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DINING SYMBOLS

B – breakfast

L – lunch

D – dinner

Br – beer served

Wi – wine served

FB – full bar offered

X – wheelchair accessible

$ – under $15 per person

without drinks or desserts

$$ – under $25

$$$ – $26-$50

$$$$ – over $50

MRA – member, Memphis
Restaurant Association

ABUELO’S MEXICAN FOOD EMBASSY—Serves quesadillas, carne asada, and chili rellenos, along with beef tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, and several seafood entrées. 8274 U.S. 64. 672-0769. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

ABYSSINIA RESTAURANT—Ethiopian cuisine is featured, with beef, chicken, lamb, fish entrées, and vegetarian dishes; also, a daily buffet. Closed Sunday. 2600 Poplar. 321-0082. L, D, Br, X, $, MRA

AMERIGO—Specializes in pasta and wood-fired pizzas; also serves steaks and cedarwood-roasted fish. 1239 Ridgeway, Park Place Mall. 761-4000. L, D, FB, X, $-$$$, MRA

ANNE’S BAKERY & CAFE—Serves sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, and desserts. Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. 320-6407. B, L, X, $, MRA

ASHIYANA EXOTIC INDO PAK CUISINE—Specializes in Indian and Pakistani fare, including chicken masala and goat biryani; lunch buffet daily. Closed Monday. 835 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-5411. L, D, Br, X, $

ASIAN GRILL—Specializes in Pan-Asian cuisine (Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian) as well as fusion entrées. 2072 West (Germantown). 737-3988. L, D, Br, X, $

ASIAN PALACE—Chinese fare is the specialty, including shrimp with walnuts and oysters, Peking-style pork and duck; also crab, lobster, and vegetarian items. 2920 Covington Pike. 388-3883; 4978 Park (mainly takeout). 761-7888. L, D, Br, Wi, $

ASSAGGIO—Pan-seared citrus tuna and gorgonzola-stuffed filet are specialties at this Italian eatery. Closed Sunday. 8100 Macon Station (at Germantown Parkway). 752-0056. L (Tuesday-Friday), D (Monday-Saturday), FB, $-$$

A-TAN—Mandarin entrées include a chicken-pork-beef-shrimp combo and a seafood-vegetable stir-fry; also features a sushi bar. 3445 Poplar, Suite 17, University Center. 452-4477. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

AUTOMATIC SLIM’S TONGA CLUB—Specializes in American Southwestern/Asian/Jamaican cuisine, including coconut mango shrimp and whole red snapper. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 83 S. Second. 525-7948. L, D, FB, X, $$, MRA

BAHAMA BREEZE—West Indies ribs, Jamaican-grilled chicken, and coconut shrimp are among the entrées at this Caribbean-themed restaurant. 2830 N. Germantown Parkway, Wolfchase Galleria. 385-8744. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

BANGKOK ALLEY—Thai cuisine includes noodle and curry dishes, as well as duck, catfish, and seafood entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday, Cordova location. 830 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 753-7250. 2150 W. Poplar at Houston Levee (Collierville). 854-8748. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

THE BAR-B-Q SHOP—Dishes up barbecued ribs, bologna, chicken, pork shoulder sandwiches, and spaghetti, along with beef brisket, sandwiches, and salads. Closed Sunday. 1782 Madison. 272-1277. L, D, Br, X, $, MRA

BARI—Authentic Southeastern Italian cuisine emphasizes lighter entrées and fresh seafood, such as roasted striped bass, spaghetti carbonara, and fresh grilled sardines. 22 S. Cooper. 722-2244. D, FB, X, $$, MRA

BAYOU BAR & GRILL—Cajun fare includes jambalaya, gumbo, catfish Acadian, Cajun shrimp, red beans and rice, and muffulettas. 2105 Overton Square Lane. 278-8626. L, D, FB, X, $, MRA

BEAUTY SHOP—American/Southwestern/Asian cuisine served in a former beauty shop. Closed for dinner Sunday. 966 S. Cooper. 272-7111. L, D, FB, X, $$, MRA

BENIHANA OF TOKYO—Japanese steakhouse with sushi bar offers beef, chicken, and seafood items grilled at your table. 912 Ridge Lake Boulevard. 683-7390. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$

BHAN THAI—Serves curries, pad Thai noodles, and vegetarian dishes, as well as seafood, pork, and duck entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday and all day Monday. 1324 Peabody. 272-1538. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

BIG FOOT LODGE—Hefty portions of prime rib, lobster, deep-fried Cornish game hens, catfish, and burgers (including the 4-lb. Sasquatch) are specialties. 97 S. Second. 578-9800. L, D, FB, X, $-$$$, MRA

BITTERSWEET RESTAURANT—Lobster pie and filet Oscar are specialties at this steak/seafood place with a New England flair. Closed Monday and for lunch Tuesday. 7685 Farmington Blvd. (Germantown). 624-9499. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$

BLUE COAST BURRITO—Build-your-own burritos with an array of steak, fish, chicken, and fresh veggies. Menu also includes fish tacos and made-to-order salads. 3546 Walker. 323-3730; The Avenue Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 850-TACO. L, D, $

THE BLUE FISH—Seafood specialties include pecan-crusted grouper with crawfish-crab relish. Also organic meats, free-range chicken, and oyster bar. Closed Sunday. 2149 Young. 725-0230. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

BLUEFIN RESTAURANT & SUSHI LOUNGE—Serves fusion or “edge” cuisine featuring seafood and steaks; also, a sushi bar. 135 S. Main. 528-1010. L (Tuesday-Thursday), D, FB, X, $$, MRA

BLUES CITY PASTRY SHOP & COFFEE BAR—Downtown eatery offering a wide array of pastries, including éclairs, strudel, and muffins, as well as coffee drinks and breakfast items. 153 Main. 576-0010. $

BLUFF CITY BAYOU—Cajun specialties are gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and jambalaya, as well as po-boy sandwiches and muffulettas. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 694 Madison. 527-0860. L, X, $

BOILING POINT SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR—Louisiana-style seafood includes crawfish, shrimp and grits, catfish, pasta dishes, seafood platters, and more. 4975 Pepperchase Dr. (Southaven). 662-280-7555. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

BOL A PASTA—Serves shrimp scampi, baked pastas, steaks, and fresh seafood. 2200 N. Germantown Parkway. 384-7988; 3160 Village Shops Dr. 757-5609. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

BOMBAY HOUSE—Indian fare includes lamb korma and chicken tikka; also, a daily luncheon buffet. 1727 N. Germantown Parkway. 755-4114. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$

BONEFISH GRILL—Two specialties are pistachio-parmesan-crusted rainbow trout and tenderloin portobello piccata; steak and pork also served. 1250 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 753-2220; The Avenue Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 854-5822. L (Saturday-Sunday, Collierville), D, FB, X, $-$$

BONNE TERRE CAFE—Offers American/French/Continental cuisine, including roast rack of lamb, chicken Florentine. Closed Sunday and Monday. 4715 Church Rd. W., Nesbit, MS. 662-781-5100. D, FB, X, $$$, MRA

BOSCOS SQUARED—Serves pasta, seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven; also a variety of freshly brewed beers; also Sunday brunch. 2120 Madison. 432-2222. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

BRONTE—Full-service restaurant in a bookstore setting serves seafood, steaks, pastas, quiches, sandwiches, and salads. Davis-Kidd Booksellers, 387 Perkins Extd. 374-0881. B, L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

BROOKLYN BRIDGE ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Specializing in such homemade entrées as pasta in a vodka-tomato-cream sauce. Closed Sunday. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 755-7413. D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

BROTHER JUNIPER’S—The focus is on breakfast with fresh pastries; lunch menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches. Closed Monday. 3519 Walker. 324-0144, B, L, X, $, MRA

BRUNO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Chicken marsala, eggplant parmesan, cannelloni, and seafood pesto are among Bruno’s specialties. Closed Sunday. 1354 Madison. 726-0770. L, D, X, $

THE BRUSHMARK—Serves sandwiches, salads, and crepes; a signature dish is African peanut soup. Closed Monday. Brooks Museum of Art, Overton Park, 1934 Poplar. 544-6225. L, D (every Thursday), FB, X, $, MRA

BUCKLEY’S FINE FILET GRILL—Specializes in steaks such as 8-oz. center-cut filets but also offers grilled chicken, seafood, and pasta. 5355 Poplar. 683-4538; 714 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 756-1639. Buckley’s Lunch Box, 919 S. Yates (lunch M-F and takeout only). 682-0570. L (Yates only), D (not Yates), FB (beer and wine only at Yates), X, $-$$, MRA

THE BUTCHER SHOP—Serves steaks ranging from 8-oz. filets to a 30-oz. porterhouse; also chicken, pork chops, fresh seafood. 101 S. Front. 521-0856; 107 S. Germantown Rd. 757-4244. L (Friday only, S. Germantown Rd.), D, FB, X, $-$$$, MRA

CAFE 61—American eclectic/Asian/Cajun entrées include blackened grouper, King Creole pork chops, and crispy duck waffles; also Sunday brunch. 85 S. Second. 523-9351. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

CAFE 1912—French/American/Creole cuisine, with Italian influences; seafood entrées include steamed mussels; also crepes and salads; offers Sunday brunch. 243 S. Cooper. 722-2700. D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

CAFE GRILL—Asian/American entrées are chicken chow mein soup along with meatloaf, beef brisket, and certified Angus steaks; also a luncheon buffet. Closed Sunday. 120 W. Mulberry (Collierville). 853-7511. L, D, X, $

CAFE OLE—Chimichangas, shrimp diablo, fish tacos, vegetarian dishes, and daily specials are featured. 959 S. Cooper. 274-1504. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

CAFE PIAZZA BY PAT LUCCHESI—Cafe Piazza specializes in gourmet pizzas, panini sandwiches, and pasta. Closed Sunday. 139 S. Rowlett (Collierville). 861-1999. L, D, Br, Wi, X (except bathrooms), $-$$

CAFE SOCIETY—With Belgian and classic French influences, serves Angus beef, veal, chicken, and seafood dishes, along with weekly specials. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday. 212 N. Evergreen. 722-2177. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

CAFE TOSCANA—Serves contemporary Italian specialties, including parmesan talapia, along with other pasta and seafood. Closed Sunday. 5007 Black, Suite 150. 761-9522. D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

CAFFE ITALIA—Lasagna, cannelloni, and carpaccio are among dinner entréees; for lunch, panini sandwiches, salads. Closed Sunday-Monday. 102 Mulberry (Collierville). 850-8363. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

CAL’S STEAKHOUSE—University of Memphis basketball coach John Calipari lends his name and sports memorabilia to this restaurant serving steaks, pasta, and seafood. Double Tree Hotel, 5069 Sanderlin. 322-6666. B, L, D, FB, X, $-$$$, MRA

CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE—Prime steaks, seafood, pasta, and several Northern Italian specialties are entrées. 149 Union, The Peabody. 529-4199. B, L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL—Serves chicken marsala, calamari, various pastas, and other Old World Italian entrées. 5110 Poplar. 685-9900; 4600 Merchants Park Cr. (Collierville), The Avenue Carriage Crossing. 854-0200. L (Saturday-Sunday, Collierville; Sunday, Poplar), D, FB, X, $-$$

CASABLANCA CAFE—Rack of lamb, grilled salmon with mango sauce, moussaka, and vegetarian entrées are served at this Moroccan/Greek/Middle Eastern restaurant. 2156 Young. 725-8557. L, D, X, $-$$

CASPIAN PERSIAN CUISINE—Fesenjon — i.e., pomegranate sauce with walnuts poured over chicken breasts — is a specialty; also grilled filets, chicken, and Cornish hens. 715 W. Brookhaven Cr. 767-3134. L, D, FB, X, $-$$$

CAYENNE MOON—Serves New Orleans-Southern cuisine, specializing in lump crabcakes and seafood gumbo; also steaks. Closed Sunday-Monday. 94 S. Front. 522-1475. D, X, $-$$, MRA

CELTIC CROSSING—Irish fare — including shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and lamb stew — is featured here. 903 S. Cooper. 274-5151. L, D, FB, X, $, MRA

CENTRAL BBQ—Dishing up ribs, sandwiches, hot wings, and more; also family packages. 2249 Central. 272-9377; 4375 Summer. 767-4672. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

CHAO PRAYA—Thai dishes are panang seafood, gang koa duck, and green papaya salad. Closed for dinner Monday. 3588 Ridgeway. 366-7827. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER—A true-blue burger joint, including the Serious (10 oz.), the Delirious (14 oz.), and the Famous One-Pounder (20 oz., to be more exact). All burgers and chicken sandwiches are made-to-order. Menu also includes a wide selection of shakes and malts. The Avenue Carriage Crossing. 861-6776. L, D, $

CHEZ PHILIPPE—Three-to-five-course meals offered with emphasis on French food with Asian flair. Afternoon tea also served 2 to 3 p.m. (reservations required). Closed Sunday and Monday. The Peabody, 149 Union. 529-4188. D, FB, X, $$$$, MRA

CHINA INN—Serves Chinese, American, and down-home-style cuisine; daily buffet featured. 4430 Elvis Presley Blvd. 396-0287; 2829 Covington Pike. 383-8211. L, D, Br, X, $

CIAO BELLA DA GUGLIELMO—Ciao Bella serves pasta, steaks, seafood, and gourmet pizza. 565 Erin Dr., Erinway Shopping Center. 205-2500. D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

CIRCA—Regional French cuisine with such specialties as sorghum-cured rack of lamb; menu includes steaks, chops, seafood. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday. 119 S. Main, Pembroke Square. 522-1488. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

CITY GROCERY—Southern eclectic menu of steaks and seafood changes seasonally; shrimp and grits is a specialty. Closed Sunday. 152 Courthouse Square, Oxford, Mississippi. 662-232-8080. L, D, FB, X (downstairs), $$-$$$

COLETTA’S—Longtime eatery serves lasagna, ravioli, and pizza with barbecue or traditional topping. Closed for lunch Sunday, South Parkway location. 2850 Appling Rd. 383-1122; 1063 S. Parkway E. 948-7652. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

CONTE’S—Lasagna, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and mussels in white wine sauce are menu items. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday-Monday. 149 Madison. 526-6837. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$

CORKY’S—Popular barbecue emporium offers both wet and dry ribs, plus a full menu of other barbecue entrées. 5259 Poplar. 685-9744; 1740 Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 737-1911; 743 W. Poplar (Collierville). 405-4999. L, D, Br, X, $-$$, MRA

COZYMEL’S—Serves coastal Mexican entrées from the Yucatan Especial to chicken flameado to sizzling fajitas; seafood entrées as well. 6450 Poplar. 763-1202. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

CREPE MAKER—Specializes in hand-held crepes, including Philly steak, pesto, chicken, and vegetarian; also desserts. Closed for dinner Sunday, Collierville. 175 Peabody Place. 522-1290; The Avenue Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 861-1981. B, L, D, Br, Wi (coolers), X, $

CRESCENT CITY—Entrées include red beans and rice, muffulettas, po boys, crawfish, catfish, and beignets. The Avenue Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 850-8580; 1315 Ridgeway. 763-7008; 6585 Towne Center Crossing (Southaven). 662-536-4013; 2362 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 213-9077. B (some locations), L, D, FB, X, $, MRA

CRUMPETS—British pub fare includes vegetable tarts, Cornish pasties, chicken salad, burgers, and chef’s sampler. Tea served 2-3:30 p.m. Closed Sunday-Monday. 262 S. Highland. 324-2221. L, Wi, X, $

CURRENTS—Offers a fusion of various cuisines: Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, and Continental. Among the entrées are Dover sole, rack of lamb, and Tasmanian salmon. River Inn, 50 Harbor Town Square. 260-3333. B, D, FB, X, $$-$$$

DAILY GRILL—Serves classic American cuisine; dinner entrées include filet medallions, short ribs, steaks, burgers, and seafood, along with meatloaf and chicken pot pie. Westin Hotel, 170 Lt. George W. Lee. 334-5950. B, L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

DISH—Specialties here range from deviled crab cakes to tempura prawns with spicy red pepper aioli; also tapas, i.e., “small plates”; choose from 45 items. 948 S. Cooper. 276-0002. D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

DO—This small Tokyo-style sushi bar features teriyaki, sushi rolls, grilled items, bento-box meals, salads, and more. Closed Sunday and Monday. 964 S. Cooper. 272-0830. D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

DRAGON CHINA—Specializes in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Szechuan cuisine, all-day buffet, and a 140-item menu. 1680 Madison. 278-8838. L, D, X, $

EDO—Known for its seafood dishes and sushi. Entrées include shrimp tempura and chicken teriyaki. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday and all day Monday. 4792 Summer. 767-7096. L, D, Br, X, $-$$

EL CHICO—This mainstay in University Center dishes out fajitas, chimichangas, fried ice cream, and other Tex-Mex fare. Enchilada specials on Wednesdays. 3491 Poplar. 323-9609. L, D, FB, X, $

EL MEZCAL—Serves burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, and other Mexican cuisine, as well as shrimp dinners and steak. 4688 Knight Arnold. 360-1838; 402 Perkins Extd. 761-7710; 694 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 755-1447; 1492 Union. 274-4264. L, D, FB, X, $

EL PORTON—Fajitas and steak ranchero are just a few of the menu items. 2095 Merchants Row (Germantown). 754-4268; 65 S. Highland, Poplar Plaza. 452-7330; 1805 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 624-9358; 1016 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-5770; 8361 U.S. Highway 64. 380-7877. L, D, FB, X, $

EL SIETE MARES—Specializes in carnitas, tamales, tacos, jumbo burritos, and seafood entrées. Closed Wednesday. 3681 Jackson. 386-1199. L, D, Br, X (except bathrooms), $

ELFO’S—Changing luncheon menu features such specialties as pink-peppercorn salmon with orange sauce and eggplant Napoleon, along with soups, sandwiches, salads, and homemade desserts. Closed Sunday. 3092 Poplar. 888-0402. L, FB, X, $, MRA

ENCORE—Chef Jose Gutierrez offers French and Mediterranean entrées at this European-style bistro. Closed Monday. 150 Peabody Place, #111. 528-1415. D, FB, X, $$, MRA

EP DELTA KITCHEN & BAR—Serving a fusion of Cajun, Creole, and Southern cuisine in the former Elvis Presley’s Memphis eatery. Specialties include lobster étouffée and smoked duck gumbo; also a late-night menu. 126 Beale at Second. 527-1444. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

EQUESTRIA—Serves American-global fusion cuisine with Southwestern accents; seasonal menu, weekly specials. Closed Sunday and Monday. 3165 Forest Hill-Irene. 869-2663. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

ERLING JENSEN, THE RESTAURANT—Presents “globally inspired” cuisine; specialties are rack of lamb, fresh fish, and wild game. 1044 S. Yates. 763-3700. D, FB, X, $$$, MRA

FELICIA SUZANNE’S—Crispy oysters in New Orleans barbecue sauce and filet of beef tenderloin with applewood-smoked-bacon potato cakes are American-Southern specialties. Closed Sunday and Monday. Brinkley Plaza, 80 Monroe, Suite L1. 523-0877. L (Friday only), D, FB, X, $$$, MRA

FINO VILLA—Entrées include prime filet mignon, sea bass, lobster ravioli, and pollo Fino Villa. 875 W. Poplar (Collierville). 861-2626. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

FIREBIRDS—Specialties are hand-cut steaks, prime rib, rotisserie chicken, and fresh seafood, 8470 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 379-1300; The Avenue Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 850-1603. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE—Serves steaks, prime beef, and chops, as well as chicken and fresh fish. 6245 Poplar. 761-6200. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

THE FLYING FISH—Serves up fried and grilled versions of shrimp, crab legs, oysters, catfish, and more. 105 S. Second. 522-8228. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

FOLK’S FOLLY ORIGINAL PRIME STEAK HOUSE—Specializes in prime steaks, as well as lobster, grilled Scottish salmon, Alaskan king crab legs, rack of lamb, and weekly specials. 551 S. Mendenhall. 762-8200. D, FB, X, $$$-$$$$, MRA

FORMOSA—Offers Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan cuisine, including sesame chicken, Mongolian and broccoli beef, and hot-and-sour soup. Closed Monday. 6685 Quince. 753-9898. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

FRATELLI’S—Serves hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and soups. Closed Sunday and Monday. Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry. 576-4118. L, X, $

FUJI CAFE—Offers traditional Japanese cuisine and sushi bar; specialties are teriyaki and tempura dishes. 875 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-7758. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $$

GERMANTOWN COMMISSARY—Serves barbecue sandwiches, ribs, nachos, and shrimp in a rustic atmosphere. 2290 S. Germantown. 754-5540. L, D, Br, X (except bathrooms), $, MRA

