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 

Imagine Vegan Cafe Photo Recap and Review

I must admit that I was concerned about our gathering at Imagine Vegan Café. I am pretty open to different styles of cooking, and was even a vegetarian for almost a decade, but vegan is SO outside my comfort zone that I was concerned. I was so concerned in fact, that I even told a few friends that this gathering would go one of two ways…a total disaster or a total success.

Well my foodie friends, I am pleased to report that our gathering at Imagine Vegan Café was a total success! If I heard it once, I heard it ten times after the gathering, “Thanks for choosing this restaurant, I would NEVER have eaten here on my own…and I LOVED it. I will definitely be back.” I think everyone who joined us had a great meal and found at least a few items on the menu that they plan on getting get upon their return, me included.

In fact, I had to go back and try that BBQ sandwich again. I am about to write something many in Memphis may claim to be pure heresy. I am debating whether or not I think the best BBQ sandwich in Memphis is...gasp, VEGAN?! Seriously folks, the BBQ sandwich at Imagine Vegan Café is that good. 

Imagine Vegan Café epitomizes what our group is all about. We want people to try restaurants that are out of their comfort zone. Initially, the idea behind our group was to only eat at ethnic restaurants. The tasting menu was introduced as a way to get people to try things that they wouldn't normally try, or better, wouldn’t know to try. I don’t know if any other restaurant fits that description better. I have wanted to go and try Imagine Café a few times, but was always nervous about it b/c I had no idea what would be acceptable to my refined palette (tongue firmly planted in cheek). I now have realized that it was most definitely my loss.

Foodiememphis promotes locally owned restaurants and the entrepreneurs behind them. Adam and Kristie Jeffrey are doing something totally different than most other restaurants. Their restaurant isn’t about food as much as promoting a healthy lifestyle. They are trying to show people that vegan food doesn’t have to be bland and tasteless, as many in our group (myself included) had anticipated. It is tasty, has good texture, is filling, and is delicious.

In perfect Cooper Young fashion, they have great tunes by which to eat. My personal belief is a good meal can only be improved by good company and good music. Go by try a BBQ sandwich, listen to some great tunes, or just sit at the bar and have a beer or two and talk music with Adam. I can’t “Imagine” a nicer time.

foodiememphis tasting menu: this is 100% Vegan, even the beef tips

Appetizers:

Dogs n’ blankets . A childhood favorite! Six hot dogs wrapped in flaky crescent rolls.
Buffalo wings . Six boneless buffalo wings served with carrots, celery sticks, and homemade ranch dressing.
Chicken Nuggets . Five southern fried chicken nuggets served with homemade ranch for dipping.
Spinach Dip . Warm, creamy spinach dip served with tortilla chips.

Entrees:

Sausage Pizza . Vegan pizza served with sausage and cheese.

Beef tips and rice . Sauteed beef tips and onions served on a bed of rice.

Chicken Drumstick Meal . Mock fried chicken drumsticks so close to real thing it will scare you.
Red beans and rice with sausage . Slow-cooked red beans and rice served with kielbasa sausage.
Eggplant Parmigana . Fried eggplant topped with marinara, mozzarella and served with a slice of garlic toast.

Dessert:

Mini cupcake provided by our vegan baker Karina Khan. ( AMAZING! )

As our group has a tendency to vote for vegetarian dishes as the group favorite, I was curious how the meat substitutes would fare with our group. It was close, but the winner of this month's group favorite award went to...

I was torn between two items on our tasting menu, the eggplant parmigana and the BBQ sandwich. Both were incredible and one couldn't go wrong ordering either. I apologize that there are no pictures of the BBQ sandwich...I couldn't wait to eat it. I was amazed that in the voting everything on the tasting menu got at least one vote. Even the side items like the mashed potatoes and green beans. 

Our exit/Atticus survey results are highlighted below.

What food(s) did you like best?

“Chicken nuggets and the BBQ sandwich – I’m still not sure the BBQ wasn’t real meat.”

