Something’s Cooking at The Pink House

Claremore’s famous restaurant and tearoom offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

Margo Stewart, owner of The Pink House in Claremore, welcomes diners with a smile, a cozy atmosphere, an assortment of teas, great food and wonderful customer service.

Most people don’t like change, but when Margo Stewart and the staff at Claremore’s famous Pink House decide to shake up the menu with specials or add new items to the regular menu, customers don’t mind a bit. Whether it’s a new entrée or dessert, there’s always something fresh to anticipate at the restaurant, which is located in a Victorian-era house near downtown Claremore’s ­historic district.

    Stewart purchased the restaurant and tearoom in 2007 and set about to ­continue the traditions that make the popular dining place a northeastern Oklahoma destination for those who love not only the tasty made-from-scratch food, but also the cozy atmosphere. Specials are on the menu each day, but now, says Stewart, some of those ­specials will begin appearing on the menu as regular options. For example, a hefty BLT, often popular with male diners, will become a staple. “We’re always trying new recipes,” says Stewart. With four quiches, two specialty casseroles, chicken salad and other sandwiches, fresh crisp salads, homemade soups and desserts like baked fudge, there are plenty of choices to satisfy anyone’s palate.

    After the first of the year, The Pink House staff will begin offering cooking and baking classes, according to Shari Beguin, catering ­director and Stewart’s ­daughter. “I will be teaching classes on how to make pie dough and scones. We will be making whole pies during the class, and while our pies are baking, we will have a social time with tea and scones.” Other classes will be offered, depending on the interest generated. “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 says. Classes will be 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. “Recently, we offered free half-baked fudge for the day,” says Stewart.

    Because Stewart is also passionate about getting more people to drink tea, The Pink House offers High Tea, ­centering on the serving of freshly brewed tea. Guests can choose from over 50 ­loose-leaf teas. Tea parties are scheduled after hours, ­beginning at 2 p.m., and are customized to meet the desires of the guests. Lasting two hours, guests can choose from soup, savories like finger sandwiches, mini-quiches, two kinds of scones and dessert, if requested. High Tea is only offered by reservation.

    “We also offer Little Girl Tea Parties, Tween Parties as well as mother/daughter teas, high school senior teas, church group tea parties and teas to celebrate showers,” she adds. The Pink House is also available for wedding ­receptions, anniversary ­parties and other events after hours, Monday through Saturday only. Events must be booked in advance.

    Kids’ birthday parties will resume after the first of the year. To schedule an ­after-hour party, contact Stewart for more information and guidelines.

     Holidays are also special times at The Pink House, with pumpkin pies and ­pumpkin cake recently ­featured during the Thanksgiving holidays. “We also have many specialized cakes and pies for Christmas,” says Stewart. Customers can call and order any of the tasty desserts ­available at the restaurant. To order a pie, cake or layered dessert like Mississippi Mud dessert, Millionaire pie, Key Lime cake, Strawberry Delight cake, Italian Crème cake, Mandarin Orange cake or any other treat for Christmas, your order must be placed no later than Saturday, December 21.

    The Pink House is open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner is served every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

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.