I took my first visit out to the new Meo Mio Cajun Restaurant last Friday to hear Robert Lee and try their food, see the place, and have a good time. We’ll start with the venue. Meo Mio’s is located in the facility formerly known as Patrick’s on Cummings Highway, in the shadow of Lookout Mountain. From the restaurant, you can see the old Tennessee Highway Patrol office where I got my first Driver’s License when I was but 16 years old. The place looked great! It was also very busy, so I surmised all the rumors about the food being great were true. They have a nice stage there for the performers and some mighty nice employees.
The food was really good.
Naturally, since it is a Cajun place, I opted for the Chicken Parmesan, as I assumed they could do all that New Orleans food just fine. The Chicken Parmesan was different than any I had ever had, but was oh so good. Pat tried the sampler platter of Cajun cuisine and loved it as well. The service was good and the folks there were very friendly. In case you can’t make it out there before Riverbend, fear not. Meo Mio is sponsoring a new stage at Riverbend for 2012 and will bring some of their food items to the festival. The Meo Mio Cajun Spirits stage is not only going to feature great food, but it also the only place the public can get a specialty drink, like a Margarita or Long Island Iced Tea. That’s right folk, ladies and gents that want something other than a cold beer will find specialty drinks at the Meo Mio Stage. It is located near the west gate by the marina. It is also enclosed in a covered tent, so if a little rain comes, you can stay dry there while enjoying the great blues and zydeco acts booked for Riverbend on this stage.
Friday night, Meo Mio had Robert T. Lee playing on the stage and I came away thoroughly impressed by this musician/entertainer. He plays an acoustic guitar and a harmonica. He has a great voice and a good selection of songs from a multitude of artists. Meo Mio’s has live music several days per week. On Thursday’s, the Chattanooga Songwriters Association hosts a songwriter night at Meo-Mio’s with the area’s finest singer/songwriters. For more info, click http://www.chattanoogasongwritersassociation.org
Nightfall presents Elliot Brood this Friday at the free concert in Miller Plaza. Land Camera opens for Elliot Brood at 7 p.m. If this week’s show is any indication of the music at Nightfall this year, then we are in for a great season. Seven Handle Circus, last week’s headliner, was one of the best acts I have ever seen at Nightfall.
Also on Friday night, Davey Smith and Tin Cup Gypsy bring their bands to Rhythm & Brews. For more info, click http://chattanoogan.com/2012/5/22/226703/Chattanoogas-Live-Music-Scene--Tin.aspx .
Thunder on the Rock is this weekend just up the road in Monteagle. Look for big acts like Confederate Railroad, Bad Company, the Jimmy Van Zant Band, and several great local and regional bands. For details, just click http://www.thunderontherock.net .
Sunday, at the Chattanooga Market, Chattanooga Music Hall of Fame member Roger Alan Wade will play at 12:30 p.m., with Koriander at 2 p.m. The market is located in the First Tennessee Pavilion, and is always free to attend and family friendly. This week’s theme is the Beast Feast BBQ and it is ummmm good.
For more fun, local music info, try http://www.chattanoogaentertainers.com , or http://chattanooganightscope.com . They both have great local music info and schedules. For local info on Country music, try Jim Boles’ site at http://chattacountry.ning.com .
Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/davrik2000