September Gathering: Belle Diner, September 24, 2013

 

Oh My! Oh My! Am I looking forward to this month's gathering. Chef David Johnson, the owner of Belle Diner has lined up an amazing looking menu. Last Easter, we had a gathering at his last place called Southern Belle, which had been on Madison. He moved to a new location, therefore we are having another gathering with him at his new place. I didn't get to sample his food that night, so I am especially excited about this month's gathering.
Ticket link is at the bottom of the page. Price is $25 tax and tip included. As always, alcohol is on you.

Take a gander at this menu. If after reading this, you don't want to slap your mamma, kick your dog, and punch your best friend, I don't know what will.

1st Course:
Local Field Greens Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, croutons and choice of dressing.

2nd Course:
Fried Mississippi Catfish bites with jalapeno hushpuppies, pepper jelly, and pickled okra tartar sauce.

3rd Course:
Bourbon Brown Sugar glazed beef brisket with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and braised collard greens

4th course:
Petite house made fried pies (apple & peach)

Canned food items for foodbank donations are always welcome. 

 

Belle Diner

117 Union Ave.

901.433.9851

Hrs: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

 

foodiememphis

Belle Diner $25.00 USD

Name(s) of Attendees:

Food Allergies?

Meet the Chef/Owner: Marguel Polania . Arepa and Salsa

I am looking forward to introducing everyone to a great restuarant as well as a great family this month. This restaurant epitomizes what I want to do with this dinner group...help the mom and pop restuarants out there that are putting out amazing food. The Polania family has created a (hopefully not too much longer) hidden gem here in Memphis. Although I haven't tried the food, I only hear amazing things about it. Multiple people have reached out to me about this place, complimenting both food and family. They must be doing something right over there on Madison.

I often get to see the best and the worst of people when setting up these gatherings. Not only has the Polania family been extremely gracious, they have been a lot of fun through this process. Although I have two left feet, I am looking to heading out to their place on a Friday night and try learning the Salsa!  Without further ado, I present to you the Polania family!

 

 

What is your cooking or educational background?

I come from a family where the food is the centerpiece of any family event. In my grandmother's house, who was an excellent cook, the gatherings always ended up in the kitchen in spite of having a house with large terrace, a large living room or dining room. The process of cooking was part of the enjoyment.

What/who are your culinary or gastronomical influences?

Although our food is authentic Venezuelan, I recognize that I have some influence of the Spanish tastes inherited from my maternal grandmother who knew how to combine both styles to achieve excellent dishes.

Are you from Memphis or the area? If not, how did you get here?
I am from Venezuela and my husband is from Colombia, but Memphis was the city that united us and where we started our family.

Tell us the story of how you decided to open Arepa and Salsa.

I think that is an idea that life gave us. Because when we had a meeting/party with friends or work colleagues, they always asked us for the same thing; "please bring Arepas and Diego, “do not forget the Salsa music." We saw how they enjoyed the arepas and Salsa music. One day we said, "Why not carry this happiness to a greater number of people? ... Therefore, we embarked on this beautiful adventure.

 Who is involved in the restaurant? Family? Friends?

100% Family owned. Since the remodeling of the restaurant, the participation of brothers and nephews, was vital. Each one of them has given us a helping hand to better the restaurant. My husband created the ambience and theme that gives the restaurant a warm and inviting atmosphere. My mom by defining the menu in the kitchen, the nephews help in the construction and artistic touches. My brother-in-law is our technical support guy, without forgetting those friends that are really part of our family helping us with different details.

What is the best thing about running your own restaurant/kitchen?

We enjoy many things from having our own business such as:

• To arrive each morning to the restaurant and the challenge of making sure that each customer is satisfied and leaving with a smile because they love our food.

• When we see that a customer is enjoying his/her meal that is the result of the dedication of our team.

• See that our dream grows every day.

