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| WKU students relax before finals Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:33:58 -0500 Western Kentucky University’s South Lawn was alive Wednesday with students participating in an array of activities that included rock-wall climbing, navigating a giant floor maze and playing games like Connect Four. |
| I-65 issue gets push Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:33:59 -0500 An announcement is expected in about a month regarding the construction of a dividing wall on a section of Interstate 65 in Barren, Edmonson and Hart counties that has been the site of numerous serious accidents, according to Kentucky Speaker of the House Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green. |
| School library stock sought Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:33:59 -0500 Plano Elementary School is reaching out to the community to help fill the bookcases in its library. |
| ‘Silver tsunami’ senior planning getting attention Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:00 -0500 “Who is aging? Raise your hands,” Bonnie Kantor said Wednesday to a crowd of roughly 400 nursing home administrators and operators from all over Kentucky. |
| Postal options grow by two in BG Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:01 -0500 Would you like a book of stamps with your cigarettes? Or maybe you want to drop off a package after returning a used CD? |
| Photo: Workers, supporters bring attention to child abuse Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:02 -0500 Sunrise Children’s Services workers hold signs Wednesday outside the Warren County Justice Center to bring attention to child abuse and the need for more foster parents. |
| McDonald’s to give away trees Friday Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:02 -0500 In celebration of Arbor Day, free pine seedlings will be given away Friday at area McDonald’s restaurants. |
| Corn toss tournament is at 10 a.m. Saturday Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:03 -0500 A corn toss tournament will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation gymnasium at 225 Third Ave. |
| Photo: A needless mess Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:04 -0500 Stan Reagan, Warren County Environmental Planning and Assistance coordinator, walks through a newly found tire dump Wednesday on O.N. Alford Road near Richardsville. |
| POLICE NEWS: Police handle theft calls Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:34:05 -0500 Burglary — A laptop computer valued at $800 was stolen between 11:30 p.m. April 17 and 9:45 a.m. Friday in the 1200 block of Magnolia Street, according to a Bowling Green Police Department report. |
| Alive with Rhythm Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:25 -0500 Aretha Franklin, relationships, snakes and the tango will take center stage at Western Kentucky University’s Department of Theatre and Dance’s “Evening of Dance.” The performance will be at 8 p.m. tonight through Tuesday, except Sunday, when it’s at 3 p.m., in the Russell Miller Theatre. Admission is $10. Amanda Clark, assistant professor of dance at Western and “Evening of Dance” co-director, said that the annual spring dance concert features faculty and guest choreography and members of Western’s dance company. “We have 10 separate pieces of choreography ranging from ballet, jazz and modern. There’s a good diversity in the styles of dance, types of music and concepts,” she said. “It’s an eclectic performance with little bit of everything. From Aretha Franklin to classical and tango, there’s something for everyone.” Choreographers include Clark, Western assistant professor of dance Clifton Keefer Brown, and Mitzi Adams and Elaine Husted, two guest professors in the dance department. “I have four pieces. ‘Untied to You’ is a modern jazz piece that deals with relationships - the feeling of being tied to someone and wanting to break down that connection. In ‘Plugged In,’ dancers are plugged in to song and their bodies are losing control of the music,” she said. “ ‘Empty Arms’ is a lyrical jazz piece about longing for someone who’s no longer there. ‘Again and Again ... Until’ is a jazz piece about three couples dealing with relationships - do you end it or do you work through the hard times and stay committed to the relationship?” The students and choreographers have been working hard to get the production together, Clark said. “We’ve been working on it since January,” she said. “We rehearse at least four days a week, sometimes more.” Western sophomore Mara Farris is in her second year in “Evening of Dance.” “Dance is my passion. I love doing it. It’s what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “Being in the dance company is an honor. I don’t feel whole unless I’m part of the dance company or dance in general.” Farris dances in five different pieces - “Untied to You,” “Again and Again ...Until,” “Three Doors,” a modern piece by Adams about mind, body, spirit and connection of the group, “Serpente,” a piece by Brown in which the dancers are snakes, and Brown’s “Baltango.” “(Brown) went to Argentina to learn Argentine tango and put it en pointe” a ballet term for dancing on the tips of the toes, Farris said. Western senior Sally Fakes, who has been a part of “Evening of Dance” for four years, is in five pieces - “Serpente,” “Plugged In,” “Baltango,” Husted’s “Is,” an abstract piece in which the interpretation is up to the audience, and Brown’s “Soul Suite,” a jazz piece set to three songs by the legendary Aretha Franklin. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said of “Soul Suite.” “It’s like hanging in a dance club.” Fakes said performing in “Evening of Dance” helps her improve as a dancer. “I get more comfortable on the stage,” she said. Her favorite part of performing is the audience, Fakes said. “It may be the same thing for me every night, but it’s a different audience,” she said. “Every audience reacts differently to a dance.” Clark believes audiences will enjoy the student dancers and said the performances are family-friendly. “We’re bringing a greater awareness of dance as a profession. It’s very exciting - the lights and the energy dancers bring to stage,” she said. “We get a lot of positive comments after performances each year. The students bring talent and artistry to the stage.” — For more information or reservations, call Western’s Department of Theatre and Dance automated box office reservation line at 745-3121. |
| Jacksonian Days festival returns Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:26 -0500 The streets of downtown Scottsville will be filled with people celebrating Jacksonian Days 2008 Spring Festival. The activities will continue through Sunday. For more information, call the Scottsville-Allen County Chamber of Commerce at (270) 237-4782, e-mail chamber@scottsvilleky.info or visit www.scottsvilleky.info. The following is a schedule of events, which will take place on Scottsville’s public square unless otherwise indicated: Today |
| FSP offers dramatic comedy in ‘Universe’ Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:26 -0500 A Southern matriarch who enjoys scaring off prospective brides for her beloved son, “the apple of her eye,” meets her match in Fountain Square Players’ production of Joan Vail Thorne’s dramatic comedy “The Exact Center of the Universe.” The show runs at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Public Theatre of Kentucky’s Phoenix Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $8 for children. In “The Exact of the Universe,” Vada Love Powell has managed to chase away any woman her only child, Appleton, is interested in and keep him to herself. Now he has met - and secretly married - a woman who has proven to be more of a challenge. After she finds out, she has to face her two best friends, also known as the “Tree House Gang,” who meet at a tree house to play cards. “I chose the play because I love plays with quirky Southern characters. When I read it, I never felt the playwright was making fun of Southern people. She loves these characters,” director Lynn Gilcrease said. “They were real characters and probably based on people she knew. I felt she wrote them real and honestly. The play is both funny and bittersweet, and I feel like that’s how real life often is.” Elizabeth Honeycutt, who plays Vada, described her character as a Southern lady who is very protective of her son and a “dragon-lady” mother-in-law. “She doesn’t want him to marry just anybody,” she said. “She wants to manage everybody, but she has feelings, too.” The show inspires laughter and tears, Honeycutt said. “It really runs a gamut of emotions. (Vada is) hard,” she said. “She breaks down. She misses her husband and has several conversations with him.” Neva B. Gielow plays Marybell Baxter, an implant to the small town in which the action takes place. “She has lived there for 40 years, but she’s been there for so long that she’s one of the group,” she said. “They know everything that’s going on in town.” Well, maybe not everything - Marybell has a secret that she never told her friends, Gielow said. “She’s Italian. At that time in certain areas, people who weren’t Anglo-Saxon weren’t very well accepted,” she said. “She’s been living a lie and never told anybody she was Italian.” Gielow said she has enjoyed playing the character. “She takes the brunt of the other two. She just resents them and goes on,” she said. “The next minute she’s all peaches and cream. She doesn’t hold a grudge.” Gilcrease said she recognized the traits of the characters in her own family. “I’m hoping the audience will do the same - recognize characters as people that they know,” she said. “I’ve been blessed with a wonderful cast of people. We’ve all had so much fun rehearsing the play that I hope people have as much fun watching it.” — For more information, call the Capitol Arts Center at 782-2787. |
| ‘Sarah Marshall’ the perfect mix of sweet, raunchy Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:27 -0500 The Judd Apatow machine continues to roll with his latest romantic comedy, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Apatow, the man behind “Knocked Up,” “Superbad” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” serves only as a producer for “Marshall,” but he has put his stamp on a film that has a lot of striking similarities to those other films - including the ability to make an audience laugh at will. Jason Segal stars as Peter, a musician responsible for the music of a popular TV series that happens to star his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). The romance comes to an abrupt end, much to Peter’s surprise, leaving him devastated and unsure how to recover. He decides to take a Hawaiian vacation to deal with the break-up, but soon discovers that Sarah is staying at the same resort with her new boyfriend, a British pop singer named Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Segal also wrote the screenplay, which is full of smart, funny dialogue. And the cast is more than capable of getting the most out of the script. Segal plays the lovable loser to perfection, while Bell is good as the ex and Mila Kunis is outstanding as an employee at the resort who becomes romantically involved with Peter. There is some nice bit work too from Bill Hader, and Apatow regulars Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd. But the real discovery in “Marshall” is Brand, who steals every scene he is in as the flaky and eccentric Snow. I’ll admit the film is probably a little too long, with several random scenes that don’t really seem to bring much to the plot. But the fact is most of those scenes are 100 times funnier than most of the comedies released in 2008, so it is easy to overlook the film’s flaws. Like “Knocked Up” and “Superbad,” “Sarah Marshall” is a film that manages to balance raunch and sweetness just enough to make it a worthy date movie and a perfect candidate for “guys who like movies,” as well. DVD dandy of the week This week’s dandy is “The Savages” (B), a brutally honest look at a dysfunctional family that features outstanding performances from Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Linney and Hoffman play Wendy and Jon Savage, estranged siblings who have spent most of their lives trying to recover from childhood abuse from their father, Lenny (Philip Bosco). When Lenny becomes ill and his girlfriend dies, Wendy and Jon are forced to care for their ailing father and come to terms with their own personal demons that Lenny helped create. Linney and Hoffman are two of my favorite actors working today and neither disappoints. Linney’s painful performance earned an Oscar nomination (she was much more deserving than winner Marion Cotillard), while Hoffman’s performance put a cap on an amazing year that featured three great performances. “The Savages” was written by Tamara Jenkins, who already has one dysfunctional family comedy under her belt with the underrated “Slums of Beverly Hills.” This film has a much darker tone but is just as effective, with the added bonus of watching two very talented actors at the top of their game. “The Savages” is rated R for some sexuality and language and is now available on DVD. — Sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton - who, it should be noted, is himself pretty good at playing the “lovable loser” - can be reached for comment by e-mailing mcompton@bgdailynews.com. |
