Emerald Cocktail at Bistro La Belle for St. Paddy's Day

Bluegrass bartender and mixologist Walt Mates at Midway's Bistro Labelle ( owned by Laura Wolfrom ) in historic Midway , Kentucky is rumored to be planning to serve the Emerald Coctail for St. Patricks Day . As I understand it , this is an Irish Whiskey version of the venerable Manhattan .

Taste of the Bluegrass

The 2009 Taste of the Bluegrass will be held on Friday , May 29 at the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center at Keeneland . This annual event is presented by God's Pantry Food Bank and the Bluegrass Chapter of the Kentucky Restaurant Association . Reservations are now being taken for booths .

Old Kentucky BBQ in Lexington , KY

We have a new BBQ restaurant in Lexington and I had the pleasure of dining there for lunch today . It is a bright red building at 771 East New Circle Road near Winchester Road . They have nice variety and some unique items like their Tater-Q which is a one pound potato loaded with either pulled pork, pulled chicken or beef brisket .

Check out their website at www.oldkybbq.com .

First Annual BLUEGRASS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

On Saturday May 16, 2009 the first annual BLUEGRASS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL will be held at The Red Mile from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and hosted by Bayou Bluegrass Catering . The event organizers expect over 100 different samples of beer to be available for sampling .

Live music will be provided by G. Busy and the Blues Revue .

For more information go to the event website www.lexingtonbeerfest.com .

Central Kentucky Restaurant Sites

There are a lot of good restaurant sites available in Lexington and the surrounding areas . With the economy in a downturn this can be a great time to negotiate a favorable lease or purchase . I am aware of several locations .

North American Pizza and Ice Cream Show

I may attend this and wanted to share some information about it . It will be held February 22-23 in Columbus , Ohio http://www.napics.com/ at the Greater Columbus Convention Center .

Top Ten Tips for a Restaurant Sustainability Program

I just finished reading True Restaurant Sustainability : More Success, better future which is guide from QSRWeb, Fast Casual and Pizza Marketplace and Sponsored by Truitt Brothers , Inc which is Food Alliance -certified producer of shelf stable foods for the foodservice industry . This is full of useful information and I thought I would share one except from it. The following is the National Restaurant Association's Top 10 tips for starting a sustainability program :


1. Turn Off
Turn off interior/exterior lights and cooking hoods when not in use. Install motion detectors in storerooms, offices and restrooms. Set lights on timers.
2. Fix Leaks
Repair leaky faucets and toilets. Stop air leaks by caulking and insulating around leaky windows and doors and installing energy curtains in freezer rooms.
3. Replace Lighting
Replace incandescents with longer lasting CFL light bulbs or LED lights. Replace traditional exit signs with LED exit lighting.
4. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Follow the 3 R's of sustainability: reduce, reuse, recyle. Reduce waste. Reuse furniture, flooring. Recycle paper, plastics, glass and aluminum.
5. Unplug
When not in use, unplug computers, electronics, coffee machines, POS system and any small appliances.
6. Use Less Water
Serve customers water upon request. Run dishwashers, washing machines only when full. Install low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, tankless water heaters.
7. Train and Inform
Train employees on energy saving procedures and on the importance of energy conservation and water use. Tell customers about your energy efforts.
8. Clean and Maintain
Clean equipment runs more efficiently. Regularly dust and clean appliances, top to bottom. Perform routine preventive maintenance on HVAC, plumbing, appliances, major equipment.
9. Remodel or Build Green
Use low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) or no-VOC paints, recycled flooring and managed forest wood. Install a reflective roof, sun lights and energy-efficient windows.
10. Look for the ENERGY STAR Label
Purchase appliances, electronics and other EPA-tested equipment that carries the ENERGY STAR label.

More information from the NRA can be found at http://www.conserve.restaurant.org/