Restaurant Iris Test Dinner 6/6/17. Menu by Chef Kelly English paired with Fess Parker wines. At 62 Cooper St. Iris Etc (test kitchen & dining facility) These are fun events. Chef English presented each dish and representatives from Fess Parker talked about each wine. I'm much more interested in hearing the Chef even though I'm something of a Cork Dork. Chef English has a good sense of humor. Often times the winery peeps talk about hang time (of the grapes, not Michael Jorden) or malolactic fermentation (who cares)! Guacamole de Jalisco with Lobster Claws, Shrimp & Pea Shoots. Nicely presented, perfectly cooked shrimp. Sauced with a slightly spicy, very smooth, balanced guacamole. Topped with fresh pea shoots. Very well balanced, Kelly English's ability showed throughout. Paired with Marcella's White Blend. Good and crisp, pretty fruity. Nice Match. A poolside wine on a hot day. Retails for about $18. I'd buy it. Redfish Ronan with Mantequilla Negra, Citris, Pepita, charred Tomatillos and orzotta de elote y congreto. If this dish ever sees the menu, they're going to have to shorten the name! Just typing it was a pain in the butt. On the other hand this was damn delicious. Chef substituted Orzo (orzotta) for the more usual risotto. Lightens it up a little. This isn't as pretty a dish, but it more than makes up for appearance with knock out flavors. Paired with Ashley's Vineyard Pinot Noir. I never "got" Pinots & ive been "lucky" enough to have tasted some of the finest Burgundy on the planet. Guess I'm a Barbarian. With Pinot it's kind of like dating someone who is bipolar-you never know what you're going to get until you open the door (or the bottle)! I apologize to all you sophisticated Pinot drinkers out there-I'm a little jealous that I'm just too whatever. This wine showed REALLY well. If all Pinot tasted like this I could take my place among the Pinot lovers-happily. Black currant fruit, nice balance with just enough acid. Retails for $50. Guess thats what gets me. If I pay $50 for a California Zin or a blend I'll get a "superior" glass of red wine. Bananas and Coconuts As much as the previous dish was "over described" this is under. What it is... a banana muffin with a little chili pepper infused. A sauce based on coconut milk with shaved coconut. Sounds odd, especially the pepper. This kind of flavoring combo is pretty "in vogue" in the food world and it often works-it does pretty well here. Definitely NOT an attractive dish on the plate. Kind of looks like a turd with some white stuff in the middle. This dish was partially saved by the excellent Fess Parker Santa Barbara Riesling that was served. Nicely sweet with a nearly perfect, slightly acidic balance. A REAL winner!!! Retails for $12-14. Get some! I'm not sure I can tell you how to get invited to these. I've been a customer of Restaurant Iris since the 2nd week they opened. As far as I know, they don't comp anyone. These dinners aren't cheap-$80 each including tax and tip. But they're worth it I think. read more

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Service was excellent. Go there for lunch the last Friday of every month and enjoy the New Orleans band free!

I wanted to surprise my husband by taking him somewhere special for this birthday. I successfully made a midtowner out of him by taking him to Fino's, and he loved Panta (RIP), so I thought we'd finally try the jewel in the Kelly English crown. This was the perfect choice! The staff successfully create a fine dining experience that feels comforting, cozy, and friendly instead of stiff. Our server, Jim, was very knowledgeable about the menu and we ordered the fried green tomatoes and pork tenderloin at his suggestion. Unexpectedly, the star of the night was the soup du jour which had collard greens, pot liquor, and chicken sausage, but truly everything we ate was phenomenal. The hostess, Julia, helped us decide on chocolate tureen for dessert. We also received excellent service from Morgan and Olivia. My husband said the gift of this meal made him feel very loved, which was my goal. My only regret is I didn't get to try the sweetbreads. I hope they return to the menu by the next time we have a special occasion to celebrate! read more