| Glasgow Plaza Theatre presenting a night filled with Motown’s big hits Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:27 -0500 O&P Productions will present “A Walk Down Motown Lane” at 6 p.m. Saturday at Glasgow Plaza Theatre. The evening will feature singers representing and doing the songs of Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Commodores, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson. — For more information, call Orlando Hayden at (270) 646-0174 or Paul Sears at (270) 528-1555. For ticket prices, call the plaza at (270) 361-2101. |
| WKU Steelband performs Tuesday Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:27 -0500 Western Kentucky University’s Steelband will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Tickets are $4. The band, which performs the sounds of the Caribbean, calypso, soca and reggae, is performing its first concert since the debut of its first CD recording. — For more information, call Western’s department of music at 745-3751. |
| Around town Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:28 -0500 Events, exhibits, plays, concerts ... Art Memphis Marsha’s Art Gallery & Classes will host its fifth annual Teacher-Student Art Exhibition from Sunday through May 23 at the gallery at 524 E. 12th Ave. Exhibiting teachers include Heather Boehler, Terry Caturano, Mary Crutcher, Tom Poole, Delaire Rowe and Andee Rudloff. Exhibiting students include Reily Booker, Saint George Carmichael, Meredith Crane, Ann Lundy Games, Sadie Linden, Ann Lovelady, Madison McGrew, Ashley Scott, Clay Terry and Ty Terry. The opening reception will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The winners of the “Women in the Arts” exhibition, at The Medical Center each year, will be exhibited in the Houchens Gallery of the Capitol Arts Center through Monday. Janet Lee’s watercolors and paper dolls will remain in the Capitol Arts Mezzanine Gallery through Monday. The paintings of Rhonda Hartis Smith will be on display at the Health and Wellness Center of Greenwood Mall through June. Alison Houk’s photography will be shown in The Medical Center’s Cancer Center through May 15. The Capitol Arts Alliance Galleries and ArtWorks, a Visual Arts Coalition will present the second annual art fair, “Saturday in the Park …with Art” from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 31 in Fountain Square Park. Artists who want more information should call Lynn Robertson at 782-2787 or look under “projects” at artworksinc.org. Register by May 10. VSA Arts of Kentucky presents “The Artist Within: Disabling the Myth” on exhibit through Wednesday at First Baptist Church. The exhibit showcases paintings created by adult artists with disabilities who participated in an optional basic art vocational program started eight years ago by Hugh E. Sandefur Industries Inc. for its employees in Henderson. This free exhibit is open to the public. Church hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The Capitol Arts Galleries extends a call to artists to apply for exhibits during the 2008-09 gallery season. Group exhibits and all media will be considered. For an entry application, contact Lynn Robertson at 782-2787. Campus “Beyond Our Borders,” an exhibit of international photographs by Western Kentucky University photojournalism students, is on display at Mass Media and Technology Hall. The exhibit consists of photographs taken by students in France, Spain, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and others and will be on display in the gallery through August. The Kentucky Library & Museum will host two senior exhibitions this year. The Graduating Senior Art Exhibition will feature works from graduating visual art students Western Kentucky University. The exhibit will run through May 10. Featuring works from more than 30 graduating art students, a variety of items will be on display including paintings, watercolors, works on paper, fiber arts, ceramics and sculptures. The second senior exhibit will feature work from interior design students’ senior thesis projects. Students were asked to submit designs for a new Academic Complex building. The exhibitions were made possible with support from the WKU art department, WKU interior design department, WKU Libraries and Potter College of Arts & Letters. Exhibits at the Kentucky Building on Western Kentucky University’s campus include: “U.S. Bank Celebration of the Arts,” which opens Sunday; “VSA Arts: Side by Side,” “Recommended by Duncan Hines,” “Western 100,” “Growing Up Victorian,” “Roads, Rails and Rivers,” “Hascal Haile: Guitar-maker to the Stars” and “Taking the Mystery out of Prehistory.” For more information, contact the Kentucky Building at 745-2592. Music Western Kentucky University’s One Campus Challenge Concert will be Tuesday at the Capitol Arts Center. WKU earned a special performance from Army of Me, Georgie James, Martin Royle and Pash. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. “Choral Spectacular” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. today by the Bowling Green-Western Symphony Orchestra at First Baptist Church. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students. Appreciation Fest 2008 will be from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 4 at WhaBah Steakhouse Saloon. Numerous bands, including John Cowan, Skip Bond and the Fugitives, Cootie Brown and others will be playing at the event to benefit The Son Rhea Foundation, which provides musical instruments for school children. Tickets are on sale at WhaBah, Tony Lindsey and Company and Airport Liquors. For more information, go to www. appreciationfest.com. Theater Fountain Square Players will conduct auditions for “Crazy for You,” directed by Kathy Wise-Leonard, on May 12 and 13. This is FSP’s fifth and final show of the 2007-08 season. Auditions will be at the Capitol Arts Center, beginning at 7 p.m. The show calls for a large cast. Bring a song and be prepared to sing. An accompanist will be provided. Performances will be at the Capitol on July 17-20. Help will also be needed with set construction, costumes, props and stage crew. Odds & Ends Dancing with BG’s Own, a benefit for Make-A-Wish Foundation, will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Western Kentucky University’s DUC Theatre. Tickets are $12 for general admission; ages 10 and under are free. For more information, call 843-3333. The National Corvette Museum is planning its annual C5/C6 Bash today through Saturday with seminars, clinics, parties and other activities. For more information, go to www.corvettemuseum.com. Bowling Green Christian Academy’s third annual yard sale will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the school parking lot. Hundreds of items will be for sale, including furniture, baby items, dishes, kids and adult clothes of all sizes, housewares, etc. The school is at 1730 Destiny Lane off Campbell Lane. For more information, contact Renee Johnston at 782-9552 or development@bgcaky.com. Historic Riverview at Hobson Grove is hosting a Victorian May Day Luncheon at noon May 1. Regina Newell will discuss this ancient rite of spring. For more information, call Riverview at 843-5565. Reservations are required. Walgreens’ annual Relay For Life Yard Sale will be at 6 a.m. Saturday at 2707 Smallhouse Road. Items for sale include a basketball goal, baby clothes, books, toys, clothes, movies, electronics, art, dishes, lines and more. There also will be a bake sale and drinks for purchase. Woodburn is organizing its 10th annual Strawberry Festival for May 2-3. The community is encouraged to participate with citywide yard sales. There will be barbecue, strawberries and more at the antiques and collectibles sale at the city park. For more information or to reserve a space, call 529-2424 or 529-5101. The Shaker Museum at South Union’s annual seminar Friday and Saturday will be “Are These Not Perilous Times?” The seminar, which highlights the Civil War’s impact on the Shakers, will feature readings from a manuscript diary of Eldress Nancy Moore as well as other journal references to the period between 1861 and 1865. A manuscript copy of a letter written from the South Union Shakers to President Abraham Lincoln will also be on display during the weekend. Other highlights include presentations by noted speakers, a new exhibit on the Civil War and a period Shaker meal. Reservations are $70 for museum members and $80 for non-members. The seminar will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (800) 811-8379, or go to www. shakermuseum.com. The SKY Farmers Market will be open from 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays in front of the Riverside Building at The Medical Center on U.S. 31-W By-Pass. Kentucky-grown agricultural, horticultural and artisan made products will be available for purchase. All produce and plants available at the market are 100 percent locally grown, 100 percent of the time. Dinosaur World in Kentucky is teaming up with area attractions to offer Cave Area Student Tours. For more information, call (270) 773-4345. The tours are offered at $5 a person with reservations at the group rate. Mammoth Cave National Park will celebrate Junior Ranger Day on Saturday. For more information, call the park at (270) 758-2180. The American Red Cross has blood drives from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each Friday at its office, 430 Center St. Additional drives will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at S&R Tire, 1101 Lovers Lane; from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Franklin-Simpson Middle School, 322 South College St.; from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bowling Green Christian Church, 1912 Smallhouse Road; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1, Graves Gilbert Medical Clinic, 201 Park St.; from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 2, Culvers, 4903 Scottsville Road; from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 5, E.A. Diddle Arena, 1 Big Red Way; from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 6, Bristow Elementary School, 6151 Louisville Road; from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 6, Cumberland Trace Elementary School, 830 Cumberland Trace Road; from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 8 Briarwood Elementary School, 265 Lover’s Lane; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9, Warren County Criminal Justice Center, 1001 Center St. — To add your event, go to www.bgdailynews.com/calendar |
| Red Lobster all about the extras Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:28 -0500 I was fortunate recently to enjoy a celebratory Sunday night at Red Lobster. Many local fine dining establishments are closed on Sundays, and since this was the only day we could all meet for a birthday, I was grateful Red Lobster was so accommodating. Accommodating, too, was the atmosphere. It was a festive evening, yet we had the good fortune of getting into one of those huge booths in the back, which felt as if we were a party unto ourselves. This was a treat since I haven’t seen those booths making their way into restaurants lately. Red Lobster, of course, is a seafood haven, yet it also offers a variety of steaks, pastas and some appetizers that are either cleverly disguised or lack the taste of seafood. We ordered a combination platter of southwestern lobster egg rolls and lobster, crab and seafood stuffed mushrooms. Even though they were smothered in cheese, the mushrooms definitely had the texture and flavor combinations that seafood lovers would be drawn to. The southwestern lobster stuffed egg rolls, however, were just the opposite with black beans, corn, tomatoes and a hint of seafood taste all wrapped in an egg roll shell and fried lightly crispy. Our server was fun and jovial and the rest of the wait staff worked well together - tag-teaming our order and other needs as the night went on. This made for a very pleasant dining experience, especially since I was with a lively group that didn’t need a lot of attention, just service. We each had our own special drinks for the evening and were impressed with what Red Lobster had to offer and what we were served. From an apple-tini for the birthday girl to imported beer on tap to a stellar Long Island ice tea and a bottle of Pino Grigio, we were treated as if we were dining royalty. I guess it’s about high time (or should I say high “tide”) to get to the food, which was good, but not as impressive as some of our locally owned fine dining establishments. This would be fine, if the prices were also lower, but they were not. I had a fine New York steak and was fortunate enough to be able to substitute the lobster tail for tilapia in a bag, which was a Bowling Green special. It was served with my choice of side item and a vegetable. My particular meal was acceptable. The steak cut was tender and grilled well, the fish seasoned well for the moist benefits when cooked in a bag. The vegetables were a little over-cooked for my taste. Also ordered at the table were combinations that included plates of chicken, salmon and seafood. The literally dozens of choice combinations are a big part of the dining options at Red Lobster and those who ordered them felt the meal was enhanced by a spicy dipping sauce they ordered separately on the side. Others at the table did not enjoy their meals as much. The fried shrimp, calamari and scallops were average in size, preparation and flavor - nothing to write home about. The “jumbo” shrimp scampi platter looked similar to the regular shrimp combination, so I didn’t see the advantage in going big. The comment was, “without all extras like the salad, sides and the Cheddar Bay biscuits, I might have been disappointed.” Maybe that’s the point - it’s all the extras that Red Lobster has to offer that make the difference. The staff warned us about their singing abilities, but we all engaged in a lively round of “Happy Birthday,” accompanied by at least one professional level singer at the table - so all ended well. And if that wasn’t enough, any off-key voices were long forgotten once we were served the New York cheesecake covered with strawberries that was a perfectly thick, rich, yet not-too-sweet dessert we all could share. So if you’re looking for a day or evening, especially on Sunday, of fun and fish, I would recommend Red Lobster for the extras and the variety of options that make dining an individual treat. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdaily news.com. RED LOBSTER 2525 Scottsville Road |
