Los Cabos owner releases new cookbook
Jimmy Blacketer Jr. says his culinary education began when he and his father, James Blacketer Sr., opened Atomic Burrito on Cherry Street in 1999.
In the forward to his just-released cookbook "Los Cabos Oklahoma" (Tate Publishing, $14.99), Blacketer said he acquired his cooking skills by "rolling up my sleeves and working countless hours in the kitchen" with a group of Hispanic employees, first at Atomic Burrito and later at Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Cantina, which opened in 2005.
The Atomic Burrito restaurants are closed, but Blacketer said the key members of that staff - Adelaida Beccera, Ernesto Gonzalez, Willy Gonzalez, Estella Lucena, Augapito "Auggie" Vidal and Michael Banks - are still "family" at the two current Los Cabos locations.
The cookbook has almost 70 recipes, ranging from tomatillo avocado salsa and pork tamale mix to mahi mahi fish tacos and blue cheese and steak quesadillas, not to mention Grandma Blacketer's shredded pot roast.
The book is available at both Los Cabos locations, 300 RiverWalk Terrace, Jenks, and 151 E. Bass Pro Drive, Broken Arrow.
In the Raw Brookside sets Eve of Eve event
In the Raw Brookside, 3321 S. Peoria Ave., has scheduled an Eve of Eve celebration 4-10 p.m. Sunday.
Bar manager Angel Flora has created festive cocktails such as mint chocolate martini ($8.95) and mulled wine ($8.95).
Executive sushi chef Mandy Parkhurst has developed an ornament roll that includes cream cheese, avocado, jalapeno, salmon and tuna, deep-fried with tempura batter and served with habanero sauce ($14.95).
Kitchen manager Gregorio Valdez will be featuring his blackened rib-eye ($32.95) with crab sauce topping, green bean almondine and roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
In the Raw on the Hill, 6151 S. Sheridan Road, will be open for lunch only Christmas Eve, and Brookside will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day for gift card and T-shirt purchases only.
Einstein Bros. Bagels opens in south Tulsa
Einstein Bros. Bagels, a national bagel chain, has opened at 8125 E. 101st St.
Grand-opening ceremonies will be held Saturday, and "Darn Good Deals" will be offered through Saturday and Dec. 24-28.
The restaurant will be open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, then 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday thereafter.
The restaurant features bagels, coffee and espresso drinks, bagel sandwiches, salads, and snacks.
Mi Cocina introduces lunch selections
Mi Cocina, 1342 E. 15th St., has introduced a new lunch menu, including some customer favorites offered in less-expensive, smaller portions.
Some of the items include tacos de brisket, Mama's tacos, tacos habana, sunset enchiladas, rico salad, soup and salad, lunch fajitas, and tacos mi tierra.
Tacos de brisket, one of the restaurant's most popular dishes, includes a choice of corn or flour tortillas with shredded brisket, queso blanco, arroz, ensalada and sliced avocado.
Another house specialty is the rico salad with sliced fajita chicken or beef, chopped and tossed with choice of dressing.
The lunch menu is available 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
El Guapo's 'Atacolypse 2012' for big appetites
One will have to bring an appetite for El Guapo's Mexican Cantina's "Atacolypse 2012," celebrating the Mayan prediction for the end of the world.
Anyone who can devour 4 pounds of tacos in one sitting will receive an Atocolypse T-shirt; it will cost $21.12 to give it a try.
The offer will go on the regular menu "if the world doesn't end Friday," according to an El Guapo's spokesman.
El Guapo's, 332 E. First St., also is holding a "Bad Holiday Sweater Shindig" for Wednesday, the day after Christmas. Wear your most hideous holiday sweater and receive a free small queso.
Oliveto Bistro introduces gluten-free items
Tulsa-based Oliveto Italian Bistro, 8922 S. Memorial Drive, has added a combination of gluten-free pastas, soups, salads and pizzas to the menu.
Guests may choose from among eight soup and salad combinations, ranging from $3.75 to $9.95. The tomato basil bisque is warm and soothing, and the house, Caesar, chicken Cobb and BLT salads feature veggies and meats.
Wood-stone pizzas may be served on a gluten-free crust with a variety of toppings and specialty combinations.
Gluten-free pasta dishes include Asiago spinach chicken, pepperoni chicken, caliente chicken, chicken alfredo, pesto chicken, shrimp diablo and "pasta your way," with prices ranging from $8 to $11.
