Alcenia’s, the soul food restaurant just north of the I-40 overpass on North Main Street, is selling love-filled gift boxes. Each box comes with a jar of Alcenia’s famous apple butter, along with your choice of two of the following treats:
Wiseacre releases its 2023 version of its Astronaut Status beer at 1 this afternoon.
Today is Cat Herders Day. Raise your glass if you’ve ever had a leadership position on a team that competed at BBQ Fest.
Speaking of which… $250,000 in prize money will be awarded at the new BBQ festival, to be organized by the people who bring us Mempho Fest, in Tom Lee Park the third weekend of May. The new festival’s grand champion will receive $50,000.
Today is also Underdog Day, a good day to hang out at Bardog’s downstairs bar. No nasty cigarettes down there.
Alexis Jade plays Momma’s tonight. 8 PM.
Hearing good things about the espresso martini at Curfew, which is made with premium products.
Sitting here at Bardog waiting on them to post today’s specials. Allie Cat says come entertain her. She’s mixing sugar cookie shots for the holidays.
Don’t forget, Blind Bear will be closed for a private corporate event this evening. The schedule:
6:00 PM: Last call for food
6:45 PM: You gots ta go!
9:00 PM: The Bear reopens to the public
I recommend you hang out at Bardog and harass Dani/Butt Slut #2 during the downtime. She loves hearing/smelling a good burp. If she’s impressed she’ll say “Ribbit.”
Bardog specials for today:
Fried chicken Caesar wrap: Lettuce, tomato, bacon, Caesar dressing – 17
I haven’t seen a beer bust since the late ’90s. And I’ve never seen a beer bust that late.
The employees working Local today had no idea that the beer bust would be happening. They found out like everybody else, when they saw the event flyer posted to Facebook.
Can’t make it tonight? They say they’re doing it Friday and Saturday too.
I would love to be a fly on the wall for this. Anyone wanna spot me ten bucks? Make that fifteen so I can tip.
Catherine & Mary’s is hiring a Back Server. This position is said to be a great entry point into the hospitality industry, one which prepares the position’s holder to eventually move into the role of Server.
Filet mignon with mashed sweet potatoes and asparagus – 25
Veal piccata with tomatoes, parsley, and spaghetti – 23
Soup: Chicken tortilla
Dog: Sauteed onion, bacon, 2 eggs, spicy mayo
Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
Bourbon pecan pie
Chocolate cake
Keep scrolling for the rest of the Thursday news. Due to some time-sensitive breakfast stuff, I had to fire off today’s first post right around midnight.
NBA trade season begins tomorrow, with most free agents signed prior to the beginning of the season eligible to be traded. February 8 is this season’s trade deadline.
Doritos has created an 84-proof liquor that tastes just like the nacho cheese chips.
If you miss the 25-cent martinis Felicia Suzanne’s used to pour for Friday lunch, here’s a PRO TIP for you: Go see my friend Maddie at Bounty on Broad between 5 and 6 this evening. Apparently this is a Wednesday-Thursday thing out there.
It’s also National Biscuits and Gravy Day. The King Biscuit at Sunrise Memphis on Jefferson would be a good way to celebrate. To drink, get a Grind and Shine, Sunrise’s version of a screwdriver, because today is also National Screwdriver Day.
The Peabody is now taking orders for Christmas dinner at home. The package is $160, serves 4 people, and includes
12 lb. whole turkey
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Cranberry sauce
Green beans
Gravy
Pecan pie
Cornbread dressing
Order by Sunday, December 17. Pick up in the hotel’s valet area on Christmas Eve 11 AM-3 PM.
The CA has the scoop on a new restaurant and brewery coming to Downtown. The restaurant will be JEM (Just Enjoy The Moment) Dining in The Edge at 644 Madison. The brewery will be in the South Main Arts District at 206 G.E. Patterson next to Renee’s Sandwich Shop. It will be called Memphis Filling Station.
Pools are fun. Summer is fun.