Restaurant Iris - Soup du Jour aka best soup we've ever tasted - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Let me just start out by saying "What a shame". This used to be my favorite restaurant in Memphis. My wife and I have been going there on our anniversary for 10 years. We won't be going back. The makeover on the restaurant looks great. The menu? Not so much. They don't even make the knuckle sandwich anymore. The menu is way too skimpy and from what I've read, so are the portions now but the prices are up. Chef English usually comes out to greet us and has been very nice and respectful. When our waitress told Chef Kelly that I had complained about his new menu, he almost stormed out with a "How dare you" attitude, and didn't care a bit about my opinion. Anyway, we finished our cocktails and left without ordering, never to return. Such a shame... read more

Absolutely delightful dining experience with our excellent wait person Nevada and the charming and talented young owner and chef. Must try their version of bar b que shrimp, amazing! I had the lamb which was cooked perfectly rare plus. The trout almondine will make you want to slap yo mama, CRAZY GOOD. They are about to close for a monthlong remodeling. Apparently an all new menu too. I can't imagine the new look and menu won t be equally amazing. read more

Restaurant Iris - Birthday girl in front of the chef. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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This restaurant was chosen by my guest as I was in town for business. We both had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. In general the taste of the food is unique, fair, neither great nor memorable. Unfortunately the taste of each successive course seemed incongruent. All portions were extremely small. For example one course was a single ravioli in a bowl of sauce and we had to share it! One ravioli or maybe two per person would have been more appropriate for this course. After all courses were served I was still hungry. When ordering the tasting menu the chef chooses the plates specifically to accommodate your allergies and preferences, which is nice. I wonder if this had anything to do with the incongruous food selections. Our waitress was extremely pleasant , very accommodating and explained the dishes and accompanying wines well. As for the wines they were fair, but also not great. I paid almost $300 for the tasting menu and wine pairings for two, along with two cocktails when we first arrived. While a nice, quaint restaurant with a very pleasant staff, the overall experience was overpriced for the quality and portion of food received. read more

For all the years hearing all the hype, I had high expectations - and unfortunately I left feeling meh. We were celebrating a special occasion and decided to treat ourselves to the restaurant we had heard for years was one of if not the best in town. First, I was hoping that a small setting would mean that the hearing impaired person in my group would have an easier time hearing as opposed to the open concrete sound reverb situations that are all the rage now. But the opposite was true - once the tables filled up, it was hard to hear for everyone in our group, and the dark lighting didn't help. We ordered a mix of apps. The hush puppies were the best option. Sweet potatoes were nothing special, and the lamb meatballs were lacking umph in the spice. Bread was fine. For mains, my duck was cooked to perfection. Seasoned, crispy skin and a perfect medium well at my request. However the rest of the dish was nothing special and not very flavorful. The greens were unfortunately gritty so I left them uneaten, and when I brought this to the attention of the server, he told me it was probably the spices. It didn't seem that way to me since I ate the spices on the duck, but I didn't want to argue. Mixed reviews around the table - veal pasta was under seasoned/nothing special/more pasta and less meat than expected. Fish was good but not amazing. Pork tenderloin was very good. We skipped dessert since we had something planned at home. Also although the server was friendly and helpful with questions, little details fell through - like serving appetizers without small plates or serving spoons (needed for the non-hush puppy apps), both for which we had to request and wait just long enough to be awkward. We were also short one cocktail and waiting to make a toast longer than expected. Overall just small details that for the price and reputation you would expect you wouldn't have to manage. So in short, for all the hype and well of course considering the price, our special occasion dinner didn't feel that special. No wow moments from my guests, difficulty hearing even just across the table for our group of 8, and small oversights that you wouldn't expect from a restaurant with this reputation. read more

