Paul Ryburn's Journal

I got an e-mail from the Majestic Grille this morning saying that they’ve now expanded their popular 11 AM-3 PM Sunday brunch to include Saturdays as well.  They’ve also added some new menu items, including pancakes (blueberry or plain); filet mignon benedict; and ham, broccoli, and aged white cheddar frittata.

Good call on the Majestic’s part.  I’ve had several e-mails and text recently asking, “Who does brunch on Saturday?”  Glad to see they’re responding to demand.  There are a lot of places Downtown that do brunch on Sunday, but I’ve long said that the Majestic is the gold standard.  Nice to have the gold standard available two days a week now.

Whew… too busy at work today to get a lunchtime post in – sorry about the lack of reading material today.

If you live on Mud Island, be sure you close your curtains or blinds or window coverings tight. Action News 5 is reporting that there’s a peeping Tom on the island. And no it isn’t me… I’m busy at the Saucer trying to look up ski… Er, um, I mean I’m busy drinking beer.

Be safe everyone.

Next week, November 8 through 14, is Downtown Dining Week.  Many area restaurants will offer 3-course dinners for only $20.09 plus tax and gratuity.  Click here to view a list of participating restaurants, then click on a restaurant to see what’s on the menu.

Yum… some good stuff on the menu… that maple flank steak from Kooky Canuck that I talk about all the time is on there… can’t go wrong with the she crab soup from either Itta Bena or Sauces… that surf n’ turf entree at Sauces sounds delicious too… I’ve had the chicken seven hills from Itta Bena and can tell you it’s fantastic… same for the Spaghetti ala Vodka at Bardog… and wow if you like tilapia, next week is definitely your week, as there are several restaurants serving it.

Here’s a bonus tip for this week… if you’re looking for something different for lunch, walk up to Main and Exchange where all kinds of soul food vendors are set up for COGIC week.  They’re definitely willing to serve non-COGIC members (I ate there several times over the last couple of years) and the food is really good.  Plus it’s fun to look at all the vendors selling outrageous hats.

Off to the Alley Jams party in Barbaro Alley.

The South Main Association will have its monthly meeting next Tuesday, November 10, at Itta Bena restaurant on the third floor of BB King’s at Second and Beale.  Social at 6 PM, program starts at 6:45.  Contemporary Media publisher Ken Neill will speak on “The Future Nature of Local Journalism.”  Hmmm… as a blogger, that sounds like a topic of interest… guess I’ll have to show up late to trivia next Tuesday.

Cash bar, hors d’oeuvres compliments of Itta Bena.  Free food?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

We’ve had Santas stumbling around Downtown in years past, and more recently, Elvises… but it looks like some people Downtown have come up with a new concept.  Yesterday I saw on Facebook that there’s going to be a Snuggie pub crawl in a few weeks, on Saturday, November 28.  Participants will stumble around several Downtown bars wearing a Snuggie, the blanket with sleeves.

They’re going to do a $10 entry fee to the party, with proceeds benefitting Amelia’s Voice.  The tentative order, according to their Facebook page, is Tap Room on Beale at 8 PM, Silky O’Sullivan’s at 9 PM, Kooky Canuck at 10 PM, and Club Chill at 11 PM.  There will be a contest for snazziest Snuggie with prizes in several categories.

For more info, get on Facebook and search for “1st annual Memphis Snuggie pub crawl.”  Note that I’m not involved in the organization of this event (although I may buy a Snuggie and participate), so the Facebook event listing is the place to go for up-to-date info about the pub crawl.

More problems with the car… another blasted light on the dash came on as I pulled the car out of the parking garage this morning.  So I drove it to Quality Auto, who informed me that I need a new water pump and belt.  This really hasn’t been my week as far as the car is concerned.  While I’m waiting on it to be fixed, I guess I’ll try to catch up on some posts.

Tonight is the last Alley Jams party in the Wednesday night series thrown by the Center City Commission.  It’s the Goner Records party that got rained out last month.  It will be in Barboro Alley near Parking Can Be Fun, with Harlan T. Bobo, Mouserocket, and Magic Kids.  Vending starts around 4:30, music around 6.

From The Onion:  If I’m So Crazy, Then Why Do People Keep Having Sex With Me?

All right, one more post before I go to trivia.  I need to catch up.

If you go to Grizzlies or Tigers games, there are two specials in the area you may want to know about.  South of Beale is running a season-long special on Grizzlies/Tigers nights – just show your tickets before or after the game, and receive 20% off on all food purchases.

Meanwhile, Sole Restaurant across the street from the FedExForum is inviting everyone to join them for a gameday buffet and $3 drafts from 5:30 to 7:30 on Grizzlies and Tigers game nights.  As far as I can tell there’s no requirement to show tickets for this one.  Gameday buffet… free food?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

The Tigers have a game tonight, and it’s a night to root for the home team… both of them.  They play LeMoyne-Owen at the FedExForum tonight, and it’s good to see LeMoyne-Owen back on the schedule after Coach Cal pitched a hissy fit and kicked them off a couple of years ago.  Go Tigers and Go Magicians!

Over the past couple of years, there have been three restaurants/bars that I have rarely talked about on my blog, other than to make fun of them.  These would be Mesquite Chop House, Spindini, and Primetime Sports Bar/Club Chill.

However, I’ve kept my eye on them, and recently all three places have made some personnel changes and got hold of some good people.  Mesquite Chop House brought in Michael Patrick, one of my favorite chefs Downtown and a super nice guy.  He knows how to cook a meal and he knows how to run a restaurant.  It’s hard for me to be negative toward any restaurant where he’s in charge.

Spindini overhauled its management, getting rid of the clowns who were running it before.  I’ve seen Mac Edwards posting on Facebook recently about goings-on at Spindini.  I don’t know Mac real well but I know of his reputation and respect him highly.  If he’s associated with the place, it has to have improved.

Also on Facebook, I’ve seen Christina who used to be at the Red Rooster posting about Primetime/Club Chill.  She’s a great person with a great mind for the bar business.  If she’s associated with the bar/club, I have to hold it in higher esteem than I did before.

So, I’m going to give all three of these places a chance.  I’ll mention their events on my blog from time to time, and I won’t be averse to going in and spending money at them.  If I’m impressed with the places I’ll be honest and say so on the blog.  Of course, if they suck I’ll say that just as quickly.  We’ll see what happens.

Time to head to the Saucer for trivia.  Hmmm 57 outside dropping into the 40s tonight… sounds like a perfect night for the PBR hoodie.