Hitting Bedrock

I'm not usually a fan of franchise establishments, but I do have to say my first dining experience at the recently opened Redrock Canyon Grill was exceptionally pleasing.

First a little background. Redrock Canyon Grill's home office and first location are in Oklahoma City; Hal Smith Restaurant Group, which operates Redrock, also is connected with Tulsa favorites such as Charleston's, and Mahogany's. So, it's sort of locally owned.

Redrock is located in the King's Landing development area at 99th and Riverside Drive. This is a booming section of the city for retail and restaurants, especially making use of the Arkansas River as the backdrop.

Such is the case at Redrock Canyon Grill. The restaurant rests on the east bank of the River, providing a pleasant view of the River (that is, if there is water in the River at the time) and facing the back of the Oklahoma Aquarium.

One of the Redrock restaurants' features is called the "dramatic exhibition kitchen accentuated by a casual but high-end atmosphere with a patio that extends across the restaurant."

That is an honest description. The kitchen is busy and in full view of diners seated in the section of the restaurant. An ample horseshoe-shaped bar is featured and could become a fun place to gather with friends. And, the obligatory TV is also in place.

Booths are big here, and my dining companion and I had a nice one in full view of the River. Servers wear white shirts and comfy jeans; there is plenty of help to go around. In fact, our server said it is perfectly fine to ask any server who passes by to assist in any way to make our evening more pleasant. (We did, a couple of times.)

The menu offers diners such specialties as wood-fired rotisserie chicken (considered one of their signature dishes), fresh seafood, as well as wood grilled steaks and chops.

My friend and I began with a cocktail--I chose the "Perfect Margarita" and it was fairly close to being perfect. The server poured the Margarita from a shaker at the table into a cocktail glass, leaving the shaker for at lest two more drinks. My friend had a Manhattan, which for a change (considering he orders them often around town), was prepared very well.

Selecting from the "Starters," we began with the Stuffed Poblano, a large Poblano pepper stuffed with black beans, pulled chicken, grilled vegetables, Monterey jack cheese and smoked cheddar cheese. Then breaded, the pepper is then deep-fried and served with on salsa verde topped with chipotle sour cream in a lattice design ($7.99).

I highly recommend this! There is so much going on in this dish, but it works.

Entree selections ranged from from Big Salads, Spit Roasted Chicken and Bunkhouse Ribs to Best of the Rest. The "This and That" section features such items as Big Bend Tortilla Soup, Canyon Mushrooms, Famous Iron-Skillet Cornbread, Enchiladas and more.

I began with the Tortilla Soup ($4.99). It is a thick version of this popular soup--chicken, tomatoes, corn, green and red peppers filled the bowl, with crisp and thin tortilla strips on top. It was quite good, but lacked something to take it to another level.

For dinner, I ordered the Rotisserie Chicken ($13.99) and my friend the meat special--a N.Y. Strip topped with gorgonzola cheese. My chicken was excellent---slow roasted with an assortment of spices. This was served with creamy and rich, redskin mashed potatoes and sweet glazed carrots. The carrots were firm, just like I enjoy them.

My friend's N.Y. Strip was cooked as he asked for it--medium rare. It was a very find piece of beef! He thoroughly enjoyed this selection.

For dessert, we shared a piece of the House-Made Key Lime Pie ($5.99). Graham-cracker crust and topped with a mound of whipped cream, key lime pie never tasted better.

Redrock Canyon Grill

9916 Riverside Parkway

394-7625

Hours:

Sun. 10:30-9pm

Mon.-Thurs 4-10pm

Fri.-Sat. 4-11pm

Rating:

Atmosphere *****

Food ****

Service *****