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16
Sarah Elizabeth Cornejo’s Serpentine Sculptures
On view at Crosstown Arts, the artist’s work challenges the need to categorize. ~ by abigail morici 25 I Do Memphis weddings in pictures. 34 ROAD TRIP
A Theory of Romance
How — and how not — to plan a romantic beach trip to the Gulf Coast. ~ by chris mccoy 47 901 HEALTH
Face the New Year Fresh Brighten your outlook with a fresh focus on your skin care routine. ~ by jane schneider
54 HEROES
Lt. Robert Bedford, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Not only did he take part in two Allied invasions of Europe during World War II, he helped establish one of this city’s best-known interior design firms. ~ by michael finger
56
LOCAL TREASURES
#1 Fan
As the last living original member of the seminal band Big Star, Jody Stephens is the ultimate appreciator. ~ by alex greene
65 MADE IN MEMPHIS
Memphis Whiskey
Old Dominick’s Alex Castle brings Tennessee whiskey home with a Bluff City twist. ~ by samuel x. cicci
68
The Columbian Mutual Tower
Our history expert solves local mysteries of who, what, when, where, why, and why not. ~ by vance lauderdale 70 DINING OUT
Fancy’s Fish House This newcomer offers fine seafood dining with a view of the Mississippi River. ~ by samuel x. cicci 72 CITY
The city’s most extensive dining listings.
Our Larry A prolific photographer — and dear friend of Memphis magazine — eases into retirement.
~ by frank murtaugh
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Spread love, not germs by having your rugs disinfected.
Here at Taghavi’s, we would like to do our part to help stop the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus. Recent studies have shown that the virus can be brought into your home, by your shoes and can live on surfaces like your rugs and floors anywhere from two to nine days. In order to help curb the spread, we at Taghavi’s, recommend that you stop wearing your outdoor shoes into your homes and to have your rugs cleaned and disinfected. Quality rug cleaning can only be accomplished by in-store professional rug cleaners. Call us for disinfecting and cleaning of your rugs.
CEO AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF anna traverse fogle
EXECUTIVE EDITOR michael finger
MANAGING EDITOR frank murtaugh
SENIOR EDITORS samuel x. cicci, shara clark, jon w. sparks, bruce vanwyngarden
ASSOCIATE EDITOR abigail morici
EDITORIAL INTERN izzy wollfarth
CONTRIBUTORS michael donahue, alex greene, vance lauderdale, chris mccoy, jane schneider
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EDITOR samuel x. cicci
SENIOR EDITOR jon w. sparks
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Afew days before Thanksgiving, a FedEx box arrived on the front porch. I unsealed it gingerly, wanting not to disturb the occupant within. Nestled among ice packs and cardboard was a slim white letter envelope — and inside that was Monica the Monarch.
My uncle Paul and Michele, his wife, had discovered Monica as a caterpillar feasting on a stand of milkweed outside their Adirondack lake house, brought her indoors to mature safely in a container — only for her to escape. ey discovered her again a month later, in chrysalis form, but by that time, upstate New York was already too cold for Monica’s migration south to begin — and she had yet to emerge as a butterfly.
Which is where we Southerners came in: Paul texted me to ask an unusual question: If they sent Monica to our house, would we release her outside in Memphis, or raise her in captivity for later release? Well, of course we would! is little butterfly would enjoy a (very) accelerated first half of her trip to Mexico. Butterflies travel between five and 12 miles per hour. Jets … upwards of five hundred miles per hour.
By the time Paul and Michele tucked Monica away for her trip to Memphis, she had emerged from her chrysalis into butterflydom.
ey had been feeding her dilute honey water and orange water, and she seemed to be thriving, but would she survive the trip? When I gently opened her envelope, my heart sank: Monica wasn’t moving, and one of her wings appeared badly crumpled.
Surely this did not bode well. She began to stir ever so slightly, though, clinging to a small hunk of cardboard, so I moved her into a sunny patch and sat with her. My husband diluted a drop of honey into a tiny saucer of water, and she dipped her proboscis into the liquid. After only a few minutes of sunshine, her little crumpled wing began to relax and smooth. Before long, buoyed by warmth and sweetness, she started to flutter about. I was texting Paul and Michele throughout, so I know it was just one minute later that I wrote, “SHE JUST FLEW AWAY!!!!!!” Up, up, and away, into a tree and gone, her journey
just beginning.
A week later, taking Lily Bear the dog outside in the morning, I noticed a truly tiny kitten standing all by its lonesome next to the deck. In full disclosure, we take care of a neighborhood feral cat whom we’ve not yet been able to trap and spay, and we had observed a few weeks earlier she looked possibly pregnant. Here was the blueeyed proof, an unwanted runt, mewing up from a pile of oak leaves.
Without thinking about what I was doing, I leaned down, scooped her up, and hustled her into the cat carrier we keep outside in hopes of capturing mama-feral. An immediate trip to the vet showed the kitten — fi rst called Tiny Tim, then revealed to be Tiny Tina, and now renamed Tuesday — to be entirely healthy at all of 12 ounces and four weeks old. Now almost seven weeks, she’s doubled in size and will, I keep promising, be on her way to a permanent home any day now. It’s been 13 years since I lived with a baby kitten. Turns out, they’re still cute. Breaking news, I know.
These are small stories about smaller creatures. But (and forgive the Mr. Rogers attitude) they’re also reminders — of grace, of frailty, of the choices that we make each day about how we will interact with our world. I can’t help every feral cat in Midtown, but when a tabby-and-white face stares up at me and says, “mew!”, I can try to give her a warmer, safer beginning. I didn’t do much of anything for the butterfly, just served as a way station, but watching her wing unfurl before she darted up into a sunbeam — there was majesty in that small moment.
ere’s something to be said for fretting a bit less about circumstances beyond my grasp, and focusing a bit more on what and who needs help right in front of me. I’ll try to remember that in this new year.
emphasis is on “juicy, not greasy” hamburgers at this family-owned spot.
BY MICHAEL DONAHUE
from a skillet-fried product.”
McMinn bought his grandfather’s half of the strip mall location in 1996. He closed that location when business dropped off and he and the late John Robertson opened a Dyer’s Cafe on Beale Street. Five years later, Robertson bought out McMinn’s share of the restaurant, which is still on Beale. “I still own the trademark name to Dyer’s,” McMinn says.
After that, he operated another Dyer’s Cafe on Summer Avenue for a couple of years.
McMinn now owns the
In addition to their hamburgers, Dyer’s is known for its “split dog” — two hot dogs sliced down the middle and criss-crossed on a hamburger bun. Other items added over the years include a homemade chicken salad sandwich on sourdough bread, a smoked gouda BLT, breaded fried chicken, onion rings cut from a colossal onion, and “good old-fashioned American chili.”
What’s more, they serve Pasquale’s tamales from a company in Helena, Arkansas, and farmraised catfish filets from Lake’s Catfish Co. in Dundee, Mississippi.
Dyer’s also makes root beer and Coke floats, as well as “a true old-fashioned shake and malt, where we hand-dip the premier ice cream. We add a little vanilla extract, and we use whole milk.” e shakes and malts are served
Owner Mark McMinn is keeping things real at Dyer’s Cafe in Collierville, Tennessee. “We’re still doing the old-fashioned things that made us what we are,” he says.
McMinn, 54, is the grandson of Kahn Aaron, who bought the restaurant from Elmer Dyer in 1935. “From everything I’ve known or read,” says McMinn, “Mr. Dyer started it in 1912.” If that is correct, Dyer’s Cafe would be “the oldest restaurant in the Memphis area.”
Dyer’s Cafe first opened at 288 North Cleveland Street and remained there for decades until someone bought the old building and the restaurant had to relocate. “It moved across the street into a strip mall in 1986,” says McMinn. e original building had two doors, “on the right side for Blacks and the left side for whites.”
e restaurant is famous for its cooking grease, of all things. Legend has it that since Dyer’s first opened, the grease has been replenished from time to time, but never replaced — meaning hamburgers are fried in grease that could be a century old (well, at least some of it).
So when Dyer’s moved from its original location, a police escort safeguarded the transfer of the ancient grease.
Even though most diners know about the grease, McMinn insists, “We serve a juicy, not a greasy, hamburger.”
McMinn fries his hamburgers in a skillet, not on a grill. He uses a mallet and spatula to flatten the “solid 100-percent USDA ground choice beef” patties before he puts them in the skillet. He doesn’t add any ingredients to the meat. All this adds to the allure of the Dyer’s burger. “It leaves you wanting more,” he says. “It is just a unique taste you can only get
circa-1897 building facing the historic Town Square, which houses the current Dyer’s Cafe. “I moved to Collierville in 2010,” he says. “It’s a growing neighborhood community. My wife and I started a family and we had an opportunity to move onto the Square.”
in “the little silver can” that still has some left in it after they pour it in the glass, McMinn says. So, customers still get “the little extra” like they did back in the good old days.
Dyer’s Cafe is located at 101 North Center Street in Collierville.
TOP PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL DONAHUE; BOTTOM PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRETTA BEASLEY
Mark Esterman started working at Mortimer’s in 1989, and with the exception of a couple years in the early 1990s at Harrah’s, he’s been there ever since. e venerable joint at Perkins and Sam Cooper has been a good fit for the 58-yearold Memphian.
I noticed he didn’t come in for a couple days and I called him. He said he couldn’t manage to walk over here any longer, so I started picking him up on my way to work. He’d get his lunch and sit on his barstool and things were back to normal for a while. Now he’s pretty much past being able to hang out here, but a couple mornings a week I take him to get groceries and supplies and lunch. I love seeing him.”
at kind of solicitude isn’t out of character for Esterman.
really liked ‘Voted Best Restaurant at Perkins and Renshaw’” he says.
e current one reads, “Michael Donahue Says Try Mort’s.”
Inside, nearly an entire wall is covered with photos of regulars, regularly curated and updated by Esterman. Needless to say, Donahue, a true regular (and my co-worker), is among them. But here’s the thing: Whenever I think of my friend Michael Donahue, I sometimes need a drink. I’m not sure why.
Fortunately, Esterman is ready. “I’m going to make you our Cosmo-
“I was born and raised in the city,” he says. “I went to White Station, then UT, then I came back and got my master’s in marketing at the University of Memphis. I waited tables part-time here in 1989, then I left for a ‘real’ job in Tunica.”
After a couple years, Mortimer’s owner Sara Stewart offered Esterman a bartending job. “I thought about where I was working and realized I didn’t want my boss’s job,” he says,
“and I didn’t even want his boss’s job, so maybe I was in the wrong place.” So Esterman decided to come back home.
“All the regulars and the employees are like family to me now,” he says. at includes one of his former regulars, a 97-year-old veteran who manned the corner stool every afternoon for many years.
“He lives nearby, by himself, and he would walk over here every day for lunch and a couple drinks,” Esterman says. “ en
When he meets a new customer, he’ll often write their name on a slip of paper and stick it in the back of the cash register. “ e next time they come in, if I don’t remember their name, I can quickly look it up,” he says.
And each Christmas, Esterman buys all his regulars a mini-bottle of their favorite booze. “When I was buying the stuff at Buster’s last Christmas,” he says, “the clerk said, ‘Hey, you qualify for the case discount. I don’t think I’ve ever had that happen with mini-bottles.’”
It’s little wonder that Mortimer’s has a large crew of regulars, and it’s obviously thanks in part to Esterman’s thoughtfulness. You could even call it marketing, but it comes from the heart.
Esterman is proud of the quirky sayings he posts on the sign in front of the restaurant. “I
politan Martini,” he says. “It’s usually made with vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice, but we make ours with orange Curaçao instead of triple sec. It gives the drink a little more of a top-shelf feel, and a little better balance.”
Before long, a pink cloud of evanescence in a chilled martini glass is sitting before me, begging for company. I oblige with a sip, and then another. It is ridiculously refreshing.
“ is is really good,” I say, cleverly.
“ anks,” Esterman replies. “I like to call myself ‘the best bartender between Summer and Sam Cooper.’” (Where Mortimer’s sits, Summer and Sam Cooper are about 200 yards apart.)
I have no doubt that Esterman wins that award with ease. And no doubt that his heart fills up a lot more real estate than that. Go see him. He’ll probably write down your name.
Mortimer’s is located at 590 North Perkins Road, 901-761-9321.
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BY ABIGAIL
top: Sarah Elizabeth Cornejo with Kin / Kindreds, which appeared in her 2021 exhibitions at UrbanArt’s Tiny Gallery and 2021 Projects. below: Amaru, part of “Those Who Hold Dominion Here,” represents the artist’s desire to consider the possibility of liminal space.
T he double-headed snake is still, eerily still. It spans seven feet as it coils around itself, its spine impossibly flexible. Sand surrounds it, as if it has broken through the earth’s crust from another realm, leaving only silence in its wake.
The snake — Amaru — is the creation of Sarah Elizabeth Cornejo, who by comparison stands just over five feet against the imposing sculpture with its armored exterior. She speaks of its existence as separate from hers, not bound to her but instead possessing its own power and otherworldly space in our world. It’s neither threatening nor welcoming. It just is, and for viewers, that in-between can be unsettling. Yet that’s the point, Cornejo says.
The inspiration for the snake itself stems from Incan mythology’s amaruca, double-headed serpents. “They’re supposed to dwell in deep waters or the deep earth. They maintain equilibrium,” Cornejo explains. “The mythology
is that earthquakes or natural disasters would be something that they would cause to restore the balance. They’re also not concerned with humanity’s perpetual existence. It’s the idea that the earth will persist, whether or not humanity is there for it, which I think is a difficult thing for humans to contend with.”
And with that Cornejo hopes that the Crosstown Arts Galleries, where Amaru resides for her latest exhibition, “Those Who Hold Dominion Here,” becomes a space of reckoning — “a liminal space to reflect on our actions on Earth,” she says, whether that be how we interact with others, with our identities, or with our surroundings.
For Cornejo, the mythology of snakes encapsulates the liminal (or in-between, threshold-like) space of her own mixed Latinx and Southern identity, with snakes popping up in both South American legends and Southern folklore. “I have one parent who is an immigrant from Peru and one who’s from the South,” she says. “Those two identities clash quite a bit, especially in the South. There’s a need for white folks to categorize me or to have these binaries, and it makes people uncomfortable when those binaries are challenged.”
Similarly, she says, “I think snakes are particularly unnerving for people. Part of that is like the bilateral movement and there’s all these things that kind of make them uncomfortable.”
Yet, because of this, snakes fascinate those like Cornejo’s grandfather. “He was a forester [in South Carolina],” she says. “I spent the last three years of high school there, and I loved having that time with my grandfather. He was like a wonderful reprieve from some of the things there. And he also just was incredibly open-minded and into all the phenomena around him.”
challengestheneed tocategorize.
MORICI
“We are often more tender to the dead than to the living, though it is the living who need our tenderness most.”
— ROBERT MACFARLANE
Coquina shells coat the body as scales, dried seaweed grouts in between, pig hairs sprout from the spine, seahorses are embedded in the skin along with rusted nails and bullet casings, and deer and goat skulls form one of the creature’s own heads.
As Cornejo grew in her studies, she channeled a similar curiosity in nature as she pursued a degree, initially, in the sciences at Davidson College, before changing her major to English and studio art. But that curiosity stayed with her, longing for a spark to ignite into a passion.
“I had no intention of becoming an artist,” she says, “up until my last semester of my senior year. I was using what I was doing as an English major as my research and fodder for my show for my thesis. It was questioning, like, ‘Why do we live within the binaries we do? Why do we believe the things we believe?’
“That felt really important — like I found the reason I was doing [my art]. I was like, ‘This is how I want to interact with the world, and this is how I want to interact with these difficult topics, and this is how I want to have these difficult conversations for myself to grow as a person.’”
Part of this personal and creative growth, for Cornejo, meant looking back to her South American roots.
“We’re raised by our parents and then we leave and we’re left to examine how we were raised by our parents,” the artist says. “As an adult I’m more interested in understanding my own heritage and where I come from, very fully and layered — all these things that are maybe being plowed over by these greater forces that imposed themselves upon an existing culture.”
The greater forces, being the perpetual consequences of colonialism in the Americas, the systemic and systematic racism, Cornejo says, have left behind “remnants of a whole culture” — remnants that she confronts as she works each fantastical being into sculptural existence.
Cornejo offers no answers in her work — only posing questions and possibilities. In the Crosstown Arts gallery space, she invites the viewer into the liminal away from our violent reality, where her Amaru lies along with another two-headed creature that pokes its heads above ground on the other end of the room. On the wall hang two black portals — an entrance and an exit. Only a closer look at the creatures reveals the sculptures’ materials. Collected by or given to
Cornejo, coquina shells coat the body as scales, dried seaweed grouts in between, pig hairs sprout from the spine, seahorses are embedded in the skin along with rusted nails and bullet casings, and deer and goat skulls form one of the creature’s own heads. These are all materials that have been discarded, exploited, or neglected, and they carry a charge by allowing a viewer to consider each piece’s backstory.
As an example, Cornejo points to the pig hairs, brushed off the pigs at her family home in the Carolinas during the summer months. Though some, like Cornejo, may have a personal connection to these animals, most likely the average viewer in an urban setting such as Crosstown does not.
“And then you bring it into a gallery space,” she says, “and people are like, ‘Oh, this is so pretty. Let me get closer.’ And then it’s kind of this sucker punch of what the material actually is. …
And they can be a window into how complex [nature] is or even how poorly treated these animals can be.”
top: Another double-headed creature reveals only its head, suggesting that its body lies deep underneath. For the portals, Our Nightmarish Pieces (above) and In the Darkness I have Perceived My Non-Existence (middle), Cornejo sought to imitate the South American mola textures, a form outside her typical sculptures.
“I think as I’ve gotten older and being in the South and dealing with being Latinx and being white-passing, I’ve been really, really interested in that presence — in those binaries and in abjection. How are we ‘other’ and then what we’re capable of doing to another [person]? What does it take for us to see something as not ‘us’? How are these categories holding these very real, often violent consequences in our lives?”
In the past, Cornejo has even used her younger sister’s hair, cut off after cancer treatment; skin from an alligator shot after killing a neighbor’s dog; and animal skulls collected by her late grandfather. She also has tarantula exoskeletons from her friend’s pet, named Legs, to use in future projects. So, some of the pieces hold personal value for the artist. “It’s so finite too,” Cornejo adds. “Like, I will never have this again. And material like that, you don’t just throw that on something. You think about it.”
Other materials Cornejo simply found by walking around, and in her recent projects
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Coquina shells, seaweed, and seahorses reflect these creatures’ origins in deep water or deep earth, as shown in Incan mythology.
since moving to Memphis in 2020 with her husband, Cornejo began incorporating more urban materials, in addition to the natural ones. “I walk my dogs three times a day, and I’ll find the remnants of something that happened in the night,” she says. “It’ll be like shattered glass all over one part of the street, so I’ll pick all that out. It’s the remnants of something that was violent — whether someone being violent towards someone else or whether it was a car crash.”
Is this creature beautiful, or is it macabre? Does it belong to this world or another? Does it inhabit the future or the past? How do we navigate this liminal space?
Naturally, this juxtaposition of these urban remnants of violence with more natural or agricultural objects leads to a sort of tension between what is human-inflicted and what is natural, what we feel connected to and disconnected from. Is this creature beautiful, or is it macabre? Does it belong to this world or another? Does it inhabit the future or the past? How do we navigate this liminal space?
The answer, for now, is unknown, but what is known, Cornejo says, is that our need to categorize and to ‘other’ has led us here, per-
haps one day leading us to a world, like the one imagined in the gallery, without a human-centric existence.
“Humans have such a fractured relationship to nature, which I don’t think is separate from their fractured relationship to each other or to themselves as beings,” she says. “And I don’t think we can talk about the environment without talking about racism, about feminism, about all these [intersecting issues].” Art is the language through which Cornejo is drawn to communicate her frustrations, with each material she uses holding a part of the narrative she wishes to convey.
For the sculptor, her art is political, especially as it interrogates dominant narratives, highlighting the marginalized, from the forgotten bullet casings to lesser known Incan myths. But, Cornejo says, it’s even more political as her work interrogates the physical space it occupies.
The act of viewing and engaging with art is in itself privileged, she says. Not everyone has the time or the means to visit galleries or museums, but for those who do, these larger-than-life sculptures almost challenge that privilege, simply by their mere size and shape.
“They dictate their own space,” Cornejo explains. “You have to walk around the sculpture at a certain distance, and there are nails and bullet casings keeping you at a distance. They kind of have a defense mechanism.” If you walk too close or handle without care, the sculpture could break and, Cornejo says, most likely it’ll hurt you with its weight and jagged edges.
But the temptation to approach and to touch
remains, as evidenced by footprints in the sand surrounding the pieces despite signs advising otherwise at Crosstown Arts. “I’ve actually never had this problem,” Cornejo says. “It is interesting to me, almost like how violent that footprint looks in this. I have no thoughts on that yet, except it’s just interesting and unexpected and I’m kind of seeing how that is going to land.”
Even so, for Cornejo, the challenges, like this among others, that come with working in three-dimensions drive her to continue in this form. “You have to improv every day,” she says.
In addition to the creature’s heads, All That Is Shadow, All That Is Light includes smaller butterfly wings, dwelling among the sand.