We have been traveling and eating all over the Southeast and parts of the Midwest for the last year and a half and no place has been built up more than Iris. We have had reservations since March, so we were super excited to finally experience Iris. The space is beautiful, elegant and sophisticated with a welcoming charm. We started with the foie gras served with onion and figs that was absolutely delicious. For our mains we chose the trout and the surf and turf. Unfortunately, we were both underwhelmed with our selections. The trout was covered in the amandine of almonds that didn't do much for us. For a fish dish, it seemed really heavy and it was overly greasy. They surf and turf was a huge cut of NY strip covered with fried oysters and gouda (normally comes with blue cheese). The steak was a bit tough (ordered medium rare) and the fried oysters were really soggy, not crispy. And with the cheese sauce poured on top, it was a collage of flavors and textures that didn't complement each other well and was a slight disappointment. The potatoes tasted like they had been sitting around since dinner prep and were way overcooked. For dessert, we ordered the berry pot pie. I enjoyed the flavor of the pie, but it was a lot more soupy than we imagined and a mess to try to get out of the small dish. The front yard of the place is gorgeous and filled with flowers and overall, the staff was friendly and helpful. Besides the food when you go to a fine dining establishment, we look forward to the service and service fell flat here. Our waitress seemed a bit scripted, robotic and not personable, which was disappointing. There was also a long wait between the starter and entrée. We are glad we tried the famous Restaurant Iris, but it failed to meet our expectations. There are better dining experiences in the city. read more

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Congratulations! You're researching the finest restaurant in Memphis! Not only that, but consistently one of the top 100 restaurants in all of these United States of America. Make your reservation well in advance, as weekends book up 6-8 weeks ahead. You cannot go wrong here. There is no wrong order. Trust the menu exactly as it is written. Every tiny nuance, drop of aioli, or microgreen is absolutely intentional and deliberate to complement the food on your plate. The four or five dining rooms are small, as the building was formerly a residence (before it began its career as a fine dining restaurant, 20something years ago). Ask for the copper room, for a warmer, sexier dining experience. Anniversaries and birthdays are celebrated with a rose and curled ribbon on your table, and menus rolled up and tied to take home as mementos. (Let's take an ADD break here to remind everyone the difference between a memento- something to remember your experience, and a "momento"- the Spanish word for moment.) I've been to Restaurant Iris three or four times now, and each time I covet what someone else has. The good news is, the portions of rich foods such as foie gras are size-controlled, so you can't eat too much of it. I typically have the duck, which has never disappointed me here. Moulard duck is a hybrid of a Muscovy and Peking duck. It looks something like Ping, and tastes like heaven. Also noteworthy is the stuffed steak with fried oysters and melty blue cheese hollandaise. Nom nommy! The desserts are fine, nothing spectacular yet, aside from a great bread pudding. I'd rather have another cocktail or glass of wine instead. Caveat: If Applebee's is your idea of the bee's knees, skip Iris and go to Bar Louie or Bosco's Squared. read more

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My expectations for this restaurant are always super high. My wife and I went there for my birthday and they made it special by mildly decorating the table and putting my name in the menu which was really nice. The service is impeccable and they are professional but not high strung. We got a squash salad to start because it was seasonal which I tend to go for. It was something you would never make at home but I didn't freak out over the flavor. I preferred the lamb which was good but my wife's pork chop was incredible. I wanted to eat her entire plate. The major downside for me is you are sitting really close to other tables and if you get easily distracted like me it will be a problem. If you like to get absorbed in everyone else's conversation then this place is for you. Bottom line: go here or Andrew Michaels for great food in Memphis. read more

