Paul Ryburn’s Journal

If you want to do something truly spooky and haunted for Halloween weekend, Elmwood Cemetery is hosting Spirits with the Spirits Friday, October 28 at 7 PM. There will be spirits by Joe’s Wines & Liquors, food by the Juice Plus+ Boys & Girls Club Technical Training Center, and sweets by Frost, Cafe Eclectic, Dinstuhl’s, and Jason’s Deli. There will be live music by Earnestine & Hazel’s house band, as well as fortune telling, palm reading, crystal ball gazing, mule-draw buckboard rides, a silent art auction, outdoor movies, and more. Recommended dress is black & white casual, but of course costumes and characters are welcome. Tickets are $70 per body or $125 couple, and are non-refundable. The event will happen rain or shine.

I wonder what fortune tellers do when they look in the crystal ball and see a bad fortune? I mean, I don’t know if I could tell someone “A crazy person is going to point a gun at you and shoot you at point-blank range” if that’s what I saw in the ball.

There’s an app for everything these days. One problem with buffets is that they throw a tremendous amount of food away at closing time every day. The BuffetGo app aims to change that. App users get a window, usually of 15 to 30 minutes, when they can come to the restaurant and grab leftover food, sometimes for as little as $2. I posted the app to Facebook last night and tagged the Nuh-Uh Girl. If BuffetGo comes to San Francisco she will be all over it.

Groundbreaking is finally going to happen on the ArtSpace Lofts on St. Paul. This has been 6 years in the making, and there will be a celebration today from 4:30-6:30. Ceremonial groundbreaking, “art shovels,” food trucks, and live music.

There will be a Purchased Lives Exhibit Talk with Joshua Rothman. He will talk on a topic related to the exhibit, a look at the economics of the American slave trade.

The Memphis Grizzlies 2016-17 home game promotional schedule has been released. On October 26, the first 10,000 fans will receive a “Grind City” T-shirt. New for this year are “Fizz Glasses” in honor of Coach Fizdale, to be given away November 25 when the Miami Heat play in Memphis. I don’t know if any of my readers do yoga, but if they do, later in the season there will be a Chandler Parsons yoga mat given away at the Houston game on January 21.

Speaking of yoga: Instructor Beth Cosi will be in town Saturday for a special class, The Yin Experience, Saturday from 1 to 4 PM at Downtown Yoga. Beth will guide the class through a Body Scan and Senses Experience, and will explain the three tenets of a Yin Yoga practice. $35. More information and sign-up here.

A fair that was scheduled for the weekend of October 7-8 in Tom Lee Park has been canceled because of a dispute over costs for security.

Michael Hicks Thompson will sign copies of his Christian murder mystery The Rector Friday night from 6 to 9 PM at South Main Book Juggler. The book is already a winner of several literary awards.

Rep. Steve Cohen will be joining President Obama’s delegation to Israel to attend the funeral of Shimon Peres.

That’s the news for now. I will be out at a Downtown location after work.

About 5:30 in the morning of October 2, 2006, my phone rang, waking me up. “Paul, come up to the roof,” my neighbor Carmel said as I answered. “Downtown is on fire!”

A third-year resident of Number 10 Main at the time, I rode the elevator up to the rooftop, where I found about 15 of my neighbors in the enclosed area. We definitely didn’t want to be outside because embers were blowing around everywhere on that gusty morning. Court Square Annex was engulfed in flames, and the building completely collapsed not long after I got up there. A minor fire had started on one of the rooftops of the Lincoln-American Tower. I was told that the Court Square fires had started from embers that had blown south from a fire at First United Methodist Church at Second and Poplar. We couldn’t see that building from our roof, but I found out later that, like Court Square Annex, it had burned to the ground. The whole of Downtown might have burned that night if not for a superb effort on the part of the Memphis Fire Department.

Sunday is the 10-year anniversary of the fire, and First United Methodist will host Fired Up for the Future, a special service to celebrate how far the church has come in that period of time.

The Memphis Flyer’s Best Of issue hit the stands today, so be sure to pick one up.

Today is National Drink Beer Day. I will be delighted to do my patriotic duty this evening and show my support for this holiday.

The Tin Roof is holding a Samuel Adams Beer Stein Hoisting Championship this Saturday, October 1 at 2 PM. The winner will move on to the district finals in Nashville.

