AZUR Has the Cure for Cabin Fever

For the last several days, many Lexingtonians have been confined to their homes or had to seek refuge in hotels or other heated places. AZUR has a remedy for your cabin fever. Time to treat yourself to a night out and leave your worries at home. Temperatures will be climbing for the next two days.

Valentine's Day Reservations

AZUR doesn't want to rush our wonderful customers but time slots are filling up fast for Valentine's Day and we are still more than two weeks away. Please make your reservations early. Remember that we will also be offering the Valentine's special menu on Friday and Sunday as well.

AZUR - The Little Restaurant That Could

While ice covered the roads, trees snapped and electricity failed, AZUR remained opened. We became the satellite office to businesses without power and a warm haven for those without electricity. We are fortunate that the power remained on in our section of town. Sometimes things go your way.

AZUR Opened During Inclement Weather Today

During the early morning hours, a winter storm dropped a combination of snow and freezing rain in the heart of the bluegrass. Schools were closed and many businesses followed their example. However, AZUR was opened for lunch and dinner for three main reasons: the dedicated staff, the desire to satisfy our obligation to existing reservations and the fulfillment of our duty as a hospitality service provider. In short, AZUR recognizes it's responsibilities to our customers and takes them seriously.

AZUR Believes Impressions Always Matter!

At AZUR, we believe that it is important to make a good first impression but we also believe the last impression and the middle impression matter equally. In the restaurant business, every experience is judged on it's own merit. That means every dining component must be present every time which includes - the greeting, the cooking, the serving and the thanking.

AZUR Sees Silver Lining

While the global economy struggles, AZUR has taken a closer look at ourselves and scrutinized how we perform even better. We have always prided our independent restaurant on food, service and atmosphere but realize that these areas may always be improved. AZUR is focusing our energy on the basics and looking at each component with a critical eye.

Weather Breaks for the Better at AZUR

It's definitely not patio season at AZUR but the temperature finally climbed into the 50's after some bone chilling days on the low side of the thermometer. We're glad that many were able to venture outside again. It's always good to see happy faces from the AZUR kitchen.

AZUR Creates Entrees From Scratch

AZUR doesn't claim to be reinventing cuisine. We're just making it better by using the freshest ingredients from local sources whenever possible. Executive chef Ashby's goal is to inspire our guests about food. There is some much variety available today other than steak and potatoes. AZUR is in business to provide memories and experiences not just turning out food to satisfy one's hunger.

AZUR Hosting Sopranos Table 2 This Sunday

AZUR will be offering an Italian family gathering this Sunday. It's four courses of "old school family style" dining. Guests share communal seating while enjoying food and conversation around the table like an extended family gathering. Pastas are served in serving dishes and passed down the table. It's a night that will take you back to those family dinners at Grandma's house. Join AZUR and break out of the winter doldrums this Sunday.

Conjure Memories at AZUR

Sharing dinner with friends and laughter filling the air (lots of laughter); enjoying time around the table with family just talking endlessly; eating food prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients; and being reminded of a long forgotten dish all of the sudden by a smell coming from the kitchen. Nostalgia served daily at AZUR and you're invited.

AZUR Has Competition!

In seems that the last few days, AZUR has been competing with Barack Obama and the presidential inauguration. Although we cannot think of better competition, we will be delighted when the inauguration ceremonies have been completed. We are ready for some positive news and economic recovery for all.

Single Digit Temperatures in AZUR Country

Though we have been hit with single digit temperatures in central Kentucky, AZUR has had better than anticipated turnout. Perhaps it's the warming spirits (liquid and people) that have brought so many in from the cold. Whatever the cause, AZUR is delighted that our customers brave the cold to dine with us.

AZUR Valentine's Information for 2009

AZUR just posted the Valentine's dinner information and menu. We are very excited about this year's menu. The value is outstanding and the choices per course are diverse. The most difficult task will be selecting just one from each course . The full menu can be viewed on the AZUR restaurant & patio website under the "events" category or you may select "Valentine's Dinner from the home page as well. www.azurrestaurant.com.

