Hamlet Offers Busy Cooks Great Meals to Take Home
BY D. J. MORROW INGRAM
Associate Editor
A SHOPPERS PARADISE: Whether you are shopping for a great meal to take home or that perfect holiday or hostess gift, The Hamlet should be your first and last stop.
MATTHEW W. GROSS for GTR Newspapers
In today’s time-crunched world, the home-cooked meal is becoming a rarity. When the holidays hit, the “big dinner” preparation can often send even the best cook into a tizzy. But relax. There’s help at The Hamlet.
This family-owned business has been the “silent chef” for many families and businesses for nearly 20 years and they’re ready to become yours as well.
“We understand how busy people are and we’re here to help alleviate some of the stress that not only comes at the holidays when you have more people coming to dinner but also any time when you want a good meal but just don’t have the time to do it yourself,” says owner David Lyster. “And every business needs a caterer they can count on.”
The Hamlet offers full meals to go, complete with side dishes, rolls and desserts throughout the year. During the holidays they add a “dressed-up” version to allow all members of the family to enjoy each other’s company rather than have one or two slaving in the kitchen all day.
“Too often I hear primarily women commenting that their entire holiday was spent in the kitchen away from their guests,” he says. “When we do the cooking, you get a great meal and your time back to spend as you wish.”
The Hamlet’s trademark is their “honey kissed” spiral cut ham that has become a holiday tradition on many area tables. But they also offer whole smoked turkeys with the bone in and a spiral cut turkey breast that is “honey kissed” as well.
Most savvy meeting planners know The Hamlet’s catering is tops in Tulsa. They offer a wide variety of options from boxed lunches to buffet dinners to sit-down dinners. Their 91st Street and Sheridan Road store even has a place to hold the event if you need with a 1,200-square foot deck that is often leased for private parties and corporate events.
“We’ve done everything from bunco parties to wedding receptions and everything in between,” Lyster says.
The Hamlet can also be a shopper’s best friend when you’re looking for a gift. They have a large selection of gourmet foods to compliment their meats including cooking utensils, spices, jellies and spiced vinegars. They sell Boar’s Head meats and cheeses and offer such well-known brands as Robert Rothchild, Stonewall Kitchens and Oak Hill Farms as well as “made-in-Oklahoma” products. They have several ready-made gift baskets to choose from or you can create you own and have The Hamlet ship it for you.
“We can ship anywhere,” Lyster says, “and we do. We often get calls from people who have moved from Tulsa and they miss our food so we ship it to them. We also get calls from people who have visited Tulsa and can’t find the same quality when they return home so we ship to them, too. Our motto is ‘anywhere’.”
If shopping drains your energy, you can relax with a nice breakfast (weekends only) or lunch and choose from a wide variety of choices.
“On the weekends we’re a nice place to begin your day,” Lyster says. “You can relax and enjoy our brunch while planning the rest of your day. Or, if it is later in the day and you’re looking for someplace to have lunch, we’re a great choice then as well.”
Longtime fans have something new to look forward to in the coming year – wine and cheese tastings.
“We carry the best lines of cheese so we have teamed up with a wine distributor and will be offering tastings on the deck this spring.”
The Hamlet currently has two Tulsa locations – 9107 East Sheridan Rd. and 1660 East 71st St. A new location will be opening December 15 at Smith Farms Marketplace in Owasso. All are owned by Lyster and his father, Larry Lyster.
For more information about The Hamlet or to place an order, visit one of their locations, call 496-2242 or 495-1466 or visit them online at www.hamlethams.com.
Updated 11-22-2005
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