On the Market.

Metro! announced in their newsletter today that they will be offering daily “Cash Crash Lunches.”

In these trying economic times, we know that even enjoying a good lunch can be difficult. In that spirit, we’d like to invite you to join us for our daily “Cash Crunch Lunch” specials. We feature a daily $7 lunch special, such as our grilled prime sirloin salad with buttermilk dressing and golden pommes frittes. We’ve also added an heirloom tomato BLT to our hugely successful $6 sandwich menu, compliments of farmer Tim Belcher from Rolling Meadows Farms on the City Market.

You may also be interested in their Sunday early dinner specials where you can enjoy a 3-course European-style boutique dinner from 5-7pm for $20. Or try out their new Fresh Shots menu which contains freshly juiced fruits mixed with Absolut vodka. These drinks are refreshing without being sugary and sweet. They have seven flavors to choose from: Blueberry-Watermelon, Strawberry-Orange, Citrus Orange-Lemon-Lime, Blackberry-Lemon, Bing cherry-Orange, Cucumber-Ginger, and
Cantaloupe.

Daily Specials at Blues BBQ Co.

Monday: Fried Chicken Club, fries, & drink $8.95

Tuesday: Chopped Brisket Sandwich, fries, & drink $8.95

Wednesday: Blues Traveler (Our hand-made burger topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, fried pickles, and our own spicey sauce), fries, & drink $8.95

Thursday: Muddy Waters Grilled Chicken Salad & drink $8.95

Friday: Crab Combo, fries, drink $12.95

Weekly Happenings at Blues BBQ Co.

Movie Monday, Starting at 9p.m.

Bluegrass Tuesday, Featuring Acoustic Endeavors, Starting at 7p.m.

Wing Wednesday, Wings 35 cents! Starting at 5p.m.

Guys’ Night Thursday, Drink and Appetizer Specials! Starting at 7p.m.

Friday: Live Music featuring Jesse Ray Carter Trio, Starting at 9p.m.

Saturday: Live Music featuring Grass Monkey, Starting at 9p.m.

Seinfeld Sunday, Starting at 7p.m.

Hotel Roanoke Public Sale

APRIL 19

With the Hotel about to complete a dramatic renovation that has transformed every guest room with all-new furnishings, the landmark property is hosting a sale of used excess furniture on

Saturday, April 19 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at 844 Union Street in Salem. Entrance tickets will be handed out beginning at 6 a.m.

Visit HotelRoanoke.com for directions and a listing of items for sale!

Wine and Dine with Argentine Wine

April 25

Experience wines from the Mendoza region with Argentina’s Luigi Bosca. Discover something new and enjoy the sensation of finding the unexpected.

Executive Chef Billie Raper and Regency Room Chef Jud Flynn will pair a five-course meal based on the chosen wines and an Argentinean representative from Luigi Bosca will join us to present their passionate wine making techniques.

Make your reservations now! 540.985.5900.

The “Wine and Dine” series is open to the public and will feature The James Pace Little Big Band. A five-course meal will be prepared based on the wines being featured.

Friday, April 25 from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Lighten Up! Cooking Class with Chef Billie Raper

April 27

Balanced recipes that celebrate spring and give you the energy you need to shed those winter blues. We will be working with recipes that include fresh ingredients and health-conscious items. You’ll also learn about keeping yourself to a budget and places to find these foods without breaking the bank.

Classes meet on these dates from 1-5 p.m. at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Cost is $85 person and must be secured with a credit card. A $30 cancellation fee will apply to reservations canceled within three days before the class. A minimum of eight people will be required to hold each class.