| Herb Festival returns today Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:29 -0500 Wild Bird and Nature Store owner Jeftie Sawyer is expecting this year’s Herb Festival to be bigger and better than ever. “It started out small, but now it’s huge. People start calling about it in November,” she said. “We have 3,000 to 4,000 people. We have quite a few that come to see their families.” The Wild Bird and Nature Store’s ninth annual Herb Fest will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through May 4 outside the store at 901 Lehman Ave. The festival will feature perennials that attract hummingbirds and butterflies to gardens, various types of herbs - including some that can be hard to find - roses, feeders and bird baths. The plants are provided by Thienemans Herbs and Perennials in Louisville. A Voice for Animals, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the quality of life for companion animals, will have animals available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the festival. Sawyer said the festival is modeled after one she attended years ago. “My sister and I used to go to a big one in Newburg, Indiana,” she said. “When she opened the store, we decided to do one here.” The festival takes time to plan, Sawyer said. “We’ll start working on (next year’s festival) the week after this one,” she said. The festival draws locals as well as people from a variety of states, including Tennessee, Illinois, Ohio and Arkansas. “We have all ages and men and women,” she said. “It gives us an opportunity to meet people who are not just from Bowling Green.” — For more information, call the store at 746-0203. |
| Kentucky playwrights present staged readings this weekend Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:29 -0500 Kentucky Repertory Theatre at Horse Cave will offer a look into the creative process of bringing a play to the stage with Kentucky Voices this weekend at the theater. The free event - which will be at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday - features staged readings of new plays written by Kentucky playwrights in Kentucky Repertory Theatre’s playwriting class. The works are read by local and regional actors. — For more information, call the theater box office at (270) 786-2177 or toll free at (800) 342-2177. |
| ‘Crazy for You’ auditions May 12-13 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:30 -0500 Fountain Square Players will host auditions for “Crazy for You,” based on a book by Ken Ludwig with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin, at 7 p.m. May 12-13 at the Capitol Arts Center. Participants should bring a song and be prepared to sing. An accompanist will be provided. People who aren’t interested in auditioning can sign up to help with set construction, costumers, props and stage crew. The musical “Crazy for You” is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy, whose dream in life is to dance. Memorable Gershwin tunes include “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” “Bidin’ My Time,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Naughty Baby,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “But Not for Me,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” “Embraceable You” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” The show, which will be directed by Kathy Wise-Leonard, will be performed July 17-20 at the Capitol. |
| Lula L. Belcher Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:18 -0500 MORGANTOWN — Lula Logsdon Belcher, 80, of Morgantown died April 22, 2008, in Bowling Green. The Grayson native was a retired seamstress at Kellwood Manufacturing and a member of Belmont General Baptist Church. She was a daughter of the late Oscar Logsdon and Leora Jones Logsdon and the wife of the late Talmadge Weyman Belcher. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Clyde and Euell Logsdon; and a sister, Viola Cook. Funeral is at 2 p.m. Friday at Smith Funeral Home, with burial in Isaiah Evans Cemetery. Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and begins at 8 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Survivors include two sons, Lloyd Douglas Belcher and his wife, Judy, of Bowling Green, and Darrell Wayne Belcher and his wife, Helen, of Morgantown; four grandchildren, Randall Clay Belcher and his wife, Adrianne, of Glasgow, and Ellen Renee Justice and her husband, Luke, Kimberly Diane Akers and Rebecca Dawn Belcher, all of Morgantown; 10 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Marie Snodgrass of Bloomington, Ill., Alice Dunn of Leitchfield and Hazel Wright of Mountain View, Mo. |
| Richard Boyd Sr. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:19 -0500 MUNFORDVILLE — Richard Boyd Sr., 85, of Munfordville died at 8:22 a.m. April 23, 2008, at his home. He was a retired farmer and bus driver with the Hart County School System and a Baptist. He was a son of the late Garnett Lewis Boyd and Louisa Houk Boyd. He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Boyd Jr. Funeral is at 2 p.m. Friday at Sego Funeral Home, with burial in Munfordville Municipal Cemetery. Visitation is from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and begins at 8 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Survivors include his wife, Christola Boyd; a daughter, Linda Ard of Hodgenville; a son, Ervin Boyd of Munfordville; two sisters, Marie Ross of Horse Cave and Louise Sidebottom of Louisville; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. |
| Eddie W. Byrns Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:19 -0500 Eddie Wayne “Tom Cat” Byrns, 54, of Bowling Green died April 22, 2008, in LaGrange. The Warren County native was a Baptist and a truck driver for Scott Waste. He was a son of the late Ernest and Anna Lee Willoughby Byrns. He was preceded in death by two sons, Patrick Constant and Roger Eugene Byrns; and a brother, Charles Byrns. Funeral is at 11 a.m. Friday at Heritage Funeral Services, with burial in Still Cemetery. Visitation is from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Survivors include a special friend, Janice Andrews of Bowling Green; three sons, Eddie Wayne Byrns Jr. of Biloxie, Miss., Jason Byrns of Washington, D.C., and Scotty Key of Tampa, Fla.; four brothers, Roger, Mark and Esker Eugene Byrns and Homer Decker and his wife, Mary, all of Bowling Green; four sisters, Juanita Eckols and her husband, Bob, of Indianapolis, Loretta Beach of Louisville, and Martha Cole and her husband, James, and LaDonna Wingfield, all of Bowling Green; a sister-in-law, Betty Byrns of Indianapolis; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. |
| Dr. Joseph Mayfield Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:19 -0500 Dr. Joseph MacDonald “Don” Mayfield of Richmond, Va., died April 13, 2008, in Mooresville, N.C. Graveside service is at 3 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Cemetery in Bowling Green, with the Rev. Paul A. Fryman officiating. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to State Street United Methodist Church, Bowling Green, KY 42101. |
| The Rev. James O. McKinney Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:20 -0500 The Rev. James O. McKinney, 91, of Auburn died at 10:30 a.m. April 22, 2008, at his residence. Funeral arrangements, which are incomplete, are under the direction of Gatewood and Sons Funeral Chapel. |
| Bertha J. Sanders Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:20 -0500 BROWNSVILLE — Bertha J. Sanders, 87, of Brownsville died at 7:30 p.m. April 22, 2008, at a Brownsville nursing home. The Edmonson County native was a homemaker. She was a daughter of the late John A. Hester and Bessie Pierce Hester and the wife of the late Charles Owen Sanders. Funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday at Fairview United Baptist Church, where she was a member, with burial in Union Light Cemetery. Visitation begins at 4 p.m. today at Gravil Funeral Home. Survivors include four sons, Eddie Sanders and his wife, Norma, Billy Sanders and his wife, Brenda Sue, and Kenneth Sanders and his wife, Nancy, all of Brownsville, and Jimmy Sanders and his wife, Sherry, of Bee Spring; eight grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-stepgrandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. |
| Robert E. Scarbrough Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:21 -0500 Robert Earl Scarbrough, 82, of Bowling Green died at 4 a.m. April 24, 2008, at a local nursing home. Funeral arrangements, which are incomplete, are under the direction of Hardy & Son Funeral Home, Bowling Green chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.hardyandsonfuneral homes.com. |
| Helen W. Turner Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:21 -0500 GLASGOW — Helen White Turner, 89, died April 22, 2008, at The Medical Center. The Monroe County native was born Sept. 19, 1918. She was a daughter of the late Vesper White and Willie Dee White. Funeral is at 2 p.m. Saturday at T.W. Crow & Son Funeral Home, with burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery. Visitation begins at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Center for Courageous Kids. Survivors include her husband, Jack R. Turner; two sons, Tim W. Turner and his wife, Patricia, of Scottsville, and Joe M. Turner and his wife, Judy, of Tryon, N.C.; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. |
| Penny L. Wix Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:22 -0500 GLASGOW — Penny Louise Jackson Wix, 35, of Scottsville died April 23, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Penny will be greatly missed by all she touched. She was a daughter of Jerry Jackson and Ann Smith Jackson of Glasgow, who survive. She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Orville and Clara Mae Smith; and paternal grandparents, Jimmy and Gracie Jackson. Funeral is at 4 p.m. Saturday at A.F. Crow & Son Funeral Home, with burial in Glasgow Municipal Cemetery. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. today at the funeral home. Other survivors include a daughter, Taylor Ann Jackson of Scottsville; two sons who were always near to her heart, Richard and Chris; two loving sisters, Tommie Britt and her husband, Kevin, of Scottsville, and Jerri Lynn Johnson and her husband, Eric, of Bowling Green; a brother, Jerry Jackson and his wife, Shanna, of Glasgow; four nephews and three nieces, Jon-Michael Clement, Dakota Britt, Dalton Roe, Ethan Kinkade, Katie Jackson, Morgan Johnson and Destinie Roe; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. |
| Lucille D. Yates Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:14:22 -0500 SCOTTSVILLE — Lucille Douglas Yates, 89, of Scottsville died at 4:36 a.m. April 23, 2008, at the Medical Center. The Allen County native was a former employee of Washington Overall Manufacturing and General Electric and was a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church and Scottsville Chapter No. 60 Order of Eastern Star. She was a daughter of the late Edward Harrison Douglas and Flora Frances Mabry Douglas and the wife of the late Roy Stanford Yates. Funeral is at 2 p.m. Friday at Goad Funeral Home, with burial in Allen County Memorial Gardens. Visitation is in progress today at the funeral home. Scottsville Chapter No. 60 Order of Eastern Star will hold rites at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Survivors include two sons, Joe Edward Yates and his wife, Connie, of Springfield, Tenn., and Jerry Lewis Yates and his wife, Doris, of Westmoreland, Tenn.; two daughters, Jeanie Sledge of San Antonio, Texas, and Jan Berry and her husband, John, of Scottsville; two sisters, Louise Beam of Bowling Green and Lillian Irvin of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren, Freda Meador, Kyneta Humphrey and Kaneal Hickey, all of Scottsville, Ginger Boggs of Wimberly, Texas, Kim Sledge-Samudio of San Antonio and Sandy Goad of Lafayette, Tenn.; eight great-grandchildren, Rachel Neneman of England, Leai Boggs of Wimberly, Wendy Charlton, Savannah Hickey and Melanah Hickey, all of Scottsville, Zach and Mattie Goad of Lafayette and Whitney Scott of Franklin; two great-grandsons, Jason Charlton and Jordan Charlton, both of Scottsville; three stepgrandchildren, Tim Berry and Pam Taylor, both of Scottsville, and Mark Berry of Ohio; and five great-stepgrandchildren. |