“red beans/rice + green beans”

“dog in a blanket”

“bbq, pigs in a blanket”

“Pizza and the BBQ”

“beef tips”

“Spinach Dip”

“hot wings and eggplant parm”

“buffalo wings, eggplant”

“EGGPLANT!”

“hot sauce on the hot wings, the wings were good too, but I really liked the sauce. J”

What did you like best about the gathering?

“the variety”

“meeting new people, and trying a restaurant I wouldn’t have tried!”

“the laid back atmosphere of the restaurant”

“as always, making new friends who like food as much as I”

“seeing old friends. We meet at foodie gatherings!”

“the eclectic group, and the different food”

“the company”

“spreading the word about awesome vegan food and Imagine Café”

“trying something I wouldn’t try on my own”

“not knowing who you will sit with, and then having a great conversation”

“fun location, and the GOOD food”

“hanging with my peeps J “

“the wide variety of food”

“being able to sample many different foods”

“trying vegan food for the first time!”

“the whole vegan experience"
"The music, man, the music"

What can we do to improve the event?

“No complaints here!”

“???”

“Great event, I really enjoyed it. Nice choice of restaurant.”

I don’t know…this was my first one. I liked it!’

”do it more often”

Thanks again to Adam, Kristie, and the whole crew at Imagine Vegan Cafe. We had an amazing night.

If you want to go and try it yourself, here is ther info.

Imagine Vegan Cafe
2156 Young Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
(P) 901.654.3455
website
facebook

Thanks to Kathy Fisher for taking the pictures for this gathering.

Meet the Chef: Jonathan Steenerson . Ciao Bella

I wanted to introduce you to the chef for our next gathering, Chef Jonathan Steenerson. When one thinks of Italian Cuizine, "healthy" isn't always the first adjective used to describe it. Well that is about to change my friends. Chef Steenerson was recently featured in an  article about how, and why he decided to make a "healthy" change to the menu at Ciao Bella.  Their new menu will feature a few vegetarian, gluten free, and even vegan friendly dishes. We are going to get to try a few of the healthy changes at our gathering next Tuesday. I for one can't wait.

In our series "Meet the Chef," I ask the hard hitting questions that others are afraid to ask...probably for fear of appearing foolish. With that being said, here is my interview with Eagle Scout Jonathan Steenerson...

What is your cooking or educational background?

It was hard knocks since I was 14. My dad and grandfather owned restaurants and my great grandfather was a butcher. I got it by osmosis.

What/who are your culinary or gastronomical influences?
James Gentry and Erling Jensen were great local influences.

Are you from Memphis or the area?

Yes. I went to high school at Houston. I was gone 7 years and now I've been back home for 2 years.

Fact or fiction: I heard your menu is going to take a more healthy turn, with even a few vegan items.

We are looking into putting some vegan items on the spring menu. For now, we are trying to accommodate life choices by request, including whole wheat, vegetarian, vegan and gluton free.

Tell us the story of how you decided to join CB.

I was CB original chef from 10 years ago. When I moved back to Memphis recently, I ran into Judd Tashie and he later approached me to come back. The Tashie's are a good family and they provide good food. I wanted to be a part of that again.. It's rare that you work for a family who truly care and appreciates their employees.

What is the best thing about running your own restaurant/kitchen?
Feeding people. Is there anything more noble?

What is your favorite thing to eat on the menu?
Cheese pizza, but I add peppercinnis.

What is your favorite thing to make on the menu?
Kobe Beef Gnocchi. That's fun.

What special events do you have throughout the week? On the menu?

Sunday thru Thursday happy hour 1/2 price drink and food menu in the bar 4-7PM; Monday night 1/2 price pizza dine in 5-7PM.

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

I'm an Eagle Scout.

Anything else you want to say about your business that I haven't asked?
Support the little guy…we are the backbone

Ciao Bella
565 Erin Drive (located behind Huey's on Poplar)
901.205.2500

Hours of operation:
Sunday through Thursday
5 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
Friday and Saturday
5 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.

