By the time you read this, you should be making your reservation for Valentine’s Day, assuming you want to eat at one of Oklahoma City’s best fine dining restaurants and not wait 90 minutes at a middle-of-the-road chain joint. Truthfully, though, you don’t need to wait until February. Restaurants would love to see you in that dining-out dead space between New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day. Very happy to see you. So, we have a brief roundup of OKC’s best fine dining spots.
Frida Southwest
Chef Quinn Carroll and Chef Rachel Porter are the perfect one-two punch of talent. Carroll has the main menu; Porter handles the scrumptious desserts, and sometimes they collaborate. It’s worth noting that Kim Dansereau’s bar program is far and above the best in the city, and there is nothing on the menu that isn’t excellent.
Grey Sweater
James Beard Award nominee Chef Andrew Black’s tasting menu restaurant is the pinnacle of true fine dining in OKC. You don’t have to be in a hurry because your reservation is for the entire evening. You can choose main dining to chat quietly, or sit at the expansive bar with its spectacular view of the open kitchen. The ingredients are sourced from around the world, the plating is stunning and the service is the best in the city.
La Baguette Bistro
The Buthion brothers have been introducing and reintroducing Oklahoma City to French cuisine for 40 years. Chef Alain Buthion is a master of seafood, and brother Michel handles the wine duties. Their menu ranges from French specialties to Chef Alain’s magnificent steak au poivre.
Mahogany Prime Steakhouse
The level of service and stunning interior at the location in Downtown makes this a fine dining experience. The steaks are the best in the city, the wine list is impressive, especially on the New World side, and the service is what we’ve come to expect from Hal Smith Restaurants. Also, get the lobster cargot.
Mary Eddy’s
The remodel on this local favorite was better than anyone expected. The interior is gorgeous, utilizing strategic lighting to create pockets of privacy in a bustling atmosphere. The menu is full of creative and delicious items – rabbit and dumplings, whole trout, flounder, a remarkable flat iron steak – and the bar program is among the city’s best.
The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro
Owner LaVeryl Lower has overseen the city’s best by-the-glass wine list for 34 years. Some of the dishes on the menu are so good that regulars revolt if they are removed (It’s the Lamb Potstickers for me). There is a core menu that features steak, seafood, pasta and poultry, as well as seasonal options. And people drive to Oklahoma City just for the bread pudding.
Vast
The view from the top of the city is magnificent at Vast, and every room provides different views. The bar is beautiful, the wine list is curated, and the service is stellar. The menu includes steaks, seafood, rack of lamb and phenomenal dessert options.
