Go Memphis Stories: Dining Spotlight

The sandwich gets its due at Ubee's

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0000

We've been discussing burgers on Whining & Dining and last week a blogger suggested we give the burgers at Ubee's a try. They're supposed to be fried in the same grease as Dyer's burgers, he wrote. I can't tell you whether it's the legendary grease, but the burger is mighty tasty and the patty melt even better. But the salads are nice, too, making Ubee's a good stop between holiday excess here and there.

Chef's Special: Patrick Reilly

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:38:00 -0000

Majestic Grille chef/owner Patrick Reilly was partly paid in Guinness at his first job. "Right after culinary school I apprenticed at the executive dining room at the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, where part of our compensation was two bottles of Guinness per working day." The first food he remembers eating? "My mother's brown bread."

Dining Spotlight: Taste Europe in the 'burbs at Chateau Country

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:03:00 -0000

Dinner at Chateau Country Caterers & Bistro begins with a promising amuse-bouche -- a complimentary bite-sized appetizer designed to whet appetites.

WHINING & DINING: Noodle Doodle Do

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:01:00 -0000

I just snagged a menu for Noodle Doodle Do, Karen Carrier's new lunch spot that opened in Do Sushi this week, and I couldn't help but laugh at the irony. Don't get me wrong -- the menu looks incredible and I can't wait to get over to eat. But I've had this horrible cold, the world's worst, for weeks. Karen called me when it was raging to tell me about the noodle bar and the name of it.

Best Bets: Hot wings

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:24:00 -0000

I just didn't get hot wings until I tasted the enormous ones at Miss Polly's Soul City Cafe (154 Beale; 544-7011) last spring. They were meaty, spicy, tender and truly, a meal. Not quite sure what bird those wings came from, but it got me going down the hot wing path. Looking for good ones? Here's where Whining & Dining bloggers say you can get them: No surprise here: D'bo's (multiple locations; go to dboswings.com) is a favorite for many.

Chef's Special: Paula Naumcheff

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:48:00 -0000

Paula Naumcheff, executive chef/owner of Sweet Bistro Memphis, has been working with desserts since she was 16 and had a job making ice cream cakes at Baskin Robbins. The desserts at her shop can be downright decadent. But when she wants junk food, what does she reach for? Pink snowball cupcakes.

Dining Spotlight: El Palmar offers authentic originals

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:01:00 -0000

As anyone who dines frequently in authentic ethnic restaurants knows, a language barrier is not uncommon -- nor is it limited to spoken conversation. I've seen "lab" curries and kebabs many times, but I've always known the family pets were safe at home and the only one suffering was Mary, missing her little lamb.

Best Bets: Steak

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:15:00 -0000

I know that when I crave a steak, nothing else will do -- and I bet you're the same way. I want mine just shy of medium rare, and I'm a traditionalist: Give me a baked potato, a salad and a glass of hearty red wine and I'll be one happy gal. Here's where Whining & Dining bloggers go to get their steak on:

Dining Spotlight: Lavoro's blue-collar Italian fare is on the money

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:54:00 -0000

It's funny how one day you don't know a place exists and the next day everyone's telling you about it. That's what happened with Lavoro's, the down-home Italian restaurant that recently opened in a former KFC at Summer and Sycamore View. First there was a blog post. Then a friend called and asked about it. Another friend ate there and reported back to me, and a cousin sent me a gushing e-mail.

Best Bets: Coleslaw

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:21:00 -0000

To each his own, but I'm not going to enjoy a barbecue unless I've got coleslaw on it and more coleslaw on the side. I believe a little mayo and onion is the best thing to ever happen to the cabbage. But make it sweet and, in my book, it's ruined. Others might not agree. It's OK; not everyone can be right all the time. Here's a list of good coleslaw, as determined by Whining & Dining bloggers:

Chef's Special: Karen Roth

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:09:00 -0000

Karen Roth, chef at Erling Jensen: The Restaurant, became interested in food after she attended the Culinary Institute of America. "I was exposed to very many different cuisines and cultures and it opened a new world to me." She's the focus of food writer Jennifer Bigg's Chef's Special.

Dining spotlight: Republic Coffee menu goes far beyond the caffeine fix

burch@commercialappeal.com (Peggy Burch) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:05:00 -0000

The first time we visited Republic Coffee on Walnut Grove, it was clear the place already has a high-profile customer base. Channel 5 news anchor Joe Birch was at the counter. ArtsMemphis CEO Susan Schadt was sitting with a group at a nearby table. Scott Bomar, film-score composer and leader of the Bo-Keys, stopped by.

Best Bets: Road trip restaurants

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:11:00 -0000

Sometimes we all need a drive in the country, no matter how much we like the city. And as long as we're driving somewhere, why not eat when you get there? I'm not suggesting you drive to New Orleans for brunch (although I adore every single person I know who's done that); these spots are closer and recommended by Whining & Dining bloggers:

Whining & Dining: Automatic Slim's has a new owner

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:09:00 -0000

It's been a rumor in years past, but this time it's true -- and no, I'm not talking about Madonna and Guy Ritchie. It's official: Karen Carrier has sold Automatic Slim's. Carrier first opened a Slim's in New York's Meatpacking District in 1986, and the one in Memphis in 1991. "It flipped this town out."

Chef's Special: Rick Farmer

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:18:00 -0000

Jarrett's chef Rick Farmer won't be serving kidneys anytime soon. His attempt at an original dish featuring veal kidneys turned out, hmmmm, smelly. He's had a lot more success with his Horseradish-Encrusted Grouper and Bucksnort, Tennessee Smoked Trout Ravioli with Arkansas Caviar and Truffle Butter.

Dining spotlight: Castle Restaurant's Mideast fare stands out

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0000

A Whining & Dining blogger mentioned I should check out the Castle Restaurant on Park. I happened to be in the area recently, it was around lunchtime, and, well, why not? If I hadn't read about it on the blog, I would likely have driven right by, so please, bloggers, keep your suggestions coming and thank you, ErnestTBass.

Best Bets: Craving cornbread

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:02:00 -0000

How something so simple can be both so good and so bad is hard to imagine, but we all know cornbread can go either way. Forget the bad stuff — that’s another list entirely. Here’s where Whining & Dining bloggers go for good cornbread.

Chef's Special: David Thornton

biggs@commercialappeal.com (Jennifer Biggs) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:40:00 -0000

David Thornton, executive chef at Cordelia's Table, talks about his first cooking job and cooking bests and worst. His best original dish? "The customers in Washington state loved my braised rabbit with morel sauce. Super simple, the way it should be. Getting morels and truffles delivered fresh to the kitchen door was an amazing experience."

Dining Spotlight: Circa offers Sunday sampling that defies time

burch@commercialappeal.com (Peggy Burch) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0000

Time flies when you're having fine French dishes. It's not a controversial notion, I know, but I was genuinely surprised at how easily two hours disappeared when we went Downtown to Circa on Sunday to try the five-part tasting menu -- called Très Franais! -- that chef John Bragg offers on a night when many restaurants are closed.

Best bets: Perfect Pies

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:55:00 -0000

One culinary regret I have is that I only came to like pie a few years ago, not long after my grandmother died. She was a great cook, and I have no doubt that I missed 40 years of fine pies. But Whining & Dining bloggers tell me there's good pie to be had around here....