OkcPets Magazine September 2020

September/October 2020 • OKC Pets 11 A mong the picturesque and lively nature of the Historic Farmers Market District of Oklahoma City, a group from Friends of Midtown Mutts experienced one of the area’s hidden gems. On July 2 of the year of Corona, the group bravely met to review the patio offerings and dog friendliness of the Power House restaurant and bar, which is located directly behind the Farmers Public Market at 1228 SW Second St. The restaurant/bar was established by Clay Berkes approximately six years ago and helped spark a rebirth of the area. The name Power House was chosen based on the history of the building itself as it was the previous home of the power station for the district. Remnants of this history can be seen in the interior decor, such as fuses turned into bar supports and tables made of old cable spools. A covered patio expands around three sides of the building and features a large outdoor gas fireplace in one corner for chilly evenings. On the east side, a large semi-vine-covered outdoor seating area can accommodate groups of various sizes. This area is covered in flora and fauna reminiscent of New Mexico and Santa Fe styles, which plays well with the roasted hatch chili margarita or tequila shots. Due to the restrictions for bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 quarantine, the Power House was closed for several months, which affected the business greatly through customer loss; however, Berkes assured us that the Power House is here to stay. That being said, the Saturday and Sunday brunch offered from noon to 3 p.m. is incredible and definitely worth a trip to the area. Their renowned Chile Pork Verde is made fresh and goes great with eggs, or try it served with chips and cheese to make a fantastic plate of nachos. The Power House offers a delightful environment for both humans and their fur babies. As soon as we arrived and were seated, water bowls for the dogs were brought out, and Berkes brought out a handful of bacon pieces that he gave to the dogs as treats—a very common occurrence at the Power House. Even though the building is relatively small, Berkes has made maximum use of the patio area and created a relatively cozy and inviting space to just linger and lounge with friends while sipping some libations or playing a game of giant Jenga or corn hole. The dogs had a laissez-faire attitude on our visit as most just lounged around in the shade. They enjoyed their bacon treats and seemed to enjoy the smells of the fauna that surrounds the patio. The patio at the Power House is a truly dog-pleasing venue. The food was delicious, and the wait staff was exceptionally accommodating. I have no reservations recommending this restaurant to pet parents for a dog-friendly afternoon adventure. The dogs of Midtown Mutts gave it five out of five paws, and their human counterparts gave it a perfect score as well. Friends of Midtown Mutts endorses this restaurant and bar as a dog-friendly and accommodating environment. WRITTEN BY: Michael Bell Pet-Friendly Review: Patio 5 Paw Review! P O W E R H O U S E Chile Pork Verde nachos Brunch is served!