“Sculpture is knowing how to build things very skewed. Just because a tool does X, Y, Z, if you’re doing sculpture, you could use it for like 20 other things other than its intended use. So every time you make something, you’re learning and you’re growing and you’re acquiring.”
With that, she believes the artist earns permission to fail, to experiment, and, in a way, to engage in world-building as Cornejo does in creating her creatures and their own mythology. “It just feels a lot more liberating to play that way than to play in a 2D plane.”
“I have to remind myself that I can only make so many things in a year,” Cornejo says. “It takes so long to make stuff, and I really want to see this world and these things kind of fleshed out.” In a way, art becomes another mode of storytelling, another language possessing power to influence. “When you’re using a set language that we understand and you’re making us see things totally different, I found that so fascinating and so much more useful sometimes than something like theory, which is an already privileged conversation. It’s like the bodies [or the sculptures] speak before the person is able to speak.” Instead, the person is invited to sit in their thoughts, in that liminal space where conclusions don’t matter nearly as much as the questions.
“Those Who Hold Dominion Here” is on display at Crosstown Arts through March 5th, alongside concurrent exhibitions “Mending in a State of Abundance” by Katrina Perdue and “Summer in Shanghai” by Janaye Brown.
It’s day so make it all about You
It’s day so make it all about You
day so make it all about You
Chef Jimmy Gentry offers a unique culinary experience, specializing in customized menus tailored to your needs.
Chef Jimmy Gentry offers a unique culinary experience, specializing in customized menus tailored to your needs.
Chef Jimmy Gentry offers a unique culinary experience, specializing in customized menus tailored to your needs. 9016191196 • www.paradoxcuisine.com
Chef Jimmy Gentry offers a unique culinary experience, specializing in customized menus tailored to your needs.
901.619.1196 • 870 Vance, Memphis, TN 38126 • www.paradoxcuisine.com
day so make it all about You 901.619.1196 • 870 Vance, Memphis, TN 38126 • www.paradoxcuisine.com
9016191196 • www.paradoxcuisine.com
Chef Jimmy Gentry offers a unique culinary experience,
Chef Jimmy Gentry offers a unique culinary experience, specializing in customized menus tailored to your needs.
There are as many different ways to get married as there are couples uttering their vows. A few years ago, I was thrilled to be my oldest friend’s maid of honor in her classic New Orleans wedding, complete with a second line and dancing into the night. When my own husband and I were married, our chariot was a Subaru. Before we stood before a judge that day, I changed into my (short, gray) wedding dress in the ladies’ room at the county courthouse — to ensure no dog hair was stuck to the fabric. e money we saved helped fi nance our Paris honeymoon! e constant of any wedding, of course, is the commitment two people make to each other to build a life together, for better or for worse.
For this year’s annual wedding spotlight, we decided to reach out to local photographers who capture the personality and humanity of this city and her people, and work with them to publish imagery of ceremonies they have shot recently. ( ank you to the photographers and the happy couples for allowing us to share these memories with you.)
Rather than telling you exactly how or where to get married, we offer instead these moments of inspiration in all their glorious variety. If you became engaged over the holidays (congratulations!) or have a family member who did, we offer these creative, distinctive Memphis weddings as reminders that your wedding should look and feel just like you .
— Anna Traverse Fogle
previous page (inset): Andrea Alajbegovic and Taylor McGraw got married at The Mill at Plein Air in Taylor, Mississippi. left: Daniel and Tara Parkins came from Alabama to renew their vows at Graceland during Elvis Week. Other couples also renewed their vows in the brand-new Wedding Chapel in the Woods.
above:
top: The Metal Museum was the site of the marriage of Judith Denham and Xavier May on November 5, 2022. above: The bride and bridesmaids compare their henna tattoos before the ceremony.
BY MICHELLE EVANS ART
BY JAMIE HARMON
above: Amuricais a 1950 teardrop camper converted into a photobooth. Originally intended to be a traveling portrait project, it has evolved into one of the most unusual photobooth experiences around. Over the last 11-plus years, more than 100,000 photos have been taken inside.
BY ASHLEY BENHAM
left: Taylor McGraw puts on his custom suit prior to his wedding ceremony at The Mill at Plein Air in Taylor, Mississippi. McGraw and Andrea Alajbegovic were married October 8, 2022.
below: The father of the bride, Jim Stewart, jokes while showing his empty pockets following his daughter’s wedding.
So you want to arrange a romantic beach getaway for you and your partner. anks to its pristine beaches and convenient proximity to the Memphis metro area (if you call a seven-hour drive “convenient”), the Florida Gulf Coast seems like a good destination. But is it romantic?
I decided to find out. When I travel for Memphis magazine, I often do so with my wife, Laura Jean Hocking (aka LJ), who is, among her other talents, a great photographer. We planned a three-night getaway to Destin, Florida, with forays to other nearby beach communities, to test the area’s romantic potential.
But what do we mean by “romantic?” e Oxford English Dictionary’s most relevant definition, “conducive to or characterized by the expression of love” doesn’t seem to go far enough for our purposes. We needed a eory of Romance — a rubric for ruling on the romantic potential of various locations and activities.
After much discussion, we decided the overarching goal of a romantic vacation is to make time to be present with your partner. “It needs to be something that relaxes you enough to feel amorous,” says LJ. “Going to New York City is not necessarily a romantic trip unless you specifically try to make it one, because there’s just so much to do. You’re going to run around all the time.”
Our inquiry is important, because an attempt at romantic vacationing can make or break a couple. Early in our relationship, LJ and I traveled to Navarre Beach, a few miles down U.S. Highway 98 from Destin, and it proved to be a bonding experience we remember fondly to this day. But a botched romantic trip can have the opposite effect. Some friends of ours who had been dating for a while recently went on a “romantic” beach vacation — and broke up soon after they returned. We’re here to help you avoid any such negative amorous outcomes.
opposite: The view from the Henderson Park Inn in Destin, Florida, which has been called one of the most romantic hotels in the world. left: Park Inn guests can visit the Henderson Beach Resort’s 10,000-square-foot spa.
above: Rose petals on the bed, chocolates, and chilling champagne spell “romance” at the Henderson Park Inn.
middle: Snapper over mushroom risotto and grilled asparagus at the Beach Walk Cafe.
The Henderson Park Inn has a great reputation for romance. In 2018
it was the only hotel in North America included on the popular travel website TripAdvisor’s list of the Top 25 Most Romantic Hotels in the World. Since it’s located next to Henderson Beach State Park, the inn seems more secluded than it is. When you look out the window of one of the inn’s 31 rooms, you see rolling dunes, with the towers of Destin Harbor in the distance.
“I really liked it,” says LJ. “ ey had real [room] keys. You didn’t have to use your phone for everything. I think part of romance is being able to switch off — especially now — contact with the world.
… A nostalgic element could be romantic because you could remind yourself of when things were not so complicated.”
When we arrived, it was immediately obvious why the New England-style beach B&B was so highly rated in the
romance department. e staff had spelled out “LOVE” in rose petals on the bed. A bottle of champagne was chilling in an ice bucket, and a tray of chocolates was arranged for us.
“Chocolate? Champagne? Flowers? Extremely romantic,” says LJ. “I took a picture of the rose petals on the bed and sent them to my friend, Sarah. When she showed them to her daughter, Mati Lou, she said, ‘Are those pepperoni?’”
Strewing a bed with the most popular pizza ingredient would not be a romantic gesture — unless your partner is unusually fond of cured meat. “We’re not really endorsing the idea that the Henderson Park Inn use anything but rose petals — but it would be funny!” says LJ.
Alot of restaurants in Destin offer good views of the Gulf, but it’s pretty hard to beat the Beach Walk Cafe. On the balcony, diners can snack on the smoked local fish dip with the white noise of waves in the background. Destin’s long reputation as a lucky fishing village means the pecan-encrusted Grouper Vince is the star of the menu.
“ e service is great, and the food’s really, really good,” says LJ. “ ey have awesome Brussels sprouts, and cruciferous vegetables are good for your heart. If your heart is healthy, then you can be romantic.”
The sun is on the upswing, there’s a breeze coming off the Gulf, and the first footprints in the morning sand are from you and your boo. “ e tiny little crabs in the sand make you feel like a giant,” says LJ.
Beach walks can be exceptionally romantic, especially if you find a relatively secluded stretch like Henderson Beach State Park. Hiking trails wind throughout the 30-foot dunes of the park. If you’re a biking couple, a pair of rented beach cruisers can provide the ticket to a leisurely day of exploration.
“You feel very secluded from all of the development,” says LJ. “Or at least you can pretend you’re secluded, because you can’t see very much [development].”
If you’ve traveled to a place where the fish is fresh, you definitely need sushi. Since my first date with LJ took place at a sushi restaurant, Jackacuda’s Seafood + Sushi counts as romantic for us. e Kami Ka Zee roll — tuna and jalapeño with mango, cream cheese, avocado, and “crunchies,” topped with slices of yellowtail, green onion, and a spicy mayo — really showed off the daily catch. But the mind-blower is the Poke Nachos: marinated raw tuna served over wonton chips with
some added magic.
“I don’t know if that’s the most romantic ambiance,” says LJ. “Maybe at night it would feel different, but it was darn good.”
If there’s one thing Destin does exceptionally well, it’s sunsets. Watching for the green flash as the sun drops below the far
horizon from a pair of beach chairs is top-tier romance. But if you’re there at the right time of year, the moonsets are equally spectacular.
“It’s very peaceful and reverent, when you get to see the edge of the Earth, the horizon, and realize that we’re floating around in this giant space,” says LJ. “And you can see so many stars! It’s the true sense of the word ‘awesome.’ You’re full of awe.”
Coastal Florida has a thing for miniature golf. A family outing to a putting palace is a summer vacation ritual. But is the all-American mini-sport suitable for romance? We chose Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone in Fort Walton Beach, mostly because of T-Rex Island. When it comes to miniature golf courses, the more gimmicky the better. Weaving between animatronic dinosaur skeletons and having your concentration broken by rampaging aquatic dinos fit the bill.
Surprisingly, it was a hit. “I think it was very romantic, because the mild competitiveness can bring out some funny moments,” says LJ. “It’s also very nostalgic. You can take pictures with your phone, but the game is very simple, and you’re very present. It’s kind of a workout, too, since there were a lot of stairs. It makes you feel like you’ve done something — when really, you haven’t done much of anything. en you can go back and start eating again.”
above: We don't know which is more romantic: Destin sunsets or Destin moonsets.
below: Who knew T-Rex Island mini-golf at Wild Willy's Adventure Zone could be so romantic? below left: The beach is a good place for long, romantic walks, or just being present with yourself.
As I’ve been saying, the Gulf Coast is a great place to eat fish. But when every meal has been piscine for a couple of days, it’s time for a little variety. McGuire’s Irish Pub is popular with locals and tourists alike. “I was envisioning dark wood, intimate booths, and maybe a dart board,” says LJ.
But when we arrived at McGuire’s, it was packed with rowdy people watching the World Cup. “We decided that a bar full of drunk soccer fans is not romantic, no matter what,” says LJ. “It looked like a nice place, though.”
Instead we opted for …
Located right on the harbor, Louisiana Lagniappe delivered the romantic experience we were looking for. As the boats bobbed at anchor and a heron paddled around, we started off with some of the best hushpuppies I’ve ever had. Even though we had begun the evening wanting something other than fish, LJ opted for the grouper amandine, and I went with the grouper meunière. They did not disappoint.
“It was such a romantic little marina,” says LJ. “You probably see amandine more now, but it used to be only New Orleans where you could get that classic French preparation of fish — and it was so fresh! It seemed like one of those restaurants you go to for a special occasion. It’s very date-friendly.”
The cozy Park Inn was the original hotel next to the state park. The sprawling Henderson Beach Resort behind the park is less than ten years old. Park Inn guests can use the facilities at the resort, including the 10,000-square-foot spa. Our mission of romance demanded that we try the couple’s massage.
“That was very romantic, because you’re more relaxed and present than ever,” says LJ. “My massage therapist was working out knots I didn’t know I still had.”
Here’s a travel-writer pro tip: Always ask a local where they like to eat. At Louisiana Lagniappe, our server Alex directed us to Crackings. The maque choux Benedict, which features poached eggs over fried green tomatoes and crab cakes, covered with the scratch-made namesake cream sauce of onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeño, was outstanding. The interior has that classic, bright, Floridian beach feel, perfect for lingering conversation over coffee.
“That place was very charming,” says LJ. “It felt very friendly.” continued on page 44
Saturday, January 21 .7:30pm
Sunday, January 22 .2:30pm
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Christopher Ward, conductor Annelle Gregory, violin MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto SCHUMANN Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”
Lauded British conductor Christopher Ward makes his Memphis debut guiding us on Schumann’s symphonic journey down the Rhine River. 2017 Sphinx Competition winner, Annelle Gregory, performs Mendelssohn’s lyrical Violin Concerto.
top: The sunset reflected in Laura Jean Hocking’s sunglasses. above: If you want romance, you can’t go wrong with Al Green.
Music plays a vital part in creating a romantic atmosphere. I thought a beach trip would be the perfect time to indulge my obsession with dub music, an offshoot of reggae that flourished in the studios of Kingston, Jamaica, in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Unfortunately, The Revolutionaries and GG’s Allstars’ long-lost collaboration The Three Dreads From Zion did not conjure the kind of romantic vibes I was seeking. Explaining how dub is one of the cornerstones of modern electronic music only made things worse. “It’s very repetitive,” says LJ. “But it’s kind of laid back, so that’s good.”
Since the late Tom Petty was a Floridian, his newly released Live at the Fillmore seemed appropriate. “I don’t know if it was romantic, but I do love Tom Petty,” says LJ.
If you want romance, go with Mem-
phis, instead, and cue up some Al Green. His twin masterpieces from 1972, Let’s Stay Together and I’m Still In Love With You are sonic temples to love and all its messy consequences. “It depends on your idea of romance,” says LJ. “Metallica could be romantic for some people. But I think in general, soul and R&B are where it’s at.”
One of the gems of Route 30A is Rosemary Beach, a New Urbanist community of beach houses surrounding a walkable city center. Stores and restaurants crowd the bike paths and narrow streets. “It’s like a movie set — and I don’t mean that in a negative way,” says LJ. The New York style of outdoor dining on the sidewalks that evolved during the pandemic is especially suited to the beach town, and locals have fully embraced it. Edwards, owned by the Memphis-based Spell Restaurant Group, is Rosemary Beach’s best fine dining experience. Tucked away between two larger buildings, the courtyard is practically designed for romantic dinners. The chef keeps the cuisine uncomplicated, emphasizing the quality of the ingredients. The pan-seared redfish over succotash had a Low Country feel, and the orange butter lent a citrus tang to the fresh fish.
“That was my favorite grouper of the trip. And it was the most simply prepared,” says LJ. “It was even called Simply Grilled Grouper on the menu.”
After dinner, we walked hand in hand across the brick sidewalks, as the ocean swished behind us. We had put our theory of romance to the test, and it held up. If you
PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS MCCOY; AL GREEN PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL BUSH / DREAMSTIME
above: Edward’s at Rosemary Beach offers a romantic atmosphere for fine dining. The Simply Grilled Grouper is a good choice.
want a romantic beach trip, take the time to find the perfect hotel. Don’t over-plan. Order the grouper. Be present with each other. And finally, remember the most important ingredient: A good partner.
January brings a sense of renewal as the calendar unfurls before us. Whether it’s committing to a new workout regimen or boosting your skin care routine to restore youth’s luster, now is the best time to get started.
The skin care products professionals routinely use to brighten the face are topical vitamin C and retinol. “Both are great for anti-aging,” notes medical aesthetician Lindsay Sigman with NuBody Concepts. Since vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory nutrient known to improve skin tone by reducing redness and diminishing fi ne lines, “it’s one product everyone can benefit from,” she says.
Retinol helps to shed dead skin cells, even skin tone, and brighten skin by speeding the production of collagen. Much of making your face look its best centers on the production of collagen. Our bodies produce it throughout our lives, but the process slows with age. Whenever you receive a procedure — be it a facial or microneedling — the objective is to stimulate collagen production.
When you first visit an aesthetician, “We look at your skin to figure out what condition it’s in — whether it’s dry or oily — and what
it needs,” says Sigman. Once that is known, improvements can start at home with a daily skin care routine that includes a good cleanser, retinol serum, and moisturizer appropriate for your skin type.
Genetics and lifestyle choices are often reflected by our skin. If you’ve smoked or spent hours in the sun, wrinkles and sagging may ultimately result.
“You can’t control elasticity,” notes Dr. Phillip Langsdon, a facial plastic surgeon at e Langsdon Clinic. “It’s like trying to turn back the clock, it will keep ticking.” Langsdon says the sagging, bagging, and loss of volume in the face that comes with age can be addressed. e challenge is finding the right procedure to tighten and lift both muscles and skin.
e next step is adding a monthly facial to your routine. e gentle massaging and
cleansing, for 30 minutes to an hour, stimulates the skin by sloughing off old cells and allowing collagen production to occur.
HydraFacials, available in medical spas and dermatology offices, can also help to improve skin tone. is 45-minute treatment, which is achieved using a mechanized wand over the face, deep-cleans and exfoliates the skin using glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid found in foods.
“ e extraction pulls out excess oil and blackheads, which get thick and sticky,” says Sigman. “ e glycolic acid can soften the skin,” thus making the removal of blackhead material easier and enabling the absorption of hydrating serums.
A process called microneedling also treats wrinkles, but, as the name suggests, with fine needles. “This tightens the skin and is appropriate for all skin types,” notes cosmetic surgeon Melissa Toyos with Toyos Clinic.
PRO TIP: Be sure to tell your aesthetician if you’ve got sensitive skin, since using high-concentration products can cause serious skin reactions for some.
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IMPROVE DIET & EXERCISE — Choose fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Cut down (or eliminate) fast and highly processed foods. Drink plenty of water every day to brighten and hydrate the skin. Make 20- to 30-minute walks part of your daily routine. Add weight-bearing exercise, too, since muscle mass ebbs as we age.
LIMIT SUN WORSHIPPING — While exposure to sunlight provides us with the benefit of Vitamin D, too much sun can damage your skin. Avoid exposure during the hottest part of the day — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — when harmful UVA and UBA rays are strongest. When outdoors, wear a hat and sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin against wrinkles, pigmentation, and dark spots as well as skin cancer. Cancel your appointments at the tanning salon, too. Such direct UV radiation gradually breaks down the elasticity of the skin, making your body less able to repair skin damage as you age.
GET MORE ZS — Never underestimate the power of sleep, for it is essential to our overall health. Sleep is when the body repairs itself. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a minimum of seven hours’ rest for the average adult. Yet roughly one in three adults do not get adequate rest. Follow a regular sleep schedule. Keep your bedroom temperature slightly cool. Dampen ambient light and limit screen time before bed.
STOP SMOKING — If you smoke, make this the year you kick the habit. According to the Mayo Clinic, nicotine narrows the blood vessels, reducing oxygen flow and nutrients to skin cells. “Damage to your skin from smoking cannot be reversed,” the clinic states on its website.
SIDELINE STRESS — Learn new ways to manage daily stress. Try practicing yoga, meditating, or walking outdoors. Find a stress reliever that works for you.
“ e results can last for up to five years,” says Toyos. She also recommends this laser for lightening stretch marks left from pregnancy or weight loss.
Eyelids become crepey and droopy as we age, telegraphing a weary expression regardless of our disposition. In fact, eyelid lifts are among the most common insurance claim when it comes to facial procedures. Injectable fi llers can add volume to the lower eyelid area and eyelid lifts (a surgical procedure) can remove excess skin and improve vision.
But according to Langsdon, “Eyelid surgery won’t fix wrinkles.” He frequently clarifies what a treatment is designed to do in meetings leading up to a procedure, as managing patient expectations is key.
“Some want a magic wand to make changes that can’t take place because of their lifestyle choices,” he says.
Did you know the skin around your eyes is the thinnest skin of your entire body? No wonder crow’s feet or puff y bags appear more pronounced. e eyes tell all. Skin around the eyes “typically lose volume over time,” notes Langsdon. “Puff y eyelids won’t be fi xed with creams because of the lost volume.” However, injectable products like Botox can soften crow’s feet and frown
lines between the eyes. Results generally last about four months.
Dr. Melissa Toyos is the first local ophthalmologist to use the MiXto® Laser around the eyes. is laser is waved above the skin to treat wrinkles and acne scarring and is tailored to specific skin conditions. Light sedation is available for this in-office treatment when needed.
It’s important to have a pointed conversation with your doctor or aesthetician to arrive at realistic expectations about what a procedure can or cannot achieve. Langsdon believes some plastic surgeons use lighting to falsely promote their results. Straightforward questions will clear up any confusion.
PRO TIPS: People 65 and older can get eyelid surgery covered by Medicare if drooping lids are impairing vision. Ask your ophthalmologist for details.
Laser treatments are not appropriate for all skin types, particularly for people of color. Consult with your medical professional before undergoing treatment.
As my mother grew older, her neckline began to sag and its appearance made her self-conscious. Author Nora Ephron wrote about the loss of her neckline as one of the signature annoyances of aging in a book called I Feel Bad About My Neck But voila! You needn’t live with saggy jowls. Several noninvasive procedures can improve your appearance.
