From Memphis to Lexington

[robirdstx]

My DH and I will be on a road trip to Virginia, in a couple of weeks, by way of Memphis, Nashville and Lexington. Dinner recommendations appreciated!

Edited June 12, 2018 by robirdstx (log)

[kayb]

Memphis: There are a lot of great places. I would normally recommend Felicia Suzanne's, which has for years been my favorite restaurant in Memphis, except the last time I was there was the only time I've ever eaten there that it didn't make me say, "Oh, wow!" McEwens and Flight are both really good, downtown; Spindini, on South Main, is the fourth or fifth generation of the historic Grisanti family of Italian restauranteurs; Coletta's, on South Parkway, is oldtime, classic Italian, the oldest restaurant in Memphis; Paulette's, in the River Inn, is a good French bistro. 

 

"Out in the country" west of Memphis in Arkansas about 30 minutes, there's Uncle John's, a small-town Italian joint that has MARVELOUS homemade ravioli. I'm talking to die for, here. You take your own wine (no corkage fee!). Open Thursday-Saturday nights only, in Crawfordsville, AR.

 

Of course, there's barbecue. The top 'cue places, in my book, are Central, Payne's, Interstate, Cozy Corner and The BarBQ Shop. Depends on the specific entree and the time of day you want to go. Do not bother with the Rendezvous. Do have a drink in the lobby bar at the Peabody, about 4:30, in time to watch the 5 p.m. duck march.

 

Breakfast, there are a couple of "must" places: There's Brother Juniper's, out by Memphis State, and there's Bryant's, an old-school diner on Summer Avenue. Both are magnificent.

 

Let me know. Would love a chance to meet.

 

In Nashville, there's one choice that stand out above everything: The Catbird Seat. 10-course tasting menu. Experimental foods. Modernist cuisine. Stunning. Get a reservation now, if you can. Other good choices are Husk, and an old-time favorite, Demos Steak and Spaghetti House, in downtown. The Pancake Pantry is great for breakfast, but be ready to stand in line. I'm fond of Pfunky Griddle, where you cook your own pancakes on an in-table grill, and add the add-ins you want. 

 

I'd be thrilled at the opportunity to meet you in Memphis (an hour for me) and eat any meal you can accommodate in your schedule. I've got a host of other lunch spot recommendations, and can come up with a hatful of other dinner suggestions as well.

[robirdstx]

@kayb Thank you! We only have one night in Memphis, so Flight it will be! I have already made a reservation for three. I’ll message you the details to see if we can meet up. I would love that!

[kayb]

37 minutes ago, robirdstx said:

@kayb Thank you! We only have one night in Memphis, so Flight it will be! I have already made a reservation for three. I’ll message you the details to see if we can meet up. I would love that!

 

Wonderful! Can't wait to hear the details and get it on my calendar! Excited to show you "my town!"

 

[chileheadmike]

I haven't been there so I can't comment on quality, but I've been trying to talk my wife into Middle Fork. She greatly prefers chain restaurants to anything individually owned and she's very picky/unadventurous. But that's a different story. The menu changes frequently and they always seem to have something interesting.

 

Holly Hill is very nice and well liked.

 

Cole's 735 Main is excellent

 

For more casual eating, Wallace Station is in the middle of horse country and surrounded by beautiful farms.

 

For breakfast and lunch there is the Lexington Diner. A little funky but fun.  

 

Blue Grass Hospitality has several restaurants, include Malone's, OBC, and Sal's. All of which are very good. Sal's is more of a bar that serves some food.  

 

The restaurant scene here is changing so fast. Old favorites have closed, new one's popping up weekly. 

[robirdstx]

@chileheadmike Thank you! I’ll check them out. We may have two nights in Lexington.

[robirdstx]

On 6/13/2018 at 11:33 AM, chileheadmike said:

I haven't been there so I can't comment on quality, but I've been trying to talk my wife into Middle Fork. She greatly prefers chain restaurants to anything individually owned and she's very picky/unadventurous. But that's a different story. The menu changes frequently and they always seem to have something interesting.

