Tim Preston
The Independent
ASHLAND —
The nice lady who puts these words on the page has made it clear that she’s tired of reading about barbecue, so I’m going in a slightly different direction this week.
Based on the calls, comments and messages I’ve received, the unofficial battle of Ashland’s downtown chefs is heating up. Those who appreciate the work of the chef at the restaurant on Carter Avenue have openly scoffed at the ambition of the chef at the big hotel on Winchester Avenue, who hopes to prove himself to be as good or better than the more-established chef (who is yet to express any opinion on this himself, and may have a sharp knife waiting for me the next time I visit his place). Despite a complete lack of confidence in his ability to out-cook the chef on Carter Avenue, each of those folks have agreed to have a lunch and/or a dinner at the Ashland Plaza Hotel to at least give that chef an opportunity to prove himself.
On the other side of that coin, many of the people who’ve been gathering at the hotel on Tuesday evenings to hear Jeff Carter and friends throw down on some jazz don’t even know the name of the place on Carter Avenue, despite Chimney Corner Cafe’s unquestioned status as an Ashland landmark.
There are several interesting aspects of this. The two restaurants could hardly be any more different with barely enough similarities to make any kind of fair comparison, although I’m confident in the abilities of local diners to decide if they enjoyed their meal or not.
Chef Jeremy Meade is certainly battling history in his bid to establish or re-establish his kitchen’s reputation, as well as improve upon the level of service for diners at Alexander’s at the Plaza. I’ve already heard several comments along the lines of, “Yes, the food was good, but ...” — all related to the service received. The bartender(s) at the hotel seemed exempt on this one, as I’ve heard quite a few comments from the jazz crowd about the quality of their mixed beverages.
On the history note, one of the main comments relayed to me has been, “I’ve never had a good meal at that hotel in the last 25 years, why should I expect it to be any different now?” All I can say to that is, the chef is a hometown boy who really wants to make an impression. Given a chance, his work in the kitchen just might surprise you.
Something gentle
The delicate-tummy condition continues to come and go, and was in full-force last week when my wife surprised me with a lunchtime visit at the office. Despite my efforts to talk her into trying one of the other downtown restaurants, this woman genuinely loves the spaghetti at Jim’s Hot Dogs & Spaghetti in the Arcade building on Winchester Avenue, and she wasn’t about to be denied a chance to enjoy that meal.
By now, we should all know I’m a junkie for Jim’s hot-and-spicy dogs, but I approached the counter that day and whispered “What have you got that might be easy on the stomach?”
Jim suggested I try his chicken salad, which I’m sure I didn’t even realize was on his menu. I understand chicken salad, much like barbecue, is one of those dishes that few people ever agree upon, but I can certainly say I enjoyed the sandwich. It was also just cool to be able to watch my baby chow down on her spaghetti, and have the opportunity to spend a few minutes together in the middle of the day.
Open soon
Anyone seeking “pure-play children’s specialty apparel” from newborn to size 14 may want to mark July 27 on their calendar for the grand opening of The Children’s Place at Ashland Town Center Mall.
As part of Tuesday’s grand opening, the store will give a $15 gift card to the first 200 customers who spend $20 or more, discounts on future purchases and a chance to win the grand sweepstakes prize — a $250 gift card for The Children’s Place.
The Ashland location will be the 13th for the store in Kentucky, joining the 962 stores in operation in North America as of May. For more information visit childrensplace.com on the Internet.
New Studio 21 spot
Studio 21 Salon & Spa has opened a new location on the campus of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in the Firm Fitness facility at Bellefonte Pavillion at 2000 Ashland Drive.
The new spot offers the same level of service as the community has already experienced at the downtown Ashland location.
“The new Studio 21 location allows us to expand our reach in the community and to provide our award-winning day spa and salon quality services from a convenient location,” said Studio 21 president and owner Gary Donalson.
The Bellefonte Pavillion location is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information call (606) 327-1171.
Firm Fitness at Bellefonte Pavillion is the community fitness facility of OLBH and offers programs including personal training, cardiovascular equipment, free weights and lifting equipment, a pair of racquetball courts and a half basketball court, male and female saunas and steam rooms, and a studio for things like Zumba and kickboxing classes. The place is said to be comparable to “the nicest facilities you’ll find in the larger cities.”
Firm Fitness is open from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information call (606) 324-0339.
Travel for an Apple
It’s not exactly “right down the road,” but there should be a new Apple Store in Lexington’s Fayette Mall by the time this hits print.
The store is in the Macys wing of the mall near the Hollister clothing store.
This is actually Lexington’s second Apple Store, but you had to be a member of the University of Kentucky campus community to make purchases at the first store.
Apple Stores are generally known for their full line of Apple merchandise, customer service “geniuses,” and workshops as well as one-on-one training.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.
