Breathe in. Breathe out. The holidays are on their way, and that means cooking, getting the house ready for company and trying to find the perfect gifts for your perfect and not-so-perfect family and friends. All of that can be a little stressful, so try these eateries when you need a little peace and quiet.
By Greg Elwell
Photos Garett Fisbeck and Gazette file
Coffee Slingers Roasters
1015 N. Broadway Ave.
405-609-1662
Dont worry; its only called Coffee Slingers because Coffee Politely-Served-to-Happy-Customers is a little too long for the sign. Drinks are served in a timely manner, but nobody is slinging anything. Its actually pretty sedate for a shop that mainly traffics in caffeinated beverages. The coffee is roasted in-house and tastes wonderful. The baristas are friendly and efficient. And if the drink revives your gift-buying prowess, quirky Urbane Home & Lifestyle is right next door.
Ranch Steakhouse
3000 W. Britton Road
405-755-3501
Find a babysitter for the kids and put on your cocktail attire for an night of fine dining at Ranch Steakhouse. The moodily lit interior envelops diners in calming elegance. Steak is the restaurants specialty, but dont overlook the selection of seafood, including pan-seared scallops with crabmeat, orzo and a habanero vinaigrette.
Saii Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar
6900 N. May Ave.
405-702-7244
Saii Asian Bistro isnt a sleepy little sushi bar it gets plenty busy. The unique design of the restaurant includes some twists and turns to provide guests with hidden alcoves for a relaxing lunch or dinner. Try Saiis Tuna Bomb roll (tempura-fried roll filled with crab mix, jalapeño and avocado and topped with fresh spicy tuna) or a ginger garlic shrimp sizzling stone pot.
The Drake Seafood and Oysterette
519 NW 23rd St.
405-605-3399
The pace of The Drakes bar is a little quicker than the rest of the venue, thanks to $2 oysters at the bar top. This seafood lovers paradise is where youll find one of the most laid-back vibes on NW 23rd Street. The round booths with raised walls make guests feel like theyre in a happy cocoon that helps deflect noise that might otherwise intrude. If you hear a hum, its probably just the sound youre making as you try the Lemon Cloud Pie.
Okay Yeah Co. Coffee & Eatery
705 W. Sheridan Ave.
405-652-1322
Its easy to say yes at Okay Yeah Co. Coffee & Eatery in The Plant Shoppe on Film Row. Do you want an apricot hand tart? Certainly. Would you care for a caprese salad? Affirmative. Can I get you a Breve Bomb, which is a layered drink of half-and-half, your choice of Okay Yeahs house-made syrups and espresso on top? Yes, yes, yes.
Queen of Sheba
2308 N. MacArthur Blvd.
405-606-8616
Get ready for an experience in communal dining. Theres no need to raise your voice at Queen of Sheba, where customers gather around giant plates of Ethiopian watt stews made with chicken, beef, lamb or vegetables to pinch up bites with soft, slightly sour injera bread. Ideal for vegetarians and omnivores alike, the heavily spiced menu items are generally pretty mild in terms of heat. Check out the generous sampler platters to give everyone at the table the full Ethiopian experience.
Cafe Oasis
1135 NW 25th St.
405-528-5700
After shopping at the busy Super Cao Nguyen Asian grocery store, sneak next door and up the stairs to find a hidden refuge at Cafe Oasis. This tiny eatery is best known for glasses of sweet bubble tea with chewy balls of tapioca at the bottom and decadent avocado and coconut smoothies, but the cooked menu is fabulous, too. Special attention should be paid to the noodle dishes, especially the curry and chili paste spice combo in the tasty Singapore noodles.
Print headline: Happy places