This Sunday at the Green Beetle, you have a chance to win tickets for the October 16 Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans game. Every Miller Lite you buy gets you an entry to the raffle for the tickets, to be held after this Sunday’s Titans game.

Since it began publication in 1890, the Arizona Republic has never endorsed a Democrat over a Republican for president. This endorsement history is said to be the “deep philosophical appreciation for conservative ideals and Republican principles.” However, the streak has come to an end in 2016. “The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified.” Very well said.

Next Wednesday, October 5, Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils play The Dirty Crow Inn from 8 to 11 PM.

A Tale of Two Plans: The idea for the $5 million grant used to develop Fourth Bluff looks an awful lot like an idea Jonathan Kirkscey had nine years ago for Memphis Art Park.

Deering & Down play Tacos and Tunes tomorrow night on Felicia Suzanne’s patio. $2 tacos, $5 drinks.

That’s it for now. Possibly a third post before I hit the Silly Goose for happy hour after work.

I came home to find my Gmail inbox filled with blessings from the planet Zambodia. Prince Mongo wrote to compliment me on a recent Facebook post I made about forgiveness. He also asked me to put the word out that he has an apartment coming up for rent at the Mongominiums near Main and Butler. It’s a one bedroom, one bath, fully furnished, all utilities included, for $950 a month. Email me at paul@paulryburn.com if interested and I will give you Mongo’s number.

The Hungry Memphis blog posted a copy of Catherine & Mary’s menu. I agree with what Hungry Memphis posted, it’s pretty fancy. Lots of words I am not sure I know how to pronounce.

Bike Walk Memphis has started an ioby campaign to raise funds for public bicycle repair stands for Cooper-Young. These are stands on which you hang your bike to make it easy to work on. The stands will have an air pump and tools that will allow you to fix most minor problems, along with step-by-step instructions. The plan is to install two such stands, one near Memphis Made Brewing Co. and one near First Congregational Church.

To help raise money for the project, Memphis Made is hosting Get Your Fix in C-Y Saturday night at 6:00 on its patio. Nick Oyler, the city’s new bike and pedestrian program manager, will be on hand, as will Bike Walk Memphis. A portion of beer sales that evening will go toward purchase of the racks.

Just over a year ago I posted how a woman had fallen on the Main Street Mall and it took a ridiculously long time to get 911 on the line. I’m pleased to hear that Mayor Strickland is working hard on that issue. From July 2015 to 2016 the average wait time for 911 dropped from a hideously bad 98.5 seconds to 39.9 seconds, the mayor reported. That’s better but he realizes it is still not good – 20 seconds or less is the number to shoot for. The city is paying MFD and Shelby County dispatchers overtime to assist, is streamlining the hiring and training process, and is focusing on retaining seasoned staff. Kudos Mr. Mayor for addressing this very important matter!

Mayor Strickland also reported that city pavers are finishing up a project this week and will next turn their attention to The Edge. He said in particular Monroe Avenue can expect some improvements in paving. Good news for my readers who live on that street.

Thought on The Giant Hole MLGW has been digging on a different part of Monroe, outside of Bardog: Wait a minute, where is Aldo going to park the hearse? Every year, Bardog raffles off a hearse, with the drawing happening at 11:59 PM on October 31. Aldo always buys a hearse around the first of October and pays the parking meter for the month so it can sit outside his bar. Trouble is, The Giant Hole is blocking the hearse’s traditional parking spot.

Yesterday I was telling the day bartender, who is relatively new, that I remember the hole being there as far back as December 4 of last year. It’s getting close to turning one year old. Shall we throw it a birthday party?

The season finale of MyHQ Sunset Yoga is today at 6:30 in Memphis Park at Front and Jefferson. This free all-levels yoga class is followed by free wine provided by The Corkscrew, and you are welcome to bring a picnic basket. They have extra yoga mats but if you own one they ask that you bring it. Follow @DowntownMemphis to stay aware of weather cancellation, although I don’t think that will be a problem today. This may be the first Sunset Yoga class all year when they have had really nice weather.

The weather has been so miserably hot most of this month that Loflin Yard has created a Facebook event for First Friday that Feels Like Fall Lunch. 2-for-1 po-boy specials and acoustic music on the deck.