GOLDEN INDIA—Northern Indian specialties include tandoori chicken as well as lamb, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian dishes; also, a luncheon buffet. 2097 Madison. 728-5111. L, D, Br, Wi, $

GRIDLEY’S—Offers barbecued ribs, pork plate, chicken, and smoked turkey; also lunch specials. Closed Tuesday. 6842 Stage. 377-8055. L, D, X, $-$$, MRA

GRILL 83—European-style steakhouse serves prime steaks and fresh seafood, including a bone-in 16-oz. Kansas City filet, Atlantic salmon, and signature New Orleans-style seafood gumbo. 83 Madison, Madison Hotel. 333-1224. B, L, D, FB, X (except bathrooms), $$-$$$, MRA

FRANK GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Northern Italian favorites include pasta with jumbo shrimp and mushrooms; also seafood, filet mignon, and daily lunch specials. Closed for lunch Sunday. Embassy Suites Hotel, 1022 Shady Grove. 761-9462. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

RONNIE GRISANTI AND SONS—Specializes in handmade Tuscan cuisine. Menu items include ravioli and baked manicotti, along with seafood and steaks. Closed Sunday. 2855 Poplar.
323-0007. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

THE GROVE GRILL—Offers steaks, chops, seafood, and other American cuisine with a Southern flair; entrées include shrimp and grits, and sweet potato and turnip green hash; also Sunday brunch. 4550 Poplar. 818-9951. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN—Serves chicken with signature spicy batter, along with homemade beans, slaw, and pies. 310 S. Front. 527-4877; 215 South St. (Collierville). 853-6005. (Original location: 505 Highway 70 W., Mason, TN. 294-2028.) L, D, Br, X, $-$$, MRA

HALF SHELL—Specializes in seafood, such as King crab legs; also serves steaks, chicken, pastas, salads, and sandwiches; oyster bar at Winchester location. 688 S. Mendenhall. 682-3966; 7825 Winchester. 737-6755. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

HAPPY MEXICAN—Fajitas, steak ranchero, and a shrimp cocktail are specialties. 385 S. Second. 529-9991. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

HARD ROCK CAFE—Tons to eat and tons of rock memorabilia at this popular franchise. Menu includes “Tupelo” chicken tenders, New York strip steak, grilled salmon, and more. 315 Beale. 529-0007. L, D, FB, $-$$

HARRY’S DETOUR—Eclectic American menu includes pecan-smoked meats and daily seafood specials. Closed Sunday and Monday, Cooper location; closed Sunday and Monday and dinner Tuesday, G.E. Patterson location. 532 S. Cooper. 276-7623; 106 G.E. Patterson. 523-9070. L, D, Br, X, $-$$

HELLO RESTAURANT—Lemon-grass chicken, vegetarian dishes, noodle soup, and stir-fry combos are among the Chinese/Vietnamese/American entrées. Closed Sunday. 5910 Mt. Moriah (just west of Ridgeway), Suite 103. 362-8875. L, D, Br, X, $-$$

HIBACHI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR—In addition to Japanese-style grilled steaks and seafood, Hibachi serves salads, soups, and hand rolls. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday. 2809 Kirby Parkway, Suite 109. 737-2124. L, D, FB, X, $$

HIGH POINT PIZZA—Serves salads, sandwiches, and pizzas, including barbecue pork, veggie, four-meat, and more. Pizza-by-the slice is available during lunch. 477 High Point Terrace. 452-3339. Closed Monday. L, D, $

HONG KONG—Cantonese and Mandarin standards are sweet-and-sour chicken and pepper beef. 3966 Elvis Presley. 396-0801. L, D, Br, X, $

HUNAN GOURMET—Serves authentic Asian cuisine and features a sushi bar, Hong Kong-style noodle bar, and Mongolian barbecue. 2965 N. Germantown Rd., Suite 102. 371-9329. L, D, Br, X, $

HUNAN PALACE—Menu items include Peking duck, orange beef, and “flower basket” of fish, chicken, and vegetables in a Mandarin sauce. 1140 N. Germantown Parkway, Suite 101 (Cordova). 751-8863; 7140 Highway 64. 388-7848. L, D, Br, X, $

INDIA PALACE—Tandoori chicken, lamb boti kabobs, and chicken tikka masala are among the entrées; also, vegetarian options and a daily lunch buffet. 1720 Poplar. 278-1199. L, D, Br, X, $

INN AT HUNT-PHELAN—Cuisine served in the mansion dining rooms is American with a Southern emphasis; also French entrées; smaller dishes served at the Veranda Grill; Sunday brunch. 533 Beale. 525-8225. Closed for dinner Sunday and all day Monday-Tuesday. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

INTERIM—Offers American-seasonal cuisine. A specialty is Memphis barbecued pork chop with goat-cheese grits, bacon-wilted greens, and smoked tomato sauce; also a Gulf seafood of the day. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 5040 Sanderlin, Suite 105. 818-0821. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

INTERSTATE BAR-B-Q—Specialties include chopped pork-shoulder sandwiches, ribs, hot wings, spaghetti, chicken, and turkey. Closed Sunday, Southaven location. 2265 S. Third. 775-2304; 150 W. Stateline Rd. (Southaven). 662-393-5699. L, D, Br (S. Third), X, $, MRA

ITTA BENA—Cajun-American cuisine served here, along with steaks, chops, and seafood. Closed Sunday. 143 Beale (upstairs). 578-3031. D, FB, $$, MRA

JA JA’S THAI RESTAURANT—The menu offers some 40 traditional Thai entrées, including sweet and spicy pork; popular for its egg rolls. Closed Sunday and Monday. 192 Washington (Collierville). 850-5222. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $

JARRETT’S—Changing menu of American bistro cuisine includes horseradish-encrusted grouper and smoked trout ravioli with Arkansas caviar. Closed Sunday. 5689 Quince. 763-2264. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

JASMINE THAI RESTAURANT—Entrées include panang green curry, masaman, and pad thai (noodles, shrimp, and peanuts); also seafood, vegetarian dishes. Closed Monday. 916 S. Cooper. 725-0223. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$

JIM’S PLACE—Features American, Greek, and Continental cuisine with such entrées as souflima (pork tenderloin) and Grecian lamb; also steaks and seafood. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 5560 Shelby Oaks. 388-7200; 3660 Houston Levee (Collierville). 861-5000. L, D, FB, X, $$, MRA

JIM’S PLACE GRILLE—An offspring of Jim’s Place, featuring contemporary American cuisine with a Greek accent. The menu features sandwiches (among them a Grecian lamb burger), seafood, steaks, and more, and also includes a selection of “Jim’s Place Favorites” from the original restaurant. Open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. 3660 Houston Levee (Collierville). 861-5000. L, D, FB, X, $$, MRA

JOE’S CRAB SHACK—Serves a variety of seafood, along with chicken, steak, and pasta. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday. 7990 Horizon Blvd. 384-7478. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

LA BAGUETTE—Offering soups, quiche, sandwiches (including paninis), and pastries in a French-style setting. 3088 Poplar. 458-0900. B (bakery), L, X, $, MRA

LA HACIENDA—Among the specialties are carnitas, shrimp adobe, and Mexican lasagna. 746 W. Poplar (Collierville). 850-7698; 1760 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 624-2920; 175-B Goodman Rd. W. 662-349-4484; 7034 Highway 64 (Oakland) 465-1505. L, D, FB, X, $

LA PLAYITA MEXICANA—Specializes in seafood, including red snapper and oysters; also offers steaks and a variety of Hispanic entrées. 6194 Macon. 377-0181. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

LE CHARDONNAY—Seafood, steak, and chicken entrées include Stilton-stuffed tenderloin and citrus-glazed grouper; also wood-fired pizzas. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 2100-5 Overton Square Lane. 725-1375. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

LEE KAN’S ASIAN GRILL—Offers Pan-Asian cuisine; pepper-orange steak and Hong Kong-style noodles are entrées; also sushi. 255 New Byhalia, Ste. 111 (Collierville). 853-6686. L, D, FB, X, $$

LEELAVADEE THAI CUISINE—Green curry with shrimp (or beef, pork, chicken, tofu, or vegetables) is a specialty here; also tom-yum soup. Closed Monday. 775 Goodman, Suite 11 (Southaven). 662-536-4699. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

LEONARD’S—Serves barbecue ribs, sandwiches, spaghetti, and catfish; also a lunch and dinner buffet. 5465 Fox Plaza. 360-1963. L, D, Br, X, $, MRA

LOBSTER KING—Specializes in Cantonese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood, including crab, clams, and lobster. 32 N. Cleveland. 725-5990. L, D, X, $-$$, MRA

LOLO’S TABLE—Features regional classics. Specialties are pan-seared scallops and sautéed lump crab cakes. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 128 Monroe. 522-9449. L, D, FB, X, $$, MRA

LOS COMPADRES—Entrées are enchiladas, burritos, tamales, tacos, and vegetarian dishes. 2617 Poplar. 458-5731. L, D, FB, X, $

LOTUS—Serves Vietnamese-Asian fare, including whole boneless duck, lemon-grass chicken and shrimp, egg rolls, and spicy Vietnamese vermicelli. 4970 Summer. 682-1151. D, Br, X, $

MCEWEN’S ON MONROE—Southern-American entrées include pepper-seared beef tenderloin with a Dijon cognac cream sauce and sweet-potato-crusted catfish with mac-and-cheese. Closed for lunch Saturday, all day Sunday. 122 Monroe. 527-7085. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

DAN MCGUINNESS PUB—Serves fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and other Irish fare; also such entrées as herb-crusted salmon. 150 Peabody Place. 527-8500; 4698 Spottswood. 761-3711. B (Saturday-Sunday), L, D, FB, X, $-$$

MADIDI—Owned in part by actor Morgan Freeman, Madidi serves French cuisine with a Southern flair. Closed Sunday and Monday. 164 Delta, Clarksdale, MS. 662-627-7770/7724. D, FB, X (downstairs), $$-$$$

THE MAJESTIC—Offers American food, including pizza, shrimp, and pork tenderloin. 145 S. Main. 522-8555. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

MANTIA’S—A Mediterranean cafe, deli, and market serving soups, sandwiches, salads, steaks, pasta, and seafood. Closed Sunday. 4856 Poplar. 762-8560. L, D, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

MARCIANO MEDITERRANEAN AND ITALIAN CUISINE—Greek beef with eggplant and seafood risotto are among the entrées at this ethnic eatery. Closed Monday. 780 Brookhaven Cl. 682-1660. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

MARMALADE—Southern homestyle entrées include catfish, fried chicken, pork chops, barbecued ribs, seafood gumbo, and chili. Closed Sunday and Monday. 153 G.E. Patterson. 522-8800. D, FB, X, $

MAYURI INDIAN CUISINE—Serves tandoori chicken, tikka masala, as well as lamb and shrimp entrées; also a lunch buffet, weekend dinner buffet. 6524 Quince. 753-8755. L, D, Br, X, $

MEDALLION—Offers steaks, seafood, chicken, and pasta entrées; buffets at both lunch and dinner. 3700 Central, Holiday Inn (Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality). 678-8200. B, L, D (except Sunday), FB, X, $-$$, MRA

THE MELTING POT—Steak, seafood, and poultry entrées prepared fondue-style at your table; also package meals. 2828 Wolfcreek Parkway. 380-9500. D, FB, X, $$-$$$$, MRA

MEMPHIS PIZZA CAFE—Homemade pizzas are specialties; also serves sandwiches, calzones, and salads. 2089 Madison. 726-5343; 5061 Park. 684-1306; 7604 W. Farmington (Germantown). 753-2218; 5627 Getwell (Southaven). 662-536-1364; 797 W. Poplar (Collierville). 861-7800. L, D, Br, Wi (Madison only), X, $, MRA

MESQUITE CHOP HOUSE—The focus here is on steaks, including a prime filet, a 24-oz. porterhouse, and a bone-in tenderloin; also, some seafood options. 5960 Getwell (Southaven). 662-890-2467; 88 Union. 527-5337. D, FB, X, $$-$$$

MIKASA JAPAN—Seafood and traditional Japanese dishes include sukiyaki, shrimp tempura, and chicken teriyaki; sushi buffet also featured. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 6150 Poplar. 683-0000. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

MISS POLLY’S SOUL CITY CAFÉ—Fried chicken and waffles are a specialty at this downtown restaurant; also serves chicken and dressing, pot roast, and other home-cooking favorites. 154 Beale. 527-9060. B, L, D, $

MISTER B—Features New Orleans-style seafood and steaks. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 6655 Poplar, Suite 107. 751-5262. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

MOLLIE FONTAINE LOUNGE—Formerly Cielo’s, this new eatery specializes in tapas (small plates) featuring global cuisine. Closed Sunday-Tuesday. 679 Adams. 524-1886. D, FB, X, $

MOLLY’S LA CASITA—Fajitas, chiles rellenos, a vegetarian combo, and bacon-wrapped shrimp are a few of the specialties. 2006 Madison. 726-1873. L, D, FB, X, $-$$ MRA

MORTIMER’S—Trout almondine, hand-cut steaks, and seafood pasta are among the offerings; also sandwiches, salads, and nightly specials. Closed for lunch Saturday. 590 N. Perkins. 761-9321. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

MOSA ASIAN BISTRO—Specialties include sesame chicken, pad Thai, and other Pan Asian entrées. Closed Sunday. 1825 Kirby Parkway. 755-6755. L, D, Br, X, $

MOVIE & PIZZA COMPANY—Offers a wide selection of pizzas as well as a wide selection of movies for rent. The menu includes meat and veggie pizzas as well as sandwiches. 110 Harbor Town Sq. 527-2233. L, D, Br, $

MULAN—Hunan chicken, spicy tofu, and orange beef served here; sushi too. 2059 Houston Levee. 850-5288. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$

MY GREEK Cafe—Various seafood and lamb dishes — including lamb brisket and smoked lamb ribs — are among the authentic Greek specialties. Closed Sunday. 345 Madison. 507-2720. L, D, FB, X, $

NAGASAKI INN—Grilled chicken, steak, and lobster are among the main courses; meal is cooked at your table. 3951 Summer. 454-0320. D, FB, X (except bathrooms), $-$$

NAM KING—Offers luncheon and dinner buffets and such specialties as fried dumplings, pepper steak, and orange chicken. 4594 Yale. 373-4411. L, D, Br, X, $

NAPA CAFE—American eclectic specialties are prime dry-aged beef with red wine shallot demi-glace, rack of lamb, and potato-encrusted halibut. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 5101 Sanderlin, Suite 122. 683-0441. L, D, FB, X, $$, MRA

NEELY’S BAR-B-QUE—Serves pork ribs, sandwiches, spaghetti, hot wings, nachos, and smoked turkey. 670 Jefferson. 521-9798; 5700 Mt. Moriah. 795-4177. L, D, Br, X, $, MRA

NEW ASIA—Specializing in authentic Chinese food. 2075 Exeter (Germantown). 758-8388. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$

NEW HUNAN—Chinese eatery with more than 80 entrées; also lunch/dinner buffets and a sushi bar. 5052 Park. 766-1622. L, D, X, $

OLD VENICE—Lasagna, pizzas, paninis, and various pastas are among the specialties here, including the “Pasta Maria” and the “John Wayne Pizza.” 368 S. Perkins Ext. 767-6872. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

ON THE BORDER—Dishes out such Tex-Mex specialties as fajitas and steak-and-shrimp combination. 8101 Giacosa Pl. (Cordova). 372-8883; 4552 Poplar. 763-0569; 7935 Winchester. 755-6404; 6572 Airways Blvd. 662-536-0901. L, D, FB, X, $, MRA

OWEN BRENNAN’S—New Orleans-style menu of beef, chicken, pasta, and seafood; jambalaya and crawfish etouffée are specialties; also Sunday brunch. Closed for dinner Sunday. The Regalia, 6150 Poplar. 761-0990. L, D, FB, X, $-$$$, MRA

PANCHO’S—Serves up a variety of Mexican standards, including tacos, enchiladas, and mix-and-match platters. 3600 Broadway (West Memphis). 870-735-6466; 717 N. White Station. 685-5404. L, D, FB, X, $, MRA

PANDA GARDEN—Sesame chicken and broccoli beef are among the Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan entrées at this popular eatery. 3735 Summer. 323-4819. L, D, BR, $-$$

PA PA PIA—Entrées at this new Italian eatery are homemade manicotti and grilled pizzas; also ricotta cheesecake. 83 Union Ave. 521-4331. L, D, FB, # $-$$

PASTA ITALIA—Northern Italian cuisine featuring handmade pastas; specialties include ravioli, cannelloni, and seafood dishes. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday-Monday. 101 N. Center (Collierville). 861-0255. L, D, Wi, X, $$-$$$

PAULETTE’S—Presents fine dining with a Continental flavor, including such entrées as crepes Florentine; also grilled steaks, chicken, salads, and rich desserts; offers weekend brunch. 2110 Madison. 726-5128. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

PEARL’S OYSTER HOUSE—Downtown eatery serving seafood, including oysters, crawfish, and stuffed butterfly shrimp, as well as beef, chicken, and pasta dishes. Closed Sunday. 299 S. Main. 522-9070. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

PEI WEI ASIAN DINER—Serves Pan Asian cuisine (Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, and Japanese) including General Tsao’s chicken. 1680 Union, #109. 722-3780; 2257 N. Germantown Pkwy. 382-1822. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $

PEKING—Chinese specialties include orange beef, ginger ribs, and house duck. Closed Sunday. 3241 Elvis Presley Blvd. 346-8930. L, D, Br, $

PETE & SAM’S—Serving Memphis for more than 50 years; offers steaks, seafood, and traditional Italian dishes. 3886 Park. 458-0694. D, Br, X (except bathrooms), $-$$

PETRA DELI & CAFE—Serves Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern sandwiches and entrées. Closed Sunday. 2140 W. Poplar Ave. (Collierville). 853-3521; 6641 Poplar. 754-4440. L, D, Br, X, $

PETRA RESTAURANT—Offers primarily Greek cuisine, with some Middle Eastern and Korean dishes. Closed Sunday and Monday 1761 Madison. 726-6700. L, D, Br, X, $$

P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO—Specialties are Mongolian beef and chicken in lettuce wraps; also vegetarian dishes, including spicy eggplant. Park at Ridgeway, Park Place Centre. 818-3889. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

PHO VIETNAM—Offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine, including stir-fry, spring rolls, and egg rolls. 1411 Poplar. 728-4711. L, D, Br, X, $

THE PIER—Specializes in steaks, prime rib, and seafood, including King crab and lobster tails; has excellent river views. 100 Wagner Place. 526-7381. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

PIG-N-WHISTLE—Offers pork shoulder sandwiches, wet and dry ribs, catfish, spaghetti, and stuffed barbecue potatoes; also homemade pies. 2740 Bartlett. 386-3300; 6084 Kerr-Rosemark. 872-2455. L, D, Br, FB (Kerr-Rosemark), X, $-$$

RED LOBSTER—Specializes in crab legs, lobster, and shrimp dishes; also pastas, salads, steaks, and chicken. 6222 Winchester. 794-5567; 8161 Highway 64. 387-0056; 6555 Airways (Southaven). 662-536-1960. L, D, FB, X, $-$$$

RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS—Menu includes a large selection of gourmet burgers from the 5 Alarm with jalepeno peppers and salsa to the Monster Burger with two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. 1231 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-5501; The Avenue Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 854-7645. L, D, FB, $

RENDEZVOUS—Menu items include barbecued ribs, chicken, beef brisket, nachos; also cheese plates, skillet shrimp, Greek salads. Closed Sunday-Monday. 52 S. Second. 523-2746. L (Friday-Saturday only), D, Br, Wi, X, $, MRA

RIO LOCO—Authentic Mexican entrées include fajitas, burritos, and seafood selections, including shrimp and tilapia. 117 Union. 523-2142. L, D, FB, X, $

RIVER OAKS—Crab cakes are among the specialties at this East Memphis restaurant serving “French-American classics”; also free-range/organic meats. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday. 5871 Poplar. 683-9305. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL—Offers Northern Italian cuisine, including pasta Milano and penne rustica; also steaks, seafood, and salads. 6705 Poplar. 753-6588; 2859 N. Germantown Parkway. 266-4565. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

ROOKS CORNER—American bistro serving steaks, seafood, pasta, sandwiches, and salads. Memphis Hilton, 939 Ridgelake Blvd., 762-7477. B, L, D, FB, X, $-$$$, MRA

ROUSTICA—Pastas and breads made from scratch are specialties at this new eatery in the former site of Marena’s Gerani; also fresh seafood and prime meats. Closed Sunday-Monday. 1545 Overton Park. 726-6228. D, FB, X, $$