Las Delicias Photo Recap and Review

Las Delicias, the place so nice we gathered twice. This past month, sort of, we broke our usual pattern and had 2 foodiememphis gatherings. Okay, the second gathering was in July, but who’s really keeping track? All told, we had almost 65 people at both gatherings. That is a pretty good number for our humble group of social eaters.

The response to our gathering at Las Delicias was rather intense. Those who were able to make the first date were really excited, while those who weren’t were really bummed. I don’t know what it is (okay, maybe I do) but people are extremely passionate about this restaurant. Maybe it’s the amazing chips and/or tortillas that they make themselves, maybe it’s the guacamole that will change your world, maybe it’s the margaritas made from fresh squeezed limes (no mixes here), or maybe, just maybe it is all the food that is prepared fresh daily. My guess is that it is probably a combination of all of these; I know it is for me.

Antonio, the owner, provided a veritable cornucopia of incredible dishes for our gathering. I know I kind of lost track of what was being served when they were describing our entrees. Needless to say, the number of items on the menu was rather lengthy.  

Appetizers
Chips and Salsa
Guacamole
Cheese Dip

Drinks
Margarita (remember they squeeze fresh limes)

Entrees
Alambre fajita (Steak or Chicken)
All in One fajita (Steak and Pork)
Enchiladas Verdes (Chicken, Cheese or Beef)
Tacos (Chicken, Steak, Marinated Pork, Chorizo)
Gringa taco
Burritos
Quesadillas
Tamales (Chicken, Pork)

Desserts
3 Milks Cake (Tres Leches)
Flan

Exit Survey Result Highlights

How did you hear about foodiememphis?

"Was eating at Trolley Stop when you had an event there."

What dish(s) did you Like? 
”GUACAMOLE!!!”
”Tamales!!”

“all of them”

“alambre”

“Steak quesadilla rocks!”

“Guac. dip, Margaritas”

“lame answer, but the chips”

“Tamales”

“All! Especially the guacamole”

“tres leches cake…it's sinful”

What was your favorite part of the evening?

“eating”

“The company, the tamales, the margaritas, and the guacamole”

“Meeting new people and having a good laugh”
”Eating everything”

“the description of the never-ending dishes”

“margaritas – trying new foods with friends”

“camaraderie – friends & food”

“The people, I really like this place!”

“the fellowship”

“friends and rita - not friend, margarita – ok sometimes friend ;)”

“seeing atticus & friends”

“dessert and having random conversations”

“afterwards – feeling full and satisfied”

How could we improve the event?

“More often”

“keep doing them”

“Have more often!”

“more margaritas!”

“it was perfect as is” (okay I wrote that one…thanks to whomever wrote that!)

“Tequila Shots!!! Just kidding. It was fun!” (FYI their answer to every question was “margaritas”)

The winner of the "Group Favorite Award" is...

A tie actually. Both the Guacamole and the Tamales received 25 votes. So, we broke the vegetable as a Group Favorite Award tradition!? Finally had a protein represent and take top honors, sort of.

Whether or not you are around the Park / Getwell area, Las Delicias is worth the drive.  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. The food is some of the best in town. 

Las Delicias
Mexican Bar and Grill
4002 Park Avenue (Near Getwell)
Memphis, TN 38111
ph 901.458.9264

or try the original location at 3727 S. Mendenhall
Memphis, TN 38115

Thanks again to Sophorn aka norococo for the beautiful photos and Atticus for his photo of Ms. Peggy.

Caritas Village Photo Recap and Review

Before our meal was served, Oni, the founder and director of Caritas Village, came out, greeted us, and explained the goals of the mission. “Caritas,” translated from Latin means “love for all people.” Caritas Village, founded in 2006, is based on that love. It is a church of sorts - that provides food for both the body and soul.  It describes itself as “a coffee shop and cultural center immersed and wrapped in community.” Located in the heart of Binghampton, they use food as a way for people of differing backgrounds to come together and fellowship.

