Madidi celebrates gala grand
opening saturday 130 attend, including Governor
Ronnie Musgrove
BY rebecca hood-adams
the clarksdale press register - january 2000
They took a bite out of bliss, savoring
the taste of Clarksdale's future.
Saturday evening, 130 diners from all walks of life celebrated
the official grand opening of Madidi, the Delta's new "white
tablecloth" restaurant.
Mississippi's Gov. Ronnie Musgrove joined actor Morgan Freeman,
who co-owns Madidi with Clarksdale attorney Bill Luckett,
at a feast comparable to any served in metropolitan capitals
around the world. Just ask Victoria Wilbourn, who hails from
the city of Kiev in the Ukrain.
"My first impression is that Madidi is a very stylish,
sophisticated restaurant - very beautiful with all the art
on the walls," said Wilbourn, dinner guest of her Aunt
Jane Wilbourn of Clarksdale. "It feels very European."
Gov. Musgrove, dining with Mississippi's Democratic Party
chairman Jon Levingston, said that "Madidi holds its
own with any restaurant - not just in Mississippi, but the
entire southeastern United States." Spotting a reporter
from The Atlanta Constitution-Journal, part of the flurry
of media covering the opening, governor Musgrove added "that
includes Atlanta too!"
Pressure on young chef David Krog and his staff had been intensive,
escalated by that afternoon's arrival of Bon Appetite magazine
to shoot a food feature on Krog's rack of lamb presentation.
And the requ4sts for seating were overwhelming; more than
150 reservation requests were politely declined so that General
Bill Lewis could guarantee a polished performance. With background
standards played by the John Cannon Trio from Tunica, diners
added dancing to their already full plates.
"This is as nice as any place in the state capitol,"
said Michael Jacob, who drove up from Jackson to celebrate
with wife Blake. Both are formerly from Clarksdale. "This
restaurant," said Levingston, "which employs at
one point or another during the course of a week about 40
people, is like a small industry coming to town. Not only
does Madidi provide a significant economic benefit to the
community, but it's a wonderful place to gather to enjoy good
food and convivial company."
For many, the highlight of the evening was a moment of laughter
when lighting designer Bob Myers of Memphis didn't believe
the governor of the state would drive to the Delta to attend
a restaurant opening. Certain he was being teased by guests
who persisted in calling Musgrove "Governor," Myers
turned to the state's leader and quipped: "So Gov', you
can call me 'Bob.' And what can I call you?" "Governor
Musgrove," was the chuckled response.
