Eating Oxford: Chef Walt Norwood Returns to Oxford

Walt Norwood

Do you remember Waltz on the Square? It was a popular Oxford steakhouse that was located where McEwen’s is now.

The former owner of Waltz on the Square, Chef Walt Norwood, has returned to Oxford, this time manning the grills at Oliver Steak Company on College Hill Road.

“After Waltz on the Square, I worked at Prime at Oxford’s Downtown Inn before my wife and I moved to Tunica,” said Norwood. “Since living in Tunica I’ve worked in a few different kitchens, including Café Marie, a historic hotel and café in Tunica; Yazoo Pass in Clarksdale; and a new restaurant in Sumner.” He learned about Oliver Steak Company through his cousin who knows the owners, Jane and Robert Oliver.

Most surprising to hear is that Norwood also wrote a book while he was away from Oxford. “It’s called Puppy Dreams, and it’s all about the dreams that different breeds of puppies have—beagles chasing rabbits, standard poodles strutting down 5th Avenue, etc.,” said Norwood. “The idea came about one day after our Scottie dog Cyrus was sleeping and whining on the couch and my wife told me, ‘Wake him up, he’s dreaming.’” Norwood said he’s released the first book in a series and hopes to write more.

Puppy Dreams by Walt Norwood

As for his plans at his new post, Norwood says he’s spent his first three weeks at Oliver Steak Company getting acclimated to everything and keeping up with game-day crowds. But he’s also preparing to bring back some favorites from Waltz on the Square.

“There hasn’t been a lot of transition time because I was brought in right at the start of football season and it’s been all hands on deck,” said Norwood. “But as we go along we’ll introduce new menu items step by step. The core of it will always be a steakhouse, but I also like to do sautéed fresh fish and pasta. We’ll definitely have the bread everyone liked from Waltz on the Square, the Rector’s Pasta, Frangelico crème Brulee, and more,” he said.

“I think this location has a lot of potential; it’s off the beaten path and off The Square, which is a plus, once people realize there’s something worth coming here for,” said Norwood. “The main task for me is getting the product right, which includes the food, wine, ambiance, service, lighting and music.”

Oliver Steak Company is located at 1007 College Hill Road. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and dinner Monday through Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Chef Norwood is in the kitchen Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information, visit them here or call 662-380-5072.

Liz Barrett Foster is the EatingOxford editor for HottyToddy.com, an award-winning business journalist and author of the recently published Pizza: A Slice of American History. Liz ran the popular restaurant information site EatingOxford.com from 2009 to 2015. Liz can be reached at liz.foster@hottytoddy.com.

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