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| Drinking up Summer Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:14 -0500 Eight-year-old A.J. McAllister of Bowling Green cools off Wednesday during Concerts in the Park at Fountain Square Park. |
| Budget has little room for new work Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:15 -0500 While all branches of the city are seeing at least a 3 percent cut in this year’s shrunken budget, perhaps the biggest decrease is not to a specific department but to the annual capital improvement program. |
| Franklin gets $1M for data plan Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:16 -0500 Franklin will receive a $1 million federal grant to install a fiber-optic loop around the city. |
| Organizers getting ready for annual fireworks festival Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:17 -0500 Organizers of Thunderfest say the July 3 event at the National Corvette Museum will be the largest and best attended fireworks display in the region. |
| Police working to curb sudden increase in mo-ped thefts Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:18 -0500 Police are looking for help in a recent spate of mo-ped thefts. |
| Kaleidoscope presents its ‘Big Give Challenge’ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:18 -0500 Facing a financial crisis, one Bowling Green youth arts program has found a creative way to reach out to the public for help. |
| 2008 Hangar Party preparations begin Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:20 -0500 Volunteer Larry Beam of Bowling Green uses a pressure washer Wednesday to clean a Navy F9-F5 Panther in preparation for the 2008 Hangar Party at the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport. |
| GO bg continues Friday night run Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:20 -0500 There aren’t any organized activities downtown Friday night, but GO bg is still operating its Friday night shuttle. |
| BG International Center set to host Refugee Awareness Day on Saturday Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:21 -0500 Bowling Green’s newest international residents relocated from refugee camps will celebrate Saturday when the Bowling Green International Center will host a Refugee Awareness Day at Kereiakes Park. |
| Photo: Fair weather Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:22 -0500 A hot air balloon, seen through a grove of trees Wednesday, floats across the Bowling Green sky. |
| Red Cross organizing training for flood relief Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:21:22 -0500 American Red Cross of South Central Kentucky is organizing a training session Saturday for volunteers who want to provide relief in flooded Indiana and Wisconsin. |
| POLICE NEWS: By the Daily News Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:24:27 -0500 A Bowling Green man was shot twice with a Taser after allegedly attempting to stop police from taking him into custody. |
| Hot wheels Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:53 -0500 The sounds of revving engines will fill the air this weekend when the sixth annual Holley National Hot Rod Association National Hot Rod Reunion returns to Beech Bend Raceway Park. “We’re tickled to death to be back. We have a great relationship with Beech Bend Park,” said Steve Gibbs, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum vice president. “It’s great to be back in Bowling Green.” Tony Thacker, executive director of NHRA Motorsports Museum, agreed. “We were here for four years, and then we had problems with access of the track. We left for a year and went to Columbus, Ohio, but we always wanted to be here,” he said. “It’s one of the oldest drag strips in the world. It’s a historic track. It makes the coolest possible venue. It recollects drag racing as it used to be in the 1950s and ’60s.” Gates open daily at 8 a.m. Adult admission is $20 on Friday and Saturday and $15 on Sunday; admission for children 15 and under is free. The first 1,000 people who attend Sunday’s race will receive a free Mattel Hot Wheels car. “It’s the Hot Wheels’ 40th anniversary and a way to help celebrate Father’s Day,” Thacker said. Activities will include races, parade, awards, displays and a reception. This year’s honorees are Arnie Beswick, Gabby Bleeker, Charles “Boogie” Scott, Bob Stange and Jim Walther, and Justice Brothers Reunion Spotlight Award winners the Ramchargers. The grand marshal of the reunion is Dick LaHaie. “Quite a few of these people went through racing unrecognized,” Thacker said. Organizers expect as many as 25,000 people to attend the event and have 500 racers booked, some from as far away as California, England, Australia and New Zealand, Thacker said. “The economic impact is staggering,” he said. The reunion will cause traffic congestion Friday through Sunday at the intersection of Louisville Road/U.S. 31-W By-Pass and Riverview Road. At peak times, the traffic signal at the intersection will be off and an officer will control the flow of traffic. On Friday afternoon, participants will leave Beech Bend at 5 p.m. and arrive at the Sloan Convention Center at 7 p.m. for a reception. Drivers should plan alternate routes in these areas if possible. Thacker said the reunion appeals to a variety people. “It’s a reunion, but also it’s a trip back in time where we can enjoy racing when life was less complicated,” he said. “It’s sort of a three-generation sport now. We’re honoring people who are in their 60s, 70s and 80s. Their grandchildren are now racing cars their grandparents used to drive.” Gibbs said the reunion is more of a lifestyle and nostalgic-type event that has something for everyone. “It’s more than a race. It’s a chance to get a lot of friends to get back together. It’s a social event,” he said. “It helps preserve the sport. We hear from so many people that it’s one of the most enjoyable events of the year.” — For more information, visit the museum’s Web site at http://museum.nhra.com. Full schedule for this weekend’s National Hot Rod Reunion The following is a schedule of events for the sixth annual Holley National Hot Rod Association National Hot Rod Reunion: Today 9 a.m.-6 p.m. - Racer pit parking and midway setup 9 a.m.-4 p.m. - Late registration and “Will Call” for Show ’N Shine Only (Holiday Inn lobby) 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Open House at Holley 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. - Treasure Hunt for Vettetastic 2008 5 p.m. - Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Holiday Inn Friday 8 a.m. - Reunion opens 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Late registration and all “Will Call” pick up (Beech Bend Park) and Show ’N Shine judging 10 a.m.-5 p.m. - Hot Heads qualifying and exhibition runs 2 p.m. - Hot Heads Top Fuel qualifying session 1 5 p.m. - Secure track activity 7 p.m. - Holley Hot Rod Reunion reception (free admission at Sloan Convention Center) Saturday 8 a.m. - Reunion opens 8 a.m.-10 a.m. - Participant late registration (Beech Bend Park) 8 a.m.-noon - Show ’N Shine judging 9 a.m. - Hot Heads qualifying and exhibition runs as called 2 p.m. - Hot Heads Top Fuel qualifying session 2 3 p.m. - Hot Heads category eliminations 6 p.m. - Special awards and honorees presentation 6:30 p.m. - Top 50 Show ’N Shine parade and awards 7:45 p.m. - Hot Heads Top Fuel qualifying final round 8:30 p.m. - Twilight memorial 8:35 p.m. - Cacklefest Sunday 8 a.m. - Reunion opens 9 a.m. - Chapel service 10:30 a.m. - Pre-race ceremonies 11 a.m. - National anthem and Hot Heads eliminations and exhibition runs 4 p.m. - Winner’s Circle Awards 4:30 p.m. - Reunion closes |
