ADVERTISEMENTS

Reviewed Restaurant Iris with a little Indian (LI). Located in a renovated older home located near Overton Park, Iris is the new restaurant of Chef Kelly English, formerly of N?Awlins at the Horseshoe. I had anointed N?Awlins as the best restaurant in the area early on. The loss of the Beef Tournedos with Hollandaise and crabmeat was devastating.

Iris is a bit lighter, but still an incredible culinary addition to the area. Currently, I?d rank it above Hunt Phelan and Encore.

Iris served an arugula and tomato sorbet to begin as an appetite cleanser. A little tart, but it certainly cleared the appetite. LI thought it should be served with spoons.

For appetizer I had a lobster knuckle sandwich which was essentially a glorified lobster bruschetta. It was simple clean and elegant and didn?t lack. The buttery bread complimented the lobster well and there was just the right amount of vegetation.

LI had oyster three way appetizer. She thought all were quite good, but tasted similar and suggested one way should be chilled. The fried oysters texture stood out to her. The oyster bread pudding had a very hot bowl that made her cry after she burned her finger.

LI had the New York Strip with fried oysters and hollandaise which she thought was very solid, but a very big serving.

I had the braised Kobe Beef short rib with Mash potatoes. The broth was good and it was a solid beefy fare. I wasn?t blown away by it but it was comfort food and not haute cuisine. And did what it was designed to do.

We split a bread pudding for dessert which LI really enjoyed and I did too. It was very clean tasting with an extremely rich caramel sauce to compliment. The coffee had a very strong finish that I liked doused with cream.

Overall, Iris may currently be the best place in Memphis. I can?t think of any that?s been more solid.

Bullet Point Commentary by LI

1. LI works fine by me, it goes along with my dog being called LP
2. I have "oyster" three ways, you didn't mention hot bowl
sauce on the strip was "blue" cheese
3. you should mention the interesting cocktails on both the dinner and dessert menu... I mean how many people have a sazerac on the menu! if I remember from my cocktail book, its a new orleans tradition
4. also that the chef said he was expanding the menu

Bloggers, promote your law blog by nominating your blog for inclusion in USLaw.com's Law Blog Directory and RSS Reader. Benefits described.