Holiday hours have kicked in at Feelin’ Memphis gift shop, 509 S. Main: 9 AM to 8 PM. This store is my top recommendation to visit if you’re looking to give a uniquely Memphis gift.
Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has been suspended indefinitely by the NBA. He was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from a game earlier this week for striking Jusuf Nurkic in the face.
Green will have to “meet criteria” before being allowed back on the court. Most likely one of the criteria is a requirement to attend counseling. Could we see a kinder, gentler Draymond in 2024?
Jaren Jackson Jr. dropped 44 points last night but it wasn’t enough to prevent a Grizzlies road loss to Houston. Memphis has a chance for revenge Friday, hosting Houston at FedExForum. NOTABLE: It will be Dillon Brooks’ first time in the Grindhouse since he left the Grizzlies.
It’s early for me to publish a Thursday update post – it’s 11:37 PM Wednesday – but since I have breakfast recommendations in this post, I want to go ahead and get it online. Probably back in the 11 AM or noon hour with Thursday morning news and Bardog specials and maybe other specials.
On January 25, the Community Alliance for the Homeless will host what’s known as a Point-in-Time Count. This event counts those currently experiencing homelessness in a community so that resources from the federal government may be fairly allocated.
The Community Alliance utilizes these counting events to distribute aid and care packages. This year’s Point-in=Time Count will be at the Memphis Sports & Events Center on Early Maxwell Blvd. in Liberty Park. The homeless will receive exposure to an entire day’s worth of resources, including
Care bags including toiletries, snacks, and warm clothes
Health care
Housing referrals
Job opportunities
Food
Clothing
How can you help?
In-kind donations: Purchase items from the Alliance’s Amazon wish list. Items include non-perishable food items, blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing, soap, toothbrushes, toiletries, clean water bottles, backpacks, bags, face masks, hand sanitizer
Volunteer assistance: Help is needed collecting donations prior to the event and distributing donations at the event. Service providers are also sought to provide their services at the event. (For example, an eye doctor who can give exams or a barber who can give haircuts)
Cordelia’s Market will start selling a different sandwich every day beginning in January. The sandwiches will be the creations of Pam Edmonson. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she and her husband Bill owned River Time Market & Deli on Court Square for five years. Pam still operates www.rivertimedeli.com where she shares deli recipes.
Bleacher Report graded every NBA team as they stand at the approximate quarter-season mark. I fully expected the Grizzlies to receive an F. They didn’t; they got a C, their struggles understandable due to personnel issues. The F grade was reserved for the Detroit Pistons and their 19-game losing streak.
Join in-person or virtually for MATA’s December Board of Commissioners Meeting. The service committee will meet at 2:00 PM and the regular Board of Commissioners meeting is at 3:30 PM. For complete information, visit https://t.co/WUsPISpbtHpic.twitter.com/H5gKtQOmc3
The Blind Bear will have DJ Taz beginning at 9 PM Friday when they reopen. Remember, they’ll be closed for a private corporate event 6:45-9:00 that evening.
A Satan club is coming to a Memphis-area elementary school. No I am not making this up.
Birdie’s, the golf simulation bar on South Main, is in the process of putting together their winter league. They plan to play on 8 courses over approximately 2 months. Details coming soon; their Facebook page is the best way to keep up.
Kameron Whalum will perform at Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel Saturday night.
Reader’s Digest has coin flip strategy. It’s not that you should always call heads or tails; you should always call the side of the coin facing up before the flip.
Songwriter Night with Nia Nicholls, Adria Hyde, Dave Christen, and Ava Rose will happen at South Main Sounds this Friday. This will be the last songwriter night until February.
Grizzlies at Houston, 7 tonight, on Bally Sports TV.
Specials at Bardog today:
Blackened red snapper hoagie – lettuce, tomato, avocado, spicy mayo – 17
Filet mignon with vegetable rice, green beans, and beets – 25
Soup: Chicken tortilla
Dog: Sauteed onion, bacon, 2 eggs, spicy mayo
Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
Bourbon pecan pie
Chocolate cake
Specials at Local on Main today:
Brussels sprouts in brown sugar, butter, bacon jam, balsamic glaze
Calamari with marinara sauce for dipping
Damn, this calamari has a lot more flavor (& spice) than the place I usually get calamari.
