Final Preparations

We're in the final countdown to 5:00 p.m. at AZUR. There are so many details to attend to before the first guests arrive. Many of our "regulars" will be in tonight to share New Year's Eve and our Third Anniversary Celebration. Always a little worried about the weather conditions but we'll press on. Happy New Year to everyone!

Music Venue

Although AZUR is known for it's continental cuisine, we also showcase local musicians every Friday and Saturday night. During the summer months when the patio is in full swing, we often have two different sets of music (early and late). Music includes a variety of Motown, Jazz, Classical and Soft Rock. At times, we even have entertainment from out-of-state (e.g. Belleville Outfit). Each month, AZUR posts the entire month's music list so our guests are able to plan their visits when their favorite performer will be playing.

Excitement!

AZUR is gearing up for New Year's Eve! It's difficult to stay focused on the daily responsibilities with New Year's Eve just around the corner. The chefs are busy with food preparations for the holiday meal and the front of the house is going over the final tasks list. This weekend we will decorate the tent and arrange the tables and chairs. And as we posted earlier, it's AZUR's 3rd anniversary which makes this an extra special night for us!

Radio Show

AZUR was just booked for "The Restaurant Guys" radio show for February 9th. This is a locally produced weekly program that discusses local restaurants and other food related topics. We were invited as a result of our participation in Kentucky Proud which promotes the use of locally grown items of Kentucky. AZUR prefers to use local ingredients whenever possible including: tomatoes, mushrooms, lettuce, herbs, ice cream, bison, rabbit and many others. Executive Chef Ashby knows that fresh ingredients enhance both taste and plate presentation. We'll have more details later so you can tune in and listen to the interview and may even call in with questions.

Silent Night

AZUR was silent yesterday as we closed for Christmas. It's always strange to have an empty restaurant even though it's a holiday. Running a seven days a week operation, we only have few days per year that we have closed doors - New Year's Day, Super Bowl, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. We look forward to seeing everyone today. Don't be afraid to send your comments, questions or suggestions.

Extra Time

Since everyone is focused on their last minute Christmas shopping or already traveling to their Christmas destinations, we have some extra time to address some much needed record keeping. It doesn't take long to be buried in stacks of trade publications, reports and other important papers (using the term "important papers" because there must be a reason why they were kept). Anyway, AZUR will be closed for Christmas so our staff may spend the holiday with their families and friends as well. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Christmas Parties

AZUR hosted it's last Christmas party for the season, hence, we now will finish plans for our own Third Anniversary/New Year's Eve party. We have so much preparation to do in the coming week. Christmas decorations will come down on Wednesday and New Year's decorations we'll be going up. The rental agency will be installing the heated tent on the patio for the live band and dance floor on Saturday providing the weather cooperates. We worry about this every year but it has always worked out. We will be working and re-working the seating arrangements up to the last minute. It's been a great year for AZUR and we're looking forward to hosting everyone in our house. (Note: Slang for the restaurant is "house". We refer to the dining room as "front-of-the-house and the kitchen as "the back-of-the-house). It's a whole other language. If someone expresses an interest, we may post some of the most common terms. Happy Holidays.

Excellent Night!

AZUR had a excellent night last night! Yes, we were completely booked for the Friday before Christmas but what really made the night was all our guest's satisfaction. Everyone had a great time eating, socializing and listening to the live music. And when we do everything just right, we (management, wait staff and owners) just fade into the background. That's what we are talking about! It's all about hospitality. We would love to dwell on last night for a while but it's already time for us to worry about those who have reservations for tonight. The challenge is to make every night a special one.

Back to AZUR's Third Anniverary

It just so happens that AZUR opened on December 31, 2004 which makes New Year's Eve an extra special night for us. First, each year we are proud that we have navigated through the rough waters and survived the storms in the competitive restaurant business. Second, it's New Year's Eve and we will be the host to several guests who wish to celebrate the coming of a new year with a special dinner rather than just a party. AZUR offers the blend of both. We have three dinner seatings at 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. with a multiple course meal (upscale, of course). Typically, the guests at the last seating stay until midnight to listen and dance to the live band which is setup in a heated tent on the patio which is attached to our dining area. The AZUR owners really enjoy spending the evening with all the people that have supported us over the years. For the night, we'll forget about all the little difficulties we had preparing for the event to insure everything ran smoothly. We'll overlook those that made reservations and didn't show up. And we'll relish those friendships that developed over time. No worries until 2008.

Why AZUR Started Blogging?

The main reason is a passion for our concept and a desire to share why and how it works. As an establishment, we wanted to be an upscale, casual restaurant with fine cuisine, professional service and unique ambiance. Over the years, we have remained true to this vision despite obstacles and temptations to alter components because we are passionate about AZUR. Of course, we could reduce costs and increase profits by serving frozen or canned ingredients but that's not what we're about. AZUR is about bringing fine cuisine and upcoming food trends to Lexington. We have never been afraid to try something even if it doesn't work. Obviously, not everyone is adventuresome in their diet and that's okay. But if someone wants to broaden their options, AZUR is there. And that's why we offer elk, rabbit, veal, duck, wild boar and other less commonly found foods. Getting back to way we started blogging, AZUR restaurant & patio is a venue for fine dining and this blog is to explain, discuss, share, answer and report on what makes AZUR. We welcome your comments and questions.

Thought for the Day: Don't be afraid to try something different, you may like it.

Third Year Anniversary

AZUR restaurant & patio is just twelve days away from celebrating it's third anniversary this New Year's Eve. In some ways, it's hard to believe that three years have come and gone and a group of first-time restaurant owners survived the baptism by fire. Being an independent restaurant is difficult enough without having to deal with the twists & turns, ups & downs as your restaurant grows. Anyway, we thought it was about time to share what makes us tick and what we want to accomplish for the next three years. Think of it as a long term New Year's resolution. More tomorrow...