It's July 11th and I'm sitting at the kitchen table in the HBG's house reflecting on the last few weeks and what we have done since I've gotten here for my summer stay. It's exactly one year since I showed up on his doorstep, and I marvel at how beautiful my year has been. What I really find incredible is how my daily experience is being driven by my work on learning to love myself. The HBG? My relationship with him is one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced in my life. He has taught me so much about slowing life down to the point of not running to or away from things but enjoying the now!
Since I have been here we have been to the Playhouse on the Square (FM 12+) to see the Gospel at Colonus. This was an incredible experience in such an intimate theatre space. One of our favorites.
We spent the evening in Memphis and from the theater we had dinner at Lafayettes (7) which, despite being listed as one of Memphis's up and coming hottest restaurants was a complete disappointment. It was for one, too loud (between sets). The portions were sparse and when our pizza was delivered with the incorrect toppings, pepperoni instead of crawfish (because the waiter could not hear us) we were offered what we thought was two free beers due to the increased wait only to find out when the check came that we were in fact charged for them. Essentially, this place was a bust.
We headed back downtown to our hotel. We stayed at the Hampton Inn on Beale for $65. with their points/money option. This hotel was actually a nice surprise and not quite as noisy as they make themselves out to be. From here we found ourselves wondering Beale looking for some good music, beers, and eventually settling on playing pool, which was a blast.
We listened to some music at Silky O'Sullivans (FM 8.5 ). We had a nice time here, making us wish we had actually eaten here rather than Lafayettes. Music was better, prices were better, and we would've eaten oysters instead of pizza.
We played pool at the Peoples Billiard Club (FM 9.5) This place had reasonable rates for its location and a pitcher option on craft beer. They allowed us to stay later (to finish up our beer) than the posted closing time and did not charge us for the extra 30 minutes. The guy running the place was very pleasant. We had a blast.
We had a late night meal at the Blues City Cafe (7) which despite the last time we dined here seemed to have lost something. The beef stew was not that great.
In the morning, we headed out to cure what the wounds from the night before...
Tamp and Tap (7) This was an overpriced and watered down coffee experience (both brewed and pour over). This place has a lot of potential but the brewed Ethiopian was watered down so much the taste was like more of brewed tea. The pour over expresso had too many pours to fill that small cup, it too was watery. I had to pay for jelly with my english muffin and despite ordering it with butter never got it. The fresh bakery goods (muffins) are Otis Spunkmeyer, not locally baked as you would hope, and cost a pretty penny.
Flying Fish (10++) THIS IS THE PLACE TO CURE WHAT AILS YOU!!! We have never had a bad meal either here or the Little Rock location and its hands down one of our favorite places to go. Get the protein platter and you will be amazed at how wonderful you feel after a dozen oysters and some grilled fish and veggies.
Where else have we been since I got here?
We spent July 4th in Little Rock, hoping to go to the Farmers Market, as we checked and rechecked the city calendar, only to arrive and find that their PoP's festival was the only thing going on that day. This wasn't the liveliest of street fairs for a city, but we made the best of our drive.
We ate lunch at Damnegood Pies (8) which is a brewpub. It was a nice escape from the heat, and the beer was decent enough. We enjoyed the home-brew contest winner's brew. The place had a local flavor.
We hit up a grocery and brought home some Lost 40 Pale Ale and had a sour at the Flying Saucer 9+) before heading home. This is another one of our favorite places, mostly because despite having a bit of that tourist feel to it, they have really outdone themselves with their selection of draught and bottles. The place reminds me quite a bit of the Blind Tiger in NYC.
On our way home we hit up Nick's BBQ in Carlisle (9+) which surprised us. It is so well advertised on 40 that we thought for sure it would be pedestrian BBQ. We were hungry and decided to try it anyway. It is well worth the stop. One of the best BBQ meals we have had in a while.
We have both spent a great deal of time in the studio making work. We have also gotten the bike running and on the road. This has been an incredible joy!
Up next? We are headed to Maine next week to see Mikey before spending Sunday with Justin and Hallie to celebrate their engagement. I can't wait to take Joey to Reds Eats, show him Watershed, go t the beach at Pemaquid, spend a night with Mikey at his new place in Portland, see Joey for lunch in Worcester, have pizza at Froggy's, and finally see Chris, Anna, James, and the rest of the family and friends as they celebrate Justin and Hallie's with a BBQ. I guess that means there will be more tales from the road coming up!!!
Tales from around town soon too (we possibly found one of the greatest pottery collections...)
Showing posts with label #FlyingFish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #FlyingFish. Show all posts
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Hearts, flowers and a week feeling at home in AR
It has been 12 days since I last saw Joey, and while enjoying what we have living 1200 miles apart can be difficult at times, what I have in a friendship is truly unique and very much a blessing, something I will never take for granted. Lets just hope the next 12 days goes as quickly as the last.
