Masonic Munchies

Recently having joined Bartlett 211. I thought I'd review the fine food at the lodge.

The first meal was hot dogs with chili. I have to give credit where due. They were fine hot dogs cooked until charred on the outside.

Then there was the feast of the Holy Diabetes which consisted of three varieties of cookies, a cake, ice cream, a vegetable tray and peanut brittle.

The breakfast at the York Rite had quite decent sausage and biscuits with a selection of gloriously innovative prepackaged donuts.

The best was the shriners which had some quite good barbecue by the hillbillies and for desert you could choose either ho-hos or twinkies.

After the Shriner initiation spiffy ride had air in the line which as I went to the starbucks next to the dealership Biffy the Birdy Bully threatened to take me down.

Where have all the semi-decent politicians gone?

Recently, Obama admitted Reverend Wright was somewhat fringe? This disturbed me as its way past time such a statement would have any meaning. Politicians have become completely focused grouped. I worked on the first Nikki Tinker campaign some when I first got to Memphis and I don't think a non-scripted word or opinion about a politician came out of her mouth.

Politicians have sold their soul unnecessarily. Reagen, Bush I, and Clinton all said slightly un-pc stuff at some point.

It looks like our only other choice will be a lucky feather loving septagenarian.

People wonder why the voting rate is down.

Jury Trial

Check back in two weeks.

It Really is Time For A Change

The recent brew ha involving the wacko reverend has convinced me that Obama is the way to go. His clean cut image and Kennedyesque jib had me convinced he lacked the cuthroatedness necessary to be an effective politician.

I was wrong. Obama is clearly capable of doing what it takes to win if the situation requires.

Normally, I'm not a big fan of change. I love America. It's been doing rather well in static lock until Bush took over and started changing things.

Unfortunately, now we need to keep going. Obama represents the right way and experience at mucking stuff up from a septagenarian is not.

Also, Pearl Street has stopped putting excess amount of vinegar based hot sauces in their soups.

Exiting Gracefully

I visited Memphis alot before I moved here. Compared to twenty years ago, I do feel there has been alot of improvement. However, comedic interest aside, its time for someone new and the last ten years have seen the minimal amount of improvement.

So congrats to the Mayor for stepping down, it was a class act and maybe that Prince Mongo guy will come back and run.

I always thought that would be fun if he won.

Retread

Went to City Grocery in Oxford with law clerk. The decor has gotten noticeably darker over the years. It had a nice lighter bistro thing going for awhile.

Started with the gruyere mushroom poptart which looked exactly like a poptart and the dough was even poptartish. Still a very good poptart.

I got the legendary shrimp and grits which are no longer the best around. The shrimp have shrunk, the bacon is more bitty, and there seems to be a larger amount of grits.

The pastry chef usually being a standout we got the sweet potato pecan pie topped with marshmellows, which was a very good combo, but again the crust was lacking.

Earlier in the week went to Half Shell with aunt and had some very good fried oysters and had the shrimp and grit appetizer which was really nice with a great cream sauce.

Went to lobster king and the dim sum is still quite good.

Tapas and Waffles

Went to Dish with Aunt. Overall, not what I’d call a great tapas joint. There's one downtown next to Onyx that I have high hopes for which should open soon. The Japanese ownership really shone through with a lot of asian influence. I’d recommend it for being a good place for drinks and appetizers, but I wouldn’t call it a tapas place. (Quality at Jimmy Isheii places I've alway found to be very high). The fish taco was acceptable, with the soft shell crab being good but much like Bluefin.

I've discovered on Thursday night Bluefin will occassionally have real japanese kobe beef. Really want to try it. The american kind is really 80% angus and 20 kobe I've heard.

Tried onyx a fancy new hot wing and waffle place downtown. It's a first rate place and a very good deal. I tried hot honey wings with a side of okra. The wings were superb and the okra quite good.

The bartender recommended the waffles which he said were of the belgian variety which I though was interesting as chicken and waffles usually has american style waffles. (Also usually straight fried chicken I've heard.) This is Memphis style chicken and waffles. ( I do think we have the best hot wings in the nation.