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/

Chiwawa! Midtown - Lazy Day Lunch

WHERE WE WENT:    

Chiwawa! Midtown
2059 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104


WHAT WE ORDERED:
Macho Nachos, Elote, Vegetarian Quesadilla


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


Atmosphere - The first two words that come to mind when you think about Chiwawa! Midtown should be "laid back." The inside of the restaurant is spacious with the majority of the the tables and booths up against the walls. There's also equally comfortable outdoor seating for when the weather is really good. Extra large windows all the way around the place give it a very open air feel. Almost the entire decor it light wood. You get a sense that you walked off the street of midtown Memphis and somehow got transported to a surf shack on the Cali coast.

Menu - Before even being able to look through your choices of food, you could easily get caught up in the aesthetic appeal of the Chiwawa! menu. I have never been one to like orange, but somehow it works here. The menu itself is very manageable, just one full page. It is anything but boring. Bright colors, an easy-flowing layout, and a variety of nifty fonts are an eye catcher for certain. The actual edibles listed on the menu are just as captivating. Chiwawa! serves a mix of traditional Mexican and American street food such as elote, chicarrones, or even gourmet hot dogs. There are dozens of choices contained in the three categories of antojitos, tacos, and perros calientes, but if you can't find one you like you can also build your own. Some of the mouth-watering highlights include: Juan-tons (chorizo, chicken, poblano crema, cream cheese and salsa roja in a wonton wrapper), Taco de Madre (brisket, carmelized onion, tomato chiptole sauce, cotija) and the Tijuana Dog (chorizo-charro bean chili, queso blanco, chili fried onions, pickled jalapenos). They also have an expansive menu of equally delicious sounding cocktails and unique shooter such as the W.C. Handy (Tennessee Apple Moonshine, Sour Apple Pucker, Lemon Lime Fresca, Homemade Sweet & Sour, Blue Curacao).
 

Presentation - For self-proclaimed "street food", the presentation was pretty solid. The Macho Nachos were piled high with chicken, queso, chorizo chili, jalapenos, iceberg lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and shredded cheese on a snazzy rectangular plate. The dish looked well-balanced and the colors were great. The quesadilla was delicious looking and garnished with fresh cilantro with salsa roja and sour cream in silver bullets on the side. The star was the Elote covered in crema sprinkled artfully with cotija and chili lime salt.

Taste -The elote was amazing! I could close my eyes and taste a hot summer day in Mexico City. All the flavors blended together expertly; the crunch of the corn, acidity of the chili lime salt and mildness of the crema. The Macho Nachos were also delicious. The mondo mound of toppings insured that there was never a flavorless

bite or a bare chip in sight. The quesadilla was one of the best I've ever had. It was slammed full of multiple rich cheeses, sauteed spinach & mushrooms, and black beans.


Price -This was actually one of the pricier Mexican restaurants we've been to. Generally you can count on low costs and huge portions when you venture south of the border. Chiwawa! is worth the upcharge. The portions are still sizeable but you can tell it wasn't slapped together in two seconds from vats of indistinguishable mush.

Service - Our server was great. He was helpful, friendly and attentive. We never had to ask for refills and he checked up on us a good amount.


WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes. The food was great, the atmosphere was fun, and the pricing wasn't too bad. We wanna go back for happy hour and try some of the unique drink specials they have.

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

Fuel Cafe - Our First Vegetarian Meal

WHERE WE WENT:   

Fuel Cafe
1761 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN
38104


WHAT WE ORDERED:
Quinoa & Red Bean Chili, Gourmet Grilled Cheese w/ Tomato and Arugula, Hot Apple & Brie Baguette w/ Balsamic Side Salad


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation - 9
Taste - 8
Price - 8
Service - 7
 Overall - 7.5


Atmosphere -  Fuel Cafe is a re-purposed old gas station from years gone by. The concept for the restaurant is a really cute one, but it is only half-heartedly realized. The walls are overly dull with a few scattered pieces of art that seem disjointed. Everything appeared to be a little shabby and of ill repair. Fuel Cafe definitely exhibited character though. The counter was reminiscent of "the good ole days" when you would go down to the local drug store and pay a visit to your friendly neighborhood soda jerk. It was cozy and unique, but the concept could have translated much better into the actual execution.