Restaurant Iris - Celebrating my birthday - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I cannot stop thinking about Restaurant Iris since I've left Memphis! A great experience OVERALL! By far, this was one of those unforgettable experiences that you wish you can continue to experience. From the service to the excellent food experience. Iris is the place that all foodies love to frequent. Was in town, made reservations and passed on the info that it was for my wife's birthday. Not knowing what I was getting into, but according to Yelp reviews...this was it and I'm thankful for Yelp! Upon arrival, was greeted and was asked to sit at the bar in the front of the house, not knowing they were going to do something, a few moments later when they sat us down we noticed a surprise with a decorated table with curled up confetti strings, a flower and a rolled up note from the Chef/Owner himself wishing my wife a wonderful birthday. Well...lets get to the meat and potatoes... I couldn't help but order many things from the menu, even though there was a preset menu available. Lobster "knuckle sandwich" with tarragon and tomatoes Sweet succulent lobster meat on top of a texas toast, lightly seasoned to retain the natural flavors of the lobster meat. Angus bone marrow, lemongrass "debris," brioche A buttery and tasteful experience. Crudo of gulf snapper, ossabaw lardo, grapefruit and burnt butter A great flight of flavors. American kobe teres major, aloo gobi, mint chutney Perfectly balanced, tender and cooked to perfection as requested Shrimp, delta grind grits, andouille and tomato Nicely seasoned succulent shrimps on top of a bed of large grain grits with flavorful seasoned sauce of andouille and tomato Ended the evening with a yummy sweet tooth fix of a Myers lemon ricotta cheesecake and a chocolate decadence along with a freshly brewed french press of a chicory blend coffee. Cannot wait until I find my was back to Memphis in order to go back to Restaurant Iris. read more

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I flew into Memphis and got married on a Thursday afternoon, and wanted to find a very nice place for my new wife and I to have dinner. I chose Restaurant Iris and was not disappointed. From start to finish the meal was special. As you might guess, the marriage was a bit spur of the moment, so i was only able to call the restaurant while I was on my layover in Atlanta on my way to Memphis (i.e., the morning of my reservation). No one answered the phone so I left a message saying I was getting married and I was hoping they could do something a little extra for the occasion. When we arrived my wife was brought to tears by the decoration of our table, bottle of bubbly on it, and most especially the custom printed menu insert congratulating my wife and I (which, of course, they rolled up and gave to us at the end of the meal). Service was excellent throughout. We had a 9pm reservation, but another table cancelled so we were invited to come in early, at any time that was convenient for us. Our waitress was a model of professionalism - attentive but not overbearing, there when we needed her but not there too much. We opted for the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings. We allowed our waitress to put this together for us, and so we had the opportunity to sample 10 different dishes. Highlights for me were the brussels sprouts, scallop, mahi mahi, lamb, and bread pudding. As a nice touch, toward the end of our meal Chef Kelly English came through the dining room to ask how our meals were. It was nice to know he was actually in the kitchen and took the time to greet his guests. That is extremely rare in my experience. I hope to visit Memphis again, and Restaurant Iris will definitely be on my -- our! -- itinerary. read more

One of the best meals I've ever had. For my birthday, following brunch and a round of golf, we attempted to get a reservation for dinner. We were in luck, as there was one left for the evening and we jumped on it, having read the awesome reviews. Dinner definitely didn't disappoint. We chose three starters: the lobster knuckle sandwich, bone marrow, and the raviolo. Our server was extremely knowledgeable of the menu and explained every single dish, very accurately describing the bone marrow as "meat butter" and convincing us to try the lobster. There was nothing on the menu she didn't make us want to try! Between three of us, we split the duck and obviously had to try the famous "surf and turf" which was as good as it sounds: a 14 oz filet stuffed with fried oysters and blue cheese. For desert we had a creme brulee that no one at the table could finish because we were too stuffed! The restaurant itself is an old house, so we were seated in a room with only four tables, one of which was empty, making for a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. I wish we'd had the chance to meet the chef but no matter. The service and food were fantastic and I couldn't have asked for a better way to end my birthday. read more

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I just want to take a minute to extend my most heartfelt thank you to you and your staff. My husband and I enjoyed our 3 year wedding anniversary with you guys today, and having never eaten here before I wasn't sure what to expect but I have heard amazing reviews. When we first arrived our table was beautifully decorated with a special menu for our anniversary, pink napkins, and beautiful pink roses that my husband surprised me with. The table was a little wobbly, and the roses fell to the floor. Our waitress was very gracious and whisked them away. We ordered and enjoyed our appetizer of Raviolo which was so full of flavor. I ordered the rootbeer martini (amazing!) and the Surf and Turf New York strip. I honestly couldn't think of a better meal in my life. Before my dinner arrived; however, Jeff (I believe it was) brought me my vase back..with brand new pink roses in it!! I cried! I know that's silly, but I was so touched by the gesture and thoughtfulness that I *never* see anywhere else. You guys are amazing, and I will sing your praises to all my friends and clients. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful dinner experience. read more

