The food and wine scene totally wowed me on a recent media trip to Memphis, Tennessee hosted by Memphis Tourism. Because of my background in food and wine, I seek out restaurants and bars that cater to my preferences. Lucky for me, I had the opportunity to dine at places with all kinds of different cuisine. Consequently, I learned Memphis is not all barbeque and beer.

Catherine & Marys – Downtown

Among the many accolades received by the chefs at Catherine & Marys, the James Beard Foundation named Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman as semi-finalists for best chef.

Influenced by a grandmother’s cooking, the cuisine is Sicilian and Tuscan fare.  Decidedly, our group split numerous appetizers, dinners, and desserts to get a complete perspective on the menu. The Little Gem Salad with gem lettuce, green goddess, radish, and coriander panna gratta, the Malfalde with lamb shoulder, spring peas, mint salsa verde, and pecorino, and the strawberry cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting, powdered sugar, and lemon gelato were my favorites. Even more, the wine list is lovely, consisting of mainly Italian varietals. Therefore, I selected the Caravaglio, “Nero du Munti,” Corinto Nero, from Salina-Sicily; it was my first glass of wine in Memphis, giving me a fabulous first impression.

Furthermore, the ambiance exudes a city-living vibe with a neighborhood feel.  And the long enticing bar, the tables scattered throughout the main room, and the open kitchen create a vibrant energy.

South Of Beale (SOB) – Downtown

SOB is a gastropub that serves American-style food with a twist of fun flavors that pop as you imbibe. That said, we decided to share a few appetizers and order separate entrees. For starters, we got the general Tso’s cauliflower with homemade sweet and sour glaze, duck fried rice mixed with five spices topped with a sunny-side egg, and tuna poke with togarashi and avocado. Next, I chose the blackened catfish with okra, corn succotash, andouille sausage, and spicy crawfish cream.

For those with a more traditional palate, comfort foods like burgers and fried chicken sandwiches coexist on the menu with steaks, salmon, and salads. Additionally, the wine selection is nicely diverse with old and new world options, yet largely California-driven. In the mood for something on the lighter side, I was happy with the Charles & Charles Rose from Washington.

Furthermore, the dining area is casual, and one can grab a quick lunch and be on their way or belly up to the large bar and stay a while. Accordingly, lunch at SOB is never mundane.

Chez Phillipe (Inside the Peabody Hotel Downtown)

The second we entered the Peabody Hotel, I felt transported to the days of the Titanic or The Great Gatsby; the grandeur of the place is a magnificent out-of-body experience. And we, the lucky ones, got to dine at Chez Phillipe, the MidSouth’s only Forbes four-star and AAA four-diamond rated restaurant.
The Victorian décor in the dining room is fit for royalty. And we sat in an exquisite private area where we devoured the seven-course pre-fixe menu with wine pairings. Chef Keith Clinton began our evening with his amuse-bouche of truffle and parmesan crisps and squash blossom with goat cheese. To follow came fluffy Japanese milk bread with kumquat flour butter that melted in your mouth.

We dined through each delectable course consisting of wild ramps paired with a crisp Gruner Veltliner, brown butter scallops with a Burgundy Chardonnay, Dover sole with a Sauvignon Blanc from California, Parisian gnocchi and veal cheeks with a Cote Du Rhone, beef tenderloin with an Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon, and ending with strawberry sorbet paired with a rose from Provence. It was an unforgettable proper night out.

Bar Hustle (on Main Street inside Arrive Hotel)

Bar Hustle inside Arrive Hotel is known as Hustle & Dough Bakery Café by day. The boutique lounge attracts locals and visitors to drinks, eclectic appetizers, and various pizzas. Because it is a popular place, and the lobby fills up quickly, you will want to get there early to grab a seat.

Moreover, the wine choices were quite pleasant. In particular, the Bloodroot Pinot Noir was wonderful. And the knowledgeable bartenders who showed a passion for its flavor profile impressed me.

Global Café (Crosstown)

Global Cafe and the Crosstown neighborhood welcomes people of all ethnic backgrounds to sample foods from across the globe. The restaurant is an international food hall where immigrant entrepreneurs proudly create dishes from their home countries. Furthermore, there is a feeling of oneness while sitting at cafeteria-style tables and sharing the savory items from each region.
We split the empanadas, hummus, falafel, and pita as a group. A first-generation Palestinian, I admire the excellence of middle eastern cuisine; the smells and flavors took me back to my Tai Tai’s kitchen. For my entrée, I ordered a dish from Kenya called Kuku Paka; a spicy chicken with coconut curry served with delicious rice. While I did not engage in a libation here, I was eyeing the Aperol Spritz, a good pairing with most offerings.

Cameo (Overton Square)

With dim lights and dark wood furniture Cameo emulates a speakeasy. The restaurant features house cocktails and munchies that range from charcuterie boards, flatbreads, po’boys, and burgers. And the wine list is delightful; I enjoyed the Rosso, Fuso, a red blend from Piedmont, Italy.

Moreover, the friendly staff is enthusiastic about their menu and excited about their location on Union Avenue. 

Art Bar (Crosstown)

Artsy is certainly the word to describe the Art Bar at Crosstown. With an eccentric vibe, the bar makes great use of its small space — turn a short corner and enter the cat room, make a quick right, and into the dog room, you go. While animals are not allowed in the bar, images, and décor of the species enlighten the rooms.

What’s more, sundried tomato chickpea bruschetta, antipasto skewers, and smoked tuna dip are must-trys on the menu. Seasonal cocktails are the highlights here but for the Oenophiles, the bar has a curated list of fine wines.

Tiger and Peacock (Overton Square)

On the top floor of the Memphian Hotel, Tiger and Peacock, is a rooftop bar with an attitude. With exotic décor and funky chandeliers, the bar is flirty with a hip aura. And the menu consists of tapas and dishes like blueberry grilled cheese, sake marinated short ribs, and Jamaican Picken chicken.

Even more, the wine selection consists of a fair mix from France, California, and Washington. Appreciatively, it is pleasing to see wines like Merry Edwards Pinot Noir and a Chateau Abelyce from St. Emillion on the menu. And the variety of bubbles was very impressive!

Inkwell (Edge district of downtown)

Inkwell is the kind of bar for those who crave an intimate nightclub experience but like the option to escape to a lively patio.

The dimly lit bar offers a fun array of signature cocktails for the exploratory drinker. However, there are plenty of quaffable wines for those of us who can’t resist their love of the grape. And you can count on satiety with the grilled cheeses and flatbreads to help the party last.