Menu -  If you're an alternative eater, then you'll be right at home here. This place is vegan and vegetarian heaven, especially for people like me who are still vegetarian fledglings and miss the taste of some dishes.  They have light fare like salads and brie & fig jam crostini as well as heavier options such as vegetarian walnut "meat" loaf or tomato & provolone baguette. Carnivores, don't feel left out. Fuel Cafe has something for you too! Hot turkey sandwiches, bison burgers and tuna melts are just a couple of the dishes filled with meaty goodness. (There's even bacon.)  Because of their commitment to healthier eating they guarantee all of the animals

are grass-fed and they'd be happy to tell you exactly where they source their meats from. They have options for vegan cheese and sour cream along with gluten-free buns. One of the more interesting offerings is naturally flavored and sweetened sodas as well. 
 
Presentation -All the dishes came presented on solid white, vintage, diner-style plates and bowls. Plain and simple, letting the food speak for itself. Each dish had excellent color and texture and there is no better word for the cup of chili other than adorable with its soda crackers sticking up adorably. But most importantly, when you looked at the food and immediately wanted to dig in.

Taste - The gourmet grilled cheese was altogether a good sandwich. The tomato and arugula were excellent additions both in terms

of flavor and color. However, the bread was over-buttered and became soggy easily. While it tasted good, it seemed like something we could have simply made at home. The fresh cut french fries were excellent; crisp, delicious, and light without too much grease. The vegetarian quinoa chili was some of the best I've ever eaten, including recipes with meat. It was even as good as my Pawpaw's. The quinoa made the texture spot-on and there was enough spice to kick it up, but not enough to make me want to stop eating it. Easily some of the best comfort food I've had, vegetarian or otherwise. The hot apple and brie baguette was good. The cheese was obviously of a high quality and the acidity of the thinly sliced granny smith apples cut through the richness perfectly. Topped with arugula and balsamic vinaigrette, it was a delicious summer sandwich. The only complaint was that the bread-to- filling ratio could have been better. Always a fan of a good baguette, I just think there should have been more inside it to even out the proportions.


Price - The price overall was pretty agreeable. There were a few items on the menu that seemed a little steep, but nothing so bad to deter us from returning. Also, it's worth paying a little more for quality, organic vegetables and responsibly raised meat.

Service - Our server was polite and attentive, but no stretch of the imagination could label her as friendly. She brought our food, but her hospitality seemed strained at best. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt because we went in an hour before close and were the only ones there. However, money is money and having worked in the service industry no matter the situation, your mantra should be, "smile like you mean it."

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
For sure! It's quirky, quaint and delicious. Being vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or even just organic can be really difficult. This place makes it easy and appetizing. Everyone should give it try though. Next time, I want the vegan cheesecake! Bonus, if you can't make it to midtown, they have a food truck.


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

Sekisui Midtown - Asian Eats

WHERE WE WENT:   
Sekisui Midtown
25 S Belvedere Blvd
Memphis, TN

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Miso Soup 
-The Saint (Blue Crab, Crunchies, Eel Sauce w/ Smoked Salmon & Spicy Mayo on top)
-The Serpent (Crab, Cream Cheese, Avocado, Smelt Roe w/ Eel & Eel Sauce on top)
-Red Birds (Crunchy Crab, Mayo, Sweet Chili Sauce w/ Shrimp on top)
-Grizzlies Roll (Shrimp Tempura, Smoked Salmon, Mayo)


WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 6 
Menu - 9
Presentation - 9
Taste - 8
Price - 7
Service - 7
 Overall - 8

Atmosphere - Sekisui Midtown is ... interesting. Walking in, you are immediately greeted by a beautiful water feature built into the wall. The best design aspect is the bar. Set against the wall is all of the alcoholic offerings and in front of that is a display that showcases all of the fresh ingredients that go into their hand rolled sushi. One flaw in this design is that it can only be seen from one angle. It would have been much more enjoyable if it were placed centrally in the dining room so everyone could appreciate watching the sushi be rolled. Apart from the sushi bar, nothing at all indicated that this was an Asian restaurant. Each wall was a different color and an eccentric collection of art adorns

the walls. Some sections seem like they could be from the future, others look retro. The music was an odd hodgepodge, none of which was Oriental. It was also incredibly dim and the seating was very tight. Not only was the theme not congruent with the type of food being served, there was no distinguishable design theme at all.

