They said yesterday they’d be set up today by noon.
It was 3 before we even saw a truck.
It was after 4:30 before they were selling.
I got in line at one truck at 7:15.
Good thing, because at 7:30, the host told them they could only sell vegetarian to keep it fair among the teams. So the team’s truck I was at was selling French fries for $15 with a side of uncooked meat for free.
FAIL.
This contest is bullshit. Get the fuck out of Memphis. I hope this does not turn out to be a reflection on the local food trucks.
If you want a classic example how to overpromise and underdeliver, look no farther than this weekend.
(Edit: Just to make it clear, I blame the show’s producers, not any individual team.)
Yesterday as I was walking down the Main Street Mall I saw this sign in the window of 51 S. Main:
Krispy Krunchy Chicken is coming to Downtown. I looked up the website and this is a chain, with over 600 locations. A number of restaurants, including Renee’s Sandwich Shop and Hari’s, have been unable to make this location work. A chain might be able to. For one thing, a chain can absorb the losses a new restaurant in this location will incur, as it will take a while to get “discovered.” Also, a chain is likely to have more marketing knowledge than owners of independent restaurants. Every restaurant that has previously been in that space was, in my opinion, poorly marketed.
Between Monroe and Union on the Main Street Mall, this location is far enough away from Gus’s to suffer from competition with them. Best of luck to the people opening the restaurant, and I’ll be by for some chicken soon.
Buck, the singing deer at Kooky Canuck, did so much partying on Cinco de Mayo that he lost an antler. Good thing he managed to hold on to his sombrero.
(Edited to add: I’d much rather hear Buck sing than the people who sing Saturday night karaoke at the Downtown Monkey.)
Wednesday night I had the pleasure of attending the first Clandestino Dining event in Memphis. Clandestino is a Chicago-based underground supper club. Attendees view a 7-to-10 course gourmet menu and RSVP and pay in advance, and the venue is not announced until the day before. Venues are usually cool spaces like art galleries and warehouses.
The people who operate Clandestino are on my BBQ team, the Ques Brothers. On Tuesday, they sent out a message to the group, saying they were looking for a photographer who would work for food. I stepped up. They gave me permission to post some of the photos I took on my blog, so here’s a look at what we had to eat:
We began the evening at Art Village Gallery at 410 S. Main for cocktails.
Guanciale-wrapped grilled strawberries were the hors d’oeuvres at Art Village.
We then moved down the street to a second location that had been kept secret from the attendees – the back room of Earnestine & Hazel’s – for dinner.
As the first course was being prepared, guests were entertained by a honky tonk band.
The theme of the menu was the Seven Deadly Sins. The first course, “Greed,” was a Chicken Fried Oyster Po’ Boy, housemade bretzel roll, harissa remoulade, pickled green tomatoes, and watercress.
Second course, “Sloth,” Pea, Mint, and Pork Trotter Soup w/ water cracker.
Third course, “Envy,” Baby lettuce and herb salad, honey vinaigrette, local cheese tasting.
Fourth course was “Lust.” Maize Sope w/ Trout Gravlax, pickled ramps and rhubarb, and fresh strawberries.
At that point we had a palate refresher, Cucumber Oregano Sorbet or as one guest called it, “a cucumber popsicle.” Here’s a pic of the Nuh-Uh Girl eating.
Course five, “Greed,” Foie Gras French Toast w/ Maple Gastrique and Peach Compote. The Nuh-Uh Girl enjoyed this course so much that she came back to the kitchen to see if there were leftovers.
Chef Efrain, in Clandestino-logo apron, carrying the sixth course, “Wrath,” Mustard Green Pappardelle w/ Braised Oxtail Ragu.
Seventh course, “Pride,” Chocolate Basil Ice Cream, Honey Panna Cotta, Chocolate Meringue Cookie, Mexican Chocolate Truffle, and Strawberry Fizz.
When Clandestino Dining started in Chicago, it was originally a true underground dining club, flouting the city/state licensing requirements. This is why venues are only announced the day before the dinner. A few years ago, they went legit, acquiring a catering license. In Memphis they partnered with Circa/Bar None chef John Bragg to make things all nice’n’legit.
Additional photos will be on the Clandestino Dining website soon. The dinner seemed to be well received, and I know they are contemplating a return to Memphis. If you’d like to see them come back, get on their site, shoot them an email and let them know.
