The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Had dinner there last night.  It has only been open a week.  Location is in the old St Michael's Alley location.

Ordered the french onion soup, could of been hotter but tasty.  Also had the fish and chips, enjoyed this much better than what I have had at Kilkenny's.   The vibe of the place was that of a local's neighborhood place.   I sat at the bar close to the open kitchen and was able to have some conversation with the chefs.   Definitely a place I  will go back to for lunch and dinner. 

Noted.  I need to get over there!

Ahem.  We need to get over there with our wives ;)

My mom will be upset if she finds out I have been hanging out in The Alley.

Way overpriced.....

You get what you pay for..this is NOT overpriced when you compare it to 71st street hell....

I found the food to be very good.  Service was excellent.  The dining room was a little awkward as it seemed a bit loud for lunch.  Need to get back there for a happy hour.  The bar looked very inviting.

16 bucks for 3 pieces of fish and some fries is is to much.....

Tightwad.

What kind of fish and how big were the pieces?

Some sort of white fish.... 1.5 x 5 inches I would say....

$16 for 3 of them and some fries is too pricey for me.  Add a bottle of a nice Belgian Tripel (Chimay or Westmalle) at the same price and I might go for it.

I'm thrifty Mother tucker......!!! ;D

MC and I tried it tonight.  Quite impressed actually.  Correct that the fish and chips is nothing spectacular (it never really is, it's fried fish and fried potatoes!) but it's on par with Kilkenny's, McNellies and the late Paddy's which was what I considered best for Tulsa anyhow.

While nothing will ever compare to eating salmon fish and chips on Saba Rock in the BVI, I really can't complain.  She had their chicken two ways and it was spectacular.  I originally was going to have braised short ribs but they 86'd right before I ordered.  Cheese tray was really broad an almost too much and had an amazing bacon jam.

Their menu prices are pretty reasonable, if you ask me, considering the cooking skill of the chef and kitchen staff and their offerings.

We considered it a better experience than Juniper...and a better value.

Location(s) Being Reviewed: Ranch Acres Shopping Center 31st & Harvard

Date/Time of Visit: 6:00 on a Friday

Quality of Food (1-5): 4.5 to 5

Menu/Food Options (1-5): 4

Quality of Service (1-5):5
 
Atmosphere (1-5): 4

Overall Rating (1-5): 5

Price ($-$$$$$):$$$

We've eaten there now five times, once for brunch and dinner the rest of the times.  We've not had a bad meal yet, and they have nightly specials that have been really amazing and a great value.  Last week I had a duck confit over a ginger rice cake (not a fried rice cake per se, more like a mound of rice) which blew me away for $22.  We've been told that will be on the spring menu as a staple.  Last night's special was lobster poached in butter.  MC loved it, but it does give it a texture other people may not care for.  I finally had the pub burger and it's really just a little too much burger for me, though I loved every bite.

If you love a great short rib, I suggest you try it in the next two weeks as the braised short rib will not be on the spring menu.

As mentioned on another thread, beer selection is great, at least 30-40 different imports and micros, 10 draughts, one with Coors Banquet, one with Guinness, the rest are micro or import.  Great craft cocktails. Always attentive and friendly service.

We love the cozy atmosphere and prefer to eat around the bar area, though the dining room as had a nice make-over.  I have heard complaints from friends who have gone strictly for happy hour fare, not caring much for the apps they serve.  It can get a little crowded and stuffy if there is a large group meeting for happy hour in the bar area, though it wasn't terribly crowded last night. 

All we have tried of the app menu is the Scotch egg (hard boiled egg in a deep fried sausage crust drizzled with aoli) and the cheese tray and we love both.

With dinner, an app, a couple of beers, and a couple of cocktails, as well as a dessert we split with our dining companions, the total was still under $100 before tip.

I agree, Cman.


They're not afraid to take some risks in there....

Assumed room temperature today.  Word around the campfire is what tanks every other restaurant: “cash flow issues”.

Sorry to see it go and it was rather sudden.

Was never top-of-mind. Wish they had advised more.

They seemed to rely heavily on their Facebook page and little else.  I believe they did some fund-raisers for local charities and participated in the sort of events where you donate food product.  FB is great for your regular followers but doesn’t get your name and product in front of new customers. 

The owner was a veteran of the McNellies Group so he’s worked within very successful restaurant business models.  Only thing is, with a location like that, you have to do plenty of advertising, then once you get people in the door, you’ve got to hit your marks on the food with every single plate to keep them coming back.

My husband and I only went there one time. It was a little on the pricey side for us and we were not impressed enough to return.

