The proprietor is Shaun Fiaccone of Humankind Hospitality Service which also operates Picasso Cafe and The Other Room in the Paseo.
The design by Brian Fitzsimmons features modern Spanish Revival architecture to complement the surrounding structures and includes 4,386 square of enclosed space along with a 698 square foot outdoor courtyard sheltered by a trellis and 989 square feet of outdoor patio.
Fitzsimmons Architects has designed some of Oklahoma City's more stunning restaurants, such as Hatch, Broadway 10 and both Sidecar locations.
The name Frida is an homage to Frida Kahlo the Mexican painter.
The restaurant layout highly favors an outdoor orientation, either looking out through large windows and doors or seating space on patios and courtyards facing both east and north. The entire project looks out about the Paseo District.
Fiaccone is developing the menu with the help of chef Ryan Parrott which will be new American with a strong Southwest influence. Everything will be made from scratch and locally sourced where possible.
A full bar will be offered in the restaurant and the separate bar, The Daley, will feature an overhead door that opens to its own patio. In contrast to the bright, airy spaces of Frida, The Daley will be darker and more intimate and focus on whiskey and craft cocktails.
Frida is to be constructed on a large vacant lot at the southern edge of the Paseo and will help to bridge the district with the booming Uptown / 23rd Street area, as the distance is only four blocks from the popular Pump Bar, which is directly south on Walker.
Originally proposed as Via Paseo, the re-worked project has room along Walker for future commercial expansion.
The plans will be reviewed in the September meeting of the Urban Design Commission.
