The east side of the Maywood II Apartments in Deep Deuce soon will be home to three new restaurants, perhaps as early as March. The three concepts, jointly owned by Andrew Black and Rudy Khouri, will include a new La Baguette location, as well as a tasting menu concept and a casual, international eatery.
Khouri owns Norman’s original La Baguette, as well as a second location in the Rambling Oaks development in west Norman. Black, who is partners with Khouri in House 333 on Campus Corner, says the new location will be “La Baguette on steroids.”
“We will have cured meats, cheeses, olives, olive oil, pastries, desserts, all kinds of offerings,” Black says. “On Sundays, we will turn two of the concepts into one huge brunch location.”
From north to south, the concepts are The Grey Sweater, a tasting menu concept; Black Walnut, casual dining and oversize cocktails; and La Baguette. The Sunday brunch will be a cooperative effort of Black Walnut and La Baguette.
Black Walnut, a mash-up of the chef’s name and the location (NE 4th and Walnut), will have a full bar that features “oversize street cocktails” from around the world.
“It will feature American cuisine, like burgers and fries,” Black explains, “but we are going to focus on fishbowl cocktails like the kind you would get if you were in Rio or Jamaica. These aren’t classic cocktails; they’re inspired by their places of origin.”
The Grey Sweater will be a fully independent concept that is dinner only. Black will be the executive chef of the tasting menu restaurant. Three tiers of tasting menu will be available, as well as a full bar and lounge area.
“The focus will be on the tasting menu,” Black says, “but the lounge area will also be a place to just enjoy cocktails after work or while you wait for a seat.”
Dinner items at The Grey Sweater will be inspired by ingredients from around the world. Black said he doesn’t want to limit his menu to only “locally sourced” items, but wants diners to enjoy cuisine from everywhere. The restaurant will have 24 bar seats and a total capacity of 56 diners.
A patio that accommodates 80 people is already fenced off along Walnut, and Black said he hopes to be able to host parties and dinners on the patio. Entrances to La Baguette and Black Walnut are on the patio, and one common entrance for all three is through the original face of the old Conoco service station that once stood on the corner.
Elevator access to the restaurant is available from the Maywood II’s parking garage, a large section of which is reserved for the dining concepts. Diners will be able to choose self-parking or valet service.
Black said the initial hours for The Grey Sweater will be 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with final seating at 10 p.m. Black Walnut will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. La Baguette will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, and brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
► Like What You Read?
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To stay posted about other events in the metro, sign up for our free email newsletter here.
