Speed Gibson

The T.G.I. Fridays in Brooklyn Center closed last year. We used to go there from time to time, until they dumbed down the menu and turned up the music too loud. A new "Oak CIty" restaurant has taken its place. It looked like a franchise, but read their press release:

March 5, 2008 (FPRC) -- Oak City Restaurant, a new restaurant concept, opened its first location on March 3, 2008, at 2590 Freeway Boulevard in Brooklyn Center in a renovated site that was formerly occupied by T.G.I. Fridays.

Oak City is committed to local dining and music. “Oak City will offer diners a locally owned restaurant featuring great food made from fresh ingredients,” stated owner Mike Tupa. “Our expansive menu features a variety of items, from unique appetizers and flatbread pizzas, to healthy organic salads, Certified Angus Beef burgers, and outstanding entree selections. Our goal is to provide our customers with a special dining experience along with a fun nightlife atmosphere,” he added. “We’ll feature a great mix of music played nightly as well as high-quality and diverse wines and creative cocktails.”

Oak City will present great-tasting food while providing superior service in a nostalgic, warm atmosphere. Customers will be able to reminisce and join in the fun by reading the many famous quotes, sayings and music lyrics that are incorporated into the interior design of the restaurant, completely renovated and redecorated by interior design firm Jeff Schreier & Associates.

We will strive to make dining out special for our customers, whether they’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a meal,” Tupa said. “We’ll provide tasty food, good music and nightlife, and a special atmosphere that will allow our guests to slow down, relax and reconnect.”

Tupa, an accomplished restaurant owner/operator with 20 years of industry experience, has overseen every aspect of the planning for Oak City, including the building renovation, menu selection, staffing and communications.

Founded in 2008, Oak City Restaurant is a casual restaurant offering great food made from fresh ingredients. A second Oak City location will open in Bloomington, Minn., in the spring of 2008.

Yes, it's a local operation, and this is the first one.

We had dinner there tonight and I was very impressed. The decor is darker and all that TGIF crap along the walls is gone, just some nice brass plates with some memorable quotes. There are big screen TV's all over, but tastefully integrated into the decor. And - the music is at just the right volume, enough to enjoy, but not such that you have to shout across the table to be heard.

I had their Tenderloin Peppercorn Salad. When I saw it coming, I assumed I would be boxing half as I often do as a dutiful Weight Watcher. This proved neither necessary nor desirable. It was perfect for me, especially as it was lightly dressed. The meat was perfectly cooked, tender and flavorful, and not over-peppered as some pepper steak is. It was a nice collection of fresh greens, too. I would have been a shame to box them to have them wilt later. Service was prompt and attentive and not scripted, dare I say professional.

We will be back and soon. I'm thinking this would be a swell place to watch football and NASCAR, too, assuming they'll turn on the audio.