Mastering Bricktown

Every time Shiloah and Holly have a child Heath and I get to go to Bricktown Oklahoma City's version of The Plaza and Westport combined. We didn't really plan it that way but they keep having children around the same time as our 'dating' anniversary so we like to break up the long trip to see the new baby by stopping in Oklahoma City for a night and spending a nice evening together.

Our first trip to Bricktown was almost 4 years ago when Hooper J was born. We didn't have much of a budget. So I got on the Bricktown website and called the 4 hotels they had listed for their rates. The first three were $100+ and the last one was $85. Done. We budgeted for two nights including one fancy dinner. Turns out the hotel we booked was less than acceptable, our first indication were the 'just married' vehicles in the parking lot. These weren't cars from fancy or classy weddings. The hotel was thick of stale smoke and we knew immediately we couldn't stay there, except for the cancellation policy. Looked like we were stuck for the night. So I told Heath we had to stay out as late as possible and avoid the hotel except for a few hours of sleep. So feeling frustrated we went to a brewery and I drank a lot, I couldn't face the hotel sober. It worked, except for my 3 am bathroom visit to find a cockroach crawling across my makeup. EEEKKK!!! I couldn't wait to get out of there. So the second night we decided to just take the financial hit and enjoy ourselves. (needless to say, that hotel is no longer listed on the Bricktown website)

So we got a room at the Sheraton and proceeded to jump for joy on the massive, clean, soft, quality bed as soon as we got the room. Then we dressed up and went to find a fancy restaurant. Sure enough, we found Mickey Mantel's Steakhouse. Super fancy, super expensive, and the service was amazing.

Then we went for a stroll on the boardwalk and found a little cigar/piano bar tucked away. It was amazing, perfect for us. A woman playing Norah Jones on the harp, big, warn, leather couches, a fireplace. We stayed there for hours. Then we headed back to the hotel, and Heath declared that wanted a brownie. Of course. So I decided I wanted ice cream, and wine. Of course. We figured, why not and ordered room service :) Although it probably took us months to pay it off we had a wonderful time :)

Celebrating 3 years together

The second trip to Bricktown was this past August when Boston was born, we decided on only one night and thank goodness our budget was a little more flexible than it was 3 years ago. So now being veterans we knew where to stay, and where to go. We ate at an amazing restaurant that somehow managed to get Heath's steak undercooked so badly we had to send it back three times! And we never do things like that! But the final time the chef came out to ensure it was correct, they were incredibly nice. And the food was AMAZING! Then of course, we went to the cigar/piano bar.

Celebrating 6 years together

Thanks Hooper J and Boston Ren! (PPPssstt! Shiloah and Holly - time for another kid - we need a trip to Bricktown!) ;)