Walking in Memphis

The entire first floor is an open-style atrium, so all the hotel rooms look out over the lobby area. There is a restaurant, Frank Grisanti’s toward the lobby of the hotel, but even this place blends in. They have an outdoor patio you may choose to eat on that has a pond with coy and goldfish right below it.

All the rooms are suites (hence the name of the hotel) and come with a private bedroom and a living room. There is also a small area with a sink, microwave, and fridge within the living room. The beds here are very comfortable, and there are two separate televisions and phones, one in each of the rooms. There is cable on both TVs, and the heating and cooling system works well. The couch in the living room is comfortable, and my family has been known to take a nap or two here.

The breakfast here is wonderful. Included in your room rate, it is the perfect way to start your day. This isn’t some bad continental breakfast with defrosted bagels and maybe an apple. No. They have pancakes, waffles, potatoes, sausage, grits, bacon, made-to-order eggs and omelets, coffee, juice, cereal, fruit, pastries, and toast. Take advantage of this breakfast; if you don’t, you are stupid.

Now that you know how to start your day, you should also know how to end your day. They have a "manager’s reception," which is basically a cocktail hour, here every night. Once again, it is not your average beer or wine night. They have small appetizers. My favorite is nacho night, but they also have hotdogs, wings, mini pizzas, and more depending on the night (there is a theme). In addition, I would suggest the mai tai. It is as good as any you would get in the Caribbean, and after several, you will be glad you can see your room from where you are sitting. The patio where you can sit is beautiful with the water and greenery. It is a perfectly relaxing ending to the day (or beginning of the night). Also, the service staff here is wonderfully charming. My parents came here quite often while I was in school, and they always remembered who they were.

The pool is a little small, as is the exercise room, but overall, it is not a bad setup for a relatively small hotel. They also have a game room to keep children occupied (maybe during cocktail hour?).

The only problem with this hotel is that it is not downtown, but then again, sometimes you just want to get away from the bustle.

Start off with their amazing rolls, but leave some room for the rest of your meal. If there are two of you (or you can be evenly divided), I would suggest getting the ribs platter for two. This is the best bang for your buck, and there is more than enough food for two! The sauce for their ribs is what keeps people coming back. It is sweet, tangy, slightly hot, and put on everything. If you don’t think that there is enough on the ribs, there’s a bottle of it on the table--just keep slathering.

In addition to the ribs, the pulled-pork sandwich is wonderful. The meat is tender and the sauce well worth the trip. I have also had the BBQ shrimp, and they are a good alternative to anyone that doesn’t eat meat but may eat fish! Also, splurge on the fries; they are great dipped in the BBQ sauce.

If the line is too long, go through the drive-through, and you will have the same great food! Take your BBQ as a picnic lunch down to Mud Island, overlooking the Mississippi, and you will understand why people love Memphis. I have also used them for catering, and their food is just as good in mass quantities as it is coming to your table.

In addition to the good food, B.B. King’s has a really good atmosphere. The place is so laid-back; there is always some kind of music playing (whether live or over the sound system). It is dark in here, so if you are looking for a light, airy place, I wouldn’t recommend coming here. Also, it can sometimes get a bit loud here, so if you want a deep conversation, I would go somewhere else.

At night, it turns into a bar, and there is live music on the weekends. Sorry, I don’t know about during the week. It is a great place to come and eat, as well as sit and have a few drinks. The crowd is pretty eclectic--everyone from college students to tourists to middle-aged couples and cowboys. It is a great place to visit and listen to some jazz!

The food here is pretty good, though. The burgers are good-sized and cooked to order. I recommend the traditional Huey burger, as well as the West Coast Burger (cheeseburger with guacamole, onions, and more). The chicken pita is good, and if you are looking at going a little healthier, the Spinach Salad isn’t half bad.

The cheese fries are good, and there were many times that I ordered them as my main course. They are large enough for several to share for an appetizer or a carbo-loaded alternative to a burger. Fries don’t come with the meal, but I would suggest getting them; they are pretty good, and their onion rings are wonderful!

There is a full bar, and on weekends, they have live music at some of the locations.

Don’t forget to spit your toothpick on the ceiling; it’s a tradition! The best way to do it is to put the toothpick in the bottom of your straw and blow. Good luck!

