Weekend Wandering | Meet Me In Memphis
Rock ‘n’ roll, B.B. King, Graceland, Elvis Presley, Beale Street, and barbecue are all things synonymous with none other than Memphis, Tennessee. Located only three hours west of Nashville, it’s one of those cities that needs to be on your radar. Memphis is rich in history, has a booming arts scene, and no matter what time of day, you can always find live music.
Grab your blue suede shoes and discover why Memphis is becoming one of Tennessee’s “it” cities.
Meet Me In Memphis!
Sun Studio is a must-see for any music aficionado visiting Memphis. Not only is this historic landmark known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, but it has launched the music careers of Elvis, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison, and that’s just the beginning of the list! Whether you want to check out the incredible memorabilia or simply stand in the very spot where Elvis first recorded, a visit to Sun Studio is a must.
Sun Studio offers guided tours daily and begins once an hour on the bottom of the hour. This is a popular destination for music enthusiasts, so arrive early to secure your spot.
The Peabody Hotel | Ducks Before The March Back To The Duck Palace
A trip to Memphis would not be complete without a visit to the Peabody Hotel. Originally built in 1869, it’s known as the South’s Grand Hotel, and after my last trip to Memphis, I can see why. As guests enter the property, it’s hard not to notice the high ceilings and ornate decor. The arrangement in the center fountain reminded me of the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel. What can I say the hotel simply oozes charm and elegance.
Even though I was quite intrigued with the property, I’ll be honest I came to watch the world-famous resident ducks.
The ducks visit the lobby fountain daily from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Due to COVID restrictions, the duck march is limited to hotel guests. However, we arrived around 4:00 pm for a cocktail and were able to snag one of the best seats in the house. The grand lobby starts to get crowded around 4:30 pm, so I recommend arriving early if you want a front-row seat to the march.
If ducks aren’t your thing, I’d still recommend swinging by the grand lobby bar for a cocktail. Dubbed the living room of the South, it’s easy to sip on a Sazerac and have a lazy afternoon.
Do you have a fondness for Italian food, or did COVID postpone your trip to Italy? If you answered yes to either of these questions, I’ve got just the thing. Dinner at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen. My friends in Nashville have been raving about Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen (AMIK) for years insisting that on my next trip to Memphis I check it out. Heeding their advice, it was one of the first reservations I made.
Native Memphians, Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman opened Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen in 2008 and have subsequently opened several additional restaurants, Hog and Hominy, Porcellino’s Craft Butcher, Catherine and Mary, and The Gray Canary. This talented duo has been recognized by Food and Wine Magazine, Bon Appétit, and the New York Times, to name a few. A food enthusiast couldn’t go wrong with any of these restaurants, but the menu at AMIK was speaking to my heart.
When at AMIK, one must order all the things but make sure you save room for dessert because it will knock your socks off. We started with the Tigelle. After all, when I see Benton’s Ham on the menu it’s definitely something I am going to order. Tigelle is popular street food in Emilia-Romagna. The bread is typically taken straight from the pan, split open, and filled with various meats and cheese. Talk about the perfect starter bite. OMG!
Next, we ordered the Sformato, which reminded me of spinach-artichoke dip with just a little firmer consistency. It was sinful and we didn’t leave a morsel behind.
To save room for dessert, I ordered the smaller portion of Maw Maw’s Ravioli, which ended up being the perfect amount. Trust me, if you see any pasta with Maw Maw’s sauce, it’s one that you want the order. The red sauce recipe has been in the family for ages and tastes as good as it looks.
Food blogger fail. Dessert was SO incredible that I ate before my camera for once, but I can’t say enough wonderful things about the Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding. I would recommend ordering your own because you won’t want to share. Definitely, a can’t miss dish!
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen | Tigelle // Benton’s Ham + Buffalo Mozzarella + Calabrian Kale + Peach Mostarda
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen | Sformato // Spinach-Artichoke Fonduta + Brussel Sprout + Brown Butter Crisp + Grana Padano
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen | Maw Maw’s Ravioli // Maw Maw’s Gravy
The Beauty Shop | Look Good. Eat Good.
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience look no further than The Beauty Shop. Located in the Cooper-Young district, The Beauty Shop is known for its eclectic decor as well as its fantastic food. As you enter the restaurant, it feels like you are stepping back into a 1950’s salon. Owner Karen Carrier outdid herself using the original hair-dryers as chairs for several of the tables in the restaurant and the glass-bricked booths for intimate dining spaces. Of course, I had to sit in one of those!
The Beauty Shop | Intimate Booth Dining In Original Glass-Bricked Beauty Spots and Original Hair-Dryer Chairs
For all of my Elvis Presley enthusiasts, the original Beauty Shop served as Priscilla Presley’s curl and dye spot, and the servers are more than happy to show you “her spot.”
To celebrate being out of the office, we started lunch with a glass of sparkling rosé while we perused the menu. The Beauty Shop offers everything from small bites to sandwiches and almost everything in between. We had an exceptional server who guided us through the can’t miss dishes, and I’m here to tell you, he didn’t steer us wrong. We started with the BS Grilled Romaine salad. By far, one of my favorite ways to enjoy Romaine lettuce, but let’s face it, you don’t want me to share photos of salads, so let’s get to the good stuff. Don’t leave without ordering the Reuben, pastrami, of course, and make sure you add a side of Truffle Fries. You will thank me later!
We dined mid-week and didn’t have a problem walking in for lunch. But if you are considering dinner or brunch, reservations are highly recommended.
The Beauty Shop | Reuben // Pastrami + Gruyere + Sauerkraut + Russian Dressing
Can’t Miss Memphis Murals
I’ll be the first to admit that I cringe a little every time I drive through the Gulch. There are people LINED UP FOR DAYS to take pictures with the wings mural and every other Instagrammable place in Nashville. However, nothing could stop me from being the most basic of tourist while I was in Memphis. The city has some incredible street art. I only saw a fraction of it, and it’s worth checking out. Grab a coffee and take a walking tour of Memphis’ beloved murals. I’ve listed some of my favorites below so you won’t have to spend time Googling their locations.
With Love From Memphis
627 Monroe Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
< down the street from Sun Studio>
The Artery Murals Barboro Alley (Multiple Locations)
These are found on Main Street in both the East and West.
Painted Staircase
<Located on South Main Street near South of Beale. >
What can I say? I made the most of my trip, even though it was less than 24 hours. If you visit any of these places, I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you find a gem that’s not listed, let me know! I’d love to check it out!
Until Next Time!