Whispering Meadows Vineyards and Winery

There are few places, I have found, that are as interesting or welcoming, as the many vineyards and wineries located right here in the great state of Oklahoma. From the sprawling hills and trees of Green Country, to the Great Plains where the winds blow and the view seems to never end, no matter where your travels may take you in Oklahoma, you can probably find a winery somewhere nearby. So was the case when my girlfriend and I saddled up the "grey ghost" and trekked East, towards McAlester in search of Whispering Meadows Vineyards and Winery.

Whispering Meadows is located in the historic downtown district of McAlester, where time has seemed to forgotten these buildings lined up and down the street, and there is a sense of small town camaraderie. A place where folks were still bustling up and down the street, greeting one another and chatting lively, even amidst the looming storm clouds building overhead, that would eventually give way to a much needed down pour. As we took in these timeless relics, and quickly scanned the streets to dodge the ensuing storm, we found ourselves in front of Whispering Meadows, a former jewelry store turned winery, that was built sometime between 1901 and 1903. Seeing the grey ghost parked a few blocks away, and the rapidly building thunderhead just about ready to burst atop our heads, we quickly decided to stroll in and sit a spell.

The first thing I noticed as I walked in, barely missing the now monsoon like conditions outside, was how this winery seemed to have come alive as we stepped inside. The gift shop housed tons of Made in Oklahoma merchandise, as well as a wide assortment of gourmet foods, including cheeses, wine biscuits, jellies, chocolates and pickled veggies. You could purchase postcards, magnets, books, even a really neat metal toolbox with colorful paintings depicting Oklahoma on the outside. Of course, we would visit the gift shop later, as first things first, we were interested in tasting.

The tasting bar was beautifully constructed, made for the purpose of serving, as well as to give patrons a lesson in wine etiquette. The hostess was a very kind woman, who gave us a sample of every type of wine they currently had in stock. My girlfriend and I were both very impressed, not only at how great everything tasted, but how all the wines seemed to finish clean, with no aftertaste like some wines have that leave you smacking your chops looking for something to rinse with. As far as tasting went, my favorite was definitely the peach wine-tini, a delicious frozen concoction made in a margarita machine housed at the bar, that made me quickly forget how warm and humid it was outside.

After tasting the wines, the hostess took us on a tour of the building. She showed us where they made the wine, as well as the practices they used, that makes Whispering Meadows taste so good. We were shown upstairs, where the original carved walls and ceilings of over 100 years ago were still in place. Our tour also included a peek at the two original jewelry safes that were built with the building, as well as the back of the building with the largest screen door I have ever seen. Once our tour was over, we ordered a peach wine-tini, and strolled back upstairs, to sit in a couple of big comfortable leather chairs, watch the rain, and enjoy our drink.

Afterwards, we browsed the gift shop, as well as the banquet room, which is available to rent. We picked up a couple of magnets, a book and, of course, two bottles of wine as well as a mix to make our own peach wine-tinis at home. As the rain took a break, we made our way back towards my truck, conversing happily down the sidewalk about our latest discovery. Whether it is raining or sunny, the next time we were in McAlester, we would definitely be back to Whispering Meadows Vineyards and Winery.

Whispering Meadows is located in McAlester, Oklahoma at 34 E. Choctaw Avenue in the heart of downtown. 918-423-WINE

Pete's Place

This past weekend was a treat as my girlfriend and I traveled east towards Krebs, Oklahoma in search of a great Italian Restaurant. Our goal was to find a unique dining experience in a restaurant rich with culture and history, not to mention, great food. We certainly found what we were looking for when we pulled the Grey Ghost into Pete's Place!

My expectations were already high. I had done my history homework on Pete's long before our trip began, from researching their website, to reading the tales that come on the bottles of my favorite beer, Choc beer, which is brewed right there in Krebs in the brewery adjacent to the restaurant. I already knew that I was going to love this place! But, as anxious as I was, even I underestimated how extraordinary a trip this would turn out to be.

Sometime before 1925, an Italian immigrant named Pete Prichard hurt his leg in a mining accident. Looking for a way to support his family, Pete began making and serving Choc beer to thirsty miners in the area. Soon after, Pete starting making lunches in his home, and as his menu expanded, so did the clientele. Prichard added homemade wine to his menu as well as more entrees and officially opened Pete's Place in 1925. There are many stories that accompany this landmark, from serving Choc beer during prohibition, to a visit from the ambassador of Italy, as well as celebrities, politicians, war heroes and athletes.

The first thing I noticed as I stepped into the restaurant, was how unlike a restaurant it felt. The setup was actually more like a large house, which stands to reason as it is actually the original home of Pete Prichard and his family(although many additions have been made since). My party was immediately ushered to a small room, with one table, where menus were awaiting us. Right away, I loved the fact that we ate in true privacy, as the little room even had a door, to block out noise and add a sense of "at home" to our dinner. Our waitress arrived shortly after, a very kind young woman, who not only made us feel right at home, but was more than glad to share some of the history, stories and even pictures of Pete's Place.

We ordered our food and prepared ourselves for the wait. We could already smell the aroma of food that made it feel even more like we were at home. Our waitress quickly brought us an anti-pasta dish, a plate lined with muenster cheese, peppers and green olives, plus a salad with homemade Italian dressing and garlic bread. We had hardly made our salad plates when our door was opened again, with our waitress bringing in another plate, a large one, filled with made from scratch spaghetti, meatballs and ravioli all covered in a savory homemade tomato sauce. The food is all served family style, meaning large plates are presented, with utensils, so that patrons can get as little, or as much, as they would like.

