Published October 19, 2017 on The I Love Memphis Blog
I Love Memphis gets weird today thanks to contributor Stacey – who searched across the city for the most interesting restrooms in all the land – ranging from funky to fancy. Guess where you’ll find each restroom and then scroll to the bottom for the answers.
I did my best to not include any images that had obvious vulgarity, but keep in mind this post may require some appreciation of bathroom humor or tolerance for a scribbled swear. These bathrooms are a mix of women’s/men’s/unisex but there are enough hints it shouldn’t be too biased no matter which room you use.
1. Groovy
This dive bar is known for its art, so it only makes sense that the women’s room would also be a work of art. (Not sure why such attention to detail did not carry out in the men’s room. Maybe the artist got tired?) However, this psychedelic landscape could prove problematic depending on how much one has been drinking.
2. Argggh
Once upon a time, this bar’s ladies’ room had a lovely poster of Audrey Hepburn facing the porcelain throne. Now, there’s a rheumy-eyed pirate creepily staring at you.
3. Welcome to The Funhouse
this is truly the weirdest bathroom in Memphis
These legendary funhouse bathrooms – both men’s and women’s – have survived various incarnations of this restaurant space. No one knows if this M.C. Escher inspired tiled masterpiece was created on purpose or by necessity, but those prone to vertigo may want to steer clear.
4. What Is Even Happening
Two toilets facing each other in the ladies’ room. How is this a thing?
5. Yikes
Once home to a solid group of old timers, this much loved dive bar has been reclaimed by the young and hip. Here you’ll find a great juke box, a pretty messed up but playable pool table, and one of the most notorious bathrooms in all of Memphis. Fellas, too many beers affecting your ability to direct the stream to its intended target? No worries, what happens on the floor here, stays on the floor here. (Hey, things could be worse, it could be carpeted!)
6. He Said It
The bathrooms at this late night stop are among the cleanest in town, believe it or not. While the women’s room is rather boring, save for a little political graffiti, the men’s room is a shrine to a former employee. Apparently, he was known for his witticisms. A long time regular tells me that the list that covers all four walls was a work in progress for many years while he was still alive and slinging hot wings.
7. What Wondrous Graffiti
Home to artists, poets, and comics, this bar’s bathrooms were once a place of inspiration thanks to the literary thoughts scrawled on the walls. These days, the women’s room contains campy drawings of both male and female nether regions, and the drunken scribble centers on calling out men for their bad behavior. If the complicated and time consuming graffiti in the men’s room is any indication, many men have sought refuge there.
8. Hello Beautiful
Clearly a woman (or a very smart man) added this little touch to the ladies’ room at this newish downtown watering hole. It’s guaranteed to bring a smile and has probably resulted in a quite a few women inadvertently striking up a conversation with a brick wall.
9. Ladies lounge
This is the best kept secret on this famous street, at least for the ladies in need of a clean place to take a pitstop. Come up the fire escape and walk right in, whether you plan to dine or not. (Shhh!) This bathroom could easily be mistaken for a swanky cocktail bar thanks to its luxurious seating area and romantic lighting. Speaking of if walls could talk…I imagine quite a bit of gossip and shenanigans have gone on in here.
10. Refurbished
One of midtown’s fine dining establishments is undergoing a total refresh, and that includes the bathrooms. This recently redone ladies’ room has handmade wallpaper and a nice little side table for your purse and phone.
11. Shiny and New
Looking for a classy place to leave that oak barrel-aged overflow? These bathrooms are super brand-new and so shiny. It appears they’ve taken the same care in designing the restrooms as they have the rest of the facility.
12. Artsy
Technically not a bar, but you can get a free drink here one Friday a month. Two unisex bathrooms serve as private galleries of sorts as they feature fine art by two of this establishment’s “regulars.” Tad Lauritzen Wright’s most recent show, “The Politics of Power,” which consisted of single line drawings, extends into one bathroom. (Greely Myatt’s work, which includes a zipper in the wall, graces the other.)
Answers
1. Canvas
2. The Cove
3. Midtown Crossing
4. Westy’s
5. Lamplighter
6. Alex’s Tavern
Former employee Sonny was known for his witticisms (aka “Sonnyisms”).
7. P&H
8. The Dirty Crow
9. Itta Bena on Beale Street
10. Tsunami (Part-owner and artist Colleen Couch Smith did the redesigning, which includes freaking handmade wall paper!)
11. Old Dominick Distillery
12. David Lusk Gallery
Have more quiz ideas for Memphis? More weird bathrooms? Leave em in the comments.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Monday, September 25, 2017
Tsunami News Update: Pau Hana Happy Hour, New Restaurant On The Way
Published September 25, 2017 on The I Love Memphis Blog
Ed. Note: Tsunami in Cooper Young – with Ben Smith and Colleen Couch-Smith at the helm – is a stalwart and a gem of the Memphis restaurant scene. I’ve always thought of Tsunami as a fancy dinner kind of place but contributor Stacey has some big news: Tsunami is (and has been) open for your casual, happy hour, cocktail-appreciating business, and there’s a new concept coming in the space next door. All photos by Colleen Couch-Smith, used with permission.
Want to sample Ben Smith’s menu for his new restaurant concept? Then keep reading…
Chef Ben and his wife, Colleen Couch-Smith, purchased the building that has housed Tsunami for the last twenty years at the end of 2016. With that came a wave of renovations, upgrades, a new happy hour menu and plans to launch a more casual concept in the south dining room in 2018. (Similar to Sweet Grass & Sweet Grass Next Door.)
Let’s start with the renovations and upgrades.
Colleen, who has played many roles at the restaurant from bookkeeper to general manager, spent the last couple of years working in the construction business with Sponseller & McGary. This gave her the confidence and experience to tackle most of the refresh and structural changes herself.