MATA is hiring 40 new bus operators and 6 new diesel mechanics.

Now that he no longer has to face the voters in a presidential election, Barack Obama has a little more freedom to speak his mind on the important issues. This weekend he sat down with Anthony Bourdain and tackled one of the most important issues of all: hot dog condiments. According to the president, ketchup isn’t an acceptable hot dog condiment past the age of 8. I could not agree more. Thanks, Obama!

Off to work. Possibly another post later today.

Exciting news for South Main, as a rumor I have been hearing for over a month has now been confirmed: The second Slider Inn location is coming to the area. Aldo, owner of the original Slider Inn as well as Bardog Tavern and Aldo’s Pizza Pies, is finalizing the purchase of the building at 363 Mulberry. The parcel of land will include the lot behind the building, currently a bocce ball court. Aldo hopes to have the new restaurant open by spring.

South Main Trolley Night turns sweet sixteen this Friday night. For the past 16 years, on the last Friday of every month the shops and galleries have stayed open late, with some of them providing appetizers, beverages, discounts, and/or live music. If you’re a South Main Association member, there will be a member area for you next to Bluff City Coffee, with burgers, dogs, beverages, and cake ($10 non-members). South Main Sounds Songwriter Night #38 will happen at 550 S. Main that night. The weather looks like it will be beautiful and I plan to hit the streets of South Main!

Memphis is getting another craft brewery. Meddlesome Brewing Co. has announced it will open in a location near Shelby Farms. There will be a taproom to go along with the brewery.

Jay Whitecotton (Funny or Die) will give a free comedy performance at High Cotton Brewing Co. tonight at 8. His recent album hit number one on iTunes Comedy and he will be recording for FOX and Hulu later this year. The event is free to attend and is 21 and up.

Tory Lanez with special guest Veecee performs at the New Daisy tonight. Tickets are $25-30. Doors open at 7, show at 8.

Streetdog Foundation’s annual fundraiser Howl at the Moon will happen on Saturday, November 12 at The Warehouse at Front and G.E. Patterson from 6 to 11 PM. Streetdog is a wonderful organization that rescues dogs, fosters them, and gets them adopted. There will be several bars throughout The Warehouse serving specialty cocktails, including the popular Howler. There will be live music by Shufflegrit, James and the Ultrasounds, South Side Supper Club, Kim Garmon, Allessandra Daniele, and dance music by DJ Tree.

The CA has a really good article on Nick Scott’s rise through the ranks of Memphis kitchens to eventually become co-owner of Alchemy. Nick worked in several kitchens Downtown on his way up, including many years at Bluefin.

A summit is being held next week to address the issues of parking, walkability, and public transit in the Downtown core and in the Medical Center District.

Memphis Flyer article on Memphis Made Brewing Co.: How a beer becomes a can

I watched the debate with a couple of friends in the back room of the Blind Bear yesterday evening. For the first 20 minutes or so, I actually thought Trump was winning, and thinking to myself, “the national nightmare is going to come true. We’re going to elect President Trump.” However, Hillary soon got him to take her bait. When Hillary said it’s possible he doesn’t pay any taxes and he replied “That’s smart,” I thought, that’s it, Hillary won the debate. The “400 pound person sitting on a bed” quote made Trump look pretty idiotic too.

Jerry Springer agreed.

Hillary Clinton belongs in the White House. Donald Trump belongs on my show.

— Jerry Springer (@jerryspringer) September 27, 2016

That’s it for now. Back to work after a four-day weekend that was absolutely outstanding. I’ll be out at happy hour at one of the usual spots this evening.

The Memphis Farmers Market party last night at Loflin Yard was probably the best party they have ever thrown. What a perfect space. I didn’t take photos of all my food but these two plates say it all.

A meat sauce over grits from Felicia Suzanne’s. OUT OF THIS WORLD. The past four days have made a Felicia fan out of me for sure.

Chef Patrick Reilly of Majestic Grille got out the paella pan. That thing must be three feet in diameter. He served me not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE scrumps in my bowl of paella. “I’m not going to need to eat again until about Thursday,” I thought as I finished my food.