| Logan garden tour back Saturday Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:54 -0500 The Logan County Garden Club and Logan County Chamber of Commerce will highlight the beauty of several gardens in the area Saturday with the 10th annual Gardens of Logan County Tour and Tea. The event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will include a walking tour, trolley rides and museum and church tours, gardening seminars and a silent auction. Local and nationally known artists will have work displayed at the gardens. Nationally known author Linda Hawkins will have a book signing. Tickets for the tour are $9 and may be purchased in advance at the Logan County Chamber of Commerce office, from any garden club member, at the Bibb House or at any garden on the day of the tour. Tickets to the tea were sold in advance and can no longer be purchased. Tour and Tea chairwoman Darlene Heflin said this is an event of many “firsts” for the garden club to celebrate its 10th year. “We’ve never done a tour and a tea together. We’ve never held a silent auction, never had artists in the garden,” she said. “We’ve never had a book signing on the tour. This is our first trolley tour.” The tour will take people throughout Russellville’s historic district. Darlene Gooch of Main Street Russellville will conduct the tours dressed as Agnes Davis, who was the last owner of the Bibb House. “She was born in the late 1800s and became a prominent business woman,” Gooch said. “She was the first woman to sell fertilizer in the United States.” After her father, a lawyer, died when she was 43, Davis went to live with a local family. She had never worked, so she thought about things that went on in Logan County and decided to ask farmers who knew her father how she could help the farmers. She sold fertilizer and helped farmers who had fallen on hard times. “She was an amazing woman,” she said. “Within 30 years, she was able to purchase the Bibb House and antiques.” Davis purchased the Bibb House property in the 1950s and donated it and her lifelong collection of Southern antiques to the public upon her death in 1972 as a “Memorial to the Old South.” She was known as the “lady in red” because she loved the color red, as was evident in the red clothing she wore and many of the home’s furnishings. Her love for red began when her father complimented a red velvet outfit she wore when she was 9 years old, Gooch said. “She was always dressed in red. Even her slip was red. It was always hanging out,” she said. “Her shoes, purse, everything matched.” Heflin believes people will enjoy the tours. “Some of the gardens are more modern. Some are historical. Some have heritage plants, and some have newer hybrids,” she said. “We want to give everyone a variety of things that you can do at a garden tour, and show off historic Russellville.” The Logan County Garden Club meets the fourth Monday of each month. During the winter months, the group meets at the Bibb House. From spring through fall, the group visits one another’s gardens. For more information, call Heflin at (270) 726-6969; or garden club president Annie Statton at (270) 725-9100; or visit the Logan County Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.loganchamber.com. The following are homes on the garden tour: |
| First act of ‘Tuna’ series being staged this weekend Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:55 -0500 The Capitol Arts Alliance and Etcetera Theatre Company will bring a small town of eclectic citizens to the stage with their presentation of “Greater Tuna.” The play will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Capitol Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors/students, plus a $3 Capitol Preservation Fee per total transaction. To receive a $1 discount per ticket, patrons should call the Capitol and purchase tickets for “Greater Tuna” and the upcoming production of “A Tuna Christmas,” which will be July 25-26. The award-winning comedy, which features Capitol Arts Youth Theatre artistic director Christopher Cherry and Capitol Arts Youth Theatre artistic staff member Brett Andrew Riley playing 10 characters each, takes place in Texas’ third smallest town, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. Cherry and Riley play every man, woman, child and animal in Tuna. “It’s more than just a comedy,” Cherry said. “It’s a satire about rural American stereotypes.” Riley agreed. “I think that it’s a really interesting concept for these two men to play every single person who lives in this backwoods, redneck town in Texas,” he said. One of Cherry’s favorite characters is Didi Snavely, who owns a used weapons shop. “She smokes all the time and curses all the time,” he said. “She talks with a really gruff voice. She seems to be an audience favorite.” Riley enjoys playing Bertha Bumiller, the head of a lot of committees. “She has a high-pitched, angry voice. She calls people on the phone, verbally abuses them and hangs up,” he said. “She has three children who are crazy.” Because they play so many characters, costume changes have to be quick. “Sometimes we have eight or 10 seconds to change costumes completely,” Cherry said. “When I’m backstage, I’m not able to think about what’s coming next.” The longest costume change happens in about 30 seconds, Riley said. “There’s always somebody on stage, so there’s no down time,” he said. Acting on stage is quite different from directing, Cherry said. “I started my career as an actor and did that professionally for four or five years before I became director,” he said. “I like to act occasionally to make sure my acting is sharp. I want to make sure I’m being a good acting role model.” Both actors said they have enjoyed being part of the show. “It has been a great acting experience for me,” Riley said. “It has forced me to make quick changes in character and think out of the box.” Cherry said the show has been a real acting challenge. “It’s one of the reasons I wanted to do this show,” he said. “It’s very funny.” “Greater Tuna” has some adult language and is not recommended for young children. — For tickets or more information, call the Capitol at 782-2787 or visit its Web site at www.capitolarts.com. |
| ‘Panda’ a great way to start summer Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:55 -0500 Families still reeling from the disaster that was “Speed Racer” rejoice - “Kung Fu Panda” is the first summer film sure to entertain the entire clan. This is a charming film, full of wit and character that makes it a worthy addition to the Dreamworks library of films that includes “Shrek” and “Madagascar.” “Kung Fu” tells the story of Po (voiced by Jack Black), a slacker Panda working in his family’s noodle shop who dreams of studying Kung Fu alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five: Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. Po’s dreams become a reality when the treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung escapes - and it turns out Po is the only one capable of saving the city from Lung’s evil grip. Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger’s screenplay takes a pretty simplistic story and expands it into a film full of enchantment and wonder. It’s clear that the writers have a love for the martial arts genre and their knowledge adds to the cleverness of “Panda.” This is a film full of self-awareness, but the humor is more within the bounds of the film instead of films like “Shrek,” which relies on pop culture references for most of its laughs. “Panda” also benefits from a first-rate cast. Black is the perfect choice for Po, using his strengths as a comedian and making the panda a lovable and quite endearing character. Dustin Hoffman has nice moments as Shifu, the Furious Five’s mentor, while Angelina Jolie as Tigress and Jackie Chan as Monkey are welcome additions in their respective roles. The film looks great, too, using a cinemascope landscape to capture this ancient land. “Kung Fu Panda” isn’t quite up to speed with recent animated films like “Ratatouille” or “The Incredibles,” but it is still a cut above any other family film released in 2008. DVD dandy of the week This week’s dandy is “The Bucket List” (B), a rather sappy comedy-drama from director Rob Reiner that works largely due to its two high-powered leads, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Nicholson and Freeman play Edward and Carter, two terminally ill men who form an unlikely friendship and head off on a road trip to complete a list of things they’d like to do before they die. In the process of completing the list, Edward and Carter learn to deal with their impending death and ultimately find the joy that has been missing in their respective lies. “The Bucket List,” from a story written by Justin Zackham, sounds like something that would be relegated to the Lifetime Movie Network. Still, I found myself drawn into the material, mainly because of Nicholson and Freeman. This is a film that could have easily been overbearing if it weren’t for the ability of its two leads. Nicholson doesn’t deliver one of those completely over-the-top performances that he has been known for in the twilight of his career. Instead he proves to be the perfect match for Freeman’s smooth and comforting turn as a man wrestling with the realization that his life is almost over. “The Bucket List” is far from a great movie, but it is a great opportunity to watch a pair of great actors at the top of their game. “The Bucket List” is rated PG-13 for language, including a sexual reference, and is now available on DVD. — Sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton, who’s own star turn as the voice of Sing-Tao the Fighting Hippo was cut from the final version of “Kung Fu Panda,” can be reached by e-mailing mcompton@bgdailynews.com. |
| Mandolin perfect for a light summer meal Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:56 -0500 What to do on a hot summer night when you’re in the mood for fine food, but the intense heat keeps you from wanting anything but watermelon and Gatorade? How about a light meal at one of the finest eating establishments in Bowling Green, the Mandolin. My dining companion and I thought patio dining might be doable once the sun went down, but were not disappointed when air conditioning still made more sense at 8 o’clock at night. Mainly because the Mandolin is owned and operated by two wildly artistic Bowling Green residents: One creates the atmosphere, and the other works her magic creating and executing a four-star menu. Each room is donned in rich grained woods and striking rosined wood etchings, as well as a variety of international artwork. The fireplace mantle in the room in which we dined was a bit chaotic, but a quick glance out the window to the relaxing porch patio outdoors made it feel as if I were outside after all. To execute the light meal genre idea, we ordered two light appetizers then split an entr/e. We chose the crespella pockets as one appetizer, then looked to the salad menu for another light, chilled appetizer, the mozzarella and roma tomato salad. The crespella pockets, even though they were fried, were the perfect light meal choice: Crispy crepes folded into small triangular shapes, stuffed with light cheeses and meats. The mozzarella and roma tomato salad had an abundance of soft mozzarella cheese. Soft mozzarella has an appetizing texture when eaten chilled on a hot summer day, but with just a hint of flavor and when eaten alone is lacking. Add a slice of tomato drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and a side of greens, which is exactly how the Mandolin served it, and you have a dish delicious to the eye and the palate. We opted for the fish special that evening, a lightly breaded Italian cod with wild rice. The wait staff graciously split the meal, for a small fee, which allowed each of us to have a house salad with the dressing of our choice. We both chose the house specialty, gorgonzola - a light, creamy dressing with chunks of gorgonzola cheese for an occasional kick. The cod was rolled, then breaded with seasonings bursting with flavors, some I recognized, others I didn’t, but the blendings made this otherwise light meal a rich treat. The rice, too, a blend of brown and other wild rice varieties, made for a slender summer alternative to potatoes. With all this weightless eating, we had room for dessert. Of course there were the heavier favorites, like chocolate cake or even tiramisu, but we opted for the pineapple cake and it was a delicate ending to this modest, delicious meal. Thin layers of cake soaked in pineapple juice with layers of a whipped cream frosting was served with pineapple rounds on the side. Even though, as of this moment at least, the heat has settled down a bit, I would highly recommend the Mandolin for a meal on a whim or a special night out because in my experience it is a singularly, extraordinary eating establishment in our 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. MANDOLIN 712 Chestnut St. |
| Around town Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:56 -0500 Events, exhibits, plays, concerts ... To add your event, go to www.bgdailynews.com/calendar Art The Gallery at 916 will exhibit the newest works of Faye Christian Phillips and Rhonda Hartis Smith during June. For more information, call 843-5511 or visit www.the galleryat916.com. Art from Angela Kuprion, Marion Parcusta and Allison Bacovillard is on display at the Capitol Arts Center. Also on display in the mezzanine gallery will be the photography of Michael Trapasso and ceramics of Paul Johnson, through June 23. Rhonda Hartis Smith’s paintings continue on display through June in the classroom of the Health & Wellness Center at Greenwood Mall. VSA arts of Kentucky will present a joint exhibition by two of its registry artists, Lexington artist Lanny Taulbee and Bowling Green artist Pamela Tingle, until June 27. VSA’s gallery is at 515 E. 10th Ave. Campus The Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Main Gallery will present Jeff Leake’s paintings. Leake has been a teacher in the Western Kentucky University art department for a majority of the past decade and this will be his last exhibition before moving. Jacqui Lubbers, WKU fibers instructor, Cathy Perry, WKU art student and Mina Doerner will be creating works of art from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. A closing reception will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 20. Warren County Sights and Sounds, an exhibit presenting the history and culture of Bowling Green and Warren County in photographs and film, will be in Western Kentucky University’s Kentucky Library & Museum. The exhibit is the result of a two-year joint project during which about 150 photographs and 45 feet of moving film related to Bowling Green and Warren County were collected. Sponsors of the project and exhibit are The Landmark Association, The Bowling Green/Warren County Historic Preservation Board, Insight Communications and The Kentucky Library & Museum. Sights and Sounds of Warren County will be in the Museum’s Garden Gallery and continues through Dec. 7. “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 includes photographs taken by students in France, Spain, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and others and will be on display in the gallery through August. 