Injectables such as Juvederm Voluma, a hyaluronic acid dermal filler, can effectively sculpt the jawline. “It can add a lot of volume to the face,” says Toyos, by tightening the skin from the inside out. Patients typically receive an injection once a month until the desired effect is achieved. The results last nine months to two years. She also uses Kybella from Allergan, the makers of Botox, to melt unwanted chin fat and tighten skin.
Hormone replacement is often a trigger for post-menopausal acne in women. Though it can be hard to clear up, says Sigman, “a regular facial once a month can help.”
Toyos likes applying laser therapy, with a 45-minute treatment working over specific areas of the face with a mechanized wand that hovers just above the surface of the skin.
As it’s moved under the eyes or across the cheek, it deep cleans and exfoliates the skin. A light treatment takes 15 to 20 minutes and the laser’s heat dissipates quickly. Afterwards, you’ll experience some redness before the skin eventually lightens and brightens.
As for results? “I haven’t found anything that outperforms this laser,” she notes.
For clients who receive a deeper treatment (to address acne scarring, for instance), Toyos advises two weeks of social down time to allow the skin to fully heal. “It’s like having a deep sunburn. You’ll feel like yourself but you won’t look like yourself.”
• Vaginal Rejuvenation with Forma V and V Tone can address conditions such as urinary stress urge and incontinence and improve sexual health.
• Morpheus8 and Morpheus Body provides full body fractional treatments that Stimulates Collagen, Tightens Skin, and Remodel Tissues of the face and body. It
is a very popular treatment among many celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohen, D’Andra Simmons, and Cynthia Bailey.
• Tone helps tone and define your body’s muscles. It can be use on the abs, arms, thighs, flanks, and buttocks.
Some dermatology clinics also deal with hair loss. While we hear a lot about male pattern baldness, hair loss is also prevalent among women.
“Genetics plays a big role,” observes Toyos, as do stress and certain medical conditions. During the pandemic many people experienced significant hair shedding. Any stress-inducing events, be it illness, divorce or a death in the family, can cause hair loss.
Typically, people lose roughly 50 percent of their hair before it becomes noticeable. Toyos recommends getting a medical workup first to rule out underlying causes such as thyroid issues, a Vitamin B deficiency, or anemia before seeking treatment.
Not only did he take part in two Allied invasions of Europe during the Second World War, he came to Memphis and helped establish one of this city’s best-known interior design firms.
BY MICHAEL FINGER
Wearing a black cap with “world war ii veteran” embroidered in gold, Robert “Bob” Bedford sits in his midcentury-modern home in Raleigh, facing windows offering a sweeping view of Lake Windermere. After fiddling with his hearing aid, he begins to tell his life story, struggling a bit because wartime explosions damaged his eardrums, a stroke seven years ago affected his speech, and when you’re 103 years old — almost certainly our city’s oldest veteran of the 1944 D-Day invasion — where do you even begin?
for various bases in England, where he received further training. But for what? Rumors persisted that an invasion of Europe was imminent, but Bedford wasn’t certain until a few days before June 6, 1944 — D-Day.
right: Lt. Robert Bedford, U.S. Navy, during World War II.
Born in 1919 in the Michigan resort town of Frankfort, Bedford planned to become a teacher, earning a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan. When the war started, he decided to join the Navy, but the enlistment officer thought he was too short. With a twinkle in his eye — it soon becomes evident that Bedford has a keen sense of humor — “I put a book on my head,” he says, “and had them measure me again.” Just barely tall enough, the brand-new Navy cadet enrolled in officer candidacy school at Columbia University, emerging as an ensign assigned to Camp Bradford in Virginia for amphibious training.
By May 1943, promoted to Navy lieutenant, he became boat officer of the USS Bellatrix , a troop transport that carried thousands of soldiers across the Atlantic to the northern coast of Africa. On June 9, he took part in the Mediterranean invasion of Sicily. During this ferocious air and sea battle, Bedford claims his main job was “just doing valet service.” What he means is that he helped troops, under heavy fire, clamber down rope ladders into smaller transport vessels, which took them ashore. Six weeks later, the invasion a success and the island reclaimed from the Axis powers, he returned to Camp Bradford. e worst was yet to come. Along with 14,000 other U.S. troops, in November of that year, he boarded the Queen Elizabeth, the luxury liner converted to a troop transport, and crossed the ocean again, this time bound
As the commander of an LCM (Landing Craft — Mechanized), the 22-year-old officer ferried trucks and jeeps across the English Channel to Utah Beach, one of the five landing sites along the heavily fortified coast of Normandy. Under relentless machine-gun fire from Germans entrenched atop the cliffs, Bedford remembers plucking wounded soldiers from the waves, carrying them to ships further offshore, and bringing more equipment to the beaches, all day long.
“I was never afraid,” he remembers. “We had a duty to do.” For this soldier, it was as simple as that.
Bedford continued LCM duty off the French coast for three months, before he was named gunnery officer of another transport ship, but the war ended before he saw further action. e battles at Sicily and Normandy claimed thousands of lives, but Bedford was one of the fortunate ones. Never seriously wounded, he survived a close call one evening while sleeping on the deck of his LCM. Summoned inside to a staff meeting, he returned to fi nd his mattress sliced by a ragged piece of shrapnel. “If I had been there,” he realized, “that would have been in my belly.”
After the war, Bedford decided the Navy was enough for him. When asked how long he served, he laughs and says, “Long enough!”
Seeking a new career in peacetime, he enrolled at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. ere he met Kenneth Kimbrough. After graduation, both men came to Memphis, opening Kimbrough Interior Design at 1400 Union, in a beautiful old home many Memphians remember fondly as the Hill Mansion. When developers bulldozed the property to make way for a Shoney’s, both gentlemen joined the long-established firm of E.C. Denaux, located a few blocks east on Union. e company attracted this city’s most exclusive clients, and Bedford and Kim-
brough designed one of the first homes on Lake Windermere, moving into their new residence in 1951. There they lived, filling every room with painting, sculptures, and other artworks they collected during frequent travels around the world, until Kimbrough’s death in 1997.
Bedford remained at the home, assisted in the past 13 years by his caregiver, a former musician from Louisville, Kentucky, named Tom Bohn, whom he had met during a visit to Atlanta. The old soldier returned to Normandy in 2004 for the 60th anniversary of D-Day, and thanks to Forever Young, a national group headquartered in Memphis that organizes veterans’ reunions, has been back to Europe seven times. In November 2022, he participated in a Veterans Day celebration at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, where he was honored with a Tennessee flag that had flown over the
state capitol, a “Centenarian Award,” and a specially minted coin from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, “issued to those outstanding people in our community who support our veterans.”
“I was never afraid. We had
duty to do.” — Lieutenant Robert “Bob” Bedford
Looking back on a life that has lasted more than a century, Lieutenant Robert Bedford expresses few regrets. “I’ve traveled all over the world,” he says. “I’ve sailed on the Queen Elizabeth, and flown in the Concorde three times.” He lives in a house he designed himself, and has filled it with art treasures collected from around the globe. And most of all, even at age 103, he enjoys meals in Overton Square and Cooper-Young, where so many people here know him, greet him, and thank him for his service.
above: In November, the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services honored Bedford at a special Veterans Day ceremony.
a
Seemingly ageless, as the last living original member of the seminal band Big Star, Jody Stephens is the ultimate appreciator.
BY ALEX GREENE
Imagine a young (at heart) rock musician getting a chance to perform with his heroes, in a band with a big name, but relatively few shows to show for it. The player can’t believe his good luck as he convenes with members of R.E.M., Wilco, the dB’s, and the Posies for their first rehearsal in Athens, Georgia. And yet his bandmates feel the same way. After all, he’s from Big Star — the band, not the grocery store.
Still, Jody Stephens feels like he’s the fan. “Soon we’ll have a couple of dates under our belt as a fivepiece,” he says of a then-impending Big Star tour. “And you know the cool thing about starting in Athens is, we’re rehearsing at the R.E.M. building!” As he evokes the Georgia band’s longtime rehearsal space on West Clayton Street, Stephens’ enthusiasm is con-
tagious. “You walk in the space and realize it was the incubator for all those R.E.M. records. All the time and thought and creative moments that must have taken place there — it’s pretty inspirational.”
Stephens is no rookie. The Memphis-born drummer and singer/songwriter has also built a storied career developing artists for Ardent Studios. But his wonder at rehearsing in R.E.M.’s building is key to understanding him — his enthusiasm, his humility, and his perpetual youth. Having turned 20 in 1972, just after Big Star’s #1 Record was released, the string of 50th anniversary celebrations of the record in 2022 can’t help but remind him that he’s now 70. Yet deep down, he’s an unabashed fanboy, delighted to be playing shows with members of prominent bands who cite Big Star among their biggest influences.
I
ndeed, it was fandom that led Stephens into music. “When did the Beatles play Ed Sullivan?” he asks. “February of ’64. Just prior to that, my brother, Jimmy, and I got turned on to the Beatles and were already fans. Our next-door neighbor, Billy McMann, turned us on to the Meet the Beatles record, and we were both immediately taken with it. From that point on, Jimmy fancied himself more Paul McCartney and I fancied myself more Ringo Starr.”
Stephens would have been 11 when the famed Ed Sullivan broadcast set him and his older brother on course for a lifetime of music. As for his younger brother, David, not so much. “My younger brother did play trombone,” Stephens recalls, “but he was five years younger, so he was a bit young when we were doing what we were doing. We were pursuing British Invasion stuff and didn’t really need a trombone.”
Meanwhile, the elder Stephens brothers weren’t the only Memphis kids enamored with the sounds of the British bands putting their own spin on American R&B. Teen groups were springing up throughout the Mid-South, and Jimmy Stephens was quick to leap into the fray, first as a singer. The bass player was Andy Hummel, who recalled the time in Rich Tupica’s There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star (HoZac Books):
“In seventh grade, I got clued in to the fact there were bands ... and started playing in a little garage band called the Chessmen. I was in a band with Jody Stephens’ brother, Jimmy Stephens; he was one of the singers in the band. That’s how I first met Jody. He sat in on drums a few times when our regular drummer wasn’t available.”
opposite page: Jody Stephens at rehearsal in recent years; the original lineup of Big Star (l-r): Chris Bell, Stephens, Andy Hummel, and Alex Chilton; the back cover of 1972’s #1 Record.
“I’d known Andy since I was in the seventh or eighth grade,” Stephens recalls today, speaking of his late friend, who passed away in 2010. “I just hit it off with Andy. I’d go over to his house. His mom and dad seemed to like me, which I was thankful for. His mom, Barbara Jo Walker Hummel, was a pretty outspoken woman and had been Miss America back in 1947. And his dad was pretty cool. They both were always busy with something. And I think I picked up on that a little bit. I like to be busy with something.”
For years, Stephens didn’t even have a drum kit. “When I hit seventh grade, I tried out for the band, because that was a way to have access to a snare drum,” he says. “But see, I wasn’t very successful at that [laughs]. I was fourth chair most of the time, because I just could not sight-read. But I learned about flam paradiddles and paradiddle-diddles and all that sort of thing, which wound up being helpful on Radio City.”
In one breath, Stephens connects his earliest teenage experiences with Big Star’s second release, dubbed “pure power pop perfection” in the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. But generic labels were of little concern to Memphis youngsters at the time. They just wanted to play like their heroes, and in 1965 a guitarist named Chris Bell even formed a band whose name rhymed with Kinks: the Jynx. Eventually, Stephens caught up with his brother and other slightly older kids. “I got my drum kit in ’67 or ’68, and we put a neighborhood band together that included Tom Eubanks,” he says. Eubanks would be playing with both Bell and Stephens later, as they and their musical tastes evolved.
above: Big Star’s #1 Record, re-released by Craft Recordings in 2019 and celebrated in a well-received 50th Anniversary Tour in 2022.
Before the decade drew to a close, Bell and Hummel, who had become best friends at Memphis University School (MUS), spent a dead-end year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, mainly experimenting with drugs, then returned to Memphis to pursue music more seriously. For Bell, that meant more work at Ardent Studios.
Before Knoxville, Bell had recorded in a relatively new studio that first began when radio enthusiast John Fry set up recording equipment in his parents’ garage with his best friends, John King and Fred Smith (who went on to found FedEx). Fry had even recorded local hits there, and eventually he set up the first stand-alone Ardent on National Avenue in 1966.
Fry, King, and their first in-house engineer, a young Memphis State student from Texas named Terry Manning, all shared the same obsession with British music, which grew into an interest in more psychedelic sounds. When Bell and Hummel returned to Memphis in 1970,
In Ardent’s Studio A, at the studio’s ultimate location on Madison Avenue, early 1970s.
l-r: Al Bell (co-owner of Stax Records), John Fry, Jody Stephens, and Andy Hummel’s nose.
The quintet that performed #1 Record’s triumphant 50th anniversary shows in 2022.
l-r: Jon Auer (Posies), Chris Stamey (dB’s), Jody Stephens, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), and Pat Sansone (Wilco).
Manning recruited Bell to play guitar on the solo album the engineer was cutting, Home Sweet Home.
Meanwhile, Bell, Hummel, and drummer Stephen Rhea were playing their own material, exploring the era’s heavier sounds, and getting familiar with the studio, when Rhea switched to singing and playing guitar. As Hummel explained in ere Was a Light, “We needed a drummer. I said, ‘Oh, I know this guy Jody Stephens who I played with in the ninth grade and he’s dating my old girlfriend, Beverly Baxter.’”
In the same book, Stephens himself takes up the narrative: “I was still in high school, but I was playing drums in the first college production of Hair, at Memphis State. Andy came to see one of the shows and came up and said, ‘Hey, we’re putting a band together, are you interesting in coming and jamming a bit?’ I said, ‘Sure.’” us, through the tangled teen web spun through garages and dens across Memphis, the band Icewater was born. When Rhea eventually left, they became a three-piece, though old friend Tom Eubanks was brought into Ardent at times as well, as they honed their skills at writing and arranging songs. It was also around that time that Stephens’ Adonis-like looks became a factor. As Hummel recalled in ere
Was a Light, “Jody was just a really good drummer, that’s the main thing. He was maybe somewhat of a calming influence. ... He was also a really good chick magnet.”
Terry Manning’s first wife, Carole Ruleman Manning, also recalls in the book, “Any female who met Jody immediately thought, ‘Wow, this guy is seriously good-looking and it’s not fair for him to have longer eyelashes than I do.’ He could have modeled anywhere on earth.”
Looks aside, Stephens was focused on the music; the sheer hedonism of rock-and-roll did not appeal to him. As Rhea noted in ere Was a Light, “Jody never smoked dope or did any of that craziness. He’s just a down-to-earth guy.” But Stephens did embrace the heavier rock sounds that evolved with the counter-culture, as Icewater played around Memphis, usually as a trio. at’s when another key player entered the scene: Alex Chilton. After becoming an overnight star with the Box Tops in 1967, he’d rebelled against the micro-managed pop band, learning folk guitar and searching for a direction. at’s when he dropped in to hear Icewater, which Bell had dubbed Rock City by then.
“Jody plays the song rather than just playing the drums, which is a very important component in making a great recording.” — Terry Manning
“When Alex came to see us at the VFW hall Downtown,” Stephens recalls, “we were playing ‘ e Bomber’ and ‘Funk #49’ by the James Gang. We were a threepiece, and Alex came to see us in December of 1970, I think. And it seemed that Alex was pretty much into the folk scene, Roger McGuinn and all that.” As it turned out, blending the folk, British Invasion, and hard rock influences together with Chilton on board is what would transform Rock City into the quartet known as Big Star.
At the time, says Stephens, “It was the pursuit of just playing music. I don’t know that it was an effort to do anything other than what came naturally for Chris and Alex. ere’s not a rulebook of ‘ is is the kind of music we’re doing, and you take steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 in how you play it.’ We all played as [we were] influenced by all the bands we listened to. A lot of which were British Invasion bands, but, you know, a lot of soul music too.”
All of which contributed to the unique sound Big Star created over three wildly divergent albums in the ’70s. e vagaries of that band are well-documented elsewhere, but it’s worth quoting Terry Manning’s personal recollection of Stephens’ role in those recording sessions: “Jody has always been a powerful and rock-solid drummer for, and contributor to, recording sessions. Somehow he seems to ‘hit harder’ than many drummers, yet he never overpowers the song; he plays the song rather than just playing the drums, which is a very important component in making a great recording.”
And great recordings, chiefly engineered by John Fry, are at the heart of the Big Star legacy, which nonetheless foundered initially due to poor distribution and insufficient publicity. e band struggled so much at the time that Bell left in frustration after the fi rst album, with Hummel following suit after the second. Still, Stephens stuck it out with Chilton.
“It was a shock when Chris left,” he recalls. “And it was a bit of a shock when Andy left, but not really. He saw the writing on the wall, that we weren’t going to make careers out of this. And so he left to go back to school and kind of get his life started. And I just continued on
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because I loved the process of watching John Fry work, and Alex work, so I just wanted to hang in there with the third album.”
at experimental, sometimes dissolute album is often called ird, but it’s also known as Sister Lovers. While it was being recorded in 1974, Chilton was dating his muse of sorts, Lesa Aldridge, while Stephens dated her sister, Holliday. With groundbreaking production by Jim Dickinson, blending layers of folk and noise guitar with symphonic flourishes under Chilton’s angelic voice and acerbic lyrics, the record, eventually released in 1978, marked an aesthetic high but a new low bar for Big Star album sales. It did continue the trend, begun on the second album, of featuring Stephens’ vocals on one track, his self-penned “For You.” But well before 1978, the band was done. And though Chris Bell had quit long before, his tragic death in a car crash that year only made the end that much more final.
“February of ’64, my brother, Jimmy, and I got turned on to the Beatles and were already fans. He fancied himself more of a Paul McCartney, and I fancied myself more of a Ringo Starr.”
Jody Stephens
Jody Stephens on drums.
“After that, I didn’t see a way forward,” Stephens reflects now. “So I thought, I’ll just leave this and go back to school. And for a while I waited tables. And then Diana and I got together in ’83 [eventually marrying in 1987, and still together today], and then I went back with the purpose of finishing uninterruptedly, and I did — started in ’70, finished in ’85!”
His marketing major paid off. He recalls a phone chat a few years later, when “John Fry said, ‘We’re creating a position here at Ardent, a marketing position. We’re creating a production company and we need someone to represent that, to go to New York, work the studios, and pitch the labels we’re producing. John Kilzer was the first artist I had to pitch ... and that worked! I ended up placing him with Geffen.”
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Sykes have been the studio’s public faces. ese days, they’re laboring to prepare Ardent for the future.
“We’re redesigning the control rooms,” he says. “Some pretty amazing main speakers are going in. Abbey Road has a pair of them. Both consoles, all the modules are out. It’s something to see. And it’s going to be spectacular when it’s done.”
But that’s only half the story, as Stephens has been actively drumming with bands since at least the early ’90s. Some, like that decade’s supergroup of sorts, Golden Smog, are not particularly related to Big Star, but have taken on a life of their own. “In Minneapolis this April, Golden Smog had two sold-out shows of 1,300, 1,400 a night,” he says. ‘ at was fun. And we got to rehearse at the Jayhawks’ rehearsal room!”
Since 2015, Stephens has thrown his energy into a duo with Luther Russell, called ose Pretty Wrongs. While he originally focused mainly on writing and singing, with the same childlike wonder that has marked all his vocal performances, he’s gradually working his drums into the duo’s recordings more. eir third album, Holiday Camp, due out in March of 2023, has fuller arrangements (and more drums) than their previous work, including Moog synthesizer and Mellotron parts con-
PHOTOGRAPH BY JIM NEWBERRYtributed by Wilco’s Pat Sansone.
He’ll occasionally contribute drum parts as a session player, but, as he puts it, “I don’t want to be in other bands, playing drums live, oth-
“A five-piece rock band is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. It’s hard to take ten people on the road and have string sections and brass sections, and break even.” — Jody Stephens
er than the Big Star stuff and when I’m lucky, the Golden Smog stuff.” And yet “the Big Star stuff ” has taken up more and more of his time lately. After the band’s initial commercial bomb, its reputation only grew, as new groups emerged in the ’80s and ’90s claiming them as an influence.
By the early ’90s, interest in the band had so grown that Stephens and Chilton formed a new version of the group, with the Posies’ Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow on guitar and bass. at ensemble performed for far longer than the original lineup, and were preparing to play the South By Southwest festival in 2010 when news reached Austin that Chilton had just died of a heart attack, at the age of 59. (Andy Hummel died shortly after.)
Even after that, love for the band has ensured that the music will still be performed. Since the year of Chilton’s death, Jody has presided over an all-star group, with somewhat flexible members, who have recreated Big Star’s ird in select concerts all over the world.
“It was Chris Stamey’s brainchild and organizational skill that made it happen,” Stephens explains. “He actually thought of it before Alex passed away, and approached me with it. And it wasn’t like any of us put
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much in our pockets at all. I remember one gig we broke even, but we’ve played in Sydney, Barcelona, London, San Francisco, you name it. Van Dyke Parks conducted the Kronos Quartet as part of the two San Francisco gigs. en we did the film [of the concert], also with the Kronos Quartet, but with Carl Marsh conducting. So we get to do all this amazing stuff.”
