Memphis magazine, June 2016 by Contemporary Media

Memphis • THE CITY MAGAZINE • W W W.MEMPHISMAGAZINE.COM

THE CULTURE ISSUE !1

FORT Y THINGS THAT MAKE US WHO WE ARE

THE CITY MAGAZINE

VOL XLI NO 3 | JUNE 2016

USA $4.99

0 6

—1 6

DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 10, 2016

MM06_2016_Cover_v05C_Elvis.indd 1

5/19/16 9:58 AM

T:9” S:8”

The BMW 3 Series

roadshowbmw.com 901-365-2584

T:10.875” S:9.875”

START WITH PERFORMANCE. THE REST WILL FOLLOW. THE BMW 3 SERIES.

Driving isn’t about commuting or carpooling. It’s about performance. It’s about enhanced steering and suspension systems providing an even greater command of the road. It’s about the joy of near-perfect weight distribution, and the intelligence of Adaptive LED headlights that hug corners right before you do. When performance is given the highest consideration, the rest just falls into place. And – in the case of the 3 Series – the rest of the automotive world follows.

Special lease and ﬁnance offers will be available through BMW Financial Services.

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/18/16 1:11 PM

Kids donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take a day off. Neither do we. The Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital is dedicated to caring for children from birth through their teens. From diagnostics and pediatric surgeries to our pediatric inpatient unit, our physicians and specialists help ensure the best possible care for your child. With a pediatric ER staffed 24/7 by pediatric specialists and easy parking for all services, Baptist makes exceptional care accessible when you need it most. Get better with Baptist.

6225 Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

901-227-PEDS (7337)

Get Better.

5/16/16 8:27 AM

THE EXPLORER II Built to accompany intrepid explorers, engineered for adventures to extreme frontiers. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just tell time. It tells history.

rolex

MM_DoublePageSpread_18x25_11x125.indd 2

oyster perpetual and explorer are ÂŽ trademarks.

5/16/16 8:28 AM

OYSTER PERPETUAL EXPLORER II

MM_DoublePageSpread_18x25_11x125.indd 3

5/16/16 8:28 AM

memphisflyerburgerweek.com MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/20/16 11:07 AM

T:8”

SUMMER EVENT Performance that moves you. Beauty that stops you in your tracks. Introducing the all-new C-Class Coupe. Engineered for superior sportiness and equipped with Dynamic Select — a feature that allows you to alter the driving dynamics to your exact liking — the C-Class Coupe will send you, and your heart, racing in seconds. Yet its stunning good looks will just as quickly bring you to a halt. The completely redesigned C-Class Coupe. MBUSA.com/C-Coupe

T:9.875”

The cars of a lifetime; the event of a summertime. The Mercedes-Benz Summer Event. The stars have aligned this summer, and it’s a moment you don’t want to miss. Come in now to the Mercedes-Benz Summer Event and get an exceptional offer on the exhilarating C 300 Sport Sedan, the technologically advanced GLC, or the innovative GLE — the most intelligent SUV in its class. But hurry — the cars are made to last, but the offers are not. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer today. MBUSA.com/SummerEvent

THE 2016

GLC

STARTING AT

38,950*

Mercedes-Benz of Collierville 4651 S. Houston Levee Road, Collierville, TN (901) 316-3535 www.mbcollierville.com

Mercedes-Benz of Memphis 5389 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN (901) 345-6211 www.mbofmemphis.com

2016 GLC 300 and 2016 GLE 350 shown in Iridium Silver metallic paint. 2016 C 300 Sedan shown in Cardinal Red metallic paint. Optional equipment shown. *MSRP excludes all options, taxes, title, registration, transportation charge and dealer prep. Options, model availability and actual dealer price may vary. See dealer for details. ©2016 Authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealers For more information, call 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES, or visit MBUSA.com.

HEADLINE: 24 pt. • BODY COPY: 10 pt MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

200 Varick St. New York, NY 10014 : Phone 212-805-7500

5/16/16 8:30 AM

A gathering of family and friends will always be the cornerstone of a Celebration of Life.

Memphis Funeral Home offers its new Life Remembrance Center as the perfect choice for these gatherings. Unique? Indeed. The only one of its kind in the Mid-South.

MEMPHIS FUNERAL HOME Caring For a Lifetime. Since 1931.

5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119 â&#x20AC;˘ (901) 725-0100

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/18/16 9:11 AM

T HE CI T Y M A G A Z INE—SINCE 1976

&7 VOL XLI NO 3 | JUNE 2016

Memphis Quintessentials

above: Diamond and pearl earrings in white gold, diamond necklace in white gold, estate diamond and pearl ring, all from Sissy’s Log Cabin in Laurelwood; call for prices. Navy lace peplum top and skirt from Gloria’s Bridal in Chickasaw Oaks Village; call for price.

14 in the beginning 16 fine print 18 city journal 20 out and about

GREENWOOD

Features

25 A Conversation with Peter Taylor From our February 1987 issue, the author of A Summons to Memphis. ~ interviewed by hampton sides

29 great memphis homes

The Lightman home in East Memphis offers plenty of pizazz. ~ by anne cunningham o’neill

36 40 Memphis Quintessentials

From Old Man River to Shelby Farms (and beyond), these treasures make us Memphis. ~ by eileen townsend

45 beauty guide

Aging Gracefully Healthy-aging experts weigh in on ways to keep skin looking its best. ~ by shara clark

54 fashion

Mother of the Bride

An Alluring & Artistic Abode

Memphis (ISSN 1622-820x) is published monthly for $15 per year by Contemporary Media, Inc., 460 Tennessee Street, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101 © 2016. Telephone: 901-521-9000. For subscription info, please call 901-5219000. Subscription customer service mailing address is Memphis magazine, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101. All rights reserved. • Periodicals Postage Paid at Memphis, TN. Postmasters: send address changes to Memphis, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES WESSELS

ROAD TRIP

29 Up Front

on the cover

The King of Rock-and-Roll

64 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

64 2016 fiction contest winner Grandfather’s Coat

The story of a young woman and her family as they struggle to stay alive and stay together during the Leningrad Blockade of World War II. ~ by brooke ballenger

71 travel

Down Home in the Delta Greenwood, Mississippi, charms a tourist in her hometown. ~ by shara clark

86 ask vance

The Keeping Vault Our trivia expert solves local mysteries of who, what, when, where, why, and why not. ~ by vance lauderdale

88 city dining

Tidbits: Mempops; plus the city’s most extensive dining listings.

96 last stand

Raising Memphis A dad embraces the city he sees reflected in his children. ~ by frank murtaugh JUNE 20 16 • MEMPHISMAGA ZINE.COM • 7

007_MM06_2016_TOC.indd 7

5/20/16 11:08 AM

BONUS STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE SINCE 1950

In This Issue What’s Haute

Weddings Wedding registry at Lisa Mallory Interior Design and Linens. Sign up to receive fine linens and accessories for your new home. 3080 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN, 38111; 901.452.5575; Mon-Sat 10-5; lisamallorydesign.com.

RONALDO... Perfect & meaningful Bridesmaid’s Gifts. Exclusively in Germantown at More Than Words; 2123 West St; 901.755.4388; www.morethanwords.com.

HEATHER Boutique and Spa. Come see why we are known as the Bridal Makeup Experts. 420 Perkins Extended in the Laurelwood Place Shopping Center; 901.249.5018; heatherstore.com.

When far more than you hoped for is available for FAR less than you imagined, there’s a word for it. Great. The Great Hall & Conference Center, 1900 South Germantown Road, 38138. 901.751.7661; TheGreatHallEvents.com.

Nestled away on 47 beautiful wooded acres in Collierville, our beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities are perfect for you to personalize your wedding package and make it the fairy tale you’ve always imagined! Maple Grove Farm; 4961 Windsong Park Dr.; 901.861.7422; maplegrovefarm.net.

CINDY B. THYMIUS PHOTOGRAPHY

While searching for the perfect wedding dress, don’t forget what goes UNDER the dress! A Fitting Place has what you need to put the finishing touches on your big day . . . and night. 901.683.0210.

W H AT ’S H AU T E F OR W EDDINGS

pages 78-79 The area’s leading retailers showcase their best bridal merchandise and services.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SEC TION

real estate ALL-STARS ANNA BISHOP

Lifetime Real Estate Advisor

FARA CAPTAIN

CHRIS GARLAND

PASSION FOR HELPING others reach their goals and dreams is what drives me. I bring value to your life with a proven record of strong leadership, attention to detail, and skilled negotiations. I value your time and realize the importance of your real estate transaction— likely your most valuable asset. I am an excellent communicator and trustworthy to handle your real estate needs. I love people and I would love to help you. I am a lifelong learner, having attended Rhodes College and obtaining my Masters in Nursing from The University of Memphis, here in our great city! I bring my love of learning to the field of real estate and continue to stay abreast of the latest trends in real estate to ensure my clients have the best and most accurate information. I would love to partner with you for your buying, selling, or relocation needs.

SUCCESS IS MEASURED by my clients’ happiness as shown by winning Yelp’s favorite REALTOR® in 2014 & 2015. I cater to my client’s needs whether it’s an investment property, a first time home buyer, or a luxury home. Furthermore, I ensure my clients’ are receiving the attention they expect and deserve by being responsive, ethical and paying attention to every detail. Please check out my testimonials on my website below. In my spare time, I serve on the boards for Central Gardens Association, Memphis YPN & Memphis Rugby Foundation. I also assist with the development of Memphis Inner City Rugby and play for the Memphis Women’s Rugby Club.

FACE

Master Weaver Ali Taghavi Restoring a antique Persian Farahan rug.

PAT CAME TO Memphis after graduating from

CRYE-LEIKE REALTORS, INC 1715 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 901.276.8800 (o) 901.500.8034 (c) 901.653.2302 (f) Fara.Captain@crye-leike.com FaraCaptain.com

HARRY D. SAMUELS

JOSHUA SPOTTS

Crye-Leike CAROL O.Realtors STOUT

JOYCE IS A REAL ESTATE BROKER and vice president with Crye-Leike Realtors. Joyce’s vast knowledge of the real estate market and an effective marketing plan has earned her consistent rankings within the top 5 producing realtors for Crye-Leike. She holds the CRS, GRI, and CPPS professional designations. She is licensed in Tennessee and Mississippi and is a life member of both the Memphis Association of Realtors and Crye-Leike Multi-Million-Dollar Clubs. She is knowledgeable in all areas of real estate, specializing in buyers, sellers, relocation and new construction. Whether you are buying or selling, contact Joyce McKenzie and her professional team to help ease your move. She has been Crye-Leike Collierville’s # 1 agent for the last 14 years and hopes to teach her trade secrets to her newest team member, her son Ian McKenzie.

WITH OVER 40 years experience in sales, marketing, and negotiation from my years at Samuels Furniture I have easily made the transition from furnishing homes to selling or buying homes. The key has been “Customer Satisfaction.” I handle all aspects of the transaction myself and make sure all goes smoothly for my clients down to the last detail. In my second year in real estate I qualified for the Multi Million Dollar Club. As a graduate of White Station High School, Vanderbilt, and a lifelong Memphian, I am enjoying renewing old friendships and making new ones.

AS A NATIVE MID-SOUTHERNER, I grew up with a love of all things Memphis. It is my pleasure to work with residential buyers and sellers, utilizing ground breaking technology, coupled with unparalleled customer service. Working with the Mid-South’s number one real estate firm, Crye-Leike, Realtors, I am thrilled to be able to offer start to finish real estate services that are truly exceptional. Please visit my website at JoshuaSpotts.com. I have an amazing mobile app for smart-phones that allows the user to search for all real estate listings in Shelby County for free. Call or text me any time at 901.361.4211 and let me help you “Find your spot”.

AS A LIFELONG MEMPHIAN, Carol has a passion for the Memphis community and a commitment to work for the residents of this great city. Her knowledge and contacts really makes a difference when buying or selling your home. She strives to provide her clients with extraordinary customer service. She is very passionate about her work and it shows in all she does. Carol believes in giving back. She gives 5 percent of every commission check to a local charity of her clients’ choice. Give Carol O. Stout a call today and let her work hard for you.

CRYE-LEIKE REALTORS

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

930 S. White Station Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 901.261.7900(office) 901.486.2894(cell) harrydsamuels@gmail.com

CRYE-LEIKE REALTORS

901.335.8460 | 901.854.5050 joycemckenzie@crye-leike.com www.JoyceMcKenzie.com

GARLAND COMPANY REAL ESTATE, LLC 901-527-7779 (O) 901-338-3226 (c) chris@garlandcompany.com

Affiliate Broker

6525 Quail Hollow Rd, Memphis, TN 38120 901.361.4211(c) 901.756.8900 (o) josh@joshuaspotts.com www.JoshuaSpotts.com

the University of Tennessee. She has been Patrecia Goldstein helping people buy and sell homes in crs, Gri, srs, aBr, sres, cra, Green, dtM Tennessee and Mississippi since 1984. Pat has is The Gold Standard in Realneeds Estate, aPat commitment to exceed her clients’ and helping people buy and sell homesand in expectations using exceptional negotiating Tennessee skills. and Mississippi marketing Pat believessince that 1984. it is She has ato committment exceed important listen, advise, to then make her her clients’dreams needscome andtrue.expectations using clients She was honored as exceptional negotiating andYear marketing 2006 Realtor Associate of the and has skills. PatCrye-Leike’s believes that importantIf achieved Circle itofisExcellence. to listen, advise,about then buying make or herselling clientsa you are thinking dreams contact come true. She was The honored home, Pat Goldstein, Gold as 2006inRealtor Associate Standard Real Estate. You’ll beof gladthe youYear did! and has achieved Crye-Leike’s Circle of Excellence. Pat received her BS at the University of TN. If you are thinking aboutCRYE-LEIKE buying or selling a home, contact REALTORS Pat Goldstein. You’ll glad you did! 901.754.0800 (o) be 901.606.2000 (c)

PatSellsMemphis.com patrecia@att.net

901.754.0800 (o) Crye-Leike Realtors 901.606.2000 (c) http://www.PatSellsMemphis.com/ patrecia@att.net

Realtor

RE A L E S TAT E A LL-S TA RS

pages 84-85 Profiles of the top realtors in and around the Mid South.

585 S. Perkins Rd. Memphis, TN 38117 901.674.2960 carol.o.stout@crye-leike.com

Coming in August Memphis • THE CITY MAGAZINE • W W W.MEMPHISMAGAZINE.COM

appraisals handwash/cleaning sales reweaving repairs color run restoration pet and other stain removals moth damage odor removal and much more

CRS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SRES, CRA, GREEN, DTM

Cell: 901.573.2832 Cell: 731.616.0640 Office: 901.260.4780 anna.bishop@crye-leike.com annabishop.crye-leike.com

ORIENTAL RUGS

PATRECIA GOLDSTEIN

JOYCE MCKENZIE Realtor

THE 2016

ABR

SINCE 1987 I HAVE provided Professional real estate sales services for buyers and sellers of residential and commercial real estate. I primarily work in the areas of Downtown, Midtown and East Memphis. I have handled home and commercial sales in almost every area of Greater Memphis however my specialty Is Homes, Condos and Commercial Real Estate In the Downtown area. I have specialized in Downtown since 1997 and have gained an intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods and condo buildings. I have represented multiple developers in the sales of new condos, townhomes and single family homes as well as sales of vacant buildings and land to residential and commercial developers. I am a lifelong Memphian, have been in the real estate business for 29 years, closed in excess of $11 million in 2015 and I am consistently a top producing agent.

CRYE-LEIKE, REALTORS

Memphis Magazine’s

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Realtor

2015City Guide

CIT Y GUIDE

Designed for both newcomers and longtime Memphians, our annual guide showcases everything you need to know about the Bluff City. Our biggest issue of the year features the widely read “Who’s Who.” THE CITY MAGAZINE

VOL XL NO 5 | AUGUST 2015

USA $4.99

0 8

—1 5

DISPLAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

C01_MM08_2015_v6-realwarped2.indd 1

3554 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN • (901) 327-5033 • taghavirugs.com

Make Your Wedding Southern Style

7/22/15 11:22 AM

COLLEGE GUIDE Our annual special supplement provides useful information as well as a comprehensive guide for the process of selecting the college or university that best suits an individual. Bonus circulation of overprints distributed to college guidance counselors at both public and independent schools.

COLLEGE

GUIDE 1

G01_CollegeGuide_2015.indd 1

7/20/15 3:36 PM

Coming in October

T HE WOMEN’S IS SUE

ON-SITE CATERING PRIVATE DINING ROOMS DOWNTOWN AND EAST LOCATIONS

Honoring our city’s outstanding ladies. S U S A N G . KOME N ME MP HI S MID S OU T H R A C E F OR T HE C UR E GUIDE Bonus circulation to thousands of the event’s participants.

V E S TA HOME SHOW GUIDE DOWNTOWN

MIDTOWN

EAST

147 E. Butler (901) 672-7760 Memphis, TN 38103

2249 Central Ave. (901) 272-9377 Memphis, TN 38104

4375 Summer (901) 767-4672 Memphis, TN 38122

cbqmemphis.com

The official guide for the 2016 show at Ainsley Manor, featuring floor plans, renderings, and information about aspects of every home in the show. For more information on advertising or our upcoming special sections, please contact Margie Neal at margie@memphismagazine.com

8 • MEMPHISMAGA ZINE.COM • JUNE 20 16

007_MM06_2016_TOC.indd 8

5/20/16 10:06 AM

WHERE DEALS DRAW YOU ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S IN THEBAG

VALID JUNE & JULY Save at over 20 stores and restaurants this summer! Discounts valid on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with free canvas tote. Pick up a bag at the Management Office today. While supplies last.

4674 MERCHANTS PARK CIRCLE | COLLIERVILLE 901.854.8240 | ShopCarriageCrossing.com

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1 CCR-6208-A97D AD1 Memphis Mag June Ad.indd 1

5/17/16 9:42 AM 5/16/16 2:09 PM

Memphis THE C IT Y MAGAZ INE

General Excellence Grand Award Winner City and Regional Magazine Association 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014

PUBLISHER/EDITOR kenneth neill EXECUTIVE EDITOR michael finger MANAGING EDITOR frank murtaugh ARTS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR anne cunningham o’neill FASHION EDITOR augusta campbell FOOD EDITOR pamela denney ASSOCIATE EDITORS shara clark, eileen townsend CONTRIBUTING EDITORS richard j. alley,

jackson baker, john branston, tom jones, vance lauderdale EDITORIAL ASSISTANT sam cicci

CREATIVE DIRECTOR brian groppe PRODUCTION OPERATIONS DIRECTOR margie neal ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR christopher myers GRAPHIC DESIGNERS jeremiah matthews,

bryan rollins PHOTOGRAPHY justin fox burks, brandon dill,

larry kuzniewski, chip pankey, james wessels

WWW.COOLEYDDS.COM

901.754.3117

7938 WOLF RIVER BLVD

GERMANTOWN, TN 38138

ILLUSTRATION memphis urban sketchers

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES joy bateman,

sloane patteson taylor ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE zach scott ADVERTISING ASSISTANT cristina mccarter

Meet Germantown.

published by contemporary media, inc. 460 tennessee street, memphis, tn 38103

You’ve made a promise to travel the road of life together.

901-521-9000 p • 901-521-0129 f

Make the promise sweet and easy. Make the start Great.

subscriptions: 901-521-9000

Come meet your memories at The Great Hall & Conference Center.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER kenneth neill CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER molly willmott CONTROLLER ashley haeger DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT jeffrey a. goldberg EDITORIAL DIRECTOR bruce vanwyngarden DIGITAL MANAGER kevin lipe DISTRIBUTION MANAGER lynn sparagowski EVENTS MANAGER jackie sparks-davila MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER kendrea collins EMAIL MARKETING MANAGER britt ervin IT DIRECTOR joseph carey OFFICE MANAGER celeste dixon

&7 june 2016

TheGreatHallEvents.com 901.751.7661 1900 South Germantown Rd. • Germantown, TN 38138 (You can meet us off Germantown Road, between Neshoba and Farmington)

Photography by Michelle East Photography • Road Less Traveled • From The Germantown Series – A Discovery

member: City and Regional Magazine Association member: Circulation Verification Council 10 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

007_MM06_2016_TOC.indd 10

5/20/16 11:08 AM

More flights. More destinations. More airlines. More ways to save. A better airport.

MORE. BETTER. Come see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in store, Memphis.

flymemphis.com

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/6/16 9:52 AM

ON THE WEB

Honoring the Life.

Highlights from memphismagazine.com

ur revised, revamped, and reader-friendly website is designed to supplement the

printed magazine you are holding in your hands. Visit our site for further reading by writers in this issue, including thoughts and notes on what’s

Since 1843, when family matters most.

canalefuneraldirectors.com 2700 Union Avenue Extended, Memphis, Tennessee 38112 901.452.6400

MM Ad 1.indd 1

3/17/16 7:09 PM

os em y! D ing turda k o C o r y Sa Eve

happening in our city, Q&As with local movers and shakers, and more.

W H AT ’S ON T HE W EBSIT E RIGH T NOW ? H A MBURGER HELPER : A Collegiate Guide to the Best Burgers in Memphis

CHRIS DAV IS ’ tribute to Prince VA NCE L AUDERDA LE ’s history of the Ritz Coffee Shop

SH A R A CL A RK ’s feature on acupuncture for our four-legged friends

S A MUEL CICCI ’s take on Justin Timberlake’s new music — and his ties to Memphis

GE T T ING OU T Our website offers a complete events calendar, accessible on the home page, searchable by date and type of event.

Cele

brat

We have all the outdoor kitchen appliances you need...and then some.

Year

ing

3686 Summer Avenue | Memphis, TN 901.458.7541 · Mon.-Sat. 9-5 | kenrashmemphis.com

E AT ING OU T For the most comprehensive

RE S TAUR A N T LIS T INGS in town — arranged by name, location, neighborhood, and even the type of food served — go to

MEMPHISM AG A ZINE.COM

Casual Furniture • Barstools • Gas Logs • Grills • Accessories & Gifts

12 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

007_MM06_2016_TOC.indd 12

5/20/16 10:06 AM

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/18/16 9:13 AM

IN THE BEGINNING | by kenneth neill

You Can Go Home Again

f April is the cruelest month, as T.S. Elliott suggests, then June most certainly is its alter ego, the sure-fire winner of the live-and-letlive prize. June is among our most celebratory months, probably second only to December in terms of festive occasions per week. Most colleges’ graduation ceremonies (and the parties that come with them) hit the calendar in June. And, of course, June still reigns supreme as our nation’s wedding month de rigeur.

Bill Butner H A R P I S T

Weddings • Receptions • Parties

901.383.9356 harpobill@att.net

Holiday shopping spins most of the wheels in college or high school, but only had met at of the national consumer economy, yes, but various reunions along the way. As I write this, I am prepping for my own weddings play their part as well. Every day, there are 2,600 of them in the USA. The aver- high-school’s Fiftieth Reunion — Catholic age number of guests invited to an American Memorial, West Roxbury, Massachusetts, wedding is 178, and the average wedding bud- Class of 1966 — three weeks hence. As get is $20,000. Altogether, a staggering $72 our President (not our class president; the billion a year is spent on weddings annually American one) used to like to say, I am fired in the USA. up and ready to go. Weddings and graduI’ve been luckier than ations are usually June’s most in being able to keep godsend to thousands of the bonds with my past small businesses all across more lasting than a weekAmerica. But there’s anend reunion, for a variety other ubiquitous June of reasons. I grew into a “happening” that quietly Memphis job that allowed pumps significant sums me to go back and forth into the national economy. to Boston f requently, That industry, if you can more frequently as my parents aged. After my call it that, is the highschool and/or college mother’s passing in 2000, reunion industry. Like my father kept living in Rodney Dangerfield, this our ordinary home (think “industry” gets no respect; Archie Bunker) just over there are no national ecothe Boston city limits, a nomic-impact studies (at mile away from the high September 1984 least none I could find) school I walked to daily, that describe that impact. Aside from anec- until he required more and more support. dotal information here and there, the only As he was declining, I was able to give him businesses that indisputably benefit from what he needed from afar and, more and these gatherings of young people grown old more, on site. apart, yet brought together briefly, are caterMy father passed in October of 2013. He ers, breweries, and wineries. had insisted upon dying at home, and I was But a reunion can be a very special thing. there with him when he did, surrounded with I should know, having attended both high memories and a family presence that made school and college reunions rather religiously, him proud. The house we had moved into in from about the tenth or fifteenth gathering on. 1955 — when I was 7 — is now in my name, I’m lucky in that, for me, these New England and I like to think my dad is most proud today appearances are cameos, as I have long lived of the fact that I’m not going anywhere. Poor Tom Wolfe. He had it all wrong. You a thousand-plus miles away from my high school and college roots. The reunions always can go home again. You just have to play your cards right. give me a chance to “go home” again. But I come away, each and every time, with Kenneth Neill publisher/editor new friends. In fact, a significant number of my current high school and college friends are people with whom I had rarely mingled P.S. — Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

14 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

007_MM06_2016_TOC.indd 14

5/20/16 11:08 AM

Regional One Health has created a new care experience at our new location in East Memphis, where 385 crosses Kirby Parkway. Multispecialty care, physical therapy, pain management, specialty women’s services, urology, and a pharmacy are offered at this modern and convenient health care campus. It’s not just our job to create new, convenient services that help you live a healthier life; it’s what we love to do. Call 901-515-EAST to schedule an appointment or visit RegionalOneHealth.org/East for more info.

AN APPOINTMENT WITH

convenience.

East Campus • 6555 Quince Road • Memphis, TN 38119

Pub: Memphis Magazine

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1 Size: 9"x10.875"

RegionalOneHealth.org/East

Client: Regional One Health 5/18/16 Job No: 53519

9:14 AM

FINE PRINT

Breaking Barriers Setting records in sports is a lot more than just being about the numbers.

n May The New York Times ran a story posing this question: Will someone soon break the two-hour barrier in the marathon? As soon as I saw the headline I knew I would have to talk about it with Mike Cody. Mike is a well-known Memphis attorney and, as his many friends know, the real deal as a distance runner ever since his days at East High School and Rhodes (Southwestern) College 60 years ago.

runner doing that grabbed me so completely that I never got over it,” he says. “The simplicity and courage of Bannister running his heart out for 45 minutes during his lunch hour in medical school tells a different story than today’s marathoner, especially the great African ones,

If you are reading this and are not a runner or athlete, please bear with me a few minutes. This is not a sports column. It’s about friendship, aging, and human achievement, pretentious as that sounds. Marathons were not always a big deal as they are now, when thousands of people race or walk in them in Memphis and other cities and display “26.2” or “13.1”

“All times change, and sport for me will never return to the magic times when the tracks were cinders and the playing field level.” — Mike Cody vanity decals on their cars. According to legend, the ancient Greek Philippides ran from Marathon to Athens to bring the news of a great victory (“we have won”) and promptly collapsed and died. His time, training routine, sponsor, and shoe contract are not recorded. All he got was this crummy legend. The current world record for the marathon is right around two hours and three minutes, with Kenyans flirting with the once unthinkable two-hour mark. Big world, lotta runners. With modern training and the ever-present possibility of performance enhancers, it seems likely the barrier will be passed in a year or so.

Mike Cody competes in a 10k in 1985.

Two hours is one of those round numbers like 60 homers (Babe Ruth), 100 points (Wilt Chamberlain), and a mile in four minutes (Roger Bannister) that capture the public imagination and transcend sports. Mike Cody was a champion high school distance runner when Bannister broke the four-minute barrier in 1954. “The excitement of an amateur

who are in the sport because of the money and have every crutch, legal or illegal, to use. “They will reach a two-hour marathon with all the science but they will not be a Bannister. All times change, and sport for me will never return to the magic times when the tracks were cinders and the playing field level. I ran 35-plus mar-

athons and they were all just work and little thrill. I ran hundreds of individual miles and each one was pure excitement.” I’m not quite old enough to remember Bannister’s epic mile, but I do remember when track was as popular as football and basketball in the media, and when runners such as Herb Elliott, Bobby Morrow, and Bob Hayes appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, the bible of sports in those days. My modest athletic talents did not include running or jumping, but I remember the pole-vaulter (Don “Tarzan” Bragg), high-jumper (John Thomas), long-jumper (Bob Beamon), and miler (Jim Ryun) who broke once unbreakable records. To me, there is nothing in sports as elemental or exciting as a close contest between runners or jumpers — any time, any place, anywhere. People who feel this way never get over it. When they run into someone else like that they go off into a corner and talk about it. Mike Cody and I long ago cemented our friendship talking about sports — not the pros, but the amateurs, and our own quests to achieve, in Mike’s case, excellence or, in my case, a higher level of mediocrity. Every week or so we run into each other at Rhodes, Mike with his shirt off chugging around the track or up and down the football field, and me whacking tennis balls or a squash ball on the courts. Our knees, backs, and legs are going, going, almost gone. But there is no place else we would rather be, and nothing else we would rather be doing. When you think of it, as we do now and then, there are a lot worse ways to go than going like Philippides. We have won.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY MIKE CODY

by john branston

16 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

016_MM06_2016_FinePrint.indd 16

5/19/16 3:05 PM

Memphis Minded Mariko Krause ’16 During her senior year at Rhodes, Mariko, an urban studies major from Kentucky with a deep interest in public health, interned with the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, a new nonprofit organization comprised of the city’s leading health care institutions and executives. The MMDC’s mission is to create an anchor strategy that will lead to safe streets and parks, good schools, and a vibrant business community throughout the medical district neighborhood. As a result of her successful internship, Mariko was offered a full-time position with the collaborative as their new work flow and program associate. “I chose to be an urban studies major with a community health concentration because I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to incorporate Memphis into my classwork. I’ve always had an interest in public health, cities, and people, and my new career will allow me to build on these passions and give back to the city.”

Celebrating 90 years in Memphis rhodes.edu

Memphis Minded Ad Campaign..indd 10 MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/18/16 10:02 AM 5/18/16 1:12 PM

CITY JOURNAL

Fighting Blight Never before has so much effort been devoted to removing our city’s eyesores.

he “breaking news” headlines go to the demolition of a long-abandoned motel near the eastern end of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge that’s been a high visibility eyesore for decades, but the work to fight blight with the most impact on the city at large is under way at the neighborhood level. There’s never been more blight-related activity in the history of Memphis. There’s the creation of the Blight Authority of Memphis, a land bank created late last year for the city and that can be a major weapon in the future. Vested with more power than traditional land banks, the Blight Authority can drive neighborhood redevelopment by selling land to pre-approved buyers with development plans, it can assemble property for larger development, or it can bring actions that cut through a morass of ownership claims to get property cleaned up. Meanwhile, city, county, state, and federal officials signed the “Memphis Neighborhood Blight Elimination Charter” setting out their shared goals, plans, and promises to work together. The charter said that “doing more of the same will only produce the same unacceptable outcomes we’ve endured for decades,” so it has set out to change things, and a special team is developing and executing an “action plan,” according to Memphis lawyer Steve Barlow, whose Neighborhood Preservation Inc. advocacy group brought the disparate groups together to produce the charter. If there is ever a patron saint of blight elimination in Memphis, it will have Barlow’s face. He is everywhere, spreading his social gospel that blight holds back Memphis families, neighborhoods, and economic growth. With more than 13,000 structures or vacant lots in Memphis that qualify as blighted, he has made fighting blight his life’s work. The recent burst of activity is the culmination of Barlow’s 20

go, he had seen the worst of the worst. His community service requirement resulted in work in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green, where 15,000 people were jammed into the high-rise housing projects known for crime, gang violence, neglect, and deplorable living conditions. “That was my first

If there is ever a patron saint of blight elimination in Memphis, it will have Steve Barlow’s face.

years of work in Memphis neighborhoods, Medical Center, and Downtown. He moved here in 1994 for a graduate degree in applied anthropology at the University of Memphis, and a year later, he worked on a research project in LeMoyne Gardens. “I started to understand the challenges facing urban neighborhoods in Memphis,” he says. It wasn’t his first face-to-face encounter with the realities of urban poverty. As a student at Moody Bible College in Chica-

up-close and personal exposure to poverty and substandard housing in the United States,” he says. After graduate school in Memphis, he became a community organizer in Binghampton and Peabody-Vance before working for five years at LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corporation while he attended law school. He would form his own law firm in late 2006, and “that launched me into what eventually became what I do today,” he says.