 

Holly Hill is very nice and well liked.

 

Cole's 735 Main is excellent

 

For more casual eating, Wallace Station is in the middle of horse country and surrounded by beautiful farms.

 

For breakfast and lunch there is the Lexington Diner. A little funky but fun.  

 

Blue Grass Hospitality has several restaurants, include Malone's, OBC, and Sal's. All of which are very good. Sal's is more of a bar that serves some food.  

 

The restaurant scene here is changing so fast. Old favorites have closed, new one's popping up weekly. 

 

Thanks again! We now have dinner reservations at Malone’s - Hamburg and Cole’s 735 Main!

[chileheadmike]

17 hours ago, robirdstx said:

 

Thanks again! We now have dinner reservations at Malone’s - Hamburg and Cole’s 735 Main!

Cool, I hope you enjoy your time and meals here.

[robirdstx]

On 6/11/2018 at 10:18 PM, kayb said:

 

In Nashville, there's one choice that stand out above everything: The Catbird Seat. 10-course tasting menu. Experimental foods. Modernist cuisine. Stunning. Get a reservation now, if you can. 

 

Unfortunately, The Catbird Seat is closed on Sunday, which is the night we will be there, so we have a reservation at Scull’s Rainbow Room, which has great reviews, both for food and entertainment, and will be a short walk from our hotel.

[robirdstx]

Last night we had our dinner at Flight in Memphis and we were delighted to have @kayb join us! It was so nice to be able to meet up! We had fun talking and sharing a wonderful meal. Kay, thanks again for taking the time to join us and for recommending this restaurant!

 

 

The lighting in the restaurant was very soft, so not the best photos, but everything was delicious!

 

 

We started with wine! I had a flight of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay from Oregon titled Northern Exposure. Very nice!

 

 

My husband had the Butcher’s Flight - Pork Tenderloin, Veal Scallopini and Wild Boar Tenderloin

 

 

I chose two small plates, rather than a full flight - the Louisiana Redfish and the Lamb Ribeye

 

 

[kayb]

It was a great meal and wonderful company! Many thanks to @robirdstx and her DH for treating me to dinner for my birthday, which will be tomorrow, and to Flight for the complimentary creme brulee.

 

I also had two small plates, the halibut and the softshell crab, with a glass of Conundrum white blend. Excellent!

 

[Okanagancook]

What a nice meal on your birthday.  Wishes for many more.  The food looks well prepared and lots of variety.

[kayb]

Flight is great because you don't have to limit yourself to any one appetizer, soup, salad, entree, or dessert, in addition to wine. Small-portion "flights" are available of all of them. I had contemplated having just an appetizer flight and a cup of soup, which would have been plenty for me, but then I saw the soft-shell crab on the chef's choice selections, and I was a lost puppy.

 

It's all  @HungryChris's fault, with those gorgeous soft-shells he's been frying up.

[robirdstx]

On Sunday, it was on to Nashville for a one night stand in Printers Alley!

 

 

Dinner at Scull’s Rainbow Room

 

 

Duck Empanadas (OMG!)

 

 

Crab Cakes

 

 

Prime Rib

 

 

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 

Then we moved next door to the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar for drinks and music by the Stacy Mitchhart Band. 

 

 

A very good time was had by all!

 

Edited June 26, 2018 by robirdstx (log)

[robirdstx]

Monday night in Lexington at Malone’s - Hamburg. We really wanted to try the beef, but all of the food we had eaten over the last two days had caught up with us, so we went for a lighter meal.

 

 

Chopped Chicken Caesar Salad for my DH...

 

 

...and the Aqua Chicago Roll for me.

 

Edited June 27, 2018 by robirdstx (log)

[Kim Shook]

So what's a Tennessee crab cake like???  

[robirdstx]

10 hours ago, Kim Shook said:

So what's a Tennessee crab cake like???  

 

These were pretty good! Sweet meat with very little filler and nicely grilled for a bit of crunch. The sauce was very tasty with a little heat.