Our lunch stop in Memphis took place at The Rendezvous, a historic BBQ place downtown. If this is Memphis BBQ...I don't care for Memphis BBQ. A dry rub-charcoal style rib that left me wanting lots of water to counter the dryness. The beans and slaw were good.
Every trip I've ever made to Memphis has included at least rubbing up to Sun Studios. If you don't know, I can't explain.
You're gonna have to click to enlarge this photo, not sure if this was our clue to where we were coming from...or going to. Taken at highway speed by my trusty co-pilot in route to Hot Springs.
When Mari started trekking this on the big road atlas she noted and researched Hot Springs, much to her liking I might add. Driving in, the town reminded me of a mix between New Orleans and Savannah, great old buildings and culture, very little commercialization, sans the south side of town.
We held nothing back and stayed at The Arlington Hotel, originally built in 1875 and reopened in 1924 after a fire, this is one special step back in time. Two thumbs way up. Hot Springs is named after...their natural hot springs, who woulda guessed? The original bath houses built in the 1800's hosted elite travelers from around the world, they still stand, and two are still functional. The entire town seems to have gone through a restoration, we understand it was down and out for a long time. It was a little early to appreciate the bloom of spring but it was beautiful non the less.
Visiting Hot Springs just once will not happen. We plan to return. In fact our one day planned here turned into two.
Scenes from The Arlington Hotel.
Dinner the first night was at the Belle Arti right downtown, an Italian joint. Another somewhat quiet and empty spot that lead to our caution. Appetizers ordered; fried calamari, beef carpaccio and cantalope with prosciutto were some of the best examples of classic Itailan we've ever had, so we proceeded with a veal Parmesan and a shrimp-artichoke dish with house made fettucini. Tiramisu wrapped up the experience which was excellent.
The next moring we took in our authentic hot springs bathing and bath house massages (no photos folks) followed by breakfast at The Pancake House downtown. Both were excellent, the physical effects lasted several hours for both spa and breakfast. Blueberry cakes for me and a ham & cheese omelet for Mari, the ham was a local producer and very good, I'll get the name later.
Our late breakfast and the lingering effects let us skip lunch and get an early dinner Rolando's Nuevo Latino Restaurant. Mental notes on this meal are sketchy, everything we had was very good. Service was weak, but cheap good food on a Saturday night will allow some forgiveness in this department.
Turned in early by our standards after a long few days....
rc
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