Barlow’s thoughtful, unflappable demeanor and lack of interest in grabbing headlines make him the perfect partner for politicians whose support is crucial in fighting blight. “I am most proud of the positive relationships that I have been able to maintain over time across the community,” he says. “I believe the work that I do is mostly about relationships that we have with each other as we attempt to make things better together.” The biggest benefit of fighting blight is economic, he says, because “what’s holding back neighborhoods are thousands and thousands of houses holding back the market. Take the barriers away that are holding back neighborhoods, develop neighborhood plans, create incentives for new housing, and when we’re done with all that, it then means a change in markets and a different trajectory.” As his example, he points out that of 1,000 parcels in the Medical Center, 300 are empty. “What could happen if we removed the barriers to redevelopment?” he says, adding that fighting blight is also “about helping people stay in their homes in their neighborhoods for equity and social justice reasons.” Those reasons aside, enlightened self-interest should motivate Memphians to wish him luck. While Nashville’s lower tax rate is regularly held up as proof of mismanagement here, it’s really all about the math. If that city had the same house values as Memphis, it would have a similar tax rate. Conversely, if Memphis could “grow the business” by increasing its house values to Nashville’s level, it would have the capital city’s low tax rate. That potential for lower taxes, more than anything, should inspire the most support for blight strategies in Memphis.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRANDON DILL

by tom jones

18 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

018_MM06_2016_CityJournal.indd 18

5/19/16 3:04 PM

ÂŠ2014 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.

Adrenaline shots. Now administered via ignition key. The rush is immediate. A 340-horsepower twin-turbo V6. Standard PDK double-clutch transmission. Active all-wheel drive with Porsche Traction Management for maximum grip in varying driving conditions. The new Porsche Macan S is built around our defining belief that every drive should be unforgettable. And every car should be a sports car. Discover a more adrenalized life with a test drive. Porsche. There is no substitute.

The new 2015 Macan S

Gossett Porsche 1875 Covington Pike Memphis TN 38128 (901) 388-8989 www.gossett.porschedealer.com

Porsche recommends

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/16/16 8:31 AM

OU T A ND A BOU T |

6.2016 | compiled by eileen townsend

performances by the Mighty Souls Brass Band, Jason D. Williams, and School of Rock, as well as food from Gus’s Fried Chicken, MEMPops, and Corky’s, among others. GPAC, 1801 Exeter Rd., Germantown, 751-7500

6.8

Kirk Franklin

Gospel musician, choir director, and author Kirk Franklin originally hails from Texas, but has spent a notable career bringing the good news around the states — a tradition he continues with his “Twenty Years in One Night” tour. Franklin has won several Grammys for his spiritually charged albums. Landers Center, 4560 Venture Dr., Southaven, MS, 280-9120

6.16

The Bo-Keys

The Bo-Keys featuring Percy Wiggins & Don Bryant

emphis’ favorite hometown soul band arrives at the newly renovated Levitt Shell on June 16th, alongside Percy Wiggins and Don Bryant. This STAX-inspired group pays homage to Memphis’ musical heritage at one of its most historic outdoor venues. Levitt Shell, 1928 Poplar Ave., levittshell.org

5.26 - 9.4 Hassan Hajjaj: My Rock Stars

This exhibition showcases Moroccan-born, UK-based artist Hassan Hajjaj and the eclectic group of nine musicians from around the world whom the artist sees as his own personal “rock stars.” The piece is meant to evoke the feeling of a contemporary Moroccan marketplace. Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar Ave., 544-6200

6.2

Whet Thursday

Hassan Hajjaj, Mandisa Dumezweni,

2011, Metallic lambda print on Dibond with wood and plastic mat frame. Collection of the Newark Museum. Courtesy the artist and Taymour Grahne Gallery, New York.

The Metal Museum continues its yearly tradition of hosting this riverside event on summer evenings. There is no better place to watch the sunset, listen to local music, sip cocktails, and make simple metal crafts with the staff of the unique museum. A variety

of food trucks is usually on hand, as well. Metal Museum, 374 Metal Museum Dr., 774-6380

6.2 - 8.26

Summer Movie Series

The much-loved Orpheum summer movie series returns in 2016 with features such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (June 2), The Sound of Music (June 9), and When Harry Met Sally (June 24). Pre-show fun includes drink specials and live music by local groups. The Orpheum Theatre, 203 S. Main St., orpheum-memphis.com

6.2 - 6

Memphis Black Expo

This is the 7th year for Memphis Black Expo, an event that brings together business owners for a five-day-long cultural

celebration. Visual art, business, and music are all on the docket this year. The theme for this year’s event is “Salute to Egypt.” Various Venues, memphisblackexpo.com

6.9

South Lawn Cinema: Coming to America

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens takes advantage of its spacious and beautiful grounds during this “South Lawn Cinema” event. Eddie Murphy’s cult classic, about an African prince who searches for a wife in Queens, promises to make for a fun night of outdoor cinema. Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Ave., 761-5250

6.3 - 5

Memphis Punk Rock Fest 4

This weekend-long punk festival features classic Memphis outfits such as Pezz and the Subteens, as well as younger acts such as Shame Finger and Conspiracy Theory. Spread across the best of Midtown’s dives, this festival should be on any do-or-die punk’s hometown radar. Various Venues, memphispunkfest.com

6.4

GPAC Food Truck and Music Festival This outdoor summer festival features

JUNE 10 – JUly3 unrivaled performance. unending applause.

TICKETS 901.682.8323 ONLINE theatrememphis.org Promo Code: POSTMUOL

6.10 - 7.3

Oliver!

Nathan Morton stars as striving orphan Oliver Twist in Theatre Memphis’ rendition of the classic musical. Fans of musicals

20 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

020_MM06_2016_Calendar.indd 20

5/20/16 11:10 AM

Elysia Mann, “AMERICA REAL GOOD”

screen-printed discharge on cotton weft, handwoven onto linen warp, 28 x 19” | 2016

both old and young should relish classic numbers such as “Food! Glorious Food!” and “As Long As He Needs Me.” Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Extd., 682-8601

6.10 - 7.9

Say Hello To America!

It’s been a strange election year, and this open exhibition — compiled by Crosstown Arts’ director and video artist Chris Miner — hopes to convey that strangeness, and more. Whether you’re for Trump or Hillary, an NRA member or a tree hugger, you may see yourself reflected in this exhibition’s weirdo visual Americana. Crosstown Arts Gallery, 430 N. Cleveland, 507-8030

6.18

Shelby Farms BMX

If you like tiny bikes and cool tricks, this event may be for you. Whether you are riding or watching, cheering or flinching, Shelby Farms’ summer BMX event promises to be an exciting time. Shelby Farms, 500 N. Pine Lake Dr., 222-7275

6.19

Black Mountain

This psychedelic rock unit hails from British Columbia. For the past decade, the esteemed group has toured and released music, including their 2016 LP, IV. Fans of Led Zeppelin, the Velvet Underground, or Brian Jonestown Massacre will vibe with Black Mountain’s music. Minglewood Hall, 1555 Madison Ave., 312-6058

us at } Visit

www.memphismagazine.com J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 21

020_MM06_2016_Calendar.indd 21

5/20/16 11:10 AM

DRIVING DREAM THE

THE AMERICAN DREAM

STILL EXISTS.

UNITED WAY IS DRIVING A STRONGER FOCUS TO ADDRESS THE MID-SOUTH’S POVERTY.

Some say the American dream is in trouble or isn’t as lofty a dream as others once articulated, but Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson, President & CEO of United Way of the MidSouth knows that no one aspires to be intractably stuck in poverty, or desires to see one’s family stuck in want and need, generation after generation. Yes, the American dream is still about economic selfsufﬁciency - providing for one’s loved ones, living comfortably and building a positive future. United Way is driving the creation of a more connected system, to help more people obtain the skills and knowledge to live out their American dream.

IMAGINE A MID-SOUTH MOVING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY.

During United Way’s annual luncheon report in April, Dr. Robinson asked more than 650 in attendance to imagine a Mid-South where individuals and families in poverty are not “just circling the same mountains, wandering in the same wilderness, facing the same obstacles, fighting the same day-to-day economic challenges that they’ve always had.” Instead, Dr. Robinson asked people to imagine: • A Mid-South in which individuals can gain skills to be MEMPHIS’ LARGEST PROBLEM IS well-employed and provide income for their families • A Mid-South in which nonprofit agencies, governmental entities, and quasi-governmental entities work together - seamlessly, and collaboratively - to help individuals move “Poverty robs people of their dreams. from financial dependency, instability, and It is the underlying denominator, vulnerability to financial stability and the undertow that keeps pulling economic self-sufficiency families down, the undercurrent • A Mid-South in which people can that courses through our region. dream, and then plan and plot a path out It creates dependence and crime, of poverty. hopelessness and blight, lost revenue for Mid-South businesses “It’s a tough nut to crack, helping people - and prematurely lost lives. The realize their dreams of moving out of poverty, Ro b in e h statistics are clear, Memphis poverty t but United Way is uniquely positioned to so of n, P ay resi dW is the nation’s highest in numerous de n t & facilitate this kind of cross-sector collaboration. e t i n C EO of U categories. Memphis is at the epicenter While United Way’s leadership profile in education of the Mid-South, and poverty is a consuming and health is impressive and growing, I believe where problem which impacts our entire Mid-South area.” we are poised to assume a much greater leadership role is in - Dr. Robinson improving financial stability.” - Dr. Robinson

POVERTY.

eth

id -S o

uth

e Dr. K

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 2

5/20/16 11:11 AM

THE UNITED WAY’S UNIQUE POSITION.

Dr. Robinson sees United Way as an ideal organization to help in the battle against poverty. It is at the intersection of individual and corporate charitable resources. With 80 partner nonproﬁt agencies and more than 400 corporate partners, it also has important connections with government and quasi-government organizations working with United Way for social services, emergency provisions and support for ﬁnancial literacy. None of these groups can accomplish their poverty-combating goals alone, but by collaborating and aligning efforts - what United Way refers to as “living united,” they can dramatically impact the causes and effects of MidSouth poverty. United Way has already seen successes in its work against poverty and has a history of providing support for economic education initiatives and strengthening

local community organizations through funding. It also creates phenomenal successes through its Free Tax Prep program. United Way’s Free Tax Prep program helped more than 9,000 people prepare and ﬁle federal income tax returns at no charge, saving people in our region roughly $2.4 million in fees and charges, and processing returns with more than $12.7 million in federal refunds for the Mid-South. Over $4.6 million worth of Earned Income Tax Credits (which often go unclaimed) were secured for people using the service. The average adjusted gross income for people who were helped by United Way Free Tax Prep is just over $22,700. While growing the reach of programs like the Free Tax Program is important, Dr. Robinson believes even greater results against poverty will be seen when United Way and its numerous partners create a pathway out of poverty for individuals and families.

“When more people are systematically and intentionally moving along a pathway toward ﬁnanical stability, then United Way will be helping turn their dreams into reality. We’re creating a framework to facilitate their progress and to help evaluate their success, through a structured, comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based system of holistic care. We’re helping to drive the development of a new culture where there is ‘no wrong door’ for people needing help.” - Dr. Robinson

CREATING A PATHWAY OUT OF POVERTY.

United Way’s work alongside The Assisi Foundation is training nonprofit staff to become more knowledgeable of the wider array of programs and services in the Mid-South. Nonprofits provide excellent programs, yet many are one-off services. With training, more nonprofit staff will be able to wisely hand off clients – to refer people in need to the next agency providing the next steps to help people move forward and progress to economic self-sufficiency.

Working with the Greater Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Investment Network and a growing list of partners, United Way is helping ensure people are obtaining essentials such as basic financial literacy and critical “soft skills” job training. These skills help people better qualify for (and keep) employment and improves the MidSouth’s labor pool, which helps attract more businesses. United Way is also supporting a formal, data-collecting collaboration effort with interested social and human service agencies. This will yield scientific, data-driven evidence from its efforts to refer and advance families to economic self-sufficiency.

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 3

It’s a new way of thinking and a new way of doing.

United Way is driving the dream - the dream everyone has that when we “live united, we can solve it together.”

5/20/16 11:11 AM

All you need to do is say “I do.” “This is how it should feel.”

“This is how it should feel.” ME MPHIS BEALE STREET

Promises and kisses are exchanged; toasts are inspired, but the feelings are indescribable. Let the specialists at the Westin Memphis Beale Street create a wedding experience that’s tailored to your personal style. • Select our intimate venue, perfect for your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception or day-after brunch • Relax and rejuvenate in our guestrooms and suites featuring Westin’s Heavenly Bed for friends and family.

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

For more information contact

Lorraine Chatman 901.334.5924 lorraine.chatman@westinmemphis.com

5/18/16 9:16 AM

Hampton Sides

editor’s note: As Memphis magazine is now in its Fortieth Anniversary year, each month we are publishing stories from our four-decade archives, stories that we think today’s readers of the magazine will find of interest and value. This month’s selection, from our February 1987 issue, is especially relevant; every spring for the past three years this publication has hosted an event called “A Summons to Memphis,” which invites civic leaders from across the country to Memphis to discuss urban issues pertinent to both their communities and ours. (This year’s speaker is Andy Berke, mayor of Chattanooga.) The name of the event is drawn from the prize-winning novel by Peter Taylor (1917-1994), and the interview on these pages was conducted by staff writer Hampton Sides, who went on to literary fame as the author of Ghost Soldiers, In the Kingdom of Ice, and other best-sellers.

1987 | A CONVERSATION WITH

T A Y R L E O T R E P

{[ interviewed by h a mp t on side s

Much of Taylor’s fiction focuses on families, particularly ost critics consider the 70-yeararistocratic Tennessee families, living during the first half old Peter Taylor to be one of the masof the twentieth century, and the ways in which a particular ters of the modern American short story. A native of Tennessee, Taylor is locale shapes the dynamics of family life. That locale, as often the author of six books of stories, four as not, is Memphis. (“Any of Taylor’s books will serve you Membooks of plays, and two novels. His stories, which have phis on a silver platter,” Esquire declared in 1985.) Of Taylor’s frequently appeared in The New Yorker, have received most popular story, “The Old Forest,” a tale of a Memphis numerous literary honors. In 1985, Taylor won the debutante, Washington Post literary critic Jonathan Yardley prestigious Penn/Faulkner Award. A chapter from once wrote: “By comparison, almost everything else published his most recent novel, A Summons to Memphis, was first by American writers in recent years seems small, cramped, excerpted in the September 1986 issue of this maga- brittle, inconsequential; among American writers now living zine. A few months later, the book was nominated for only Eudora Welty has accomplished a body of fiction so rich, a National Book Award, along with E.L. Doctorow’s durable, and accessible as Taylor’s.” Born in 1919, Taylor grew up in Nashville, St. Louis, and World’s Fair. Though Doctorow won the prize, TayMemphis, and studied at Kenyon College and Southwestern lor created an enormous controversy within literary at Memphis (now Rhodes College). He circles by his refusal to attend the has taught literature at a number of uniceremony after publicly denouncversities, including Harvard, the Uniing the National Book Award versity of North Carolina, and Memphis nominating process. He argued State University. Since 1967, he has been that by naming several nominees a Commonwealth Professor of English but picking only one recipient, the at the University of Virginia. judges were, in effect, setting up Though he is now recovering from a winners and losers, thereby crestroke he suffered last summer, Taylor ating the impression that writers is still at work on a new novel and sevare in competition with one anotheral short stories. This interview was er. Since the controversy erupted conducted in Charlottesville, Virginia, late last fall, Taylor has declined where Taylor lives with his wife, poet January 1986 to grant personal interviews with Eleanor Ross Taylor. national publications. J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 25

025_MM06_2016_40thFlashback.indd 25

5/19/16 10:12 AM

MEMPHIS: You managed to create quite a stir over the National Book Award back in the fall. Any misgivings? TAYLOR: It was an absurd thing to do, I

guess. But on the other hand, I think it is making the writer look ridiculous to have a number of people nominated with only one winner. It creates the impression of winners and losers. I just didn’t want to get up on a platform and be told, You’re good, but you’re not as good as Doctorow. It’s shallow treatment of people. They just ought to announce the winner for each category, and only one winner, like the Pulitzer. I wanted it understood that I think all competitions between writers are invidious. They create bad feelings. It’s treating a literary event like an athletic event or a Hollywood event.

I guess most people would share your view on this. What puzzled so many people in the literary world, though, was your timing. Why did you wait until after you had learned you wouldn’t be receiving the award to criticize the nominating process?

You see, I wouldn’t have had the chance to speak my mind at that group meeting, because only the winners are asked to speak. And so this way, by publicly turning down the second prize, I thought I might at least have some influence. I wanted it to have an effect on the National Book Award people to stop running a race among writers. I don’t take a high or lofty tone about it. It’s just a practical thing, a matter of good taste and good sense not to treat writers that way.

National Book Award or not, A Summons to Memphis has sold well and been extremely well received by the critics. What struck me most about the novel was the way you juxtaposed life in two different cities in Tennessee, Nashville and Memphis, and made those two places seem worlds apart, almost as if they had been two different countries. You talk in great detail about such things as the definitive Nashville suit, the trademark Memphis hat, the innumerable differences in accent and style and attitude. It occurred to me that today, with all the interstates and shopping malls and glass towers of suburbia, you’d be hard-pressed to make the same kinds of sharp contrasts between those two places. We’re getting more alike, it seems.

All places get more and more alike, of course. But there will always be subtle differences to be seen if you watch for them. Now, when I was a boy living in Memphis, I wouldn’t have been able to pinpoint all these differences

between life in Nashville and life in Memphis. It’s looking back on it that makes you see them. And then, too, in writing a book like A Summons to Memphis, I was probably more sensitive than normal to these differences. I exaggerated them for my own interest and for the sake of the book.

We are always hearing the cliché about how Southerners are supposed to have a strong sense of place, but in so many of your stories, the sense of place is truly pivotal.

I think the business of a novelist is to make the differences between places seem significant. So when you get to writing about “place” in fiction you want to make that place seem as

“IN MY WOR K , I TRY TO BE IN TER ESTED IN THE HUM A N QUA LITIES OF BOTH BL ACKS A ND WHITES, A ND HOW THEIR HUM A NIT Y OVERCOMES THE BA R R IERS TH AT DISTINGUISH THEM.”

distinctive as you can. You use the paraphernalia of life — the local color — to make the story seem real. As I was writing A Summons to Memphis, I had a lot of fun seeing how much I could get into the contrasts between two different places, and then making the story be one that made the use of those contrasts.

In the novel, you suggested that not only was Memphis vastly different from Nashville, but it was different in such a way that moving there irrevocably changed the lives of the protagonist and his family. And I understand that much of the book was autobiographical.

Well, I knew how tremendously different our family life was after we moved to Memphis. First of all, it was simply an uprooting experience leaving Nashville, especially for me, because I was 15 then. It would be hard for anybody at the age of 15 to pick up and go somewhere else. That’s when you’re first interested in girls, cigarettes, life. And then, too, my family had many, many ties in Nashville. So in the book I tried to look back at these two lives, and rather than seeing how alike Memphis and Nashville were, I tried to see

how they were different and why it might be significant in the lives of my characters.

And what are — were — those differences?

Of course, Memphis is in the deep South, while Nashville tends to look eastward. My mother always used to complain that Memphis was really a part of Mississippi, and that the newspapers had all Mississippi news and Arkansas news and not enough Tennessee news. And historically, Memphis and Nashville have grown up very differently, against the backdrop of two very different agricultural pursuits. Memphis was always a cotton town, and the wealth was concentrated in those circles, while the agricultural economy around Nashville was, to a large extent, livestock — cattle and horses.

Throughout the book you were arriving at all kinds of odd and colorful distinctions.

I said somewhere in the book that the “high society” people in Memphis tended often to go to Marshall Field’s in Chicago to shop, while the people in Nashville would go to New York. The pull was in a different direction, you see. I like to try to reach some kind of generalization like that, to build up to it. I think it’s a very good trait to argue from the particular to the general. You find it in all literature. You find it in Proust, you find it in Tolstoy, and all the great people.

It does seem a very Southern characteristic to dwell on these kinds of contrasts between places, contrasts which the casual observer — or the outsider — might never notice.

I once stopped at a service station in Kentucky, and there was a man who was telling me how differently the people talked over in the next county, how “Southern” they were. Just one county over. Of course, he didn’t think his county was Southern at all. Well, you see, it’s all in the eye of the beholder.

That same phenomenon, of exaggerating the differences between your home and the rest of the world, runs through a great deal of Southern literature. It’s the search for Southern identity or something such as that.

And in a very real way, that’s what great literature consists of: discovering what your life is like and why it’s the way that it is. It’s the way that the Irish have developed a great literature. Because here is this enormous British Empire right next to them. So the Irish have all been trying to assert their individuality. They want to say what it’s like to be a Dubliner or what have you. The same is contin u ed on page 81

26 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

025_MM06_2016_40thFlashback.indd 26

5/19/16 10:12 AM

Thousands of Gowns Sizes 2-32 Special Plus-Size Boutique Area Personal Consultant for Each Bride

SEMI - ANNUAL 1/2 PRICE SALE DATE July 6 – July 30, 2016

BRINKLEY, ARKANSAS Appointment required. Call 870.734.3244 and visit lowsbridal.com

Serving Your Family For Generations. Thank You Memphis for Nearly 80 Years of Trust. Established 1938.

JONES

BROS.

TREE & LANDSCAPE 901-602-7700 • www.jonesbrostree.com

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/19/16 12:20 PM

Good health is right around the corner. No matter where you live, you’re close to quality health care. In fact, whatever your health needs are, chances are we can meet them. From yearly exams to managing chronic conditions, we’re here to keep you healthy – and keep you from all that extra traveling.

Call 888-812-3672 to make an appointment today. memphisdocs.com/stayhealthy

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/18/16 9:17 AM

great memphis homes

An Alluring & Artistic Abode The Lightman home in East Memphis offers plenty of .

pizazz

by anne cunningham o’neill photography by chip pankey

rtist Sue Layman Lightman owns and operates a downtown gallery/studio in the street-level space of her G.E. Patterson condominium. This pied-a-terre in the South Main Historic Arts District is a haven that inspires a special creativity and energy in her art. At the same time Lightman’s home in East Memphis, while very different, reflects an equally creative side of her artistic persona. She and her husband Stephen Lightman, Malco president who needs no introduction in these pages, live in a grand gated community off Shady Grove Road. Sue Layman Lightman says with obvious pride that “she put the whole house together in four years” with, of course, a little help from her interior designing friends. At the outset she and her husband brought “almost nothing” to this home

which meant that in starting over “there were compromises to be made” in the process of furnishing and decorating the place. Stephen’s tastes were generally more traditional while hers were clearly contemporary. However, the lady of the house is happy to say “he is coming along,” especially with respect to his art appreciation. Naturally, a number of Lightman’s own large canvases light up the walls with dazzling explosions of colors. The

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 29

029_MM06_2016_GreatHome.indd 29

5/17/16 2:32 PM

great memphis homes

previous page: A closeup of the living room’s over-large white sculpture of a female form entitled Nap by Cuban artist Yoxi Velazquez. above: The living room is the heart of the home with snake-skin patterned velvet chairs, stunning chandelier, arresting artworks, and verdant views. right: Black wrought iron is used to creative effect in this chest and over mirror. opposite: The creamy brick façade of the Lightmans’ elegant East Memphis home is punctuated with a custom-designed ornamental front door by Tuscan Iron Entries of Collierville.

home is also filled with works by well-known local artists such as Carroll Todd and Maysey Craddock, as well as by international painters and sculptors. Lightman picked out many pieces for the home herself, including some from Davishire Interiors in Nashville. Also she told me that some of her furniture was chosen from a modern line by nationally renowned interior designer Bunny Williams. I found this especially interesting as Williams is usually associated with more traditional furniture and accessories for the house and garden. Lightman added she was lucky enough to have visited Williams’ country home in Connecticut a few years back as part of a trip sponsored by our Decorative Arts Trust. Lightman gives much credit to Tim Tanner and Kip Meyer of TannerMeyer here in Memphis, who selected window treatments (their specialty), as well as bedding, rugs, and lighting to add texture and layers to the overall decorative scheme. She is grateful also to Tim Causey, who owns ReCreations, a wonderful furniture and accessories store in Nashville, and was a great help as well. To her mind these three interior designers worked beautifully as a team to understand and interpret her artistic vision for the home’s décor, which Tanner characterizes as “a different theme in every room.” Lightman also told me that Kevin Coble at Le Fleur is her “go to” person for exquisite floral arrangements.

30 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

029_MM06_2016_GreatHome.indd 30

5/17/16 2:32 PM

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 31

029_MM06_2016_GreatHome.indd 31

5/17/16 2:32 PM

great memphis homes

above: The bold, green den features textured furniture and furry pillows as well as window treatments by TannerMeyer.

The deep-green painted room at the front of the home was originally planned as the formal dining room, but it was transformed into the den with its two televisions, one on top of the other, of which Stephen Lightman is very proud. The cantaloupe-colored kitchen is open-plan with an adjacent dining area overlooking a small, side secret garden. Beautiful backsplash tiles were added; however, Lightman confesses she really doesn’t cook very often, though she does love to make her coffee there in the morning. The living room is stunningly elegant with its snakeskin patterned velvet chairs, an arresting table-top white sculpture titled Nap by artist Yoxi Velazquez, and a dramatic central chandelier. Lightman says the fireplace surround was replaced in this room, but that is all that required a major change. The large, comfortable porch across the back of the house overlooks a pool and beautifully landscaped gardens. The master bedroom has an amazing turquoise Italian glass chandelier that Tim Tanner helped find. He told me the object was to introduce a “pop of interest and romance” into a room brimming with luxurious

neutrals. According to Tanner, the guest room down the hall also has a “New York chic” vibe and is decorated in a bold red, black, and white color palette with a “timeless” Scalamandre zebra print on the bed pillows. Stephen has two daughters, Mallory Lightman Lester and Rachel Lightman, and this room’s strong color scheme was designed to suit his three grandsons when they visit. A year ago Lightman went with Linda Pelts, her good friend from Memphis, on a trip to Cuba sponsored by a Miami group, Pan American Art Projects, to attend the Havana Art Biennial. Lightman says there were incredible installations along the waterfront and in studios around the city, and she ended up buying six fantastic pieces of art by amazingly-talented Cubans. Stephen did not accompany her on this trip, as he does not like to travel quite as much as his wife does, although he does love to go to New York to see Broadway shows. They also have fun visiting Las Vegas from time to time, which is in fact where they were married. Nonetheless, I got the distinct impression that left to his own devices and desires, Stephen Lightman would just

32 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

029_MM06_2016_GreatHome.indd 32

5/17/16 3:42 PM

left: A handsomely decorated wall in the den with its Maysey Craddock painting.

below: The spacious cantaloupecolored kitchen is every cook’s dream although Lightman says she doesn't cook very often — except coffee!

explosions Lightman’s own large canvases

light up the walls with dazzling

of colors.

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 33

029_MM06_2016_GreatHome.indd 33

5/17/16 2:32 PM

great memphis homes

romance

The master bedroom has an amazing turquoise Italian top left: Everything about the “boys’ bedroom” is bold — from its charcoal, red, and white color palette to the fantastic picture on the walls which is from Cuba. top right: The upstairs trophy room is full of golf trophies won over the

years by amateur golfer, Stephen Lightman. bottom: The turquoise chandelier and Lightman’s own paintings add bold color to the luxurious master bedroom.

glass chandelier to introduce a pop of interest and

into a room brimming with luxurious neutrals.

34 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

029_MM06_2016_GreatHome.indd 34

5/17/16 2:33 PM

as soon stay home, relax and enjoy the companionship of the family’s two adorable Coton de Tuléar dogs — Bogie and Tish. Lightman was determined that we photograph her husband’s upstairs “trophy room,” although Stephen Lightman is a modest man and wasn’t so keen on the idea. Thank heavens he relented, because it features an astounding display of crystal and silver trophies he has garnered over the years as an award-winning amateur golfer. When I asked about his most memorable golfing achievement, Lightman mentioned that it was playing in the U.S. Senior Open in 1996 at the famed Canterbury Golf Club outside Cleveland. He claims it was a miracle that he qualified because “it took the best competitive 18-hole round of my life.” Once there he had the thrill of playing a practice round with Jack Nicklaus as well as “just being in the locker room with legends Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Hale Irwin.” He candidly admits his scores in the tournament were nothing to brag about, and in his words, “when I was there, I felt like I was

in a gunfight with a dull butter knife.” As to her background — artistic and otherwise — Sue Lightman says she is originally from Lynnville in Middle Tennessee and has two children from a previous marriage, Kristin Layman Norwood and Micah Layman. She worked in public relations and marketing when first in Memphis, but over time began to realize she needed something different. And then it came to her — a bolt from the blue. She began to paint the large, bold, colorful works of art for which she is so well-known. Admittedly self-taught, Lightman’s style utilizes many of her same basic design motifs over and over in varying patterns and colors. It is no wonder she also advises businesses on how to liven up their workspaces with colorful pieces of art — “to put some pizazz in the office environment,” to boost employee morale and enhance the customer experience. The truth is that everything about Lightman is colorful. If you drop by Sue Layman Designs downtown, a visit with Lightman and her art will definitely put some pizazz in your life. Trust me!

above: The large, comfortable back porch overlooks the pool and beautifully landscaped garden. inset: The Lightmans relax together on the porch with their two beloved little dogs.

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 35

029_MM06_2016_GreatHome.indd 35

5/17/16 2:33 PM

Memphis Quintessentials by eileen townsend

with sa m cic ci , sh a r a cl a r k , mich a el finger , fr a nk murtaugh , a nd john o'le a ry

very city has its secrets — it’s one-off

mer Avenue Drive-In. It means being able to tell your

dives at the edge of town, haunted cemeteries

“Voodoo Village” from your “Victorian Village,” and

and abandoned mansions, weird public art and

your Beale Street bars from your juke joints.

legendary backroads. To be a local means to have a grip on the lore of your hometown landscape.

But even insiders sometimes need a guide. Which is why, in honor of Memphis magazine’s 40th anniversary

Memphians pride ourselves on our Southern hospi-

year, we compiled this all-purpose “Insider’s-Insider’s-

tality, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep some local

Guide,” complete with 40 places and things that we

secrets close-to-the-vest. To be a Memphian means

think are quintessentially Memphis. If you’re new to

knowing the city from the “M” Bridge to the Sum-

town, this is for you too … you’ll catch on. Eventually.