Now, carrying on as a stripped-down quintet and focused more on #1 Record, the Big Star revival show continues apace. Stephens comments, “What we’re doing with a five-piece rock band is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. And it just happens to make it feasible. It’s hard to take ten people on the road and have string sections and brass sections, and break even. But everybody comes to this with a heart to do it.”
“You know, I just turned 70, and I don’t give up playing just because I’d give up this community of people.” — Jody Stephens
It helps that this latest “everybody” includes Pat Sansone (Wilco), Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Chris Stamey (the dB’s), and Jon Auer (the Posies) playing with Stephens — all seasoned players who point to Big Star as one of their key inspirations.
Only last month, in a benefit show organized by community radio station WYXR, the latest Big Star quintet played the homecoming gig of their dreams: celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s debut, in the heart of Midtown Memphis, where the band was born. e guest bassist on “September Gurls” was none other than Jody’s brother, Jimmy.
For Stephens, it’s a hopeful sign that he can carry on doing what he does best. “I’m glad we did #1 Record early on in my life,” he muses, “or I wouldn’t be around to celebrate its 50th anniversary — or at least be capable of playing. You know, I just turned 70, and I won’t give up playing just because I’d give up this community of people.” And with that, Jody Stephens is off and running. He has a sound check to attend, and bandmates
in the wings.
BY SAMUEL X. CICCI
Liquor enthusiasts in the South have certainly had no shortage of regional options. Jack Daniels has woven itself into the fabric of our state’s culture, putting Tennessee on the map for both residents of the United States and internationals alike. Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville maintains Tennessee’s authentic whiskey legacy, and locally, Blue Note Bourbon has made an impact since its inception in 2018. But at the end of 2022, Downtown’s Old Dominick put its own stamp on straight Tennessee whiskey, with distiller Alex Castle introducing the first batch of whiskey made in Memphis since Prohibition.
finally
“ ere’s excitement, but there’s also a lot of relief,” laughs Castle when we spoke last month. “You spend five years developing a product, and it’s kind of your baby, and then you put it out there for people to judge. It can be a bit nerve-wracking.” Supply-chain issues when it came to procuring items like packing materials added drama to the years-long process. But the barrels have been tapped, and the first Straight Tennessee Whiskey distilled in Memphis for
Castle calls her first batch of 85-proof Tennessee whiskey an easy-to-drink “everyday sipper,” with notes of caramel, toffee, and even a little bit of dark chocolate.
around a century is now flowing, and Castle couldn’t be prouder.
It’s been a long road getting locally made Tennessee whiskey back on the shelves, due to both Tennessee state laws and consumer demand. “Up until 2009, you weren’t allowed to distill outside of three counties in Tennessee,” she says. “So from Prohibition until then, there was just a huge hole. And in terms of our drinking scene, when it comes to producing craft beer and spirits, Memphis was a little bit slower to embrace that culture than some other places. But we’re catching up.”
Old Dominick Distillery’s Straight Tennessee Whiskey is the culmination of almost a decade of work started by owner Chris Canale Jr. in 2013, according to Castle.
While the vodka and gin produced by the distillery were success stories, the main goal had always been to be a whiskey distiller. “And if you do that,” says Castle, “then you have to do a Tennessee whiskey.”
Tennessee whiskey and bourbons are always at least 51 percent corn, but Castle says Old Dominick’s version is 75 percent corn, alongside 13 percent rye and 12 percent malted barley. “ at rye actually lends kind of a nice spicy note that balances the sweetness of the corn,” says Castle. “ en the malted barley has enzymes in it, so we use it to help convert all the sugars, but it also adds its own unique flavor to the whiskey.”
For Old Dominick’s Straight Tennessee Whiskey, Castle says each batch matures for at least four years. As the inventory ages, she hopes they can blend in some six- and eight-year whiskeys. “ at gives us even more depth, more complexity, in the final liquid that goes into the bottle.”
Old Dominick’s first foray into Tennessee whiskey has resulted in two different varieties, both of which are available to sample at the distillery and for purchase around town. e first is what Castle calls an “everyday sipper,” an 85-proof whiskey that’s easy to drink. “It’s a little lower proof for the whiskey world,” she says, “but we went with that after weeks of taste testing.
“What’s great is it still has a lot of body to it,” she continues. “It does not taste watered-down. You get a lot of caramel notes, a lot of toffee notes. And those come from the barrel. We do a number-four char, which is the deepest char, and that’s where you get those wonderful sweet barrel notes.” (For the uninitiated, “char” refers to the process of literally charring the inside of the oak barrels where the whiskey ages.) “But the 85 proof also does have some sweetness to it from the corn. I even get a little bit of dark chocolate. Overall, it’s a super easy sipping whiskey, but also holds up incredibly well in an old-fashioned.”
e second variety of Old Dominick’s Straight Tennessee Whiskey is classified as bottled in bond, a set of legal requirements that indicate a specific high-quality threshold for American-distilled beverages. To acquire the label, a spirit must be prepared in a distillation season at one distillery, by the same distiller, in the United States. at same spirit also must be aged in a facility for a minimum of four years, and be bottled at 100 proof with 50 percent ABV (alcohol by volume). It’s a strict set of rules, attesting to the integrity of the drink and the quality of the distillers.
“[Bottled in bond] was created as a way to let consumers know they were getting an authentic whiskey, at a time when people were putting all sorts of things in to cut corners,” says Castle. “It’s really exciting
to get this special designation, especially for a distillery as young as ours.” And the label also allows Castle to have creative ownership of the batch, like an artist signing a painting.
e bottled in bond Straight Tennessee Whiskey was produced in much more limited quantities, but Castle says that both whiskeys have been well received. For 2022, Old Dominick kept the distribution local to Memphis but plans to spread out this year.
The second, 100-proof variety of Old Dominick Straight Tennessee Whiskey is classified as bottled in bond. It’s a strict set of rules, attesting to the integrity of the drink and the quality of the distillers.
e bottles can be found at liquor stores around town and at Old Dominick, with the 85 proof retailing for $35.99, and the bottled in bond going for $69.99 while supplies last, though prices may vary.
Over the course of the year, Old Dominick is preparing to release a new batch of bottled in bond whiskey, but with some new twists. “We might see some cool wheat batches come out of our Huling Station line,” says Castle. “But we’re also hoping to release our Old Dominick bourbon, which we hope will be released in the second half of 2023.”
But for now, Castle invites Memphians to kick back and sip on our city’s own whiskey, straight or in a cocktail. “We want this to be a drink that Memphis can be proud of.”
Our history expert solves local mysteries: who, what, when, where, why,
and why not. Well, sometimes.
BY VANCE LAUDERDALEDEAR VANCE: I’ve always heard rumors that Lloyd T. Binford, the notorious head of our city’s censor board, had the figure of his mistress carved above the entrance to the building he owned on Court Square. Is there any truth to this? — J.F., MEMPHIS.
DEAR J.F.: It’s not every day I get such unusual questions as this, and it’s not every day that I get to talk about my favorite building in Memphis, today known as the Lincoln America Tower. So let me chat a bit, in my charming, longwinded way, about the place itself, and then I’ll tackle your question.
Lloyd T. Binford is indeed notorious because of his narrow-minded view of films that he considered offensive. Many of his opinions were downright racist, and I won’t repeat them here, but he also banned movies if he didn’t approve of the actors involved. He considered Charlie Chaplin a “London guttersnipe” and wouldn’t allow his comedies in Memphis theaters. I could give dozens of other examples, but you can find those yourself. Let’s turn our attention to the building.
as I understand it, the site itself belonged to the IOOF. So how was Binford involved? With only a fifth-grade education, it seems he developed a knack for the insurance industry. Beginning as a salesman with the national Woodmen of the World agency, he amassed a fortune in the business, and in 1916 he was hired as president of Columbian Mutual.
So the IOOF and Columbian Mutual hired the St. Louis architectural firm of Boyer and Baum to design a new building here. If this sounds familiar to you, it’s because this city has a peculiar fondness for St. Louis architects. I’ve devoted recent columns to the Parkview Hotel (1923) and the Claridge Hotel (1925), and both were designed by experts from St. Louis.
Work began in January 1923, and local newspapers kept readers informed about the steady construction. Working Downtown during this period was an exciting time. New buildings here included the Peabody Hotel, Ellis Auditorium, Shrine Building, Elks Club, Lowenstein’s department store, and the Cotton Exchange, where this magazine is headquartered today. By February 1924, The Commercial Appeal presented a panoramic photo of Downtown, telling readers, “The Memphis skyline of ten years ago does not compare with the view that may be obtained within two weeks.”
Soaring over everything was the Columbian Mutual Tower, one of the earliest steel-framework structures in Memphis. The million-dollar cost reflected the challenges of erecting an 8,000-ton structure “with bedrock practically unattainable in the Memphis locality,” according to the CA. The construction firm of Keeley Bros., also from St. Louis, used “a gigantic steam hammer with a head weighing 5,000 pounds” to drive 422 steel-and-concrete support pillars to a depth of 30 feet.
above: These carved figures and a clock (for years stopped at 3) still greet visitors to the Columbian Mutual Tower, later known as the Lincoln America Tower. “Security” and “Protection” are left over from when the building housed an insurance agency.
The Columbian Mutual Tower, as it was originally called, is a one-third smaller version of the famous Woolworth Building in New York City, sharing the Gothic Revival design and gleaming white terra-cotta tilework of the original. When it opened in 1924, at 22 stories it was the tallest building in the city.
Binford himself, however, was never the sole owner of the building. A fraternal organization with the unusual name of the International Order of Odd Fellows had originally built their headquarters at that location — 60 North Main Street, at the corner of Court Square — decades before. In the early 1920s, they teamed up with the Columbian Mutual Life Assurance Society, because both organizations needed larger facilities. But
Some of that expense also went towards the elaborate interior design. The two-story lobby featured “walls, pillars, and floors finished in gold-veined Tennessee marble. The ceiling will be artistically fashioned with ornamental plaster of special design, [and] wrought-iron balustrades and elevator doors will be of a decorative type.”
The new building also included a very unusual feature. The Commercial Appeal announced the tower would house “a set of electrically operated tubular chimes in 16 tones” to serve as a tribute to Memphians lost in World War One. “The sound of the old familiar hymns floating out over the noise and bustle of the street every evening will lift the thoughts of those who hear them above the material things of Earth to the throne of the Maker of the Earth.”
The chimes first started “floating out” on February 8, 1924, with the player operating a keyboard, and almost immediately newspapers didn’t like what they heard: “The Memphis chimes are out of tune. They range from
one-half to one-and-one-half tones off pitch.” An expert from the Chicago company that sold the equipment traveled here to adjust them.
Then something else came up. Local radio station WMC decided to broadcast the music on a nightly program and set up microphones around the building. These were so sensitive that they also captured the traffic noise from Main Street — and even people talking in Court Square. WMC tried to promote this as a good thing, “being the only station in the country that broadcasts chimes as they really sound to a listener in Court Square, with all the street sounds included.”
Well, nobody really believed that, so more work and money was poured into this venture. Finally, when Downtown office workers and lodgers in nearby hotels complained the evening chimes were a nuisance, they were silenced. The Columbian Mutual Tower management yanked everything out and sold it for scrap. They had “lifted the thoughts of those who hear them” for only a year.
The building filled quickly. Binford’s insurance company occupied most of the upper tower, with his personal office on the top floor. The Odd Fellows moved their offices and library to the second floor. Sterling Shoe Store leased the ground floor, and the St. Louis architects opened a Memphis branch here, in the building they created.
October 6, 2006, when flaming embers carried by the massive fire that consumed First United Methodist Church three blocks away landed on the roof. Quick work by firefighters prevented major damage, but it was a close call; the blaze destroyed the historic Court Square Annex building next door.
Okay, it’s finally time to address your question, J.F. First of all, it’s very unlikely — if not outright impossible — that Binford, described by The Commercial Appeal as “singlehandedly the guardian of public morality,” would adorn “his” building with a very public image of a mistress — if he even had one.
It’s very unlikely — if not outright impossible — that Binford, described by The Commercial Appeal as “singlehandedly the guardian of public morality,” would adorn “his” building with a very public image of a mistress — if he even had one.
Tenants that first year included physicians, attorneys, and sales reps for Studebaker, Pet Milk, Shredded Wheat, and Real Silk Hosiery. A manager with the leasing agency Marx & Bensdorf told reporters “he had received applications representing almost every enterprise in the city, and out-of-town inquiries had been numerous.”
And so the gleaming white tower has overlooked Court Square for close to a century now. In 1965, the Columbian Mutual Tower became the Lincoln America Tower, when the insurance companies merged. Though the latter firm remains in business today (now Lincoln Financial, based in Pennsylvania), it left Downtown in the 1970s — as did so many other occupants of the building.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, for years only the Yellow Rose Café remained at 60 North Main. Finally, after years of neglect, in 2002 a major renovation converted the landmark into apartments, with three floors of commercial space, as part of the Court Square Center complex.
The building escaped tragedy on the night of
So who are these people overlooking the entrance? The two women seem to be adults, while the other figures are very young; one is holding a doll. According to Eugene L. Johnson and Robert D. Russell Jr., authors of Memphis: An Architectural Guide, “The models for the bas-relief on the façade were Binford’s three children, and the son of the company secretary, George W. Clayton.”
But wait. In a 1978 newspaper article about the National Register listing, local architect James Williamson claimed the figures carved on the front “are Binford’s sister, wife, and children.”
Look, I have a problem with all these identifications. Consider this: When the building opened in 1924, Binford had a wife, Hattie (age 48); a daughter, Gladys (28); another daughter, Malvina (22); a third daughter, Margaret (13); and a son, Lloyd Jr. (3). That makes four children (five if you include another daughter, Francis, who died in 1905).
And yes, he had a sister (Fannie), but she passed away almost 40 years before the building opened.
So why would the sculptor of this lovely frieze include the child of a business partner, yet leave out so many members of Binford’s own family? That makes no sense at all.
In the subhead at the top of this column, the editors claim that I solve local mysteries, but add, “Well, sometimes.” I’m afraid this is one of those “sometimes.”
above: This vintage postcard shows the building when it first opened, soaring over its neighbors. Look closely; see that tiny cupola at the very tip-top of the roof? I’ve actually been up there. It’s quite a view.
Got a question for Vance?
EMAIL: askvance@memphismagazine.com
MAIL: Vance Lauderdale, Memphis magazine, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101
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This newcomer offers fine seafood dining with a view of the Mississippi River.
BY SAMUEL X. CICCI
There are plenty of fish in the sea, as the old adage goes. And Nate Henssler wants to serve them all for dinner. e new chef at Fancy’s Fish House — a riverside restaurant in e Landing Residences, part of the One Beale development — has arrived in Memphis with an elevated menu that emphasizes the quality of their fresh seafood and raw bar.
First opened in April 2022, Fancy’s Fish House went through a trial phase for the first half-year of its tenure, taking a recognizable “protein-starch-vegetable” approach to cooking. Henssler was hired to finesse the concept into a more refined approach to seafood. He landed in Memphis boasting plenty of experience in fine dining, including years working alongside Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina, and quickly set to work reimagining the food.
“We originally had more classic, old-fashioned dishes,” says Henssler, “but we wanted to be a bit more modern with our approach. And you can see that with the à la carte section of our menu, where guests can order anything from black cod to redfish. ey’ll come with a
specific condiment and a little bit of sauce, and they can share those around along with some sides. It’s about modernizing and creating an experience for what a seafood restaurant should be.”
Entering the restaurant, guests will immediately be drawn to the raw bar, serving anything from oysters on the half shell to a jumbo shrimp cocktail. An early cornerstone of the restaurant, the raw bar, with its spotted black and white tilework and stool seating, harkens back to the style of Acme Oyster
House in New Orleans. I began my visit with Fancy’s take on traditional Japanese cuisine: ahi tuna tartare, a fish dish that this seafood enthusiast had yet to try. Like the rest of the dishes I would sample over the course of the evening, the little cuts of tuna filet were impossibly soft, with a smooth and almost buttery consistency. Henssler heats up the raw dish with a bit of spice, the tuna tossed in a habanero sesame oil, mixed with ancho chili, and finished with a hint of mint. Scatter the dish with crunchy almonds for a round and earthy note.
If diners can’t decide which item to try at the raw bar, Fancy’s offers an unusual solution, the seafood tower. Served in three size tiers (Lil Fancy, Somewhat Fancy, and Super Fancy), the tower packs in East and West Coast oysters, poached
jumbo shrimp, marinated blue crab claws, and, at the largest tier, an extra helping of tuna tartare. It’s a veritable seafood feast, and not for the faint of heart. But it’s also the perfect way to try just a little bit of everything.
After feasting on a seafood tower, the leftover oyster shells are, in a way, their own tribute to the legacy of the One Beale project. e whole Carlisle family has a well-established connection to this development and the history of the project, but the specific location of Fancy’s — the restaurant getting its moniker from a nickname for developer Chance Carlisle’s wife, Jessica — has added meaning for Carlisle Restaurant Group’s Chase Carlisle. “In terms of seafood restaurants, this is kind of sacred ground for us,” he says. “ is is the site of the old Captain Bilbo’s restaurant. When we were moving our offices here, if you’d walk around the perimeter, you’d find old oyster shells from Bilbo’s that had been crushed into the limestone.”
Captain Bilbo’s is long gone, but Carlisle’s aim with Fancy’s Fish House is to create a new and exciting riverfront dining
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JAY ADKINS/FARMHOUSE BRANDING;
Left to right: The Atlantic salmon, served with seasoned avocado and lemon aioli; the steak frites entree combines porcini marinated slices of 14-ounce New York strip with herb chimichurri, lime, and fingerling potatoes; perhaps Fancy’s most eye-catching menu item, the largest seafood tower packs in a dozen oysters, six poached jumbo shrimp, ten marinated blue crab claws, ahi tuna tartare, and half of a Maine lobster, accompanied by classic cocktail sauce, horseradish, Champagne mignonette, and creamy mustard.
experience for locals and tourists alike. “There surprisingly still aren’t a ton of direct riverfront dining experiences,” he continues. “It’s a chance for people to come down, and during nice weather sit outside, enjoy the sunsets, and look out over that Arkansas farmland. It harkens back to that romantic connection to what the Mississippi can be.”
But it’s not just patio dining and sunsets, as enticing as that sounds. The spacious interior, imagined by designer Jessica Elvert, invites diners in with warm colors and clean lines, creating a calm atmosphere that’s perfect for a pre-Orpheum dinner or date night, a hotspot that’s buzzing with activity without being intrusive. “On the more technical side, we’ve laid it out in such a way where there’s a good amount of ambient noise,” adds Carlisle. “But you and I could still have a private conversation and the rest of the sound doesn’t bleed into our discussion.”
The warm and light atmosphere is the perfect setting for Henssler’s variety of light and
fluffy fish entrées. Each dish is specialized, internalizing a few select flavors that he wants to focus on, and letting the fish shine. “Again, we’re going to keep a lot of these simple, with a little bit of sauce that elevates it,” says Henssler. “For example, we’ve got a redfish option which we’ll make with this rich gumbo sauce and these sweetheat peperonata bell peppers.”
For my main entree, I decided to try the miso marinated cod. Just like the tuna, my fork glided through like it butter. The miso marinade seeps into the fish, creating an umami flavor that is savory, toasty, and a little bit sweet all at once. It is the perfect example of Henssler’s desire to enrich dishes with just a few simple, yet bold flavors. As a side, the sweet-corn hushpuppies stand out with a little extra flavoring from pickled baby peppers and hot honey.
Seafood is clearly the restaurant’s selling point, but it’s not all pescatarian on the menu. Henssler brings in some variety with other types of meat, with the rosemary-roasted half chicken as one of his
first recommendations.
“We air-dry it in the walk-in [cooler] for a couple days,” says Henssler, “and then it’s seasoned with garlic, paprika, and rosemary. After we roast it, it’s nice and crispy.” The steak frites are winners for red-meat lovers, a sliced porcini marinated 14-ounce New York strip served with fingerling potatoes and lime. Back to fish, the Landing seafood plate provides a more casual option, serving up Ghost River golden-ale-battered catfish alongside crispy shrimp, hushpuppies, and French fries.
Henssler has some surprises in store, too, like his take on fried jasmine rice, which combines ginger, garlic, tamari, and egg. Jumbo lump crab is available as an addition. “There are more things I’m working on, too,” he says, “and some others that didn’t make it to the full menu but I’m still workshopping. That gives us the opportunity to focus on monthly specials and other seasonal variants. I’m honestly quite excited for what else we’re going to come up with.”
And as Downtown, and
Riverside Drive specifically, continue to develop and undergo changes, Carlisle is excited about the opportunity for Fancy’s to become part of the fabric of the city. And there’s still another restaurant in the works at the One Beale project: Carlisle Restaurant Group is still putting together its second new dining concept, Amanda Gene’s, which Henssler will also helm. In the meantime, Memphians can dine on prime seafood, and when the weather turns warmer, sit on the patio, and enjoy a chai tea old-fashioned, espresso martini, or smoked pineapple margarita.
“We want to create those different kinds of vibes and feelings in the restaurant,” says Carlisle. “To invite people in the spring and fall to sit outside, sip on a drink, have a half-dozen oysters, and feel that cool Mississippi breeze. It’s an experience unlike anywhere else in Memphis.”
