goodThe life

Travel by Tammie Dooley O klahoma City after hours The state’s capital city is just a few hours away. Try these dining and entertainment suggestions for a where-the-locals-go look at Tulsa’s sister city. It’s our capital city and as begins spreading lunchtime interesting and beautiful a A utomobile Alley in smiles at 11 a.m. (Nic’s opens at capital city as there is. downtown 7 a.m. for breakfast). Be early, And if you doubt it, then you’ve City is home to art or wait around until closer to not had a good look around galleries, upscale lofts, the 2 p.m. closing. And if you offices and eateries. . For there you’ll order the burger for takeout, be find all the appeal of a city that prepared to eat it in your parked teeters masterfully on the fine car — that’s as far as you’ll get. line dividing mass-produced Nic’s was featured on the Food modernity and swashbuckling Network’s hit series “Diners, American individualism. Drive-ins and Dives.” And maybe no time is more 1201 N. Pennsylvania Ave., (405) conducive to the discovery of 524-0999. There are no call-aheads the city’s unique treasures as the for takeout orders and Nic takes off hours that bookend the day. weekends. Call in sick and head over. So you’ve seen Bricktown. But have you walked the grounds Metro Wine Bar & Bistro. Go for of the Capitol at daybreak? the bread. Try to maintain room Nosed around downtown after for the food. And if you’re part of dark until you found the tucked- the early-evening crowd, ask the away treasures of the “Curious waiter when you walk through Organism,” “1889” and “Galaxy” the door to put the bread in sculptures? Stood in the middle the oven. My pick for a special of the massive Land Run bronzes dinner. at sunset imagining the choke 6418 N. Western Ave., (405) 840-9463, of dust kicked up at the start? www.metrowinebar.com Snooped and sniffed until you stumbled upon the underground Rococo Restaurant. Start at the tunnel entrances? Or watched bar gazing at the gargantuan jar in the hushed silence of night of pineapple slices steeping in the twinkling lights of hope vodka and proceed from there to that illuminate the chairs at the Fisherman’s Stew. the Oklahoma City National 2824 N. Pennsylvania Ave., (405) 528- Memorial? 2824, www.rococo-restaurant.com No? Then head over for a weekend, book a room downtown, Iron Starr Barbeque. Try the and stroll. pulled pork sandwich (topped

Candi Coffman with coleslaw) or the bacon- wrapped quail breast. And no O klahoma doing something repeatedly that a handmade sweet potato masa matter the entrée, order the side City’s little few can emulate — they earn drizzled with a sublime ancho of fried okra. The small, tender it. I have three menu favorites cream. Decadent. There’s a pods are fried whole. black book from which I can’t break away. technique to eating these — don’t 3700 N. Shartel Ave., (405) 524-5925, The chicken tortilla soup has no be shy about asking your waiter. www.ironstarrbbq.com Where to eat equal. During the most recent Portions are generous. These restaurants top my list of feast, the chef shared the recipe (405) 525-7007, 2409 N. Hudson Ave., Grill (as opposed to places that offer a combination with me (see sidebar on p. 100). www.cheeverscafe.com the Deep Fork Grill — also good). of fantastic food and captivating The roasted quail short stack Cozy gas lamps. In the historic environments. consists of farm-raised quail Nic’s Grill. For under $10, Deep Deuce hotel and historic layered between corn tortillas you’ll have the cheeseburger jazz district. Cheever’s Café. I never visit with an ancho chili sauce and experience of a lifetime. No 307 N.E. Second St., (405) 235-9100, Oklahoma City without a meal Mexican cheeses — all baked superlatives can do this culinary www.deepdeucegrillokc.com at Cheever’s. If there is no time and topped with avocado salsa experience justice. With only for Cheever’s, the trip can’t be verde. Mixed seafood tamales enough space to seat 15 people, justified. Some establishments suspend large chunks of shrimp, the line forms outside well instill that sort of devotion by lobster, halibut and scallops in before owner Justin Nicholas

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TP-JUNE10.indd 98 5/20/10 11:11 AM Oklahoma's exclusive Stickley dealer T he bronze “1889” sculptures near the Oklahoma River depict the Land Run that put Oklahoma on the map. Theo's Marketplace welcomes the Stickley truckload sale June 10th through the 12th. Stickley area rugs and furniture up to 50% off.

Tammie Dooley Tammie 3720 W. Robinson, Suite 100 Norman, OK 73072 W here to stay W hat to see in downtown (405)364-0728 Downtown is still what sets our major cities OKC/surrounding area Phone Orders Welcome! apart, and Oklahoma City is no exception. Stay downtown and wander around after Sights within walking distance dark. There are unimaginable surprises. of the hotels at left: Bricktown is but one. Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Closed Monday; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday- The became Oklahoma City’s Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday; noon-5 first skyscraper when Charles Francis p.m., Sunday. Cocktails on the Skyline in Colcord built it in 1910. Ninety-six years the Museum Café, 5-10:30 p.m., Thursday later, a $16 million renovation by The Coury evenings in May through October. Collection transformed the 12-floor building 415 Couch Drive, (405) 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com into an upscale boutique hotel. Large-scale REALPLACES. Where you take Chihuly Glass Sculpture, “The Eleanor construction was going on in an adjacent your kids to lot when I visited in late March. Ask about it Blake Kirkpatrick Memorial Tower.” Dale discover nature before you book a room. Chihuly’s largest permanent exhibit can be and end up 15 N. Robinson Ave., (405) 601-4300, found at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art rediscovering www.colcordhotel.com (see above). At 10 tons and 55 vertical feet of it yourself. writhing, jewel-colored blown glass by world- The historic is on the renowned glass sculptor Chihuly, the tower National Register of Historic Places and piece is illuminated 24 hours a day. Best garners AAA’s four-diamond rating. appreciated by night. 1 Park Ave., (405) 272-3040, www.hilton.com The Underground. A three-quarter-mile Marriott’s Renaissance Convention Center tunnel system that links 16 blocks and Hotel is another AAA four-diamond hotel in more than 30 buildings in downtown. The the heart of downtown. original tunnel link was built in 1931 because 10 N. Broadway Ave., (800) 468-3571, William Balser Skirvin wanted to have an www.renaissanceoklahomacity.com underground passage from his Skirvin Hotel on one side of Broadway to his new hotel, The Sheraton Hotel is consistent, modern The Skirvin Towers, on the other side. Most and an excellent value. Nice people at the of the remaining system was developed in PHOTO: JAN RUNGE front desk. the 1970s. The Invited Artists Gallery sits 1 N. Broadway Ave., (405) 235-2780, beneath the intersection of North Robinson www.sheratonokc.com and Robert S. Kerr avenues with entrances from all adjacent buildings. GunnisonCrestedButte.com · 877.369.7637

