OK everyone, it’s almost time for the year-end restaurant wrap-up, and this year we want to include your favorite spots. Post ‘em here…
Reviews
Responses to “Vote!”
November 30th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
1. Encore
2. Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana
3. Tsunami
4. Bari
5. Soul Fish
November 30th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
In no particular order and for a variety of reasons:
Saigon Le - saigon egg rolls & anything lemongrass
Los Tortugas Deli - fish tacos and tortugas!
Lotus - lemongrass tofu
Tsunami - sea bass and black thai rice
Sweeterie - pumpkin cheesecake & a cocktail!
Old Venice - pizza
Hunt Phelan - bar & atmosphere
Blue Monkey - po boys and plate lunches
Bayou Bar & Grill - anything cajun
Caio Bella - any pasta dish
Pei Wei - egg rolls and Asian coconut curry
Fino’s - that dressing they put on the sandwiches!
Le Chardonney - any fish dish and the atmosphere
Pearl’s - boiled shrimp and those tender potatoes!
Bob’s Barksdale - breakfast
December 1st, 2007 at 12:34 am
Lobster King
Pho Saigon
La Guadulupana
Sad to say, not any of the fine dining restaurants, very disappointing.
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:16 am
Encore
Jarrets
Circa
Soul Fish
Pho Saigon
Cafe Toscana
La Playita
Bhan Thai
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Encore
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana
Jarrets
Cafe 61
Three Oaks Grill
Brooklyn Bridge
Brennans
December 3rd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I’ll go with the favorite dishes approach.
Huey’s - buffalo shrimp po-boy
Brother Juniper’s - fancy fries (everyone always talks about the omelets and cheese grits, but I could eat my weight in Brother Juniper’s potatoes, especially this version that adds salsa, onions, and green peppers at a great value…a double order is a plate full for under $5)
El Chico - Tortilla Soup (basically a delicious gravy poured over avocados, chicken, cheese, and chips for $5 plus all the cheese dip you can eat + 2 for 1 margaritas that vary wildly in their tequila content from drink to drink)
Pearl’s - The Peacemaker (I may be tasting the atmosphere)
Barbecue Nachos at Autozone Park (again I’m probably tasting the atmosphere)
Mayuri - Chapatis dipped into the spicy tomato or coconut sauces they have on the buffet, as well as their Chicken Tikka Makhani
Leonard’s buffet downtown - the barbecue innovation trio: all the raw materials are available to make a Barbecue salad, barbecue spaghetti, and barbecue nachos.
The Little Tea Shop - Turnip Greens, corn sticks, and stewed tomatoes
Uncle’s John’s (Crawfordsville, AR) - the best tasting atmosphere yet, but also really good catfish (only on Friday nights) and toasted ravioli
Pei Wei - Soba Ramen with beef or tofu
Pho Saigon - the one with rare flank steak and brisket, especially if I have a cold
Amana bakery - cheese and zaatar manaish (think pizza rolled up with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles and olives, again for under $5)
Sean’s Cafe - gyro with briam(?), the marinated vegetable side dish
Boscos - fried artichokes
Bari - the platter of fried things, especially the little fish
Wang’s Mandarin House - General Tsao and Spring Lamb with scallions
Tops - cheeseburger for takeout, and the barbecue for catering…it seems like I can feed 10 people for $30, plus their sauce glows in the dark, which is great for eating outdoors
Dino’s - garlic bread with sopped up spaghetti juice
Fresh Slices - probably balances my atmosphere/value/good food scales better than anywhere in town
Pancho’s - tamale’s in gravy and the yellow sauce on shredded lettuce (especially in West Memphis, although the summer-white station atmosphere is good too…exactly how I would imagine mexico to be if all I knew of it was Los Tres Caballeros with Donald Duck)
Blue Coast Burrito - fish tacos
Broadway Pizza - exciting atmosphere
Gus’s - for out of town guests when I can talk them out of the rendezvous(which deserves credit for being great all 3 times I went there this year…usually their ribs are good two out of three times for me)
Lenny’s - the Italian
Steak Escape at the Oak Court mall - the #2 combo with a cherry coke with seasoned salt and malt vinegar on the fries…takes me back to high school)
Heavenly Hoagie on Union - philly with cheese whiz on the chewy bread
The Fair - pronto pup slathered in mustard
I just looked over this list and realized why I’m 30 pound overweight.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Umai
Beauty Shop
Cafe 1912
Mollie Fontaine Lounge
Harry’s Detour
Bhan Thai
Inn at Hunt Phelan
Gus’s Fried Chicken
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Huey’s, because I took my wife there on our first date 25 years ago, and took her there just last week. The magic of th eplace is still there!
Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Their spaghetti tastes like the kind my french Grandmother made when I was a kid in the late 1950’s and very early 1960’s.
Dino’s Salad with Italian dressing.
Elfo’s for the food and the atmosphere.
Leonards for the best BBQ ribs. Both the wet and dry versions.
Logans, because I am addicted to peanuts!
Danvers for one of the best roast beef sandwiches.
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:56 pm
1. Casablanca Cafe - (my favorite food in Memphis) lamb chops, seafood tajin, em shekel appetizer platter. Really, everything is good though.
2. Elfo’s - (friendliest and most competent staff) Elfo Special pasta, crawfish bisque, daily specials.
3. Automatic Slim’s Tonga Club - BLTA & BBQ shrimp sandwich (lunch menu), lamb chops, daily specials, plantains.
4. Dish - lamb chops, sundried tomato & goat cheese pizza, calimari.
5. Napa Cafe - salmon, molasses brined chicken, daily seafood specials.
6. Do Sushi - house seafood roll, spicy tuna hand roll, squid shiso and flying fish roe inari, daily special rolls.
7. Ciao Bella - lasagna, various pastas w/ pesto sauce.
8. Texas de Brazil - house special picanha sirloin, garlic marinated sirloin.
9. The Half Shell - voodoo shrimp, gumbo, half & half of oysters Bienville and Rockefeller.
10. Little Italy - NY style cheese pizza by the slice.
Marena’s, Cafe 1912, and Firebirds failed to make my list by respectively: closing; eliminating their duck saltimbocca entree; and by having *horrible* incompetent service the last time I went (though to be fair the Delmonico steak was as tasty as ever).
December 4th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Quetzal - breakfast, coffee, salads
Blie fin - sushi, environment
Flying saucer - beer
December 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I’d like to know why FIG finds all the fine dining restaurants disappointing. That’s 20 or so restaurants, not counting steakhouses. Erling Jensen? Chez Philippe? Stella? Grill 83? Circa? Napa Cafe? Tsunami? Felicia Suzanne’s? What’s the deal?
December 4th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
East Memphis Alone! River Oaks, Jarrett’s, Erling Jensen the Restaurant. These 3 are always within the top of the pack.
Downtown and Midtown, Chez Philippe, Stella, Grill 83, Circa, Napa Cafe, Tsunami, Felicia Suzanne’s, these are all “restaurants”, not sure what you all consider what ” Best” should include? I would consider these more of a type to “Vote” forthan maybe some of the others listed above.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:06 am
Well Fredric, where do I begin? First off, let me preface my comments by saying that I don’t mind AT ALL dropping several hundred dollars or more on dinner if it is worth it. My favorite dining experiences of all time are Jean Georges, Charlie Trotter, Masa in NYC, Guy Savoy, L’Atelier Joel Robuchon, and last month at Le Bernadin. I live for great food, not necessarily haute cuisine, but food and cuisine that is well prepared and authentic as well. Having said that, I don’t think that the fine dining restaurants in Memphis are necessarily bad, just disappointing. They tend to fall into two categories here, (1) misguided hodgepodge of too busy plates with numerous ingredients that are confused as being creative; not to mention using ingredients they don’t understand. And (2) pseudo upscale Southern trying to reinterpret Southern cuisine by rehashing tired old ideas.
I refer to your previous posting of “What IS Expensive” for my next point. For what these restaurants are charging, i.e. Erling Jensen, Stella, River Oaks, Felicia Suzanne, Chez Phillippe, etc., it’s not worth it, especially when they are charging prices for what I paid in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and on and on…Not worth it because the execution is simply not there. I went to Esca in NYC last month, it was everything that another Italian restaurant in Memphis attempts to be, but Esca was perfect. If the quality and execution is there, then I would say it was worth every penny of what they are charging. Yes, I can make a judgement call, and yes, I’ve been to every one of these Memphis restaurants.
Sorry, these are just my opinions, and probably not worth a dime either. I bet there are others in Memphis that shares my point of view though.
