We Try Noche Mexican Grill and Agave Bar

There’s a new date night destination opening in the Tulsa Arts District this Friday: Noche Mexican Grill and Agave Bar. Joss and I had the pleasure of attending their “Friends and Family” preview a few days ago. The food was delicious!

The Drinks

I asked in advance if kids were allowed, and they said, “Yes!” However, I do think he was the only child at this event, so we left early. Since part of what makes Noche stand out is their “Agave Room,” Noche is probably best experienced as part of a date night, Girls Night Out, etc. In the Agave Room, you can order flights of Mezcal or Tequila. There is an extensive list of both on their website, in addition to other beverages.

There is an additional bar area in the other main room next to the kitchen. Although I didn’t take full advantage of the offerings, they did hand me a margarita on arrival, and it was fantastic. On a repeat visit, I’ll have to try the MediaNoche: “tequila blanco, hibiscus syrup, yuzu juice, homemade bitters, ancho reyes, hibiscus and chapulin salt.”

The Food

The first thing we got to sample was the Shrimp Aguachile, with “avocado, cucumber, radish, serrano, and cilantro.” Joss was a fan and proud of himself for licking the serrano pepper nine times after I warned him it might be spicy. It was fresh and pleasingly citrusy.

The main menu isn’t huge, but it’s very intentional and anything you order is going to be top-notch. Read about Chef Sheamus Feeley at fsrmagazine.com/industry-news/chef-sheamus-feeley-open-new-mexican-concept-tulsa-oklahoma. Among other accomplishments, he “was also a Featured Chef at the prestigious James Beard House and continues to be part of the James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour.” The article states that his vision for the restaurant involves allowing “people to dine the way they want to.” So you can come for a drink, eat outside, cozy up in a booth, etc. Keep it simple with a soup or go all-out with the incredible La Tablita De Cochinita.

We got to sample La Tablita De Cochinita. Normally, you must order this at least 48 hours in advance and bring a minimum of 8 guests with you. It is $35 per person for “whole pork shoulder wrapped in banana leaf, cooked for 12 hours with orange, chili, garlic and spices.” Soooo good and tender. It comes with golden rice, black beans, vegetable escabeche, winter succotash, limes, marinated cabbage, pickled red onions and cilantro.” According to the menu, it is also served with “Sonoran-style sour flour tortillas,” a key part of Noche’s menu. However, those weren’t served while we were there.

Joss’s favorite part – although he enjoyed everything – was the golden rice. He said that next time we go, he is just going to order a bowl of that.

I don’t know my favorite part. Everything was so flavorful! But I believe we had the “Refried Rancho Gordo Mayocabo Beans” with the other sample dish, and those were very interesting and savory. You also can eat in view of the woodfire grill that is central to many of the menu items.

Dreaming of my next visit, I’d probably try the Pecan Smoked Mushroom Fajitas ($21.00) or perhaps the Mushroom Tamales ($19.00). I just realized they have a dish called Birria Ramen. Joss would definitely want to try that as well.

View the full menu at eatdrinknoche.com/menu/

I hope we do get to go back soon! Follow @eatdrinknoche on Instagram to keep up with the latest Noche news. Or visit their website at eatdrinknoche.com for reservations, a complete menu and more.

Official Press Release for Noche

Introducing Noche: In the Heart of Tulsa, Embrace Mexico City’s Charm.

Chef Sheamus Feeley’s Culinary Dream Takes Root in Tulsa with the Arrival of Noche in Greenwood District

Noche, a vibrant celebration of the uniqueness of Mexico City and Tulsa, is set to open its doors in the heart of Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District on November 17, 2023. This wood-fired grill and agave bar transport diners to the lively streets of Mexico City, offering a culinary experience that tastefully blends the flavors of Mexico with our Arklahoma roots.

Nestled at 110 N Elgin Ave, Noche warmly invites you to embrace the culinary vibrancy of Mexico City right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As you enter our establishment, you’ll witness our dedicated team meticulously crafting traditional Nixtamalized corn tortillas alongside our unique “sour flour” tortillas, creating a distinctive culinary experience that pays homage to the traditions of Mexico while adding our own local twist.