The space is absolutely beautiful and perfect for a Farmers Market event. Here’s a photo I look of the creek that runs through Loflin Yard.

I wonder if there’s a troll who lives under the bridge?

I was a ride-sharing maniac this weekend. About 6:30 I ordered a Lyft to the Blind Bear. However, with today off and a desire to make last night a late night, I didn’t want an 8-and-a-half-hour run at the Bear. I needed an interesting diversion. Right around that time, my friend Hannah posted that she was bartending at Aldo’s Pizza Pies Midtown until 11.

My friend Captain Sparkles was sitting next to me at the Bear. “Want to grab a ride out there and see Hannah?” I asked. He was up for it. I have girls I go see Downtown. First there was FML (Feeny, Lacey, Mary) then MLS (Mary, Lacey, Stacey) and now a different MLS (Mandy, Lacey, Stacey) at the Blind Bear. There’s Jessica at the Goose on Wednesday and Thursday. There’s Melissa Monday at Bardog. “But you’re my only girl in Midtown,” I told Hannah.

We caught a Lyft back Downtown (making it my first weekend ever spending triple digits on Lyfts) and I finished the evening at the Bear. I tried to tab out but Colin informed me that if I stayed six more minutes, it would be last call and I could say I closed the Bear. So I stayed.

Okay. On to the news. This won’t be a really newsy post because I slept until almost 11 today and I have absolutely no idea what’s going on. But here’s what I’ve got.

Flight, the restaurant at the corner of Main and Monroe, is looking to hire a Daytime Reservation Specialist.

Speaking of Monroe… MLGW is coming up on 10 months digging The Giant Hole on that block. This morning they hit a gas main and the fire department came out and closed the block of Monroe between Front and Main. You know, there have been clown sightings all over the southeast lately but they say there have been none so far in Memphis. Go to The Giant Hole and you will see plenty of clowns standing around.

This is going to be a good conversation: The Civil Pour is all about civil discussion, not arguing or debating, just stating your opinion and listening to those of others in a respectful manner. The Civil Pour IV happens Thursday, October 6 at Loflin Yard, and the conversation will tackle one of the most sensitive issues of all: race. Is racial profiling a thing? Are we in a post-racial era or is there still injustice? Can anything be done about systemic racism? The fact that these issues can be discussed openly and differences of opinion tolerated gives me hope for America. We need exchanges of ideas like this.

Just as I was writing this post, I found a really good website: Memphis Flavor. They sell tastes of Memphis, as well as Memphis apparel. The reason I found it is that I was Googling the Flo’s tomato jam that my friend Nate had with his fries Friday at lunch. Their brands include Flo’s, Central BBQ, Killer Hogs, Germantown Commissary, Brother Juniper’s, Dinstuhl’s, Makeda’s, Nikki’s Hot A$$, and Victory Lane BBQ. They even have High Cotton trucker caps and Memphis Made T-shirts (hey, there’s my favorite pair of librarian glasses!) I think I have found my site for Christmas shopping this year.

RIP Arnold Palmer. Although I am not a huge golf fan, I appreciate what a legend he was in that sport, and what an inspiration he is to today’s pros.

All right, time to hit Publish and think about where I’m going to eat lunch. I’ve narrowed it down to a walk to Westy’s for one of their wild rice dishes, or a much shorter walk to Court House Deli for their loaded chili with jalapenos, cheddar, and onions. A trip to one of the the pho restaurants in Crosstown is under consideration, as is a drive to the Jack Pirtle’s on Thomas Street. Back to work tomorrow. It has been a fantastic long weekend and I’m not done yet!

 

I’m very excited about today, because my new I Love Sunday School shirt has arrived. I’m going to wear it to Hung Over Like a Bear brunch so my Sunday school teacher B-RAD can see it.

You know, I attended Sunday school (real Sunday school, not a bar) up to age 12 and there were only three things memorable about it.

1. One time when I was in the 4-year-old class, somebody brought donuts. Those were really good donuts.
2. They taught us a song called “The Golden Cockerel.” I can just hear Butt-head going, “You said ‘cockerel.’ Huh huh huh huh huh.”
3. They had this exercise where we pretended we were in a cave and the entrance was about to collapse. What position in line would you want to be to get out? I’ll be damned if half of those little fuckers didn’t LIE and say they would want to be last to exit the cave. That’s what Sunday school (and school in general) is about, teaching children to say the bullshit that adults want to hear. It’s a skill that prepares them well for the corporate world, by the way.

