Best Restaurants in Memphis Combine Southern Comfort, Local Ingredients, Global Influence

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Photo courtesy of Restaurant Iris
Photo courtesy of Restaurant Iris

Restaurant Iris

Item: Restaurant Iris
Author: Sally Walker Davies

Cuisine: American, Local Specialty, Southern

Price Range: $$

10Best Says

Chef Kelly English is usually in the house - as in, the darling house in Midtown that serves as the backdrop for his first eatery, Restaurant Iris. The homey feel of the individual dining rooms is supplemented by great artwork and a low-key ambiance; you'll be comfortable here is dressy jeans or full-out glam. The cuisine is a nice combination of fresh, local ingredients and Cajun flair, thanks to English's home-grown sensibilities - he's a Southern LA (Louisiana) boy. Recent delicacies have included sweet corn griddle cakes topped with Gulf crabmeat and a surf and turf that blends a strip steak and fried oysters.

Address:

2146 Monroe
Memphis, TN 38104
901-590-2828

Hours:

Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm

Website:

restaurantiris.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Sally Walker Davies
Memphis Local Expert

Romantic Dining: "English and his staff are all about some romance, and are happy to be an accomplice in planing the perfect dinner - just ask!"
Best Restaurants: "English typically opens one Sunday a month for a scrumptious brunch; call ahead or check the Web site for updated information."

Best for Romantic Dining Because: Iris is a sure bet if you're looking to impress or simply looking for an intimate setting, and offers cozy, candlelit dining.
Recommended as Best Restaurants Because: A meal at Iris is simply one of the best dining experiences one will find in the South.

Dinner Menu
- Snacks
  
  Fresh Baked Bread
  
  with accompaniments ($6.00)
  
  Collard Green & Sweet Potato Kibbeh
  
  with green garlic yogurt ($9.00)
  
  Crawfish Toasted Ravioli
  
  with pickled okra gribiche ($8.00)
  
  Charbroiled Oysters Muffuletta
  
  ($12.00)
  
  Ham Hock Hush Puppies
  
  smoked aioli, lardo ($8.00)
- Starters
  
  Local Honey Compressed Beets
  
  "fresh comb", labneh, bee pollen, spiced pepitas ($8.00)
  
  Seven Spice Brisket
  
  roasted lima beans, pistachio pomegranate gremolata ($14.00)
  
  Chopped Salad of Zucchini & Squash
  
  avocado, crab, sumac ranch, crispy shallots ($12.00)
  
  Farmer's Cheese Tart
  
  heirloom tomato cucumber salad, za'atar vinaigrette ($12.00)
  
  Celery Root Gnocchi
  
  parmesan cream, benton's bacon, egg yolk ($14.00)
- Mains
  
  Char Siu Quail
  
  wild mushroom chestnut stuffing, greens, spicy mustard caramel ($28.00)
  
  Charred Eggplant
  
  lemon tahini, harissa, couscous, radish, crispy chickpeas ($24.00)
  
  Porchetta
  
  white bean puree, mustard green agrodolce ($32.00)
  
  Gulf Shrimp and Rice Grits Congee
  
  lap chong sausage, boiled peanuts ($28.00)
  
  Plancha Seared Trout
  
  green tomato gazpacho, fig & fennel salad, calabrian chili ($36.00)
  
  Kobe Beef Flat Iron
  
  mozzarella bread pudding, roasted tomatoes, arugula pisto ($38.00)
Wine Menu
- Cocktails
  
  Strawberry Fields Forever
  
  tito's vodka, strawberry lemonade, salers, st. germain, basil ($14.00)
  
  Iris Sour
  
  buffalo trace bourbon, yellow chartreuse, rosemary simple, lemon juice, orange bitters, herbal foamer ($14.00)
- White
  
  Scarpetta Pinot Grigi '16' Friuli
  
  ($10.00)
  
  Damiana Semi-Dry Reisling '14' Finger Lakes
  
  ($13.00)
  
  Castlefeder Von Leh, Gewürztraminer '16' Alto Adige
  
  ($11.00)
  
  Domaine du Prieure, Sauvigny, Les Beaune '15' Burgundy
  
  ($16.00)
  
  Alpha Omega Chardonnay '15' Napa Valley
  
  ($17.00)
  
  Domaine Pascal Jolivet Pouilly Fume '16' Loire
  
  ($17.00)
- Red
  
  Cooper Mountain Pinot Noir '14' Williamette Valley
  
  ($15.00)
  
  Maison Shaps Mercurey '16' Burgandy
  
  ($18.00)
  
  Pipoli Aglianico '16' Del Vulture Bascillicata
  
  ($12.00)
  
  Roth Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
  
  ($20.00)
- Rosé
  
  1 'Ostal '16' Provence
  
  ($9.00)
  
  Blackbird Vineyards Arriviste '16' Napa Valley
  
  ($14.00)

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