| Water projects will benefit our community Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:21:46 -0500 It was good news for our area that the General Assembly approved state funding for two major county water projects and allowed for an alternative water supply study for Bowling Green Municipal Utilities. The Warren County Water District will receive $1.45 million to install a 2 million gallon, elevated water tank and water line on Three Springs Road. This is good news for this area and its residents considering the rate at which this area is growing. Over the past few years, the district has added 600 to 800 new customers a year. Currently, the district has 23,600 customers, 1,600 of which are commercial and industrial users. The tank will help improve water pressure for residents south of Natcher Parkway in Hidden River Estates and other neighboring subdivisions, as well as allow treated water to keep flowing to customers in cases of power outages or other situations. The tank will take care of this area for the next 40 to 50 years. The district has also received $500,000 to increase transmission capacity in the Nashville Road area. Area legislators and others deserve praise for getting funds allocated for this important project. The funding is still not immune to a veto by Gov. Steve Beshear, but we hope that he realizes the importance of this project to our community and doesn’t veto it. Without the funding from the state, the water district would have had to raise customers’ rates. We are hopeful that won’t be the case. Bowling Green Municipal Utilities was also received funding from the state. BGMU will receive two allotments of funding for a water study, one for $150,000 and another for $200,000. The study will look at the feasibility of saving some water behind the Barren River Lake dam for BGMU. In times of need, BGMU would be able to call upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release some of its allotted water. This would definitely come in handy if we were to experience a drought like much of the Southeast endured last summer. |
| Country Mill’s buffet offering wide variety Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:33:36 -0500 I was invited by a couple of colleagues to dine at The Country Mill Restaurant this week. I didn’t know what to expect, but heard it had changed for the good since I’d last visited years ago. Upon entering, we discovered right away that there isn’t a menu, it is strictly buffet; however, that didn’t stop us from getting made-to-order food and a variety that rivals any menu in town. The conversation quickly turned to quality, standards, expectations and how all of us might effect change. We weren’t talking about the restaurant, but in the work place and academic worlds. As I listened and ate, I realized my experience at Country Mill was mirroring that very conversation. To begin with, Country Mill has a long-standing foundation of buffet-style country food. This included, but was not limited to, the collard greens with a hint of spice, the highlighted flavor of the pinto beans and the pulled pork that was lean, tender and seasoned to Southern perfection. Even with the catfish, which a fisherman at the table commented was the best he’s had in all surrounding counties, Country Mill was consistent while offering a large variety, all made from scratch - maybe not at any one’s “home,” but certainly homemade. Even the d/cor offered a big country welcome with a faux barn roof in the back, Southern paintings, era inspired music, and a sign that read: “Come on in and sit a spell.” Also, Country Mill now offers a saut/ bar, salad bar and an oasis of desserts. The saut/ bar offers made-to-order entrees that include appetizers, five made-to-order burgers, pasta dishes, wraps and even a chicken cordon bleu sandwich, which I gleefully ordered. While my sandwich was cooking, I headed off to the salad bar and created a monster of a salad with mixed greens, first of the season beefsteak tomatoes, green peppers, olives and a Caesar dressing. I returned to the table to find my sweet tea waiting for me, and this is where I experienced some disappointment. The sweet tea was barely sweet, which surprised me at a “country” restaurant. I certainly had the opportunity to add sugar, but it’s just not the same. Then, while the waitress was friendly and informative when I met her at the dessert counter later, she wasn’t very personable at the table. Again, nothing major, just some things my dining companions and I noticed when we visited. One area for improvement would be the consistency of the saut/ bar. We each noticed the dishes we ordered, the cordon bleu, a spicy ranch chicken wrap and a fettuccini alfredo with shrimp and broccoli, were all acceptable and appreciated, but also lacked the punch of flavor these dishes usually have. As the conversation meandered through academics, it was inevitable, with the huge selection of desserts, the subject of “pie-ology” brought us to the end of the week. I had a coconut cream pie that was clearly homemade - and the best I’ve ever had. Fresh, thick whipped cream; flavorful filling; flaky crust and baked crispy coconut on top. There was something like a derby pie that others at the table had, and reported the chocolate chips, nuts and abundant filling were delectable - as was much of the meal. It was a wonderful dining experience and an incredible value. And again, since we’re talking academics, I’ll use a spelling metaphor. To remember the difference in spelling desert (dry land) and dessert, I learned with dessert you always want a second helping, so it has a second “s.” If that’s the case, at County Mill everything should be spelled like this: dessssssssssssert! — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, contact managing editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. COUNTRY MILL RESTAURANT 600 U.S. 31-W By-Pass |
| Dining at Ichiban consistently good Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:54:22 -0500 t was a sunny Sunday afternoon and my dining companion and I were in the mood for Japanese food. Ichiban came to mind, because, as far as my memory serves me, it’s the only Japanese food in town with patio dining. We arrived to find we weren’t the only ones with this idea and a group of very verbal Sunday travelers on the patio prompted us to eat indoors. Ichiban has been in Bowling Green for close to two years now and the cuisine, variety, service, value and just down-right fun remain consistent after all this time. The long strip of dining area inside the patio window means you can still enjoy the great outdoors if the blinds are open, yet also means the acoustics get chaotic and noisy with even just a dozen or so tables occupied. Not to worry though, if you can handle a little noise, the food is definitely worth it. My dining companion and I ordered the gamut after our complimentary clear broth soup with mushrooms and onions arrived. This included an egg roll for each of us, a crunchy shrimp roll for me and a veggie roll with a soy paper wrap for him, and a salad, tempura combo, chicken bowl and chicken lo mein to share. I didn’t see much of the chicken bowl (one of his favorite values at only $3.80), which is chicken on top of fried rice and carrots in a bowl served with a creamy light ginger sauce. All entrees are served with this signature sauce, as well as fried rice and carrots that are steamed just to the point of flavor enhancement. Later in the meal we discovered, by observing a nearby table, that you can order these delicious carrots by the bowl as well. The eggrolls, filled with a veggie and meat combination, were appetizing and generous in time. The chicken lo mein was enhanced by the perfectly grilled chicken and noodles tossed with vegetables and a light oil for flavor. The tempura combo was my least favorite, partially because it was served with onions as the only vegetable, but mainly because the tempura overwhelmed the meat or vegetables and was on the greasy side for my taste. I like a light tempura, not heavy tempura. My dining companion, however, favored the amount of tempura batter Ichiban had prepared. Our final fare was the sushi. We learned that those of you, like my dining companion, who strongly prefer sushi without the fish taste can order only veggies in the middle of a sushi roll, and substitute soy paper for the seaweed. This all but eliminates any fish flavor. I will say, over the years, my dining companion has been quite a trouper, trying eel, octopus and trying over and over the sushi seaweed despite his dislike for fish. So here’s a new culinary avenue for those who would like to try sushi, but have shied away due to the fish. Make sure to try the pickled ginger and wasabi that sushi is always served with, but beware of a little something I like to call wasabi wars. Wasabi, as I’ve reported in this column before, is served with sushi and has a horseradish quality. You can mix the amount, to your liking, with soy sauce in the Japanese bowl, stir with chopsticks, then dip a slice of roll into the mixture. The sauce mixture is not hot, as spicy food is, but a punch of intensity rolls through your mouth and sinuses, depending on the amount of wasabi you choose. My dining companion and I had a grand time, with each other, the staff and those around us, challenging each other to more and more wasabi, not just mixed in the soy sauce, but spread on each roll. It was a wild ride that led to some intense moments of deliciously cross cultural entertainment. So Ichiban turned out to be a lot of fun, out of the sun, on a Sunday afternoon, thanks to an informed, expedient staff (the sushi arrived faster than any I’ve ever had) and a variety of flavors at an excellent value. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, please contact managing editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. Hours: 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday Cuisine: Japanese Price range: $3.00 to $11.99 Specialties: Steak, seafood, sushi Libation situation: Beer, wine Smoking: Yes |
| Embrace Brickyard’s mystery Thu, 3 Apr 2008 11:13:33 -0500 As a well-known eating establishment in Bowling Green, The Brickyard Caf/ may need little to no introduction, except that a friend of mine told me a few weeks ago, in her mind, The Brickyard was best for lunch. This puzzled me. I meandered in on a Saturday night to discover a pleasingly mysterious, yet charismatic, dinner dining experience. The staff dressed entirely in black against the dark salmon-colored walls is striking. Each room has soothing artwork and the quaintness of divided rooms offers a wonderfully private setting for each table. You can see those you know on the way in and out, yet not feel you’re having dinner at a large, impersonal restaurant. And then there’s the food. While the restaurant may need no introduction, the menu specials translate into a relationship with this restaurant that will not soon tire, and where living in the mystery is appetizing. My dining companion and I had two specials and two regular menu items. Our appetizers, artichoke fritters, were on the regular menu. The sight of them started the evening with an air of fun. What looked like large spindly, spiky round creatures on the plate were actually battered-dipped fried artichoke hearts. The artichoke fritters themselves had an adequate flavor, and were served with a remoulade sauce. The sauce was awkwardly sweet for our taste, but an enjoyable treat overall. From the specials menu, I had sesame encrusted ahi tuna with a beurre blanc (an emulsified butter sauce) with capers. Wow. Even though the amount of sesame seeds I expected with “encrusted” in the description was not what I thought it would be, the tuna was delectably raw in the middle and the delicious dipping sauce caused a pleased raised eyebrow right away. It was served with mashed potatoes and a combination of winter vegetables that were steamed and seasoned to perfection. From the regular menu, we also ordered the portabella stacker. This was angel hair pasta tossed with truffle oil, light pesto and tomatoes with a stack of eggplant, cheese, zucchini and roasted red peppers in the center of the pasta, topped with a portabella mushroom. It looked like a flying saucer in the middle of a wheat field on the plate, and yes, it was out of this world. The underlying theme of each meal seemed to be mystery in the balance. By that I mean, one part of each dish tended to lack flavor (not to a fault thought), the fritters, the pasta, the tuna, coupled with ingredients with an incredible burst of flavor, the remoulade sauce, the beurre blanc and the stack of veggies and cheese. That, when put together, created taste sensations to the liking of most palates - if not, one could eat just a part and be satisfied. This was even true when we ordered a salad. When asked if we wanted anchovies on the Caesar salad, there was a resounding “definitely” from me and an emphatic “no thanks” from my companion. Our professional and astute waiter offered to put them on the side and we were both taken care of. The Brickyard menu has steaks, seafood, pastas and pizzas, depending what you’re in the mood for, and still is European cuisine with an inclination toward Italian foods and seasonings. But before I sign off here, I’ll say the chocolate Grenache tort from the special desserts menu was poetry in motion and a mystery I won’t soon forget. The Grenache was a thin layer of breakable, dark chocolate on the top, with melt-in-your-mouth whipped chocolate on a bed of chocolate cookie crumbs. It’s as if the chocolate became a mist in your mouth. No chewing required and not even “melting” adequately describes the chemical reaction that took place in each bite. It was like cotton candy that becomes a liquid as you eat it, but just before that is this mist. Imagine chocolate mist. So then, don’t conceal your need for a little night time fun - live in the mystery and savor all the Brickyard has to take in because living in the mystery can be delightful. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, please contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. THE BRICKYARD CAFE 1026 Chesnut St. |
