Stopped in for drinks and a quick bite. Beautiful interior, set the scene for a good time. We sat at the bar got a bottle of Caymus and the steak tartar. Good crunch, needed finishing salt but tasty! Also ordered the cheese assortment, I know we were sitting at the bar but I feel they should have brought the cart for the experience. Paid the same price but didn't have the cart stop by with selections or service. Missed the mark there. read more

Very mixed feelings about this restaurant. I wanted to love it but it just fell short for me. The hostesses were friendly upon arrival and we learned after parking our car on the street with visible smashed car window glass on the ground that the restaurant offered free valet parking so we moved our car bc they said it was hit or miss with robberies and we didn't want to take a chance. I ordered the Boston seafood chowder and my husband ordered the octopus salad for starters. While waiting, they brought a taste of tomato soup. I wasn't impressed. It honestly tasted canned. The chowder was okay. It had a very mild flavor and was room temp. Again, not impressive. The octopus was way tastier. Then for our main course, I ordered the monk fish with a purple sweet potato with jasmine rice. 2 starches. My husband ordered the sea bass w/white onion puree, and carmelized onions. My dish was $40 and his was $48. We mostly eat fish and rarely eat red meat and occasionally chicken at home. I don't like to order what I typically prepare at home and I won't eat chicken out over a certain price point. I hated my fish. It had a very heavy, sticky and salty sauce that overpowered the fish. Thankfully, my husband traded meals with me. His sea bass was better but it didn't really come with sides for $48 as I don't count pureed or carmelized onions as a side and no side choices were available to order on the menu. Between meals our waitress was mia until we were done and she was quick to bring the dessert menu. I ordered the $14 carrot cake to go after asking the waitress how it tasted and how big the slice was, and her telling me it was large enough for 2, and my husband ordered the bread pudding. When they finally brought our desserts 15 minutes later, I was immediately disappointed. It was the smallest piece of carrot cake. I was tempted to send it back but my husband discouraged me. He enjoyed his pudding and ice cream. He said it was very good. When the waitress came, he jokingly said he didn't like his dessert. When we got the bill, our desserts had been comped without us asking. Thank you very much. I told our introverted waitress that he was joking but she didn't get it. While there, I used the unisex bathroom. 1 was out. The bathroom was entirely too dark. I couldn't see myself in the mirror. I don't like dark bathrooms. I couldn't apply lipstick if I wanted to. The floor manager was also not very friendly. I didn't feel a friendly environment nor ate food that I'd come back for. Great ambiance but we weren't paying for ambiance and at that price point, I was not in the least wowed by our food. When we got home, I tried the carrot cake and it wasn't my favorite either. Too sweet and too much cream frosting. Thank God we didn't pay for it. They must have either a listening device at its table or read my nonverbals. read more

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Amelia Gene's is one of the more upscale restaurants in downtown Memphis. The atmosphere was impressive, the renovations were done beautifully, the lighting was perfect, and the overall vibe felt elegant yet comfortable. I also appreciated the valet service; even though there was only one valet, he did an excellent job keeping things moving quickly. The hostess was very pleasant and accommodating. Even though we arrived about 20 minutes early for our reservation, she was able to seat us within a few minutes. That was a great start. As a foodie, I was really excited for my first visit. The menu offered a decent selection, though the prices felt high compared to other nice restaurants in the area. For the second course, my salad included avocado -- but unfortunately, it was completely brown all the way through, which was very unappetizing. I let my server, Taylor, know, but her response was minimal and nothing was done to correct it. My main course was the short ribs. The meat itself was tender and flavorful, but the sweet potato and mushroom sides were badly overcooked, almost burnt. Again, when I mentioned it to Taylor, I got the same indifferent response. This lack of attentiveness prompted me to ask for the manager. When the manager came over, she was polite and offered to remake the burnt sides, which I appreciated. Still, by that point, the experience had lost some of its shine. Overall, Amelia Gene's has a lot of potential. It is a beautiful space with a great atmosphere, but the service, attention to the details of the meal, their meal preparation details need to match their prices and upscale reputation. And by the way, our water was never refreshed, but we were asked as we paid our check if we wanted a refresh on the water. read more

I'm so glad I decided to check out this restaurant on my last trip to Memphis. From the moment I walked in until the time I left, it was a 5 star experience. Our server was very thorough in explaining the menu. I was treating my cousin to a birthday dinner so she brought out comp. champagne. We were also treated to a sample of soup (can't remember the name) & chocolates at the end. I had the lamb pappardelle and she had the ravioli. They both were delicious. The aesthetics in there are super cute as well. I hope this restaurant does well; Memphis needs more fine dining options. read more

