Diner Dichotomy

Sunday, 11:30ish-am After a rigorous night on the T-town, you've found your exertion and merriment has left you famished. Painfully apply your sunglasses and head to the darkest diner in town -- Blue Dome Diner.

At this downtown sanctuary, find your long-lost friends from the evening before and a dynamic duo of biscuits and gravy that contain mystical healing properties. A mimosa or Bloody Mary is available from the full bar to help you find that dog and bite it back.

Breakfast at Blue Dome Diner has become tradition and rite of passage for those seeking refuge in its epic French toast, its huge bowl of good-for-you Grandma's Oats or one of those fancy quiches.

Quiche? At a diner? Nay, says the diner aficionado! I kid thee not; some of the most eloquently constructed quiches exist in the heart of the Blue Dome District at a diner.

And it's not just quiches these days. The Blue Dome Diner now offers an entire ever-changing dinner menu dedicated to fancier fare. Sure, you can still appease your hankering for a hamburger or even one of the best turkey burgers in town, but this uber-diner offers so much more.

Owner Brian Pruitt sets his sights beyond comfort food favorites and offers a special dinner menu replete with imaginative entrees. His brainchild-lovechild Only Love Catering is the soul and ambition behind this diner's success story.

Heath Sharp

Pruitt's alter-ego as catering ninja to the stars is responsible for his awesome omelets and epicurean chalkboard specials. He and his team cater to the major acts that perform at some of Tulsa's top venues.

Beyond rock stars, Only Love lends its palatable prowess to many of the finest events in the area. Some of the events are held at the diner, where it transforms (again!) into the Blue Dome Roadhouse. By day, the large area in back with a stage, full bar, sound system and lighting hosts early bird breakfast meetings and power lunches.

But at night, the stage is set for events of all kinds. The evening I sampled the latest menu, the Roadhouse and Diner were packed because of a monthly local songwriter competition. Not only was the live music a treat, I found the dinner menu suitable to the most pompous palates, with offerings like an herbed bone-in pork chop ($11.99) or an adventurous-sounding honey and nut encrusted cod with strawberry glaze ($13.99).

Their appetizers are a motley crew of high brow meets bar fly, with selections like herbed goat cheese and prosciutto-wrapped shrimp ($8.99) cohabitating with meatball sliders ($6.99).

My intrepid dinner guest and tried the Jamaican-Jerk seared scallops with red wine plum reduction ($8.99) and the chicken in a blanket, which was garlic chicken sausage and mozzarella wrapped in pastry (7.99). The scallops were cooked nicely, but let me tell you about the plums.

Delectable plums immersed in red wine dotted the plate and made beautiful music when paired with the luxurious bites of scallop. Well played, Blue Dome Diner, well played.

Heath Sharp

The chickens in blankets had a lukewarm reception at our table. Served with too much blanket and standard yellow mustard, we gave it the cold shoulder.

But we were just getting started! I had my eye on the duck breast with hoisin, ginger and pineapple ($15.99). It was cooked to perfection on a short-order grill no less. The tasty sauce could have overwhelmed the duck, but instead gave splendid depth to the dish.

My partner in crime went for the spinach and mushroom stuffed chicken ($11.99). We agreed that I made the superior decision, as the chicken lacked the punch you expect from something described as "stuffed."

With a little seasoning and -- yes, I'll say it - a little cheese, this dish could've been a contender with its fresh ingredients. The entrees were strong, but admittedly, the sides did not soar to the level of the bird dishes.

Sleepy diner sides, like okra, ready-made rice pilaf, canned green beans and almost-homemade mashed potatoes did not make very good wingmen.

Worry not, Blue Dome Diner isn't replacing its greasy spoon soul with frou-frou food. You can always get your biscuit and gravy fix Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30am to 2pm.

But take a walk on the sophisticated side with their dinner menu from Wednesday through Saturday, 5-11pm. The Blue Dome Diner is also a perfect pit stop after a big show. The diner stays open till midnight after big events at the BOK Center.

This multi-faceted diner has established itself in the heart of Tulsa as the place to enjoy an eclectic mix of cozy cuisine and highfalutin' home cookin' sure to appease any craving, whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner.