Press Release
Tempting the Tastebuds
May 5, 2006
Restaurateurs hope to make a lasting impression on the thousands of hungry guests expected to throng Noble Street on Saturday. For the second annual Red Diamond Restaurant Tour, a headline event of the Noble Street Festival, 26 local eateries will prepare their signature entrees, striving to win over attendees' hearts through their stomachs. Many will begin serving around noon, and the event will continue through the evening.
Restaurant owners say they believe the venue will be a boon for business, providing free advertisement and the opportunity to increase their customer base.
"I think it's great," said Jonathon Watson, owner of Coop DeVille, a Jacksonville drive-through restaurant that serves 25 flavors of chicken wings. "When they first came and talked to me about it, I jumped all over it. It's a good way to get into the community - plus it's free."
Coup DeVille's moniker is the "Cadillac of buffalo wings." This weekend, the restaurant will have a chance to prove it.
"It's a good way to get my name out there, hand out some menus and let (people) try our product," Watson said.
Food and beverages must be purchased using special tickets that cost $15 for 13 tickets or $5 for four.
The Noble Street Music Festival, the Sunny King Criterium bicycle race, the Pedaling Art Show and the Kid's Zone also will entertain guests on Noble Street.
By participating in the Red Diamond Restaurant Tour, Marcus Tillman, Owner of Porterhouse Café, hopes to promote his restaurant, which recently moved from Quintard Mall to U.S 78. in Oxford.
"A lot of people know who we are, but they don't know where we are," Tillman said. "We have good food, we just need more traffic in here - I'm getting tired of holding my breath."
Bonnie-Ray's Bake Shoppe, in the Lenlock Shopping Center, plans to woo attendees with their tasty treats - cookies, brownies and creamed horns, a cream-filled pastry covered in powdered sugar.
"We don't do a whole lot of advertising, so this will be a great advertisement for us," said baker Bonnie Martin.
"This is just to let everybody know where we're at and what we have to offer."
To purchase dining tickets for Saturday's Red Diamond Restaurant Tour, part of the Noble Street Festival, go to A.G. Edwards in Anniston or the Oxford or Anniston branch of Noble Bank and Trust.
The cost is $15 for 13 tickets or $4 for 5 tickets. Tickets also will be on sale from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at the festival.
To see how many tickets are needed for each restaurant's food, go to and click on the Red Diamond Restaurant Tour link.
Unused tickets may be redeemed at the festival for $1 each.