Daily thoughts of a Downtown Memphis resident
All beers are Yazoo brewery beers, and Yazoo cellar man Ivan Chester will speak.
Opening Beer ~ Rye Saison
1st Course ~ Fried Green Tomatoes & Crawfish Stuffed Jalapenos paired with Dos Perros
2nd Course ~ Sausage & Cheese Plate paired with Belgian IPA
3rd Course ~ Nashville style Hot Chicken & waffles paired with Gerst
4th Course ~ Sly Rye Porter Ice Cream over brownies paired with SUE
$25 UFO Club members, $30 for everyone else. Call 901-523-8536 for reservations.
The Brass Door is moving their Brass Door Bingo games with Diamond Dave to Wednesday night, starting tomorrow. There will be six games of bingo starting at 7 PM, and then at 9 it will be Open Mic Night downstairs in the Cavern. I like the new night. Friends have told me bingo is a lot of fun, but with Pint Nite at the Saucer/poker at the Goose it was hard for me to ever get there on Monday. Wednesday will work much better. Also, with the move to Wednesdays, bingo players will get to enjoy the Wine Down Wednesday specials at the Brass Door – $3 house wines, wells, and drafts.
The Brass Door has also announced their music lineup for the weekend – Deering and Down Friday night, The Candy Company Saturday night. Both shows start 9 PM in the Cavern.
Kooky Canuck has added a new Canadian whisky to their bar: Tap 357. It’s a small-batch blended whisky, the blend being two distinctly Canadian flavors: Rye and maple.
Double J SmokeHouse and Saloon has announced their music lineup for this week. It contains musicians who have had number one hits and gold and platinum records, as well as a member of the Country Music Association. Here’s what’s on the music menu at the Double J:
Tuesday 4/17 Brad Burkendahl and Anna Marie w/Steve Neuman. 7-11
Wednesday 4/18 Delta Don Singleton w/ John Groesse and Gary Adair. 7-10
Thursday 4/19 Eric Hughes and Guy Venable,Jr. 7-11
Friday 4/18 Southern Edition (The Birthday Show) 9-1
Saturday 4/19 Mark Massey and Billy Earheart 9-1
I’ve blogged pretty extensively about the best brunch spots Downtown, but did you know that there’s a restaurant that only does Sunday brunch one day a year? Felicia Suzanne’s opens for Mother’s Day brunch Sunday, May 13. 3-course meal. 901-523-0877 for reservations.
Groupon has a deal for $7 for $15 worth of food at Cockadoos going on right now.
The Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog has a post on this Saturday’s Southern Hot Wing Fest, the reason behind the move to Jefferson Davis Park, and how judging has become more “serious” over the years.
The folks over at AM 560 will be livecasting their show The Sports Bar from the Flying Saucer this afternoon from 3 to 6. They’ll be giving away tickets to Memphis Brewfest tickets.
That’s all the news for now. A new 12-week poker league starts tonight at the Blind Bear at 8, with Jamie running the tournament. Free to play, chance to win 50 Bear Bucks and points toward a cumulative grand prize.
Pics of Rajun Cajun crawfish fest. I’m home on Monday night after drinking beers at Saucer/Bardog and don’t feel like writing a clever intro. Just scroll and enjoy.
I wonder how the Butcher Shop’s marketing team came up with this very original idea?
This is what it’s all about.
Chef Leigh preparing the gumbo for Squeal Street BBQ
Fireball Joe and Bad Shane ran cornhole. People commented what awesome role models they made for the kids who were playing.
I finally got to eat at the Revival food truck.
“Swamp Dawg” from Revival: Crawfish cream cheese and peppers
Back at the Squeal Street gumbo booth: Crawfish mac ‘n’ cheese
So, there’s this great festival going on, and some of my friends stood on the rooftop of Barton Flats all afternoon and looked at the festival. I must say I’ve never understood this. Why segregate yourself from the crowd? Running into people you haven’t seen in a while is half the fun.
Here’s a pic of the Nuh-Uh Girl eating.
Bob gets ready to submit the Squeal Street entry
Horrible pic of me but Paula insisted. At least she looks good here.
Gumbo at the Squeal Street booth
I had a blast at the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest yesterday. Expanding into Riverside Drive gave them more than double the room. I took some photos and will try to get them posted later this week.
Spring festival season continues this week with two big festivals Saturday. The Southern Hot Wing Festival will move to Jefferson Davis Park this year. That’s the park at Riverside and Jefferson. Attendees will be able to sample competition hot wings from 60 teams, with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House. There will also be a silent auction and a hot wing eating contest. There’s a charge to get in this event, but I don’t see a dollar amount listed on the site. Hours are 11 AM to 6 PM.
