Paul Ryburn's Journal

What a fantastic Midtown pub crawl last night. The plan was to hit 10-12 bars in the area. I didn’t say anything, but I knew that plan was a bit ambitious. In fact, we made it to Young Avenue Deli, Celtic Crossing, Slider Inn, Local on the Square, Dublin House, and Blue Monkey – only six bars but six very good bars. Now I understand why there’s so much buzz about Local on the Square – what a great bar, especially the upstairs.

We went all the way to the end, closing down the Midtown Blue Monkey at 3. It’s probably a good thing that none of us remembered that Alex’s was still open.

While we were pub-crawling, the Memphis Grizzlies ended the New York Knicks’ undefeated streak. That gives the Grizzlies the best record in the NBA at .875. Still more than 70 games left but I’d rather start 7-1 than 1-7.

Now, this is my kind of celebration: The first-ever Memphis Beer Week will be April 21-27, 2013. It will be a week of beer dinners, opportunities to meet brewers, rare keg tappings, vertical tastings, and more. The week will end on a high note on Saturday, April 27 with Memphis BrewFest at AutoZone Park. Since I like not only drinking beer but learning about it as well, this should be an exciting week. Follow @MemphisBeerWeek on Twitter for updates.

The first annual Turkey Fun Run happens Monday night at 7 PM, taking off at Bardog Tavern. Come dressed in Pilgrim/Thanksgiving attire and bring a frozen turkey to donate to the Mid-South Food Bank. Participants will run while carrying their turkeys. No advance registration is required, just bring a turkey. Running and costumes are both optional, but encouraged.

iOS6 users: Miss Google Maps? Don’t worry. Google Maps will soon make a triumphant return to iPhones and iPads, and the app will be better than ever.

Tigers vs. Samford at FedExForum tonight at 7. This is our last warm-up game before the Battle 4 Atlantis, which includes quality competition like Duke, VCU, and Louisville.

Plans for tonight: Midtown was fun but I’m all about Downtown for the rest of the weekend – and it’s a long weekend, because I took Monday off. Let’s just say that the mayor will be in the house tonight.

Tonight after work I’ll be on my way to Midtown. The local Fireball Whisky brand ambassador is organizing a Midtown pub crawl this evening, and I have been invited to participate. We’ll hit about 10 bars in that area throughout the night. I’ve been asked not to publish the exact running order, but I’ll throw out a few hints. We’re looking at stops in Cooper-Young, Overton Square (and bars easily walkable from Overton Square), the area near the old Piggly Wiggly location, and Vollintine-Evergreen. There will be at least one bar that also has a Downtown location on the crawl, and at least one bar where my “DAWG” John D hangs out regularly.

So, how are you supposed to find out where we’ll be, if I’m not going to tell you? “Like” the FIREBALL WHISKY – Memphis page on Facebook and you’ll get updates throughout the evening on where we are. If you run into us, you might get bought a shot or come away with some Fireball swag.

If you read my blog and see me out on the crawl tonight, come say hello. I really enjoy meeting my readers. Apologies in advance if I seem a little hammered on the later stops on the crawl. Don’t worry, none of us who are participating will be driving.

Last night the Fireball ambassador came in the Flying Saucer where I was hanging out, to share the details of the crawl. He was totally prepared to buy everyone sitting at the bar a shot, but the Downtown Saucer doesn’t carry Fireball, which is just weird. They missed out on a tab of around $100. Even weirder is that we called the Cordova Saucer and they verified that they do carry the cinnamon-flavored whisky.

The Saucer may not carry Fireball, but they do carry a lot of beer. Tonight they will tap a rare beer, Stone 16th Anniversary Double IPA. There wasn’t a time listed, but these tappings usually occur around 7 PM.

The Memphis Grizzlies, now atop the Western Conference standings, host the New York Knicks at 8:30 tonight at the FedExForum. If you don’t attend the game, it will be televised on ESPN. If you’re attending the game and want to pre-game at the Double J Smokehouse and Saloon, they have a limo that can drop you off at the FedExForum.

Memphis has been named one of the Top 10 “Destinations on the Rise” by TripAdvisor. Very cool.

Screen-captured from Foursquare: Downtown’s most well-known food panhandler strikes again.

Hostess is liquidating its assets. No more Twinkies or Ding Dongs or Sno Balls. However, Mashable has eight Hostess recipes you can make at home.