Where have I heard that before?

Our dinner group is founded on similar principals:

We promote locally owned restaurants and unity in Memphis by having                    
people of all races, backgrounds, beliefs and orientations passing dinner                    
plates while sharing food, fellowship, and fun at the dinner table.

Our tasting menu included:

Ibti Soup
Chicken Shawarma
Quesadilla's
Falafel
Bing Burger Sliders
Cookies & Coffee for dessert

 

  

The Exit Survey Result Highlights:

What dish(s)did you like?

“Everything”

“All, especially the wraps”

“Sliders and Shawama”

“Soup and Chicken Schwarmah?”

“Loved the Soup!!”

“the soup XL”

“DA soup”

                    

What was your favorite part of the evening?

“the soup”

“the soup, and conversations with new people”

“mingling, and the soup”

“Hearing about the Center, Meeting new people”

“Meeting Oni (the director) and hearing her talk about the mission”

“Watching Atticus play in the kids area with his new friend”

So if you haven’t guessed it by now, the winner of this month’s Group Favorite Award is…

The Soup. It is chicken vegetable soup, but this isn’t your grandmother’s chicken vegetable soup! Sorry Grandmama, but their soup is amazing. Yes it has chicken, and yes it has vegetables, but this soup is like none I have tasted before. My only recommendation on how to improve the soup is to put it on the regular menu.

Thanks to Oni for a wonderful evening for our dinner group, and for also for making Memphis a better place.

Caritas Village
2509 Harvard
Memphis, TN 38112
901.327.5246

Hours:
Monday- Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

They offer Free WIFI for those of you who are interested in bringing along the lap top.

Thanks to Sophorn for the great photos.

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant Photo Recap and Review

If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times, "Atticus, please don't eat with your hands." Well that rule was gloriously broken last Tuesday at our gathering at Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant,  where we dipped and scooped our way through the 14 menu items.

I am a big fan of multi-use items, and enjera, the local bread that is part food side item, part utensil, and part plate definitely fits that description. Enjera is made with Teff, an Ethiopian "super" grain. For those who are health conscious, it is high in protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and many needed nutrients. It contains no gluten so it is appropriate for those with gluten intolerance. 

                

The food is not only healthy but really tasty. I left our gathering with about 5-6 items I definitely want to get on my next trip to Abyssynia. Yilma, the owner, did us right. The food was amazing, the service quick, and the atmosphere was, as always,  warm and welcoming. 

Our menu included:

Gored gored (cubed beef)
Lamb

Chicken stew traditional style

Green Beans
Pea stew - chick peas
Red Lentils
Green Lentils
Greens
Seasoned Cabbage
Goat Cheese
Salad
Potato
Salmon
Tilapia fish kitfo

Exit Survey Result Highlights:

What dish(s) did you Like? 
"ALL!"  

"Tilapia and the lamb"
"I liked them all. can't make up my mind, Salmon? Tilapia?"
"Salmon, Veggies-cabbage, Green Beans, & Lentils"
"Lamb and cheese"
"Greens, Lentlils, Chicken, Lamb"
"Green Beans and many others, not sure what they were."


What was your favorite part of the evening?

"the big plate o' food"
"Using the bread to eat" 
"The conversation...and the tilapia."
"Seeing them bring out the big platter!"
"Sharing the big platter"
"THE FOOD!"
"As always, meeting new folks. Oh, and eating!

The winner of the "Group Favorite Award" is...

The Lentils. Two months in a row now, a vegetable has won the group favorite award. The tilapia was a close second, so a protein represented.  

If you are looking for something different to try tonight, I highly recommend Abyssinia. When you go, please spread the love and tell Yilma hello for us.  

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant 2600 Poplar Ave Memphis, TN 38112 Phone (901) 321-0082

Thanks: Photos are by blogger extraordinaire, Sophorn, aka norococo bad photo quality  via christopher mcrae's photo loading ability. Exit surveys are by atticus , funniest twitterer around.