New AmericanChef The Peabody team$$$$$110Book 2 weeks ahead
Chez Philippe is the modern American fine-dining room inside the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, with white tablecloths, formality and weekend afternoon tea.
Order: Afternoon tea at 13:00; the prix fixe at dinner.
Tip: Open Thursday to Sunday for dinner; afternoon tea Wednesday to Sunday. Reserve on OpenTable two weeks out.
French fine diningChef Erling Jensen$$$$$95Book 2 weeks ahead
Erling Jensen's eponymous East Memphis fine-dining room runs Danish-trained, French-leaning tasting plates from a Yates Road bungalow. Tasting menu $95.
Order: Rack of lamb with the daily seasonal tasting starter.
Tip: Reserve on Tock; the bar takes walk-ins. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
ItalianChef Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman$$$$$85Book 2 weeks ahead
Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman's Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen in East Memphis runs Italian rooted in Southern ingredients from Brookhaven Circle since 2008.
Order: Maw Maw's potato gnocchi with red sugo.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The bar takes walk-ins; the dining room books on Resy two weeks out.
SicilianChef Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman$$$$$80Book 2 weeks ahead
Catherine and Mary's is Ticer and Hudman's downtown Memphis room pairing Tuscan and Sicilian grandmother cooking with Southern produce in the Chisca on Main.
Order: Whatever pasta they are rolling that night plus the wood-roasted whole fish.
Tip: Walk-in seats at the bar most weeknights; the dining room books on Resy two weeks out.
SteakhouseChef Folk's team$$$$$80Book 1 week ahead
Folk's Folly is Memphis's original prime steakhouse on South Mendenhall since 1977, with USDA prime cuts, white tablecloths and a piano bar in the back.
Order: Filet mignon with the prime ribeye to share at the table.
Tip: The piano bar is the relaxed seat; the main dining room is jacket-friendly. Open seven nights for dinner.
SteakhouseChef Capital Grille team$$$$$95Book 1 week ahead
The Capital Grille's East Memphis Poplar Avenue dining room dry-ages prime steaks 18 to 24 days and hand-cuts them. A reliable Memphis steakhouse choice.
Order: Bone-in dry-aged ribeye with the lobster mac.
Tip: Reserve on OpenTable; the bar takes walk-ins and runs a full menu.