Uglesich’s had been a New Orleans lunchtime institution for more than 80 years when it closed in 2005. Uglesich’s founder Sam Uglesich grew up off the coast of Croatia and after arriving in New Orleans, he did what felt natural: He opened a restaurant that specialized in local seafood. The modest restaurant served lunch from 10:30 a.m. until the last diner was fed, and sometimes that meant until sunset.
Sam’s son, Anthony, and Anthony’s wife, Gail, took over the restaurant. Although Anthony carried on the Uglesich tradition, neither of his two children, John and Donna, wanted to take on the challenge.
John, however, did write two Uglesich’s cookbooks, and the second, Cooking With the Uglesiches, was released earlier this year. In the book, John shares his parents’ lives through recipes, anecdotes, and photos.
John Uglesich will be at Davis-Kidd Booksellers for a booksigning on Thursday, September 18th, at 6 p.m., and Brontë Bistro will offer a four-course dinner, with each course featuring a recipe from Cooking With the Uglesiches. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and costs $40 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 374-0881.
Davis-Kidd Booksellers, 387 Perkins Ext. (683-9801)
On October 2nd at 6 p.m., The Peabody will host a master-distiller dinner and
whiskey tasting with Jack Daniel’s new master distiller Jeff Arnett.
Originally from Jackson, Tennessee, Arnett is only the seventh master distiller in the 142-year history of Jack Daniel’s. The master distiller typically oversees the entire whiskey-making process.
The five-course dinner of Jack Daniel’s-infused recipes and the three-course whiskey tasting led by Arnett at Chez Philippe begins at 6 p.m. Lined up for the whiskey tasting are: Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Black Label, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. The dinner begins with lobster bisque and a lobster-braised fennel salad with Jack Daniel’s syrup, followed by braised Newman Farm pork belly, Scottish salmon with spicy crab crust, Jack Daniel’s-brined beef tenderloin, and pineapple crème brûlée.
Cost for the dinner is $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 529-4183.
The Peabody, 149 Union (529-4000)
Every September, the Dixon Gallery & Garden’s Terrace Café opens for lunch for just a few days. It’s that time again. From September 23rd to 26th and September 30th to October 3rd, the Terrace Café will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The $20 lunch includes tableside modeling and admission to the Dixon. For reservations, call 761-5250 or 312-1254. Advance reservations and payment are required. Visit dixon.org to see the lunch menu.
Also at the Dixon every Wednesday, visitors can enjoy a “lunch and learn.” On September 17th, the subject will be Hugo and Margaret Dixon, their home, and their legacy. On September 24th, Ernestine Jenkins, professor of art history at the University of Memphis, will explore the history of early African-American photographers in Memphis, focusing on the Hooks Brothers, who operated a studio in Memphis from 1906 until the 1970s.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park (761-5250)
The annual Zoo Rendezvous,— celebrating its 25th anniversary on Saturday, September 13th, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. — is the zoo’s biggest fund-raiser. The event offers food from more than 70 restaurants and bars, and live entertainment will be provided by the Dempseys, the Venus Mission, Kathryn Stallins Band, and Garry Goin & G3. Tickets are $200 per person; partnerships begin at $750.
Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place (333-6500)
The Majestic Grille takes its mission to support Memphis arts organizations seriously and is now offering a $50 gift certificate for the restaurant to the Orpheum’s season subscribers. The offer is good until September 29th and can be redeemed at any Orpheum ticket counter by mentioning the code “Majestic Grille.”
The Majestic Grille also offers a three-course pre-theater menu for just under $25.
Majestic Grille, 145 S. Main (522-8555)
