Big Wednesday news update: You can get pho burritos Downtown now, New Year’s Day recommendation and lots more

Got a great tip on a craft cocktail last night. I decided to brave the cold weather and watch the Boca Raton Bowl at my home away from home on the south side, Max’s Sports Bar. I was sitting at the bar when my friend Bones pulled up to my left and ordered an Old Fashioned. “Have you ever had an Old Fashioned made by Bjarni?” he asked. I had not. He poured a little in an extra glass. Bones was not wrong – that was the most delicious Old Fashioned I had ever had. Bursting with flavor, no bitterness. Try one if you’re into craft drinks. Bjarni works Monday and Tuesday nights and sometimes days on the weekends.

Good seeing my friend Jean last night. If you have someone who likes to read, you will find plenty of unique books about Memphis (history, culture, fiction, local authors) at her store South Main Book Juggler in the Arcade building on South Main.

The Memphis Tigers host Incarnate Word tonight at FedExForum at 7.

Several months ago I blogged about the phorrito, all the goodness of a bowl of pho wrapped up in a burrito. You can now get phorritos in Downtown Memphis. They have made it onto the menu at the Silly Goose.

If you’re looking for something to do New Year’s Day, South Side Supper Club will be jamming at the Ghost River taproom from 2 to 4. I had the pleasure of hearing them at the taproom the day after Thanksgiving, and I can assure you it is a good time. Speaking of New Year’s, I overheard someone at Max’s last night say that Clarence is going to have black-eyed peas on New Year’s at Earnestine & Hazel’s. Hmmm sounds like I might have to make New Year’s Sunday Fun Day a South Main/South End day! I need all the black-eyed peas I can get for good luck in 2017. And besides, one never knows who one might run into at the Ghost River taproom, does one? :mrgreen: Last time I was there, I drank the Grindhouse cream ale, but given the cold weather I would be more open to IPAs, stouts and porters than usual. Any recommendations, let me know!

The CA has an article on the evolution of Mannheim Steamroller, performing their popular Christmas show Friday at the Orpheum.

Thrillist has a really good piece on the twisted history of Earnestine & Hazel’s, America’s best burger dive bar. They downplay the brothel years a bit much I think, but it’s a good read anyway. Two comments:

1) They got the address wrong. It’s 531 South Main, not 351, at the corner of G.E. Patterson.

2) If you’ve never been there, come during the daytime on a Saturday (it opens at 10 AM) and ask Clarence to show you around and tell you more about what you read in the article. In case you missed the announcement I made earlier this week, E&H will be open this Saturday, Christmas Eve, from 10 AM until 11 PM or maybe a bit later.

Black Restaurant Week, started in Memphis in 2016, is going nationwide next year, coming to cities including Atlanta, New Orleans, Birmingham, and Washington DC. Memphis Black Restaurant Week 2017 will be March 6-12.

For you up-and-coming ballers: Here’s Skills and Drills – Ball Handling with Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley.

And here’s a video of my absolute favorite part of Grizzlies home games: The Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas.

The St. Louis Cardinals will bring their Cardinals Caravan to 21 cities this year, including AutoZone Park on January 13. The Redbirds will release more details soon.

Jennifer Biggs of the CA has a review of Catherine & Mary’s, calling it another gem by Hudman and Ticer.

The UrbanArt Commission is seeking a a full-time project manager.

That’s it for now. As usual on Wednesday, I will hit the Silly Goose for work this evening for a few PBRs. I will most likely get to hear how my “DAWG” John D enjoyed his birthday yesterday, and how another friend of mine has been enjoying his civet cat feces coffee. Back tomorrow with more news.