December 5th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Big Foot Lodge
Felicia Suzanne
Ciao Bella
Huey’s
PF Changs
Salsa
Texas De Brazil
Petra (midtown)
Swanky’s
December 5th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Stella
Tsunami
Bari
Umai
Automatic Slims
Beauty Shop
Pho Saigon
Lobster King
December 5th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Tsunami
Umai
Mollie Fontaine
SPR
Petra (Poplar & Kirby)
River Oaks
Interim
Bhan Thai
Las Tortugas
December 5th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
The Tennessean is one of the best restaurant in the entire tri-state area. I have tried several dishes and they all are excellent. the she devil soup, veal, fish and the deserts are out of this world. Tom and his staff are just wonderful. from the time you step foot in the restaurant they make you feel that you are in another world. and the history of the train is worth the trip. I would suggest going to sign up on their web site. there is always something exciting to do. they will always be #1 with us.
Michelle Maurin
Guy Boozer
December 5th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
The Tennessean - Everything is great
Romanos Macroni Grill - great Italian food
Coletta’s - best veggie/beef pizza
Abuelo’s Mexican Food - great fajitas
Olive Garden - just plain good food
Friday’s - a great variety of food
Hard Rock - Haystack Chicken salad is great
December 5th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Scratch everything I wrote earlier. As of 1 pm today my list begins and ends with lemongrass tofu from saigon le.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Please delete the pompous BS from FIG, I grew up in NY and have lived in Boston, Philly and SF. I have favorite restaurants in those places and favorite restaurants here. This space is for positive comments about local restaurants, not demonstrating you (supposed)knowledge of NY restaurants. If FIG doesn’t have anything nice to say about the restaurants he/she doesn’t like, then he/she should shut up!
December 6th, 2007 at 7:27 am
The Southern Crow - Brunch, Dinner specials (always reasonable in price and delicious)
Pasta Italia in Collierville - Awesome Italian food.
Owen Brennans - Great lunches
Folk’s Folly - Always does a great steak
December 6th, 2007 at 8:39 am
The Tennessean- Best new restaurant in a long time.
Big Foot Lodge
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Hard Rock
December 6th, 2007 at 10:31 am
the Tennesseean - best
Felecia Suzanne - tied for best
Napa Cafe
Ronnie Grizanti
Pasta Italiana (Collierville)
December 6th, 2007 at 11:04 am
JaJa’s - BEST Thai food-located in Collierville - the VERY BEST HOMEMADE egg/spring rolls! Atomsphere is not great but the food makes up for it!
Salsa - best Mexican food
El Porton - best Texas Margaritas
December 6th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Yikes, DJ, this is an open forum. FIG can say what he wants to about restaurants here and compare them to restaurants in Timbukto if he wants. And so can you. I mean, I asked FIG to elaborate on his previous response. He (or she) was responding to my question.
December 6th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Right on DJ, People move to Memphis and complain about everything. If your job transferred you here and you dislike Memphis and our food, maybe you should change jobs.
Ok I have not lived here that long. Since I too am in the industry, I do not have a lot of time to get out. So, here is my short list of what I have loved.
Brother Junipers- Breakfast
Cafe Society- lunch or dinner always a nice time
Cafe Toscana- great under priced wine list
Folks Folly - When I want a steak and do not want to eat at my place.
Raffies Beer Garden-good grab and go food, but I go for the beer list.
Cozy Corner- bbq
Do Sushi- best in town at what they do.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
My vote is for the Southern Crow here in Cordova. OK, it’s in my backyard, but it’s truely a gem of a restaurant in each and every way. An incomparable chef, a dedicated staff and a menu full of great entrees and appetizers. And did I mention every item is reasonably priced; and the homemade breads and the Sunday Brunch. My Vote:
************ The Southern Crow **************
December 6th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
I enjoyed reading FIG comments. He/she sounds knowledgeable and well traveled. I agree with FIG and think there are many in Memphis who have opportunities to eat elsewhere and who, in comparison, find Memphis restaurants lacking. That is simply being honest.
That said, the original post asked for readers to share their favorite restaurants (presumably in the Memphis Metro area). I think there are many factors that make a restaurant a favorite and these may be different from the factors that a critic would consider in naming a “best” restaurant.
