Last night about 7:15 I walked into the Blind Bear and had a seat at the bar. “Those three people to your right just ordered duck farts,” Colin said. “They wanted to see what all the hype was about.”
The duck fart revolution has begun!
For those of you who missed yesterday’s blog, a duck fart is a drink made with Bailey’s, Kahlua, and Crown (or similar whiskey). It used to be a popular drink at Sunday brunches about 10 years ago, then died out. My new mission this summer is to bring the duck fart back. Why wait until Sunday brunch? You can have a duck fart today at your favorite bar.
So, middle of the afternoon yesterday, I was sitting at my desk, proud of the 43-minute-to-type super-long blog post I put up in my lunch break, when I realized, I completely FORGOT one of the biggest pieces of Friday news. Let me explain how my mind works when I write this blog… I take a tour of Downtown in my mind. Mud Island. The Pinch. Is there anything I need to talk about? Main Street Mall. Victorian Village. The Edge. Is there anything I need to talk about? Second Street. Beale Street. South Main. Is there anything I need to talk about?
Riverside Drive is not really on my radar, however, and therefore I forgot to mention that one of the most talented singers in Memphis, Charvey Mac, who rarely plays Downtown, was going to be at happy hour at Beale Street Landing. Having remembered it, I quickly rearranged by Friday evening schedule. That Shorty pasta bowl I had planned would have to wait until some other time. When I got home from work, I changed clothes and walked down to the Landing.
If you live in Midtown or East Memphis, you have an advantage over us Downtowners in getting some Charvey in your life. Places he’s played this week, other than the Landing, include Celtic Crossing, Elfo’s, Cafe Ole, and TJ Mulligan’s Quince. He’s at the Half Shell on Winchester tonight. Unbelievable vocal range and I wonder if there’s any song he can’t play. If you are into live music and you live in Memphis you need to catch Charvey at least once. You can “Like” his fan page here to keep up with where he will be playing.
Now, as for the venue itself, Riverfront Bar & Grill in Beale Street Landing. This is the first time I have been in there seeing it as a real restaurant – the only previous time I have been there was the Memphis Flyer Best Of party last October. Walking in, I didn’t know what to expect… and I really didn’t have very high expectations. My experience turned out to be a good one.
The first thing that surprised me was this: Attractive women at the bar. They were all tourists, but there were good-looking professional women in the 25-38 age range. Guys, if you’re single, you might want to put this place on your radar for happy hour now and then.
I had seen on Yelp that the service was hit or miss, but the service I experienced was a total “hit”. Bartender Robbie took excellent care of me, very friendly. He made me feel comfortable in a place where I wondered if I would be uncomfortable. Great job.
They have a pretty good beer selection, including craft beers. Since they didn’t have the Cadillac of beers, PBR, I went with a $3 happy hour Budweiser.
Better experience than I expected and I would not be opposed to going back. Here are a couple of photos I snapped.
The Main Street Cornhole Tournament is tonight at Life is Good starting at 6. $20 for teams to enter, which includes a $5 gift card, raffle entry for each team member, and a T-shirt. Prizes for top three teams. Benefits the Life is Good Kids Foundation.
Streetdog Foundation tweeted about an app you can use to raise money to support the foundation, which fosters and adopts out dogs that otherwise would be left to a life on the streets, or worse, being put down. The app is called WoofTrax and the idea is that you can take your walk for a dog. All you have to do is download the app on your iPhone or Android, select Streetdog from the list of shelters and charities, and start walking. You don’t even have to be walking a dog (select the “Walk with Cassie” option, or build your ideal dog). I think I will download this before I make the trek to Memphis Farmers Market later this morning.
Reminds me, I’m still batting a .000 in the “see the dog in pet-sitting, guess the owner” game at MFM, 2 1/2 months into the season. I realize I’ve taken over a month off, but still, I would have expected to recognize at least one dog by now.
Central BBQ retweeted a photo of what a customer thinks is the best item on the menu: The sampler plate with wings, BBQ nachos, and sausage and cheese. Damn, that looks good! I would definitely have to take a friend with me though. That’s a lot of food!
In case you missed the news yesterday, an Urban Land Institute panel recommended a $184 million plan for the fairgrounds that would save the Mid-South Coliseum.
Basketball players can be philosophers too. Former Memphis Tiger D.J. Stephens tweets some really good stuff that will make you think. Follow him at @DdotJAY30.
Following the Redbirds game vs. Round Rock (6:05 first pitch) this evening, there will be fireworks set to the music of STAX Records.
Time to head out and walk for a dog! Too bad I can’t drink PBR for a dog, because there will be plenty of that today!