Month: March 2020

Wed. update #3 – Flight offering family dinners to-go, more Downtown news

Flight restaurant at Main and Monroe now has its entire menu (including wine) available for curbside pick-up or free delivery. Check out the last page of the menu, on which they offer nightly family dinners.

Pricing listed below is per person. Orders must be placed by 9 PM the previous evening. To place your order call 901-521-8005

  • Thursday 3/26 – Mixed greens salad, fresh blueberries, goat cheese, lemon thyme dressing; Blackened Louisiana Redfish, seafood jambalaya, fried okra; warm chocolate cake and Chantilly dressing $26
  • Friday 3/27 – Caesar salad with parmesan reggiano and herb croutons; Surf & Turf, roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes, chive butter sauce; toffee bread pudding with pecan caramel sauce $40
  • Saturday 3/28 – Chopped salad, blackeyed peas, bell pepper, grape tomatoes, green peppercorn buttermilk dressing; Braised Wagyu Short Ribs, wild mushroom risotto, roasted Brussels sprouts; pecan cheesecake and caramel sauce $28
  • Sunday 3/29 – Fried greens salad, orange sections, black pepper candied walnuts, orange balsamic vinaigrette; Meatloaf, Cipolinni onions, maple glazed carrots, loaded mashed potatoes; Guinness dark chocolate brownie $29

MATA has announced free fares on all its modes of transportation effective March 25 through April 30. Social distancing rules will be in effect on MATA vehicles through at least April 7.

Build-your-own cupcake shop Cupcake Cutie is moving from Court Square to a much more visible location at the corner of South Main and Pontotoc. They want to do 7 cake flavors, 6 icings, and 30 toppings a day. They will also have other treats like cupcake milkshakes, pies, and cheesecakes.

The Mid-South Food Bank has suspended volunteer operations at its headquarters to protect volunteers from COVID-19. Instead, it is relying on its partner agencies to deliver food, with 1.2 million pounds distributed in the last two weeks. You can make a financial donation to the food bank here.

From the Humane Society.Questions can be directed to amoore@memphishumane.org. Monetary donations are also appreciated during this critical time and can be made at memphishumane.org.

The Office of the District Attorney General has a letter explaining how 201 Poplar will operate in the coming weeks (click to view in a larger size):

From stats site FiveThirtyEight: What actually happens when you get a COVID-19 test?

The CA has a photo gallery: Construction continues on the One Beale project

The Daily Memphian’s coronavirus blog reports that two Downtown hotels, the Hu. (formerly the Madison) and the Doubletree have temporarily suspended operations.

That’s it for right now. Back later today or tomorrow with more.

Wednesday update #1

Here we go again. You know, when the city started closing down toward the end of last week, I worried, “What will I write about?” That hasn’t been a problem. There’s been plenty.

Explore Bike Share is offering free bike rentals for the next four weeks, so that we can ride out the coronavirus outbreak.

PBR Hard Coffee was spotted at 40 West Liquor in West Memphis.

From Memphis magazine’s Ask Vance: A rare view of Chickasaw Park in Downtown Memphis. Most modern Memphians have never heard of this park.

Loflin Yard’s cocktails are now available by the gallon for pick-up or delivery. Order here

All Huey’s locations are now offering curbside pickup for orders of food, beer, wine, and liquor (liquor not available at the Southaven location).

MLGW community offices, including the ones Downtown, are closed to the public. Use the drive-thru or drop box to pay in person.

For those of you working from home, and not driving your vehicles regularly, I’ll pass along some advice for a friend: About once a week, take your car out on the interstate for a few miles. It’ll keep gunk from building up in your fuel system that could lead to expensive repairs.

Here’s a link to the 2020 Census online form for those who haven’t filled that out yet.

Yesterday felt like the first “normal” day for me since the bars closed. It seemed like for the first time, I had subconsciously accepted the fact that I had nothing but my laptop and my TV to keep me occupied all day long… but you know what, I never got bored. I cranked out 6 blog posts. I watched 12 episodes of Criminal Minds. I joined that all-you-can-read book service Scribd – there’s still a 30-day trial but I didn’t see a way to sign up without providing a credit card number or PayPal payment, but that’s okay – and I got through 29% of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuvah Noel Harari.