I think Encore is one of the best restaurants in town but I eat more often at Mosa because the friendly service, good food, great prices, and location all make it a favorite for me.
December 6th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
I definitely made “favorite restaurants” the basis of my list above, rather than “best restaurants.” For example, Encore and Erling Jensen are clearly finer restaurants with better quality food than most of the places I listed, but for a combo of reasons (atmosphere, staff, price, dress code) I’m much more comfortable at the other restaurants and prefer to dine at them frequently.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Sekisui - Redbird and Hurricane Rolls
Casablanca - Falafels and Hummus
Tsunami - Scallops with Tomato Beurre Blanc/Small Plates/Chicken Pita at Lunch
LoLo’s Table - LoLo’s Platter (Meats, Cheeses & Fresh Focaccia Bread!)
Bari - Cheeses
Majestic - Flatbread Pizzas
Bayou Bar & Grill - Great Brunch (Eggs Benedict with Fried Oysters)
Ruths Chris - Steak and Ahi Tuna
Ronnie Grisanti’s - Good Specials
December 7th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I can’t believe I left out Jasmine Thai. I love their Shrimp Birds Nest with that delicious brown garlic sauce.
December 7th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
I left off Mosa in my first post (#1!)
Grant-i’m there all the time too. They take care of me.
I also agree with FIG. $25 for Salmon is a joke. $32 for a steak is too. Encore, Tsunami and 1912 do it right.
December 7th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Hey Figgy, what no Per Se? Daniel? Did Eric personally prepare your fish at LeBernie’s? You offer ZERO specifics for your rebuke of the places here in Memphis. Generalities about busy plates etc.. do not sustain a viable discussion. Earling’s may be the #1 most expensive, but good lord the portions are HUGE and well prepared. The only busy I found with the food were my fork and knife. Price points must be considered when differentiating between “eating out” and fine dining. One is a brief vacation from the toils of the kitchen and the other is a permanent, memorable experience. I can still recall the pernod sauce on my fish dish when Earling was at Glen Hayes’ restaurant and that was 1990 or so. Memphis is home to many gifted chefs ( albeit some do tend to move around alot )and we are becoming a destination city for people in the industry as well. So, pooh pooh on you Mister Figgy! I list favorite places that are not expensive, just darn good food prepared by people who are passionate about it. Just ask Jimmy about pizza from Chi Town versus anywhere else on the planet!
Cozy Corner - the super hot sauce alone is enough
El 7 Mares - tongue tacos
Pho Vietnam - any vermicelli dish esp. chix curry
Jimmy’s in Bartlett - Hot Dogs and pizza
Dyer’s on Summer - double double of course!
Mayuri - lunch buffet and menu items not on buffet
Al-Rayan - #1 plate will cover it all
Gay Hawk - soul food lunch buffet with atmosphere
December 7th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Tsunami- For fantastic, creative food.
Grove Grill- For Freshest Fish in town and great desserts!
Jim’s Place East- Love the warm atomosphere.
Jasmine- Best Asian food- hands down!
Tower Room- Best place to have a cocktail- Can’t beat the view!
Folk’s Folly- Great steaks and yummy fried pickles!
Dino’s- Best Raviolis in town!
Inn at Hunt Phelan- Best Special Occasion.
Bahn Thai- Best outdoor seating.
December 7th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
OOPS! I forgot one of my all-time favorite spots- the warm and wonderful Paulette’s!!
December 10th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Mr. BryGuy, I have indeed dined at PerSe, as well as French Laundry and Daniel among others. While Eric Ripert nor Thomas Keller or Daniel Boulud may have personnally cooked my food, it doesn’t mean it was not excellent. You have every right to be a huge fan of Erling Jensen or any other chef in Memphis, just as I have every right to form my own opinion based on my experiences. For my money, it simply does not measure up. Sure the portions at Erling’s are huge, but don’t you think you are paying for a double size entree? If you want to pay $45 for a filet mignon at a certain downtown restaurant that I know for a fact uses a “select” grade of beef, go right ahead. Just because you put 50 cents worth of truffle oil in the mashed potatoes doesn’t make it “value added”. I have no problem stating specifics, but that would mean dishing dirt on just about every restaurant in town. As I said earlier, just my opinions and probably not worth a dime, but so are yours.
December 10th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
SOrry, what I meant to write is that those chefs may NOT have personally cooked my food.