| Sugar Maple eatery all about pizza Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:55:18 -0500 I’ve been gladly writing reviews each week for a while now and each week my visits in, around and just outside of town, also bring a bit of inspiration when I sit down to write. An angle, if you will, because not only does Bowling Green have a high number of restaurants per capita, it also has some very creative minds with unique food offering ideas. This week I ate at You and Me Sports Bar and Pizza. Much as I tried to find an angle, some inspiration, I was blank. Now, don’t get me wrong, the experience was one of a kind with a staff that was both attentive and fun. The calzone was delicious. I went to report on a new restaurant in the Sugar Maple side of town and since I’m not sure what to tell you, I’ll just go with the facts, just the facts. The restaurant and structure of the bar are artistically beautiful, which, when I did a pre-visit a few weeks ago made me think this was an outside-town version of the You and Me Restaurant on Chestnut Street. The sports bar also has Mediterranean archways, deep rich wood and solid high-back bar stools. When my dining companion and I entered the other night and took a closer look at the tables, we experienced a casual setting, with pizza, pool and music - which was my first shot at an angle. When we sat at the bar, however, the height was awkward for eating comfortably. The wait staff gave us a menu right away and I could see it was limited to appetizers, pizza and calzone. I asked about salads and our server said they had none. I asked about pizza delivery and she said not yet. I asked how late they were open, and she said 2 a.m. - unless it was slow. She was very personable, talkative, informative, fun and apologetic if they didn’t have something we wanted. We decided to try a few items that sounded unique, so we ordered the “French fried 4 oz. baget” (verbatim from the menu), the tequila lime wings and a pizza calzone, which is pizza dough folded over salami, onion, garlic, tomato, ricotta cheese and parsley. There was a little confusion with the order, but sitting at the bar we had direct access to the kitchen staff through a portal, so we chatted and worked things out. What didn’t work out so well was the “baget.” It turned out to be a plate of French fries served with marinara sauce. I thought we were getting slices of sourdough-type baguette bread battered and fried with marinara sauce. The fries were thick and well made, but apparently the idea of serving the fries with the marinara sauce is why it’s called a baget instead of fries. The tequila lime wings were deep fried, lightly crispy. I was hoping for a punch of lime flavor, but the punch came from the hot sauce served with it. My dining companion had the brilliant idea of mixing the hot sauce with the ranch dressing we were also served. This created a fine combination of light hot wings with a punch. The calzone was the highlight of the evening, as I’m sure most of the pizzas at You and Me are. Is it the sauce, the dough, the unique combinations of toppings? I think it is that they take such care in all of the above, that it really does make for one of the best pizza experiences in town. After our dining experience I imagined that You and Me Sports Bar and Pizza puts more time into the live entertainment they offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, so I called a fun-loving friend, who I knew had been to You and Me the previous Friday night. She said it was fun, and the band was good, but since there weren’t many people she thought the focus was more on the restaurant aspect. Well that puzzled me, until I realized, maybe this little gem just hasn’t been discovered by any Bowling Green pizza or entertainment patrons just yet. Looking over the article I just wrote, “without an angle” I realized - it’s the pizza, stupid! So I do recommend you stop in and pick up a pizza. You might call ahead of you’re in a hurry and encourage them to start delivering as soon as they can. And finally, if you’re in the mood for more, there’s always the well established sister restaurant, You and Me Restaurant, right here in town. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. You and Me Sports Bar and Pizza 1347 Hwy. 185, Sugar Maple Square |
| Micki’s on Main reinvents menu Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:19:53 -0500 The luck of the Irish was with me this week - I visited Micki’s on Main the week they were serving green beer and introducing a new menu! I was too late for green beer, so I delighted in the new menu, reflective of the power of change. I say the power of change because I visited Micki’s a few months ago and my experience that day was a disappointment. I imagine though, when you’ve been restaurateurs as long as the owners of 440 Main Restaurant and Bar have, reinvention is part of the cycle, and my last visit must have hit the lull before renewal. And I’m happy to report on the renewal. Micki’s on Main restaurant, formerly known as the bar attached to 440, has patio and sidewalk seating overlooking Fountain Square. The staff at Micki’s endearingly refers to it as “the grill” serving lunch as the companion restaurant to 440 that serves only dinner. As is the case with 440, Micki’s menu leans toward Cajun recipes and techniques, but this new menu expands into some light salads, a stir fry entr/e and even a veggie lasagna for an international reach. My dining companion and I came in for a late lunch and were greeted by a jovial, informed and attentive waitress. We had the opportunity to witness the shift change from lunch to dinner, and the waitress treated the situation professionally with style and compassion. The rest of the wait staff could have used a lesson about teamwork from the fighting Irish this week - my experience that day was that their focus was reserved for their tables alone and after our waitress left, we had long waits for everything. We actually lucked out with the waitress, because we had planned to sit outside. Mardi Gras collided with St. Patty’s day, so the beads and clovers (not to mention the weather) drew us inside. Indoor dining at Micki’s is a one-of-a-kind, low light atmosphere enhanced by the charm of cookbooks, novels and lanterns that line the shelves above the wall of booths. Appetizers were not an option until the evening, so we ordered a side of Cajun fries and a cup of gumbo to happily fill the void. The gumbo was a rich roux of a strong, stew-like stock with okra, sausage, green peppers, rice and a variety of other spices and veggies. It was rich with chunks of each ingredient (although the menu description included chicken and shrimp, which must have missed) and just spicy enough to enjoy. I don’t know how the chef did it, but each bite was spicy in and of itself, but the heat did not escalate as I ate on, which often happens when I eat spicy food. The fries were fun and unique, with blackened seasoning sprinkled on perfectly crisp, thick-cut fried potatoes. My dining companion enjoyed a new salad called the Athena Greek tuna salad - a goddess-light, yet flavorful dream of lettuce greens, seared sashimi tuna, feta cheese, red onion, kalamata olives, tomato and cucumber with a house vinaigrette served with a peppered crispy flat bread. It was a challenge, but getting one serving of each ingredient in each bite made for a subtly flavorful experience. I had a hard time deciding between the veggie lasagna, the blackened grouper, the muffaleta or a hot brown (only because the waitress said it was the best hot brown within 100 miles), but I opted for a Bayou Chicken salad instead. This was a grilled Cajun chicken breast (same spices as the French fries), baby spinach leaves, candied pecans and bleu cheese crumbles with a balsamic vinaigrette. The menu noted the pecans were both spicy and sweet, but I didn’t get that flavor combination. The balsamic in the vinaigrette was pleasingly subdued, allowing for the natural goodness of the spinach, bleu cheese and crunchy pecans to shine through. Micki’s has taken a few things off the menu, like the cheese steak that was problematic when I visited months ago, and replaced them with an inventive mix of blackened and Cajun delights, a few southern staples and some unique new eats that will surely become your favorites before the new summer restaurant season has even begun. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, contact managing editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. |
| A Taste of Europe offers tasty gyros Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:03:29 -0500 I have been attempting to visit The Taste of Europe for more than a month now and I finally made it in last week. This week was unique because not only was I anonymous to the restaurant, my dining companion was also not aware I was writing a review. As luck would have it, she had been to Greece a few years ago, and had a unique take on our dining experience. To begin with, she knew from her Greek island hopping days that you do not pronounce the Greek food gyro, which are predominate on The Taste of Europe menu, like “j-ai-roh,” which is how I was saying it. Gyro is pronounced, our waiter confirmed, “j-yeer-oh.” Or close enough. The “g” is not silent, but spoken with the “j” sound, just softly. This may be subjective, however, because an online search noted the word is often mispronounced and suggested the “g” is actually silent. I have to say it doesn’t matter how you pronounce it, they’ll know what you’re talking about, but the greatest challenge is in finding The Taste of Europe. It is so tucked away, that even though I was the one who suggested the restaurant, I almost couldn’t find it. It’s gently squeezed between two windows of furniture on State Street, one block from the square. It is definitely worth a little detective work, and, as my dining companion revealed to me, reminiscent of a petite, tucked away, unassuming European caf/ you might find in Greece. What you’ll also find at The Taste of Europe is a Greek specialty sandwich prepared in many different ways with different ingredients. Gyros is well-season beef shaved into fine slices from a large piece of meat on a cylinder. The meat is cut from a slowly rotating vertical spit, just like the spinning motion of a gyroscope. The Taste of Europe offers this in plate form and in sandwiches made with beef, chicken or a combination of the two. My dining companion had the “authentic” gyro sandwich with the choice of a side item, French fries, rice or small Greek salad. French fries by “default,” as the menu noted, which I thought was an adorable way of suggesting: Choose or it will be chosen for you. In sandwich form the gyro is put into a round piece of double layered flat, pita bread with tzatziki sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and onions (or as you like it) and folded in half. For me the tzatziki sauce made the meal. It’s a fresh, cool, cucumber yogurt sauce with a hint of mint. It was also served with the chicken gyro plate I ordered. Instead of coming in sandwich form, my well-seasoned shaved chicken was served on a bed of seasoned rice with vegetables. The pita bread, tzatziki and a small Greek salad with feta cheese and olives was served on the side. I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor of everything. The pita bread had substance and tasteful essence, but was not heavy or chewy. The rice was tenderly seasoned with light oils, herbs and vegetables. The gyro meat and chicken, odd looking at first glance, was a unique and delicious way to eat meat. Just as it was hard to find the restaurant, I didn’t see the appetizers on the front of the menu, or I certainly would have tried the hummus. Hummus is a dip made with chickpeas, oil and seasonings and is delicious on pita bread. The Taste of Europe also serves a variety of salads (yes, including a gyro salad), pizzas for dinner, other Greek specialties and even a fajita plate. The atmosphere is laid back, just like Europe. It took me a while to pay the check, waiting for an elongated conversation to finish while I waited in line, but hey, it’s like being in another country, which is similar to being country. All life enhancing experiences, no matter how you pronounce it. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, contact managing editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. A Taste of Europe 1006 State St. |
