Celebrate National Wine and Cheese Day at these exceptional Oklahoma eateries

Ernest Hemingway once said, “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more wine,” which is pretty funny if you’ve read anything about his life and the many automobile and airplane crashes he survived. Meanwhile, no one has claimed, “You can’t make everyone happy. You’re not cheese.”

All of that is to say this: Happy National Wine and Cheese Day to all the vino veterans and curd nerds who celebrate this holiday much more often than once a year.

While we agree with the supposition that if everything on Earth gets its own special day, are any days truly special? But we’re not talking about the National Day of Clogging (August 8) or National Argyle Day (January 8) here, with no offense meant to cloggers who love to wear argyle. Wine and cheese are two very beloved commodities—artforms, some might say—that are somehow even better together than they are apart.

In honor of this auspicious date, I’ve scoured the state for some of the finest places to enjoy a glass of wine and a plate of cheese. Enjoy!

In addition to a tasty cheese plate, Edmond's Boulevard Steakhouse is offering a summer Burrata salad. Photo courtesy Boulevard Steakhouse

Recently named to Wine Spectator’s 2023 Restaurant Awards, Boulevard Steakhouse in Edmond is a veteran prime steakhouse that’s been pleasing patrons’ palates since 1998. In addition to a killer wine selection, Boulevard can also give fromage lovers a treat with Charcuterie & Cheese Board.

Opened in 1983, Tulsa’s Polo Grill is a local fine-dining institution with a focus on fantastic fare and top-notch wine cellar. In fact, when the restaurant expanded in 1996, a large portion of the remodel was designed to enhance and expand the wine selection. These days, guests at Polo Grill can choose from more than 25,000 bottles of wine, which means finding a good pairing for the Charcuterie and Cheese starter is a breeze.

Nichols Hills is a small enclave with a big appetite, as evidenced by the selection of tasty eats in this posh neighborhood. Metro Wine Bar & Bistro is a long-time staple of the area with a list of more than 300 hand-selected wines to keep connoisseurs sated. Cheese makes more than a casual appearance on the menu as well, with the Artisanal Cheese Trio appetizer leading the way. The nutty richness of the Parmesan Risotto keeps cheese front and center through the meal, while a capper of Goat Cheese Panna Cotta rounds things out at dessert.

Get your cheese fix with the Cheese Board at Doc's Wine & Food in Tulsa's Brookside neighborhood. Photo courtesy Doc's Wine & Food

It’s roughly a ten-hour drive from Tulsa to New Orleans' French Quarter, but Doc’s Wine & Food promises to give diners a taste of classic creole cuisine without stepping foot out of the Brookside neighborhood. With an eclectic and affordable wine menu, it’s a wonderful spot for a glass or a bottle while slurping down char-grilled oysters and nibbling on the Cheese Board. Well, on the cheese on the board. Guests looking for more oaky flavors should leave the board behind and try a Chardonnay.

Climb to the top of the Devon Energy Center Tower (or take the elevator like a normal person) to find Vast, which puts the altitude in high-end fare. With a wine menu that spans the globe and a staff eager to share their expertise in finding the perfect pairing, it's a diner's delight. Start off the sky-high meal with a Chef's Cheese & Charcuterie Board, which includes locally sourced cheeses and seasonal house-made accompaniments.

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.