Thanks so much to Efrain and his crew for letting me shoot photos, hang out in the kitchen, and eat. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
Everyone is saying that tomorrow will be The Rapture. Fine with me. In the religion I subscribe to, there’s only one sin, and that’s karaoke, so I’m good to go! Bring it!
Four food trucks are in town for the Food Network’s show The Great Food Truck Race. One of the trucks, the Hodge Podge Truck, was smart enough to establish connections with local bloggers. They’ll be selling prime rib tacos Saturday at Main and Peabody Place from 12 to 9. Let’s come out and support them and carry them to victory!
(By the way… after you eat your prime rib tacos, how about stopping at the bar at Majestic Grille for a drink. They’ve been one of the biggest supporters of food trucks in Memphis.)
Huge congratulations to Judy Peiser from the Center for Southern Folklore. She was honored by the Tennessee State Legislature on Wednesday. Resolution 243 honored her commitment to preserving the social history and music of the South, while striving to educate and inform the general public of its importance. It’s about time Judy got recognized for all she does. A very much deserved resolution!
Fellow Saturn owners: I learned some interesting information today. Right before GM shut it down, Saturn had a new model all ready to roll out. It didn’t make sense to just scrap the new car, so GM gave it to Buick and it became the Regal.
The Memphis Flyer is looking for a permanent part-time copy editor. 20 hours a week, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Only experienced/qualified people need apply. Email brucev@memphisflyer.com.
If you’re into rock climbing, BRIDGES is having one of its ClimBRIDGES events tonight where you can climb their rock wall. Details here.
How embarrassed I am to be a citizen of a state whose legislature enacts the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Seriously, why is time being wasted on this crap? We need to quit judging and quit sticking our nose in other people’s business. A Gallup poll that was just released shows that for the first time, a majority of Americans favor gay marriage. As America moves forward, Tennessee moves backward. Maybe Memphis, Chattanooga and Nashville should secede and form a new state. The rest of the state can then change its name to “Redneckville.” What’s next, a bill to re-introduce slavery?
Plans for tonight: Hell if I know. I’ll probably go out and drink a beer or something.
Tonight’s Peabody rooftop party will feature a “Big Easy” menu. (I was tempted to come up with a creative title connecting the word “easy” to some of the party’s attendees, but I guess I’ll behave.) Buffet (included in the price of admission) will include red beans and rice, mini mufalettas with olive tapenade, and jalapeno hushpuppies. Menu in VIP will include jambalaya, shrimp remoulade shooters, and mini fried oyster po’boys.
Entertainment will be provided by Party Planet. Three reasons to show up early: 1) The Memphis Flyer will hold a casting call for its Fall Fashion issue; 2) Budweiser will throw a Redbirds party; 3) if you don’t get there early, the Nuh-Uh Girl will eat all the food. $10 cover includes first drink, ladies free until 7, season VIP passes available for $75.
Meanwhile, over at the Madison, Don “The Boogie Man” McMinn will entertain at their “Sunset at the Madison” rooftop party. $7 to get in, with special tapas menu and cash bar available.
Don’t forget that it’s the Third Thursday party at Main and Peabody Place too. Restaurants will be grilling out, showing off their goods. Here are a couple of insider tips: 1) If Blue Fin is grilling out beef on a stick, just trust me, GET IT; and 2) Majestic Grille will have dollar tacos.
In other news: Interesting Mashable infographic about transparency vs. anonymity when interacting on the web. With a blog named “Paul Ryburn’s Journal” and a Twitter handle named @paulryburn, I’m sure it’s no surprise that I’m firmly on the side of transparency.
Shout-out to my buddy Zane whose boat will be the first to leave Cairo, IL tomorrow, after the Mississippi is re-opened.
Debating on plans for tonight: Third Thursday party, Buzztime poker tournament at Max’s Sports Bar, or something else? I’ll figure it out after work I guess.
I’ve been meaning to check out Tuesday trivia night at Ferraro’s Pizzeria and Pub since the day it started. However, various obstacles – severe storms, BBQ Fest – kept getting in the way. This week, I got a chance to check it out.
Trivia is hosted by Kevin Cerrito. There are 50 questions: Five rounds of ten questions each. The questions are asked fairly rapid-fire – maybe a minute apart – and once all questions in a round are asked, teams get a few minutes to gather up their answers, ask for questions to be repeated, and get their answer sheets in.
Kevin Cerrito
There’s a prize of pitcher of PBR for the team with the best name. Our team member who specializes in creative names was not available, so we went with my suggestion, “Phone Sex for the Hearing Impaired.” Every team votes for best team name after the second round, and you can’t vote for yourself. Winning name was “Hasta La Vista, Illegitimate Baby.” Obviously it helps to keep up with current events when dreaming up team names.