Coming Soon to the Men’s Room: Games You Play with Your Pee. Oh my God. Between this, the demise of Twinkies, and Snooki becoming a mom, I really have to wonder if the Mayans’ prediction of the end of civilization in 2012 will come true. Bible scholars, is there anything in the book of Revelations about Twinkies or pee?

All right. Time to hit Publish, work a few more hours, and then the pub crawl begins. Hope to see some of you out in Midtown!

One of Downtown’s icons has passed away. Bernard J. Lansky opened his first store at 126 Beale in 1946. Initially he sold Army surplus items, but in the 1950s he started carrying high-end men’s clothing. Future rock star Elvis Presley took a liking to what he saw in the store, and Mr. Lansky became “Clothier to the King.” He passed away this morning at his home at age 85. His legacy lives on in the excellent selection and service found in the Lansky clothing stores at the Peabody. Condolences to Mr. Lansky’s family and friends. There will be a public service at Baron Hirsch Synagogue, 400 South Yates Road, on Friday, November 16th at 11 a.m., with interment to follow at Baron Hirsch Cemetery.

Need a Christmas gift for a baseball fan? The Redbirds have two holiday packs. For $80, the Joy ticket package ($114 value) includes four dugout box vouchers for the 2013 season, one St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series replica ring, and an autographed item (call for details). For $45, The Cheer package ($55 value) contains four bluff ticket vouchers for the 2013 season, one youth Redbirds jersey (youth XL), one Redbirds SillyBandz, and 10 boardwalk tokens. Both packages include a $10 service charge for tax and shipping. Call (901) 722-0299 or go online at memphisredbirds.com to purchase a package.

Also, don’t forget about the flip-the-switch party tomorrow at 5 PM at AutoZone Park’s Rockeyfeller Plaza!

Couple of beer news items: First of all, FuzzyBrew (@FuzzyBrew) has tweeted that Buster’s Liquors has a new website listing their 10,000 item inventory. Why is a liquor store’s website beer news? Well, any beer sold in Tennessee that is over 6% is technically considered liquor rather than beer. Some liquor stores, including Buster’s, carry a big selection of these high-ABV beers, often at prices of around half of what you’d pay for them at a bar.

The other beer news is that on Tuesday, the City Council will vote on the final reading of an ordinance to allow beer tastings in grocery stores. The ordinances here are more restrictive than in other large Tennessee cities. I definitely support relaxing the rules so that people can sample beer before they buy.

Cutting this post short to go eat. For once I’m excited about having lunch in DeSoto County, because The Boiling Point is having a Thanksgiving menu today. Turkey and dressing and all the trimmings! May do another post after work, so check back.

I was too excited about Blue Man Group at lunchtime to look around for any other news to post. Here’s your after-work news.

Another new event starts Monday at the Brass Door: Lightning Lunch. Every weekday, soup and a sandwich for $7. If they don’t have you in and out within 40 minutes, they’ll buy your lunch.

The Flyer’s Hungry Memphis food blog has a couple of posts of interest to Downtowners today. First of all, want to buy a food truck? The Revival food truck is for sale. $39,000 will buy you everything – the truck, the equipment, even the recipes. They’re having to sell because one of the owners was offered a regional corporate restaurant position that was too good to turn down.

Also, the Hungry Memphis folks tried Bleu’s build-your-own-pasta menu this week. They created some beautiful dishes that I’m sure were delicious too. Meanwhile, out in Horn Lake I had a Frosty from Wendy’s for lunch today. So there’s that.

December 5, 1933 was the day Prohibition was repealed. Two Downtown bars will celebrate the 79th anniversary of the repeal with parties that night: The Blind Bear and the Silly Goose. The two bars are right around the corner from each other, so there’s no reason why you can’t hit both.

The Mid-South Food Bank desperately needs turkeys. To make a cash donation to go toward turkeys, go here and select “Turkeys” from the “Designation:” item on the form.

The Grizzlies play the Thunder in OKC tonight at 7. Reminder: Aldo’s Pizza Pies is having a watch party. Two 65″ TVs at the bar, four 50″ TVs around the restaurant. Have a look at today’s Slice of the Day, with vodka sauce base, caramelized onions, sliced sausage, and green bell peppers.

Plans for tonight: After a few weeks apart due to Halloween and Downtown Dining Week, the trivia team will be back at the Blind Bear at 8:00. As usual, I’ll do a little pre-gaming for trivia at the Saucer first. Time for beer!