“We didn’t want anything tremendous or outrageous. The idea was to complement the existing décor and stay true to building. We’ve been in business for twenty years because people are comfortable here and I definitely didn’t want to change that,” she says.
Colleen overhauled the paint scheme, completely tore out the ceiling in the main dining room, addressed air conditioning issues, replaced the track lighting and fans, and redid the bar so that it looks like they are “selling alcohol rather than glassware.” You can see Colleen’s more artistic side with the new handmade wallpaper she created for the bathrooms and as accents in the main dining room. Finally, she reupholstered the bar stools and banquet.
[I feel like I should point out that the badass bar tops, counter tops in the bathrooms, and several of the paper installations were also made by Colleen over the years.]
Now, about that new happy hour menu.
Launched in June, it’s technically called Pau Hana, which is Hawaiian for “quit workin’ and treat yo’ self.” Each week, the menu features two new dishes and a special cocktail. The Pau Hana menu is available at the bar Monday-Friday, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
So, what kind of food are we talkin’ about?
“Things that have been rattling around in my head for ages that didn’t feel like the right fit for Tsunami,” explains Ben. Pau Hana has given him an opportunity to go further out on a limb, beyond what he’s been doing, and more towards the food he loves to eat.
Ben says he’s been getting homesick for Hawaii, where he lived from ’91-’94. As a result, Pau Hana has featured items like rice vermicelli bowls with shrimp and spicy coconut sauce, spam musubi, shrimp toast, and tuna poke.
Creating two new dishes each week and getting feedback from customers has been a good sounding board. “It’s basically menu testing for our new concept,” says Ben.
New concept? Tell us more…
Colleen explains, “Pau Hana is bridging the gap between what we are now and what we will be in a few months. It’s highlighting the food Ben will serve in tbe new space.” She envisions seating for small groups, a loft with a larger table, and a four seat sake bar. “Definitely no white tablecloths,” she says.
The new space has a name, but it’s a secret for now. Ben says it will be about the vibe and variety and the fact that it’s spontaneous and seasonal and can change with his whims. “It’s the difference between giving people what they want versus what I want. I need to get back to a place of creativity and challenge people’s palates with more vibrant flavors.”
Ben wants to see tables of people sharing food “like in every other culture in the world.” He wants his customers to taste the full spectrum of flavor at every meal. “Ideally we hit all the points on the palate and people leave without being too full or feeling like they spent too much.”
Sounds good to me!
The happy hour small plates are in the $6 – $8 range and the daily cocktail is $8, plus they offer wines by the glass for $6 and beer for $5.
Tsunami is open for dinner Monday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. They offer the Pau Hana Happy Hour menu from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Go There:
Tsunami
928 S. Cooper
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
tsunamimemphis.com
Ed. Note: Tsunami in Cooper Young – with Ben Smith and Colleen Couch-Smith at the helm – is a stalwart and a gem of the Memphis restaurant scene. I’ve always thought of Tsunami as a fancy dinner kind of place but contributor Stacey has some big news: Tsunami is (and has been) open for your casual, happy hour, cocktail-appreciating business, and there’s a new concept coming in the space next door. All photos by Colleen Couch-Smith, used with permission.
Want to sample Ben Smith’s menu for his new restaurant concept? Then keep reading…
Chef Ben and his wife, Colleen Couch-Smith, purchased the building that has housed Tsunami for the last twenty years at the end of 2016. With that came a wave of renovations, upgrades, a new happy hour menu and plans to launch a more casual concept in the south dining room in 2018. (Similar to Sweet Grass & Sweet Grass Next Door.)
Let’s start with the renovations and upgrades.
Colleen, who has played many roles at the restaurant from bookkeeper to general manager, spent the last couple of years working in the construction business with Sponseller & McGary. This gave her the confidence and experience to tackle most of the refresh and structural changes herself.
“We didn’t want anything tremendous or outrageous. The idea was to complement the existing décor and stay true to building. We’ve been in business for twenty years because people are comfortable here and I definitely didn’t want to change that,” she says.
Colleen overhauled the paint scheme, completely tore out the ceiling in the main dining room, addressed air conditioning issues, replaced the track lighting and fans, and redid the bar so that it looks like they are “selling alcohol rather than glassware.” You can see Colleen’s more artistic side with the new handmade wallpaper she created for the bathrooms and as accents in the main dining room. Finally, she reupholstered the bar stools and banquet.
[I feel like I should point out that the badass bar tops, counter tops in the bathrooms, and several of the paper installations were also made by Colleen over the years.]
Now, about that new happy hour menu.
Launched in June, it’s technically called Pau Hana, which is Hawaiian for “quit workin’ and treat yo’ self.” Each week, the menu features two new dishes and a special cocktail. The Pau Hana menu is available at the bar Monday-Friday, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
So, what kind of food are we talkin’ about?
“Things that have been rattling around in my head for ages that didn’t feel like the right fit for Tsunami,” explains Ben. Pau Hana has given him an opportunity to go further out on a limb, beyond what he’s been doing, and more towards the food he loves to eat.
Ben says he’s been getting homesick for Hawaii, where he lived from ’91-’94. As a result, Pau Hana has featured items like rice vermicelli bowls with shrimp and spicy coconut sauce, spam musubi, shrimp toast, and tuna poke.
Creating two new dishes each week and getting feedback from customers has been a good sounding board. “It’s basically menu testing for our new concept,” says Ben.
New concept? Tell us more…
Colleen explains, “Pau Hana is bridging the gap between what we are now and what we will be in a few months. It’s highlighting the food Ben will serve in tbe new space.” She envisions seating for small groups, a loft with a larger table, and a four seat sake bar. “Definitely no white tablecloths,” she says.
The new space has a name, but it’s a secret for now. Ben says it will be about the vibe and variety and the fact that it’s spontaneous and seasonal and can change with his whims. “It’s the difference between giving people what they want versus what I want. I need to get back to a place of creativity and challenge people’s palates with more vibrant flavors.”