ROYAL PANDA—Hunan fish, Peking duck, Szechuan chicken, and a seafood combo are among the specialties. 3120 Village Shops Dr. (Germantown). 756-9697. L, D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE—Offers prime steaks cut and aged in-house, as well as lamb, chicken, and fresh seafood, including lobster. 6120 Poplar. 761-0055. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

SAIGON LE—Vietnamese/Chinese specialties include pork chops with mushrooms and shrimp in black-bean sauce; vegetarian options too. Closed Sunday. 51 N. Cleveland. 276-5326. L, D, Br, X (except bathrooms), $

SAITO STEAKHOUSE—Japanese cuisine cooked at your table; sushi bar has 100 offerings. Closed for lunch Saturday. 6600 Stage, Suite 101. 373-1957. L, D, FB, X, $$

SAKURA—Sushi, tempura, and teriyaki are Japanese specialties. Closed Sunday. 2060 West. 758-8181. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

SALSA—Specialties include carnitas, chiles rellenos, and fajitas; also Southwestern seafood dishes such as tilapia with fresh pico de gallo. Closed Sunday. Regalia Shopping Center, 6150 Poplar. 683-6325. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

SAUCES—Specializes primarily in seafood — including grouper, mahi, and halibut — accompanied by diners’ choice of complementary sauces, such as rosemary tomato basil and lobster cream. Closed Monday. 95 S. Main, Suite 106. 473-9573. L, D, FB, X, $, MRA

SAWADDII—Among the Thai entrées are grilled sea bass with curry sauce and mahi-mahi with spicy chili sauce. 121 Union. 529-1818. L, D, FB, X, $-$$, MRA

SEKISUI OF JAPAN/SEKISUI PACIFIC RIM & SUSHI BISTRO—Authentic Japanese cuisine, fresh sushi bar, grilled meats and seafood, California rolls, and vegetarian entrées. Pacific Rim cuisine at Poplar location. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday at Belvedere, Union, Poplar, Collierville, and Goodman locations. Closed for lunch Saturday and for dinner Sunday at Horn Lake location. Humphreys Center, 50 Humphreys Blvd. Suite 14. 747-0001; 25 Belvedere. 725-0005; Union at Second, Holiday Inn Select. 523-0001; 4724 Poplar (between Perkins and Colonial). 767-7770; 1884 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 309-8800; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville). Suite 107. 854-0622; 1255 Goodman Rd. W. (Horn Lake, MS). 662-536-4404. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

SHANG HAI—Offers Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine; one specialty is shrimp wrapped in bacon and noodles. Closed Sunday. 1400 Poplar. 722-8692. L, D, Br, X (except bathrooms), $

SHANTI STEAK HOUSE—Serves steak, chicken, pork chops, and seafood, including shrimp. Closed Sunday. 336 New Byhalia. 861-7177. D, Br, X, $-$$

SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT—Entrées include tempura, teriyaki, and sushi, as well as grilled fish and chicken entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday. 2324 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 384-4122. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

SIDE PORCH STEAK HOUSE—In addition to steak, the menu includes chicken, pork chops, and fish entrées; homemade rolls are a specialty. Closed Sunday and Monday. 5689 Stage. 377-2484. D, FB, X, $-$$

SPINDINI—Judd Grisanti offers regional Mediterranean fare, featuring steaks, seafood, and chicken dishes, cooked in a wood-burning oven. 383 S. Main. 578-2767. D, FB, X, $-$$$, MRA

STELLA—”Southern/global” fine-dining cuisine features steaks, fresh seafood, lamb, and more. Closed Sunday. 39 S. Main (at Monroe). 526-4950. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

STIX—Hibachi steakhouse with Asian cuisine features steak, chicken, and a filet-and-lobster combination; also sushi. Closed for lunch Sunday. The Avenue Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 854-3399. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

SWANKY’S TACO SHOP—Burritos and tacos are made-to-order at this fast-casual restaurant, which also features a tequila bar. 6641 Poplar (Germantown). 737-2088. L, D, FB, $

SWEET, THE EXQUISITE DESSERTERIE—Offering desserts ranging from chocolate fondue and brioche pudding to baklava and homemade marshmallows. Also serving savory appetizers as well as coffee drinks. 938 S. Cooper. 726-4300. $

THE TENNESSEAN—Set in an old train car on Collierville’s town square. Changing seasonal menu of contemporary Southern cuisine includes steaks, fish, poultry, and pasta. Closed Sunday-Monday. 123 N. Rowlett. 853-9447. L, D, FB, X, $-$$$

TEXAS DE BRAZIL—Serves beef, pork, lamb, and chicken dishes and Brazilian sausage; 60-item gourmet salad area; weekend brunch. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 103. 526-7600. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

THREE OAKS GRILL—Rack of lamb, filet Paulette, prime New York strip T-bones, and crab-stuffed halibut are among the entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday. 2285 S. Germantown Rd. 757-8225. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

TIMBEAUX’S—Creole/French specialties include fish stew in a tomato saffron broth, steak bordelaise, crawfish pizza, and jumbo shrimp and grits. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 333 Losher. Hernando, MS. 662-429-0500. L, D, FB, X, $$-$$$

THE TOWER ROOM AMERICAN GRILL—Offers steaks, seafood, pasta, lamb, and chicken dishes; also, vegetarian upon request. Clark Tower, 5100 Poplar, Suite 3300. 767-8776. L (Monday-Friday), D (Wednesday-Saturday), FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

TSUNAMI—Features Pacific Rim cuisine (Asia, Australia, South Pacific, etc.); also a changing “small plate” menu. Closed Sunday. 928 S. Cooper. 274-2556. D, FB, X, $$-$$$, MRA

TYCOON—Among the Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai entrées are spicy garlic shrimp and coconut-curry chicken. 3307 Kirby Pkwy. 362-8788. L, D, Br, X, $

UMAI—Japanese-French fusion specialties include spinach gyozas stuffed with wild mushroom duxelles and marinated duck breast; also, Sunday brunch. Closed Monday-Tuesday. 2015 Madison. 405-4241. D, Br, Wi, X, $-$$, MRA

WANG’S CHINA BISTRO—Among the specialties here are crisp duck, shrimp, and scallops in garlic sauce and grilled chicken with cucumber. 4002 Park. 327-4089. L, D, FB, $, MRA

WANG’S MANDARIN HOUSE—Offers Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechuan, and spicy Hunan entrées, as well as vegetarian and weight-watcher specials. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 6065 Park, Park Place Mall. 763-0676; 113 S. Main. 523-2065. L, D, FB, X, $, MRA

WASABI SUSHI & SAKE BAR—In addition to sushi, Wasabi serves various lunch and dinner combos. Closed for lunch Saturday. 1134 N. Germantown Pkwy. 754-0567. L, D, Br, Wi, $-$$

WHOLE HOG CAFE—Offering a large menu of barbecue beef, pork, and chicken dishes, including the “Whole Hawg Platter,” which features pulled pork, beef brisket, baby back ribs, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and dinner roll. 5727 Quince. 682-8882; 1250 Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 757-5255. L, D, $-$$

WOMAN’S EXCHANGE TEA ROOM—Chicken-salad plate, beef tenderloin, soups-and-sandwiches, and vegetable plates are specialties; adjacent shop features handmade items. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 88 Racine. 327-5681. L, X, $

YIA YIA’S EUROCAFE—Wood-roasted salmon and pork chops with smoked mushroom sauce are among the entrées; also steaks, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads; also, Sunday brunch. 7615 West Farmington at Poplar, Shops of Saddle Creek. 756-4004. L, D, FB, X, $$

ZANZIBAR—Specializes in New World cuisine; entrées include Thai-glazed chicken wings, peanut soup, and various sandwiches and salads. Closed Sunday (except for brunch), Monday-Tuesday. 412 S. Main. 543-9646. L, D, FB, X, $-$$

NIGHTLIFE

From downtown Memphis to out East to Oxford, Mississippi, if the nightlife is your thing, these places represent the best of what the Mid-South has to offer.

BARTLETT

Bel Air Club

6195 Macon

388-1474

Bob’s Sports Bar & Grill

2244 Whitten

386-9051

Hog Head Saloon at the Billiards Club

2686 Kirby-Whitten
362-8685

Jordan’s Karaoke Cafe

5806 Stage

379-1311

BEALE STREET
Alfred’s
197 Beale

525-3711

B.B. King’s Blues Club

147 Beale

524-KING

Beale St. Tap Room

163 Beale

527-4392

Blues City Cafe

138 Beale

526-3637

Blues Hall

182 Beale

528-0150

Club 152

152 Beale

544-7011

Double Deuce Beale St.

340 Beale

524-0934

EP Delta Kitchen and Bar

126 Beale

527-1444

King’s Palace Cafe

162 Beale

521-1851

King’s Palace Patio

162 Beale

521-1851

New Daisy Theatre

330 Beale

525-8979

O’Sullivan’s on Beale

183 Beale

522-9596

The Pig on Beale

167 Beale

529-1544

Rum Boogie Cafe

182 Beale

528-0150

Superior Bar

159 Beale

523-1962

Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel

170 Lt. George W. Lee

334-5900

Wet Willie’s

209 Beale

578-5650

COLLIERVILLE

Bangkok Alley

2150 W. Poplar at Houston Levee

854-8748

Central Park in the
Avenue Carriage Crossing

4674 Merchant’s Park Circle, Suite 432
854-8240, ext. 6

Fino Villa

875 W. Poplar, Collierville

861-2626

Huey’s Collierville

2130 Poplar

854-4455

CORDOVA

Bahama Breeze

2830 N. Germantown Pkwy.

385-8744

Esplanade

901 Cordova Station
315-7211

Fox and Hound English Pub & Grill

847 Exocet

624-9060

Huey’s Cordova

1771 N. Germantown Pkwy. 754-3885

Joe’s Crab Shack

7990 Horizon

384-7478

Southern Crow

1204 N. Houston Levee

757-7736

T.J. Mulligan’s 64

2121 N. Houston Levee

377-9997

T.J. Mulligan’s Cordova

8071 Trinity

756-4480

DOWNTOWN

Best Western
Benchmark Hotel

164 Union

527-4100

Brinson

341 Madison

690-1058

Cafe Soul

492 S. Main

859-0557

Dan McGuinness Pub

150 Peabody Place

527-8500

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

130 Peabody Place

523-8536

The Gibson Beale Street Showcase

145 Lt. George W. Lee

544-7998 ext. 4080

High Point Café

111 Jackson

525-4444

Huey’s Downtown

77 S. Second

527-2700

J&J Bar and Grill

1065 N. Thomas

523-9823

Kudzu’s

603 Monroe

525-4924

Marmalade Restaurant & Lounge

153 G.E. Patterson

522-8800

Mollie Fontaine Lounge

679 Adams

524-1886

The Peabody

149 Union

529-4000

Sawaddii

121 Union

529-1818

T.J. Mulligan’s Pinch

362 N. Main

523-1453

Zanzibar

412 S. Main

543-9646

EAST MEMPHIS

Barbie’s Place

3660 Summer

327-8350

Brookhaven Pub & Grill

695 Brookhaven Circle

680-8118

The Cockeyed Camel

6080 Primacy Pkwy.
683-4056

Dan McGuinness Pub

4698 Spottswood
761-3711

Doc Watson’s

1817 Kirby

755-2481

Folk’s Folly

551 S. Mendenhall
762-8200

Huey’s Poplar

4872 Poplar

682-7729

Old Venice

368 Perkins Ext.
767-6872

Owen Brennan’s

6150 Poplar

761-0990

The Paragon Lounge

2865 Walnut Grove
320-0026

The Premier

5020 American Way
365-0077

Salsa

6150 Poplar

683-6325

Silver Spoon

6063 Mt. Moriah

365-6881

Sports Pub

5012 Park

767-8632

T.G.’s Lounge

3870 Macon

324-7999

T.J. Mulligan’s Quince

6635 Quince

753-8056

Willie Moffatt’s

2779 Whitten

386-2710

The Windjammer Restaurant

786 E. Brookhaven Circle 683-9044

FRAYSER/MILLINGTON

RJ’s Sports Restaurant

120 Quinton Dr.

840-2004

The Roadhouse

2961 Overton Crossing

353-0640

Time-Out Lounge

206 Tracy

837-2226

VFW Post 7175

4681 Cuba-Millington

872-7175

GERMANTOWN

Swanky’s Taco Shop

6641 Poplar

737-2088

MIDTOWN

Backstreet

2018 Court

276-5522

Beauty Shop

966 S. Cooper

272-7111

Blue Monkey

2012 Madison

272-BLUE

The Blue Worm

1405 Airways

327-7947

Boscos Squared

2120 Madison

432-2222

The Buccaneer

1368 Monroe

278-0909

Cafe Ole

959 S. Cooper

274-1504

Callie’s Place

1243 Walker

942-7410

Celtic Crossing

903 S. Cooper

274-5151

Crossroads Bar & Grill

1278 Jefferson

272-8801

Daddy Q’s Night Club

831 Jackson

578-4556

The Dregs

1688 Lamar

581-2381

Fresh Slices

1585 Overton Park

725-1001

Full Moon Club

Above Zinnie’s East at 1718 Madison

274-7101

Hi-Tone Café

1913 Poplar

278-TONE

Huey’s Midtown

1927 Madison

726-4372

Hughes Uptown

1217 N. Thomas

859-7509

Java Cabana

2170 Young

272-7210

Madison Flame

1588 Madison

278-0569

The Metro

1349 Autumn

274-8010

Murphy’s

1589 Madison

726-4193

Neil’s

1835 Madison

278-6345

Otherlands Coffee Bar

641 S. Cooper

278-4994

P&H Café

1532 Madison

726-0906

Paulette’s

2110 Madison

726-5128

Live music Fridays-Sundays.

The Poplar Lounge

2586 Poplar

324-1233

Printer’s Alley

322 S. Cleveland

725-9809

Roustica

1545 Overton Park
726-6228

Senses The Night Club

2866 Poplar

454-4081

Wild Bill’s

1580 Vollintine

726-5473

Young Avenue Deli

2119 Young

278-0034

NORTH MISSISSIPPI

Alvee’s

On Jamison Rd. in Marshall County, MS

Ben’s Place

3964 Goodman, Southaven, MS

662-893-5029

Huey’s Southaven

7090 Malco, Southaven, MS

662-349-7097

Mel’s Bar

8690 Highway 51 N., Southaven, MS

662-280-2860

Mesquite Chop House

5960 Getwell, Southaven, MS

662-890-2467

Mi Tierra

201 State Line
662-280-1127

Two Stick

1007 Harrison, Oxford, MS

662-236-6639

RALEIGH

Cat’s Music & DVDs

3249 Austin Peay
385-2287

Flashbacks

5709 Raleigh-LaGrange

383-7330

Muggs

4396 Raleigh-LaGrange

372-3556

Stage Stop

2951 Cela

382-1577

SOUTH MEMPHIS

The Red Wagon

5275 S. Third

785-9476

SUMMER/BERCLAIR

The Cottage Restaurant

3297 Summer

324-4447

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

Liquid Lounge

557 S. Highland

452-6553

MO’s Edge Coffeehouse

3521 Walker

413-1315

Newby’s

539 S. Highland

452-8408

South Park Bar

887 S. Highland

324-7676

WEST MEMPHIS

Southland Park Gaming and Racing

1550 N. Ingram
870-467-6182

WHITEHAVEN/AIRPORT

Java, Juice, & Jazz

1423 Elvis Presley
774-3004

Marlowe’s Restaurant

4381 Elvis Presley Blvd.

332-4159

Rock-n-Roll Cafe

3715-5 Elvis Presley, at Elvis’s After Dark
398-5692

The Rose

1441 East Brooks Road (inside the Airport Inn)

348-4722

VFW Post 4935

1942 Lynnbrook Place

398-0157

The View Sports Bar & Grill

3222 Airways

332-3800

WINCHESTER/HICKORY HILL

Cactus Jack’s

4069 Lamar

566-1109

Cheyenne Country

1976 E. Shelby Dr.
332-9428

Divine Wings & Bar

3279 Kirby

367-9111

Half Shell

7825 Winchester
737-6755

Huey’s Southwind

7825 Winchester
624-8911

Sports Bar & Grill

3569 S. Mendenhall
794-7626

COFFEEHOUSES/

BOOKSTORE CAFES

In addition to gourmet coffees and drinks, these eateries generally serve sandwiches, soups, and salads, and some have a wider range of menu items.

BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS—2774 N. Germantown Parkway, Wolfchase Galleria. 386-2468; 6385 Winchester. 794-9394.

BLUES CITY PASTRY SHOP & COFFEE BAR—153 S. Main. 576-0010. MRA.

BOOKSTAR—3402 Poplar. 323-9332.

BORDERS BOOKS AND MUSIC—6685 Poplar (Germantown). 754-0770.

CREMA—5101 Sanderlin Centre, Suite 114. 685-6833. MRA.

DAVIS-KIDD BOOKSELLERS—387 Perkins Ext. 683-9801.

GLORIA JEAN’S—2760 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Wolfchase).

383-1312.

HIGH POINT COFFEE—4610 Poplar. 761-6800; 1680 Union. 726-6322.

JAVA CABANA—2170 Young. 272-7210.

LATTE DA GOURMET COFFEE & TEA—1138 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 105. 756-9048.

OTHERLANDS—641 S. Cooper. 278-4994. MRA.

PRECIOUS CARGO EXCHANGE—381 N. Main. 578-8446.

QUETZAL—668 Union. 521-8388.

STARBUCKS—1850 Union.

729-4288; 4465 Poplar, Oak Court Mall. 761-0052; 3388 Poplar. 320-1021; 1645 N. Germantown Pkwy. 759-9411; 5201 Poplar. 818-9954; 2955 Kirby Whitten. 266-2497; 150 Peabody Place. 525-2451; 180 Goodman Rd. E. 662-349-0342; 9155 Poplar. 757-4202. Check phonebook or online for more listings.

MOVIE

THEATERS

Bartlett Cinema 10

2809 Bartlett Blvd., Bartlett

www.malco.com

385-7294

Cineplanet 16

79 Atoka Munford, Atoka

mycinematimes.com

876-3456

Towne Cinema (Collierville)

380 Market Blvd., Collierville

www.malco.com

850-0522

Cordova Cinema

1080 Germantown Pkwy., Memphis

www.malco.com

309-8550

DeSoto Cinema 16

7130 Malco Blvd., Southaven

www.malco.com

662-349-6601

Forest Hill Cinema 8

3180 Village Shops Dr., Memphis

www.malco.com

756-8299

Hollywood 20

6711 Stage, Bartlett

www.moviepage.com

380-1121

Majestic 20

7051 Malco Crossing, Memphis

www.malco.com

758-2484

Muvico Peabody Place

150 Peabody Pl. #300, Memphis

www.muvico.com

248-0100

Palace Cinema

5117 Old Summer, Memphis

www.moviepage.com

763-3411

Paradiso

584 S. Mendenhall, Memphis

www.malco.com

682-1754

Raleigh Springs Mall

3384 Austin Peay, Memphis

www.malco.com

385-8182

Ridgeway Four

5853 Ridgeway Center Pkwy., Memphis

www.malco.com

681-2047

Southaven Cinema 8

2010 Stateline, Southaven

www.mrmovietimes.com

662-393-0373


Stage Cinema 13

7930 Highway 64, Memphis

www.malco.com

377-3108

Studio on the Square

2105 Court, Memphis

www.malco.com

725-7151

Summer Drive-In

5310 Summer, Memphis

www.malco.com

767-4320

Winchester Court

6740 Winchester, Memphis

(Reduced Admission)

www.malco.com

366-9994

Wolfchase Cinema

2766 N. Germantown Pkwy., Memphis

www.malco.com

384-4677

Casinos

1

Bally’s Casino Tunica

800-382-2559

2

Fitz Casino & Hotel

800-766-5825

3

Gold Strike Casino Resort

888-245-7829

4

Grand Casino Tunica

800-946-4946

5

Resorts Tunica

662-363-7777

6

Hollywood Casino

800-871-0711

7

Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

800-303-7463

8

Sam’s Town Casino

800-456-0711

9

Sheraton Casino & Hotel

800-391-3777

Hotels/Inns

10

The Cottage Inn

800-363-2985

11

Quality Inn

800-999-2922

12

Best Western Tunica North

662-363-6711

13

Holiday Inn Express

800-465-4329

14

Hotel & Cafe Marie

800-363-6307

15

Key West Inn

800-833-0555

16

King’s Inn

800-928-5464

17

Treasure Town Inn

800-201-3040

18

Bed & Breakfast at the Lake’s

662-363-2000

19

Levee Plantation Guest House

662-363-1309

20

Grandvista Resorts

800-404-0339

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Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

A Zagat Guide for Memphis?

Memphis boasts a variety of fine-dining and specialty restaurants. Apparently that word has spread to Zagat, which for nearly 30 years has published dining guides to various locales, along with information on hotels, music, nightlife, shopping, and other amenities.

