Saturday update

A horse carriage threw two riders last night Downtown. A driver picked up two passengers near Main and Gayoso. After they boarded, the driver got one foot in the carriage when the horse took off. The driver chased after the horse and carriage but the horse sped away. It turned onto Beale and then Second, going the wrong way on Second, throwing one passenger at Peabody Place and the other at Union.

Sad to hear of the death of a Memphis wrestling legend. Brickhouse Brown passed away yesterday at age 57 following a long battle with prostate cancer.

I was at Bardog Tavern yesterday as details of the Breakaway Bardog 5K and Monroe Avenue Festival were being planned. Less than a month away – Sunday, August 19, 2018. I got some good news from Melissa. They’re going to have misters this year to help keep festival attendees cool.

Primas Bakery and Boutique, the new shop at 523 South Main, will have a preview party next Friday 5-9 PM for South Main Trolley Night next Friday.

Taking the kids to the Redbirds tonight? You’ll want to get there early, because the first 700 kids 12 and under get a pack of Topps baseball cards. Plus, you won’t mind being there early with $2 beers in the Plaza before the game. Gates at 5, first pitch 6:35. There’s an Aldo’s Pizza specialty ticket you can purchase. As is the case every Saturday there will be fireworks after the game.

I tried the Turkey Burger from the Silly Goose for the first time last night.

I didn’t expect much from a turkey burger but the taste was outstanding. It’s topped with pepper jack, jalapeno pesto, lettuce, and tomato. It comes with a nice side salad too. At $9 this is an excellent value.

That’ll do it for now. Time to get out and about. Back tomorrow.

Friday update #2: The Lifter phone number and more news

I finally got the phone number from my friend Shun who operates “The Lifter,” a golf cart shuttle service that will take you wherever you need to go Downtown in a timely fashion. The number is 901-304-5449 and I would recommend you save it in your phone contacts for when you need it. Speedy as an Uber but you don’t need an app. No physical effort involved to get where you need to go, and no risk of injury as there is with some other forms of transportation.

This is going to be a short news post, partly because I’ve already posted a recap of the Rendezvous’ 70th birthday party and partly because I suffered from equipment failure yesterday. My Lightning to USB cable I connect to my external charger broke, keeping me offline for a significant portion of the day.

Enjoy live music by Jeffy & The Choosy Moms every Tuesday at the Silly Goose:

A reminder to my readers: It’s convenient to leave what I call Taco Bell change in the center console of your car, but don’t do it. Taco Bell change is that extra change you leave in your car for when your order comes to $3.07. I used to do this all the time, probably having $5 in coins in my car at any given time. To you, that change may look like a Doritos Loco Taco, but to a crackhead, that change looks like a rock… a rock he’ll do anything to get. I bring this up because there have been car break-ins at Harbor Town recently.

Felicia Suzanne’s patio will be the site of the monthly Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting this coming Tuesday, July 24. You’ll get to hear the melodic voices of Opera Memphis, and there will be a presentation by Ned Canty of Opera Memphis and 30 Days of Opera.

Ned Canty… sounds like he should be a Simpsons character, doesn’t it? Anyway, 5:30 social, 6:00 presentation, and if it rains the meeting will be moved to an indoor location. Free for DNA members, $10 for guests.

First 1500 fans in AutoZone Park tonight get a Car-Scent Kelly air freshener courtesy of AutoZone. One lucky fan gets to roll the dice for the prize nobody seems to be able to win, currently at $70,000. $2 beers and entertainment in the Plaza before the game.

As your #1 source of news and information about The Edge, I am pleased to link you to this Choose901 article about a Shab Chic pop-up shop at 607 Monroe tomorrow from 11 AM to 5 PM. Shop the shipping containers while eating and networking.

Enjoy some classic skating rink vibes at Summer Skate tonight at RiverPlay pop-up park on the river tonight at 7:30. There will be a skate trail and food trucks as well.

Summer Movie Series: Selena plays the Orpheum tonight at 7.

WEEKEND! Having the Rendezvous’ birthday party and the Butcher Board Festival just days apart makes for a yummy July. Not much else to get excited about though. Back tomorrow with more news.

