LoFi — Restaurant in Tulsa

So the Mrs. and I saw they had a happy hour from 9 to 11 the other day, and decided to go see what Lofi was all about. We got there around 9:30 and my first impression was what is this place doing in Tulsa? the decor, the ambience, the music, the lighting even the tables and chairs and bar had the feel that the restaurant was pulled out of some metropolitan city and placed in the middle of America. I’m talking five stars absolutely perfect. we grabbed a seat at the bar and the bartender took care of our drinks right away. as I’m looking around the restaurant admiring the attention to detail of whoever put this restaurant together, I noticed one thing.WHERE IS EVERYONE?!?! as we were looking at the menu, and looking at all the really well thought out pizzas they had on tap, we ordered the Caesar salad, and the broccolini.My wife got a beautifully crafted old-fashioned and you know I had to get the three dollar highlife on happy hour. really? A three dollar highlife I could’ve drank a 12 rack of three dollar highlifes! The bartender sat down the Caesar salad, and it was literally the best looking Caesar salad that I’ve seen out of anywhere else I’ve been in Tulsa, I would also venture to say in a lot of major cities as well. I told the bartender this is a gorgeous salad and she matter of fact-ly replied, it’s the best in Tulsa, to which, before taking a bite I said it very well could be. After the first bite, her statement was confirmed. Perfectly dressed leaves of Romain, that looked as if they were freshly picked from some happy organic farm basking in perfectly controlled sunlight, enjoying each day until being harvested, almost knowing it’s final resting place would be one for the lettuce gods, coated with a quite possibly , perfect, buttermilk caesar dressing, a dressing, that with the buttermilk, is almost reminiscent of a ranch, but, pulls you back to the Caesar with the fishiness of what I assume are anchovies, and zesty lemony emulsification. The broccolini. This one is easy, because it is easily the best, I don’t know what you would call it, side dish? Appetizer? Accompaniment to a pizza? In the city of Tulsa. If you’re into, fresh, bitter, sour, sweet charred veggies, then get your ass down to LOFI, order this dish, then thank me later. 5 out of 5 stars. As my wife put it, “I will crave this broccolini!” So back to it, we’re eating our sides, and as I’m looking around this perfectly curated, cozy restaurant, and looking at the menu, drinking my 3 dollar happy hour highlife. I literally, turn to my wife and exclaim, WHERE THE HELL IS EVERYONE?! Why is this place not packed?! Sure it was a Thursday night at 9:30, but, COMEON PEOPLE, it is restaurants like these that make going out to dinner an experience! Now, we did notice a few industry people come in for a drink, and a couple sat next to us and ate a pizza, and a few buddies popped in and had a good time, but, but honestly, this place needs to stay packed from open to close, especially with that happy hour menu. Speaking of happyhour, 10 dollar sourdough pizzas? Light, crispy, flavorful. Not skimping on toppings. Yes please! Theres a pizza spot in San Francisco called damn fine, that does sourdough pizza, now, I do have to admit, that’s sf sourdough, it’s just different, but, I am positive that this pizza is in no way beneath that sf sourdough pie, they’re just good, also, different enough from BOHO, that you wouldn’t feel like your cheating on that other fine establishment. . In closing, I’m going to go ahead and say it LOFI, and what Frank and his people over at NOCHE are doing, are the two best restaurants in Tulsa. Period, from top to bottom. And they aren’t a mcnellies group either, go figure! That makes me happy!!! Good job LOFI, we will be back for those 3 dollar...

I called ahead and checked if they had vegan options and sure enough they did. Which made me happy because I was hungry. Over the phone I was able to place an order based on what the employee described (How he talked about the food was excellent and I knew exactly what I would be getting) That being said it was even better than expected and had me doing a one handed drum solo in the air with how the pizza tasted. My fur-babies appreciated it too because the crust being brick oven and not seasoned made it where they were able to eat it safely. The broccolini that I had as a side dish they modified it so it would be vegan and the balsamic reduction sauce that's with it made me drool because it is so good. Just mentioning now my mouth watered. Of course when they also mentioned that they had mocktails I had to try one. The one that I got is called Beautiful and Damned. It has a smokey yet refreshing fruity taste and just enough of a fermented taste that you almost think you're drinking alcohol but you're not. Even though they have curbside pickup I wanted to go in and just see how everything felt and looked. Instant you walk in your hit with an amazing aroma of food you're greeted and everything has a very whimsical contemporary fun vibe with an old style flare thrown in. I say that because they have a record player going with music and you see the bar and then they have the different decorations around. You also have the open concept kitchen where you see them cooking. Everyone was talking and really enjoying themselves you could tell and that is definitely what really good food can do. It can open you up to a fun environment where you're relaxed and comfortable and just in the moment. I also appreciated that they did tell me over the phone about their parking being across from the Whataburger behind their front entrance and that there were signs, pointing directions...

I was so glad to hear that the guys from Hodges Bend were opening a new restaurant. Even more so when I heard it was a pizza place. The aesthetic is hard to pin down but is very warm and welcoming with plenty of plants in the wall sized front window and black metal light fixtures. The giant bull's head throws me off but I like it. It makes me wonder if there's a story there.

I've been to Lofi twice since they've opened and I'm not exaggerating when I say every single thing I've had there is well thought out and perfectly balanced. The chili oil on their caesar salad really spices up a classic. I can't wait to try all the pizzas because, if the three I've tried are any indication, they're all delicious. They only have one dessert option but believe me when I say it's a must try. I don't usually like banana flavored things but the addition of a chocolate crumb and cream really helps balance the banana flavor before a tart little surprise from a passionfruit gel brings the sweetness back down.

I was particularly excited to learn they have the Tobacco Old Fashioned from Hodges Bend. In addition to a nice medley of cocktails to choose from they have a decent non-alcoholic cocktail selection. The garnish on the Chili Mango Chow is perhaps my favorite garnish ever and I want a whole bag to snack on. (I'm pretty sure it's just dehydrated mango with a spicy seasoning blend on it.)

Lofi feels communal and as such I suggest going with a group so you can order as many different items as possible to try at the same time.

That fire took away two of my favorite places in Tulsa but the vibe at Lofi is comforting and familiar while the food is the best I've had from a pizza place in a long time. Lofi is probably my favorite new spot in town and I'm sure you'll love it once...