So. Much. Amazing. We somehow were the luckiest people on earth and got a Saturday night reservation just two hours in advance. And, even when we arrived a little late we were still seated with that Southern hospitality I have grown to love. Restaurant Iris is located in a restored vintage bungalow, and walking in I was taken by the elegant charm. The dining area is split between various rooms, resulting in a feeling that is both open and intimate. Our waitress was definitely a highlight of our experience. She was, in a word, adorable. Attentive and informative without being invasive, she helped make our evening even more enjoyable. Everything on the menu looked good, and we chose: - Lobster knuckle sandwich - an interpretation of an open-faced 'sandwich' featuring a generous pile of lobster, this was a favorite. - BBQ shrimp - one of the appetizer specials of the evening - the sauce was delicious with the shrimp, and even better with bread. I did not lick the plate, but really wanted to. - Surf and turf - a decadent combination of NY steak stuffed with fried oysters and topped with blue cheese. It was huge. We should have split it, but... - Shrimp & grits - I couldn't visit the South without trying this and didn't regret it. After all of this there was no thought of being able to try dessert. Until we saw a table next to us with a combination of gelato and vodka. It wasn't on the menu - they had requested it specifically because it is a favorite where they live. Sounds weird, I know, but we had to try it too. Who doesn't love a restaurant that lets guests invent their own desserts? An outstanding experience in every way. read more

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What more can I add that has not been said already? Recently visited here to celebrate an early Valentine's dinner. I like to say that we ventured off the unbeaten path a little when it came to appetizers. We opted to try the bone marrow, and it was DELICIOUS! Seasoned just right, actually some of the best that I have had, and I have eaten bone marrow in many places before. What's great is that my dogs get to enjoy the goodness in the bones as well, doggy bag for sure! Otherwise, went with the lamb, and the surf and turf. Delightful. I snapped pictures of our meal, so head on over to the album! Will definitely come back to try their other seasonal menus! read more

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While this midtown bungalow is a little on the pricey side, I found the experience to be well worth it. The service was quick and helpful; the cocktails were unique and tasteful. We both had been craving a fish amandine style, and were not disappointed with the redfish almadine. While it is a different take on this style of cooking because redfish is more meaty than traditional white flaky fish used, I found that it worked well on the squash casserole as a balance of textures and flavors. I'll be back - read more

Restaurant Iris - Redfish Amandine - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

New menu not up to par. We will not come back until Chef English revises the menu. First, let me say service is impeccable. Restaurant is inviting, although the updates are not my style - the changes to the bar area are fantastic...because there is actually a bar area now. Prior to the revamp, this was such a gem. My husband and I ate here probably two -three times a year. We always loved the surf and turf and lobster sandwich. These stables are GONE!. The new menu is "too cool for school". Lots of fancy ingredients, but flavor and appeal, lacking. STARTERS: First, you now have to buy bread for $6. It isn't worth $6. It comes with honey butter and warm fig jam, but the bread itself if just okay. Save the $6. We then had gnocchi stuffed with potato and something - it was okay, nothing I would have again. The sauce was heavy and oily. Then we had baby octopus. We didn't finish it. The aioli sauce is what makes it taste good, but, again, the flavors weren't there. ENTREE: I had baked Cod. Husband had ribeye (he really wanted the surf and turf pictured in many of the posts here). I took two bites of the cod and that was it - terrible. Lets just say I'd rather have farmed raised tilapia from Tugs bar and grill downtown. The ribeye was okay, but the rice whatever it came on tasted like cardboard. Usually Chef English greets his patrons, but not this time. Perhaps he has had terrible feedback? So disappointed, Iris. I love Chef English and the quaint location, but I feel like the reboot was a miss. I'd rather you leave the stables of what was Iris' menu and simply rotate or change the others as the seasons change. read more

