I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the company of good friends than over a relaxing weekend brunch. Everyone can all roll out of bed at a decent hour and ease into the day over a latte or cocktail and a hearty meal. With brunch the food and beverage possibilities are endless, so there’s something for everyone and lots of room for creativity.  The key to enjoying yourself as the host is to prepare simple but satisfying items and make as much of the meal as possible ahead of time, leaving plenty of time to join your guests around the table. When planning the menu you may be tempted to offer a custom omelet station to show off your egg flipping skills, but fight the urge – preparing an omelet for each guest would keep you in the kitchen well into the afternoon. If you’re set on serving eggs, try a simple spinach and bacon frittata instead and let the oven do the work for you. Oven roasting a batch of home fries also allows you to serve up a satisfying side item without spending all morning at the stove. A build-your-own mimosa bar is a must and will allow you to mingle instead of manning the bar. Just set out an assortment of juice carafes and a bucket of chilled champagne and allow your friends to concoct whatever bubbly treat they desire.

The Tulsa Project supports local farmers and encourages you to buy fresh and local whenever possible. This month we took advantage of the recently expanded Cherry St. Farmer’s Market. Our spring brunch menu was inspired by fresh spinach and smoked bacon from the pork masters at Pork & Greens and a hearty loaf of raisin cinnamon bread from Farrell Family Organic Bread. We encourage you to check out an area farmer’s market this week and make the most of fresh, seasonal produce grown by local farmers.

Spring Brunch

• Spinach and Bacon Frittata
• Raisin Cinnamon Toast with Orange Honey Butter
• Fresh Fruit Parfait with Sweet Balsamic Reduction
• Oven Roasted Home Fries

Spinach and Bacon Frittata

Serves 4

• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 5 strips bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces
• 2 heads spinach
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
2. Trim, wash, and dry 2 bunches spinach; roughly chop.
3. In a medium nonstick ovenproof skillet, cook bacon over medium-high until crisp, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain all but 1 teaspoon fat from pan. Add spinach and toss until barely wilted, about 30 seconds.
4. Add egg mixture and stir until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until center is set, about 15 minutes.
5. Run a rubber spatula around edge of frittata and slide it onto a serving plate.

Orange Honey Butter

This can be made a day ahead, just be sure to pull it out of the fridge at least an hour before your guests arrive so that it will be at appropriate spreading consistency.

• ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• Zest of one orange
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a mixer. Mix on medium speed until all ingredients are combined and the butter is a light, fluffy consistency.
2. Serve softened with toasted raisin cinnamon bread or on top of French toast or pancakes.

Sweet Balsamic Reduction

This can be made a day ahead of time and refrigerated. To serve, warm slightly until the reduction is at a drizzling consistency.

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• Juice of half an orange
• 2 tablespoons honey

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, about 30 minutes.
3. Drizzle over fresh fruit and serve with yogurt and granola to make a tasty parfait.

Oven Roasted Home Fries

Serves 6

• 2 pounds red potatoes, diced into 3/4 inch chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon crushed, dried rosemary
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a large rimmed baking sheet, combine potatoes, onion, bell pepper, rosemary, and oil; season with salt and pepper.
2. Toss until vegetables are coated with oil; bake until tender, about 1 hour. Transfer to a serving dish.

When Hibiscus first opened, I’m not exactly sure that I knew what a “Caribbean Bar and Grill” was.  I overheard a friend say that he had booked his band to play an evening gig there, so I decided it would be a good time to check out the place.  After all, I’m always up for two things: trying new food and drinking beer.

For starters (no pun intended), their Plantain appetizer is delicious and affordable; show up between 5 and 7pm to enjoy this delectable treat at half price.  Live music usually doesn’t start until a little later in the evening, but if you’re enticed by sweet fruit this is totally worth the trip.  You can chase it down with $3 Red Stripe, too, which is pretty good considering that their drink prices are a little higher than average in comparison to many of the bars that I visit in Tulsa.