Happy 70th to Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous

Iconic Downtown BBQ destination Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous celebrated its 70th birthday yesterday with a huge party. My troll received an invitation and I was lucky enough to tag along as her +1.

The event started off with a reception upstairs, with a buffet of cheese, sausage, pepperoncini peppers, and pickles.

Love that famous Rendezvous rub on the cheese. My troll liked the pepper the best because it was the same color as her hair. The sausage and cheese plate, by the way, is in my opinion the sleeper menu item at the Rendezvous. Even if you don’t have time for dinner, stop by for some sausage and cheese and a local craft beer. I had a Wiseacre Tiny Bomb that paired perfectly.

They had a prayer, a quick memorial to Charlie Vergos, and a video tribute to the restaurant.

A big part of the video tribute was the servers whose personalities have made the Rendezvous a place that is talked about around the world. Work 30 years at the Rendezvous and you’re still considered a newcomer. Mention was made of the recently-retired Big Robert and Percy, who combined have put in 101 years at the restaurant.

Afterward it was time to eat! We went downstairs where there were multiple stations serving the very best the Rendezvous had to offer.

I started off with some pulled pork. While not normally a slaw person, their slaw was amazing. Definitely do not pass it up when you dine at the Rendezvous. The pulled pork was so good that I went back for an extra serving to take to my friend Jessica who was working down the street.

The Rendezvous’ legendary ribs and sauce were a can’t-miss item at the birthday party.

Two shrimp, five napkins. This is another hidden secret of the Rendezvous… they have a five-pound BBQ shrimp skillet that you have to call and order a day in advance. Two of my BBQ teammates have been talking about getting a group together for this for a while.

The list of people who have been to the Rendezvous is endless. Peyton Manning had his rehearsal dinner there. The Rolling Stones came there in 1964 and liked the place so much that they’ve returned every time they’ve been in Memphis. Prince William and Prince Harry have been there. President George W. Bush treated the prime minister of Japan to lunch there and my friends The Dempseys performed.

The Rendezvous is remarkable in that it survived, and indeed thrived, in a period when Downtown was struggling. Although there are many great BBQ restaurants in Memphis, it can be argued that the Rendezvous was responsible for putting Memphis on the map as the premier BBQ city. In fact, had the Rendezvous not come before us, it’s possible I might not spend 1 of my 52 weeks of the year in a muddy park competing for a trophy in pork shoulder.

Cheers to the Rendezvous! Happy birthday and thank you for having me yesterday.

Thursday update

Big Thursday at the Redbirds. A special ticket gets you all-you-can-eat beef tacos and fixins’ plus hot dogs. Also it is Ole Miss Night where if you buy a special ticket you get access to a social and the Rebel Road Trip program featuring Head Football Coach Matt Luke, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Ross Bjork, Chancellor Jeff Vitter, and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, with the two ticket options also including Club Level seating for the baseball game, a hot dog/soda voucher, and one of two Redbirds hats. Special ticket or not, you get $2 Thirsty Thursday beer throughout the bar, Redbirds in throwback Memphis Chicks gear, and a $5 bluff ticket if you’re a college student.

That’s not all the news from AutoZone Park though. On September 1, soccer legend Tim Howard and the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer will play an exhibition game against the Tulsa Rapids FC of the United Soccer League at 7 PM. Memphis’ USL team and logo will be revealed at that time.  Wanna go ahead and purchase your 2019 USL Memphis season tickets? Do it. Do it do it.

There’s a special Sunset Skate Night in Tom Lee Park tomorrow night, Friday, July 20, courtesy of the Memphis River Parks Partnership. The Memphis Education Fund will be there to collect donations to buy school supplies, to be handed out at the next skate night August 3. Food trucks will be on site if you’re hungry.

Downtown favorites Pam and Terry will be playing a couple of songs on Local Memphis Live on ABC 24 tomorrow at 9 AM.

Nashville South rocks the Peabody rooftop party tonight. Hotel guests and ladies free before 7. $10 admission, $20 VIP. Admission gets you a buffet of pigs in blankets and potato chips. VIP gets a second buffet of Chicago, Memphis, and New York style hot dogs.