Amelia Gene's - Lamb Pappardelle - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The best! Delicious and creative food, knowledgeable and engaging staff, and great location. Love this place. And it's gotten even better over the last few months! read more

Amelia Gene, is she the horse or the jockey or both? Questions you might ask as you wait on your table regardless of a reservation. My tastebuds traveled the world as my nostrils sucked in the aromas from grandmas kitchen all the way to a fresh seafood market. Each dish elegantly played and I came close to seeing every dish. Overall incredible food and great experience. I will never not say this if the chef is dishing out compliments. read more

Ambiance and service was first class. The food was simply not good. I had such high hopes. I asked for medium rare steak. It was pink in the middle but everything around the middle was tough and over salted. Someone joining me had the same opinion of their steak. The salt and rosemary was so overpowering that my mouth was irritated. I couldn't finish the meal. Other apps we ordered were disappointing. The lobster fritters in the corn soup were mushy. However, the Wagyu steak tartar and the biscuits were fantastic. The rosemary in the jam was (again) overpowering. Trust me I enjoy rosemary. I have my own herb garden and I cook with rosemary often. The gulf prawns were bland. The presentation of the prawns was a mess...as if the chef was trying too hard. The carrot cake was divine. Please do better. I want this restaurant to succeed. As a native Memphian and foodie I want to support local cuisine. Certain ingredients should be subtle...not overpowering. Please turn my review around. read more

We didn't realize walking into this gorgeous restaurant that it had only opened 5 days before. I would have never guessed for how smoothly everything went and how delicious it all was! We had the house baked sourdough (amazing) and accoutrements - the butter was amazing. We had the oysters. We had the octopus, and oh man, it might be the best I've ever had. Chef came by at the end of our meal and told us he'd developed a new method to tenderize it to perfection. We tried a couple of the pastas which were great. No dessert but we did have some cheeses. Okay, cocktail-wise you have to get the white negroni. To die for. I had 2. And they made a fantastic rendition of the sazerac, too. Anyway. Go. You just must. The ambiance is gorgeous, the space is unique and so romantic. The service is attentive and great. It was fantastic. Hats off to chef Nate! read more

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Wow!!! Amelia Gene's left my partner and I very excited to return. Being in a LDR we rarely get the opportunity to celebrate everything that happens to us as it comes so we usually like to splurge a little and wrap everything into one. Our Server Kelsey and her manager Sam did an outstanding job helping us celebrate both of our belated birthdays and a graduation from med school. I don't think there was a moment without a smile on our faces. We left absolutely stuffed to the brim and incredibly grateful to have gotten such great service and food for our special night. Thank you Sam and Kelsey! read more

Amelia Gene's - Carrot cake and chocolate tres leches - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

However, the hummus wasn't a favorite among our group. The berry oyster was fantastic. The pasta size is very small. It is more like an individual plate. Finally, I got the Rohan duck as an entree. It was probably one of the best duck dishes I have ever had. The crispiness was on point. The flavor, texture, and aroma are ecstatic! Wonderful service, great atmosphere. Will definitely recommend this place. They do offer complimentary Valet parking. read more

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Top notch! Amazing atmosphere and food. One of the best in Memphis. The service and overall quality are outstanding.

This is a very beautiful and unique new restaurant. The service was on point from the moment you walk in. Alexandria are server very informative and polite. She was well versed on the entire menu. The food was wonderful and everything arrived in the correct order read more

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The only thing I liked about this place was the biscuits. Veg options were not good. French onion ravioli was not good and the layered potatoes was just mash potatoes. The chocolate cake was so DRY. read more

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The food, ambience, and service were incredible. McKenzie was our waitress, and she was lovely. The entire staff was exceptional - very kind and attentive. The food was excellent, and the decor was beautiful. We will for sure go back read more

The vibe is great, and the drinks are on point. It gives you a vibe of outside of Memphis. read more

Amelia Gene's - Blackberry Oster - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Man am I glad to see this spot open up! I've lived in DC/NYC and the food scene is what I missed the most - this restaurant competes with those and does it all with great service and a stunning atmosphere. The decor feels like a restoration hardware showroom and their food is award-worthy! If you aren't a cocktail person, I'd definitely suggest making an exception here. Theirs are so well thought out. read more