36 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 36

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MEMPHIS URBAN SKETCHERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS >>> ILLUSTRATION CREDIT: RIVERFRONT VIEW BY MARTHA KELLY

5/19/16 11:02 AM

Chucalissa

The Mississippians were a mound-building Native American civilization who lived in the Mississippi Valley from roughly 800 to 1600. Chucalissa, a museum and historical site, offers insight into these people’s way of life. Located south of town in T.O. Fuller State Park, Chucalissa is home to a mound complex, nature trail, and arboretum. — ET

Observation Deck at the Pyramid

The Memphis Pyramid has defined our skyline for more than two decades now, but when it was reinvented a year ago as the South’s flagship Bass Pro Shop, it gained something really cool: an observation deck. Now, for 10 dollars and an elevator ride, visitors can catch sunset views of the Bluff City from high in the sky. The observation deck is accompanied by a restaurant called — what else? — The Lookout. — ET

Bluff Walk

Whether jogging, strolling, or grabbing lunch on one of several benches, Memphians enjoy a path unlike any other on the planet. A gaze from atop the

south bluffs — four bridges, a pyramid, Tom Lee Park, Mud Island, and all those barges — brings a gentility foreign to the hustle and bustle of a more typical downtown. Geology can, in fact, be artistic. — FM

Overton Park Shell

From Elvis Presley to Amy LaVere, this small outdoor stage has heard — no, felt — Memphis music across generations and genres. Tucked nicely between the Memphis College of Art and

“M” Bridge

Every city has a skyline, but how many have a signature? When lit at night, the Hernando DeSoto Bridge serves as the most distinctive river beacon in America, if not the entire world. (The 200 lights were first illuminated in 1986 at a cost of more than $350,000.) Merely a glimpse from any direction reminds us of our connection to the Mississippi River and that our mojo starts with the letter “M.” — FM

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS: OBSERVATION DECK BY MARY BADDOUR | LEVITT SHELL BY MARTHA KELLY

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 37

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 37

5/19/16 11:02 AM

marker of the entrance to the state park. The store was saved from destruction in the 1990s, and current owners note that it has been improved but not modernized. Hunting trophies, good roadside food, and country conversation recall earlier times at the store. — ET

in the country. Rodriguez’s folk art creation has called East Memphis’ Memorial Park Cemetery home since the 1930s. — ET

Beale Street Flippers

A longtime fixture on Beale Street, these urban acrobats are some of the most impressive tumblers off the Olympic mat. The group of young men (including some kids) have gained a national reputation for their athleticism and style. See them flying through the air most busy nights on Beale, or, more recently, at NBA halftime shows. — ET

C rystal Shrine Grotto the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Shell is the single greatest picnic venue in a city bountiful with them. Local stars at their brightest, under a sky full of others. — FM

Forest on a pretty day has probably stopped off at this Great Depression-era store, which serves as an unofficial

Built by a wayfaring Mexican sculptor, Dionicio Rodriguez, from five tons of Arkansas crystals, the Crystal Shrine Grotto is one of the most unusual pieces of funerary art

The King’s Scepter

Standing where Elvis once stood has been known to induce goose bumps in these parts. But what about holding the very microphone that captured a voice that changed the world? Visitors to Sun Studio can see the stand-up microphone Elvis used when he was merely a crown prince, before “That’s All Right” made rock-and-roll a worldwide language. Go ahead, sing into it. We’ll listen. — FM

Elmwood

Few cities can boast such a beautiful, parklike cemetery as Elmwood, a quiet refuge of gentle hills, majestic elms, and imposing monuments. Established in 1848, it’s the final resting place for some of our city’s most famous residents, and a history lesson for anyone who appreciates our city’s past. — MF

Shelby Forest General Store

Any Memphis native who has ever hightailed it to Shelby

38 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 38

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS: ELMWOOD BY MARTHA KELLY | SHELBY FOREST GENERAL STORE BY EILEEN TOWNSEND | THE KING’S SCEPTER BY DREAMSTIME

5/19/16 11:02 AM

the spotlighting at night that gives us pause (and helped it make this list). — MF

The Gap in Interstate 40 As our major coast-to-coast thruway, I-40 is perhaps the United States’ defining road. Its presence in Memphis, however, created a landmark legal battle when developers sought to send the freeway through Overton Park in 1971. Activists and citizens prevailed and the interstate was rerouted around the city. The park was saved, and the case is now studied in legal textbooks around the country. — ET

Highway 61, Revisited

Jackie Smith’s 30-year protest of the Civil Rights Museum

Jacqueline Smith used to be a tenant and employee of the Lorraine Motel before Martin Luther King was shot there in 1968. Smith has devoted her life to protesting what she sees as the gentrification of the area, including the conversion of the motel into the National Civil Rights Museum. You can speak with Smith about her cause almost every day in front of the museum, where she has held her ground now for nearly 30 years. — ET

The Pangean Disc

Drivers usually do a double-take when they see the Pangean Disc sculpture where Walnut Grove merges into Union Avenue, but this artwork — complete with cut-steel continents and a cylinder holding dolls — is just one of the more striking examples of the public work of Memphis sculptor Roy Tamboli.

His many contributions include critter-decorated street signs along Cooper, and the soaring monument to Max Rose at Elmwood Cemetery. — MF

The Statue of Liberation

Oh sure, the real thing in New York City is an impressive sight,

but Memphis’ own miniature version — ours is called the Statue of Liberation — is truly something to see, if you can take your eyes away from the traffic along Winchester. Built in the 1990s by the World Overcomers Church, the statue — holding a cross instead of Liberty’s torch — is designed to … well, we’re really not sure. But who ever said Memphians really needed a good reason to do anything? — MF

The Front Yard Buddha Since it’s just down Mendenhall in Parkway Village from what has often been described (and written about) as the ugliest house in Memphis, it’s probably no shock to encounter a giant stone statue of Buddha perched in the front yard of what is otherwise a perfectly normal residence. The story goes that the owners are very religious people who wanted to put a symbol of their faith in their front yard. A very large symbol. And we’re fine with that. It’s

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS: OVERTON PARK GREENSWARD BY TOM PELLETT | STATUE OF LIBERATION BY EILEEN TOWNSEND | HIGHWAY 61 BY DREAMSTIME

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 39

Immortalized by Bob Dylan in his sixth studio album, Highway 61 follows the Mississippi River from New

Orleans to Minnesota. It is known, variously, as the “Blues Highway” or “Great River Road” in honor of its position in American musical heritage. If you want to follow Dylan’s advice and “take everything down to Highway 61” in Memphis, you can catch the famed stretch of road on South 3rd Street, downtown. — ET

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 39

5/19/16 11:02 AM

Shrunken Head at the Pink Palace

From the sound of it, “Mud Island” doesn’t seem it would be a place with much to offer. But the mid-river island is something of a diamond in the rough, home to a booming residential community, good restaurants, and the Mud Island River Park. The River Park, accessible by monorail, is home to a pedalboat pond, a scale model of the river, and a museum of river history. — ET

Memphis’ all-purpose city museum, the enigmatically named Pink Palace, is home to one of the weirdest artifacts this side of the river: a (maybe?) real shrunken human head. The head came to the museum in 1940, courtesy of Abe Scharff, a local cleaning-company owner and self-designated world explorer. — ET

Voodoo Village

Jerry’s Sno-C ones

Mud Island River Park

If you’ve never gone to Jerry’s Sno-Cones’ walk-up window on a hot day in mid-July, you have not truly endured a Memphis summer. Located in a former gas station in the Berclair area, the identifiable pink and green one-stop-snocone-shop recently expanded their menu to include more substantive food. But it is still all about the sno-cones. — ET

“Voodoo Village” is the local nickname for the south Memphis home of late folk artist, “Doc” Wash Harris. Harris’ property gained local notoriety after Harris constructed a brightly painted, clapboard church there, which he called “St. Paul’s Spiritual Holy Temple.” For decades, Memphis teens in search of a midnight adventure would drive to Voodoo Village (and

harass the artist), but there are currently curatorial efforts to preserve Harris’ art. — ET

Elvis Impersonators on Elvis Week Elvis Week, the most sacred of Mid-Southern holidays, takes place every year in August, and memorializes the late King of Rock-and-Roll. There are many events (the most famous of

which is the candlelight vigil at Graceland), but locals note the passage of the week with an extreme uptick in Elvis-ish personas hanging out in our local bars and diners. Height, gender, nationality: The truth is, none of these matter when it comes to playing the King. It’s all in the hips. — ET

Pete & Sam’s

This 60-year-old Memphis eatery is a classic. Founded by Italian-American cousins Sam Bomarito and Pete Romeo in 1948, the menu is simple and hearty. The restaurant’s distinctive wooden paneling and low lighting might trick a diner into thinking nothing ever changes in Memphis, and, at least when it comes to pasta, that can be a good thing. — ET

Tunnels Beneath the Memphis Zoo

Part of a network of rainwater ditches that eventually empty into the Mississippi River, the concrete tunnels beneath the Memphis Zoo are home to graffiti murals, lost shoes, and — if you are brave enough to traverse them on foot —

40 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 40

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS: JERRY’S SNO-CONES BY EILEEN TOWNSEND | ELVIS IMPERSONATORS BY DREAMSTIME

5/19/16 11:02 AM

the occasional glimpse of an African animal behind the Zoo’s fences. Just don’t venture too far on a rainy day. — ET

Port Restaurant on Presidents Island

Home of one of the best catfish sandwiches in the tri-state area, the Port Restaurant is the only dining establishment on the otherwise industrial Presidents Island. There is a buffet and a down-home bar, but the real draw is conversation with the folks who run and frequent the diner, which was originally known as “The Islander.” — ET

Goner Records

Memphis’ preeminent independent punk and garage rock label, Goner Records has been homebase for front-running acts such as Jay Reatard and Ty Segall. Founded in 1993, Goner hosts a yearly music festival known as GonerFest that draws crowds from all over the world for a weekend of disreputable, dirty fun. — ET

If you need a home where the buffalo roam, look no further than Shelby Farms Park. Memphis’ own herd of bison lives life surrounded by blue skies, a lush grassland, plenty of shade, and a freshwater well. Life doesn’t get much better for a buffalo. Playing host to the herd for over three decades, park guests can adopt their own buffalo to support the herd and be part of the family. — SC

National Ornamental Metal Museum

Home to a working forge and foundry, sculpture-filled grounds on the Mississippi bluff, contemporary galleries, historic collections, and an artist-sourced gift store, the Metal Museum is one of Memphis’ hidden gems. The Museum is unique in purpose and presentation, and has some of the best sunset watching in the area. — ET

Snowden as a wedding gift for his daughter, Central Avenue’s most notable castle has since served as residence, restaurant, and nightclub. Most recently, it housed a club run by the notoriously eccentric “Prince Mongo” (aka Robert Hodges), but is currently vacant. Rumors persist that it is linked by a tunnel to the Annesdale Mansion, located across Lamar Avenue. — ET

Summer Avenue Drive-In Theatre

Ashlar Hall, Mongo’s Castle

Built in the 1890s by real estate mogul Robert Brinkley

If you drive down Summer Avenue slowly, you can actually see the architecture change by the decade — a visual legacy of Memphis’ expansion. Towards the east end of the street is a 1960s-era drive-in movie

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS: NATIONAL ORNAMENTAL METAL SMITHY BY EILEEN TOWNSEND | SUMMER DRIVE-IN BY LINDA BURKARD BOSWELL

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 41

Shelby Farms Buffalo Herd

Painted Tigers

Look around as you drive through Memphis, and you’ll spot tigers, seemingly everywhere — 100 of them, the last time we counted — and painted all colors of the rainbow, or even sheathed in black rubber tires. This was a clever promotion to help the University of Memphis celebrate its 100th birthday — area artists painted lifesize fiberglass sculptures, which were sponsored by area businesses. First installed in 2014, most of them still roam the city today. — MF

theatre, still operational, and a favorite haunt of Memphians during the warmer months. Complete with four screens and a concession hut, the drive-in remains the most romantic spot in town. — ET

Wild Bill’s on a Saturday Night

Wild Bill’s is Memphis’ bestkept musical secret that isn’t really a secret. The storefront dive on Vollintine only serves up 40’s and real Memphis blues. Saturday night is the best time to post up at Wild Bill’s and catch performances by some local talent with international cred. Come prepared to stay up late, and to dance, because this juke joint stays open all night long. — ET

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 41

5/19/16 11:02 AM

Conservancy, allowing nearby flora and fauna to flourish. Memphis’ own Ghost River Beer pays tribute to this wild and natural section of the Wolf, and a portion of their proceeds goes to the Conservancy. — SC

Walnut Grove Lake

Sears Crosstown Building

Once a massive distribution warehouse for the major retailer, the Sears Crosstown Building was constructed in 1927 and closed in 1965. The massive art-deco style building was left vacant in 1993, where it collected dust until recently, when a group of developers teamed up to reinvent the building as a vertical urban village. The new “Crosstown Concourse” has plans to open sometime in the coming year, and will feature a school, art gallery, nonprofit health center, residential, and retail. — ET

Ghost River

Originating from Baker’s Pond in the Holly Springs National Forest, Mississippi, the Ghost River (officially the Wolf River) flows into Tennessee, sustaining some of the state’s biggest trees. More than 100 miles long, the river is kept in pristine condition by the Wolf River

This insular neighborhood in East Memphis is the surprising home to a small but pretty body of water known as Walnut Grove Lake. Pontooning and paddle-boating residents of the area consider it one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The neighborhood, founded as a sunny subdivision in the 1960s, is dotted with Scandinavian architecture-styled homes and old-growth trees. For an inside look at the lake and its residents, check out our January 2015 cover story. — ET

A. Schwab’s on Beale.

A. Schwab’s motto really says it all: “If you can’t find it at A. Schwab, you’re probably better off without it!” The multi-story Beale Street retailer, established in 1876 by Abraham Joseph Schwab, is the oldest business on the street. It began as a men’s haberdashery and served as a dry goods store before becoming the quirkiest general interest store in town. In addition to selling a little of everything under the sun (sunglasses, gag gifts, home goods, candy), Schwab’s also currently houses a museum of old Beale Street ephemera. If you're with a date, you can even get romantic over an old-fashioned ice cream soda at their inhouse soda-shop. — ET

Al Green’s Church

If you're from Memphis and you are unfamiliar with the sweet soul stylings of The Reverend Al Green, stop reading this right now and get yourself to a record player. The “Let’s Stay Together” and “Take Me To The River” hit maker came to the Lord in 1976, and has been Memphis' most soulful preacher ever since. He currently preaches at Full Gospel Tabernacle, a church near Graceland. The 1984 documentary, The Gospel According to Al Green, is about Green’s pastoral service. —ET

42 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 42

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS: SEARS CROSSTOWN BY ELIZABETH ALLEY | AL GREEN BY NANCY MARDIS

5/19/16 11:02 AM

Earnestine & Hazel’s

South Main’s ragged dive bar keeps the Memphis spirit coming with “soul burgers” and live jazz, blues, and soul performances all night long. A pharmacy since the 1930s, the owner handed over the property to two hair stylists

will make you feel like a millionaire. Their distinctive yellow mustard-based slaw and no-nonsense barbecue has drawn the attention of food writers and average hungry people nationwide. The blog seriouseats.com called Payne’s food “perfect,” while the folks over at the Memphis Flyer have regularly listed Payne’s on their annual “Best of Memphis” list. — ET

Peabody Ducks

A hotel manager’s prank in the 1930s — putting live hunting decoys in the hotel fountain — quickly became one of Memphis’ most enduring traditions. Every day, the Peabody ducks, escorted by their uniformed Duckmaster, splash in the ornate lobby — quite possibly the most photographed ducks in America. — MF

The Piano Bar at Folk’s Folly

Okay, so every city has one, and ours may not be quite as famous as the one at The Carlyle in New York, but Ms. Charlotte Hurt has “manned”

the piano weeknights at Memphis’ iconic steakhouse for over two decades now, and is as much a local institution as Folk’s Folly itself. The late, great Bobby Short would certainly approve. — JO‘L

living upstairs, Earnestine and Hazel, who turned the building into a café frequented by nearby performers including B.B. King, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and plenty of others. Earnestine & Hazel’s became a bar in the 1990s, and the current iteration has been featured in several movies, as well as Playboy and Esquire. — SC

Payne's Bar-B-Q

Calling a good barbecue place “nothing fancy” is probably the best compliment you can pay it in these parts. Payne’s Bar-B-Q, located on Lamar Avenue, is nothing fancy, but their pulled pork sandwich

ILLUSTRATION CREDITS: EARNESTINE & HAZEL’S BY JULIE WIKLUND | PEABODY LOBBY BY MARTHA KELLY | FOLK’S FOLLY BY T YLER HILDEBRAND

036_MM06_2016_TheMightyQuinn_v2.indd 43

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 43

5/19/16 11:02 AM

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/6/16 9:53 AM

PHOTOGRAPH BY VALUAVITALY | DREAMSTIME

THE BEAUT Y GUIDE

Aging Gracefully HEALTHY-AGING EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON WAYS TO KEEP SKIN LOOKING ITS BEST. by shara clark s we age, the development of fine lines and wrinkles and the dulling and sagging of skin is all but inevitable. We can’t stop time. But a variety of age-defying options are available to improve the health of our skin, bring back that youthful glow, and tighten and smooth problem areas. We talked to local professionals who’ve shared with us expert insight about new technologies and treatments that can help us age gracefully.

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 45

044_MM06_2016_BeautyGuide.indd 45

5/17/16 3:06 PM

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRANDON DILL

MODERN AESTHETICS

I N A C H A N G I N G I N D U S T R Y, M O N A S TAY S A H E A D O F T H E C U R V E .

n her twenties, Mona Sappenfield developed an interest in aesthetics. Then a flight attendant for Braniff Airlines, Sappenfield and her co-workers would get pampered on overseas trips: “The crews would get

different types of beauty treatments for relaxation. In London, we’d all get facials. If we were in the Orient, we’d all get a massage,” she says. But she began to see something that sparked her curiosity. “I noticed that there was quite a bit of change in the skin of some women — our senior flight attendants,” she says. “There was this growing industrialization of people being so mobile, and the oxidation [resulting from] travel and busy lifestyles was accelerating the aging process. I was seeing so much difference in the women I was working with compared to my mother and my aunts

and what they looked like, so I started studying and embracing different cultural ideas of what beauty was. I really wanted to be involved in that industry.” Sappenfield left her job with the airline to study at the Jean-Pierre Fleurimon Institute in Paris and later in New York at The Lancôme Institute. Today, she sits on the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Exam-

iners (a governor-appointed position), is an internationally certified CIDESCO diplomate (a prestigious qualification for aesthetics and beauty therapy), and her company, Mona Esthetics, has been a leader in age-defying skincare and beauty treatments in Memphis for more than 25 years. Over the years, Sappenfield has watched the industry change and grow. “Our technologies have changed a great deal,” she says. “We always want to embrace that soft side of aesthetics, where people can come and get facials, but those facials have changed, and we’re now working with light devices, laser devices, ultrasound devices — sophisticated technology and formulations of ingredients.” Many elements in our environment and in the food we eat, in addition to everyday stresses, create toxicities in skin tissue and in the body. “Since the skin is the largest organ of the body, it does need to have some kind of new moisture, energy, and nutrients introduced professionally to keep it young and healthy,” Sappenfield says. The treatments offered at Mona do just that. To assist in detoxifying, Mona offers a variety of spa facial treatments that use the June Jacobs Spa Collection, a line of luxury products made using high-quality, natural ingredients. Its formulas do not include parabens, preservatives, synthetic dyes, or sulfates and are mostly petrochemical- and fragrance-free. Mona’s aestheticians are licensed and certified to perform time-tested massages, as well as a relaxing, skin-lifting Jin Shin Do massage that Sappenfield learned during her early training. Mona’s facial options are designed around the “core” Deep Pore Cleansing-Detox Facial, a traditional European facial that incorporates multi-tasking herbal and plant extracts to efficiently clean pores, detoxify skin tissue, and add moisture, energy, and nourishment to the skin, giving the face a wonderful glow. The Signature Copper Lift Facial enhances the Deep Pore Facial, incorporating an enzyme or peel prep mask, peptides, an eyebrow clean-up, and a moisture, energy, and nourishment treatment for the hands and arms. Sappenfield added the Stem Cell Facial to the lineup last year to introduce Stemulation Luxury Skin Care. “It’s a skin-tightening ‘red carpet’ treatment that infuses growth factors and peptides using stem cell technology,” she says. To gently smooth facial skin, Mona offers Microdermabrasion Plus. “This is our third generation of mechanical skin-exfoliation technology. It sweeps away dull surface skin cells with an oxygenated tip,” Sappenfield says. “The ‘Plus’ is red, yellow, or blue LED lights applied simultaneously with cool oxygen.” contin u ed on page 52

46 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

044_MM06_2016_BeautyGuide.indd 46

5/17/16 3:06 PM

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SUSAN G. MURRMANN

Q&A

W I T H S U SA N G . M U R R M A N N M . D., FACO G, M E D I C A L D I R E C TO R OF THE MCDONALD + MURRMANN CENTER F O R S K I N , L A S E R , A N D H E A LT H Y A G I N G

Lenny & Eva’s Trousseau Collection. Bridesmaids’ gifts that serve not only as beautiful adornments for the big day but also meaningful reminders for years to come.

r. Susan G. Murrmann is a co-founder of the McDonald Murrmann Women’s Clinic, which for 20 years has provided superior obstetrical and gynecological care for the many stages of

a woman’s life. After years of experience working in the field, Murrmann and her partner began to notice something. “We realized that there was a huge connection between how women look and how they feel,” Murrmann says. Today, Murrmann also serves as medical director of the McDonald + Murrmann Center for Skin, Laser, and Healthy Aging. “Opening the aesthetics arm of our practice [in 2003] was more about helping women take better care of themselves and be more proactive to-

ward their own health just by making little changes that can make a difference in what they see in the mirror.” Those changes include the use of cutting-edge skincare technologies, like laser resurfacing, liposuction, skin tightening through radiofrequency (RF) treatments, and the use of dermal fillers and neurotoxins, like Dysport and Botox.

2123 West St, Germantown, TN 901.755.4388 morethanwords.com J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 47

044_MM06_2016_BeautyGuide.indd 47

5/17/16 3:06 PM

Making Wedding Plans?

Q&A

WITH SUSAN G. MURRMANN

WHY CHOOSE DERMAL FILLERS OR NEUROTOXIN INJECTIONS?

Maple Grove Farm The Perfect Setting for Your Special Event

Maple Grove Farm’s serene grounds create an

unforgettable experience for your dream wedding, reception or renewal of vows. Nestled on 47 beautiful wooded acres in Collierville, Tennessee, Maple Grove Farm takes you away from the everyday stress the moment you pass through our gates. Our variety of indoor and outdoor facilities make every event special and allows you to personalize your event. We have an assortment of packages from our Grand Select all inclusive to your very own customized package.

Maple Grove Farm is surrounded by nature’s beauty and a staff dedicated to your satisfaction and enjoyment. Visit our website for more information.

Maple Grove Farm

4961 Windsong Park, Collierville, Tennessee 38017 (901) 861-7422 • info@maplegrovefarm.net • www.maplegrovefarm.net

These smooth the look of frown lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. Studies have been done that have looked at the effect of neurotoxins on the brain. The results showed that there was more of a connection besides, “Oh, I don’t see that frown line anymore, so I feel better.” There was actually a physiological change that was taking place in the brain that made women feel differently. Clients can get instant results and a non-surgical “face lift” with volumizing injections performed by our expert nurse injectors (Sara Carpenter, RN and Tara Polston, RN) in a relaxing and medically supervised environment.

TELL US ABOUT THE THERMI-RF TREATMENTS. Many patients are looking for non-surgical alternatives to improving sagging skin and skin texture, and the ThermiRF system uses a combination of specially designed radiofrequency handpieces to accomplish just that. ThermiTight is the first to deliver heat underneath the skin to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate the face and body, and even reduce the appearance of cellulite. ThermiSmooth addresses the appearance of skin texture and sagging skin on the surface of the skin. The combination of both radiofrequency handpieces is ideal for taking years off of your neck, face, abdomen, knees, and arms. The beauty of the ThermiRF system is that there is no downtime, and it is completely painless. Three treatments are needed over a period of two to four weeks, and results are usually seen over a three-month period. ThermiRF is perfect when used in combination with other procedures such as Tickle Liposuction and facial fillers.

WHAT IS TICKLE LIPOSUCTION? Tickle Lipo is body sculpting with liposuction that is done in the office under local anesthesia. The technology behind Tickle is mechanical movement, which helps to dissolve fat and remove it quickly, with minimal discomfort — it feels like a tickle. Tickle Lipo is ideal for body sculpting because results are immediate, and it creates a smoother look in contrast to some current trends in fat “dis48 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

044_MM06_2016_BeautyGuide.indd 48

5/19/16 10:01 AM

krocmemphis.org

Collierville Premier bakery winning customers hearts one bite at a time with delicious, bake from scratch, sweet treats!

644 W. P

901.854.7022

Offerings: A variety of sweet treats, cakes for any occasions, international desserts, gluten-free options available.

Mo Saturday 7 AM

Internationa

Collierville's Pr

644 W. Poplar, Collierville, TN 38017 â&#x20AC;˘ 901.854.7022 â&#x20AC;˘ OhMyGanacheBakery.com

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/17/16 9:43 AM

Q&A

WITH SUSAN G. MURRMANN continued solving.” The fat removed is also perfect for transferring to other areas in the body — where it is wanted. I like to do a combination treatment that I call Lipo Tight that uses the Tickle Lipo with ThermiTight RF to help with cellulite and sagging skin.

WHAT TYPES OF LASER TREATMENTS DO YOU OFFER? Fraxel and Cutera are both non-invasive lasers used to resurface and treat various skin conditions related to sun exposure and aging. Fraxel is great for resurfacing skin and works well on all skin types for improving the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, skin discoloration, and even stretch marks. Fraxel has a small amount of downtime, with redness and peeling in a few days. The Cutera laser is beneficial for several conditions such as vascular lesions, large pores, redness, and hair reduction. It is the perfect laser for being proactive on younger skin.

WHAT IS ENDYMED AND HOW DOES IT WORK TO IMPROVE SKIN HEALTH?

4626 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117 | (901) 763-0700 | www.babcockgifts.com

EndyMed is a radiofrequency device ideal for improving skin texture and sagging areas on the face and the body. Our clinic is the first to also have EndyMed Intensif — a combination of CO2 laser and micro-needling that delivers radiofrequency energy deeper in the skin, stimulating collagen production. When you add injury to the skin at a certain level — in this case, with needles — your body takes over, and in response starts sending fibroblasts and forming collagen and trying to heal that area, which in turn, over time, regenerates the area. The procedure provides the perfect system to deliver anti-aging growth factors and vitamins to your skin at a deeper level.

WHAT’S YOUR MISSION? breakersfwb.com/memphis (800) 395-GULF Ask us about our wedding & honeymoon specials

Vacation

Honeymoon

Wedding

White sand, ocean breeze

The perfect luxury getaway

A beautiful venue

McDonald + Murrmann Center for Skin, Laser, and Healthy Aging is located next to McDonald Murrmann Women’s Clinic because we believe that being healthy on the inside is intimately connected to how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror. We offer wellness services and a combination of treatments to help you look and feel your best. Patients get the benefits of science, medicine, and aesthetics, so we can keep you feeling great inside and out.

50 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

044_MM06_2016_BeautyGuide.indd 50

5/19/16 10:01 AM

25 Minute Non-Invasive Body Contouring Treatment

The light-based body contouring system destroys 24%1 of treated fat cells without surgery. SculpSure is ideal for people with stubborn spots of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation Today! (901) 683-0178 -orloseweightmemphis@gmail.com

Total Health Wellness Center www.loseweightmemphis.com 1069 West Rex Road | Memphis ÂŠ 2016 Cynosure, Inc. Cynosure and SculpSure are registered trademarks of Cynosure, Inc. Cynosure, Inc. owns exclusive rights to photography. Use of photography without written permission of Cynosure is prohibited. 1 Average reduction in fat volume following single treatment as measured by MRI; Clinical and Histological Evaluations of a 1060nm Laser Device for Non-Invasive Fat Reduction, John W. Decorato, M.D., FACS. Rafael Sierra, Ph.D., Bo Chen, Ph.D., Westford, MA, 2014.

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/18/16 9:18 AM

MODERN AESTHETICS contin u ed from page 46 What does the application of LED do? Sappenfield explains that, depending on the condition you’re looking to treat, an aesthetician would select either a red, blue, or yellow light. “A blue light would be selected if someone had bruising or post-inflammatory acne scarring,” she says. “We’ll also sometimes use our blue light techniques on clients if they’ve had our Ulthera Treatment [a non-invasive ultrasound treatment used to lift the skin on the neck, chin, and brow] or injections because the blue light can take away any bruising much faster.” Aestheticians may use a red LED light on someone who suffers with allergies and red, dry skin. “Microdermabrasion would slough off all the powdery skin cells, and then we clean up the skin with enzymes,” Sappenfield says. “The skin may be a bit itchy or irritated after microdermabrasion, but the red light would calm that down quite a bit. Our rosacea clients use this, and vascular eruptions can be treated with red light as well.” Yellow LED lights are used to treat the “rusting” that tends to happen with aging. “The face may get darker, but it’s not actually a UV tan — it’s just from poor quality oxygenation going on in the skin,” she says.

CELEBRATE ATA T THES H LAKE’S EDGE ELBY FARMS

“So we use antioxidant ingredients with the yellow light, and it helps penetrate and excite the skin cells because it clears out the toxins a lot faster.” To treat red or purple facial spider veins, red dots (cherry hemangiomas), and red discoloration from scarring on the face, Mona offers the Laser Excel Vein treatment. The laser delivery setting is based on the color of your skin, and the application involves a three-millimeter spot laser beam. “The color in the blood will actually absorb that light, and a lot of the tiny veins will just evaporate right there in front of you,” says Sappenfield. “The ones that respond to the laser treatment are gone, they never come back, but because you’re predisposed to having them — maybe because of a genetic predisposition or maybe you’ve had too much sun — others can come. The more clearing you have, the less will come, so we treat one or two times for a good clearing, and then you might pop in seasonally or annually and have a few more picked off that come later.” Mona also offers an ultrasound “fat-melting” treatment — UltraShape — for those who want to shed a few inches without surgery. “The acoustical ultrasound is focal targeted by an adjustment that the technician makes with a camera,” Sappenfield says. “Because it’s only targeted for fat, it

destroys and kills the fat cells, but it does not interfere with blood vessels or any other tissue.” Other similar systems have shown to destroy surrounding tissues, causing bruising and swelling. Sappenfield says to be best-suited for the UltraShape treatment, a client will need a high-functioning liver to help process out the dead fat cells. “We coach our customer that a healthier liver and a healthier lifestyle is going to get that fat through the system a lot faster,” she says. “We treat every two weeks for three treatments. And for that period of time we suggest drinking lots of water and keeping the liver clear, meaning not a lot of alcohol and things that can make the liver slow down. If we get someone with a high-performance liver and people who are exercising, we can really contour their body. And in those three treatments, they can lose two inches, but we’ve seen people lose a lot more.” Sappenfield has a passion for offering age-defying treatments using natural products and industry-leading technology. Mona has pioneered the aesthetician’s practice and use of facial treatments, laser, and ultrasound technology for a healthy approach to defying the skin’s aging process. Today’s clinic incorporates aesthetic injections with registered nurses and a medical administrator, Amy Funderburk-Mock, M.D.

PARK

Whether you want to walk down a lush, green aisle at the garden party of your dreams, or plan to have an elegant celebration indoors, Shelby Farms Park is your dream destination. Just for you: The FedEx Event Center features a custom designed bridal suite. Ready to say, “I do,” to the perfect venue for your wedding and reception? Contact Hannah Apple at happle@shelbyfarmspark.org to start planning today. www.shelbyfarmspark.org

52 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

044_MM06_2016_BeautyGuide.indd 52

5/19/16 10:01 AM

...and don’t let your body go “South”!

Ask us about...

body

...and other Thermi treatments!

MCDONALD MURRMANN CENTER for SKIN & LASER Oﬀering a full line of aesthetic services. 7205 Wolf River Blvd # 155 Germantown, TN (901) 322-7020 mmskinandlaser.com

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/19/16 12:21 PM

GOLD STATUETTE

This winning look will glitter down the aisle but never take the glory away from the bride. Gold silk and crystal top, $695; skirt, $695; both by St. John; rose gold, diamond, and pearl earrings by Jordan Alexander, $2860; all from Oak Hall. Shoes by INC, $99.50, from Macy’s Oak Court. Gold plated and pave diamond crescent-moon bracelets (one on each arm), $395 each, from Anthony Shaw Antiques & Interiors in Chickasaw Oaks Village. Engagement ring and wedding band are model’s own.