Iris is great, but I'd say I like the old menu better than the new. Prices have increased without anything extra in exchange. Cocktails are about $15 for what would be $9-10 elsewhere. The food is great, but not worth cost. Our server was awkward and unhelpful. read more

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The food was excellent HOWEVER.... They need to train their host/hostess. We were seated at the WORST TABLE in the place. When there were several open tables set for two. When we sat down the (very close/loud) table next to us told us the last 2 couples that sat there asked to move. Why would you keep seating people in the worst spot??? Awful hosting!! Very disappointed! BTW the other tables STAYED OPEN the entire time we ate!:-( read more

There aren't many restaurants that my gf and I visit multiple times during the same trip. When we visit some place new, we like to try to get a fair lay of the land. However, with foie gras being illegal in CA, there are only a few options in Memphis. I decided on this restaurant since my gf and I flew in to help my sister's family move while it was her birthday weekend, so it had to be something special. First of all, the whole atmosphere is cozy and chic. The bar at the front is small, but it does the trick. The "waiting area" in the back is a little cramped so make sure you're on time and your table is ready. While the scallops are perfectly cooked and the surf-and-turf is decadent, the one thing that kept us coming back was the PERFECT preparation of foie gras and the equally perfect accoutrements. We must have had 6 servings of it in the few days we were there. And on our second trip, recently, we came back for more! The cocktails are delicious, the menu is adventurous but well-thought, and the service is top notch. We experienced 3 different servers and they were all extremely kind and accommodating. We praised this restaurant so much that my sister and her husband had the 5-course degustation and loved it. There are many great restaurants in the Memphis area we found, but this one takes the cake and should be a staple in your address book for special occasions. read more

Restaurant Iris is in my top 3 Memphis restaurants- there's nothing that this place does wrong. First of all, it's in a cute little house near Overton Square. The place has charm, no doubt. A cozy fireplace and warm, rich decor make me want to move in, not just eat here. But that would be a perk for sure. The rack of lamb is mouthwatering, and the Kobe short ribs are excellent. I also love the shrimp and grits. There's an impressive wine list that includes my fave, Joseph Phelps. They have Silver Oak too which might be my 2nd fave. Restaurant Iris is an impressive spot for a date or a special occasion. I can't wait to go back again. read more

Restaurant Iris - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

This place is really difficult to get a spot in, so consider making a reservation a few weeks in advanced. It is located near Second Line, and they have valet parking (not sure how much). I've found parking to be quite a difficulty in Overton Square lately, especially on a Saturday night. We actually ended up parking at Fresh Market and walked over. It's a pretty short walk, and there are many parking spaces. Food: The appetizers all sounded excellent. We order two starters: Knuckle Lobster Sandwich - this was very tasty, and I would highly recommend ordering this when you are there. It is one open face sandwich, a little bit larger than a fist in size, with butter dipped claw meat on top. Bone Marrow - this was ok tasting. The marrow seemed a bit over season and took away from the flavor a bit. The brioche bread was delicious, though. This would be good for two to share. Main course was average: Surf and Turf - all you could taste was blue cheese...I would ask to skip on that if I were you...the steak seemed like it would have tasted good? But literally, all you could taste was blue cheese. Alaskan Halibut - this dish was good, but I didn't think that fish could taste soggy...and that was how I felt about this. The flavors were good, though. Dessert: Berry Pot Pie with vanilla ice cream - this was also average. The pie piece was really rough and not flakey fall apart good at all. I was a bit disappointed with it. It probably would have been better off as a crumble. I wish I order something else. Overall, the experience was neat and the service was nice, but I don't think I would come back. The food was average and the price was high. read more