In 2008, Memphis will be among 20 cities under consideration for Zagat guides. Based on information Zagat’s survey collects, the guide would be published separately, or as a supplement to existing guides, or be available online. Other Southern cities being considered are Nashville, Charleston, Savannah, and Louisville.

For more go to here.

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

A to Z

Hungry? Sure, you could stay in and make something, but why should you when Memphis and its surrounding areas are filled with great restaurants serving up just the thing to sate your appetite?

This dining guide — organized by neighborhood, from A to Z — should point you in the right direction, whether you’re hankering for hibachi in Hickory Hill, craving pizza in Cooper-Young, or dying for something sweet downtown. Making a decision at this fork in the road has never been easier.

BARTLETT

ABUELO’S MEXICAN FOOD EMBASSY—Serves quesadillas, carne asada, and chili rellenos, along with beef tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, and several seafood entrées. 8274 U.S. 64. 672-0769. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

GRIDLEY’S—Offers barbecued ribs, pork plate, chicken, and smoked turkey; also lunch specials. Closed Tuesday. 6842 Stage Rd. 377-8055. L, D, #, $-$$, MRA

LA PLAYITA MEXICANA—Specializes in seafood, including red snapper and oysters; also offers steaks and a variety of Hispanic entrées. 6194 Macon. 377-0181. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

SAITO STEAKHOUSE—Japanese cuisine cooked at your table; sushi bar has 100 offerings. Closed for lunch Saturday. 6600 Stage, Ste. 101. 373-1957. L, D, FB, #, $$

SIDE PORCH STEAK HOUSE—In addition to steak, the menu includes chicken, pork chops, and fish entrées; homemade rolls are a specialty. Closed Sunday and Monday. 5689 Stage. 377-2484. D, FB, #, $-$$

WILLIE MOFFATT’S—Large menu includes everything from bacon-wrapped filet mignon and a rum-marinated chargrilled chicken sandwich to shrimp baskets and a Tequila lime salad. 2779 Old Whitten. 386-2710. L, D, FB, $

CHICKASAW GARDENS/UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

NEW TO CHICKASAW GARDENS/UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

[IMAGE-10]

EL PUERTO — Six months after the opening of El Puerto, customers’ reactions are positive. “They love the food. They love the way our waiters treat them and serve them with a smile,” says manager Alex Rojas. “Our customers say, ‘Oh, we’re going to tell our friends about this place and the food here.'” The Mexican restaurant offers lots of choices. “Our fajitas are the most popular item,” Rojas says. “We also have steak, shrimp, and fish tacos. We have a big menu to choose from, and we have great margaritas.” An additional bonus: live Spanish music from 8 to 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
775 S. Highland. 452-8019. L, D, $

[IMAGE-11]

A-TAN—Mandarin entrées are a chicken-pork-beef-shrimp combo and a seafood-vegetable stir-fry; also features a sushi bar. 3445 Poplar, Ste. 17, University Center. 452-4477. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

ANNE’S BAKERY & CAFE—Serves sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, and desserts. Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. 320-6407. B, L, #, $, MRA

BROTHER JUNIPER’S—Offers salads, soups, sandwiches, and homemade breads, pastries, and desserts; also, breakfast on weekends. Closed Monday. 3519 Walker. 324-0144, B, L, #, $, MRA

CRUMPETS—British pub fare includes vegetable tarts, Cornish pasties, rosemary chicken salad, burgers, and Chef’s Sampler. Tea served 2-3:30 p.m. Closed Sunday-Monday. 262 S. Highland. 324-2221. L, Wi, #, $

EL CHICO—This mainstay in University Center dishes out fajitas, chimichangas, fried ice cream, and other Tex-Mex fare. Enchilada specials on Wednesdays. 3491 Poplar. 323-9609. L, D, FB, #, $

ELFO’S—Changing luncheon menu features such specialties as pink-peppercorn salmon with orange sauce and eggplant Napoleon, along with soups, sandwiches, salads, and homemade desserts. Closed Sunday. 3092 Poplar. 888-0402. L, FB, #, $, MRA

LA BAGUETTE—Offering soups, quiche, sandwiches (including paninis), and pastries in a French-style setting. 3088 Poplar. 458-0900. B (bakery), L, #, $, MRA

MEDALLION— Offers steaks, seafood, chicken, and pasta entrées; buffets at both lunch and dinner. 3700 Central, Holiday Inn (Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality). 678-8200. B, L, D (except Sunday), FB, #, $-$$, MRA

PETE & SAM’S—Serving Memphis for more than 50 years; offers steaks, seafood, and traditional Italian dishes. 3886 Park. 458-0694. D, Br, # (except bathrooms), $-$$

RONNIE GRISANTI AND SONS—Specializes in handmade Tuscan cuisine; menu items include ravioli and baked manicotti, along with seafood and steaks. Closed Sunday. 2855 Poplar. 323-0007. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

WOMAN’S EXCHANGE TEA ROOM—Chicken-salad plate, beef tenderloin, soups-and-sandwiches, and vegetable plates are specialties; adjacent shop features handmade items. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 88 Racine. 327-5681. L, #, $

CITYWIDE

ASIAN PALACE—Chinese fare is the specialty, including shrimp with walnuts and oysters, Peking-style pork and duck; also crab, lobster, and vegetarian items. 2920 Covington Pike. 388-3883; 4978 Park Ave. (mainly takeout). 761-7888. L, D, Br, Wi, $

BANGKOK ALLEY—Thai cuisine includes noodle and curry dishes, as well as duck, catfish, and seafood entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday, Cordova location. 830 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 753-7250. 2150 W. Poplar at Houston Levee (Collierville). 854-8748. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

BLUE COAST BURRITO—Build-your-own burritos with an array of steak, fish, chicken, and fresh veggies. Menu also includes fish tacos and made-to-order salads. 3546 Walker. 323-3730; The Avenue at Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 850-TACO. L, D, $

BOL A PASTA—Serves shrimp scampi, baked pastas, steaks, and fresh seafood. 2200 N. Germantown Parkway. 384-7988; 3160 Village Shops Dr. 757-5609. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

BONEFISH GRILL—Two specialties are pistachio-parmesan-crusted rainbow trout and tenderloin portobello piccata; steak and pork also served. 1250 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 753-2220; The Avenue at Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 854-5822. L (Saturday-Sunday, Collierville), D, FB, #, $-$$

BUCKLEY’S FINE FILET GRILL—Specializes in steaks such as eight-ounce center-cut filets but also offers grilled chicken, seafood, and pasta. 5355 Poplar. 683-4538; 714 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 756-1639. Buckley’s Lunch Box, 919 S. Yates (lunch Monday-Friday and takeout only). 682-0570. L (Yates only), D (not Yates), FB (beer and wine only at Yates), #, $-$$, MRA

THE BUTCHER SHOP—Serves steaks ranging from 8-oz. filets to a 30-oz. porterhouse; also chicken, pork chops, fresh seafood. 101 S. Front. 521-0856; 107 S. Germantown Rd. 757-4244. L (Friday only, S. Germantown Rd.), D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL—Serves chicken marsala, calamari, various pastas, and other “old-world” Italian entrées. 5110 Poplar. 685-9900; The Avenue at Carriage Crossing. 854-0200. L (Saturday-Sunday, Collierville; Sunday, Poplar), D, FB, #, $-$$

CENTRAL B B Q—Dishing up ribs, sandwiches, hot wings, and more; also family packages. 2249 Central. 276-7573; 4375 Summer. 7676-4672. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

CHINA INN—Serves Chinese, American, and down-home-style cuisine; daily buffet featured. 4430 Elvis Presley Blvd. 396-0287; 2829 Covington Pike. 383-8211. L, D, Br, #, $

COLETTA’S—Longtime eatery serves lasagna, ravioli, and pizza with barbecue or traditional topping. Closed for lunch Sunday, South Parkway location. 2850 Appling Rd. 383-1122; 1063 S. Parkway E. 948-7652. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

CORKY’S—Popular barbecue emporium offers both wet and dry ribs, plus a full menu of other barbecue entrées. 5259 Poplar. 685-9744; 1740 Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 737-1911; 743 W. Poplar (Collierville). 405-4999. L, D, Br,#, $-$$, MRA

CREPE MAKER—Specializes in hand-held crepes, including Philly steak, pesto, chicken, and vegetarian; also desserts. 175 Peabody Place. 522-1290; The Avenue at Carriage Crossing, Collierville. 861-1981. Closed for dinner Sunday, Collierville. B, L, D, Br, Wi (coolers), #, $

CRESCENT CITY—Entrées include red beans and rice, muffalettas, po’ boys, crawfish, and catfish; also beignets. The Avenue at Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 850-8580; 1315 Ridgeway Rd. 763-7008; 6585 Towne Center Crossing (Southaven, MS). 662-536-4013; 2362 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 213-9077. B (some locations), L, D, FB, #, $, MRA

EL MEZCAL—Serves burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, and other Mexican cuisine, as well as shrimp dinners and steak. 4688 Knight Arnold. 360-1838; 402 Perkins Extd. 761-7710; 694 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 755-1447; 1492 Union. 274-4264. L, D, FB, #, $

EL PORTON—Fajitas and steak ranchero are just a few of the menu items. 2095 Merchants Row (Germantown). 754-4268; 65 S. Highland, Poplar Plaza. 452-7330; 1805 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 624-9358; 1016 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-5770; 8361 U.S. Highway 64. 380-7877. L, D, FB, #, $

FIREBIRDS—Specialties are hand-cut steaks, prime rib, rotisserie chicken, and fresh seafood, 8470 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 379-1300; The Avenue at Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 850-1603. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN—Serves chicken with signature spicy batter, along with homemade beans, slaw, and pies. 310 S. Front. 527-4877; 215 South St. (Collierville). 853-6005. (Original location: 505 Highway 70 W., Mason, TN. 901-294-2028). L, D, Br, #, $-$$, MRA

HALF SHELL—Specializes in seafood, such as King crab legs; also serves steaks, chicken, pastas, salads, and sandwiches; oyster bar at Winchester location. 688 S. Mendenhall. 682-3966; 7825 Winchester. 737-6755. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

HARRY’S DETOUR—Eclectic American menu includes pecan-smoked meats and daily seafood specials. Closed Sunday and Monday, Cooper location; closed Sunday and Monday and dinner Tuesday, G.E. Patterson location. 532 S. Cooper. 276-7623; 106 G.E. Patterson. 523-9070. L, D, Br, #, $-$$

HUNAN PALACE—Menu items include Peking duck, orange beef, and “flower basket” of fish, chicken and vegetables in a Mandarin sauce. 1140 N. Germantown Parkway, Ste. 101 (Cordova). 751-8863; 7140 Highway 64. 388-7848. L, D, Br, #, $

INTERSTATE BAR-B-Q—Specialties include chopped pork-shoulder sandwiches, ribs, hot wings, spaghetti, chicken, and turkey. Closed Sunday, Southaven location. 2265 S. Third. 775-2304; 150 W. Stateline Rd. (Southaven). 662-393-5699. L, D, Br (S. Third), #, $, MRA

JIM’S PLACE—Features American, Greek, and Continental cuisine with such entrées as souflima (pork tenderloin) and Grecian lamb; also steaks and seafood. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 5560 Shelby Oaks. 388-7200; 3660 Houston Levee (Collierville). 861-5000. L, D, FB, #, $$, MRA

LA HACIENDA—Among the specialties are carnitas, shrimp adobe, and Mexican lasagne. 746 W. Poplar (Collierville). 850-7698; 1760 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 624-2920; 175-B Goodman Rd. W. 662-349-4484; 7034 Highway 64 (Oakland). 465-1505. L, D, FB, #, $

MCALISTER’S DELI—Sandwiches galore, including the Orange Cranberry Club with turkey, ham, and bacon topped with orange cranberry sauce and the California Classic with provolone and mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Plus, there’s a wide selection of salads, stuffed baked potatoes, wraps, and McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea. 3482 Plaza Avenue. 452-6009; 2857 Kirby Pkwy., Ste. 119. 756-2943; 580 S. Mendenhall. 763-2711; 3855 Hacks Cross. 881-6068; 1 Commerce Square, Ste. 150; 522-9123; 8385 Stage, Ste. 115. 388-7053; 6600 Stage, Ste. 120 (Bartlett). 213-3311; 7990 Trinity, Ste. 129 (Cordova). 737-7282; 7710 Poplar (Germantown). 753-1507; 336 Market Blvd. (Collierville). 853-1492; 8390 Hwy. 51N, Ste. 110 (Millington). 872-1983; 975 East Goodman, Ste. 21 (Southaven). 662-349-3354; 8120 Camp Creek, Ste. 110 (Olive Branch). 662-893-4120. L, D, $

DAN MCGUINNESS PUB—Serves fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and other Irish fare; also such entrées as herb-crusted salmon. 150 Peabody Place. 527-8500; 4698 Spottswood. 761-3711. B (Sat.-Sunday), L, D, FB, #, $-$$

MEMPHIS PIZZA CAFE—Homemade pizzas are specialties; also serves sandwiches, calzones, and salads. 2089 Madison. 726-5343; 5061 Park Ave. 684-1306; 7604 W. Farmington (Germantown). 753-2218; 5627 Getwell (Southaven, MS). 662-536-1364; 797 W. Poplar (Collierville). 861-7800. L, D, Br, Wi (Madison only), #, $, MRA

MESQUITE CHOP HOUSE—The focus here is on steaks, including a prime filet, a 24-oz. porterhouse, and a bone-in tenderloin; also, some seafood options. 5960 Getwell (Southaven). 662-890-2467; 88 Union. 527-5337. D, FB, #, $$-$$$

NEELY’S BAR-B-QUE—Serves pork ribs, sandwiches, spaghetti, hot wings, nachos, and smoked turkey 670 Jefferson. 521-9798; 5700 Mt. Moriah. 795-4177. L, D, Br, #, $, MRA

ON THE BORDER—Dishes out such Tex-Mex specialties as fajitas and steak- and-shrimp combination. 8101 Giacosa Pl. (Cordova). 372-8883; 4552 Poplar. 763-0569; 7935 Winchester. 755-6404; 6572 Airways Blvd. 662-536-0901. L, D, FB, #, $

PANCHO’S—Serves up a variety of Mexican standards, including tacos, enchiladas, and mix-and-match platters. 3600 Broadway (West Memphis). 870-735-6466; 717 N. White Station. 685-5404. L, D, FB, % (West Memphis), #, $, MRA

PEI WEI ASIAN DINER—Serves Pan Asian cuisine (Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, and Japanese) including General Tsao’s chicken. 1680 Union Ave., #109. 722-3780; 2257 N. Germantown Pkwy. 382-1822. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $

PETRA DELI & CAFE—Serves Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern sandwiches and entrées. Closed Sunday. 2140 W. Poplar Ave. (Collierville). 853-3521; 6641 Poplar. 754-4440. L, D, Br, #, $

PIG-N-WHISTLE—Offers pork shoulder sandwiches, wet and dry ribs, catfish, spaghetti, and stuffed barbecue potatoes; also homemade pies. 2740 Bartlett Rd. 386-3300; 6084 Kerr-Rosemark Rd. 872-2455. L, D, Br, FB (Kerr-Rosemark), #, $-$$

RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS—Menu includes a large selection of gourmet burgers from the 5 Alarm with jalepeno peppers and salsa to the Monster Burger with two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. 1231 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-5501; The Avenue at Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 854-7645. L, D, FB, $

ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL—Offers Northern Italian cuisine, including pasta Milano and penne rustica; also steaks, seafood, and salads. 6705 Poplar. 753-6588; 2859 N. Germantown Parkway. 266-4565. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

SEKISUI OF JAPAN/SEKISUI PACIFIC RIM & SUSHI BISTRO—Authentic Japanese cuisine, fresh sushi bar, grilled meats and seafood, California rolls, and vegetarian entrées. Pacific Rim cuisine at Poplar location. Closed for lunch Saturday-Sunday, at Belvedere, Union, Poplar, Collierville, and Goodman locations. Closed for lunch Saturday, and for dinner Sunday., Horn Lake. Humphreys Center, 50 Humphreys Blvd. Ste. 14. 747-0001; 25 Belvedere. 725-0005; Union at Second, Holiday Inn Select. 523-0001; 4724 Poplar (between Perkins & Colonial). 767-7770; 1884 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 309-8800; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville), Ste. 107. 854-0622; 1255 Goodman Rd. W. (Horn Lake, MS). 662-536-4404. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

TOPS BAR-B-Q—Specializing in pork barbecue sandwiches and sandwich plates with beans and slaw; also serves burgers and fries. 4183 Summer. 324-4325; 5391 Winchester. 794-7936; 6130 Macon. 371-0580. (See phone book/go online for more locations.) L, D, # (most locations), $, MRA

COLLIERVILLE

NEW TO COLLIERVILLE

[IMAGE-5]

ASHIYANA EXOTIC INDO PAK CUISINE — “Collierville is a very pretty town,” says Eric Manjiyani, manager of Ashiyana Exotic Indo Pak Cuisine, which opened just over a month ago. “We thought that it would be a good place to begin an Indian restaurant.” Ashiyana means “the house,” Manjiyani says, and was chosen to signify the restaurant’s dedication to an authentic Indian experience, from the menu’s Indo Pak flavoring to the sense of home it gives customers. Diners, both Indian and otherwise, have responded, Manjiyani says. “We’re having a lot of repeat customers. We’re short of seats right now. We wish we had a bigger place.” 835 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-5411. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $

CAFE GRILL—Asian/American entrées are chicken chow mein soup along with meatloaf, beef brisket, and certified Angus steaks; also a luncheon buffet. Closed Sunday. 120 W. Mulberry. 853-7511. L, D, #, $

CAFE PIAZZA BY PAT LUCCHESI—Specializes in gourmet pizzas, panini sandwiches, and pasta. Closed Sunday. 139 S. Rowlett St. 861-1999. L, D, Br, Wi, # (except bathrooms), $-$$

CAFFE ITALIA—Lasagne, cannelloni, and carpaccio are among dinner entrées; for lunch: panini sandwiches, salads. Closed Sunday-Monday. 102 Mulberry St. 850-8363. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER—A true-blue burger joint, including the Serious (10-ounces), the Delirious (14 ounces), and the Famous One-Pounder (20 ounces, to be more exact). All burgers and chicken sandwiches are made-to-order. Menu also includes a wide selection of shakes and malts. The Avenue at Carriage Crossing. 861-6776. L, D, $

FINO VILLA—Entrées include prime filet mignon, sea bass and lobster ravioli, and pollo Fino Villa. 875 W. Poplar. 861-2626. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

FUJI CAFE—Offers traditional Japanese cuisine and sushi bar; specialties are teriyaki and tempura dishes. 875 W. Poplar. 854-7758. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $$

JA JA’S THAI RESTAURANT—The menu offers some 40 traditional Thai entrées, including sweet and spicy pork; popular for its egg rolls. Closed Sunday and Monday. 192 Washington. 850-5222. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $

LEE KAN’S ASIAN GRILL—Offers Pan-Asian cuisine; pepper-orange steak and Hong Kong-style noodles are entrées; also sushi. 255 New Byhalia Rd, Ste. 111. 853-6686. L, D, FB, #, $$

MULAN—Hunan chicken, spicy tofu, and orange beef served here; sushi too. 2059 Houston Levee. 850-5288. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$

PASTA ITALIA—Northern Italian cuisine featuring handmade pastas; specialties include ravioli, canneloni, and seafood dishes. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday-Monday. 101 N. Center St. 861-0255. L, D, Wi, #, $$-$$$

SHANTI STEAK HOUSE—Serves steak, chicken, pork chops, and seafood, including shrimp. Closed Sunday. 336 New Byhalia. 861-7177. D, Br, #, $-$$

STIX—Hibachi steakhouse with Asian cuisine features steak, chicken, and a filet-and-lobster combination; also sushi. Closed for lunch Sunday. The Avenue at Carriage Crossing. 854-3399. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

THE TENNESSEAN—Set in an old train car on Collierville’s town square. Changing seasonal menu of contemporary Southern cuisine includes steaks, fish, poultry, and pasta. Closed Sunday and Monday. 123 N. Rowlett. 853-9447. L, D, FB, #, $-$$$

COOPER-YOUNG

NEW TO COOPER-YOUNG

Justin Fox Burks

LOU’S PIZZA PIE — Has there ever been a business more perfectly named than “Pie in the Sky”? The local parlors have dished out perfect pizza in various locations from South Main to the heart of Midtown. And one by one, every location has closed, leaving fans unable to gorge themselves on the garden-fresh “Sun Pie” or stuff themselves silly on the olive- and artichoke-laden “Moon.” Fortunately for those who can’t get enough of “Bluto’s Revenge” (spinach, feta, roasted garlic, and roma tomatoes), Lou’s Pizza Pie in Cooper-Young is now serving all the classics. 2158 Young. 722-4031. L, D, $

