The Oklahoman

Fine dining restaurant Ludivine to close

- JaNae Williams

The team behind Midtown fine dining destinatio­n Ludivine, 320 NW 10 St., has announced the restaurant’s last dinner service will be on New Year’s Eve.

“We would like to thank Oklahoma City, all of our farmers, all of our guests and all of our staff, for the opportunit­y to work with you and serve you these last 13 years. While the brand will remain to fulfill your catering and private event needs, Ludivine restaurant will shutter at the conclusion of 2023,” the restaurant wrote Friday evening in a Facebook post. “We will remain open through December with our last dinner service New Year’s Eve. We hope to see you all a last time or two in the coming weeks!”

Ludivine, which has been open for 13 years, is the latest closure announceme­nt in a line of restaurant­s shuttering, many of which have been open for years and have garnered reputation­s as fan favorites among Oklahoma City residents and even guests from out of town.

“I had the privilege of dining with you twice when I visited OKC a few years ago, and it was a very memorable experience!” wrote Facebook user Ann-Karin Kowalczyk. “Thank you for serving honest and delightful food and drink. Best wishes going forward! With warm regards from Norway.”

Ludivine began on Hudson Avenue more than a decade ago and when it outgrew that space, it moved to its current location.

Home to wine dinners and specialty themed meals, seasonal tasting menus and the same real, scratch cooking that it’s used since it began in 2010, Ludivine is one of the restaurant­s that helped push the envelope in Oklahoma City dining early on during the revival of the Midtown District.

“Thanks for changing the landscape of OKC culinary,” Facebook user Michael McLemore wrote.

Those looking to experience the wonder of Ludivine a final time before it closes can make reservatio­ns online at https://www.ludivineok­c.com/. The restaurant also has tickets for its annual Christmas Carol dinner on sale now — a four-course dinner inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” with an optional wine pairing — scheduled for the night of Dec. 17.

Ludivine is owned by the same group responsibl­e for sister restaurant and next-door neighbor R&J Lounge and Supper Club, leading Facebook user Micah James to question online whether that restaurant was in trouble or planning on closing as well. “We are here to stay!” The R&J Lounge and Supper Club Facebook page responded.

 ?? SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN FILE ?? ABOVE: Chef-owner Russ Johnson stands outside the Ludivine location at 320 NW 10 before the completion of renovation­s in this file photo.
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN FILE ABOVE: Chef-owner Russ Johnson stands outside the Ludivine location at 320 NW 10 before the completion of renovation­s in this file photo.
 ?? PHOTOS BY JANAE WILLIAMS/THE OKLAHOMAN ?? The Ludivine chef’s tasting menu in June included Burrata & Peaches, left, and 800 Oaks Farm Rabbit duo, right.
PHOTOS BY JANAE WILLIAMS/THE OKLAHOMAN The Ludivine chef’s tasting menu in June included Burrata & Peaches, left, and 800 Oaks Farm Rabbit duo, right.
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