Flight - One Year Anniversary Dinner

WHERE WE WENT:   
FLIGHT
39 South Main Street
Memphis,TN 38103


WHAT WE ORDERED:
Soup & Salad Flight - Seafood Gumbo, Lobster Bisque, Harvest Salad 
Steak Flight- Boursin Stuffed  Filet w/ Red Wine Bourdalaise and Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Elk Chop w/ Kahlua Glaze and Truffle Mac & White Cheddar Cheese, Bison Cut w/ Crispy Onion Strings 

Seafood Flight - Shrimp and Grits w/ Tasso Ham, Lobster Biscuit & Gravy, Sea Scallop Benedict w/ Quail Egg
Anything But Chardonnay (ABC)- Waterbrook Sangiovese Rose, Conundrum White Blend, Loosen Brother Riesling
Wonders of the World- Perrin, Antinori, Mollydooker Shiraz
Dessert Flight- NYC Cheesecake, Warm Turtle Tart,

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 9
Menu - 10
Presentation - 10
Taste - 9.5
Price - 9
Service - 9
 Overall - 9.5


Atmosphere - From the moment you walk through the heavy oaken door off of South Main, you know you are in an establishment that exudes class. The deeply stained wood that is present throughout the bar as well as the spacious booth seating just looks expensive. Starched white table cloths are spotless  beacons in the sea of all black waitstaff meant to ensure that your every need is met.The space itself is particularly narrow, but maximized with outdoor, cafe style seating as well as a small balcony seating section. The decor is simple elegant. Everything about FLIGHT is class, well almost. The only thing that was out of place were the TVs at the

bar. While I know people watch sports at the bar, they just seemed unnecessary.

Menu - The menu is unique in the manner that it is set up because of the unique concept of the restaurant. The concept pretty much sells itself. Every time you go to a restaurant there is always a few things that you have a hard time choosing between and you always wonder if you got the right thing. Well flight allows you to get smaller portions of multiple dishes (or drinks) so that you don't have to wonder. You can pay a higher price and have any dish in an entree sized portion itself. They have soup and salad flights, and entree flight with three dishes a piece: Steak, Loin, Fish, Seafood, Feathered. Each flight's dish has the main protein and accompanying side. Some of the most appetizing offerings are Elk Cut with Truffle Macaroni & White Cheddar, Fried Chicken & Buttermilk Waffle, and Sage-Crusted Australian Lamb Chop with Mint Jelly and Loaded Potato Croquette. Because they aim to please, if a single flight is not wholly appetizing, you are free to mix and match dishes to create your own. Each flight is also listed with a recommended wine flight to accompany it. The drink menu is extensive with over a dozen wine flights, both red and white, as well as a wide selection of beer and cocktails.

 
Presentation - The presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Each flight was served on a wooden plank base in miniature white bowls, plates, and dishes. The wine flights came with a card that detailed the origin of each vino along with a brief description of its flavor. Every single course looked positively artful in the color pallet and the method in which it was arranged. It honestly looked so good that you'd hesitate to eat it.

Taste - We began with the soup and salad flight. The harvest salad was bright and fresh, a great summer salad. The lobster bisque was smooth and rich, the best I've ever had. Only the seafood gumbo fell a little flat. There was something missing that could have kicked it up a notch. As far as the seafood flight goes, everything was amazing. The sea scallop and quail egg were cooked to perfection and covered in the rich hollandaise sauce. The shrimp and grits had a spicy, smoky flavor that you would swear just came right up out of the bayou. Being from the South, I'm quite particular about my grits, but there were no complaints to be made. The

lobster biscuit and gravy was fantastic in flavor, but the biscuit just need to be a bit less soggy and a bit more flaky. All cuts of meat in the steak flight were the ideal medium rare. The bison was nicely seasoned with plenty of juice, accompanied by miniscule onion straws, a simple but welcome addition. Potato puree set off the taste of the succulent filet very nicely as well. The best of the three was the elk chop with was rich and dense with a bit of a bite from the kahlua glaze, that was nicely paired with the truffle macaroni's mild creaminess.

Price - We splurged with this meal. FLIGHT is by no stretch of the imagination inexpensive. Each entree flight will run you upwards of $30 before you ever touch appetizers, desserts, or libations. You're paying for presentation, fancy ingredients, and atmosphere. And it is without a doubt worth it. FLIGHT isn't an everyday restaurant option (unless you're a much higher pay grade than us), but it serves its function well and is comparable to other restaurants of its caliber. 