The food is good old Southern food with a twist. The portions are pretty large, and you get your choice of sides. I would suggest one of their specialty cocktails, as well as the brisket. We also have had the Rib Ticklers appetizer, and it was pretty good. The sauce on the pulled-pork dinner was very good. The meat was very tender, and the sauce was the perfect balance. My companion had the chicken, and it was cooked just right! The chicken was juicy (not dried out), and the seasoning made it the perfect combo. You get your choice of two sides and cornbread.

In addition, I have been to a private party here and would suggest it if you are looking for a large space to rent out! The food was good, the bar was good, and the waitstaff was amazing.

The decor includes velvet drapes, gilded mirrors, and roses on every table. You will feel like you have stepped back in time, when men and women dressed for dinner and decadence was expected.

In addition to the amazing surroundings and the wonderful staff, the food lived up to the expectations placed upon it as well. We started off with champagne (something you have to do in a restaurant like this). For an appetizer, I had coquilles St. Jacques, which was amazing - no other words can describe it. I had the filet mignon for my entrée, and it was served just as I like it. The flavors were wonderful, and the marinade was unique and well worth it. Perhaps the best part of Chez Philippe is the desserts, for which you should definitely save some room. Half of the dessert is the presentation itself; I had the warm chocolate cake fondant and almost didn't want to ruin the presentation. Don't worry, I did. Chez Philippe has an extensive wine list in addition to a full bar. I would suggest having an after-dinner drink either in the restaurant or moving into the lounge of the Peabody to continue your journey of self-indulgence.

We started off the evening with champagne of course (it is a favorite of mine), and the recommendation from the server was wonderful. In addition, I had the appetizer of escargot, which was wonderful. The snails were in a light garlic sauce and couldn’t have been better prepared if I wished for them to be. My sister had the bacon-wrapped shrimp for an appetizer, and I can only surmise that it was good due to the fact that she did not offer to share.

I had a Caesar salad (along with half of the table), and it was wonderful. It was full of garlic and the sauce was pretty light. Sometimes with Caesar salads, the dressing is too heavy and you are unable to enjoy the lettuce, but it was not swimming in sauce, which makes me happy. Grandma had the seafood bisque, which was wonderful: it was creamy wonderfully flavored, and rich (amazingly rich). It could have been a meal in itself, but we had more courses coming.

I would highly recommend the filet mignon with the cognac sauce. It was wonderful, the meat was cooked perfectly, the sauce was a beautiful complement, and the plate was decorated nicely. Someone else had the braised lamb shank, and it was wonderful. It was prepared with a pear brandy and walnut glaze, and I would strongly suggest it to anyone, as the flavors just complemented each other nicely. In addition, the salmon was very good (cooked perfectly) and the pork was wonderful as well.

The wine list was extensive, and we had several bottles of wine with dinner. They were wonderful complements to the dinner. They have a full bar and numerous after-dinner drinks. In addition, they make a mean Brandy Alexander that I would suggest in lieu of dessert. If you are set on dessert, I would suggest the chocolate mousse or the crème brulee, both of which are wonderful ends to the evening.

The service throughout the entire meal was fabulous. The server was attentive and personable, and his recommendations were perfect. The hostess was equally wonderful, and the supporting staff was nothing but professional. I would strongly suggest this restaurant.

In addition, they have an outdoor patio for lunch dining or cocktails before dinner.

Inside, the decor is pretty soothing, the floors are hardwood, and there is a lot of wood used throughout the restaurant. The bar is directly to your right as you walk in and is in a square shape, and although large, it is not overwhelming. The restaurant is often a little dark in the evenings, so be ready for the mood. In addition, they have private rooms in the back if you are interested in hosting an event here.

I have been here for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, and would recommend all of them to people. For an appetizer, I would suggest the hot spinach-and-artichoke dip, which is creamy, hot, and full of cheese. My sister has had the fried chicken salad before and really liked it, though she asks for a side of barbeque sauce and adds that to the mix. All of their salads are freshly prepared, so you never have a problem with wilting lettuce.

For sandwiches, I would suggest the grilled portobello sandwich. The mushroom is marinated very nicely and topped with this amazing cheese and sweet roasted red peppers. The basil mayonnaise that it is served with can be a little overpowering, so be careful how much you put on. The blackened grouper sandwich is amazing: spicy, hot, and perfectly blackened. In addition to sandwiches, Bosco’s offer a large selection of wood-baked pizzas on their menu. The one with the barbeque chicken is pretty good; it adds a different taste to the pizza. They also offer several calzones on their menu, and these are HUGE and very good as well.