To register, call the Regency Room at 540-985-5900 or visit HotelRoanoke.com for more information.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Trio Bistro-Bar-Bottle has been around for quite a while, and Rebecca and I have enjoyed dining there on occasion, especially when we were in the mood for a great glass of wine to go with the meal. However, Trio has seen fit to hire a new chef, change up their menu, and get down to their southern roots. Trio now caters to those favorites from your childhood, like say, fried green tomatoes. And let me tell you, these are not the maters your grandma would make you eat either. I would literally make this appetizer my main meal it is so mouthwatering. Imagine, nicely corn meal breaded and fried green tomatoes, slightly covered in a bit of gorganzola cheese, some pancetta, and a balsamic reduction drizzled over ever so finely. The balsamic offset the bite of the tomatoes quite well, and the addition of the cheese and pork, well, who doesn’t love bacon with everything? Simply scrumptious. Rebecca tried a grilled fig and prosciutto salad with a pancetta and lavender dressing. I had a small taste, and it was absolutely wonderful. For my main course I gave the crabcakes a go. These arrived beautifully prepared, with an apple vinegar slaw, and rice and beans. The cakes were generously filled with crab, and had just enough spice to be flavorful, but not overloaded so that it covered the flavor of the meaty goodness inside. The slaw was wonderful, with enough vinegar astringency to offset the sweetness of the apples. While I’m not a great fan of rice, the rice and beans were wonderfully flavored, and I found myself enjoying it thoroughly. Rebecca ordered the honey glazed quail, not sure what to expect since she has never experienced the small foul before. It had a nice spicy crawfish stuffing, and was piled on a flavorful risotto. I have to say that the combination of flavors was amazing, and although Rebecca didn’t finish her meal, it wasn’t due to not loving the dish, she simply just didn’t have any more room. I on the other hand decided to pig out, and ordered dessert. Rebecca and I had discussed what could possibly be southern enough to make the new desert menu, and we were pleasantly surprised to see some classic southern favorites, such as bread pudding, and my personal favorite, pecan pie. Now, this was a Bourbon and Chocolate Pecan Pie with a brown sugar whipped cream, as described on the menu, so it made it even more appealing to me. Let’s just say I was hooked from the first bite. Overall, the menu works well, and it definitely is something that anyone, yankee or southerner, should enjoy. Call (540) 904-5887 for reservations.

202 Market is hosting two special artists for Mardi Gras 2008. Celebrate on Friday, February 1st with Eric Lindell and on Saturday, February 2nd withSway Katz. They’re claiming it will be “a party the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else.”

You can also enjoy Open Mic Nights every Tuesday  at 202 Market. Listeners can experience some of this area’s hidden talent…

And on Wednesday nights, musicians can bring their instruments and rock out with singer/ guitarist Hoppie Vaughn at Electric Open Jam. 202 is the place to experience DJ’s Diego, Mateo, Quest Entertainment’s DJs and DJ Dance. Their completely distinct sounds ensure that there is something for every listener!

The lunch specials for Blues BBQ Co. this week are as follows:

Monday, January 28th - Fried Chicken Club-w/ ham, lettuce, tomato, mayo-choice of side, drink $8.95

Tuesday, January 29th - Savannah Style Pulled Pork-choice of side, drink $8.95

Wednesday, January 30th - Chopped Brisket BBQ-choice of side, drink $8.95

Thursday, January 31st - Fried Green Tomato BLT w/provolone-choice of side, drink $8.95

Friday, February 1st - Crab Cake Sandwich w/homemade tartar sauce-choice of side, drink $10.95

Don’t forget, downtown delivery is now free with the purchase of $15 or more.

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You can also catch the following entertainment this week:

Tuesday, January 29th - ACOUSTIC ENDEAVORS (no cover) a fantastic bluegrass band that will
really amaze you!

Thursday, January 31st - GUY”S NIGHT… We all know what ladies night is, but how about a Guy’s
Night!! $2.00 in-house specials, $5.00 appetizers, Action Movies, and great
company…

Friday , February 1st - JACK WAYNE & THE BLUE NOTES (no cover) a group of young Roanoke musicians
that can really play!

Saturday, February 2nd - DYER & ZANNIE (no cover) come check it out…

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY - February 3rd -
Come on down and watch your favorite team on the big screen! There will be
in-house specials and $5.00 appetizers. We will be rooting for the Giants so
anyone wearing Giants attire will receive 10% off of their food purchase.
(Dine-in only)

VALENTINE’S DAY – Thursday, February 14th -
The Blues BBQ Valentine’s Day dinner includes a 5 course meal for $25.00 per
person. Reservations can be made for 5 p.m., 7 p.m., or 9 p.m. MAKE YOUR
RESERVATIONS TODAY!