Ben wants to see tables of people sharing food “like in every other culture in the world.” He wants his customers to taste the full spectrum of flavor at every meal. “Ideally we hit all the points on the palate and people leave without being too full or feeling like they spent too much.”
Sounds good to me!
The happy hour small plates are in the $6 – $8 range and the daily cocktail is $8, plus they offer wines by the glass for $6 and beer for $5.
Tsunami is open for dinner Monday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. They offer the Pau Hana Happy Hour menu from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Go There:
Tsunami
928 S. Cooper
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
tsunamimemphis.com
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Ride Your Bike (or Drive Your Dang Car) to CJ’s Blues Club in West Memphis
Published August 16, 2017 on the I Love Memphis Blog
Ed. Note: Contributor Stacey has another gem for us in West Memphis, aka another reason to ride your bike/walk across the Big River Crossing. Or, as she says, you can just drive your dang car over to CJs to check out this new Mid-South patio.
You’ve ridden to Pancho’s, now it’s time to go a couple more blocks to CJ’s Blues and Sports Bar in West Memphis! CJ, whose real name is Clem Johnson, has noticed you guys.
He says, “When bikers come over [The Big River Crossing] they have nowhere to ride to. What they normally do is ride to the store and turn around and go back.” He wants you to stay awhile.
After talking to a few cyclists about opening up his patio on weekends, they encouraged him to do so. CJ enlisted the help of local artist (and tour guide extraordinaire), Tad Pierson to turn his formerly empty lot into a bonafide oasis.
CJ and Tad spent a few days hunting car and tractor tires in Crittenden County to paint and repurpose over the course of a couple of weeks. They came up with about 50 of them. As CJ says, “People throw away car tires everyday.”
Those old tires are now colorful tables, chairs, and planters. In addition to tires, CJ repurposed some old pallets to make an outdoor stage. Now Memphis bicyclists (ok and you drivers too) have a seriously cool place to hang, drink beer, eat barbeque, and listen to the blues.
He also plans to open up the back of the building where there’s a jukebox and a pool table. He’s got nice bathrooms for you too.
CJ is having a grand opening party for the new patio this Sunday, August 20, 2017 from 11 a.m. until 5.p.m. Ms. Nickki, who you may know from Wild Bill’s, will be performing along with Big John Cummings (a recording artist and writer for Bobby Rush) and Memphis’s own Soul Connection. (Show time is 2 p.m.)
CJ will be selling ribs, fish, and smoked sausage for $10 a plate. Cold beers are $2-$4 and bottled water is $1. Bring cash.
Can’t make it Sunday? No worries. CJ will open the patio every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from here on out from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. He says everyone is welcome. So go on and get a taste of West Memphis!
Go there:
CJ’s Blues and Sports Bar
3110 E Broadway Ave, West Memphis, AR 72301
Sunday, August 20th, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Then every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Ed. Note: Contributor Stacey has another gem for us in West Memphis, aka another reason to ride your bike/walk across the Big River Crossing. Or, as she says, you can just drive your dang car over to CJs to check out this new Mid-South patio.
You’ve ridden to Pancho’s, now it’s time to go a couple more blocks to CJ’s Blues and Sports Bar in West Memphis! CJ, whose real name is Clem Johnson, has noticed you guys.
He says, “When bikers come over [The Big River Crossing] they have nowhere to ride to. What they normally do is ride to the store and turn around and go back.” He wants you to stay awhile.
After talking to a few cyclists about opening up his patio on weekends, they encouraged him to do so. CJ enlisted the help of local artist (and tour guide extraordinaire), Tad Pierson to turn his formerly empty lot into a bonafide oasis.
CJ and Tad spent a few days hunting car and tractor tires in Crittenden County to paint and repurpose over the course of a couple of weeks. They came up with about 50 of them. As CJ says, “People throw away car tires everyday.”
Those old tires are now colorful tables, chairs, and planters. In addition to tires, CJ repurposed some old pallets to make an outdoor stage. Now Memphis bicyclists (ok and you drivers too) have a seriously cool place to hang, drink beer, eat barbeque, and listen to the blues.
He also plans to open up the back of the building where there’s a jukebox and a pool table. He’s got nice bathrooms for you too.
CJ is having a grand opening party for the new patio this Sunday, August 20, 2017 from 11 a.m. until 5.p.m. Ms. Nickki, who you may know from Wild Bill’s, will be performing along with Big John Cummings (a recording artist and writer for Bobby Rush) and Memphis’s own Soul Connection. (Show time is 2 p.m.)
CJ will be selling ribs, fish, and smoked sausage for $10 a plate. Cold beers are $2-$4 and bottled water is $1. Bring cash.
Can’t make it Sunday? No worries. CJ will open the patio every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from here on out from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. He says everyone is welcome. So go on and get a taste of West Memphis!
Go there:
CJ’s Blues and Sports Bar
3110 E Broadway Ave, West Memphis, AR 72301
Sunday, August 20th, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Then every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Kunal’s Indian Pizza Pop Up At The Cove
Published August 10, 2017 on the I Love Memphis Blog
Ed. Note: On Sunday October 15th, the Cove again hosts Kunal’s Indian Pizza Pop-Up restaurant from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring (probably, or at least something similar to) pizzas, nachos, and salads inspired by traditional Indian cooking. Read more about the October event here. Stacey sits down with the mastermind behind this mouthwatering menu, Kunal Jadhav, for more info.
Updated! This post has been updated to include the October 15 date.
The Cove’s regulars had gotten pretty used to having fun Sunday pop-ups, so when Lucky Cat moved on to a more permanent space, one regular decided to fill the gap himself. However, there was one condition: He wanted all of the money to go to charity.