BEAUTY SHOP—American/Southwestern/Asian cuisine served in a former beauty shop. Closed for dinner Sunday. 966 S. Cooper. 272-7111. L, D, FB, #, $$, MRA

THE BLUE FISH—Seafood specialties include pecan-crusted grouper with crawfish-crab relish. Also organic meats, free-range chicken, and oyster bar. Closed Sunday. 2149 Young. 725-0230. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

CAFE OLE—Chimichangas, shrimp diablo, fish tacos, vegetarian dishes, and daily specials are featured. 959 S. Cooper. 274-1504. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

CASABLANCA CAFE—Rack of lamb, grilled salmon with mango sauce, moussaka, and vegetarian entrées are served at this Moroccan/Greek/Middle Eastern restaurant. 2156 Young. 725-8557. L, D, #, $-$$

CELTIC CROSSING—Irish fare — including shepherd’s pie, fish & chips, and lamb stew — is featured here. 903 S. Cooper. 274-5151. L, D, FB, #, $, MRA

DISH—Specialties here range from deviled crab cakes to tempura prawns with spicy red pepper aioli; also tapas, i.e., “small plates”; choose from 45 items. 948 S. Cooper. 276-0002. D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

DO—This small Tokyo-style sushi bar features teriyaki, sushi rolls, grilled items, bento-box meals, salads, and more. Closed Sunday and Monday. 964 S. Cooper. 272-0830. D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

JASMINE THAI RESTAURANT—Entrées include panang green curry, masaman, and pad thai (noodles, shrimp, and peanuts); also seafood, vegetarian dishes. Closed Monday. 916 S. Cooper. 725-0223. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$

TSUNAMI—Features Pacific Rim cuisine (Asia, Australia, South Pacific, etc.); also a changing “small plate” menu. Closed Sunday. 928 S. Cooper. 274-2556. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

CORDOVA

NEW TO CORDOVA

[IMAGE-6]

WASABI SUSHI AND SAKE BAR — Both food and restaurant are eye-pleasing at Cordova’s Wasabi Sushi and Sake Bar, which opened August 8th. “We have unique décor, and everything is sectioned out,” says owner Johnny Lum. “We have very comfortable sofas, bar seating, booths, and contemporary artwork. It’s mix and match — casual but intimate and relaxing.” As for the food, Wasabi focuses on “presentation, good flavors, and quality seafood fresh from our vendors,” Lum says.
1134 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-0567. L, D, $

BAHAMA BREEZE—West Indies ribs, Jamaican-grilled chicken, and coconut shrimp are among the entrées at this Caribbean-themed restaurant. 2830 N. Germantown Parkway, Wolfchase Galleria. 385-8744. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

BOMBAY HOUSE—Indian fare includes lamb korma and chicken tikka; also, a daily luncheon buffet. 1727 N. Germantown Parkway. 755-4114. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$

HUNAN GOURMET—Serves authentic Asian cuisine and features a sushi bar, Hong Kong-style noodle bar, and Mongolian barbecue. 2965 N. Germantown Rd., Ste. 102. 371-9329. L, D, Br, #, $

JOE’S CRAB SHACK—Serves a variety of seafood, along with chicken, steak, and pasta. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 7990 Horizon Blvd. 384-7478. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

THE MELTING POT—Steak, seafood, and poultry entrées prepared fondue-style at your table; also package meals. 2828 Wolfcreek Parkway. 380-9500. D, FB, #, $$-$$$$, MRA

SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT—Entrées include tempura, teriyaki, and sushi, as well as grilled fish and chicken entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday. 2324 N. Germantown Parkway. 384-4122. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

DOWNTOWN

NEW TO DOWNTOWN

[IMAGE-7}

ITTA BENA — “I love to hear live music, and I love to eat good food, but I don’t want to do them at the same time,” says Wil Thompson, general manager of the new, casual, elegant, bistro-style restaurant Itta Bena. The reason he mentions it is Itta Bena’s unique location: on the third floor of B.B. King’s Blues Club on the corner of Second and Beale, an intersection much more famous for hot guitar licks than pan-seared Alaskan halibut. When constructing the floor of his oasis of “serenity” above the club, Thompson says he “put down a layer of plywood, a layer of soundboard, another layer of plywood, a layer of rubber, and a layer of oak.” There’s also an entrance directly to the club, just in case the call of the wild gets to you. 143 Beale. 578-3031. D, Br, Wi, FB, %, $$-$$$, MRA

[IMAGE-8]

MY GREEK CAFE — 345 Madison has been many things in recent years: a stripped-down punk club, an overstuffed comedy club, and various bars. It was recently converted by John Gegumis into My Greek Cafe, a sprawling, dark, and comfortable cafe offering authentic Mediterranean delights. Gegumis previously managed O Kypos, a wonderful but tiny diner located in the downtown Comfort Inn. My Greek Cafe is a reasonably priced, full-service reincarnation of O Kypos, with a full bar and an occasional spot of live music. Gegumis spent eight years cooking in his family’s restaurant on Kalamaki Beach in Zakynthos, Greece, and his simple takes on such Greek staples as souvlaki and spanakopita are steeped in family tradition. Gegumis has also brought back the succulent lamb ribs that made his little diner the talk of downtown foodies. Closed Sundays. 345 Madison. 507-2720. L, D, FB, $[IMAGE-9]

THE ARCADE—Offers American home-cooking, plus gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, and daily lunch specials. 540 S. Main. 526-5757. B, L, Br, #, $, MRA

AUTOMATIC SLIM’S TONGA CLUB—Specializes in American Southwestern/Asian/Jamaican cuisine, including coconut mango shrimp and whole red snapper. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 83 S. Second. 525-7948. L, D, FB, #, $$, MRA

BIG FOOT LODGE—Hefty portions of prime rib, lobster, deep-fried Cornish game hens, catfish, and burgers (including 4-lb. Sasquatch) are specialties. 97 S. Second. 578-9800. L, D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

BLUEFIN RESTAURANT & SUSHI LOUNGE—Serves fusion or “edge” cuisine featuring seafood and steaks; also, a sushi bar. 135 S. Main. 528-1010. L (Tues.-Thurs.), D, FB, #, $$, MRA

BLUES CITY PASTRY SHOP & COFFEE BAR—Pastry shop and coffee bar on South Main downtown, featuring coffee and espresso and sweet treats, including chocolate pyramids and Mississippi Mud Cake. 153 S. Main. 576-0010. B, $

BLUFF CITY BAYOU—Cajun specialties are gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and jambalaya, as well as po’boy sandwiches and muffalettas. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 694 Madison. 527-0860. L, #, $

CAFE 61—American eclectic/Asian/Cajun entrées include blackened grouper and crispy duck waffles; also Sunday brunch. 85 S. Second. 523-9351. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE—Steaks, seafood, pasta, and several northern Italian specialties are entrées. 149 Union Ave., The Peabody. 529-4199. B, L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

CAYENNE MOON—Serves New Orleans-Southern cuisine, specializing in lump crabcakes and seafood gumbo. Closed Sunday-Monday. 94 S. Front. 522-1475. D, #, $-$$, MRA

CENTER FOR SOUTHERN FOLKLORE AND CAFE—Vegetarian greens, hot-water cornbread, and peach cobbler are menu items. Closed Sunday. Main at Peabody Place Trolley Stop. 525-3655. L, Br, #, $, MRA

CHEZ PHILIPPE—Three-to-five-course meals offered with emphasis on French food with Asian flair. Afternoon tea also served from 2 to 3 p.m. (reservations required). Closed Sunday and Monday. The Peabody, 149 Union. 529-4188. D, FB, #, $$$$, MRA

CIRCA—Regional French cuisine with such specialties as sorghum-cured rack of lamb; menu includes steaks, chops, seafood. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 119 S. Main, Pembroke Square. 522-1488. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

CONTE’S—Lasagna, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and mussels in white wine sauce are menu items. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday and Monday. 149 Madison. 526-6837. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$

DAILY GRILL—Services classic American cuisine; dinner entrées include filet medallions, short ribs, steaks, and seafood, along with meatloaf and chicken pot pie. Westin Hotel, 170

Lt. George W. Lee. 334-5950. B, L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

ENCORE—Chef Jose Gutierrez offers French and Mediterranean entrées at this European-style bistro. Closed Monday. 150 Peabody Place, #111. 528-1415. D, FB, #,$$, MRA

E P DELTA KITCHEN & BAR—Serving a fusion of Cajun, Creole, and Southern cuisine in the former Elvis Presley’s Memphis eatery. Specialties include lobster étouffée and smoked duck gumbo; also a late-night menu. 126 Beale at Second. 527-1444. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

FELICIA SUZANNE’S—Crispy oysters in New Orleans barbecue sauce and filet of beef tenderloin with applewood-smoked-bacon potato cakes are American-Southern specialties. Closed Sunday and Monday. Brinkley Plaza, 80 Monroe, Ste. L1. 523-0877. L (Fri. only), D, FB, #, $$$, MRA

THE FLYING FISH—Serves up fried and grilled versions of shrimp, crab legs, oysters, catfish, and more. 105 S. Second. 522-8228. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

GRILL 83—European-style steakhouse serves prime steaks and fresh seafood, including a signature New Orleans-style seafood gumbo. 83 Madison Ave., Madison Hotel. 333-1224. B, L, D, FB, %, # (except bathrooms), $$-$$$, MRA

HAPPY MEXICAN—Fajitas, steak ranchero, and a shrimp cocktail are specialties. Closed Sunday. 385 S. Second St. 529-9991. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

HARD ROCK CAFÉ—Menu includes “Tupelo” chicken tenders, New York strip steak, grilled salmon, and more. 315 Beale. 529-0007. L, D, FB, $-$$

INN AT HUNT-PHELAN—Cuisine is American with a Southern emphasis; also French entrées; Sunday brunch. 533 Beale St. 525-8225. Closed for dinner Sunday and all day Monday and Tuesday. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

LOLO’S TABLE—Specialties are pan-seared scallops and sauteed lump crab cakes. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 128 Monroe. 522-9449. L, D, FB, #, $$, MRA

MCEWEN’S ON MONROE—Southern-American entrées include pepper-seared beef tenderloin with a Dijon cognac cream sauce;

and sweet-potato-crusted catfish with mac-and-cheese. Closed for lunch Saturday, all day Sunday. 122 Monroe. 527-7085. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

THE MAJESTIC—Offers American food, including pizza, shrimp, and pork tenderloin. 145 S. Main. 522-8555. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

MARMALADE—Southern homestyle entrées include catfish, fried chicken, pork chops, barbecued ribs, and chili. Closed Sunday and Monday. 153 G.E. Patterson. 522-8800. D, FB, #, $

MOLLY FONTAINE LOUNGE—This new eatery specializes in tapas (small plates) featuring global cuisine. 679 Adams. 524-1886. Closed Sunday-Tuesday. D, FB, #, $

MOVIE & PIZZA COMPANY—Offers a wide selection of pizzas as well as a wide selection of movies for rent. The menu includes meat and veggie pizzas as well as sandwiches. 110 Harbor Town Sq. 527-2233. L, D, Br, $

PEARL’S OYSTER HOUSE—Specializing in seafood, including oysters, crawfish, and stuffed butterfly shrimp. Closed Sunday. 299 S. Main. 522-9070. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

PEOPLE’S ON BEALE—Sports bar with plenty of pool tables to keep you occupied for hours, with a menu featuring traditional pub grub from hamburgers to chicken fingers. 323 Beale. 523-7627. L, D, FB, $

THE PIER—Specializes in steaks, prime rib, and seafood — including King crab and lobster tails; has excellent river views. 100 Wagner Place. 526-7381. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

RENDEZVOUS—Menu items include barbecued ribs, chicken, beef brisket, nachos; also cheese plates, skillet shrimp, Greek salads. Closed Sunday and Monday. 52 S. Second. 523-2746. L (Fri.-Sat. only), D, Br, Wi, #, $, MRA

RIO LOCO—Entrées include fajitas, burritos, and seafood selections. 117 Union Ave. 523-2142. L, D, FB, #, $

SAUCES—Specializes primarily in seafood — including grouper, mahi, and halibut — accompanied by diners’ choice of complementary sauces, such as rosemary tomato basil and lobster cream. Closed Monday. 95 S. Main, Ste. 106. 473-9573. L, D, FB, #, $, MRA

SAWADDII—Among the Thai entrées are grilled sea bass with curry sauce and mahi-mahi with spicy chili sauce. 121 Union Ave. 529-1818. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

SPINDINI—Judd Grisanti offers regional Mediterranean fare, featuring steaks, seafood, and chicken dishes, cooked in a wood-burning oven. 383 S. Main. 578-2767. D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

STELLA—”Southern/global” fine-dining cuisine features steaks, fresh seafood, lamb, and more. Closed Sunday. 39 S. Main (at Monroe). 526-4950. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

TEXAS DE BRAZIL—Serves beef, pork, lamb, and chicken dishes and Brazilian sausage; 60-item gourmet salad area; weekend brunch. 150 Peabody Place, Ste. 103. 526-7600. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

ZANZIBAR—Specializes in “new world” cuisine; entrées include Thai-glazed chicken wings, peanut soup, and various sandwiches and salads. Closed Sunday (except for brunch), Monday and Tuesday. 412 S. Main. 543-9646. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

EAST MEMPHIS

BRONTE—Full-service restaurant in a bookstore setting serves seafood, steaks, pastas, quiches, sandwiches, and salads. Davis-Kidd Booksellers, 387 Perkins Extd. 374-0881. B, L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

CAFE TOSCANA—Serves contemporary Italian specialties, including parmesan talapia, along with other pasta and seafood. Closed Sunday. 5007 Black Rd., Ste. 150. 761-9522. D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

CAL’S STEAKHOUSE—University of Memphis basketball coach John Calipari lends his name and sports memorabilia to this restaurant serving steaks, pasta, and seafood. Double Tree Hotel, 5069 Sanderlin. 322-6666. B, L, D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

CASPIAN PERSIAN CUISINE—Fesenjon — i.e., pomegranate sauce with walnuts poured over chicken breasts — is a specialty; also grilled fillets, chicken, and Cornish hens. 715 W. Brookhaven Cl. 767-3134. L, D, FB, #, $-$$$

ERLING JENSEN, THE RESTAURANT—Presents “globally inspired” cuisine; specialties are rack of lamb, fresh fish, and wild game. 1044 S. Yates. 763-3700. D, FB, #, $$$, MRA

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE—Serves steaks, prime beef, and chops, as well as chicken and fresh fish,. 6245 Poplar. 761-6200. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

FOLK’S FOLLY ORIGINAL PRIME STEAK HOUSE—Specializes in prime steaks, as well as lobster, grilled Scottish salmon, Alaskan king crab legs, rack of lamb, and weekly specials. 551 S. Mendenhall. 762-8200. D, FB, #, $$$-$$$$, MRA

FRATELLI’S—Serves hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and soups, Closed Sunday and Monday. Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Rd. 576-4118. L, #, $

THE GROVE GRILL—Offers steaks, chops, seafood, and other American cuisine with a Southern flair; entrées include shrimp and grits and sweet potato and turnip green hash; also Sunday brunch. 4550 Poplar. 818-9951. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

HIGH POINT PIZZA—Serves salads, sandwiches, and pizzas, including Margherita, barbecue pork, veggie, four-meat, and more. Pizza-by-the slice is available during lunch. 477 High Point Terrace. 452-3339. Closed Monday. L, D, $

INTERIM—Offers American-seasonal cuisine. A specialty is Memphis barbecued pork chop with goat-cheese grits, bacon-wilted greens, and smoked tomato sauce; also a Gulf seafood of the day. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 5040 Sanderlin, Ste. 105. 818-0821. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

JARRETT’S—Changing menu of American bistro cuisine includes horseradish-encrusted grouper and smoked trout ravioli with Arkansas caviar. Closed Sunday. 5689 Quince. 763-2264. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

LULU GRILLE—Offers fresh seafood, steaks, chops, wild game, pasta, several sandwiches and homemade desserts. Closed Sunday except for brunch. 565 Erin, Erinway Shopping Center. 763-3677. L, D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

MANTIA’S—A Mediterranean cafe, deli, and market serving soups, sandwiches, salads, steaks, pasta, and seafood. Closed Sunday. 4856 Poplar. 762-8560. L, D, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

MAYURI INDIAN CUISINE—Serves tandoori chicken, tikka masala, as well as lamb and shrimp entrées; also a lunch buffet, weekend dinner buffet. 6524 Quince Rd. 753-8755. L, D, Br, #, $

MORTIMER’S—Trout almondine, hand-cut steaks, and seafood pasta are among the offerings. Closed for lunch Saturday. 590 N. Perkins. 761-9321. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

NAPA CAFE—American eclectic specialties are prime dry-aged beef with red wine shallot demi-glace, rack of lamb, and potato-encrusted halibut. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 5101 Sanderlin, Ste. 122. 683-0441. L, D, FB, #, $$, MRA

NEW HUNAN—Chinese eatery with more than 80 entrées; also lunch/dinner buffets and a sushi bar. 5052 Park. 766-1622. L, D, #, $

OLD VENICE—Lasagna, pizzas, paninis, and various pastas are among the specialties here, including the “Pasta Maria” and the “John Wayne Pizza.” 368 S. Perkins Ext. 767-6872. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

THE TOWER ROOM AMERICAN GRILL—Offers steaks, seafood, pasta, lamb, and chicken dishes; also, vegetarian upon request. Clark Tower, 5100 Poplar, Ste. 3300. 767-8776. L (Monday-Fri.), D (Wed.-Sat.), FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

WANG’S CHINA BISTRO—Among the specialties here are crisp duck, shrimp, and scallops in garlic sauce, and grilled chicken with cucumber. 4002 Park. 327-4089. L, D, FB, $, MRA

WILD OATS—Offers “all-natural foods” and vegetarian menu, with pizza, hot-food bar, sushi bar, salad bar, deli, bakery, and more. 5022 Poplar. 685-2293. L, D, #, $

GERMANTOWN

ASIAN GRILL—Specializes in Pan-Asian cuisine (Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian) as well as fusion entrées. 2072 West St. (Germantown). 737-3988. L, D, Br, #, $

BITTERSWEET RESTAURANT—Lobster pie and filet Oscar are specialties at this steak/seafood place with a New England flair. Closed Monday and for lunch Tuesday. 7685 Farmington Blvd. (Germantown). 624-9499. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$

EQUESTRIA—Serves American-global fusion cuisine with Southwestern accents. Closed Sunday and Monday. 3165 Forest Hill-Irene Rd. 869-2663. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

GERMANTOWN COMMISSARY—Barbecue sandwiches, ribs, nachos, and shrimp in a rustic atmosphere. 2290 S. Germantown. 754-5540. L, D, Br, # (except bathrooms), $, MRA

NEW ASIA—Specializing in authentic Chinese food. 2075 Exeter (Germantown). 758-8388. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$

ROYAL PANDA—Hunan fish, Peking duck, Szechuan chicken, and a seafood combo are among the specialties. 3120 Village Shops Dr. (Germantown). 756-9697. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$

SAKURA—Sushi, tempura, and teriyaki are Japanese specialties. Closed Sunday. 2060 West St. 758-8181. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

THREE OAKS GRILL—Rack of lamb, filet Paulette, prime New York strip T-bones, and crab-stuffed halibut are among the entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday. 2285 S. Germantown Rd. 757-8225. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

YIA YIA’S EUROCAFE—Wood-roasted salmon, and pork chops with smoked mushroom sauce are among the entrées; also steaks, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads; also, Sunday brunch. 7615 West Farmington at Poplar, Shops of Saddle Creek. 756-4004. L, D, FB, #, $$

MIDTOWN

ABYSSINIA RESTAURANT—Ethiopian cuisine is featured, with beef, chicken, lamb, fish entrées and vegetarian dishes; also, a daily buffet. Closed Sunday. 2600 Poplar. 321-0082. L, D, Br, #, $

THE BAR-B-Q SHOP—Dishes up barbecued ribs, bologna, chicken, pork shoulder sandwiches, and spaghetti, along with beef brisket, sandwiches, and salads. Closed Sunday. 1782 Madison. 272-1277. L, D, Br, #, $, MRA

BARI—Authentic Southeastern Italian cuisine emphasizes lighter entrées and fresh seafood, such as roasted striped bass, spaghetti carbonara, and fresh grilled sardines. 22 S. Cooper. 722-2244. D, FB, #, $$, MRA

BAYOU BAR & GRILL—Cajun fare includes jambalaya, gumbo, catfish acadian, Cajun shrimp, red beans and rice, and muffalettas. 2105 Overton Square Lane. 278-8626. L, D, FB, #, $, MRA

