I got a sneak peak at the decor and tasted some of the food at the new Erling Jensen Small Bites, the elegant-but-casual restaurant that opens October 18th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Memphis.
Jenson, chef/owner of Erling Jensen: The Restaurant, lent his expertise and name to the restaurant in DoubleTree, which is owned and operated by Cooper Hotels. He also gave them recipes to some of his signature dishes.
Jensen is “the founder” of his restaurant at 1044 South Yates Road, and “inspirer” for the DoubleTree restaurant in the hotel at 5069 Sanderlin Avenue, says Cooper Hotels CEO Pace Cooper.
They wanted to create a more casual atmosphere at the restaurant, which seats 119 people, Cooper says. “Fresh, airy, very clean, and comfortable,” he says.
A “fun, casual” restaurant with a “concentration on shared plates,” Cooper says. “It’s not as ‘gourmet’ and formal as Erling Jensen: The Restaurant,” Cooper says, but the food will “match up to Erling’s standards.”
As for the decor, think “active” and “moving around,” he says. The restaurant will feature Topgolf Swing Suites. “The only one in Memphis,” he says.
The two Topgolf simulator bays, which can accommodate up to six people, will include Baseball Pitching, Carnival Classic, Hockey Shots, and Zombie Dodgeball.
Golf is the theme of the restaurant, which includes a golf cart to greet guests at the reception desk and golf clubs in golf bags as part of the decor because of Topgolf. “That’s just a concept that’s been so successful everywhere, so we wanted to replicate that experience in Memphis.”
Erling Jensen: The Restaurant signature items will include, for instance, his rack of lamb, but “smaller, shareable” at Small Bites, Jensen says. “Smaller orders.”
What about adding Jensen’s famous crawfish bisque? “I’m thinking about it,” he says.
Jensen also added some new dishes to the Small Bites menu, including his “Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.”
The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Also adding their culinary creations to the menu are Jared Wells, Erling Jensen Small Bites executive chef; and Andy Laubscher, Cooper Hotels corporate director of operations. Jensen will visit “frequently,” Cooper says.
The full bar will include signature drinks, including “Mississippi Sunset,” “Juniper Fusion,” and “Chocolate Dream.”
I didn’t try everything, but I had a couple of the MudSlide dessert shooters. And I could devour two more right now.
When people think Erling Jensen Small Bites, Cooper says he wants them to think that “world class chef experience that Erling has created in Memphis, but in a casual, fun, and action-packed atmosphere.”
