AZUR Preped & Ready for 2009

Coming off the Sopranos Table dinner on Sunday, the AZUR chefs have been preparing for New Year's Eve non-stop while the front-of-the-house has been fielding reservations and stocking up for the rush. Today, the heaters and curtains were installed under the patio awning which will contain the band and dance floor. On the final day of 2008, AZUR will arrange dining tables per the reservations and hang the last of the decorations. Then, it's time to countdown to 2009!

AZUR's First Sopranos Table Dinner

Last night, AZUR hosted it's first Sopranos Table dinner. We exceeded the previously determined guest reservation cap by accepting several late reservations due to the popularity of the event; however, we had plenty of pasta on hand so everyone was thoroughly satisfied. Judging from the guest comments and happy faces, it was a very successful Chef Series dinner. In fact, we have already been discussing another date and menu for the next Sopranos Table dinner. The fun thing about this event was the communal tables with family style service. It's an opportunity to meet new people while eating good food. Plus, the AZUR chefs love offering new and creative dishes that we normally do not prepare.

AZUR has Affordable Luxury

Dining out is still a very affordable luxury in terms of cost. For the same price or slightly more as compared to other venues, you can pamper yourself with a prepared meal at AZUR without having to spend the time in the kitchen or doing the dishes. Often people think that fresh, not frozen or canned ingredients, equates to a much higher meal price. To AZUR, it means higher food quality and greater creativity with a lower profit margin than other restaurant models. The reality is as an independent restaurant, we have less overhead and compete by offering a dining experience which in some cases could be considered entertainment as well.

Quotes from AZUR Executive Chef

In the Lexington Herald-Leader on Thursday, December 25, executive chef - Jeremy Ashby was quoted in an article about local chefs (see below).

Jeremy C. Ashby

Ashby, chef at AZUR restaurant in Lexington, said his career is "something I stumbled into."
"I have always seemed to know my way around the kitchen since a young boy, helping my father or grandparents with meals, but never considered cooking as a profession until my first year of college," he said. "I took a job at a restaurant after my first year at UK and was introduced to a professional chef. I admired the white coat and the image it portrayed, the skill level of his work and the constant use of creative thinking. I was absolutely captivated by every facet of the profession and knew that this was what I wanted to do.

"I dropped the traditional form of secondary education a semester later and enrolled in Johnson and Wales (University) culinary program. I have to say that every person I have worked with or under, every teacher I have and every cookbook I have picked up has been my inspiration. There is truly a bounty of possibilities as a chef and unlimited motivating factors. Most of all, I really like making people happy. Food has always been a center for comfort and an expression of love in my family. I enjoy putting heart and soul into a dish, treating the plate as a canvas and observing people's reaction to my creative efforts. If they smile, then so do I."

Silent AZUR

AZUR served the last few dinner meals on Christmas Eve and it's silent now. AZUR will be closed on Christmas Day so our staff may spend the holiday with their families and friends. Sometimes being closed is a very good thing. Happy holidays from AZUR.

Black Diamonds - Truffles

Although AZUR and many others are focused on Christmas, we can't help but to think about truffles in December because markets have just opened in France for this season's offerings. Black truffles from acorn size to the size of pear are now being sold. Like so many other organic products (honey, tea, coffee and grapes), their taste is determined by environmental factors such as the soil, location and weather. These fungi grow around the roots of oak trees and their value is $200 and up per pound. The AZUR chefs would love to be there right now!

AZUR Spread Thin

Tonight, AZUR split up the chefs. One managed the kitchen and regular dining service while the other catered an upscale private holiday party. We try not to spread ourselves too thin. Sometimes we have to make choices to insure that everyone receives the same level of quality. AZUR would rather pass on an invitation than to sacrifice our standards. We hope that everyone understands that it's all about the food.

AZUR Fancy Schmancy?

Yes and No. It's true that chefs Ashby and Rivas create dishes worthy of any upscale restaurant located in New York, South Beach or Napa Valley but the atmosphere and spirit is definitely causal. It's okay to laugh and have fun in the kitchen or out in the dining area. AZUR keeps the creativity going with daily entree specials with artistic presentations and themed Chef Series dinners which showcase a variety of foods and beverages (e.g. Appalachian or Edible Flowers). The essence of AZUR is not to be afraid to be different.

Does AZUR Cater?

Absolutely! AZUR catering specializes in offering upscale cuisine with a unique variety. When we entered the market last year, AZUR definitely did not want to offer the standard catering menu. In other words, we did not wish to repeat what was already available. We wanted it to be an extension of the restaurant. Our catering menus are designed to impress. The idea is to step out of the ordinary and up to the extraordinary. To date, AZUR catering has served law firms, doctors, business executives, banks, political fundraisers, private businesses and individuals. Our chefs work with the client to develop a menu that enhances their event. Really it's the freshness of the ingredients and presentation that makes it truly special. Just ask the AZUR chefs!

What's Eatertainment and Does AZUR Have It?

Basically, eatertainment is a relatively new word that has been coined to describe a restaurant with entertainment (food and some form of entertainment under one roof). Examples of eatertainment are dishes prepared at the table, memorabilia on the walls and live music. At AZUR, we have two forms of eatertainment. They are 1) the open kitchen which allows the guests to see and hear the chefs preparing the entrees from the dining room and 2) local musicians performing a variety of music on Friday and Saturday nights. Both of which are offered to the AZUR guests with no surcharge.

Romantic Dinners a Staple at AZUR

It occurred to us while we were researching for our Valentine's Day offering (yes, we realize it's two months away but we must always be looking ahead) that AZUR possesses the components for a romantic dinner every day. The crucial ingredients are: food, ambiance and specialized service. Our food preparation and presentation is the number one priority of our chefs daily. It's presented well so the appetite is stimulated. The ambiance is candle lit tables with subdued lighting and clean architectural lines. Combined with professional wait staff, the dining experience is created for arousing sights, sounds and tastes for that "just the two of us in love" evening. An AZUR romantic dinner is an excellent way to escape the winter doldrums by stepping out of the ordinary.

AZUR Riding the Storm Out

If the "economic" storm wasn't bad enough for AZUR's business and just about everyone else, Kentucky was under a winter storm warning most of the day. Although we haven't seen much in terms of snow or ice as predicted, it does lessen the number of people that want to risk traveling about with the threat of it. We'll be looking for a brighter tomorrow. AZUR likes to focus on the sunny side of things.

What's a Chafing Dish?

Another term explained from the AZUR kitchen. A Chafing (Chafen means to keep warm) Dish is an apparatus that keeps food warm for an extended period of time. There are many different styles of Chafing Dishes but all require a heat source under the dish to maintain the food temperature. AZUR only uses them for catered events or specialty dinners (e.g. Chef Series) to assist in serving a large group all at the same time.

Different Food-Related Gift

There are less than 20 shopping days left till Christmas. AZUR realizes that many of our foodies appreciate different tastes. We found this interesting honey sampler pack while doing some ingredient research. Since raw honey is effected by specific floral sources in various regions, it can be compared to wine, honey and tea in terms of variety and complexity. Check out this link. http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=688248&prrfnbr=966219

AZUR Loves to Partner

When AZUR was approached by Talon Winery to partner for an event they were hosting, we didn't have to think a long time about it. Actually, the decision was quick and easy - YES! AZUR believes in promoting all Kentucky businesses not just our own. Local businesses are known for returning revenue to the community. AZUR encourages you to sample the food and wine pairings that Executive chef-Jeremy Ashby has selected at Talon Winery on Saturday, December 13 from 2-5 pm. If you enjoy the food samples (and we know you will), stop by AZUR for the full dining experience.

Soprano Table Dinner at AZUR

With all the holiday parties and other events, AZUR had planned to hold the next Chef Series dinner over to 2009. But so many of our fans were asking about one for December, we decided to go ahead and schedule the Sopranos Table for Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. It's a family style Italian dinner that will have communal seating with antipasta and three pasta tasting courses. Plus, AZUR will be hosting this Chef Series on a Sunday for the first time! Cost is $35 per person. Call 296-1007 for reservations or additional details.

AZUR is Spinning Out of Control

AZUR is multi-tasking to the max! We are working on a partner event with Talon Winery for December 13, we have two dinners coming up - Soprano's and New Year's Eve; we have two catering jobs this Saturday in addition to regular service and we need to keep up with the daily duties as well. And we have two ad deadlines to make. Tis the season at AZUR!

AZUR Is Now Serving Christmas!

Our good friend and loyal customer - Deni Hamilton is putting the finishing touches on the AZUR Christmas decorations. There are stars in the sky, miniature trees on the tables and specialty Christmas trees throughout. Now, we are truly getting into the spirit. We always try to do something a little different with our decorations and this year is no exception. Stop by and catch the spirit of Christmas AZUR-style!

