Since I was doing my tribute to Finnigan’s Wake yesterday, I didn’t do the “piggyback”. The Man Who Ate the Town was recorded before I knew about Finnigan’s closing. Michael was working on that story so he wasn’t with me. I talk about: Farm 2 Fourth happened and raised over $90k for helping feed children and other folks. Tim talks about the menu and flavor profiles of the event. DiLisio’s changes hours again. Bar Nola. City Bev has a tent sale. Small Batch Halloween Party. Tim and Stephanie had dinner at Davie Tavern. The Country Spinner and Burger Tour ’21 updates. “The List” is discussed as well as other food news. Listen to that episode here.
This morning, I did a special “supplement” podcast to talk about the same things I wrote on this blog yesterday. The difference is, you can actually hear my inflection, emotion and more. You can hear that here.
While I’m here, and it is Tuesday, then here’s your reminder to listen to the music history goodness that is Beeswax Vinyl Daily podcast. Listen to thathere.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some. Tell me why you wanna lay there and revel in your abandon. Honey, it don’t make no difference to me, baby. Everybody’s had to fight to be free. You see, you don’t have to live like a refugee.” – “Refugee” (Petty/Campbell)
Today, I learned some very sad news. Finnigan’s Wake will be closing its doors permanently on October 30. Finnigan’s Wake is THE reason the Arts District in Downtown Winston-Salem exploded in to ’00s. Yes, there were other now-staples such as Sweet Potatoes and 6th & Vine, but none had the impact that Fins did. But, for me, the impact was even more than reinvigorating an area of town.
Practically nothing in my life right now would be like it is if it weren’t for Fins. How, you ask?
Me and My Best Girl
I was able to realize what others may say is ridiculous but something I’m very proud of. I was the second-ever person to join the 90-Day Club. Not only did I do 90 days, I did 1099 days. That got me some recognition and status.
I was “Trivia Tim.” I didn’t start the pub trivia at Fins but I took it over after the first three weeks and I did it for six years after. Again, people got to know me, spend time with me, and my network was greatly and largely expanded because of that.
The Less Desirables was conceived, hatched, and born sitting at the high-top table right next to the hallway. Without that, I probably wouldn’t have started other podcasts after it. No Fan Interference. No Camel City Dispatch/Electric Camel Pod. No Tart & Tangy Triad. No The Beer Dads. No The Man Who Ate the Town. No Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking. No Apartment 5B. No Beeswax Vinyl. No Beeswax Vinyl Daily. No Asylum – Tales from the Devereaux Diaries. No Wheelers Dog. No The Less Desirables Network. No podcast clients. Heck without Fins, there may not be a podcasting community here in WSNC to speak of, at least as it is. I know two or three podcasts in town that are thriving because they were inspired by me doing The Less Desirables (or one of the others) and they’ve told me that. No podcasting would mean no “Podfather.” All that I am and do wouldn’t be if there was no Finnigan’s Wake. In fact, the first place I ever met Brian Attridge who started The Less Desirables with me, was at Finnigan’s Wake.
The revitalization of downtown, in general, may still have happened but it wouldn’t be what it is if Philip “Opie” Kirby and John Cahoon hadn’t opened THE Irish pub in October of 2006.
Me, Brian and Eug, TLD…
The first place I met Jon Lowder, one of the Beer Dads and a partner/friend that I have come to thank for many of my accomplishments was at Fins.
Several of my friends who are in relationships met at Finnigan’s Wake. Which brings me to the BIGGEST link that Fins has for me: I met my wife, The BCPF, Stephanie, at Finnigan’s Wake. If she hadn’t come with her friends to play trivia and get away from her toxic, dead-end marriage, and we hadn’t started having small talk conversations, I would never have had the opportunity to ask her, “Are you married, Steph?” That conversation and the fact that she had a birthday soon around that time and I did a special trivia category for her, led to us having our 11:10p nightly computer conversations, which led to us being great friends, which led to us being more than friends, which led to us being affianced, which led to us being life partners and husband and wife.
Me and My Eug
Finnigan’s Wake is the portal to my survival, to my life, to my being, to my loves. I so appreciate that Opie has kept the pub going for so long. The pandemic was hard for everyone. It led to changes within the business. But, he says it’s not about the pandemic. He said the restaurant was kept alive by the community and patrons. He says this is about him and wanting to start something new. Move in a new direction. Pursue new ideas and thoughts. He has been all over the world. As far as I know, he’s touched every continent. If he’s missing one, I think it’s Australia. He’s bought houses. He’s raised money for charities. He’s made himself better. He’s made the community better. I am glad for my friend that he’s okay and just starting a new chapter.
When I read that this was happening, it felt as if I had lost a friend, or at the very least, been kicked in the teeth or the crotch. The memories and recollections of the last 14 years of my life (with the exception of the last one) have relied heavily on my time in the wooden doors under the green sign with the huge Claddagh, the hallowed halls of Finnigan’s Wake. Slàinte mhath, Finnigan’s Wake. Slàinte mhath.
Until tomorrow, Erin go Bragh… Scorp out!