Fancy’s Fish House is open for dinner 4-9 p.m. seven days a week. 1 Dr. MLK Jr. Ave. #101. 901-589-3474.
Memphis magazine
to our readers. Broken down alphabetically by neighborhoods, this directory does not list every restaurant in town. It does, however, include the magazine’s “Top 50” choices of must-try restaurants in Memphis, a group that is updated every August. Establishments open less than a year are not eligible for “Top 50” but are noted as “New.” is guide also includes a representative sampling of other Bluff City eating establishments. No fast-food facilities or cafeterias are listed. Restaurants are included regardless of whether they advertise in Memphis magazine; those that operate in multiple locations are listed under the neighborhood of their original location. is guide is updated regularly, but we recommend that you call ahead to check on hours, prices, or other details. Suggestions from readers are welcome; please contact Samuel X. Cicci at scicci@contemporary-media.com.
117 PRIME—Restaurateurs Craig Blondis and Roger Sapp team up with Chef Ryan Trimm to recreate the traditional American steakhouse. Serving oysters on the half shell and a variety of surf and turf options. 117 Union. 433-9851. L, D, WB, X, $-$$$
ALDO’S PIZZA PIES—Serving gourmet pizzas — including Mr. T Rex — salads, and more. Also 30 beers, bottled or on tap. 100 S. Main. 577-7743; 752 S. Cooper. 725-7437. L, D, X, $-$$
THE ARCADE—Possibly Memphis’ oldest cafe. Specialties include sweet potato pancakes, a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, and breakfast served all day. 540 S. Main. 526-5757. B, L, D (Thurs.-Sat.), X, MRA, $
AUTOMATIC SLIM’S—Longtime Downtown favorite specializes in contemporary American cuisine emphasizing local ingredients; also extensive martini list. 83 S. Second. 525-7948. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$
BACKLOT SANDWICH SHOP—Big sandwiches, breakfast bowls, and build-your-own-biscuits for breakfast, lunch, and an early supper. 265 S. Front St. 509-8612. B, L, D, $
BARDOG TAVERN—Classic American grill with Italian influence, Bardog offers pasta specialties such as Grandma’s NJ Meatballs, as well as salads, sliders, sandwiches, and daily specials. 73 Monroe. 275-8752. B (Mon.-Fri.), L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$
BEDROCK EATS & SWEETS—Memphis’ only Paleo-centric restaurant, offering such dishes as pot roast, waffles, enchiladas, chicken salad, omelets, and more. Closed for dinner Sun. 327 S. Main. 409-6433. B, L, D, X, $-$$
BELLE TAVERN—Serving elevated bar food, including a butcher board with a variety of meats and cheeses, as well as daily specials. 117 Barboro Alley. 249-6580. L (Sun.), D, MRA, $
BEN YAY’S GUMBO SHOP—Spiritual successor to DejaVu, offering fresh and authentic Creole staples. 51 S. Main St., 779-4125. L, D, X, $-$$
BISHOP—Ticer and Hudman’s newest venture at the Central Station Hotel features upscale dishes in a French brasserie style. 545 S. Main St., 524-5247. L, D, X, $$-$$$
CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE—Offers prime steaks, fresh seafood (lobster tails, grouper, mahi mahi), pasta, and several Northern Italian specialties. 149 Union, The Peabody. 529-4199. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$$
CAROLINA WATERSHED—This indoor/outdoor eatery, set around silos, features reimagined down-home classics, including fried green tomatoes with smoked catfish, a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, burgers, and more. Closed Mon.-Thurs. 141 E. Carolina. 321-5553. L, D, WB, $-$$
CATHERINE & MARY’S—A variety of pastas, grilled quail, pâté, razor clams, and monkfish are among the dishes served at this Italian restaurant in the Chisca. 272 S. Main. 254-8600. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
CHEF TAM’S UNDERGROUND CAFE—Serves Southern staples with a Cajun twist. Menu items include totchoes, jerk wings, fried chicken, and “muddy” mac and cheese. Closed Sun. and Mon. 668 Union Ave. 207-6182. L, D, X, $-$$
CHEZ PHILIPPE—Classical/contemporary French cuisine with Asian and Nordic influences, presented in a luxurious atmosphere with seasonal tasting menus. Afternoon tea served Wed.-Sat., 1-3:30 p.m. (reservations required). Closed Sun.-Tues. The Peabody, 149 Union. 529-4188. D, X, MRA, $$$$
CIMAS—It’s breakfast tacos, shrimp and grits, chilaquiles verdes, and plenty of other Southern and Latin-American twists at the Hyatt Centric. 33 Beale St. 444-3232. B, L, D, X, $-$$$
THE CLOVER CLUB Southern fusion and internationally-inspired small plates at Hotel Indigo. 22 N. B.B. King. B, L, D, X, $-$$
COZY CORNER—Serving up ribs, pork sandwiches, chicken, spaghetti, and more; also homemade banana pudding. Closed Mon. 735 N. Parkway. 527-9158. L, D, $
CURFEW—An elevated sports bar/American tavern concept by Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani at the Canopy Memphis Downtown hotel. 164 Union Ave. B, L, D, X, $-$$
EVELYN & OLIVE—Jamaican/Southern fusion cuisine includes such dishes as Kingston stew fish, Rasta Pasta, and jerk rib-eye. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun.-Mon. 630 Madison. 748-5422. L, D, X , $
Sun. and Mon. A Downtown staple at Brinkley Plaza, 383 S. Main. 5230877. L (Fri. only), D, X, MRA, $$-$$$
FERRARO’S PIZZERIA & PUB—Rigatoni and tortellini are among the pasta entrees here, along with pizzas (whole or by the slice) with a variety of toppings. 111 Jackson. 522-2033. L, D, X, $
FISHBOWL AT THE PYRAMID—Burgers, fish dishes, sandwiches, and more served in a unique “underwater” setting. Bass Pro, 1 Bass Pro Drive, 291-8000. B, L, D, X, $-$$
FLIGHT RESTAURANT & WINE BAR—Serves steaks and seafood, along with such specialties as bison ribeye and Muscovy duck, all matched with appropriate wines. 39 S. Main. 521-8005. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
FLYING FISH—Serves up fried and grilled versions of shrimp, crab, oysters, fish tacos, and catfish; also chicken and burgers. 105 S. Second. 522-8228. L, D, X, $-$$
GOOD FORTUNE CO.—Authentic handcrafted noodles, ramen, and dumplings. 361 S. Main. 561-306-4711. L, D, X, $-$$
THE GENRE—Burgers, tenders, catfish, and plenty of vegan options made to order at this music-themed restaurant/lounge. 200 Poplar, Suite 105. 410-8169. B, L, D, X, $-$$
THE GRAY CANARY—The sixth restaurant from chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, offering small plates and entrees cooked on an open flame. Oysters, octopus, and hearty steaks are among the menu options at this eatery in Old Dominick Distillery. Closed Mon. 301 S. Front. 466-6324. D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$
GRECIAN GOURMET TAVERNA—Serves traditional favorites like spanakopita, pastitso, moussaka, and hand-rolled dolmathes, as well as lamb sliders and pita nachos. Closed Mon. 412 S. Main. 249-6626. L, D, X, $
GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN—Serves chicken with signature spicy batter, along with homemade beans, slaw, and pies. 310 S. Front. 527-4877; 3100 Forest Hill Irene (Germantown). 853-6005; 2965 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 373-9111; 730 S. Mendenhall. 767-2323; 505 Highway 70 W., Mason, TN. 901-294-2028. L, D, X, MRA, $
HAPPY MEXICAN—Serves quesadillas, burritos, chimichangas, vegetable and seafood dishes, and more. 385 S. Second. 529-9991; 6080 Primacy Pkwy. 683-0000; 7935 Winchester. 751-5353. L, D, X, $ HU. ROOF—Rooftop cocktail bar with superb city views serves toasts with a variety of toppings including beef tartare with cured egg, cognac, and capers or riced cauliflower with yellow curry, currants, and almonds. Also salads, fish tacos, and boiled peanut hummus. 79 Madison. 333-1229. D, X, $
HUSTLE & DOUGH BAKERY & CAFE—Flaky, baked breakfast goodness every day with fresh pastries, sandwiches, and more at Arrive Hotel. 477 S. Main St., 701-7577. B, L, X, $
INKWELL—Unique craft concoctions, charcuterie plates, flatbreads, and sandwiches at this dope cocktail bar. Closed Mon.-Tue. 631 Madison Ave. 334-9411. D, X, $-$$
ITTA BENA—Southern and Cajun-American cuisine served here, conveniently located above B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale St.; specialties are duck and waffles and shrimp and grits, along with steaks, chops, seafood, and pasta. 145 Beale St. 578-3031. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$
KING & UNION BAR GROCERY—Classic Southern favorites including catfish plate, pimento cheese, po-boys, chicken & waffles. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with cocktails served with flair and favorite Memphis beers. Locally made confections available in the grocery. 185 Union Ave. 523-8500. B, L, D, $-$$
KOOKY CANUCK—Offers prime rib, catfish, and burgers, including the 4-lb. “Kookamonga”; also late-night menu. 87 S. Second. 578-9800; 1250 N. Germantown Pkwy. 1-800-2453 L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$
BLEU—This eclectic restaurant features American food with global influences and local ingredients. Among the specialties are a 14-oz. bone-in ribeye and several seafood dishes. 221 S. Third, in the Westin Memphis Beale St. Hotel. 334-5950. B, L, D, WB, X, MRA, $$-$$$
BLUEFIN RESTAURANT & SUSHI LOUNGE—Serves Japanese fusion cuisine featuring seafood and steak, with seasonally changing menu; also a sushi bar. 135 S. Main. 528-1010. L, D, X, $-$$
BRASS DOOR IRISH PUB—Irish and New-American cuisine includes such entrees as fish and chips, burgers, shepherd’s pie, all-day Irish breakfast, and more. 152 Madison. 572-1813. L, D, SB, $-$$
BY THE BREWERY—Breakfast and lunch café, with a focus on Southern-style biscuits, salads, and soups. 496 Tennessee St. 310-4341. B, L, $
CAFE KEOUGH—European-style cafe serving quiche, paninis, salads, and more. 12 S. Main. 509-2469. B, L, D, X, $
FAM—Casual Asian restaurant serves sushi rice bowls, noodle bowls, sushi rolls, and spring rolls. Closed Sun. 149 Madison. 701-6666; 521 S. Highland. 249-2636. L, D, X, $
FANCY’S FISH HOUSE—Serving chef-inspired favorites at One Beale, including fresh, daily-caught fish and seafood, a raw bar, and signature dishes from the grill, with fabulous river views from the dining room and patio. 1 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. #1. 589-3474. L, D, X, $$-$$$$
FEAST & GRAZE—Whipped goat toast, open faced grilled cheese, and other local pantry snacks and charcuterie boards. Closed Sun./Mon. 55 S. Main. 654-5926. L, X, $
FELICIA SUZANNE’S—Southern cuisine with low-country, Creole, and Delta influences, using regional fresh seafood, local beef, and locally grown foods. Entrees include shrimp and grits. Closed
LITTLE BETTIE—New Haven-style pizzas and snacks from the Andrew-Michael team at Wiseacre’s Downtown location. 398 S. B.B. King Blvd. 334-9411. L, D, $-$$
THE LITTLE TEA SHOP—Downtown institution serves up Southern comfort cooking, including meatloaf and such veggies as turnip greens, yams, okra, and tomatoes. Closed Sat.-Sun. 69 Monroe. 525-6000, L, X, $
LOCAL—Entrees with a focus on locally sourced products include lobster mac-and-cheese and rib-eye patty melt; menu differs by location. 95 S. Main. 473-9573; 2126 Madison. 725-1845. L, D, WB, X, $-$$
LOFLIN YARD—Beer garden and restaurant serves vegetarian fare and smoked-meat dishes, including beef brisket and pork tenderloin, cooked on a custom-made grill. Closed Mon.-Tues. 7 W. Carolina. 249-3046. L (Sat. and Sun.), D, MRA, X, $-$$
We celebrate our city’s community table and the people who grow, cook, and eat the best Memphis food at
LONGSHOT—Chef David Todd has something for everyone with a wide variety of international fusion dishes, and a side of shuffleboard. 477 S. Main. D, $-$$
THE LOOKOUT AT THE PYRAMID—Serves seafood and Southern fare, including cornmeal-fried oysters, sweet tea brined chicken, and elk chops. 1 Bass Pro Dr. 620-4600/291-8200. L, D, X, $-$$$
LUCY’S—Hu. Hotel’s downstairs diner serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start your day with a Hu. breakfast burrito, or Lucy’s Burger for a late-night bite 3 S. Main. 333-1200. B, L, D, X, $-$$
LUNA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE—Serving a limited menu of breakfast and lunch items. Dinner entrees include citrus glaze salmon and Cajun stuffed chicken. 179 Madison (Hotel Napoleon). 526-0002. B, D (Mon.-Sat.), X, $-$$$
MACIEL’S—Entrees include tortas, fried taco plates, quesadillas, chorizo and pastor soft tacos, salads, and more. Downtown closed Sun. 45 S. Main. 526-0037, X, MRA, $
THE MAJESTIC GRILLE—Features aged steaks, fresh seafood, and such specialties as roasted chicken and grilled pork tenderloin; offers a pre-theater menu and classic cocktails. Well-stocked bar. 145 S. Main. 522-8555. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$
McEWEN’S—Southern/American cuisine with international flavors; specialties include steak and seafood, sweet potato-crusted catfish with macaroni and cheese, and more. Closed Sun., Monroe location. 120 Monroe. 527-7085; 1110 Van Buren (Oxford). 662-234-7003. L, D, SB (Oxford only), X, MRA, $$-$$$
MESQUITE CHOP HOUSE—The focus here is on steaks, including prime fillet, rib-eyes, and prime-aged New York strip; also, some seafood options. 5960 Getwell (Southaven). 662-890-2467; 88 Union. 527-5337; 3165 Forest Hill-Irene (Germantown). 249-5661. D, SB (Germantown), X, $$-$$$
MOLLIE FONTAINE LOUNGE—Specializes in tapas (small plates) featuring global cuisine. Closed Sun.-Tues. 679 Adams Ave. 524-1886. D, X, MRA, $
MOMMA’S ROADHOUSE—This diner and dive at Highway 55 serves up hot and crispy fried chicken wings, among other solid bar food options. Temporarily closed. 855 Kentucky. 207-5111. L, D, MRA, $
NEW WING ORDER The award-winning food truck cooks up its signature hot wings at its first physical location, at Ghost River on Beale. Closed Mon/Tue. 341 Beale. L, D, $-$$
THE NINE THAI & SUSHI—Serving authentic Thai dishes, including curries, as well as a variety of sushi rolls. Closed for lunch Sat. and Sun. 121 Union. 208-8347. L, D, X, $-$$
THE PARAMOUNT—Fried green tomato and crab beignet small plates to grilled lamb loin, cowboy ribeye, and an extensive cocktail list. Closed Sun/Mon. 265 S. Front. 410-8169. D, $-$$$$
PAULETTE’S—Presents fine dining with a Continental flair, including such entrees as filet Paulette with butter cream sauce and crabmeat and spinach crepes; also changing daily specials and great views. River Inn. 50 Harbor Town Square. 260-3300. B, L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$$
PEARL’S OYSTER HOUSE—Downtown eatery serving seafood, including oysters, crawfish, and stuffed butterfly shrimp, as well as beef, chicken, and pasta dishes. 299 S. Main. 522-9070; 8106 Cordova Center Dr. (Cordova). 425-4797. L, D, SB, X, $-$$$
PENNY’S NITTY GRITTY—Coach Penny Hardaway brings plenty of Southern flavors and lots of customizable grits. 220 S. B.B. King Blvd. 334-5950. B, L, D, $$-$$$
PONTOTOC LOUNGE—Upscale restaurant and jazz bar serves such starters as alligator filet fritters; entrees include Mississippi pot roast with jalapeño cornbread and tagliatelle with braised beef. 314 S. Main. 207-7576. D, X, $-$$
RAW GIRLS—Raw and hot plant-based food alongside cold-pressed juices made from seasonal, locally grown sources. Closed Sun. 150 Peabody Pl., Suite 118. 207-5463. B, L, D, $-$$
REGINA’S—New Orleans-inspired eatery offering po’boys, Cajun nachos topped with crawfish tails, catfish platters, oysters, and more. Closed Mon. 60 N. Main. 730-0384. B, L, D, SB, X, $-$$
RENDEZVOUS, CHARLES VERGOS’—Menu items include barbecued ribs, cheese plates, skillet shrimp, red beans and rice, and Greek salads. Closed Sun.-Mon. 52 S. Second. 523-2746. L (Fri.Sat.), D, X, $-$$
SABOR CARIBE—Serving up “Caribbean flavors” with dishes from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Closed Sunday. 662 Madison. 949-8100. L, D, X, $
SAGE—Restaurant and lounge features daily lunch specials and tapas with such dishes as braised short ribs, teriyaki pulled pork, and the Sage burger made with Angus beef, avocado mash, fried egg, and flash-fried sage. 94 S. Main. 672-7902. L, D, WB, X, $-$$
SILLY GOOSE LOUNGE—Gourmet, wood-fired pizzas and handcrafted cocktails at this Downtown restaurant and lounge. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 111. 435-6915. L, D, X, $
SOUTH MAIN SUSHI & GRILL—Serving sushi, nigiri, and more. 520 S. Main. 249-2194. L, D, X, $
SOB—Elevated gastropub that serves favorites like general Tso’s cauliflower or duck fried rice. 345 S. Main. 526-0388. L, D, WB, X , $-$$
SOUTH POINT GROCERY—Fresh and delicious sandwiches made to order at Downtown’s new grocery market. 136 Webster Ave. B, L, D, X, $
SUGAR GRITS—Who said breakfast has to be in the morning? The Westmorelands offer grits and other breakfast goodness all day long, in addition to other Southern-style lunch and dinner options. 150 Peabody Pl., Suite 111. 249-5206. B, L, D, X, $-$$
SUNRISE MEMPHIS—Serves breakfast all day, including house-made biscuits, frittatas, kielbasa or boudin plates, and breakfast platters. 670 Jefferson. 552-3144. B, L, X, MRA, $
