EEDG what?

EEDG stands for Exotic Epicurean Dinner Group. We are a semi-organized group(depending on who you ask) of about 300 self describe "foodies". The idea behind the group is this: one often doesn't know what to order when trying an ethnic restaurant for the first time. Our group solves this problem by sampling many different entres and appetizers at one sitting, or as we like to call them Gatherings.

We gather on the second Tuesday of each month at an appointed restaurant. I organize the gatherings and set up a menu with the restaurant. We eat family style, which means passing plates from one another serving off a small portion for ourselves. Hopefully, after trying 4-5 appetizers and 4-5 entrees, we have a good of idea of what we will order when we come back on our own. The meals usually cost between $15-$20 per person, if that sounds like a lot of money, wait 'til you see the amount and quality of the food. I have to say that in the 4 years that we have been doing this we have had maybe one meal that I would describe as OKAY. The rest have been described as "home run!" , "wow!" ,"amazing" , "I wish my mouth was bigger" (ok, i stole the last one from Kung Fu Panda, but it definitely applies)

I am a big proponent of passing food from one to another. There is something about it that reminds me of family dinners...hopefully minus the fights ;) As my wife and I are not native Memphians, we are trying to create our own family here.

Not that we have anything against Chili's, but we would rather eat at and promote locally owned restaurants. That is another goal of the group. We hope to help small businesses prosper so we can be graced with their amazing food and culture.

We would love it if you joined our family. We are always looking for new people. If you are interested, please email me at earcm33@yahoo.com.

Have a great day and hope to see you at the next gathering.

April's gathering spot...Thai Bistro

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THAI BISTRO
1250 N Germantown Pkwy #105

Cordova,TN 38016
Phone: (901) 755-6955
Fax: (901) 248-6897
Email: thai.bistro@yahoo.com
Menu: thaibistromemphis.com
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Hours:
Mon - Thur: 11-2:30, 5-9PM
Fri: 11-2:30, 5-10PM
Sat: 12-10PM
Sun: 12-9PM

We chose this restaurant because one of the owners is Cambodian, and we were trying to tie into Sophorn's "30 days of hope". Thai and Cambodian foods are very similar. They had some of the best Thai food I have eaten in Memphis, and it is definately worth checking out. I think everyone who joined us at the gathering would back me up on that bold and confident statement.

This was really a nice introduction to the restaurant. Great flavors and textures. The peanut dipping sauce is made fresh daily. A lot of restaurants say things like that, but I believed them. The flavor was exquisite. We had an incredible meal. Thank you Thai Bistro for the great night!

Our menu for $20/person:

1. Tom Yum (1/2)*Spicy and sour soup with mushrooms, lemon grass, citrus leaves and cilantro. $3.75(chicken or tofu) $5.25(shrimp)

2. Thai Bistro Sampler (4)-Fried wonton, vegetable roll, shrimp roll,and satay chicken. $16.00

thai bistro sampler...tasty!

3. Gang Deang* Medium red curry with coconut milk,carrots,bell peppers,bamboo shoots,and fresh Thai basil. $11

4. Pad Pak- Stir fried assorted vegetables in a Thai brown sauce. $11

5. Pad Thai- Stir fried thin rice noodles blended with our unique sauce, bean sprouts, eggs, ground peanuts and green onions. $11

6. Thai Basil Fried Rice*- Thai style fried rice with eggs in a spicy sauce stir fried with basil leaves,hot peppers,bell peppers,and onion. $11

7. Pad Kra Pow*- Sautéed with bell peppers, onions, and baby corn in our chili garlic sauce. $11

8. Beignet Bits

Beignet Bits...need I write more?!

They were incredible. I had to fight Atticus, my 2 year old, tooth and nail for the last one. We were both big fans of this dessert. All in all, an incredible meal. I couldn't have asked for anything more! All that food for $20?! What a steal!

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As I always write, if you are interested in joining us for any gathering, or want to ad a friend(s), email me at earcm33@yahoo.com and I will put you on the invite list. We are a fun group of folks always looking for a new traveler to share our gastronomical tour of Memphis, TN. I am off to the trolley tour downtown tonight.

Have a great day and a great meal! See you next month.

Casablanca becomes Casa Grill

Casa Grill

2156 cooper avenue
memphis, tennessee
901.725.8557

February may be cold out, but this month's gathering spot holds a warm place in my heart. Casa Blanca was my first real experience with great middle eastern food here in Memphis.

Sophorn probably got tired of my suggesting Casa Blanca as a dinner option. But then how could I not recomend it when there is such wonderfu baba ganoush & hummus just a few blocks away from our home. Even though it isn't on the menu anymore, my favorite appetizer is the zataar. (Aimer, the owner will sometimes still make it if you ask nicely). I would be perfectly happy eating the lentil soup every day for the rest of my life. It is that good. Sophorn and i usually split a few appetizers when we go, but the chicken shawerma platter, moussaka and the grilled salmon fillet entrees are also well worth it.

The format, as well as the name has recently changed, but thankfully the quality of the food hasn't changed at all. Aimer has moved the kitchen out front so you can watch him prepare your meal. The new name is Casa Grill, and it is GRILLTASTIC!

My First(gulp) Chain Restaurant Blog: Memphis' Incredible Pizza Company

Memphis' Incredible Pizza Company
1245 Germantown Parkway Suite 104
Cordova, TN 38016
Phone: (901) 309-3132

As some of you may know, I recently celebrated my 40th birthday. As painful as that was, I decided that I wanted to have fun with it...hence my choice as a party location, Memphis' Incredible Pizza Company. It is a kid haven/heaven. This place has go-carts, glow in the dark putt-putt, bumper cars, video games galore(though I never saw my personal old school favorite, Asteroids), a bowling alley, and oh yeah PIZZA! How can one go wrong with all that?!












The go carts were quite the hit!

Sophorn, Atticus, and I went once before, thinking it would just be a fun evening for Atticus. Even though this is a buffet style pizza joint, we were pleasantly suprised to discover that the food was pretty darn good, and we all had a good time. There is stuff for everyone there. I think I got my money's worth at the salad bar alone. "Hello, my name is Christopher and I am a salad bar junky." Atticus absolutley loved this place. We couldn't get him to leave. "one more minute" his newest stall, was used quite frequently that night. He left fast asleep on my shoulder with a huge smile on his face, as well as a little pizza sauce.

This is definately a family favorite, as the crowds attest. It's a bit on the sensory overload side, but all in all it is a great family night out. I would recomend a week night rather than a weekend if you don't want to fight the crowds.














Atticus loved walking around all the monsters.

Weekday Prices: (Monday - Thursday )
Lunch Special before 2:00 P.M.(Monday - Friday)-$5.99
Adults (12 & up)-$9.99
Senior Citizens (55 & up)-$4.99
Children (ages 8-11)-$8.99
Children (ages 4-7)-$6.59
Children (ages 3 & under)- FREE
DRINKS INCLUDED

Weekend Prices: (Friday - Sunday)
Adults (12 & up)-$10.99
Senior Citizens (55 & up)-$8.99
Children (ages 8-11)-$9.99
Children (ages 4-7)-$7.59
Children (ages 3 & under)-FREE
DRINKS INCLUDED