Huey's Downtown- NYE Eats

WHERE WE WENT:   
Huey's Downtown
77 South Second Street
Memphis, TN
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Chili Cheese Fries, Cuban Sandwich, Hawaiian Burger

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 7
Presentation -7
Taste - 7
Price - 7
Service - 7
 Overall - 7


Atmosphere - Huey's has a nice small town sports bar feel even though its situated in the heart of downtown Memphis. The seating is cozy and the lighting is dark. The bar is the central focus of the dining room and there are multiple TVs set out to watch whatever game may be on at the time. There is a good mix of tables and booths, so everyone can find a place that's comfortable. The place has a lot of character. The walls and booths are written all over, signed by people from near and far commemorating their excursion to Huey's. One particularly unique aspect of the restaurant is the ceiling, it's covered in toothpicks that have been launched up. It's a challenge every Huey's customer should undertake. Ask around, everyone has their idea of the best strategy. We say flick it.

Menu -We are fans of the Huey's menu. It is only one page, double-sided. The front lists all of the food choices in bright colors next to illustrations that are uniquely Memphis such as the Grizzlies logo and the pyramid. The back has caricatures of the owners and their
 
family as well as a short history of the restaurant that really makes you feel invested in the place. They offer a wide variety of liquor and beer, including craft beers and local brews. The only problem was maybe a smaller menu offering, but that can be expected from sports bars.

Presentation -As in most places of the sort, our food came basketed with checkered wax paper. It was unoriginal but acceptable. A couple issues: unless your restaurant is a self-proclaimed dive bar, say no to plastic silverware. Also, after providing us with a giant burger or a heaping helping of fries, we expect restaurants not to skimp on the ketchup. Put it on the table, not in one of the obnoxiously small plastic cups.

Taste -The chili cheese fries we ordered we delicious. The fries themselves are the thick cut steak fries, making them a god support for all their fixings. The ratio of cheese-chili-potato was excellent. Every fry had a full flavor of each ingredient. The Hawaiian burger had a unique taste. The warm burger paired with the cool, crisp pineapple was a nice textural contrast, however the burger patty itself was not very flavorful. No matter what you build on a burger, you gotta have that good foundation. The Cuban sandwich had great flavor and lots of meat. The only problem was that it wasn't pressed. Cubans have got to be pressed or else it's just a deli sandwich.

Price -Huey's is priced comparably with most other restaurants of its kind, but is really reasonable for the downtown area.

Service - Our service was good, but could have been better. 

Extras - They host trivia every Wednesday night with the opportunity to win house cash.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yeah, we enjoyed it. We have season tickets to the Redbirds and Huey's being a block away creates the perfect place to go catch a couple beers pre-game.

Here's a link to their website:  
http://hueyburger.com/

Brother Juniper's - "The Best Breakfast in Memphis"

WHERE WE WENT:   
Brother Juniper's 
3519 Walker Avenue
Memphis, TN
38111



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Special # 3 (Two eggs, scrambled w/ pesto, red peppers, spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella), Home Fries, Build-Your-Own Omelet w/ mozzarella, feta, mushrooms, spinach, ham), Biscuit, Toast, Assorted Spreadable Fruits

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8    
Menu - 9
Presentation - 7 
Taste - 9
Price - 8
Service - 7
 Overall - 8


Atmosphere - Brother Juniper's is a small, homey place. There's a "front yard" and a porch at the entrance. The seating is tight, but it feels cozy not crowded. The decor is simplistic and personal, which gives it a homespun charm. Walking inside you'll forget that you're in the city; you'll feel transported out to a family farm where you're greeted with open arms and welcomed to the table.

Menu -The menu was extensive. There were plenty of options for every taste. Both vegetarians and meat eaters will be happy with choices. There are predetermined breakfast specials as well as "Build-Your-Own" options. There is a variety of styles of food: Southern like biscuits and gravy, Italian like eggs and pesto, etc.