For entrées, my favorite hands-down is the plank-roasted salmon (they serve a lunch-size portion as well). The marinate is wonderful here, and the salmon is done perfectly (not overcooked). If you are looking for pasta, I would suggest the lasagna, which is rich, meaty, and a little spicy. It is as good as any Italian restaurant’s.

They also have a fabulous Sunday brunch, which is priced relatively cheaply compared to some of the others in the surrounding area. Be warned that you may have to wait for a table here, especially for brunch. I would suggest the eggs benedict Oscar, which is eggs Benedict with the addition of crabmeat - amazing is the only word to describe this. It is rich, creamy, and very well prepared. They offer a large variety of omelets, both traditional and a little more nouveau. My favorite is the asparagus-and-mushroom omelet; you think that these two items wouldn’t get along, but with the addition of several cheeses and spices, it is a wonderful brunch item.

I didn’t come here just for the decor; the food is first-class as well. For an appetizer, I would suggest the crab rangoon, which is creamy, rich, and complemented by the sauce served with it. The egg rolls are pretty good as well, but be forewarned that they are not the traditional ones you get in a Chinese restaurant. These are less crispy and more doughy, but good nonetheless.

I must admit that I have never had either the soups or the salads, as I am way too anxious to get on with the main course! They all look fabulous, though, if you are interested. Nor have I had the curries (not really my thing), but I have had a ton of friends have the curry, and they absolutely adore it. I value their suggestions, so I would go for it.

I have had the pad Thai, usually with chicken, and it is wonderful. The portions are huge here, and there is more than enough for you to take home. The pad Thai is sweet, with a ton of fresh ingredients, and there are so many peanuts that they basically encrust the entire dish - fabulous! The fried rice isn’t a bad bet either; once again, the portion is huge!

My favorite item on the menu, though, is the spicy garlic. I have gotten it with both chicken and beef, and it was wonderful both times. It is sweet, spicy, and prepared with a ton of chicken, carrots, peppers, and mushrooms. All served with a side of rice. I also really like the cashew nut dish with either chicken or beef. It is spicy, a little sweet, and served with peppers, cashews, onions and carrots. If you aren’t in the mood for spicy, I would suggest the broccoli. It is a light dish with a garlic soy sauce.

There is a full bar, and they have some very nice wine and cocktail selections. In addition, the desserts are quite good, although they do change often. Bah Thai has won a ton of awards in Memphis, and I will tell you why - the food and service are amazing. Everything is the same whether you are a party of two or a party of 30.

Let’s start with the drinks; they are the most important things here! The martinis come in two different sizes: large and jumbo! My personal favorite is the wedding cake (vanilla vodka, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice), because the pineapple juice produces a nice froth on the top and it is a wonderful drink. I have tried to recreate it at home, but it hasn’t worked out. In addition, grandma came to visit one weekend and really liked the banana martini, so much so she conned the bartender into giving us the recipe. You can’t go wrong with the traditional cosmo here. The chocolate martinis here are amazing as well; they are nice way to end a meal - drinking your dessert. There is also a full bar if you aren’t in the martini mood, and their wine is really cheaply priced.

The food here is good as well. Just like the martinis, the portions are hug, so come hungry or leave with a to-go baggie. I really like the shrimp pasta, as the noodles are done perfectly; the sauce is nice and light; and the shrimp are huge, succulent, and not overcooked at all. The steaks are very good here as well. Tender, they have a unique marinade and are very well prepared. I once had a pork chop here for dinner (I am not too sure if it was on the menu or a special), and it was amazing! It was tender, juicy, and well prepared, and it restored my faith in the other white meat.

There is an abundance of salads on the menu, and once again, they are enormous in size and always fresh. In addition, the sandwiches are large as well. We came here once just to kill time and were a little hungry, so we had a variety of the sandwiches. I can’t pick a favorite, as they were all wonderful.

If you don’t wish to drink your dessert (think chocolate martini), they have an original twist on the old-fashioned cheesecake. They deep-fry it! I know what you are going to say, but it makes the filling creamy and perhaps even richer than before. The outside is light and fluffy. It isn’t like the batter you would use to fry fish in, but more of a beignet batter surrounding the cheesecake. Get the dessert with either the chocolate or raspberry sauce and you will never be able to eat regular cheesecake again.