Yesterday I returned to the Memphis Farmers Market after a hiatus of several weeks. The number of vendors has shrunk a little bit, as there seem to be fewer fall produce vendors than there are spring and summer. However, I will give you two reasons to keep going.

First of all, the tandoori truck is back! If you like Indian food, come hungry to the Market one Saturday. I like the vegetable pakoras, the chicken and rice, the chickpeas and rice, and the naan topped with a green garlic spread. I usually tell people Sushi Jimmi is my favorite food truck but then I realize I forgot about the tandoori truck.

Secondly, near the front entrance, on the left, there is a vendor who sells frozen pops. He has recently expanded his menu and now sells Italian ice too. I had some cherry Italian ice yesterday and it was SO good!

After the Market I walked across the street to Earnestine & Hazel’s, where I had a beer with my friend Otto. He is the one friend who understands the technical stuff I do at work so it’s good to have somebody to talk to about that. We also had a brief Chef Michael Patrick appearance. In addition, we had Foursquare/Swarm “mayor” of E&H (until I steal the mayorship back) Eric stop by to pick up a to-go Soul Burger for Panda at Bardog.

From there I called a Lyft to get a ride out to Broad Avenue Water Tower for BreakFest 901. Lyft informed that they were busy and there would be a 100% upcharge. Still cheaper than a cab though, and more reliable – the Lyft was there in three minutes.

My friends on Squeal Street BBQ were just putting together their Bacon Lovers entry as I arrived (and if you were wondering if I timed it that way on purpose, yes I did). My own BBQ team The Moody Ques couldn’t compete in BreakFest because we are preparing for the Farmers Market party today. But that was fine; Squeal Street is like my second BBQ family, and it was a pleasure to hang out and talk with them and catch up on things that have been going on the past year. Thank you Squeal Street for the hospitality (and by hospitality, I mean beer). The food they put out looked so pretty! By the time I was getting ready to leave, team member Bad Shane told me they had placed in the top ten in EVERY category!

I caught another Lyft back to South Main (only a 50% upcharge this time). How did I get all the way to Week 4 of college football without any football watching at Max’s Sports Bar? Yesterday I made up for lost time, staying from 3 until 7. Unfortunately most of the people in the bar were UT fans. You know how Max’s has a smoking section and a nonsmoking section now? There needs to be a UT fans section so the rest of us don’t have to deal with them. There was also a lot of interest in the Michigan game.

I will be back at Max’s next Saturday to watch the Arkansas-Alcorn State game. It is in the early slot, so Bardog will have to do without me for one more week.

About 4:00 Squeal Street came in, having wrapped up BreakFest. My friend Leigh told me they came in second in one category and third in another, beating restaurants that do this for a living every day. I will try to get a link to complete results. Congratulations to Squeal Street and Leigh it was a pleasure talking to you.

Got a full schedule today… I will lead off at D-RANKS with B-RAD of course, but Double J’s closing day/parking lot party puts an additional stop on my list. Actually two stops, because you know I am going to go in Max’s for at least a minute. Plus that’ll be a good halfway point to Loflin Yard, where my team is cooking for Farm Fest, the Memphis Farmers Market fall party, at 5. It should be a delightful evening and I look forward to continuing some conversations that were started yesterday. Hmmm… I don’t have to go to work tomorrow so I can make it a late night… perhaps after the party I will hit the Crow while I’m in the neighborhood.

Okay, I just put the shirt on… man, this thing is big. I should have ordered a size smaller. Oh well… it’s still getting worn to my Sunday school class at B-RAD’s bar today. Happy Sunday everyone, and I hope to see you at the Farmers Market party this evening. Be sure to let us know what you think of the BBQ!

When you get to the end of today’s post, keep scrolling… earlier this morning I posted a review of the 25 cent martini lunch at Felicia Suzanne’s. Just let me say this – amazing lunch, excellent value, you MUST give it a try if you haven’t already.