Presentation - Everything was plated on standard white dishes. Each dish had excellent color combinations as well as textural variety. Looking at our food made our mouths water.


Taste -The Special #3 was delicious. It's rare that you find pesto at breakfast, but the flavor was incredible, very savory. The home fries are easily the best we've ever had. They use red potatoes quartered, seasoned and roasted. They are the perfect, hearty aspect of breakfast, but have such a good flavor they could easily be paired with a prime rib at dinner and not be out of place. We wish we had the recipe. The BYO Omelet was excellent. There were heaping quantities of all the ingredients and everything tasted farm-to-table fresh. We tried multiple of their spreadable fruits (strawberry, peach, and blackberry), which are similar to jams but are made without added sugar or preservatives. All of them were delicious, but blackberry is the best. We actually have a jar sitting in our refrigerator now.

Price - Brother Juniper's is a little pricier than most other breakfast places we've been too, but the freshness of the ingredients and the extra generous portions account for that and make it completely worthwhile.

Service - Our service was ok, but it was a little slow. Also, our waiter seemed not to be completely there as far as his attention to our table.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. They truly do live up to the claim that they are the "Best Breakfast in Memphis"...at least that we've encountered so far.

Here's a link to their website:  
http://brotherjunipers.com/

Pearl's Oyster House - A Little Taste of Home

WHERE WE WENT:
Pearl's Oyster House
299 South Main Street
Memphis, TN 
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Dynamite Shrimp & Crawfish Dip Appretizer combo, Seafood Alfredo and Crabcake Pick-Two, Shrimp & Grits, Brownie, Hushpuppies
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 10       
Menu - 10
Presentation - 8
Taste - 10
Price - 9
Service - 8
  Overall - 9.5

Atmosphere - Pearl's is oozing with swag. The deep red color behind the bar and dim lighting immediately set the mood when you walk through the door. The walls are primarily exposed brick, which gives an authentic vintage feel to the space, and are adorned with a variety of local art, as is characteristic of South Main. The main dining room is longer than it is wide with an extensive bar along the side. There's elevated seating toward the back (where we sat) that provides an awesome view of the restaurant and a prime position for people watching. The vibe of the restaurant makes you feel like you've wandered into a secret joint on a side street in New Orleans. Swag.


Menu - The menu at Pearl's was expansive. With a name like Pearl's Oyster House you might expect it to be limited. They have seafood options of all kinds prepared in multiple different ways as well as some non-seafood options for those who might not be as interested. The have an excellent selection of beer and wine. They also advertise some unique items such as a signature drink called the Red Pearl  (a mixture of Redd's and Fireball) and various kinds of shots that include oysters in them such as The Mexi Oyster Shooter (oyster, tequila, and Tabasco). 

Presentation - The presentation was very nice. Everything (except the Shrimp & Grits) was served on white dishes and separated out by dish component. We really liked who each specific part of the dishes got their unique plating. The Shrimp & Grits was unique in that it came in a red and black bowl. It was topped with crispy onion straws which added a nice layer of texture and aesthetic appeal.

Taste - Having lived on the Gulf Coast in Florida, it should be taken seriously when we say this was some of the best seafood we've had in a long time. The crawfish dip was creamy with a subtle spice and excellent blend of flavors. The hushpuppies were perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. They had a surprising heat that made them all the more enjoyable. The shrimp & grits were delectable. The onion straws and ham were a touch we had never seen before and the grits were cooked perfectly served with something they call "muddy water broth" that was wonderfully flavorful. The only complaint about it was that the shrimp themselves were a little on the small side. The crab cake was one of the best we have ever had outside of Maryland, but as a personal preference we prefer when the crab meat is more chunked rather than shredded. The remoulade sauce came served on the side which was appreciated, because in excess it could have overwhelmed the dish. The seafood alfredo was incredible; it had the exact right amount of heat that was tempered by the cheesiness of the sauce that really complemented the scallops and crawfish. The brownie was delicious! Served with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, and caramel, it was like a little piece of heaven. The only thing that seemed not to reach its full potential was the dynamite shrimp. With a name like that you expect an explosion of flavor, but all we really tasted was BBQ sauce. 
 