The atmosphere of this place is cool — owners Vincent and Taylor LaTouche have created an environment that is casual but classy and doesn’t feel stuffy.  To me, there are few things as flattering about a restaurant or bar as an affable owner who will greet you on arrival.  That behavior is always a sure way to keep people coming back, and it seems to be working for them.  There are plenty of tables and room at the bar, so despite the size of the restaurant, there is rarely much time spent waiting for seating.  I would be lying if I said that the time it takes to get the food here goes by fast, but this is definitely scratch-cooked, gourmet food, and there is simply nothing quick about preparing a high quality meal.

If you’re just in for a beer you can expect extraordinary service from behind the bar.  It’s obvious that they emphasize customer service to their staff, and that can always be appreciated.  As far as skill goes (with regard to making cocktails) they’re no amateurs; both the classics and their own Caribbean-influenced specialties are made in a top-notch fashion.  With regard to bar service, it’s been consistently quick, without exception.

For the music lovers, this is one of the best spots to catch jazz, acoustic, reggae, salsa, and atmospheric music.  Where else can you catch all of those in the span of a week?  The musicians they bring in never play too loud, and I think that says a lot for a place serving high end food.  After all, that would probably be a deal-breaker with many of their customers.

If you’re stopping in for food, you’re going to be impressed with the menu.  The variety of their offerings is impressive, and if you’re big on spices, this place is for you.  In the past, my favorite items have been the Jerk Chicken, as well as the plantain appetizer (which I mentioned above), but there is too much ethnic variety here to ignore the other items.  Their food isn’t cheap, but it would be silly to expect it to be that way considering their angle on the holy triumvirate of quality: food, drink, and service.  You can visit them on the web (and download a menu) at www.hibiscusbrookside.com, but you won’t get the big picture until you stop in the place.  Give it a shot!

In the early 1980s, Crystal Pistol was a North Sheridan dive where you could catch a round of pool or beers, and all in the midst of a crowd of punks and cowboys.  How the two cohabited at one place in such times is beyond me.  Featuring such hardcore and punk bands such as Black Flag, Husker Du and The Minutemen, the old Crystal Pistol became a landmark for traveling bands to stop by on their way to bigger cities.  Free beer was the payment for playing and that was good enough for them.

When the sacred moniker popped back up in the Brady District, I wondered if it would be similar to the North Sheridan version — and in a sense, it is — but, more or less, I was just plain happy to see more occupation in that area.  Located at 417 S. Main, just between Soundpony and Cain’s, the Pistol has certainly, if anything, established itself as a place to grab a good show; this place has already become a spot to catch a massive variety of local music, from hip hop to punk to rockabilly.  My favorite feature about the place is that bands can play in the barroom, in the actual concert room, or on their stage outside.  The stage, sound equipment, and lights in the concert room are nothing to scoff at either; they’ve hosted touring bands from all over the United States and everything has been great.  In warm weather, the biggest shows go outside.  The stage is high enough that plenty of people can see the performing act, all without the onset of claustrophobia.

With regard to the experience of drinking at the bar, I’ve enjoyed most of my trips thoroughly.  The beer prices are possibly the best in the downtown area; they pride themselves on cheap Guinness, which is good enough for me.  It seems like, on a monthly basis, they feature a revolving menu of cheap beers.  Last summer there was a time when they were serving $2 Stella Artois.  That was a sweet deal.  If you plan on opening a tab, make sure you either have cash on hand or plan on drinking more than $10 worth of refreshments, because they do have a $10 minimum if paying with plastic.

Like all the places on North Main, smoking isn’t allowed within the building.  If you do smoke, the area behind the building is fair game, and there are dozens of booths, tables, and chairs.  Of course, you can take your drink out there, too.

The decor is definitely saloon themed, as the full name of the bar (“The Crystal Pistol Saloon”) spells out, plainly.  The decorative oddities of the place are almost enough to be worth stopping to see, if for anything.  Mannequins, a fossil of a cash register, and a foosball table are all present.  The wood and concrete structure of the building gives the place a proper look for the part of town.