Menu - The menu is, in one word, large. They have an extensive drink offering including hot and cold sake, along with signature cocktails. Unless you come in knowing exactly what you want, it will take forever to sift through the dense list of Nigiri, Rolls, hot and cold appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees. While we appreciate all the choices, including uncommon options like tofu tempura, it is just a bit overwhelming.

Presentation - Sushi is as much art as it is food. The presentation of our sushi at Sekisui Midtown did not disappoint. The rolls themselves were absolutely gorgeous. The colors were vibrant and everything looked incredible. They were plated on a flat black cherry wood panel. The minimalism of the dish directed the attention directly to the rolls. The sauce dishes were the only embellishment, with the Sekisui logo painted on the bottom.

Taste - Each of our rolls was delicious. Seafood has to be very fresh and well-prepared to avoid any unappetizing tastes or odors, and this was prepared skillfully. The sweet chili sauce in the Red Birds Roll had a flavor that was different from any other sushi we've ever tasted. The eel sauce was delicious. The rice was delicious and sticky, not too dry. Another standout was the signature Sekisui Punch, a mixture of coconut rum, pineapple rum, orange juice, Sprite and grenadine. One of the best cocktails in Memphis.


Price - Everything on the menu appeared reasonably priced and comparable to other restaurants of its kind. We have seen better prices though.

Service - Our server was very pleasant, but also very awkward. She

lingered after we had finished speaking to her and created a little bit of an uncomfortable feel. She did however, take decent care of our needs.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes, but next time we'll look at the menu online first and know what we want before we go in. Seriously. Look at the menus.


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

Slider Inn - Pun Intended

WHERE WE WENT:   
Slider Inn
2117 Peabody Avenue
Memphis, TN 
38104

WHAT WE ORDERED:

Mix & Match ( Mushroom Swiss, Original Memphis, The Big Deuce, Flat Iron, 2 Buffalo Chicken) French Fries

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


Atmosphere -The inside of Slider Inn provides an awesome retro vibe mixed with modern hipster flair. Dark colors combined with chrome give the interior a 50's dive/biker bar feel which corresponds beautifully with the logo. Large chalkboards around the bar inform guests of the specials with artistic scrawl. The real party is outside. They have a large deck with more seating capacity than the inside, cordoned off for a smoking and non-smoking area. Pets are welcomed on the deck and the day we went, the gorgeous

weather prompted all the patrons out to the picnic tables along with their dogs. The atmosphere was very relaxed and casual.

Menu -  The name of the restaurant clearly indicates what they specialize in, sliders, served three at a time. We think the best deal is to do the mix & match so that you can get a little taste of everything. They offer a variety of different sliders with beef, chicken, and even a few vegetarian options such as a falafel patty or a peanut butter and preserve slider. They do have other options apart from sliders, like wings, nachos, and a signature lobster roll. The physical menu itself is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate, with a level of visual creativity that matches the level of the food.
 
Presentation - The sliders come out on a round brushed metal tray, giving the same impression as the interior of the restaurant as retro or vintage. Any additional condiments come in silver bullets as well. All aspects of the dish looks very cool, except for the french

fries. They were served in a paper basket, which next to all of the other metal damages the aesthetic.

Taste -  The mix and match was a great choice, because we got a chance to experience all kinds of unique flavors. Overall, each slider was delicious. The Original Memphis was relatively plain and simple but tastes exactly like a quintessential American hamburger should. The Flat Iron was juicy and cooked to perfection. The only complaints we have are with the Mushroom Swiss and the Buffalo Chicken. The Mushroom Swiss slider was not nearly as flavorful as it could have been, especially compared to some of the other burgers of the same kind that we've tried. The Buffalo Chicken was hot, too hot. We started to lose the flavor to the heat. Buffalo should always strike the perfect balance.


Price - Although the portions are small, they have big taste. Everything evens out. You get three burgers for the price of one.

Service - Our service was sub-par. We waited a LONG time after we sat down to even be acknowledged by our server. She was very slow throughout the meal and walked past us several times while we tried to get her attention.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Sure, especially if the weather is good and we can sit outside.

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

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/

Central BBQ - After Church Lunch

WHERE WE WENT:   

Central BBQ

2249 Central Avenue                   
Memphis, TN
38104

WHAT WE ORDERED:
Pulled Pork Plate, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, BBQ Pork Nachos

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 7
Menu - 7
Presentation - 7
Taste - 8.5
Price - 8
Service - N/A
 Overall - 7.5


Atmosphere - Central BBQ has a homey feel to it. The picnic style seating, large windows, and Memphis-centered wall decor provide a breezy, casual feeling. The outdoor patio seating is an excellent option in decent weather. It's definitely not fancy, but it's unique and charming.

