Reuben, Reuben, I've Been Thinking.....

I'm an absolute sucker for a good Reuben sandwich and, as much as I wanted to try some of the innovative items on the Sproutz menu, I had to succumb to the call of corned beef. Sproutz makes their own corned beef and it was truly authentic.

I was really tempted by the Hyman Roth sandwich -- described on the menu as "a hefty schmear of chopped kosher chicken liver with red onion and chopped gherkins on rye toast." Looking at the menu, I thought I'd been transported to the East Coast or maybe Nate 'n Al's in Beverly Hills.

"Are you Jewish?" I asked owner Don Eller. "No," he answered, "but I've traveled around a lot."

He said he'd run the menu by a Jewish friend who told him he should take about 40 per cent of the items off. "My generation doesn't eat that way," he told Don, "and the older generation will just tell you you didn't make it right."

I'm not Jewish either, so what do I know? I know I enjoyed that Reuben.

There are lots of other great sounding items on the menu -- salads, sandwiches and wraps -- like the Neiman Marcus Chicken Salad sandwich, Lobster Roll and The Gunni wrap with hickory smoked turkey, jalapeno ranch spread, tomato, sprouts, avocado and cheddar cheese.

Check their website at http://www.sproutztulsa.com/ for info.

She's Baaaaaack

Ah, I'm having a life! Last Sunday night -- late -- I sent off the last of my 109,000 words about Tulsa. I know there will be more work to do on it but it feels good to have a little break. If I had my way, the book would never be done -- I really worked hard and put a lot into it but there's always more...... What a great town Tulsa is.

So Monday morning early, we left for Texas so I could catch up with some work that got pushed aside during the book. We spent two nights in Salado -- the most delightful little village. People speed by on I-35 -- it's between Waco and Austin -- and never realize what a historic and charming spot they're missing.

Jack and I finally got around to celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary with a sentimental dinner at the Stagecoach Inn. Part of this historic inn dates back to 1860. The recipes are pure 1940s -- they're so popular that the restaurant can't change them! Jack and I ate here the first time about 43 years ago. We were on our way to Padre with my folks. We've stopped a couple of other times -- once when Zoe was showing her horse in Waco over Thanksgiving. Jay and Carolyn were in Austin where Jay was finishing his master's. Mom and Dad were there and of course Zoe and Jack and me.

Honest to goodness, this place has the best hushpuppies in the entire world. We talked to Morris Foster who now owns the place and he told us that the only ingredients are cornmeal, water and oil -- but the water has to be 40 degrees and the hushpuppies must be hand-rolled. Whatever, they had the most delicate crust -- as thin as the first skin of ice on an October pond. And inside, hot, light and wonderful.

I managed to wade in the creek twice -- once behind our bed and breakfast and the next day to get a good photo of Sirena, the little mermaid who sits by one of the springs that feeds the creek. Today I interviewed Kay Campbell at Paint Rock. There are over 1500 Native American pictographs on the bluffs on their property. She and her husband have been married 59 years and they are the most delightful couple. Kay showed me an article Rogayle Franklin wrote about her in AAA Texas Journey. She got a kick out of the fact that the youngsters in California, who edit the magazine, were concerned about publishing an article about someone of her maturity -- figuring she had to be senile or dead! Leslie, no offense intended, but Kay and Fred are probably in much better shape than your staff members will be at the same age! They are a delightful couple and it was a real pleasure to visit with them.

Will you get to see a picture of them? Wish I knew. I'm still having MAJOR computer/photo issues and I couldn't get off the computer long enough to take it back to the guys who messed it up. As soon as I get these Texas articles, plus a Lake Charles/L/Auberge article done for Southwestern Pubs (all due Monday), the computer's headed for the shop!

