Real Men Love Pink House

Why not take your father to the Pink House for his special day this month? Claremore’s famous restaurant and tea house is not just for women!

The pink walls and décor don’t seem to bother male diners once they taste the made-from-scratch food at the Pink House, located in a Victorian-era house in Claremore. Owner Margo Stewart always welcomes diners with a smile.

Although the exterior and interior walls are pink, that doesn’t stop men from heading to Claremore’s famous restaurant and tea house for lunch Monday through Saturday, or for dinner on Friday nights.

When you walk through the doors of the Victorian-era house, you’ll see pink everywhere. While many men might be turned off by the restaurant name and the color, once they taste the made-from-scratch food, they continue to return to the Claremore landmark to eat. “The pink doesn’t bother them once they’ve tasted the food,” says owner Margo Stewart. “We have businessmen as well as blue collar workers who enjoy dining here. The Pink House isn’t just for women.”

When Margo bought the Pink House restaurant and tea room in 2007, she knew she had big shoes to fill. Opened in 1982, the business has become a northeastern Oklahoma destination for those who love not only the tasty food, but the atmosphere.
While the menu variety appeals to a wide array of palates, male diners have come to appreciate some of the heartier fare. “We get lots of compliments on our Reuben sandwich,” says Stewart.

“I’ve had many men tell me they really enjoy it.”

Most people don’t like change, but when Margo and the staff at the famous Pink House decide to shake up the menu with specials or add those specials to the regular menu, customers don’t mind. Whether it’s a new entrée or dessert, there’s always something new to anticipate at the restaurant. Currently, the staff is working on new menu items for each category: quiche, sandwiches, soups and salads – and of course, dessert. They recently added sweet watermelon tea and two flavors of iced coffees, vanilla and caramel.     

While the popular dining establishment also offers daily specials, some of the entrées end up on the regular menu. For example, a hefty BLT, often popular with male diners, has become a staple.

Earlier this year, the Pink House began offering cooking and baking classes, taught by Shari Beguin, catering director and Margo’s daughter. She will be offering her pie crust class again in June. For $30 per person, class participants will be provided with everything they need to make eight pie crusts. Because of the kitchen size, the class is limited to four; however, more classes will be offered as there is an interest, she says. Check the Pink House’s Facebook page to find out the exact class date and to sign up.

Other cooking and baking classes will be offered, depending on the interest of people. “We encourage those who are interested to visit our Facebook page and let us know what classes you would like to see us offer,” she adds. Classes are offered in the evening with prices based on the supplies needed for the project. Customers are also encouraged to “like” the restaurant on Facebook and check for each day’s specials. In the past, they have offered free half-baked fudge for the day.

“High Tea,” centering on the serving of freshly brewed tea, is also offered at the establishment. Tea parties are scheduled after hours beginning at 2 p.m. and are customized to meet the desires of the guests. Reservations are required.

Open for lunch Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the restaurant offers Friday night (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) dinner with rib eyes and meat loaf as well as two other entrées, which change weekly. The menu is posted each Friday at their Facebook page. “Father’s Day would be a great time to bring dads to eat on a Friday night,” says Margo. If you’re too busy for a Friday night, you can still take him out to lunch.

For more information, contact

The Pink House

www.pinkhouseofclaremore.com
 

About Author Carol Beck-Round

After 30 years in public school education, Carol Round retired and moved from Grand Lake to Claremore, Oklahoma in 2005, where she writes a weekly faith-based column which runs in 14 Oklahoma newspapers as well as several national and international publications. Three volumes of her columns have been compiled into collections: A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. She has also written Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God and a companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge. This past year she has written three children’s books, a series called Nana’s 3 Jars, to teach children about the value of giving, saving and spending money. All of Carol’s books are available through Amazon. In addition to writing her weekly column, authoring books and speaking to women’s groups, she writes for Value News. She also blogs regularly at www.carolaround.com. When she is not writing or speaking, she loves spending time with her three grandchildren, working in her flowerbeds, shooting photos, volunteering at her church or going on mission trips overseas, and hiking. She is also an avid reader and loves working crosswords and trying to solve Sudoku puzzles.