 Price - The price at Pearl's was overall pretty good. The shrimp and grits was a bargain at $10.99 for the amount of food that you got. The entree combo is the way to go if you want to taste multiple dishes. You can pick two for $15.99. The only thing that seemed a little on the expensive side was their oysters, but I guess when its your signature dish, you can afford it.

Service - Our waiter was lovely. He was friendly and treated us like old friends. The food was a little slow, but there was a LARGE party in the restaurant. We think that if that hadn't been the case it would have been perfect.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 

Absolutely! So far Pearl's Oyster House holds the title for our favorite Memphis Restaurant.This will definitely be a place we recommend and bring our friends and family when they visit.



 Here's a link to their website: 
http://www.pearlsoysterhouse.com/

Dyer's Cafe - Exploring Collierville

WHERE WE WENT:
Dyer's Cafe
101 N. Center Street
Collierville, TN
38017



WHAT WE ORDERED:

3 Tamale Plate, Chili Cheese Dog w/ Fries, Apple Pie

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8     
Menu - 7
Presentation -7
Taste - 7
Price - 8
Service - 6 
  Overall - 7

Atmosphere - Situated on the Town Square in Collierville, creates a sense of nostalgia about Dyer's before even entering. Being inside Dyer's is like taking a walk down memory lane. The red checkered table cloths and wooden spindle-backed chairs evokes the feeling that you're sitting down at someone's kitchen table for a meal. The walls are lined with old newspaper clippings about the evolution of the restaurant which gives a sense of hominess and history.

Menu -  The menu is a full one, showcasing many varieties of their famous hamburgers, including one called the The Filthy Diablo that sounds interesting. They have options that will make you feel right at home with southern cooking such as Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Dill Pickle Chips. What they don't have is many options that are healthy or many options for vegetarians. If you don't eat meat, you'll be relegated to a grilled cheese or a meal of fried appetizers.

Presentation - The dishes were presented on standard white plates and were arranged simply. The chili cheese dog (which is actually two hot dogs split down the middle) was served on a hamburger bun to mimic their most well-known menu item. The colors and textures were appealing and most importantly, everything looked delicious.

Taste - The chili chees dog was delicious. The chili was tasty but not too spicy and it had good consistency. It was good served with cheese on the hamburger bun with yellow mustard, but we would recommend maybe skipping the pickle as it adds a weird layer of flavor to the dish. The were excellent. They were skin-on and handcut. They were mushy on the instead with a nice crisp on the

outside and weren't oversalted. The tamales were just ok, The beef and cheese tasted a little bit low-quality and the tamales themselves tasted a little like cornbread. The apple pie is some of the best around. The crust is just like your grandma would make, flaky and delicious while the apples are cooked down with just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar. Next time we're getting it a la mode though.

 Price - Everything was reasonably and comparably priced especially for the portion sizes.

Service - Our server took care of us, but he not particularly friendly or welcoming. Also, he brought our check before even asking if we would like to order dessert.


WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. If you're in Collierville and looking for a low-key meal at a decent price, this is a good option. Get dessert.