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 The Chuck Wagon Gang from Pigeon Forge, Tenn., will perform at 7 p.m. June 22 at Allen County-Scottsville High School. For more information, call Fred Spears at (270) 237-5692. Blue Highway will perform from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday on the lawn of Simpson County’s Courthouse as part of the Summer Nights concert series. Concerts in the Park will be at noon Wednesdays in June and at 6:30 p.m. Fridays in July and Aug. 1. Concerts are free, thanks to support from BB&T Bank and other sponsors. Food, drinks and children’s activities will be available at each concert. Calvin Ray’s Live Music & Restaurant in Leitchfield features live music with Calvin Ray and The Blue Moon Highway Band from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. each Saturday. For more information, call (502) 538-2893. Lucio, along with The Rose Band, performs at Main St. Music in Morgantown from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Simply Country Band performs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays at Main St. The facility is behind McDonald’s. Theater Pine Knob Theatre will open its 22nd season with “Dock Brown - Legend of an Outlaw” at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15 or two for $25. Dining options include the Backyard Cookout and Delilah’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. or The Gustava, a climate-controlled Train Diner Car, with a buffet. “Dock” runs Saturday, on June 21, and on July 5, 12 and 19. For more information, go to www.pineknob.com or call (270) 879-8190. Odds & Ends The Warren East High School Raiderettes Dance Team is having a benefit car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Kroger on U.S. 31-W By-Pass. Donations will be accepted. The Clarksville Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the cafe of Borders Books store in Governor’s Square Mall off Exit 4 on Interstate 24. The speaker will be Civil War buff Jim Goecker. Bowling Green Harley-Davidson will have its fifth annual birthday bash this weekend. On Friday, Cootie Brown will perform from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the store, followed by The Shades. Performances Saturday include Buck Naked from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., The Shades from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and an appearance by Big Mike Griffin from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by fireworks. Sunday will include Big Mike Griffin from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be prize give aways and free food throughout the weekend. For more information, go to www. harley-davidsonbowlinggreen. com. Bowling Green Kiwanis will have Thunderfest on July 3 at the National Corvette Museum, featuring Skip Bond and the Fugitives. Gates will open at 4 p.m. Admission is $5 a person or $15 a carload. Rain date is July 5. Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra’s Star Spangled Spectacular will be July 4 on Western Kentucky University’s South Lawn. The free event features the orchestra, fireworks and picnicking. Barren River Lake State Resort Park will have activities all day July 4 at the beach beginning at about 10 a.m. A live band will perform at 5 p.m. and fireworks will go off at about 9 p.m. The Green River Catfish Festival in Morgantown coincides with holiday activities. The event’s firework show also will be July 4 at twilight in Morgantown City Park, where most activities are centered. The Cardinal Council of Garden Clubs will present “There’s a Song in the Air,” a standard flower show, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 25 at the Capitol Arts Center. A section will be open to the public for which pre-registration is required. For more information, call Sandy Riley at 781-1676. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Mammoth Cave Goat Producers Show begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at L.D. Brown Exposition Center. For more information, call David Alexander at 529-9330. Chaney’s Dairy Barn will have Ice Cream and a Moovie on Fridays. The schedule for the free event will be: June 20, “Open Season;” July 4, “Bee Movie;” July 18, “Shrek the Third;” Aug. 1, “Daddy Day Care;” Aug. 15, “Babe The Gallant Pig;” Aug. 29, “Field of Dreams.” All movies are free. Participants are asked to bring blankets or lawn chairs and watch the outdoor movie. In case of the rain, movies will be shown in the pavilion. Garden Glory Days will be in Smiths Grove on Saturday at the Garden Patch, with antiques and herbs for sale. For more information, call 563-3411. Shakertown at South Union will have broom-making demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (800) 811-8379 or go to www.shakermuseum.com. Beech Bend’s Cirque Africa show will run daily Monday through June 23 starring the Kenya Safari Acrobats. The show has acrobatic tumbling, human pyramid building, gymnastic jump roping and human contortions. For more information, call 781-7634 or go to www.beechbend.com. Tickets are available for the June 21 Garden Tour and Tea benefiting Kids on the Block, a nonprofit, educational puppet troupe that offers elementary school programs on physical and mental differences. Tour eight of Bowling Green’s most residential gardens followed by a light lunch and tea at the tea site. For ticket information, go to www.kykob.org or call 842-225. A free health screening will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ, 1106 State St. Checks will be done for blood sugar, blood pressure, lipid panel and bone density screening. Western Kentucky University’s Mobile Health and Wellness Unit will conduct the screenings. The unit also will be at the Bowling Green Housing Authority, 247 Double Springs Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are available for an art auction Wednesday to benefit Public Theatre of Kentucky. The fundraiser will be at the Baker Arboretum, which will also be the first public viewing of the museum built to house the works of the late Joe Downing. Tickets are $75 each, which includes a cocktail buffet and bar and are available at the Gallery at 916. Dinosaur World in Cave City will have teacher’s month during June. All teachers will receive free admission to the park. For more information, call Nicole Randall at (270) 773-4345 or e-mail dinosaur world@scrtc.com. Anyone visiting an American Red Cross blood drive or donor center this month will be entered in a regionwide drawing for a grill package worth $1,250. The grill package will include a $500 gift card for a grill, grilling accessories and monthly steak delivery from Omaha Steaks for a year. The American Red Cross has blood drives each Friday at its office, 430 Center St., from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional drives will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Russellville, from noon to 5 p.m. June 26 at The Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Center at Greenwood Mall; from noon to 6 p.m. June 20 at Scottsville Baptist Church, 301 E. Main St.; from noon to 6 p.m. June 24 at First Baptist Church in Franklin, 303 E. Cedar St.; and the Donorama from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 30 at the Holiday Inn University Plaza. Tickets are available for the Aviation Heritage Park’s June 21 Hangar Party. Tickets are $30 each, which includes food, beverages and a dance. Only 400 tickets are available. Kids 12 and under are $10; kids under 6 are free. Tickets will be available in advance at Ford’s Furniture in Bowling Green and Glasgow, and at Barbara Stewart Interiors in Bowling Green, or at the gate; reserved tickets are recommended. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the event. For more information, call president Carroll Hildreth at 779-4186. Customers who visit Arby’s restaurants in Bowling Green, Glasgow and Russellville through June 30 may donate $1 and sign a “Help Us Help Kids” pin-up to hang on the wall of the restaurant. Money raised will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Kentucky’s youth mentoring programs. Last year, Arby’s raised more than $1.6 million nationwide through its pin-up campaign. The Capitol Arts Alliance and the Builders Association of South Central Kentucky have joined together for a raffle draw fundraiser. Prizes for the Reverse Raffle Cash Give-A-Way are valued at up to $10,000 and 400 tickets will be sold at $100 each. Winners will be drawn June 20 at the Jaycee Pavilion. Funds raised at the raffle are in support of the Capitol Arts to help obtain an endowment. Tickets are available at the Capitol Arts Box Office. 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 products will be available for purchase. Karaoke is at Southern Lanes every Friday and Saturday night from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is no cover charge. A regional chess club meets at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Players of all ages and talents are welcome. For more information, call 991-0126. Friendly Hands Squares monthly dance is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the second Friday of each month at Cave Mill and Smallhouse roads in Bowling Green. For more information, call 781-6382. |
| Church to display art exhibits Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:57 -0500 The Presbyterian Church Art Board exhibit “Jodi with an Eye” will be displayed June 19 through July 25 at the church. This exhibit, which may be viewed in the fellowship hall, 10th Avenue entrance, from 8:30 am to 4 p.m. weekdays, features the work of Nashville artists Jodi Reeves and Jodi Belinda Yandell. The two Jodis share a love of art and similar philosophies, but often see things in different ways. Their differences in perspective are the basis of this show. A reception will be from noon to 2 p.m. June 22 in the fellowship hall. The exhibit “Art Times Three,” featuring the works of Colleen Hathaway, Marsha Heidbrink and Delaire Rowe, will be displayed through Friday. |
| VSA offering summer workshop Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:57 -0500 VSA arts of Kentucky will offer the summer workshop “Animals in Art” from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 23-27 for children ages 6 and older at the VSA arts of Kentucky office classroom studios, 515 E. 10th Ave. “Animals in Art” explores media in painting, drawing and sculpture to create a portrait of a pet. Students will learn about other artists and how animals inspire their artwork, and meet a service dog to learn how animals help people with disabilities. The workshop will conclude with an exhibition featuring the artwork created that week hosted by the students. The workshop costs $65, which includes all supplies, and a 10 percent discount is available for each additional family member attending the workshops. — For registration or more information, call (877) 417-9594. |
| Girls skateboard session Saturday Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:58 -0500 The Girls Riders Organization is teaming up with Girls Get On Board and is holding a skateboard session and workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday for girls of all ages and skill levels. During the workshop at Blue Wallace Skate Shop, girls will learn the basics of skating, safety, and some of the history of girls in action sports. No skateboard, no problem. Boards, pads and helmets will be available for use. Waivers will need to be signed. Anyone under 18 will need a parent or legal guardian present for registration. A $15 to $20 donation or purchase of T-shirt is suggested. — For more information, contact Courtney at (812) 322-5254. |
| Festival, tractor show this weekend Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:58 -0500 The annual Bell’s Tavern Heritage Fest and Antique Tractor Show in Park City is Friday and Saturday in Park City. The annual festival is held on the grounds of Bell’s Tavern Historical Park, at 117 West Old Dixie Highway. The five-acre park celebrates the town’s earliest beginnings, its link to Mammoth Cave and the area’s transportation history. The festival will feature performances Friday beginning at 6 p.m. by Jerry Patton and Cornerstone, the Prodigal Quartet, the Crossmen, and Jeff Sneed and Glory Bound. Saturday performers begin at 11 a.m. and include Moonwood, Brimstone Creek, Gary Hays and his tribute to Johnny Cash, Arthur Hatfield and Buck Creek, Double Nothin’, Pure Gravel Blues Band and Ernie Small Blues Band. The Annual Antique Tractor Show will feature a tractor parade at 10 a.m. There also will be food vendors, games, door prizes, crafts, antiques and agricultural products. The Park City Lions Club will provide a beans and cornbread lunch. There will be an American Red Cross Blood Drive on site beginning at 3 p.m. at the Lions Club next door to Bell’s Tavern Historical Park. Saturday’s activities will be capped by a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. — For more information, contact Mayor David Lyons or Joy Lyons at (270) 749-5700 or e-mail them at djlyons@alltel.net. |
| Commission hosting nature hike Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:59 -0500 The Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission is hosting a moderately strenuous hike June 21 through the Logan County Glade State Nature Preserve in Russellville. Western Region Preserves Manager Lane Linnenkohl will lead a one- to two-hour hike beginning at 9 a.m. that will cover a half-mile rail of slightly steep and uneven ground. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Discussion will include native glade vegetation, geology, glade management and restoration and threats to glade communities. The preserve is perched on the south-facing slopes of a knob and is one of the best examples of a limestone slope glade community found in Kentucky. Logan County Glade protects several species of plants that are considered state and globally threatened or endangered. Registration for the free event is required and space is limited. For more information, contact Lane Linnenkohl by phone at 745-7005 or e-mail at lane.linnenkoyl@ky.gov Directions: From the junction of the Green River Parkway and U.S. 68-Ky. 80 at Bowling Green, follow 68-80 west for 24.4 miles to Russellville, turn right into parking area between Health Department and old hospital building. — For more information about the commission, go to www.naturepreserves.ky.gov. |
| Reed wins orchestra competition Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:59 -0500 The Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra’s winner of its 2008 Junior String Concerto Competition is Harrison Reed. The youthful cellist won the grand prize during competition Saturday at First Christian Church. Harrison, son of Jeff and Sherry Reed, will be a freshman at Greenwood High School this fall. He studies cello at the Bowling Green String Academy with Yoonie Choi and he is the principal cellist of the Bowling Green Youth Symphony. In addition to music, he enjoys hunting and skateboarding. The competition is open to members of the youth orchestra who were of middle school age or younger last semester. The grand prize winner receives $100 and performs with the Youth Symphony at one of its concerts. The second place award went to Chaney Rose, third place to Rachel McGinnis and honorable mention to Madeline Byrd. |