Today I will get through the rest of the book and see what else I can find to read on Scribd, go to Walgreens and see if they have toilet paper in stock, and maybe start figuring out ways to earn an income online. And, of course, I will update this blog throughout the day, so there may well be another 6 posts. Check back throughout the day for lunch specials and immediate news that can’t wait for the next “daily update” post.

Tuesday night specials – Rizzo’s by Michael Patrick

From Chef Michael Patrick:

Thank you Memphis for supporting Lunch today. Working on some casseroles that families can hear and eat. Tonight I have a cajun sausage and tomato, also Brocollini and tasso ham cheddar. Haven’t put them on the website yet. 4 serving $35.00 8 servings $75.00. Mix and match if you would like. Call to order. 901 304 6985

 

Tuesday update #5

Reminder to those of you in controlled-access buildings: The coronavirus outbreak is causing us to rely on deliveries more than normal. If you have your phone set up to send calls from numbers not in your contacts directly to voice mail, make sure your building’s call box numbers are in your contacts. Also, each call box may have a different number, so make sure you get them all if your building has multiple entry points.

Robinson Smokehouse has announced weekend specials, to be picked up at the Green Beetle on Saturday. A local says the pulled chicken is out of this world.

I’ve been told that the PBR Hard Coffee is available in Memphis, and that the Kroger on Trinity in Cordova has it. The friend who told me that commented that the hard coffee tastes more like the Starbucks in bottles found at gas stations than a coffee stout like Wiseacre Gotta Get Up to Get Down. I would agree.

The Orpheum announced its 2020-2021 Broadway schedule Monday. It includes

Lori Turner-Wilson of Downtown agency RedRover is rolling out a series of advice on marketing and branding in the coronavirus economy. Volume 1 of the series discusses playing offense vs. defense.

From the MBJ: Meet Derk Meitzler, whose next project is Paramount, a restaurant at 262 S. Front in the old Bluff City Law office space.

Ditty TV has organized a virtual event schedule so you have ways of keeping yourself entertained while isolated.

WWE is making the WWE Network free for a limited time so wrestling fans have a way to entertain themselves while isolating. There you can find every WWE, WCW, and ECW pay-per-view ever made, as well as original content and classic wrestling TV shows from the 1970s to the 1990s.

The City of Memphis has launched its COVID-19 website.

MPD has closed all nine of its precincts to the public except for emergencies, including the North Main Precinct in the MATA bus terminal.

Gould’s has closed all its salon/spa locations, including the one at Main and Union. Hair salons are not considered businesses that provide essential services under Mayor Strickland’s Safer At Home executive order.

I have to admit this thought had previously crossed my mind:

I previously posted today about the Arcade’s lunch specials, Wiseacre delivering beer, and homemade dinners of beef cannelloni, Italian spinach garlic bread, and chocolate chip pie by my friend MK. Just about 10 minutes after that last post, MK messaged me on Facebook with the info about her dinners.

“Already saw it and blogged it :) ,” I responded.

“Thanks!” she replied. “Can I bring you one? On me?”

I started to type, “Naw, that’s not necessary,” but then I stopped and thought, what do I want to be eating Friday? Homemade cannelloni or a heated-up can of Beanee Weenee from Family Dollar? “Sure,” I messaged back. Can’t wait to try it!

I learned something this week… Perjorie T. Roll is not the only troll who perfers foods that are the same color as her hair. Mendatius got really excited about these Spicy Nacho Doritos:

Well, this post is getting pretty long, so I’ll go ahead and hit Publish and start a new one. Back later today or tomorrow with more news.

Quarantine cuisine

From MK, owner of Cake Madam and former partner in Two Girls and a Whip. Turns out she does a lot more than just cakes.

‼️QUARANTINE CUISINE‼️

After much anticipation, I decided to go ahead with our dinner this week.

I lost my job last Saturday and all my April weddings have been postponed for later in the year. Food is my comfort. It’s my go-to. It’s always been an outlet for me. And right now, it’s all I’ve got!

If you’ve burned through your snacks already or you’re already sick of cooking, give me a shout! For the next few weeks we will feature a lockdown lunch or a quarantine cuisine!

This week’s cuisine is:
Beef Cannelloni (this is a giant pasta rolled up with beef and cheese, covered in sauce and more cheese and baked to perfection). 
Italian spinach 
Garlic bread 
And my sister’s FAMOUS chocolate chip cookie PIE! @erinbakr @korry_cassidy @dominics_life

Plates are $15/each.