Overall, I enjoy popping over to the Crystal Pistol frequently; plain and simple, there’s nothing to complain about.  I will say, however, if you plan on coming out to a show here, have some cash on hand.  I’ve showed up to watch a gig that was promoted without any price mentioned by anyone (Pistol, bands, promoter) only to be told that its five buckaroos to get in.

It is definitely worth checking out, though; the drink prices and service are top notch and you’ll more than likely get a chance to catch a band you’ve never heard of before.

Photo courtesy The Crystal Pistol Saloon’s Facebook Page.

Upon the inception of talks about a new Drillers experience via a new stadium, there was no shortage of skepticism.  And reasonably so; hinging the entire success (with regard to local acceptance) of a minor league baseball team based entirely on atmosphere seemed like a long shot.  Predictably enough however, the “if you build it, they will come” mantra seems to have proven itself legitimate once again, because when the deep-pocketed developers and investors started talking the response of the Brady and Greenwood Districts was loud and clear.  The Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa plans to construct a new, ultra-modern facility by 2011; on Cameron Street, a sign stands in a large open lot announcing the future construction of a media center that will house Channel Six’s offices. Based on seeing these, it would appear that the private sector has locked and loaded on the north end of downtown.

Visual Arts Center
Image courtesy Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa.

Before I stray too far, I should ask the question, “Will the end user also accept this move as a reason to venture north of the tracks?”  Sure they will.

If you don’t already know about the Cain’s Ballroom or the Brady Theater, you probably aren’t going to be spending a lot of time in this part of downtown anyway, but for a district already thriving with bars, arts, and eateries, I think it’s pretty obvious that the new field is already helping.  The Greenwood District even got its own little burger joint, Fat Guy’s Burger Bar.  Drop in at lunch time and tell me what you think; it’s already taken the eye of downtown workers, and pretty soon, they’ll be bringing friends.

To sum it up, the private sector will get what it’s after: the end user’s interest.  It’s happening right now.  The availability of space for retailers, food joints, and pubs is the key;  this, rather than the BOK Center, should be held as the litmus test for potential of development in downtown Tulsa.

And don’t get me wrong; none of this is news.  Talks of further development of Brady and Greenwood have been going on since the first word about a new baseball field was spoken.  What I’m saying, however, is that the first seeds have sprouted, and we’ve barely seen a fraction of what lies ahead.

The Tulsa Project is proudly teaming up with elevenTH (formerly tepera | hood design) to bring a unique artistic endeavor to Tulsa: Freight Gallery. From the Freight website:

FREIGHT Gallery challenges the notion of static art gallery by creating an ephemeral interaction of art in an instant format. The gallery is housed in readymade display spaces such as shipping containers, u-haul trucks and covered trailers. This mobility allows us to present an impromptu gallery opening anytime and anywhere in the city of Tulsa. The low tech nature of the gallery presentation experience removes the fabricated barrier of formality between the artist and public allowing for an accessible experience.

That’s right: U-Haul trucks. We kick off this inventive series this weekend, Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th, at the Blue Dome Arts Festival.

Here’s some info on our first featured artist:

Colliding the organic with the manufactured, I question our position between a world that we shape ourselves and the natural world. My paintings are made out of materials such as leaves and various plastics that reflect that juxtaposition. I “sculpt” my paintings up in many translucent layers and mount them in florescent-lit lightboxes. Doing so allows me to achieve delicate transitions from light to dark. It is my hope that these cityscapes will delight your senses as much as your mind.

-Grace Grothaus

What: Freight Gallery (featuring Grace Grothaus)
When: May 14-15th
Where: Blue Dome Arts Festival

For information / updates on Freight:

• Like Freight Gallery on facebook.
• Follow The Tulsa Project on Twitter.
• Check for updates on the Freight website.

Photograph by Michael Champlin.

It’s generally no surprise to those who know me that I’m a huge fan of buying locally, in addition to the arts, which is why I’m so excited about this weekend.  As many of you already know, this weekend is Mayfest, which is an awesome arts festival that brings vendors from across the country to downtown Tulsa.  I love going through Mayfest and seeing Tulsa so alive and checking out what people are making, but my heart is with the local artists.  Fortunately this year I’ll have two other festivals downtown where I’m sure to get my fill.

