Ahhhhhh. The stupidest holiday of the year is behind us now.
I got to Blind Bear a few minutes after its 3 PM opening time yesterday, and I have to admit I was a little surprised by what happy hour bartender Cinnamon told me. “We have 40 reservations,” she said, “beginning at 5.”
She wasn’t kidding. It was dead until precisely 4:48, and then the flood gates opened. Something like 5 groups, 14 or so people in total, came in at once. From that point on, it was busy. And not just from the 40 people who sat at tables over the next 4 hours, but walk-in couples who were directed to the bar.
It’s weird, you know. Because I’m there so much, I would never think of the Bear as a place to bring a date. In my mind, it would fall into the category of “not even trying.” But I have to admit, someone who’s not in there every day easily could view it as a romantic destination. It’s nice and dark there. They have a sexy craft cocktail menu and good food. Plus in Memphis, there seems to be some status value in “coming Downtown for dinner,” especially post-pandemic.
It was a good night for me, though. I scored! No, not with a girl. I got to chatting with the couple next to me – who I’ve talked to several times before – and they had to leave in a hurry. “Michael, we’ll go ahead and pay for the steak we ordered,” they told the bartender, “but we have to leave. When it comes out, give it to Paul.”
YESSSSSSSSSS! An 8-ounce filet topped with blue cheese crumbles and mushrooms with a loaded baked potato! If y’all read my blog, THANK YOU for a mighty fine dinner!
In other Bear news, it was SO good to have the #baldbeardedbartender back behind the bar for the first time in more than a year. #catchhimwhere
50% off Valentine’s candy when Downtown Walgreens opens at 7!
Today is going to be one of those “turn on your air conditioner in February” days… the MWN forecast calls for a high of 75 and a low of 62, with showers and storms (severe possible) coming in the evening. 75 is a typical high in Memphis around April 20.
The Grizzlies host the Utah Jazz tonight at 7. TV: Bally Sports South
STIX has a deal for you February 14-19, coinciding with the run of TINA the Musical down the street at the Orpheum. For $20 you get
- Salad with ginger dressing or yum yum sauce
- Downtown Roll – spicy crawfish, cream cheese, and crab flash fried and topped with sweet soy
- Teriyaki Chicken
Starting NEXT Thursday (2/23, not tomorrow), Atomic Rose will be open 10 PM-3 AM for Industry Night. Industry workers and entertainers get
- $3 beers
- $4 Fireball
- $4 wells
- $6 Jameson
- 15% off meals, served until 2:30 AM
“Entertainers” get the discount? I entertain hundreds of people with this blog. Does that qualify me?
Calvary Episcopal Church has announced its speaker lineup for this year’s Lenten Preaching Series. For those who don’t know, this is a lunchtime preaching series that coincides with a church-run waffle shop. The waffle shop serves yumminess like waffles (duh), spaghetti, corned beef & cabbage, fish pudding (it’s better than it sounds), and Tennessee bourbon pie. Worth a visit even if you aren’t into church.
This Sunday will be Catherine & Mary’s first Sunday dinner service. They’ll now be open daily 4 to 10.
South Point Grocery now has rotisserie chickens for $8.99.
Barney the dinosaur is coming back.
Wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett has died at 80. He co-owned and co-booked the Memphis pro wrestling territory for many years. He was the father of wrestler/promoter “Double J” Jeff Jarrett.
North Third between Jackson and Overton will be closed next week for a St. Jude construction project.
Thanks to one of my readers for sending this in: How the inventor of the troll doll missed out on a fortune
That’s it for today. Back tomorrow with more news.