Meet Kunal Jadhav, a 41 year old FedEx employee. Originally from India, he comes from a household that reveres food. “I grew up with stories of my grandmother and mother dining in the halls of royal maharajas and handwritten cookbooks are still used by my family. I began cooking at a very young age when I could barely reach the stove,” he says.
He’s on a mission to make Indian food more approachable. He’d been experimenting with Indian inspired pizzas and sliders and brought some to The Cove to share with friends. (He’s been a regular for several years.)
Then Mary Tanner, the owner, made Kunal an offer he couldn’t refuse. “She offered the restaurant to me on Sundays to run a pop-up supporting animal rescue groups.”
Kunal has two shelter dogs, Ozzie and Lucy, and says they are the most important beings in his life. “I visited several shelters and saw the dire need that exists in this City. I felt it was about time I made the shift from empathy to action. I decided to combine my two passions in life–food and dogs–and give back to my community,” he explains.
On Sunday, October 15 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Kunal will be a part of the “Peg-legs and Pets” benefit at The Cove, which benefits the West Memphis Animal Shelter. Read more.
While the menu may be different than what’s been featured in teh past, below you’ll get an idea of his Indian fusion cuisine.
For Kunal’s first pop up, he served Indian inspired pizzas and nachos, which were $10 each. The Butter Chicken Pizza has smoked Tandoori chicken, creamy tomato & cashew sauce, Mozarella, feta, and a little cilantro. (Trust me, you’ll want to put the creamy tomato & cashew sauce on EVERYTHING.)
There’s also a tasty option for vegetarians. The Saag Paneer Pizza has Kunal’s homemade Indian ricotta cheese and goat cheese in a spiced spinach sauce. (Pro tip for non-vegetarians: ask him to add the smoked Tandoori chicken to this.)
Attention nacho lovers: Everything that goes on the pizzas can just as easily be served on crispy kettle chips.
And you definitely do not want to let summer end without trying the watermelon salad, which is priced at a ridiculously low $5. The recipe comes from Bounty on Broad. In addition to juicy watermelon, the salad includes deseeded jalapeno, crumbled goat cheese, thinly sliced radish, fresh basil, and…wait for it…little slivers of bacon. (Here, let me wipe the drool off of your chin.)
Kunal is committed to doing these Indian Pizza Pop Ups once a month on a Sunday for the next six months. In that time, he hopes to support and fundraise for the rescue groups that need help the most. (Ed. Note: I’ll try to update this post with new dates as we know them.)
He couldn’t do any of this without his team–The Cove’s Michael Kuntsman and Liya Morris are a big help in prepping and cooking the dishes. He also has volunteers who help expedite, clean up and take orders.
So come on down to the Cove on Sunday. Place your food order at the volunteer table and get your drinks like you always do from Parks at the bar.
Go There:
Kunal’s Indian Pizza Pop Up
The Cove (2559 Broad Ave.)
Sunday, october 15, 2017
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ed. Note: On Sunday October 15th, the Cove again hosts Kunal’s Indian Pizza Pop-Up restaurant from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring (probably, or at least something similar to) pizzas, nachos, and salads inspired by traditional Indian cooking. Read more about the October event here. Stacey sits down with the mastermind behind this mouthwatering menu, Kunal Jadhav, for more info.
Updated! This post has been updated to include the October 15 date.
The Cove’s regulars had gotten pretty used to having fun Sunday pop-ups, so when Lucky Cat moved on to a more permanent space, one regular decided to fill the gap himself. However, there was one condition: He wanted all of the money to go to charity.
Meet Kunal Jadhav, a 41 year old FedEx employee. Originally from India, he comes from a household that reveres food. “I grew up with stories of my grandmother and mother dining in the halls of royal maharajas and handwritten cookbooks are still used by my family. I began cooking at a very young age when I could barely reach the stove,” he says.
He’s on a mission to make Indian food more approachable. He’d been experimenting with Indian inspired pizzas and sliders and brought some to The Cove to share with friends. (He’s been a regular for several years.)
Then Mary Tanner, the owner, made Kunal an offer he couldn’t refuse. “She offered the restaurant to me on Sundays to run a pop-up supporting animal rescue groups.”
Kunal has two shelter dogs, Ozzie and Lucy, and says they are the most important beings in his life. “I visited several shelters and saw the dire need that exists in this City. I felt it was about time I made the shift from empathy to action. I decided to combine my two passions in life–food and dogs–and give back to my community,” he explains.
On Sunday, October 15 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Kunal will be a part of the “Peg-legs and Pets” benefit at The Cove, which benefits the West Memphis Animal Shelter. Read more.
While the menu may be different than what’s been featured in teh past, below you’ll get an idea of his Indian fusion cuisine.
For Kunal’s first pop up, he served Indian inspired pizzas and nachos, which were $10 each. The Butter Chicken Pizza has smoked Tandoori chicken, creamy tomato & cashew sauce, Mozarella, feta, and a little cilantro. (Trust me, you’ll want to put the creamy tomato & cashew sauce on EVERYTHING.)
There’s also a tasty option for vegetarians. The Saag Paneer Pizza has Kunal’s homemade Indian ricotta cheese and goat cheese in a spiced spinach sauce. (Pro tip for non-vegetarians: ask him to add the smoked Tandoori chicken to this.)
Attention nacho lovers: Everything that goes on the pizzas can just as easily be served on crispy kettle chips.
And you definitely do not want to let summer end without trying the watermelon salad, which is priced at a ridiculously low $5. The recipe comes from Bounty on Broad. In addition to juicy watermelon, the salad includes deseeded jalapeno, crumbled goat cheese, thinly sliced radish, fresh basil, and…wait for it…little slivers of bacon. (Here, let me wipe the drool off of your chin.)
