Author: paulryburn

One of the brunch crew’s regular spots, the Majestic Grille, will be closed tomorrow, Sunday, May 25, for a private party from 11 AM to 1:30 PM.  It isn’t Majestic week on our rotation anyway, but I know that some of the crew likes to pop in for a Bloody Mary even on the off-weeks.  The good news is, the restaurant will open to the public at 1:30 and brunch will continue to be served until 3 PM.

Even though this would be McGuinness week 1 for brunch, we’re having to rearrange the schedule now that the Monkey is open.  We’ll be at the Downtown Blue Monkey for brunch tomorrow at 11.  And no, we’re not cheating on McG bartender Amy… she’s known for months this is coming.  Maybe I can arrange to pop in and see Amy on our way back from the Monkey, as we’re heading to Big Foot for $2 34 oz. beers.

Whatever ends up happening, with most everyone having Monday off, it is definitely going to be Sunday FUN Day, in a big way.

One of my favorite local bands ever, ’80s hair band cover band Aquanet plays Downtown Memphis tonight and next Saturday.  Tonight you can catch them at the Red Rooster.  Next Saturday, May 31, they’ll be at the Flying Saucer.

So come on down either this Saturday or next, and catch all your favorite ’80s songs by Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, Bon Jovi, Warrant, Def Leppard, and all the other hair bands.  Aquanet really puts on a show, with lighting, costumes, everything.  Not to be missed.

Which of the two venues is a better fit for their show?  Hard call.  It’s hard to find a better place to hear them than the Saucer; however, at the Rooster, you have the bonus of watching the antics of the one and only Robby Bobby as they play.  Either way, you’re sure to have a good time.

As for me personally, since I already have plans on a rooftop tonight, I’ll probably wait ’til next Saturday and catch them at the Saucer.  Next weekend is going to be a good weekend for hearing some great bands Downtown… more details to come…

So last night I decided to check out the new Thursday ’80s night at Raiford’s. Since the place opens early (9 PM), I decided to get there early to see if any young-professional types were there getting an hour or two of dancing in before bedtime. Ummm… no, they weren’t there. It was me and one other couple for about the first hour and a half. Pretty empty. It’s a shame too, because it seems like it could be a really fun night. The guy who normally works the door (Terry I think?) who wears the suit and points at the tip glass was DJing. I really liked his song selection. He was playing ’80s, but also some disco, and different disco than the standard playlist that Raiford runs through on the weekends. And there were mixed drinks (I stuck with the old standby – quart bottle of Bud Light – though). I think this night has a lot of potential… it just needs to develop a crowd.

Maybe it did develop a crowd later in the evening… but by 11:30 I was tired of being in a near-empty club and decided to do a venue change to the new Downtown Blue Monkey. They did a great job with the place. It’s big and roomy and open and reminds me a lot more of the Midtown Monkey than the small, cozy old Downtown Monkey that burned down in ’05. A lot of the old staff is back, which is a promising sign. Huge, long bar along the left side, long enough to seat probably 20 or 25. It took forever to open but I’m very impressed with the place.

It remains to be seen how much the Downtown Monkey will figure into my barhopping plans. I’m going to go in there several times over the next week and see what kind of crowd develops – will it still be a neighborhood bar like the old Downtown Monkey, or will it develop more of a singles crowd like the Midtown Monkey? Time will tell. I plan on giving it a try this Sunday for brunch, and I know some of the rest of the brunch crew plans on doing the same.

Downtown Memphis in the news: Jennifer Biggs from the CA has a dining review of the new club Ground Zero next door to the Westin.

Also in the news: An article about Erykah Badu, who will perform at the Orpheum next Wednesday.

Plans for the long Memorial day weekend:

• Tonight:  Don’t know.
• Saturday:  Showing a new Memphian around Downtown, which is one of my favorite things to do; and watching Sunset Symphony and the fireworks from the rooftop of The Lofts, where my buddy Lee has a condo.  This looks to be a fun night.
• Sunday:  Brunch at the Monkey.  $2 34 oz. beers at Big Foot.  Attn Magan: BUY ME A BEER!!!
• Monday:  Pint Nite at the Saucer will probably start early for me.  Hmmm that 14-consecutive-beer record of mine just might fall.

Time to head back to work.  I’m doing file imports this week, which is about as exciting as watching paint dry.  5:00 cannot get here fast enough.

Here are the options for partying Downtown tonight:

• Here Come the Mummies on the Peabody rooftop, 6-10 PM, $5 cover, ladies free until 8 PM
• Charlie Wood Trio on the Madison rooftop, 5:30-10:30 PM
• Q107.5 patio party with Garry Goin and G3 and a special appearance by Ferras at EP Delta Kitchen, 8:30-til
• Mudflap Kings at the Flying Saucer, 9:30 PM, $3 cover
• Opening night at the Downtown Blue Monkey, if the rumors I hear are true
• Adrenaline at the Red Rooster; ladies get in free on Thursdays; giveaways, contests for ladies
• Eric Hughes Blues Band at Ground Zero
• ’80s for the Ladies Night at Hollywood Disco (Raiford’s). Opens 9 PM; ladies get in free; only night of the week when you can get mixed drinks there
• Amateur Night at Club Lame… I mean, Ladies’ Night at Club Atlas
• Trivia night at TJ Mulligan’s Pinch, 8 PM
• Ladies’ Night at Tug’s at the River Inn at Harbor Town on Mud Island. Half-price drinks for ladies

Just got a report that the paper is off the window, the chairs are arranged, and a beer truck has arrived at the Downtown Monkey.  Looks like the rumors may indeed be true this time.

