Volunteer Odyssey is having its annual Mix-Odyssey fundraiser Saturday at Visible Music College from 7 to 10 PM. It’s a craft drink contest with seven amazing mixologists, each vying for your vote. They will also have a fortune teller who will predict your future as a volunteer. They even have free cab rides so you can sample to your heart’s content without having to worry about getting home. Here’s a video recap of last year’s event:
Tickets are $60, but if you use the promo code Ryburn901 at checkout you can get $10 off.
(Full disclosure as required by the FCC: They gave me a ticket)
I’m getting an unexpected 4-day weekend. Yesterday the office was closed due to all the sleet and freezing rain that fell in the morning. Today we had the option of getting there by 10 AM, or taking one of our floating holidays, to which I said FLOAT, BABY, FLOAT.
Seems like I run into the most interesting conversations on snow days. I popped into Blind Bear about 2 yesterday and found Chef Michael Patrick sitting at the bar. He is in the process of opening the new, larger Rizzo’s Diner in the former Cafe Soul space at Main and Butler. As soon as the health department signs off on everything, the doors will be open, so it will be a matter of days, most likely. Here’s a look at the menu. Mike told me that the Lobster Pronto Pup that I loved back in the EP’s days is on the menu. They have a brunch on the weekend, and although I have never had it I’ve been told that the catfish eggs benedict is really yummy. Mike also told me they have a vegetable plate that changes daily, and several other meatless options on the menu – good information to know in case I ever take someone there who has dietary restrictions. As for myself, the chorizo meatloaf, chicken pot pie, and ancho chile brisket are among the dishes I plan on trying at the diner this year.
A new craft brewery, Crosstown Brewing Company, will open in Memphis within a year. It will be Memphis’ fifth craft brewery.
The Beale Street Mardi Gras parade is today at 5:30. Since I’m off work and will be out long before 5:30, I may have to check this out. Never seen it before. As I understand it, this is more of a parade for adults than kids.
Wish I’d stayed out at the bar a little later Saturday night than I did. I hear I missed a bit of drama. Let me just make this comment: One bar owner did what was best for business a few weeks ago, and maybe it’s time for other bar owners to consider following suit. This is at least the fifth such/similar incident involving the same person in six months. Some people belong in anger management classes, not bars.
A friend of mine has an apartment for rent in Midtown in the Poplar/Garland area. All utilities are included, the rent is very reasonable, and I know that the owner is an awesome landlord.
I said FLOAT, BABY, FLOAT and that means it’s time for DRANKS, BABY, DRANKS. Plans subject to change but I’m tentatively running with Bardog as the first stop at 11, over to the Blind Bear at 1, Flying Saucer around 3ish, Silly Goose sometime between 4 and 5, then back over to Blind Bear at 7. Not playing poker tonight for a reason alluded to elsewhere in this post. It’s very unlikely I will get a third day off tomorrow, so I may make it an early night.