SUPPER CLUB ON 2ND—Fine dining and urban bistro styles collide at this snazzy, chic restaurant, featuring gold-encrusted tomahawk steaks, a deep sea lobster dawg, fancy cocktails, and plenty of other elevated goodies. 85 S. 2nd St. 453-6334. D, WB, X, $$-$$$
TALK SHOP—Southern-style cuisine, a breakfast bar, and plenty of other cool dishes and drinks at the Caption by Hyatt. 245 S. Front St. B, L, D, X, $-$$
TERRACE—Creative American and Continental cuisine includes such dishes as filet mignon, beef or lamb sliders, chicken satay, and mushroom pizzetta. Rooftop, River Inn of Harbor Town, 50 Harbor Town Square. 260-3366. D, X, MRA, $$
TEXAS DE BRAZIL—Serves beef, pork, lamb, and chicken dishes, and Brazilian sausage; also a salad bar with extensive toppings. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 103. 526-7600. L (Wed.-Fri.), D, WB, X, $$-$$$
TUG’S—Famous for New Orleans gumbo, fabulous burgers, fried thin catfish, and specialty pancakes. Now serving Grisanti Crafted Pizza. 51 Harbor Town Square. 260-3344. B, L, D, WB, X, $$-$$$
THE VAULT—Oysters, shrimp beignets, flatbreads, stuffed cornish hen, and Smash Burger featured on “Late Nite Eats” are among the dishes offered at this Creole/Italian fusion eatery. 124 G.E. Patterson. 591-8000. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$
WAHLBURGERS WILD—Wahlburgers brings its classic menu, but with a few gamey twists at the Bass Pro Pyramid. 1 Bass Pro Drive. B, L, D, X, $-$$
WESTY’S—Extensive menu includes a variety of wild rice dishes, sandwiches, plate lunches, and hot fudge pie. 346 N. Main. 543-3278. L, D, X, $
MIDTOWN (INCLUDES THE MEDICAL CENTER)
ABNER’S FAMOUS CHICKEN—Fried chicken tenders and dipping sauces galore at this Mid-South staple. 1350 Concourse Ave, Suite 137. 425-2597; (East Memphis) 1591 Poplar Ave. 509-3351; (Cordova) 1100 N. Germantown Pkwy. 754-5355. L, D, $-$$
ABYSSINIA RESTAURANT—Ethiopian/Mediterranean menu includes beef, chicken, lamb, fish entrees, and vegetarian dishes; also a lunch buffet. 2600 Poplar. 321-0082. L, D, X, $-$$
ALCHEMY—Southern fusion, locally grown cuisine features small and large plates; among the offerings are pan-seared hanger steak, quail, and lamb chops; also handcrafted cocktails and local craft beers. 940 S. Cooper. 726-4444. D, SB, X, $-$$
ART BAR—Inventive cocktails feature locally foraged ingredients; snacks include house-cured salt & vinegar potato chips and herb-roasted olives. Closed Mon. 1350 Concourse Avenue #280. 507-8030. D, X, $
BABALU TACOS & TAPAS—This eatery dishes up Spanish-style tapas with Southern flair; also taco and enchilada of the day; specials change daily. 2115 Madison. 274-0100; 6450 Poplar, 410-8909. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$
BACK DO / MI YARD—A revamped patio space behind The Beauty Shop features rotisserie meats and fishes via Brazilian-style outdoor grill. Dinner Wed.-Sat., weather permitting. 966 S. Cooper, 272-7111. D, X, $$
BAIN BARBECUE & BAKERY—Brian Bain’s popular Texasstyle barbecue is back, alongside an assortment of baked goods. 993 S. Cooper. 310-4141. B, L, X, $-$$
BAR DKDC—Features an ever-changing menu of international “street food,” from Thai to Mexican, Israeli to Indian, along with specialty cocktails. 964 S. Cooper. 272-0830. D, X , MRA, $
BAR KEOUGH—It’s old-school eats and cocktails at the new CooperYoung neighborhood corner bar by Kevin Keough. 247 Cooper St. D, X , $
BAR-B-Q SHOP—Dishes up barbecued ribs, spaghetti, bologna, other classics. Closed Sun. 1782 Madison. 272-1277. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
BARI RISTORANTE ENOTECA—Authentic Southeastern Italian cuisine (Puglia) emphasizes lighter entrees. Serves fresh fish and beef dishes and a homemade soup of the day. 524 S. Cooper. 722-2244. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
BARKSDALE RESTAURANT—Old-school diner serving breakfast and Southern plate lunches. 237 S. Cooper. 722-2193. B, L, D, X, $
BAYOU BAR & GRILL—New Orleans fare at this Overton Square eatery includes jambalaya, gumbo, catfish Acadian, shrimp dishes, red beans and rice, and muffalettas. 2094 Madison. 278-8626. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$
BEAUTY SHOP—Modern American cuisine with international flair served in a former beauty shop. Serves steaks, salads, pasta, and seafood, including pecan-crusted golden sea bass. Perennial “Best Brunch” winner. Closed for dinner Sunday. 966 S. Cooper. 272-7111. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
BELLY ACRES—At this festive Overton Square eatery, milkshakes, floats, and burgers rule. Burgers are updated with contemporary toppings like grilled leeks, braised tomatoes, and sourdough or brioche buns. 2102 Trimble Pl. 529-7017. L, D, X, $
BOSCOS—Tennessee’s first craft brewery serves a variety of freshly brewed beers as well as wood-fired oven pizzas, pasta, seafood, steaks, and sandwiches. 2120 Madison. 432-2222. L, D, SB (with live jazz), X, MRA, $-$$
BOUNTY ON BROAD—Offering family-style dining, Bounty serves small plates and family-sized platters, with such specialties as chicken-fried quail and braised pork shank. 2519 Broad. 410-8131. L (Sat. and Sun.), D (Mon.-Sat.), SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
BROADWAY PIZZA—Serving a variety of pizzas, including the Broadway Special, as well as sandwiches, salads, wings, and soul-food specials. 2581 Broad. 454-7930; 627 S. Mendenhall. 207-1546. L, D, X, $-$$
CAFE 1912—French/American bistro owned by culinary pioneer Glenn Hays serving such seafood entrees as seared sea scallops with charred cauliflower purée and chorizo cumin sauce; also crepes, salads, and onion soup gratinée. 243 S. Cooper. 722-2700. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
CAFE BROOKS BY CITY & STATE—Serving grab-and-go pastries, as well as lunch items. Menu includes soups, salads, and sandwiches, such as the Modern Reuben and Grown-Up Grilled Cheese. 1934 Poplar (Memphis Brooks Museum of Art). 544-6200. B, L, X, $
CAFE ECLECTIC—Omelets and chicken and waffles are among menu items, along with quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. Menu varies by location. 603 N. McLean. 725-1718; 111 Harbor Town Square. 590-4645. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $
CAFE OLÉ—This eatery specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine; one specialty is the build-your-own quesadilla. 959 S. Cooper. 343-0103. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$
CAFE PALLADIO—Serves gourmet salads, soups, sandwiches, and desserts in a tea room inside the antiques shop. Closed Sun. 2169 Central. 278-0129. L, X, $
CAFE SOCIETY—With Belgian and classic French influences, serves Wagyu beef, chicken, and seafood dishes, including bacon-wrapped shrimp, along with daily specials and vegetarian entrees. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 212 N. Evergreen. 722-2177. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
CAMEO—Three longtime Memphis bartenders join forces for creative cocktails, cheese boards, snacks, and Sunday brunch. 1835 Union Ave., Suite 3. 305-6511. D, SB, $-$$
CELTIC CROSSING—Specializes in Irish and American pub fare. Entrees include shepherd’s pie, shrimp and sausage coddle, and fish and chips. 903 S. Cooper. 274-5151. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$
CENTRAL BBQ—Serves ribs, smoked hot wings, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, turkey, nachos, and portobello sandwiches. Offers both pork and beef barbecue. 2249 Central Ave. 272-9377; 4375 Summer Ave. 767-4672; 147 E. Butler. 672-7760 ; 6201 Poplar. 4177962. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
COMPLICATED PILGRIM—Quick serve coffee shop, bar, and restaurant all in one at The Memphian hotel. 21 S. Cooper St. 601-9095820. B, L, D, $-$$
THE COVE—Nautical-themed restaurant and bar serving oysters, pizzas, and more. The Stoner Pie, with tamales and fritos, is a popular dish. 2559 Broad. 730-0719. L, D, $
THE CRAZY NOODLE—Korean noodle dishes range from bibam beef noodle with cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables, to curry chicken noodle; also rice cakes served in a flavorful sauce. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 2015 Madison. 272-0928. L, D, X, $
EAT AT BLACK LODGE—High-end breakfasts, like waffle grilled cheese sandwiches, nacho and tater-tot “tot-chos,” and other
entrees like sweet spicy thai pork at the longtime video store. Closed Mon./Tue. 405 N. Cleveland. 672-7905. L, D, X, $-$$
ECCO—Mediterranean-inspired specialties range from rib-eye steak to seared scallops to housemade pastas and a grilled vegetable plate; also a Saturday brunch. Closed Sun.-Mon. 1585 Overton Park. 410-8200. B, L, D, X, $-$$
FABIOLA’S KITCHEN—Longtime caterer Fabiola Francis serves up burgers, tacos, fish, and much more. 1353 Jackson Ave. B, L, $
FARM BURGER—Serves grass-fed, freshly ground, locally sourced burgers; also available with chicken, pork, or veggie quinoa patties, with such toppings as aged white cheddar, kale coleslaw, and roasted beets. 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 175. 800-1851. L, D, X, $
THE FARMER AT RAILGARTEN—Mac Edwards comes out of retirement with classics including pan-seared catfish, gulf shrimp and grits, or a Gibson donut bread pudding. Closed Mon./Tue. 2166 Central. 313-0087. D, X, $-$$
FINO’S ITALIAN DELI & CATERING—The newly revived Fino’s offers the old favorites such as the Acquisto as well as a new breakfast menu. 1853 Madison. 272-FINO. B, L, D, X, $
FLAME RAMEN—Traditional Japanese ramen restaurant serving up bowls of noodles in Midtown. 1838 Union Ave. 779-8666. D, $-$$
FLIP SIDE—Pinball meets pub in the Crosstown neighborhood, with plenty of games alongside a Caribbean- and Latininspired menu. Closed Mon. 1349 Autumn Ave. L, D, X, $-$$
FRIDA’S—Mexican cuisine and Tex-Mex standards, including chimichangas, enchiladas, and fajitas; seafood includes shrimp and tilapia. 1718 Madison. 244-6196. L, D, X, $-$$
GLOBAL CAFÉ—This international food hall hosts three immigrant/ refugee food entrepreneurs serving Venezuelan, Sudanese, and Syrian cuisines. Samosas, shawarma, and kabobs are among the menu items. Closed Mon. 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 157. L, D, X, MRA, $
GOLDEN INDIA—Northern Indian specialties include tandoori chicken as well as lamb, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian dishes. 2097 Madison. 728-5111. L, D, X, $-$$
GROWLERS—Sports bar and eatery serves standard bar fare in addition to pasta, tacos, chicken and waffles, and light options. 1911 Poplar. 244-7904. L, D, X, $-$$
HATTIE B’S—Fried chicken spot features “hot chicken” with a variety of heat levels; from no heat to “shut the cluck up” sauce. Sides include greens, pimento mac-and-cheese, and black-eyed pea salad. 596 S. Cooper. 424-5900. L, D, X, $
HUEY’S—This family-friendly restaurant offers 13 different burgers, a variety of sandwiches, and delicious soups and salads. 1927 Madison. 726-4372; 1771 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 7543885; 77 S. Second (Downtown). 527-2700; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-4455; 7090 Malco Blvd. (Southaven). 662-349-7097; 7825 Winchester. 624-8911; 4872 Poplar. 682-7729; 7677 Farmington Blvd. (Germantown). 318-3030; 8570 Highway 51 N. (Millington). 873-5025. L, D, X, MRA, $
IMAGINE VEGAN CAFE—Dishes at this fully vegan restaurant range from salads and sandwiches to full dinners, including eggplant parmesan and “beef” tips and rice; breakfast all day Sat. and Sun. 2158 Young. 654-3455. L, D, WB, X, $
INDIA PALACE—Tandoori chicken, lamb shish kabobs, and chicken tikka masala are among the entrees; also, vegetarian options and a daily all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. 1720 Poplar. 278-1199. L, D, X, $-$$
INSPIRE COMMUNITY CAFE—Serving breakfast all day, in addition to quesadillas, rice bowls, and more for lunch and dinner. 510 Tillman, Suite 110. 509-8640. B, L, D, X, $
KNIFEBIRD—Neighborhood wine bar boasts plenty of flights, cocktails, and mocktails alongside bruschetta and charcuterie boards. Closed Sun. 2155 Central Ave. 748-5425. D, $-$$$
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM—Serves such Southern cuisine as po’boys, shrimp and grits, and wood-fired pizzas. 2119 Madison. 2075097. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$
LBOE—Gourmet burger joint serves locally sourced ground beef burgers, with options like the Mac-N-Cheese Burger and Caprese. Black bean and turkey patties available. 2021 Madison. 725-0770. L, D, X, $
THE LIQUOR STORE—Renovated liquor store turned diner serves all-day breakfast, sandwiches, and entrees such as Salisbury steak and smothered pork chops. Closed for dinner Sun.-Mon. 2655 Broad. 405-5477. B, L, D, X, $-$$
LITTLE ITALY—Serving New York-style pizza as well as subs and pasta dishes. 1495 Union. 725-0280; L, D, X, $-$$
MAXIMO’S ON BROAD—Serving a tapas menu that features creative fusion cuisine; entrees include veggie paella and fish of the day. Closed Mon. 2617 Broad Ave. 452-1111. D, SB, X, $-$$
MEMPHIS PIZZA CAFE—Homemade pizzas are specialties; also serves sandwiches, calzones, and salads. 2087 Madison. 726-5343; 5061 Park Ave. 684-1306; 7604 W. Farmington (Germantown). 7532218; 797 W. Poplar (Collierville). 861-7800; 5627 Getwell (Southaven). 662-536-1364. L, D, X, $-$$
MEMPHIS WHISTLE—Cocktails, cocktails, and even more delicious cocktails alongside burgers, sandwiches, and other tasty snacks. 2299 Young Ave. Closed Mon.-Tue. 236-7136. D, X, $-$$
MIDPOINTE FROM EDGE ALLEY—Edge Alley’s sister cafe at the Ballet Memphis headquarters focuses on freshness for its breakfast, lunch, and happy hour tapas. Closed Sun.-Mon. 2144 Madison Ave. 425-2605. B, L, X, $
MOLLY’S LA CASITA—Homemade tamales, fish tacos, a vegetarian combo, and bacon-wrapped shrimp are a few of the specialties. 2006 Madison. 726-1873. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
PANTÀ—Small, Catalan-inspired plates by Kelly English in the former Restaurant Iris space. 2146 Monroe Ave. Closed Mon.-Wed. 590-2828. L, D, X, $-$$.
PARISH GROCERY—Shrimp? Roast beef? Oysters? Whatever type of po’boy you want, the New Orleans-themed eatery has got it. Closed Monday. 916 S. Cooper St. 207-4347. L, D, X, $-$$
PAYNE’S BAR-B-QUE—Opened in 1972, this family-owned barbecue joint serves ribs, smoked sausage, and chopped pork sandwiches with a standout mustard slaw and homemade sauce. About as down-to-earth as it gets. 1762 Lamar. 272-1523. L, D, $-$$
PHO BINH—Vietnamese, vegetarian, and Cantonese specialties include lemon tofu and spring rolls. Closed Sunday. 1615 Madison. 276-0006. L, D, $
RED FISH ASIAN BISTRO—In the former Nineteenth Century Club building, serves sushi, teriyaki, and hibachi. Specialties include yuzu filet mignon and Chilean sea bass. 1433 Union. 454-3926; 9915 Highway 64 (Lakeland). 729-7581; 6518 Goodman (Olive Branch). 662-874-5254. L, D, X, $-$$$
ROBATA RAMEN & YAKITORI BAR—Serves ramen noodle bowls and Yakitori skewers as well as rice and noodle dishes. 2116 Madison. 410-8290. L, D, X, $
SABROSURA—Serves Mexican and Cuban fare, including arroz tapada de pollo and steak Mexican. Closed Sun. 782 Washington. 421-8180. L, D, X, $-$$
SALT|SOY—Nick Scott and Brac McCarley team up to provide Southern and Asian-inspired dishes at this Japanese Izakaya. Closed Sunday, Monday. 2583 Broad Ave. 726-4444. D, $$
SALTWATER CRAB—Offers an array of seafood dishes including boils with blue crab, crab legs, lobster tails, and more, and specialty sushi like the Dynamite or Royal King rolls, in addition to signature sangrias and cocktails. 2059 Madison Ave. 922-5202. L, D, X, $$
THE SECOND LINE—Kelly English brings “relaxed Creole cuisine” to his newest eatery; serves a variety of po’boys and such specialties as barbecue shrimp, andouille shrimp, and pimento cheese fries. 2144 Monroe. 590-2829. L, D, WB, X, $-$$
SEKISUI—Japanese fusion cuisine, fresh sushi bar, grilled meats and seafood, California rolls, and vegetarian entrees. Poplar/ Perkins location’s emphasis is on Pacific Rim cuisine. Menu and hours vary at each location. 25 Belvedere. 725-0005; 1884 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 309-8800; 4724 Poplar. 767-7770; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-0622; 2990 Kirby-Whitten (Bartlett). 377-2727; 6696 Poplar. 747-0001. L, D, X, $-$$$
SOUL FISH CAFE—Serving Southern-style soul food, tacos, and po’boys, including catfish, crawfish, oyster, shrimp, chicken, and smoked pork tenderloin. 862 S. Cooper. 725-0722; 3160 Village Shops Dr. (Germantown). 755-6988; 4720 Poplar. 590-0323. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
STICKEM—Brick and mortar location for the popular food truck, which offers grilled meat on a stick. 1788 Madison. Closed Sunday. 474-7214. L, D, X, $
TAMBOLI’S PASTA & PIZZA—Pasta-maker Miles Tamboli whips up Italian soul food with seasonal menus featuring dishes like crispy fried chicken or creamy bucatini with pecorino cheese. Serves dinner Tues.-Sat. 1761 Madison. 410-8866. D, X, $-$$
TAKASHI BISTRO—Fusion restaurant with an open kitchen that lets customers watch chefs prepare a variety of Japanese and Thai cuisine. 1680 Union Ave., Suite 109. 800-2936. L, D, $-$$.