| Dr. Nancy H. Davis Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:07:43 -0500 Dr. Nancy Hightower Davis, 73, of Bowling Green died at 10:32 a.m. June 10, 2008, at The Medical Center. The Todd County native was born Nov. 12, 1934. She was a retired professor of English at Western Kentucky University. She received her bachelor of arts degree in English from Western and was valedictorian of her graduating class, receiving the Ogden Trustees Award. She was awarded a National Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to attend Northwestern University, where she received her master’s and doctorate degrees in English. She was a former longtime member of Western’s Committee on the Center for Robert Penn Warren Studies and was a member of Modern Language Association and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She was a daughter of the late James E. Hightower and Orene Branum Hightower. Memorial service is at 3 p.m.. Saturday at State Street United Methodist Church, where she was a member and belonged to the Discussion Class, the Dorothy Hild Circle and Faithbuilders, with burial in Fairview Cemetery No. 2. Visitation is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church. J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home, Lovers Lane chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Nancy Hightower Davis Scholarship Fund, WKU College Heights Foundation, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101. Online condolences may be made at www.jckirbyandson.com. Survivors include her husband of more than 49 years, James Leslie Davis; a son, Neal Robert Davis and his wife, Trina Sullivan Davis, of Rockfield; a sister-in-law, Virginia Davis Edwards and her husband, William B., of Waynesboro, Va.; two aunts, Louise Holloway of Hopkinsville and Dorothy Palmer of Atlanta; an uncle, Toby Hightower and his wife, Iona, of Marshall, Ind.; four first cousins; and her loving dog, Gizmo. |
| Fannie Goodman Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:07:44 -0500 CAMDEN, Tenn. — Fannie Goodman, 96, of Camden died June 9, 2008, at a Camden nursing home. The Benton County native was born Dec. 6, 1911. She was the oldest member of Eagle Creek Baptist Church, where she had been a member since 1941. She also loved to garden and cook. She was a daughter of the late Odo McDaniel and Etta Goodman McDaniel and the wife of the late Louie Goodman. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charlie McDaniel; two sisters, Vernie Marrison and Annie Ruth Goodman; a son-in-law, Mack Harris; and a great-grandson, Justin Harris. Funeral was Wednesday at Oakdale Funeral Home, with burial in Eastview Cemetery. Survivors include a son, Jimmy Goodman and his wife, JoAnn, of Bee Spring, Ky.; two daughters, Bobbie Somerville and her husband, Bobby, of Paris, Tenn., and Martha Harris of Camden; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five stepgrandchildren. |
| Elizabeth Hood Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:07:44 -0500 LAKELAND, Fla. — Elizabeth Hood, 66, of Lakeland died June 7, 2008, in Lakeland. The Pasadena, Calif., native was born April 10, 1942. She was a microbiologist for the Bowling Green Health Department and was a member of many garden clubs in Kentucky and Florida. She took many nature photographs. Central Florida Casket Store & Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include her partner, Dale McCummiskey. |
| Louise W. Logsdon Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:07:44 -0500 GLASGOW — Louise Walters Logsdon, 88, of Glasgow, formerly of Horse Cave, died at 4:15 p.m. June 11, 2008, at T.J. Samson Community Hospital. The Hart County native was born Jan. 19, 1920. She was a former employee of Crucible Steel for 20 years and was a member of Hardyville Union Church. She was a daughter of the late Isom Walters and Nannie Bell Walters. She was married Dec. 23, 1939, to Glen Logsdon, who preceded her in death on Jan. 27, 2002. Funeral is at 2 p.m. Saturday at Brooks Funeral Home, with burial in Horse Cave Cemetery. Visitation is from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to www.brooksfuneralhomeky.com. Survivors include a daughter, Glenda Sue Moss of Lexington; four sons, Kenneth and A.G. Logsdon, both of St. Cloud, Fla., Billy Joe Logsdon and his wife, Kaye, of Horse Cave and David Logsdon of Suitland, Md.; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. |
| William D. Oliver Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:07:45 -0500 MORGANTOWN — William David Oliver, 57, of Morgantown died June 10, 2008, at his residence. The Butler County native was a disabled veteran, a Christian and a Vietnam War Army veteran. He was a son of the late Ray Beech Oliver and Letha Belle Tuck Oliver. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Earl Carlon Oliver, Howard Lee Oliver and Ernest Wayne Oliver; and three sisters, Barbara, Doris and Mae Oliver. Funeral is at 2 p.m. Friday at Smith Funeral Home, with burial in Githens Cemetery. Visitation is from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and begins at 8 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Githens Cemetery, c/o Stella Oliver, 1856 Sugar Grove Road, Morgantown, KY 42261 or you may receive and leave your donation envelopes at Smith Funeral Home. Survivors include two sons, Jeff Oliver of Richmond, Va., and Jason Oliver of Crestview, Fla.; four grandchildren, Nicholas and Madison Oliver of Crestview and Levi and Evy Oliver of Richmond; a brother, James Oliver and his wife, Wilma Jean, of Sugar Grove; five sisters, Jean Milby and her husband, Forest, of Louisville, Wanda Beller of Morgantown and Sue Sharer and her husband, Robert, Linda Brooks and her husband, Tommy, and Phyllis Borders, all of Bowling Green; a sister-in-law, Stella Oliver of Morgantown; two aunts, Bertha Tuck of Bowling Green and Wilma Tuck of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and several nieces and nephews. |
| Michael E. Woolen Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:07:45 -0500 Michael Eugene Woolen, 48, of Bowling Green died at 2:15 p.m. June 7, 2008, at his residence. He was a registered nurse and an Air Force veteran. He was a son of the late Melvin Woolen and Alberta Woolen of Owensboro, who survives. The service and visitation will be at a later date in Owensboro. J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home, Lovers Lane chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Other survivors include three sons, Nathan Woolen of Centertown, Kevin Woolen of Bowling Green and Andrew Woolen of Butler County; a brother, Melvin “Sonny” Woolen Jr.; three sisters, Sylvia Woolen Sutton and her husband, Thomas, of Rockport, Ind., Patricia Woolen Sutton of Cloverport and Linda Woolen Holder and her husband, Richard, of Hawesville; and several nieces and nephews. |
| Welcome back, Hot Rod Reunion Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:04:59 -0500 It’s been official for quite some time now, but the National Hot Rod Reunion is back in town and it gets under way today at Beech Bend Park. Residents will see muscle cars and their drivers in town through Sunday for the sixth annual racing event. Large numbers of people started pouring into town this week for the racing event, which moved elsewhere last year due to the road dispute between Beech Bend Park owner Dallas Jones and nearby local landowner Matt Baker. This was an unfortunate matter, but it has long since been resolved and the event is back in our city. Bowling Green and Warren County have done a lot since the venue left last year to bring it back to Beech Bend Park. The state, with the help of Warren County, spent $300,000 on the park to help make the turn into Beech Bend easier for big rigs. Jones bought out Baker so he could have an additional entrance and Jones also spent $200,000 adding lanes to the entrance of the race track. Although this was a high price to pay to bring the venue back to Bowling Green, it was money well spent. It is a popular event with local residents as well as tourists. Race fans and participants will also feel less stress with better traffic flow at the main entrance with the addition of lanes. The event will also be very good for local hotels and restaurants, which will be housing and entertaining out-of-town guests for the weekend. Vicky Fitch, executive director of the Bowling Green-Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the estimated economic impact of the event is about $4 million. We are glad that the National Hot Rod Reunion is back in town and we hope that everyone who attends the event has a safe and fun time. |
