NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED DINING Chef Andrew Black received a James Beard Award (Best Chef Southwest) in 2023 for his tasting menu concept Grey Sweater. The prestigious award was the second for an Oklahoma City restaurateur; Florence Jones won an American Classics Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2022 for her Soul and Southern food institution on Oklahoma City’s northeast side, Florence’s Restaurant. While locals have long known how exceptional our city’s food scene is, over the past few years national media have also discovered the excellence and diversity of our culinary landscape. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OKC ODINING AT VISITOKC.COM!
Frida Southwest. Known locally for their overall excellence, this Paseo Arts District concept received a James Beard Award nomination for Best Bar Program, largely thanks to the impeccable palate of operating partner Kim Dansereau. Chefs Quinn Carroll and Rachel Porter deliver a remarkable one-two punch of appetizers, entrees, brunch and desserts. Porter is easily one of the best pastry chefs in the state, and Carroll is one of the brightest young stars in the OKC food scene. Dansereau has built the city’s most popular wine list, and her ability to hire stellar, creative bartenders means that every aspect of Frida – from first cocktail to dessert – is a lovely dining experience, especially if the weather is right for their gorgeous patio. Grey Sweater. Chef-owner Andrew Black likes to talk about his fine dining, tasting menu concept Grey Sweater as a place that has no particular loyalty to “how things should be done.” Instead, he and executive sous Chef Dylan Morgan source products from all over the world to create what can only be seen as a culinary adventure. The beautiful surroundings – including stunning lighting from the London underground – contribute to the feeling that you’re in a place designed for discovery and delight. From roast squab to beautifully prepared turnips to bison or scallops, caviar and wine, the menu is eclectic, delicious and presented in gorgeous tableaus. Ma Der Lao Kitchen. Chef-owner Jeff Chanchaleune was a semi- finalist for Best Chef Southwest in the same class as Chef Andrew Black. It was the Lao chef ’s second nomination for the honor, and the closest he’s come to winning. The nomination seemed certain after Chanchaleune’s traditional Lao concept was included on Bon Appétit’s 50 Best New Restaurants for 2022 and the New
Florence’s Restaurant. The daughter of sharecroppers from Boley, Oklahoma has operated her eponymously named restaurant since founding it in 1952, when she was 22 years-old. Known for their yammed fried chicken, turkey neck bones, chicken and dumplings and pear pie, the concept has been a destination for decades, both for residents of the northeast side and legislators from the nearby Capitol. Florence’s daughter Victoria Jones oversees operations these days, but you can still spy Florence in the kitchen occasionally.
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