Any way you slice it
Empire set to open new home, but quirky atmosphere will remain
Empire Slice House served its last pie from 1734 NW 16 on Saturday but will commence serving from its new flagship down the street, 1804 NW 16, on Thursday.
“Over the past five years, Empire has been met with a level of support from Oklahoma City that we could have never dreamed of when we started on this journey,” 84 Hospitality Chief Executive Officer Rachel Cope said in a release. “The new and
improved space will allow us to better serve our guests and will be more functional for our employees, who work so hard every day to make Empire what it is.”
The new place seats 150, 35 more than the old place. Never fear, the concept’s pop-culture informed atmosphere remains. Familiar furniture, fixtures, memorabilia and, of course, Ellie the pink elephant all have homes in the new space.
Perhaps the most critical addition to the new store is kitchen space, which the original location sorely lacked.
The new prep kitchen is outfitted with topof-the-line ventilation, appliances and office space.
The building’s second story is home to parent company 84 Hospitality headquarters.
Easy E Slice Shop remains open across the street.
As for what will go into the space left behind by Empire, my FooDoppler radar system shows a strong chance of tacos moving toward the spot from a familiar local source. Stay tuned.
Empire’s Thursday opening is just in time to prepare for the Plaza District Association’s 20th annual Plaza District Festival, which is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Food trucks include
Big Truck Tacos, C’est Si Bon, Sizzle n Spice, Loaded Bowl, Jerky.com, Mighty Corndog,
and Let’s do Greek.
Food trucks will serve from beginning to end of the district’s largest annual fundraiser, which also include local artists and musicians.
The public event is free. For more information, go to plazadistrict. org.
Wine festival this weekend
HENNESSEY — The 8th Annual Hennessey Wine & Chocolate Festival is scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park, U.S. 81 and State Highway 51.
Almost two dozen wineries from all over the state will be represented, along with 15 chocolate vendors will be present. Cost is $20 for wine and $5 for chocolate-only.
Advance tickets are only $15 for wine and chocolate, and $5 for chocolate-only.
Tickets can be purchased ahead online until midnight Friday, keyword Hennessey Wine & Chocolate Festival or in person at Vernost Wine Co. and Town Hall.
Odds and ends
As expected, the wrecking ball came for the former home of Mamasita’s Mexican Cafe. Unfortunately, no arrangements could be made to save the Kaiser’s Ice Cream Parlour sign unearthed after Mamasita’s closed. Kaiser’s occupied the space from 1980 to 86, before Mamasita’s began its 32-year run . ... Speaking of legendary restaurants, sources tell me Sussy’s Eatery and Spirits
in Bricktown has closed. No word on what will take over the Bricktown space, previously occupied by Bolero . ... Del Taco
reopened its Moore store at 770 SW 19 . ...
Prairie Wolf Spirits
announced Tuesday is will introduce Obahoshe, an island-style rum distilled with sorghum syrup from the Seminole Nation in Wewoka, to its line of spirits on Oct. 1. Prairie Wolf Spirits was purchased by a group led by chef Jonathon Stranger and Erik and Drew Tekell in February. Obahoshe represents the new group’s first addition to the portfolio, which also includes Prairie Wolf Gluten Free Vodka, Loyal Gin and DARK, an all-natural coffee liqueur. Since February, Prairie Wolf also has reformulated the distilling process for the gin and vodka. Look for it in local stores starting next week.