When you think of New Year’s Eve parties, what comes to mind?
Rooms so crowded you can hardly breathe
Long lines for drinks
Long lines for food that even drunk people think is crappy
Long lines for restrooms
That one guy who reacts to long restroom lines by going, “Fuck it, I’ll just piss in the sink”
People trying really really hard to act like big shots (a sure sign they’re NOT big shots)
People puking
“Fireworks or gunshots”
etc.
How would you like to bypass all that and have an actual GOOD TIME on New Year’s Eve with cool Downtowners who know how to have a low-key fun evening?
If that’s what you’re looking for, my top recommendation is Bardog’s New Year’s Eve Bash. They’re selling a limited number of tickets whose holders will have exclusive access to the entire place – upstairs and down. I’ve heard them discuss 100 as the limit of tickets to sell. Posted fire marshal capacity is 125, so the party won’t be packed to the gills.
$150 per person, all-inclusive including tax, grat, and an OPEN BAR, as well as a premium food buffet (prime rib, filet mignon, shrimp cocktails, etc.), Verve Cliquot Yellow Label toast at midnight, 7 PM-1:30 AM.
Limited tickets are available on Eventbrite and at the ‘dog. I fully expect this party to sell out by the end of this week. If you have a favorite server or bartender, you might want to inquire about buying a ticket from them. Not sure if they have quotas or incentives to sell tickets or anything like that.
Blind Bear food specials for the week of December 11-16:
Cactus chili – Cactus, ground beef, diced tomatoes, onions, corn, Northern beans, spinach, rich broth with a kick, just the right amount of spice – cup 6 bowl 10
Pan-seared 12 oz. ribeye – Seasoned to perfection with the Bear’s house-made steak seasoning, topped with red wine, mushroom sauce; served with rosemary mashed potatoes and sauteed kale & carrots – 28
Tomato bisque & grilled cheese – Bowl of herbed tomato bisque, complemented by a touch of basil, served with a grilled cheese sandwich – 14
Chocolate peanut butter brownie – Chocolate brownie topped with peanut butter, chocolate, white chocolate, and peanuts – 8
I tried that brownie Sunday and it is NOT TO BE MISSED if you’re into sweet stuff. Yesterday I sampled the tomato bisque & grilled cheese and it was good too.
In other Blind Bear news: They’ll be closed for a private corporate holiday party this Friday from 7 to 9 PM. In need of an alternate place to hang out during those hours? Join me down the street at Bardog. We’ll have Dani behind the bar for the first hour and London and Nick for the second hour. On Sunday London told me I am a “silver fox.”
One more piece of Blind Bear news: Special no more! I just heard Tony tell guests that his AMAZING greens have been promoted to the main menu. A new menu is coming out this month.
And now, on to the rest of the news…
Memphis 901 FC has created a chief operating officer position and filled it with Jay Mims. Mims will oversee sales, marketing, and team operations. Meet the new COO tonight at Ghost River on Beale at 7 PM.
There’s talk of replacing the I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River. At more than 70 years old, the current I-55 bridge is getting too outdated to handle modern traffic.
Did you know that you can earn a certificate in piracy at MIT? You’ll need to complete courses in sailing, fencing, archery, and pistol shooting, and then take the secret oath.
Dallas got a 120-113 win over the Memphis Grizzlies last night. That leaves Memphis 6 games back of the final play-in spot. Far cry from last year when the Grizz spent most of the season in second place in the West.
Speaking of Dallas, here’s the trailer for The Iron Claw, the movie documenting the Von Erich wrestling family:
Ja Morant is eligible to return a week from today… however, that’ll be an away game at New Orleans. Coach may opt to keep him out until the 21st, when Memphis is at home against the Indiana Pacers.
Today’s specials at Bardog:
Chicken parmesan with alfredo sauce over spaghetti
Beef sliders with BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar, pickles
Soup: Chicken tortilla
Dog: Chili, cheese, onion
Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
Bourbon pecan pie
Chocolate cake
The Price Is Right has a tribute to Bob Barker on. He would have been 100 today.
Some of you have observed that I’ve been in a weird mood for the past several days. And indeed, something was going on that I hadn’t talked about on here. I’d received several notices from GoDaddy that my domain was about to expire over the weekend, and that an attempt would be made to auto-renew.
Except, it would attempt to hit a bank account that had been closed for having a negative balance for too long. And the auto-pay would fail. And I’d lose paulryburn.com, a domain I’ve owned for 26 years. And people would no longer be able to find my blog.
Let’s get on to the news and then return to this story…
Congratulations to Penny’s Memphis Tigers on an excellent 81-75 win over 21 Texas A&M in College Station yesterday! Now can Memphis please be ranked in the AP Top 25?
Sugar Grits is looking for hosts, servers, and line cooks. Apply here.
Congratulations to Memphis Made Brewing Co. on their expansion into Missouri. Bommarito Wines & Spirits, based in St. Louis, will distribute Memphis Made beer throughout the state.
Kyrie Irving has been ruled out by the Dallas Mavericks for tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. That will allow Memphis to focus a little more on shutting down the team’s other superstar, Luka Doncic.
For those of you who hate those stupid Bird e-scooters as much as I do: Bird the company behind the scooters, the fastest startup company to ever reach a valuation of $1 billion, is now worth 0.7% of that amount and has been delisted by the New York Stock Exchange. (Source: Morning Brew e-newsletter)
Thursday is Free Shipping Day with more than 1000 retailers participating and offering delivery by Christmas.
Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel will be closed for a private event Friday afternoon/evening.
Today’s specials at Bardog:
Bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes, and a demi-glace – 30
Grilled salmon over fettuccine with diablo sauce – 19
Soup: Chicken tortilla
Dog: Chili, cheese, onion
Mussels: Garlic, tomato, white wine
Tiramisu
I haven’t written anything professionally on Medium.com in over a year. But my stuff is still on there. So paid members of that site can still read it – and when they do, I get royalties. Due to my inactivity on the platform, my days of 3- and 4-figure royalties are gone… but they’re not zero.
For November, I earned $22.74.
Medium disbursed royalties this past weekend using a payment system you may have heard of called Stripe.
In other payment news this past weekend, as I mentioned at the top of this blog, is that GoDaddy attempted to charge me $21.00 to renew my paulryburn.com domain.
One thing I forgot to mention, though – a bank account on file is actually the SECOND place GoDaddy looks for payment. It first looks for a PayPal account. I have one of those, so GoDaddy found it.
PayPal owns Stripe.
So it found my $22.74 balance from my Medium disbursement. And it SUCCESSFULLY ran a charge of $21.00 and renewed my domain! paulryburn.com is mine for another year!
It’s not the last problem of this type I will face – my blog’s hosting will attempt to renew on March 2, and it’s a much larger amount – but for now I haven’t lost my voice. I haven’t lost my little corner of the Internet.
Someone – my Higher Self, God, All That Is, however you choose to think of it – was watching out for me this past weekend.
I got 99 problems, but a domain name ain’t one. Back tomorrow with more news.
Want to work Downtown and be stared at like an animal in a zoo all day long? APG Office Furnishings at Main and Gayoso, in the Barboro Flats building next to Aldo’s Pizza Pies, is hiring an account manager. They embrace the open-office plan and there is not a smidgen of employee privacy anywhere. At least this is a sales position so you’d have an excuse to get out of there often and go see clients.
Friday 7:00 PM: Memphis Grizzlies at home vs. Houston Rockets. Free Grizzlies holiday wrapping paper to the first 5000 fans through the gate. Memphis Grizzlies Ford Scholars Night. TV: Bally Sports. Tickets
Saturday 2:00 PM: Memphis Tigers at home vs. 24 Clemson. TV: ESPN+
Big week for the Tigers, with the opportunity to pick up two wins vs. ranked Power Five schools.
The Grizzlies have a pretty sweet 6-game holiday pack for sale. It includes January-February home games vs. San Antonio, L.A. Clippers, Orlando, New Orleans, Atlanta, and the L.A. Lakers. Be one of the first fans in FedExForum those nights and you could score a Jaren Jackson Jr. growth chart, a Derrick Rose travel chess set, and a Grizzlies clear crossbody bag.
Bleacher Report projects the Grizzlies to finish 33-49 this season.
The Blind Bear has announced a masquerade party on New Year’s Eve. Come dressed glamorously like the old days of Hollywood, including a mask… or come dressed casually, it’ll all work. Get table reservations by messaging Blind Bear Memphis on Facebook or by texting Jeannette. $15 cover at the door. DJ Jordan Rogers at 9 PM. The full dinner menu will be available along with a few specials. Hats, noisemakers, etc. included.
WSJ has a feature on where to still find that Old Hollywood look in L.A. – maybe it will inspire some costume ideas.
Click this link for info about the Tennessee Vols watch party Blind Bear will host on January 1. Brunch, game day, and NYD menus including blackeyed peas and Tony’s greens for good luck. Drink specials, special Tennessee-themed cocktails. Go Hawkeyes!
Daaaaamn… we heard last week cuts were coming to educational programs at Christian Brothers University as a result of faculty layoffs. I figured the cuts would hit fringe programs – but they’re cutting chemistry, English, history, and physics.
ABC24 has a look at the Deck the Diamond winter wonderland at AutoZone Park.
Today’s Beale Street holiday parade has been canceled due to weather concerns. WREG meteorologists say the worst of the line of storms will move through about 2:30 PM, the parade’s planned midway point.
Scott Southworth & Daryl Wayne Dasher Trio plays The Central BBQ Sessions at Downtown Central BBQ tonight from 6:00 to 8:45.
“The Boogie Woogie Man,” Handsome Jimmy Valiant, will make a live appearance at Memphis wrestling this Sunday. There’s a VIP meet and greet where you can meet the Handsome One in person.
One11 Madison has started doing a bottomless brunch with a buffet on the weekends. The event’s cover photo shows 7 different varieties of mimosas. I wish them all the success in the world, but in a town like Memphis I can’t imagine how something like this could turn a profit. People will show up and eat and drink them out of house and home.
Sip, Shop & Santa comes to Soul & Spirits Brewing Co. at 845 N. Main today at 1. Pop-up local vendor market, pop-up bookstore, Cousins Maine Lobster, Albees, and Sno Junt food trucks.
This Tuesday, Bishop will host a wine dinner featuring Radsomm’s 2023 French favorites.
St. Peter Catholic Church presents Christmas with Memphis ChoralArts Monday at 7. Familiar carols, new tunes, and a carol sing-a-long followed by a reception.
In Friday’s post, I mentioned that I found out something really adorable about Butt Slut #1. She texted me, “Do tell,” and quoted that part of my blog in her message. She also texted her Bardog message group to see if any of them knew. They didn’t.
Friday I went to Bardog to watch the Grizzlies game. Butt Slut #1 came in and sat to my left. After she got done with her happy hour shift – and after throwing nearly every napkin, coaster, and piece of ice in the entire place at me – Butt Slut #2 took the seat to my right.
“So, what is it about me you think is adorable?” asked Butt Slut #1, fishing for compliments.
“Last night you showed me a stuffed hippo,” I replied. “You told me it was your spirit animal and said you carry it around with you everywhere. That’s so cute.”
She took the hippo out of her purse, and I got Perjorie T. Roll out and we took a photo. “Does it have a name?” I asked, not even sure if it was a male or female hippo.
“No,” Butt Slut #1 told me. “I’ve carried him around with me for 2 years, but I’ve never named him. He’s always just been ‘my hippo.'”
Butt Slut #1 turned the conversation in the direction of her Dallas Cowboys. “My Boyz play the Eagles in the Sunday night game,” she said. I was aware; the game has huge playoff implications. “We’ll watch it when you come visit me,” she said, (in the Underground Room at Bardog, where she and Jack bartend on Sunday night. She’ll have the room open by the 7:20 kickoff.)