 Here's a link to their website: 
http://dyerscollierville.com/

Young Avenue Deli - Thursday Night Trivia

WHERE WE WENT:
Young Avenue Deli
2119 Young Avenue
Memphis, TN 
38104



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Mozzarella Sticks, Sam I Am (Turkey, Gouda, BBQ Sauce in Pita Bread), Yankee Club (Pastrami, Corn Beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss, Spicy Mustard on Marble Rye), French Fries

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9       
Menu - 7
Presentation - 6
Taste - 9
Price - 7
Service - 4
  Overall - 7.5

Atmosphere - If describing Young Avenue Deli in one word, it'd be "cool." This is the type of place you go to hang out. The building itself is really cool with exposed brick and aluminum siding. Layered all over the walls are old pieces of Americana including antique metal signs of beer advertisements. The bar is creative and has an awesome roll cage that hangs above it. There are pool tables, a couple of electronic arcade games in the back and a stage up front by the door that sometimes host live music and other entertainment. The limited seating lends itself to having people sitting and crowding at the bar frequently. The place has a very "neighborhood" feeling to it, as most places in the Cooper-Young area. There was a large assortment of people present, but the main clientele seems to be hip twentysomethings.


Menu -They have an outstanding selection of beer that includes local brews such as Ghost River, Memphis Made, and Wiseacre as well as beers that have been more difficult to find such as Magic Hat and The Golden Monkey. They have a good variety of sandwiches, appetizers, and build-your-own pizza options that can all be classified as bar food in the best way possible.

Presentation -The presentation here is standard: red baskets & wax paper. Everything looks delicious, even though arranged simply.

Taste - The mozzarella sticks are some of the most delicious we have ever tasted. The batter is crispy and well-seasoned. The sticks themselves are giant and filled with cheese to the perfect ratio. The Sam I Am is a most delicious wrap. The turkey is piled in and the gouda and barbeque sauce combination create an excellent flavor. The Yankee Club had a healthy portion of meat in the sandwich and everything tasted fresh, including the bread. However, it seemed a little unnecessary to be a triple decker.

  Price - Although the food is good, the price is just okay. None of the sandwiches actually come with fries. The price point could be lowered by a dollar or two.

Service - Our service was bad. We waited forever to get our beers and rarely saw our server again until she brought our check. We actually had to chase her down just to pay. Admittedly, the place was crazy busy, but even checking in would have been nice. 

WOULD WE GO BACK? 

Yes. The food was excellent and the atmosphere is fun. One recommendation is that if you go on a Thursday night for trivia, get there a little early. We got the last table available. If you aren't in a hurry, it's a great meal.

 Here's a link to their website: 
http://www.youngavenuedeli.com/

We forgot to take pictures this time, so photo credits to the ThisItalianFamily blog

Lambert's Cafe - Road Trip!

WHERE WE WENT:
Lambert's Cafe
2305 E. Malone Avenue
Sikeston, MO
63801



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Apple Sauce, Candied Yams, Fried Pork Chops, Baby Carrots, Macaroni & Tomatoes, Fried Potatoes & Onions, Black Eyed Peas, Fried Okra, Hot Rolls w/ Apple Butter and Sorghum Molasses
 
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 10      
Menu - 10
Presentation - 8
Taste - 8
Price -10
Service - 8
  Overall - 9

Atmosphere - From the outside, one might find Lambert's suspect. It's on the side of a road in the middle of nowhere in Sikeston, MO. You might not even give it a second look, but you should. Walking inside, you feel as though you're immediately transported back into the "good ole days." The building itself resembles an old barn furnished with magnificent memorabilia such as old license plates, state flags, and decades-old advertisements. The seating is open and spacious and the mood is solidified by a live pianist tackling classic tunes.


Menu -All the homestyle, classic comfort foods are represented on the Lambert's menu as some unique that are hard to find elsewhere such as frog legs. There are substantial options for both vegetarians and the carnivorous. If you're from below the Mason-Dixon line and your grandmother made it, it's probably on the menu.

Presentation -Lambert's has by far the most unique presentation of food that we've seen so far. The main entrees are served out of the old school, tan, sectioned off cafeteria plates that remind you of eating when you were a kid. The hot rolls are truly entertaining. Each time a batch of hot rolls as large as your head comes out of the kitchen a tosser takes the trays on a cart. By raising your hand, you signal that you want a roll and they proceed to toss them at you from the front of the restaurant. That's where they got their nickname "Home of the Throwed Rolls." A guy follows behind the tosser doling out the best apple butter and sorghum molasses you've ever tasted. Constantly circling the restaurant are server with big silver bowls containing "passarounds" (macaroni & tomatoes, fried potatoes & onions, and fried okra), dishes that are offered in addition to your meal at no cost.