AZUR Makes It from Scratch

Feeling nostalgic for a fresh cooked meal? A time when all the ingredients came from the market and not from a box or can. You can still get meals like your mother or Grandmother's at AZUR. Yes, our chefs prepare meals just like that! We pride ourselves on keeping things fresh.

Good Time of Year for AZUR to be Seen

The best part about this time of year for AZUR is we can be seen from Harrodsburg Road for the next several months. Yes, the leaves have fallen from the trees and you can see our restaurant sign and the blue lights in trees on the patio. Just after passing New Circle Road as your heading south on Harrodsburg Road, look to your right and you'll be able to see us. It's the simple things in this world that make us happy.

AZUR Ups & Downs

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the brightly colored Shade Sails were lowered and stowed for winter. When they come down, patio season is officially over. On the brighter side, their removal allows more light into the garden area. As for the "ups", the holiday decorations are going up at AZUR and will remain until after our New Year's/Fourth Anniversary party on December 31. Yes, this year is AZUR's 4th full year! This proves that Lexington does enjoy a culinary adventure.

Thanksgiving Day Will Be Silent at AZUR

AZUR will be closed on Thanksgiving so our staff may spend the holiday with their families and friends. Everyone deserves a break. We'll re-open on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. AZUR just introduced the winter lunch and dinner menus for the day after turkey alternatives.

AZUR Blues & Bourbon Chef Series Sell Out

There was not an empty table in the house tonight! Denny Potter of Maker's Mark gave an informal talk on Maker's Mark and bourbon in general. Then the first course of BBQ was served. Bryan Himes and Willie Eames entertained everyone with the blues and everyone had a wonderful pre-Thanksgiving evening at AZUR. For all of you that were able to obtain reservations, we hope you enjoyed the evening and hope to see you at the next AZUR Chef Series dinner. If you wish to be added to the email list, please send an email request to fwohlstein@azurrestaurant.com and tell your friends.

Celebrated Lovely Birthday Party

AZUR celebrated a Lovely birthday party last night! Yes, co-owner Bernie Lovely had his 60th birthday bash on AZUR with several friends, family and guests from all over. The weather turned mild and the night was filled with live music and celebration. We don't know how he plans to top this one!

Words That Compose AZUR

Adventuresome, House made, Creativity, Chef driven, Hand crafted, Bold, Professional, Upscale, Unique, Independent, Fresh, Contemporary, Ambiance, Attentive, Local, Elegant, Kentucky Proud, Quality, Cutting-edge, Casual and Variety.

Support Your Local Restaurant

"Actually, there is a very good reason. If everyone suddenly gives up restaurant-going when times are tough, those favorite restaurants may no longer be around when times get better. Which means it's a good thing, every once in a while at least, to give in to that cabin fever and go out for dinner.Oh, eating in every night is fun for a while. Cozy family meals on weeknights, dinner parties or potlucks on the weekends, pancakes Sunday morning. But then there's the shopping, the cleaning up -- the claustrophobia. Only you and your dear ones. And piles of dishes to wash up." [Los Angeles Times, S. IRENE VIRBILA, Restaurant Critic November 19, 2008] AZUR truly appreciates your support through the years.

Bourbon Review Visiting AZUR

AZUR will be visited by The Bourbon Review magazine this coming Tuesday night. They will be writing an article about the Blues & Bourbon Dinner which seems to be a hot ticket this Thanksgiving week. Currently, AZUR has a waiting list for this event. For those of you with reservations, AZUR will definitely be "Little Memphis" for the night!

Cold Temperatures but Warm AZUR Welcome!

The weather has definitely turned cold the last few days but you can expect to receive a warm welcome at AZUR. We have hot (in more ways than one) daily specials and some home made soup waiting. And the staff will greet you warmly too. Coming to AZUR is the next best thing to a fireplace. Why not warm yourself up and let us do the cooking?

Tis the Season for AZUR Gift Certificates

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. This means that holiday shopping will soon follow on "Black Friday". For those of you that wish to avoid the crowds or need something for that hard to shop for person, AZUR has gift certificates available in any amount. This year we are able to accept phone or fax orders with a credit card. Plus, we'll take care of mailing them for you via U.S. Mail at no additional cost. You can even include you own personal message. Fax or email your request for an order form so you can shop from the comfort of your home. The fax number is toll-free at 800-895-AZUR [2987] or email at fwohlstein@azurrestaurant.com

Blues & Bourbon Dinner Is SOLD OUT!

AZUR is officially at capacity (SOLD OUT) and then some for the Blues & Bourbon Chef Series Dinner on Tuesday, November 25. We are maintaining a wait list in the event of a cancellation. The event is still over a week away so there may be some individuals with plans that change between now and then. Sorry.

AZUR Hits Quintar Mark!

AZUR has reached 100 Fans on Facebook! We wanted to create a more fluid connection to our guests with Facebook and we seem to be doing just that. One can see photographs of plate presentations just after their made; pictures of artists, guests and staff; and learn all about what is going on with AZUR including articles, specialty dinners (e.g. Blues & Bourbon) and future plans. Thanks for connecting to AZUR! We appreciate your loyalty and interaction with us.

AZUR is Turning Red!

AZUR has been moving toward the Red the last few days. That's Maker's Mark Red! We already have taken several reservations for the Blues & Bourbon dinner. And we are worried about being able to accommodate all the people that wish to attend. AZUR went through several seating configurations to fit large table requests. Plus, we need to reserve space for the blues duo. No worries.

Music & AZUR

Several years ago, AZUR made a commitment to bring diverse, live music to the restaurant because the south side of Lexington did not have any outlets. Residents had to travel downtown to enjoy live performances. Josh Brown handles booking a variety of performers each month that include: jazz, blues, Motown, classical, Americana and more. AZUR is pleased to offer this music venue on Friday and Saturday nights.

Why Does AZUR Blog Anyway?

AZUR wanted to share some insights to what makes AZUR with those that were interested. We are proud of what we have done and what we continue to do. Starting a restaurant in any economy is a risky venture. There is some much more than just serving food to think about and worry about. AZUR is locally owned and the owners live in the local community. If anything is out of sorts, we not only hear about it, we react. Many of the improvements we have made to AZUR over the years have come directly from customer feedback. Hence, the main reason AZUR blogs is to share another part of us. It is personal.

What's AZUR's Gimmick?

AZUR has a simple gimmick. It's fresh, innovative cuisine complimented by professional service and European ambiance. We have been true to this since the beginning. AZUR is not afraid to be adventuresome and unique. Plus, we strive to support the Lexington community as well. Tonight, Executive Chef - Jeremy Ashby will be conducting cooking classes at God's Pantry. He is donating his time and talents to help raise funds for their program. This is just one example of how AZUR gives back locally.

AZUR and Our Location

AZUR often reads customer's comments about AZUR being locating in a strip center. It is one of the most frequent. We realize that in many cities this is odd but in Lexington, Kentucky it is fairly common for an upscale restaurant to be located within another retail building or complex. Plus, we thoroughly enjoy the surprise that guests experience the first time they walk through the doors and state that they feel like they are in one of the coastal cities. Priceless.

Warm Weather & AZUR's Patio

With the unseasonal warm weather, AZUR has been able to continually open the patio for lunch and dinner. Yes, we are in November and the patio is open! In fact, AZUR is able to open the patio on any day when the weather permits even if it's in January. With our awning and patio heaters, we are able to take advantage of marginal days as well. If the weather allows it, the AZUR patio will be open.

AZUR & Maker's Mark Bourbon

AZUR has partnered with Maker's Mark bourbon to bring an evening of Blues music & bourbon. The Blues & Bourbon Chef Series Dinner will feature Blues music from Bryan Himes & Willie Eames and Kentucky bourbon from Maker's Mark (www.makersmark.com). Executive chef - Jeremy Ashby will pay tribute to American Bar-B-Q with three regional styles of Bar-B-Q from Memphis, Kansas City and Texas. Seating is limited. Please reserve your table by calling AZUR at 859.296.1007. Cost is $35.00 per person (including bourbon).

Last Call for Azur Chef Series Side by Side 5 Dinner

Tomorrow, October 28 is the Chef Series Side by Side 5 Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Sous chef Justin Clark will be featuring 5 courses and 5 specialty beer pairings. This Oktoberfest tribute includes beers from England, Scotland and Ireland. Food and beer pairings are an upcoming culinary trend - come be adventurous at AZUR for the evening. There's always something different at AZUR! Seating is limited. Reserve your table now by calling 859.296.1007.