I still miss St. Mike's.

Your DH used to play at St. Mike’s didn’t he?

Yes, indeed. His duo was regular there.

I miss St. Mikes....a lot.  We would make that an event in high school whenever could get enough money together at one time (mid to late 60's and through 70's).  Not sure I could even get in one of the booths today, but it was very cool then.  Changed a lot in the 80's and didn't go as often, but was still pretty good.  Always enjoyed it greatly.

That's too bad.  Tough spot in which to create a brand with its lack of visibility and neighboring restaurants.  Even with his built-in following, Rick's couldn't make it in that location.

(http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/40000/Bedrock-Bucks-Flintstone-Money--40301.jpg)

Older.  There were half cents, pennies, and half-dimes.....not whole bills!

Sorry about the length of this link - goes to an Oklahoma 1 mill tax token coin....I have used those before....

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Not really, but have a couple of half cent coins (5 mill) left over from the "good old days".... actually inherited them.

It was not that good....

Was it one of those hipster, clique sorta places then?

As opposed to one of those conservative, "we don't serve your kind" sort of places.

Not really.  We saw all types and it seemed really diverse.  Older couples, locally and nationally-known celebrities, some younger hipster types, and middle agers like MC and I.  I ran into many of my old schoolmates there.

Those places are easily filtered out though.  Look for Fox News on the TV.

I would not say that.....

Just had to doosh up an honest inquiry? I knew Conan went there, hardly a left wing, bed wetter. I wanted to know if the place catered and counted on a certain clientele. If it did, could it or the restaurant's concept be successful elsewhere.

An honest dooshy inquiry?  Your one sided view point is loony.

What the hell is one-sided about finding out about this place? Was the "hipster" comment just too close to home or something? And of all people to comment about others with one-sided viewpoints, my gosh. And I'm telling Hoss about your ad hominem--but to be fair I'll let you tell him what that fallacy means first.

Of course your left wing bed wetter comment was fair and balanced.

It must be difficult to view everything as completely liberal and conservative.

What? They put avocados on sandwiches? The restaurant must be a left wing hideout.

You attack anything you think is different than the way you think it should be.  Like a crazed terrier.

So when you post something about a group of people, it's easy to think you're attacking the group.

I agree with you, I am one sided.  I look at the extremes from both side with a cocked eyebrow.  I think you should move more center like I thought Teatownclown should move more center.

MC and I stopped at a Subway one time while traveling. 

MC asked: “Is the avocado fresh?” 

“Oh yes ma’am, we opened the can just this morning!”

I went and was completely underwhelmed. Service and food were mediocre but the prices didn't reflect it. I can have better food and service for less money at several places around town.

And therein lies the problem you run into when your place is out of the way and it’s under-promoted.  You had a bad or mediocre experience so you didn’t return.  I’m quite certain you weren’t alone.  With their price points, it needed to be spot-on every time.

If that had happened the first time MC and I went, we would never have returned, or maybe given it one more shot and if that failed we would have been done with it.  

What places are you enjoying these days? We are now looking for another regular hang-out so I’m soliciting opinions.

I was a fan of their food, beer selection, service and ambiance.  Brian even served me at the bar on occasion.  But, didn't go there often as it is pretty far off my normal path.

I would say that a restaurant in that location needs to be appealing to it's surrounding neighborhood.  A true neighborhood pub if you will.  OR, have a concept so different and so great that is becomes a destination.

The Vault is very good....!!

Agreed

Understood. It's my fault.

Agreed

The bar is excellent.  I’ve found their entree offerings pretty bland.  Have they changed the menu recently?  We gave up on them about six months ago.

I think the food is really good.....!

I love(d) the Alley.  Some service issues late in the game, food was great to mediocre as they broke in new staff.  Still... Loved it.

I never missed St. Michaels Alley.  It is my neighborhood and went to the Alley at least 20 times more often.

And yes... It did have a bit of a hipster vibe.  Good beer on tap.  Interesting woodwork.  Tattooed people providing good service and intelligent discussion. A menu that was not the norm.  And price points above average.

You went and did it. You said The Alley had a hipster vibe. Posting this to help with the fallout out from T and son.

(http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/mightest-thou-untwist-thy-knickers.png)

The Alley didnt have the right attitude toward there customer.....

Wow, the stalker level is becoming a little creepy now...your level of obsession is almost rivaling that of your obsession with our current President.

That’s what happens when you walk the check a few times, BB.  ;)

Well...They do call me "Luke Tabwalker"......!!!