AZUR and Valentine's Day

AZUR has just finalized the prix fixe four course Valentine's menu. We will be offering the dinner the entire Valentine's weekend (Friday through Sunday) so you will have options that fit your busy schedule. The full menu will be posted for your review very shortly. When it comes to Valentine's Day it is never too soon to plan. You definitely do not want to be left out in the cold. AZUR highly recommends that you make reservations early for this occasion. Cost is 49.95 per person (excludes beverages, tax & gratuity).

United We Dine

AZUR will be participating in the United Way dessert fundraiser the week of Monday, January 26th through Sunday, February 1st. For every dinner dessert purchased, AZUR will make a donation to the United Way of the Bluegrass. Could there a better reason to save room for dessert?

AZUR Cooking Tip for Mashed Potatoes

Nearly everyone prepares mash potatoes at home. AZUR doubts that many add white wine or cider vinegar to them. If they did, they would find that it cuts the richness of milk and butter and lightens the potatoes a shade. Also the more milk you add, the smoother the mash potatoes become. Try it next time and see if your family or friends notice.

AZUR Believes Food Quality is Value

Often surveys related to customer satisfaction in the food service industry separate quality and value as two different attributes. Using this method, food quality is ranked as the most important to customers when deciding where to eat out. AZUR agrees that it is the most important factor; however, we believe that food quality is the value and vice versa. They are intertwined. Larger portions of lower quality ingredients does not translate to better value. At AZUR, it's always about the food quality which means value.

Premium Tuna Sells for over $100,000!

If you think the prices are high at the grocery store for a can of tuna, this recent news item will definitely shock you. Two sushi bar owners paid more than $100,000 for a Japanese bluefin tuna at a Tokyo fish auction on Monday, several times the average price and the highest in years. The 282-pound premium tuna caught off the northern coast of Oma fetched 9.63 million yen or $104,400 U.S. dollars. That's $370.00 per pound!

One New Year's Resolution Down for AZUR

Several months ago, AZUR set a New Year's resolution for the website. The goal was to have a new more interactive AZUR website with pics, menus and just more restaurant information by 12/31/2008 (New Year's Eve). We are happy to report that we accomplished our New Year's resolution with hours to spare. As always, AZUR encourages your comments and suggestions for improvements to the website and to the restaurant in general.

AZUR Sopranos Table 2

The previous Sopranos Table dinner was "SOLD OUT". If you wanted to attend the last dinner and could not obtain a reservation, here's your chance. This menu is not a repeat rather a completely new menu! Join AZUR for it's second tribute to Italian family gatherings. Again it will be served "family style" with communal seating.

Menu:
Antipasti - Marinated artichokes salad with Roma tomato, toasted pine nuts, caper and raisins
Zuppa di Pesce Amalfitana fish soup in the style of amalfi with tomato chili bruschetta
First course - Rigatoni al Ragu Napoletano, large tube pasta Neapolitan pork shoulder ragu and cacciocavallo fonduta
Second Course-Polpette di braciole con risotto, chef Ashby’s famous meatballs braised in tomato, mushrooms and Marsala wine over creamy lemon Parmesan risotto
Third course-Tiramisu, in the style of Treviso

Sunday, January 25 at 6:30 pm. Cost is $35 per person. Seating is limited.

AZUR Post-New Year's Eve

AZUR is still recovering from New Year's Eve. Nearly the entire day was spent putting the restaurant back in order inside and outside. Plus, we still need to complete the normal year end duties such as: food and beverage inventories, seasonal menu changes and specialty menus for upcoming events. Then there is the accounting for last year.

Happy New Year from AZUR

AZUR had a lovely evening tonight. We were pleased that things flowed smoothly throughout the dining service. Despite the chilly temperatures, our guests came dressed for the celebration. As for AZUR, we are are a few minutes into our fifth year. We'll be fine in 2009.