What is your favorite thing to eat on the menu?
This is one of the most difficult questions that customers ask us everyday day, because everything included on the menu are our favorite recipes that we enjoyed as a family and we love all of them. It was truly difficult to select the dishes to include in the menu.

What is your favorite thing to make on the menu?
The “Arepa de pernil”, from the moment of selecting the meat, marinating it, cooking, filling the arepa, and presenting it to the customer. I enjoy the whole process.

What special events do you have throughout the week? On the menu?
We have complimentary Salsa dancing classes every Friday night at 8:30 pm for our customers.

Tell us something that most people wouldn't know about you…non-restaurant related?

According to Isabella Polania, I am the best mom ever.

Fact or fiction: I hear you are a great dancer.
I do not know if I am a great dancer, but for me Salsa is a sort of communion of love that involves happiness and enjoyment. Through it I met my husband and we fell in love with each other. I love to dance Salsa.

Anything else you want to say about your business that I haven't asked?

We conceived this idea a few years ago but opened our doors in September 2012. In these 10 months we have received a great acceptance from the Memphis community and I feel so blessed and grateful to get their support and am committed every day to keep exceeding our customer’s expectations.

 

August Gathering: Arepa and Salsa

Gathering at Arepa and Salsa - Venezuelan Cuisine

I am so excited about this gathering. It should be great fun. Food looks incredible, and I know the folks that run it are really great people. They have a back room that has Salsa Lessons on Friday nights. (Maybe we can get a group together to go Salsa!) I am apologizing in advance for any toes I might step on if said Salsa gathering ever occurs. I am strictly a white man's overbite kind of dancer...enough of that! On to our Foodie gathering.

Everyone is welcome, but you must buy a ticket to attend. Go to the bottom of this to buy ticket.

When:
Tuesday, August 6th - 7 PM

Where:
Arepa and Salsa
662 Madison Ave
Memphis, TN 38105
901.433.9980
11:30 A.M. -  9:00 P.M.

Who:
You

What:
Starters:
Tequeno
Tostone cup (Shrimp)

Empanada (Beef)
Naked Arepa (Chicken)

UFO’S

Entrees:
Half Pernil Arepa
One Toston (Chicken)

Small Cachapa (Two cheese and Beef)

How Much:
$25 (tax and tip included)

Drinks are extra this time...

Soda: $2.19

Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite.

Natural Juices $3.50

Beers:

Budweiser, Light, Lime $3.50

Miller Lite, Coors Light $3.50

Dos XX (Amber) , Samuel Adams (Boston Lager) $4.25

Heineken $4.50

 Beautiful photos courtesy J. Terrell Studios 

June Gathering: Ethiopian Restaurant

HELLO FELLOW FOODIES! 

Man does it feel good to write that! I am so excited to announce the return of FoodieMemphis.

We will be gathering next tuesday night, the 25th at 7 pm. The location will be the Ethiopian Restaurant in Cordova. I have heard many great things about it and am excited about seeing everyone and sampling some of my favorite foods...Ethiopian! 

Our menu for next weeks gathering includes:Injera - a unique sour dough bread.

Rice and Salad - Seasoned rice served with injera and salad.

Veggie Combo - Vegetable combination plate of chopped collard greens, lentils, cabbage, carrots, chickpeas, green beans, and salad.

Doro Wot - Spicy sauce made with chicken, onions, garlic, berbere, ginger, and spice butter, topped with a hard boiled egg. It is the most famous dish.

Yebeg Wot - Tender pieces of lamb marinated in spices and cooked.

Zilzil Tibs - Savory beef cubes sauteed with onions, jalapeno peppers, and exotic spices.

Please visit the blogsite and buy your tickets. as usual, ticket price will be $25. It includes tip, and taxes. So all you do is show up and enjoy. I am mot sure about adult beverages, but if they are provided by the restaurant, they are extra.

Hope to see everyone there!

Christopher

 Ethiopian Restaurant info

901.590.3658
1134 N Germantown Pkwy Ste 107
Memphis, TN