Kunal is committed to doing these Indian Pizza Pop Ups once a month on a Sunday for the next six months. In that time, he hopes to support and fundraise for the rescue groups that need help the most. (Ed. Note: I’ll try to update this post with new dates as we know them.)
He couldn’t do any of this without his team–The Cove’s Michael Kuntsman and Liya Morris are a big help in prepping and cooking the dishes. He also has volunteers who help expedite, clean up and take orders.
So come on down to the Cove on Sunday. Place your food order at the volunteer table and get your drinks like you always do from Parks at the bar.
Go There:
Kunal’s Indian Pizza Pop Up
The Cove (2559 Broad Ave.)
Sunday, october 15, 2017
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 15, 2017
A Day at the Park
Published July 2017 in Edible Memphis
I have purposely lived within a mile of Overton Park for most of my adult life. In college, I was a frequent visitor to the (then car-free) Greensward, where it was common for folks to let their pups run free, chase balls, and take dips in Rainbow Lake. After getting married to a wilderness man, I added regular hiking in the Old Forest trails. After kids, we added in an hour on the playground.
Back in the day, Overton Park was considered a little sketchy. These days, thanks in part to the efforts of Citizens to Preserve Overton Park (CPOP), the Overton Park Conservancy (OPC), and the Levitt Shell, Overton Park is beloved by many. In fact, there’s so much to do now, you’d be hard-pressed to do it all in a single day. Here I share some suggestions on how to enjoy the park from dusk til dawn without breaking the bank.
Get Moving
Go for a run or a walk. I love starting the day — like before the sun comes up — in the park. My running group, the Running Republic, meets at the Abe Goodman Golf House on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 am for an easy, four-mile run. There are plenty of other people running, walking, strolling with their pups, or otherwise getting in a workout. However, the park is still fairly empty and it’s lovely to experience it this way.
Refuel
Have breakfast or lunch at Café Brooks by Paradox inside the Brooks Museum. The Café is in the former gift shop spot, and you don’t have to pay admission to dine there. They have a brightly lit, colorful space that opens up to the lobby. I like dining in, but you could also grab something to go and picnic in the Shell. The menu changes often, but they have an extensive selection of coffee, pastries, soups, sandwiches, and salads. On my most recent visit, I tried the Melon Salad (mixed greens, compressed melon, baked brie, and a broken vinaigrette) as well as the Sushi Bowl (sushi rice, avocado, nori, raw tuna, cucumber, peanuts and pickled melon). But I was also very, very jealous of my companion’s Grown Up Grilled Cheese featuring Benton’s bacon, roasted tomatoes, aged cheddar, pimento cheese, and caramelized onions.
Get Cultured
The Brooks Museum is well worth the $7 admission fee, though you can it enjoy for free (or by donation) on Wednesdays. Or, do it right and just buy a membership. The Brooks Outside program is also something you can enjoy without spending a penny. Remember the giant red ball? The inflatable bunnies? How about that awesome tape art? Stop by to see if they’ve got anything cooking. While you’re at it, pop into the College of Art to see the student art on display.
Refresh
Enjoy a beer on the Golf House patio. Café Brooks has local beer on tap, but my favorite place to have a beer in the park is at the Golf House. They have a great selection of canned beers (local and regional included), and they are only $2.50 each — no matter the flavor. Plus, the Golf House has an amazing patio. It’s the perfect place to sit and people watch. It’s also another option for dining al fresco, as long as you bring your own food.
Pro tip: the Golf House has the cleanest, nicest public restrooms in the park.
Ride a Bike
I definitely recommend not driving to the park — the less cars there, the better. If you don’t have a bike, don’t worry, the Golf House has a fleet of grown up trikes that are only $5 an hour to rent and just happen to be perfect for exploring the Old Forest roads (which are closed to traffic). This is an especially shady spot to escape the summer heat. Hop on and go get your photo taken at each one of the gates that have been installed by local artists Tyler French, Yvonne Bobo, and Ben Butler.
Hike the Trails
If you really want relief from the summer sun, hit the trails. The best thing about the Old Forest is that it’s usually several degrees cooler than the outside world. Download (or use your phone to look at) the Old Forest map on OPC’s website http://trails.overtonpark.org). A map is also posted over by the red playground on the East Parkway side, if you just want to snap a picture of it. Don’t worry if you get turned around, it’s pretty hard to get lost forever on the trails, even if you really want to.
Pro tip: OPC’s website also has field guides to plants and birds if that’s your thing.
Enjoy the Greensward
Don’t let the overflow Zoo parking deter you from taking up your fair share of this lovely open green space. (Do let it piss you off though!) Take a blanket and just enjoy the day, kick a soccer ball, throw a Frisbee, eat a pop from the MemPops truck — you get the idea. Stay as long as you like, and maybe even watch the sun set.
Spend the Night & Step Up
Okay, not the whole night, but chances are there’s something special going on in the evening. Check the Levitt Shell’s page for information on their free summer and fall concert series. (Shows are typically Thursday through Sunday.) On Wednesdays, you can sometimes find live music at the Golf House. The Brooks Museum also has excellent evening programming, typically on Wednesdays. The Overton Park Farmer’s Market takes place Thursdays from 3–7 pm under the East Parkway pavilion. The College of Art sometimes hosts art openings on Fridays and there are special markets throughout the year.
Being active involves more than just enjoying. Invite a friend (especially one who has never seen what Overton Park has to offer). Make a donation to CPOP. Become an OPC member. Volunteer.
See what I mean about fitting it all in? Once you’ve experienced all (or some!) of what the park has to offer, make plans to go back.
I have purposely lived within a mile of Overton Park for most of my adult life. In college, I was a frequent visitor to the (then car-free) Greensward, where it was common for folks to let their pups run free, chase balls, and take dips in Rainbow Lake. After getting married to a wilderness man, I added regular hiking in the Old Forest trails. After kids, we added in an hour on the playground.
