These 7 OKC-area eateries, stores are celebrating major anniversaries this fall

A rash of anniversaries has struck the 405 diningscape, which is a reminder some extraordinarily dedicated folks who have kept us in good flavors for many years.

Last Sunday, the Will Rogers Theatre was host to a dual anniversary party for neighbors Sushi Neko and Musashi's. Owner Carl Milam hosted the party in the theater named for his great uncle, celebrating 25 years for Sushi Neko and 20 years for Musashi's.

Missed that delicious celebration? On Saturday, Gourmet Gallery owners Cindy Utecht and Janet McDonald will throw a party to their partnership coming of drinking age.

Between Sushi Neko, Musashi's and Gourmet Gallery, that's nearly 70 years of combined service to the 405 diningscape.

Want delicious news delivered straight to your inbox? Join the Food Dude's newsletter.

Nashbird turns 5 years old

Anniversaries can be relative. Sometimes it's not about the number of years but what a place has done with them. Take Marc and Jenny Dunham's Nashbird. It turned five this year, but the Dunhams opened five restaurants in the 405 diningscape, spanning each direction from its original downtown location.

Norman's Pepe Delgados turns 30

Among the places Nashbird opened during its half-decade is Norman, where Pepe Delgados turned 30. Owner Emilio Salinas told me he no longer serves tamales on Friday, but on that same visit I learned Thursdays are still when chile rellenos are on special, and it never disappoints.

Savory Spice Shop turns 10

Sushi Neko's next-door neighbor, Savory Spice Shop, turned 10 last month.

Devon Tower's Vast turns 10

The Devon Tower's Vast turns 10 next month, and chefs Paul Langher and Kurt Fleischfresser are gearing up to celebrate that occasion. Since it arrived, Vast has raised local industry standards, given diners consistent excellence and has the Mobil 4-Diamond plaques to prove it.

Fleischfresser was among those at a party over the weekend at the Will Rogers Theatre. He joined Milam's Western Concepts as a partner back in 2009. He helped Milam welcome top-tier regular customers of Musashi's and Sushi Neko, along with a slew of staff alumni, for an evening of food, drink and martial arts performances.

"I was told over and over not to do this," Milam told the crowd, in regard to jumping into the food-service industry all those years ago. "That was mostly good advice, but I couldn't be more thankful to all of the great customers, but mostly the staff, who have made this all possible."

He shared the stage with general manager Midori Carrizosa, who started at Sushi Neko 23 years ago, and director of operations David Hung, who started as a server.

Edmond's Gourmet Gallery toasts 21 years

This coming weekend, McDonald and Utecht help their little gourmet shop that could turn 21 and promise to raise a toast to it with a host of local vendors handing out free samples, not to mention outdoor activities and discounts.

In a recent visit, we reminisced about the store's original location on Boulevard, next door to Vance Gregory's Edmond Wine Shop, and the second location at the Shoppes at Northpark.

"What a blessing we closed that store not long before the pandemic," Janet recalled.

Gourmet Gallery wouldn't be turning 21 had the two longtime friends and partners not consolidated their operation to its current locale at 3325 S Boulevard, Suite 107, in 2019.

"We had to make adjustments to survive," Utecht recalled of the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. "I just don't know how we would've done it with two stores."

Gourmet Gallery might not have been the first place folks thought of for food pickup, but they eventually remembered the store carries all kinds of easy-to-prepare meals. No retailer in town has a larger percentage of its inventory dedicated to local purveyors.

After this weekend's festivities, Gourmet Gallery will direct its full attention to the holiday gift basket program that's become a pillar of the business.

Congratulations to all the locals celebrating anniversaries, long may you continue.

Quick Bites

Jewish Deli has Patrono chef

A few weeks ago I teased the arrival of a Jewish Deli to the 405 diningscape, and I can now tell you the chef behind it is one Jonathan Krell, of Patrono. Krell, a Philadelphia native, will open Krell's East Coast Delicatessen in Yukon this winter. Many more details to come.

OKC's The Manhattan is sold

Speaking of more details to come, chef/owner Bruce Rinehart alerted me just before press time that he'd sold his downtown bar and grill The Manhattan. The new ownership is in the Rococo/Manhattan family, and full details will be ready for your consumption by week's end.

Rococo offers Paella on the Patio

Those who can't wait might consider dropping into Rococo, 4308 N Western Ave., Thursday night for chef David Sullivan's Paella on the Patio. Chef Sully promises to "prepare Paella live before your eyes" as part of a five-course meal with five wines from host Adam Rott, of Republic National Distributing. Cost is $100 plus tax and tip, call 400-7495 for reservations.

Stella Modern Italian to host wine dinner

That won't be the last wine dinner opportunity this month. Lori Tyler reached out to let me know how excited she is to be hosting Paula Kornell on Oct. 24 at Stella Modern Italian, 1201 N Walker Ave. Chef Josh Partain will have a five-course dinner to go with five of Kornell's namesake sparkling wines. Cost is $125 for the dinner that starts with cocktails at 6:30 and first course at 7.

Restaurants have secret menus, I've got exclusive news and insights from the 405 diningscape in a free weekly newsletter, sign up online at oklahoman.com. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: These 7 OKC restaurants are celebrating anniversaries this fall