54 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

054_MM06_2016_Fashion_BrideMommas-v2.indd 54

5/17/16 3:20 PM

FASHION

MOTHER BRIDE

OF THE

p h o t o g r a p hy by l a r r y k u z n i e w s k i fa s h i o n e d i t o r a u g u s ta c a m p b e l l

t goes without saying that brides take the spotlight during wedding season, and often the mothers of the bride and groom are a fashion afterthought. More and more, however, women whose children are getting married turn to their own honed senses of style and choose looks that resonate with who they truly are. These pages showcase what can be found right here in a variety of stores including familiar comfort-zone boutiques and an expertise bridal shop. Our editorial was shot in a contemporary jewel of a residence perched on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. The home, like our model and the woman she represents, is modern and confident and ready to walk down the aisle.

J U N E 2 0 1 6 â&#x20AC;˘ M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M â&#x20AC;˘ 55

054_MM06_2016_Fashion_BrideMommas-v2.indd 55

5/17/16 3:00 PM

GLAMOROUS LIFE

A classic wrap dress elegantly shows the right curves. Graphite grey silk dress by Peter Cohen, $1250; Gold plated and pearl earrings, $595, gold plated and pearl necklace, $2700, both by Steve Vaubel; white leather and rainbow reptile detail shoes by Alexandre Birman, $695; rose pink studded clutch by Christian Louboutain, $1395; all from Joseph in Laurelwood.

56 â&#x20AC;˘ M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M â&#x20AC;˘ J U N E 2 0 1 6

054_MM06_2016_Fashion_BrideMommas-v2.indd 56

5/17/16 3:00 PM

THE LACE THAT LAUNCHED A THOUSAND SHIPS

This dress blends the tradition of lace with a festive color. Dress by Tahari ASL, $279, from Macy’s Oak Court. Black pearl earrings by Debra Jill, $345, available on www.DebraJill.com. Clutch by Clara Kasavina, $495, from Kittie Kyle in Chickasaw Oaks.

menswear details Rich colors, dapper menswear details, and fashion for fashion’s sake are all in this ensemble. Pinstripe button-down, $680; turtleneck scarf sweater, $790; both by Rosetta Getty. Denim skirt by 3x1, $222; purse by m2malletier, $1165; all from 20Twelve on Broad Avenue. Shoes by Steve Madden, $120; from Macy’s Oak Court.

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 57

054_MM06_2016_Fashion_BrideMommas-v2.indd 57

5/17/16 3:00 PM

EMERALD DREAM

The sweeping view of the river isn’t the only beauty to behold. This green dress is a knock-out color and flatters many body types. Green crepe and silk dress with jet beading detail by Carol Peretz, $2,695, from Kittie Kyle in Chickasaw Oaks Village. Black glitter rhinestone T-strap sandals by Betsey Johnson, $69, from Macy’s Oak Court. Black diamond and white gold hoops from Mary Beth Harris Jewelry, call for price.

58 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

054_MM06_2016_Fashion_BrideMommas-v2.indd 58

5/17/16 3:01 PM

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 59

054_MM06_2016_Fashion_BrideMommas-v2.indd 59

5/17/16 3:01 PM

thank you Woodard Studios Nicole Forsythe, model AMAX Talent Lucy Hadskey, hair stylist from Secret Services Salon Emily Van Epps, make-up artist from Gia Marina Susie Reuter, digital artist

SILVER BELLE

This look shines bright but won’t take the focus from the bride. Silver dress from Gloria’s Bridal in Chickasaw Oaks Village, $570. Suzanne earrings, $850; Ethereal Pearl necklace, $650; bezeled ice necklace wrapped around wrist as a bracelet, $290; all by Debra Jill, available on DebraJill.com.

leather Leather or the look of leather is everywhere and black is the new black. So, black leather is kind of a big deal right now and this dress is pretty unstoppable. Isabel Marant leather dress, $305; shoes by Aquazurra, $715; sterling and brass earrings by Margaret Ellis, $310; brass and sterling ball necklace, $515; snakeskin clutch by Carlos Falchi, $850. Everything from Joseph in Laurelwood.

THANK YOU

CHRISTOPHER PADGETT, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Macy’s Oak Court AMBER GEORGE, hairstylist, Studio 901 MISSY FLEENOR, model, Colors Agency PHIL and TERRY WOODARD, homeowners LAUREN DRAFFIN, wardrobe stylist assistant

60 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

054_MM06_2016_Fashion_BrideMommas-v2.indd 60

5/19/16 9:51 AM

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/6/16 9:51 AM

MM_PortfolioWeddingsOfTheMidSouth_Jun16_spreadv2.indd 2

5/20/16 11:09 AM

, K N I R D E AT, &

d e i r r a Be M HAVE YOU TIED THE KNOT IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO?

WANT TO HAVE YOUR WEDDING INCLUDED IN MEMPHIS MAGAZINE? Go to memphismagazine.com and see how to commemorate your special day in our inaugural wedding issue that arrives in homes and on newsstands January 1, 2017, featuring Portfolio: Weddings of the Mid-South, which includes brides and grooms from across the Mid-South, and all the enchanting details of their happy day.

EARLY SUBMISSION DEADLINE AUGUST 1, 2016 FINAL DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2016

Go to memphismagazine.com for more information on

how to submit photos, editorial, guidelines, and other details.

MM_PortfolioWeddingsOfTheMidSouth_Jun16_spreadv2.indd 3

5/20/16 11:53 AM

64 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

064_MM06_2016_Fiction.indd 64

5/19/16 3:30 PM

ht houg a t a n i lent d in ut Va te burne b , e ok ola r ith sm like choc w d ch he i a r , o c o r a o app and et, t ge to hick ing swe t a r s u a sly. o h w ntles d the c w. r air of somet e e l p e b u r t e o m l l l e bui street be warning . She wish er Septe the smel h l s o s o he c tected s cook. the to h toes eerie ght a e s thou out onto led their nk to her d return t the d e e l e e h h r s s a a i i peek smell, mer yac uld s s wa ns an g pot b t a strange dow and aid siren felt it wo the sire lazy sum d huntin r a e n ff n a s, i Wh m w ? The air ed and sh ld shut o njoying he lake a ith salad o o r e e t n g n u livin t could it b ach chur t she co e’d been iends at nd style w elly whe r a a h a u f ih s m r h r t , o h c g m t t W o na’s s ole being onths ag ming wi rthday in errupted s was im es. i t n e an h bi m im int lag Val her w Just two ather, sw d her 15th mer was the Germ ding vil h t i f n . y e w m d u e v t b daye urro ebra gran er lif lic su sion e Ba They h form with her . She’d cel Her idyl ity. Inva han the s t r a r. c t s s. s ne e icula dacha ckberrie nd cake rn to the be safer work e in part overcom r e a d u a l h , l t n e t s e u b o n a e r f o o r o to w fo to nd ch on “Gra he said t yway, ea , pota rned e city the n s a ,” meat been wa d, and th ff g s o ve in ad e n o i r g n o m n t e i s t i h o o ’d ir n’t lis eet t en g ning they riends sa d be egan the - were anic. her f es. Ratio od was a f d h , e t l s l p n s fo nen a ns b siren a wi over hat with ehou and

er m ntin he war d-July, al l t iet g sted e Vale i e bla en the G . The Sov y, but th ft ht of e Germ s o g o e u n c o r o Th in ti th th wh nd r ad icto direc n place s rn. The ivable. If there’d arou July ning ick v e i , e c g since ce on Le sed a qu the ring c n n r e n o u e b The i gc d n inco hlisselb n e a m i s s v o y a o w r city. r d l o p o a w e c r t S h d c g g y t l n a a n f a e i ke on th utsid burn b ed a ly ta men ans had nbom food had real es from o . r ’d m e y r ing u r e h e i l t h m s r G t p o n , u p c a f o su m ag d. r he ity s be n. o new tightene e fire wa scarf ove ens ied the c two days ed 50 me d? r n r e u b h Just and kill tmare en ces and h ourte sir om t e had d her noos stench fr ina pulle gh it. Th terror. ec nigh ntic voi ital h s t p i , s h o u s t t t o h ro s of The . Valen of word n will ding d f ra ed th in wave h le t Whe ina hear hway lea out the w on pang b a a e a r r r i a t l b a t e c e e e n r b f r k d d a Vale th an overhea peal, she . ly ma he th wo n the he mou e eps i uld hard k her. S wn the t t h g t s n t i w,” s body d o o d fo e co over to athe ch win ugh her m by no loser. d do h e b S c . a ea ro he ne ay c sit y rf, and r yard ed o With cochet th sed to t e her w ware of a cu r io u ,” cri ey ’ve d i a s r a e and at and sc e e r s b m am fea ld uth. he o hou . “ Th shou rself as s , she bec h and so d? her c of stairs yev ware r t yard . ses. It ’s I “ t n e ra u a u ts e nor orizo ening ted h fligh the Bad n the co wareho .” bera ing the h ning to th opped on L i d w o o n o e “It ’s n ,” r n e dr m rg st f ni Scan l fires bu s had they starv e wo selbu igge bvod t b O ra of th ed our b certainly ken Shlis .” m e g o v n b e s hea alo d. a l b any ly ow m wondere ed south ses, the ma bom r — we’l they’ve t ff entire le from H u i i o e rd i na hurr wareho The aro d all ov just hea e are cut t over a m t in the alent t i na . e e “I’ve ther. “W were jus ta Stree ould V As Valen eared th intense r whel m c e a e s n o r v d e n m a o d s n a a n u a r M c d n la or be said wareho sug a alyze Terr ing o Cana the fire a nd The a’s build e felt par e other. d l m o a m t h o g fr f th i nd ntin y. Sh r nin Vale f the cit in front o ut her m d there f bu o o n t B t a o . r t e fo hea tion ld not s ut on g i na u not p her ima t. She co c d a e z o i t e d s . he ha her s nothing o d d an

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 65

064_MM06_2016_Fiction.indd 65

5/19/16 3:30 PM

BROOKE BALLENGER began writing about Russia after living in St. Petersburg for 17 years, she says, as a sort of tribute to the hardships there and the people who have lived through it all. In fact, her winning story is based on the real-life experiences of the mother of a close friend. “Her courage during the Leningrad Blockade made a deep impression on me, and I spent a good deal of time at her kitchen table over the years I lived there,” Ballenger says. While writing has come naturally since she won a contest as a student at St. Mary’s Episcopal School (“That was my first big publishing moment,” she says.), submitting her stories wasn’t necessarily a priority. But she called on her journalism training from the University of Missouri-Columbia and, realizing a deadline was what was missing, began entering contests, including the Memphis magazine fiction contest. Ballenger is currently working on a collection of children’s stories, and teaches Russian at Central High School and Bellevue Middle School. She is a member of the American Council of Teachers of Russian. Honorable mention awards went to “Effects of the Wind” by graphic designer and web developer Laryn Kragt Bakker; and Nathan Fan, an 8th grade social studies teacher at Wooddale Middle School, for “The Devil Makes Three.” Thank you to our judges — Cary Holladay, Marilyn Sadler, John Bensko, and Alice Long — and, as always, to our sponsors, without whom this contest would not be possible: the Booksellers at Laurelwood and Burke’s Book Store.

her senses. People were everywhere, some running away as others rushed toward the inferno. Not sure what she thought she would find, she glanced about frantically. Could Grandfather be here in this chaos? Valentina noticed some people stooped over, scooping something into bags. Then she felt a substance like white sand under her feet. Sugar. Fumbling in her coat pocket, she was relieved to find two rumpled cloth bags. All Leningraders carried an ample supply everywhere they went. One never knew what treasures one might come across, so as the pioneer slogan reminded them, Leningraders were always ready. She quickly squatted down and began shoveling the coarse sugar into her bags. I wish I had more of them, she thought as she raced to rake in as much as possible with her fingers. She felt she’d discovered buried treasure, and worked so feverishly she

barely noticed the heat. After filling her bags, Valentina scooped more of the white gold into her pockets, and then formed a makeshift bag from her scarf. The air was so permeated with smoke, she felt she would suffocate, but the drive to collect something edible was stronger even than breath itself. When she had filled every crevice, she turned toward home. Valentina’s eye caught a familiar figure making its way through the black smoke. Could it be? “Dedushka,” she called out. The figure turned, revealing the ashen face of her grandfather. He dropped the suitcase he was carrying and reached out his arms. She ran to embrace him. “Dedushka, how grateful I am to see you,” Valentina cried. “I was so worried.” For that brief second, she felt safe. “We must move quickly, Valichka,” he said, gently urging her with the familiar sobriquet. He released his grip on her and grabbed up the suitcase. Their breathing was becoming more labored in the oppressive air. He tied a handkerchief around her mouth, and they walked home in silence. When they arrived at their flat, they carefully placed their treasure in the kitchen and collapsed together on the living room couch. Their faces were black with soot like firefighters after an intense battle. “Dedushka, what’s in your suitcase?” Valentina asked softly after they had caught their breath. She’d been wondering since she saw him in the street and could stand the mystery no longer. “Chocolate,” he whispered in a raspy voice. “A whole suitcase of chocolate.” After a few moments of silence, Valentina began to chuckle. “Dedushka, can you imagine? Of all things, you got a whole case of chocolate? You know it’s my favorite, but it’s not the most nutritious.” He was quiet for a moment and then he, too, began to laugh. “Your sugar is not much more useful than my chocolate, Valichka. We shall become sugar lumps together.” They laughed as one, a welcome reprieve from the weeks of tension. Then, exhausted, they drifted off to sleep right there on the couch. Valentina was too tired even to remove her coat.

e holod , ne golod

— neither cold nor hunger — will overtake us,” Valentina wrote in her diary on January 1, 1942. It was a popular saying, and she thought if she committed it to writing in this new year then she might be more likely to believe it. The winter had been brutal, with temperatures plummeting to minus 35 degrees centigrade. Each day when Valentina went to fetch water from the canal, she saw people collapsed in the road, and no one had the strength to help them. Some died of exposure

right there in the mounds of snow piled on the sidewalks. What if that were Grandfather, or Mama, or Aunt Galya, she thought each time she witnessed these struggles. Would someone help them? Valentina willed her frigid fingers to continue confiding in her diary. “I’m so cold my fingers can barely move across your pages. We have no electricity, no running water. Papa is gone to the Front, and Mama has taken to burning our chairs to keep us warm. But the hunger is much worse. I despise it. Thank God we just heard we’ll get 100 extra grams of bread a day. “My four layers of blankets do little to take away the cold’s cruel sting. I don’t even take off my coat! I am chilled to the bone, and my legs throb with pain. I cannot go to school, and anyway, I think they’ve cancelled it temporarily. I told Grandfather today that I am afraid like never before.” Valentina closed her diary and shut her eyes. The air was silent. Glorious silence. What a blessing there are no air raids tonight. “Valichka,” called her grandfather from the living room. “Come listen to the Leningrad Radio Orchestra on the radio. It’s the New Year, after all. Come celebrate with me.” “My feet hurt so,” Valentina replied, attacking the blankets with great effort in order to rise from the bed. “It’s like moving a mountain to get these things off of me.” Her grandfather appeared in the doorway. “Let me help you,” he said gently, moving slowly toward her bed to help pull them off. Everyone in Leningrad moved like molasses in those days. The severe rationing of November and December had taken its toll: 125 grams of bread for ordinary people, and 250 for workers. The doctors had told Anastasia Alexandrovna that her daughter’s pain was due to malnutrition, and there was nothing they could do until food supplies increased. Valentina winced as she placed weight on her feet, scrunching up her face. Her grandfather watched her carefully. “I will carry you then,” he said. “But you don’t have the strength … ,” Valentina protested. She looked him up and down, noticing how his clothes hung on him as though he were a child playing dress up in clothing several sizes too big. He seemed to have aged 10 years in just four months. “It’s New Year’s Day, Valichka,” he reminded her, a gleam in his eye. “The Almighty will give me strength.” He lifted her from the bed and carried her to the living room couch, where just four months earlier they’d laughed about the chocolate. He took her hand and they sat side by side in candlelight, listening to the last performance of the Leningrad Radio Symphony. Too few of the musicians were left to carry on, and Valentina admired the strength they’d shown to continue playing for so long. In the background, Valentina and her grandfather could hear the pleasant sounds

66 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

064_MM06_2016_Fiction.indd 66

5/19/16 3:30 PM

of Valentina’s mother in the kitchen. Valentina closed her eyes and imagined that all this horror was a dream, and they were celebrating as they would on any other New Year’s Day. Her mother prepared a modest dinner on rations that had been saved for this special occasion, and Aunt Galya set the table. She lit the kerosene lamp with the bit of oil they had left, and they stood facing the tiny icon that her grandfather pulled out from his secret desk drawer. He said a prayer for Valentina’s father at the Front, and then the four of them sat down together to the most fulfilling meal they’d had since summer: a meat patty, buckwheat cereal, 300 grams of bread, a cup of tea sweetened with Valentina’s sugar, and two squares of chocolate each instead of just one.

ama, where is Grandfather?” Valentina cried out frantically. Her feet were so painful she could barely walk, but she paced from window to window in the living room, peering out onto the street. She felt waves of panic rising within her. There were no street lamps because there still was no electricity, and she squinted into the darkness in hopes of making out her dedushka’s thin frame moving slowly along the ice. “He should not have been gone so long,” she said. “Mama, he shouldn’t be out by himself. People are mugged for less than 100 grams of bread. Blast this darkness. Blast this wretched war.” She sank onto the couch and began to sob. Anastasia took her daughter in her arms. “My sweet one, do not fear. All will be well.” They huddled together on the couch and soon were joined by Aunt Galya, who stood watch over the courtyard to announce Grandfather’s return. As they sat in silence, the grandfather clock in the corner ticked heartlessly, reminding them of the passing time with no regard for their angst. “Does the clock not realize that it, too, will soon be dust and ashes?” Valentina cried. “We’ll have to use it for firewood before long if this war keeps on.” Galya drew a quick breath. “He’s here,” she said, and the three rushed to the door, Valentina forgetting for a moment her intense pain. Anastasia threw open the door, and they watched Grandfather ascend the stairs haltingly. He was so thin, so frail. “Where is your coat?” they cried as he came into view in the dark corridor. “You could have died.” “Dedushka, do you not realize how cold it is?” Valentina scolded him. “What were you doing?” They gathered their arms around his shoulders and urged him into the relative warmth of the apartment. “Quickly, seat him near the stove,” Galya instructed. “Put on some of the new firewood

HELPING THE MID-SOUTH RUN, WALK, AND LIVE FIT! SINCE 1993. 4530 POPLAR AVE - MEMPHIS 2130 W POPLAR AVE - COLLIERVILLE • FLEETFEETMEMPHIS.COM /fleetfeetmemphis @fleetfeetmemphs

FRESH FABRIC FINDS Thank you to our customers for 8 fabulous years!

Premier Fabrics Germantown

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 – 5 7694 Poplar Avenue • Germantown, TN 38139 901-758-0090

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 67

064_MM06_2016_Fiction.indd 67

5/20/16 10:59 AM

we got from the neighbors.” Teeth chattering, Grandfather stretched out his gloved hand, clutching a small paper bag. “Dedushka, what … ?” Valentina’s voice trailed off as she realized he meant it for her. “It’s for your pain,” he stammered. “To take it away, Valichka.” Valentina slumped into the chair next to him and placed a hand on his. “But, Dedushka, you can’t … ” “Yes, I can, Valichka, and I did,” he said unflinchingly. The clarity in his voice shocked her. She had not heard such strength in his voice since before the siege. Then, in his other hand, he produced another bag. “For all my girls.” He looked up at them with a spark in his eye. Valentina took it and they peered inside. Vitamins. And powdered milk. “You are a saint,” Valentina managed, her voice trembling. “Your beautiful, warm fur coat . . . ” Her words trailed off. Galya and Anastasia collapsed into the chairs beside them. Each took one of his hands in theirs, rubbing them to warm him up. Valentina watched, unable to absorb the weight of his sacrifice.

y de a r dia ry,”

Valentina began on February 1st. “The trams have stopped dead in the streets, frozen in time and covered in snow drifts. How I wish they were the only ones who have died. There is no word from Papa, and while Mama hides her fear, I know she is fretting beyond comprehension. I am, too, but I take comfort in Grandfather’s company and his assurance that Papa will come home. “Aunt Galya has had a mild case of scurvy, but Dedushka’s vitamins have kept it from becoming too serious. We’ve all lost so much weight we hardly recognize ourselves. I saw one of my classmates, Sasha, at the canal digging a hole in the ice for water. At first we didn’t recognize each other, but then I heard his familiar voice, though weaker than before. It’s becoming more difficult to carry the buckets home, and more dangerous to be out alone, so Dedushka comes with me every day. “I have delirious dreams of the Badayev warehouses, chocolate and sugar flowing down the streets. I rebuke myself incessantly: Why didn’t I scoop up more sugar? Why didn’t I take more bags? We eat a square of chocolate each day, but our store is waning thin. We also take a little sugar, but it’s almost gone. I hear others talk of eating glue from beneath their wallpaper. Will it come to that for us? “Today, I encountered a babushka selling ‘sugar dirt.’ She claimed it was dirt infused with sugar from the Badayev warehouses. I thank God I still have some pure sugar from that day. But why does He allow this noose to choke us so? My strength is failing me. This desperate hunger is the cruelest enemy of all!” Valentina closed her diary and her eyes, listening to her surroundings. At least there were no air raids. She lost herself in the ticking of the metronome outside her window,

transmitted over the loudspeakers installed throughout the city. The Leningrad radio station broadcast a variety of programs on them, including music, poetry, and children’s stories, but when those ran out, a metronome ticked in their place. Better than silence, it was meant to encourage Leningraders that life was continuing. Like the clock in her living room, Valentina envied its confident march forward in time, as though all would be well in its next moment. “Be thankful you are still alive to hear it,” she said out loud to herself. “And that Mama, Aunt Galya, and Dedushka are, too.” Just then, there was a knock at the door. “Dedushka?” Valentina called out softly. She was afraid to answer the door, knowing that people had been robbed and even killed in the collective desperation for food. Her grandfather emerged and looked through the peephole. “Who is there?” “I’ve come to serve evacuation papers,” said an energetic voice on the other side. Grandfather opened the door slightly, the chain still latched. “Your name and identification?” The man stated his name and presented his identification card, and Valentina’s grandfather confirmed that it was valid. He allowed the officer to step inside. “Your papers, please,” said the officer, holding out a document. “For Valentina Ivanovna Bogdanova.” He looked closely at its details, and then at Valentina. “This must be for you? Show me your passport, please.” Valentina looked at her grandfather for guidance. He motioned for her to comply and she went to her room to retrieve her passport. She showed it to the officer, and he opened it to her picture, glanced at her, then back at the passport. When he was satisfied, he placed the document inside the passport and handed it to her briskly. “Shastlivovo puti,” he said, meaning, “Have a good trip,” but more literally, “Have a happy way.” It seemed to Valentina an out-of-place term of courtesy in such circumstances. She was unsure when she’d last heard it, and she certainly did not know what he meant. Have a good trip where? When would she be going? With whom? She was filled with questions. “Do svidaniya,” said the officer, and he disappeared into the darkness. After her grandfather latched the door, Valentina looked inquiringly at him. “You don’t seem surprised, Dedushka,” she stated flatly. “Do you know something about this?” “Come, sit with me for a bit, Valichka,” her grandfather said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to guide her to the couch. They sat, and Valentina stared at the document in her hands. Evacuation. Going away. Where? When? She wanted to cry. Why didn’t

Dedushka, and Mama, and Aunt Galya have papers, too? She began to feel abandoned, and she had not even gone anywhere yet. He took the paper from her gently. “My dear Valichka, I see your physical suffering, and you are slowly starving,” he began. “This person I love so much is disappearing bit by bit. I am in agony watching the three of you suffer.” He swallowed, his voice faltering. “The ice road on Lake Ladoga has been successful in evacuating people from this stronghold of death, and soon it will melt. I have been working to get evacuation papers for us, but I learned yesterday that I was successful in getting them only for you.” Valentina could not speak. Her throat was seized with such depth of emotion, she could hardly breathe. Leave this place, leave my precious Dedushka, my Mama, and Aunt? For what? To die all alone? Her thoughts raced, and she stared at her grandfather in disbelief. Tears filled her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. He took her chin in his hands. “Look at me, my sweet granddaughter,” he said, choking on his words. “You must get out. You must live. If we all stay here, we will die. If you get out, maybe you can help us from the outside.” “But what about Mama? And Aunt Galya? Do they know about this?” Valentina stammered. “They do,” he answered. “We are in agreement that we would rather see you live than for all of us to die here together. Please, do it for us.” Valentina felt a stab of pain in her heart. She felt it would be ripped in two. She could not bear to leave them. “I would give my very life to get you out of this city,” he said. “Now please, let us sacrifice the joy that you give us by being with us, to allow us to see you live. I have arranged for you to travel with our good friends, the Ivanovs, whom you know. They leave one week from today, and they have promised to take you with them on their journey to their relatives’ home in a village outside of the Germans’ reach. You can stay with them until the war is over, and we are reunited.” He kissed her forehead, and then held her as she sobbed in his arms.

he heavy, rusted key turned in the keyhole. It sounded just as she remembered, the mechanism making a clunking sound as the key turned the third time. Lingering for several minutes, she was afraid to walk through the door to see what she might find. It was the spring of 1944. Valentina had returned alone to Leningrad on a train from the north, having said goodbye to the Ivanovs when they announced they would not be returning. It had been months since she had

68 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

064_MM06_2016_Fiction.indd 68

5/19/16 3:30 PM

IN STONE

Aft er

CLEANING | SEALING | RESTORATION SERVICES . . . For All Your Stone Care Needs! Be for

received word from her mother, and she was filled with anxiety at the thought of what had become of her family. She turned the smooth gold watch that her Dedushka had given her in her hands, wondering if it was the last memory she would have of him. He’d given her permission to sell it if necessary, but she’d guarded it and was thankful she had found enough to eat without having to barter his favorite timepiece. Valentina crossed herself and mustered the courage to step over the threshold. Looking into the hallway, she noticed the chairs were gone, and glancing into the living room, she learned her prediction about the clock had come true as well. Its regal face was all that was left, propped up on a corner table. Dear God, did any of them survive? She stepped into her grandfather’s room. Everything was neatly in place. His slippers occupied the corner, waiting for his return to warm his toes. She was relieved to see his fur hat on its hook. At least he was able to keep it, she thought. She knew he’d kept a diary somewhere, but did not know where he hid it. Where was that secret drawer, the one where he kept his icon? Valentina wondered. She opened the drawers one by one, hoping to discover the mystery he’d hidden so well. He had not wanted them to know where it was in case someone came for him in the night, accusing him of praying or reading spiritual books. He’d ensured that they could say truthfully that they did not know the whereabouts of any spiritual relics. Valentina tapped on the sides of the desk and on the bottoms of the drawers, hoping to find a hollow space just big enough to harbor a diary, a Bible, or an icon. Finally, she heard it. One of the drawers had a fake bottom, and she found the mechanism that turned its tiny trap door. She twisted it and out came a softbound book. She grasped the worn leather in her hands, and then drawing it to herself, kissed its cover. It was her beloved Dedushka’s diary. Valentina took a deep breath, placed it on his desk, and opened it to the first page. She was terrified to look at its last. As she read, Valentina felt that she was trespassing. After all, he rarely shared his entries with them, and she respected his privacy. But she had to know what had happened to him. She smiled as she noticed how much of his writing was filled with comments about her mother and aunt, and about her. He wrote of the mundane details of life, taking delight in her small triumphs at school, in gymnastics, and in art. Another life, she mused about those events that seemed 100 years ago on some alien planet. As she turned the pages, she was spellbound. Her heart raced as she took hold of

by Craig Brown, LLC

901-331-4435 Brick · Slate · Mex Tile · Crab Orchard · Blue Stone · Limestone · Marble · Granite · Concrete · and More!

Roof Replacement • Roof Repair Gutters • Painting • Siding CALL TODAY FOR A FREE INSPECTION

901-232-7732

mtownconstruction.com J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 69

064_MM06_2016_Fiction.indd 69

5/19/16 3:30 PM

tupelo.net

you make our work possible. Medical • Wellness • Outreach After 28 years, our mission is unchanged. Thanks to the generous support of Memphians like you, the Church Health Center will continue to improve the health of our community for years to come.

901-272-7170 | churchhealthcenter.org

70 MemphisMag_12.11.15.indd • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E1 . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

064_MM06_2016_Fiction.indd 70

the last page. What would it say? Gathering every ounce of courage, she closed her eyes and turned to it. So many times I’ve sat here with my eyes closed, listening to Dedushka and Mama in this home. How I long to hear them now. Valentina opened her eyes and willed herself to read the last entry. “January 1, 1944.” Her heart skipped. That was only four weeks before the end of the Blockade. Could he still be alive? she wondered, filled with hope. “Very cold, sunny day. Some sniper fire and fighting, but by evening there were sports competitions that lifted the citizens’ spirits. I traded my wedding ring for some firewood so Anastasia and Galya could celebrate the new year in warmth. It’s been so difficult for us to feel warm physically, but even more so emotionally without our beloved Valichka. I miss her desperately, and wish every moment that she were here with us.” Valentina felt her heart would explode. Just then, a key turned in the lock. She froze. Please, God, she pleaded, let it be all three of them. She listened for the footsteps. She knew well the sounds that each one made when they entered the flat. “Mama,” Valentina said. “Is it really you?” She ran into the hall, and her stunned mother stood in wonder as she wrapped her arms around her. “Mama, oh my dear Mama.” Anastasia saw the diary that Valentina gripped in her hands. “Please, Mama, tell me he’s alive,” she begged. Her mother hung her head. “I have such sad news,” she began. Valentina’s thoughts froze, as though her mother was speaking to her through a tunnel. No, it can’t be … he can’t be gone. “Sweetheart, you know he gave his all for us,” she continued. “He had heard of a place off of Nevsky Prospect where he could get some meat for us. We asked him not to go. There had been some bombing and sniper fire. He thought it was clear, and he went.” She faltered. “He did not come home.” Valentina’s emotions swirled as she tried to absorb this new reality. Life without Dedushka. I cannot accept it. Her mother took her by the arm, and they sat down on the couch together. Valentina opened the diary again. She had not finished reading it. Her eyes fell on the last page. “I would give my life for my girls, and it would be my honor. No greater love has a man than this, than he lay down his life … if I do not return one day, I hope they know how much pleasure it gave me to care for them in these dreadful, terrible times. One day, God will bring light and laughter to us again, and we will feast on sugar and chocolate together.”

12/11/2015 3:39:15 PM

5/19/16 3:30 PM

ROAD TRIP

DOWN HOME

IN THE

GR EEN WOOD, MISSISSIPPI, CH A R MS A TOUR IST IN HER HOMETOWN.

by shara clark | photography by bianca phillips above: Situated just outside of town on County Road 518, the Tallahatchie Flats offer an out-of-the-ordinary lodging experience.

’m biased. I was born in Greenwood and spent most of my youth in this small Southern town. The expansive flatlands, cotton, corn, and

soybean fields dotted with oversized irrigators, and the quiet calm of

winding country back roads remain endearingly familiar. But riding down Interstate 55 in late April with my friend and photographer, Bianca Phillips, I skimmed our travel agenda. She had never been before, and I was starting to feel like I hadn’t either. This trip, we’d both be tourists. J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 71

071_MM06_2016_Travel-Greenwood.indd 71

5/17/16 3:59 PM

ROAD TRIP

GREENWOOD sourced from local farms. James Beard-nominated chef Taylor Bowen Ricketts’ offerings include black-eyed pea cakes, fried alligator, and smoked elk. A Greenwood insider had advised me to “always get the special” wherever we dined down South because, with these, chefs “flex their muscles” and showcase their Delta-inspired best. The special of the day was a lightly battered, pan-fried catfish filet over a bed of rice mingled with slightly spicy hoppin’ Johns, all topped with fried green beans. The tender, Mississippi farm-raised fish tasted fresh from the lake, and the green beans … let’s just say I’ll be back for more.