AZUR Enjoys Promoting Food at Many Levels

AZUR was asked today to prepare several levels of hors d'oeuvres (including a few frozen) for a magazine photo shoot. Although none of them are our original creations, we believe that promoting food at all levels is good for every one's food awareness. As a chef driven restaurant, it is our responsibility to share our expertise and promote food of all types and we're glad to assist. AZUR is always flattered to be asked, because it demonstrates respect for our staff and concept.

What does "In the Weeds" mean?

"In the weeds" or "weeded"- actually has several meanings and applies to the front of the house (dining room), back of the house (kitchen) as well as the entire restaurant. The kitchen being "in the weeds" can mean having several orders come all at once from multiple large tables and not having enough cooking services to keep up. In the front of the house, it could mean a particular server just had two or three large parties seated at the same time and they are all ready to order now. The restaurant is "weeded" when the entire restaurant is seated at nearly the same time which may cause both the kitchen and the servers to be "in the weeds". AZUR tries very hard to control "weeded" conditions because it is very stressful to all parties.

AZUR Post-Keeneland

As soon as we conclude the Keeneland Fall Meet, AZUR will be completing changes to our winter menus as well as putting the finishing touches on a couple of interesting Chef Series dinners. We are currently working on a Blues & Bourbon dinner for November which will have three elements which compliment each other. They are: 1) Blues music, 2) Bourbon and 3) BBQ. The BBQ will feature different regional BBQ styles. Using different...we're giving too much away. You'll have to wait and see!

Focusing on the Day to Day

Sometimes at AZUR, we must focus solely on the day to day business. Meaning, days pass before there are opportunities to work on extraneous AZUR projects. This has been one of those weeks where we just had to keep our efforts on running the business. There are so many things that AZUR would like to accomplish.

AZUR Website Revamp Meeting

After three years, it's time that AZUR updated the website (stone tablet to flash video). Hence, we had a meeting with a local web designer who will prepare a proposal based on our ideas for the new skin (web pages). If you want to have the "before and after" effect, you better pay a visit to the existing website www.azurrestaurant.com now. AZUR will be moving quickly on this.

AZUR and LIVE MUSIC

AZUR doesn't stop with just diversity on the menu, we also feature a variety of live music on Friday and Saturday nights on the patio. We showcase all types of music including blues, rock, classical, jazz and more. At AZUR, we believe in the total dining experience.

More Technical Issues at AZUR

Last weekend we struggled with a bad compressor and this weekend it's the computer network and signage. One of our point-of-sales (POS) workstations decided that it didn't want to talk to the main server today. After several hours of troubleshooting and some more gray hairs, we managed to solve the issue just before Friday night's dinner service. Then, one of our guests pointed out that the AZUR sign was off. We were right back to troubleshooting again! Fortunately, it turned out that a breaker was mistakenly switched off. Never a dull moment in the food service business.

AZUR Patio Seating

The weather has been cooperating this year and AZUR is still able to offer patio seating. Our patio will remain open as long as possible into Fall. Generally speaking, we are able to seat into November before the weather becomes too chilly for the patio heaters to warm the area. One tip would be to start dinner an hour earlier while the sun is still up.

Dark Days

Last couple of days have been "dark" for more reasons than one. First, Keeneland is "dark" or closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. And second, we finally received some much needed rain in central Kentucky to the tune of about 1/2" to 3/4". Normally, AZUR prefers sunny days all the time but we have had more than a fair share this past summer. The rain was definitely a welcomed sight.

Compressor is Fixed!

Having our walk-in cooler compressor out for 3 days on a Keeneland weekend was brutal! Although we did rent a portable walk-in for the weekend, having to go 5 times the distance to get food inventory added additional strain to an already taxed kitchen. AZUR didn't have any prior experience with an essential equipment outage but we do now. Definitely a learning experience and an expensive one.

The AZUR Experience Video

Enjoy the AZUR experience online by watching our new video posted on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM65TneGl7s

Compressor Woes at AZUR

Just when you think that you have prepared for everything, you're hit with the unexpected! With a full walk-in cooler all stocked for a Keeneland weekend and we mean STOCKED, the compressor goes out after 5:00 p.m. on a Friday. We all know what that means in the repair world - labor at time and a half. AZUR is now in the process of having the compressor replaced in the middle of dinner rush on a Friday night. We're taking it with a smile and moving forward. We cannot worry about what we cannot change.

AZUR and Keeneland

It's no secret in Lexington, Kentucky that Keeneland opens the Fall meet on Friday, October 3 which is tomorrow. Everyone has been anticipating the return of thoroughbred racing to the "Heart of the Bluegrass" since the Spring meet concluded. At AZUR, we have been putting the finishes touches on the interior and exterior for all the after Keeneland guests. We have added fall plantings, touched up the bold wall paint, stocked up the spirits and filled the patio heater tanks. Now, AZUR is ready to serve!

The AZUR Experience Video

For those of you with Facebook accounts, we uploaded a new video to the AZUR restaurant & patio page which features many images of entrees (just before being delivered to the tables) and interior shots of the dining room. We hope that this video gives web viewers that may not have been able to visit us in person yet a feel of the AZUR experience.

Chef Rivas to Cook for Presidential Debate!

Chef/co-owner of AZUR - Miguel Rivas has the honor of cooking at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee for the Presidential Debate of 2008. He will leave Lexington on Saturday in order to prepare prior to the scheduled debate on Tuesday, October 7. Needless to say, we are excited and pleased for chef Rivas.

Oh What a Night!

At AZUR, like most businesses, we use historical sales data to predict sales for the day, week and month. However, when you are in the restaurant business, the reality is you never know what each day will actually bring. You make an educated guess to prepare and then wait to see what happens. Tonight was a very pleasant surprise as many guests filled the patio to take advantage of the cooler evening weather. On most days of the week, it really wouldn't be a "big" surprise but on a Monday or Tuesday, in the restaurant world, large turnouts are not the norm. Well, tonight was definite not a normal Monday! AZUR is definitely pleasantly pleased and surprised!

New Fall Menus at AZUR

New Fall lunch and dinner menus went into service yesterday at AZUR to take advantage of seasonal vegetables and produce. We change the menu 5-6 times per year to feed chef creativity and keep entree choices fresh. Of course, we are tempted to keep successful offerings from menu to menu but that wouldn't be in keeping with our philosophy. One must stay adventuresome to keep the spice of life!

AZUR Advertising Philosophy

AZUR believes that money should be spent on the quality of the cuisine rather than advertising the cuisine. Generally speaking, the satisfaction of our guests and their "word of mouth" advertising drives our business. Though we are very contemporary in many ways, we still adhere to some "old school" beliefs because they are true. And AZUR greatly appreciates everyone who has helped us achieve success in the very competitive independent restaurant market.

Keeneland is Coming Fast

Keeneland is just over a week away and AZUR has barely been able to catch a breath from the sales. Not only have we been working on new menus for the fall but also we need to transition our patio to cooler weather. One would think that after four years, we would have a system in place. Well, we do but there is only so many hours available each week when guests are not present to accomplish these tasks. No worries. AZUR will be ready for the Keeneland Fall racing meet. It's a Lexington thing!

Tapas Dinner and Spanish Wines

This evening AZUR hosted a tapas dinner and Spanish wine tasting which was well received. AZUR believes that Spanish wines are about to "take off" in popularity, hence, we have partnered with Vintner Wines. They offer many wines that are available from the larger distributors. In the future, our guests will be seeing more vintages from Vintner Wines on the wine list.

Thank You Cards

AZUR doesn't think that there is anything more satisfying to us then receiving handwritten "thank you" cards from our guests. Just to take their time to pen a note is a very kind gesture in an era of emails and voicemails. We really appreciate it! And when we question our concept in trying times, we look at the cards and know that we are doing the right thing. Thank you.

Fall Style at AZUR

With the cooler temperatures, we've broken out the patio heaters. We're transitioning the menus to the seasonally available produce and getting ready for the Keeneland meet in October. Then, we'll place into service the new bourbon and martini lists to take AZUR in the winter. The end of December is a very special time of year for AZUR but that's another story...

Ryder's Cup and AZUR

AZUR realizes that the Ryder's Cup is being held in Louisville but we have been playing a game of our own right here in Lexington. Every week, we try to beat par. What does "par" mean to us? It means doing better than we did last year; pushing service beyond what is expected and preparing entrees that exceed the norm. Like golfers, AZUR competes against itself. We measure ourself against our own achievements. We want that hole-in-one every time!

Please Pass the Salt

Salt is one of the few spices that is all taste and no smell. Salt is the only rock humans can eat. Only 5% percent of salt produced ends up on the dinner table. The rest is used for packing meat; building roads; feeding livestock; tanning leather; and manufacturing glass, soap, ash and washing compounds. Source: The Book of Useless Information

Here Comes Fall at AZUR

Just a few days ago, we had temperatures topping out in the low 90's and muggy evenings. The next few nights, the forecast is for temperatures into the low 50's. What does this mean? It's Fall! Time to get out and enjoy the cooler temperatures. It's a great time of year to dine under the stars and Azur has the patio ready for you! We have the patio heaters all ready to go, Keeneland is just around the corner and the leaves have begun to fall.

