501, Edmond, OK

High School Girls Reunion

April 25, 2009

I was in my hometown April 25 weekend for the OKC Memorial 1/2 marathon and met up with my high school classmates that I haven't seen in years. The 501, located just a block south of 2nd on Boulevard in Edmond, is one of my mother's favorite places to eat in her new hometown. We had cocktails in the Boulevard for a brief time in the Martini Lounge which is a cigar bar with nice flat screen TVs. It was the perfect place to meet and greet these girls, some of who I haven't seen in years!
The atmosphere of the 501 is very classy. We were sat at a long table in the back of the somewhat cramped dining room that was packed, by the way. Luckily my girlfriends and I hovered around the west side of the table for girl talk and the boys were stuck at the east end and no one really knew each other, which I loved watching them from time to time try and make talk, very amusing.
Over the talk of catching up, the girls ordered and every stinking one of them ordered an appetizer. That's fine but since I met Jackie, I have been banned from ordering appetizers. Yes, that's right. No appetizers. But it is inspirational if you think about it. You always have room to finish your food, usually that is. For dinner I ordered the Sea Bass on the recommendation of our waiter. I always veer toward the salmon but he quickly said it wasn't that outstanding. I always, always go with the recommendation of the waiter. He knows more than I do about that kitchen. I realized after we had all ordered that I was the only one without an appetizer coming so I, at the last minute, ordered a ceasar salad, which is so out of character of me.
When the appetizers came out, I was pleasantly surprised at the salad. The romaine was really fresh and the dressing was great. It reminded me of 20 years ago when a high school friend, Brett Gardner, showed me how to make homemade ceasar dressing with an anchovy. It was fantastic.
The seabass, the seabass. I absolutely loved it. Of course I did eat the green beans and wished there were potatoes or grits with it, I was needing to "carb up" for the 1/2 marathon the next day. And at 6:30 am no less. No bread at the 501. In the move for ladies to not eat carbs for weight loss, I was needing that bread no matter how much I weigh.
No dessert, but coffee for me. Our waiter was young and very attentive. The atmosphere of the 501 was great. I loved this eclectic "European" restaurant that did offer sandwiches and pizza on the dinner menu. I'll be back. My mother does.

Cafe 501, 501 S. Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73034 405-359-1501