A Downtown Greenwood is home to beautiful architecture and historic landmarks, like the town’s courthouse (above), which was one of many filming locations featured in the 2011 movie, The Help.

A S OU T HE R N S T OR Y

hirty minutes of scenic highway driving southwest of the Grenada exit, 130 miles from Memphis, sits the “Cotton Capital of the World.” Here, the Tallahatchie and Yalobusha rivers meet to form the Yazoo. The town’s position on the easternmost point of the fertile alluvial plain we call the Delta granted it success as a major farming, harvesting, and shipping point for cotton pre-World War II, before the industry was largely mechanized. Greenwood was also a center of action throughout the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. During the 1966 “March Against Fear” — a 200-mile protest walk from Memphis

Several stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail can be found in Greenwood, including the historic WGRM Radio Studio where blues legend B.B. King performed his first live broadcast in 1940.

to Jackson — civil rights leaders made their way through, and activist Stokely Carmichael delivered his famous “Black Power” speech in the town’s Broad Street Park. Of course, the Delta has a deep connection with the blues, and Greenwood is no exception. B.B. King spent time there before he made his way to Memphis. And Robert Johnson, the Mississippi Delta Blues master who was rumored to have sold his soul to the devil at the “Crossroads,” performed in and around the town in his last years.

MODE R N DE LTA DINING

elta Bistropub’s home at 222 Howard Street has been transformed into a sophisticated, modern dining destination, but in the 1940s, the building housed the WGRM radio studio. Today, the location is one of several stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail, its significance marked as the place where, in 1940, blues legend B.B. King (who is from nearby Itta Bena, Mississippi) performed his first live broadcast, playing guitar with the Famous St. John’s Gospel Singers of Inverness, Mississippi. Fast forward: This farm-to-table bistro feels more like something you’d experience in Midtown Memphis than in small-town Mississippi. Sticking to its Delta roots, the restaurant features a menu of distinctly Southern dishes crafted with ingredients

A SIP OF T HE S OU T H

t the Winery at Williams Landing, owners Lonnie and Debbie Bailey guided us through a tasting of the wines they make in-house. The Baileys began making small batches of wine as a hobby but moved to still-small-batch commercial production at 500 Howard Street, the former location of Greenwood’s historic Firehouse No. 1, in 2013. Lonnie’s love for and knowledge of the region shone through as he told

A farm-t0-table dining destination, Delta Bistropub feels more Midtown Memphis than small-town Mississippi. Its menu features distinctively Delta dishes and craft beers.

the stories behind his Delta, Harmony, and Three Rivers series of wines — a collection of red, white, and fruit wines made using muscadines, figs, and blueberries grown nearby. For their Delta Dew, the Baileys handpick pounds and pounds of figs from trees in their own backyard before transporting them to the winery, where the process of coaxing out the juice is more complex than with grapes. (It’s a labor of love.) The blueberries used in the Delta Blue come from the Roebuck Plantation Blueberry Farm in Sidon, Mississippi, less than five miles from the winery. The

72 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

071_MM06_2016_Travel-Greenwood.indd 72

5/17/16 3:11 PM

Williams Landing fruit wines are surprisingly dry and less sweet than a typical fruit wine. Same goes for the muscadine reds and whites. From juicing and barrelling to bottling and labeling, the Baileys have a hand in every step of the small-scale production process. If you make your way to Greenwood, stop here. The wine is superb, but the history lesson rivals it in enjoyability.

T O A S T OF T HE T O W N

e popped into Giardina’s (314 Howard Street) for apéritifs. Attached to The Alluvian hotel (see sidebar), this upscale but modest restaurant and lounge offers fine food, an extensive wine list, and the town’s best craft cocktails in an intimate setting. Cozied up to the bar, we tried the StayCation (a refreshing, albeit sweet, mixture of Grey Goose vodka, sweet tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup) and the Delta Gem (a bright and floral blend of Grey Goose vodka, St. Germain, Domaine de Canton, lime juice, and champagne). An acoustic guitarist strummed blues, country, and classic rock tunes across the lobby, adding a subtle soundtrack to a Southern

Attached to The Alluvian, Giardina’s offers classic cocktails and Southern-inspired dishes in an upscale setting. Cozy up to the bar or enjoy a meal in one of the restaurant’s private booths.

T HE A L L U V I A N HO T E L

he more recent revitalization of Greenwood’s downtown area started with the opening of the Viking Range headquarters in 1990 and continued with Viking’s subsequent purchase and renovation of more than 20 buildings in the historic district — most notably, The Alluvian hotel, which opened in 2003. Greenwood native and Viking founder, Fred Carl Jr., found success manufacturing high-end ovens and cooktops, ultimately bringing distributors from across the world to Greenwood for training and new product unveilings. To accommodate the increasing number of visitors, in 2001 Viking purchased the historic Irving Hotel (built in 1917) and transformed it into the boutique hotel it is today. With 45 rooms, five suites, and upscale amenities (Southern buffet breakfast, whirlpool baths, stainless steel fireplaces, fitness center, terrace and courtyard views), The Alluvian continues to attract guests from around the world. An oasis for Hollywood movie stars, weekend getaways, wedding parties, and business trips, the hotel is positioned at 318 Howard Street, in the center of Greenwood’s quiet historic business district. Across the street sits the Alluvian Spa, the Viking Cooking School, and the Viking Retail Store. A variety of hotel packages including spa sessions and cooking classes are available. The Alluvian has garnered a number of awards, including Mississippi Magazine’s Best of Mississippi 2015 (Best Hotel/Resort, Best Day Spa, and Best Kitchen Shop) and a 2015 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award, and has been a AAA Four Diamond Award recipient since 2006. For more information, go to thealluvian.com.

toast. A group of silver-haired Delta belles gathered at a table behind us, but we were otherwise alone in the hotel’s bar — a nice change of pace compared to crowded, bigcity cocktail hours. A peek into the restaurant side revealed diners eating in private booths, similar to (but much fancier than) the ones we’d see at Lusco’s.

R E L IC OF T HE PA S T

usco’s opened at 722 Carrollton Avenue in 1933, at the end of prohibition in the U.S. but when Missis-

071_MM06_2016_Travel-Greenwood.indd 73

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 73

5/17/16 3:11 PM

The quaint shacks at Tallahatchie Flats are situated on a sprawling country field. Above is a view of the living room of Nellie’s House, former home to the family cook at Lakeview Plantation.

sippi was still a dry state. To accommodate its early, wealthy patrons, the restaurant was designed with individually partitioned booths closed off with curtains, so guests could imbibe in private. Each booth is equipped with its own service bell, to be rung to alert the server of a need. This historic Greenwood landmark has remained mostly untouched, making for a surreal, step-back-in-time experience. A diner-style counter sits beyond the front entrance, and the restaurant’s walls and booths are ornamented with mounted taxidermy and mementos from a bygone era. Because the eatery is known for its seafood and steak, I ordered the New York Strip topped with “crabmeat Karen,” a huge hunk (nearly a pound) of well-seasoned beef sprinkled with healthy bits of lemony crab. Next time, I’ll try the pompano: a Lusco’s specialty, broiled whole and served with house-made fish sauce. Good news for herbivores: Bianca is vegan and enjoyed the dairy-free pesto, served over penne pasta.

B A C K T O T HE F L AT S

hough many travellers who spend a night in Greenwood stay at The Alluvian, we opted for a night at the Tallahatchie Flats. Modeled along the lines of Clarksdale, Mississippi’s Shack Up Inn, the flats are a set of refurbished shanties moved from nearby plantations to a stretch of farmland on County Road 518 (Money Road). Each shack has its own history (one is rumored to be the abode in which Robert Johnson died), and they’re situated in the middle of a sprawling field with the Tallahatchie River flowing a few feet off the back porch. We stayed in Nellie’s House, a wood-floored three-room cottage donated by Emily Donnell from her family’s Lakeview Plantation in nearby Swiftown, Mississippi. The period-furnished space was once inhabited by the 74 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

071_MM06_2016_Travel-Greenwood.indd 74

5/19/16 10:16 AM

What is believed to be the final resting place of Robert Johnson, the legendary bluesman who “sold his soul to the devil,” can be found on County Road 518 at Little Zion M.B. Church.

family’s cook. Though quaint, and admittedly a little spooky at night, the flat had all the basics (yes, it now has electricity and running water, plus a fridge, stove, microwave, etc.) and a Delta extra. Upon arrival, a handheld AM/FM radio was on, tuned to WABG AM 960, a blues-heavy station that broadcasts (and has since 1959) from just up the road. My favorite Tallahatchie Flats moment: sitting on the porch, enveloped in the darkest night I’ve seen since living in the cityscape of Memphis; the stillness of the country underneath a blanket of twinkling stars and slow-moving clouds lit by a full moon.

PA S S T HE C OR NBR E A D

here may have been more people packed into The Crystal Grill (423 Carrollton Avenue) than we’d seen in all of the previous 24 hours. The place was abuzz with hungry diners looking for a down-home meat and two. On holiday get-togethers, my Greenwood family (hi, y’all!) traditionally orders enough of the Crystal’s famed breaded veal cutlet plates to feed a small army. This time, I tried the brown gravy-covered hamburger steak with sides of turnip greens and silky creamed potatoes. I had to save room for a slice of the diner’s legendary pie, and since I’d heard that Iron Chef Cat Cora regularly makes the drive over from Jackson, Mississippi, for the lemon icebox, I trusted her wisdom. I’m now convinced the pie gods live here. The place has been a Greenwood institution since 1926 and is the only locally owned restaurant (aside from Mexican cuisine) that’s open on Sunday, when hungry after-church crowds pile in for a traditional Southern meal.

Lauren Harkins Wiuff (901) 682-1868 (901) 859-3565 www.laurenharkinswiuff.com J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 75

071_MM06_2016_Travel-Greenwood.indd 75

5/19/16 10:05 AM

Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center Announces Its 2016-2017 Season! Fri. Sept. 16 SOLAS

Sat. Oct. 29 Southern Fried Chicks featuring Etta May

Sat. Nov. 12 Good Lovelies

Sat. Dec. 10 Emile Pandolfi with Dana Russell

Sat. Jan. 14 Matt Beilis

Sat. Jan. 28 Melinda Doolittle

Fri. Feb. 17 Loren & Mark

Sat. Feb. 25 Dana Louise & The Glorious Birds

Fri. Mar. 10 Route 66

Sat. Apr. 15 Guy Bavli: Master of the Mind

New Subscriptions On Sale Now! Individual Tickets On Sale August 2nd! 9 0 1 - 3 8 5 - 64 40 www.b p a c c .o r g 3 6 6 3 A p p l ing R d . , Ba r t l et t , T N 3 8 1 3 3

DO GREEN W OOD

e ate and drank our way through Greenwood, but there’s more to see and do:

SHOP HOWARD STREET TURNROW BOOK CO. At this independently owned bookstore, shelves are stocked with classics and new releases across all genres, and a special section is dedicated to Mississippi Delta history and literature authored by national and regional writers. The upstairs cafe offers coffee and espresso and serves homemade soups during lunch. THE MISSISSIPPI GIFT COMPANY This gift shop is filled with Southern-style goods, including jewelry, food, soaps, and art. Everything is Mississippi-made.

FINCHER’S Fincher’s features a variety of products, from fine china and home accessories to fashion-forward clothing for kids and adults. THE VIKING RETAIL STORE Viking cookware, cutlery, kitchen gadgets, and appliances are available for purchase here. Attached to the retail shop is the Viking Cooking School, where culinary classes are offered via reservations. ALLUVIAN SPA BOUTIQUE Upstairs from the Viking Cooking School, the boutique sells a variety of pampering skin-care products used in the spa’s treatments. Shopping for the perfect Mississippi Delta keepsake? Here, you’ll find world-famous McCarty pottery.

Festivals and fun. Grand historic homes. Birthplace of America’s greatest playwright, Tennessee Williams. Run or bike along the scenic Riverwalk, winding around and over the Tombigbee River. Shop, dine, and savor in the ultimate Southern destination.

AROUND TOWN TAKE A RIDE down Greenwood’s tree-lined Grand Boulevard, maneuver neighborhood streets, and meander through the rural outskirts of town to see filming locations featured in the award-winning 2011 movie, The Help.

Columbus, Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI BLUES TRAIL, multiple locations Among the sites to visit are the historic WGRM radio studio and the final resting place of Robert Johnson. Though popular opinion varies as to where Johnson was buried, a tombstone and memorial marker have been erected at Little Zion M.B. Church on Money Road (near Tallahatchie Flats).

QUALITY FLOORING & CLEANING, LLC. go to www.visitcolumbusms.org for listing of attractions & events

CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING

PROUD TO BE PART OF THE

BROOKS CENTENNIAL! 1 McCain Blvd • West Memphis

Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center 300 Main Street • 800-920-3533

870-733-0743

MUSEUM OF THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, 1682 Highway 82 West The museum’s collection includes agricultural, Native American, and military artifacts as well as an extensive collection of regional art. BACK IN THE DAY MUSEUM, 214 Young Street This community museum explores the history of the blues, Baptist Town, and African-American culture in the Delta. WEBSTER’S, 216 West Claiborne Avenue Called “an old friend in Greenwood,” this restaurant and bar originally opened in 1975 and offers Southern-inspired cuisine and live music several nights a week.

76 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

071_MM06_2016_Travel-Greenwood.indd 76

5/19/16 12:16 PM

ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS OF THE SOUTH A P P RO X I M AT E LY 9 0 M I L E S E A S T O F M E M P H I S , T N

E xp er ienc e the Splendor of

TISHOMINGO COUNTY M

Rated #4 in the nation as most tax-friendly state for retirees • Low crime rate • Gated communities • Small town atmosphere Within 30-90 minutes of world class medical facilities, educational facilities and cultural amenities • Outdoor recreation haven • Museums, antique shops • Numerous festivals/events

1-800-FUN-HERE (386-4373)

TishomingoFunHere.org

/visittishomingo

info@tishomingo.org

Nashville;Landmark Heating & Air Conditioning;B00185;7.87x4.81-4c (16Sp-B1)

WE’RE JUST AS TRUSTY, WITHOUT THE WET NOSE. We’re like your new best friend for home heating and cooling. When your system needs service, we’ll be right by your side.

— RECEIVE UP TO —

1,700 IN REBATES

with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox® home comfort system.

Call Today for your $89.00 Spring A/C Precision Tune-Up**

(901) 365-4260

www.LandmarkHeatingandAir.com 6611 Reese Road, Memphis, TN 38133 The Comfort Company You Can Trust Commercial & Residential 13184 Offer expires 6/10/2016. *On a qualifying system purchase. Lennox system rebate offers range from $250 to $1,700. Some restrictions apply. One offer available per qualifying purchase. See your local Lennox Dealer or www.lennox.com for details. **Offer applies to residential central air conditioning system. Additional systems at same address $59 each. ©2016 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers include independently owned and operated businesses.

Dealer-16Sp-B1-4c.indd 24

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

3/3/16 2:58 PM

5/16/16 8:33 AM

What’s Haute

RONALDO... Perfect & meaningful Bridesmaid’s Gifts. Exclusively in Germantown at More Than Words; 2123 West St; 901.755.4388; www.morethanwords.com.

HEATHER Boutique and Spa. Come see why we are known as the Bridal Makeup Experts. 420 Perkins Extended in the Laurelwood Place Shopping Center; 901.249.5018; heatherstore.com.

CINDY B. THYMIUS PHOTOGRAPHY

While searching for the perfect wedding dress, don’t forget what goes UNDER the dress! A Fitting Place has what you need to put the finishing touches on your big day . . . and night. 901.683.0210.

SPECIAL ADVERT ISING SEC T ION

WhatsHaute_Jun16.indd 78

5/20/16 10:04 AM

What’s Haute

We specialize in Blowouts, UpDo’s, Weddings, and Makeup! True happiness is when your hair and makeup look good at the same time! Mirror Mirror Salon & Blowout Bar; 4752 Poplar Ave., Memphis,TN 38117; 901.207.3720; Hours: Tue. 8-7, Wed. 9-5, Thurs. 8-6, Fri. 8-6, and Sat. 8-5.

Fine, handsewn, heirloom clothing perfect for flower girls and ring bearers. Make an appointment with the Sewing Room to select your favorite design. The Woman’s Exchange; 88 Racine Street, Memphis, TN 38111; 901.327.5681; womans-exchange.com.

Coming Attractions Boutique, Dress up or dress down — we’ve got you covered! 597 Erin Drive; 901.685.8655.

You’re engaged! Now it’s time for the big decisions. Let us help you customize your wedding invitations with ease and style. Ménage Stationery; 901.683.6809; instagram.com/menagestationery.

When you must look your absolute best, choose the tuxedo specialists at Guy’s Formalwear. We offer every style, fit, and color that is available for rental. Visit our East Memphis, Cordova, or Southaven locations. GuysTux.com

Lush outdoor surroundings and well-appointed facilities make the Memphis Botanic Garden a perfect site for your wedding, reception, business meeting, luncheon, holiday party, or other special event. Call 901.636.4106 or email rentals@ memphisbotanicgarden.com for information or to book an event.

Unique, handcrafted and custom rugs. Serving the greater Memphis community, Taghavi Oriental Rugs offers hand-cleaning, restoration, and sales, both new and antique. 3554 Park Ave; 901.327.5033; www.taghavirugs.com.

Pearl jewelry for all of the bridal party, from pearl earrings to pearl strands. Many styles to add to your perfect wedding. Jewelers’ Choice; 5100 Wheelis Drive #211, Memphis, TN; 901.763.0195; 800.264.4146

WhatsHaute_Jun16.indd 79

Located just south of downtown Memphis, the Metal Museum offers a picturesque venue nestled among oak trees with breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. 374 Metal Museum Drive; www.metalmuseum.com/facilitiesrentals; rentals@metalmuseum.org; 901.774.6380.

5/20/16 10:04 AM

Introducing

Dr. Alicia Wright “Serving as a partner for a woman as she navigates through all of life’s stages is a privilege. From adolescence to menopause, I strive to empower women and provide quality care through some of the most vulnerable and precious moments of life. I understand the physical and emotional challenges that pregnancy and motherhood present. With these challenges come great joy, and there is no better moment than being the first to say ‘Happy Birthday!’ to a beautiful new life.“ — Dr. Alicia Wright Since its founding in 1927, Ruch Clinic has set the standard in exemplary health care for women. The legacy continues today with a group of dedicated professionals committed to your lifelong care.

health care for women since 1927

6215 Humphreys Boulevard, Suite 500 Memphis, TN 38120

7705 Poplar Ave., Building B, Suite 330 Germantown, TN 38138

901.682.0630 • 800.756.0630 • ruchclinic.com A division of Women’s Care Center of Memphis, MPLLC

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/18/16 9:19 AM

contin u ed from page 2 6 true of the South. [Writer and literary critic] Edmund Wilson said the South was like a little Balkan state on the edge of a big and powerful empire. The South has always been trying to identify what it was about itself that was different from other parts of the country.

But you write about the South from the perspective of a person who has lived outside the South a great deal, traveling and teaching and studying all over the country.

A person whose point of view I like immensely is Robert Penn Warren — and maybe I’ve been influenced a lot by him. He’s a Southerner to the last ditch, and yet he’s one of the most liberal human beings in the world. He loves the South and yet he criticizes it as he pleases. One of the reasons I found myself so interested in the South was that I lived out of the South a lot when I was a boy in St. Louis, and later, at Kenyon College in Ohio. Nothing makes you a Southerner more than living out of the South. In school in St. Louis, my brother and I were teased a lot about our Southern accent. I was always made aware of my roots going back to Tennessee. I didn’t stand a chance of forgetting any of that when I was growing up.

Writing as you so often do about aristocratic families in the South, one of the characters that consistently crops up in your stories is the black servant — the maid, the nurse, the chauffeur. The relationship between white families and their black servants has always seemed to play an important role in Southern literature.

I have a very good friend named James McPherson who is a wonderful black writer. We used to joke about doing a book together that would be called Upstairs, Downstairs in the Old South. His mother was a maid and cook in Savannah, and he knew about racial relations from that angle. And, of course, I knew the other angle. In the Twenties, we had four black servants. They were all from the same county in Tennessee where my father’s home was, and, as it happened, they were also named “Taylor.” And sometimes we’d pretend that we were all directly related to each other — one big happy family. We were allowed to bring boys home for lunch on Saturday, and I remember the black cook, Lucille Taylor, would tease my brother by calling him “Cousin Bob” right there in front of our white guests — because, well, here we all had the same last name. And the other little white boys didn’t quite understand. It would infuriate my brother, but the rest of us would always laugh about it.

Conﬁ-Dent / Appearance-Related Dentistry Dr. John Reddick and Dr. Mark MacGaw Smiles that compliment the portrait.

“There is a certain #beauty & #power that becomes paramount in the ability to #reinvent oneself & see oneself as truly; to reveal a #portrait of oneself that had laid #hidden #unduly. I was, I #smile, now I am... #Confi-dent!” Jgr 6750 Poplar Ave., Forum Bldg. One #700, Germantown, TN 38138 901.761.3726 • 901.754.3033 • www.Conﬁ-Dentsmiles.com

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 81

025_MM06_2016_40thFlashback.indd 81

5/19/16 10:12 AM

Happily Ever After Begins at Acre Celebrating weddings and receptions Where cuisine, ambience & service are second to none.

901 818-ACRE 690 S Perkins Rd. Memphis, TN acrememphis.com

ALAN G. CRONE

EMPLOYMENT & LABOR LAW BUSINESS FORMATION & DISPUTES COMMERCIAL LITIGATION & TRANSACTIONS Alan Crone is passionate about resolving disputes for businesses and individuals. He is committed to finding innovative solutions to traditional legal issues in the areas of: • • • • • • • • •

Employment law Business formation and litigation Human resources Overtime, wage and hour disputes Noncompetition and intellectual property litigation Business divorces Business disputes Business transactions And more

While he is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Arkansas, he has represented clients in courtrooms all over the United States. Crone enjoys cases with complex factual and legal issues, and works to maximize outcomes for each client. 88 Union Avenue, 14th Floor Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 737-7740 acrone@cronelawfirmplc.com

cronelawfirmplc.com

Every

HERO needs a

memphisparent.com

mentor, every mentor needs a GUIDE.

It’s possible to idealize certain aspects of those old days when affluent families had lifelong black servants around the home — the closeness, the sense of shared family roots, the possibility for genuine friendships. But it also might be said that this was a paternalistic situation that left blacks no room for improvement.

Yes, of course, it was an inherently patronizing situation, and there was no future in it. And it’s all over and very different now. But the relationship our family had with our servants was in many ways more human and more real than the relationships that exist today between blacks and whites in other places, where the races are completely separated and hatred builds up. You see, it was altogether different when the servants shared your own name, when they shared the same family history from the same little town [out] in the country. There was a great interplay between blacks and whites in our situation. For example, we had a woman who was called “Mammie” who had been a slave before the Civil War. She had been my father’s nurse, and my nurse. I remember she used to tell me little things about my father, things he did when he was a little boy. So there was a great deal of continuity there. I can’t see how, growing up as I did, among the blacks looking after my greatest needs, and even talking to me about such things as poetry — I can’t see how one can grow up like this and then not be sympathetic to blacks. How can one be a racist? My feelings were deeper for the black servants than they were for my own mother when I was growing up. And they were so much a part of the family.

Your stories often do paint a benign portrait of the racial set-up in the South of several decades ago.

There are certainly other Southern writers — like Shelby Foote, for example — who are much more reconstructed than I am, and who are much more liberal in their thought. But in my work, I try to be interested in the human qualities in both blacks and whites and how their humanity sometimes overcomes the barriers that distinguish them. Often a black in my stories has responded by forgiving the whites for all they’ve done to him. Now, that’s an idealistic Christian view of things, and maybe an impossible one. But these things that seem so awful in our upbringing —like meanness to blacks — however bad they are, they sometimes help us to identify ourselves. They help us in seeing that there is good and bad in all people.

Just as there was some good mixed with the bad of the antebellum South?

I don’t mean to give a lecture on what the Civil War was about. But the difference be-

82 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

025_MM06_2016_40thFlashback.indd 82

5/19/16 3:07 PM

tween an old agrarian civilization and a new industrial civilization, and the difference in manners of these two ways of life, is a profound one. I of course recognize that any slavery is barbarous. On the other hand, the business of having slaves was terrible not only for the slaves, but, ironically, for the white Southerners, too. It had a terrible effect on their view of the world. The history of the South drives stupid people to enmity, but it’s important to realize that individuals were all trapped in this historical situation.

JUNE 10TH

Not many people grow up in the South today feeling they’re trapped in a historical situation, or think about having lost a war.

No, of course not. It’s all an abstraction to your generation. But you see, my grandfather had been a Confederate soldier, and I remember that one of the great occasions when I was growing up was the Confederate Reunion. All those old Confederates would be there. And I vividly remember my uncle as an old man — he had had his hand shot through at Shiloh, and was paralyzed. He had this special fork made to fit on his wrist, and I remember how terrified I was by this awful looking claw of a hand. Well, you see, the war was very real to me.

HEART JUNE 26TH

GREGG ALLMAN AUGUST 25 TH

REO SPEEDWAGON

JULY 29TH

BILLY CURRINGTON SEPTEMBER 23 RD

SHERYL CROW

You often write about old affluent Southern families, families that do feel a certain allegiance to that antebellum past.

That’s the world that I knew growing up, the world of the so-called upper-class people. I know everything that was wrong and wretched about them. But, on the other hand, they fascinate me. They represent an attitude toward the past that is terribly important to society. Also, as an author, I recognize that writing about the so-called high society and making it appealing to my readers is a challenge. In “The Old Forest” I deliberately made the heroine a society girl, a debutante, even though all of us might find another character much more admirable — someone who was attractive and went out to nightspots and was loads of fun. But I said to myself, it would be more interesting to see if I can make this society girl appealing as a human being and see what her life is. I wanted to see human beings set in certain historical situations from which they can’t escape. In this case, the character realized that the only power that she had was to be a rich, married woman in Memphis, and that was all that was offered to her. In too many novels and movies, it’s that little girl who’s not in the establishment who’s the heroine. I wanted to see if I could make that other one appealing. That’s part of the power of writing fiction: You can cut through and make a person who’s normally unattractive do heroic things despite themselves and their situation.

ALL TICKETS ON SALE NOW! To purchase TruGreen ® lawn tickets, visit ticketmaster.com. For more information, call 901-636-4107.

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 83

025_MM06_2016_40thFlashback.indd 83

5/19/16 10:12 AM

real estate ALL-STARS ANNA BISHOP

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Realtor

Lifetime Real Estate Advisor

FARA CAPTAIN

CHRIS GARLAND

PATRECIA GOLDSTEIN

PAT CAME TO Memphis after graduating from the University of Tennessee. She has been Patrecia Goldstein helping people buy and sell homes in crs, Gri, srs, aBr, sres, cra, Green, dtM Tennessee and Mississippi since 1984. Pat has is The Gold Standard in Realneeds Estate, aPat commitment to exceed her clients’ and helping people buy and sell homesand in expectations using exceptional negotiating Tennessee skills. and Mississippi marketing Pat believessince that 1984. it is She has ato committment exceed important listen, advise, to then make her her clients’dreams needscome andtrue.expectations using clients She was honored as exceptional negotiating and marketing 2006 Realtor Associate of the Year and has skills. Pat believes that it is important achieved Crye-Leike’s Circle of Excellence. If to listen, advise,about then buying make or herselling clientsa you are thinking dreams contact come true. She was The honored home, Pat Goldstein, Gold as 2006inRealtor Associate Standard Real Estate. You’ll beof gladthe youYear did!

CRYE-LEIKE REALTORS, INC

ABR

CRS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SRES, CRA, GREEN, DTM

and has achieved Crye-Leike’s Circle of Excellence. Pat received her BS at the University of TN. If you are thinking aboutCRYE-LEIKE buying or selling a home, contact REALTORS Pat Goldstein. You’ll glad you did! 901.754.0800 (o) be 901.606.2000 (c)

Cell: 901.573.2832 Cell: 731.616.0640 Office: 901.260.4780 anna.bishop@crye-leike.com annabishop.crye-leike.com

1715 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 901.276.8800 (o) 901.500.8034 (c) 901.653.2302 (f) Fara.Captain@crye-leike.com FaraCaptain.com

JOYCE MCKENZIE

HARRY D. SAMUELS

JOSHUA SPOTTS

Crye-Leike CAROL O.Realtors STOUT

CRYE-LEIKE REALTORS

930 S. White Station Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 901.261.7900(office) 901.486.2894(cell) harrydsamuels@gmail.com

CRYE-LEIKE REALTORS

CRYE-LEIKE, REALTORS

Realtor

901.335.8460 | 901.854.5050 joycemckenzie@crye-leike.com www.JoyceMcKenzie.com

MM_RealEstateAllStars_June16_template.indd 84

Affiliate Broker

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

GARLAND COMPANY REAL ESTATE, LLC 901-527-7779 (O) 901-338-3226 (c) chris@garlandcompany.com

Affiliate Broker

6525 Quail Hollow Rd, Memphis, TN 38120 901.361.4211(c) 901.756.8900 (o) josh@joshuaspotts.com www.JoshuaSpotts.com

PatSellsMemphis.com patrecia@att.net

901.754.0800 (o) Crye-Leike Realtors 901.606.2000 (c) http://www.PatSellsMemphis.com/ patrecia@att.net

Realtor

585 S. Perkins Rd. Memphis, TN 38117 (o)901.766.9004 (c)901.674.2960 carol.o.stout@crye-leike.com

5/20/16 11:27 AM

real estate ALL-STARS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

RIP HANEY ABR

JIM HOOD

JERRY LUCIUS

CLAIRE MADISON

Real Estate Professional, ABR, SFR

SINCE 1993 I have provided professional real estate services to buyers and sellers of fine homes in greater Memphis, including Downtown, Midtown, East Memphis, and Germantown. Over 20 years in the business, I have gained a deep understanding of the needs of buyers and sellers. My philosophy of always placing my clients’ needs first has led to a history of repeat clients and personal referrals. Clients know I will always operate in their best interests. I am an Accredited Buyers Representative, a listing specialist, President and Life Member of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors MultiMillion Dollar Club, and a native Memphian. I am very proud to have served many relocating employees of local companies such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, FedEx, Smith & Nephew, International Paper, UPS, and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.

JIM HOOD IS a Full Time, Proactive, Professional, for ReMax Real Estate Experts. He is an official “Children’s Miracle Network Agent!” Please review Jim’s endless list of Testimonials posted on his website. Jim’s success is based on Referrals since he consistently provides Excellent Personal Support! When you hire Jim Hood, you get Him, not a TEAM of Rookies! Jim consistently demonstrates Hard work, Dedication, Tenacity, & Accessibility until the Deal is Done. His tag-line “Call Hood & He’ll Come A’Runnin!” is More than just a phrase..It is His Commitment to All His Clients! Jim contributes a share of all commissions to The Children’s Miracle Network which locally benefits Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

ONE OF MY specific areas of interest, focus and concentration is New Home Sales. Particularly, for Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters, who are Down-sizing or Right-sizing. The Real Estate Market is fast changing for this age group, with new trends, designs, and even subdivision specific, by catering to their needs and wants, especially for this Clientele. Builders and Developers in Shelby County and Fayette County are addressing these needs by building “all on one level” or even adding a grandkids playroom up. More specifically Collierville TN and Oakland TN have subdivisions that are specifically targeted to Baby Boomers. Please call for more details and floorplan specific information. It was not long ago when the news media made a Big Deal out of the youngest Baby Boomers had just turned 50.