| Bagels and Bites has great homemade breads Thu, 6 Mar 2008 11:16:53 -0600 I usually find myself gallivanting to opposite ends of Warren and its surrounding counties, but this week I found myself back in the heart of Bowling Green at Hartland. Vincent’s Bagels and Bites drew me in, and, like a scene from a Seinfeld episode, seemed to be drawing a lot of customers in. I entered the practically empty restaurant alone, looking to place a to-go order and after a couple of minutes, found myself at the front of a long lunch crowd line that was gently and willingly herded to the right with a retaining wall for excellent organization. A wall-sized mirror on the far right wall created a large space illusion and surely made the crowd seem much larger than it was. Or not. The d/cor was simple, light, clean and cheery with several four-top tables scattered throughout the restaurant. As I ordered, I kept looking back at the growing crowd and finally apologized to the women behind me for taking so much time. When I took a closer look at the reflections in the mirror, however, the customers seemed just happy to be there. The woman behind me only needed a New York accent and it really could have been a scene from Seinfeld - she said, “There’s no right time. We’re all used to this place being busy all the time. It’s worth it.” And it was! Vincent’s has a huge variety of homemade bagels for breakfast or anytime, as well as breads, muffins, pastries, cookies and even a breakfast sandwich if you stop by for breakfast. And for dinner or lunch, there is no limit to this homemade sky! I enjoyed the Hilltopper sandwich piled high with ham, salami and pepperoni and equally generous portions of provolone cheese, onion, green pepper, lettuce, tomato and a light drizzle of Italian dressing on thick slices of homemade bread. I was impressed with the long, lean, yet large slices of green pepper, which meant I got a taste in every bite, and the fact that the sandwich was perfectly moist without any other condiments meant the flavor of the meats and vegetables shined through. Not even the thick slices of wheat bread overwhelmed, but all ingredients worked together to form a delicious symphony of flavors. The pasta salad was also moist, light and appetizing with chunks of pepperoni, green pepper and onion. Both homemade soups were equally appetizing that day. The cheesy tomato was like having spaghetti in soup form. The blend of ground meat, pipe rigate pasta (large macaroni type) and a cheesy tomato base tasted like my favorite plate of spaghetti piled high with parmesan. The base of the ham and bean soup was where most of the flavor came from, slightly salty with the bean flavor cooked right in, then little bits of ham and a generous portion of white beans to round off this savory lunch treat. The green salad too was fresh and full of vegetables. A nice touch was that they waited to put the grated cheddar cheese on until just before they gave me the salad. The staff did forget to ask about or include salad dressing, but then so did I and I wasn’t under any pressure. The three women taking and making orders worked well together, had a system and stayed pleasant no matter how many sandwiches they were making all at once. The Californian sandwich was a unique and palatable delicacy. A slice of homemade bread was spread with a spinach/artichoke cream cheese, then piled with turkey breast, onion and tomato, and finally grilled on the panini grill - a lovely indulgence no matter if it’s cold or hot outside. One glitch - I arrived home to discover I had not been given a honey-go-round sandwich I’d ordered but chicken salad. This would have been fine, if I had liked the chicken salad, but it wasn’t as flavorful as the other two sandwiches and just listen to the description of the honey-go-round: “ham covered with melted Swiss cheese, onion and honey mustard, served on our toasted onion bagel.” You can bet I’ll be back in the Seinfeld line before long to try out the honey-go-round, the hartland, the country bumpkin sandwiches and to have another one of those deep, moist chocolate brownies while I try not to hold up the line. Luckily it’s not New York or there would have been no soup for me! No, it’s Bowling Green so I got a “bless her heart” pat on the hand to take my time, and a smile! — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, please contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. Vincent’s Bagels and Bites 1660A Scottsville Road |
| Awards shows are nothing without Oscar-worthy food Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:08:50 -0600 What would the Academy Awards be without delicious food to mark the occasion? In this week’s review, appetizers from previous reviews will walk the red carpet as I revisit outstanding performances in the hors d’oeuvre category. Additionally, I will introduce four appetizers my dining companions and I consumed as we viewed the Oscars, honoring that writers are again writing in Hollywood. The first two appetizers from a former review hail from Anna’s Greek Restaurant and Bar. The croquettes santorini are a delicious mixture of tomato with peppers, onion, oregano and mint, breaded and lightly fried - no dipping sauce needed. Months ago, when my dining companions and I visited Anna’s, the wait staff also recommended the spanakopita. A great meal starter, it was a homemade crispy filo dough filled with spinach and spices served with a tangy cucumber and sour cream sauce called tzatziki. No one had to yell action to get us to gulp down these two perfectly executed treats. The next winner showed well in two categories: performance and value. This was the Belgian cheese fondue at the Cellar Restaurant and Wine Bar. When I dined there a few months ago, my dining companion and I were served a generous portion of artisan bread, apples, olives and tomatoes to dip into a fondue of melted cheeses with wine and kirsch. This was a glamorous appetizer on an independent film budget. Not to forget those in a supporting role, the deep fried ravioli from BB’s Italian in Leitchfield fared as a box office success when I visited last year, and the deep fried pickles from A Taste of Texas in Glasgow earned excellent achievement in Southern finger foods from dining companions who know country when they see it. On Oscar day, I ran around town getting just the right combination of appetizers. Much to my surprise, this was easier than I thought. All but one of the restaurants I ordered from had curb-side take out and all were efficient and friendly. Most notable of the four was an outstanding performance by a foreign appetizer from an American restaurant, namely the Asian dumplings from Ruby Tuesdays. Filled with chicken and seasonings, they could stand alone as a delicious steamed treat, but Ruby Tuesdays adds a thick peanut sauce with a hint of soy sauce, ginger and other spices to attain a pleasing dramatic effect. We also enjoyed the parmesan encrusted Sicilian quesadillas from TGI Friday’s and the Tillamook cheese and pico de gallo from Montana Grille. The cheese dip included sharp Oregon cheese, five pepper relish and rice wine vinegar served with tortilla chips. Like many actors, it was a little too cheesey for my taste, but good overall. The Sicilian quesadillas were flour tortillas pan fried with Parmesan cheese filled with chicken, sausage, bruschetta marinara, bacon and Monterey jack cheese and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. Wow, flavor combinations to rival any comedy or tragedy. I would, however, request the balsamic glaze for dipping, as we did not get any from takeout. Though neither may have won the Oscar outright, they were definitely among nominees and, after all, it’s just an honor to be nominated, right? Not forgetting to thank the little people in an acceptance speech is important. The Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp from Outback Steakhouse has always been a favorite of mine so I stopped by Outback for not one, but two orders on Oscar day, knowing it would go fast. This shrimp is beer battered, rolled in coconut and served with a Creole marmalade dip that is sweet with a hint of spiciness - just the opposite of Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth. Finally, when you stage any event, it’s important to have wine that’s red-carpet worthy as well. I decided to stop by the quaint new wine shop at Hartland, called Chuck’s (behind Steak n’ Shake). It’s a high-end wine and spirits shop with a caf/ atmosphere including wine and cheese tastings on Friday and Saturday nights. The knowledgeable and attractive evening staff members (casting agents be aware) helped me pick out the best wine for my occasion. The first wine was something no female celebrity can be without. “Little Black Dress” was a 2006 Merlot from California. Like its namesake, it’s a subtle red wine and a fine choice to build from. The second wine was to honor Johnny Depp’s performance in the movie “Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street.” “The Razor’s Edge” was a 2005 Shiraz from Australia. This red is a bit more complex but balanced nicely between extremes with full-bodied elegance and both went well with the appetizers. While none of my choices for movies or actors won this year, at least the Bowling Green eating and drinking establishments performed to perfection, making the evening at home a crowd-pleasing success. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com. |
| Mis Amigos menu offers flavorful Mexican dishes Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:50:41 -0600 While it’s true there are several fine Mexican food establishments in Bowling Green, you might consider a trip to Brownsville to experience the new Mis Amigos Mexican Grill as well. Mis Amigos, which means “our friends,” notes on its menu it offers “the best authentic Mexican food cooked fresh daily.” In my experience, that’s just what I found. I thoroughly enjoyed a few one-of-a-kind menu items, as well as taking a gander at the magnificent Green River as I crossed the bridge on Ky. 259 just past town that led me to Mis Amigos. As we often do at Mexican restaurants, my dining companion and I began with a bowl of guacamole dip to go with our complimentary chips and salsa. You can tell a lot about a Mexican restaurant by the guacamole, and this was the thick, deep green variety with the primary ingredient being avocado, enhanced with a hint of seasonings and no filler. The salsa was more of the same: fresh and appetizing. In my experience, Mexican restaurants have one good salsa (usually medium in heat) and then a backup salsa that’s just so-so for those who don’t want it as hot. At Mis Amigos, the mild salsa my dining companion requested was just as chunky, fresh and tasty as the medium salsa we were served. It was a good thing, however, that both the guac and the salsa were so flavorful, because the chips weren’t as appetizing. Not that they were bad, but they were overly dense and on the greasy side. They seemed to be made with a thick yellow corn tortilla, instead of the more popular white corn tortilla that’s not as thick. I have to say right now though, after the chips, every bit of food we were served was fresh and savory with abundant serving sizes and generous palatable flavors. For instance, when I ordered the guac, I also ordered a unique sounding shrimp cocktail - Mexican style. It included boiled large shrimp swimming in a tomato-based juice with pico de gallo and avocado. I could eat this dish every day. It was light, yet tangy. There were so many shrimp I couldn’t count them all and the grouping of flavors - the avocado, shrimp, tomato and peppers in the pico de gallo - was a delicious amalgam for the palate. My dining companion had the chicken fajita and reported it was the best he’d ever had. The taste seemed to be created as it was grilled in the skillet so that the marinade soaked nicely into the fork-tender chicken. I ordered a special dinner that had a “little of everything,” including a chalupa, enchilada, tamale, taco, chile relleno, Mexican rice and refried beans. It was enough for two people. Every item was unique, but my favorites were the tamale, a small round version of cooked corn meal surrounded by shredded beef and cheese, and the chile relleno, a cheese stuffed mild chile with a flavor-enhancing red sauce. There are so many items on the Mis Amigos menu it was really hard to choose, which was maybe why I ended up with such a variety. A few other unique items included Jim’s dip on the appetizer menu consisting of melted cheese with beef, mushrooms and scallions served with flour tortillas; 11 different kinds of nachos, and something called a Mexican pyramid with chicken, broccoli scallions, mushrooms and rice covered in cheese sauce. Inside the structure of the restaurant is a pleasing color combination of gray, red, black and white on the walls with booths down one windowed wall and a variety of table types and chairs throughout the restaurant. Mis Amigos was clean. However, as is common with rural restaurants, it was a little rough around the edges in a slightly run-down facility. This should not keep you from visiting though. Mis Amigos’ staff, as our waitress shared, is “a group of friends with the heart of a family.” I could feel this in our interactions with our waitress, with the management and it came through in the food. And, since it was a family birthday that had brought me to this neck of the woods, like family, Mis Amigos is well-worth the trip. — Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, please contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail at malexieff@bgdailynews.com. Mis Amigos Mexicano Grill 600 Ky. 295 N, Brownsville |