You just can’t make this up: Axe throwing is coming to Memphis. Civil axe throwing. I’m not allowed to pick who I want to throw an axe at? Well that sucks.

Downtown’s Toyota Centre signed on another lessee, an agricultural tech firm named Indigo AG.

High Ground News is presenting an evening of storytelling about the Uptown district Tuesday, August 2 at 6:30 PM at 61 Keel Avenue. Residents, small business owners, and kids will share their stories of what the Uptown/Pinch neighborhood means to them.

Songwriter Night will be back at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main, this Friday from 7 to 9. It will be A Fistful of Franks as Frank McLallen Sr. and Frank McLallen Jr. take the stage. Joining them will be Stephen Sciarra and special guest Daniel Brown.

Marilyn Manson is coming to the Cannon Center on October 25. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 AM.

For my trivia team name last night, I gave my opinion on whether Vladimir Putin would rig the trivia contest:

I learned the meaning of benching as a relationship status thanks to Charles’ questions last night.

I also learned that Hollywood is the third biggest -wood in terms of movie-making. Most people knew the biggest – Bollywood over in India. The second, however, was a total surprise to me. It’s Nollywood, in Nigeria.

From Lifehacker: How to hide your accidental your Instagram “Like” if you’re stalking someone’s page and accidentally fat-finger the heart image underneath one of their photos. LOL. I got an accidental Instagram “Like” in December 2016 about a week after I got the troll. More recently I got an accidental, quickly deleted Facebook friend request from the same person, most likely stalking my friends list to see who I unfriended last week.

Well this is interesting… Special Counsel Mueller submitted his evidence list against former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Guess whose name was all over the list? Tad Devine, who was a chief strategist for a 2016 presidential candidate… BERNIE.

And that’ll do it! Back tomorrow.

 

Wednesday update: No Memphis Music & Heritage Fest this year

The Memphis Flyer reported some disappointing news yesterday afternoon… there will be no Memphis Music & Heritage Festival this year. The festival, normally held the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, is a celebration of regional heritage in all its forms, including music, art, cooking, and storytelling. Folks with the Center for Southern Folklore, the regular presenter of the festival, say it is taking a hiatus this year as they plan for new and big things to be announced soon. I look forward to those announcements, but I sure will miss the music, food and fun this September.

It’s all-inclusive night at the Redbirds. This special $20 ticket gets you a Club, Dugout, or Field Box seat along with free hot dogs, hamburger baskets, chips and cheese, popcorn, and small fountain sodas. First pitch is 7:05 with gates opening at 6.

WEVL has made Memphis Made Brewing Co. its beer sponsor for the 30th annual Blues on the Bluff, held this Saturday from 6 to 11 PM on the grounds of the Metal Museum. In addition to the popular Fireside, Memphis Made will be bringing cans of a new, limited-edition beer to the event. Head Brewer Drew Barton brewed a batch of Junt cream ale with lime juice to give it a summertime flavor. Blues on the Bluff will have live music from Kenny Brown Band, Marcella & Her Lovers, and Lightnin’ Malcolm. There will be a silent auction and Central BBQ will be on site. Following the event, Memphis Made will have the beer available on draft and in six-packs at its taproom.

In other brewery news, Memphis Made is having a Community Day benefiting Playback Memphis this Saturday, July 21 from 5-7 PM. Playback Memphis brings stories to life in a safe space to unlock healing, transformation, and joy. Saturday’s event is free but you are encouraged to come have a pint and make a donation to Playback Memphis and share in the fun and fellowship.

There will be a book signing by author Cheryl Mattox Berry at South Main Book Juggler on Trolley Night, Friday, July 27, from 6 to 9 PM. Berry will be signing copies of her book Memphis Blues. The story is sent in the Memphis of the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike, and follows three people making amends and learning to make better choices in hopes of improving their lives.

High Ground News is hiring a Project Editor for their On the Ground series.

