North star for dining rises in Bistro 22
EDMOND — Found myself in the most northern reaches of the metro a few weeks ago, which landed me a terrific lunch at Bistro 22, 1417 E Danforth Rd.
Opened late last year, the new concept from chef Clay Falkner (Signature Grill) consists of a tiny dining room and kitchen offering big flavors from classic cuisine.
Chef Eric Murphy (Tommy’s, The Coach House, MMR Prime Steakhouse) is behind the stove, churning out the hits from yesterday and today.
I was with my good pal chef John Bennett for the occasion, and when escargot appeared before my eyes on the menu I knew there was no escaping it.
So I was relieved they were on point. Served in their shells, the steamed snails came with a delicious buttery green sauce with shallots and toast points. Highly recommend.
Chef Bennett had the Jumbo Lump Crab Cassoulet for lunch. Intended as an appetizer for at least two, Bennett dove hooves first into the rich, decadent mixture of cream cheese, Havarti and crab for an experience he won’t soon forget. I would, too, but I never even got a bite!
I had the Reuben on marbled rye and was immediately taken back to the Reuben sandwich The Coach House used to make. Not sure if Murphy was using the same eye of round and two-week curing process he learned in the Apprenticeship Program, but the resulting sandwich was worth the trip north.
The good news is Bistro 22
shares a shopping center with Best of Books, which means I’ll have no problem finding an excuse for many happy returns.
Layers of honor
NORMAN — On Monday, local radio personalities Phil Inzinga and Jim Traber put their family lasagna recipes on the line in a cook-off at Belmar Country Club that ended in a split-decision of sorts.
The competing plates arrived at judges table unmarked so judgment was made without prejudice. Inzinga’s lasagna was the unanimous choice at judges table, which I sat at with chefs Josh Valentine and Shelby Sieg.
We thought both versions were excellent, but found Inzinga’s saucy version a touch more consistent bite-for-bite.
But Traber’s version won the hearts of the crowd by a mere seven votes.
The event filled the private dining hall at Belmar with folks who purchased tickets to participate and raise money for OK Kids Korral, a facility that provides lodging and services to the families of children with cancer.
Traber’s version included meatballs mixed with veal, but he admitted to forgetting to salt the meatballs as he would’ve at home. Inzinga was concerned his ricotta cheese didn’t get enough time out of the oven to set.
The dining room also was outfitted by a spread of meats and cheeses from Lovera’s Market in Krebs and salads from the Belmar staff, who also replicated the recipes for mass consumption.
Quick Service
Chef Beth Lyon will introduce her new food trailer this weekend at Delmar Gardens, 1225 SW 2 St. Look for Black Cat to open Saturday. Keep an eye on my social media accounts for photos and the blog for description (Twitter: @TheFoodDood; Facebook: keyword Dave Cathey The Food Dude; Instagram: Thefooddood and blogs/ newsok.com/fooddude) . ...
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