Back in the day, Overton Park was considered a little sketchy. These days, thanks in part to the efforts of Citizens to Preserve Overton Park (CPOP), the Overton Park Conservancy (OPC), and the Levitt Shell, Overton Park is beloved by many. In fact, there’s so much to do now, you’d be hard-pressed to do it all in a single day. Here I share some suggestions on how to enjoy the park from dusk til dawn without breaking the bank.
Get Moving
Go for a run or a walk. I love starting the day — like before the sun comes up — in the park. My running group, the Running Republic, meets at the Abe Goodman Golf House on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 am for an easy, four-mile run. There are plenty of other people running, walking, strolling with their pups, or otherwise getting in a workout. However, the park is still fairly empty and it’s lovely to experience it this way.
Refuel
Have breakfast or lunch at Café Brooks by Paradox inside the Brooks Museum. The Café is in the former gift shop spot, and you don’t have to pay admission to dine there. They have a brightly lit, colorful space that opens up to the lobby. I like dining in, but you could also grab something to go and picnic in the Shell. The menu changes often, but they have an extensive selection of coffee, pastries, soups, sandwiches, and salads. On my most recent visit, I tried the Melon Salad (mixed greens, compressed melon, baked brie, and a broken vinaigrette) as well as the Sushi Bowl (sushi rice, avocado, nori, raw tuna, cucumber, peanuts and pickled melon). But I was also very, very jealous of my companion’s Grown Up Grilled Cheese featuring Benton’s bacon, roasted tomatoes, aged cheddar, pimento cheese, and caramelized onions.
Get Cultured
The Brooks Museum is well worth the $7 admission fee, though you can it enjoy for free (or by donation) on Wednesdays. Or, do it right and just buy a membership. The Brooks Outside program is also something you can enjoy without spending a penny. Remember the giant red ball? The inflatable bunnies? How about that awesome tape art? Stop by to see if they’ve got anything cooking. While you’re at it, pop into the College of Art to see the student art on display.
Refresh
Enjoy a beer on the Golf House patio. Café Brooks has local beer on tap, but my favorite place to have a beer in the park is at the Golf House. They have a great selection of canned beers (local and regional included), and they are only $2.50 each — no matter the flavor. Plus, the Golf House has an amazing patio. It’s the perfect place to sit and people watch. It’s also another option for dining al fresco, as long as you bring your own food.
Pro tip: the Golf House has the cleanest, nicest public restrooms in the park.
Ride a Bike
I definitely recommend not driving to the park — the less cars there, the better. If you don’t have a bike, don’t worry, the Golf House has a fleet of grown up trikes that are only $5 an hour to rent and just happen to be perfect for exploring the Old Forest roads (which are closed to traffic). This is an especially shady spot to escape the summer heat. Hop on and go get your photo taken at each one of the gates that have been installed by local artists Tyler French, Yvonne Bobo, and Ben Butler.
Hike the Trails
If you really want relief from the summer sun, hit the trails. The best thing about the Old Forest is that it’s usually several degrees cooler than the outside world. Download (or use your phone to look at) the Old Forest map on OPC’s website http://trails.overtonpark.org). A map is also posted over by the red playground on the East Parkway side, if you just want to snap a picture of it. Don’t worry if you get turned around, it’s pretty hard to get lost forever on the trails, even if you really want to.
Pro tip: OPC’s website also has field guides to plants and birds if that’s your thing.
Enjoy the Greensward
Don’t let the overflow Zoo parking deter you from taking up your fair share of this lovely open green space. (Do let it piss you off though!) Take a blanket and just enjoy the day, kick a soccer ball, throw a Frisbee, eat a pop from the MemPops truck — you get the idea. Stay as long as you like, and maybe even watch the sun set.
Spend the Night & Step Up
Okay, not the whole night, but chances are there’s something special going on in the evening. Check the Levitt Shell’s page for information on their free summer and fall concert series. (Shows are typically Thursday through Sunday.) On Wednesdays, you can sometimes find live music at the Golf House. The Brooks Museum also has excellent evening programming, typically on Wednesdays. The Overton Park Farmer’s Market takes place Thursdays from 3–7 pm under the East Parkway pavilion. The College of Art sometimes hosts art openings on Fridays and there are special markets throughout the year.
Being active involves more than just enjoying. Invite a friend (especially one who has never seen what Overton Park has to offer). Make a donation to CPOP. Become an OPC member. Volunteer.
See what I mean about fitting it all in? Once you’ve experienced all (or some!) of what the park has to offer, make plans to go back.
The Other Pancho
Published July 2017 in EDible Memphis
Jose “Pancho” Leon is kind of a big deal in Venezuela.
Pancho’s Venezuelan-based company, Catatumbo Flavors, has forty different offerings — from hot sauce to chutney. He’s launching three of his favorite hot sauces locally under the brand “PicaPancho” thanks to the help of Delta Cuisine’s Commercial Kitchen and Food Incubator just across the bridge in West Memphis.
A couple of friends and I were recently invited to join Pancho and his extended family for Sunday dinner at his daughter, Sylvia’s, house in Cordova. Since he doesn’t speak English, Sylvia and her brother, Jose, served as interpreters.
Everyone was busy in the kitchen when we arrived. The grill was fired up and there were mango daiquiris ready to be put in the blender.
Pancho learned to cook from his mother when he was just nine years old, and does all of the cooking for his family. The first thing he remembers cooking is bistek (beef steak) with onions. I’ve known Pancho and his family for awhile now, and no menu is complete without lots and lots of meat!
Jose explains, “The city we grew up in is Maracaibo, the capital of Zulia State — which is basically the Texas of Venezuela. It’s got oil, beef, and pretty women.”