Taste - The passarounds were all good, specifically the macaroni & tomatoes. For such a simple dish it was full of flavor. The black eyed peas were a little too mushy. The apple sauce was chunky and delicious while the mashed potatoes were smooth and covered in just the right amount of brown gravy. The baby carrots were cooked perfectly and had excellent flavor from the brown sugar glaze. The pork chops were nicely fried, juicy inside and crusty on the outside. The roast beef was delicious, just like grandma's.

 Price - The pricing here is excellent considering the very generous portions you receive. Each entree comes with at least two vegetable and the price includes all the passarounds and rolls you can eat. A foodie bargain.

Service - The waitstaff was attentive and friendly. The passaround staff was in constant circulation. However, our waiter was switched on us and it took a while to get our check and change.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 

Yes! We drove 2 1/2 hours just to try out this restaurant and if we had that kind of time on another day, we'd go again. It was delicious.

 Here's a link to their website: 
www.throwedrolls.com

Corky's Ribs & BBQ - Christmas Eve Lunch

WHERE WE WENT:   
Corky's Ribs & BBQ
5259 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN
38119



WHAT WE ORDERED:

BBQ Pork Nachos, Signature Pork Shoulder Sandwich, French Fries, Rack of Dry Rub Ribs, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8       
Menu - 7
Presentation - 6
Taste - 10
Price - 8
Service - 8
  Overall - 8

Atmosphere - Walking into Corky's you definitely get the feel that you're in a Memphis restaurant. There is a lot of local decor at the front. The seating area is pretty open and spacious except for the bar area which is separated off to the side. We thought that was a nice setup so if you wanted to wait for a table or just knock back a few you could without having to come all the way in. The colors are warm and welcoming. The whole atmosphere makes you feel as though you were invited over to a friend's for a barbeque. The music selection was very "Memphis," a mix of country and blues. It added to the ambiance of the restaurant and made you want to grove along without distracting from the meal or the conversation. 


Menu - The menu had some delicious options, but was a little bit limited. All the BBQ staples are there, but it lacked originality. You would expect that there was something really unique and creative from a restaurant that we've heard so much about.

Presentation - Presentation was pretty standard; there wasn't anything particularly exciting when we saw the food. Everything was served on plain white plates, but all the food was very neat and tidy.

Taste -  Overall, everything tasted excellent. The BBQ nachos were smothered in cheese and sauce but you could taste every element of the dish. They didn't skimp on the pork either. The pork shoulder sandwich earned its spot as a signature dish. The pork was well-cooked but not too dry. The french fries were fresh tasting and had a great crunch to them. The baked beans were sweet and had an excellent texture. The cole slaw was good, but was a little heavy on the mayonnaise for some people's taste. The ribs were completely the star of the show. The were fall-off-the-bone cooked and the slow smoking process maintained all of the moisture. They had a nice crisp bark on the outside with the smoked flavor and dry rub. The rub itself was flavorful enough, but if you prefer your ribs wet, all three sauces (Original, Hot, & Apple) were delicious. 

Price - The pricing at Corky's was comparable to most other BBQ restaurants that we've been to, what edged it up on the scale was the fact that that they provide large portions. The BBQ nachos could easily be a meal unto themselves.

Service - Our waitress was friendly and got our food out to us very quickly. We found ourselves waiting for refills a few times and when we asked for a minute to look at the menu we thought we might have to send out a search party if she didn't appear soon.

EXTRAS -  A taste of Corky's is available to those outside Memphis as well. They ship their ribs all over the country.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 

Sure! We would go back and if anyone asked about BBQ we wouldn't mind recommending it to them either.