| Nothing but ‘amore’ at Mancino’s Grinders Thu, 29 May 2008 12:08:18 -0500 "Amore” and pizza go together in songs and movies, so why not in Bowling Green. What I’m referring to here is Mancino’s Grinders and Pizza’s motto, which is: “I love that place!” Which both my dining companion and I did. While I reviewed Mancino’s at Greenwood almost two years ago, since this column is mainly about experience, I thought it was time for a visit to Mancino’s in Lost River. Love is not lost here, either. To begin with, the counter staff was jovial, friendly and not the least bit nosey, even when the two of us ordered just about one item in every category (in the name of trying as much as we could), which ended up being enough food for twice as many people. Love has to be pouring from everywhere if the kitchen is as exposed as it is at Mancino’s. A clean, cutting board wood and stainless cooking station looks to be about half the size of a football field and sits in the center, surrounded by pizza ovens and other work stations. The cook staff delightfully buzzes around each other as if they were choreographed by the workers in the Wizard of Oz, who “get up at 12, start to work at one, take an hour for lunch and then at two are done!” The entire experience was like a scene from a movie as the staff assisted with a pizza that sadly slipped off the tray and onto the floor and then mopped up a water spill with ease. Oh, and did I mention they can cook with consistency as well? At the counter my dining companion and I opted for soup, salad, a grinder, lasagna, a small pizza, a brownie and two oatmeal cookies. We were given the brownie and cookies right away and ended up eating dessert first, because what’s not to love about eating dessert first? The brownie had a cake-like quality and literally crumbled before reaching my mouth. Not even the frosting stayed put, but it was a chocolate treat overall. There are two types of oatmeal cookies: moist and chewy, that bend and don’t break, and the crispy, dryer version that snap and send oatmeal flakes a-flying. My dining companion prefers the soft version, yet Mancino’s bakes the latter, but we both agreed the cookies were quite flavorful. The soup was a cheesy, bacon potato that tasted best when it was hot. Small melt-in-your-mouth pieces of potato, with cheese and bacon tastes balanced nicely in a thick, creamy base. The Greek salad was excellent, with an abundance of olives, crumbly feta cheese, red onions, tomatoes and a packaged dressing. Both the pizza and the grinder exemplified taste. The Cajun chicken grinder wasn’t too spicy hot, but was spicy tasteful with tender, Cajun-rubbed chicken, onions, cheese, lettuce and tomato. We opted for the Mancino’s pride pizza with an effective combination of meats and veggies, a lovely crisp crust and just enough sauce! That appetizing sauce was generously poured over my personal favorite of the day, the lasagna. Even if you’ve only read this column a couple of times, you know I’m big on the perfect balance of flavor combinations and this lasagna had it going on! The sauce was plentiful, as I said, the noodles present, but it was the real ricotta with spices and cheeses hidden between the layers in just the right amount that made it truly delicious. Mancio’s also has other baked pastas, calzones, nachos, five other salads and cinnamon sticks with sides of vanilla icing for dipping, so surely you’ll find something to love. Actually we were on our way to a movie after pizza, but saved the ticket price partially due to the entertainingly delicious and enchanting visit to Mancino’s Grinders and Pizza. — 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. |
| Moe’s offers color, options and vibrant food Thu, 15 May 2008 10:59:35 -0500 When I think of the Southwest, I think of places like Santa Fe, N.M., and Sedona, Ariz. And when I remember passing through from one town to the other, I remember the vibrant contrasting colors of red earth, black rock and blue sky. Moe’s Southwestern Grill cuisine reflects this topography with a colorful flair added via ingredients, ingredients, ingredients. Black beans, olives, corn, tomatoes, avocado, onion and cilantro translate into appetizing shades of yellow, red, green, white and even black. Not to mention Moe’s also offers a plethora of multi-hued sauces. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Entering Moe’s, you can’t miss the oversized menu board with item names reflective of random pop culture, that don’t seem so random once you know that MOE’s is actually an acronym for: “musicians, outlaws and entertainers.” I had to look up the “Joey bag of donuts burrito,” which apparently hails from the movie, “My Cousin Vinny.” What I did not get when I entered was the “Welcome to Moe’s!” that was present when the restaurant first arrived in town. This was reflective of my entire trip down the manned conveyor of Southwestern cuisine. I could barely get the wait staff to look at me, let alone engage in a dialogue that would help me with the many choices. After I left the restaurant, though, I realized there appeared to be no necessary managerial guidance and only three servers working - this during the lunch rush. The wait wasn’t too bad, but I felt like more of an intruder than a customer. Despite this, I was able to choose menu items and make choices with enthusiasm. I chose two limited timers not on the usual menu, the Southwestern cobb salad and a special chicken quesadilla, as well as a close talker salad (from that close talker “Seinfeld” episode). My dining companion and I ate outdoors and relished in the variety of vibrant colors and groupings of savory tastes. Everything was fresh, from the pico de gallo to the cilantro to the romaine and especially the olives - I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a black olive with so much flavor! And as I was digressing earlier, there were an abundance of appetizing sauces, salsas and dressings. Chipotle ranch, guacamole ranch and a southwestern vinaigrette dressing for the salads. A chunky guacamole with onions, peppers, tomatoes and cilantro worked for my taste. My dining companion, however, did not like the guacamole and after one bite he went back to the tomatillo salsa that he’d been originally drawn to. The key ingredient in a variety of Latin American sauces, the tomatillo, is referred to as a Mexican tomato. Deep green in color, this fruit is spherical in shape and a bit larger than a walnut. Moe’s purees the tomatillo and I detected flavors of spices and lime that added to the deliciousness. I built each menu choice with my choice of seasoned beef or chicken, pinto or black beans, bacon, cheese, olives, pico de gallo, cucumbers and mango for the cobb salad. Each dish was flavorful, but I will say the quesadilla stood out as my favorite because the heated chicken was especially moist, when compared to the cold beef and chicken on the salads. Each menu category at Moe’s (burritos, nachos, quesadillas and the like) offers at least one vegetarian option, or you can choose any menu item, skip the beef and begin with the beans. So, between the colorful music, (hits from the ’50s to the ’80s), unusual menu options and vibrant food, gaudy works to please the palate in the south bringing the hues of the Southwest to Bowling Green. — 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. MOE’S SOUTHWESTERN GRILL 2020 Scottsville Road |
