The Tulsa Food Blog

Who would have known that this little treasure is located right outside of Wagoner, OK?  From the conscious effort of using only environmentally friendly products to the re-creation of an old horse barn, The Canebrake is really something special. As an Oklahoman, you should be proud too.  What is a canebrake you ask?  Well first off, canebrake is a species of bamboo that was once found in our area of the country (Eastern Oklahoma/Texas and Western Arkansas/Louisiana). A canebrake acted as a water filtration system for Native Americans on the downstream-side of the canebrake, the water was calm, clear and clean. The reeds from the canebrake were also used for making baskets, blowguns and flutes. After realizing what the name meant, I understood why they had named this place The Canebrake. One of the main focuses of this resort is to protect the environment. They do this by conserving energy, water, and other natural resources; reducing waste generation; recycling and purchasing recycled products; and reducing use of toxic materials. The Canebrake uses recycled insulation, shredded denim insulation, low wattage halogen & compact fluorescent lighting and American clay plaster on the walls.

After a short tour of this unbelievable destination, we were invited to lunch at The Canebrake Kitchen. One awesome fact at The Canebrake is that they use organic, locally-grown fruits and veggies, fresh sustainable seafood, free-range poultry, farm-raised beef and delicious whole grains. Along with the awesome menu, beautifully developed by Executive Chef and co-owner Sam Bracken was an extensive and well selected wine list. We enjoyed the warm, contemporary atmosphere and were taken very good care of by Chef Les Montgomery who cooked up a storm, along with excellent table service by the beautiful Lisa Bracken. The dining area/kitchen is frequently used for cooking/wine events. For a schedule of upcoming events click Here.

Our first course was a colorful salad created by Chef Les Montgomery, who put it together during the Olympics. It is not on the regular menu. Fresh greens topped with blueberries, strawberries, goat cheese and a succulent strawberry vinaigrette.

The lamb “lollipops” was our second and favorite course. Juniper-rubbed boned-in rack of lamb served with Rosemary mash and mint gremolata. This was such a beautiful dish, and was roasted perfectly with such flavor. This lamb in particular is from a small farm in Colorado, although some is sourced from the Clear Creek Monastery, just a few miles away. The lamb is on the regular dinner menu.  Also, FYI…I have heard from numerous people that the Sunday Brunch is to die for!!

For dessert we were greeted with a “Rustic Apple Pie” created by Pastry Chef Sarah Leavell. She also hand-makes all of the ice creams and sorbets, as well.

Now that the foodie talk is over, I have so much left to talk about! This place is like heaven on earth. As soon as we drove up, there was a sense of calmness that came over me. Besides the wide-open spaces, beautiful view of Ft. Gibson lake and miles of walking trails was the indoor “Adult Sandbox”. An indoor track surrounded this sandbox filled with a volleyball pit, games, a stage for a band to set-up and much more. In the near future, this “Adult Sandbox” will be transformed into an Aquatic Center. After exploring this space, we hopped on a golf-cart and took a ride around the property. Up next was the Challenge course. Overlooking Fort Gibson lake, the High Elements challenge shoots up at least 50 feet in the air with a 300 ft. zip line. Wahoo! What an amazing view it has to b up there, and what a rush to zip down that line. I have done a few rope courses, and love them. Scared to death at times…yes, but they are a wonderful growing experience both for individuals and teams to build trust, explore risk, foster communication, and build confidence.

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The Canebrake is a wonderful place for a weekend getaway, special occasion, corporate retreat or date night. If you are wanting to stay the night, there are so many beautiful rooms to choose from. The rooms consist of retreat rooms (split king), deluxe suites (queen and split king) and king suites (king bed and a jetted tub). The rooms are walking distance from the main facility and have a calm, cottage-like appearance. All heating and cooling methods at The Canebrake are used by geothermal heat/ air and solar hot water. The Spa and Yoga room are a great escape for anyone looking for a relaxing experience. The Yoga room has a beautiful view of the outdoors through the long, wide glass windows. The (natural) cork floor was very comfortable and allowed for a nice barefoot feel. I can’t wait to experience a class here (Walk-ins are just $10). Make sure to check out the gift shop. Everything is Eco-friendly and many products are made in Oklahoma. Lastly, all the art-work that fills this place consist of local Native-American paintings. The artwork changes each month and can also be purchased at The Canebrake. This is a great way to showcase our local artists and Oklahoma heritage.

I am still in awe of my experience at The Canebrake. I am truly a believer that you have to see this place to believe it for yourself. Make it a point to do so.

The Canebrake
33241 E. 732nd Road
Wagoner, OK 74467
(918) 485-1807
www.thecanebrake.com