LIFESTYLE

The Gilded Acorn offers delicious food in a beautiful setting

Oklahoman

Got my first chance to visit The Gilded Acorn, 146 Park Ave., on Monday, the newest offering from chef Andrew Black, on the ground floor of First National Center.

The reigning James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef Award semifinalist introduced his patisserie and cafe on Sept. 1, but only Monday began serving gelato. They've also had some growing pains.

"Water was pouring through there!" Black said pointing out a section of ceiling above the Champagne cellar that flooded over the weekend. "We got it fixed now."

The elegant dining room showed no signs of distress. Natural light brings out the sparkle in the green and gold setting.

My lunch with Ian Manera from Nonesuch included a couple sandwiches, salad roasted butternut soup and dessert.

Fresh espresso from The Gilded Acorn, which recently opened on the ground floor of the First National Center.

But first came espresso, which was rich and delicious whilst lubricating lunch-speak with sheer velocity.

On the other side, samples of newly arrived gelato inspired patisserie purchases on the way out.

In between was the Open Face Sandwich, which was equal parts delicious and beautiful. Fresh toast is topped in avocado slices, tomato, hard-boiled egg, lettuce and balsamic glaze. Instagrammers will love it, and its light enough to invite dessert. The Champagne-Poached Chicken sandwich arrives topped with caramelized apple, arugula and melted brie.

The Open Face sandwich from The Gilded Acorn, which recently opened on the ground floor of the First National Center.

The butternut squash soup brought color and texture to the table, delivering a welcomed flavor of the infant fall. Very much look forward to dropping in for a Shrimp Nicoise or quiche with Champagne when I'm off the clock.

Before we sat down, chef Black and Manera met for the first time. Manera has been part of a change-over at Nonesuch since the pandemic. Gone are the staff who helped take the concept to the top of Bon Appetit's list of new restaurants in 2018, but Nonesuch still offers a culinary experience akin to that at Black's Grey Sweater.

Manera congratulated Black, and they agreed it was truly a great time to be involved in culinary arts in Oklahoma City — a gilded age perhaps.