Service - Our waitress was excellent. She was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. When we told her it was our first time there, she was happy to explain the concept and walk us through the menu. She made suggestions but wasn't pushy and was happy to answer any of our questions.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Absolutely. Birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations of any kind would immediately bring FLIGHT to mind. We would want to save it for a special occasion. Also, we'd be sure to make reservations again, because we were certainly glad we had done so this time.


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

Automatic Slim's - Sunday Funday Brunch

WHERE WE WENT:   

Automatic Slim's
83 South Second Street
Memphis, TN 38103

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Cinnamon Roll Waffle w/ Cream Cheese Glaze, Scrambled Eggs, Blackened Salmon Eggs Benedict, Mimosa, Bloody Mary


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


Atmosphere - Walking by Automatic Slim's you would never know that the hole in the wall you're walking past a culinary treasure trove. The inside of the restaurant is like a hipster-swank bar, exactly the kind of place you would expect downtown. The gold coffered ceiling, wood paneling, and varied ornamental paper light fixtures create a fascinating space that could be a bar or a coffeehouse. The narrow building is made more expansive by a higher level of seating. The decor is folksy and very Memphis. There are depiction of guitars in multimedia all over. The bar is a beautiful backdrop to the lower level. It is instantaneously cozy and comfortable.

Menu -   We have only knowledge of the brunch menu, but it in itself is enough. That could be the entire restaurant. There are classic breakfast offerings like sausage and biscuits, french toast, and chicken and waffles that are your typical home cooking. On the other hand they take some classic dishes and turn them on their head. Dishes like blackened salmon eggs benedict and Manhattan cherry-infused waffle with bourbon syrup put a gourmet twist on the foods you know and love.
 
Presentation - Presentation honestly wasn't anything particularly special. Basic white, round plates served as the base for each dish. The waffle and eggs looked as though they were just plopped on the plate with no garnish of any kind. The benedict was a little better. It had a great color palette and different textures distinguishable and at least looked as if there was at least some effort in arranging it.

Taste -The hollandaise sauce on the benedict was rich, creamy and delicious without being too heavy or overpowering the salmon had an excellent, fresh taste (even though it was not blackened as the name would suggest). The only complaint for the dish is that there wasn't nearly enough of it. The cinnamon roll waffle was absolutely scrumptious. Two of breakfast's heavy-hitters blended into one 

culinary masterpiece. The cream cheese glaze with so good, the waffle didn't even require syrup. The scrambled eggs however were not on the same caliber as the rest of the meal and kept it from scoring higher marks. They were dry and kind of spongy. If you are going to serve brunch, you gotta know how to cook your eggs. The drinks were outstanding. It's hard to mess up a mimosa but the bloody mary is trickier. They use a proprietary blend of ingredients including a dry rib rub from Alfred's down the block to rim the glass. It is a true local specialty.


Price - Automatic Slim's was a little pricier than we would have liked considering that your entrees do not come with sides; they have to be paid for separately. While the food and drinks were both delicious, what you're really paying for is the location and the atmosphere. It could definitely have been worse for being in the hear of downtown.

Service -We sat at the bar to avoid the half hour plus wait time. The bartender Celia was a fantastic server. She was friendly and attentive even though she had multiple drinks to make constantly. She chatted with us and had a great pour. We would ask for her again.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. Because it's pricier, it wouldn't be our regular hangout spot, but on a Sunday afternoon when you want to splurge, you've got a spot. We need to get a couple of friends together and tackle the 100 oz mimosa bong. We watched Celia put a couple together, and they don't skimp on the bubbly.


Here's a link to their website:  
http://www.automaticslimsmemphis.com/index.html

The Kooky Canuck - Hockey Done Right

WHERE WE WENT:   
The Kooky Canuck

 97 S. Second Street
Memphis, TN 
38103

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Montreal Style Hot Dogs, The Canadian Burger w/ a Fried Egg, French Fries


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation -8
Taste - 8
Price - 7
Service - 8
 Overall - 7.5


Atmosphere - The Kooky Canuck is both fun and funky. Walking in you feel like you could have been transported to the Great White North. There are taxidermy deer heads and other game protruding from the walls, and the entire place has the feel of a hunting or ski lodge. The decor is charmingly rustic, predominantly wood, even twigs. It's a slightly small space, but it makes it feel very cozy and home-like. If you're a fan of How I Met Your Mother (which everyone should be), this is the closest thing to the Hoser Hut we've ever seen. 