TONICA—Paella and other Spanish-inspired dishes with an Italian touch, alongside an extensive list of gin and tonics. 1545 Overton Park. Closed Mon.-Wed. D, X, $-$$
TSUNAMI—Features Pacific Rim cuisine (Asia, Australia, South Pacific, etc.); also a changing “small plate” menu. Chef Ben Smith
is a Cooper-Young pioneer. Specialties include Asian nachos and roasted sea bass. Closed Sunday. 928 S. Cooper. 274-2556. D, X,, MRA, $$-$$$
TUYEN’S ASIAN BISTRO—A variety of Asian dishes from the minds and chefs behind Saigon Le. Closed Sun. 288 N. Cleveland. L, D, X, $-$$
ZINNIE’S—Dive bar classic reopens with a makeover and signature Zinnaloni sandwich. 1688 Madison. 726-5004. L, D, X, $
SOUTH MEMPHIS (INCLUDES PARKWAY VILLAGE, FOX MEADOWS, SOUTH MEMPHIS, WINCHESTER, AND WHITEHAVEN)
BALA’S BISTRO—Authentic West African cuisine available to order or by the pound, alongside traditional American dishes and an extensive vegan menu. 4571 Elvis Presley Blvd. 509-3024. L, D, $-$$
COLETTA’S—Longtime eatery serves such specialties as homemade ravioli, lasagna, and pizza with barbecue or traditional toppings. 1063 S. Parkway E. 948-7652; 2850 Appling Rd. (Bartlett). 383-1122. L, D, X, $-$$
CURRY BOWL—Specializes in Southern Indian cuisine, serving Tandoori chicken, biryani, tikka masala, and more. Weekend buffet. 4141 Hacks Cross Rd. 207-6051. L, D, $
DELTA’S KITCHEN—The premier restaurant at The Guest House at Graceland serves Elvis-inspired dishes — like Nutella and Peanut Butter Crepes for breakfast — and upscale Southern cuisine — including lamb chops and shrimp and grits — for dinner. 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd. 443-3000. B, D, X, $-$$$
DWJ KOREAN BARBECUE—This authentic Korean eatery serves kimbap, barbecued beef short ribs, rice and noodles dishes, and hot pots and stews. 3750 Hacks Cross Rd., Suite 101. 746-8057; 2156 Young. 207-6204. L, D, $-$$
FABULOUS FLAVORS & FRIENDS ”The Candy Lady” Precious Thompson Jones comes up with a little bit of everything: omelettes, quesadillas, t-bones and waffles, and plenty of soul food. 2063 E. Brooks Rd. 314-0735. L, D, $
THE FOUR WAY—Legendary soul-food establishment dishing up such entrees as fried and baked catfish, chicken, and turkey and dressing, along with a host of vegetables and desserts. Around the corner from the legendary Stax Studio. Closed Mon. 998 Mississippi Blvd. 507-1519. L, D, $
HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY–No one cares how late it gets; not at Hernando’s Hideaway. Live music, killer happy hour, and plenty of bar fare at this South Memphis hang. 3210 Old Hernando Rd. 917-982-1829. L, D, $
INTERSTATE BAR-B-Q—Specialties include chopped pork-shoulder sandwiches, ribs, hot wings, spaghetti, chicken, and turkey. 2265 S. Third. 775-2304; 150 W. Stateline Rd. (Southaven). 662-393-5699. L, D, X, $-$$
JIM & SAMELLA’S—It’s a revolving menu of soul food delight from Chef Talbert Fleming, with anything from Southern ribs to fried tamales. 841 Bullington Ave. 265-8761. L, D, X, $
LEONARD’S—Serves wet and dry ribs, barbecue sandwiches, spaghetti, catfish, homemade onion rings, and lemon icebox pie; also a lunch buffet. 5465 Fox Plaza. 360-1963. L, X, $-$$
MARLOWE’S—In addition to its signature barbecue and ribs, Marlowe’s serves Southern-style steaks, chops, lasagna, and more. 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd. 332-4159. D, X, MRA, $-$$
UNCLE LOU’S FRIED CHICKEN—Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for good reason: fried chicken (mild, hot, or home-style); jumbo burgers four patties high; strawberry shortcake, and assorted fruit pies. 3633 Millbranch. 332-2367. L, D, X, MRA, $
BISCUITS & JAMS—Biscuits, waffles, French toast, and plenty of sharables at this Bartlett breakfast spot. Closed Mon./Tue. 5806 Stage Rd. 672-7905. B, L, X, $
BRYANT’S BREAKFAST—Slingin’ famous biscuits, plate lunches, chicken fried steak, and other breakfast classics since 1968. 3965 Summer Ave. 324-7494. B, L, $
CEVICHERIA AND GRILL CHILEMON—Ceviche, of course, but also plenty of other postres, aperitivos, and mixed grilled meat and seafood feasts. Closed Sun. 4509 Summer Ave. 672-7905. L, D, $
DIM SUM KING—All the best from a selection of authentic Chinese dishes: roasted duck, sizzling hot plate, Cantonese BBQ, and plenty more. 5266 Summer Ave. #65. 766-0831. L, D, X, $-$$
ELWOOD’S SHACK—Casual comfort food includes tacos, pizza, and sandwiches. Specialties include meats smoked in-house (chicken, turkey, brisket, pork), barbecue pizza, and steelhead trout tacos. 4523 Summer. 761-9898. B, L, D, X, $
EXLINES’ BEST PIZZA—Serves pizza, Italian dinners, sandwiches, and salads. 6250 Stage Rd. 382-3433; 2935 Austin Peay. 388-4711; 2801 Kirby Parkway. 754-0202; 7730 Wolf River Blvd. (Germantown). 753-4545; 531 W. Stateline Rd. 662-342-4544. L, D, X , MRA, $
LA TAQUERIA GUADALUPANA—Fajitas and quesadillas are just a few of the authentic Mexican entrees offered here. A bonafide Memphis institution. 4818 Summer. 685-6857; 5848 Winchester. 365-4992. L, D, X, $
LOTUS—Authentic Vietnamese-Asian fare, including lemon-grass chicken and shrimp, egg rolls, Pho soup, and spicy Vietnamese vermicelli. 4970 Summer. 682-1151. D, X, $
MORTIMER’S—Contemporary American entrees include trout almondine, chicken dishes, and hand-cut steaks; also sandwiches, salads, and daily/nightly specials. A Memphis landmark since the Knickerbocker closed. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 590 N. Perkins. 7619321. L, D, X, $-$$
NAGASAKI INN—Chicken, steak, and lobster are among the main courses; meal is cooked at your table. 3951 Summer. 454-0320. D, X, $$
NAM KING—General Tso’s chicken, hot and sour soup, and homemade chicken wings are back at the longtime Raleigh Chinese eatery. 3624 Austin Peay Highway, #3. 373-4411. L, D, $-$$
PANDA GARDEN—Sesame chicken and broccoli beef are among the Mandarin and Cantonese entrees; also seafood specials and fried rice. Closed for lunch Saturday. 3735 Summer. 323-4819. L, D, X, $-$$
QUEEN OF SHEBA—Featuring Middle Eastern favorites and Yemeni dishes such as lamb haneeth and saltah. 4792 Summer. 207-4174. L, D, $
SIDE PORCH STEAK HOUSE—In addition to steak, the menu includes chicken, pork chops, and fish entrees; homemade rolls are a specialty. Closed Sun./Mon. 5689 Stage Rd. 377-2484. D, X, $-$$
TORTILLERIA LA UNICA—Individual helping of Mexican street food, including hefty tamales, burritos, tortas, and sopes. 5015 Summer Ave. 685-0097. B, L, D, X, $
UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT (INCLUDES CHICKASAW GARDENS AND HIGHLAND STRIP)
A-TAN—Serves Chinese and Japanese hibachi cuisine, complete with sushi bar. A specialty is Four Treasures with garlic sauce. 3445 Poplar, Suite 17, University Center. 452-4477. L, D, X, $-$$$
THE BLUFF—New Orleans-inspired menu includes alligator bites, nachos topped with crawfish and andouille, gumbo, po’boys, and fried seafood platters. 535 S. Highland. 454-7771. L, D, X, $-$$
BROTHER JUNIPER’S—This little cottage is a breakfast mecca, offering specialty omelets, including the open-faced San Diegan omelet; also daily specials, and homemade breads and pastries. Closed Mon. 3519 Walker. 324-0144. B, X, $
CELEBRITY’S SOUL FOOD—Classic soul food dishes coupled with a Hollywood-esque VIP experience. 431 S. Highland St., Ste 105. L, D, X, $$
CHAR RESTAURANT—Specializing in modern Southern cuisine, this eatery offers homestyle sides, charbroiled steaks, and fresh seafood. 431 S. Highland, Suite 120. 249-3533. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$
DERAE RESTAURANT Ethiopian and Mediterranean fare includes fuul, or fava beans in spices and yogurt, goat meat and rice, and garlic chicken over basmati rice with cilantro chutney; also salmon and tilapia. Closed Monday. 923 S. Highland. 552-3992. B, L, D, $-$$
EL PORTON—Fajitas, quesadillas, and steak ranchero are just a few of the menu items. 2095 Merchants Row (Germantown). 754-4268; 8361 Highway 64. 380-7877; 3448 Poplar (Poplar Plaza). 452-7330; 1805 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 624-9358; 1016 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-5770. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
MEDALLION—Offers steaks, seafood, chicken, and pasta entrees. Closed for dinner Sunday. 3700 Central, Holiday Inn (Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality). 678-1030. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
OPEN FLAME—This authentic Persian and Mediterranean eatery specializes in shish kebabs as well as kosher and halal fare. 3445 Poplar. 207-4995. L, D, X, $
PLANT BASED HEAT All of your favorite Southern-style recipes, but deliciously transformed into a vegan format. Specialties include the spicy fye junt burger, or the chopped ‘n’ smoked bbq jackfruit sandwich. Closed Sun. 669 S. Highland St. L, D, $
SAM’S DELI—Everything from sandwiches to bibimbap bowls at this local favorite. Closed Mon./Tue. 643 S. Highland St. 454-5582. L, D, $
ACRE—Features seasonal modern American cuisine in an avantegarde setting using locally sourced products; also small plates and enclosed garden patio. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 690 S. Perkins. 818-2273. L, D, X, $$-$$$
AGAVOS COCINA & TEQUILA—Camaron de Tequila, tamales, kabobs, and burgers made with a blend of beef and chorizo are among the offerings at this tequila-centric restaurant and bar. 2924 Walnut Grove. 433-9345. L, D, X, $-$$
AMERIGO—Traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine includes pasta, wood-fired pizza, steaks, and cedarwood-roasted fish. 1239 Ridgeway, Park Place Mall. 761-4000. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
ANDALUSIA— Authentic Moroccan cuisine, including tagines, brochettes, and briouates. 5101 Sanderlin Ave., Suite 103. 236-7784. L, D, $-$$
ANDREW MICHAEL ITALIAN KITCHEN—Traditional Italian cuisine with a menu from two of the city’s top chefs that changes seasonally with such entrees as Maw Maw’s ravioli. Closed Sun.-Mon. 712 W. Brookhaven Circle. 347-3569. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$
ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFE—Offering several varieties of eggs Benedict, waffles, omelets, pancakes, beignets, and other breakfast fare; also burgers, sandwiches, and salads. 6063 Park Ave. 729-7020; 65 S. Highland. 623-7122. B, L, WB, X, $
ANTIGUA MEXICAN BAR & GRILL—Tortas, tacos, and other authentic Mexican cuisine alongside freshly-made salsa, guacamole, and white queso dip. 717 N. White Station Rd. 761-1374. L, D, $-$$
BANGKOK ALLEY—Thai fusion cuisine includes noodle and curry dishes, chef-specialty sushi rolls, coconut soup, and duck and seafood entrees. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. at Brookhaven location; call for hours. 715 W. Brookhaven Circle. 590-2585; 2150 W. Poplar at Houston Levee (Collierville). 854-8748. L, D, X, $-$$
BENIHANA—This Japanese steakhouse serves beef, chicken, and seafood grilled at the table; some menu items change monthly; sushi bar also featured. 912 Ridge Lake Blvd. 767-8980. L, D, X, $$-$$$
BIG BAD BREAKFAST—Fresh biscuits, house-made cured meats, jams, jellies, and more for the most important meal of the day. 6450 Poplar. 881-3346. B, L, X, $-$$
BROOKLYN BRIDGE ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Specializing in such homemade entrees as spinach lasagna and lobster ravioli; a seafood specialty is horseradish-crusted salmon. Closed Sun. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 755-7413. D, X, $-$$$
BRYANT’S BREAKFAST—Three-egg omelets, pancakes, and The Sampler Platter are among the popular entrees here. Possibly the best biscuits in town. Closed Mon. and Tues. 3965 Summer. 324-7494. B, L, X, $
BUCKLEY’S FINE FILET GRILL—Specializes in steaks, seafood, and pasta. (Lunchbox serves entree salads, burgers, and more.) 5355 Poplar. 683-4538; 919 S. Yates (Buckley’s Lunchbox), 682-0570. L (Yates only, M-F), D, X, $-$$
CAPITAL GRILLE—Known for its dry-aged, hand-carved steaks; among the specialties are bone-in sirloin, and porcini-rubbed Delmonico; also seafood entrees and seasonal lunch plates. Closed for lunch Sat.Sun. Crescent Center, 6065 Poplar. 683-9291. L, D, X, $$$-$$$$
CASABLANCA—Lamb shawarma is one of the fresh, homemade specialties served at this Mediterranean/Moroccan restaurant; fish entrees and vegetarian options also available. 5030 Poplar. 725-8557 ; 7609 Poplar Pike (Germantown). 425-5908; 1707 Madison. 421-6949. L, D, X, $-$$
CIAO BELLA—Among the Italian and Greek specialties are lasagna, seafood pasta, gourmet pizzas, and vegetarian options. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 565 Erin Dr., Erin Way Shopping Center. 205-2500. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$
CITY SILO TABLE + PANTRY—With a focus on clean eating, this establishment offers fresh juices, as well as comfort foods re-imagined with wholesome ingredients. 5101 Sanderlin. 729-7687. Germantown: 7605 W. Farmington Blvd., Suite 2. 236-7223. B, L, D, X, $
COASTAL FISH COMPANY—Upscale offerings of international fish varieties utilizing styles ranging from Carribbean, East Coast, West Coast, Chinese, to Filipino, and more. 415 Great View Dr. E., Suite 101. 266-9000. D, X, $$-$$$
CORKY’S—Popular barbecue emporium offers both wet and dry ribs, plus a full menu of other barbecue entrees. Wed. lunch buffets, Cordova and Collierville. 5259 Poplar. 685-9744; 1740 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 737-1911; 743 W. Poplar (Collierville). 405-4999; 6434 Goodman Rd., Olive Branch. 662-893-3663. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
DAN MCGUINNESS PUB—Serves fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, burgers, and other Irish and American fare; also lunch and dinner
specials. 4694 Spottswood. 761-3711; 3964 Goodman Rd. 662-8907611. L, D, X, $
DORY—Chef David Krog whips up Southern specialties with classic French techniques and locally sourced ingredients. Current specialties include pork tenderloin, beef bourguignon, or cocoa-dusted chocolate truffles, with new weekly additions. 716 W. Brookhaven Circle. 310-4290. L, D, X, $$-$$$
ERLING JENSEN—For decades, has presented “globally inspired” cuisine to die for. Specialties are rack of lamb, big game entrees, and fresh fish dishes. 1044 S. Yates. 763-3700. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$
ERLING JENSEN SMALL BITES—Enjoy Erling Jensen’s specialty dishes in a sharable, small plate format alongside TopGolf Swing suites. 5069 Sanderlin Ave. 587-9464. L, D, X, $-$$$
FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE—Serves wet-aged and dry-aged steaks, prime beef, chops, and seafood, including salmon, Australian lobster tails, and a catch of the day. 6245 Poplar. 761-6200. D, X, MRA, $$$-$$$$
FOLK’S FOLLY ORIGINAL PRIME STEAK HOUSE Specializes in prime steaks, as well as lobster, grilled Scottish salmon, Alaskan king crab legs, rack of lamb, and weekly specials. 551 S. Mendenhall. 762-8200. D, X, MRA, $$$-$$$$
FORMOSA—Offers Mandarin cuisine, including broccoli beef, hot-andsour soup, and spring rolls. Closed Mon. 6685 Quince. 753-9898. L, D, X, $-$$
FOX RIDGE PIZZA & GRILL—Pizzas, calzones, sub sandwiches, burgers, and meat-and-two plate lunches are among the dishes served at this eatery, which opened in 1979. 711 W. Brookhaven Circle. 758-6500. L, D, X, $
FRATELLI’S—Serves hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts, all with an Italian/Mediterranean flair. Closed Sun. 750 Cherry Rd., Memphis Botanic Garden. 766-9900. L, X, $
FRANK GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Northern Italian favorites include pasta with jumbo shrimp and mushrooms; also seafood, filet mignon, and daily lunch specials. Closed for lunch Sun. Embassy Suites Hotel, 1022 S. Shady Grove. 761-9462. L, D, X, $-$$$
HALF SHELL—Specializes in seafood, such as king crab legs; also serves steaks, chicken, pastas, salads, sandwiches, a ”voodoo menu”; oyster bar at Winchester location. 688 S. Mendenhall. 682-3966; 7825 Winchester. 737-6755. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$
HEN HOUSE—Hybrid wine/cocktail bar and tasting room with plenty of cosmopolitan eats. Closed Sun. 679 S. Mendenhall. 499-5436. D, $-$$$
HIGH POINT PIZZA—Serves a variety of pizzas, subs, salads, and sides. Closed Mon. A neighborhood fixture. 477 High Point Terrace. 452-3339. L, D, X, $-$$
HOG & HOMINY—The casual sister to Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen serves brick-oven-baked pizzas, including the Red-Eye with pork belly, and small plates with everything from meatballs to beef and cheddar hot dogs; and local veggies. And with a few surprises this time around. Closed for lunch Mon. 707 W. Brookhaven Cir. 207-7396. L, D, SB, X, MRA. $-$$$
HOUSTON’S—Serves steaks, seafood, pork chops, chicken dishes, sandwiches, salads, and Chicago-style spinach dip. Famous for first-class service. 5000 Poplar. 683-0915. L, D, X $-$$$
LA BAGUETTE—An almond croissant and chicken salad are among specialties at this French-style bistro. Closed for dinner Sun. 3088 Poplar. 458-0900. B, L, D (closes at 7), X, MRA, $
LAS DELICIAS—Popular for its guacamole, house-made tortilla chips, and margaritas, this restaurant draws diners with its chicken enchiladas, meat-stuffed flautas, and Cuban torta with spicy pork. Closed Sun. 4002 Park Ave. 458-9264; 5689 Quince. 800-2873. L, D, X, $
LIBRO AT LAURELWOOD—Bookstore eatery features a variety of sandwiches, salads, and homemade pasta dishes, with Italian-inspired options such as carbonara and potato gnocchi. Closed for dinner Sun. 387 Perkins Ext. (Novel). 800-2656. B, L, D, SB, X, $-$$
LOST PIZZA—Offering pizzas (with dough made from scratch), pasta, salads, sandwiches, tamales, and more. 2855 Poplar. 572-1803; 5960 Getwell (Southaven). 662-892-8684. L, D, X, $-$$
MAGNOLIA & MAY—The family behind Grove Grill cooks up Southern-inspired casual dining at this country brasserie, with popular menu items like peach gazpacho, low country shrimp n’ grits, and plenty of weekend brunch options. Closed Mon. 718 Mt. Moriah Rd. 676-8100. L, D, SB, MRA. $$-$$$.
MAHOGANY MEMPHIS—Upscale Southern restaurant offers such dishes as coffee-rubbed lamb chops and baked Cajun Cornish hen. Closed for dinner Sun. and all day Mon.-Tues. 3092 Poplar, Suite 11. 623-7977. L, D, SB, X, $-$$$
MARCIANO MEDITERRANEAN AND ITALIAN CUISINE—Veal Saltimbocca with angel-hair pasta and white wine sauce is among the entrees; also steaks, seafood, and gourmet pizza. 780 E. Brookhaven Cir. 682-1660. D, X, $-$$
MAYURI INDIAN CUISINE—Serves tandoori chicken, masala dosa, tikka masala, as well as lamb and shrimp entrees; also a daily lunch buffet, and dinner buffet on Fri.-Sat. 6524 Quince Rd. 753-8755. L, D, X, $-$$
MELLOW MUSHROOM—Large menu includes assortment of pizzas, salads, calzones, hoagies, vegetarian options, and 50 beers on tap. 5138 Park Ave. 562-1211; 9155 Poplar, Shops of Forest Hill (Germantown). 907-0243. L, D, X, $-$$
MOSA ASIAN BISTRO—Specialties include sesame chicken, Thai calamari, rainbow panang curry with grouper fish, and other Pan Asian/ fusion entrees. Closed Mon. 850 S. White Station Rd. 683-8889. L, D, X, MRA, $
NAM KING—Offers luncheon and dinner buffets, dim sum, and such specialties as fried dumplings, pepper steak, and orange chicken. 4594 Yale. 373-4411. L, D, X, $
NAPA CAFE—Among the specialties are miso-marinated salmon over black rice with garlic spinach and shiitake mushrooms. Closed Sun. 5101 Sanderlin, Suite 122. 683-0441. L, D, X, MRA, $$-$$$
NEW HUNAN—Chinese eatery with more than 80 entrees; also lunch/ dinner buffets. 5052 Park. 766-1622. L, D, X, $
ONE & ONLY BBQ—On the menu are pork barbecue sandwiches, platters, wet and dry ribs, smoked chicken and turkey platters, a smoked meat salad, barbecue quesadillas, Brunswick Stew, and Millie’s homemade desserts. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 751-3615; 567 Perkins Extd. 249-4227. L, D, X, $
ONO POKÉ—This eatery specializes in poké — a Hawaiian dish of fresh fish salad served over rice. Menu includes a variety of poké bowls, like the Kimchi Tuna bowl, or customers can build their own by choosing a base, protein, veggies, and toppings. 3145 Poplar. 618-2955. L, D, X , $
OWEN BRENNAN’S—New Orleans-style menu of beef, chicken, pasta, and seafood; jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and crawfish etouffee are specialties. Closed for dinner Sun. The Regalia, 6150 Poplar. 761-0990. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
PARK + CHERRY—The Dixon offers casual dining within the museum. Seasonal menu features sandwiches, like rustic chicken salad on croissant, as well as salads, snacks, and sweets. Closed for breakfast Sun. and all day Mon. 4339 Park (Dixon Gallery and Gardens). 761-5250. L, X, $
PATRICK’S—Serves barbecue nachos, burgers, and entrees such as fish and chips; also plate lunches and daily specials. 4972 Park. 682-2852. L, D, X, MRA, $
PETE & SAM’S—Serving Memphis for 60-plus years; offers steaks, seafood, and traditional Italian dishes, including homemade ravioli, lasagna, and chicken marsala. 3886 Park. 458-0694. D, X, $-$$$
PF CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO—Specialties are orange peel shrimp, Mongolian beef, and chicken in lettuce wraps; also vegetarian dishes, including spicy eggplant. 1181 Ridgeway Rd., Park Place Centre. 8183889. L, D, X, $-$$
PHO SAIGON—Vietnamese fare includes beef teriyaki, roasted quail, curry ginger chicken, vegetarian options, and a variety of soups. 2946 Poplar. 458-1644. L, D, $
PIMENTO’S KITCHEN + MARKET—Fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, and plenty of pimento cheese at this family-owned restaurant. 6540 Poplar Ave. 602-5488 (Collierville: 3751 S. Houston Levee. 453-6283). L, D, X, $
PYRO’S FIRE-FRESH PIZZA—Serving gourmet pizzas cooked in an open-fire oven, wide choice of toppings, and large local and craft beer selection. 1199 Ridgeway. 379-8294; 2035 Union Ave. 208-8857; 2286 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 207-1198; 3592 S. Houston Levee (Collierville). 221-8109. L, D, X, MRA, $
RED HOOK CAJUN SEAFOOD & BAR—Cajun-style array of seafood including shrimp, mussels, clams, crawfish, and oysters. 3295 Poplar. 207-1960. L, D, X, $-$$
RED KOI—Classic Japanese cuisine offered at this family-run restaurant; hibachi steaks, sushi, seafood, chicken, and vegetables. 5847 Poplar. 767-3456. L, D, X $-$$
RED PIER CAJUN SEAFOOD & BAR—Owners of Red Hook bring more cajun-style seafood dishes. 5901 Poplar Ave. 5125923. L, D, X, $-$$$
RESTAURANT IRIS—French Creole-inspired classics, such as Gulf shrimp and rice grits congee served with lap chong sausage and boiled peanuts, are served at this newly remodeled restaurant owned by Chef Kelly English, a Food and Wine “Top Ten.” 4550 Poplar. 5902828. L, D, X, $$-$$$
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RIVER OAKS—Chef Jose Gutierrez’s French-style bistro serves seafood and steaks, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 5871 Poplar Ave. 683-9305. L, D, X, $$$
RONNIE GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT— This Memphis institution serves some family classics such as Elfo’s Special and handmade ravioli, along with house-made pizza and fresh oysters. Closed Sun. 6150 Poplar, Suite 122. 850-0191. D, X, $-$$$
ROTOLO’S CRAFT & CRUST—Louisiana-based pizza company’s first Memphis location, whipping up pizza pies with homemade sauces and fresh ingredients, pasta, wings, and other shareables. 681 S. White Station. 454-3352. L, D, X, $-$$
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE—Offers prime steaks cut and aged in-house, as well as lamb, chicken, and fresh seafood, including lobster. 6120 Poplar. 761-0055. D, X, $$$-$$$$
SALSA—Mexican-Southern California specialties include carnitas, enchiladas verde, and fajitas; also Southwestern seafood dishes such as snapper verde. Closed Sun. Regalia Shopping Center, 6150 Poplar, Suite 129. 683-6325. L, D, X, $-$$
SAUCY CHICKEN—Specializes in antibiotic-free chicken dishes with locally sourced ingredients, with such items as hot wings and the Crosstown Chicken Sandwich, and a variety of house-made dipping sauces; also, seafood, salads, and daily specials. Closed Sun. 4715 Poplar. 907-0741. L, D, $
SEASONS 52—This elegant fresh grill and wine bar offers a seasonally changing menu using fresh ingredients, wood-fire grilling, and brick-oven cooking; also a large international wine list and nightly piano bar. Crescent Center, 6085 Poplar. 682-9952. L, D, X, $$-$$$
SOBEAST—Eastern branch of the popular South of Beale, featuring the restaurant’s traditional staples, as well as rotating special menu items. 5040 Sanderlin. 818-0821. L, D, SB, X, $-$$.