Side Street is a great place to go for a drink after dinner or for dinner with friends or family. It is even an intimate date place.

The bar is pretty large, and during warm weather, they open the windows of the two sides to make it sort of an open-air bar (a lot of places in Memphis do this). The decor is pretty decent, and on certain nights, they have live music. I don't believe there is a cover on weeknights.

They have a fantastic selection of beers--everything from pear cider to cherry beer to Guinness. They have an large amount of beers on tap. In addition, they also have a beer sampler of six (I think it was six) beers that you can try. Although they may not have your favorite beer, I think they do a nice job trying to include beers from the major regions of the world.

In addition, if you intend to be in Memphis for a while (or are just in for a serious night of drinking), they keep track of all the beers that you have tried, and once you have tried them all, you get your name on the ceiling (I believe it's a giant saucer). Go to the Flying Saucer, try a beer you can't pronounce, and have some fun!

If you are looking for a place to dance, then go inside. On the weekends, they usually have a good band that plays a variety of music.

The prices for drinks are about equivalent to everywhere else on Beale Street. But Silky's does have one thing that nobody else does... the Diver. If you go to Silky's, you have to try it--it is big enough for a group (don't try to drink it yourself), and the taste is original. Then you can keep the bucket as a souvenir (if you will ever use it again).

Be fair warned, though--the restrooms here are a little gross, so I wouldn't suggest them. In addition, this place is a fairly large college/young adult hang-out during the warmer months. So if you aren't interested in drunk college kids, I wouldn't come here.

It is a must for everyone. I would suggest doing the entire tour, too. It is more expensive, but you get a lot for your buck. Plus, the airplane is really very cool.

They did a wonderful job of redeveloping the area around Graceland, as well as the actual presentation of Graceland itself. The audio presentation was done wonderfully and really engages you.

If you are there either in August or in January, you get to hit Graceland on Elvis's birthday or the anniversary of his death. Both will make Graceland much more crowded, but the experience is pretty different. There will be flower bouquets all around his grave from numerous countries and in every language imaginable. Plus, you may even be lucky enough to be part of the midnight vigil. Interesting, very interesting.

Go to Graceland; it is a can't-miss in American culture and a Memphis tradition. Have fun!

Get the three-day ticket; it is by far the best value for your money. For the price of a regular concert ticket, you get a three-day pass to some of the best musicians this country has to offer.

It will be crowded with everyone from teenagers to college students to parents with strollers and grandparents. Come prepared for the crowd, and come prepared for the rain. It will most likely rain (it is Memphis in May, after all), and it just adds to the fun. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. On that same note, wear closed-toe shoes. Your feet will get stepped on more times than you care to think about, and it's better to have some protection.

Memphis in May is a great time to kick back, relax, listen to some amazing music, and realize all that Memphis has to offer you.

I will be the first to admit that the inside of Alfred’s is a little dingy, but so are 90% of the places on Beale Street. Right as you walk in, there is a large bar, to your left is the dance floor, and to your right is an enclosed patio with stairs leading upstairs to a rooftop patio. The enclosed patio and rooftop patio aren’t always open; it depends on the weather.

The best thing about Alfred’s on the weekends is the music. They always have a live band, which makes the variety of music a lot more diverse than some of the other places on Beale Street. This is the place you come if you want to dance to something other than jazz/blues or rap. The band plays everything from oldies to rock to Top 40. Most of the songs you know so well that you can sing along to them.

In between the sets, they have a DJ playing, so there is no time when the dance floor is not full. Usually these sets are more modern, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t know a lot of the songs. The dance floor here is pretty crowded, so if you come with a group, either stake out a section or have a meeting sport at a certain time.

Off the dance floor, there are tables and chairs on all sides if you need a little break from dancing or just feel the need to get a drink. I would suggest the one farthest from the bar. Servers usually make it out there and it is a little more secluded, so there is less noise.

The drinks are fairly priced here. I mean you are on Beale Street, but it’s not too bad. The bartenders are very busy on weekends, so you may just have to push your way to the front to get a drink. A suggestion of mine is to go to the outside bar and grab a drink from there and then come back inside.

The restrooms are pretty gross and there is always a line, so allow yourself enough time to get back to your group if you are supposed to meet them at a specific time.

This is not the place to come for a quiet drink or some good jazz. If you are looking for a place to dance, come to Alfred’s. The music is great, and there is usually a good mix of people and diversity in the music.