The Tavern — Restaurant in Tulsa

Edit: We got a call from the manager shortly after posting the review who apologized for our experience and seemed committed to not only making it right but to make sure other diners have a better experience going forward.

This review is for anyone considering trying the 5-course tasting menu that The Tavern offers. Our party of 4 was excited to celebrate a special occasion by dining in the kitchen at the chef’s table with the tasting menu with wine pairings.

The good: our waitress, Melody, and chef, Ally, were both very nice. Ally’s food plating and presentation were beautiful, and the portions were more than generous. We also got a drop-in visit from the sommelier at Bull in the Alley who presented a couple of our wine pairings to us, which was a fun bonus.

The bad: Our reservation was for 7pm, we showed up on time and it was pretty clear the staff was not ready for us (even though they had confirmed our reservation the day before). That feeling carried through the night, as the pacing between courses was sporadic and it truly didn’t feel like there was a cohesive theme in the menu, nor did the wine pairings seem to compliment the food.

Course 1: A pork belly tostada with mango salsa, paired with a rose bubbly Course 2: Beet focaccia bread topped with brie, prosciutto, tomato confit cooked in duck fat, and blackberries, paired with a riesling Course 3: Tuna tartare served with crispy rice paper “chips”, paired with a pinot gris Course 4: Sous vide chicken leg & thigh with potato wedges served over a curry sauce, paired with a rhone red wine Course 5: A spiced pecan tart topped with cranberry jam and meringue, paired with port

To be honest, none of the courses blew us away. My first bite of pork belly was incredibly fatty, to the point where I had to pick the rest of it off my tostada. I was most excited for the tartare, but it had such an overwhelming flavor of orange I couldn’t eat more than a bite. Neither the chicken or potatoes in course 4 were hot. To cap it off, the area we were sitting was so cold, none of our party could feel our toes by the end of the evening.

We’ve tried several tasting menus around Tulsa (Lowood, Juniper, Sip Happens event at Vintage Wine Bar) — this was the most expensive and...

Tavern in Tulsa’s Arts District is a beautifully designed space with a cozy, upscale vibe that sets the stage for a promising experience, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t fully deliver. The ambiance is a highlight, and small touches like postcards at the host stand and after dinner add thoughtful charm. The waitstaff were kind, unintrusive, and mostly attentive, though still a bit green—minor service details were missed, such as forgetting appetizer plates and a missing mushroom sauce on the burger, though we didn’t make a fuss. The fish and chips looked great, with a generous portion of excellent fries and flavorful tartar sauce, but the fish itself was a touch dry and encased in an overly crunchy batter, and the $20 price point felt high without a higher-quality filet or a balanced plate—coleslaw or “light” side would’ve helped balance it out. The mac and cheese was unnecessarily spicy and without a better word, it was kind of “sticky”, lacking creaminess or depth of flavor. The burger was visually appealing, with delicious mushroom sauce and blue cheese, and a high-quality bun, but the bun was served cold, which clashed with the warm ingredients, and the patty—despite its thick cut—was surprisingly dry. With warmer buns and improved juiciness, it could be a standout. The biscoff crème brûlée had beautiful presentation, good flavor, and a perfect sugar crunch, but the biscoff’s nature made the custard more paste-like than creamy—a common trade-off with the absorbent biscoff that disintegrates into everything with moisture. Drinks were initially disappointing; each cocktail was too sour, but when I requested egg white to soften the acidity, the server accommodated gracefully, and the revised drink was well-balanced and enjoyable. Outside, I didn’t feel safe parking due to visible panhandling and moved my car into a monitored garage—something to consider when visiting. Overall, Tavern has strong potential, with creative ideas, a stylish setting, and kind staff, but it needs more consistent kitchen execution and sharper service to truly match its elevated vibe and...

Got the tavern burger for myself and mom. Unfortunately we both had food poisoning last night and we both hadn’t had much to eat earlier.

I’m bummed out because I hate 1 star reviews and want to like their food. It’s a bit pricey to some so you expect a base level of service. Unfortunately I paid $60 for a rough couple of days.

The tavern is a sub business of the Mcnellies’s group umbrella which is a more corporate run business with the cover of being local and small. Sadly Elliot Nelson has run another of my loved restaurants into the ground. I’m not hating on wait staff because they’re great just sad to see a great concept run poorly by a corporate management style.

Maybe it’s not having the environment I loved and without the “restaurant experience” the food wasn’t actually good to begin with. Maybe all Mcnellies’s group is just mediocre with a dash of location, location, location.

Mcnellies’s thank you for the sickness because it’s made me realize every restaurant you operate has great wait staff and experience, but you’ve become complacent Elliot.

I called the restaurant to let you guys know and no discount offer, refund for the cost, just as most corporate companies their meaningless condolences. Maybe because I was polite and sweet to the person on the other side of the phone.

Mediocrity is a trickle down system and me being sick is a direct result of Mcnellies group mediocrity.

Mom enjoyed the pumpkin desert and ice cream was in tact so packaging was done well. The Tavern burgers were requested to be cooked medium and fries were okay.

Good luck Elliot and will check in on your restaurants on my next holiday Christmas trip to Tulsa. Hope it’s...