Eating Out

You can't go wrong with eating in Memphis. But for country cooking, visit Alcenia's Desserts and Preserves Shop in downtown Memphis. First off, you will be greeted warmly with a hug by the owner, B.J. Chester-Tamayo. Now, you can enjoy a glass of sweet tea and hot water cornbread. Or, order teacakes, egg custard pie, bread pudding, or buttermilk pie. If you want food, the cabbage is a must, along with the fried chicken or pork chop. The Saturday brunch is the best of any Memphis restaurant. Feast on chicken and waffle, salmon croquettes, and fried green tomatoes.

There are plenty of Memphis restaurants to choose from when visiting this southern city. But if you want to take it up a notch, and enjoy fine dining at its best, stop by Chez Phillippe in The Peabody Memphis. They are well known for their excellent cuisine and exceptional service. Guests here can expect to dine on such Asian- French dishes as lobster cappucino, lamb porterhouse with risotto, vension with potato salad, and striped bass with mushrooms. For desert, enjoy a dish of peach melba, banana spring roll with Snickers ice cream, and strawberries and cream.

Memphis restaurants aren't all dry rub ribs and potato salad. Although there are some excellent barbecue choices in this city, for fine dining, try Circa at 119 S. Main Street. Created by Chef John Bragg, this American restaurants features some of the most unique entrees with a hint of French in them. Customers keep coming back to enjoy such delights as crawfish beignets, duck with foie gras, and sesame crusted ahi tuna with mashed potatoes. Join them for happy hour Monday-Friday from 4 to 7 and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30-12:30. Reservations are accepted and can be done online.