Wanted: Foodies Seeking Adventuresome Cuisine

AZUR is looking for "foodies" to taste our new offerings which are about to be released on the new Fall menus. Executive chef Ashby has been showcasing several new creations the last several days disguised as dinner specials. Are you ready to try something new?

Hurricane Effect Rains Hit Patio

Just when AZUR is having a great week during the cooler evenings, the hurricane effect rains hit the Lexington area and soak the patio. We managed to dry it up just in time for the second wave of rain to come through. Oh well, we are much better off than many other areas. We'll take it with a grain of salt and prepare for the weekend.

Cooler Temperatures Trigger Menu Changes

The recent cooler weather let us know that AZUR needs to change the menus for Fall. Executive chef - Ashby has been creating new lunch and dinner menus to take advantage of the seasonally available items. AZUR realizes that everyone has their favorite dishes, but you can have new favorites without change. Plus, there are so many tastes to explore!

Fall Keeneland Yearling Sales

It's a special time of year in central Kentucky when the Fall Keeneland Yearling sales begin. They mark the beginning of fall season for AZUR and most of central Kentucky as well. We know that the Fall meet at Keeneland is just around the corner. Executive chef Ashby is putting the finishing touches on AZUR's fall menu which takes advantage of the seasonal vegetables and produce. AZUR will have just a few weeks to polish before the Keeneland racing meet.

September Chef Series - Taste of AZUR with Vintner Select Wines

This four course tapas dinner showcases Spanish wines from Vintner Select - an importer and distributor of high quality wines. We will be posting the final menu and selected wines shortly. Lovers of wines, please save the date!

www.vintnerselect.com

A representative of the buying group will be introducing and discussing the wines. This is the wine dinner that you have been waiting for!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

Cost is $35.00 per person.

Reservations: 859.296.1007

AZUR Executive Chef Featured in Article

Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby will be featured in a chef spotlight article in the upcoming issue of the Southsider. You can learn more about his food philosophy and how it compliments AZUR. The article may be viewed on line at http://www.southsidermagazine.com/Articles-c-2008-09-02-80060.113117_Jeremy_Ashby.html

Quote That Applies to Starting Restaurants

Read this quote today which applies to starting a restaurant, another business or just about any project. "Without ambition, one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Taste of AZUR with Vintner Select Wines

AZUR was approached with the opportunity to host a Vintner Select tasting of Spanish wines. We believe a representative from the buying group will be able to attend to discuss their unique selection of wines. AZUR loves the opportunity to present something new so we are in the process of developing a tapas menu to accompany the tasting and setting a date in late September. Tentatively, we are projecting the date to be Tuesday, September 23 so please save the date.

AZUR Silent on Labor Day

AZUR will be closed on Labor Day so our staff may spend the holiday with family and friends. We will re-open on Tuesday, September 2 for lunch at 11:00 a.m. We hope that you take this opportunity to slow down and enjoy the time.

Slow Food Nation Meeting

In San Francisco this weekend, 50,000 followers of the Slow Food Nation are expected to gather to promote getting back to the table. At AZUR, we embrace their philosophy of slowing down to enjoy a meal of fresh locally grown ingredients with family and friends. It's okay to have a meal last 1.5 to 2 hours. This gives us time to not only enjoy the flavors of the cuisine but also to share social time with others. Maybe this Labor Day weekend is a good time to slow down.

AZUR Pig Roast Well Received!

Despite light showers which limited the outdoor seating, the AZUR Pig Roast was well received. The management and staff did an great job with the weather conditions and maximized all available seating. Unfortunately, we were not able to accommodate all those that wanted to attend but those that had earlier reservations were treated to an awesome dinner of sucking pig, arepas, paella and mojitos. AZUR will definitely repeat this type of event in the future.

AZUR Pig Roast on Wait!

With the weather forecast on the "iffy" side, AZUR has reached a safe number for the August Chef Series Pig Roast tomorrow night. We have a waiting list as it stands right now. Hopefully, the evening skies will be clear and we will be able to accommodate everyone for this festive event.

Support Your Independents!

During the upcoming Labor Day weekend, get out and enjoy the fruits of your labor by treating yourself to a nice meal at one of the local independent restaurants. They have been struggling just like you in this economy. Plus, they miss seeing you as much. Independents have a strong sense of community and they need your emotional as well as financial support. We truly appreciate your business.

College and Ramen Noodles

As the University of Kentucky starts classes this week, we reflected on our college days and a staple food which helped many American college students survive - Ramen Noodles. Momfuku Ando, the inventor of ramen instant noodles at 48 years old, died in 2007 at the age of 96. He left behind a food legacy but no one really stops to think of what ramen means. The word ramen actually comes from translating lo mien from the Chinese language into Japanese.

Labor Day Weekend Kickoff at AZUR

AZUR will be kicking off the Labor Day weekend with Food, Fun & Music with the August Chef Series Latin Pig Roast on the patio. Special musical guests - Alma Gitana will compliment the dinner with their Latin gypsy soul music. This will be a festive evening starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 29. Cost is $35.00 for the dinner: however, the music is cover free. We're saying "goodbye" to summer and "hello" to fall which means Keeneland is just around the corner.

Sometimes There is no Reason

It was a hot night in Lexington tonight with a temperature in the low 90's. Gasoline prices jumped and AZUR was competing with some other local events, but we were extremely busy even for a Friday night. Sometimes business just comes regardless of other factors. We learned to live with the unpredictability a long time ago in the restaurant business but sometimes it's still just a surprise to us.

Pig Roast One Week Away

AZUR is getting excited about the Chef Series Pig Roast next Friday, August 29. Not only are we serving roasted pork, paella, arepas and mojitos, we also have ALMA GITANA playing on the same night. With gasoline prices still high, this is a great way to enjoy a mini-getaway for the night. Chefs Ashby & Rivas will cooking Latin-style on the patio!

Berkel What?

A Berkel is a brand of meat slicer. It was designed by a Dutch butcher Wilhelm Van Berkel in the late 1800's. The innovation was a concave blade which only allows the cutting edge of the blade to come in contact with the meat. This eliminates friction between the entire surface of the slicer blade and the meat which prevents the meat from being heated during the cutting process.

AZUR Receives Mention on Zagat

AZUR was pleased to learn that a Zagat foodie recently posted their comments about dining at AZUR. Their brief statement was "Excellently prepared fish, beef. Wonderful patio. " We appreciate them taking the time to post their experience on Zagat and hope that others follow.

AZUR Chef Interview

AZUR's executive chef - Jeremy Ashby will be interviewed today for an upcoming article in the Southsider. This monthly publication reaches approximately 15,000 households on the south side of Lexington with articles pertaining to the community. Ashby is always ready and willing to discuss the cuisine at AZUR and what makes it unique to this market.

AZUR Catering

The AZUR kitchen staff under the direction of Executive Chef - Jeremy Ashby has been pulling double duty with catering events this week. Yes, AZUR does upscale catering in addition to being a seven day per week dining venue. This is quite a feat considering the open AZUR kitchen is only 500 square feet. We believe that we offer a unique alternative with our catering and offer our clients the "wow" factor. Clients have included law firms, builders, doctors and horse farms.

Cooler Temperatures on the AZUR patio

With unseasonal cooler temperatures including a record low, AZUR guests have been enjoying the patio this August. Luckily, we added additional seating earlier in the season. We now offer over 100 seats outside and there is an option between covered and uncovered seating as well. The AZUR patio is a nice oasis for the commute home on the south side of Lexington. Especially now as school as begun in Lexington and traffic has increased.

Busy Busy Day

Normally one would assume that when AZUR says it was a very busy day, you would think that we served many guests tonight. This is true but we also spent several hours planning ahead for the next two months, coding purchases for the general ledger for last month and marketing the restaurant. There is much more to running a restaurant than just the cooking. Cooking and serving is the rewarding part of the business.

Lincoln Dish at AZUR

As part of the Lexington Public Library Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration, AZUR is featuring the Knob Creek Corn Cakes from a family recipe book during the months of August and September. The kickoff reception was at the main library branch this past Saturday and AZUR furnished samples of the corn cakes for the event. Please see the daily menus for when the Knob Creek Corn Cakes will be served and take a moment to visit one of the events being conducting around Kentucky.