 Here's a link to their website: 
http://www.corkysmemphis.com/

Spaghetti Warehouse - Suzannah's Office Christmas Party

WHERE WE WENT:   
The Spaghetti Warehouse
40 Huling Avenue 
Memphis, TN
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Spinach & Artichoke Dip w/ Crostini, Mozzarella Fritta, Peperoni Mac & Cheese w/ Chicken Parmigiana Combo, Beef & Cheese Ravioli Combo w/ Chicken Fettuccine, Pitcher of House Sangria

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8       
Menu -5
Presentation - 4
Taste - 5
Price - 6
Service - 6
  Overall - 5

Atmosphere - Spaghetti Warehouse has a truly unique feel to it. The rustic, warm tones lend themselves to the feeling that you've entered into an Italian home. There's a variety of eclectic decor throughout the restaurant including antique movie posters, mismatched mosaic glass lamps, and vintage instruments. By far the coolest part of the entire place is the antique, life-size replica streetcar positioned in the middle of the main dining room. It created a great focal point for the large, widely spaced restaurants. Despite all the interesting features, we couldn't give it a 10 because there were many places where paint was peeling off the walls, some spaces seemed dirty, and the bathrooms were in pretty serious disrepair.

Menu - The menu was altogether unimpressive. There were a lot of options available including options for vegetarians, but it was incredibly pasta heavy. We know it's an Italian restaurant, but that does not preclude them for having dishes that do not require pasta. There is a section specifically entitled "Pasta," but everything else on the menu includes it too. Also, there were specialty dishes, but there wasn't anything unique that you couldn't find at any other Italian restaurant. The only good parts of the menu were that it was visually appealing and there was a holiday special insert with interesting cocktails.

Presentation -The presentation was not hideous but also wasn't particularly attractive. Both entrees, the Fettuccine Alfredo & Ravioli combo as well as the Peperoni Mac & Cheese w/ Chicken Parmigiana combo, were just squished side-by-side on a slightly too small plate. The appetizers were a little better; there appeared to be at least some effort and creativity present. The spinach and artichoke dip had the crostinis arranged in a spiral. The most interesting presentation was the pitcher of sangria. It was served with fruit, triple sec, and brandy in a pitcher over ice and they brought the bottle of Riunite Lambrusco out separately. We got to add the wine in to our liking and mix it all with a giant wooden spoon. 


Taste -  The one word that best describes our experience is underwhelming. The mozzarella fritta was slightly burnt (We didn't think you could mess up cheese sticks). All that we could taste in the spinach and artichoke dip was cheese and garlic. There wasn't any spinach or artichoke that was recognizable. Honestly, it was ordered for our table and we didn't even know that's what it was supposed to be until someone said so. The peperoni mac & cheese was too rich and had a cheap taste to it, like something a college kid would make on a budget. The chicken parmigiana was ok, but a bit bland. The other entree combo wasn't much better. The ravioli was slightly over-cooked and under-stuffed and the sauce had a strange aftertaste. The chicken with the alfredo was cooked well and was juicy, but didn't have a lot of seasoning or flavor. The alfredo sauce itself had even less. It was almost completely tasteless. It had to be salted and peppered to death. The one thing that was truly enjoyable was the sangria. It was some of the best we'd ever had. The wine was a perfect pairing with fresh fruit and just the right concoction of ingredients.

Price - Compared to other Italian restaurants, the prices at the Spaghetti Warehouse were very reasonable. The entree combos were from a pick & pair entree selection for $12. The portions were generous as well. HOWEVER, when considering the taste and presentation, we couldn't award the pricing high marks. If the food had been as delicious as the sangria it would have been worth every penny.

