OC Restaurant Quest – Oak Parker
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 7, 2024)
Oak Park, MI – There are hidden gems, and then there are nearly literal hidden gems. And Oak Parker is exactly that. In a space that looks small and plan from the outside, mostly hidden by evergreens, is an outstanding community bar with top notch menu items, fanciful drinks, and an artsy, but not overwhelming vibe.
A friend and I attended for lunch, each having one drink to pay homage to the creativity of the menu. My lunchtime companion ordered the Parker Posey, made with gin, lemon, and prosecco.This drink had a lovely tartness to it that made it perfect for sipping along with their meal. I went a little more tropical with the Cactus Colada. Served in a Tiki glass, it had tequila, cream of coconut, pineapple, and lime. Sweet and fun. I liked it. Plus cute glasses are a nice detail that helps create the whole Oak Parker experience.
For the appetizer we had Pastrimi Chimis which were basically giant egg rolls stuffed with diced pastrami, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, and served with spicy remoulade. These were beautifully presented, and packed just a bit of heat to them.
For the main course she had the Patty Melt – a classic double patty burger on toasted rye bread with caramelized onion and Swiss, served with chips. Burgers are clearly an item they do well, and my friend was impressed.
I had the chicken schnitzel which was also impressive. This was a nice sized piece of chicken pounded thin, coated in batter, and fried to form a buttery crust that is perfectly crispy without being greasy. It was fried to perfection. Schnitzel – which also comes in pork and veal – has a choice of toppings. I picked the woodsman mushroom sauce. Other choices are lemon and dill or chili crisp with beans. I enjoyed this as well as the sweet and spicy cucumbers that came with it.
The menu at Oak Parker is as quaint as the building itself, but the items seem carefully selected. There are burgers, thee versions of pastrami – classic, Reuben, and Rachel, and a handful of appetizers and sides like navy bean soup, marinated cherry tomatoes, and a Hungarian sausage board.
Oak Parker is located at 13621 W. 11 Mile Road, with an overflow parking lot behind the building and closer to Coolidge. Learn more at https://www.oakparkerbar.com/
Oakland County Times is on a QUEST to enjoy every local restaurant in Oakland County. This long-term project is a labor of love, supported by our friends at White Castle. White Castle is a family-owned company that is proud to be one of only 20 large employers to make the Fortune Best Places to work list in 2022. With steam-grilled sliders, crispy golden french fries, fantastic slides like onion chips or fried clams, and the best chocolate shakes, White Castle is a by far our top choice for a fast food meal. Check out their website at www.WhiteCastle.com.
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