STAKS—Offering pancakes, including birthday cake and lemon ricotta. Menu includes other breakfast items such as beignets and French toast, as well as soups and sandwiches for lunch. 4615 Poplar. 509-2367; 7704 Poplar (Germantown). 800-1951; 2902 May Blvd. (Southaven). B, L, WB, X, $
SWANKY’S TACO SHOP—Taco-centric eatery offers tortas, flatbreads, quesadillas, chimichangas, burgers, and more. 4770 Poplar. 730-0763; 6641 Poplar (Germantown). 737-2088; 272 S. Main. 7793499. L, D, X, $
THREE LITTLE PIGS—Pork-shoulder-style barbecue with tangy mild or hot sauce, freshly made coleslaw, and baked beans. 5145 Quince Rd. 685-7094. B, L, D, X, $
TOPS BAR-B-Q—Specializes in pork barbecue sandwiches and sandwich plates with beans and slaw; also serves ribs, beef brisket, and burgers. 1286 Union. 725-7527; 4183 Summer. 324-4325; 5391 Winchester. 794-7936; 3970 Rhodes. 323-9865; 6130 Macon. 3710580. For more locations, go online. L, D, X, $
TORCHY’S TACOS—Plenty of Tex-Mex variety, with creative monthly special tacos. 719 S. Mendenhall. 343-8880. B, L, D, X, $
VENICE KITCHEN—Specializes in “eclectic Italian” and Southern Creole, from pastas, including the “Godfather,” to hand-tossed pizzas, including the “John Wayne”; choose from 50 toppings. 368 Perkins Ext. 767-6872. L, D, SB, X, $-$$
WANG’S MANDARIN HOUSE—Offers Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechuan, and spicy Hunan entrees, including the golden-sesame chicken; next door is East Tapas, serving small plates with an Asian twist. 6065 Park Ave., Park Place Mall. 763-0676. L, D, X, $-$$
WASABI—Serving traditional Japanese offerings, hibachi, sashimi, and sushi. The Sweet Heart roll, wrapped — in the shape of a heart — with tuna and filled with spicy salmon, yellowtail, and avocado, is a specialty. 5101 Sanderlin Rd., Suite 105. 421-6399. L, D, X, $-$$
WOMAN’S EXCHANGE TEA ROOM—Chicken-salad plate, beef tenderloin, soups-and-sandwiches, and vegetable plates are specialties; meal includes drink and dessert. Closed Sat.-Sun. 88 Racine. 327-5681. L, X, $
ZAYDE’S AT THE J—Kosher options at the Memphis Jewish Community Center cafe include traditional New York-style dishes and Israeli fusion. 6560 Poplar Ave. 208-3495. L, D, X, $-$$
BOMBAY HOUSE—Indian fare includes lamb korma and chicken tikka; also, a daily luncheon buffet. 1727 N. Germantown Pkwy. 755-4114. L, D, X, $-$$
THE BUTCHER SHOP—Serves steaks ranging from 8-oz. filets to a 20-oz. porterhouse; also chicken, pork chops, fresh seafood. 107 S. Germantown Rd. 757-4244. L (Fri. and Sun.), D, X, $$-$$$
GREEN BAMBOO—Pineapple tilapia, pork vermicelli, and the soft egg noodle combo are Vietnamese specialties here. 990 N. Germantown Parkway, Suite 104. 753-5488. L, D, $-$$
JIM ’N NICK’S BAR-B-Q—Serves barbecued pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, and fish, along with other homemade Southern specialties. 2359 N. Germantown Pkwy. 388-0998. L, D, X, $-$$
EL MERO TACO—This food truck turned restaurant serves up Mexican and Southern-style fusion dishes, including fried chicken tacos, chorizo con papas tacos, and brisket quesadillas. 8100 Macon Station, Suite 102. 308-1661. Closed Sun.-Mon. L, D, WB, X, $
POKÉ WORLD—Serves up Hawaiian poké bowls filled with rice and diced, raw fish. Also offers Taiwanese bubble tea and rolled ice cream for dessert. 1605 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 111. 623-7986. East Memphis: 575 Erin Dr. 779-4971. L, D, $
SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT—Entrees include tempura, teriyaki, and sushi, as well as grilled fish and chicken entrees. 2324 N. Germantown Pkwy. 384-4122. L, D, X, $-$$
TANNOOR GRILL—Brazilian-style steakhouse with skewers served tableside, along with Middle Eastern specialties; vegetarian options also available. 830 N. Germantown Pkwy. 443-5222. L, D, X, $-$$$
BLUE HONEY BISTRO—Entrees at this upscale eatery include brown butter scallops served with Mississippi blue rice and herbcrusted beef tenderloin with vegetables and truffle butter. Closed Sun. 9155 Poplar, Suite 17. 552-3041. D, X, $-$$$
FOREST HILL GRILL—A variety of standard pub fare and a selection of mac-and-cheese dishes are featured on the menu. Specialties include Chicken Newport and a barbecue salmon BLT. 9102 Poplar Pike. 6246001. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$
GERMANTOWN COMMISSARY—Serves barbecue sandwiches, sliders, ribs, shrimp, and nachos, as well as smoked barbecued bologna sandwiches; Mon.-night all-you-can-eat ribs. 2290 S. Germantown Rd. S. 754-5540. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
LAS TORTUGAS DELI MEXICANA—Authentic Mexican food prepared from local food sources; specializes in tortugas — grilled bread scooped out to hold such powerfully popular fillings as brisket, pork, and shrimp; also tingas, tostados. Closed Sun. 1215 S. Germantown Rd. 751-1200; 6300 Poplar. 623-3882. L, D, X, $-$$
LIMELIGHT—Wolf River Hospitality Group brings Wagyu beef, swordfish steaks, and plenty of other fine dining and colorful cocktails to Germantown. Closed Mon./Tue. 7724 Poplar Pike. 791-2328. D, X, $-$$$
MOONDANCE GRILL—From the owners of Itta Bena and Lafayette’s. Serves steak cooked sous vide and seafood dishes including Abita-barbecued shrimp and pan-seared sand dab, in addition to an extensive wine and cocktail list. 1730 S. Germantown Road, Suite 117. 755-1471. L, D, X, $$-$$$
NOODLES ASIAN BISTRO—Serves a variety of traditional Asian cuisine, with emphasis on noodle dishes, such as Singapore Street Noodles and Hong Kong Chow Fun. 7850 Poplar, Suite 12. 755-1117. L, D, X, $
PETRA CAFÉ—Serves Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern sandwiches, gyros, and entrees. Hours vary; call. 6641 Poplar. 754-4440; 547 S. Highland. 323-3050. L, D, X, $-$$
ROCK’N DOUGH PIZZA CO.—Specialty and custom pizzas made from fresh ingredients; wide variety of toppings. 7850 Poplar, Suite 6. 779-2008. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $$
ROYAL PANDA—Hunan fish, Peking duck, Royal Panda chicken and shrimp, and a seafood combo are among the specialties. 3120 Village Shops Dr. 756-9697. L, D, X, $-$$
SAKURA—Sushi, tempura, and teriyaki are Japanese specialties here. 2060 West St. 758-8181; 4840 Poplar. 572-1002; 255 New Byhalia Rd. 316-5638. L, D, X, $-$$
SOUTHERN SOCIAL—Shrimp and grits, stuffed quail, and Aunt Thelma’s Fried Chicken are among the dishes served at this upscale Southern establishment. 2285 S. Germantown Rd. 754-5555. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$
TAZIKI’S—Mediterranean-inspired dishes all made from scratch. 7850 Poplar Ave., Suite 26. 612-2713. East Memphis: 540 S. Mendenhall Rd. 290-1091. Bartlett: 7974 US-64. 203-0083. L, D, $
THE TOASTED YOLK CAFE—Churro donuts, signature Eggs Benedict, and plenty other boozy brunch options at this franchise’s first Tennessee location. 9087 Poplar Ave., Ste. 11. B, L, X, $-$$
UNCLE GOYO’S—More than 30 dishes with a focus on authentic Mexican cuisine, from the brains behind TacoNganas. 1730 S. Germantown Rd. L, D, X, $-$$
WEST STREET DINER—This home-style eatery offers breakfast, burgers, po’boys, and more. 2076 West St. 757-2191. B, L, D (Mon.-Fri.), X, $
ZEN JAPANESE FINE CUISINE—A full sushi bar and plenty of authentic Japanese dishes, like Hibachi or Wagyu beef. 1730 S. Germantown Rd. 779-2796. L, D, X, X, $-$$$
CAFE EUROPE—From Italian chef Michele D’oto, the French, Spanish, and Italian fusion cuisine includes a variety of dishes like Rosette al Forno, fish ceviche, and sole meuniere. Closed Sun. 4610 Merchants Park Circle, Suite 571. 286-4199. L, D, X, $$-$$$$
CAFE PIAZZA BY PAT LUCCHESI—Specializes in gourmet pizzas (including create-your-own), panini sandwiches, and pasta. Closed Sun. 139 S. Rowlett St. 861-1999. L, D, X, $-$$
CIAO BABY—Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza made in a woodfired oven. Also serves house-made mozzarella, pasta, appetizers, and salads. 890 W. Poplar, Suite 1. 457-7457. L, D, X, $
COLLIERVILLE COMMISSARY—Serves barbecue sandwiches, sliders, ribs, shrimp, and nachos, as well as smoked barbecued bologna sandwiches. 3573 S. Houston Levee Rd. 979-5540. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$
COLLIERVILLE PIZZA COMPANY—Family-friendly and locally owned pizza company featuring live music and other events. 144 US 72. L, D, X, $-$$
DAVID GRISANTI’S—Serving Northern Italian cuisine and traditional family recipes, like the Elfo Special, shrimp sauteed in garlic and butter, tossed with white button mushrooms and white pepper, and served over vermicelli with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Closed Sun. 684 W. Poplar (Sheffield Antiques Mall). 861-1777. L, D (Thurs.-Sat.), X, $-$$$
EL MEZCAL—Serves burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, and other Mexican cuisine, as well as shrimp dinners and steak. 9947 Wolf River, 853-7922; 402 Perkins Extd. 761-7710; 694 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 755-1447; 1492 Union. 274-4264; 11615 Airline Rd. (Arlington). 867-1883; 9045 Highway 64 (Lakeland). 383-4219; 7164 Hacks Cross Rd. (Olive Branch). 662-890-3337; 8834 Hwy. 51 N. (Millington). 872-3220; 7424 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 417-6026. L, D, X, $
EMERALD THAI RESTAURANT—Spicy shrimp, pad khing, lemongrass chicken, and several noodle, rice, and vegetarian dishes are offered at this family restaurant. Closed Sunday. 8950 Highway 64 (Lakeland, TN). 384-0540. L, D, X, $-$$
FIREBIRDS—Specialties are hand-cut steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, and wood-grilled salmon and other seafood, as well as seasonal entrees. 4600 Merchants Circle, Carriage Crossing. 850-1637; 8470 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 379-1300. L, D, X, $-$$$
JIM’S PLACE GRILLE—Features American, Greek, and Continental cuisine. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 3660 Houston Levee. 861-5000. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$
MULAN ASIAN BISTRO—Hunan Chicken, tofu dishes, and orange beef served here; sushi and Thai food, too. 2059 Houston Levee. 850-5288; 2149 Young. 347-3965; 4698 Spottswood. 609-8680. L, D, X, $-$$
OSAKA JAPANESE CUISINE—Featuring an extensive sushi menu as well as traditional Japanese and hibachi dining. Hours vary for lunch; call. 3670 Houston Levee. 861-4309; 3402 Poplar. 249-4690; 7164 Hacks Cross (Olive Branch). 662-890-9312; 2200 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 425-4901. L, D, X, $-$$$
RAVEN & LILY—Eatery offers innovative Southern-inspired cuisine with such dishes as crispy shrimp and cauliflower salad, spiced lamb sausage and parmesan risotto, and bananas foster pain perdu. Closed Mon. 120 E. Mulberry. 286-4575. L, D, SB, X, $-$$
STIX—Hibachi steakhouse with Asian cuisine features steak, chicken, and a fillet and lobster combination, also sushi. A specialty is Dynamite Chicken with fried rice. 4680 Merchants Park Circle, Avenue Carriage Crossing. 854-3399. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 115 (Downtown). 207-7638 L, D, X, $-$$
WOLF RIVER BRISKET CO.—From the owners of Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza, highlights include house-smoked meats: prime beef brisket, chicken, and salmon. Closed Sun. 9947 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 101. 316-5590; 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 165. 791-4389 L, D, X, $-$$
ZOPITA’S ON THE SQUARE—Cafe offers sandwiches, including smoked salmon and pork tenderloin, as well as salads and desserts. Closed Sun. 114 N. Main. 457-7526. L, D, X, $
BOZO’S HOT PIT BAR-B-Q—Barbecue, burgers, sandwiches, and subs. 342 Highway 70 (Mason, TN). 901-294-3400. L, D, X, $-$$
CATFISH BLUES—Serving Delta-raised catfish and Cajun- and Southern-inspired dishes, including gumbo and fried green tomatoes. 210 E. Commerce (Hernando, MS). 662-298-3814. L, D, $
CITY GROCERY—Southern eclectic cuisine; shrimp and grits is a specialty. Closed for dinner Sun. 152 Courthouse Square (Oxford, MS). 662-232-8080. L, D, SB, X, $$-$$$
COMO STEAKHOUSE—Steaks cooked on a hickory charcoal grill are a specialty here. Upstairs is an oyster bar. Closed Sun. 203 Main St. (Como, MS). 662-526-9529. D, X, $-$$$
ELFO GRISANTI’S NORTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE—Grisanti family classics like lasagna, homemade ravioli, garlic bread, and Northern Italian pizza. Closed Sun. 5627 Getwell Rd. (Southaven, MS). 662-4704497. L, D, X, $-$$
LONG ROAD CIDER CO.—Specializes in hard apple ciders made with traditional methods. Cafe-style entrees include black-eyed peas with cornbread and greens, chicken Gorgonzola pockets, cider-steamed sausage, and housemade ice creams. Closed Sun.-Wed. 9053 Barret Road. (Barretville, TN). 352-0962. D, X, $
MANILA FILIPINO RESTAURANT—Entrees include pork belly cutlet with lechon sauce, and shrimp and vegetables in tamarind broth; also daily combos, rice dishes, and chef specials. Closed Sun.-Mon. 7849 Rockford (Millington, TN). 209-8525. L, D, X, $
CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE AT THE GOLDSTRIKE—1010 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-24KSTAY /662-357-1225
FAIRBANKS AT THE HOLLYWOOD—1150 Casino Strip Blvd., Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-871-0711
IGNITE STEAKHOUSE AT SOUTHLAND CASINO RACING—1550 N. Ingram Blvd., West Memphis, AR, 1-800-467-6182
JACK BINION’S STEAK HOUSE AT HORSESHOE—1021 Casino Center Drive, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-303-SHOE
LUCKY 8 ASIAN BISTRO AT HORSESHOE—1021 Casino Center Drive, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-303-SHOE
SOUTHLAND CASINO HOTEL'S THE KITCHENS—1550 N. Ingram Blvd., West Memphis, AR, 1-800-467-6182
THE STEAKHOUSE AT THE FITZ—711 Lucky Ln., Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-766-LUCK, ext 8213
TWAIN’S STEAKHOUSE AT SAM’S TOWN TUNICA—1477 Casino Strip Resorts Boulevard, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-456-0711
MARSHALL STEAKHOUSE—Rustic steakhouse serves premium Angus beef steaks, seafood dishes, rack of lamb, and more. 2379 Highway 178 (Holly Springs, MS). 628-3556. B, L, D, X, $-$$$
MEMPHIS BARBECUE COMPANY—Offers spare ribs, baby backs, and pulled pork and brisket. 709 Desoto Cove (Horn Lake, MS). 662536-3762. L, D, X, $-$$
NAGOYA—Offers traditional Japanese cuisine and sushi bar; specialties are teriyaki and tempura dishes. 7075 Malco Blvd., Suite 101 (Southaven, MS). 662-349-8788. L, D, X, $-$$$
PIG-N-WHISTLE—Offers pork shoulder sandwiches, wet and dry ribs, catfish, nachos, and stuffed barbecue potatoes. 6084 Kerr-Rosemark Rd. (Millington, TN). 872-2455. L, D, X, $
RAVINE—Serves contemporary Southern cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, locally grown foods and a menu that changes weekly. Closed Mon.-Tues. 53 Pea Ridge/County Rd. 321 (Oxford, MS). 662-234-4555. D, SB, X, $$-$$$
SAINT LEO’S—Offering sophisticated pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and salads. A James Beard nominee for Best New Restaurant in 2017. 1101 Jackson (Oxford, MS). 662-234-4555. D, L, WB, X, $-$$
SNACKBAR—An intriguing mix of “French Bistro with North Mississippi Cafe.” Serving a confit duck Croque Monsieur, watermelon-cucumber chaat, pan-fried quail, plus a daily plate special and a raw bar. 721 N. Lamar (Oxford, MS). 662-236-6363. D, X, $-$$$
TEKILA MODERN MEXICAN—Modern interpretations of classic dishes from all over Mexico. 6343 Getwell Rd. (Southaven, MS). 662-510-5734. B, L, D, X, $-$$
WILSON CAFE— An impressive culinary destination in the heart of the Arkansas Delta. Serving jambalaya, Waygu flatiron, butternut ravioli, swordfish & shrimp kabobs, burgers. 2 N. Jefferson (Wilson, AR). 870-655-0222. L, D, WB, $-$$$
Larry Kuzniewski has been adding 1,000 words to my columns for more than 20 years. In my side gig as a sportswriter for the Memphis Flyer, I’ve covered hundreds of Memphis Tiger football and basketball games … almost all of them with Larry and his camera nearby. We writers try to be vivid — even when the subject is merely athletes and ballgames — but the best photographers live in a vivid realm, as Larry has here in Memphis for almost half a century.
Among the most prolific photographers in the 47-year history of this magazine (we may not need the “among” qualifier), Larry is retiring and heading south to Florida, family, and new adventures waiting in the Sunshine State. Just like writers, though, photographers never truly retire. eir work simply becomes “work,” hopefully with no boundaries to what and whom they choose to capture at the right moment. is will be Larry Kuzniewski in 2023 and beyond.
To call Larry prolific in our early days would be to cheat the word prolific. He shot the cover for our fourth issue (in July
1976) and he was barely warming up. From 1982 through 1984, 28 out of 36 issues of Memphis magazine featured a cover that was shaped and shot by Larry Kuzniewski. From the silly (a faux Mark Twain) to the sunny (we actually had a swimsuit issue in the mid-Eighties), Larry made the most important page of our publication splash, as they say. Better than just a single, captivating shot, Larry’s images made you want to open the magazine, to see what’s next, what’s more. at, friends, is photojournalism.
Larry is a master of fashion photography, and his skill ranges from Gulf Coast beach-
es to the mountains of Colorado. Models of myriad ages, shapes, and sizes launched (or expanded) their portfolio with Larry’s eye finding the right angle, the proper light, the required mood to make a photo beautiful. He’s contracted for work with corporate catalogs, chambers of commerce, and retail businesses. He’s covered a spectrum of subject matter that ranges from AIDS to murder — heavy stuff. But always in gentle hands.
Even with the volume and variety of assignments Larry pursued, he never — not once — told me he was too busy for a Tiger game. ere were times when he had a conflict and couldn’t be in two places, but he always took my call and circled dates on the calendar. at’s a devotion that comes from something deeper than the business of journalism. It’s friendship, and it’s what we at the magazine appreciate most about Larry.
For the better part of two decades, Larry lived in a home/ studio downstairs from Contemporary Media’s offices on Tennessee Street. My colleague, Michael Finger, describes Larry as “our Kramer” (of Seinfeld fame), the neighbor you get to see without the formality of an invitation, in one form of operational mode (and attire) or another. Making magazines (and weekly newspapers) is cluttered work at times, days and nights bleeding into one another as a deadline is reached and the next one looms. Within that culture, Larry Kuzniewski was a happy constant for Contemporary Media. No matter the stress level
… Larry lowered it. Better yet, he often made us laugh when laughing was hard.
About my own friendship with Larry. He shot the photo for my wedding announcement (we did such things in December 1993), and then a family portrait (with my wife and two daughters) on the occasion of our twentieth anniversary in 2014. He brought a professional touch to high school graduation photos for each of my daughters. I look at these priceless images almost every day, from their frames reminding me that they were shot not just with a photographer’s trained eye, but with Larry Kuzniewski’s heart.
And then there’s the paintball picture, one with Larry actually in the image with me and not behind the camera. Another colleague took it in 1996, surely with a bruise (or dozen) from a “team-building” exercise in east Shelby County. Never will you see a pair of softies look more tough, more ready to attack, more ready to defend the honor of …something or other.
Larry made the most important page of our publication splash, as they say. Better than just a single, captivating shot, Larry’s images made you want to open the magazine, to see what’s next, what’s more. That, friends, is photojournalism.
I’ve come to love this image so much. It was taken before we all carried cameras in our pockets, so there was chance involved. It’s a pair of friends, arm in arm (with almost-harmless “weapons”).
Larry Kuzniewski and I have been arm-in-arm for more than a quarter century. Larry’s been arm-in-arm with Memphis magazine much longer than that. We’re going to miss having him in the neighborhood (to say nothing of downstairs). But we look forward to what his camera catches next. Because we know it will move us.
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