Last night I went to see Blue Man Group at the Orpheum. (Disclosure: They comped me media passes, so I saw it for free. Nevertheless, I truly mean every word of what I am about to type.)

Here’s my verdict: If in your entire life, you only take one recommendation I make on this blog, make it this one: GO SEE THIS SHOW. It blew my mind. I had been wanting to see Blue Man Group live for over a decade and had very high expectations. The show not only met those expectations but exceeded them.

Furthermore, this show is absolutely worth paying a premium for the best seats. If you can get in the first 12-14 rows, that would be ideal. I don’t want to spoil the show by explaining why, but toward the end, the folks near the front are the ones who get to join in the fun the most.

What exactly is Blue Man Group? I’m going to expand the definition I posted last week a little. Their show combines color, music, rhythm, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. I really can’t say much more than that without giving away details of the show, and my description wouldn’t do it justice anyway. If you’re not sure whether you want to go, search YouTube for Blue Man Group and you’ll find plenty of videos. But trust me, you NEED to see this live.

I had heard that the front rows were “poncho seats,” and people who sit there put on ponchos to avoid getting paint on them from the performance. Actually it’s more than just paint. Again, I can’t say much more without giving away part of the show.

Two audience members had particularly special experiences. One got to eat with the group, while another got to paint with them.

One thing to note: Unlike most shows at the Orpheum, this one has no intermission. Therefore, it’s probably not a good idea to consume a lot of liquids before you take your seat.

For more info see the Orpheum’s website. Tickets are listed at $20-85. I would easily pay $85 for the experience I had last night. For students, tonight is student rush night if you want to see it for cheap.

GO SEE THIS SHOW. Please. You will not regret it. If you don’t enjoy this show, you are probably green, live in a garbage can, and your name is Oscar. Absolute must-see show of the year.

The Brass Door is starting a new Tuesday night promotion beginning tonight. It will be “TCB,” Tuesday Curry and Beers. After 5 PM, you can have Rogan Josh or Korma with rice for only $8 while enjoying beers with Seamus and Diamond Dave behind the bar. They’ll still have 2 for 1 fish and chips after 5 as well, and happy hour specials from 4 to 7. I love curry and if I didn’t have Blue Man Group tickets, I’d be there tonight for sure. Hopefully next Tuesday!

LaunchMemphis is having a fundraiser, Risk City Soiree, this weekend in celebration of 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Week. It will be this Friday, November 16 at Minglewood Hall. Entertainment will be provided by Fast Planet (recently featured on MTV), Marcela Pinilla, and Danari. Cover is only $5, which is very inexpensive for a fundraiser. Buy tickets here or pay at the door.

The Big East is set to approve two divisions for their 2013-14 football schedule. Memphis will be in the western division, along with Houston, SMU, Temple, Boise State, and San Diego State. We waited all these years to join a major conference and this is what we get??? Looks like we’re still in Conference USA. The Tigers will play all five western division opponents, plus three from the eastern division of Rutgers, Louisville, Cincinnati, UConn, Central Florida, and South Florida.

The Rendezvous is looking for part-time cashiers to work their stands at FedExForum. Call 901-523-2746 if interested.

Beer news: South of Beale will have Magic Hat’s winter seasonal, Heart of Darkness, in bottles starting tomorrow.

Plans for tonight: BLUE MAN GROUP!!!!! It’s the first night of their 6-day run at the Orpheum and I have tickets. I’m no theater critic but I’ll do the best I can to post a review tomorrow. You NEED to see this show. Check them out at blueman.com if you’re not familiar with their act.

Central BBQ has announced that they are extending the Grand Opening specials at the new Downtown location through Thanksgiving. For $10 you can get a half slab of ribs, or for $6 you can get a full order of wings (dine in only).

Two Memphis teams did well in the World Food Championships in Las Vegas. “I Like Big Burgers and I Cannot Lie” qualified by winning Best Memphis Burger Fest in September. They partnered up with Kooky Canuck to become Team Kooky Canuck, and came in fourth in the burger division of the Vegas food championships. Meanwhile, Black Pig, an Ontario-based team that includes Kooky Canuck owners Shawn and Lana Danko, made it to the final table of the overall championships. Their team’s signature steak & lobster dish came in sixth, earning them $6500 in prize money. Congratulations to both teams! For a complete recap, read Seth’s write-up on the Best Memphis Burger blog. Don’t forget that the winning creation of “I Like Best Burgers” is on Kooky Canuck’s menu through Sunday.