On February 14, just after midnight, I landed in Memphis. I arrived to beautiful flowers, an incredible airport kiss and a beautiful handmade Valentine! *(see handmade below) Our plan was to head to Little Rock in the early afternoon, settle in, eat dinner, go to a show and then head out on the town. We did, and it was amazing!
Our way back from Little Rock was a race against the ice clock. We stopped for groceries, knowing we would be stuck for a few days with the impending storm. We headed home, and prepared a wonderful meal and hunkered down for a few days of captive studio time. It was the most wonderfully relaxing 10 day break from school that I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. I am not one to be a homebody, but this time, it was just what I needed. We did venture out from time to time, and even managed to take in a movie the night before I returned home.
So what did we do/see?:
In Little Rock we went to:
the Flying Saucer -FM rating 10
When we couldn't get into the Flying Fish for dinner we went on a hunt for another suitable eatery. This place boasted a HUGE craft list and basically was one of the most progressive I have seen in AR yet. CUDOS to them. Valentines special, a flight of sours, some hard to get stuff too. Food was tasty and well worth the stop.
The Studio Theater FM rating 8+
Maybe it was just the production we saw, Rehearsal for Murder, which was a bit dry and not as interactive as we expected? This is an incredibly progressive space however and the bar boasts $7. glasses of wine that are basically 10oz pours AND you can take them into the theater with you.
Willie D's Piano Bar FM rating 7
Entertainment was great, and there is a dance floor upstairs, but the drinks sucked - order Macros as they are not as big of a price gouge.
The Flying Fish FM hangover rating 12++
A boatload of really fresh fish (we had the grilled trout) and OYSTERS served up with freshly ground cocktail sauce. All that was missing was the Bloody Mary. Sunday brunch was not overly crowded.
Historic Arkansas Museum FM rating 12++ (even while hungover)
Incredible collection for such a small place and its free!
The movie we saw?
Fifty Shades of Grey FM rating- 0 it SUCKED!!!
boring, abusive, not worth the money or the time
*the handmade rules:
Birthday and Christmas gifts are to be handmade and/or up-cycled and if its up-cycled it has to cost less than $5.00.
Cards given on Valentines Day and other important dates determined by us- have to be handmade
Food, when prepared at home has to be as sexy as possible so that it evokes a sense of gratitude for the ability to share each others company and mindfulness of eating.
Why these rules? Everything about learning to love yourself as well as each other is a journey in mindfulness. Exchanging things that are handmade with each other creates the time for reflection on this mindfulness. Everything we do for each other, we also do for ourselves.
Our next Adventure? NCECA
On February 14, just after midnight, I landed in Memphis. I arrived to beautiful flowers, an incredible airport kiss and a beautiful handmade Valentine! *(see handmade below) Our plan was to head to Little Rock in the early afternoon, settle in, eat dinner, go to a show and then head out on the town. We did, and it was amazing!
Our way back from Little Rock was a race against the ice clock. We stopped for groceries, knowing we would be stuck for a few days with the impending storm. We headed home, and prepared a wonderful meal and hunkered down for a few days of captive studio time. It was the most wonderfully relaxing 10 day break from school that I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. I am not one to be a homebody, but this time, it was just what I needed. We did venture out from time to time, and even managed to take in a movie the night before I returned home.
So what did we do/see?:
In Little Rock we went to:
the Flying Saucer -FM rating 10
When we couldn't get into the Flying Fish for dinner we went on a hunt for another suitable eatery. This place boasted a HUGE craft list and basically was one of the most progressive I have seen in AR yet. CUDOS to them. Valentines special, a flight of sours, some hard to get stuff too. Food was tasty and well worth the stop.
The Studio Theater FM rating 8+
Maybe it was just the production we saw, Rehearsal for Murder, which was a bit dry and not as interactive as we expected? This is an incredibly progressive space however and the bar boasts $7. glasses of wine that are basically 10oz pours AND you can take them into the theater with you.
Willie D's Piano Bar FM rating 7
Entertainment was great, and there is a dance floor upstairs, but the drinks sucked - order Macros as they are not as big of a price gouge.
The Flying Fish FM hangover rating 12++
A boatload of really fresh fish (we had the grilled trout) and OYSTERS served up with freshly ground cocktail sauce. All that was missing was the Bloody Mary. Sunday brunch was not overly crowded.
Historic Arkansas Museum FM rating 12++ (even while hungover)
Incredible collection for such a small place and its free!
The movie we saw?
Fifty Shades of Grey FM rating- 0 it SUCKED!!!
boring, abusive, not worth the money or the time
*the handmade rules:
Birthday and Christmas gifts are to be handmade and/or up-cycled and if its up-cycled it has to cost less than $5.00.
Cards given on Valentines Day and other important dates determined by us- have to be handmade
Food, when prepared at home has to be as sexy as possible so that it evokes a sense of gratitude for the ability to share each others company and mindfulness of eating.
Why these rules? Everything about learning to love yourself as well as each other is a journey in mindfulness. Exchanging things that are handmade with each other creates the time for reflection on this mindfulness. Everything we do for each other, we also do for ourselves.
Our next Adventure? NCECA
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