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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.

Strickland issues shelter-in-place order; effective Tuesday, March 24 at 6 PM

WREG has the details.

EDIT: Added a few key notes

  • You CAN go for walks or go out in nature
  • You CAN go to restaurants for take-out or delivery. That is good. I was worried restaurants would be deemed non-essential businesses that would have to close.
  • Farmers markets are considered essential businesses. I wonder that that means for the Memphis Farmers Market, set to open a week from Saturday?
  • Going over to friends’ houses is considered not essential (I’m going to slip a visit in under the wire tonight, but it’s a gathering of far less than 10, even counting trolls)
  • Visiting loved ones in a hospital, essential care, or nursing facility is not allowed. I miss my mom but I am glad she did not live to see this. She would be scared to death and so would I.

Y’all take care of yourselves. Back tomorrow with more news. If any of you who have my number visit the Downtown Walgreens and see toilet paper on the shelves, please text me immediately.

Monday update

Governor Bill Lee has declared to-go and delivery alcohol and wine sales legal for the time being in Tennessee. This is good news that will allow some businesses to stay afloat that wouldn’t have been able to on just to-go food sales. Note, however:

  • Food must be purchased in the same to-go or delivery order as the alcohol purchase
  • The alcohol container must be sealed
  • Single-servings of alcoholic beverages or beer may be sold
  • Single or multiple bottles of beer or wine, that are normally sold by the restaurant, may be sold
  • Bottles of spirits or liquors may not be sold

With that announcement in place, Silly Goose is re-opening today for to-go cocktails, beer, wine, and food including pizza pies. Their hours will be 3 to 11 PM daily. 901-435-6915

Online book and audiobook service Scribd, which lets you read as much as you can for a monthly fee, is offering 30 days free to help people fight boredom during the coronavirus quarantine. You don’t even have to provide a credit card to start reading; just create an account.

From Tawanda Pirtle, co-owner of Jack Pirtle’s chicken:

JACK PIRTLE’S CHICKEN..BUY ONE 2 PC DARK MEAL GET ONE FREE with purchase of 2 Drinks …AS OF TODAY..UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE.. YOU CAN TELL THE CASHIER WHEN ORDERING THAT YOU HAVE A FACEBOOK ‘BUY ONE GET ONE FREE’ coupon… and ALL STORES WILL HONOR IT..(NO PAPER COUPON NEEDED) Thank you.. and you can upgrade to WHITE or MIXED DINNER for a small charge) THANK YOU… please share a smile with someone.. AND, TRUCK DRIVERS ARE WELCOME ON OUR LOTS..PLEASE DONT BLOCK DRIVE THRU… please SHARE with everyone!!!

From the Rendezvous:

From the Orpheum:

The YMCA will take over distribution of meals to Shelby County students this week. The Shelby County Schools were unable to carry out that task after an employee in its Nutrition Center tested positive for COVID-19. Meals are available 11 AM-1 PM to all children under 18. The child must be present to receive the meal. Distribution sites in or near Downtown:

  • Fogelman YMCA, 245 Madison
  • St. Patrick’s, 277 S. Fourth
  • Hope City Church – Oasis Enrichment, 232 Bickford
  • Crenshaw Branch, Memphis Public Libraries, 531 Vance
  • Memphis Community Center, 233 Henry

Cordelia’s Market is changing its hours. They are as follows:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday – open 7 AM-8 AM only for seniors, expectant mothers, those with underlying conditions; 8 AM-8 PM open for everyone
  • Tuesday and Friday – open 9 AM- 8 PM for everyone
  • Saturday and Sunday – open 8 AM-8 PM for everyone
  • Cafe hours 9 AM-4 PM – pick-up, curbside pick-up and take-out only

The Broom Closet is now offering live tarot readings via Skype.

From the Wall Street Journal: Coronavirus and your job – what your boss can, and can’t, make you do

After offering take-out and curbside service over the weekend, the Majestic Grille owners have decided to close the restaurant for a bit, for the safety of the remaining employees as well as customers.

The Majestic Grille’s owner/chef Patrick Reilly and the Rendezvous’ John Vergos are among those interviewed by the Daily Memphian on what restaurant owners are doing to help their employees while restaurants are closed. Both owners are in the same boat: They can lay their employees off so they are free to file for unemployment, but if those people are no longer employees, they can’t keep their health insurance.

Rachel’s Salon and Day Spa has made the decision to close to protect its employees and customers. Well damn… absolutely the right decision, but that’s where I get my hair cut… and my last haircut was September 25. Guess I’m gonna have some long hair for the time being.

More and more I am coming to agree with this USA Today editorial: America needs an immediate 5-week national lockdown to defeat COVID-19. Don’t get me wrong, that will really suck, but the experts say 5 weeks is the shortest we can get the threat under control – and that’s only if every one of us does it together. If it is done piecemeal across the country, it will be 8 to 12 weeks or even longer before things get back to normal.

Put it another way to get some of you emotionally invested in the idea: A 5-week national lockdown would pretty much guarantee the 2020 NFL season won’t be affected. Now do you understand why this is so important? It’s one thing for the elderly to be endangered, it’s one thing for those with compromised immune systems to be endangered, but if we don’t fight this bug together your 2020 fantasy football league might be endangered.

Yesterday Rand Paul became the first United States senator to test positive for COVID-19. He had been tested several days before, and ignored the warning to self-quarantine until the results came in. He attended meetings following the test, causing another senator, Mitt Romney, to self-quarantine. Sen. Paul was seen in the Senate gym yesterday morning, including the swimming pool.

That’s it for now. Off to work. When I get home I am going to sign up for the 30 free days of that Scribd service and find some books to read.