Amazing service. Gracie was so kind and attentive. The monkfish was excellent and my friends short ribs were great as well. Very cool building with elegant seating. Go there. read more

Food, service, ambiance... everything was amazing!!!! We celebrated NYE here and loved it

Happy New Year, Yelpers! If you have not dined at Amelia Gene's, run, do not walk. This by far has been my best overall dining experience in the city. Maxine was a magnificent waitress. Very attentive and gave 110% to ensure we had a great experience. She thoroughly explained the menu, and made great recommendations. The food was absolutely delicious and fresh. The lobster bisque was a delightful surprise. It honestly should be added to the menu. The food came out quickly and at great temperatures. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I cannot wait to visit again. read more

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Terrific service. Great ambiance Very plentiful wine and liquor selection Perry our main server was terrific. Glad Greg is back as GM in Memphis Small portions but amazing flavors combined with plate service and the little extras make this worth every penny! read more

I expected better from Amelia Gene's - maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe we went on an off night. From reading other reviews, it sounds like maybe we just didn't have a great server. Some parts of the experience were great: hostesses kind and attentive, water always refilled, and overall staff seemed to be kind. My table loved our drinks and the biscuits. Potato fondue and cheesecake were good, too. Our plates came quickly which was nice, as we told our server we had an event after dinner. However, there are areas for improvement. Our server couldn't tell us what certain ingredients were in cocktails ('it's flavorful, not too deep but nice'), and couldn't name which vegetables were in the root vegetable salad ('beets' is all we were told). The lamb pasta was just okay, nothing special. The ravioli was also just fine. Silverware wasn't refreshed with new plates, and when we sat down there was a dead bug on a small plate already on the table. The loud music over the speakers ranged from current pop to Carole King to odd instrumental pieces and didn't really have a theme or a vibe. Overall, these are small things that don't really say 'great fine dining' with that attention to detail. I wish there were more menu options other than mostly seafood and beef. Not sure we'll be back anytime soon for dinner, perhaps just a bar drink. I was hoping this would really be a new fine dining option in Memphis, but we'll likely pick Flight next time for a nice downtown meal. read more

This is a great downtown location. The ambiance is date night friendly or girls night out if you want to sit at the bar. I highly recommend having one of their signature cocktails. The service was excellent. As for the food, the lamb and pasta dish was just ok. The sea bass was amazing. A definite must if you like seafood. Also had the octopus salad and the mile high biscuits. Overall a great experience. I will be coming back. read more

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About the other night! @ameliagenesmemphis This is one of my top experiences in fine dining. The decor and atmosphere has a type of nostalgia for downtown Memphis. The Kaluga Caviar Beignet is a treasure. As well as the Charred Octopus Salad for a starter. The Pappardelle Lamb pasta is like no other dish. With a classy Ole Fashion. I will be back most definitely. @yelpmemphis read more

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We have now visited twice. This restaurant is really to be one of the best restaurants in the city. From the weight staff to the bartenders to the housemate cocktails, I cannot find one thing to complain about. Everything is an exceptional experience. But the food. It's something else. A well done, upscale menu and dining experience. read more

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Excellent service, and Food is Michelin star quality. Chef Nate creates magical combinations of flavors. Every bite was magnificent!

What an amazing experience! For a restaurant that has been open less than a week, it truly felt as if it had been open for a year. Waitstaff were professional, personable, amazing, welcoming. Ticket times were extremely on point, water was filled without hesitation, and plates were cleared very quickly. My wife and I went there for her birthday and we were both excited and nervous because the restaurant was open less than a week and you'll never know how it'll be. Nuance and complexity with every bite. The pricing is comparable to fine dining around the city. Please visit this place because although it's fine dining it has an amazing down home feeling projected by the entire staff. read more

I had a lovely meal at Amelia Gene's. I dined alone -- here for work -- and sat at the bar. The woman waited on me couldn't have been more lovely. I had the tasting menu -- which was vegetarian and delicious. A definite 5-star experience and meal! read more

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A truly amazing experience, from the creative appetizers to the delicious entrees. The elk was superb! And service was spot on! We will be back read more

