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.