It’s only natural that Pancho, now a graduate of Concasse (The Institute of Culinary Education) which afforded him the title of International Chef, would create a number of sauces to go along with all the meat that he cooks. He loves spicy sauce, and his first creation was a sriracha with yogurt. (Sriracha, which is a town in Thailand and the namesake of the well-known “rooster sauce,” has become synonymous with “hot sauce” around the world.)
For the yogurt, Pancho uses suero de leche, which is translated as buttermilk. Jose says suero is a cousin of yogurt. Since they lived in cow country, Pancho started making his own suero, and from there he created the sriracha with yogurt. Everyone loved it, so he started taking it to friends’ houses.
A most of these stories go, one day his wife, Sylvia, said, “Why not sell it?”
He’d been working in the advertising business, mainly with magazines and small newspapers. When the Venezuelan economy tanked, his wife suggested mass marketing the hot sauce. He’d read a story about Colonel Sanders starting Kentucky Fried Chicken at age 65 and then becoming a millionaire. Since he was only 63, he thought he had a good head start.
Pancho’s mother had passed away, so her now empty downstairs apartment became Catatumbo Flavors’ headquarters. (He and Sylvia live upstairs.) “The whole house smells like hot sauce, and you have to wear goggles,” explains Jose. “My mom, Sylvia, she actively helps my dad in the kitchen, so much so that she has lost her sense of smell.”
Pancho was no stranger to the food industry and Catatumbo Flavors was not his first rodeo. His very first job was selling Rena Ware pots. Then he sold chickens. In the 80s, Pancho ran a restaurant inside of a food fair (similar to a shopping mall’s food court) called Los Tizones (“Flaming Charcoal”) which specialized in, you guessed it, grilled meat. He did a good business for six years, but it was a lot of work. When the mall closed, he moved on to other things, namely an air conditioning business. Then he managed 500 coin operated animal machine rides, like you used to see outside of grocery stores.
Catatumbo Flavors, which now produces 10,000 cases of various sauces every month, has been his crowning achievement.
For our Sunday dinner, Pancho prepared pork tenderloin, chorizo sausages and punta (tri-tip) along with shrimp ceviche, plantains, yucca with guasacaca, and salad. (The salad was merely for show.) Best of all, we got to sample the three hot sauces that Pancho is planning to sell here in Memphis — PicaPancho’s Hot Roja, Sriracha, and Sriracha with Yogurt.
The Sriracha with yogurt was a real standout — unlike anything I’ve ever had. I started dipping my various meats in it and had a hard time stopping. I ate way more meat than I usually would, and even started pilfering from my friend’s plate.
We all agreed that the other Pancho in town better look out!
Jose “Pancho” Leon is kind of a big deal in Venezuela.
Pancho’s Venezuelan-based company, Catatumbo Flavors, has forty different offerings — from hot sauce to chutney. He’s launching three of his favorite hot sauces locally under the brand “PicaPancho” thanks to the help of Delta Cuisine’s Commercial Kitchen and Food Incubator just across the bridge in West Memphis.
A couple of friends and I were recently invited to join Pancho and his extended family for Sunday dinner at his daughter, Sylvia’s, house in Cordova. Since he doesn’t speak English, Sylvia and her brother, Jose, served as interpreters.
Everyone was busy in the kitchen when we arrived. The grill was fired up and there were mango daiquiris ready to be put in the blender.
Pancho learned to cook from his mother when he was just nine years old, and does all of the cooking for his family. The first thing he remembers cooking is bistek (beef steak) with onions. I’ve known Pancho and his family for awhile now, and no menu is complete without lots and lots of meat!
Jose explains, “The city we grew up in is Maracaibo, the capital of Zulia State — which is basically the Texas of Venezuela. It’s got oil, beef, and pretty women.”
It’s only natural that Pancho, now a graduate of Concasse (The Institute of Culinary Education) which afforded him the title of International Chef, would create a number of sauces to go along with all the meat that he cooks. He loves spicy sauce, and his first creation was a sriracha with yogurt. (Sriracha, which is a town in Thailand and the namesake of the well-known “rooster sauce,” has become synonymous with “hot sauce” around the world.)
For the yogurt, Pancho uses suero de leche, which is translated as buttermilk. Jose says suero is a cousin of yogurt. Since they lived in cow country, Pancho started making his own suero, and from there he created the sriracha with yogurt. Everyone loved it, so he started taking it to friends’ houses.
A most of these stories go, one day his wife, Sylvia, said, “Why not sell it?”
He’d been working in the advertising business, mainly with magazines and small newspapers. When the Venezuelan economy tanked, his wife suggested mass marketing the hot sauce. He’d read a story about Colonel Sanders starting Kentucky Fried Chicken at age 65 and then becoming a millionaire. Since he was only 63, he thought he had a good head start.
Pancho’s mother had passed away, so her now empty downstairs apartment became Catatumbo Flavors’ headquarters. (He and Sylvia live upstairs.) “The whole house smells like hot sauce, and you have to wear goggles,” explains Jose. “My mom, Sylvia, she actively helps my dad in the kitchen, so much so that she has lost her sense of smell.”
Pancho was no stranger to the food industry and Catatumbo Flavors was not his first rodeo. His very first job was selling Rena Ware pots. Then he sold chickens. In the 80s, Pancho ran a restaurant inside of a food fair (similar to a shopping mall’s food court) called Los Tizones (“Flaming Charcoal”) which specialized in, you guessed it, grilled meat. He did a good business for six years, but it was a lot of work. When the mall closed, he moved on to other things, namely an air conditioning business. Then he managed 500 coin operated animal machine rides, like you used to see outside of grocery stores.
Catatumbo Flavors, which now produces 10,000 cases of various sauces every month, has been his crowning achievement.