AZUR Newsletter

For several years, we have been sending a newsletter to AZUR guests which includes information about upcoming events, improvements and music performances. This week we launched our new "listserv" which accomplished two things: 1) we now have a newsletter that everyone can easily view and 2) we are able to determine if the email reaches the intended recipient. In the past, some of our valued customers were not able to open the attachments for various reasons. If you wish to be added to our email list, please send an email to fwohlstein@azurrestaurant.com and we'll see that you are added. This will insure that you are notified of the music schedules, specialty dinners, pet functions and other AZUR news.

AZUR in the 21st Century

AZUR has been very busy the last week with technology. In addition to this blog, we have added an AZUR facebook page and updated our email "listserv" which we hope will improve our communication with our guests. Also, we are now posting our entertainment on www.eventful.com which alerts iPhone users as to events in the area. Though AZUR will continue to use conventional print media as well. We realize that many of you are more digitally savvy and we want to provide information in an effective manner to everyone.

AZUR and Bluegrass Treasures

AZUR is "Kentucky Proud" in more ways than one. Not only do we promote the purchasing of Kentucky grown food products but also Kentucky products in general. This Thursday, Wilma Clapp and Mary Davis will be releasing their new book titled Bluegrass Treasures: A Guide to Extraordinary Lodging, Dining & Entertainment. The book release reception will take place at the Carnegie Center in downtown Lexington. We'll be there to show our support!

AZUR's Facebook Page

We must admit that we did not realize the popularity of Facebook as a means of social communication. AZUR has already had many guests join as "fans". We have had one issue regarding finding our page. Although we are working to solve this issue, you may find our Facebook page by typing "AZUR restaurant" in the search field. You must type "AZUR" in upper case (capital letters) and "restaurant" in lower case to readily find the AZUR restaurant page. We are pleased to be able to post candid photographs and articles on AZUR. If you have a Facebook account, please look us up and become a "fan". This will insure that you receive the latest updates.

AZUR Launches Facebook Page!

Yesterday, AZUR added it's own business page to Facebook. We felt that we needed to keep our presence consistent with our cuisine - cutting edge. This venue will allow our "fans" to receive notification of upcoming events and music schedules. As well as, allow them to post their experiences in their own words. Those AZUR guests with a Facebook account can link to the AZUR restaurant & patio page as of today. We have already posted several photo albums and will be adding additional content very soon. Plus, we have a discussion started.

What's Next for AZUR?

Well, we've be discussing the web and how AZUR should stay ahead of the curve when it comes to being cutting edge (cuisine and technology). We launched our blog in 2007 to give our guests information that is more behind the scenes as well as informative as to what's going on at AZUR. The last few weeks, we have been converting our email contacts to a new "listserv" so we can more effective communicate special events and other news to those guests that have furnished their email addresses. Now, we wish to create our own Facebook page to post candid photographs and allow the AZUR guests to link to us in a more personal way. Sure, it's new uncharted territory for AZUR but we like pushing the envelope.

AZUR Beating the Heat!

Just last summer, our patio would have been very sparse with the temperatures in the lower 90's but the new awning with ceiling fans keeps the patio so much cooler. We admit that the air conditioned dining room is preferred for those who wish to dine without nature around them. But those who wish to enjoy the summer flowers and gentle breezes, we have the covered patio. Plus, there is live music. Pardon the pun but "AZUR has you covered"!

AZUR and Kentucky Monthly Magazine

The August issue of Kentucky Magazine is out and AZUR was fortunate to be the featured restaurant. We are pleased that the author was able to capture our concept in print. She used the word "harmony" to describe her experiences. We appreciate the compliment and try very hard every day to bring a positive dining experience to everyone. Please read the article if you see the issue in a bookstore or on some one's coffee table because it really tells AZUR's story. If you are out of the area, we would be happy to forward a digital copy or you can view online at http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/

AZUR the Trotter

Recently, AZUR restaurant & patio learned that a standard bred horse was named after our Lexington, Kentucky restaurant. Azur, the trotter, may have a chance to win the $700,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Night of Champions next Friday night at the Meadowlands. We'll be watching from Lexington on August 2 if Azur qualifies for the race. Good luck Azur! See press details below.

Night of Champions is next goal for Azur
It is no blue-sky dream to think that Azur could be celebrating a victory in the $700,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Night of Champions next Friday night at the Meadowlands.

The son of Self Possessed advances to the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings off of victories in the second and third preliminary rounds, improving his record to four wins and four seconds in nine starts in 2008.

This year, for the first time, the New Jersey Sire Stakes [NJSS] program will crown all of its three-year-old pacing and trotting champions at the Meadowlands on one night – June 20 -- with purses totaling $700,000.

Unraced at two, the New Jersey-sired son of Self Possessed – Victory Please has earned $48,040 for Verlin D. Yoder of Columbia City, IN, who had trained and driven the colt while he was racing at Hoosier Park in Indiana.

A one-time Lexington Selected Sale yearling purchase for $75,000, Azur changed hands last summer for $6,500 at the Tattersalls July Mixed Sale at the Meadowlands when Pinnacle Racing Stable of Canfield, OH purchased him from Brittany Farms and Jerry Silva. Yoder acquired the colt on November 10, 2007 at the Harrisburg Mixed Sale for $15,000.

In New Jersey, the trotter was entrusted to trainer Walter Carroll and driver Brian Sears. He made his Meadowlands debut on May 26, finishing second by three-quarters of a length in the opening round of NJSS on May 26. He stopped the clock in 1:54.3 in the second week of prelims and matched that career best in a nose tally over Kajan Kooker [Self Possessed] in the third leg on Thursday night [June 12].

Other prelim round winners eligible to join the final 10 include Celebrity Secret [Yankee Glide], Nautical Notion [Self Possessed], Fuel My Muscles [Muscles Yankee] and Cloud Casino [Dream Vacation].

The New Jersey Sire Stakes records for three-year-old trotters are 1:53.3 for colts, shared by New York Yank [by Yankee Glide, June 23, 2005] and Operation Lindy [by Enjoy Lavec, June 14, 2007] and 1:54.1 for geldings set by Green Day [Enjoy Lavec] on June 7, 2007.
Carol Hodes

Guest Perspective of AZUR Experience

We found this guest's posting of his dining experiences at AZUR on a national food rating website and had to share it because this customer totally understood what we envisioned for AZUR almost five years ago.

"Azur is a bit of Napa Valley in the heartland of Kentucky. Actually, it's a lot of Napa Valley --- close your eyes, take a bite, wake up and you might think you're at Mustards bistro in Napa Valley... that's an honest comparison. I've now been here 3 times, and each time it just gets better."

"I used to be afraid of the food shock when coming home to Lexington from San Fran. No more. Lexingtonians take solace in knowing that the 30-40 dollar meal you just had at Azur would cost you easily upwards of 70 dollars in Napa Valley --- and Azur's quality and innovation are on par with the most famous and popular of Napa Valley's bistros."

"Lexington is no longer bland ... it has finally expanded its culinary breadth and moved into innovative, new California-style cuisine. THANK YOU, AZUR!"

AZUR humbly thanks you for sharing. We really appreciate it.

What is Grassroots Marketing?

In the world of independent restaurant marketing like that of AZUR, it means a low cost or no cost marketing technique that helps spread the word about what we are about. One of the best grassroots advertising methods for us is our customers telling others about the positive dining experiences they have had. AZUR greatly appreciates those guests that tell others about us and we could not buy that type of advertising. In fact, we cannot afford to purchase advertising at the level that the chain restaurants are capable of. We also rely on house-made flyers to communicate our Chef Series dinners and email addresses provided by our guests who wish to be informed of specialty dinners or musical performances. Finally, AZUR posts events on no cost web sites that promote local activities.

AZUR July Chef Series Americana Pique-Nique

We are just a week away from our July Chef Series Americana Pique-Nique (picnic). This four course dinner will be held on the patio in true picnic fashion and will include: nachos, corn dogs, BBQ and S'mores with a gourmet twist (see full menu below). Cost is $30 per person and includes Kentucky blackberry iced tea, lemomade or hard cider. This is a great summer outing to share with family and friends. Make your reservations and mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 29th at 6:30 p.m. For reservations, please call 859-296-1007.

The Americana Menu:
First Course:Blue chip nachos with lobster-white cheddar dipping sauce, house-made pickled jalapeno, hierloom tomato-smoked scallion salsa and tartar-style sour cream

Second Course:Sea bass and crab corn dogs with crinkle cut white truffle fries, wasabi mustard and guava catsup

Third Course:Pulled turkey BBQ on white lily cream biscuits with jalapeno-peach cole slaw

Fourth Course:Ginger graham craker, Caulebut dark chocolate and cinnamon scented marshmallow s'more

Indulge yourself with second helpings (we won't tell).

