AZUR Expanding Video Offerings

AZUR restaurant & patio has always embraced innovation rather it be in the form of cuisine or technology. With the recent taping of a local food showed entitled Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs, our appetite for video production has been awakened. Let's just say that when your "hands on", like we are, the learning curve can be a steep one. Luckily, we're up to the challenge. Look for additional video in the near future on our Facebook page, the AZUR web site and beyond.

Incredible Food Show - Lexington

Executive chef Jeremy Ashby and AZUR are gearing up for the Incredible Food Show coming up in just eight weeks. Ashby has volunteered to assist with the event and will be doing a cooking demonstration and other duties as well. AZUR hopes that this year's event continues to raise culinary awareness in Central Kentucky. We have company coming for the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and we need to be ready as a community to host the visitors.

The Perfect Season for Rainier Cherries

The stars aligned this year for a perfect growing season for Rainier cherries (aka white cherries). It seems all the Northwest states had bumper crops this year which translates to lower market prices (almost half the cost of last year). Hence, this summer is a great opportunity for one to sample these sweet fruits and make them a future summer staple. AZUR suggests pitting the cherries and leaving the stems. Then covering them with chocolate and placing in your freezer. Once frozen they are ready to serve. Simple but delicious.

Thinking About Growing Our Own Produce

This year, AZUR has had an excellent year for our flower beds on the patio. We are wondering about how well these beds would do for growing herbs and other vegetables next year. Flowers add color and beauty to the ambiance but vegetables would add value and quality to the tables. AZUR is thinking heirloom tomatoes and fresh garden vegetables. We're thinking maybe it's time for patio to table. Now that's fresh!

AZUR on Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs

Catch AZUR restaurant & patio on the Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs airing this week on MyTVQ2 (Insight Cable channel 138) at 6:00 p.m. MyTVQ2 is Central Kentucky's newest channel. More information may be found here http://www.wtvq.com/programming/secrets-of-bluegrass-chefs.html You will find the full recipes for the dishes prepared on the program here http://www.newlocaltv.com/program4.php?theme=Secrets%20of%20Bluegrass%20Chefs

Lexington's Bike Program Issues Are World Class

Some of the issues with the Lexington Yellow Bike Program are shared by the Velib Program in Paris, France. Back in 2007, Paris established the Velib Program to reduce vehicle traffic and emissions in Paris. Though the program has been very successful, they have experienced significant problems with bicycle theft and vandalism. In Lexington, we have also seen bikes being stolen from the downtown area with most of them going unrecovered. Lexington demonstrated forward thinking with this program in 2007 so let's all help keep the program going. If you see a bike from the Yellow Bike Program abandoned or want more information, please call 859-425-2008. It's our community.

AZUR Latin American Pig Roast II

Last year's Latin Pig Roast was so popular that AZUR has decided to repeat the event on Labor Day weekend again this year. We'll be roasting a whole suckling pig and preparing fresh paella on the patio. Chef Miguel Rivas, a native of the Dominican Republic will be doing the cooking Latin style. Plus, LIVE Latin music. Cost is again $35 per person. Seatings start at 6:30 p.m. and goes all night long! See details at www.azurrestaurant.com/chefseries.asp

Latin Menu:

appetizers
- Empanadas Chilenas (Chilean style beef empanadas)
- Croquetas de bacalao (salt cod fritters) with sauce huacaina
main entrees
- Mojo marinated, smoked and braised whole suckling pig
- Chorizo sausage, shellfish and saffron paella
sides
- Our very, very black beans
- Avocado and tropical salsita
- Heirloom tomato and sweet pepper salsita
- Platanos Maduros (sauteed ripe plantains)
dessert
- Classic Tres Leches (Spanish, three milks cake)

An evening of Latin food and music. Don't let the summer slip away without having some fun doing something unusual. You don't have to travel far for a mini-getaway Latin style.