LIFE IS GOOD in Midtown! I love helping people find their place in this gorgeous city and love it even more when it means they will be my midtown neighbor. I have been working in the home business all of my life, both decorating and selling homes, so I have an intuitive sense of what will work for people. With my caring attitude and many years of knowledgeable service, I will make sure that you enjoy the home buying process as much as possible. Let me help you find the perfect pad or palace.

RE/MAX REAL ESTATE EXPERTS

Broker

Realtor

MARX-BENSDORF REALTORS

901.682.1868 (o) 901.351.2190 (c) rhaney@marx-bensdorf.com

(O)901.685.6000 (C)901.461.9711 EFAX: 901.969.1440 jhood8@comcast.net www.jimhood.net

901.355.3076 (c) or 901.682-1868 (o) jerryluciusrealtor.com jerry@marx-bensdorf.com

(901) 240-5568 cell | (901) 214-5838 office clairemoveshomes@gmail.com

CLAY TEMPLETON

RICK TRAVERS

B.J. WORTHY

GAY YOUNG

I HAVE BEEN very fortunate to meet and represent many amazing people since becoming a licensed realtor in 1992. Earning the trust of buyers and sellers while engaging in such a significant transaction in their lives is a very rewarding experience for me. Having a business degree with a major in Real Estate along with a vast knowledge of the Memphis Metropolitan area has prepared me well for this exciting industry. I am a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Club, an Accredited Buyers Representative, and Senior Real Estate Specialist.

AS A REALTOR SINCE 1987, Rick’s clients love his Big Ads that bring Big Results. Prominent ads in the Commercial Appeal, RSVP and Memphis magazine confirm that Downtown Rocks, AND Rick really sells it! Yes, Rick’s expertise extends throughout Collierville, Germantown, East Memphis, Bartlett, in fact all of Shelby and DeSoto counties. Buyers as far away as Europe, New York City, and California have utilized Rick’s cutting-edge website to find their perfect piece of prime Mid-South real estate. For unsurpassed service call the Multi-MillionDollar Top Producer!

B.J. IS “AN AREA STAR,” committed to serving the Memphis community. Her background - Booker T. Washington High School, LeMoyneOwen College, post-graduate work at U of M - reinforced her capacity to excel, lead, and overcome challenges. 30 yr. church musician, past deacon at Lindenwood Christian Church, Pres. Memphis Silver Bullet Ski Club, charter member of River City Links, Inc., MIFA volunteer, 29 yr. life member of MAAR’s Multi-Million Dollar Club. She will forever provide unparalleled-trust, professionalism, real estate expertise, quality service, and communication.

GAY YOUNG IS one of the most well-respected and sought-after real estate agents in the Memphis and North Mississippi areas for both buying and selling homes. A resident of Collierville, Gay is involved in both community and church activities and is a Realtor resource for the many clients and contacts she calls “friends.” After a successful 20+ year career in the medical field in marketing, management and sales, Gay went to work fulltime in real estate with Keller Williams Realty, the largest real estate company in the World. Earning the Lifetime Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Club designation in record time, Gay works diligently to serve her clients’ best interests in their home purchase or sale. Energetic, professional and a top-notch negotiator with integrity are words to describe Gay’s style of taking care of clients. REAL Trends recognizes Gay as one of the top Realtors in America.

MARX-BENSDORF REALTORS

ABR, SRES

Realtor

REALTOR

RE/MAX REAL ESTATE EXPERTS HOBSON REALTORS

901.761.1622 (o) | 901.336.1963 (c) Ctempleton@Hobsonrealtors.com

Cardiac Electrophysiology

MM_RealEstateAllStars_June16_template.indd 85

CRYE-LEIKE

901.754.0800 (o) 901.218.3961 (c) ricktravers.com

1930 Exeter Rd Germantown, TN 38138 901.685.6000 (o) 901.409.5605 (c) bjworthy@att.net

INCITY REALTY

ABR, SFR, MMDC

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

930 S White Station, Memphis, TN 38117 901.261.7900 (o) 901.581.6118 (c) www.gayyoungonline.com

5/20/16 10:52 AM

ASK VANCE

The Keeping Vault Our trivia expert solves local mysteries of who, what, when, where, why, and why not. Well, sometimes.

DEAR VANCE: On a recent

visit to Forest Hill Cemetery, I discovered a large and very impressive tomb, apparently very old, with the windows sealed with sheets of plywood. What’s the story behind this ancient structure? — a.y., memphis.

below: Time has taken its toll on the old keeping vault at Forest Hill Cemetery, its windows sealed with plywood. above right: A book of historic photos shows the same building as it looked in 1912.

DEAR A.Y.: Elsewhere in this issue, we mention historic Elmwood Cemetery, noting that it is one of the places that make our city unique. And it’s a beautiful setting indeed, with impressive monuments scattered over 80 rolling acres. But Forest Hill has a special charm — if that’s the right word when we’re talking about graveyards — all its own. Not only is it the final resting place of thousands of Memphis families, many of them as wellknown as anybody buried at Elmwood, but it was also where Elvis Presley was briefly entombed after the performer’s death in 1977. After police uncovered — hmmm, maybe a better choice of words would be discovered — a bumbling plot to steal the King’s body (heavy casket and all, presumably) from the Forest Hill Mausoleum, the Presley Estate had Elvis’ remains, along with his mother, Gladys, who had been buried there some 20 years earlier, moved to the Meditation Gardens at Graceland. Wait, I’m getting off-track here. Back to Forest Hill. Founded in 1888, the 120-acre cemetery originally faced to the west, with a grand entrance off what was then called the Hernando Road. Old city directories note the cemetery was located at the end of the “Forest Hill car

line” (meaning streetcar) and visitors first walked past an imposing white granite chapel (shown on the opposite page). I found this photo, and another depicting how the vault appeared shortly after it was constructed, in an amazing book called The Art Work of Memphis, published in Chicago in 1912. In nine volumes, the authors and photographers compiled hundreds of images of the most impressive buildings in our city — a treasure trove for the Lauderdales of the world. Past the chapel, crushed gravel roads and carriageways led mourners through hundreds of graves, some with simple markers, others with ornately carved tombstones, along with a dozen or so family mausoleums, so designed that they resembled miniature mansions. Sometime in the 1960s, when the north/south expressway was constructed through Midtown, it sliced off the western side of Forest Hill. The main entrance had to be moved to the eastern side of the cemetery, off South Bellevue, which explains why you drive past more modern graves before you finally cross over a little creek, drive over a hill, and finally enter Who could possibly the original, much older hear my muffled cries portion. The nice chapel at the Hernando Road for help? Even with entrance, no longer used my trusty swordcane, and in disrepair, was deI knew this was a molished. What a shame. Then and now, howevdangerous place to be. er, at the top of that hill stood the massive stone vault you’ve noticed, A.Y., but it wasn’t constructed for any particular family. Instead, Forest Hill may be unique in this region because it has managed to preserve its “keeping vault.” In the old days, when graves were dug by strong men with shovels, a burial in the winter, when temperatures were below freezing and the ground was rock-solid, was difficult. So you had the keeping vault. Bodies, safely encased in their caskets, were stored above ground in this building until the weather changed and they could be buried. I wonder: Were there two funeral services? One,

PRESENT-DAY PHOTOGRAPH BY VANCE LAUDERDALE

by vance lauderdale

86 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

086_MM06_2016_Vance.indd 86

5/17/16 2:35 PM

OLD CEMETERY PHOTOS COURTESY LEE ASKEW, FROM THE ART WORK OF MEMPHIS

when the remains were placed in the keeping vault, and a second funeral, when the body was placed in the grave? I don’t know. I wasn’t around at the time. Obviously, with the advent of power machinery to dig graves, even in frozen earth, the keeping vault was no longer needed, and over the years vandals and time have taken their toll on the structure. Forest Hill has sheathed the once-magnificent arched-glass windows with plywood, but one day a side door was left open, and I crept inside. What I found were a series of arched vaults, each of these niches marked with a Roman numeral and sealed with a heavy iron door with a sturdy latch. I confess I felt very nervous to be there, and Lauderdales rarely make such confessions. But I was terrified that some ruffian might sneak up behind me, conk me on the head, stuff me into one of those dark holes, and lock me inside. Who could possibly hear my muffled cries for help? Even with my trusty swordcane, I sensed this was a dangerous place to be. So that’s the story of the old keeping vault at Forest Hill, and if you know what’s good for you, you will stay out of there.

666 Taxi

DEAR VANCE: I found a business card for a Memphis

taxi company tucked in a book. How old is it, and how do you account for the unusual name? – f.t., memphis.

DEAR F.T.: Amazing, isn’t it, that this tiny piece of paper from a business almost a century old has survived. Equally amazing, if I may say so, is the effort that went into answering your apparently simple question. First of all, it didn’t help that the owner’s name was W.F. Williams. What did the “W” stand for? If (as I assumed) it stood for William, oh good gosh, do you know how many “William Williams” are listed in the telephone books each year? Well, I’ll tell you that in the early 1900s — for that’s when I began my search — there were more than 40. So then I turned my attention to the name of the driver. He seemed to spell his last name as “Antoine” but that turned up nothing, so then I looked for “Antioine” and that also turned up nothing.

Finally, after considerable squinting, I decided the fellow’s last name was actually “Antwine” and I was right: Gerald T. Antwine was living here in the 1920s. So that gave me a starting point, and I began to search back and forth through the business sections of the city directories for the 666 Taxi Company. That was an interesting journey. In 1915, there were no cab companies here. The next year, three were established — Rex Auto Service, Bismark Auto Company, and the Five-Thirty Taxi Company. The following year, we had 16 taxi companies all competing for fares, and that’s when the curious notion of giving most of them three-digit names became obvious: Five-Thirty Taxi, Five-Twenty-Nine Taxi, Four-FortyEight Taxi, Seven-Eighty-Four Taxi, and Six-Forty-Four Taxi. The mind reels. Not a single one of these companies was basing their name on their street address. Instead — and this was pretty clever, if you ask me — their name was their telephone number, back when phone numbers were only three digits. left: Not the best name for a business, but what was the owner to do? That was the phone number they gave him.

The company that concerns us started business in 1919. That’s when the Six-Sixty-Six Auto Company opened shop at 112 Gayoso. That was their phone number — Cumberland 666 — so let’s just assume W.F. Williams didn’t care that to many people those particular numbers also represent something besides a taxicab. Or maybe he couldn’t do anything about it. At any rate, he didn’t have to care about it for long, because in 1928, the company name changed to — are you ready for this? — the Six-O-Six-Sixty-Six Taxi Company. Well, what could they do? Memphis phones now had five digits, and the taxi phone number was — you guessed it — 6-0666. Oh, and what about Gerald Antwine? Apparently he tired of driving a cab. Later listings show him working as a plumber, a job he held until his death in 1964 at the age of 63. The 666 Taxi Company closed sometime in 1929, and the property on Gayoso became the Waldorf Hotel. Yes, Memphis at one time had a Waldorf Hotel. But that’s a story for another day.

Got a question for vance? EMAIL: askvance@memphismagazine.com

MAIL: Vance Lauderdale, Memphis magazine,

460 Tennessee Street #200, Memphis, TN 38103 ONLINE: memphismagazine.com/ask-vance

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 87

086_MM06_2016_Vance.indd 87

5/17/16 2:35 PM

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS

CityDining

OUR IN-DEP TH GUIDE TO MEMPHIS-A R E A R ESTAUR A NTS. 2

TIDBITS

Mempops

by pamela denney

1 ”Any place we can sell popsicles, we’re going,” says Chris Taylor (top) about his Mempops food truck, a converted mail truck he found on Craigslist. 2 Strawberry pops are Mempops’ most popular flavor, but they offer many others, including coffee and avocado. 3 Two-year-old Elsie Kate and her brother Henley take a popsicle break at Mempops’ East Memphis store. 4 For an extra $1, customers can dip any pop flavor in rich dark chocolate.

n my first visit to Mempops, I watch four friends — ponytails, soccer shorts, and about 13 years old — tumble into the East Memphis location in Park Place Centre. The girls don’t even glance at the store’s cheery menu that lists 10 or so flavors like hibiscus lemonade and spicy pineapple. Instead, they head straight for the counter and order strawberry cream pops, three plain and one dipped in luscious dark chocolate. The girls’ decisive exuberance helps to explain why the local start-up is selling some 3,000 pops a week from its storefront (open since mid-March), converted skyblue mail truck, and vintage Airstream retrofitted with freezers. Scratch-made from fruit, infused simple syrups, and freshly squeezed juices, the pops taste a little like fancy gelato on a cute squat stick. Orange vanilla pops reinvent the Dreamsicle with cream, Valencia orange juice, and syrup made from whole vanilla beans. The chocolate-dipped coffee pop (my favorite!) begins with locally sourced Reverb cold-brewed overnight, strained through fine mesh and paper, and combined with dulce de leche, a dreamy convection made with sweet milk. “We are using all the same techniques that make local chefs successful, but instead of making an awesome entre, we are making an awesome pop,” says Chris Taylor, Mempops’ energetic owner, who worked as a sous chef at Felicia Suzanne’s and, more recently, managed the kitchen at Central BBQ. Taylor is particularly passionate about turning summer produce into colorful pops like roasted plum or Indian Blood Cling peach with jalapeño. “I also want to try a smoked peach pop this year,” Taylor says, grinning with anticipation. “And I want to make a sweet and sour pop, so when people bite into it, they can see all the different layers.” 1243 Ridgeway Road (901-421-5985) $3.25 a pop

We celebrate our city’s community table and the people who grow, cook, and eat the best Memphis food at

MEMPHISMAGAZINE.COM/FOOD-DINING

88 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

096_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 88

5/19/16 9:46 AM

CIT Y DINING LIST

emphis magazine offers this restaurant listing as a service pasta. The Booksellers at Laurelwood, 387 Perkins Extd. 374-0881. B, L, D, WB, X, $-$$ to its readers. The directory is not intended as a recommendation of the estab- BOSCOS —Tennessee’s first craft brewery serves a variety of freshly lishments included, nor does it list every restaurant in town. It does, however, brewed beers as well as wood-fired oven pizzas, pasta, seafood, steaks, include most of the city’s finer restaurants, many specialty restaurants, and a representative and sandwiches. 2120 Madison. 432-2222. L, D, SB (with live jazz), X, MRA, $-$$ sampling of other Bluff City eating establishments. No fast-food facilities or cafeterias BOUNTY ON BROAD—Offering family-style dining, Bounty are listed, nor have we included establishments that rely heavily on take-out business. serves small plates and family-sized platters, with such specialties as grilled pork loin and stuffed quail. Closed Mon. 2 519 Broad. 410-8131. Restaurants are included regardless of whether they advertise in Memphis magazine. (Tues.-Sat.), SB, X, $-$$ The guide is updated regularly, but we recommend that you call ahead to check on hours, DBOZO’S HOT PIT BAR-B-Q—Barbecue, burgers, sandwiches, prices, and other details. Suggestions from readers are welcome; please contact us. and subs. 3 42 Hwy 70, Mason, TN. 901-294-3400. L, D, $-$$ BRAZIL FLAVOR—Offers daily buffet with traditional Brazilian Email dining@memphismagazine.com. dishes. Closed Monday. 8 014 Club Center Dr. 746-9855. L, D, $ BRASS DOOR IRISH PUB—Irish and New-American cuisine BARDOG TAVERN—Classic American grill with Italian influence, ABUELO’S MEXICAN FOOD EMBASSY—Mejores de la includes such entrees as fish and chips burgers, sandwiches, salads, and Bardog offers pasta specialties such as Grandma’s NJ Meatballs, as well as casa — beef and stuffed shrimp — is a specialty here, along with daily specials. 1 52 Madison. 572-1813. L, D, SB, $ salads, sliders, sandwiches, and daily specials. 73 Monroe. 275-8752. tilapia Veracruz, quesadillas, chili rellenos, and chicken BROADWAY PIZZA HOUSE—Serving a variety of B (Mon.-Fri.), L, D, WB, X, $-$$ medallions. 8274 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 672-0769. L, D, X, $-$$ pizzas,including the Broadway Special, as well as sandwiches, salads, BARI RISTORANTE ENOTECA—Authentic Southeastern ABYSSINIA RESTAURANT—Ethiopian/Mediterranean wings, and “soul-food specials.” 2581 Broad. 454-7930; 627 S. Italian cuisine (Puglia) emphasizes lighter entrees. Serves fresh fish menu includes beef, chicken, lamb, fish entrees, and vegetarian Mendenhall. 207-1546. L, D, X, $-$$ and beef dishes and a homemade soup of the day. 22 S. Cooper. dishes; also a lunch buffet. 2 600 Poplar. 321-0082. L, D, X, $-$$ BROOKLYN BRIDGE ITALIAN RESTAURANT— 722-2244. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ ACRE—Features seasonal modern American cuisine in a stylish Specializing in such homemade entrees as spinach lasagna and lobster setting using locally sourced products; also small-plates/bar. Closed BAYOU BAR & GRILL—New Orleans fare at this Overton ravioli; a seafood specialty is horseradish-crusted salmon. Closed Square eatery includes jambalaya, gumbo, catfish Acadian, shrimp for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 690 S. Perkins. 818-2273. L, D, X, Sun. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 755-7413. D, X, MRA, $-$$$ dishes, red beans and rice, and muffalettas; also serves some favorites $$-$$$ from the former Le Chardonnay. 2094 Madison. 278-8626. L, D, BROTHER JUNIPER’S—Breakfast is the focus here, with specialty AGAVE MARIA—Menu items at this Mexican eatery include omelets, including the open-faced San Diegan omelet; also daily WB, X, $-$$ duck tacos, shrimp and scallop enchiladas, and salmon sashimi specials, and homemade breads and pastries. Closed Mon. 3519 tostadas; also family-style chef’s seasonal selections. 83 Union. BEAUTY SHOP—Modern American cuisine with international Walker. 324-0144. B, X, MRA, $ flair served in a former beauty shop. Serves 341-2096. L, D, X, $-$$ DINING SYMBOLS steaks salads, pasta, and seafood, including THE BRUSHMARK—New American ALCHEMY—Southern fusion, locally grown cuisine features small pecan-crusted golden sea bass. Closed for cuisine with a menu that changes seasonally; and large plates; among the offerings is the pan-seared hanger steak dinner Sunday. 966 S. Cooper. 272-7111. B — breakfast offers sandwiches, salads, soups, pastas, and with duck-fat-roasted fingerling potatoes; also handcrafted cocktails crepes. Closed Mon. and Tues. Brooks L, D, SB, X, $-$$$ and local craft beers. Closed for dinner Sun. 940 S. Cooper. L — lunch Museum, Overton Park, 1934 Poplar. BEDROCK EATS & SWEETS— 726-4444. D, SB, X, $-$$ D — dinner 544-6225. L, WB, X, $-$$ Memphis’ only Paleo-centric restaurant ALDO’S PIZZA PIES—Serving gourmet pizzas — including Mr. SB — Sunday brunch offering such dishes as pot roast, waffles, BRYANT’S BREAKFAST—Three-egg T Rex — salads, and more. Also 30 beers, bottled or on tap. 100 S. WB — weekend brunch enchiladas, chicken salad, omelets, and omelets, pancakes, and The Sampler Platter Main. 577-7743; 752 S. Cooper. 725-7437. L, D, X, $-$$ more. Closed Sun. 327 S. Main. 409are among the popular entrees here. Closed X — wheelchair accessible AMERIGO—Traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine includes 6433. B, L, D, X, $-$$ Tuesday. 3965 Summer. 324-7494. B, L, X, pasta, wood-fired pizza, steaks, and cedarwood-roasted fish. 1239 MRA — member, Memphis $ BELLE-A SOUTHERN BISTRO— Ridgeway, Park Place Mall. 761-4000. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ Restaurant Association Brisket in a bourbon brown sugar glaze, BUCKLEY’S FINE FILET GRILL— ANDREW MICHAEL ITALIAN KITCHEN—Traditional $ — under $15 per person without and chicken with basmati rice are among Specializes in steaks, seafood, and pasta. Italian cuisine with a menu that changes seasonally with such entrees the specialties; also seafood entrees and drinks or desserts (Lunchbox serves entree salads, burgers, and as Maw Maw’s ravioli. Closed Sun.-Mon. 712 W. Brookhaven Cl. 347such vegetables as blackened green more.) 5355 Poplar. 683-4538; 919 S. $$ — under $25 3569. D, X, $$-$$$ tomatoes. Closed for dinner Sun. and all day Yates (Buckley’s Lunchbox), 682-0570. L ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFE—Offering several varieties of $$$ — $26-$50 Mon. 117 Union Ave. 433-9851. L, D, (Yates only, M-F), D, X, MRA, $-$$ eggs benedict, waffles, omelets, pancakes, beignets, and other $$$$ — over $50 WB, X, $-$$$ BUNTYN CORNER CAFE—Serving breakfast fare; also burgers,sandwiches, and salads. . 6063 Park Ave. SHADED — new listing BENIHANA—This Japanese steakhouse favorites from Buntyn Restaurant, including 729-7020. B, L, WB, X, $ serves beef, chicken, and seafood grilled at chicken and dressing, cobbler, and yeast THE ARCADE—Possibly Memphis’ oldest cafe. Specialties include the table; some menu items change monthly; sushi bar also rolls. 5050 Poplar, Suite 107. 424-3286. B, L, X, $ sweet potato pancakes, a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, featured. 912 Ridge Lake. 767-8980. L, D, X, $$-$$$ THE BUTCHER SHOP—Serves steaks ranging from 8-oz. fillets to and breakfast served all day. 540 S. Main. 526-5757. B, L, D BHAN THAI—Authentic Thai cuisine includes curries, pad Thai a 20-oz. porterhouse; also chicken, pork chops, fresh seafood. 107 S. (Thurs.-Sat.), X, $ noodles, and vegetarian dishes, as well as seafood, pork, and duck Germantown Rd. (Cordova). 757-4244. L (Fri. and Sun.), D, X, ASIAN PALACE—Chinese eatery serves seafood, vegetarian items, entrees. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. and all day Mon. 1324 Peabody. MRA, $$-$$$ dim sum, and more. 5266 Summer Ave. 766-0831. L, D, X, $-$$ 272-1538. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ CAFE 1912—French/American bistro serving such seafood entrees as A-TAN—Serves Chinese and Japanese hibachi cuisine, complete BLEU—This eclectic restaurant features American food with global grouper and steamed mussels: also crepes, salads, and French onion soup, with sushi bar. A specialty is Four Treasures with garlic sauce. 3445 influences and local ingredients. Among the specialties are a 14-oz. 243 S. Cooper. 722-2700. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$ Poplar, Suite 17, University Center. 452-4477. L, D, X, $-$$$ bone-in rib-eye and several seafood dishes. 221 S. Third, in the CAFE ECLECTIC—Spanish omelets, and chicken and waffles are AUTOMATIC SLIM’S—Longtime downtown favorite specializes Westin Memphis Beale St. Hotel. 334-5950. B, L, D, WB, X, among menu items, along with sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. 603 in contemporary American cuisine emphasizing local ingredients; also $$-$$$ N. McLean. 725-1718; 111 Harbor Town Square. 590-4645; 510 S. extensive martini list. 83 S. Second. 525-7948. L, D, WB, X, MRA, BLUE DAZE BISTRO—Serving American cuisine with Cajun Highland. 410-0765. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $ $-$$$ flair; lunch entrees include the Black & Bleu Salad and a crab cake CAFE KEOUGH—European-style cafe serving quiche, paninis, BABALU TACOS & TAPAS—This Overton Square eatery sandwich; dinner entrees range from salmon to Cajun cream penne salads, and more. 12 S. Main. 509-2469. B, L, D, X, $ dishes up Spanish-style tapas with Southern flair; also taco and pasta. Closed for dinner Sun., and all day Mon.-Wed. 221 E. CAFE OLE—Now under new ownership, this 23-year-old eatery enchilada of the day; specials change daily. 2115 Madison. 274Commerce St., Hernando (MS). 662-469-9304. L, D, SB, X, $-$$$ specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine; one specialty is the build-your0100. L, D, SB, X, $-$$ BLUE NILE ETHIOPIAN—Kabobs, flavorful chicken and lamb own quesadilla. 959 S. Cooper. 343-0103. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ BAHAMA BREEZE—Baby back ribs, Jamaican chicken wings, stew, and injera (flatbread) are traditional items on the menu, along CAFE PALLADIO—Serves gourmet salads, soups, sandwiches, and and coconut shrimp are among the entrees at this Caribbean-fusion with vegetarian options. 1788 Madison. 474-7214. L, D, X, $-$$ desserts in a tea room inside the antiques shop. Closed Sun. 2 169 restaurant. 2830 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 385-8744. L, BLUEFIN RESTAURANT & SUSHI LOUNGE—Serves Central. 278-0129. L, X, $ D, X, MRA, $-$$ Japanese fusion cuisine featuring seafood, duck, and steaks, with CAFE PIAZZA BY PAT LUCCHESI—Specializes in gourmet BANGKOK ALLEY—Thai fusion cuisine includes noodle and seasonally changing menu; also, a sushi bar and flatbread pizza. pizzas (including create-your-own), panini sandwiches, and pasta. curry dishes, chef-specialty sushi rolls, coconut soup, and duck and Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 135 S. Main. 528-1010. L, D, X, MRA, Closed Sun. 139 S. Rowlett St. (Collierville). 861-1999. L, D, X, $-$$ seafood entrees. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. at Brookhaven $-$$ CAFE PONTOTOC—Serves a variety of internationally inspired location; call for hours. 121 Union Ave. 522-2010; 2150 W. Poplar BOMBAY HOUSE—Indian fare includes lamb korma and small plates, as well as salads and sandwiches. Closed Mon. 314 S. at Houston Levee (Collierville). 854-8748; 715 W. Brookhaven chicken tikka; also, a daily luncheon buffet. 1727 N. Germantown Main. 249-7955. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ Cl. 590-2585. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ Pkwy. (Cordova). 755-4114. L, D, X, $-$$ CAFE SOCIETY—With Belgian and classic French influences, serves BAR DKDC— Features an ever-changing menu of international BONEFISH GRILL—Serves wood-grilled fish,as well as steaks, Wagyu beef, chicken, and seafood dishes, including bacon-wrapped “street food,” from Thai to Mexican, Israeli to Indian, along with chicken and pork entrees. 1250 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). shrimp, along with daily specials and vegetarian entrees. Closed for specialty cocktails. Closed Sun.-Mon. 964 S. Cooper. 272-0830. D, 753-2220; 4680 Merchants Park Circle, Carriage Crossing lunch Sat.-Sun. 212 N. Evergreen. 722-2177. L, D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ X, $ (Collierville). 854-5822. L (Fri.-Sat.), D, SB, X, $-$$$ CANVAS—An “interactive art bar” serving salads, sandwiches, and BAR LOUIE—Serves small plates, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, BONNE TERRE—This inn’s cafe features American cuisine with a flatbreads. 1737 Madison. 619-5303. L, D, $ salads, and such large plate entrees as blackened fish tacos and baked Southern flair, and a seasonal menu that changes monthly. Offers CAPITAL GRILLE—Known for its dry-aged, hand-carved steaks; mac-and-cheese. 2125 Madison. 207-1436. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ Angus steaks, duck, pasta, and seafood. Closed Sun.-Wed. 4715 among the specialties are bone-in sirloin, and porcini-rubbed BAR-B-Q SHOP—Dishes up barbecued ribs, spaghetti, bologna; Church Rd. W. (Nesbit, MS). 662-781-5100. D, X, $-$$$ Delmonico; also seafood entrees and seasonal lunch plates. Closed for also pulled pork shoulder, Texas toast barbecue sandwich, chicken BOOKSELLERS BISTRO —Serves soups, sandwiches, quiche, lunch Sat.-Sun. Crescent Center, 6065 Poplar. 683-9291. L, D, X, sandwich, and salads. Closed Sun. 1782 Madison. 272-1277. L, D, salads, pasta, and seafood, including shrimp polenta; a specialty is pesto $$$-$$$$ X, MRA, $-$$ J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 89

096_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 89

5/19/16 9:46 AM

CIT Y DINING LIST CASUAL DINING

These establishments offer American cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. While some serve ethnic entrees, the emphasis is on steaks, salads, sandwiches, pasta, fish and seafood. Also some soul-food and homestyle cooking.

CHILI’S—7810 Poplar (Germantown). 756-5203; 4609 Poplar. 685-2257; 8100 Giacosa Pl. 372-3132; 287 W. Goodman Rd. (Southaven). 662-349-7002; 237 Market Blvd. (Collierville). 853-7520; 1260 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 756-7771; 8526 Highway 51 (Millington). 872-0555. COLTON’S STEAKHOUSE—8030 J. ALEXANDER’S—2670 N. GermanHighway 64 (Bartlett). 383-8445; 8051 town Pkwy. (Cordova). 381-9670. Goodman Rd. (Olive Branch). 662-890-4142. APPLEBEE’S—2114 Union Ave. 725-7136; COMO STEAKHOUSE—203 Main St. 2890 Bartlett Blvd. (Bartlett). 213-5034; Como, MS. 662-526-9529. 710 DeSoto Cove (Horn Lake, MS). 662-772THE COVE—2559 Broad Ave. 730-0719. 5914; 7515 Goodman Rd. (Olive Branch, THE CUPBOARD—1400 Union. MS). 662-893-7555. 276-8015 AJAX DINER— 118 Courthouse Sq., ELWOOD’S SHACK—4523 Summer. Oxford, MS. 662-232-8880. 761-9898. BELLY ACRES—2102 Trimble Pl, 529EVERGREEN GRILL—1545 Overton 7017. Park. 249-2393. BLUE AND WHITE RESTAURANT—1355 U.S. 61 N., Tunica, T.G.I. FRIDAY’S—185 Union, Double Tree Hotel. 523-8500; 176 E. Goodman MS. 662-363-1371. Rd. (Southaven). 662-349-4223; 7733 BLUE PLATE CAFE—5469 Poplar. Winchester Rd. 752-1369; 8325 Highway 761-9696; 113 S. Court. 523-2050. 64. 372-2539. BLUE SHOE BAR & GRILL—Hotel KEM’S RESTAURANT—2751 New Memphis, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Brunswick Rd., Holiday Inn & Suites. 266362-6200. 1952. BON TON CAFE—150 Monroe. LBOE—2021 Madison Ave. 725-0770. 525-0883. LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE—2710 N. CAJUN CATFISH Germantown Parkway. 381-5254; 5901 COMPANY—1616 Sycamore View Poplar. 684-2272; 7755 Winchester Rd. Rd. 383-8958; 336 New Byhalia Rd. 759-1430; 6685 Airways Blvd. (Southaven). Collierville. 861-0122 662-772-5015. CHEDDAR’S—7684 Winchester. MAC’S BURGERS—4698 624-8881; 2147 N. Germantown Pkwy. Spottswood. 512-4604. 380-1119. MIDTOWN CROSSING THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY—2760 N. Germantown Pkwy, GRILLE—394 N. Watkins. 443-0502. O’CHARLEY’S—6045 Stage Rd., #74. Suite 193 (Wolfchase). 937-1613. 373-5602 (Bartlett); 1040 N. Germantown 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, $-$$$$ CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL—Serves chicken Bryan, calamari, various pastas, and other “old-world” Italian entrees. 4600 Merchant’s Park Cl., Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 854-0200; 5110 Poplar. 685-9900. L (Sat.-Sun.), D, X, $-$$$ CASABLANCA—Lamb shawarma is one of the fresh, homemade specialties served at this Mediterranean/Moroccan restaurant; fish entrees and vegetarian options also available. 1707 Madison. 4216949; 5030 Poplar. 725-8557. L, D, X, $-$$ CATFISH BLUES—Serving Delta-raised catfish and Cajun- and Southern-inspired dishes, including gumbo and fried green tomatoes. 210 E. Commerce (Hernando). 662-298-3814. L, D, $ CELTIC CROSSING—Specializes in Irish and American pub fare. Entrees include shepherd’s pie, shrimp and sausage coddle, and fish and chips. 903 S. Cooper. 274-5151. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ 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. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ CHEZ PHILIPPE—Classical/contemporary French cuisine presented in a luxurious atmosphere with a seasonal menu focused on local/regional cuisine. Afternoon tea served Wed.-Sat., 1-3 p.m. (reservations required). Closed Sun.-Tues. T he Peabody, 149 Union. 529-4188. D, X, MRA, $$$$ CIAO BABY—Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza made in a wood-fired oven. Also serves house-made mozzarella, pasta, appetizers, and salads. 890 W. Poplar, Suite 1. 457-7457. L, D, X, $ CIAO BELLA—Among the Italian and Greek specialties are lasagna, seafood pasta, eggplant rolotini, gourmet pizzas, and vegetarian options. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 565 Erin Dr., Erinway Shopping Center. 205-2500. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ CITY GROCERY—Southern eclectic cuisine; shrimp and grits is a specialty. Closed for dinner Sunday. 152 Courthouse Square (Oxford, MS). 662-232-8080. L, D, SB, X, $$-$$$ COLETTA’S—Longtime eatery serves such specialties as homemade ravioli, lasagna, and pizza with barbecue or traditional toppings. 2850 Appling Rd. (Bartlett). 383-1122; 1063 S. Parkway E. 948-7652. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$

CLUBS/PUBS/SPORTS BARS Pkw. 754-6201; 357 W. Goodman Rd. 662-349-6663 (Southaven); 656 W. Poplar (Collierville). 861-5811. THE OLIVE GARDEN—7778 Winchester. 624-2003; 8405 Highway 64, Wolfchase Galleria. 377-3437; 6615 Airways (Southaven). 662-536-3350; 5679 Poplar, #1. 761-5711. OSHI BURGER BAR—94 s. Main. 341-2091. OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE— 1110 N. Germantown Parkway. 751-9800; 2255 Union Ave. 728-5100; 125 W. Goodman Rd. (Southaven). 662-349-7488. MRA. RAFFERTY’S—4542 Poplar. 374-0096; 505 N. Germantown Pkwy. 755-4799. RUBY TUESDAY—1653 Sycamore View. 382-9280;7535 Winchester. 7556570. SIDECAR CAFE—2194 Whitten. 388-0285. SILVER CABOOSE—132 E. Mulberry (Collierville). 853-0010. SKIMO’S—1166 N. Houston Levee, #107. 756-5055. MRA. SOUL FISH CAFE—862 S. Cooper. 725-0722; 3160 Village Shops Dr. (Germantown). 755-6988. 4720 Poplar. 590-0323. MRA. SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE—40 W. Huling. 521-0907. STONEY RIVER—7515 Poplar. 2071100. TUGS—River Inn, 51 Harbor Town Square. 260-3344. MRA. VINEGAR JIM’S—12062 Forrest (Arlington). 867-7568. WOLF RIVER CAFE—460 U.S. 194 (Rossville). 853-2586.