Taste of Tulsa

One of the nights I spent in Tulsa I stayed at the Hotel Ambassador -- a renovated beauty, now Tulsa's premier boutique hotel. And I'd put it up against ANY hotel in Tulsa. It's one of my all-time faves. It's also home to the Chalkboard Restaurant, a bijou of a bistro. As I've mentioned, I'm a Weight Watcher and checking out the eateries in T-Town is tough. I've eaten at the Chalkboard in the past -- even tried its signature Beef Wellington -- so, knowing it's excellent, I thought I could get by with just an appetizer and a salad. I figured without Manager Tracy and Chef Paul. They brought me an extra appetizer and two desserts! There were four young women at the next table and I brazenly barged in and asked if they'd like to try some of the goodies. (I tried to be kind of sneaky -- I didn't want Tracy and Paul to think I didn't appreciate their consideration. I got caught but they were cool with it.) And I did taste some of everything. I ate one of the two crabcakes I'd ordered and I knew after I finished the first that if I didn't do something drastic, the second one was going to follow the first. The other appetizer was a giant sea scallop on a bed of marinated lentils, garnished with a bit of seaweed salad. The desserts were a bread pudding with white chocolate sauce and strawberries and an apricot mocha cake. Be careful when you look at the pictures. I think you can gain weight just from looking at them!

Deco-rave

I'm learning so much about Tulsa and meeting so many nice people! I spent some time with Alice Froeschle, owner of Bandana Tours, the other afternoon. She gave me a taste of her Art Deco walking tour (plus an extra favorite off the beaten path). Tulsa is noted for a wealth of Art Deco buildings and I saw several amazing examples. First she took me by the 1934 Fire Alarm Building. A Frederick Kershner design, the building has a Mayan Temple theme with an iconic combination of mythic and industrial motifs. This is the place where all the fire alarms in Tulsa were reported -- a state of the art system at the time. A Greek-god-type figure holds alarm tape. Now cut of from the downtown area by Highway 75, the building stands,renovated but out of the limelight it deserves.


It's hard to pick a favorite building, but the Boston Avenue Methodist Church has got to be close to the top. Designed by Adah Robinson who founded the art program at the University of Tulsa, its soaring tower punctuates the SoBo (South Boston) landscape. The stained glass windows are as delicate as dragonfly wings and everything directs visitors toward heaven.

Waite Phillips twin downtown towers, the Philtower and the Philcade, are also of prime importance. The Philtower was built first and while it has definite deco touches, it tends to Gothic extravagance. Notice the elaborate fan vaulting.

The Philcade glows like a Midas treasure. The ceiling of the ground floor arcade is covered with gold leaf.

We stuck our heads in the Atlas Building, cut through the Mid-Continent Building and ended with the 320 Boston Building -- originally the National Bank of Tulsa. The first ten floors were built in 1917 but the building was added on to later.


Alice's tours generally cover a larger area; there were several important buildings we didn't see. I simply ran out of time and energy. But, fortunately, I will be back many times and I plan to see lots more of Tulsa's architectural treasures.

Oh my gosh, this guidebook thing is consuming my life!!!! I haven't had time to blog or check anyone else's blog. So here's a quickie. Jack and I made a research trip to Tulsa last Friday and I found a treasure. It's no big secret -- lots of people know this -- but, just in case you, like I, hadn't tried it. Here are directions. Go directly to the Palace Cafe on the northeast corner of Cherry Street (15th) and Peoria. Food -- fantastic. And, best of all, there were some great choices for light and healthy eating. I hate to say that because, in the past, I would shy away from those selections because the usually tasted .... well, light and healthy. I have for the past three months been seriously Weight Watchering. As opposed to the years before when I was casually weight watchering and not losing anything. Now here comes this guidebook project and at least three dozen restaurants to check out and I'm feeling a bit panicked. If they were all like the Palace Cafe, I'd be in like a porch-climber! Can't say enough about presentation, taste, portion -- Chef James Shrader has it all. He also has dishes that will harden your arteries upon reading them on the menu. And I'm sure they taste great. But if you're like me and you enjoy eating out and you don't enjoy feeling deprived -- this is a great place to go. They're open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 to 2; dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 10 and Sunday brunch from 9 to 2.

Photo: Shrimp Spring Rolls with Asian slaw

Sounds Like Fun

Just got this email and this sounds like a lot of fun, so I'm sharing it.
"It's the Year of the Rat!Help Tulsa ring in Chinese New Year 2008 (the Year of the Rat) with a spectacular celebration of dance, music, theater, and performing arts on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Van Trease Performing Arts Center, 81st Street & Highway 169. Traditional lion dancing, Kung Fu demonstrations, a fashion show, and much more will be presented by the Chinese American Association of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College, and dozens of talented participants at this year's performance. It will be the best show ever!
This is a fabulous cultural event suitable for the whole family. Come learn more about Chinese culture - with traditions dating back more than 5,000 years."
The event is free but seats are limited so arrive early.