It’s time for another beer festival. Memphis Brewfest will happen at AutoZone Park from 4 to 7:30 PM. This is always a fun time. Lots of beers not commonly seen in Memphis. General admission tickets are $39.
Speaking of beer, don’t forget that the Yazoo beer dinner is this Thursday at the Flying Saucer. Yazoo’s own Ivan “Cellar Man” Chester will be the speaker. Five Yazoo beers paired with four courses. The Saucer’s beer dinners are most always excellent, and if you want to learn more about pairing food with beer, this is a great chance to do it. $25 for UFO Club members, $30 everyone else. It’s possible this dinner will sell out, so you might want to stop by before Thursday and buy a ticket if you plan to go.
The University of Memphis will hold a press conference at 2 PM to announce their new athletic director. You can watch it live here on GoTigersGo.com.
Weirdness of the day: A woman who was impregnated at a Motorhead concert is seeking the father on Craigslist. Um. Yeah. You just can’t make this stuff up. She had a tube top on, by the way.
Plans for tonight: Can’t put it off any longer, time to do my taxes. Or time to file an extension, one or the other. After I get that done I’ll be out for Pint Nite at the Saucer. Probably won’t make it to poker at the Goose, but Poker Jon is hosting 7:30 and 10:00 games for those who want to play.
Today is Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest, on Riverside between Union and Beale from noon to 6. Crawfish, music, beer… why would you be anywhere else?
This is absolutely one of my favorite festivals of the year. The crawfish are always nice and spicy, and every year I run into people I really like but don’t get to see that often. The festival benefits Porter-Leath, so eat and drink up and support one of Memphis’ best charities.
What to wear? Ladies: A tube top is an excellent idea! For one thing, no tan lines. For another, I’m starting to collect pics for Tube Top Month (the countdown timer is back on the right sidebar). I’ll have the Tube Top Cam with me, so come find me and ask me to snap a pic.
Should be a glorious day in Downtown Memphis. Come out and play!
The Silly Goose has completed construction on their covered patio. It opened last night. I didn’t get by there but I heard great things from friends who gave it a try. Lighting, protection from the elements. This morning I went by and snapped a couple of pics.
I’m going to have to get by and enjoy some patio time real soon. HMMM… I do have some unspent poker winnings there… perhaps I’ll buy some friends drinks at the Goose later today. The Goose opens at 5 PM this afternoon.
Downtown isn’t always about going out to the bars. Sometimes you go to a house party instead. Last night I hopped on the bike and rode over to Mud Island, for a graduation party for one of our friends. I didn’t take any people pics, but I got photos of the food, and let me tell you, it was excellent.
Crab and spinach dip
Prosciutto wrapped asparagus
Shish kabobs: Before
During
After
The grilled corn didn’t turn out so well.
Chocolate chip cheesecake prepared by Captain Sparkles, who was not able to be there to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
A fun night on Mud Island with friends. About 10:30 I rode back to the Downtown core, parked my bike at home, and proceeded to close down the Saucer and then Bardog.
News post (only one item but it’s a good one) coming shortly, so check back.
Here is some additional information on the Porter-Leath Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival, to be held this Sunday from noon to 6 PM:
It’s opening night for the Redbirds tonight, with a block party in the plaza starting at 5, game at 7. Giveaways for the first 5000 fans. Tomorrow night is a Fireworks Night with 6:05 game and Pop Rocks for the first 5000 fans. They’re going for a Pop Rocks eating world record in the second inning.
Scanning the weekly DowntownMemphis.com email for other things going on tonight, here’s one that looks interesting: A “Thrilla from Manila” fundraiser with Filipino food, an auction, and door prizes at Church of the River. I’ve never tried Filipino cuisine before. 5:30 to 9 tonight, $25 at the door.
Tomorrow is the season’s opening day for Mud Island River Park and Mississippi River Museum. The scale model of the river and the 18-gallery museum is a great place to take kids. $10 adults, $7 for kids.
The Flyer has a report on South Main’s plan to retrofit buildings to survive an earthquake.
This is funny: 21 Lessons Learned from Bobby Petrino. Number 4 is a particularly good point. Now I understand why some of my friends carry two cell phones. Also, ArkansasSports360.com reports that Jessica “Reach-Around” Dorrell has been placed on paid leave by the University of Arkansas during its investigation.
