I’m still gathering information for our new GoMemphis listings, so I’ll be asking everyone to contribute to Best Bets from time to time, like we did for the Top 10 lists back a bit ago (you’ll see those when GoMemphis launches next month).
So let’s start with a Best Bet for a romantic meal. If you want to celebrate a special occasion with your sweetheart, where’s your favorite romantic spot to eat?
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Responses to “Best bets”
June 17th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
It may be new in town, but Restaurant Iris has great atmosphere, food and service to make a really special night. The Inn at Hunt-Phelan would be a great option, too.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Not in the city limits, but we love Bonne Terre - I guess it feels like you’re getting away from it all, and the food is wonderful. I second the Inn at Hunt-Phelan also - amazing food and great atmosphere.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Restaurant Iris is a perfect place for a romantic meal. Great food, great wine & excellent service. I also think that the wine cellar at Napa Cafe is very romantic.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Here’s another vote for Restaurant Iris. The food is amazing and the setting is very elegant. You can’t go wrong there!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:22 am
I’ve heard Bonne Terre has switched chefs since then, but the last time I was there it was wonderful. We spent most of the morning taking photos of butterflies, the food was delicious, and it was nice to be able to drink several glasses of wine without having to drive anywhere afterwards.
June 18th, 2008 at 10:30 am
My husband and I adore Restaurant Iris! I can’t think of a more elegant, yet simply romantic place to dine in Memphis.
June 18th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Restaurant Iris is the ideal place for a romantic meal. The decor in the initmate dining rooms is beautiful and the service is personalized and excellent. It’s a must to try!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Napa Cafe and the Tower Room at Clark Tower would get my votes. Azalea Grill could also be a good choice, as could the Melting Pot if you like fondue.
I haven’t tried Molly Fontaine’s yet, but Cielo struck me as a great place for a romantic dinner. If the decor and service haven’t changed that much, it might still be.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
My husband and I ate at Restaurant Iris for our anniversary. We had eaten there before and I loved it so much that my husband wanted to suprise me with dinner there on our special day. I must say, it felt like the evening was all about us! We opened our menus to find an anniversary wish from the chef!! It is such an elegant and romantic atmosphere. The service was wonderful and the food is to die for!! Iris is by far the most romantic restaurant in Memphis!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I’m so happy to see Restaurant Iris on the list! A wonderful place with great food, fabulous staff, and a lovely atmosphere. You can’t get more romantic, cozy, and intimate than Restaurant Iris.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:47 am
My father and I went to Iris for Father’s Day brunch and it was so surprisingly good - I’m a picky eater, but even I enjoyed the combination of California nouveau with Cajun/Creole cooking. The “pain perdu” is wonderful and the bread pudding is to die for; I would go back just to buy an order of that. The tables were beautifully set and while I was there I heard my favorite Fiona Apple CD playing on random. It was a great place with great taste, both in the food and in the decor and ambience.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Well, naturally I think Restaurant Iris is the most romantic setting in Memphis. Proud to have had a part in seeing Chef Kelly English’s dream become a reality!
June 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hmmm! Why am I skeptical about the intense and abundant praise for Restaurant Iris? Just consider me a conspiracy theorist.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Conspiracy??? Or that Restaurant Iris is one of the best new restaurants in Memphis. Reputations travel fast when the food is amazing, the service makes you feel special, and the atmosphere is seductive. Only one vote, Restaurant Iris.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I’m a little younger than a lot of people around here so my idea of a romantic dinner out might differ (probably because of my pocketbook and experience in general) but the three places that come to my mind as the top places I’d go for a romantic dinner are
- Ronnie Grisanti’s (also fun for big groups but one of the best dates I’ve been on with my fiance was there - sat at a tucked away table and talked for hours)
- Paulettes (one of my favorite places - consistently great food, calm and quiet so great for a nice dinner)
- Cafe Society (haven’t been since it changed hands - has anything changed?)
June 20th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Love the wine cellar at Napa Cafe.
And, I really like Cafe 1912. I haven’t been since its been renovated, but I love the intimate feel.
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Wow,
Iris is a “shoe-in”! Anyone ever eat anywhere else? What about Erling’s, Jarrett’s, River Oaks, Bari, even Wally for dinner at the Brooks on thursday? Come on guys and gals, Memphis Dining has come so far and so has this BLOG, so let’s really list the names of our favorites, all the regulars login and let your experience be heard.
Thanks
BV
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
I agree with the votes for Iris- my husband and I had brunch there yesterday for our anniversary, and our waitress remembered where we sat and what kind of wine we had last time we dined there months ago! Very few places have service as good. I also adore Bari and never get tired of it. There is a booth in the back corner that is very cozy and we have celebrated an anniversary there as well. Great food and great service.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Jarrett’s, Circa, River Oaks are at the top of my list. I love Encore, too, but it hasn’t the romantic atmosphere.
June 24th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Anyone been to McEwen’s on Monroe lately? David Johnson the Chef is on fire and the food is better than it has ever been.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Would anyone suggest Chez Phillippe for romantic dining? It’s a bit fancier than I’m comfortable with, but I’ve always had a mental image of it as the ultimate fine dining spot for couples in Memphis.
I definitely would have given a vote to Ciao Bella as a cozy getaway in its old location, but I haven’t yet been to the new one to see what the atmosphere is like.
June 28th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Opentable.com has a list of diner’s favorites in Memphis. It is not a blog, rather a reservation system so it may be less suseptible to sockpuppetry
July 7th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Erling Jensen’s is always a go-to for a romantic dinner, but I also like Le Chardonnay. It’s dark and intimate - how much more romantic can you get?
July 10th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Lot of good restaurants mentioned. I’m partial to Iris for personal reasons but have eaten at most and it is nearly impossible to pick a strong clear first choice. My tastes change from time to time and even though I have a favorite I like the different variety and creativeness of our various chefs. This is testimony to our many great chefs in the area.
I do have an issue with using the “open table” service as a guide since it is a paid subscription service and many good restaurants in the area are not listed. It is a great concept but the the last time I looked some of my favorites, Paulette’s, Le Chardonnay, and Cafe 1912 weren’t listed.
Hat’s off to all the great chef/artists in the area. Restauranting is a tough business and the majority of these folks do it for love and it shows.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:21 am
When I think of romantic locations the atmosphere and whether tables are spaced so we do not hear about John-John’s soccer game at the table next to us is just as important as the quality of food and service. Chez Phillipe is one of the most romantic and beautiful locations in city. Jarrett’s is great on all counts and the romantic patio. Jim’s Place East with the twinkle lights in trees and quaint setting is one of best. An intimate booth with curtains closed at Folk’s Folly provides a truly intimate dinner but unfortunately the food is not as good as it used to be there. Also we like a corner table in Cafe Toscana and their wait staff is exceptional for little touches and remembering your favorite drink, etc. There are many places we go just for food and service but not all have that touch for a romantic evening.
27 comment.