Saturday update

Several fun things happening around Downtown tonight. For starters, Allison Krauss plays the Mud Island Amphitheater tonight at 7 along with special guest Dee White.

Meanwhile, over at the Orpheum at 8, Modest Mouse will perform along with special guest Mass Gothic.

There will be a Beale Street beer pong tournament tonight at 341 Beale. Registration from 11 PM-12 AM with games starting at 1 AM. In addition to beer pong, there will be a flip cup tournament and a wet T-shirt tournament. Free to watch, $10 to enter.

The Daily News has a very nice article about Grizzlies’ TV voice Pete Pranica living the dream.

Downtown cakery/cupcakery Two Girls and a Whip will host a four-course cupcake dinner at Zebra Lounge Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 PM. Three savory and one sweet cupcakes will be expertly paired with a drink. Here’s the menu:

Angel-hair pasta with marinara “cupcake”
with a garlic parmigiano-reggiano crostini meatball
topped with marinara and fresh basil

Pesto fettuccine alfredo w broccoli “cupcake”
with Grilled lemon herb chicken
topped w prosciutto wrapped asparagus

Veggie lasagne “cupcake”
with asiago ricotta cream
topped with a stuffed tomato

Cinnamon ricotta cupcake
with mascarpone icing
topped with chocolate chips and a mini cannoli

Call 472-CAKE to reserve your spot at this intimate dinner.

For lunch yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting my friend Sarah at West Street Diner. We hadn’t seen each other in a while and it was a fabulous time catching up. I got one of the Friday lunch specials, the veal parmesan (also available for Sunday lunch) along with Italian spinach and purple hull peas.

I have to say, this just might be the best entree I have had in all my trips to the diner. The veal was tender and the tomato sauce gave it a great flavor. Sides were delicious too.

Funny thing happened at the checkout counter… the cashier said, “I just love y’all’s accents.” I guess Sarah’s English accent and my Little Rock, Arkansas accent were music to her ears.

Bardog is first up for me this morning. The Breakaway-Bardog 5K and Monroe Avenue Fest are barely more than a month away, and maybe I’ll get some news about the event to share with you. Back tomorrow.