Menu - The menu is delightfully well rounded. Soups, sandwiches, salads, and sides of all kinds are available. Some common, like a mushroom swiss burger, and some are distinctly Canadian fare. One of those is Poutine, a stack of fries smothered in cheddar cheese curds and gravy. The desserts are incredibly unique. The offer a variety, but the most interesting is s'mores that are deconstructed and brought out with a small campfire where you can roast your own. THE most unique item on the menu however is also the most famous. The Kookamonga Burger Challenge. The burger patty itself if 4 lb, with the entire

sandwich weighing in at a whopping 7 1/2 lbs. You have to finish it in under an hour to win the challenge and receive the meal for free. If you do, your picture will make it up on the wall that greets you as you walk in and will join the company of some of the great competitive eaters like Joey Chestnut and Matt Stoney. Pretty nifty.

Presentation -Everything we ordered was presented in a relatively plain manner. Plain dishes, nothing special. BUT, we do award style points for some of the things we've seen, like the giant skillet chocolate chip cookie and the Birthday Explosion. The s'mores campfire takes the cake.

Taste - Everything was very good! The Candian burger was super juicy, perfectly cooked. The bacon and BBQ sauce complemented each other perfectly and the fried egg with crispy edges was exactly the finishing touch that it needed. The hot dogs were sizeable and dolled up Montreal-style with flavors that melded together perfectly. The fries were exactly right. Nothing is worse than overcooked french fries. These were not. They were crispy and delicious. The only regret is we should have ordered them poutine-style to be more authentic.


Price -The pricing was a little bit expensive, as would be expected from a place in the heart of downtown. You absolutely get what you pay for. The portions are more than enough and the taste is fantastic.

Service - We sat at the bar to watch the hockey game,

because that really is the only place with a decent view of the slightly under-sized TVs. The bartender was attentive and friendly and took very good care of us.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. It would not be a "once a week" place for us, but for special occasions or a giant beer, we would definitely return. And next time we're getting poutine.

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

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/

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/

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/

Bangkok Alley - Date Night

WHERE WE WENT:   
Bangkok Alley 
121 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN
38103



WHAT WE ORDERED:

-Snow White Roll (Shrimp, Spicy Mayo, Tempura Flakes, Topped w/Crab, Scallions)
-Explosion Roll (Spicy Crawfish, Avocado, Topped w/ Spicy Tuna, Spicy Mayo, Chef's Spicy Sauce)
-Island Roll (Crab, Shrimp Tempura, Topped w/ Tuna, Avocado, Spicy Mayo)
-Crab Rangoon

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8       
Menu -7
Presentation - 10
Taste - 7
Price - 7
Service - 9
 Overall - 7


Atmosphere -Bangkok Alley was small, but not cramped. The dark colors and simple decor fit nicely with the idea of it being a lounge. The overall feel felt classy yet comfortable, not at all stiff. The dim lighting definitely added to the lounge vibe, but could have been lightened up a little for the sake of reading the menu. The music did not match the restaurant theme at all and was distractingly loud.

Menu - The menu was composed of multiple parts: the traditional Thai menu and the sushi menu. The sushi section was extensive. It included traditional rolls such as the California Roll & Spicy Tuna Roll as well as unique creations bearing locally inspired names such as the Collierville Roll, Grizzlies Roll, Southaven Roll, and Memphis Roll. The traditional section of the menu contained a large variety of dishes including stir frys, fried rice, and traditional dishes like pad thai. The menu was multiple pages long and not particularly aesthetically pleasing. Variety is good, but this was just too much. It took forever to read through the menu. We like choices, but 15 appetizer choices is a little overkill.

Presentation - The presentation of the sushi was beautiful. All three rolls came on the same plate, arranged in a circle with the ginger and wasabi in the middle. The colors of all three rolls were gorgeous and the toppings had a marbled pattern so that each individual piece looked unique. The plate came decorated with extra sauce around the edges as well. 


Taste - As far as the crab rangoon, we have definitely had better. There was very little crab filling in the middle of each piece. The ratio to the shell was not good and the shells were somewhat burnt. We liked two of the three rolls. The Snow White Roll and the Island Roll were both very good, but the Island Roll could have used a little more crunch. The Explosion Roll was pretty, but the special sauce on top turned us off of it.

Price -The price point of this restaurant is comparable to other restaurants of its kind and pretty good for a place in the heart of downtown. the traditional sushi rolls are especially reasonable.

Service - Our waitress Penny was friendly and attentive. She acquainted us with the menu and made suggestions. She was wonderful except that she checked up on us a little too frequently and was a little irritating.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. The location is great. We would love to try different sushi rolls. The price is reasonable and the atmosphere is great for a dinner with friends or a girls night out, if you can ignore the music.

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