Month: February 2024

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has updated his Bracketology for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. For the Memphis Tigers, owners of four straight losses, the news is about what was expected:

• Memphis has dropped to the “Last Four In” line
• They’re projected to play Seton Hall in the First Four for an 11 seed
• Winner of that game is projected to play 6 San Diego State in the first round

Boujee Bistro in the Lincoln-American Tower will have its grand reopening Sunday from 11 to 5. The bistro will be under new management. There will be a new soul food menu and live entertainment.

Trivia returns to The Brass Door Wednesday evening, February 7.

Today is Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.

Vivica A. (“CarShield”) Fox will film a movie here.

That’s it. A kinda slow news day. Back tomorrow.

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Recently, I’ve heard a lot of good things about the food at Memphis Chess Club. Friday I decided to walk down there and taste for myself.

The chess club is on the ground floor of the Press Box Lofts on Madison, half a block east of B.B. King. You can become a member and play chess, both pickup games and tournaments. As a member, you can attend live, in-person lessons as well as access the club’s extensive library.

For non-chess purposes, though, you don’t need to be a member. Anyone can order from the club’s cafe, and you should make your order a pizza. They have about 7 gourmet pizzas, each named for a chess master. I got the Carlsen, named for Norwegian chess star Magnus Carlsen.

The Carlsen is a thin-crust white pizza with two types of cheeses: mozzarella and Gruyere. They hooked it up with the gooey, chewy cheese – this pizza had more cheese than any “extra cheese” pizza I’ve ever ordered. Atop the cheese lay a generous helping of sausage as well as red onions and mushrooms.

The pizzas were available in 8-, 12-, and 18-inch sizes. I ordered the 12, concerned that I might finish the 8 still hungry.

The verdict: One of the most delicious pizzas in town! The white sauce was a hit and the crust was firm and crunchy. 10/10 would get again!

The 12-inch was way more than I could handle, though. I shoulda got the 8. I ended up leaving half the pizza in a box, gently perched on a trash can on Main Street for one of our homeless friends to find.

Can’t wait to explore more of the menu. Don’t overlook this place!

Cafe menu

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Here we go:

• Fried pork chop, topped with gravy, served with asparagus – 18
• Roast beef served with mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy – 19
• Soup: Beer cheese
• Dog: Bacon, red pepper, BBQ sauce
• Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
• Caramel cake
• Tiramisu

It’s February, and you know what that means… it’s time for the Flying Saucer to unveil its Valentine’s Day glass. Glass Nights happen Wednesdays at 7. This year Valentine’s Day is on a Wednesday, and Saucer management has wisely figured out that a lot of people will have other plans that evening. So Glass Night will be the Wednesday before, February 7 at 7 PM.

Can you guess who will be on the 2024 V-Day glass?

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

I hear a collective groan from some of you. Yeah, they’re a bit overexposed. I think they’re a cute couple though. Maybe I’m getting sentimental as I get older.

You can now get the creations of Chef Eli Townsend on DoorDash. Dos Hermanos Kitchen joined the app earlier this week.

The Cossitt Library will present a History of Soul Food on Thursday, February 22 from 6 to 8 PM. The discussion will take a look at how soul food, with roots in Africa, has impacted Southern cuisine.

It’s Black History Month, and to celebrate, the Downtown Memphis Commission has released a neighborhood guide to Black-owned businesses.

It’s Tater Tot Day. The Hibernation Tots at Blind Bear would be my recommendation to celebrate. They’re topped with ground beef, cheese sauce, bacon, jalapenos, tomatoes, and ranch.

Old Dominick will hold an exclusive tasting + VIP experience today. BIG Bourbon Club will host a tour, tasting, and Meet & Greet with Master Distiller Alex Castle.

Comedic production Her Needs, His Needs comes to the Orpheum tonight.

Tennessee Songwriters Week Qualifying Round will be at South Main Sounds tonight from 7 to 9.

Rumba Room has an open house from noon to 12:30 PM Saturday. The flyer for the event reads, “Ladies styling for salsa & bachata.” Luisana Perozo will be your host.

Did you know that King’s Palace Cafe on Beale has a Gospel Brunch every Sunday? Talented groups from around the city perform every week. The doors open at 11 AM, and no reservations are accepted; it’s first-come, first-served.

The Memphis Tigers host Wichita State at noon Saturday at FedExForum. The Tigers will have the opportunity to lose their 5th straight in front of a national TV audience, as the game will be on CBS.