BHAN THAI—Serves curries, pad Thai noodles, and vegetarian dishes, as well as seafood, pork, and duck entrées. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday and all day Monday. 1324 Peabody. 272-1538. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

BOSCOS SQUARED—Serves pasta, seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven; also a variety of freshly brewed beers; also Sunday brunch. 2120 Madison. 432-2222. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

THE BRUSHMARK—Serves sandwiches, salads, and crepes; a signature item is African peanut soup. Closed Monday. Brooks Museum, Overton Park, 1934 Poplar. 544-6225. L, D, FB, #, $, MRA

Justin Fox Burks

CAFE 1912—Serves French/American/Creole cuisine, with Italian influences; seafood entrées include steamed mussels; also crepes and salads; offers Sunday brunch. 243 S. Cooper. 722-2700. D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

CAFE SOCIETY—With Belgian and classic French influences, serves Angus beef, veal, chicken, and seafood dishes, along with weekly specials. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday.
212 N. Evergreen. 722-2177. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

DRAGON CHINA—Specializes in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Szechuan cuisine, all-day buffet, and a 140-item menu. 1680 Madison. 278-8838. L, D, #, $

GOLDEN INDIA—Northern Indian specialties include tandoori chicken as well as lamb, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian dishes; also, a luncheon buffet. 2097 Madison. 728-5111. L, D, Br, Wi, $

INDIA PALACE—Tandoori chicken, lamb boti kabobs, and chicken tikka masala are among the entrées; also, vegetarian options and a daily lunch buffet. 1720 Poplar. 278-1199. L, D, Br, #, $

LE CHARDONNAY—Seafood, steak, and chicken entrées include Stilton-stuffed tenderloin and citrus-glazed grouper; also wood-fired pizzas. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 2100-5 Overton Square Lane. 725-1375. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

LOBSTER KING—Specializes in Cantonese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood, including crab, clams, and lobster. 32 N. Cleveland. 725-5990. L, D, #, $-$$, MRA

LOS COMPADRES—Entrées are enchiladas, burritos, tamales, tacos, and vegetarian dishes. 2617 Poplar. 458-5731. L, D, FB, #, $

MOLLY’S LA CASITA—Fajitas, chiles rellenos, a vegetarian combo, and bacon-wrapped shrimp are a few of the specialties. 2006 Madison. 726-1873. L, D, FB, #, $-$$ MRA

PAULETTE’S—Presents fine dining with a Continental flavor, including such entrées as crepes Florentine; also grilled steaks, chicken, salads, and rich desserts; offers weekend brunch. 2110 Madison. 726-5128. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

PETRA RESTAURANT—Offers primarily Greek cuisine, with some Middle Eastern and Korean dishes. Closed Sunday and Monday. 1761 Madison. 726-6700. L, D, Br, #, $$

PHO VIETNAM—Offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine, including stir-fry, spring rolls, and egg rolls. 1411 Poplar. 728-4711. L, D, Br, #, $

SAIGON LE—Vietnamese/Chinese specialties include pork chops with mushrooms and shrimp in black-bean sauce; vegetarian options too. Closed Sunday. 51 N. Cleveland. 276-5326. L, D, Br, # (except bathrooms), $

SHANG HAI—Offers Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine; one specialty is shrimp wrapped in bacon and noodles. Closed Sunday. 1400 Poplar. 722-8692. L, D, Br, # (except bathrooms), $

SIDE STREET GRILL—This martini and cigar bar also offers steaks, pasta dishes, and more. 35 S. Florence. 274-8955. D, FB, $-$$

TUSCANY—Formerly La Tourelle, serves Italian cuisine in a casual setting. Specialties include grilled sea bass and crawfish/tomato/lemon basil pasta; also Sunday brunch. 2146 Monroe. 726-5771. D, FB, #, $$

UMAI—Japanese-French fusion specialties include spinach gyozas stuffed with wild mushroom duxelles, and 48-hour-marinated duck breast; also, Sunday brunch. Closed Monday-Tuesday. 2015 Madison. 405-4241. D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

NORTH MISSISSIPPI

BOILING POINT SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR—Louisiana-style seafood includes crawfish, shrimp & grits, catfish, pasta dishes, seafood platters, and more. 4975 Pepperchase Dr. Southaven. 662-280-7555. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

BONNE TERRE CAFE—Offers American/French/Continental cuisine, including roast rack of lamb, chicken Florentine. Closed Sunday and Monday. 4715 Church Rd. W., Nesbit, MS. 662-781-5100. D, FB, #, $$$, MRA

CITY GROCERY—Southern eclectic menu of steaks and seafood changes seasonally; shrimp and grits is a specialty. Closed Sunday. 152 Courthouse Square, Oxford, Mississippi. 662-232-8080. L, D, FB, # (downstairs), $$-$$$

THE HOLLYWOOD CAFE—Serves steaks and seafood in a casual setting; also fried green tomatoes, dill pickles, and frog legs. Closed Sunday. 1130 Old Commerce Rd. Robinsonville, MS. 662-363-1126. L (Monday-Fri.), D (Fri.-Sat.), FB, #, $$

LEELAVADEE THAI CUISINE—Green curry with shrimp (or beef, pork, chicken, tofu, or vegetables) is a specialty here; also tom-yum soup. Closed Monday. 775 Goodman Rd., Ste. 11, Southaven. 662-536-4699. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

MADIDI—Owned in part by actor Morgan Freeman, Madidi serves French cuisine with a Southern flair. Closed Sunday and Monday. 164 Delta Ave., Clarksdale, MS. 662-627-7770/7724. D, FB, # (downstairs), $$-$$$

OLIVE BRANCH CATFISH COMPANY—Serves its catfish fried or grilled and blackened. Other menu items include steak, marinated chicken, and fried shrimp. 9659 Old Highway 78, Olive Branch, Mississippi. 662-895-9494. L, D, Br, #, $, MRA

TIMBEAUX’S—Creole/French specialties include fish stew in a tomato saffron broth, steak bordelaise, crawfish pizza, and jumbo shrimp and grits. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 333 Losher St. Hernando, MS. 662-429-0500. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$

POPLAR/I-240

AMERIGO—Specializes in pasta and wood-fired pizzas; also serves steaks and cedarwood-roasted fish. 1239 Ridgeway, Park Place Mall. 761-4000. L, D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

Justin Fox Burks

BENIHANA OF TOKYO—Japanese steakhouse with sushi bar offers beef, chicken, and seafood items grilled at your table. 912 Ridge Lake Boulevard. 683-7390. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$

BROOKLYN BRIDGE ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Specializing in such homemade entrées as pasta in a vodka-tomato-cream sauce. Closed Sunday. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 755-7413. D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

CHAO PRAYA—Thai dishes are panang seafood, gang koa duck, and green papaya salad. Closed for dinner Monday. 3588 Ridgeway. 366-7827. L, D, Br, Wi, #, $-$$, MRA

COZYMEL’S—Serves coastal Mexican entrées — from the Yucatan Especial to Chicken Flameado to sizzling fajitas; seafood entrées as well. 6450 Poplar. 763-1202. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

FRANK GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Northern Italian favorites include pasta with jumbo shrimp and mushrooms; also seafood, filet mignon, and daily lunch specials. Closed for lunch Sunday. Embassy Suites Hotel, 1022 Shady Grove. 761-9462. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

MIKASA JAPAN—Seafood and traditional Japanese dishes include sukiyaki, shrimp tempura, and chicken teriyaki; sushi buffet also featured. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 6150 Poplar. 683-0000. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

MISTER B’s—Features New Orleans-style seafood and steaks. Closed for lunch Saturday and all day Sunday. 6655 Poplar,
Ste. 107. 751-5262. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

MOSA ASIAN BISTRO—Specialties include sesame chicken, pad Thai, and other Pan Asian entrées. Closed Sunday. 1825 Kirby Parkway. 755-6755. L, D, Br, #, $

OWEN BRENNAN’S—New Orleans-style menu of beef, chicken, pasta, and seafood; jambalaya and crawfish étouffée are specialties; also Sunday brunch. Closed for dinner Sunday. The Regalia, 6150 Poplar. 761-0990. L, D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

PARADISE CAFE—Offers soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and several vegetarian dishes. Closed Sunday. 6150 Poplar, Ste. 120. 821-9600. L, #, $

P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO—Specialties are Mongolian beef and chicken in lettuce wraps; also vegetarian dishes, including spicy eggplant. Park at Ridgeway, Park Place Centre. 818-3889. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

RIVER OAKS—Crabcakes are among the specialties at this restaurant serving French-American classics; also free-range/organic meats. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 5871 Poplar. 683-9305. L, D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

ROOKS CORNER—American bistro serving steaks, seafood, pasta, sandwiches, and salads. Memphis Hilton, 939 Ridgelake Blvd., 762-7477. B, L, D, FB, #, $-$$$, MRA

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE—Offers prime steaks cut and aged in-house, as well as lamb, chicken, and fresh seafood, including lobster. 6120 Poplar. 761-0055. D, FB, #, $$-$$$, MRA

SALSA—Specialties include carnitas, chiles rellenos, and fajitas; also Southwestern seafood dishes such as tilapia with fresh pico de gallo. Closed Sunday. Regalia Shopping Center, 6150 Poplar. 683-6325. L, D, FB, #, $-$$, MRA

WANG’S MANDARIN HOUSE—Offers Mandarin, Canton

ese, Szechuan, and spicy Hunan entrées, as well as vegetarian and weight-watcher specials. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 6065 Park Ave., Park Place Mall. 763-0676; 113 S. Main. 523-2065. L, D, FB, #, $, MRA

SOUTH MEMPHIS

HONG KONG—Cantonese and Mandarin standards are sweet-and-sour chicken and pepper beef. 3966 Elvis Presley. 396-0801. L, D, Br, #, $

Justin Fox Burks

SUMMER/BERCLAIR

EDO—Known for its seafood dishes and sushi. Entrées include shrimp tempura and chicken teriyaki. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday, and all day Monday. 4792 Summer. 767-7096. L, D, Br, #, $-$$

LOTUS—Serves Vietnamese-Asian fare, including whole boneless duck, lemon-grass chicken and shrimp, egg rolls, and spicy Vietnamese vermicelli. 4970 Summer. 682-1151. D, Br, #, $

NAGASAKI INN—Grilled chicken, steak, and lobster are among the main courses; meal is cooked at your table. 3951 Summer. 454-0320. D, FB, # (except bathrooms), $-$$

PANDA GARDEN—Sesame chicken and broccoli beef are among the Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan entrées at this popular eatery. 3735 Summer. 323-4819. L, D, BR, $-$$

WINCHESTER/HICKORY HILL

FORMOSA—Offers Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan cuisine, including sesame chicken, Mongolian and broccoli beef, and hot-and-sour soup. Closed Monday. 6685 Quince. 753-9898. L, D, FB, #, $-$$

HELLO RESTAURANT—Lemon-grass chicken, vegetarian dishes, noodle soup, and stir-fry combos are among the Chinese/Vietnamese/American entrées. Closed Sunday. 5910 Mt. Moriah (just west of Ridgeway), Ste. 103. 362-8875. L, D, Br, #, $-$$

HIBACHI JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE AND SUSHI BAR—In addition to Japanese-style grilled steaks and seafood, Hibachi serves salads, soups, and hand rolls. Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday. 2809 Kirby Parkway, Ste. 109. 737-2124. L, D, FB, #, $$

TYCOON—Among the Chinese,Vietnamese, and Thai entrées are spicy garlic shrimp and coconut-curry chicken. 3307 Kirby Parkway. 362-8788. L, D, Br, #, $

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

On the Go

ForbesTraveler.com has named The Peabody one of the 15 top foodie hotels in the nation. The Peabody shares the honor with New York City’s Four Seasons Hotel, home to L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon; Washington, D.C.’s Latham Hotel, which houses Citronelle; and Wynn Las Vegas, which has 11 restaurants, including Daniel Boulud Brasserie.

The expert panel included Washington Post food critic Phyllis Richman, James Beard Foundation vice president Mitchell Davis, and eGullet founder Steven A. Shaw. And while they expected to find great restaurants in great hotels in sought-after travel destinations, they were surprised to find the same in unexpected places such as Memphis and Laguna Beach, California.

If you want to see for yourself whether the Forbes poll was right, you’ll have plenty of opportunity in June. Chez Philippe will host a “Taste of Greece” dinner on Thursday, June 21st. The five-course menu will feature upscale twists on traditional and well-known Greek dishes such as mousaka, eggplant casserole, and baklava. Price for the dinner, which begins at 6 p.m., is $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 529-4199.

On Friday, June 22nd, Capriccio Grill will host a Trinchero wine dinner, which will feature six courses that are paired with wines from Trinchero Family Estates. Price for the dinner and tasting, which begins at 6 p.m., is $85 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 529-4199.

The Peabody, 149 Union (529-4000)

Mark your calendar for Bravo Caliente, a wine-tasting fund-raiser for the Greater Memphis Arts Council’s Bravo Memphis program, which is designed to introduce a younger crowd to Memphis arts.

The event, scheduled for Thursday, June 21st, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Pembroke Square rooftop, will feature wines from south of the border. There will also be Latin music and dance as well as food from downtown restaurants.

Tickets for Bravo Caliente are $25 per person or $40 per couple.

www.memphisartscouncil.org

If you want to splurge on a really good bottle of Scotch — the aged-50-years kind of “really good” — head to Busters Liquors and Wines and be ready to spend roughly the cost of a small, used car. A bottle of Balvenie Cask 191 is the only Scotch whisky of its kind in Memphis and one of very few available in the U.S. But it will set you back $7,500. If you want good Scotch but can’t come up with that kind of cash, try the 10- to 30-year-old Balvenie selections available at Busters. They’ll run you about $41 to $500.

Busters Liquors and Wines, 191 S. Highland (458-0929)

Erling Jensen has hired a new chef de cuisine to replace his protégé Justin Young, who has left to take a job as executive chef for Kraft Foods. It’s “one of those 9-to-5 jobs where you make a million dollars a year,” Jensen says. According to Young, he made the move to be able to spend more time with his family.

In Young’s place is Karen Noriega. Noriega worked for Jensen at his current restaurant as well as at the short-lived but fondly remembered EJ’s Brasserie before heading to Koto, Jensen’s joint venture with Jimmy Ishii, which was replaced by Bari. Jensen says that Noriega will certainly put her mark on some of the dishes and that he typically gives his chefs a fairly free hand — one free hand, anyway.

Check out Noriega’s style at the restaurant’s Friday-night dinner series, offering five wines and four courses for $75 plus tax and gratuity.

Erling Jensen, 1044 S. Yates (763-3700)

River Oaks Restaurant has added a chef’s table to its kitchen to give guests the opportunity to dine in close proximity to executive chef Ben Vaughn. Seating at the chef’s table is available Tuesday through Saturday with the option of a six-course tasting menu or a grand menu with 12 courses. Wine pairings are available upon request. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

River Oaks Restaurant, 5871 Poplar (683-9305)

Categories
Food & Wine Food & Drink

Date Night

It’s date night. Whether you’ve been together for who-knows-how-many years or at the start of something wonderful, you’ve still got to eat. For this special dining guide, we pondered the idea of a date. It’s about togetherness, first and foremost — a shared experience that can enhance whatever other factors come into play.

Justin Fox Burks

True Romance

Romance, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. A couple who met and bonded while slurping down an orange slush at Wiles-Smith drugstore might be more “stimulated” by BLTs served on a Formica counter than sipping a robust Chianti in the darkest corner of Le Chardonnay or savoring the finest, freshest dishes at Encore or Chez Philippe. Such is the nature of sensual memory, love, and romance. But who among us — no matter how humbly inclined — could turn down the opportunity to be a prince or princess for a night? Who could refuse an evening in paradise?

Cielo (the Spanish word for “heaven”) is truly the best of both worlds. Its gorgeous Victorian exterior cloaks the decadently modern interiors like chocolate covers jelly. It’s a place where earthy delights such as mashed potatoes are made heavenly with brie and the humble pork chop is ennobled with fragrant coriander. Exciting contradictions abound in this funky little corner of the sky where the last is made first, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and innovation is synonymous with tradition. Everything on the menu is angel food.

There’s another, more literary way to consider the “romantic.” The word has always implied a longing for nature and the simple pleasures of bygone days. So what could be more romantic than hailing a horse-drawn carriage on Beale Street and telling the coachman, “To The Inn at Hunt Phelan, James, and make it snappy”? Who wouldn’t feel like Cinderella and Prince Charming climbing down from their coach beneath Hunt Phelan’s majestic columns? Who can resist holding hands in the garden? Whose sensual self wouldn’t be revealed in the presence of quail roasted with pine nuts, currants, and cassis or a beef filet topped with a smoked-mushroom bordelaise? This too is something akin to heaven. — Chris Davis

Cielo, 679 Adams (524-1886)

The Inn at Hunt Phelan, 533 Beale (525-8225)


Double Date

Justin Fox Burks

Di Anne Price serenading diners at Cielo

Want to stretch your dating dollars and make a good impression too? Try the inventive menus at book stores and antique malls for an intelligent new twist to double dating.

At Midtown’s Palladio International Antique Market on Central Avenue, the atmosphere at Café De France is charming and romantic. If the fresh flowers and indoor fountain don’t win her over, wait until she smothers her crisp bread with pesto butter or tries a sparkling French berry limonadae.

The salad and sandwich menu, served Tuesday through Saturday, is equally appealing: smoked chicken with melted goat cheese, chopped dates, and toasted almonds; baked brie with honey, spinach, and Fuji apple slices; or pork loin with mango horseradish mayo and manchego cheese.

While lunch is a little pricey (about $25 for two), the entertainment is free. The mall offers dozens of booths selling collectibles and European antiques, or for more eclectic junking, walk across the street to Gary’s.

Feeling literary in East Memphis? Try Davis-Kidd, where the store’s knowledgeable staff can recommend a local author or a national bestseller. But before claiming the upholstered rocking chairs in the cooking section, find a table at Brontë bistro for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Breakfast starts at 8 a.m., with recipes from celebrity chefs like “Paula Deen’s Perfect Scrambled Egg Platter” or “Tyler Florence’s Yogurt Berry Parfait.” Lunch service begins at 11 a.m., and it’s hard to get past the appetizers. The asiago cheese and artichoke dip is served piping hot with warm pita chips, a satisfying complement to the restaurant’s tomato bleu-cheese soup, made fresh every day.

Sandwiches and entrées priced under $10 fill out the dinner menu, offering deliciously updated versions of wraps, reubens, crab cakes, and pastas. — Pamela Denney

Café De France, 169 Central (725-2212)

Brontë at Davis-Kidd Booksellers, 387 Perkins Ext. (374-0881)


Meet for Drinks

Justin Fox Burks

Lobster Benedict for Sunday brunch at Caf 1912

Have you had your eye on that certain someone and finally found the courage to ask him or her out? If dinner seems too much too soon at this point, meet for cocktails. It’s a strategy that’s paved the way for many relationships.

To help you out, we talked to some of the best bartenders from around the city and asked them what drinks can best kick-start a night.

The consensus was that it’s hard to go wrong with wine. Everyone has his or her own personal favorite, but Lana of The Poplar Lounge says that Little Penguin Shiraz is perfect for date night.

Dan from The Hi-Tone, however, cautions that wine can be very hit-or-miss, depending on the quality of what an establishment stocks. His preference? “We have a drink that always leads to a good time, but it’s not particularly the most appetizing-sounding thing,” he says. “We call it ‘Grease Lightning.'” “Grease Lightning” contains equal parts tequila and Red Bull served shaken and strained into a glass. “It sounds crazy,” Dan acknowledges, “but it’s good. Trust me.”

Not that the Hi-Tone is the only establishment with a unique homebrew, of course. Anita, mistress of The Stage Stop, wouldn’t give away her secret recipe but did tantalize with a teaser: “It’s a mix of four top-shelf white liquors and a tropical-juice blend that’s topped with beer and served on ice in 44-ounce pitchers,” she says. Anita didn’t give the concoction a name, so let’s call it the “Stage Stopper.”

Martinis are always solid standbys. The specialists at Swig recommend either a “Flirtini” (vodka, champagne, and pineapple juice) or the house recipe “Strawberry Seduction,” which tastes just like it sounds. Mike, a bartender for two years at Gill’s, says that you can’t go wrong with a classic Cosmopolitan, though he adds that a good whiskey and Coke will always warm you up in the winter. Café Soul‘s Melvin Daniel suggests a turn toward the exotic with a pomegranate or mango martini. “They are both delicious. I can put it no other way,” he says.