Text: 9015023072 to place those orders!

Orders must be received by noon on Thursday 3/26 for a Friday delivery.

‼️Delivery is FREEEEEEEE‼️

Get Wiseacre beer delivered to your door

No need to go out to grocery stores where you can’t properly socially distance.

Arcade Tuesday lunch special

While restaurants are restricted to take-out and delivery only, I will post Downtown restaurant lunch specials and other specials that I see on social media, as time permits.

Tuesday update

Look what I got to try yesterday!

PBR Hard Coffee! A friend of mine brought some back from out of town and gave me one. The description I’ve heard is correct: It tastes like a Yoo-hoo, more a chocolate taste than a taste of coffee. It was good though. I would buy a 4-pack if Downtown convenience stores sold them. Perjorie T. Roll thought the Mountain Dew we had for breakfast was better because it was the same color as her hair.

From Aldo’s Pizza Pies Downtown Facebook:

Get a complimentary $10 gift card with any Aldo’s Downtown delivery order over $30! Also, get 20% off all gift card purchases at both Aldo’s locations. *Gift cards have no expiration date and are redeemable after Aug. 1*

Old Dominick is getting creative with its sealed, single-serving to-go bags. These were being sold at Max’s Sports Bar yesterday:

They brought back the Dreamsicle slushie flavor by popular request, and they still have Purple Drank at Max’s.

Spindini at 385 S. Main has responded to the coronavirus pandemic with a fantastic innovation: They have converted the space into South Main Grocery. They will be open to the public daily at 10 AM, with a special hour for first responders and health care workers 8-9 AM, and a special hour for seniors 60 and over 9-10 AM. Free roll of toilet paper, while they last, with purchases of $40 and up. Here’s what you’ll find at the grocery:

  • Filet steaks
  • Extra thick pork chops
  • Chicken breasts
  • Shrimp
  • Milk, both whole and 2%
  • Bread
  • Assorted dry pasta
  • Rice
  • Assorted dry beans
  • Tomatoes
  • Squash
  • Onions
  • Oranges
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Potatoes
  • Cases of bottled water

Spindini’s grocery is also selling the following meal kits:

  • Large pans of lasagna
  • Pre-smoked baby back ribs
  • Gourmet easy bake pizzas
  • Pasta and sauce combinations

The Daily Memphian has started a Kindness Blog to spread the good news about things happening in our community.

South of Beale is advertising that they have the “same amazing menu, new amazing prices” for carry-out and delivery.

New clothing trend: Selling “I Wasn’t There” T-shirts for events that got canceled.

The Tokyo Summer Olympic Games are postponed until 2021. National teams including Canada and Australia had already said they would pull out if the 2020 Olympics went on as scheduled.

Effective yesterday, First Horizon will see people in bank lobbies by appointment only, and only for new accounts, loans, investments, and service requests. Those wishing to deposit or withdraw will be directed to ATMs or to mobile banking.

Medium.com has a coronavirus blog with some really good stories. That site is normally subscriber-only but they are making their coronavirus content free.

Yesterday’s Daily Memphian coronavirus blog reported that Old Dominick will create up to 10,000 units of hand sanitizer. These units will be distributed to lower-income communities and the homeless population, and will also be given away at Shelby County food distribution sites.

River Time Market & Deli will be closed for the time being. Makes sense as many of their regular customers are now working from home.

Well, the coronavirus crisis has now hit me personally. No, not health-wise… I haven’t tested positive or been in contact with anyone who has. However, the project I was working on has been temporarily put at hold, so I now find myself bored at home 24 hours a day rather than 20. Don’t worry, I am okay financially in the near future.

The apartment building said they’re only making “essential” repairs for the time being, to minimize risk of virus spread. Is asking for Freon to be added to an air conditioning unit when it’s going to 81 later this week essential? I have a feeling it’s not, but I really like air conditioning, especially when I’m going to be home all day. Of course, the downside of having a repairman come over is that I have to wear pants.

That’s it for now. Back later today or tomorrow with more news. Downtown restaurants are welcome to tag me in any social media posts announcing specials, and will get those specials on the blog as quickly as I can.