Wiseacre Brewing Co. is having a pretend-it’s-not-hot Christmas in July party on Saturday, July 28 starting at 1 PM with special beers on tap. Want to pre-game for the party? At noon that day they’ll have a “wine” and cheese pairing: Not really wine, but beers that relate to wine, including

Snowbeard 2015 Barleywine
Symphonic 2016 American Wild with Berries
Symphonic 2017 American Wild with Montmorency Charries
Charlemayne 2017 Belgian Stout aged in Congac Barrels with Cocoa Nibs
Beach within Reach 2018 Berliner Weisse Mimosas

Your $25 ticket includes not only these beers but cheese, charcuterie, crackers, pastries, and (to keep it classy) a Pancho’s cheese dip fountain and chips. Make your reservation here.

Sleep Out  Louie’s has announced all-you-can-eat crab legs Sundays from 4 to 8 PM. They also have oyster Mondays with all oyster dishes $9.99.

It still feels weird to be writing about Sleep Out Louie’s in 2018.

Oh. My. God. It’s not even 8 AM yet and we have this:

I have no words. No, wait, I have one word: COVFEFE!

With that, I’m outta here. Back tomorrow with more news.

Tuesday update: The Daily Memphian, mural to stay, Grizzlies to trade bad players, Maria Butina and more

I am very, very excited to hear that a new publication, by Memphians, about Memphians, and for Memphians, will launch this fall. The Daily Memphian will feature writing by well-known names including Chris Herrington, Geoff Calkins, Jennifer Biggs, Otis Sanford, Clay Bailey, Wayne Risher and many more. This online-only publication will have new content 7 days a week and the subscription price will be $7 a month. The Daily Memphian will be somewhat unique in journalism because it will be a not-for-profit. I plan on being among the first to subscribe.

Reporter @kyleveazey tweeted that the issue of the civil rights mural at South Main and MLK Avenue made it to Mayor Strickland’s desk yesterday morning, and he was very quick to make the call that the mural will not be painted over.

Woj from ESPN tweeted that the Sacramento Kings are finalizing a trade deal with the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies get shooting guard/small forward Garrett Temple, and the Kings get Ben McLemore, Deyonta Davis, and cash. So the Grizzlies traded two bad players for one good one and got their roster down to the size it needs to be. Nice!

The Orpheum and Halloran Centre for the Performing Arts are offering tour opportunities three Mondays in August. Docents will tell you all about the history of the Orpheum, how it was saved from demolition in the 1980s, and about Mary the ghost. Then you’ll see how the Halloran Centre puts their nonprofit education mission into practice, serving 50,000 a year.

The Redbirds take the field at 7:05 tonight, and there are $1 hot dogs courtesy of Polk’s. Iowa is the opponent.

Downtown Yoga will be hosting two upcoming chakra workshops. YOGA!

The Redbirds are hiring a manager of field operations.

Somewhat lost in all the news yesterday about the Trump-Putin summit was the arrest of Maria Butina, a Russian national. Although her story is that she is in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa to attend graduate school, she is actually a Russian operative who worked to arrange a back-channel of communication between the GOP and Russia, using the NRA as a conduit, for the purpose of advancing Russian interests in the United States. She did not register with the Attorney General as a foreign agent, which is a criminal offense. The indictment (the second document embedded in this CNN article) is a fascinating read. The interesting thing is, this arrest did not happen through Special Counsel Mueller’s office.

The Daily Beast has one easily-overlooked note about the indictment: Butina’s proposal was dated March 24, 2015. Donald Trump was a private citizen at the time and was not expected to run. So their plan to infiltrate the GOP was not based on the notion of Trump running and becoming the eventual Republican nominee.

Couple of more notes about this Butina thing: U.S. Person 1 in the indictment is believed to be conservative activist Paul Erickson. Also, there’s a viral photo that claims to show Butina in the White House meeting with Trump. The woman in the photo is not Butina.

That’ll do it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Monday update

Normally I save political stuff for the end of posts, but today, I just can’t. The president of the United States announced that he believes Vladimir Putin, a former Soviet KGB agent, more than he believes the findings of America’s own intelligence agencies on the subject of whether Russia hacked the 2016 elections.