— “The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink and somebody to love you.” – Brendan Behan
Today on The Man Who Ate the Town, Michael and I talked about the former Dixie Classic Fair, now known as Carolina Classic Fair, how they have a beer garden, now, and Providence’s Farm 2 Fourth event. You can listen to the episode here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “The big news was, for the first time, the fair has beer!” – Michael
Fridays are networking days for me as I am part of The Best Damn Referral Group, or TBD as we call it. But, that’s not the network I’m talking about this week. I am always talking about all the TLD Network shows, but not about the network itself. Let’s run them down:
So, there I listed all the current shows on the network. You can visit them each individually, or you can access all the shows, as they are released, in one place: The Less Desirables Podcast Network website.
You’ll find all you need to know there. Of course, you can always subscribe to all the network shows on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon, Audible, and anywhere you get your podcasts. I appreciate that subscribe. I also appreciate any likes, reviews, ratings, or whatever else you can do on your preferred platform.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Beeswax Vinyl Daily are short podcast episodes where Tim Beeman details the day in music history.” – TLD Network
Today was a very laid back Monday. Not on purpose, but it just “was.” Michael and I recorded The Man Who Ate the Town, talked about the Carolina Classic Fair, Farm 2 Fourth, Eat Drink Burger Week, and more. I also had a great conversation with Chef Brian DePaulis from Providence when I visited them last week. You should give it a listen. You can do that here. I’d really appreciate a “subscribe,” a like, a review, and a rating. It would help me tremendously!
I went solo on The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast this week, as Michael had scheduling conflicts. That’s cool. I don’t want to do it all the time but every once in a while, it happens. On this episode, I talk about the Eat Drink Burger Week that happened last week. I talk about a new craft cocktail bar opening on the most bar-concentrated block in town. A restaurant reducing hours, one eatery whose founder passed away, and one that disappeared. There’s a lot more that I talk about. You can hear the episode here. I truly appreciate you giving it a listen, subscribing, “liking” it, reviewing it, and so on. It does help me tremendously and thank you for it.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “After chasing this barbecue dream for almost 11 years, Goodtimes Bar-B-Cue will be shutting down.” – Goodtimes Bar-B-Cue
Today, we had Shannon Faircloth, the owner of B&G Pies on the podcast to talk with her about, well, B&G Pies. Shannon tells us the history of the company, the flavors, how she came to be the owner and more. She was a great guest. We also went over the latest food news and views. You can listen to this episode here.
Underdog Records was closed because Jonathan was on a much needed vacation. Here’s what The BCPF and I did instead.
Pork Intestine with Chili Pepper – New Sichuan
Orange Chicken – New Sichuan
Chive, pork, shrimp dumplings – New Sichuan
Pork Soup Dumplings
Big Winston Breakfast – Sir Winston
My first taste of Absenthe
Shrimp Po’Boy – Sir Winston
Tomato Bisque – Sir Winston
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “The bar has since closed, and the world over will mourn this no-holds-barred gem of a dive, with absinthe on tap and rock ‘n’ roll karaoke on deck.” – Anthony Bourdain
Today on The Man Who Ate the Town, I introduced Michael Hastings, my friend and food editor for the Winston-Salem Journal. Michael is my new co-host and will be with me as he can. Understandably, he is a busy dude in the Winston-Salem/Triad area food scene. So, I understand he may not be there every week, but I hope that he will be there most weeks. We talked about the future of restaurants, the industry, struggles, comings, goings, and more. You can listen here.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “The restaurant has been a staple in Winston-Salem, offering affordable, family-friendly American food in a casual atmosphere at 299 Jonestown Road for 12 years.” – Michael Hastings, Winston-Salem Journal
Last night, Chef Eric Brownlee and his staff at The Katharine Brasserie made The BCPF’s and my anniversary dinner (and experience) one of the most memorable.
Steak Tartare from The Katharine
We had foie gras, locally-sourced chanterelle mushrooms, NC oysters, beef tartare, mussels, NC trout, steak au poirve (with peppercorns), duck breast, and three sorbets (lemon-lime, passionfruit, strawberry (with strawberry-flavored Pop Rocks). There wasn’t a thing that I didn’t like. I’m not usually one for mushrooms but those chanterelles were great.
If I had to pick a favorite, the mussels, the steak, the oysters, heck… really, all of it. I can’t choose. We were treated with a bottle of champagne, compliments of the house, and had a few beverages before dinner. The hotel did a fantastic job, as well. The room was fantastic and the people were so accommodating (including another complimentary bottle of champagne (or sparkling white). We were treated like royalty and I have to say, I liked it.
We got up this morning and headed back down to The Katharine to have breakfast and The BCPF had an omelet and I had the Croque Monsieur but I modified it to make it a Croque Madam (with egg on top). Such a wonderful time.
Today, we’re heading to Blacksburg, Virginia. I’ve never been (never really cared to go) but The BCPF has a high school friend, whom she’s not seen since high school, opened a new used book store up there and we decided to take a day trip. So, off we go…
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I want to make you one just so you’ll take a picture!” – Krista, Kristen, Crystal (we never got her name straight)