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. 662893-3663. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ COZY CORNER—Serving up ribs, pork sandwiches, chicken, spaghetti, and more; also homemade banana pudding. Closed Sun.Mon. 745 N. Parkway. 527-9158. L, D, $ THE CRAZY NOODLE—Korean noodle dishes range from bibam beef noodle with cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables, to curry chicken noodle; also rice cakes served in a flavorful sauce. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 2015 Madison. 272-0928. L, D, X, $ CURRY BOWL— Specializes in Southern Indian cuisine, serving Tandoori chicken, biryani, tikka masala, and more. Weekend buffet. 4141 Hacks Cross. 207-6051. L, D, $ DEJAVU—Serves Creole, soul, and vegetarian cuisine, including po-boys, jambalaya, and shrimp and grits. 51 S. Main. 505-0212. L, D, X, $-$$ DERAE RESTAURANT—Ethiopian and Mediterranean fare includes fuul, or fava beans in spices and yoghurt, 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, $-$$ ECCO—Mediterranean-inspired specialties range from rib-eye steak to seared scallops to housemade pastas and a grilled vegetable plate; also a Saturday brunch. Closed Sun.-Mon. 1585 Overton Park. 4108200. L, D, X, $-$$ EIGHTY3—Contemporary menu of steaks and seafood offers a variety of eclectic specialties; also weekly specials, small plates, appetizers, and patio dining. 83 Madison Ave. 333-1224. B, L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ EL MEZCAL—Serves burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, and other Mexican cuisine, as well as shrimp dinners and steak. 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; 9947 Wolf River (Collierville) 853-7922. L, D, X, $ EL PORTON—Fajitas, quesadillas, and steak ranchero are just a few of the menu items. 2095 Merchants Row (Germantown). 7544268; 8361 Highway 64. 380-7877; 3448 Poplar, Poplar Plaza.

From Beale Street night spots to neighborhood bars/grills, these places dish out a variety of food. Many offer live entertainment, and patrons can’t miss the large-screen TVs. ALEX’S TAVERN—1445 Jackson. 278-9086. ALFRED’S—197 Beale. 525-3711. MRA. B.B. KING’S BLUES CLUB—143 Beale. 524-5464. MRA. BEALE STREET TAP ROOM—168 Beale St. 576-2220. BELMONT GRILL—4970 Poplar. 767-0305; 9102 Poplar Pike (Germantown). 624-6001. MRA. BLIND BEAR SPEAKEASY—119 S. Main, Pembroke Square. 417-8435. BLUE MONKEY—2012 Madison. 272-2583; 513 S. Front. 5276665. BLUES CITY CAFE—138 Beale St. 526-3637. MRA. BROOKHAVEN PUB & GRILL—695 W. Brookhaven Circle. 680-8118. MRA. BUFFALO WILD WINGS—3770 Hacks Cross Rd. 737-9463; 7188 Airways (Southaven). 662-349-7776; 8385 Highway 64. 380-9294. DOUBLE J SMOKEHOUSE & SALOON—124 E. G.E. Patterson. 347-2648. EARNESTINE & HAZEL’S—531 S. Main. 523-9754. MRA. EAST END GRILL—7547 Highway 64. 937-1392; 7956 Winchester Rd. 432-4256. MRA. FLYING SAUCER DRAUGHT EMPORIUM—130 Peabody Place. 523-7468; 1400 Germantown Pkwy. 755-5530. MRA. FLYNN’S RESTAURANT & BAR—159 Beale St. 523-1940. FOX AND HOUND ENGLISH PUB & GRILL—847 Exocet Dr. 624-9060; 5101 Sanderlin Ave. 763-2013; 6565 Town Center Crossing (Southaven). 662-536-2200. GRAWEMEYER’S—520 S. Main. 800-1553. HADLEY’S PUB—2779 Whitten Rd. 266-5006. HARD ROCK CAFE—126 Beale. 529-0007. HICKORY TAVERN—4600 Merchants Park Cir. 861-0196. HIGH POINT PUB—477 High Point Terrace. 452-9203. HUEY’S—1927 Madison. 726-4372; 1771 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-3885; 77 S. Second. 527-2700; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-4455; 7090 Malco Blvd. (Southaven). 662-3497097; 7825 Winchester. 624-8911; 4872 Poplar. 682-7729; 7677 Farmington Blvd. (Germantown). 318-3030. MRA. JERRY LEE LEWIS’ CAFE & HONKY TONK—310 Beale St. 654-5171. KING’S PALACE CAFE—162 Beale. 521-1851. MRA. MEMPHIS SPORTS PUB—5012 Park Ave. 767-8632. MIDTOWN CROSSING GRILLE—394 N. Watkins. 443-0502. MURPHY’S—1589 Madison. 726-4193. MRA. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM—5727 Quince Rd. 682-2300. NEWBY’S—539 S. Highland. 730-0520. OLD ZINNIE’S—1688 Madison. 726-5004. PATRICK’S—4972 Park Ave. 682-2852. MRA. P & H CAFE—1532 Madison. 726-0906. PIG ON BEALE—167 Beale. 529-1544 ROCKHOUSELIVE—2586 Poplar. 324-6300. 5709 Raleigh LaGrange. 386-7222. R.P. TRACKS— 3547 Walker. 327-1471. RUM BOOGIE CAFE— 182 Beale. 528-0150. SAMMY HAGAR’S RED ROCKER BAR & GRILL— Southland Park, 1550 North Ingram Blvd. (West Memphis). 872735-3670. SILKY O’SULLIVAN’S—183 Beale St. 522-9596. MRA. THE SILLY GOOSE—100 Peabody Place. 435-6915. THE SLIDER INN—2117 Peabody. 725-1155. SOUTH OF BEALE— 361 S. Main. 526-0388. T J MULLIGAN’S—8071 Trinity Rd. (Cordova). 756-4480; 2821 N. Houston Levee Rd. 377-9997. UBEE’S—521 S. Highland. 323-0900 WESTY’S—346 N. Main. 543-3278 . THE WINDJAMMER—786 E. Brookhaven Cl. 683-9044.

90 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

096_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 90

5/19/16 9:46 AM

CIT Y DINING LIST 452-7330; 1805 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 624-9358; 1016 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-5770. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ EMERALD THAI RESTAURANT—Spicy shrimp, pad khing, lemon grass chicken, and several noodle, rice, and vegetarian dishes are offered at this family restaurant. Closed Sunday. 8950 Highway 64 (Lakeland). 384-0540. L, D X, $-$$ ERLING JENSEN—Presents “globally inspired” cuisine: specialties are rack of lamb, big game entrees,and fresh fish dishes. 1044 S. Yates. 763-3700. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ 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, $ EXLINES’ BEST PIZZA—Serves pizza, Italian dinners, sandwiches, and salads. 2935 Austin Peay. 388-4711; 6250 Stage Rd. (Bartlett). 382-3433; 2801 Kirby Parkway. 754-0202; 7730 Wolf River Blvd. (Germantown). 753-4545; 531 W. Stateline Rd. 662-342-4544 (check online for additional locations). L, D, X, $ 4DUMPLINGS—Chicken with celery and pork with Napa cabbage are among the hand-made dumpling varieties; also serves Asian tacos, and noodle and rice meals. Closed Sunday. 6515 Poplar. 762-4184. L, D, X, $ THE FARMER—Serving upscale Southern cuisine, with a focus on locally grown ingredients. Among the specialties are smoked beef tenderloin and shrimp and grits. Closed for dinner Sun.-Mon. 262 S. Highland. 324-2221. L, D, X, $-$$ FELICIA SUZANNE’S—Southern cuisine with low-country, Creole, and Delta influences, using regional fresh seafood, local beef, and locally grown foods. Entrees include shrimp and grits. Closed Sun. and Mon. Brinkley Plaza, 80 Monroe, Suite L1. 523-0877. L (Fri. only), D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ FERRARO’S PIZZERA & PUB—Rigatoni bolognese and capellini pomodoro are among the pasta entrees here, along with pizzas (whole or by the slice), with a variety of toppings. 111 Jackson. 5222033. L, D, X, $-$$ FIREBIRDS—Specialties are hand-cut steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, and wood-grilled salmon and other seafood, as well as seasonal entrees. 8470 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 379-1300; 4600 Merchants Circle, Carriage Crossing (Collierville). 850-1637. L, D, X, $-$$$ THE FIVE SPOT—Tucked behind Earnestine & Hazel’s, this popular eatery features innovative bar food by chef Kelly English. 531 S. Main. 523-9754. D, X, $-$$ 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. 7616200. D, X, MRA, $$$-$$$$ FLIGHT RESTAURANT & WINE BAR—Serves steaks and seafood, along with such specialties as pork rib-eye and roasted duck, all matched with appropriate wines; also gourmet plate lunches. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 3 9 S. Main. 521-8005. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ 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, MRA, $-$$ FOLK’S FOLLY ORIGINAL PRIME STEAK HOUSE— Specializes in prime steaks, as well as lobster, grilled Scottish salmon, Alaskan king crab legs, rack of lamb, and weekly specials. 551 S. Mendenhall. 762-8200. D, X, MRA, $$$-$$$$ FORMOSA—Offers Mandarin cuisine, including broccoli beef, hotand-sour soup, and spring rolls. Closed Monday. 6685 Quince. 7539898. L, D, X, $-$$ 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. Closed Monday. 998 Mississippi Blvd. 507-1519. L, D (call to check hours.), $ FRATELLI’S—Serves hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts, all with an Italian/Mediterranean flair. Closed Sunday. 750 Cherry Rd., Memphis Botanic Garden. 766-9900. L, 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, $-$$ FUEL CAFE—Focus is on natural “Americana” dishes with such specialties as bison burgers, grass-fed beef dishes, and wild-caught fish; also vegan and gluten-free entrees. Closed Sun.-Mon. 1761 Madison. 725-9025. L, D, X, $-$$ 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. (Germantown). 754-5540. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ GOLDEN INDIA—Northern Indian specialties include tandoori chicken as well as lamb, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian dishes. 2097 Madison. 728-5111. L, D, X, $-$$ GREEN BAMBOO—Pineapple tilapia, pork vermicelli, and the soft egg noodle combo are Vietnamese specialties here. 990 N. Germantown Parkway, #104 (Cordova). 753-5488. L, D, $-$$

GREENCORK—Wine-on-tap bar serves seasonal menu of modern Southern cuisine. Specialty is the picnic basket, which includes cheese truffles and daily selections of premium meats. Closed Sun.Mon. 2156 Young Ave. 207-5281. D, X, $-$$ GRIDLEY’S—Offers barbecued ribs, shrimp, pork plate, chicken, and hot tamales; also daily lunch specials. Closed Tues. 6842 Stage Rd. (Bartlett). 377-8055. L, D, X, $-$$ FRANK GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT— Northern Italian favorites include pasta with jumbo shrimp and mushrooms; also seafood, fillet mignon, and daily lunch specials. Closed for lunch Sunday. Embassy Suites Hotel, 1022 S. Shady Grove. 761-9462. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ RONNIE GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT—This Memphis institution serves some family classics such as Elfo’s Special and chicken ravioli, along with lighter fare and changing daily chef selection. Closed Sun. Sheffield Antiques Mall, 684 W. Poplar (Collierville). 850-0191. L (Mon.-Sat.), D (Thurs.-Sat.), X, $-$$$ THE GROVE GRILL—Offers steaks, chops, seafood, and other American cuisine with Southern and global influences; entrees include crab cakes, and shrimp and grits, also dinner specials. 4550 Poplar. 818-9951. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $$-$$$ GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN—Serves chicken with signature spicy batter, along with homemade beans, slaw, and pies. 310 S. Front. 527-4877; 215 S. Center St. (Collierville). 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, $ 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, $-$$$ HAPPY MEXICAN—Serves quesadillas, burritos, chimichangas, vegetable and seafood dishes, and more. 385 S. Second. 529-9991; 6080 Primacy Pkwy. 683-0000; 7935 Winchester. 751-5353. L, D, X, $ HAVANA’S PILON—Tiny eatery serving Cuban cuisine, including fried plantains in a pilon topped with shrimp, ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce), roasted pork, and a Cuban sandwich. Closed Sunday. 143 Madison. 527-2878. L, D, X, $ HERITAGE TAVERN & KITCHEN—Featuring classic cuisine from the country’s five regions, including lobster rolls, fried chicken, smoked tamales, Green Goddess shrimp, and more. 6150 Poplar, Regalia. 761-8855.L, D, WB, X, $-$$$ HIGH POINT PIZZA—Serves variety of pizzas, subs, salads, and sides. Closed Monday. 477 High Point Terrace. 452-3339. L, D, X, $-$$ HM DESSERT LOUNGE—Serving cake, pie, and other desserts, as well as a selection of savory dishes, including meatloaf and mashed potato “cupcakes.” Closed Sunday and Monday. 1586 Madison. 290-2099. L, D, X, $ HOG & HOMINY—The casual sister to Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen serves brick-oven-baked pizzas, including the Red-Eye with pork-belly, and small plates with everything from meatballs to beef and cheddar hotdogs;and local veggies. Closed for lunch Mon. 707 W. Brookhaven Cl. 207-7396. L, D, SB, X, $-$$$ HONG KONG—Cantonese and Mandarin standards are sweetand-sour chicken, and pepper beef. Closed Sunday. 3966 Elvis Presley. 396-0801. L, D, X, $ HOUSTON’S—Serves steaks, seafood, pork chops, chicken dishes, sandwiches, salads, and Chicago-style spinach dip. 5000 Poplar. 683-0915. L, D, X $-$$$ I LOVE JUICE BAR—Serving an extensive line of juices and grab-and-go lunch items. 553 S. Cooper. 612-2720. L, D, X, $ IMAGINE VEGAN CAFE—Dishes range from salads and sandwiches to full dinners, breakfast items served all day. 2299 Young. 654-3455. L, D, SB, X, $ INDIA PALACE—Tandoori chicken, lamb shish kabobs, chicken tikka masala are among the entrees; also, vegetarian options and a daily lunch buffet. 1720 Poplar. 278-1199. L, D, X, $-$$ INTERIM—Offers American-seasonal cuisine with emphasis on local foods and fresh fish; macaroni and cheese is a house specialty. Closed for lunch Sat. 5040 Sanderlin, Suite 105. 818-0821. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ INTERSTATE BAR-B-Q—Specialties include chopped porkshoulder sandwiches, ribs, hot wings, spaghetti, chicken, and turkey. 2265 S. Third. 775-2304; 150 W. Stateline Rd. (Southaven). 662-393-5699. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ ITTA BENA—Southern and Cajun-American cuisine served here; specialties are filet Oscar and shrimp and grits, along with steaks, chops, seafood, and pasta. 145 Beale St. 578-3031. D,X, $$-$$$  JASMINE THAI AND VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT—Entrees include panang chicken, green curry shrimp,and pad thai (noodles, shrimp, and peanuts); also vegetarian dishes. Closed Mon.-Tues. 916 S. Cooper. 725-0223. L, D, X, $ JIM ’N NICK’S BAR-B-Q—Serves barbecued pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, and fish, along with other homemade Southern specialties. 2 359 N. Germantown Pkwy. 388-0998. L, D, X, $-$$

JIM’S PLACE/JIM’S PLACE GRILLE—Features American, Greek, and Continental cuisine with such entrees as pork tenderloin, several seafood specialties, and hand-cut charcoal-grilled steaks. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 518 Perkins Extd. 766-2030; 3660 Houston Levee (Collierville). 861-5000. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ JOE’S CRAB SHACK—Serves a variety of seafood, along with chicken, steak, and pasta. 7990 Horizon Center Blvd. 384-7478. L, D, X, $-$$$ JULLES POSH FOOD CO.— The changing menu features seasonal “cooking light” dishes such as salmon-shrimp cakes with green salad and roasted sweet potato wedges; also cold-pressed juices, to-go dishes, and desserts. 6300 Poplar. 509-8675. B, L, D, X, $-$$ JUST FOR LUNCH—Serves sandwiches, quiche, salads, fresh fish including fried oysters, daily specials, and homemade rolls. Closed Sunday. 3092 Poplar, Chickasaw Oaks Plaza. 323-3287. L, D (Thurs. only), X, MRA, $-$$ KOOKY CANUCK— Offers prime rib, catfish, and burgers, including the 4-lb. “Kookamonga”; also late-night menu. 97 S. Second. 578-9800; 1250 N. Germantown Pkwy. 1-8002453 L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ LA BAGUETTE—An almond croissant and chicken salad are among specialties at this French-style bistro. Closed for dinner Sun. 3088 Poplar. 458-0900. B, L, D (closes at 7), X, $ LA PLAYITA MEXICANA—Specializes in seafood and Mexican entrees, including red snapper, tilapia, oysters, chimichangas, tostados, and taco salad. 6 194 Macon (Bartlett). 3772282. L, D, X, $-$$ LA TAQUERIA GUADALUPANA—Fajitas and quesadillas are just a few of the authentic Mexican entrees offered here. 4818 Summer. 685-6857. L, D, $ LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM—Serves such Southern cuisine as po boys and shrimp and grits, and wood-fired pizzas; also live music. 2119 Madison. 207-5097. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ LAS DELICIAS—Popular for its guacamole, house-made tortilla chips, and margaritas, this restaurant draws diners with its chicken enchiladas, meat-stuffed flautas, and Cuban torta with spicy pork. Closed Sunday. 4002 Park Ave. 458-9264; 5689 Quince. 8002873. L, D, X, $ LAS TORTUGAS DELI MEXICANA—Authentic Mexican food prepared from local food sources; specializes in tortugas — grilled bread scooped out to hold such fillings as brisket, pork, and shrimp; also tingas tostados and such sides as steamed corn. Closed Sunday. 1215 S. Germantown Rd. 751-1200. L, D, X, $-$$ 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, MRA, $-$$ LITTLE ITALY—Serving New York-style pizza as well as subs and pasta dishes. 1495 Union. 725-0280, L, D, X, $-$$ 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 GASTROPUB—Eclectic entrees with a focus on locally grown products include lobster mac-and-cheese and pork osso bucco. 95 S. Main. 473-9573; 2126 Madison. 725-1845. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ LOFLIN YARD—Beer garden and barbecue restaurant with barbecue and vegetarian fare cooked on a custom-made grill. 7 W. Caroline. 249-3046. L (Sat. and Sun.), D, $-$$ THE LOOKOUT AT THE PYRAMID—Serves Southern fare, including catfish tacos and crawfish tails, atop The Pyramid with a panoramic view of the river. 1 Bass Pro Dr. 620-4600/291-8200. L, D, X $-$$$ LOS COMPADRES—Serves enchiladas, burritos, tamales, tacos, and vegetarian dishes; also Cuban entrees. 3295 Poplar. 458-5731. L, D, X, $-$$ LOST PIZZA—Offering pizzas (with dough made from scratch), pasta, salads, sandwiches, tamales, and more. 2855 Poplar. 5721803; 5960 Getwell, Southaven. 662-892-8684. L, D, X, $-$$ LOTUS—Authentic Vietnamese-Asian fare, including lemon-grass chicken and shrimp, egg rolls, Pho soup, and spicy Vietnamese vermicelli. 4970 Summer. 682-1151. D, X, $ LYFE KITCHEN—Serving healthy, affordable wraps, bowls, sandwiches, and more; entrees include roasted salmon and “unfried” chicken. 6201 Poplar. 684-5333; 272 S. Main. 526-0254. B, L, D, WB, X, $ LYNCHBURG LEGENDS—This restaurant with a Jack Daniels’ theme and Southern cuisine serves such entrees as Bourbon Street salmon, buttermilk-fried chicken, and grilled steak and wild mushroom salad. Double Tree Hotel, 5069 Sanderlin. 969-7777. B, L, D, X, $- $$$ MACIEL’S TORTAS & TACOS—Entrees include tortas, hefty Mexican sandwiches filled with choice of chicken, pork, or steak. Also serving fried taco plates, quesadillas, chorizo and pastor J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 91

096_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 91

5/19/16 9:46 AM

CIT Y DINING LIST LOCALITY GUIDE BARTLETT

Abuelo’s Applebee’s Cajun Catfish Company Coletta’s Colton’s Steakhouse Dixie Cafe El Porton Exlines’ Best Pizza Firebirds Gridley’s Hadley’s Pub La Playita Mexicana O’Charley’s Ruby Tuesday Sekisui Side Car Cafe Side Porch Steakhouse Tops Bar B-Q

Logan’s Roadhouse Moe’s Southwest Grill T.J. Mulligan’s O’Charley’s Olive Garden On the Border Osaka Japanese Outback Steakhouse Pasta Italia Pei Wei Asian Diner The Presentation Room Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza Rafferty’s Red Lobster Romano’s Macaroni Grill Sekisui Shogun Skimo’s Tannoor Grill Zaytos

CHICKASAW GARDENS/ DOWNTOWN UNIV. OF MEMPHIS

JUNE 14-19 • THE ORPHEUM THEATRE (901) 525-3000 • Orpheum-Memphis.com Sponsored by:

Amber George hairstylist

901.870.7688 cell

Styling and UpDo’s • Hair Extensions Keratin Complex • Color/Color Correction Bridal Parties 958 Reddoch Cove • Memphis, TN 38119 901.859.9010

Agave Maria Aldo’s Pizza Pies Alfred’s The Arcade Automatic Slim’s Bangkok Alley Bardog Tavern B.B. King’s Blues Club Bedrock Eats & Sweets Belle — A Southern Bistro Bleu Blind Bear Speakeasy Blue Monkey Bluefin Blues City Cafe Bon Ton Cafe Brass Door Irish Pub Burrito Blues Mexican Grill COLLIERVILLE/WEST TN. Cafe Eclectic (ARLINGTON, COVINGTON, Cafe Keough MILLINGTON, OAKLAND) Cafe Pontotoc Bangkok Alley Capriccio Bonefish Grill Central BBQ Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q Chez Philippe Cafe Piazza City Market Cajun Catfish Company Cozy Corner Carrabba’s Italian Grill DeJaVu Chili’s Double J Smokehouse & Saloon Ciao Baby Earnestine & Hazel’s Corky’s Eighty3 Crepe Maker Felicia Suzanne’s El Mezcal Ferraro’s Pizzeria El Porton Five Spot Emerald Thai Flight Firebirds Flying Fish Ronnie Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant Flying Saucer Gus’s Fried Chicken T.G.I. Friday’s Hickory Tavern Grawemeyer’s Huey’s Gus’s Jim’s Place Grille Happy Mexican Manila Filipino Hard Rock Cafe Mulan Havana’s Pilon Osaka Japanese Huey’s Memphis Pizza Cafe Itta Bena Pig-N-Whistle King’s Palace Cafe Sekisui Kooky Canuck Silver Caboose Little Tea Shop Stix Local Vinegar Jim’s Loflin Yard Wolf River Cafe Lookout at the Pyramid CORDOVA LYFE Kitchen Bahama Breeze Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos Bombay House McEwen’s on Monroe Bonefish Grill The Majestic Brazil Flavor Marmalade Butcher Shop Mesquite Chop House Cheddar’s Mollie Fontaine Lounge Chili’s The Office@Uptown Corky’s Onix Crazy Italians Oshi Burger Bar East End Grill Paulette’s El Mezcal Pearl’s Oyster House El Porton Pig on Beale T.G.I. Friday’s Pink Diva Cupcakery & Cuisine Flying Saucer Ray’z World Famous Dr. Bar-B-Que Green Bamboo Rendezvous, Charles Vergos’ Gus’s Rizzo’s Diner Happy Mexican Rum Boogie Cafe Hunan Palace Silky O’Sullivan’s Huey’s South of Beale J. Alexander’s South Main Sushi & Grill Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe & Honky Tonk Spaghetti Warehouse Jim N Nick’s Bar-B-Q Spindini Joe’s Crab Shack The Terrace A-Tan Brother Juniper’s Cheffie’s Derae El Porton The Farmer Just for Lunch La Baguette Los Compadres Lost Pizza Medallion Newby’s Osaka Japanese Pete & Sam’s Rock’n Dough Pizza R.P. Tracks Woman’s Exchange

STUDIO 901

Texas de Brazil Tugs Twilight Sky Terrace Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill Westy’s

EAST MEMPHIS

Acre Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen Asian Palace Bangkok Alley Belmont Grill Blue Plate Cafe Booksellers Bistro Broadway Pizza Brookhaven Pub & Grill Buckley’s Fine Filet Grill Buntyn Corner Cafe Carrabba’s Italian Grill Casablanca Central B B Q Chili’s Ciao Bella City East Corky’s Dixie Cafe El Mezcal El Porton Fino’s from the Hill Folk’s Folly Fox & Hound Fratelli’s The Grove Grill Half Shell Hog & Hominy Houston’s Huey’s Interim Erling Jensen Jim’s Place Las Delicias LYFE Kitchen Lynchburg Legends Marciano Mayuri Indian Cuisine Mellow Mushroom Memphis Pizza Cafe Mortimer’s Mosa Asian Bistro Napa Cafe Neil’s New Hunan Old Venice One & Only BBQ Patrick’s Porcellino’s Craft Butcher Rafferty’s Sekisui Pacific Rim Soul Fish Cafe Staks Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe Three Little Pigs Whole Foods Market

GERMANTOWN

Belmont Grill The Cheesecake Factory Chili’s City East El Porton Exlines’ Best Pizza Germantown Comm. Mellow Mushroom Memphis Pizza Cafe Mesquite Chop House New Asia Petra Cafe Royal Panda Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Wine Bar Sakura Soul Fish Cafe Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill West Street Diner

MEDICAL CENTER The Cupboard Evelyn & Olive Sabor Caribe Sabrosura Tops Bar-B-Q Trolley Stop Market

MIDTOWN

Abyssinia Alchemy Aldo’s Pizza Pies

Alex’s Applebee’s Babalu Tacos and Tapas Bar DKDC Bar Louie Bar-B-Q Shop Bari Barksdale Restaurant Bayou Bar & Grill Beauty Shop Belly Acres Bhan Thai Blue Nile Ethiopian Boscos Bounty on Broad Broadway Pizza House The Brushmark Cafe 1912 Cafe Eclectic Cafe Ole Cafe Palladio Cafe Society Canvas Celtic Crossing Central B B Q The Cove Cozy Corner The Crazy Noodle The Cupboard Dino’s Ecco El Mezcal Evergreen Grill Fino’s from the Hill Frida’s Fuel Cafe Golden India Greencork HM Dessert Lounge Huey’s I Love Juice Bar Imagine Vegan Cafe India Palace Jasmine Thai Java Cabana Lafayette’s Music Room Little Italy LBOE Local Mardi Gras Memphis Maximo’s on Broad Memphis Pizza Cafe Midtown Crossing Grille Molly’s La Casita Mulan Chinese Bistro Murphy’s Old Zinnie’s Otherlands Outback Steakhouse P & H Cafe Pei Wei Asian Diner Pho Binh Pho Saigon Restaurant Iris Robata Ramen & Yakitori Bar Saigon Le Schweinehaus The Second Line Sekisui The Slider Inn Soul Fish Cafe Stone Soup Strano Sicilian Kitchen Sweet Grass Tart Tsunami Young Avenue Deli

NORTH MISSISSIPPI Ajax Diner Applebee’s Blue and White Blue Daze Bistro Bonne Terre Catfish Blues Chili’s City Grocery Colton’s Steakhouse Como Steakhouse Corky’s Fox & Hound Huey’s Lee’s Family Restaurant Logan’s Roadhouse Lost Pizza McEwen’s

Dan McGuinness Pub Memphis Barbecue Company Memphis Pizza Cafe Mesquite Chop House Nagoya O’Charley’s Olive Garden Osaka Japanese Cuisine Outback Steakhouse Ravine Sekisui Tuscany Ital Steakhouse

PARKWAY VILLAGE/ FOX MEADOWS Blue Shoe Bar & Grill Leonard’s Jack Pirtle’s Chicken Three Little Pigs Bar-B-Q

POPLAR/I-240

Amerigo Benihana Blue Plate Cafe Brooklyn Bridge Capital Grille, The P.F. Chang’s Chipotle Exlines’ Best Pizza 4Dumplings Fleming’s Frank Grisanti’s Happy Mexican Heritage Tavern & Kitchen Julles Posh Food Co. Mister B’s Olive Garden One & Only BBQ Owen Brennan’s Pyro’s Fire-Fresh Pizza Red Koi River Oaks Ruth’s Chris Salsa Seasons 52 Sekisui Wang’s Mandarin House

RALEIGH

Exline’s Best Pizza

SOUTH MEMPHIS Coletta’s The Four Way Interstate Bar-B-Q Jack Pirtle’s Chicken

SUMMER/BERCLAIR Bryant’s The Cottage Elwood’s Shack High Pockets High Point Pizza La Taqueria Guadalupana Lotus Nagasaki Inn Orr Restaurant Pancho’s Panda Garden Queen of Sheba Tops Bar-B-Q

WEST MEMPHIS/ EASTERN ARK.