National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said a few days ago that the warning signs are all there that something bad is going to happen with Russia soon, just as the signs were there right before 9/11. You know, up until now I didn’t think our democracy was in serious danger. I always thought, patriotic Americans will fix this in the 2018 midterms, or the 2020 election, or Special Counsel Mueller will fix it. If Congress doesn’t wake up and remember that it is supposed to act as a check on the executive branch, I fear that America’s darkest days are ahead.

In the post-summit news conference, I wonder if any reporters asked Putin, “Does Donald spit or does he swallow?”

Sunday morning as I walked to Pontotoc Lounge, I was stopped by a TV reporter at Main and MLK Avenue. She asked if I was familiar with this mural:

I said, “Sure, I walk past it most every day.” The reporter then asked if I knew the city was considering repainting over it. I declined to be on camera – I had just gotten out of the shower and my hair was wet – but I hate to hear a repainting is being considered. I have enjoyed looking at this mural as I have walked back north from the Farmers Market, Pontotoc Lounge, and my other South Main spots the past 2 years. The CA has an article on why the repainting is under consideration.

Beale Street Caravan is launching a new initiative called I Listen to Memphis, a weekly video series that takes Memphis artists beyond public radio and on to new media. A donation of $50 or more gets you a commemorative screen print, access to the season 1 ILTM videos before release to the public, a 25% discount on merchandise, and invites to donor parties and shows.

There will be a groundbreaking for Arrive Hotel this Friday, July 20 at 2 PM. That’s the new boutique hotel going in at 477 South Main, the former Memphis College of Art graduate school space. The hotel will have 62 rooms, 2 restaurants, and meeting space. Wine and refreshments will be served at the groundbreaking.

Here’s a draft of the shared mobility ordinance that will be in front of the City Council.

That’s all I can muster today. So deeply embarrassed to have that vile orange treasonweasel in office.

Chorizo Scramble @ Pontotoc Lounge

What a morning I had yesterday. My troll kept asking me, “Paul, can I stand on a butcher board to practice for the festival next Sunday?” I had to explain to her that the Butcher Board Festival is not a cooking competition, and even if it was, we are not competing; we will just be there to eat and drink and socialize. I also told her that her standing on various objects at BBQ Fest contributed absolutely nothing toward the Moody Ques’ 7th place shoulder finish. I think that hurt her feelings a bit.

So, by the time Bardog opened at 11 yesterday, I was in quite the mood. Usually I turn down shots, but when offered at Bardog I downed a Jameson. Next stop was the Blind Bear and by 1 PM it seemed like my head was spinning and I needed to get something to eat.

Now, normally when I need food on Saturday afternoon I walk over to Oshi, but that’s not an option anymore. The Bear has great food but I’ve eaten it so many times that it’s too familiar. Same with Majestic down the street. So I decided to take a walk down to Pontotoc Lounge at 314 S. Main. They have the brunch menu on Saturdays as well as Sundays now and I ordered the Chorizo Scramble.

Cheesy, cheesy scrambled eggs with a generous portion of chorizo sausage mixed in. This is the first dish for City Tasting Tours‘ Brunch So Hard tour and now I understand why. I was never into eggs growing up, but then, I never had eggs like this before. Give this dish a try the next time you find yourself on South Main on a weekend.

No news to report today, other than I’m way more excited about the WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view tonight than I am about the World Cup finals. While everyone else is cheering for France or Croatia, I will be cheering for Bulgaria, hoping that Rusev unseats A.J. Styles as champion. Back tomorrow with more news.

 

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.

Friday update

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Grammy award winner Chip Davis returns to the Orpheum on Sunday, December 16. This show will combine Christmas classics with selections from Davis’ Fresh Aire series. The band is celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the release of their first Christmas album. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 27.

In more current Orpheum news, 1989 movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids plays on the big screen tonight at 7. This is the story of a scientist father who accidentally shrinks his two kids and two other neighborhood teens. Come early for movie-related events and photo booth.

Want a job in soccer? USL Memphis is currently seeking an Account Executive, Ticket Sales to help fill AutoZone Park when Memphis’ new USL socccer team takes the pitch next year.

Heh. I actually used the term “pitch.” When I watch soccer with friends who are big-time into it, I call it a “field” just to annoy them.