The Culinary Maestro Behind It All

Chef Brian Green, a St. Louis native, ignited his culinary passion in his family’s kitchen, influenced by Czech heritage. Under Chef Cary McDowell at Wolfgang Puck, he honed his skills. Notably, he spent a year at Chef Kevin Nashan’s Sidney Street Cafe, enriching his experience. New York City beckoned, where he worked at Cafe Boulud as chef de partie and later as the savory chef at Dominique Ansel Bakery, alongside James Beard Award-winning chefs. His journey led him to Napa, California, where he opened the kitchen at B Cellars Winery.

With more than five years in Tulsa, Chef Brian Green has infused Noche with his expertise and unwavering commitment to sustainable sourcing. He works closely with Marco Herrera, one of the creators of the local Tulsa favorite, Et. Al, which earned a James Beard Award nomination in 2023. Marco now stands as Brian’s right hand at Noche, and, as a native of El Paso, contributes significantly to the cultural diversity of our establishment as the Chef de Cuisine.

The Taste of Passion: Introducing Our Beverage Manager

Meet Luis Alfredo Aguilera Hernandez, our accomplished Beverage Manager who hails from the vibrant town of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. With 31 years of age and with a passion for mixology, Luis Alfredo Aguilera Hernandez’s journey in the world of beverages has taken him around the globe. Luis Alfredo’s journey began as a bar back in New York, and his passion for mixology quickly emerged. He pursued formal education at UTBB in Nayarit, Mexico, while honing his bartending skills at the Westin Resort in Puerto Vallarta. He later made a mark in luxury hotels such as Four Seasons, St. Regis, W Hotel, Conrad, and One & Only Mandarina in Mexico.

In Hong Kong, he thrived as a Beverage Manager for Dining Concepts and designed innovative bar programs for Spiga and Sky Bar Hong Kong. His diverse experiences culminate in his role at Noche Tulsa, where he infuses our bar program with a world of flavors and creativity. We’re delighted to have his talent at the heart of our establishment.

Meet the Visionaries and Feel the Love for Tulsa

At the helm of Noche is Chef Sheamus Feeley, a culinary veteran with over 30 years of industry experience. Born and raised in Fayetteville, AR, Chef Sheamus brings a world of culinary influences to Tulsa. His immense love for Tulsa and his lifelong dream of opening a restaurant in this city infuse Noche with a special passion and dedication. This latest endeavor represents a love letter of sorts to a city he singles out among the most important culinary destinations in the world. “Mexico City boasts a dynamic food scene infused with the flavors and traditions of its earliest indigenous inhabitants to later Spanish and other European settlers as well as influences from Africa and Asia,” Feeley said. “It’s a cosmopolitan city with a vibrant history that permeates everything from its architecture and food to its people and traditions.”

He adds that Tulsa exudes a similar worldly vibe. “Tulsa was always the cool big city when I was growing up in Fayetteville,” he said. “It’s where we came to go school shopping, ice skate, or see a show at Cain’s Ballroom. I’ve always dreamed of opening a restaurant here. Doing so now, when so much attention is focused on this city, and to be situated in the heart of the historic Greenwood District, is an absolute honor.”

Behind the scenes, Food is Family (FIF), led by entrepreneur David Dill, is the driving force that propels Noche into the spotlight. FIF is a dynamic hospitality management and consulting firm, dedicated to expanding its restaurant portfolio into diverse markets.

A Unique Culinary Journey

At Noche, our menu is a delightful blend of flavors, offering a variety of dishes from topotos and snacks to satisfying options like La Tablita de Cochinita—a slow-cooked whole pork shoulder. Our agave-based spirits program, which includes Mezcals of the Moment, invites you to savor the pleasures of tequila and explore its distinct flavors.

Join Us at Noche

Noche’s hours of operation make it accessible for dinner seven days a week. You can savor the taste of Mexico City from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Monday through Thursday, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Fridays, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturdays, and from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
on Sundays.

For more information and reservations, visit www.eatdrinknoche.com or contact us at (918) 574-8407.