Another AZUR Guest Tip

If you are interested in the specialty dinners (Chef Series) which are the themed dinners presented throughout the year or just want to know what's going on at AZUR, you need to furnish your email address on one of the comment cards. We realize our regular guests may overlook them but they are located in the check presenters. Once you have filled one out, you will be added to our email list which includes: notices of the Chef Series dinners, music schedules and other interesting news.

Why AZUR Cares?

Being an independently owned restaurant, we care about everything. AZUR agonizes over every decision wondering how it will effect our guests and is in the best decision. Since we really cannot afford to test market or poll large groups for their responses, we rely heavily on customer comments both verbal and written. We truly want everyone to have the best experience because we are proud of our single restaurant. The owners are in constant contact throughout the day and night discussing performance and how we can improve. We are not sure how other restaurant operators feel but to us, AZUR has feelings and personality.

What is Customer Service?

Most people have a predetermined idea of customer service. If asked, they would respond with prompt attention to needs, pleasant server, fast delivery of their order or well timed. At AZUR, we believe all of these are necessary for good customer service and more. We try not to use the word "no" if at all possible. If you want something that is not on the menu, we will try to accommodate your request providing we have the ingredients and you have the time for it to be prepared. This is one of the advantages of having chefs in the kitchen. Our servers work to exceed your expectations of good customer service. If we make a mistake and we all do from time to time, we will correct it.

If you wish to share your ideas of good customer service with AZUR, please send us an email. We would love to read them.

AZUR and Seafood

Oddly enough, AZUR had not planned on being known for seafood; however, many of our guests remark about our seafood offerings. For us, it's another example of how fresh product in the kitchen translates to the table. From the beginning, we have offered an eclectic mix of entrees with interesting twists. The Woven Shrimp dinner entree developed by Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby has been extremely popular since it's introduction a few weeks ago. AZUR admits that we have several choices in the seafood category but we also offer veal, rabbit, beef, pork and bison.

The Economic Challenge at AZUR

Like everyone else, AZUR faces the daily challenges of this economy. It seems every vendor raises their prices with every delivery. Our challenge is to maintain the highest food quality and service while holding our menu prices the best we can. We look for creative ways to cut unnecessary expenses and attempt to structure our service to meet the unknown daily demands. As an independent restaurant, AZUR realizes that we share this same struggle with our neighbors and friends. Perhaps, it's times like these that bring a community closer and make it stronger.

AZUR Server Meeting

Today, AZUR met with the servers to discuss issues relating to day-to-day business. Several times throughout the year we get together to just talk. The most pleasing part of the meeting is listening to seasoned servers point out the little details to the newer servers. It's really nice to know that they understand the importance of the details and makes you proud.

How Did AZUR Begin?

Well, we would like to say that it was easy but that would not be the truth. Originally, we planned to purchase an existing restaurant but that deal fell through. For a short while, we stopped planning and accepted that our quest was over. Then, we were approached by a local developer about a location which was formally a real estate office. The "would be" owners started meeting again at least once a week for several hours. At the same time, we continued lease negotiations and met with a general contractor to discuss a brand new restaurant design. This routine continued for several months while we planned the space, formulated menus, and developed the concept. Additionally, we wrote a detailed business plan and started the process of securing the financing to build AZUR. Finally, everything came together almost a year later. We signed the lease and the building contract within hours of each other on a Friday. The demolition started the following Monday. AZUR restaurant & patio was born on December 31, 2004!

AZUR - Where Casual Meets Elegant

Several years ago, AZUR developed the tag line "contemporary elegance at its best" to describe ourselves. This is still very true. We believe that our guests don't want plain but don't want stuffy either. They want a balance of formal service and fine cuisine within a comfortable yet sophisticated setting. At AZUR, our chefs create artful food presentations with fresh ingredients while maintaining a common touch. Our decor matches the food as well. The walls are boldly painted and the furnishings are a mixture of wood and metal. We are not trying to duplicate the past or others rather creating our own future. AZUR realizes that some things we try will fail but that's okay because we are not afraid to try.

Old Friends at AZUR

At AZUR, we delight in seeing old friends that have not been able to stop in for a while. As an independent restaurant, our business is more than just serving meals. It is also very social. We share a part of us with our guests and vice versa. Last night, we had a couple of guests that we had not seen in several months and enjoyed getting caught up with them. Actually, it made the night for us! We suppose that would seem strange to some but that's hospitality.

AZUR Magic Formula

AZUR developed a simple formula long before we opened our doors. It has three key ingredients. They are: food quality, service and atmosphere. We are sure that some restaurants survive without one of them but we felt like all of them must be present for long term success. AZUR's challenge is to combine the ingredients correctly for each and every guest. Though on the surface it sounds easy, in fact, it is not. Each guest brings different expectations and has different taste preferences. As an independent restaurant, we seek to please the individuality of our patrons. And because we do care about everyone personal experience, we are never satisfied with the formula. AZUR strives to always make it better.

AZUR Guest Tip

There is no question that AZUR gets quite busy at times but there are still times that are slower than others. If you want a quiet escape for lunch, we recommend Saturday at lunch. Since many of the business offices are closed on Saturday around us, it's the perfect time to share a lunch for two or even have a family get together. Normally, you will have your choice of the patio or the dining room. Another great time for dinner is Sunday night. Not only are there less patrons and the same quality of food and service but we also offer live music. So if you like dining out with less of a crowd, you still have options at AZUR.

AZUR Team Takes Red Ribbon In Waiter's Race

During the Independence Day festivities, two teams competed in the Waiter's Race. AZUR was fortunate to receive a red ribbon (2nd place). Congratulations to Kyle & Amanda for their ribbon winning finish and Ruth & Joe for their solid performance. Also, we greatly appreciate the support of several servers and regulars on the sidelines. It was a great turnout for the event! Definitely a lot of AZUR pride.

Fourth of July Weekend at AZUR

AZUR will be closed on Friday, July 4th so our staff may spend the holiday with their families and friends. We will have two teams competing in the "Waiter's Races" at noon in downtown Lexington. AZUR will re-open for lunch on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. On Saturday evening, we will host "Triple Play" on the patio. This local rock band features Fred Siegelman (Mayor of Versailles). They will play from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Do Higher Gas Prices Effect AZUR?

Absolutely! Just as individuals have seen higher prices at the grocery store, AZUR has experienced increases in dairy, meats and produce. Additionally, vendors have increased stop charges and assess fuel sur-charges to every delivery. Another result of the higher gas prices is the "stay at home" effect. People elect to save money by cutting back on extraneous expenses.

AZUR Spotlighted In Kentucky Monthly Martini Article

The July issue of Kentucky Monthly magazine came out today and AZUR was fortunate to have two Martinis mentioned. Amber Blaisdell, AZUR Wine & Spirits Manager, dazzled them with the Malibu Hopper and the Kentucky Peach Martini. The full story may be viewed in the July issue of Kentucky Monthly (pages 10-12). Contributor's note: Watch for AZUR restaurant & patio to be the featured restaurant in the August issue of Kentucky Monthly.

Lunch Menus Will Be Changing At AZUR

AZUR is about to release their new summer lunch menus. Although we realize that some of your favorites will be taken off the menu, we hope that you will find new favorites among the new items. It has always been our goal to keep our menus fresh and introduce new concepts at AZUR.

AZUR Awning Fans Are Installed!

After a supplier delay, the awning ceiling fans have been installed at AZUR under the awning. We are very pleased with their metallic finish and curves as they nicely tie into the interior decor. Also, the addition of the down lighting which can be controlled by remote is a great asset to the fixtures. Luckily, they were installed just in time for the first day above 90 degrees in about 1 1/2 weeks. Now that's timing!

Nice Evening for Chef Series Dinner

AZUR had a very nice group for the Nuevo Latin Fusion dinner this evening. Unfortunately, we were not able to obtain the goat meat that we wanted for one of the courses but we were able to substitute lamb which worked out very well. Plus, we showcased some fine Spanish wines that may have been looked over in the past. AZUR has never been afraid to introduce different cuisine and we're proud of it!

AZUR Is Not Really A Secret.

AZUR has received written and verbal comments that "we're a secret". We are not really a secret. Actually, we just do not allocate as much money as others do to advertising. AZUR believes that old-fashion "word of mouth" is the best form of advertising. We would rather put our resources in obtaining the best ingredients than radio, television or print ads. Our greatest satisfaction is hearing one of guests calling a friend to say, "you've got to come over to AZUR". That's just something that you cannot buy.

How AZUR Deals with the Economy

AZUR feels that we should remain true to our original concept which is causal, fine dining. We realize that food prices have increased but we decided not to decrease the quality of our ingredients (e.g. substitute frozen vegetables for fresh). A wise man once said, "Never be afraid to pay for the best because you'll never be disappointed". AZUR definitely agrees. If we compromised our cuisine, we would not be true to what we started so many years ago.