A regular blog reader asked when I’m going to put the Countdown to Tube Top Month back on the sidebar. He said he needs to “be kept abreast” of the approach of Tube Top Month. I agree, it’s time. I’ll try to get the countdown back up this weekend.
… And that’s the news for now. Time to go outside for a little duck and goose time at the office pond.
Did you know there are actually not one, but THREE crawfish festivals happening Downtown this weekend? The one most everyone knows about is Rajun Cajun, on Wagner/Riverside between Union and Beale, noon to 6 Sunday. Benefits Porter-Leath, 8 tons of crawfish, bands and more.
However, there are two others. On Saturday, the Harbor Town Crawfish Festival will happen from 2 to 9 at Movie & Pizza Company on Mud Island. $5 or a donation of 2 canned goods to get in.
Then on Sunday, Rehab Disco will have a crawfish festival in its parking lot. V.D.J Lex, shot specials. Starts at 11 AM.
I’ll be at Rajun Cajun all afternoon, and I’m invoking the festival rule again. When there’s a festival going on, I intend to be at the festival. Not sitting two blocks away at the Saucer while the festival is happening. Not sitting on a rooftop looking at the festival, rather than actually being at the festival. Hmmm… high predicted to be in the low 80s for Sunday… may have to have the Tube Top Cam out. After all, Tube Top Month starts in 43 days, time to start loading up on photos.
The Louisiana Office of Tourism will hold a Louisiana-themed block party outside the FedExForum starting at 5:45 PM next Wednesday, April 18, prior to the start of the Memphis Grizzlies-New Orleans Hornets game. Free performances by Carrier and his Bayou Swamp Band both before and after the game. The Louisiana Seafood Marketing and Promotion Board will offer free samples of Shrimp Fleur de Lis and Louisiana tourism representatives will distribute promotional items and travel information. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
Time to go to the Saucer and people-watch the Red Hot Chili Peppers crowd. Perhaps this would be a good night to forego my usual spot at the bar in favor of a window seat.
Today is National Grilled Cheese Day. If you want to celebrate I have two suggestions: Majestic Grille and Bardog Tavern. Both are open for lunch and dinner, and both have the key ingredient to make a grilled cheese sandwich perfect: Bacon.
There are two half-off deals that may be of interest to Downtowners today.First of all, Get My Perks is selling a $30 worth of food at Double J SmokeHouse and Saloon for $15. I’ve had their ribs and wings, both very good. I have not yet tried their steaks yet, but friends have praised them highly.
Also, Groupon is selling a visit for two to the Woodruff-Fontaine House ($20 value) for $10. That’s one of the mansions in Victorian Village on Adams just east of Downtown. It was built in 1870. Tour includes a look at more than 1000 pieces of clothing from that era.
Cochon 555 has created a Facebook event for its heritage pork BBQ festival scheduled to happen Labor Day weekend. I notice the location is still TBA. Besides the BBQ festival itself, there will be other events happening as well, including master distillers receptions and parties, a 5.55K run, and a BBQ pig spaghetti dinner.
Sunset Atop the Madison, the Madison Hotel’s weekly Thursday night rooftop party, kicks off the season tonight with Elmo & the Shades. 7-11 PM, $7 cover, cash bar, small plates available. At the event you can register to win a night’s stay at the Madison. For those who have never been to either the Madison or Peabody rooftop parties, the Madison’s rooftop is considerably smaller, and tends to draw a slightly older crowd. Musical acts tend to be more laid-back, often blues or jazz, at the Madison. On the other hand, the Peabody’s parties tend to have much better tube top watching. My advice is to try both and see which is more your taste.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers play the FedExForum tonight at 8.
I set up the iPad last night and installed all the usual apps – Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, Evernote. Remember how I said my Android tablet with Ice Cream Sandwich is 90% as good as an iPad? Now that I own an iPad, scratch that. 10 minutes with the iPad made me want to throw the Android tablet off my rooftop. Apps like Pulse and Flipboard are so amazing on the iPad, and the extra real estate on the screen makes WeatherBug so much nicer than my iPhone’s version.
I took the iPad out to the Goose and then the Saucer last night to show it off. I never could get it to connect to the Saucer’s Wi-Fi – I tried forgetting the network, then reconnecting using WEP, WPA, WPA2 – nothing worked, just hung there trying to connect forever. Weird because my iPhone connects just fine. Anyone with an iPad figured it out?
That’s all for now. If more news comes in I’ll do a second post this evening.