Winter Returns with Freezing Rain

Just when we thought that winter was behind us and the patio season was just around the corner, winter throws another curve and the temperature drops and a mixture of snow and freezing rain falls. Which is fine unless it hampers people from coming out for the evening. Since AZUR doesn't deliver, it is not necessarily good for routine business. Looking for Spring to arrive.

Fine Dining Means A Little Bit More

Though fine dining does include: chefs, haute cuisine, exotic tastes and outstanding table service, AZUR also believes that fine dining is about friends and families. It's sharing a meal and slowing down to enjoy the company of others. A time for long discussions and laughter. These are things that are lost during the normal pace of life. And for the young ones, an opportunity to learn valuable social skills at the table. Hence, fine dining means a little bit more.

AZUR Still Proud of Comments

With nearly five years behind us, AZUR is still excited and proud when we discover new customer comments on various web sites. We eat them up like little pieces of candy. At times, it's almost surreal that they are talking about us with such wonderful statements. We remember so well the construction phase with daily progress visits as the space took on it's new identity as AZUR. We appreciate your business and the relationships that have developed. Sincerely - Thank you so much.

So Many Tastes, So Little Time

AZUR hosted the Brazilian Chef Series this evening but before the candles were blown out, we had already begun discussions of future Chef Series events. There is never a shortage of culinary ideas. Though we have already slated New World Cuisine for March, we have a very interesting dinner "fermenting". And that's the only clue we'll give...for now.

AZUR Are Believers

AZUR believes that our customers value quality and expect us to maintain the quality that our reputation has been built around. We also believe that taste does matter and to do anything less would not be true to ourselves or our guests. Though the media reports that diners are frequenting quick service restaurants, we believe that our core customers are more inclined to save their "dining out" for more meaningful meals (foods that cannot be duplicated at home or prepared at less culinary skilled establishments). That is what AZUR believes.

AZUR Photo Contest

There's less than a week to enter AZUR's "What's Wrong With This Photo" challenge. The contest and rules may be found at www.azurrestaurant.com under "buzz" then "4 Fun". Entries must be received by midnight on Saturday, February 28. Good Luck!

What's AZUR's Latest Ingredient?

It's American freshwater caviar! Yes, it's a Kentucky Proud product supplied by Kinder Caviar, a Kentucky business. The caviar is harvested from Paddlefish ( members of the sturgeon family), processed and hand packed here in the Bluegrass. The taste is quite similar to the Caspian Sea caviar but with a lower salt content.

What's a Garde Manager?

Garde Manager: This term originated in France and means "keeper of the food". Generally speaking, it refers to the kitchen position that prepares the cold food items such as salads and desserts but also hot items like soups and hors d'oeuvres. At AZUR, this is an entry level position in the kitchen hierarchy but very important because the food presentation is often the first and last item of a meal that the guest is served.

AZUR and Our Facebook Fans

AZUR is marveling at the number of Facebook fans that have joined the AZUR restaurant & patio Facebook page. The two way communication allows us not only to share what's going on at the restaurant but to also share in what's going on in the lives of our wonderful and very loyal customers. It will be very interesting to see how this media involves over time.

Blame It on AZUR!

After a whirlwind weekend of Valentine's guests, one would think that AZUR would take a break but there are just too many tastes to share. AZUR will be featuring a sampling of Brazilian foods next Wednesday (February 25) at 6:30 p.m. This five course Chef Series dinner is definitely the "anti-bland" of meals. The full menu can be viewed under "events" at www.azurrestaurant.com

AZUR Valentine's Day Thoughts

AZUR is pleased with how well the Valentine's Day service went and how many guests appreciated the menu. It's a very hectic evening where so many factors could go wrong but everything went smooth. Looking forward to next year already!

Valentine's Day Quote from AZUR

"Oh my love is like a red, red rose, that's newly sprung in June; Oh my love is like the melody, that's sweetly played in tune." - Robert Burns

AZUR is Ready for Valentine's Day!

The last few days, AZUR has been dedicated to the Valentine's weekend. Though we have been completely booked for our three seatings on Valentine's day, we still had many tasks to complete before the holiday. The seating diagrams were prepared, special menus printed, roses placed on the tables and the kitchen has been stocked. AZUR is ready for 5+ hours of non-stop service.

AZUR is a Living Entity

Thinking about yesterday's post, we are critical of AZUR like a parent of a child. We created AZUR from ideas around a patio table, we nurtured it's growth and watched it take on it's own identity. Daily we refer to it as a living entity because to us AZUR is a part of us. With each achievement, we feel a sense of pride and we anguish over every shortcoming regardless of the perceived insignificance. We realize that to most it's a restaurant but to us it's more than a place.

What is a Restaurateur?

In very simple terms, it's an owner of a restaurant. AZUR views the term somewhat differently. A restaurateur is also a dreamer, a gambler, an accountant, a janitor, a host, a friend, a marketer, an analyst and a constant critic. Critical not of others but of one's self and the restaurant.

AZUR Valentine's Day is Booked!

Yes, AZUR is completely booked for Valentine's Day (Saturday, February 14); however, we do have space left for Friday or Sunday with the same romantic Valentine's Day menu as it stands today. You still have time to totally redeem yourself.

Valentine's Day at AZUR

AZUR doesn't like to say "no" to our loyal customers but Valentine's Day is nearly "Sold Out". There are just a couple of tables remaining at 5:15 p.m. and a little over a 1/2 dozen for the 8:45 p.m. seating for Saturday. However, we urge you to consider either Friday or Sunday nights. We are offering the same special Valentine's menu and reservations are typically lighter before or after Valentine's Day. Please place your reservations now if you have not done so. We don't want you to have to apologize for an entire year. 859.296.1007 or www.azurrestaurant.com

Cabin Fever Turns to Spring Fever

As the Kentucky saying goes, "if you don't like the weather hang a round a while and it will change." From single digits on Thursday to almost over 50 on Friday, the weather has changed for the better. AZUR suggests that you wash your vehicles, clean up the yard debris and hang up the winter coats. Then treat your cabin fever with a little culinary outing during this spring like weather. AZUR is ready to serve you on the patio if you wish.

What is a table turn?

For AZUR and most casual and fine dining restaurants, a "table turn" means how many times a table is used to serve a new customer(s) over a defined period of time. For AZUR the periods are lunch or dinner. For example, two full "table turns" after 5:00 p.m. means that every table in the restaurant was sat twice for dinner. Normally if a restaurant has a waiting list or "wait" than they will be doing at least more than one seating. Could be 1 1/2, 2 or even 2 1/4 "table turns" depending on the given night (weekend or holiday). This is a quick method for management to measure performance.

AZUR Brazilian Chef Series Announced

This month AZUR will be featuring foods from Brazil for the February Chef Series dinner. Chef Miguel Rivas will be paying tribute to the traditional dishes of Brazil. This dinner will be held on Wednesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. Chef Rivas is putting the finishes touches on the menu which will be available very soon. After the recent winter storms, this evening will be a great escape.

Remember When at AZUR

Remember when your father took the whole family out to dinner to celebrate a special occasion? You had to dress up and mind your manners but it was fun and different. Something you actually remembered because it was special. Well, AZUR is still providing those one-of-a-kind experiences with unique offerings, presentation entrees and outstanding waiter service.

AZUR Superbowl Recovery

For those of you that ate way too much "junk food" on Superbowl Sunday, we have the remedy for you. Stop by AZUR and cleanse your palate with a dose of freshly prepared food. For shock therapy, try the chef's composed menu.