Nuevo Latin Fusion Dinner Reminder

AZUR will be hosting a Nuevo Latin Fusion Dinner for the upcoming Chef Series. It will feature the talents of Chef Rivas, a native of the Dominican Republic. This five course dinner with Latin American wine parings from Republic National Beverage Company will be held on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. For more information or reservations, please email us at fwohlstein@azurrestaurant.com or call 859.296.1007. We'll be happy to share the list of exotic dishes.

Cool Temperatures Bringing People Out

After a couple of hotter than normal weeks, AZUR has been fortunate to have people hanging out on the patio during the cooler June nights. An artificial breeze will soon be generated with the new ceiling fans that will be installed under the awning next week. So even when the temperatures climb back up into the 90's (and they will), our guests will be comfortable far into the long summer nights. AZUR is very excited about the fans because they match our existing decor so well. They are curvy, metal with a retro look with very high performance. In fact, they look like the propellers from a B-52. They are definite worth the wait!

Woven Shrimp is a Hit!

The chefs had an idea from the awards AZUR received for the Woven Shrimp entree at Taste of the Bluegrass a few weeks ago that it would be well received. However, we underestimated it's popularity. It's always rewarding to present a new menu item that everyone enjoys. Now, we faced with an pleasing problem in the restaurant business. How do we maintain a steady stream of fresh shrimp?

New Dinner Menus

AZUR will debut the summer dinner menu this Monday (June 16). This menu is very interesting as well as challenging for the kitchen staff to prep each day. One of the featured entrees is Chef Ashby's award winning Woven Shrimp. Also returning are heirloom tomatoes to the menu. Elk has migrated off the menu for now but we most likely will run as a special from time to time because we know how much you love it.

AZUR - Independent and Local

For AZUR being an independent, local restaurant is much more than local ownership. It means purchasing locally grown produce which reduces gasoline usage. It means sponsorship of school programs. It means assisting with community interests. It means hiring other local businesses to provide services. It means we're serving our friends and neighbors not just unknown demographics. It means that everyone and everything matters. Most importantly, it means that AZUR cares.

AZUR Had Music on a Sunday Night?

Yes, AZUR tried something different last night (go figure) and scheduled a band on a Sunday night. We thought that we the high temperatures outside, our guests needed something on the patio to take their minds off the 90+ degree days. Judging from the turn out last night, we were correct! Hence, we decided that we would try it again in two weeks since it's Father's Day this coming Sunday. By the way, we are offering a Father's Day Brunch from 11 am to 3 pm.

Alma Gitana Performs on AZUR Patio

Alma Gitana, a Latin Fusion band, performed last night on the patio which delighted many guests on a hot Lexington night. Temperatures were in the mid 90's and things did not cool down until the sun fell. Some believe that it was still "hot" later into the evening as a result of Alma Gitana's music. Meanwhile, several diners enjoyed their meals in the cool comfort of the dining room with the faint sound of music in the background.

Martini Article

AZUR received a call from Kentucky Monthly magazine yesterday to assist them with an article on Martinis. Though we normally emphasis our cuisine, we have skilled bartenders too. Amber, our spirits manager, whipped up several martinis including one of her own creations. It's also a pleasure for AZUR to assist with promoting Kentucky. We appreciate them thinking of us.

AZUR Receives Second Award!

This morning AZUR restaurant & patio learned that it had received a second award from the Taste of the Bluegrass event this past Friday evening. After the attendees votes were tallied, we were flattered to receive the People's Choice award in the category of "Best Appetizer" as well. This award is especially meaningful to us as it represents the public opinion which demonstates they recognize the level of food we strive for every plate. Thank you Lexington for voting for AZUR.

AZUR June Chef Series Dinner

AZUR has just completed planning for the June Chef Series Dinner. This dinner will be a five course Latin-fusion dinner featuring the talents of Chef/owner Miguel Rivas - a native of the Dominican Republic and trained in New York. He will be showcasing dishes for South America, the Caribbean and Mexico. The date has been set for Tuesday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. His Latin dinners are very popular.

AZUR "Best Entree" Winner!

AZUR restaurant & patio had a very busy day yesterday. Executive Chef Ashby was preping for the Taste of the Bluegrass, the 28th edition of this event which showcases local restaurant dishes as well as beverage distributor's products, while insuring that the restaurant was ready for a warm Friday night dinner service. He was determined to show the attendees the culinary talents of AZUR. The judges validated his creation by awarding it the "Best Entree" award! We may very well add the entree to the upcoming summer dinner menu.

Charity Event

AZUR restaurant & patio will be joining other restaurants at the Taste of the Bluegrass tomorrow night. Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby hopes to repeat his People's Choice award from last year with his this year's offering. If you don't have tickets, no worries. AZUR will be serving as usually on Friday night at the restaurant. The weather is going to be great so if you want to be on the patio, please make your reservations now.

Interesting Customer Comment

As AZUR was reviewing customer comment cards last evening, we ran across an interesting customer comment that we had not received before. The customer stated that AZUR offered "...an urban feel in a suburban setting..." We thought that was just a wonderful commentary on the restaurant. AZUR is definitely in a suburban strip mall but it doesn't feel like it once you enter the interior dining room or the exterior patio. Thank you for the compliment!

AZUR Awning Pleasing Guests

Though we were unsure how our guests would react to the large awning that was installed on the lower patio several weeks ago, AZUR is pleased to report nothing but positive comments. Not only does in protect our lunch and evening diners from direct sun and unpredicted rain showers, it also appears to make a more intimate dining experience on the patio. Basically, it complements the garden setting. The awning colors mirror the entire and the translucent celing panels allow plenty of light without being harsh. Very shortly, the ceiling fans will be installed to create air flow even on the hottest summer days.

Memorial Day

AZUR restaurant & patio is closed today in observance of Memorial Day. We believe that our staff should spend time with their families because family is important. Yes, we could easily remain open and our staff would work but we feel that there are more important things. AZUR hopes that you have a relaxing day as well with your families and friends. We will re-open at
11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27 for lunch service.

What AZUR Has Been Doing

Besides a little rest & relaxation before summer is in full swing, AZUR has been working on several specialty dinners. We have a Kenyan dinner, a Latin dinner and an Organic dinner with a special guest chef (more later) planned for the upcoming months. Also, we have Father's Day Brunch coming up on Sunday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Plus, AZUR is about to release our new lunch and dinner menus for the summer. It's all about food at AZUR!

AZUR Chef Series Indian Dinner

AZUR will be featuring the talents of sous chef Justin Clark on Tuesday, May 27. He has created an interesting six course Indian dinner. The cost is $45.00 per person and the dinner may be started at any time after 6:30 p.m. This is a new twist to our Chef Series which normally start at a scheduled time. Please contact AZUR at 859-296-1007 for additional details or reservations.

The New AZUR Awning!

Yes, our brand new awning for the lower patio was installed today! Hence, the threat of rain is no longer a factor for dining on the patio. One half of AZUR's patio is now covered year round. We are very pleased to have this enhancement completed which concludes the patio plan that was started months ago. We hope that you will drop in soon to dine under the awning which includes sky lights!

Special Wine Purchase

AZUR was able to obtain one case of Duckhorn, 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvigon. Wine notes include: elegantly balanced wine combines generous fruit-foward structure with age-worthy tannins and a long, satisfying finish. Layered aromatics to its lush palate of flavor. This wine brings together an array of red and black fruit elements, including red currants, baked plum, blackberry and sweet black cherry. Adding further depth to this core of ripe fruit are notes of vanilla, molasses, allspice and fresh herbs. Our understanding is only 10 cases of this wine alotted to Kentucky. If you want a taste it, you better hurry.

Mother's Day Brunch is Sold Out

AZUR is booked for Mother's Day Brunch at present. We have a wait list for availability if we have cancellations. We are working to add some additional seating but it is not known at this time if it will available in time. We hope to have a better idea by late Friday morning. We recommend that you call the restaurant for any changes (859.296.1007).

Beautiful Night

Many guests turned out tonight to enjoy AZUR's patio on a beautiful Lexington night. It seems that you just about have to go out for dinner through the week to avoid the rainy weekends. Many of the patio plantings are in bloom and the air was so still tonight. At AZUR, we really want you to slow down and enjoy the surroundings, your company and of course - the cuisine. It's almost a lost art in today's world.

The Maintenance Battle

Restaurants receive a high volume of daily traffic for longer periods of time than standard businesses every day. Glasses, plateware, silverware, pots and pans are used several times per day during routine business. Since AZUR is a seven day per week operation, we must constantly maintain all areas seen and unseen which sometimes seems like a never ending battle. To add a degree of difficulty, it must be done when the restaurant is not being used which is only very late at night or very early in the morning. We cannot just close the dining room in the middle of the day to replace light bulbs or repair broken equipment. Our challenge is to maintain everything without the customer noticing that anything has been effected. At AZUR, it is important that we offer the same dining experience for all guests regardless of the problems or obstacles that are placed before us on any given day.

