Though no one could have known it at the time, 2002 was a pivotal year for Tulsa's restaurant scene. A young sous chef named Justin Thompson started work at Polo Grill. Just six months later, Thompson was hired to lead the kitchen of a brand-new restaurant, which he did to great success. Justin Thompson now owns four fine-dining restaurants throughout the city. Here's a look at each of his establishments:

Juniper

Since 2011, the chefs at Downtown Tulsa’s Juniper have created more than 2,000 unique modern cuisine dishes using locally sourced ingredients. At the helm of this farm-to-table restaurant is award-winning chef Justin Thompson. Not only has Chef Thompson developed the creative fine-dining menu, he also designed the restaurant which has a warm and inviting atmosphere filled with art created by local artists.

Prhyme

Sure, any steakhouse lets you choose how your beef is cooked, but how many let you choose how it was raised? That's the level of flavor customization diners have at Prhyme, where patrons discover the difference feed and environment make in new york strips and filets. In addition to choosing between grass- and grain-fed beef, patrons can opt for 30-day-aged beef, seasonal seafood, pork chops, and more than 225 wines from around the world.

Tavolo

Every day, chefs at Tavolo transform pasta dough into silken noodles and blend fresh herbs into classic sauces. Their modern Italian cuisine can be enjoyed as a traditional entree or as part of Tavolo's tasting menus. These change with the seasons and have been known to feature bruschetta, seafood polenta, and the gelato of the day. Meals unfold in a cozy, romantic space with beautiful floor-to-ceiling views of Boston Avenue on the second floor. Diners can also visit the newly opened Tavolo Caffè & Market next-door, which will feature an espresso bar, fresh-baked pastries, grab-and-go food items, and a market with a variety of bottled sauces, dressings, imported dried meats, cheese, and more.

624 Kitchen & Catering

Art deco decor, 20-foot-high ceilings, and elevated cuisine and drinks inspired from all of Justin Thompson's restaurants—that's what you'll find at 624 Kitchen & Catering. The elegant space, which is located in the lobby of the historical ONG building, is large enough to host private events for up to 200 guests. The 624 staff and event coordinators specialize in hosting events and partner with various vendors and rental companies to help any party go off without a hitch.