Shortly thereafter, we were served our main course. I ordered lamb fries, slices of lamb from Iceland, cracker breaded and deep fried, while my girlfriend ordered shrimp alfredo, grilled shrimp and Alfredo sauce served over pasta. The amount, the quality, it was almost overwhelming! We ate what we could, sampling a little of everything, until we could not possibly enjoy another bite. Luckily, our waitress, ever attentive, offered us a "to go" box, which consisted of three Styrofoam boxes, chocked full, in a bag that I could have used as a suitcase. We finished our choc beer and sat at our table, still marveling about how a little restaurant, in a little town, could change our whole perception of how many establishments really put their customers first. Pete's Place puts its customers first, making you feel like you were invited over to an old friend's house, where folks gather and trade stories about themselves, over home cooked meals, where you get as much as you ask for, not just what you ordered.

When we finally decided to leave, our waitress brought us our ticket, along with a postcard, that we could fill out and drop in the basket up front of the restaurant or leave with her to mail. Pete's even covered the postage stamp! We shuffled out of our room, took a brief tour of the building, and made our way to the gift shop. My girlfriend purchased me a metal Choc beer sign, which is now proudly displayed in my office. As we were walking out, I felt something that surprised me-sadness. I was sad to leave Pete's Place, I already missed it, places like these are so few and far between, and in this world filled with get-in, get-out processed fastfood joints, Pete's stands out. Where you get more than you expected, where the staff is proud to work there, and the food is out of this world!

Pete's Place is located in Krebs, Oklahoma 1 mile east of Highway 69 on Highway 270. 918-423-2042

The Cattlemen's Cafe in Oklahoma City

I am absolutely ecstatic that my very first blog is about the grand-daddy of them all, the king of steakhouses, the one and only Cattlemen's in historic Stockyard City! Known as Cattlemen's Cafe, Cattlemen's Steakhouse (or as Dad and I know it, just "The Cattlemen's," in the gruffest voice we can muster) Cattlemen's offers the best in fine steakhouse dining with an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and authentic. From the very first time I pulled out on the split 50/50 metal bull's head that makes the handles on those heavy glass doors, while country music is faintly pumping out the overhead speakers under the awning on the bustling sidewalk, I knew I was in for a treat!

The hostess politely greets my group with a smile, quickly jots down the number of guests, and escorts us toward the back of the building. As I take in the restaurant, penciled drawings of famous western stars and country musicians line the walls 360 degrees, dim lighting reflects off the dark wood paneling, hungry patrons chatter lively as they await their meals, friendly waiters quickly shuffle to the side as we pass through and I know I'm almost to my favorite section of this historic landmark. The Hereford Room. Now, up until a few years back, the Hereford Room was just another section of the restaurant, not much different in appearance, except for the giant picture of Hereford cattle that extends the whole north side of the wall. When new laws required that restaurants sectioned off smoking patrons from non-smokers, with separate walls and ventilation systems, the Cattlemen's happily obliged by turning the Hereford Room into, well, a room. We take our seats in the large leather booth seats as our waitress promptly greets us, pouring our water as she takes our drink orders. A classic kind of guy, I order a Coca-Cola, while my girlfriend requests the Cactus Kicker, a fruity alcoholic beverage that refreshes and comes in a collectible, boot shaped glass that you get to keep. I look at the menu, though I am not contemplating my options, I am merely waiting for the rest of my group to decide their order. I already know what I am having.

The waitress returns with our drinks, and we are ready to order. I let her go around the table, and when she comes to me, I specify my request as follows- "I'll have the Lamb Fries appetizer, for the main course, I would like the Presidential Choice T-bone steak, medium, house dressing on the salad, and a baked potato with house dressing as well." Now comes the hard part, waiting. When the Lamb Fries arrive, I offer a bite to anyone who would like one, while secretly (and greedily) hoping no one is interested. The Lamb Fries are battered, deep fried, and presented with cocktail sauce and a lemon slice, which I eagerly squeeze over my appetizer, before dunking them in the cocktail sauce and devouring them as if I had not eaten in a week! Next, is the salad, with the Cattlemen's famous house dressing that makes me forget why I loved regular old ranch dressing so much. When our server arrives with our orders, I am asked to cut into my steak to make sure it is cooked right. It is. It always is. It could have been dropped in the floor and stepped on, and it still would be perfect. The steak is thick, with perfect diamond shaped marks, right off the grill. It is so delicious that I do not even bother to request A-1 steak sauce, unlike my home cooked versions which usually require half a bottles worth. The Presidential Choice is so named, as it was the steak President George Bush Sr. preferred while dining at Cattlemen's.

If steak is not your thing, the Cattlemen's also serves delicious fried catfish, chicken, soups, they even offer a vegetarian plate for those with a more delicate palette. The Cattlemen's also offers a full breakfast menu, with a buffet and some of the best coffee I've ever had. There is truly something for everyone at Oklahoma's most famous restaurant, whether your looking for atmosphere, history or of course, a great meal!

The check comes, and I quickly scoop it up. I never mind paying the tab at The Cattlemen's, the price, in my opinion, is always worth the pleasure!

The Cattlemen's Steakhouse is located in Historic Stockyard City, 1309 S. Agnew, Oklahoma City, OK. 405-236-0416