At Nobu in WeHo.  Kind of. Okay, not really.  But he was at the table next to us.  So, close enough.  Shut up, where did YOU eat last night?  Right, I thought so. On to the food. I’d say OMG but that shit isn’t sufficient to fully express the ridiculous magic that is the Omakase menu.  For a bazillion dollars (there’s a $100 option and a $150 option at the WeHo location), the master sushi chefs create an eight course meal (I seem to have lost the photo of one of these courses, so you’ll see seven below, plus one ridiculous addition that was beyond delightful) with whatever...

Apparently this weekend is all about Crawfish.  Kerry and Paul have the details, but the Rajun Cajun, Harbor Town, and Rehab Disco Crawfish Festivals are all this weekend in Downtown Memphis.  First, let me say that crawfish skeeve me out unless they’re all chopped up in gumbo.  Anything affectionately referred to as a “mudbug” is kinda gnarly in my mind.  That said, these festivals are awesome opportunities to come participate in urban awesomeness, to mingle with friends, and DEFINITELY to get your people watch on.  Okay, and to eat mudbugs, if that’s your bag.  Also...

It’s been a little more than a year since I posted about my ongoing effort to earn a plate on the wall at The Flying Saucer in Downtown Memphis.  In that post, I was knocking out beers 21 through 23.  After killing 50/200 beers in less than two months, I got derailed by a painful (yet totally worthwhile) round of P90X.  Last night I knocked out #61-63, and in spite of an upcoming trip to Kona, I don’t seem to be on any kind of healthy diet at the moment (see yesterday’s post about adventures in breadmaking for proof).  So I’m hitting it again, albeit not as hard as last...

For the last couple of years, we’ve been the proud owners of a Big Green Egg.  While most people familiar with the BGE know it as a magical grilling and smoking tool (which it unquestionably is), its superpowers extend well into the realm of baking.  It can, in fact, function almost exactly like a stone or brick oven.  Perhaps the most beloved method for baking breads, masonry ovens allow for controlled, even heat and have the ability to impart incredible flavor on baked goods.  The Big Green Egg can rock in very much the same way, and also includes natural charcoal smoke.  I’m...

This is not my first attempt at blogging. Nay, not even my tenth. But I’ve realized that the reasons for my failure to stick with a given blog for more than a year are something I can mitigate. All of the historical posts on this blog (don’t be too shocked if an historical post image or link acts a bit wonky) came from my most successful attempt at building a following to date, BluffCityRoller.com. That blog dealt primarily with happenings in and around Memphis, with a heavy focus on Downtown Memphis and Mixology. Built a bit of a following, got some traffic, and (my most proud...

The Memphis Pyramid. A source of pride, and once-lively arena, a massive public expense.  With recent news that the long-awaited Bass Pro Shops megastore may yet again be in jeopardy, I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t some better use for the old biddy.  This sucker has been delayed more times than a flight from the Atlanta airport, and as the Commercial Appeal article rightly points out, not everyone is in complete agreement that a megastore would bring the promised thousands of jobs and substantial tax revenue to the city if it DID open. I’ve often thought what it would be...

If I wasn’t going to de-winterize the lake place this weekend, there’s plenty of stuff going on in Downtown Memphis (and Midtown to boot!) that would be attractive to me.  Excuse me while I aggregate: The new Urban Outfitters opens today.  Sure, this is Midtown, but it’d be worth driving ten minutes inside the loop for the goodies Kerry has details.  All kinds of associated festivities including food, music, and of course fashion.  Welcome to Memphis, Urban Outfitters! Tomorrow is South Main Trolley Night, and the first one that looks to have good weather.  Paul has details,...

  I’ve given it some thought, and I’ve determined my most likely Music Fest itinerary.   Friday April 29 Will Tucker Band (This little dude can play the crap out of the blues) Cake (Because who doesn’t want a girl with a short skirt and a long, long jacket?) MGMT (Gotta get my indy electronic homo pop on) Stone Temple Pilots (No justification or commentary necessary…it’s STP, for chrissakes)   Saturday April 30 Blind Mississippi Morris (A little Delta Blues is not just appropriate, it is mandatory) The New Pornographers (Supporting kanuck indy rockers is...