OKLAHOMA CITY – In the rough and tumble world of Oklahoma politics, there are a few, simple rules: Money comes first. Connections are necessary.
And the third: The best deals are made over dinner.
Yes, in Oklahoma food and politics go hand in hand.
Years ago, back when Democrats controlled the Legislature, the restaurant of choice was a little place in the Oil Center Building on the Northwest Expressway. A steakhouse with a piano bar, Juniors hosted more than its share of political deals.
For those who couldn’t always get a table at Juniors, Jamil’s Steakhouse, located at the north end of Lincoln Boulevard, was quiet and there was plenty of parking. And, for the lobbyist and lawmaker who wanted something more casual Edna’s, a pub near the intersection of Classen Drive and the Northwest Expressway, was always open. The beer was cold, and the burgers were juicy.
But times change and restaurants, like clothes, go in and out of style.
Today the typical Oklahoma legislator who is being dined by the typical Oklahoma lobbyist will be found downtown. Sure, on occasion they still visit Jamil’s (remember location, location, location) but just a little further south lies the chophouse the lobbyists love to call home.
Welcome to Broadway 10.
Located deep in Automobile Alley, right at the intersection of 10th Street and Broadway Avenue, Broadway 10 bills itself as the “refined unaffected approach to the urban chophouse.”
It’s also popular.
On any given night – especially from February to May – the stray visitor could find a good portion of the Legislature’s Republican leadership huddled with an industry representative. Executive branch players like the place, too. And, once in a while, the stray member of the judiciary.
“It’s the new Juniors,” one lobbyist, who asked not to be identified, said. “It’s quite popular and a bunch of lawmakers go there.”
Jimmy Durant, a health care lobbyist, said Broadway 10 has become one of the new hot dining spots for lawmakers and lobbyists.
“I hear tell of people going there almost nightly,” he said. “It’s convenient to the Capitol, the food is actually really good. I’m told they have pretty good drinks.”
Call it the tools of the trade.
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In downtown Oklahoma City, life begins after dark.
Traffic picks up. People move about and those who make the place a destination – from the Boomers to the Hipsters – look for a place to dine, drink and talk.
Our reservation was for 9 p.m.
Parking places were a premium and parking for Broadway 10 isn’t for the faint of heart. I resisted the urge to park in front of the nuclear yellow McClaren, a $400,000 sports car that true believes say, leaves the Lamborghinis and the Ferraris in the dust.
Instead, we parked in the parking garage and walked to the door.
The young woman at the hostess stand was pleasant and our table was quickly secured. Our evening at Broadway 10 was underway.
Originally, a car dealership in the 1920s, Broadway 10’s dining area features floor to ceiling windows and a panoramic view of Automobile Alley. The restaurant features steaks, chops and even sushi.
Travis, a young man dressed in black with dark hair and a quick smile, was our waiter. He scurried back and forth all night. In the hierarchy of waiters, Travis was well up on the food chain. Throughout the night many of the staff – who looked much less experienced – stopped him and ask him questions.
So Travis stayed busy.
But he was there when we needed him.
The dining room was large and open and included an upstairs, to our right a group of women were loudly hosting an early Mother’s Day celebration. The drinks and the laughter flowed all evening.
Across the dining room, a group of younger women – think early 20s – loudly hosted some other event, and here, too, the drinks and the laughter flowed all evening. Directly in front of us a single dad had dinner with his son.
At the end of the dining room, upstairs, two members of the Legislature laughed with a lobbyist.
Late Saturday night, Broadway 10 was busy – and loud.
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We started with cocktails, two Old Fashions.
They weren’t good.
Despite Broadway 10’s beautiful dining area, its large bar and a top-flight staff, whoever made our drinks must have substituted lighter fluid for simple syrup. Usually, it’s hard to mess up a simple drink like an Old Fashion but in this case, it happened, and it wasn’t pretty.
Dinner, however, was spectacular.
My wife order lobster and steak, while I had the opportunity to enjoy a perfectly seasoned and grilled New York strip. A crisp salad and an endless supply of bread quickly made up for my poor cocktail.
We got dessert to go – this was a huge slice of chocolate cake with berries and a chocolate sauce that took the cake to an entirely new level.
Yes, you want the dessert.
Though at times loud and busy, it’s easy to see why this chophouse is popular among those who call the state Capitol the office.
Jimmy Durant, the lobbyist, said when he goes, he asks for a private room. “I want to be able to talk and listen,” he said. “That’s important.”
It also helps that the food is outstanding.
And, as the new for those who make their living in the political arena, Broadway 10 will continue to be the place where deals and made over a well-cooked steak.
Still, if you go, ask for dessert and get the cake, it helps make the politics sweeter.