McNellie's plans 'end of the world' festivities
A newsletter from McNellie's Pub says it plans to "laugh in the face of all Mayan doomsday predictions" at 11 a.m. Friday and tap a keg of Unibroue's La Fin Du Monde.
La Fin Du Monde ("the end of the world" in French), a triple-style golden ale, has never before been available on draft outside the brewery in Chambly, Quebec.
If the Mayan predictions don't get you, McNellie's End of the World hamburger might. Chef Ashing's heart-stopping creation includes 1 pound of ground beef topped with bratwurst, chili, shredded cheese, queso, jalapenos, more chili, more queso and a fried egg.
McNellie's is located at 401 E. First St.
Restaurants offer New Year's Eve menus
The following restaurants have sent in their plans for special New Year's Eve menus.
Boston Deli, 6231 E. 61st St. - A variety of appetizers and salads, eight entrees, including classic beef Wellington, sauteed salmon, lasagna, Hasty-Bake chicken and smoked pork chop; entrees range from $18 to $24. Reservations: 918-492-4745.
Local Table, 4329 S. Peoria Ave. - Three courses with a choice of five appetizers, seven entrees and three desserts; highlights include five-spiced duck breast, grilled Atlantic salmon, double-cut rack of pork and 8-ounce grilled filet. Cost is $35, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 918-794-8013.
Biga, 4329 S. Peoria Ave. - Three courses with a choice of seven appetizers, seven entrees and four desserts; highlights include seared sea scallops, roast salmon, lobster fra diavolo and veal scaloppini; cost is $35, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 918-743-2442.
In the Raw Brookside, 3321 S. Peoria Ave. - Specials include rosemary poinsettia cocktail ($8.95); filet and 1-pound lobster ($52.95) with cabernet cream sauce, lobster risotto and asparagus; and opah "moonfish" ($15.95) with organic chive vinaigrette. Reservations: 918-744-1300.
Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th St. - Special menu, dueling piano show at 9 p.m., party favors and balloon drop. Reservations: 918-583-6666.
The Alley opens in Ranch Acres Shopping Center
The Alley, a gastropub featuring a wide selection of lunch and dinner items, craft beers and artisan wines, has opened at 3324 E. 31st St.
It is located on the back side of Ranch Acres Shopping Center in space that formerly held Rick's Cafe Americain and St. Michael's Alley.
Owner Brian Biehl, who recently worked at a trio of McNellie's Group restaurants, said the name of his restaurant is a nod to St. Michael's Alley, which opened in 1960 as Tulsa's first San Francisco-style coffeehouse.
One of the dishes on the gastropub-style (high-end pub food) dinner menu is The Alley's version of white chili, a favorite of St. Mike fans for many years.
Sandwiches, soups and salads dominate the lunch menu with most items falling between $5 and $12. Most dinner entrees are $15-$20.
Dishes range from braised short ribs and fish-and-chips to squash ravioli and Scotch eggs.
The Alley opens daily at 11 a.m., and lunch is served until 4 p.m. The bar will stay open to 2 a.m. every day except Sunday, when it closes at midnight.
Mitch Neely is executive chef, and Roger Byers is bar manager.
The phone number is 918-960-2822.
Stutts offers Christmas dinners for homebound
Almead Stutts of Stutts House of Bar-B-Que, 2021 E. Apache St., is again planning to take free traditional turkey-and-dressing dinners to homebound people in need of a Christmas dinner.
"I have family coming in from five different states to help deliver the dinners all day Christmas," Stutts said.
To get on the dinner list, call Stutts at the restaurant at 918-428-2355.
"It makes you feel good to put a smile on someone's face on Christmas Day," Stutts said.
She said Stutts House of Bar-B-Que also will be open for business Christmas Day.
La Madeleine offers sweet treats through Jan. 1
La Madeleine Country French Cafe, 1523 E. 15th St., is offering a lineup of holiday items through Jan. 1.
They are:
Mini desserts - Petite treats include peppermint mocha parfait, chocolate-dipped macaroons and gingerbread cream brulee.
Buche de Noel - Traditional rolled, moist white cake layered with chocolate mousse, iced with chocolate ganache and festively decorated.
Strawberry Grand Marnier cake - Strawberry- and Grand Marnier-flavored cake encased in toasted almonds and topped with sweet glazed strawberries and whipped cream.