| Thai Express is fast on food, and doesn’t lack taste or freshness Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:16:44 -0600 Thai cuisine hails from the country of Thailand in Southeast Asia. Thai Express is a new restaurant on the U.S. 31-W By-Pass that offers the fundamentals of Thai cuisine at a fast-food pace. Don’t get me wrong - there’s a dining area, and they bring the food out to you. It offers dishes that have a balance of flavors, (hot, sour, sweet, salty and even sometimes bitter) and uses fresh, not dried, herbs in all the dishes. Thing is, it just happens fast. After asking a few questions, my dining companion and I had an order of pad Thai chicken with thin rice noodles, cashew chicken over rice, two egg rolls, lemongrass shrimp soup and a Thai beef salad - all ordered on the mild side because, in my experience, spicy really means spice when it comes to Thai food. The pad Thai chicken had a light, yet appealingly flavorful, sweet-and-sour sauce tossed in with the thin rice noodles with small bits of eggs, bean sprouts, green onions and ground peanuts. If you’re looking for vegetables, this dish had only a few, but the taste was the best of the meals we ordered. The lemongrass shrimp soup with green onions and cilantro in a lemongrass broth had an abundance of mushrooms and fresh, plump shrimp. I ordered it mild, but it was still deliciously spicy and tangy. The Thai beef salad was a unique treat, but not what I expected. There was more beef than cucumber, lots of crispy fresh lettuce and a vinaigrette dressing that didn’t have a lot of flavor. But again, it was good. There was one other dish that didn’t have a lot of flavor and that was the cashew chicken over rice. As a replacement, I ordered the drunken noodle chicken with wide rice noodles, chicken, chili sauce, white wine, onions, red pepper, tomatoes and basil. This dish was also sparse on the vegetables, but not on taste. It hit all five Thai flavors, including a little bitterness from the basil, and all worked well together. In my experience, I would highly recommend Thai Express for taste, freshness, expedience and value, (especially since they take cash, credit cards and Big Red dollars). Thai Express 511 U.S. 31-W By-Pass Bowling Green, 796-3614 Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Specialties: Noodles, rice Price range: $5.75 to $6.95 Smoking: No Libation situation: None |
| Beijing Restaurant : Some things never change, and some improve Thu, 7 Feb 2008 11:22:22 -0600 At Beijing Restaurant, some things are the same, like the same haphazard pool of water in the concrete pond outside the restaurant, but some things have changed. Enough has changed so that I felt compelled to ask if the restaurant was under new ownership or management. It is not. Just some not necessarily needed, yet welcomed, fine tuning. To begin with, the overall food presentation on the buffet was much improved. The sushi has moved and is housed next to the stir fry station, all on its own. There are now five to six varieties of sushi, instead of just three, and each of them is covered in a solid plastic, rectangular lid with a handle, instead of just clear plastic wrap. Additionally, each variety of sushi was wrapped tight with more flavorful, traditional sticky rice than I remember from previous visits. So tight with rice, fish, vegetables and seaweed that it was easy to spread the pungent wasabi and soy sauce over the top and a breeze to pick up with chop sticks. The variety, as well as the freshness of each item on the buffet, seems to be much improved as well. Don’t get me wrong, Beijing has always had a high quality of food, freshness and service, yet what I’m reporting here is Beijing, on the day I visited, had gone beyond just above average to a stellar performance by a Chinese buffet. I opted for the sesame chicken, chicken with broccoli, fried rice and, of course, a variety of sushi. All fresh and flavorful in their own way. The sesame chicken was deep fried chicken covered in a thick sesame sauce. The chicken pieces were abundant enough that the balance of flavors between the chicken, the breading and the sauce were some of the best I’ve ever had. The chicken with broccoli was the same - enough broccoli, steamed crispy, with thin and tender pieces of chicken in a thick sauce. As I looked over the buffet, I could see numerous appetizing dishes, including steamed salmon, three kinds of soup, lo mien and shrimp with vegetables. The buffet still features both American and Chinese appetizers, green salad with all the fixings and an ice cream and dessert bar. The only items that seemed to be missing are some of the items like puddings, sweet salads and fried okra that for me just cluttered and confused anyway. My dining companion made a beeline for the fresh stir fry station, where there were two new sauces, including the one he chose, teriyaki. You can combine meats, rice, noodles and a variety of vegetables to be stir fried on the spot on a huge wok-like cooking device. He opted for noodles, broccoli, snow peas, bamboo and more - and I chimed in asking for a few of the deliciously flavorful and soft baby corn. The price of the buffet has increased from $8.95 to $9.50, but it was well worth it. I’d actually be willing to pay even 25 cents more if they’d do two things: Fill the pond with filtered water and some gold fish so that it’s not such an eyesore as you enter; and, at the request of my dining companion, bring the gong back. The gong used to signal for the chef to come out and stir fry the vegetables. It was such a nice cultural touch and the buzzer they’ve replaced it with just isn’t the same. — New restaurants are given a six-week grace period. Comments can be sent to Managing Editor Mike Alexieff by telephone at 783-3235 or by e-mail at malexieff@bgdaily news.com. Beijing Restaurant 1951 Scottsville Road Bowling Green 842-2288 Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Cuisine: Chinese Specialties: Buffet Buffet price: Lunch $6.95; dinner and all day Sunday $9.50 Libation situation: Full bar Smoking: Yes |
| Sante Fe Cattle Co. offers lots of color Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:39:59 -0600 Having not been to the Santa Fe Cattle Company for more than a year, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the menu has been expanded and includes a few one-of-a-kind items. I was greeted outside by a manager who opened the free swinging, barn-like doors, then greeted again as I entered the lobby. Being seated just outside the kitchen door usually prompts me to ask for a change of venue, but something told me to stay put today. My intuition was right. It added a little color to my meal. Color, because of the row of full-color plate presentation photographs the cooks effectively use for uniformity I could see when the hard-working wait staff swung open the stainless steel doors. And colorful, because when one of the wait staff dropped food off a plate as she exited the kitchen, I was close enough to hear the expletive she muttered and to see a helpful colleague soothe her co-worker. The wait staff was an interesting and pleasant part of the dining experience. It was as if they gently blended in to the southwestern, barn wood, rawhide motif, but at the same time were there whenever, and I mean whenever, needed. Our waiter was smooth but effective. He was the kind of waiter who doesn’t have to write anything down, but who gets everything right - even amid my “on the side” and unlimited questions about the side dishes and how long the veggies are cooked. I decided to skip the appetizers and have dessert instead. I usually like to have one or the other. This was hard, though, because Santa Fe has 11 appetizers to choose from, including deep fried flautas and Texas sausage, which both sounded unique and inviting. With it being so cold outside, I also skipped past the four salads, including a blackened sirloin salad with bleu cheese that had the flavor combinations I love. I opted for one of their specialties, ribs, combined with a little seafood, coconut shrimp, and my dining companion choose the one-of-a-kind chicken breast a la lawn boy. My combo platter was pricey, but I had enough for dinner that night and a few shrimp the next day. My first bite into the ribs was pleasant to the taste buds, yet tough on the teeth. The barbecue sauce had more than just a hint of what I think was orange zest and it was delicious. I’m going to have to try this at home. The meat was on the crispy side, so I asked the waiter about it and he said he’d be happy to replace the ribs, but that they do in fact cook them that way so that the sauce really cooks in and stays on. It turned out it was just the outsides that were crispy, and he was right, this method works. The coconut shrimp was fried crispy and deep in color, with a generous amount of coconut in the batter and the shrimp inside was still moist and flavorful. The green beans were overcooked for my taste - I think next time I’ll get the broccoli. Both my dining companion and I had a salad as one of our side items and it was a generous amount of lettuce, vegetables, red onion and dressing - on the side. The chicken my dining companion ate was a grilled chicken breast covered with spinach, mushrooms, saut/ed onions and Monterey jack cheese. The layers of flavors melded into one fine bite, bite after bite. The mashed potatoes came with a heap of unexpected white gravy and were, unfortunately, so dense they were hard to get through. Neither of us even wanted to take them home. I should have been listening to the same intuitive voice that told me to sit by the kitchen door when it told me to go ahead and order dessert with my meal. This was because when I ordered the dirt pie at the end of the meal, I was told the cookie crumb mix that goes over the top took 10 minutes to prepare and they had not prepped it for the day yet. Our waiter explained that it was mainly a dinner dessert, in his experience. I often go against the crowd in search of greater things. We ordered the brownie delight instead and it was a batter-gooey, slightly underbaked (and I mean that in the best way) brownie, with ice cream melting on top. Yum. So my Santa Fe suggestions include: Try something new or an old favorite - Santa Fe makes them equally well with appealing plate presentation and consistency. Want color? Sit by the kitchen door. Less color? Ask to be seated anywhere else. Want dirt pie at lunch? Order ahead as you would duck in a Chinese restaurant. And, just because the waiter describes green beans as fresh and steamed, this still may mean cooked well with bacon. I mention this not only for crispy veggie eaters like me, but for all those who like them this way. It’s OK to be different, and in fact when I complained about my beans, my dining companion exclaimed, “That’s the best way to eat green beans.” I’m sure many of you will agree. — New restaurants are given a six-week grace period. Comments can be sent to Managing Editor Mike Alexieff by telephone at 783-3235 or by e-mail at malexieff@bgdailynews.com. Santa Fe Cattle Company 247 Three Springs Road 843-4666 Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Cuisine: Southwestern Price range: $6.99 to $15.99 (Express lunch $5.99 to $6.99) Specialties: Ribs, steaks, fajitas Libation situation: Full bar Smoking: Yes |