The Blue Dome Arts Festival will be in the Blue Dome district downtown this weekend, well within walking distance of Mayfest. In the past there have been booths with vendors with everything you can possibly imagine from pottery to paintings, candles, jewelry, well you get the idea.  Great local talent will be displayed throughout the weekend in booths and on stage.  This is a great time to check out how full of life our downtown is by visiting restaurants, boutiques, and bars in the area.

This will also be the first year for the Brady Arts Festival.  Aside from being home to the historic Brady Theater and Cain’s Ballroom, the Brady District has had several art crawls showcasing galleries in the area.  This weekend will be yet another opportunity for Tulsans to experience how great this area really is.  The galleries will be open providing you with a great time to experience a world-class chocolatier and get up close and personal with glass blowing.  In addition, there will also be music throughout the weekend as well as the art car parade (guaranteed to have all one-of-a-kind cars), not to mention great food.

Which one will I attend?  You’ll definitely see me at all three throughout the weekend.  Come out and support the Tulsa art scene as it takes over downtown.

I learned a long time ago that Cherry Street’s Cafe Cubana had a dedicated following. I know people who visit the place every weekend, almost ritualistically, often taking their coffee to go.  I should state up front that my personal persuasion with regard to coffee shops has always been a more relaxing endeavor; a coffee shop was a place to go find some dim corner and read a book, study, talk quietly, or write in a journal or sketch. Because of this I always viewed people who took their coffee to go as sort of “missing out” on that whole coffee shop experience. But times have changed. As a freelance designer and photographer, coffee shops have become my sort of “meeting place”. I’ve come to see the light, as it were, both figuratively and literally with regard to these establishments. Sometimes darkly lit places with comfy couches, moody wall art and the barista’s iPod on shuffle are just the ticket: a rainy day, for instance. But sometimes we want a coffee shop with a little less gloom and a little more productivity and vitality. And for this occasion, I present that old favorite that’s still new to me: Cafe Cubana.
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The Colony, one of Tulsa’s best spots to catch live music, has a pretty lengthy rap sheet.  Having opened 52 years ago as “The Colony Inn”, its rich history tops nearly any other bar in town.  What other Tulsa bar can claim that Eric Clapton and George Harrison have played in their building?  None here. The Colony has a dedicated base of patrons, and rightly so, considering the atmosphere, drink prices, and music.

The four seasons have nothing on the Colony; in the winter, they keep the considerably large fireplace burning hot.  In the summer, they keep the inside cool and they even have a patio area out front with lots of seating.  I’ve had some very fun times on that patio.  Word to the wise, though: if you’re bothered by smoke, or you just can’t stand the smell, this isn’t the place for you.  As smoking bars become less and less common around T-Town, The Colony still allows it.  Obviously this is a good thing for smokers when winter rolls in.

As far as bartenders go, I’ve never had a problem with any of the guys that work there: they always charge me fairly and they’re quick and polite.  Although this is pretty much par for the course in Tulsa, it’s an important deciding factor for whether I’ll continue going to a bar or not.  Patrons of The Colony are a different bunch in themselves.  They aren’t too rowdy, which is pretty nice, and you don’t really have to worry about slovenly drunken people falling into you or any of that stuff.  Many of them are just there to see the live bands that The Colony hosts seven nights of the week.

If you’re one of those people, you’re probably well aware that some of Tulsa’s foremost musicians, like the Paul Benjaman Band and Steve Pryor, jam there on a very regular basis.  It’s clearly very important to the staff to keep the musical aspect of that bar going, and I admire that.  Not only do they bring in Tulsa’s finest, but they’re also a hotbed for new talent, so keep an ear open for shows going on there.

If you’re looking for a cold one, this is a good place to get it; beer prices are cheap and cocktails are fair as well.  You can grab a six point beer for merely $2 — which is the cheapest in town, as far as I know — and you can even get a “flight” of seven Old Styles for $7.  They don’t pour weak cocktails either, if that’s your thing.  I’ll definitely vouch for this place with regard to drinks.