By the way, while I was at lunch I found another 25 cent drinking value on Facebook. (Normally I wouldn’t have my phone out at a nice place like Felicia’s, but I had posted about forgiveness and it was getting a ton of “Likes” and comments.) Agave Maria also does Friday lunch with 25 cent margaritas. ATTN WORK: I’m going to need every Friday off from now on.

Philadelphia singer-songwriter Amos Lee performs at the Orpheum tonight at 8 PM. Tickets are $29.50-$59.50.

Dogs, Beer, and Live Music for Tails of Hope happens this evening at High Cotton Brewing Co. from 5 to 8 PM. High Cotton and Hollywood feed present this fundraiser go to Tails of Hope Dog Rescue. $10 donation is requested. First 75 people get a free beer as well as a free dog beer if they bring their dog. Everyone gets a Hollywood Feed gift bag and a logo pint glass.

The Pandemonium Film Showcase continues today at the Cossitt Library, Front at Monroe, at 4 PM. This month’s theme is The Roller Derby Picture Show. Movies shown will be Rollerball (1975), Hell on Wheels (2002), and The Unholy Rollers (1972). The event is put together by Craig Brewer and Black Lodge Video and is free to attend. The Memphis Roller Derby will circle the audience as they watch. Beer, food, and soda will be available to purchase.

Southern Avenue plays Loflin Yard tonight at 7.

Schoolboy Q with special guest Joey Bada$$ plays the New Daisy tonight as part of his Blank Face tour. Doors at 6, show at 7, tickets $45.

Here’s a new idea for a beer pairing… beer and popsicles. On Wednesday, October 5 from 7 to 9, High Cotton will pair 4 beers with 4 popsicles. It’s $20 at the door and you can pay with cash or card. The Freewheelin’ slow ride through the Medical Center district happens from 6 to 7 so it would easy to do both events. Additional MEMpops and High Cotton beer will be available for purchase if you so choose. High Cotton is family-friendly, so if your kids like popsicles, bring’em. The place is dog-friendly too.

In the news: Hangover-free alcohol could replaces all regular alcohol by 2050. I hope the nursing home I’m living in by then has a bar.

That’s it for this post… don’t forget to keep scrolling to read about my lunch yesterday. Taking a rare Saturday off from Bardog this morning. I’m going to the Farmers Market, then catching a Lyft or Uber out to the Broad Avenue Water Tower to watch my friends compete in BreakFest, then another Lyft/Uber back to South Main for football watching at Max’s Sports Bar. If the second day of my four-day weekend is as much fun as the first, I’ll be off to a good start indeed.

 

Earlier this week, I was chatting with my friend Stacey about places to get lunch Downtown. Stacey is a relatively new resident in the Downtown core, and is still figuring out where she can walk for lunch. She found the Thursday food truck rodeos already, but she had questions about where else to go. “Where can I get pot roast?” she asked.

“I believe Blue Plate Cafe would have it,” I replied. “On Court Square.”

Stacey pulled up the menu. “Oooooh, this seems like my kind of place,” she said. “I’m going to be going there a lot.”

I recommended some more places. “There’s also Court House Deli on Main Street,” I told her. “Really good etoufee and jambalaya. And there’s The Little Tea Shop next to Bardog. Really good cornbread, meat-and-two plates, and the owner Miss Su is a Downtown icon. And then there’s Felicia Suzanne’s. They open for lunch every Friday and have 25 cent martinis.”

“25 cent martinis?” Stacey said. She pulled up their menu on her phone. “Oh yeah, I’m going to this! This is my plan for lunch this Friday!”

“Well, I’m off work this Friday, and I don’t have anything planned for the day, if you want to meet up,” I told her. Stacey said that sounded good and we recruited our friend Nate to go as well. On the advice of a friend who used to work there, we called and made a reservation for 12:30.

Despite living across the street, I have never been to Felicia’s. It’s one of the few places where I didn’t know if I would feel comfortable going alone. I’d take a date there if I could find a woman I liked enough, but… never mind, let’s not even go there. Anyway, I had no idea what to expect.

We were seated and our server Zack (or Zach maybe, didn’t ask the spelling) took our order. Of course we went right for the martinis. “Do you want gin or vodka? Standard, or juicy, or dirty?” he asked. Nice to have options for 25 cent martinis. We all ordered dirty vodka martinis. Zack reminded me a bit of my buddy Zack who gave me my PBR koozie that looks like a brown paper bag with the PBR logo on it. I didn’t ask if Felicia’s serves PBR. I would guess they do not.

