Personal Blogs

Once upon a time, restaurants associated with hotel were strictly verboten. Prepackaged foods and an apparent lack of anyone actually tasting the food made them purveyors of at best tasteless overpriced grill. Recently, at the spiffy new Westin across from the Fedex Forum, the hotel restaurant called the Daily Grill has opened. A location of a chain out of California, the Daily Grill is a fine exception to the more frequently broken rule about hotel restaurants and the associated rule concerning chains.

Having had an excellent case on an unfamiliar area of law wander in, I needed to sit and read a text on the subject. I was about to go to Outback which is really quite good. Then I remembered a $25 dollar gift certificate to the Daily Grill that was about to expire.

I walked into the place, which has spiffy hardwood floors and a nice old fashioned dining hall appointment. The receptionist immediately asked if I was planning to review them, which after a moment of hesitation at my new found notoriety and wondering about the ethics (I?ve decided that if any restaurant wants to send me gift certificates I?ll be glad to review them). I answered in the affirmative.

I had the Lobster and Shrimp Ceviche, which was quite nice and definitely not skimpy which is a frequent hotel restaurant shortcoming. I finished with the blackened ribeye which was used a simple straightforward garlic, pepper, and salt rub that was so well done I didn?t use a steaksauce with the majority. I did get a side of horseradish which was quite yummy. The vegetables were well done, I did note that the broccoli was undercooked by Southern Standards which I attribute to the LA pedigree.

When I left I noted that I thought the mayor was dining at a table as I sat at a table in the bar area with comfy seats reading my book. I think comfy seating is a hallmark of quality as it shows a commitment to being a social environment and not just a food conveyor.

A week later, and I had accidently double-booked mother and law clerk who allegedly belongs to the Worldwide Church of God, an obscure off-shoot of the church of Christ that is like ?Jewish but believes in Jesus without Hannukah.? Also, law clerk was complaining about how immigration judges who she was clerking for liked to eat at different weird places, which I understand how it would be hard to handle being from a podunk town in South Mississippi.

Also law clerk is in top 1/3 of class at Ole Miss and would like a job in Memphis. (Contact me for resume. I've gone through 5 law clerks and she's the only one I still give stuff too.)

I started with Manhattan Clam Chowder which was quite good even after picking the potato chunks out. Mother ordered the braised short rib with a bordelaise reduction . Very nice and flavorfull. I had the house special skirt steak which was a really nice marinade that wasn?t oriental and I highly suggest to anyone with the teeth to take it. The creamed spinach side was delicious and spinachy without having an excess of sauce. The giant asparagus spears were good, but I really prefer thin spears.

Law clerk had the trout with a cream sauce which she enjoyed but I didn?t try.
Mother and Law Clerk split the fudge brownies ala mode desert which they both seemed to greatly enjoy. I had a portions of a spoonful.The deserts are huge and a could be split between at least three people. Over half was left.

The place?s menu reminds me a lot of the popular Houston?s and J Alexanders. I think the place should do very well here in the future.