Service - The waitstaff was hustling hard since there was a large number of us at the office party. They definitely deserve recognition for handling a large group, but they weren't particularly friendly or attentive. We want to give them the benefit of the doubt since it was an abnormal situation.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 

Not for the food. If you're looking for good Italian food, we would recommend you avoid Spaghetti Warehouse. If we were in the neighborhood and just wanted to stop for a drink, you might could coax us in with some sangria. Maybe.

 Here's a link to their website: 
http://www.meatballs.com/Home/

The Majestic Grill - A Special Night Out

WHERE WE WENT:   
The Majestic Grille 
145 S. Main Street
Memphis, TN
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Grilled Artichoke Heart Flatbread, Grilled Salmon with Rice and Asparagus, Filet Oscar with Lump Crab & Bearnaise Sauce, Broccoli, Jasmine Rice

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8       
Menu - 9
Presentation -6
Taste - 7.5
Price -7.5
Service - 6
 Overall -7.5

Atmosphere - Definitely one of the most unique restaurants that we've been to so far. The minute you walk through the front doors, you feel like you've been transported to the past. It just oozes classic style. All of the seating (booths and tables) are a dark wood, accented with the simple elegance of white table cloths. The three sections of seating (floor, raised side bars, and balcony) are all slightly cramped, but it adds to the warm cozy feeling. At the back end of the restaurant, above the kitchen, there is a giant screen where they project classic black & white movies during the evening and cartoons during Saturday morning brunch. It is a nice touch, but the screen should be dressed up a little bit. The palm trees down the center and dark lighting make you feel somewhat like you are in a cross between The Great Gatsby and Casablanca. A few problems kept it from being a 10. First, it was a good choice to have the waitstaff in all black. HOWEVER, most of them were wearing t-shirts which had no place in that restaurant. Next, the two plasma TV behind the bar completely killed the vibe. It seems it's almost mandatory for bars to be equipped with a shrine to pro sports, but it did NOT support the aesthetic at all.

Menu - The menu was almost perfect. It was kept to a simple two pages that were black and hard-bound. The font and accents evoked a 1920's feel, but did not make it difficult to read. There were extensive beer and wine offerings along with a vast array of liquor bottles behind the bar. The specialty cocktails on the menu all were listed with their recipe origin and the year it was created, maintaining the authenticity of the time period. There was a substantial amount of dishes available for the vegetarian and the carnivorous alike. The menu was near perfect; the only thing that knocked it down to a 9 was the lack of organization. The sandwiches and salads were segmented together and all of the entrees were lumped together randomly. As you read through the entrees options it skipped around from pan roasted chicken to ravioli to salmon, back to another pasta dish. If they could make it just a tiny bit easier to find what you want, we'd have a 10 on our hands.

Presentation - The grilled artichoke heart flatbread was served on a wooden slab that gave it an artisan-crafted feel. The colors of the spinach, artichokes, feta, and mozzarella cheese made for a beautiful dish. There wasn't anything particularly pleasing or displeasing about the presentation of the entrees. The dishes were classic white, adding to the elegance, but the food itself was plain looking. The only thing that stood out (and not in a good way) was the Bearnaise sauce drowning the plate so that you couldn't even see the crab or the filet.


Taste - There were some aspects of the meal that were done very well and some that missed the mark of their potential. The flatbread was amazing. All of the ingredients blended well together. The spinach was not too wilted, the artichoke hearts were cooked perfectly and there was exactly the right amount of both feta and mozzarella cheese. It was one of those dishes that will make you believe that you could survive as a vegetarian. The Bearnaise sauce of the Filet Oscar was delicious; it had a perfect consistency and flavor...the problem was the sheer volume of it. It drown the dish. Luckily the steak had a good char and enough flavor to cut through the yellow flood, but the taste of the lump crab was completely lost. On the bright side the steak itself was delicious and cooked to a perfect medium. The broccoli was salted, peppered and buttered wonderfully, but was slightly undercooked, as was the asparagus. The salmon had a fantastic honey rosemary glaze and was served with the skin on...which is where the problem was. Despite the excellent taste of the fish, the skin was not crisped, but BURNT. To eat the salmon you had to either mutilate the salmon off the skin or eat the skin and ruin the flavor. It was a shame.