Speaking of soccer, the Memphis Flyer’s Meghan Stuthard checked out the World Cup craze at The Brass Door and had some conversations with owner Seamus. The Door is a regular meeting spot of both the Memphis Gooners and American Outlaws Memphis. Seamus sponsors a recreational soccer team and the podcast Roundtable of Hooligans, recorded live from the Irish pub. Seamus also is the soccer analyst you hear when you listen to the Chris Vernon Show.

On the Jason & John Show yesterday, former Memphis Tiger Antonio Anderson, part of the 2008 team that went to the final game in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, says that there will be a lawsuit against the NCAA to restore vacated wins. The wins were vacated when a member of the team, Derrick Rose, was found to have competed when ineligible despite being told by a compliance office that he was good to go. D-Rose himself is expected to join the lawsuit once they find some lawyers who will fight for them.

The Memphis Farmers Market offers you the berry best this Saturday under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson from 8 AM to 1 PM. Dixon Gardens & Gallery will be onsite from 10 to 12:30 to help kids make pop-up strawberry greeting cards. The Grizzlies Team Mentor Program will be at the Market all day. You can learn how to become a mentor, enter a raffle, pick up some giveaways, and speak with current mentors about the joy of “paying it forward.” There will be reading led by Shamichael Hallman, branch manager of the Downtown Cossitt Library, at 10 AM, and this week’s book will be The Berry Book by Gail Gibbons. Live music all day long.

Also, save the date: The Memphis Farmers Market’s annual Farm Fest is coming up on Sunday, September 30 at the South Main Market at 409 S. Main. After the past couple of years when Farm Fest was held outdoors with temperatures soaring into the upper 90s, I’m pleased to see it move into an air-conditioned venue. I plan on being there!

High Ground News has a photo essay about the historic homes of Uptown that stand alongside new development. The area now known as Uptown was Memphis’ first subdivision and building began there in 1849.

A New Orleans-based co-work center is coming to Downtown Memphis. It will be located in the Toyota Center next to AutoZone Park. Individuals and small companies will be able to lease space, and amenities will include locally roasted coffee, local artwork, and educational programming.

If you’re a fan of the tubs of garlic sauce that come with Papa John’s pizza, check out this garlic sauce recipe.

The past couple of weeks when I’ve been out, people have asked how the new job is going and where I’ve been eating lunch lately. “Have you been to Red Koi yet?” several of them asked, and I told them I had not. “Oh, man, you have got to go, their sushi is so fresh and so good,” they told me. So yesterday I decided to check it out. I prefer to go to lunch at 11 AM, but I had some things to work out with another developer at that time, so I delayed going until 1. I hate going to lunch right at noon when the crowds are the biggest.

Unfortunately going at 1 didn’t help at all! The place was packed and I was told I could either go on a waiting list or sit at the bar. Sitting at bars is something I have a little experience with, so I was fine with that option. They brought me out a complimentary spring roll and then I ordered Sushi Lunch Combo #1, which comes with your choice of two rolls from the regular sushi menu and 3 pieces of chef’s choice nigiri, as well as either a bowl of clear soup or a house salad as a starter.

As you can see, even though from the regular menu rather than a specialty menu, these rolls were quite substantial! On the left is the Memphis Roll, a fried roll with eel, crab stick, cream cheese and smelt roe, topped with Red Koi sauce. On the right is the Florida Roll, with spicy crab, avocado, cream cheese, shrimp tempura, spicy mayo, and seaweed paper on the outside. This was a lot of food! Next time I will not get so much, but after all the good things I had heard I wanted to sample around a bit. Actually, the next time I go back I want to try the Bento Box that has shrimp and vegetable tempura, steamed rice, four pieces of California roll, and two gyoza.

I wish my troll had been at lunch with me. She likes sushi because all the rolls have the same last name as she does.

Breaking news: 12 Russians have been indicted on charges of hacking Democrats and Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016. The Russians are all members of the GRU, a Russian intelligence agency. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein informed President Trump of the indictments earlier this week. Nevertheless, Trump has continued to refer to Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation as “a witch hunt.”

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.