Percussive PIZZA
Midwest City is the site for a new kind of restaurant fusion
Longtime Deep Fork Group partner Dave Attalla is betting Midwest City is hungry to support local, independent restaurants and has opened a unique new concept there to prove it.
The Drum Room Wedge, 2320 S Air Depot Blvd., had its grand opening Monday, but I dropped by the Friday before when chilly temperatures and a daylong downpour couldn’t keep the new spot from drawing a full bar and a mostly full dining room for lunch.
Asked how things were going, the smile on Attalla’s face told the story.
“It’s been really good so far,” he told me between hustling enormous New York-style pies to busy tables. “We opened about five weeks ago, and we’re still making some tweaks, but the response has been great. We haven’t even really let folks know we’re open yet, but they’ve found us.”
Rather than come up with something completely new, Attalla turned to two of his restaurant group’s most popular concepts, fused them into a simpler concept and found a location local operators rarely choose first.
“The (Oklahoma City) market is so oversaturated right now,” Attalla said. “And Midwest City is hungry not only for great food, but the kind of great service we offer.”
Both Wedge Pizzeria locations are full-service restaurants. So is The Drum Room, which specializes in fried chicken at it original N Western Avenue home. Neither serve New York-style pizza.
For the new concept, Attalla offers Wedge pizza, Drum Room fried chicken, and added New Yorkstyle pies plus burgers, sandwiches and appetizers in a counter-service environment. The new spot does have a full bar where diners can enjoy full-service.
The final product is a familyfriendly restaurant from menu to environment that also takes into account adults looking for a place to gather.
Attalla said he’s still hiring for all positions. One spot he’s not hiring is artist-in-residence. That belongs to Ali Harter. While she handles a number of duties for Attalla, her greatest contribution is the neighborhood-inspired artworks she’s painted in the restrooms.
DRW is open daily at 10 a.m., closing at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Looking forward to checking out DRW to track its progress.
Comings and goings
On Nov. 20, Caffe Pranzo announced on social media that it was closing for good. Most recently owned by Tony and Jennifer LaChance, who purchased the concept in 2013, the cafe started as a tiny lunch counter in 1994.
Coming soon to Stella Modern Italian is adding Sunday dinner. Owner Lori Tyler has decided to add
Sunday dinner service from 5 to 9 p.m. To celebrate, she’s discounting all bottles of wine 25 percent.
Not only is brunch coming to Osteria, 6430 Avondale Dr., so is lunch. The new concept will host their first brunch service on Sunday at 11 a.m. Lunch begins Monday. Osteria will donate 10 percent of its profits on the opening to the Some Day Soon Foundation. Watch my social media accounts this weekend for photos of the new dishes (Instagram: the food dood).
Lago International Buffet, 2001 NW 142 St., takes over the former Fuze Buffet. It comes to Oklahoma City from the Jiang Family, which has operated a number of buffet and hibachi concepts across Texas. Look for an early February opening.
Chalk Luxury Sports Bar plans to open just in time for the Super Bowl in Chisholm Creek development. Look for the opulent sports bar to open Sunday with a grand opening planned for Super Sunday, Feb. 3.
Must be chocolate season
The 32nd annual Norman Chocolate Festival is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 26 at Norman High School North. The fundraiser brings local restaurants and businesses together to raise money for local public education. Tickets, which are available in four, one-hour sessions, can be purchased at www.normanptacouncil.org.
A week before Valentine’s Day, the Automobile Alley Association hosts its 22nd annual Chocolate Decadence party. The celebration of sweets is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 7 at The Volvo Annex, 33 Broadway Circle. An evening of chocolate, gourmet coffee, wine, Champagne, live music and a Valentine’s auction await ticket-holders. Proceeds benefit The Automobile Alley Association and its annual programs.
Tickets are $65, and 50 VIP tickets are available first-come, first-serve for $100. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.downtownokc.com/chocolate-decadence or www.automobilealley.org/events. Guests must be 21 to attend.