Omni hotel to open; new restaurants will debut

OKC Tap House

As the new 17-story, 605-room Oklahoma City Convention Center headquarter hotel, Omni OKC, prepares to open its doors Tuesday, local residents may find their palates piqued by some of the recently announced food and beverage options that will be available, from an espresso bar to an award-winning steakhouse.

Four new food and beverage outlets are set to debut Jan. 26, with three more to open later. Several outlets line Robinson Avenue across from Scissortail Park, and will feature outdoor patio dining options and streetside entrances. The Basin Bar, OKC Tap House, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, and Park Grounds espresso bar will open Tuesday. Accomplished corporate chef and restaurateur David Gilbert has been tapped to serve as Omni OKC’s executive chef.

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David Gilbert

“Omni Oklahoma City Hotel will offer enticing options with a variety of dining experiences for any occasion,” Gilbert said. “Whether you are looking to sip on a local beer while watching the Oklahoma City Thunder, experience elevated dining with an aged steak or simply grab a latte for a ride on the streetcar or while visiting Scissortail Park, Omni provides a unique food and beverage destination for those traveling to Oklahoma City, enjoying a staycation, spending time downtown or seeking memorable dining experience for a night out in the city. We look forward to welcoming locals and guests to Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.”

The Basin Bar is located in the Omni lobby will feature crafted cocktails and local craft beer in an inviting space that showcases design details inspired by the state of Oklahoma, also carried throughout the hotel, notably the chevron pattern indicative of the Scissortail Flycatcher, the state bird. Basin Bar will also offer regionally inspired items including jamon iberico and manchego cheese.

OKC Tap house

The OKC Tap House is a two-story sports bar and entertainment venue and will feature sports and live music, as well as two levels of outdoor terrace space with views of the park. Local brews, craft cocktails and items such as steak frites with tiger bite sauce, blistered tomatoes, herb salad and frites; a "Thunder Pretzel" with roasted garlic butter, beer mustard and cheese smear or Omni’s take on the popular cauliflower trend with brick-roasted hot cauliflower with Fresno chili-chimichurri, labneh and pomegranate populate the menu.

Bob's Steak & Chop House

The nationally renowned Bob’s Steak & Chop House specializes in "the finest corn-fed, Midwestern prime beef. The menu formula is simple: incredible meat, gigantic shrimp, fabulous salads and decadent desserts." Besides the restaurant’s signature glazed carrot and steaks, including the prime “côte de boeuf” bone-in ribeye and the prime filet, patrons can select from seafood offerings including cold water South African lobster tails, Maryland crab cake, jumbo shrimp cocktails and more. Bob's Steak & Chop House has been voted one of the “Top 50 Restaurants in the Country” by Travel + Leisure, “Diner's Choice Winner” by Open Table and "Best Steak," "Best Wine List" and "Best Hotel Restaurant" in Fort Worth Magazine's Annual Culinary Awards. Bob’s will also have its own dedicated entrance and valet off of Robinson Avenue to ensure ease of access.

Park Grounds

Park Grounds is a neighborhood espresso bar, ice cream shop, bakery and deli offering locally sourced ice cream, fork-and-plate pastries and sandwiches in addition to artisanal coffee drinks. Patrons will be able to grab park picnic items, or hang out and chill.

Coming later will be Seltzer’s modern bistro, featuring retro classic design elements reminiscent of 1950s diners popular in Oklahoma City during that era in addition to lobster or vegan mac ‘n cheese, pot roast sandwiches with beer braised chuck roast, fried chicken with peppercorn gravy and more comfort food classics. The Catbird Seat will also open later and will offer cocktails and plates to accompany the scenic Scissortail Park / skyline views adjacent to the rooftop pool along with an OKC picnic basket, a summer salad, off-the-flame charred quesadillas with a twist of lobster, octopus or duck or frozen novelty bars and bites and more. The Double Double Burger Bar will also open later and will offer walk-up service from Robinson and burgers, fries and hand-spun shakes as well as ice cream floats and sodas. Also planned for the menu are Kennebec potatoes, hand-cut daily and fried-to-order along with warm, sugar-dusted donut holes.

Jamel Taggart

“The breadth of the culinary-forward experiences we are bringing to Oklahoma City will make this an indelible retreat for guests, foodies and locals alike,” Omni Oklahoma City Hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage Jamel Taggart said. “We look forward to working with local brands throughout the city to support the community and bring the Oklahoma adventure alive for all.” 

Taggart has more than 15 years of experience and was named director of food & beverage of Omni Oklahoma City Hotel in November 2020. He first began his Omni career in 2014 at Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana before taking a brief intermission to lead other luxury food and beverage operations such as the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and the ARIA Las Vegas. Taggart returned to Omni in 2019 where he held the role of director of restaurants at Omni Dallas Hotel.