Good news for the FedExForum and for Memphis: The facility will get to host games for the 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, commonly known as March Madness. Specifically, the South Regional will take place March 27-29, 2014. Glad to see the NCAA scheduling tournament games in our first-class arena. That will bring many tourist dollars to the Downtown area.

Yet ANOTHER round of layoffs at the Commercial Appeal. When will the bleeding stop? It’s a bad time to be in print media. Google now makes more in ad revenue than ALL print media combined.

The Grizzlies will host a food drive at Friday’s game at the FedExForum. Bring a non-perishable food or cash donation and receive a buy-one-get-one voucher to your choice of games later in the month. By the way, CONGRATULATIONS to the Grizzlies on last night’s victory over 2012 NBA champs the Miami Heat! It’s great to see the team starting off strong this year.

If you’re going to the Tigers-North Florida game tonight, hold on to your ticket stub if Memphis wins by at least 20. It will be redeemable at the Flying Fish for a cup of their seafood gumbo.

On my way to Saucer for Pint Nite. Almost all drafts $3 all day Monday.

If you want to get the kids in the holiday spirit, make a reservation for Brunch with Santa at the Majestic Grille Saturday, December 22. There will be seatings from 10 AM to 1 PM. The Majestic’s excellent regular brunch menu will be available, and there will also be some brunch specials for the kids. There will be hot chocolate and holiday cookies, and classic holiday movies will be playing on the big screen.

As you eat, Santa will walk around and visit the tables. Be sure and bring your camera so you can get a photo of Santa with the kids. Elves from the North Pole and Rockey Redbird will walk around and visit as well.

Brunch with Santa fills to capacity every year, and reservations are required. If you want to go, better call as soon as possible to get the time you want to be seated. Their number is 901-522-8555. The Majestic is on the Main Street Mall, one block north of the Orpheum.

I’ll probably be back after work with a “Monday Update” news post, so check back.

Six months ago on a rare day off, I ventured to Bleu, the restaurant in the Westin Hotel across from FedExForum. I’d heard good things about their Build Your Own Sandwich menu at lunch, and wanted to give it a try. I built a sirloin steak sandwich on a Kaiser roll and was quite impressed.

Now Bleu has taken the build-your-own concept in a different direction: They’ve added a Build Your Own Pasta menu to their lunch menu. Here’s how it works:

For step 1, you choose your protein. Choices include grilled chicken, shrimp, sirloin, clams, grilled sausage, meatballs, mussels, or ground beef. The overall price of the dish varies, depending on which protein you select. Prices range from $8.99 to $10.99.

In step 2, you choose your sauce. Sauces include marinara, alfredo, pink vodka cream, alio, or spicy Southwest cream.

You add your vegetables in step 3. Choices are roasted red pepper, mushrooms, caramelized onions, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, edamame, olives, and eggplant. You can pick up to three.

Choose your pasta for step 4. You can choose spaghetti, cavatappi, penne, orecchiette, or pappardelle. (I’m including Wikipedia links in case some of those pasta types are unfamiliar. I assume spaghetti needs no explanation.)

You have the option of an add-on ($3.99) for step 5. Add-ons include shrimp, mussels, meatballs, ground beef, grilled chicken, clams, grilled sausage, or sirloin.

Drinking alcohol in one’s lunch hour is usually not advisable, but I’d be awfully tempted to ask my server to recommend a glass of wine to go with my pasta masterpiece.

Since I work in Horn Lake, I haven’t had a chance to try the build-your-own-pasta menu yet. However, if it’s as good as Bleu’s BYO Sandwich menu, there is no doubt it will be a big hit.

Yesterday I hung out at Panda Manda’s bar at Bardog until mid-afternoon. At that point I decided it was time for a trip to the Flying Saucer. I paid my tab, then wandered down Scratchy’s Alley and the Main Street Mall.

As I walked down the block of Main between Gayoso and Peabody Place, I looked in the window of Shop Girl New York, the women’s clothing boutique that just moved there from South Main. My friends Karen and Dennis were inside working and waved me in. It is really a beautiful shop. I asked if I could take some photos of the place and they said sure. (Click any photo for larger image)

Ladies, if you like what you see here, why not come visit Shop Girl and treat yourself to something new, or pick up a Christmas present for one of your girlfriends? Shop Girl is in the Pembroke Square building on the Main Street Mall just south of Gayoso, between the Center for Southern Folklore and the Blind Bear.