The folks at The Buccaneer swear up and down on their “Malibu Madras,” a mix of cranberry juice, orange juice, and rum stirred into a highball glass. Memphis staple Alfred’s echoes Gill’s thumbs-up on the Cosmopolitan, but they insist that their “Walk-Me-Down” — rum, gin, tequila, sour mix, and Sprite served over ice — takes the cake. — Zac Hill

The Poplar Lounge, 2586 Poplar (324-1233)

The Hi-Tone Café, 1913 Poplar (278-TONE)

The Stage Stop, 2951 Cela (382-1577)

Swig, 100 Peabody Place (522-8515)

Gill’s, 551 S. Highland (458-2787)

Café Soul, 492 S. Main (859-0557)

The Buccaneer, 1368 Monroe (278-0909)

Alfred’s, 197 Beale (525-3711)


Sweets for Your Sweetie

Justin Fox Burks

Tyler Florence’s Yogurt Berry Parfait at Bront

Here at the Flyer, we cherish our public-service role. It is in that spirit that we doggedly scoured the city in search of restaurants that wouldn’t look askance at you, gentle consumer, for wanting only dessert on your date.

At Cheesecake Corner, former steelworker Kevin Matthews has elevated the art of the cheesecake to unprecedented heights. The pastry case holds cheesecake creations including brandy, lemon fudge, peach pecan, and “Red Velvet,” among many, many others. The typical slice is good for sharing. The downtown shop is open until midnight on weekends.

The Crepe Maker‘s “Triple Treat” is your basic crepe with Nutella (need I say more?), bananas, strawberries, and whipped cream. The “Bad Girl” (for boys too) features the delicate duo dulce de leche and Grand Marnier, along with cinnamon, powdered sugar, and strawberries. Crepe Maker is open till 9 p.m. weeknights and 10 p.m. weekends.

If you’re caught out east well after dark with a sweet tooth, the Silver Spoon has a tasty cobbler that’s even tastier topped with ice cream. Plus, the place is a favorite of North Memphis rapper Yo Gotti. Open late with DJ and entertainment.

Paulette’s offers one of the best dessert menus in the city. Do not allow yourself to become indecisive. Get the K-Pie. Better known as the “Kahlua Mocha Parfait,” this monument to sweetness features a pecan-coconut crust and a shot of Kahlua. Not exactly your goin’-steady ice-cream soda. If you’re not ready for that kind of commitment, though, Paulette’s serves crème brûlée, key-lime pie, and their own classic crepes. Paulette’s is open until 9 p.m. on weeknights and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. — Preston Lauterbach

Cheesecake Corner, 113 East G.E. Patterson (525-CAKE)

Crepe Maker, Avenue at Carriage Crossing, 4630 Merchants Way Circle #731,

Collierville (861-1981); 175 Peabody Place (522-1290)

Silver Spoon, 6063 Mt. Moriah (365-6881)

Paulette’s, 2110 Madison (726-5128)


Cheap Date

Justin Fox Burks

Martinis at Swig

Madison Avenue may elicit visions of well-coifed, high-fashion types in New York, but here in Memphis, Madison Avenue offers a plethora of venues for the ultimate cheap date. The P&H Café, the Lamplighter Lounge, and Yosemite Sam’s all offer full menus, beer on tap, and entertainment at a reasonable price.

At The P&H Café, you can enjoy a game of pool or darts, live music, free wi-fi, and the best bathroom graffiti in town. The menu offers a variety of items ranging from spaghetti to a feta-and-caper-stuffed burger. If your date is in need of a sugar rush, go for the Bunny Cream — a deep-fried honey bun topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup.

A little farther east on Madison is The Lamplighter Lounge. It’s intimate and … smoky. Belly up to the bar for a PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) on tap and a deliciously greasy “Shirley” burger. (If Shirley’s not there to put a little extra love in the sauce, ask if tamales are in season.) The regulars can usually help out in terms of lively conversation. At the very least, they can assist you with The New York Times crossword puzzle.

On the corner of Madison and Cooper is Yosemite Sam’s, once known for its eye-catching turquoise exterior. Go straight for a stiff drink and the karaoke menu. Even if you think you are not the karaoke type, chances are you will change your mind after an hour or two. The crowd is very accepting of the tone-deaf. Once you have a few songs under your belt, a Varmit burger will hit the spot. — Stacey Greenberg

The P&H Café, 1532 Madison (726-0906)

The Lamplighter Lounge, 1702 Madison (726-1101)

Yosemite Sam’s, 2126 Madison (726-6138)


Dutch Treat

Justin Fox Burks

Cobbler at Silver Spoon

How does a meat-eating dad cope with a teenage daughter becoming a vegan? In our household, he goes Dutch, bringing his own entrées to the dinner table from two family-owned restaurants tucked in East Memphis strip malls.

From New Chang Ying on Park Avenue, the dinner contribution is a quart of wonton soup made fresh to order in one of Danny Liu’s well-seasoned woks. At $2.45, the soup is delicious and affordable. A simple stock seasoned with green onions, shredded Chinese cabbage, and a little salt and pepper is the warm and soothing backdrop for 10 plump wontons filled with ground pork, a touch of sugar, and three sauces: soy, soy mushroom, and oyster.

“We also put a little chopped vegetables in the wontons, and there’s no greasy chicken broth,” Liu explains. “We make our broth with water.”

About a mile away on Getwell Road, another local family is cooking the most authentic chicken wings this side of Buffalo. Ching’s jumbo party wings offer just that — a hearty mix of drummies and two-prongers seasoned any of nine different ways: honey hot (our favorite), honey gold, original seasoned, lemon pepper, dry hot, mild hot, regular hot, extra hot, and suicide.

Along with the wings, orders are dressed with sliced carrots and celery and (no kidding) a croissant. “One day we ran out of rolls so we brought croissants, and everybody liked it,” explains owner Josh Williams, juggling phone orders and walk-ins on a busy Thursday night.

Not that waiting is a problem at Ching’s, the nickname of Williams’ grandmother, Shirley Wilson. These folks are serious Memphis Tiger fans, and they have the memorabilia to prove it and keep their patrons occupied while they wait for their orders. Jerseys, posters, and more than 100 framed photos cover the restaurant walls. Coach Cal is a customer, and yes, he has a regular order. “Original seasoned,” Williams says. “He likes his wings dry, no sauce.” — Pamela Denney

New Chang Ying, 3992 Park (324-8080)

Ching’s Hot Wings, 1264 Getwell (743-5545)


Dining In


Shirley serves her burger at The Lamplighter Lounge

Date night doesn’t always mean going out. Sometimes the most romantic setting is right in your own dining room. Just ask Kristi Witt.

With 20 years of professional cooking under her belt, Witt is something of a food goddess. Typical catering jobs have her preparing meals for as many as 75 people, but she also has been hired to make dinner just for two.

Witt has worked in food service since she was 21 years old. That’s when she moved to Memphis from Arkansas, first working for Fascinating Foods and then for Karen Carrier after Carrier started Another Roadside Attraction. About 10 years ago, Witt decided to go out on her own, making food her business.

“Sometimes people think I have 20 employees and three delivery vans, but it’s really just me,” Witt explains. However, she has a network of friends who are also food-service professionals, which she “recruits” for jobs that require more than one woman.

Although she has dined out on Valentine’s Day many times, she now prefers her own dining room for a romantic dinner.

“My husband and I really try to make every day special,” Witt says. “If I have to work on Valentine’s Day, we wouldn’t feel like we missed our chance for a romantic evening. You miss your chance if you wait for Valentine’s Day to come around.”

Because both Witt and her husband enjoy cooking she isn’t sure yet who’ll be wearing the chef’s hat that night. But she knows what’s cooking if she gets to choose the menu.

“Mushroom risotto. I would definitely make mushroom risotto. That’s the ultimate comfort food for me. And because it’s a special occasion, I would add truffles to the risotto. We would have arugula salad with roasted beets, toasted walnuts, and blue cheese and a nice piece of fish — probably tuna. It’s my husband’s favorite fish.”

And for dessert? “A couple of pieces of really nice dark chocolate — the kind that’s good for your heart,” she says with a laugh. To complement the chocolate: Rosa Regale, a very affordable red sparkling wine with a hint of raspberries and rose. — Simone Wilson

Kristi Witt, kristi@warnerwitt.com


The Morning After


Justin Fox Burks

Wonton soup at New Chang Ying

Sometimes it’s tough to get away for a night on the town. Family obligations, children’s sleepovers, etc. can keep you home, hoping against hope to find some humor on Saturday Night Live. But all is not lost. There’s another day left in the weekend, another chance to act like grownups out on the town.

And that’s where Sunday brunch at Café 1912 comes in handy. It’s sophisticated and comforting all at once. When you walk in, you’re greeted by the smoky aroma wafting from Chef Tony Barnes’ small, open kitchen. The warm yellow walls and the intimate seating make you feel as though you’ve found an oasis of civilization, a little piece of Europe in Midtown.

I suggest starting brunch the civilized way, with a Mimosa, though some folks prefer the Bellini (peach nectar and champagne). The menu offers such delicacies as Lobster Benedict, crepes, and other luscious fare, but the pièce de résistance is the Irish Breakfast. I know, I know, this is a Continental/French kind of place, but Café 1912 does Irish right, with eggs, sausage and bacon, garlic potatoes, sliced Roma tomatoes, and brown-sugar baked beans piled high on a crockery plate. Savor and enjoy. Have another Mimosa. Follow it up with a crème brûlée, and you’re ready for an afternoon nap. And what could be more grownup than that? — Bruce VanWyngarden

Café 1912, 243 S. Cooper (722-2700)

Categories
Cover Feature News

The Memphis Flyer Dining Guide A to Z

The good news: As seen here in the Memphis Flyer‘s Dining Guide, there’s a lot of good eating in Memphis. (And to be honest, this guide only scratches the surface — but what a delicious surface!) The bad news: If you’re hungry, reading this guide could bring you to tears.

Justin Fox Burks

There’s a secret system built into the menus of many Mexican restaurants across Memphis. For mysterious reasons, at Mexican restaurants with a numbered list of combination dinners, the #8 is a dish that cannot fail.

The make-up of the #8 is different at each restaurant: During lunch at El Mezcal, a #8 gets you a beef enchilada, a tamale, Mexican rice, and fried beans, while at The Happy Mexican you get a tamale, rice, and beans, and they’ll chip in tortilla soup and a chile relleno too. No matter your mood, the place, or time of day, you can always go with the magical #8.

What could this Latino Code, this conspiracy of calculus, mean? It’s a riddle, wrapped in a tortilla, topped with sour cream. — Greg Akers

The patio at Las Margaritas (the restaurant inside the Artisan Hotel at the corner of Union and McLean) may be popular, but that barroom you walk through to get there? It’s windlowless but no problem, because the décor (airport loungey) makes up for it. The booths: They’re bright-red, high-backed, and extra cushiony for extra privacy if you want to get away from it all, and the bar itself looks like something they’d cook up in Europe: no barstools; rather, a row of comfortable, regular-height, backed seating (for your after-work aching back), because the bartender stands a few inches lower than the main floor. And if that maragarita-pouring, Spanish-speaking bartender isn’t sure how to mix a Manhattan, tell him what’s what. He’s happy to oblige. In fact, there isn’t a staff person at Las Margaritas, inside or out, who doesn’t make you mighty welcome.

But back to “ambience” (non-restaurant division): Why should a milk factory cum truck depot be a welcome addition to the neighborhood? Well, it is, if that factory is Turner Dairy. The neighborhood is Overton Square. At night, the place can be downright spooky, but there you go, exiting the Blue Monkey or Molly’s on Madison, and what you see is a mini industrial landscape, the air itself vibrating. But have you once seen a soul around this place? I like to think I have: Monica Vitti, wandering aimlessly, Red Desert-like. The soundtrack: the drone of a diesel engine idling.

And speaking of engines and idling … I understand that fast-food workers aren’t raking in big bucks. But maybe they are at Back Yard Burgers, because it’s reflected in the service. A small thing? Not if you’ve promised yourself that you will never again use the drive-through at any of Back Yard’s bigger competitors, who shall go nameless. But you break that promise all the time. You wait in line to order. You wait in line to pay at the first window. Then you wait at the second window. Nothing. That weird order you placed and paid for — hamburger, French fries — must have thrown the kitchen for a loop, because the next thing you know, you’re being told to “pull up.” And you wait some more. This does not happen at Back Yard. The half-dozen BLTs (cheap!) that you’re having for dinner tonight and for breakfast the next day are yours — brought to you by the man or woman in the window who actually acts like he or she is kind of glad you came. How’s that for “ambience”? Give that man or woman a raise. — Leonard Gill

GOTTA TRY: the Alternative Pizza at Memphis Pizza Café (amazingly, people eat pizza with no sauce!)

As far as presentation goes, a basket is a bold statement of an open-door policy. Justin Fox Burks

Cafe Ole’s bacon-wrapped shrimp

It says that you are invited in to the food, no strings attached, no rules to follow. Enter, and leave your manners (along with your cutlery) at the door.

You’re gonna be glad you can dispense with grace as you dig into your meal at Soul Fish. There the plastic-basket delivery system scores you “O-face”-worthy catfish, crispy hushpuppies, and two sides of your choice.

No matter where you are in Memphis, you aren’t far from a Huey’s. Many of Huey’s items are served in baskets, and arguably the best is their basket of onion rings. The batter on the giant, hand-breaded rings is so thick and scrumptious, you’ll be thankful there’s deli paper lining the basket to catch it all. So, you can clean your “plate.” It’s finger food in the purest sense.

In Memphis, the alpha male of the basket set is appropriately named: the Basket of Plenty, at East End Grill. The description is like an infomercial: “But wait, there’s more! The basket boasts breaded and deep-fried jumbo Gulf shrimp, breast-meat chicken tenders, corn-flour-battered catfish strips, fries, slaw, and three sauces for dipping. — Greg Akers

GOTTA TRY: bacon-wrapped stuffed shrimp at Café Ole; big burritos at Swanky’s; bibb salad at Encore; beef salad at Bhan Thai or Sawaddii

If you’re one of the many who have taken Julia Child’s memoir My Life in France to heart, you might consider enrolling in The Memphis Culinary Academy for 300-plus hours in the kitchen with Chef Joseph Carey, who delivers the ultimate cooking challenge. Can’t devote yourself to a serious course load? Drop into the new Viking facility at Park Place Mall for lectures and hands-on workshops in fish cookery, basic knife skills, and other scintillating scullery subjects. Viking’s “Girls Night Out” courses provide the backdrop for guilt-free socializing, while its free noontime lecture series, scheduled to start this fall, will have you shouting “Bon Appetit!” in no time. — Andria Lisle

GOTTA TRY: crabcakes at Mortimer’s; crispy orange bean curd at Jasmine

Many go to Quetzal for an organic, fair-trade caffeine buzz, but if you’re looking for a different kind of high, try their cocktails. Justin Fox Burks

Veggie egg roll from Precious Cargo Coffeehouse

Not only are they amazingly delicious, they’re also gorgeous works of art. The delightfully tangy Sangria Margarita comes served in an oversized fish-bowl glass rimmed with extra-chunky salt. Soaked fruit from the homemade sangria offsets the deep-purple liquid. Try the smokin’-hot Bloody Mary, if you dare. It comes with calamata olives and celery stick.

Forget herbal teas, the Majestic Grille has herbal martinis. The Strawberry Basil Martini features chopped basil leaves, strawberry pieces, Strawberry Stoli vodka, and raspberry liquor. Or try the Lavender Cucumber Martini: Hendrick’s Gin with bits of fresh lavender and cucumber pieces. — Bianca Phillips

GOTTA TRY: Dorado omelet at Brother Juniper’s — the egg is served flat and round, almost like a tortilla, and is piled high with fresh avocado, black beans, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream

Oxford resident John T. Edge is spreading the gospel of Southern food one mouthful at a time: He’s the director of the Southern Foodways Alliance, an offshoot of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at Ole Miss, a contributing editor at Gourmet, and a food columnist for the Oxford American and The New York Times. Justin Fox Burks

The coffee is not the only offering at Quetzal that will give you a buzz.

Tune into NPR’s All Things Considered, and you’ll hear Edge deliver mouthwatering edicts on fried chicken, barbecued ribs, and meat-and-three restaurants; turn on the Food Network, and you’ll see him sitting in the judges’ booth for Iron Chef America; hit the bookstore, and you’ll see his volumes on apple pies, hamburgers and fries, and donuts occupying the cookbook shelves.

Winsome, erudite, and as doggedly dedicated as was late food writer M.F.K. Fisher, Edge seems to spend every spare moment stomping the backroads of the American South, searching for that perfectly seasoned catfish filet, shucked oyster, or soul-food dinner that beckons from just beyond the horizon. The translation of that quest, which surfaces in his own essays and in his work at the SFA, is revolutionizing the restaurant industry as well as the kitchen table. — Andria Lisle

Fish tacos, once considered an unusual dish, have been popping up on menus all over town. A fast, fried version can be found at Blue Coast Burrito that features cod filets, fresh cilantro, and tangy mayonnaise. Bluefin and Café 61 offer tasty versions with fresh fish and pico de gallo with varying degrees of heat. At Las Tortugas, customers have a choice of red snapper or tilapia and get to watch Pepe, the very friendly and talkative owner (who goes shopping for fresh ingredients before opening each morning) gently grill it up behind a glass window. The fish is then wrapped in four separate corn tortillas and dressed with fresh avocado and salsa tayde, an avocado-based spicy green sauce. For extra zip, add the crazy fresh salsa mexicana that comes on the side. — Stacey Greenberg

Forget the flaccid hotdog that revolves, endlessly, under the heat lamps at the Circle K. If push comes to shove, you can actually stuff your belly with honest-to-goodness food next time you fill your car with unleaded. In East Memphis, stop at the Citgo at Poplar and Ridgeway for a taste of Lee’s Sushi, one of the best bargains in town, made on-site by a bona fide sushi chef. Kyle Hood

John T. Edge

(The sign, which proclaims “Fresh Sushi,” is impossible to miss.) Savvy late-night diners swear by the all-white-meat chicken-on-a-stick offered at the downtown Chevron station in Oxford, Mississippi. Topping off the tank at a Dodge Store? Add an order of potato logs, egg rolls, and pizza sticks to your tab. And food snobs take note: Midtown faves Payne’s BBQ and Petra Restaurant (which replaced the much-mourned Hattley’s) both occupy former grease-monkey pits. Back in the day, the request for an oil change didn’t involve switching canola for olive. — Andria Lisle

GOTTA TRY: Godzilla Roll at Sekisui; Gustav Roll at Sakura; Grilled-shrimp cobb salad at Automatic Slim’s

If sirloin is king, ground beef is the epicurean emblem of the working class: Pounded into a patty, sprinkled with spices (a liberal application of onion flakes, A-1, or Worcestershire sauce can work wonders on tough meat), and grilled to perfection, a juicy burger rivals even the thickest steak. In Memphis, the best burgers are often found at the humblest dives. Try the short-order varieties at the Lamplighter Lounge, the Kwik Shop Grill at East Parkway and Central, and Wiles-Smith Drug Store. Gourmet chowhounds prefer the array of extra ingredients offered at time-honored institutions such as Huey’s, Alex’s Tavern, and the Belmont Grill. Dyer’s deep-fried hamburger is the greasy measuring stick that all other Memphis burgers are evaluated against. Or head south, to Holly Springs, Mississippi, for Phillips Grocery‘s heavenly burger, a ham-hamburger-bacon-and-cheese combo that, frankly, is a heart attack waiting to happen. Andria Lisle

At Viet Hoa, you can get a peek into the basket of Encore owner/ chef Jose Gutierrez. He shops here. (“Because I always find something different. Sometimes it’s good, other times I spit it out and try again,” he says with a laugh.) This afternoon he’s eyeing lychee, a fragrant, plum-like fruit, but settles instead on sugar cane, coconut, tamarind (a spice used in Asian cuisines), and cilantro.

At Food Hunter on Highland, owner Susan Somboonna carries an impressive assortment of Thai products. Today she recommends the mor gang, a baked taro custard made with coconut milk. Warm from the microwave, it’s a sweet, satisfying comfort food, similar to pumpkin pie filling.

For all things Middle Eastern, the Jerusalem Market on Summer fills the bill. In addition to a bakery and restaurant, this may be one of the few places locally where you can purchase fresh lamb and goat meat. Several Mexican markets also bake their own traditional breads and sweets. At La Espiga at Summer and Graham, you can shop at the supermercado and panadería (bakery) and then enjoy homemade tortillas at the adjoining restaurant. For fresh spices, drop by the Regal Indian Grocery on American Way. They offer a tasty assortment of Indian products. — Jane Schneider

Japanese has become synonymous with sushi, but there’s a lot more to this country’s cuisine. Drive down Summer and visit Edo, Memphis’ oldest Japanese restaurant. Edo specializes in traditional dishes and is quaint, rather than sleek, and the service is superb. Try the tonkatsu (a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet served with cabbage), yakitori (chicken kabobs), or a heaping pot of shabu shabu (a traditional soup of thinly sliced meat, tofu, and vegetables). For dessert, don’t pass up the tempura fried ice cream.