Menu - The menu is everything you would expect from somewhere with "BBQ" in its name. There are multiple BBQ plate and sandwich options available as well as an option to purchase meat and sides in bulk. There were a few surprising offerings. The boast crispy homemade potato chips with chunky blue cheese dressing and a char grilled, marinated portabella mushroom sandwich, so even our vegetarian friends can enjoy Central.
 
Presentation - The presentation is plain and simple. Basic plates or baskets with wax paper. The restaurant itself is completely unpretentious, as is its presentation.

Taste - The BBQ nachos are the best we've ever had. A hulking pile of chips topped with a generous portion of pulled pork, dressed with nacho cheese, BBQ sauce and dusted with dry rub (and jalapenos optionally). Absolutely delicious. The proportions of each of the ingredients are perfect. The nachos are neither dry nor soggy. The layers of flavor are awesome and the dry rub is the perfecting touch. The pork plate is juicy and delicious, with slow-cooked flavor cooked in. Central's BBQ sauce is scrumptious. The sides were just ok. The cole slaw was a bit runny, and the beans were more like cowboy beans than southern baked beans. The mac & cheese was the best of the sides, but needed some salt. Overall though we were very pleased.

Price - Central is completely comparable to other restaurants of the same kind. Their prices resemble something like Sonny's with equal portions and a more authentic, less mass-produced taste.

Service - At Central you order at a counter and have no server, but every employee of the restaurant we encountered was friendly and welcoming.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yes! Central BBQ is one of our staples

Here's a link to their website:  
http://www.cbqmemphis.com/home.html

Boscos Squared - Out of Town Friends Visit

WHERE WE WENT:   
Bosco's Squared
2120 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN
38104

WHAT WE ORDERED:

Baked Lasagna Bolognese, Bosco's Burger, Garlic Parmesan Fries

WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Atmosphere - 8
Menu - 7
Presentation - 6
Taste - 6
Price - 6
Service - 7
 Overall - 6.5


Atmosphere - As it is with many places in the midtown area, the first word that comes to mind when you walk into Bosco's Squared is "cool." You get the feeling that you've walked into something

both warm and sophisticated and much more interesting than its unassuming exterior would suggest. A long, dark bar is the central focus of the restaurant with two sections of seating, one down either side. The atmosphere is sophisticated without feeling stuffy and is a great gathering place for people of all sorts.

Menu -Bosco's sports a menu that is diverse but not cumbersome. There are plenty of choices for people of all tastes. They offer soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches, and flatbreads. One of the more interesting looking options is the Black Bean & Goat Cheese Tamale. The overall best part of the menu hands don is the beer selection. Boscos goes a step beyond offering local craft beers and actually brews their own. Their year-round offerings include The Famous Flaming Stone, Midtown Brown, Bosco's Bombay IPA, and Isle of Skye Scottish Ale. On top of those they have seasonal specialties available. They offer $11 half gallon growlers. Unfortunately we were unable to try any of the beers because we were sick during our visit, but our research has led us to the conclusion that it's the best thing about Bosco's.

Presentation - Presentation at Bosco's was not bad at all. Plain white dishes that gave off an air of class accompanied all the dishes. We have definitely seen worse, but the low score derives from the fact that we expected something more from a place with such a vivid personality.

Taste - One word: underwhelming. Nothing was bad per se, but nothing really jumped out and grabbed us either. Maybe it was because people had hyped up Bosco's to us too much beforehand, but it just didn't live up to our expectations. The Baked Lasagna Bolognese was bland. The cheeses did not stand out and the sauce was something that could have come out of a jar at Kroger. The signature burger was not much better. It was just a burger with no distinguishable traits.The garlic parmesan fries were the most

unique tasting thing we ordered, but were unfortunately drowned in garlic.

Price - The price was not good. The lasagna was $15 dollars and was much to small and lacking in flavor to be worth it. The burger and fries were $13. We've had bigger, better burgers for less in many places in the city.

Service -Our service was just fine. Our server was polite, but with zero personality and was a bit slow.

WOULD WE GO BACK? 
Yeah, but only for the curiosity about the beer.

Here's a link to their website:  
http://boscosbeer.com/memphis/story/