The Grizzlies host Golden State tonight at 7. Get there early to be one of the first 5000 and score that SWEET Desmond Bane mini-hoop.

The Grizzlies have posted more info on Marc Gasol’s jersey retirement night April 6.

Grind City Media’s Jessica Benson put the NBA on blast for not selecting Grizzlies starter Vince Williams Jr. to the sophomore team in the Rising Stars Game.

Mack Weaver is Memphis in May’s new president and CEO. Weaver has been with the company 25 years, recently as CFO and EVP.

Soup Sunday returns to The Kent on Sunday, February 18.

Ben Yay’s has added a second murder mystery masquerade dinner on Sunday after Saturday’s sold out.

Plant Based Heat is featured in the DM’s $10 Deal this week. The vegan restaurant opened a new location at 363 S. Front in December.

ESPN’s Woj reports that the Grizzlies are trading injured center Steven Adams to Houston for Victor Oladipo and three second-round draft picks.

Downtown’s Sheraton Hotel is for sale, the MBJ reports.

Dinstuhl’s at Main and Peabody Place will have strawberries beginning February 11 and you can pre-order yours now.

Political nerd alert: Moody’s Analytics presents Who Will Be the Next President?

I’ll probably be back around 11 with Bardog’s specials.

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Don’t know why I’ve been forgetting to post these this week. Here we go:

• Blackened cod & shrimp tortellini with spicy red sauce, bell peppers & onion – 20
• Grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, bacon with ranch, cheddar – 17
• Soup: Beer cheese
• Dog: Bell peppers, onions, spicy mayo, eggs
•  Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
• Caramel cake
• Tiramisu

I had a big news (and birthday) post earlier this morning, so keep scrolling if you haven’t seen it.

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Last November I got birthday cake smooshed in my face. Now it’s February 1 and turnabout is fair play.

Marc Gasol announced his retirement from professional basketball yesterday. So most likely we will have a ceremony to hang number 33 from the rafters of FedExForum next season.

• BREAKING, just announced: The jersey retirement will be this season, on April 6.

I’m fond of saying “Everybody beats Rice.” They’re the Vanderbilt of the American Athletic Conference. But it’s not true. Not everybody beats Rice. The Memphis Tigers, for example, lost to Rice last night, 74-71. Hello NIT… if even that tournament’ll have us.

Don’t forget, this is one of those Februarys with 29 days. Not 28.

Bob Dylan will perform at the Orpheum March 29 and 30. The dates will be part of Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour.

The I-55 bridge will close over the weekend. Use I-40 as your alternate.

Today is Spunky Old Broads Day. Some days the comedy just writes itself.

The Majestic Grille seeks hosts/expos.

Dyer’s made Southern Living’s list of Most Beloved Burger Joints.

The Hyatt Centric seeks a front office agent.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association is now on TikTok as @DNAmemphis.

Jalen Duren, a former Memphis Tigers one=and=done, has been invited to play in the NBA Rising Stars game during All-Star weekend.

There’s a Masquerade Murder Dinnet Party this Saturday at Ben Yay’s. “This year is 1755 and it’s Carnival Season in Venice, time for the Masquerade Ball. The question on everyone’s lips is who is the figure in red? Seen conversing with several guests, but no one admits to knowing them.” $75 dinner package, $100 dinner and drinks package.

There’s an Arkansas State alumni group ticket deal for Friday’s Grizzlies game.

Grind City Brewing Co. is having a FROST’D limited edition release party this Saturday.

DJ Mylon plays Blind Bear Friday.

A man is charged with hitting Blue Suede Brigade employees with a vehicle during the St. Jude Marathon.

Back on the streets after a 3-night stay at the Kings Inn at 240 and Union. Fun fact: On a weekday, valet parking for an oversized vehicle at Canopy Inn (B.B. King and Union) costs more per night ($36) than a standard room ($35) two miles down the road at Kings Inn. You definitely pay a premium for location!

On a related note… has anyone stayed at that Super 8 at Crump and the Mississippi River? If so, what are the room rates? And how is the WI-Fi? Let me know at paul.ryburn@gmail.com or on social media. Trying to come up with reasonably-priced alternatives to the Kings Inn should I need a hotel room in the future.

One big plus for the Super 8 is that Momma’s would be very walkable. I could hang out there with the butt sluts in the evenings and have breakfast there in the mornings. Maybe I’d make some new trucker friends at “the diner & dive off 55.”

That’s all for now. Probably back tomorrow with more news.

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