I don’t remember the glasses or the grey in his beard, but the smile is all-too-familiar. It’s a nice article in today’s Tulsa World about Chef Kenny Wagoner and the nice work he’s doing at the Cancer Treatment Center. Several photos accompany the story, including his smiling portrait and some pretty menu offerings.
The sight of him at the grill brings back memories, too. He offered a similar grilled vegetable side when he was running the kitchen at Paddy’s Irish. Some of you will recall the place – a fixture for years at 81st and Memorial in Tulsa. I was working there as a line cook learning the restaurant business before I jumped into ownership. Ended up buying Paddy’s.
Given that our restaurant today is situated in a bookstore, it should come as no surprise that we had a literate kitchen at Paddy’s. Even our dishwasher had a degree from the University of Oklahoma. While whipping up Grilled Salmon or Rueben sandwiches, the talk in the kitchen might be medieval history or some such.
And fiction.
It pleased me to note in the World’s article that Chef Kenny is still tackling some of our favorite authors. Back in the day, we were reading Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth, which is one of the five books I allow myself to keep. (I am a book seller, after all.) I had a beautiful first edition that I made the mistake of placing a price tag on. It sold. My replacement copy is nice, but not nearly as the one that left the shop with a new owner.
Click on the link here to read the World’s article about Chef Kenny and to view the images of the beautiful food he is still creating. I have to say, I was always proud to carry out his dishes when I was working as the expediter on weekends. We created some culinary art at Paddy’s, and when I say “we,” I mean Chef Kenny.
I’m also proud to carry the dishes out here at the bookshop. Even though we are no Michelin Five-Star, Chef Dustin works hard to make certain each meal is presented in an eye-pleasing manner. And they taste just as good as they look.
If you look on the keg-tapper, you’ll see a new handle. We’re trying a summertime draft: Blue Moon, a Belgian recipe wheat beer. It’s a smooth draft that is sometimes served garnished with an orange slice. Frosty glass for $1.95. Sure and you can’t top that!
Dustin has also added a garden salad to the menu, as a house salad or a side, with mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries, and walnuts, topped with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
We’re serving every day from 11am to 2pm, so – Come visit!
McHuston
Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!