Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Fresh Development

Tonight: my little baby-man's first birthday. A trip to the park. A tired husband overburdened with homework. A half-written TDT post on what's going on in the Tulsa art scene this weekend and a giveaway begging to be finished - ASAP, of course. Because the local art scene pretty much explodes with activity this weekend, I wanted to make sure you all had plenty of time to shuffle your plans and cancel anything boring so you could pack your bags and check it out.

To make a long story short, I could have used a quick, delicious, healthful dinner option for my little family tonight. Local restaurants are always a bonus when I can't cook the evening meal myself.

A run to Taco Bueno, while not particularly delicious, healthful or local, managed to save dinner tonight. But, starting tomorrow, one of my favorite lunch spots in all of Tulsa, Elote Cafe & Catering, will be open in the evenings.

Elote: Quick? Check. Healthful? Uh-huh. Local and delicious? Checkity check check-a-roo.

I would sign my next paycheck over to Elote right now, except their prices are so affordable. So, I not only get to keep the jingle in my pocket, but I also get to stuff myself with dishes like Chicken Puffy Tacos and the Smokin' Hot Quesadilla for more meals than I do already.

I don't even have to worry too much about my waistline or what I'm going to have to do to counteract the chemicals I ingest when I succumb to fast food. Elote Chef Libby Auld, who's training includes a stint with renowned chef of Mexican cuisine Rick Bayless, is all about using healthful, organically-grown food in her fresh-Mex creations. She even sources her ingredients from local vendors and farmers.

You know what? I just can't say enough bright, shiny things about Libby Auld. Believe me, I've tried. And tried. And tried. And tried.

Can I say just one more good thing about her? She's generous. Know why? She gave me a pass for the first dinner service at Elote to giveaway to one lucky TDT reader.

Up for grabs is a $20 gift certificate to the soft opening tomorrow night (Thursday, Feb. 26) at Elote. To enter to win it, leave your answer to this question in the comments: What excites/irks you most about dining downtown?

I'll randomly pick and post a winner tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 26) at 1 p.m. Good luck, and puffy tacos!

16 comments:

Ben said...

If you work on the SE side of downtown the options for quick dining if you are working after 5 or on weekends is NIL.

I left my favorite hat at Elote one day. I came back the next day and they had it under the counter. yea!

Michelle said...

What irks the me the most? That I can't get DH to go downtown for anything!

Maria said...

What irks me is parking. No, the combination of parking/lighting, because it seems that some lots are not well lit, and as a woman who is often alone, I do not like that very well.

What excites me... its proximity to my house and unique combination of places to eat clustered in one basic location.

Felix and Jayne said...

It irks me that so many places are only open at lunch time. What's up with that?

Trey said...

The fact that most eateries downtown are unique is exciting. Chains are boring!

Rude and unpleasant American Parking attendants irk me.

-Trey

Anonymous said...

I love Coney Islander downtown. It's about more than the hotdogs..it has Tulsa roots that run deep. My mom and dad, who grew up here, always eat there when they come into town. Eating downtown is a unique experience. I don't like to go to chain restaurants.

PedroG said...

I second the comment about places only open for lunch.

Penni said...

I LOVE dining downtown! The parking can be tricky, but not impossible. Elote is such a great place!!

jo said...

Looks like a nice place! I have to check it out!! xoxo

Western Doughty said...

What irks me the most are people's fears about visiting/dining downtown.

What I love about downtown is the soundtrack. Whether during the busiest times or on a Sunday morning, if you just stand and listen, the sounds will calm you.

Anonymous said...

The lack of vegetarian options, until now that is! My fiance and I love Mexican food but as a vegetarian it is hard for me to eat out anywhere. Especially when one other downtown Mexican eatery swore to me their beans were vegetarian, I got violently ill and the next time I went the waiter told me that there was no way they were vegetarian. So, honest, quality, affordable and VEGETARIAN Mexican food downtown makes me happy!

Sara Sexton said...

Definitely the lack for evening dining options. We need variety!

Great giveaway!

Holly Wall said...

You know what I think is great about dining downtown? Afterwards, you can go see some really great theatre at the PAC. Check out the giveaway below.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What excites me is that the places are different and have personality. Also they are reasonably priced and very high quality. If they are not any good they don't last downtown.

What irks me is that not very many are open in the evenings, especially weekend evenings. What excites me though is that is a slow move it seems open in the evening.

What irks me is that people are scared of downtown. Even people who work there. When I ask them why they point to the homeless folks. I don't feel scared a bit. I am cautious though, but I'm cautious wherever I am in town.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Oh, and, Happy Birthday to your boy! I'm sure you and Dad are proud!

Amby said...

Finding a parking place!

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