Inspired Farm to Table at Ludivine in OKC

It’s been a while since I’ve made a new post here. I’ll be the first to say I’ve been lacking inspiration. I’ve gone out to eat a few times over the past few weeks, and I’ve had some great meals. But nothing I was just dying to put up on the blog and tell the world about.

Then I met Ludivine.

I walked past Ludivine a handful of times during H & 8th over the past two years, but really had no idea what the place was until I stopped in. You won’t find much about it online – no menu, because it changes every single day. Which for a planner like me is stressful. Generally when I walk into a restaurant, I know exactly what courses I’ll order because I’ve analyzed the menu in advance. Here, new menus are printed every day. Seriously.

As soon as we stepped in, I noticed the best seats in the house – six barstools that look directly into the kitchen, where you can watch the chefs wield their knives and cast iron in the battle for a delicious meal right in front of you. Though there were several empty seats in the place and those six were taken, we took a seat in the bar and waited for two to clear out. I’d recommend booking in advance and trying to snag those seats when you go. It really makes for a unique dining experience. I felt like I was taken right out of Oklahoma City and dropped in a hip restaurant in the East Village.

While we waited, we got a few drinks. I got the Snap and Tickle (I had no clue what Snap was, the main liquor in it. But I loved it, so does it really matter?) This drink was tart and light, topped with champagne and a toasted rosemary sprig – perfect for a pre-dinner drink.

Jamie went with the Wrong Way Down Western, which is similar to an Old Fashioned. He is a creature of habit.

We moved to our front row seats as soon as they cleared up, and pretty quickly made our dinner decisions. Since the menu changes every day, there’s only a few options to choose from. This makes your decisions pretty easy, and pretty much guarantees everything will be tasty.

We went with a Ludivine classic for our appetizer. I found out in advance that every visitor to Ludivine just has to try the Bone Marrow. Yes, that’s right. Bone marrow. Giant sawed open pieces of beef bone are broiled and seasoned to perfection, for you to dunk toasty bread in. It’s basically meat butter. Don’t overthink it. Just do it. It’s delicious.

For my main, I had a Wagyu steak served over roasted potatoes, mushrooms, and served with sofrito creme fraiche, a green chimichurri-like sauce. Basically all of my favorite things. Incredible. Mouthwatering. Flavorful. You get the idea. Paired with a stout red wine, it was perfect.

And can we just talk about this perfect medium rare?

Jamie ordered braised veal, served over heirloom tomatoes. Honestly, I’m not sure either of us had ever tried veal before. But we both loved it. It was seriously melt in your mouth tender.

Dessert was the hardest choice we’d make all night. Torn between a baked apple and a pot de creme, I went with the lemon white chocolate pot de creme after the waiter spoke the magical words “served in a mason jar.” The presentation was perfect, and the flavor was zingy and tart, with the perfect amount of white chocolate to balance everything out.

When we were done with our meal, I looked at Jamie and said, “You know, this is the happiest I’ve been with a meal in a long time.” Everything was perfect. The food was fresh, flavorful, and anything but boring. Our waiter was knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. And we talked to more than half of the staff during our meal. One of the chefs, the bar manager, and the owner all came over to check on us and talk with us. The meal felt more like a dinner party than a restaurant dinner.

I feel like I’ve broken out of a food blogging slump thanks to Ludivine. I can’t wait to go back and try something else these talented chefs have whipped up. And with a new menu every day, this place is anything but boring. No two trips will be the same. Stop in the next time you want to impress your date, take your mom to a place a little fancier than she’s used to, or just treat yo’self to an incredible meal. It’s truly one of the best restaurants in Oklahoma City. Stop in soon and tell them Bacon & Braids sent you!

As for us, we’ll be back in soon for Ludivine’s monthly cocktail class on January 31st. For $40, you’ll learn the history and mixology behind a classic cocktail, enjoy hors d’oeuvres from R&J Supper Club, and get a nice little keepsake to take home as well. This month is the Manhattan, so all you whiskey freaks can come out and join us for a drink. Give Ludivine a call at (405) 778-6800 to reserve your spot.