The Cupboard Pancho’s Sammy Hagar’s Red Rocker Bar & Grill

WHITEHAVEN Hong Kong Marlowe’s

WINCHESTER

Cheddar’s East End Grill Curry Bowl Formosa Half Shell Happy Mexican Huey’s Logan’s Roadhouse Olive Garden Red Lobster Ruby Tuesday T.G.I. Friday’s Tops Bar-B-Q Tycoon

92 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

096_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 92

5/19/16 9:46 AM

ompany

use

LAGE/ S

B-Q

chen

use

HIS

LAIR

pana

Rocker

CIT Y DINING LIST T UNICA TA BLES CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE AT THE GOLDSTRIKE—1010 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-24KSTAY /662-357-1225. DON B’S STEAKHOUSE AT THE FITZ —711 Lucky Ln., Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-766-LUCK, ext 6501. FAIRBANKS AT THE HOLLYWOOD—1150 Casino Strip Blvd., Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-871-0711 JACK BINION’S STEAK HOUSE AT HORSESHOE—1021 Casino Center Drive, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-303-SHOE. soft tacos, salads, and more. Closed Sun. 4 5 S. Main. 526-0037. L, D, X, $ THE MAJESTIC GRILLE—Housed in a former silent-picture house, features aged steaks, fresh seafood, and such specialties as roasted chicken and grilled pork tenderloin; offers a pre-theatre menu and classic cocktails. 145 S. Main. 522-8555. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ MANILA FILIPINO RESTAURANT—Entrees include pork belly cutlet with lechon sauce, and shrimp and vegetables in tamarind broth; also daily combos, rice dishes, and chef specials. 7 849 Rockford (Millington). 209-8525. L, D, X, $ MARCIANO MEDITERRANEAN AND ITALIAN CUISINE—Rack of lamb with roasted potatoes and demiglaze is among the entrees; also steaks, seafood, and gourmet pizza. 780 Brookhaven Cl. 682-1660. D, X, $-$$  MARDI GRAS MEMPHIS—Serving Cajun fare, including an etoufee-stuffed po’boy. 496 Watkins. 530-6767. L, D, X, $-$$ MARLOWE’S—In addition to its signature barbecue and ribs, Marlowe’s serves Southern-style steaks, chops, lasagne, and more. 4381 Elvis Presley Blvd. 332-4159. D, X, $-$$ MARMALADE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE—Southern homestyle entrees include catfish, honey-baked ham, steaks, and shrimp, all with a choice of three vegetables. Closed Sun. and Mon. 153 G.E. Patterson. 522-8800. D, X, $ MAXIMO’S ON BROAD—Serving a tapas menu that features creative fusion cuisine. Closed Mon. and Tues. 2617 Broad Ave. 452-1111. L, D, SB, X, $-$$ MAYURI INDIAN CUISINE—Serves tandoori chicken, masala dosa, tikka masala, as well as lamb and shrimp entrees; also a daily lunch buffet, and dinner buffet on Fri.-Sat. 6524 Quince Rd. 753-8755. L, D, X, $-$$ MCEWEN’S ON MONROE—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, $$-$$$ DAN MCGUINNESS PUB—Serves fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, burgers, and other Irish and American fare; also lunch and dinner specials. 3964 Goodman Rd. 662-890-7611. L, D, X, $ MEDALLION—Offers steaks, seafood, chicken, and pasta entrees. Closed for dinner Sunday. 3 700 Central, Holiday Inn (Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality). 678-1030. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ MELLOW MUSHROOM—Large menu includes assortment of pizzas, salads, calzones, hoagies, vegetarian options, and 50 beers on tap. 9155 Poplar, Shops of Forest Hill (Germantown). 907-0243; 5138 Park Ave. 562-1211. L, D, X, $-$$ MEMPHIS BARBECUE COMPANY—Offers spare ribs, baby backs, and pulled pork and brisket, along with such sides as mac and cheese, grits, and red beans. 709 Desoto Cove, Horn Lake (MS). 662-536-3762. L, D, X, $-$$ MEMPHIS PIZZA CAFE—Homemade pizzas are specialties; also serves sandwiches, calzones, and salads. 2087 Madison. 7265343; 5061 Park Ave. 684-1306; 7604 W. Farmington

(Germantown). 753-2218; 797 W. Poplar (Collierville). 861-7800; 5627 Getwell (Southaven). 662-536-1364. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ MESQUITE CHOP HOUSE—The focus here is on steaks, including prime fillet, rib eyes, and prime-aged New York strip; also, some seafood options. 5960 Getwell (Southaven). 662-890-2467; 88 Union. 527-5337; 3165 Forest Hill-Irene (Germantown). 2495661. D, SB (Germantown), X, $$-$$$ MISTER B—Features New Orleans-style seafood and steaks. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 6655 Poplar, #107. 751-5262. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ MOLLIE FONTAINE LOUNGE—Specializes in tapas (small plates) featuring global cuisine. Closed Sun.-Tues. 679 Adams Ave. 524-1886. D, X, MRA, $ 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, $-$$ MORTIMER’S—Contemporary American entrees include trout almondine, several chicken dishes, and hand-cut steaks; also sandwiches, salads, and daily/nightly specials. Closed for lunch Sat.Sun. 590 N. Perkins. 761-9321. L, D, X, $-$$ MOSA ASIAN BISTRO—Specialties include sesame chicken, Thai calamari, rainbow panang curry with grouper fish, and other Pan Asian/fusion entrees. 850 S. White Station Rd. 683-8889. L, D, X, $ MULAN—Hunan Chicken, tofu dishes, and orange beef served here; some sushi, too. 2059 Houston Levee (Collierville). 850-5288; 2149 Young. 347-3965. L, D, X, $-$$ NAGASAKI INN—Chicken, steak, and lobster are among the main courses; meal is cooked at your table. 3951 Summer. 454-0320. D, X, $$ NAGOYA—Offers traditional Japanese cuisine and sushi bar; specialties are teriyaki and tempura dishes. 7075 Malco Blvd., Suite 101 (Southaven). 662-349-8788. L, D, X, $-$$$  NAM KING—Offers luncheon and dinner buffets, dim sum, and such specialties as fried dumplings, pepper steak, and orange chicken. 4594 Yale. 373-4411. L, D, X, $  NAPA CAFE—Among the specialties is miso-marinated salmon over black rice with garlic spinach and shiitake mushrooms. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 5101 Sanderlin, Suite 122. 683-0441. L, D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ NEW ASIA—Specializing in authentic Chinese food, including roast Peking duck. 2075 Exeter, Suite 90. 758-8388. L, D, X, $ NEW HUNAN—Chinese eatery with more than 80 entrees;also lunch/dinner buffets. 5052 Park. 766-1622. L, D, X, $ THE OFFICE@UPTOWN— Offering sandwiches, wraps, pizza, soups, salads, and several vegetarian options. Closed Sunday. 594 N. Second St. 522-1905. B, L, D, X, $ OLD VENICE PIZZA CO.— Specializes in “eclectic Italian,” from pastas, including the “Godfather,” to hand-tossed pizzas, including the “John Wayne”; choose from 60 toppings. 368 Perkins Ext. 767-6872. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$ ON THE BORDER—Dishes out such Tex-Mex specialties as fajitas and Southwest chicken tacos; also fresh grilled seafood specials. 8101 Giacosa Pl. (Cordova).881-0808; 6572 Airways (Southaven). 662-6554750. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $ 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, and more. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 751-3615; 567 Perkins Extd. 249-4227. L, D, X, $ ONIX RESTAURANT—Serves American seafood and pasta dishes. Closed for lunch Sat., all day Sun., and for dinner Mon. 4 12 S. Main. 552-4609. L, D, X, $-$$ ORR RESTAURANT—Serves Mediterranean/African cuisine, such as lamb Kowzi flavored with raisins and roasted nuts and served with white bean soup. 661 N. Mendenhall, Suite 101. 275-8692. L, D, X, $-$$

COFFEEHOUSES/BOOKSTORE CAFES

In addition to gourmet coffees and drinks, these eateries generally serve pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads, and some have a wider range of menu items. AVENUE COFFEE—786 Echles. 454-3348. BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS— 2774 N. Germantown Pkwy. 386-2468; 4610 Merchants Park Cl., #521 (Collierville). 853-3264. BELLA CAFFE—Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. 3206320 BLUFF CITY COFFEE—505 S. Main. 405-4399. THE BOOKSELLERS AT LAURELWOOD— 387 Perkins Extd. 683-9801. CARITAS VILLAGE COFFEE SHOP— 2509 Harvard. 327-5246.. CITY AND STATE—2625 Broad. 249-2406.

JAVA CABANA—2170 Young. 272-7210. MUDDY’S GRIND HOUSE—585 S. Cooper. 683-8844. OTHERLANDS—641 S. Cooper. 278-4994. MRA. QAHWA COFFEE BAR—Claridge House, 109 N. Main.800-2227. SQUARE BEANS ESPRESSO + GELATO— 103 N. Center St. (Collierville). 854-8855. STARBUCKS—1850 Union Ave. 729-4288; 3388 Poplar. 320-1021; 5201 Poplar. 818-9954; 2955 Kirby Whitten (Bartlett), 266-2497; 180 Goodman Rd. E. (Southaven). 662-349-0342; 8140 Goodman Rd. (Olive Branch). 662-890-9507. For more listings, check online. TAMP & TAP—122 Gayoso. 207-1053 THE UGLY MUG— 4610 Poplar. 552-3165.

F A S T- C A S U A L

Fresh cuisine prepared while you wait and served in an upscale setting. Not your typical fast-food restaurants, most serve beer, wine, and liquor. BONEHEADS—555 Perkins Extd. 746-8867. BURRITO BLUES MEXICAN—156 Beale. 528-1055. CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL—5865 Poplar, Ridgeway Trace, #104. 416-1944; 2760 N. Germantown Pkwy. 620-0469. CRAZY ITALIANS—1250 N. Germantown Pkwy., #105 (Cordova). 347-2449. CREPE MAKER—4630 Merchants Park Cir., #731 (Collierville). 861-1981. GENGHIS GRILL—2362 N. Germantown Parkway. 584-0412; 7706 Winchester. 522-5048; 5849 Poplar, #117, Ridgeway Trace. 308-4040. HUMDINGERS—6300 Poplar. 260-8292; 1134 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 271-2912. MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL— 465 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 737-5058. 6300 Poplar Ave., #108. 685-5685; 3660 S. Houston Levee (Collierville). 457-7227; 3546 Walker. 590-0192 SWANKY’S TACO SHOP—6641 Poplar (Germantown). 737-2088. 4770 Poplar. 730-0763; 711 Southcrest Pkwy, #101 (Southaven). 662-655-0662. MRA. TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE— 540 S. Mendenhall. 290-1091. OSAKA JAPANESE CUISINE—Featuring an extensive sushi menu as well as traditional Japanese and hibachi dining. Hours vary for lunch; call. 3670 Houston Levee (Collierville). 861-4309; 3402 Poplar. 249-4690; 7164 Hacks Cross. 662-890-9312; 2200 N. Germantown Pkwy. 425-4901. L, D, X, $-$$$ OWEN BRENNAN’S—New Orleans-style menu of beef, chicken, pasta, and seafood; jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and crawfish etouffee are specialties. Closed for dinner Sunday. The Regalia, 6150 Poplar. 761-0990. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ PANCHO’S—Serves up a variety of Mexican standards, including tacos, enchiladas, and mix-and-match platters; also lunch specials. 3600 E. Broadway (West Memphis). 870-735-6466. 717 N. White Station. 685-5404. L, D, X, MRA, $ 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, $-$$ PASTA ITALIA—Northern Italian cuisine features homemade stuffed pastas; a specialty is rosetta al forno; also serves fish and steaks. Closed Sun.-Mon. 8130 Macon Station Dr., Suite 106. 751-0009. D, X, $$$-$$$$ PAULETTE’S—Presents fine dining with a Continental flair, including such entrees as filet Paulette with butter-pepper cream sauce and popoovers with strawberry butter; also changing daily specials. R iver Inn. 50 Harbor Town Square. 260-3300. B, L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ 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. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ PEI WEI ASIAN DINER—Serves a variety of Pan-Asian cuisine, including Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai. Noodle and rice bowls are specialties; a small plates menu also offered. 1680 Union Ave., #109. 722-3780; 2257 N. Germantown Pkwy. 3821822. L, D, X, $-$$  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, $-$$$ PETRA CAFÉ—Serves Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern sandwiches, gyros, and entrees. Hours vary; call. 6641 Poplar Ave. (Germantown). 754-4440; 9155 Poplar (Germantown). 7555440; 1560 Union. 505-2812. L, D, X, $-$$ PINK DIVA CUPCAKERY & CUISINE— Vegetarian/vegan fare, including cupcakes and build-your-own ramen and mac and cheese bowls. Closed Thurs. and Sun. 936 Florida. 946-0056. L, D, $ 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. 818-3889. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ PHO BINH—Vietnamese, vegetarian, and Cantonese specialties include lemon tofu and spring rolls. Closed Sunday. 1615 Madison. 276-0006. L, D, $ 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, $ J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 93

096_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 93

5/19/16 9:46 AM

CIT Y DINING LIST

Memphis Magazine’s

THE 2016

FACE OF

COFFEE

ARTISAN COFFEES

SCRATCH BAKERY - SODA FOUNTAIN

BREAKFAST - LUNCH - DINNER cafeeclectic.net Harbortown - Midtown - Highland

T H E A L L U VI A N H O T E L • T HE AL L UV I AN S PA VI KI N G C O O KI N G S CHO OL • GI ARD I NA’ S 325D Howard Street Greenwood, Mississippi 662.451.6700 thealluvian.com

Broadway Pizza House Legendary Pizza Since 1977

2581 Broad Avenue (901) 454-7930

629 South Mendenhall (901) 207-1546

Memphis Magazine’s

THE 2016

FACE OF

PIZZA

PIG-N-WHISTLE—Offers pork shoulder sandwiches, wet and dry ribs, catfish, nachos, and stuffed barbecue potatoes. 6084 Kerr-Rosemark Rd. 872-2455. L, D, X, $ PORCELLINO’S CRAFT BUTCHER—Small plates, charcuterie selections, specialty steaks, house-made pastries, and innovative teas and coffees are offered at this combination butcher shop and restaurant featuring locally sourced menu items. 711 W. Brookhaven Cl. 762-6656. B, L, D, X $-$$ PRESENTATION ROOM, THE—American bistro run by the students of L’Ecole Culinaire. Menu changes regularly; specialties may include such items as a filet with truffle mushroom ragu. Closed Fri.-Sun. 1245 N. Germantown Pkwy (Cordova). 754-7115. L, D, X, $-$$ PYRO’S FIRE-FRESH PIZZA—Serving gourmet pizzas cooked in an open-fire oven; wide choice of toppings; large local and craft beer selection. 1 199 Ridgeway. 379-8294; 2035 Union Ave. 208-8857; 2286 N. Germantown Pkwy. 207-1198. B, 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, $ RAVINE—Serves contemporary Southern cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, locally grown foods and a menu that changes weekly. Closed Mon.-Tues. 5 3 Pea Ridge/County Rd. 321 (Oxford, MS). 662-2344555. D, SB, X, $$-$$$ RAY’Z WORLD FAMOUS DR. BAR-B-QUE—Serves dry-roasted barbecue, pulled or chopped pork, beef brisket, ribs, salads, and more. Closed Mon. 302 S. Main. 527-9026. 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 $-$$ RED LOBSTER—Specializes in crab legs, lobster, and shrimp dishes; also pastas, salads, steaks, and chicken. 8161 Highway 64 (Cordova). 387-0056; 6535 Airways (Southaven). 662-536-1960; 7750 Winchester. 759-9045. L, D, X, $-$$ 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, MRA, $-$$ RESTAURANT IRIS—French Creole cuisine includes shrimp and delta-grind grits, and New York strip stuffed with fried oysters and blue cheese. Closed Sun. 2146 Monroe. 590-2828. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ RIVER OAKS—A French-style bistro serving seafood and steaks, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 5871 Poplar Ave. 683-9305. L, D, X, $$$ RIVERFRONT BAR & GRILL—Beale Street Landing eatery serves Southern American specialties, including Tom Lee Catfish, and Tennessee Caviar, a fresh veggie salsa of black-eyed peas and cilantro with pimento cheese and toast points; also sausage-cheese appetizer. Closed Monday. 251 Riverside Dr. 524-0817. L, D, X, $ RIZZO’S DINER—Chorizo meatloaf, lobster pronto puff, and brisket are menu items at this upscale diner, Closed for dinner Sun. and all day Mon. 492 S. Main. 304-6985. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ ROBATA RAMEN & YAKITORI BAR— Serves ramen noodle bowls and Yakitori skewers as well as rice and noodle dishes, and sake. 2116 Madison. 410-8290. D, WB, X, $ ROCK’N DOUGH PIZZA CO.—Specialty and custom pizzas made from fresh ingredients; wide variety of toppings. 3445 Poplar Ave., Ste. 1. 512-6760. L, D, X, $$ ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL—Serves MediterraneanItalian cuisine, including hand-crafted pasta Milano and penne rustica, and create-your-own pasta; also steaks, seafood, and salads. 2859 N. Germantown Pk wy. (Cordova). 266-4565. L, D, X, $-$$ ROYAL PANDA—Hunan fish, Peking duck, Royal Panda chicken and shrimp, and a seafood combo are among the specialties. 3120 Village Shops Dr. (Germantown). 756-9697. L, D, X, $-$$ RUSSO’S NEW YORK PIZZERIA AND WINE BAR— Serves gourmet pizzas, calzones, and pasta, including lasagna, fettucine Alfredo, scampi, and more. 9087 Poplar, Suite 111. 7550092. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE—Offers prime steaks cut and aged in-house, as well as lamb, chicken, and fresh seafood, including lobster. 6120 Poplar. 761-0055. D, X, MRA, $$$-$$$$ SABOR CARIBE—Serving up “Caribbean flavors” with dishes from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Closed Sunday. 662 Madison. 949-8100. L, D, X, $ SABROSURA—Serves Mexican and Cuban fare, including arroz tapada de pollo and steak Mexican. 782 Washington. 421-8180. B, L, D, X, $-$$ SAIGON LE—Vietnamese/Chinese specialties include calamari with ginger, and pork chops with mushrooms; vegetarian options too. Closed Sunday. 51 N. Cleveland. 276-5326. L, D, X, $-$$ SAKURA—Sushi, tempura, and teriyaki are Japanese specialties here. 2060 West St. (Germantown). 758-8181. 4840 Poplar. 572-1002. L, D, X, $-$$ SALSA—Mexican-Southern California specialties include carnitas, enchiladas verde, and fajitas; also Southwestern seafood dishes such

94 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

088_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 94

5/19/16 12:14 PM

CIT Y DINING LIST as snapper verde. Closed Sun. Regalia Shopping Center, 6150 Poplar, Suite 129. 683-6325. L, D, X, $-$$ SCHWEINEHAUS—Serving Bavarian-influenced fare with a Southern twist; includes wurst platters, pork schnitzel, sauerbraten, and more; also a wide variety of beers. 2 110 Madison. 347-3060. L, D, X, $-$$ 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, $$-$$$ THE SECOND LINE—Kelly English brings “relaxed Creole cuisine” to his new eatery; serves a variety of po-boys and such specialties as barbecue shrimp, and andouille, shrimp, and pimento cheese fries. 2144 Monroe. 590-2829. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ SEKISUI—Japanese fusion cuisine, fresh sushi bar, grilled meats and seafood, California rolls, and vegetarian entrees. Poplar/Perkins location’s emphasis is on Pacific Rim cuisine. Menu and hours vary at each location. 2 5 Belvedere. 725-0005; 1884 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 309-8800; 4724 Poplar (between Perkins & Colonial). 767-7770; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-0622; 1255 Goodman Rd. (Horn Lake). 662-536-4404; 2990 Kirby-Whitten (Bartlett). 377-2727; 6696 Poplar. 747-0001. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT—Entrees include tempura, teriyaki, and sushi, as well as grilled fish and chicken entrees. 2324 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 384-4122. L, D, X, $-$$ SIDE PORCH STEAK HOUSE—In addition to steak, the menu includes chicken, pork chops, and fish entrees; homemade rolls are a specialty. Closed Sun.-Mon. 5689 Stage Rd. (Bartlett). 3772484. D, X, $-$$ SOUTH MAIN SUSHI & GRILL— Serving sushi, nigiri, and more. 520 S. Main. 249-2194. L, D, X, $ SPINDINI—Italian fusion cuisine with such entrees as wood-fired pizzas, gorgonzola stuffed filet, and fresh seafood; pizza specials on Mon.; large domestic whiskey selection. 383 S. Main. 578-2767. D, 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. B, L, WB, 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 (Collierville). 854-3399. L, D, X, $-$$ STONE SOUP CAFE— Cooper-Young eatery serving soups, salads, quiche, meat-and-two specials; and daily specials such as Italian roast beef. Closed Monday. 993 S. Cooper. 922-5314. B, L, SB, X, $ STRANO SICILIAN KITCHEN & BAR—Presenting a Sicilian/Mediterranean mix of Arab, Spanish, Greek, and North African fare, Strano serves small plates, wood-grilled fish, and hand-tossed pizzas such as the King Alaska, with salmon and chevre. Closed Mon. 948 S. Cooper. 275-8986. L, D, SB, X, $$-$$$ SWEET GRASS—Low-country coastal cuisine includes such specialties as shrimp and grits. Closed Mon. The restaurant’s “sister,” Sweet Grass Next Door, open nightly, serves lunch Sat.-Sun. 937 S. Cooper. 278-0278. D, SB, X, $-$$$ 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, $-$$$ TART—Combination patisserie, coffeehouse, and restaurant serving rustic French specialties, including baked eggs in brioche, topped with Gruyere, and french breads and pastries. 820 S. Cooper. 725-0091. B, L, WB, X, $-$$ TERRACE—Creative American and Continental cuisine includes such entrees as filet mignon, beef or lamb sliders, five-spice salmon, and grilled vegetarian eggplant; also small plates. Rooftop, River Inn of Harbor Town, 50 Harbor Town Square. 260-3366. D, X, $$ TEXAS DE BRAZIL—Serves beef, pork, lamb, and chicken dishes, and Brazilian sausage; also a salad bar with extensive toppings. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 103. 526-7600. L (Wed.-Fri.), D, SB, X, $$-$$$ THREE LITTLE PIGS—Pork-shoulder-style barbecue with tangy mild or hot sauce, freshly made cole slaw, 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. 371-0580. For more locations, go online. L, D, X, $ TROLLEY STOP MARKET—Serves plate lunches/dinners as well as pizzas, salads, and vegan/vegetarian entrees; a specialty is the locally raised beef burger. Also sells fresh produce and goods from local farmers; delivery available. Saturday brunch; closed Sunday. 704 Madison. 526-1361. L, D, X, $

DELI DISH

Serving sandwiches and salads, burgers and bagels, wings and chicken, these are popular spots. BOGIE’S—715 S. Mendenhall. 761-5846. MRA; 2098 LaSalle Place. 272-0022. MRA; 80 Monroe. 525-6764; 2028 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-8555. CHEFFIE’S —483 High Point Terrace. 343-0488. CHING’S HOT WINGS—1264 Getwell. 743-5545. CITY EAST BAGEL & GRILLE—6698 Poplar at Kirby. 754-2660. CITY MARKET—66 S. Main. 729-6152. CORDELIA’S TABLE—737 Harbor Bend Rd. 526-4772. FINO’S FROM THE HILL—1853 Madison. 272-3466; 703 W. Brookhaven Cir. 334-4454. MRA. HOLIDAY HAM—2087 Union. 881-6433; 585 Erin Dr. 7634499; 7652 Poplar (Germantown). 869-6650; 3750 Hacks Cross Rd., #112. 624-4848 JASON’S DELI—1213 Ridgeway. 685-3333; 1585 Chickering (Cordova). 844-1840; 3473 Poplar. 324-3181. KWIK CHEK—2013 Madison. 274-9293. LENNY’S SUB SHOP—2893 Poplar. 320-0022; 7424 Stage Rd. 937-0800; 22 N. Front. 543-9230; 521 S. Highland. 454-7077; 2095 Exeter, Suite 30 (Germantown). 755-0750; 4970 Raleigh-LaGrange. 371-9979; 1016 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-8299; 4726 Spottswood. 202-4800; 4740 Showcase. 3684215; 8950 Hwy. 64 (Lakeland). 12 S. Cooper. 6300 Poplar, #111. 761-2403. MRA. LETTUCE EAT SALAD COMPANY—6641 Poplar, Suite 106. (Germantown), 552-5604. LUCCHESI’S BEER GARDEN—84 S. Reese. 452-3002. LUCCHESI’S RAVIOLI—540 S. Mendenhall. #3. 7669922. LUNCHBOX EATS—288 S. Fourth. 526-0820. MCALISTER’S DELI—3482 Plaza Ave. 452-6009; 7990 Trinity Rd. (Cordova). 737-7282; 7710 Poplar (Germantown). 753-1507; 975 580 S. Mendenhall. 763-2711; 3855 Hacks Cross. 881-6068; 6600 Stage Rd. (Bartlett). 213-3311. 9091 Poplar (Germantown) 756-5292. PANERA BREAD—714 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-5813; 4530 Poplar. 767-3116; 5865 Poplar, Ridgeway Trace. 683-9384; 7850 Poplar. 759-1439; 7501 Goodman Rd. (Olive Branch). 662-890-1985. PARADISE CAFE—6150 Poplar, Suite 120. 821-9600. JACK PIRTLE’S FRIED CHICKEN—3571 Lamar. 7941254; 2520 Mt. Moriah. 565-0203 RAFFE’S DELI—3358 Poplar. 458-5110. SCHLOTZSKY’S DELI—4758 Poplar. 763-0741. UNCLE LOU’S FRIED CHICKEN—3633 Millbranch. 332-2367. WHOLE FOODS MARKET—5014 Poplar. 685-2293. YOUNG AVENUE DELI—2119 Young. 278-0034. TSUNAMI—Features Pacific Rim cuisine (Asia, Australia, South Pacific, etc.); also a changing “small plate” menu. Specialties include Asian nachos and roasted sea bass. Closed Sunday. 928 S. Cooper. 274-2556. D, X, $$-$$$ TUSCANY ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE—Filet mignon, beef tenderloin, and various seafood and pasta dishes are served up here. 5910 Goodman Rd. (Olive Branch, MS). 662-895-3663. L, D, WB. X, $-$$$ TWILIGHT SKY TERRACE—Offers small plates of tostados, nachos, flatbreads, paninis; also hand-crafted cocktails and sweeping rooftop views of the downtown Memphis skyline. Open, weather permitting. The Madison Hotel, 79 Madison. 333-1224. L (Sat.Sun.), D, WB.X, $ TYCOON—Among the Asian entrees are spicy garlic shrimp, Thai gumbo, and special house noodle soup. 3307 Kirby Parkway. 362-8788. B, L, D, X, $ UNCLE BUCK’S FISHBOWL & GRILL—Burgers, pizza, fish dishes, sandwiches, and more served in a unique “underwater” setting. Bass Pro, Bass Pro Drive, 291-8200. L, D, X, $-$$ WANG’S MANDARIN HOUSE—Offers Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechuan, and spicy Hunan entrees, including the goldensesame chicken; next door is East Tapas, serving small plates with an Asian twist. 6065 Park Ave, Park Place Mall. 763-0676. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ 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, MRA, $ ZAYTOON—Serves such Mediterranean cuisine as shish kebabs, falafel, hummus, and gyros. 694 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-6366. L, D, X, $

• 100% customer satisfaction • • We value your time by offering 2 hour appointment times • • Conveniently scheduled appointments • • Same day repair service • 5 star average rating • • Trucks are always stocked so most repairs can be done on the spot • • All major brands of openers, remotes and accessories • • Residential gates and openers •

Precision Door Service Memphis

1716 Shelby Oaks Drive, Suite 1 Memphis, TN 38134 Office 901-363-4999 www.precisiondoormemphis.com

J U N E 2 0 1 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 95

096_MM06_2016_CDL.indd 95

5/19/16 9:46 AM

LAST STAND

Raising Memphis A dad embraces the city he sees reflected in his children.

by frank murtaugh

ather’s Day is my favorite holiday. Not so much for the extra attention or gifts to unwrap (though I’m grateful for those), but for the annual reminder of the three people who most fulfill me: my wife and our two daughters. (My wedding anniversary is a few days before Father’s Day, making June a premium month in my house.) Perhaps I’d be marching steadily past life’s mile-markers had I chosen to go solo. But that’s a world I can no more imagine now than I could a tour of Saturn’s rings. I’m fortunate in that I’ve lived in several very different parts of the world: east Tennessee, Atlanta, Italy, Southern California, Vermont, Boston. But I’ve only been a father here in Memphis. And I’ve come to relish seeing my daughters (now 17 and 13) grow in a city that has helped shape them distinctively. Wherever they go, whatever impact they make . . . they’ll do so as Memphians. There are places I associate with Father’s Day — and more generally with raising my children — that cannot be matched anywhere else. The Memphis Zoo has been ranked among the country’s finest for years, and my children have seen the institution evolve into a more animal-friendly home for creatures we must understand and love if we’re to properly fit on this planet. The current debate over zoo parking — and how much of Overton Park can or should be used for such — is a new, distinct lesson on how we properly fit. AutoZone Park is one of the two or three finest minor-league baseball stadiums in the country. My daughters have memories of waving to Jon Jay in centerfield . . . and Jay waving back. One shook St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny’s hand during the team’s visit in 2014, the other had a ticket stub autographed by Kolten

Wong before he took over second base up the river at Busch Stadium. If it takes a village to raise children, a ballpark provides the breathing space. Then there’s the river. I remind my children when we picnic at Tom Lee Park or Harbor Town’s Greenbelt Park that they can have pictures taken there — selfies! — that can’t be duplicated anywhere else on earth. At their current ages, they nod and reluctantly agree to pose with their dad. The day

will come, though, when Old with all my family’s travels. Each Man River holds deeper meanof my daughters has been in ing and memories for my girls, classrooms, at parties, at social some of those memories with gatherings in which she was a their actual old man. minority. They’ve read books on ethnicities, beliefs, and religions My children have seen The Tempest performed (by the Tennessee different from their own, and Shakespeare Company) outdoors their education on the value of at Shelby Farms, Romeo and Juliet at diversity has been an everyday The Dixon Gallery and Gardens. life injection, one that has them They’ve heard the more curious — So here’s to Father’s and importantly, William Tell Overmore tolerant — ture played by the Day in Memphis, and Memphis Sy mthan I was at their phony Orchestra to all dads who cherish ages. Makes a faon the banks of ther swell with their children as I do. that great river. pride. They’ve strolled Beale Street, So here’s to Father’s Day in Memphis, and to all dads who shaken a leg at Sun Studio, and cherish their children as I do. paused with compassion at Find your special place (or Graceland’s reflection garden. My daughters have grown up in places), wherever you call home. Memphis. They also get Memphis. Relish the moments with your The Bluff City has provided children, regardless of life stage. a cultural setting I could not And embrace the place (or places) have imagined as a child, even you share with them.

96 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E .C O M • J U N E 2 0 1 6

096_MM06_2016_LastStand.indd 96

5/19/16 9:55 AM

Centennial Exhibitions 2016 Yinka Shonibare MBE May 7–November 6 2016

Hassan Hajjaj My Rock Stars May 26–September 4 2016

Memphis Brooks Veda Reed June 18–September 4 2016

Red Grooms Traveling Correspondent October 15, 2016– January 8 2017

Museum of Art in Overton Park 1934 Poplar Ave Memphis, TN 38104

brooksmuseum.org 901 544 6200

Image taken from the Yinka Shonibare MBE exhibition on view in the rotunda May 7–November 6, 2016. © Yinka Shonibare MBE. Courtesy James Cohan, New York. Photo: Stephen White.

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/6/16 9:50 AM

MM_FullPage_TrimSize_9x25_11x125.indd 1

5/19/16 12:19 PM