Blue Rose Cafe Returning

[Conan71]

One of the owners of the new Sunset Grill (formerly Kal's) had told me this the other day, so the info seems pretty solid.  The Blue Rose Cafe will be returning to Tulsa in London Square near 58th & Lewis.  As well, Bull & Bear Pub is supposed to be revived as well.

It's the original owner bringing the Blue Rose back.  I don't know exact dates for all this.

[Breadburner]

Yup Tom Dittus is on board....

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

One of the owners of the new Sunset Grill (formerly Kal's) had told me this the other day, so the info seems pretty solid.  The Blue Rose Cafe will be returning to Tulsa in London Square near 58th & Lewis.  As well, Bull & Bear Pub is supposed to be revived as well.

It's the original owner bringing the Blue Rose back.  I don't know exact dates for all this.

Kal's as in Kal's Chophouse?  Didn't know they owned Sunset Grill.  At least I know where the mob wannabes hang out now.

[CoffeeBean]

I miss the Bull & Bear.  But Blue Rose in London Square?  What about south Brookside?  Maybe couple it with a new Penningtons.

[spoonbill]

That's great.  I love Tom!  Too bad it's in the London Square center.  

That's one of Tulsa's "black hole" centers.  Very few business survive there anymore. . . but perhaps he can turn that around!

[Conan71]

I think that's the point, to turn it around.  I ate at Kal's one night last summer when they were doing the music in the parking lot, they also had a fresh produce stand open till about dark.  They are working real hard to promote the center.

One of Blue Rose's biggest on-going problems were noise complaints and the only place to park a bike was the sidewalk.  Being in London Square will alleviate at least one of those problems (bike parking).  With the Sidelines being another biker attraction, that might work.  Of course if it drives more bikes to 58th & Lewis that means more noise complaints from that area if obnoxious morons can't keep from cobbing their pipes at 2am.

Kal is out of the picture on the new Sunset, he was pretty much figure-head only on the Kal's deal.

[carltonplace]

Will Bull & Bear go into its old location? I hated to see them get chased out of London Square.

Even then it won't be the same with out Jimmy.

[NellieBly]

I understand a high-end deli/catering kitchen with imported cheeses and other things like that not found locally is going in next to Blue Rose. It's nice to see that area get a little attention.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by carltonplace

Will Bull & Bear go into its old location? I hated to see them get chased out of London Square.

Even then it won't be the same with out Jimmy.

In Today's Spot, it is confirmed that Bull & Bear will be returning to it's old spot and Blue Rose will be reemerging at the other end of the same center.

[mrB]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by carltonplace

Will Bull & Bear go into its old location? I hated to see them get chased out of London Square.
Even then it won't be the same with out Jimmy.

In Today's Spot, it is confirmed that Bull & Bear will be returning to it's old spot and Blue Rose will be reemerging at the other end of the same center.

Old news I know, but good news. Sounds like London Square won't be so square. Lund's even going to be sending the T-T-Trolleys.

Blue Rose and Bull & Bear: Reborn in London Square
By SCOTT CHERRY
3/14/2008
Last Modified: 4/2/2008  12:39 PM

Do you ever long for those days when you were tipping a cool one on a balmy evening at the Blue Rose? Or the Bull and Bear? Then say, "Hallelujah," brother, because those iconic watering holes are going to return as neighbors sometime this summer.

Tom Dittus is bringing back his former Brookside haunt, the Blue Rose, to the south end of London Square, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., by early May. Marc Matheos plans to rivive Bull and Bear at its original spot on the north end of the shopping center by early summer.

A new venture, Sunset Bar and Grill – a name borrowed from another former Brookside club – opened in the middle of London Square in December.

"Maybe we will get a little synergy going over there," said Dittus.

"They're getting ready to remodel the whole center, so hopefully we can bring some life back to a landmark shopping center.

"This time, we're going to bring back only the tavern and music to the Blue Rose – no food. And, of course, it will be Harley friendly; I'll get those guys back to my place. It's going to be fun."

Matheos, whose former restaurant operations include Ciao, co-owns with his brother Zachary Matthews a basement club downtown, the Celler Dweller – another memorable name from the past.

"I guess I'm on this kick of bringing back names of wellknown old bars," said Matheos.

"I'm also going to open a Crystal Pistol, like the one that used to be on North Sheridan, in late spring next to Cain's Ballroom."

He said the Bull and Bear will be "a quaint little bar, like it was before, and maybe have some pizza and paninis."

Matheos said it was mostly coincidence that the three new businesses converged on London Square at roughly the same time. "Serendipity, I guess," he said.

quote: World Reader Comments

Blake Lund, Tulsa  (3/24/2008 9:20:28 AM)
Well, Dittus and the Matthew brothers at it again. These are the people that made many memories for me back in the late 80's and 90's. Congrats on continuing to make this world a better place. I look forward to the reunion! Plan on my Trolleys bringing lots of people your way. Good Luck guys! Blake Lund- T-Town Trolley

http://www.tulsaworld.com/entertainment/spot/article.aspx?articleID=20080314_8_ES1_spanc43367

[spoonbill]

That will be nice.  Too bad he's chosen a consistently failing center.  Sunset Grill is like a ghost town since it's open.

Good luck Tom!  I would have talked to Gordon, Phillips, Nelson, or one of the other area developers looking for anchors.  They would have given you a better price than LS, a better tenant finish package, and a survivable location.  

Sorry to be a pessimist, but any commercial broker can tell you that that center is on a downward curve, due to traffic, crime, and poor exposure as compared to other developments in the area.  Bring in a bunch of loud motorcycles and you will have a fight on your hands with the neighbors.

[tim huntzinger]

Wow I can hardly wait! The Blue Rose! Awesome! Golly how did anyone survive without its unique ambience and individuality!  Nothing defines Tulsans like the Blue Rose! Great newwws!!

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger

Wow I can hardly wait! The Blue Rose! Awesome! Golly how did anyone survive without its unique ambience and individuality!  Nothing defines Tulsans like the Blue Rose! Great newwws!!

[Gaspar]

I'll eat lunch there!  It's right next to my office!  

I used to love Steamroller Blues!  I hope he has some of the same menu items!

Blue Rose was more of a drinkin place!

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar

I'll eat lunch there!  It's right next to my office!  

I used to love Steamroller Blues!  I hope he has some of the same menu items!

Blue Rose was more of a drinkin place!

You missed the part where Tom is not re-opening a kitchen, just doing drinks and music.  He's missing the boat.  His food was one of the reasons I went there.  I can buy a beer and park a Harley just about anywhere around Tulsa, why would I choose the new Blue Rose over anywhere else.

He had a great business model with Blue Rose, was making plenty of money on that and pissed it away getting too far flung on Steamroller.  One thing that worked for BR early on was that he and Kelly were there every day to greet the customers and make sure everything was great.

I miss his Blue Rose Special burgers and his teriyaki chicken nachos.  I ate there the day it opened, the day it closed, and plenty of times in between.

Hopefully Tom will get tipped off we are talking about him and think about a kitchen.