5 stars in every aspect from delectable food to perfect ambience. Every detail was attended to from valet parking to amazing food presentation. When I got up to use the bathroom, my napkin had even been refolded! We started with the buttermilk biscuits that melted in my mouth with the honey butter. Then followed 2 pastas - bucatini & pappardelle. The bucatini was pretty basic, but the pappardelle with lamb was out of this world. Our last starter was a tempura sweet potato - beautiful & yummy both. Because we wanted to sample so many starters and leave room for dessert, we shared the prime filet mignon that was cooked to perfection & presented beautifully. We ended with carrot cake which we will talk about for years to come. The best carrot cake my taste buds have ever been introduced to hands down! We also enjoyed fantastic cocktails throughout the dinner from Dominick's local TN whiskey to the "cello sage" & "midnight trolley" which were all delicious. Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth it? Every penny! read more

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Wonderful restaurant in downtown Memphis. The decor was amazing, with an upscale industrial feel (love the lights dangling from the ceiling like low hanging stars). My group started with several apps. Buttermilk biscuits were an example of looks can be deceiving as they looked like plain squares yet tasted delicious especially with butter. The arancini had a surprising lemon bent. We also sprang for the cheese cart, which is an experience. The waiter explained the various options and it was a group activity to choose a total of 5 to try, all were fantastic and flavorful. For entree, got the filet mignon, which was perfectly medium rare, tender not dry. Despite being stuffed, we of course had to get dessert. Carrot cake was a towering stand of multiple layers, all of which I'm happy to report were sweetly delicious. read more

Amelia Gene's is a new Memphis GEM! I had an excellent experience at Amelia Gene's and honestly I can say it was my first real upscale and "luxury" meal in Memphis. There is complimentary valet but there is street parking around the area. There are many businesses around that also rely on street parking so it can be crowded and hectic especially on days where the Orpheum has a popular show or the FedEx Forum has a Grizzlies game/concert. When you walk into the restaurant, you are greeted by the nicest hostess and there is a coat check for those winter months when you don't want to worry about your coat all night. The ambiance in the restaurant is very calm and serene. The bar is beautiful and boasts multiple shelves of a plethora of spirit choices. As you make your way past the bar, there is a lounge area with a lot of couch space for those that don't want to dine in the main area. The main area has beautiful chandeliers and a wall of a vast array of wines. The menu was more limited when it first opened but has expanded in the last few months. We tried the lemon arancini, potato fondu, tartar, multiple pastas, and the filet for dinner. All of the food was DIVINE! We ordered extra potato fondu with our dinner order because it was THAT good. The service was phenomenal and we are so happy we found this place. I would absolutely (and have) recommend this place to anyone that enjoys good food, great drinks, and even better service. read more

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Food and service are only average. Nothing was bad yet nothing was great. Don't believe the hype.

Great service n great food, their octopus was so soft and tasty, just like what I had in Spain

This place is beautiful! I sat at the bar with a few friends for a birthday, and we had a great time! Jordan was our bartender, and he was extremely informative and personable. He made our time what it was. The rest of the staff was extremely kind, lots of smiling faces and genuine interactions. I had the Shadow Woman drink and the ravioli pasta. Very strong drink and very small portions (with the pasta at least). Great balance! Someone in my party had a nut allergy and the staff went above and beyond to make sure there were no issues. read more

Amelia Gene's - Ravioli at the bar - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Food was great staff very professional and accommodating. Ambiance was giving great lighting for a romantic dinner.

Why in the world have I not gone to Amelia Gene's before now? I have been missing out. What a wonderful experience overall from the front of house cheerful professionalism to the chef personally serving us the best carrot I have ever put in my mouth! In between we had a perfect server and her backups were on it with knowledge..timeliness and responsiveness. And oh the food.. little gem salad fresh and divine...rice balls w hit of lemon...the fresh burrata..the sea bass with light tasty sauce..the spicy pasta were all delicious and noteworthy. The ambiance transported me elsewhere. Well done. read more

the food the service the ambiance was PERFECT - thank you to Kayla for the amazing service & to Greg the manager & to Chef Nate & Chef Jessica for the wonderful biscuits, duck, waygu steak, the elk ribs, the starters, & the fabulous dessert! read more

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Service was beyond outstanding, and the cocktails were unique and fun. Sadly the chefs menu tasting was uninspired. The food felt lazy and rushed! Loved the location and vibe of the restaurant! If I go back I hope to have my mind changed! read more

Great ambiance. Service was perfect. Good drink and wine menu. Three of us shared the biscuits appetizer, lobster bisque, prawns, pasta, monkfish and short ribs. All were really great. We were too stuffed for dessert but they gave us a piece of carrot cake gratis which of course we devoured. Great dining experience; we will be back! read more

Ambiance was amazing and the chef really cares about the food. Worth the anticipation