December 10th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
FIGgy Pudding,
T’is the season to be jolly.
Don’t be such a misanthrope.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
James,
You’re heart must have grown 10 times bigger after your visit to whoville.
Figgy, I have several thousand frequent flier miles for a one way ticket to new york. Anyone else have any miles to donate?
December 11th, 2007 at 7:01 am
I’m not even going to start with my list — I’m just so excited that there are so many choices on the list already that I haven’t tried yet!
December 11th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
FigMeister,
Now we’re talking! Cheap meat? Splash of truffle oil? What do you have for an “encore” (-:
I like your enthusiasm and am insanely jealous as I have not dined at French L. or Per Se darn it. I appreciate a discerning palate and only wish Nero Wolfe could join us at table. HOWEVER, I do feel a little levity would enhance your commentary. Surely Wally Joe prepares an acceptable plate for you? You have eaten good meals at nice places here in Mempho, I know it!
December 11th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
I do love your sarcasm and clever inuendoes Senor BryGuy. Thank you for bringing some levity to our exchanges. I’ve so enjoyed them. My last comments about lower grade beef masquerading as “prime” does not rate an “Encore”, but a certain “Southern Lady” downtown would probably recognize it. Yes, I admit I have eaten some very nice places here in town. Despite my earlier comments about Erling Jensen, I do think he has the best restaurant in town and I’ve eaten some fine meals there. I think Jose’ Guitierez is probably the best chef in town and he’s cooked some fantastic food. And yes, Wally Joe has cooked some great food when he was at his old restaurant, even though I think he is cooking as pedestrian as h**l now. I stand by my comments about the execution and price/value ratio though. All I’m saying is that if you’re gonna charge those prices, it better be worth it. And most places ain’t, especially downtown. For the most part, I am disappointed. That’s why I love going to Lobster King, La Guadalupana, Pho Saigon, & places like that. I don’t feel so ripped off when I pay the bill.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:10 am
I finally went to Encore and was lucky enough to get to listen to Aerosmith over the sound system and to have sundried tomatoes substituted for pancetta in my dish — with no warning. Wow. I’m still pissed.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
I don’t think Fig likes it here. Oh well, I am not rich, but I have had the occasion to go to a couple of the restaurants mentioned and a few more in Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Dallas and I don’t think we are as expensive as most of those places and in many cases we offer service as good and better than some. I think our food quality is very good and presentation is excellent also. Any was, here are some of my favorites: Caspian, cafe society, Br. juniper’s, interim, jarretts, dinos, fino’s deli, the tennessean, central BBQ, royal panda, bayou bar & grill, felicia suzanne, bhan thai and stella. Pete and sams still has one of the best steaks in town too.
December 13th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Mucho interesting Figster! Me thinks the lady should sing the blues and make the joint less cramped table wise for crying out loud. I say go see Mac Edwards if your downtown. I have not seen Emerald Tai mentioned, fantastic Tai out on Mendenhall, esp. if spicy hot is a preference. Figster, if you like wine, we have really enjoyed the Circa tastings on Sunday the last few months as well. Sad to hear that Wally Joe is so plebian these days. Those blue hair museum girls must have limited taste requirements.
I’ll mention again El 7 Mares on Jackson for Mexican. FK will second that I believe!
December 13th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
C’mon?!?! Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden, Hard Rock, Fridays???? Sure, I enjoy the occasional chain restaurant, but they don’t belong on a list of the best restaurants in Memphis!
Chez Philippe
Encore
Gus’ Fried Chicken
Neely’s
Big Foot Lodge
Tsunami
Capriccios
LoLo’s Table
Boscos
Lobster King
And like FIG, I’ve been fortunate enough to dine at a few of the finest restaurants in the country, including PerSe. It was the most amazing dining experience I’ve ever had. But that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate Memphis cuisine.
December 14th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I’d like to vote for JIM’S PLACE GRILLE as the best restaurant in the Commercial Appeal area.
Thanks
December 14th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I also like JIM’S PLACE GRILL, as well as INTERIM, BAHN THAI, JIM’S PLACE EAST, and of course, PAULETTE’S.
December 28th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
My picks:
Tsunami is the winner!
Blue Fish–great seafood selection and simple recipes
Lobster King–authentic seafood dim sum
Cafe Society–very good
Earling Jensens
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