As always, my recommendations are in green.  Of the 3 recommended picks above, the only one I’m likely to make it to is Raiford’s.  I’ll get to the Monkey sometime this weekend and check it out; just don’t feel like walking that far tonight.  Actually, kinda curious to stop by the Saucer at some point this evening, and see if the place has any regulars left besides me.

Circa by John Bragg recently overhauled its bar snacks menu.  These snacks are available from 4 until close on the patio and at the bar.  Here’s the new list – looks like some new items have been added, and it’s nice to have the option to mix and match.

 

bar snacks

 
Choose any 3 for just $5
 
Fresh Louisiana Gulf Oyster
on the half shell with bloody mary granita
 
Oyster Bienville
crabmeat & hollandaise gratin
 
Oyster Rockefeller
with pernod, spinach & Parmigiano
 
Crawfish Beignet
with roasted red pepper remoulade
 
Sesame Crusted Tuna
with ginger & seaweed salad
 
Chilled Jumbo Shrimp
with cocktail sauce
 
Crabmeat Stuffed Shrimp
With Dijon aioli
 
Seared Sea Scallop
with basil oil
 
Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio
with soy, lemon & ginger
 
Grilled Beef Tenderloin
bite-sized with crispy onions
 
Homemade Guacamole
with corn tortilla strips

Fellow blogger Downtown Amy reports that the Downtown Blue Monkey will open today at 4.  I also heard the same thing last night from Joan at the Westin Hotel.  We’ve heard a lot of rumors about when it will open, but this one is the most credible I have heard.

No, this is not any kind of April Fool’s joke, in case you’re wondering.

I probably won’t be there for opening night, but I’ll check it out soon and will give a full report.

My 5 MP Olympus pocket-sized digital camera has served me faithfully through 3 BBQ Fests, 3 Halloweens, 3 birthdays, and multiple pictures of tube tops, Romanians, and former BFFs. But a couple of days ago I decided it was time for an upgrade, and started searching Amazon. After a half hour or so of browsing, this was the camera I selected:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

The most appealing feature for me was the 10x zoom, which will allow me to shoot images from far, far away. It also has image stabilization which will hopefully eliminate some of the blurry shots I’ve had lately. It’s also capabale of automatically adjusting brightness in different light conditions, which should lead to better pics in less-than-idea lighting.

The price at the time – $219.24 – was just too good to pass up for an 8 MP, 10x zoom camera (it’s since gone up slightly to $233). The only negative is that it will be a bit bulkier than my old camera – its thickness is 1.4 inch, compared to 0.8 for the one I have now. Still, though, it should be able to fit in my pocket, so I can carry it around and have it on me all the time.

It should arrive toward the end of next week. In the meantime, my old camera will continue to faithfully do its duty, in case any photo opportunities arise.

Today I saw a flyer for a new business called Fasttraxx that will pick up your food order from any restaurant Downtown and deliver it to your front door or office door.  They currently deliver lunch only (10 AM to 2 PM) 7 days a week.  Maybe if business goes well they’ll expand to dinner.  Delivery fee for a Downtown restaurant to a Downtown address is $9.95.

They also deliver from and to Midtown and East Memphis (between Highland and the 240 loop).  Delivery fees range from $9.95 to $15.95, depending on how far they travel to deliver.

They also deliver from Circle K, Starbucks, and Exxon on the Run as well as area restaurants.  Please note that they will not deliver alcoholic beverages.  You will need to pay the restaurants/shops over the phone via credit card.

Tuesday night’s drunken escapades at Calhoun’s featured balloon animals and other balloon creations.  Here are a few pics:

Me with my balloon hat on.  Shortly after this was taken, I turned my balloon hat backwards, because, you know, I’m all gangsta like that.

Lauren:  “Look, Paul!  I made a balloon tube top!”  LAUREN:  HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU?!??  IF IT HAS STRAPS IT’S NOT A TUBE TOP!!!  That thing clearly has straps.  This kind of misunderstanding is why I dedicate a month of my blog to tube tops every year.  It’s a public service.

Yeah I don’t know what’s going on here.

Home early tonight, to make up for the late night I had yesterday. Lying in bed blogging.  At least one more post still to come.

I’ve finally figured out who deserves to be named my BFF (Best Friend Forever) of the Month for the month of May.

Actually, it’s not one person, but many people. So I guess it would be more accurate to say, BFFs of the Month.

I didn’t think I’d find anyone who exhibits the qualities I look for in a BFF before the beginning of June… but walking home at lunch, it occurred to me, the perfect BFFs have been sitting there right under my nose the entire time.

Therefore… the members of the Ques Brothers World Championship BBQ team (3rd place shoulder) are hereby named my BFFs of the Month for May.

I don’t think I could have possibly made a better choice. Hopefully this will give the June candidates an idea of what I’m looking for, and maybe it will also help my former BFF understand why she didn’t measure up and got kicked to the curb.

Shiner Bock is the Fire Sale at the Downtown Saucer.

Back to work.