 | gentlecareah.com
• Best Eyewear Source
Vision Source
3011 NW 63, OKC | 405.840.2800 | visionsource-eyesokc.com
