Three days in Memphis

[foodie52]

I'll be in Memphis for 3 days in October. Any good restaurants?

[Majmaj4]

Based on a recent visit.

Automatic slims - Very good food, in a funky bar-like atmosphere. Wasn't impressed with their house speciality coconut shrimp, the rest of the food was inventive, tasty, and well prepared.

Rendezvous - Good bbq ribs and enjoyed the experience. But expect noise, crowds , and not much service. I wouldn't eat here if I lived in the city, but liked it for a once in a while visit. Ribs were much tastier, leaner, & moister than I expected.

Cafe Samovar - A small Russian restaurant. Interesting mostly because hard to get good russian food in most cities. Very good prices at lunch. Dinner seemed a little pricy.

[Ron Johnson]

Go to Slim's for drinks and apps but not dinner. It is a cool scene, but too loud and crowded for a serious meal. It is also known much more for its bar than its food. Get the coconut shrimp and a funky martini at the bar before you go out to eat.

For great barbeque, I like the Cozy Corner, which I believe is on North Parkway just as you leave downtown, kind of dodgy neighborhood. It is a hole in the wall, but great pulled pork sandwiches. Rendezvous is pretty good but very crowded and very touristy.

Cielo is very good. Don Fox is one of the top chefs in Memphis. I would go there.

Fino's is a great Italian deli for lunch one day. It is run by a first generation Italian who got married and moved to Memphis so she had to open Finos to get the food she liked. It is a really good place. Closed Sunday and Monday. Joanne's husband was the drummer for the Mar-keys, you know the song "Last Night"? (disclosure: I worked there)

Chris Lee opened a restaurant that I believe is eponymous. I used to work with him. He is a wicked chef and his place should be top-notch, although I have not been yet. I believe it is on Belvedere in Midtown.

Also in Midtown is Cafe Society, which has been around for years. It is run by a Belgian named Michel Leny. He always keeps a great crew and it has very reliable food and a good wine list. (disclosure: I worked there)

Marena's, I doubt is still open, but if it is, they have unbelievably good mediterranean food. It was one of my favorites when I lived there.

Chez Phillipe in the Peabody is quite expensive old school french, but worth every penny. Also you must have a drink at the Peabody bar.

Interstate also makes great barbeque and is south of downtown heading toward the casinos in Tunica. Some locals think it is the best.

Huey's in Midtown is great for burgers and beer. It is a bar owned by the guy who was the drummer for the Boxtops, he is buds with Alex Chilton and the smoky melt burger is killer. What more do you need? Oh yeah, they encourage shooting toothpicks into the ceiling.

For late night entertainment, hit Ernestine & Hazels, best jukebox ever. Also fun but slightly wilder and younger is Raifords.

If you get really late go to Alex's Tavern over by Rhodes College. The burger rules and beer flows all night long.

[foodie52]

Thanks for the info!!! Actually , we're going for Parents' Weekend ( my daughter is at Rhodes...)

Sounds like there are some great places to eat.

[Ron Johnson]

Thanks for the info!!! Actually , we're going for Parents' Weekend ( my daughter is at Rhodes...)

Sounds like there are some great places to eat.

I graduated from Rhodes! Great school. Your daughter will know all about Alex's Tavern.

[d_elphie]

My boyfriend and I like to venture out to get breakfast when I come to town to visit, and I have two favorites.

1. Blue Plate Cafe on Poplar, the biscuits are kind of odd.. but the pancakes are yummy.

2. Brother Junipers, the atmosphere is odd, the manager (owner?) was very visibly disciplining his children who were working for him, on the floor, but the food is delightful.

It's in the mall @ Peabody Place, but Puccini and Pasta has a deliscious tomato cream sauce.

[joiei]

Thanks for the breakfast in Memphis suggestions. I will be passing through

town early and enjoy breakfast in local places.

Here in Tulsa, I recommend Stonehorse Cafe on Saturday and Sunday.

This is a dining trip, Sunday nite, I am having dinner at KC's in Cleveland.

It is a James Beard House Benefit event. The chefs that I know will be

there are Hiro Stone and Johnny Earles.

I am also going to try Madidi in Clarksdale.

[foodie52]

Well, here we are! Ate at Cafe Society: it was good, but pricey. I 'd go again. I had grouper that had a sweet crust : brown sugar, which sounds weird, but worked with the balsamic reduction served with it. We also ate at Rendezvous, which, to be honest, was a disappointment. OK OK:: you gotta go once. But I won't go back. I wasn't real impressed with the rub on the ribs.

[Ron Johnson]

Well, here we are! Ate at Cafe Society: it was good, but pricey. I 'd go again.  I had grouper that had a sweet crust : brown sugar, which sounds weird, but worked with the balsamic reduction served with it.  We also ate at Rendezvous, which, to be honest, was a disappointment. OK OK:: you gotta go once. But I won't go back. I wasn't real impressed with the rub on the ribs.

I totally agree with you on Rendezvous, but you gotta go once. Now, you can try the real barbeque places on your next trip to Memphis.

Glad to hear Cafe Society was still kicking. I worked front of the house, back of the house, and bar there. I guess it could be considered pricey. I understand it has expanded since my departure and added a wine cellar and private event room.

Thanks for following up!

Did you enjoy Rhodes? It is a beautiful campus. I loved my time there.

[butch]

I will also be at the James Beard dinner at KCs. KCs chef, Wally Joe, has a new restaurant in Memphis named Wally Joe. It is excellent and I think is now the best Memphis restaurant.

[foodie52]

ron:

yes, Rhodes is a beautiful campus.

Cafe Society has a lovely little shop attached to it now, run by the wife of the chef. It is called Epicure...and my daughter just this week applied for a part time position there! ( She told the owner that she was familiar with about 3/4 of the products sold there....one of the perks of being the kid of a Central Market foodie!)

We enjoyed Corky's bbq by the way....I thought it was excellent. And the service was incredibly friendly and helpful. I'd eat there again ... and again... Next time, gonna find that Wally place!