Hanging out at the Cosmo Cafe

By Cody Wilson

One of the hottest spots on Brookside is the Cosmo Café, an upscale contemporary restaurant. Aside from serving delicious yet healthy entrees like sandwiches and personal pizzas, Cosmo has a full bar with a variety of drinks.

The best part is that the fun doesn’t have to stop at 10 p.m. like the other restaurants on Brookside. Not only is the lounge area and bar open until 2 a.m., you can order from the full menu until 11 p.m.

Popular board games and relaxing music help pass the time until your food and drinks are ready. The friendly employees are young and easy to talk to, making sure that we had what we needed without asking every five seconds.

Even though Cosmo was my fourth stop that night, it ended up being my favorite.

The Wolfgang Puck Experience

By Toni Allen

Brookside is known for its upscale nightlife and chic restaurants, but the newest addition has raised the bar. Wolfgang Puck’s Bistro specializes in a few of the world-renowned chef’s signature dishes and creative recipes. My experience was just that of a world-renowned restaurant.

My friends and I made our way to the bar, but our time was cut short because we were seated so quickly. Our table was comfortably nestled on the patio, amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy Saturday evening.

The atmosphere was modern and relaxing. I found myself peeking at other’s plates to see what was appetizing enough to spend big bucks.

Urbanspoon, the know-all website for delectable meals, awards the Bistro 4 out of 5 stars and an eight-five percent approval rating. User “Bmbeyers” reported the restaurant to be in “the perfect location, great atmosphere [and the] food was delicious!” After the Chinois Chicken Salad I enjoyed, I would be happy to approve that final star, giving Wolfgang Puck’s Bistro the five-star rating they deserve.

Dining among the Scents: Whole Foods Deli Satisfies

By Jackie Lawrence

On a bustling Labor Day weekend, I ventured to Whole Foods in Brookside. Walking through the doors, I noticed a cheerful atmosphere but the aroma of the deli really struck me.

Scents of food ranging from spicy Cajun to hearty soups lingered in the air as my mouth began salivating. The vibrant colors at the deli, along with the overzealous customer service, only helped to induce my hunger.

After many generous taste-tests, I decided on the chicken scaloppini with the artichoke and asparagus salad.

After taking a seat at a table near several animated individuals, I was enamored by the succulent flavor of the chicken and crisp, refreshing taste of salad on my palate.

My experience has me raving to friends, craving my return to this spectacular health food store.

It's BBD: Breakfast the Brookside Way

By Emily Stern

Brookside by Day was packed on Labor Day when a few friends and I stopped by for breakfast.

We sat on the porch and I overheard a father of a family saying, “This is a perfect place to grab breakfast and experience the essence of Tulsa.”

Our waiter, Omar, was a great example of how friendly people are in Tulsa. He started off our breakfast experience by kindly joking around with us, and throughout the meal we had several conversations with him about his job.

We also talked with him about the bicyclist team that had stopped in the middle of their ride to eat breakfast.

We had never been there before, so we were surprised to see all the different kinds of people there.

From families to motorcyclists to bicyclists to college students like us, the crowd at Brookside by Day was a great depiction of the diversity and friendliness that Tulsa has to offer.

BBQ with a Touch of Jazz: Elmer's

By Kyra McNamara

Set back from South Peoria Avenue and dwarfed by its neighbors, Elmer’s BBQ is only identifiable from the street by a simple illuminated sign with its name and slogan.

Stepping Back in Time

Old instruments and the faces of jazz musicians covered the walls. The piano by the door begged for a live performance. Jazz music pulsed through the room. One woman swayed and sang along while others tapped their feet in time.

An Owner and His Customers

A man in a red Elmer’s apron strolled over to a table, snapping his fingers to the beat. The couple greeted him as an old friend.

When I asked, they told me the man in the apron was the current owner, Keith. “He’s a great guy,” said the woman.

Keith laughed. “I always say we have the best customers around.”

Gone but Not Forgotten

Elmer, the original owner, passed in 2003 after 22 years with his restaurant. He still smiles over the dining room from a picture that hangs in the corner.

For more, check out Elmer’s website at http://www.elmersbbq.net/index.html.