| Cave City’s El Mazatlan a good choice Thu, 8 May 2008 11:16:22 -0500 Que pasa? Which means: What’s up? It seems clich/ to begin a Mexican restaurant review with a Spanish urban phrase, yet I do so because it truly added to the enjoyment of my recent dining experience at El Mazatlan in Cave City. It all began with a friendly waiter, who genuinely called my dining companion and me “amigo” with every visit to the table, and who also humored us when we asked for translations, including the one that opened this review. Something I do always begin a Mexican meal with is a bowl of guacamole. El Mazatlan’s guacamole looked fresh and deep green in color, which made me think the only ingredient was avocado. This is usually a good thing, because I don’t like guacamole with fillers. In this case, however, the avocado must have been bland, because the guac was bland. I found one or two pieces of cilantro in the dip, but not enough to add flavor. My dining companion and I salted it, making it acceptable with chips. The appetizer we did vehemently enjoy was the cheese dip. It was the usual melted white cheese, but there seemed to be spices that added to the flavor as well. The d/cor at El Mazatlan was charming: Bright yellow, orange, brown and red colors on adobe-looking walls in a meandering floor plan and an occasional painted mural that looked like an open window on a sunny day. We sat far from the smoking section, because when we were seated near the door dividing the two sections, we still encountered smoke. El Mazatlan in Cave City is just off Interstate 65 north of Bowling Green. The word is with graduation, prom and Mother’s Day this weekend, the restaurants in Bowling Green will be full to capacity, so a trip north, if you don’t fall into any of those categories yet want to eat out, might be in order. And ... speaking of order, I can recommend a few items my dining companion and I enjoyed. The chimichangas were simple but delicious. They can be ordered with beef or spicy chicken. Both my dining companion and I had a chicken chimichanga on our combination plates. The chicken was moist - large flavorful chunks wrapped then fried in a flour tortilla that was flaky with deliciously substantial crunch at each end. Also on my el amigo special plate was a cheese quesadilla. This is a folded, then pan-fried flour tortilla filled with the same cheese as the queso dip. Unfortunately, as the meal cooled, the cheese separated and it was not as appetizing as it had been in the dip. Rounding off my plate was something I had never heard of called an ollita. This was a small, crispy, fried flour tortilla in the shape of a small cup with chicken chunks, spices, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and grated cheese layered inside. It was a unique, flavorful dish - and you could even eat the dish when you finished its contents. The chile in the egg batter then fried chile relleno was hotter than I’ve had at other restaurants. Both the beef taco and tamale had crumbly, fine pieces of ground beef with soft or crunchy corn meal for a classic Mexican combination and effective taste. El Mazatlan in Cave City has the same (or at least a very similar menu) to its sister restaurant in Bowling Green and also locations in Glasgow and Munfordville. I usually have either appetizers or dessert, but was tempted to enjoy both because El Mazatlan offers the Mexican classic flan, as well as unique desserts like fruit-filled burritos, churros with ice cream and tres leches cake. This translates into a cake made with three kinds of milk. And for my final Spanish expression: If you’re in “buen humor,” (a good mood) visit El Mazatlan and you will “que lo pases bien” (have a good 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. 105 Garbner Lane |
| Hilton’s breakfast a luxurious escape Thu, 1 May 2008 10:33:01 -0500 There are several country-style, Southern breakfast eateries in Bowling Green that are deliciously greasy when I’m in the mood. But there is less than a handful of Tiffany-style breakfast establishments which I also find pleasurable. This is not to be confused with Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which was a simple menu outside the richest, most famous jewelry store in the country, but just the opposite - a breakfast with a well-to-do menu. I discovered the Hilton Garden Inn breakfast a few months ago, and finally made it in for a taste. While the Hilton did not have eggs Benedict on the menu (my personal standard for a lavish breakfast), it did offer a variety of breakfast items to enhance any morning meal. The restaurant, which also serves dinner, is housed just inside the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn. I became enamored by the travel atmosphere, feeling as if I were actually away from home, and out of the blue began striking up conversations with the other guests about where they were from. My dining companion, on the other hand, sat at the table nostalgically noticing the upscale hotel d/cor that is a mirror image of any Hilton you might visit throughout the country. This luxury lends itself to the Tiffany-style breakfast, with thoughtful and soothing color combinations, deep grained decorative woods and opulent fixtures. The breakfast at Hilton Garden is a mix of buffet and made-to-order food. We each ordered at the made-to-order bar from a chalkboard menu. I ordered Texas-style French toast, my dining companion an omelet with potatoes. While we waited, we enjoyed a wide variety of fresh fruit housed in a bed of ice in the buffet. There were also the usual breakfast foods: bagels, doughnuts, toast, cereals - and even not so usual, soy milk. The buffet also included three kinds of juices, orange, apple and cranberry, in large ornamental carafes on the bar. I went for a cup of coffee and, by chance, discovered the Hilton Garden offers one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. I don’t usually drink coffee black, but had overfilled the cup while chatting with a fellow traveler. I drank it down a bit so that I could add some of the flavored syrups they offered and was taken aback by the smooth flavor. Even my dining companion, who is not a coffee drinker, agreed. The first sip went down easy and lacked that usual bitter bite coffee can have. Our breakfasts arrived and while the omelet was not “fluffy” as the menu described, it was a flat, flavorful blend of eggs with a variety of chunky, abundant ingredients of your choice, like bacon, sausage, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, cheese and the like. It did not list mushrooms, but they were inadvertently included - so if you’re not a mushroom lover, take note and make sure to exclude them. The fried potatoes were tastefully unique and flavorful. The potatoes were uniformly cut into perfect half inch squares that were flawlessly fried in every direction - thick on the outside with a hint of soft potato on the inside. My Texas French toast was two pieces of thick bread, slightly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. It needed just a small amount of butter and syrup because the sweetness of the egg batter was adequately enjoyable on its own. Breakfast at the Hilton Garden also offers patio dinning and was a splendid way to start the rest of our day, as we ended up engulfed in the true richness of taking in the wilderness while traveling down the Green River in a canoe. How lucky we are to have the best of both worlds in Bowling Green. — 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. |
| Red Lobster all about the extras Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:13:11 -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 |
| 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 |