Best of Books, Bayou Grill combining to offer special Southern dinner for debut of 'Go Set a Watchman'!

      To celebrate the debut of "Go Set a Watchman," Best of Books is teaming up with next-door neighbor Bayou Grill to offer a special Southern dinner based on food in author Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."
      The dinner, which will include entertainment, readings and a trivia contest, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at Bayou, 1315 E. Danforth in Edmond's Kickingbird Square Shopping Center.
      "Go Set a Watchman" is considered a prequel sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning "To Kill a Mockingbird," which was published 55 years ago in 1960. "Watchman" has already set records for preorders, publisher HarperCollins reports. Best of Books has nearly 50 preordered already.
       On July 14, "Watchman" will be released to the public for the first time, so BOB and Bayou are combining to offer the dinner and entertainment for the evening.
        The three-course dinner will include an appetizer, choice of entrees with a side salad and one side, cornbread, rolls or hushpuppies, beverages and a dessert of praline pecan pound cake. The menu was prepared by owner/head chef Thais Goodwin. Thais chose the menu based on foods that Harper Lee referenced to in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Best of Books employee Shelbee King found the foods in a special research paper prepared by William Christy for the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans.

         

        "The book includes more than 50 references to food – many that are symbols of the American South," Christy wrote. "... These foods help set the tone of the novel and establish a mood and place. Harper Lee created scenes in which the presence of food and meals make important points and moves the plot forward."
 

 

       Besides the dinner, there will be entertainment headlined by Philip West, playing his guitar and harmonica, a trivia contest with prizes, and readings from "Watchman."
       The cost for the dinner and a copy of the first edition of "Watchman" is $60. Those not wanting the book can pay $30 each for the dinner.
        Seating and books are very limited, so Best of Books is asking you to call ahead as soon as possible for reservations. You can call 340-9202 to reserve your spot or spots or go to Best of Books website to order a dinner with a book or a dinner without a book.
         Here is the complete menu and listing for the evening:

BEST OF BOOKS AND THE BAYOU GRILL PRESENT:

 

'TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD/GO SET A WATCHMAN' SOUTHERN DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT

6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 14

Bayou Grill & Bakery, 1315 E. Danforth in Edmond's Kickingbird Square Shopping Center

 

MENU

 

Appetizer

Sardine Dip w/crackers

Or

Green Fried Tomatoes

 

Entrees 

(Choice of one; served with side salad)

Fried Chicken (White or dark -- 3 pieces)

Grill or Blackened Chicken Breast

Pork Chops -- Grilled, Blackened or Fried (2 center cut)

U.S. Caught Catfished -- Grilled, Blackened or Fried

 

Sides

(Choice of one)

Southern Collard Greens

Mac & Cheese

Baked Sweet Potato

Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Coleslaw

Sweet Corn

French Fries

Fried Okra

Red Beans & Rice.

 

Breads

Cornbread, rolls or hushpuppies

 

Dessert

Praline Pecan Pound Cake

    

Beverages

Sweet/unsweetened team, lemonade or Coca-Cola soft drinks

 

            

Evening includes entertainment headlined by Philip West, trivia contest with prizes, and readings from "Go Set a Watchman."

 

Cost: $60, includes complete dinner and first-edition of "Go Set a Watchman." (Each additional dinner without a book will be $30 each. Other food, beverages, drinks not on the menu are extra. Tips also not included in cost.)