Guernsey Park to close near month’s end
Five years ago, Guernsey Park, 2418 Guernsey Ave., burst onto the local dining scene with a spectacular menu in a cool, modern dining room, but earlier this month it was announced the restaurant would close at month’s end.
Serving sushi and an ambitious menu of Asian cuisine informed by classic French technique, Guernsey Park helped elevate local cuisine and build a bridge between the Asian District and Oklahoma cuisine.
“This announcement is bittersweet news as we’ve had such great memories. We truly believe we’ve made our mark in Oklahoma City’s culinary arts. Our reviews across multiple platforms, along with the awards we’ve won gives us great pleasure in all our accomplishments. We couldn’t have done it without some of the best talents in OKC: (chefs) Paul Langer, Vuong Nguyen, Matt Pryor, Matthew Johnson, Jason Heald, and Dan Johnson. However, after being in business for almost 5
years it is time for us to evolve and for our next adventure. Guernsey Park will be closing our doors at the end of the month, January 28th, 2018. We want to thank our followers, our family (team), and everyone who’s supported us over the years.”
The post went on seeking photos from the public of their Guernsey Park experiences and promised food specials, including all-you-caneat sushi on Fridays and Saturdays, through the end of the month.
Ownership later added Covell Park in Edmond and Chick N Beer, also in Uptown.
Those concepts continue to operate, and plans for the Guernsey space will be unveiled soon.
Going national
We’ve had a spate of locals with culinary chops represent Oklahoma on television in the early days of 2018.
On Jan. 2, chef Sarah Wade, an Edmond Santa Fe and Oklahoma State graduate, appeared on Food Network’s popular competition show “Chopped.” Wade, who is currently executive chef of Lulu’s of Allston in Boston, competed on the Frying challenge of the Gold Medal Games and won. She now moves on to the Gold Medal Games finale to compete for $50,000.
Wade, who graduated from OSU in 2005, is the daughter of Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Famer Lindel Hutson.
Then there was chef Beth Ann Lyon, who appeared on Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games.” Local culinaria’s biggest smile appeared on Food Network Jan. 7. She finished third in the “Clash of the Classics” episode. Beth Ann, a Coach House Apprenticeship graduate, was opening chef at Kitchen No. 324 and wrote the menus for The Mule, Anchor Down and most recently The Press. She also was executive chef for Provision Kitchen.
Beth Ann won’t be the last local chef to appear on Guy’s Grocery Games. Chef Shelby Sieg, of The Pritchard, will appear on the show in March.
That’s also the month Cafe Kacao is due to appear on Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise.”
Episodes of “Chopped” and “Guy’s Grocery Games” can be streamed online at foodnetwork. com.
Planning ahead
Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, meaning time is running out for you to make those dinner reservations. You’ll find a host of promotions and prixe fixe options all across the city if you act now.
Stella Modern Italian has an interesting event planned. On Feb. 5, Lori Burson and chef Melissa Aust will welcome sexologist Sara L. Cole for a ladies-only “50 Shades of Stella” cocktail party starting at 6:30 p.m. Can’t imagine where making this an early Valentine for your wife or girlfriend nine days before Valentine’s Day would be a bad idea.
And while we’re thinking about what to do in February, don’t forget the Lunar New Year is Feb. 16. Look for spectacular fireworks shows in the parking lot of the Super Cao Nguyen Market and festive promotions throughout the Asian District during the month.