| Double Dogs offers clever, flavorful menu Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:15:36 -0600 Looking over the Double Dog menu, I am challenged to offer just as many clever acronyms, metaphors and cute pooch connections as they have. Where else can you get a “sit, heel and peel shrimp” as an appetizer or Pavlovian references that a hot dog will “make your mouth salivate.” The canine cleverness begins long before the menu is ever placed in your hands. In the parking lot I was greeted by a motion sensor barking dog in a dog house and pup prints embedded in the concrete sidewalk. The Double Dogs wait staff opened both doors with a greeting as welcoming as man’s best friend, minus the face licking. I sat down and chatted with the waitress, when some sad news piddled on my parade. No tennis channel in this sports bar during the quarter finals of the Australian Open that was having the best play in decades! I will give Double Dogs the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the thought of all those bouncing balls around when everyone knows how obsessed dogs can get with tennis balls was too much to consider, but I ask you to reconsider. Tennis is a legitimate and well-watched sport. I promise. As a matter of fact, I was dining with an avid tennis-playing, tennis-watching family that very night. As we looked over the menu, I decided to get a plate of nachos. But, as we should have guessed by its name, instead of coming on a plate, the nachos came in a bowl - a doggy bowl. The Bo’s dog bowl nachos were an abundant portion of white tortilla chips, beefy chili, refried beans, Monterey and jack cheeses, pepper jack sauce, shredded lettuce and jalapenos. Two kinds of beans and three kinds of cheese might sound overwhelming, but it wasn’t. It was, you guessed it if you‘ve read my columns, a appetizing flavor combination. It came with a side of pico de gallo and another unique twist, lime sour cream. This added an additional tang that was as satisfying as a scratch behind the ear. After a heavy appetizer, both my “official” dining companion and I decided to keep it light with a Greek salad and shrimp quesadilla. The quesadilla was a combination of spicy buffalo shrimp, melted Monterey and pepper jack cheeses and grilled onions wrapped in a garlic-herb tortilla with a side of that tangy lime sour cream. The flavors blended well, but the shrimp lacked the kick the menu implied. I would suggest, if you want a kick, order some buffalo sauce on the side. The GRRRRRReek salad, as it is called on the menu, was one of the most generous portions of lettuce, spinach, Greek olives, roasted peppers, feta cheese and cucumbers that I’ve ever had. The feta cheese vinaigrette dressing I was sure went with it lacked the flavor I like with a Greek salad, so I would recommend the balsamic vinaigrette instead - but that’s just me. I had a taste (or at least a look) at the other food served at the table that night. The wings were meaty, generous and covered in sauce that really stuck to the meat, right down to the bone. The chipotle BBQ sauce is a nice variation, with just the hint of a kick. I did not try them, but an avid “hot wing” eater reported his “double dog dare you” hot wings were not even as hot as you find at some local restaurants that don’t have a gradient of four kinds of hot. So that was a disappointment. Perhaps dogs feel the same way about humans feeding them cayenne that they feel about humans feeding them peanut butter: It takes too long to get the taste out of their mouths. The bulldog Philly cheese steak offered a generous and juicy amount of marinated beef, sweet onions, bell peppers and provolone cheese crammed into a hoagie roll. Looking around as we ate, the restaurant motif has, of course, gone to the dogs. Brick walls with all kinds of cartoon dogs, as well as a soothing poster-sized photograph of two actual dogs hanging out together on the lawn. The wait staff was friendly enough, but it seemed as if there were some kind of tag team system going and different wait staff helped us with different tasks. This created moments when we were taken care of frequently and times when no one visited our table for a long period of time. Not even calling, whistling and newspaper across the nose threats worked (those are all metaphors, not what we actually did). I had eaten at Double Dogs twice before this trip to record my experience in writing. We give restaurants six weeks to get on their feet (in this case all four) and from the food to the drinks, Double Dogs used that time well. A little more fine tuning with wait staff attentiveness and all will be well. In other words, they’ve gone from jackal to dingo to a pooch of a place to eat in Bowling Green. It’s like having the perfect mutt wander into your life at just the right time! — New restaurants are given a six-week grace period. Comments can be sent to Managing Editor Mike Alexieff by telephone at 783-3235 or by e-mail at malexieff@bgdailynews.com. Double Dogs 1780 Scottsville Road Bowling Green 843-9357 Hours: 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday Specialties: Hot dogs, burgers, pizza Cuisine: American Price range for dinner: $4.99 to $19.99 Libation situation: Full bar Smoking: In separate bar |
| Short trip to quaint Franklin takes one to culinary heaven Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:26:57 -0600 This week, I found not just a one-of-a-kind culinary treat, but a true recipe for success. The ingredients include two heaping cups of attitude, one level teaspoon of keeping the menu simple, a dollop of delightful flavor combinations and creativity to taste, all stirred gently and poured into an inviting home environment. What comes out of the oven is the ideal meal at the Sassy Lassie Cafe, just a short drive in the quaint town of Franklin. To begin with, I have never felt so at home and comfortable in an eating establishment. Certainly, there’s plenty of home-cooking eateries that offer comfort food, but this is like choosing your favorite spot in the house and settling in with a special meal. The setting is an old home with colorfully painted walls in each room. Each room houses a combination of dining tables and chairs for two or four and inviting, comfortable couches and chairs with a nook for every taste and mood. There’s the main room, where you might pick up a morning chat that I hear is more like heart-to-heart therapy with neighbors and friends; the well-lit computer room, where being alone in contemplation and technology come together; and what I call the secret room, which is a little more isolated so two friends can sit by the fire and possibly share their innermost secrets. But really, I have to stop gushing about the atmosphere and start gushing about the food. My dining companion and I visited the Sassy Lassie for lunch, but it also offers coffee and espresso drinks and an inexpensive breakfast you can take with you or cozy up with and eat in. All breakfasts are homemade and include items such as a sausage roll, which is a puffed pastry stuffed with fresh sausage. It also offers quiche, scones and muffins, as well as a new twist on a southern favorite. The eatery has biscuits rolled flat and stuffed with eggs, cheese and sausage or bacon, and newer twists without any old favorites - like spinach and feta cheese in pie pastry. Sassy Lassie also has what it calls “breakfast pudding” - a baked egg casserole with onion, sausage, ham, bacon, cheese and sassy seasoning topped with parmesan cheese. The lunch menu has been kept simple, just five sandwiches to choose from, but each of them sounded so good, it took me and my dining companion a good five minutes to try to choose just two. It couldn’t be done, so I ordered an extra sandwich to take home for dinner - and was still disappointed I didn’t get to try the other two. My dining companion had the southwestern cowhand with roast beef, herbed cream cheese, green chilies, cheddar cheese and a horseradish dressing on thick slices of sourdough. I finally chose the alpine mountain climber. This sandwich was made of ham, turkey, Swiss cheese and chipotle sauce on an asiago cheese roll. And for dinner that night, I took home the sea captain, which was tuna, feta cheese and black olive pesto on the asiago cheese roll. I am a huge, and I mean huge, fan of perfect flavor combinations and this is what made Sassy Lassie’s menu so inviting to me. Each sandwich had the usual meat and cheese suspects, but each had its own unique flavor twist, like horseradish on the roast beef, chipotle on the turkey and ham and olive pesto with the tuna. Each sandwich was served warm, making it especially inviting on a cold day. To top it all off, there is a soup of the day each day and on this day, I enjoyed the potato soup. Medium-sized chunks of potatoes floated in a thick (but not too thick) creamed soup, with a kick of cheddar flavor every now and then. My dining companion had the potato salad. It was homemade with a traditionally appealing flavor, but you can also have pasta salad or potato chips with your lunch. Before leaving, we just had to try a couple of coffee drinks - the white chocolate raspberry latte and a caramel macchiato. Each begins with a shot of espresso and then, as each name implies, flavors are added so that you get a jolt of caffeine minus the bitterness. My final purchase, to go with the coffee, was the locally famous empire biscuit. This is a small, cookie-type dessert with a fruit filling and a sugar glaze. Rumor has it that if they aren’t available daily, the customers and the wait staff are up in arms. Not to worry though, everything is available in abundance, every day, including Saturdays. So if you live in Franklin, make sure to visit this true hometown treat, and for you BGers, take the short drive and find yourself arriving at a home you’ll want to visit again and again. — New restaurants are given a six-week grace period. Comments can be sent to Managing Editor Mike Alexieff by telephone at 783-3235 or by e-mail at malexieff@bgdailynews.com. Sassy Lassie 614 Main St. - Franklin (270) 586-3806 Hours: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday- Friday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday; closed Sunday. Specialties: Breakfast, coffee drinks and sandwiches Cuisine: American Price range for dinner: $3.99 to $7.99 Libation situation: No Smoking: No |
| Food shortage ruins steakhouse meal Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:07:25 -0600 My dining companion and I ventured north this week to Rawhide Steakhouse and Saloon in Cave City. Rawhide is right off Interstate 65, adjacent to Knight’s Inn, making it convenient for travelers and those of us who sometimes like a little drive with dinner. I was excited to discover this seemingly quality steakhouse, and even more excited when we entered a freshly decorated rustic atmosphere. We were seated at one of the many booths painted the same deep, barn brown as the walls, which were scattered with farm items and memorabilia. My anticipation spiked even more as I read menu items like pecan encrusted chicken, grilled salmon salad, angus beef, deep fried green beans with wasabi/ranch dressing, and three flaming desserts, including bananas foster. I’m afraid my high expectations, coupled with the delay of a delivery truck that day, left a less than desirable taste in our mouths. Before I give you the details of our one experience, I will say that my hope when I review a restaurant is to guide you, the customer, toward desirable menu items and offer information so that you can decide for yourself what and what not to ask for. It is, after all, just one random experience. I also hope it gives each restaurant an opportunity to fine tune anything that they may not know is not working. I will say one wonderful feature of this restaurant was the humble, genuine way in which the wait staff and management tried to remedy this situation so that we had as enjoyable experience as they were able to offer that day - without knowing I was critiquing the restaurant - and I truly admire that. We began with those fried green beans I mentioned, but the breading didn’t have any flavor at all. Salting them wasn’t enough, and I thought perhaps the lack of flavor would be balanced out by the wasabi/ranch dip. I did not, however, find a hint of punch in the dip. We sent the green beans back and asked for the shrimp appetizer. They were out of shrimp. The apologetic, helpful wait staff (who was two days new) mentioned that the artichoke dip was especially good, however she sheepishly returned to report they were out of chips and that, in fact, a scheduled food delivery that day was long overdue. We decided to skip the appetizer and order entrees. My dining companion opted for the chicken breast and baked potato, I ordered the combination dinner of sirloin steak and ribs, choosing mixed vegetables as my one side. We were only offered one side and no dinner salad, which seemed odd. A salad and side was offered with steaks, but not the fish, steak combos or chicken. At these prices, I thought for sure a salad would be included. I’m wondering if they were out of lettuce and our thoughtful server just couldn’t disappoint us one more time. One the bright side, the grilled chicken breast was a tender, generous portion (but I would recommend one of the choices with sauce), and the baked potato came fully loaded with cheese, sour cream and butter. The top sirloin steak had some gristle, was tender, but lacked any appetizin |