For our Sunday dinner, Pancho prepared pork tenderloin, chorizo sausages and punta (tri-tip) along with shrimp ceviche, plantains, yucca with guasacaca, and salad. (The salad was merely for show.) Best of all, we got to sample the three hot sauces that Pancho is planning to sell here in Memphis — PicaPancho’s Hot Roja, Sriracha, and Sriracha with Yogurt.
The Sriracha with yogurt was a real standout — unlike anything I’ve ever had. I started dipping my various meats in it and had a hard time stopping. I ate way more meat than I usually would, and even started pilfering from my friend’s plate.
We all agreed that the other Pancho in town better look out!
Meet the Maker: Virginia Fisher
Published July 2017 in Edible Memphis
Virginia Fisher weaves, twists, and stamps beautiful copper into even more beautiful baskets, bowls, and other art. Some pieces are functional, and some are purely artistic, but all have sheen and patina, texture, and whimsy.
What was your path to becoming a maker?
My parents both ran their own businesses when I was growing up. It seemed normal to me that you carry on in a family business or carve out your own little piece in the world. They encouraged creativity and education. When I graduated from college, I felt that I needed to set up a studio to make something that would allow all my interest to grow and also be marketable so I could afford to keep making. I had studied drawing, metalsmithing, ceramics, and fiber arts. My love of art is based on a fascination of our material culture history and the individual craft.
So, I had to work in a long lasting medium and make something that was interesting and functional. I decided on copper baskets. It was to me a very natural evolution in my work. Not many copper basket ladies out there and I quickly began finding a market for my work. The baskets involve traditional metalsmithing, weaving, coiling or whatever technique it takes to make an idea. I repeat processes in many pieces. This is how I refine my craft. I keep making.
Do you also have a “day job” ?
My art is my “day job.” I don’t have a plan B. I hope I don’t need one in the future. I have worked in stores and galleries in the past and consider that work my side jobs.
What inspires you?
What inspires my working? The action. It feels like being pulled down a river sometimes and I couldn’t stop if I tried, but if it is not flowing, I’m in a bad place.
What inspires the pieces?
Individual pieces are inspired by everyday things like leaves, other baskets, a problem that needs to be solved, or just an experiment with materials.
Favorite thing about being a “maker”?
The best thing about being a maker is that I have confidence in my creativity. So, I feel comfortable trying to think outside the box. Also, I have lots of tools and am always learning something!
How does being a “maker” help you look at other artisan products?
Being a maker helps me look at everything with an interested eye. I can’t look away from a new handmade object. In finished form, if you understand the making process, the piece has an entire story to tell. My husband and I go to craft shows and look at everything and talk to the makers. We believe in supporting other artisans. Our house is full of other people’s products.
Outside of your work, do you “make” anything else?
In my non-basket making world, I make pantings, jewelry, crochet, experiment with encaustic, and rug hooking. Cooking and gardening are creative endeavors as well.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?
Most importantly, always be kind. You never know who is going to be your next client and being hurtful tends to stress me out. Embarrassingly, it took me a while to learn that.
Copper Baskets
www.virginiafisher.com
www.facebook.com/Copperbaskets
www.twitter.com/copperbaskets
www.instagram.com/copperbaskets
www.pinterest.com/Copperbaskets
Look for Virginia’s art at the National Ornamental Metal Museum and the Memphis Farmers Market this summer.
Virginia Fisher weaves, twists, and stamps beautiful copper into even more beautiful baskets, bowls, and other art. Some pieces are functional, and some are purely artistic, but all have sheen and patina, texture, and whimsy.
What was your path to becoming a maker?
My parents both ran their own businesses when I was growing up. It seemed normal to me that you carry on in a family business or carve out your own little piece in the world. They encouraged creativity and education. When I graduated from college, I felt that I needed to set up a studio to make something that would allow all my interest to grow and also be marketable so I could afford to keep making. I had studied drawing, metalsmithing, ceramics, and fiber arts. My love of art is based on a fascination of our material culture history and the individual craft.
So, I had to work in a long lasting medium and make something that was interesting and functional. I decided on copper baskets. It was to me a very natural evolution in my work. Not many copper basket ladies out there and I quickly began finding a market for my work. The baskets involve traditional metalsmithing, weaving, coiling or whatever technique it takes to make an idea. I repeat processes in many pieces. This is how I refine my craft. I keep making.
Do you also have a “day job” ?
My art is my “day job.” I don’t have a plan B. I hope I don’t need one in the future. I have worked in stores and galleries in the past and consider that work my side jobs.
What inspires you?
What inspires my working? The action. It feels like being pulled down a river sometimes and I couldn’t stop if I tried, but if it is not flowing, I’m in a bad place.
What inspires the pieces?
Individual pieces are inspired by everyday things like leaves, other baskets, a problem that needs to be solved, or just an experiment with materials.
Favorite thing about being a “maker”?
The best thing about being a maker is that I have confidence in my creativity. So, I feel comfortable trying to think outside the box. Also, I have lots of tools and am always learning something!
How does being a “maker” help you look at other artisan products?
Being a maker helps me look at everything with an interested eye. I can’t look away from a new handmade object. In finished form, if you understand the making process, the piece has an entire story to tell. My husband and I go to craft shows and look at everything and talk to the makers. We believe in supporting other artisans. Our house is full of other people’s products.
Outside of your work, do you “make” anything else?
In my non-basket making world, I make pantings, jewelry, crochet, experiment with encaustic, and rug hooking. Cooking and gardening are creative endeavors as well.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?
Most importantly, always be kind. You never know who is going to be your next client and being hurtful tends to stress me out. Embarrassingly, it took me a while to learn that.
Copper Baskets
www.virginiafisher.com
www.facebook.com/Copperbaskets
www.twitter.com/copperbaskets
www.instagram.com/copperbaskets
www.pinterest.com/Copperbaskets
Look for Virginia’s art at the National Ornamental Metal Museum and the Memphis Farmers Market this summer.
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