The martinis were small, but for 25 cents that was understandable; I didn’t expect them to come in Big Gulp cups from 7-Eleven. We estimated them at about an ounce and a half. Nate downed his martini, including the olive, in one huge sip. Stacey and I drank ours more slowly. We noticed some people were finishing their martinis without eating the olive. “What are they thinking?” I commented. “That’s a free olive! That’s VEGETABLES! You’d think people who like 25 cent martinis would appreciate getting something for free!”

Based on reviews I had read online, I was leaning in the direction of the salmon croquettes for lunch. However, when I read the descriptions of the entrees I changed my mind in favor of the Lake Catfish. It came topped with chow chow from the Flo’s line of products made by Felicia (available at the Memphis Farmers Market, by the way). and it sat atop a bed of Hoppin’ John. That sounded irresistible.

The catfish was every bit as delicious as it sounded, and the chow chow added a perfect burst of flavor. I love Hoppin’ John and ate every last bite.

Nate decided on the Short Rib Grilled Cheese.

The sandwich was short rib inside cheesy (and I mean, really cheesy) toast, and I believe that’s an egg on top. It’s a sandwich you have to eat with a fork and knife. It came with fries and Flo’s Tomato Jam for dipping.

Stacey got the BBQ Shrimp with a side of Flo’s potato salad.

Huge shrimp with toast and greens… “I am completely satiated,” Stacey said after finishing her dinner.

It was a delicious lunch and an amazing experience indeed. Zack took superb care of us the entire time. When the check came, my total was $16.12. At Felicia Suzanne’s! This Friday lunch has to be one of the best values in all of Downtown. If you have never tried it, pick a Friday, take a vacation day, grab some friends, and by all means go!

I want to make a point about tipping here. If I went to a restaurant for lunch and ran up a $16.12 tab where there weren’t any specials, I’d drop a 20 and say “keep the change.” However, I believe in tipping on the full cost of food and beverages I purchase, not the discounted price. Considering I had martinis that would have likely been $5 each if not Friday lunch, I wrote “$10.00” on the tip line and added it up and signed the check. I’m sure some of my readers are thinking, “Paul, that’s a bit much” but here’s the thing – tipping well buys you a good reputation down here. The next time I come in Felicia’s, I know that the people there will be happy to see me walk through the door. If you feel like you’re not getting good service at the bars and restaurants you frequent, try tipping in the 25% range on the full price of whatever you purchase. I bet your service will improve.

“Paul, you’ve got to take another Friday off so we can come back here,” Stacey said as we were walking down the Main Street Mall after lunch. I do have a Friday in mind – November 18! I always take my birthday off work. Lunch at Felicia’s sounds perfect.

I’m told the lunch menu changes weekly, so don’t count on the items pictured above being available. However, given the overall excellence, I am sure you will be happy with whatever is on the menu the day you go. Strongest possible recommendation to check this lunch out. I will be back.

And wouldn’t ya know it… a minute after I hit Publish on today’s news update, my weekly Memphis Farmers Market email shows up in my Inbox. Of course I am going to blog about happenings at the Market, even if it cuts into my Silly Goose time a little. The sacrifices I make for my readers… okay, let’s do this.

Fall Into Autumn is the theme at this week’s Memphis Farmers Market. Enjoy pleasant 94-degree temperatures as you shop under the pavilion Saturday. Master Gardeners will be on hand from 8 to 12:30 to answer any questions you have about your fall garden. Note that there will be no pet-sitting service this weekend, so let Rover enjoy the air-conditioned indoors at home while you sweat your ass off walking around shopping for fresh produce. Live music by Eric Crays and Roger Wild from 8:30 to 10. The Market happens every Saturday under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson from 7 AM to 1 PM.

After a hiatus from the Market thus far in September, I WILL BE THERE tomorrow and I am going to make up for lost time. I am going to eat a frozen pop, a Smoothie, and a duffin all in the same day. Now that’s livin’ life right, my friends!