About 30 minutes passed as we watched JJJ get in foul trouble, AGAIN. The Grizzlies fell behind Minnesota and their chances to catch up dimmed. Night bartenders Leia and Nick came on, but they left Butt Slut #2’s phone plugged in so we could get some bonus minutes of #2’s atrocious taste in music. #1 mouthed the words to the songs, using the hippo as a microphone.
“What’s your middle name, Paul?” Butt Slut #1 asked.
“Alexander,” I replied.
“Alexander,” she said. “That’s the hippo’s name.” She set the hippo down next to Perjorie T. Roll. “Look, they’re best friends now.”
She named her hippo after me. The hippo she’s carried around for two years. My heart just melted. I call her “butt slut.” I pull her hoodie over her head. I pretend to like her Dallas Cowboys and then talk shit about them behind her back. And yet she named her hippo after me.
I guess I’ll have to go visit her and Alexander tomorrow night in the Underdog Room. And I’ll have to root for the Cowboys for real.
I have great news: Local on Main fixed its upstairs unisex restroom. FINALLY!!! The restroom had been out of order since Veterans Day, leaving patrons to make a 15-stair (yes I counted) walk to the ground floor and then back up.
Need ideas for Christmas gifts? Check out the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Holiday Shopping Guide.
There will be a Tiny Kitchen Concert at Dos Hermanos Kitchen inside the Cossitt Library from 4 to 6 this afternoon.
The Grizzlies host Minnesota tonight at 7 at FedExForum. $1 off drinks (max 5) when you show a ticket at Slider Inn Downtown.
It looks like the Blind Bear will have a Tennessee Vols watch party for their New Year’s Day game vs. Iowa (Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, noon CST). You may remember that the Bear hosted a get-together for UT alumni earlier this week. Jeannette and Wade’s hospitality impressed them to the point that they wanted to book more, and larger, events at the Bear.
One other piece of insider Blind Bear info: A large wedding party (close to 100) plans to come there 9:15-9:30ish tonight following their rehearsal dinner. If you’re there this evening, I suggest you time your drinking accordingly and order another one around 9:10… if you wait, you may be competing with a LOT of people for the bartender’s attention.
The good news is, I know the spending limit on their communal tab, and it’s not that high given the number of people. So they won’t be crowding the bar all night. Also, the members of that group I met last night seem to “get it” when it comes to ordering at bars. They understand that when 30 people are behind them waiting, you order something easy and quick to make. You don’t go, “Ooooo… I don’t know what I want… can you make me something BROWN… but not TOO brown?”
More inside info to plan your weekend: Nucor Steel is having its Christmas party tomorrow at the Peabody. They are third-shifters/day drinkers and they love Bardog. I can easily see them showing up en masse post=party. And I have absolutely no idea what time that might be.
Woman-Owned Wonderland, a celebration of woman-owned businesses in the heart of the Downtown core, happens this evening from 4 to 7.
I found out the most adorable fact about Butt Slut #1 last night. I don’t know if I should publish it here. But it makes me proud that I usually marry her when her name comes up in the FMK game. Although, my desire to marry her has more to do with her being the heiress to a liquor store than it does with her being adorable.
Video: Fishing for catfish on Mud Island
Bardog specials today:
Fried chicken hoagie – lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, pepper jack cheese, chipotle – $16
Shrimp lo mein – onion, celery, peppers, fettuccini – $19
Soup: Red beef pozole
Dog: Wrapped in bacon with pickles, jalapenos, and cheese sauce
Mussels – Garlic, tomato, white wine
Pecan pie
Tiramisu
No idea what I will do tomorrow (Saturday). My brunch buddies are in New Zealand. Maybe I’ll go to the Christmas parade on Beale Street. Then again, with storms in the forecast, that may not be the best idea.
Time to hit Publish and head to Local on Main. I’m excited about getting to use the upstairs restroom. Back later this weekend with more news.
