Take me to the Haunted House for Easter Brunch

by Ken Townsend
Senior Editor

For decades the Haunted House Restaurant, now J. Bruner’s at The Haunted House, has been the destination of diners for business meals, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. Now owners Patrick and Aleksandr Boylan with Chef Trent Alcott have teamed up to present a temptation of the taste buds for a special Easter Sunday brunch on March 27 starting at 11 a.m.

I had the opportunity to preview and sample this menu and my mouth is still saying “take me back”. Although I have a few favorites, I didn’t find anything that didn’t please my senses – from the presentation to the final crumbs I licked from the plates. (Was I supposed to just be sampling?)

The Garden Benedict featured grilled asparagus, fried green tomatoes on top of an English muffin and perfectly poached eggs covered with a marvelous smoked tomato hollandaise sauce. I believe this is the best benedict I’ve had north of New Orleans (before Katrina, that is).

Another favorite on the menu was the Smoked Salmon Cheesecake. “OMG!” I’m always a little shy of salmon when eating out because I abhor a fishy aftertaste, but this was a delight.

Put that with a fantastic fluffy cheesecake-esque dish and wow! The one drawback to this dish is that I would have preferred a little more dressing on what they described as “lightly dressed greens and crisp cucumber.” But, that’s an easy fix…ask for more dressing.

While waiting for your meal, be sure to read the literature laying around about the history of this house and restaurant. Many of the people who have lived in the Oklahoma City area a long time know about the legend, but for those who don’t, click here for a story written in The Gayly. This is without a doubt one of the most interesting restaurants in Oklahoma City.

I want to touch briefly on a couple more of my menu favorites:

Breakfast Wellington: Homemade pork sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese and baked in a deliciously light, flaky pastry. Shut my mouth…no, really shut my mouth before I eat myself stupid.

Chicken Fried Steak Tenderloin: What Oklahoma restaurant would not have this country boy or girl staple on their menu? But Chef Trent Alcott has put some love into this one. By the way, if you don’t recognize the name, Alcott came to the Haunted House via Nonna’s in Bricktown. (Way to go, Patrick.)

These were some of my favorites, but there are several more items on the menu that will appeal to anyone and everyone. The food is fabulous and filling. Bring a group of friends, add in a few champagne cocktails or Bloody Marys (be sure to take a designated driver) and make a day of it. Great location, great food, great hosts, great chef, great fun!

Be sure and make reservations in advance. (405) 478-1417 or click here for online reservations.

The Gayly - 3/17/2016 @ 5:30 p.m. CDT