Two popular Downtown restaurants will be closing temporarily for renovations. Circa will be closed this week as it undergoes a transformation into John Bragg’s new concept, a chef’s pub. It will be called Bar None – “Best Bar Food, Bar None.” Chef Antony Feld will be in the kitchen. Menu will be previewed next week during Downtown Dining Week. If you have Circa gift cards, they will be honored at both Bar None and the soon-to-open East Memphis Circa location. Menus both both locations will be posted on Circa’s website in a few days.
Huey’s Downtown location will also be closing for renovations. It will be closed November 14-21, and reopen for lunch on the 22nd. The place will still look like Huey’s, but a newer Huey’s, and improved facilities for servers will be installed. I’m sure the renovations will be nice, but it means I have to make alternate arrangements for Paul’s Drunkass Food as I stumble home at night.
There’s an article in the Commercial Appeal today about the planned redevelopment of the Pinch neighborhood near the Pyramid. With Bass Pro moving in, planners want to purchase land within the boundaries of Front and Third, Jackson and Shadyac and redevelop the area with a mix of restaurants and retail. This sounds very cool… I frequently “head south” to the shops, restaurants and bars on South Main, but rarely do I “head north.” Looks like I’ll have a new direction to wander in the coming years.
Lifehacker article of interest to Downtowners: What alcohol actually does to your brain and body
I want to clarify something about tomorrow’s Downtown Night with the Grizzlies: You can’t walk up to the ticket booth at game time and ask for the deal. You need to call Carl Rosen in advance to purchase your tickets. For $50 you get a $99-value club level seat to watch the Grizzlies vs. Mavericks, food and beverages, and an hour and a half to mingle with your neighbors in Opus Restaurant. Carl will be taking orders for Downtown Night tickets until noon tomorrow, and you can reach him at 901-205-1445.
Congratulations to Division II school Indianapolis on their 79-64 victory against the Tennessee Vols basketball team last night. Yet another embarrassment for Bruce Pearl and his team. I’m guessing Tennessee will be out of the Top 25 for a long, long time beginning next week. Wonder if UT is a step closer to showing the Bruchebag the door after last night. By the way, this reminds me, does anyone want to purchase an orange blazer that’s only been worn three times?
I had fun recording my beers on Beerby last night, and I’m well on my way to earning the Conquistador badger (that’s not a typo – you earn badgers, not badges) for drinking a lot of Mexican lagers. My frequent consumption of PBR will get me the Hipster Superstar badger fairly quickly, too. This is a game I can rule! I already have several Beerby friends and I get to see what beers they’re drinking.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to check in my beers tonight, since it’s trivia and I can’t have my phone out. We have $350 accumulated toward our next party and hope to make it to the 400 mark tonight.