Apologies for no post yesterday… simply put, I ran out of time!
I’ll start off with a dining recommendation. Thursday I got to sample a piece of octopus from Curfew, the creation of chef Fabio Viviani in the new Canopy Hotel across from the ballpark. It was really good! I expected it to be tough and chewy, like squid/calamari. It wasn’t chewy at all – it was tender and the flavor was outstanding. From the menu:
Spanish Octopus – celery slaw, crisp potatoes, n’duja vinaigrette $21
There’s a May Day St. Patrick’s parade on Beale Street from 3 to 4. “Social distancing of parade spectators and the wearing of masks is highly encouraged.” Yeah I don’t see the social distancing thing happening. I hate to be negative but I don’t think this is the brightest idea, particularly because parades are events that attract children (none of whom have been vaccinated yet). I want an economic stimulus for Beale Street and its surroundings as much as anyone, but this would’ve been better had organizers waited until June.
County Mayor Lee Harris dropped a hint that as of May 15, most of the remaining stupid COVID restrictions will become recommendations.
Looking for a job in the hospitality industry? There will be a job fair Tuesday at the convention center, with more than 40 companies represented.
From the Memphis Flyer: Race becomes crisis point at U of M Law School. The disaffected faculty member who is resigning is the wife of Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. She claims that well-qualified Black applicants were overlooked for promotion in favor of whites with fewer qualifications.
A word from our Congressman:
Restaurants and bars have been hit hard by the pandemic and we have fought to support them and their workers.
Starting Monday, May 3, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund will open. I urge qualifying business owners to apply at https://t.co/0KkuCgw5PH! #AmericanRescuePlan
— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) April 30, 2021
Talk about dancing on someone’s grave! Memphis’ annual Juneteenth celebration on Friday-Saturday, June 18-19, will move to Health Sciences Park which used to house a statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest. He and his wife are still buried there. That is just fucking fabulous.
In addition to being May Day, today is also Beer Pong Day.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association is in talks to get the mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit to our neighborhood. It will help reach Downtowners who are unable to make it out to the city’s vaccination sites. If you take advantage of the opportunity, you’ll get a free MemPop. Sites and dates will be announced soon.
Rizzo’s seeks a Salad Chef. Punctuality and the desire to learn (from one of the very best) are highly desirable traits.
Catherine & Mary’s is hiring a bartender. Fabulous opportunity to get your foot in the door at the Andrew Ticer/Michael Hudman family of restaurants.
There are volunteer opportunities open at the Memphis Farmers Market.
DJ Superbrad plays the Blind Bear tonight at 9. That should be fun. It’s time to dance again! $10 to get in, free if you know the password. He’ll be spinning ’70s-2000s.
The Grizzlies got a rough win over Orlando last night. That puts them back in sole possession of 8th place in the West, a game lead over San Antonio and a game and a half over Golden State. The Grizz are now two and a half games behind Portland for 7th. Got next: Memphis travels to Orlando for a rematch tonight at 7.
Apple’s AirTag went on sale yesterday. With an iPhone 11 or later, locate your keys or other items you misplace frequently.
Slim & Husky’s got a mention in Food & Wine’s The Best Pizza in Every State for Tennessee.
Well, damn… the Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UT Health Sciences was arrested in a drug bust that netted weed, crack, scales, and guns. The professor got hit with a resisting arrest charge too. He was one of 9 people busted.
Eric Hughes plays Momma’s tonight at 7.
Today’s music lineup at Carolina Watershed: The Michael Brothers at 2 and Shufflegrit at 7.
FreeWorld plays Rum Boogie Cafe tonight 8-12 and Blues City Cafe tomorrow 8-12. Blues City is the band’s “home base” and the place where they freestyle and get creative the most. Highly recommended if you can stay up that late on a Sunday.
Longshot is back open again. Its new hours are Tuesday-Saturday 5- midnight.
From Local 24: Yes, you can eat cicadas, but not if you’re allergic to shellfish. Uh… no thanks.
Taking a break from Bardog Saturday brunch for a while until we can all sit at the bar without any restrictions. I’ll be in South Main today, leading off at the Farmers Market followed by one of Earnestine & Hazel’s, Max’s Sports Bar, or Slider Inn. Back tomorrow with more news.