Guest Blog: Brian Keith Wallen Talks The Blues

Tweet

While Ronda is away fishing, she got some guest bloggers to fill in some of the empty space. Today's guest blogger is Brian Keith Wallen. The 19 year old bluesman has released 16 CD's, and performed 300+ shows at such venues as the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Minnetrista Cultural Center, and Arnold's Bar and Grill. He will be performing at the Cincy Blues Fest at Sawyer Point Park on August 6th, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge from August 24th through August 31st, and at Arnold's on September 7th.

I'm Brian Keith Wallen, a singer, songwriter, musician, and performer. I've played at Arnold's a few times this year, and Chris asked me to be a guest blogger while Ronda is out of town. Many thanks to him for the opportunity. I hope you don't mind if I share my story with you.

Going Fishing

Tweet

Going on our annual family fishing trip.
I will be doing this...


With the family peeps...

We will also be eating lots of ice cream...

And Bret will be "fishing" my lines out of the trees. Again...

$23,901.35

Tweet

Noticed the old computer in Arnold's office had my "quitmeter" on it. I took a look and this is what I saw...

You have not smoked in 4 yrs. 9 months 4 days
You have not smoked 86,914 cigarettes
You have added 9 months 4 weeks to your life
You have saved $23,901.35

Once I became willing to quit I was able to. Could have never done it without the "willing" part.

Grilled Flat Iron Steak With Bernaise Recipe

Tweet

Flat Iron Steak was first introduced into many American restaurants because it was affordable Kobe beef. Which was/is all the rage. I've had Kobe beef and was it delicious? Was it anymore delicious than other beef? I don't think so. It seems while I was eating it I was thinking it wasn't the best steak. I do remember many steaks I have had in my own home, many steaks I have had at Arnold's, one steak I had a Jeff Ruby's and one at the old Funky Blackstone Grill.

I was going to go into great detail here about what part of the cow this beef comes from and why is it we are just discovering this cut of meat but then I realized that could get very boring. Here is the link if you are still curious. Flat Iron Steak. So in my terms this is what they did, they took a more affordable cut of meat and figured out how to cut that down to make a really nice steak. Which is why we can sell it for just $10.95 at the restaurant. Flat Iron Steak with Bearnaise recipe after the jump.

Tasty Summer Drink Recipes

Tweet

I thought it would be a great day to give a few recipes to you from Arnold's. Most of our customers know you can get the best Mojito and Sangria in town but we have tons of other stuff. You did know that, right?
A lot of our drinks have simple syrup in them. 3 people make our simple syrup, me, Adam and Joe. Why? If everyone starts making it, it isn't consistent then your drinks are way off. I will cut our recipe down for a small batch. 2 parts sugar/1 part water. Bring to rapid boil 1 cup of water. Turn off heat and add 2 cups of sugar. Stir constantly until sugar is totally dissolved, you do not want little grains of sugar. I always use a wooden or rubber spatula so I don't take the heat out of the water. Recipes after the jump.

Yarn Bombed and a Opera Cream Recipe

Tweet

Opera Cream is very simple. 1/2 bag white chocolate morsels and 1/4 cup heavy cream melted. Remove from heat. Add 1 TBS pure almond extract. Start adding powdered sugar about 3 cups or maybe a bit more and stir until very thick and smooth. Layer with chocolate cake (I use 4 thin layers) and top with chocolate ganache.

Below is another bombing from The Bombshells at Arnold's. We have been lucky enough to get it twice! We love you guys! Keep up the fun!

Here are links to The Bombshells blog and their facebook:

http://thebombshellsyarn.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bombshells-of-Cincinnati

Arnold's x Rookwood Piece Pre-order Now Available

Tweet

Above is the photo of the super limited edition, hand spun, individually numbered, and hand stamped prototype of the commemorative mug Rookwood will be putting out. Keep in mind that the prototype is is still unglazed and unfired so it will considerably different. This is just to give you the idea. This release is limited to just 100 pieces. I am so pumped

Bret is now accepting pre-orders for the mugs at bret@arnoldsbarandgrill.com

It's so hot in our kitchen that..........

Tweet

Ronda says, "I don't have to flip the burgers".
Bruce says, "My mascara is running".
Rob says, "I doused myself in fryer oil to cool off".
Mark says, "The ghost won't even come in".
Kristen says, "my balls are sticking to my forehead". whaa????
Linda says, "People would pay good money for this steam bath".
Bret says, "The turkey climbed in the oven to cool off".

Yellow Pear Garden Grown Gazpacho Recipe

Tweet

Over the years Gazpacho has taken many turns in recipes. I think I love them all. This one is a chilled soup I made mostly from the vegetables and herbs in my little garden spot at the OTR Peoples garden on McMicken. Recipe after the jump.

Arnold's Goes To Hollywood with Harry's Law

Tweet

The film crew from Harry's Law came in a few days ago to take some pics and said they "might" use us. Next thing we know they are loving us and taking way more pics than we thought they ever needed. Chris said he thought that they have something else in mind, they took too many photos. Well low and behold Bret gets a call from Mike Listo, one of the shows producers, and they want to use Arnold's as the bar Kathy Bates character, Harry, hangs out at! Then he said that they are going to build a set in Hollywood to mimic the inside of Arnold's!

We are honored they want to use Arnold's and can't wait for the next season. I am thinking they should fly me out to Burbank for "Tech Assistance". What do you think? Wouldn't that be a hoot!

Below is a link to Polly Campbell's article about Arnold's being on Harry's Law:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110718/ENT11/107190316/Arnold-s-gets-starring-role-TV-show

Rookwood Pottery To Release Hand Spun Piece To Commemorate Arnold's 150th

Tweet

I am sooooooo excited about this. I have been an avid fan and collector of Rookwood pottery my entire life. Below is the photo of the super limited edition, hand spun, individually numbered, and hand stamped prototype of the commemorative mug they will be putting out. Keep in mind that the prototype is is still unglazed and unfired so it will considerably different. This is just to give you the idea. This release is limited to just 100 pieces.

My grandma collected the vases that had an X marked on the bottom. These are the vases that didn't make the cut to be sold. People would "dumpster dive" them and then sell them to people. My grandma never dumpster dived (that I know of) but she was a spunky lady.

My life at Arnold's keeps getting better, which is pretty awesome since it was already pretty darn good. Keep an eye out for some other super ridiculously awesome newsworthy news coming from us really really soon. Thanks everyone for allowing me to do totally cool and crazy stuff!