Arrow & Ember, the new restaurant at Harrah’s Oklahoma, is ready for opening day.
Executive Chef Thomas Liljestrom-abele presented a media preview on April 2, showcasing just a few of the dishes that will be available once the restaurant and casino open on April 9.
Arrow & Ember is what they call elevated American, according to the chef, and will feature a variety of burgers, steaks and a couple of different kinds of salads. He’s most excited about the jalapeno popper burger, which is an eight-ounce beef patty withjalapenocreamcheese schmear and bacon jam.
“We’re deep in the heart of Oklahoma here in Chandler and we really have a real melting pot of cultures and diversity here. So, I really want to touch on every kind of palate,” Liljestromabele said. “We’ve got a huge chicken-fried rib-eye that we’re offering, fried catfish. Eventually, not right yet, but eventually we’re going to offer some pho, which I think is going to be really good.”
Liljestrom-abele attributed his desire to touch on many different palettes to his upbringing. His parents were military, taking his family all over the place, including overseas. This gave him the opportunity to taste different cultures and regional cuisines.
“My dad’s from Iowa. My mom’s fromAlabama. So, it’s really a blending of cultures and palates,” he said.
Chef Liljestrom-abele said they were hoping to incorporate specific tasting menus for special occasions. Also, they brought the culinary team that was originally at Ioway Casino over. The chef said they have really blossomed and shown that they are a capable team.
The courses on offer at the preview were a Thai beef salad, lobster bisque, a creamy triple pepper steak and creme brulee for dessert. The salad features thinly sliced steak mixed with cucumbers, cilantro, red onions and cherry to- matoes and is tossed in a Thai-inspired dressing.
With the steak, diners can expect a medley of sliced poblano, jalapeno and Anaheim peppers sauteed with onions in a rich bourbon cream sauce. They’re served over grilled steak and paired with creamy garlic mashed potatoes.
Each course was elegantly plated and filling, bringing a sophisticated flavor to an area that doesn’t normally have such highend dining.
Harrah’s Oklahoma also has a quick-service restaurant called Dash Cafe, which will feature fast, reliable food for guests on the go.
There are also two bars -- one is in front of Arrow & Ember, while the other is more of a sports bar. Ghasan Shahin said they plan to carry beers on draft, which will include two locals. They’ll also have some nice wines to pair with dishes at the restaurant. They’ll have the Oklahoma classics along with top-shelf options like Woodford.
The bar connected to the restaurant will have 10 specialty cocktails that are unique to the establishment.
“We’re trying to elevate our drinks a little different from across the street or other casinos, so we’re kind of doing, instead of our wells, we’re doing more of a top, not a top, but more of a mid-range,” Shahin said. “We’re going to have beautiful cocktails, pairing with certain drinks that we’re going to go with menus. So that is all coming out, we’re excited for it. It’s going to be really nice, really nice. You’re not going to see some of these drinks in other casinos.”
While the final touches were being added to Dash and Arrow & Ember, the rest of the casino looked ready for play with the games and tables moved in, and new employees finishing up their training.
“We’re ready for business. The property is a welcome change. I think it’s going to be something different for people in the market. Caesar’s wanted great energy, and we want to bring Vegas gaming, and we still want to deliver that same Oklahoma hospitality. And I think we’ve done that,” said Joe Scibetta, general manager.