AboutJennifer Expertise Looking for a weekend getaway? There is no where else like Memphis. For the best soul food, BBQ, history, old architecture, shopping, festivals along the mighty Mississippi, museums, concerts, or just taking in the special Memphis vibe, ask me about this great southern city. I can tell you all about lodging in Memphis. Looking for somewhere really special to stay? Ask me about Shellcrest (www.shellcrest.com ), a historic inn minutes from downtown and midtown. Looking for the best place for beauty products in Memphis? Ask about Maggies Pharm ( www.maggiespharm.com ). Would you like to stumble onto a major discount outlet for Pottery Barn and Williams and Sonoma? How about catching a spectacular sunset spread over the Mississippi and downtown over cocktails? I can give tourists and business travelers great ideas on how extract the sweetness from this old south town.
Experience
Past/Present clients expert for Arkansas, NYC, Memphis, and Seaside, Florida
Question You mentioned sunset over the Mississippi - we're interested!.
We'll be touring Tennessee the first week in August & any great
eating places you can recommend (price is no problem) would
be great. Also, I get the feeling that the temperature at that
time is pretty warm (humid, too?).
Answer Hi Sandy,
First let me give you this website that will help with dining choices:
www.memphisdining.com
Then let me say that I have a bias towards eating downtown and in midtown. I just really love downtown Memphis, and I don't spend much time on the outskirts ( Germantown ) although there is a wonderful mall
(Saddlecreek Mall) and lots of great shopping and eats-- out east. It is a very lovely and well heeled suburb.
To me there is nothing better than lodging near downtown and dining there,too. My favorite places for lodging are:
Shellcrest ( www.shellcrest.com ) (tell them Jennifer from Arkansas sent you ) .....very unique and incredible experience better than a B and B !!!! I adore the Peabody, the Madison, and the Talbot Heirs guesthouse is a cozy and convenient stay. If you search for these names
online you will find their respective websites.
Regardless of whether you lodge at the grand Peabody or the Madison, understand the two hotels both have rooftop terraces with views of the Mississippi, as well as great bars and restaurants. The Peabody has a Sunday brunch not to be missed, and a wonderful french restaurant ( very elegant ) called Chez Phillipe. You can grab a martini at the Peabody bar and then ride the elevator to the rooftop at sunset for a wonderful experience. There is nothing better! The Madison Hotel restaurant and bar is a little more hip and modern, a total flip flop from the Peabody...a neat experience, too. As you walk down 2nd street beside the Peabody towards Beale Street you will see many interesting restaurants, and facing the front of the Peabody there is a wonderful and casual sushi bar housed in the Holiday Inn...a few steps down is the best BBQ in Memphis...The Rendevous. You must go here! Must must must. Down by the river there is a good seafood restaurant called The Pier.
A couple of my other favorite restaurants are in Midtown, also called Overton Square, on Madison Street. One is Fino's on the Hill. It is an authentic little Italian lunch place, just wonderful. Also, Paulettes is just indredible. They are both on Madison. There are some quaint shops in the area...look for Maggies Pharm. I have heard Andertons is also good. Paulettes brunch is quite wonderful....but any time is great to go there.The popovers and strawberry butter are to die for!
I also recommend Cielo, an eclectic restaurant near the lodging I mentioned, Shellcrest. 901 524 1886. Another wesite to try: www.memphis.diningchannel.com
I am sure there are also some great places to dine in the Cooper Young historic district along with some great antique stores. ( www.cooper-young.com)
Another fabulous idea for dinner is to have a hotel picnic. There are two unique groceries for this purpose: one is the Fresh Market, a lovely gourmet grocery. ( 835 White Station Road )Fresh Market is towards the east in Memphis. Poplar will take you to White Station Road. There is also a great grocery called Wild Oats where the food has more of a healthy slant, but is equally good. ( 5022 East Poplar )
If you are out east on Poplar, Corkys BBQ on Poplar really hits the spot.
And yes, it can be a little humid in Memphis during that time...think of taking lots of cold showers! After your visit, if you indeed fall in love with Memphis the way many people do, you will learn to descibe the heat as sultry......
Feel free to write again if you have any more questions! Enjoy.
