Hopdoddy Burger Bar is set to open first local spot
Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 1125 NW 63, opens its first of two planned locations on Monday in Nichols Hills Plaza, and when it does, local burger purveyors will have no choice but to take notice.
Born in 2010, the concept specializes in burgers made completely from scratch and craft beer. Farm-raised beef is butchered and ground in house, and buns are baked from small-batch dough in house.
Burgers like the Llano Poblano, made with an Angus beef patty topped with apple wood smoked bacon, Tillamook pepper jack, seared poblanos and chipotle aioli, are apt to join the local vernacular. But it's not all about beef as validated by the Ahi
Tuna, which starts with a patty made of sushigrade tuna that’s topped with sunflower sprouts, nori chips, teriyaki, honey wasabi, mayo and pickled ginger.
New to menus across the Hopdoddy locations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and California is the all-day Breakfast Burger and the rotating Brew Series Burger.
The Brew Series highlights a monthly rotating beer style with pint specials from local craft breweries paired with a specialty burger that has a beer component. In July, the spotlight falls on saisons paired with the Sweet Carolina Burger, featuring a pork shoulder patty topped with a crunchy backyard slaw and house made Carolina Gold BBQ sauce infused with a local saison.
Fries are hand-cut from Kennebec and sweet potatoes, and they can be loaded with Parmesan Truffle or Hot Honey and Sage.
Dessert comes in shake form with varieties like S’mores and Vanilla Birthday Cake.
The bar will serve more than beer, including specialty margaritas and signature cocktails. Look for a second location in the Chisholm Creek development later this year.
Noshes
The mystery restaurant that’s been under construction for what seems like a couple of years in Uptown has opened as the Alley Cafe at447 NW 23. Promising an international flavor profile influence by French, African and Asian culture, it’s owned by Teresa Tran. For more information, call 535-3798. ...
Othello’s isn’t the only popular Italian restaurant folks are missing in Norman right now. Gaberino’s Home Style Italian recently closed its original location in Red Bud Plaza to take over a larger space formerly occupied by Chili’s Bar and Grill. Look for Gaberino’s to reopen middle of the month in its new home at 400 Ed Noble Parkway.
The long-awaited return of the Denco Darlin’ is scheduled for this month when the Hal Smith Restaurant Group opens its second Neighborhood Jamat 102 W Main St, the former home of the Denco Cafe. Word on the street is the famous chili-bathed hangover cure will be on the menu.
Rococo Restaurant and Fine Wine, 2824 N Pennsylvania Ave., will host a special dinner matching the wines of Lucas & Lewellen with specially paired dishes from the kitchen Monday evening.
The five course dinner starts with bone marrow crusted scallops with gremolata paired with a 2017 Rose. Next is pepper-crusted tuna with watermelon relish and essence of ginger matched with a 2017 Sauvignon Blanc. Course three is cold-smoked scallops with carrot and summer succotash and the 2016 Chardonnay. Main course is balsamic glazed quail with braised cherry polenta and jus and a 2016 Pinot Noir. For dessert, flourless chocolate torte with cherry ice cream and the 2016 Cabernet Franc.
Cost is $65 plus tax and gratuity, call 528-2824 for reservations and more information.