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Jeff Martin's top picks in a growing downtown.
This year, as we head toward the holiday season, everyone will be giving thanks for something. Some of that thanks will be based on genuine sentiment; some will just be tradition. I usually hate things like this, but for the first time in a long time, I feel compelled to share my enthusiasm. What follows are 10 people, places or things in downtown Tulsa for which I want to give thanks. The rate at which downtown has grown since just this time last year is impressive. By fall 2010, I am certain that 10 won’t be nearly enough.
1. Eloté Café and Catering
(514 S. Boston Ave.)
This hip, eco-friendly Mexican eatery resides in the space formerly occupied by the legendary Nelson’s Buffeteria. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better counterpoint to the downtown of yesteryear. An instant classic.
www.elotetulsa.com
2. Mary Beth Babcock
(owner of Dwelling Spaces, 119 S. Detroit Ave.)
It’s not breaking news in any way to say that Mary Beth Babcock, the woman behind the uber-popular Dwelling Spaces, is a downtown treasure. Beyond the products she carries and the environment she has created, credit must be given for setting up shop in downtown before it was cool to do so.
www.dwellingspaces.net
Note: Babcock and I are the co-founders of the literary organization Booksmart Tulsa. So if you feel that this opinion may be biased, just ask anyone else downtown.
3. New Atlas Grill
(415 S. Boston Ave.)
The second restaurant on the list, the New Atlas Grill, located in the historic Atlas Life Building (soon to be a hotel), is the perfect mix of the past, present and future of Tulsa. Great service, great food, one of my all-time favorites.
www.newatlasgrill.com
4. Blue Jackalope
(306 S. Phoenix Ave.)
The only grocery store or market near downtown, Blue Jackalope has shown that we need these kinds of retail spaces downtown. More of a niche market than a general grocery store, Blue Jackalope may not be for everyone. But its presence and example may lead to the opening of other stores that are.
www.bluejackalope.com
5. BOK Center
(You should already know where this is.)
Call me Mr. Obvious with this one, but it has to be said. And not just because of the big names and the cool building. Those are great things. What I am truly thankful for is that the BOK Center has given people a reason (excuse) to get going with plans that have been on hold for far too long.
www.bokcenter.com
6. ONEOK Field
(Opening spring 2010)
I hear you. We haven’t even seen the finished product. We have no idea how this ballpark will affect downtown. But all I am saying, regardless of controversy, is that I am glad something like this was able to go from concept to creation. That says something.
www.oneokfield.com
7. Kathy Taylor
(outgoing mayor)
I will leave this a bit vague. Why? Because of all the items on this list, this is the one that people are giving thanks for in such different ways. The anti-Kathy folks are thankful they won’t have to deal with her anymore. The people who are happy with the work she’s done are thankful for the time she’s given. This one is tricky.
8. Dilly Deli
(402 E. Second St.)
What do McNellie’s, El Guapo, Dilly Deli and the new Yokazuna have in common? They are all the brainchildren of downtown proponent and restaurateur Elliot Nelson. Each one offers a different experience, but for my money, the best of the best is the fabulous Dilly Deli. The atmosphere is inviting to all walks of people. Go in on a late Sunday morning and you will see people of all ages, tax brackets, races and the like. Somehow this place has become cool for anyone.
www.dillydelitulsa.com
9. Tulsa City-County Library staff
(all over the place)
Anyone who has read the newspaper over the past year has followed the drama that unfolded at the TCCL, mainly at the Central branch. It was a mess. Some of it was blown way out of proportion. Some of it was underplayed. But what I am impressed with most is that the will of the workers actually won out this time. Not in some fancy, showboat, Norma Rae kind of way (well, almost), but the people from the ground up actually pushed for and caused real change. Maybe it’s my populist streak, but I like that.
www.tulsalibrary.org
10. Dfest
If I really have to explain this one, you need to go downtown more often. It rocks. Literally. www.dfest.com