If you haven’t been here yet — though if you’re any type of nightlife person, you probably have — give it a whirl (if smoke doesn’t bug you too much).  The atmosphere of the place is really cool.  They’ve even got a pool table, if that’s your thing.  They’re located right in the heart of midtown, at 28th and Harvard, so drop in, have several beers and watch some great music.  Of course don’t forget to drop by Village Inn next door for the mandatory after-closing-time pancakes!

Be sure to check out their Myspace page (www.myspace.com/getcolonized) for more information regarding drink specials and their music schedule.  Party on.

This Saturday night The Tulsa Project’s very own Independent Cause presents its first ever “New Music Showcase”. The show takes place at Eclipse (6th street one block east of Peoria in the heart of the Pearl District) at 9pm, and features four up-and-coming local acts:Lunar City, Low Litas, The Parakeet Chiefs, and Ruby Blume. Haven’t checked them out yet? That’s what we’re here for. All proceeds benefit Tulsa Girls’ Art School (TGAS).

Ruby Blume

Ruby gets the show started on Saturday with her brand of folksie, romantic pop.

Ruby brings new meaning to the words: siren, crooner and chanteuse. Its not hard to recognize a hint of Regina Spektor’s influence along with some Joanna Newsom, but Ruby adds new dimension by intermixing those more modern styles with those of vocalists from a bygone time. Shades of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald give Ruby a unique sound that is all her own. –IC

Lunar City

As a counterpoint to the lighthearted whimsy of Ruby Blume, we bring Lunar City’s gloomy spook rock sensibilities to the table.

The haunting vocals of Luke Melton have always reminded me of Jack Skellington, a swelling baritone. Complimenting his haunting tones is Leah Long, a lovely, feminine counterpart. The two together evoke decidedly dark and Gothic images. Backed with drums, guitars, and keyboards this band is a fun departure from your regular indie-dream-pop-boy-girl vocal lineup. –IC

We hope you’ll join us this Saturday as we present some of the best up-and-coming music acts from the Tulsa area. We’re excited to showcase one of Tulsa’s greatest assets: it’s musical talent.

Once again, 9pm Saturday, May 8th, at Eclipse in the Pearl District [map]. All proceeds benefit Tulsa Girls’ Art School (TGAS). For more info hit up Independent Cause.

This Saturday night The Tulsa Project‘s very own Independent Cause presents its first ever “New Music Showcase”. The show takes place at Eclipse (6th street one block east of Peoria in the heart of the Pearl District) at 9pm, and features four up-and-coming local acts: Lunar City, Low Litas, The Parakeet Chiefs, and Ruby Blume. Haven’t checked them out yet? That’s what we’re here for. This week we’re featuring acts from the show. Without further ado, here’s two of our extra-talented featured artists.

Low Litas

IC calls them “a shoegazey girl group” with “[a] multi-layered, heavily affected, moody brand of pop”. I think that pretty much sums them up. There’s more than a little bit of that late-90s noise pop vibe operating just below the surface here — crunchy, spaced-out guitars, echoing drums, swelling synthesizers — but overlayed by Mandii Larsen’s powerful, melodic voice. Check out Low Litas in the above clip, on their myspace page, and perhaps most importantly, this weekend at Eclipse.

The Parakeet Chiefs

“The Chiefs are a throwback to a simpler time, when backing harmonies, muted strumming and sock hops set the tone. That’s right, were talking about a Doowop/Rockabilly/Birth of Rock and Roll band complete with skinny ties.” – IC

That’s right. They play wearing suits and ties, playing upright basses and seafoam green guitars. Way to class it up, guys. Check out their facebook page.

So come out to Eclipse on Saturday — a good time shall be had by all. And did I mention it’s for a good cause? All proceeds from the door benefit TGAS. Read more about the event, and the bands involved, on Independent Cause.

Stay Tuned! Tomorrow we’ll profile the other two bands playing the showcase: Lunar City and Ruby Blume.