Mother's Day is Next Sunday

If you haven't made plans for Mother's Day yet, you only have one (1) week left. Luckily, AZUR will be hosting a Mother's Day Brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. The menu was created with your mother's favorite foods in mind. Please make your reservations now. Mother's Day is very popular dining out holiday which means long waits for those who do not plan ahead. Save yourself by calling 296-1007.

Races Hard to Handicap but the Weather Isn't

Staying true to history, the rain clouds blew into the area. Unfortunately, AZUR had to shut down the patio on a Friday night. Those that braved the weather in Louisville, got wet at the Kentucky Oaks. Perhaps, Derby Day will surprise us and turn sunny. As always, AZUR's patio will be open on Saturday if the weather cooperates. Happy handicapping!

Talk Derby to Me

The first weekend in May marks the Kentucky Derby. Though held in Louisville, there are several venues in Lexington with Derby festivities. AZUR is no exception. Many fans watch the races at Keeneland and then take a short drive to AZUR for post-race celebrations. We hope the rain stays away but it usually doesn't.

Rising Costs

It seems that every day the costs of ingredients rise with the price of a barrel of oil. Unlike retail gas stations, we cannot change our prices at every shift change nor do we want to. Unfortunately, our suppliers are already warning us about additional increases this summer as a result of increased fuel costs, demand for grains and less land being planted for specific vegetables (e.g. tomatoes). On the bright side, AZUR is fortunate to have loyal customers and friends. As they say, "We're in this together".

Does AZUR Cater?

Yes, AZUR offers upscale catering which mirrors the uniqueness of our regular menu. We work with the individual or organization to develop a menu that suits the function and the budget. AZUR Catering is definitely not for all events; however, if your goal is to impress clients or serve less traditional fare then you should contact Executive Chef - Jeremy Ashby. Please call 296-1007.

Why Take Reservations?

At AZUR, we accept lunch and dinner reservations. Two of the main reasons we do accept them are planning and customer convenience. The first helps us with food ordering levels and scheduling the proper amount of staffing. The later insures that a table is available when one drives to AZUR as a destination spot. Generally speaking, they have planned ahead to dine with us and we want to accommodate them. From time to time, those without reservations (walk-ins) wonder why they cannot be seated at a table that appears to be open. More often than not, it is because the table as been reserved for a particular party at a specific time. Sometimes, a table is not sat because the kitchen simply cannot handle any additional volume and we want to maintain the food quality and service level. Again, this is always a concern for AZUR.

AZUR's Perfect Storm

When AZUR fills to capacity and we are turning down additional seatings, we are experiencing half of the "Perfect Storm". The other half is less known but extremely important to the success of the restaurant. Every day is different in terms of sales and so many factors determine the total amount of covers for any given day; however, we are forced to schedule the appropriate amount of servers days ahead. Scheduling too few will effect the dining experience and scheduling too many will effect their income because the majority of their compensation is derived from guest tips. Hence, the "Perfect Storm" is the proper ratio of servers to the number of guests. Though is appears to be simple on the surface, it is always a struggle to maintain the "Perfect Storm" at AZUR.

Rewards in the Restaurant Business

Restaurants open and close quickly in all markets. Perhaps they opened for purely for financial gain which is flawed from the beginning. With a profit margin of 4% to 6% considered to be a very solid performance in the restaurant business, any establishment is not going to generate fortunes for the owners. In fact, the motivation for AZUR is pride and people. We enjoy being hosts to our guests and have pride in our culinary product. Hours and hours of debate go into every change. Always striving for perfection in every meal.

Your Thoughts Are Important!

AZUR values your input. Over the last several years, we have made adjustments to our restaurant directly based upon customer input. This year, we have been performing major enhancements to the patio. In addition to the food and service, we are curious of what you believe makes dining on a patio extra special. Rather than second guess our patrons, we request your input. Please send your comments to us.

Patio Season at AZUR in FULL Swing!

Three days from last post and it seems like three minutes. AZUR has been hosting hundreds of afternoon and evening patio goers. We added seating (tables & chairs) for approximately 50 more guests on the patio during the wee hours of Thursday morning. We were pleased to see that every table was placed into service for the last two nights. After four years, our popular exterior seating capacity matches the interior. AZUR expects that all patio enhancements will be completed by the first week of May.

Enhancing Your Keeneland Experience

A few tips from AZUR on enhancing your Keeneland race day experience... 1) Dress for the weather. In Kentucky, the weather changes quickly with dramatic changes in temperature, 2) Car pool to the races to limit fuel costs and parking issues, 3) Bet and drink within reason. Keep it fun, 4) place your dinner reservations before going to the races to insure you have a spot to continue after the races and 5) Slow down - life is meant to be social.

Why Limit Party Sizes?

On a busy night, the management may decide to limit party (group) sizes to insure consistent service for all diners. AZUR practices this technique because we have a finite amount of BTUs (stoves and ovens) for cooking multiple entrees at the same time. If all large parties ordered at the same time, the kitchen could not maintain the proper serving temperature for all individuals to be served simultaneously, hence, the overall dining quality would be effected. Also, no new tickets could be started which results in other orders being delayed. Everyone matters at AZUR.

Upcoming Chef Series Dinners

AZUR is about to release the dates for the May & June Chef Series dinners. They will be Indian and Kenyan, respectively. Both culinary adventures will be very interesting and couldn't be more opposed. The Indian with spices and the Kenyan authentic to the culture. These extremes demonstrate the creativity and diversity of AZUR's chefs. Please check back for the details on both.

What Does Being Independent Mean?

AZUR is an independent restaurant. This means that we are not a corporate owned restaurant which normally means a chain of restaurants with the same name. AZUR is owned entirely by a group of locals who wanted to bring something unique to the Lexington market. Every day we have to do it better than every one else and compete with other independents and chains. AZUR does this by offering fresh cuisine, an unique atmosphere and professional wait staff. We debate everything we do.

Horses, Food and Friends

Everyone seems to be enjoying the nicer weather by going to Keeneland for the afternoon. AZUR is there for both pre and post track festivities. Last night, we saw many buyers and sellers from the two year old sales. Today, we have been coordinating the final details for the last phase of our patio enhancements. Last post, we mentioned that it was both "Hot" and "Cold". Well, it's also "Open" and "Closed". Send us an email if you want another hint.

Feeling AZUR?

The skies have been blue the last three days over AZUR. That means the patio has been FULL as well. Many customers have turned out to enjoy the 70+ degree weather amongst the blue lighted trees. We haven't even got to Phase III or Phase IV of the patio enhancements. If you're enjoying it now, just wait when it's completely finished. Let's just say it will be both "Hot" and "Cold"! At AZUR, you have choices.

How Does AZUR Handle Grease?

As with any restaurant, AZUR has generates grease when cooking. We decided several years ago not to install a large grease trap underground because we felt that it was not the best solution. After researching options, AZUR purchased an automatic grease interceptor and obtained approval for it's installation. Grease is separated from our waste water by passing through this mechanized stainless steel apparatus. Our grease output is then logged and placed in a recycling container. Finally, it is hauled away and converted to bio-diesel fuel.

Re-designed Menu Covers

AZUR has just placed into service our new colorful menu covers. After just three drafts, Gemma Parenti - our favorite freelance designer, came up with one that suits our ambiance. The old black ones that served us well over the last three plus years have been retired. As with many of our purchases, one menu cover doesn't seem expensive. However when you multiple it by 150, it's a fairly large purchase. This is true of many every day AZUR items including: glasses, silverware, salt & pepper dispensers, table lighting, linens, matches, etc.

Opportunities

The last two days, AZUR has been fortunate enough to have two opportunities - one involved a photographer and the other a magazine. First, an architectural photographer staying at a nearby hotel requests permission to photograph the interior of restaurant because it caught his attention. Then, we are approached about being including in an upcoming magazine article on outdoor dining. Two rays of sunshine come through the rainy days of spring in Kentucky.

The Race is On

Keeneland's opening day is just two days away, AZUR is racing to complete details that enhance the dining experience. The patio is already set with tables and chairs. Like a theme park, we are polishing, sweeping, painting, planting and replacing as necessary. It seems that everyone gets excited about the first day of Keeneland.

Falling into Place

The patio is starting to shine and everything is falling into place. Months of planning are starting to be realized. At AZUR, we really do get excited about patio season as the patio has it's own distinct feel. Don't get us wrong, the interior is boldly colored and trendy; however, the patio allows people to relax and renew. Not only on an individual level but also socially. It seems that being outside brings everyone together.