Also, don’t forget that Farm Fest is this Sunday! It’s the annual Farmers Market fall party, and what a blast it will be! Your cost of admission includes:

• Live music by Star & Micey
• Live and silent auctions (bring money!)
• Food from the following restaurants: Amerigo, Central BBQ. Felicia Suzanne’s, Mosa, The Farmer, Majestic Grille, Trolley Stop Market, and Bluff City Bakery
• BBQ by THE MOODY QUES!!!
• Beer by Wiseacre
• Wines by Frederick Wildman
• Decorations by Holliday Flowers
• Games, photos, and good times

$40 in advance, $50 day of, $25 vendors/volunteers, $20 no alcohol. I WILL BE THERE and you should too! In the spirit of games and good times, I will be doing a little “show and tell” that evening.

That’ll do it. Off to the Goose and then Felicia’s. Be sure to scroll down and read the newsy Friday update I posted a few minutes ago.

 

A month or so ago I posted that Morris Day and The Time would perform at the Cannon Center on Friday, October 28. I now have more news about that show… it will be a tribute to Prince, and Sheila E will also be there. Tickets are $37.50-$65.50. There’s also a $135.50 VIP ticket which guarantees a seat in the first seven rows, reception, poster, meet and greet, and a photo opportunity.

Double J will be closing this Sunday and there will be a big parking lot party. Come thank them for the past 4 1/2 years. From what I have heard, they have decided to focus on their West Memphis location.

Cooper-Young Beerfest (10/22/2016) is now halfway to a sellout. With a month still to go, there is very little chance tickets will still be available at the gate. This is the best beer festival of the year in Memphis. If you have considered going but don’t have a ticket yet, you might want to buy your ticket soon.

The Greater Memphis Chamber has 5 reasons the Move It Memphis Race is better than ever. The race happens Wednesday, September 28 and starts and ends at Loflin Yard.

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream is in town at FedExForum this weekend. Shows tonight at 6:30, tomorrow at 10:30, 2:30, and 6:30, and Sunday at 10:30 and 2:30.

In The 9:01 this morning, the CA’s Chris Herrington visited the Cossitt Library and examined its potential.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band takes the stage at the Halloran Centre tonight at 7:30.

From Gizmodo: How ITT Tech screwed students and made millions. I was encouraged to interview for an instructor position at the Memphis campus in 2006. They made me an offer that was quite generous, but things didn’t feel right. For one thing, they were comfortable asking me to teach classes like 3-D graphic design in which I had absolutely no previous experience. Secondly, the instructors seemed like second-class citizens when I toured the facility. Administrators had lavish offices, while faculty had a big room with some of the most awful cubicle spaces I have ever seen in my life. Any true college or university understands that faculty are the most employees they have. So glad I turned the offer down and did not become part of the scam.

For my readers who live near CBU: 901 Market and Grill is coming to your neighborhood. It will be owned by Sunny and Hamida who own City Market and Quench.

Edward Anderson plays Loflin Yard tonight at 7.

Speaking of Loflin Yard, YOGA! If you attend the Memphis Made Brewing Co. taproom’s Bendy Brewski Yoga class at noon tomorrow, you will receive $5 off their Sunday 11 AM Bendy Boozy Yoga class at Loflin.

Caribbean restaurant Evelyn & Olive has announced that there is now no extra charge for to-go orders.

I stayed out a bit late last night, making it past the stroke of midnight on a weekday. Kaleidoscope was absolutely killing it on stage at the Blind Bear. Many bands will play the first verse or two of “Stairway to Heaven” as a joke. When Kaleidoscope fired it up, I assumed that was what they had in mind… but no, they played the entire song and they did it PERFECTLY. As a 3-piece band, with no double-necked guitars. I was so impressed that I ordered the band a round of shots.

Quick “You are so Downtown if…” story. Last night one of the friends I am going to 25-cent martini lunch with today at Felicia Suzanne’s called up there to make reservations. “I have us down for three at 12:30,” she told me.

Then she said, “Why don’t we meet at the Goose to pre-game?” It’s one thing to go to a restaurant that serves martinis for 25 cents. It’s another thing to go to a bar to pre-game for the 25-cent martinis. THAT’S HOW DOWNTOWN ROLLS.

Good God, I love my life down here. Couldn’t ask for better people. Couldn’t ask for better places.

Time to start pre-gaming. Back tomorrow with more news.