Price - As far as price goes, we found it very comparable to restaurants of similar quality. The portions were good, but for what we paid, we would have expected not to experience the taste faux pas that we did.

Service - Our server was just ok. She was polite but not friendly. She didn't introduce us to the menu, offer specials or suggestions, and didn't offer to answer any questions. She checked up on us a couple times, but not frequently. The kitchen was very slow.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. We would definitely go back for the signatures flatbreads and would want to try them all. The taste of most aspects of the dish were good, so we would just hope that we could avoid things like over-saucing and burnt skin. This is a great place for a special occasion, date night, or business dinner.

 Here's a link to their website: 
http://www.majesticgrille.com/

Memphis BBQ Company - Lunch for Two

WHERE WE WENT:   
Memphis BBQ Company
709 DeSoto Cove
Horn Lake, MS 
38637



WHAT WE ORDERED:

Pork Rinds, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, BBQ Meatloaf, Fried Okra, Baked Beans, Sweet Tea

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8       
Menu - 8
Presentation - 7
Taste - 8
Price - 7
Service -10
 Overall - 8

Atmosphere - The atmosphere of the restaurant really fit well with the BBQ joint theme. There was a variety of decor including musical instruments, BBQ competition trophies, and hand-painted items like suitcases or lunch boxes. The lighting was dim enough to create a warm, cozy vibe, but not too dim that it was inconvenient. They had country and bluegrass music playing throughout the restaurant that added nicely to the feel of the restaurant. It wasn't distracting; you had to listen for it, but when you did, you were glad. The only issues we had were the lack of color and focal point. The only real color other than wood tones was a mustard-y yellow on all the walls. There was a lot of nice, open space in the layout, but no focal point.

Menu -  The menu contained a variety of BBQ options, from your traditional staples such as pulled pork and ribs to more creative dishes like BBQ spaghetti and BBQ meatloaf. There were size upgrade options as well. Make your regular a jumbo. There weren't a lot of vegetarian options, but come on, it's a BBQ joint. The menu was well arranged and easy to navigate.

Presentation - The presentation was pretty standard, generic white plates, in keeping with the overall tone of the restaurant. There was some interesting aspects like the propped up bun on the sandwich "showcasing" the pulled pork or the two pieces of meatloaf stacked to create an interesting angle.

Taste - The pork rinds (or chicharrones as you might know them) had an excellent taste since they were sprinkled in the house signature rub. They could have used just a pinch more salt. The were better than most pork rinds you find in that they were crispy and light at the same time and weren't heavy and weighed down in taste by grease. The mac & cheese was delicious; the cheese had a good flavor, the noodles were perfect, and the consistency was perfectly thick and creamy. The pulled pork had a good flavor but was dry. Like, "you'll need to sauce every bite" dry. If you don't mind that, then there's no problem. The cole slaw added a nice freshness and brightness to the dish. Anyone who likes a lot of mayo will be disappointed. The beans were savory with an excellent smoky flavor. The okra was excellent. The breading to okra ratio was perfect, crunchy but not overwhelming and not at all slimy as okra often is. It was however, slightly over-salted. The BBQ meatloaf was wonderful. Too many times meatloaf just tastes like a hunk of beef, but not here. You can taste the onions and the celery cooked into it. The BBQ sauce was a nice complement to the taste. No ketchup required. 

Price - Prices were  comparable to other restaurants of the same kind.

Service - Our waiter Will was fantastic. He was friendly and attentive. He checked up on us frequently, but not enough to be irritating. He chatted with us and made suggestions. We would ask for him specifically.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Sure! We would however, try something other than the pulled pork.

 Here's a link to their website: 
 http://memphisbbqco.com/