Although 2nd Avenue is a long way from Bourbon Street, the Mardi Gras spirit was running strong at Southern Hospitality this past Tuesday.  While some came out to feast on our new menu selections, in true “Fat Tuesday” fashion, the hardcore Mardi Gras enthusiasts got the party started at the bar.  Frozen Hurricanes, a deliciously fruity, slushy rum drink, were the definite drink of choice.  Magic Hat representatives were on hand with samples of their new Pale Ale and party favors.  Decked out in masks, feathers, and of course, BEADS, guests partied all night long to the music of New Orleans band Mike Preen and the Hot Six.  While the crowd at Southern Hospitality is always ready to party, we were overwhelmed by everyone’s enthusiasm, and rewarded it with thousands of beads, of every shape and size.   One male partygoer really got into the Mardi Gras tradition, flashing his fake rubber breasts at the crowd, and going home with a neck full of beads.  Even though it was a week night, the party went from after work all the way to the wee hours of the morning. 

Here at Southern Hospitality there has been a lot of excitement during the last week as we have rolled out our new dinner menu.   While we have kept the favorites that you have come to love over the past year and a half, we have added some new items that already have people buzzing.

After our recent trip to Memphis, where we visited many of the BBQ shrines that continue to be our inspiration, we noticed there were a couple of staples missing from our menu.  Virtually every restaurant we visited had some form of BBQ Spaghetti, and a Sausage and Cheese Platter.  BBQ Spaghetti, a true Memphis favorite tends to vary from spot to spot, but we are proud of the version that we have created….spaghetti tossed with BBQ sauce and Tomato Sauce, then mixed with a bit of our savory pulled pork….Delish!!!  Unlike the BBQ Spaghetti, no matter where you go in Memphis, a Sausage Platter is a Sausage Platter…Grilled smoked sausage, served with cubes of cheese, chili peppers, and crackers.  We’ve added a bit of smoked bologna, but otherwise, it’s exactly as you’d find in Memphis.

In addition to the above mentioned Memphis specialties, we have added a number of other menu items that are getting great reviews.  We have added two new appetizers, Crispy Buffalo Shrimp and BBQ Glazed Smoked Fresh Bacon.  The Buffalo Shrimp, a long-time “off menu” favorite among our staff and regular guests finally made it to the menu because we were getting dozens of requests to make it nightly….Crispy Fried Shrimp, tossed in our spicy “wing sauce” and served with a side of blue cheese dressing….as chef John would say “Not so bad!!”  The fresh bacon, or pork belly, is decadent.   Rubbed with savory spices, and then slow smoked.  It is sliced thick and finished on the grill with a brush of our Coffee-BBQ glaze.  Because it is fresh bacon, it has a bit of rich fat between the layers of meat….a true homage to the BBQ gods.

Other exciting additions include a re-worked brisket sandwich.  We thinly slice our tender BBQ brisket then dunk it in a special brisket sauce that is laced with a bit of Bourbon….piled high on a pillowy bun and served with our creamy coleslaw, it easy to understand its instant popularity.  Another exciting addition to the menu is our grilled Rib Eye Steak….dusted with BBQ spices, topped with crispy onion strings, and served with creamed spinach and mashed potatoes.  Not exactly BBQ, but it’s one damn good steak!!!

Now for the BIG NEWS….we have added a whole new section to our menu “BLUE PLATE SPECIALS.” We know it’s tough out there, and money has gotten a bit tighter, so we are pleased to offer a special wallet friendly entrée every night of the week.  Some of these specials are almost too good to believe.  My personal favorites are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Monday nights we are offering All You Can Eat “Peel Your Own” Shrimp for $15.95.  These extra large beauties are served with Fries and Slaw…you keep eating ‘em and we’ll keep bringing ‘em…..p.s. for an extra $10 you get bottomless Coors Lt.  All you can eat shrimp, and all you can drink beer for $25.95….now I’d say that’s special.
Tuesday night, we continue with Seafood Madness…for $19.95, we are serving a 1 ¼ pound lobster with new potatoes and corn.   For an additional $14.95 you can get a second lobster!!!  If you like lobster, I don’t know of a better deal in town.
Wednesday is the third killer deal in a row….$15.95 for a 16 oz Smoked Prime Rib with Crispy Onion Strings and Creamed Spinach.  The combination of BBQ Spices, Hickory Smoke, and Prime Rib is truly something that has to be tasted to be believed.
The balance of our BLUE PLATE specials are amazing as well….check out our new menu to see for yourself!!!

Last and certainly not least, we have added a new crowd pleasing dessert–Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese frosting….enough said.

We hope that 2009 is treating you well, and we hope you’ll join us at the restaurant soon so we can serve you up some of our Southern Hospitality!!!!

Doenee’s Nutella Bars
Doenee is my sister. Her real name is Denise but when we were very young I couldn’t say Denise so I mumbled Doenee when I called her and the name stuck. This is her recipe and they’re great game-day food. By the way, Doenee is older than me.

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread)
6 cups crisp rice cereal

Lightly grease a 9 x 13–inch pan. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the corn syrup, sugar, and Nutella, stirring often until the sugar is melted. Remove from the heat and add the cereal. Toss well, coating all of the cereal. Transfer the mixture to the pan and push down to form an even layer in the pan. Let cool for 30 minutes and cut into 20 bars.

Makes 20 servings