Just across the road from Edo is the Nagasaki Inn, which specializes in Teppanyaki, a type of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook food, also known as hibachi. The chef performs a small show for the customers while preparing your choice of beef, chicken, or shrimp. Each item is served with fried rice, mung bean sprouts, and grilled vegetables. You can’t beat the kitschy Summer Avenue feel.

— Stacey Greenberg

GOTTA TRY: Jacksonville Roll at Sekisui (spicy crawfish with seared tuna on top — fajita seasoning is the secret ingredient!); Joyce or Jillian Roll at Sakura

Take the kids out to restaurants to expose them to new foods and to have an enjoyable family experience. (And chicken tenders on the kids’ menu and butcher paper on the table do not equal kid-friendly.) Seek out places with fast, friendly service, a menu that boasts fresh and nutritious foods, and a vibrant atmosphere. Particularly good is Pete & Sam’s for their ability to handle large groups (where the kids sometimes outnumber the adults). The assortment of bread, crackers, and butter on the table helps keep the kids busy until the food comes. Hit menu items include mini pizzas, ravioli, and Italian spinach. El Porton‘s got speedy service and ample chips and dip. Plus, the volume from people talking and enjoying their meals is always loud enough to mask the ruckus going on at you table. — Stacey Greenberg

GOTTA TRY: Ella Kizzie’s peach cobbler (the best on the planet) or her greens and hot-water cornbread served at the Center for Southern Folklore

It’s 1:30 on a Saturday, we’re talking a.m., and after a long night of weekend-prompted debauchery, you’ve got the munchies. If you’re still on Beale, head for Blues City Café to prevent your looming hangover. The institution stays open until 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 5 a.m. on weekends. You might not be able to stomach the crab au gratin after a diver from Silky’s, so go for a sausage-and-cheese platter or try the “World’s Best Tamales.” Get a plate of 12 for you and your entourage, order a side bowl of chili, and you might even feel good enough to get 40s at Raiford’s afterward.

If you’ve been partying in Midtown, swing by Alex’s Tavern, the local dive that stays open until the wee hours of the morn serving cheeseburgers and chicken tenders hot out of the fryer. Added pluses at this hole in the wall are the shuffleboard table and the big-screen TV — happy diversions to keep the drinker and the driver entertained until 3 a.m., when owner Rocky closes shop. Just be sure to check your attitude at the door and share the facilities, and your food, with the regulars. — Sarah Galpern

GOTTA TRY: lasagna at Pete & Sam’s; lasagne at Café Toscana — superb

The meat-and-three diner may be a dying breed of restaurant, but this staple of Southern cuisine is firmly entrenched in the Bluff City. While trendy bistros come and go, the Cupboard marches on, dishing up steaming piles of eggplant-and-cracker casserole, perfect fried green tomatoes, fresh-sliced cucumbers, and a wide range of main courses. People who think Memphians are fussy about their barbecue have never tasted Gus’s spicy fried chicken or visited Ellen’s Soul Food. They have certainly never heard a fan of the heaping plate lunches at West Street Diner explain at length why Germantown may be the dining capital of the universe. For great greens, stop by Alcenia’s in the Pinch and be sure to drizzle a little habenero vinegar over the top.

Fried corn? Fried pickles? Fried okra? Mac-n-Cheese? All the major vegetable groups can be found in Memphis diners, served with greasy cornbread muffins, thick biscuits, fluffy yeast rolls, and maybe even a couple of vegetables that aren’t either fried or slow-cooked with ham hock.

Although many of Memphis’ famous meat-and-threes, such as Ferguson’s and the Leech Family Restaurant, have closed shop, fans of country-fried steak, baked ribs, and chicken-and-dumplings are still well served by comfortable neighborhood eateries like the Barksdale, the Cottage, and Audubon Cafe. For an Italian twist (with a hint of New Orleans), Dino’s Midtown diner is as quaint as they come, and folks who don’t want their lungs tainted with secondhand smoke while hardening their arteries with gallons of creamy sausage gravy can always visit Blue Plate.

One meat and three vegetables isn’t enough, you say? Then stop by the Gayhawk on Danny Thomas some Sunday afternoon for their after-church buffet. God is good indeed. — Chris Davis

GOTTA TRY: Monte Cristo at Fresh Slices; Memphis Po’Boy at Soul Fish (a pork sandwich with bacon!); muffaletta at Dino’s — old-skool

If the great culinary axiom of the South is that everything tastes better battered and fried, then the Memphis-centric corollary is that everything tastes better with the addition of a little barbecued pork: pizza, spaghetti, salads, baked potatoes. And, most definitely, nachos. Yes, Memphis turned a shabby snack of tortilla chips and processed “cheese” goop into a full-fledged meal by heaping slow-cooked pork, sauce, and spices on top. In the decade or so since barbecue nachos debuted as Bluff City ballpark food, it’s become a dish that defines us. AutoZone Park is still the finest place to feast, but barbecue nachos have invaded restaurant menus as well. They’re particularly satisfying at Central BBQ.

Then again, if you’re more of a nachos traditionalist, you have to start with the built-for-two Mr. Bruce’s Nachos at Molly’s La Casita, where a combination of spicy cheese dip, the city’s tastiest refried beans, and the restaurant’s chili gravy make up the zestiest nachos you’ll ever eat. Justin Fox Burks

BBQ sandwich from Payne’s BBQ

And with assembly-line Southwestern joints all the rage, there’s no better place to watch your nachos getting made than Swanky’s, where better, fresher ingredients make all the difference. — Chris

Herrington

GOTTA TRY: the Newport at Café 61

Once upon a time and not so very long ago, going out for Irish in Memphis meant trotting down to Murphy’s, Silky’s, or some other neighborhood hooch-and-blarney palace to drink a cold pint of Miller, chow down on a good old-fashioned American burger, and (if you’re lucky) get into a fight with your brother-in-law, the flaming idiot.

Now, thanks to two relatively new eateries in downtown and Midtown, Memphians can settle in to a plateful of shepherd’s pie and soda bread served by somebody who sounds suspiciously like a leprechaun (or a pirate) any night of the week. The Dan McGuinness Pub in Peabody Place Mall gets props for being a chain in a mall that doesn’t feel anything like a chain in a mall. The pints are cold, the Bushmills flows, and the menu is a mix of souped-up Irish classics and bistro fare. The fish and chips are fine at Dan’s place, but nothing on the menu beats their sausage-wrapped scotch eggs.

Like Dan McGuinness, Celtic Crossing in Cooper-Young takes traditional food and tops it with stout Irish beer sauce. It’s an eclectic but homey place where you can start with Galway Bay mussels and potato wedges, then move on to a main course of not-so-Celtic jerked chicken. The fish and chips smell like the end of the rainbow and are easier to finish than Finnegans Wake.

Don’t feel like driving? The T.J. Mulligan’s franchise mixes an Irish theme with live music and classic bar food in every corner of Shelby County. And if you’ve got to have something Irish while you’re there, the hearty stew laced with potatoes and turnips is O’ so good. — Chris Davis

GOTTA TRY: oatburgers at Square Foods (original Squash Blossom recipe); Olive and Almond Cake at Meditrina; Ocean Pyramid at Sekisui

For a traditional short stack and other enticing varieties, including butter pecan or cinnamon raisin, you can’t go wrong at the city’s veteran breakfast place, the Blue Plate Cafe. Pancakes here come with a generous pat of butter and a hot carafe of maple syrup. Like many traditional diners, breakfast is served all day long at the East Memphis and downtown locations; if you can tough out the weekend wait, you won’t be sorry.

Any comfort-food connoisseurs must try the sweet-potato pancakes at the Arcade on South Main. A delectable twist on the original, these huge cakes are of the moist, rich variety, but they still maintain their fluffiness. Let them soak in some maple syrup while you’re eating the grits and eggs that accompany the dish, and they’ll taste, if possible, even better.

If you really want to try something different, go for the potato pancakes, traditionally called “latkes,” at Cooper-Young eatery Buns on the Run. Fried crispy on the outside yet still soft in the middle, these German specialties arrive dusted in powdered sugar and with a side of the restaurant’s homemade Red Hot applesauce to dip them in. — Sarah Galpern

It’s funny to read stories about Memphis’ contentious barbecue culture written by Yankee journos beamed in for an off-the-wall food feature in Urban Hunting Quarterly. The story is always the same: “wet v. dry,” or “Corky’s: awesome or awesomest ever?” Locals know that’s nothing like what you hear on the brutally hot streets of ‘Cueville, where a man’s rib, like a man’s faith, is respected, or at least not talked about in good company.

In Memphis, there are things everybody seems to agree on (like Willingham’s WHAM rub), and when people argue, they argue over the relative merits of picking up drive-through at the Top’s on Union or the Top’s on Summer. Real evangelicals — and we have our share — tend to preach the holy gospel of side and specialty items:

“I love the Cornish game hen at Cozy Corner, but when it comes to the slaw — and it is about the slaw — the Rendezvous mustardy cabbage is better than a whiskey shot on Sunday.”

That’s how it goes down on the bluff.

Here converts rave like AA members about how they used to crave the pulled pork at the Bar-B-Q Shop or Payne’s, lost 20 pounds since discovering Interstate‘s smoked turkey. Zealots swear that Neely’s spaghetti cures their psoriasis and makes you want to be a better person.

Every neighborhood has a barbecue gang who pimps their corner joint as the total package. In parts of Midtown, people stand by Central BBQ like Tammy Wynette stood by her man, and the wicked desserts and choice of vegetables at the Germantown Commissary give the suburbanites a good reason to crow.

So, to edify the hordes of out-of-town writers who’ll Google “Memphis Barbecue” next May, it’s not all about “wet v. dry.” It’s about wet and dry, the sweet and the spicy, gospel, country, and the blues. The City of Good Abode is a dining utopia built on negatives, where magnificently roasted pig is as inescapable as Memphis’ inclusion on semiannual lists of “America’s fattest cities.” That’s our blessing, our curse, and the story.

(RIP: Blues City Café Chef Bonnie Mack. A finer rack there never was.) — Chris Davis

Is a good meal really worthy of being a road trip’s goal? Of course it is, and there are tons of great restaurants within a couple hours drive of Memphis. John T. Edge’s Southern Belly and Jane and Michael Stern’s Roadfood are terrific guidebooks to the kind of authentic eateries worth seeking out, but we’ve got a few suggestions too.

If you’re a carnivore, you may never have a better meal than at Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville, Mississippi, which has been operating out of the same little white house in a rough residential neighborhood since 1941. Opening the front door, you step immediately into the kitchen, where two-, three-, and four-pound steaks are coming off the broiler and fresh-made tamales are being pulled from a steaming pot. Pop the latch on the cooler and help yourself to a cold beverage. Finally, weave through the serving area where potatoes are being skillet-fried and salads are being soaked in a lemon-juice-based dressing. Take your place at a simple dining table, probably with mismatched chairs. Pay no attention to the ceiling that looks like it’s about to cave in. Don’t bother looking for a menu, because there won’t be one. Just feast.

The drive to Greenville is a haul, but Doe’s is worth it. If you want something a little bit closer, another Doe’s location — the oldest of the restaurant’s franchises — is in Little Rock, where much of the charm and amazing food of the original have been retained. Or, en route to Little Rock, allow yourself to be pulled in by a couple of ace barbecue restaurants: Craig’s in DeVall’s Bluff, where the peppery sauce is a different world from the sweeter varieties that dominate Memphis, and Gene’s in Brinkley, where local color is almost more enjoyable than the good ‘cue and better catfish. — Chris Herrington

Even though this list is all over our favorite dishes and restaurants, there may come a time when you want to eat at home.

Or maybe it’s not that you want to but that your wallet demands it.

Either way, it’s time to cook. And that means supplies.

Lit, a restaurant-equipment and supply company near AutoZone Park on Union, is a cavernous space full of everything you would ever need to prepare, cook, or serve food. Though open to the public, Lit’s prices seem downright wholesale, so it’s perfect when you’re planning a party.

For the self-proclaimed foodie, that special species of upscale diner well-versed in food and drink, the Williams-Sonoma outlet on Spottswood is the place to be. With beautifully designed dinnerware, brightly colored cookware, high-end gadgets, and elegant cookbooks, Williams-Sonoma lets you bring the ambience of fine-dining home. Actually, it will make your kitchen look good even if you rarely go in it.

If you’re a seasoned chef, Forty Carrots on Sanderlin is a treat. The store sells gourmet kitchen accessories and tools, pots and pans, peppercorn blends, exotic olives, and we hear they have a great new garlic mincer that actually minces garlic instead of crushing it.

But even if you’re a complete novice in the kitchen, Forty Carrots is worth a look. The staff all cook — and cook well — so they can answer any questions about what exactly you need and how exactly you use it. — Mary Cashiola

GOTTA TRY: sticky rice and mango dessert at Jasmine; spinach and artichoke dip at Boscos; shrimp and grits at Paulette’s or City Grocery in Oxford

Spaniards tend to eat a late dinner, typically between 9 and 11 p.m. To pass the time, they often go bar hopping (ir de tapas) and, while there, usually munch on a few tapas. Tapas are little bites of food sold in bars. Sometimes they are included in the price of the drinks, in which case the tapas might just be a few olives or a piece of cheese.

In Memphis, you can enjoy this Spanish tradition at Dish, which offers an extensive tapas menu and cheese selection. However, other restaurants such as Tsunami and Meditrina offer a “small plate” menu with tasty bites that can easily make for dinner. Also available at those two restaurants is a mezze platter with enough goodies to share with you bar-hopping friends. Mezze is similar to tapas, and it is a tradition that extends from Turkey into the Balkans and as far as the Middle East. — Simone Wilson

GOTTA TRY: Tuscan Sun panini at Miss Cordelia’s; tempura fried ice cream at Edo

Sweet, sour, bitter, and salty are four basic tastes our tongue can detect. Justin Fox Burks

Mr. Bruce’s Nachos from Molly’s La Casita delivered by waitress Carie Newton

However, in recent years taste experts have said that the matter isn’t that simple. When eating, taste buds are helped by the sense of smell, by the feel and texture of food in your mouth, and even by the noise that food makes when you chew it. So master tasters decided to add a fifth taste called umami, a word and concept that has been known in Japanese culture for a long time. It’s hard to translate: Suggestions include savory, essence, pungent, deliciousness, and meaty. Umami is about the perfect balance of the four tastes and the engagement of all the senses.

Does umami exist at the Southern table? Peaches, grits, tomatoes, barbecue? “Tomatoes, yes. A perfectly ripe tomato has umami, and a barbecue sauce that’s not too sugary could have umami too,” says Jorge Noriega of Meditrina, who, during his tenure at Wally Joe restaurant, created a dessert called Umami. “You can pretty much find umami in every cuisine because the ingredients have it.” Noriega suggests a tomato sauce made with some umami-rich tomato paste and peak-of-the-season tomatoes, a bit of parmesan cheese, a glass of good red wine, and a well-done mole that comes in many variations but almost always boasts umami-rich chocolate as a signature ingredient. — Simone Wilson

It may be the barbecue capital of the world, but Memphis is home to plenty of animal-free eating options. Try the vegan tacos at Precious Cargo Coffeehouse, made with veggie-burger crumbles, casein-free soy cheese, banana peppers, and other veggies on a whole-wheat tortilla. They also offer vegan lasagna, faux-chicken quesadillas, and more. Justin Fox Burks

Burger from Huey’s

R.P. Tracks is famous for vegetarian and vegan barbecue tofu nachos, but the menu also features tofu and veggie burritos, a barbecue tofu sandwich, a veggies and rice entrée, and delicious roasted-pepper hummus. — Bianca Phillips

GOTTA TRY: vermicelli with spicy beef and lemon grass at Pho Vietnam; the veggie plate at Zinnie’s East, especially the fried okra and Mac-n-Cheese

So you just noshed on a 14-ounce rib-eye steak at Buckley’s in East Memphis, and you’re not exactly feeling supermodel thin. Just visit the ladies’ restroom and its special “skinny mirror” will have you feeling slim again in no time.

Receive an education in foreign culture while you pee at the Romano’s Macaroni Grille. A tape plays over the bathroom’s P.A. system with common Italian phrases, like “Oops, I forgot my passport.”

The formerly not-so-fresh girl’s room at the Young Avenue Deli was recently re-vamped and painted with an artsy flower motif. Now the place could probably win the award for cleanest bar bathroom in Midtown. — Bianca Phillips

Extra-large: Feel like a hot dog? Drive across the river to Big John’s Shake Shack in Marion, Arkansas, where they serve a meaty hotdog that seems as big around as your arm. Slather some onion, relish, and chili on that thing, and you’ll spend half an hour chomping it down.

But for other treats, there’s no place quite like the Big Foot Lodge, whose entire menu seems designed to please Paul Bunyan. Justin Fox Burks

Olive and Almond Cake from Meditrina

Most people have, by now, probably heard of the Sasquatch burger, a whopping four pounds of meat served on a bun the size of a catcher’s mitt. With all the fixings, the whole thing weighs more than seven pounds — about the weight of a newborn. Eat that thing — the burger, not the baby — in less than an hour, and not only do they refund the $19.99 price, you get your name and photo added to the Hall of Fame. Since it opened more than a year ago, however, nobody has met the challenge. Instead, more than 500 contenders — whose eyes were bigger than their stomachs — have their names listed on Big Foot’s Hall of Shame.  Michael Finger

The Internet might seem to go together with food like, well, Natural Light during dinner at Frank Grisanti’s. But where Memphis, food, and cyberspace meet is actually quite a busy intersection.

The Internet is great at making our lives easier, and one of the Web’s niftiest amenities can be found at OpenTable.com. There you can make reservations online weeks in advance for some of Memphis’ finest restaurants, including Texas de Brazil, Yia Yia’s, and Bari.

Hungry but don’t know where you should go? Check out MemphisDining.com. The name says it all, and the site breaks down restaurants into categories such as cuisine type and location. There’s also a bit of online democracy with diner ratings and comments.

A successful dining experience depends on much more than the taste of the food. Nobody knows that better than a parent. Stacey Greenberg, a Flyer contributing writer, chronicles her experiences — good and bad — eating out in Memphis with her kids on her blog Dining with Monkeys (diningwithmonkeys.blogspot.com). Not every restaurant is child-friendly, or child-accessible, or even child-survivable, and Greenberg is happy to take one for the team to determine that information for more timid parents. She parses kid’s menus, tests the waters of bar/restaurants (good experiences at R.P. Tracks and Young Avenue Deli), and endures the wrathful stares of put-upon waitstaff. And writes about it, of course. She’s deserving of a civic award, for sure.

Most people eat fast food on a regular basis, but it seems like few want to talk about it. Good information on the taste and quality of fast food is hard to find. Thankfully we have Back Yard Blogger (backyardblogger.livejournal.com). For her, no value meal goes unturned. Back Yard Blogger (civilian name: Chrissy White) is one part Pauline Kael, one part Veronica Mars, and one part Birdie the Early Bird. Back Yard Blogger has written a stream-of-conscious description of trying for the first time Taco Bell’s Chicken Caesar Grilled Stuft Burrito. She’s weighed in on the issue of whether or not Steak n Shake is fast food (her opinion: yes). And she has pronounced that “if I was a steak sandwich from Jack Pirtles, I’d eat myself.”

So would we. — Greg Akers

GOTTA TRY: Yum Tofu or Yellow Curry Tofu at Jasmine; the Yeti (18 scoops of ice cream) at Big Foot Lodge; Young Avenue Deli fries

They’re able to clear up sinus cavities with a single swallow, possess the power to melt your brain with the tiniest nibble, and can take you from 0 to 100 mph in a heartbeat: We’re talking about the red-hot spices that put the zing, zang, and zowie into a Memphis meal. When ordering a plate of ribs at Cozy Corner, stick to the mild- or medium-temperature varieties, unless you’ve got a cast-iron stomach — otherwise, the amount of toothpicks piercing your order will neatly correspond to the number of Tums you’ll be downing after lunch. At Gus’s Fried Chicken, of course, heat and beak go hand-in-hand, particularly when red pepper tops the list of secret spices that create the perfect mahogany-hued bird. Perusing the menus at the Vietnamese restaurants that dot the Cleveland Street corridor? Beware of the lemongrass, which turns the volume up past 10, even on innocuous-sounding tofu dishes. RIP: Royal Dragon and its Thai larb, which, as the menu poetically explained, was guaranteed to make you “cry silently.” — Andria Lisle

Justin Fox Burks

Sasquatch burger from Big Foot Lodge carried by Megan Millican