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Travel << P. 99 Public art Just for the • “1889.” Dedicated in 1960 night vibe and commissioned by the “Cocktails on the Skyline” in Kerr McGee Corp., this bronze the Museum Café. See address inspires. At the intersection of and hours on p. 99 for the North Robinson Avenue and Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Couch Drive. The “Galaxy” is right across the street. La Baguette at the Colcord • “ Galaxy.” Fourteen tons of Hotel. Now incorporates the “Liberman Red” sculpture. Oyster Bar. . 15 N. Robinson Ave., (405) 601-3800 • Air Force Monument. Erected in 1964, the monument pays Interurban Express Great tribute to the U.S. Air Force. for lunch or after-work-hour cocktails.

Visit it in Couch Park, located Dooley Tammie Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; kitchen open until between Broadway and Visit Oklahoma’s state Capitol building to see oil wells and the 6:30 p.m. 204 N. Robinson Ave., (405) Robinson avenues at Robert 17-foot-tall bronze statue “The Guardian” on top of the dome. S. Kerr, adjacent to Kerr Park. 235-4448, www.iucityexpress.com most of the city’s car dealerships. City, this three-story building is • “ The Curious Organism.” Today a stroll through the filled with shops and restaurants Makers Cigar Lounge. Home Created to pique the area will take you past the art both familiar and unusual. to a hidden, quiet cigar lounge public’s curiosity about The deco architecture tucked away 1900 Northwest Expressway, (405) with leather couches and dark- Underground (see p. 99). in galleries, upscale lofts and 848-7588, www.50pennplace.info paneled walls. Visit for after- The tentacles extend more offices. dinner drinks or just a place to than 100 feet into the tunnel North Broadway Avenue from West . The one and relax. system. Northeast corner of Park Place (just north of 10th Street) only and still slightly infamous. 25 S. Oklahoma Ave., (405) 606-9000 North Broadway and Robert to Northwest Fourth Street, www. Intersection of Pennsylvania www.makerscigarlounge.com S. Kerr avenues. automobilealley.org Avenue and Northwest Expressway. (405) 842-4424 Nonna’s Purple Bar. Fun. Sights requiring short W here to shop Different from anything you’ve drives from downtown The Consortium. Home items. seen. hotels T he . Clothing. 1 Mickey Mantle Drive on the second State Capitol. Check out the oil Located at 28th Street and North 4415 N. Western Ave., (405) 602-5005 floor of Nonna’s Restaurant; (405) 235- wells and the 17-foot-tall bronze Walker Avenue to 30th Street and 4410; www.purplebarokc.com n Native American statue, “The North Dewey Avenue, this is the Guardian,” on top of the dome oldest arts district community in honoring Oklahoma’s Native Oklahoma City. The Spanish-style American heritage. architecture is home to a vibrant C heever’s Café chicken tortilla soup 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., (405) 522-0836, group of artists with substantial from Head Chef Ryan Lawson www.oklahomadome.com involvement and support from the larger community. They 1/2 of a yellow onion Oklahoma Centennial Land Run continue to build the district Olive oil Monument. A must-see. Moving. into one of the most creative art 2 1/2 cans (16 ounces) diced tomatoes Southern edge of Bricktown on venues in the country. The Paseo 4-ounce can green chilies the canal (far side of Bass Pro is home to 17 galleries and more 3/4 pound cream cheese Shops’ parking lot). than 60 artists, all within walking Chili powder www.crownartsinc.com distance. Intermingled with Salt the galleries are restaurants, a Cumin Oklahoma National Memorial coffee house, clothing boutiques, Cayenne and Museum. The memorial a gift shop, yoga studio and Minced garlic and museum are dedicated to graphic arts studio. 1 bay leaf educating visitors about the (405) 525-2688, www.thepaseo.com 1 pound diced cooked chicken plus 1 1/2 quarts chicken impact of the Oklahoma City stock bombing and inspiring hope and Nichols Hills Plaza. This high- healing through lessons learned end shopping center is located Method: by those affected. minutes away from downtown Sauté the onions in the olive oil. Add tomatoes, green chilies 620 N. Harvey Ave., 888-542-4673, Oklahoma City and Bricktown. and spices to taste. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add cream www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org 6484 Avondale Drive, Nichols Hills; cheese and gently bring to a boil. Mash the mixture to fully (405) 842-6558 incorporate ingredients. Add the chicken stock and bring to Automobile Alley A popular boil. Simmer for 10 more minutes. Garnish with fried tortilla retail district in the 1920s, . The most strips. Automobile Alley was home to notable address in Oklahoma

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