{"id":8032,"date":"2010-10-17T13:16:38","date_gmt":"2010-10-17T18:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paulryburn.com\/blog\/?p=8032"},"modified":"2010-10-17T13:16:38","modified_gmt":"2010-10-17T18:16:38","slug":"my-picks-for-downtown-dining-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.paulryburn.com\/blog\/2010\/10\/17\/my-picks-for-downtown-dining-week\/","title":{"rendered":"My picks for Downtown Dining Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since first posting about it on Friday, I’ve had time to visit the Downtown Dining Week<\/a> website and look at all the menus. Based on what I saw, I’ve made a few picks. (If you visit their website, click any restaurant’s logo to view their menu.)<\/p>\n

1) Felicia Suzanne’s: The oysters in BBQ sauce sound interesting as an appetizer, and I like the entree choices of shrimp and grits or organic chicken crepes. Good dessert options too. When else are you going to have a chance to dine at Felicia’s for a little more than 20 bucks? Plus, Felicia is a Razorback fan, so if you eat there on game day the Hogs are likely to be on the TVs at the bar.<\/p>\n

2) Tug’s: I generally like to see something more interesting than a salad as a first course, but courses two and three sound so outstanding that I’ll overlook it. Crab and shrimp stuffed flounder, or a New York strip steak? Will be hard to decide. Dessert options of key lime pie or bread pudding sound good too.<\/p>\n

3) Chez Phillippe: Mmmm, that homemade charcuterie platter sounds like a delicious app. Choices of shrimp and grits or ropa vieja as the main course. I had ropa vieja once for lunch at the Rumba Room and it was delicious… would like to taste what Chez does with it. Like Felicia’s, this is a restaurant where it’s rare to get an entire meal in the $20 range. Better take advantage of it while you can.<\/p>\n

4) Kooky Canuck: I eat there so much that I might not make it a priority during Downtown Dining Week, the point of which is discovering new restaurants. However, if you haven’t tried Kooky they’ve a really good deal: Share an appetizer and enjoy two entrees for $20.10. Two of the entrees in particular, the Cornish game hen and the maple flank steak, are must-eats if you’ve never tried them.<\/p>\n

5) South of Beale: That pumpkin ravioli sounds really interesting as an appetizer. If I go I’ll probably get the pan seared salmon as my entree, although I’m sure the pork loin is delicious too. Desserts sound yummy – creme brulee, or beer and pretzel cheesecake topped with Guinness sauce.<\/p>\n

Those are my top five, based on my experience as a casual Downtown eater. I probably do as much prep for Downtown Dining Week as some people do – I wouldn’t be surprised if the Nuh-Uh Girl makes a spreadsheet to help her with her dining decisions for the week.<\/p>\n

One other comment – if you like shrimp and grits, you’re going to love DDW. I saw it on the menu at five or six of the restaurants.<\/p>\n

All right, I’m outta here… getting a late start to Sunday Fun Day. Was on the way out the door at noon when I realized I hadn’t charged my phone and it was at 20%. So, my phone went on the charger and I had time to do a post. Now it’s up to 100% and it’s time for beer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"