Some foods are too pretty to eat is a really stupid thing to say. Its food. Of course you can eat it! But if youre struck by the innate and haunting beauty of a dish, or you just want to post it on Instagram to make sure your friends are jealous, here are great places to find eats that are too pretty and too delicious to leave undocumented.
By Greg Elwell
Photos by Garett Fisbeck
Nics Grill
1201 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
405-524-0999
Take cash and a camera when you go to Nics Grill for one of the most revered cheeseburgers in Oklahoma City/America/the world because Nic might let you take a picture, but he definitely wont take your credit card. There will probably be a line out the door, but dont let that deter you, because some things in life are worth the wait and a burger from this tiny Ten-Penn landmark is one of them.
Signature Grill
1317 E. Danforth Road, Edmond
405-330-4548
Some of the best food in Edmond can be found at Signature Grill, but choose your seat carefully. While the plating is immaculate, the lighting can get pretty dim. But its worth it to have your Instagram photo team professionally stage the area to get a shot of a perfectly cooked steak covered in slowly melting blue cheese before you cut off a bite and run it through the red wine demi-glace. One potential problem: Your team might want to share.
Packards New American Kitchen
201 NW 10th St.
405-605-3771
After several conversations with uncomfortable servers, it has become clear that pictures taken at Packards should be focused on the food and not the attractive waitstaff. But why not both? A cute bartender holding a beautifully built Bloody Mary or a handsome waiter with a plate of bronzed pork chops, creamy grits and vibrant pickled onions might take your picture viral. And if not, maybe youll at least get a phone number.
Covell Park
1200 W. Covell Road, Edmond
405-285-1720
Duck. Duck. Goose. No, wait; thats still duck. Look over Covell Parks exquisite duck risotto all you like; you still wont find any goose. What you will see is a creamy risotto, a splash of crunchy green onion and a sumptuously seared and sliced piece of duck that even Daffy and Donald couldnt resist. It doesnt matter how ugly this duckling used to be this dish is proof that beauty is on the inside.
Bonjour
3705 W. Memorial Road
405-286-9172
You know in movies from the 1980s when a girl in a bikini would walk by and a whole line of dudes would lower their plastic neon sunglasses to get a better look? The food equivalent of that scene is when your eggs Benedict are served at Bonjour. Is that Kenny Loggins playing guitar in the next booth? No, but your taste buds are definitely in the danger zone because this combo of hollandaise, poached eggs and pastrami is r-r-r-r-radical to the max.
Sushi Neko
4318 N. Western Ave.
405-528-8862
If you think the outside of a fish looks good, you ought to check out what theyre doing with the insides at Sushi Neko. Youll never look at an aquarium the same way after a visit to this Western Avenue hot spot. Whether its a boatload of simple, fresh sashimi or a tasty concoction of tempura-fried shrimp, crab and avocado wrapped in vibrant pink soy paper (aka the Terry Roll), the cats at Neko know how to make seafood into food you have to see.
Mahogany Prime Steakhouse
145 W. Sheridan Ave.
405-208-8800
You know whats pretty? Meat. Vegetarians might feel differently, but a marbled steak seasoned and seared to a spot-on medium rare is my idea of a masterpiece. Even when its alone on a plate, the contrast between a stark-white plate and Mahoganys bone-in rib-eye is a sight to behold. Cut into it and check out that bright pink center and follow it up with a picture of the big smile on your face after you take a bite.