The setup at Ferraro’s makes for a different team vibe than the Saucer where we used to play. At the Saucer, we’d congregate around the rail or the bar and team members would move around and talk to each other. At Ferraro’s, there are booths. They are large booths that can seat 6, but it’s a snug fit if you do 3 to a side. You better like your teammates because you’ll be getting real cozy with them if you have a full booth. It wasn’t a problem last night, but I can see that being an issue in future weeks for our team in particular, given some of the people who often show up.
Ten of us showed up, and the limit per team is 8, so we split into two teams. I was very happy to end up with Darrin on my team, since he was one of the stars of our team at the Saucer. However, the questions turned out to be more pop-culture oriented than Saucer trivia. There was a “name that tune” round and a round about Schwarzenegger movies, both of which my contributions were practically nil. Our two team members who said “by the way, I suck at trivia” prior to start time ended up contributing as much or more than Darrin or me.
I went with the pitcher of PBR to drink. PBR sells for $7.50 a pitcher or $2 a pint at Ferraro’s. Why have I not been hanging out there more often?
Last night was my first time to try the pizza, and it was absolutely delicious. I got the pepperoni and sausage 8″ bar pie and loved it. That sure is a world of difference (and I mean better than) Pizza Hut’s personal pan pizzas. My teammate sitting on my side of the booth ordered a pepperoni and pineapple pizza, and I made a mental note that I will not be sharing a pizza with her in the future. Pineapple as a topping is something I’ve never been down with. My teammate redeemed herself a few minutes later when she said she likes to sing, but doesn’t go to karaoke nights. Praise the Lord, someone with common sense!
My pizzaMy teammate's pizza
For those who smoke, there was ample time between rounds to go out on the patio. Ferraro’s is 18+ so kids can come play trivia too.
Overall, just a real good vibe. I plan a return to Ferraro’s trivia night soon.
Compared to the madness of Music Fest and the debauchery of BBQ Fest, Sunset Symphony is a very chill event. Guests are allowed to bring in their own blankets and coolers (including alcohol), and Tom Lee Park becomes a gigantic picnic. The Bar-Kays and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will entertain, and there will be fireworks after sunset. If you don’t feel like bringing your own food and beverages, you can purchase them at the park.
I want to remind everyone that by the time the first note is played at Sunset Symphony, Tube Top Month will have arrived. It begins at 5 PM Friday, May 27. So, let’s see those tube tops on the 28th!
If you’ve read the local news lately, you’ve likely heard that the City of Memphis is having some serious budget problems. Severe cuts have to be made, and one proposed cut is Rec Athletics. That would mean that the Memphis kickball leagues would be eliminated.
I’ve never played, but a lot of my friends are on teams. They love it and look forward to the weekly games. Plus, it’s good exercise, and isn’t Mayor Wharton all about a healthy Memphis? People who play have created a Save Memphis Kickball page. Click through to find out what you can do to support local kickball.
I finally got to try trivia at Ferraro’s with Kevin Cerrito last night. Will have to wait until later to post a full report, because I took photos and didn’t bring my camera with me to work for this lunchtime post. Short story, I really enjoyed it and the pizza was excellent. Ended up at Bardog afterward, where I’ll just say the people-watching was interesting and leave it at that.
Mayor Wharton is working on a plan to get overnight river cruises back to Memphis, and the proceeds will finance Beale Street Landing. Details in this Daily News article. I think this is a fantastic idea and so does Air Traffic Mike. Overnight riverboat cruises are part of the soul of this city and it’s a shame we’ve been without them the past few years. The cruises are estimated to bring over 20,000 visitors to Memphis each year.
There’s a free Third Thursday party tomorrow on the block of the Main Street Mall north of Peabody Place. It starts at 5:30 and there will be music outside by the Blue Infernos and Devil Train. There will be discounts and specials at area shops and restaurants. If you’re heading to the Peabody rooftop party tomorrow, this is a good place to pre-game. (Reminds me, I need to get a post up about the rooftop party.)
Tonight is going to be a very fun night, although technically I will be working. The people running the Memphis Clandestino Dining dinner tonight were looking for a photographer, and I volunteered. This is the first time “underground dining” has come to Memphis, and will be a unique experience for all who have registered to attend. My assignment is to document “food porn.”
Exciting afternoon ahead exporting Google Analytics stats. Woohoo. Outta here for now.