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Hi. I'm updating my review after the manager personally reached out to us to apologize for the confusion with their reservation system. We finally could visit the new location and enjoy a wonderful time in the restaurant. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. My wife and I met and lived in New Orleans, so enjoying some of the creole touch in the food brought some warm memories. I would like to thank the manager for reaching out to us and making sure that our experience was the best. It really shows how much he and the restaurant cares for their customers. We will definitely go back to try some of the other lunch specials and the amazing drinks. read more

My Husband(Air Force Retiree) mother (Navy Wife/widower) and I walked into the restaurant today at 11a when they opened. The restaurant was pretty empty with only 2 tables taken in the main dining area. When the hostess (Ms. Julia) saw us, she asked how she could help us. We stated that we wanted a table for 3...she asked if we had a reservation, we said no. Ms Julia then stated she could seat us in the bar area although the restaurant was empty. When we asked if anything was available in the main dining room she said she believed there was not although she never confirmed. She insisted on seating us in the bar area. It was very obvious that since we are African American that she did not want us sitting in the main dining room as all other patrons in there were white, just as Ms. Julia was. We left as it was very obvious that they wanted to seat us outside of the main dining room. When my husband called and spoke with Ms. Julia, he asked for a manager, who she said was not there and we asked for someone who is in charge today and she stated Chef is in a meeting! My husband left his name and number requesting a call back from Chef English! Not a nice reception when trying to celebrate our wedding anniversary and to usher in the new year! Ms Julia's insistence on putting us in the bar was all too obvious! read more

Went with a friend for lunch. Everything was just over the top good. I had the flounder and my friend had the red beans and rice. I also had an Irish coffee that was lovely. read more

I've been twice to this new location. So disappointed both times! Group of four all ordered fish- red fish, red snapper and red grouper. All we're over cooked and flavorless. The sauce served with them (we all got a different one) was equally bad- not really a sauce at all, but rather a scoop of flavorless slime. Fish was served over under seasoned greens beans- come on Kelly, can't you be a little more imaginative? The dressing over the wedge salad had so much acid/vinegar in it it puckered your lips- And, the lettuce was not crispy but rather limp and too warm. The only dish we loved was the dozen raw oysters. I won't be back. read more

I was expecting so much more with the desserts here. I had a friend recommend this place for desserts and I don't think I enjoyed any of them. The great thing I did has was the flower tea. Blueberry and strawberry. It was really good and yummy! The desserts, on the other hand, were just normal and nothing special. The donuts were hard and crispy and difficult to eat. The blueberry tart did not taste good at all. I think the only good thing was the cheesecake, but it also tasted like yogurt. I'll have to come back to try it again but I was not impressed. read more

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Literally such a cute, trendy restaurant! The food is so good and the service is so nice! The cocktails are amazing and you definitely can get very drunk if you drink enough. I love this restaurant and i always recommend it to everyone. It does get a little cold so ladies bring a light jacket! read more

Overall great dining experience. They could improve on service. Foie gras: absolutely delicious. Highly recommend it. Lobster knuckle sandwich: big chunks of lobsters. Wasn't as good as what everyone else said. If I came back here, I would not order again. Lamb loin: flavor was good, cooked how I wanted (medium rare) but the meat was little stringy. read more

Restaurant Iris - Lobster knuckle sandwich. Big chunks of lobster. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Absolutely the most amazing food and experience in Memphis!! We made a reservation at Iris for my BF's birthday. When we were seated in a quiet little corner, we realized that our menus were personalized with a note from the restaurant wishing my BF a Happy Birthday!! That by itself was amazing, but our experience only got better from there. Our waiter, Jeff (who looked and talked like Alton Brown), was so knowledgeable and seemed to read my mind when it came to any questions I had about the menu. He was so friendly, courteous, and sometimes funny, and was very attentive to us. Now the food.....and we ate alot of it. We were basically in a food coma after this dinner. Appetizers Lobster Knuckle Sandwich - fantastic - loaded with lobster meat Bone Marrow - so flavorful and buttery - delish! Short Rib Raviolo - can you say YUM-O? Sweetbreads and Gnocchi - the best gnocchi we ever had (and we just got back from eating them in Italy!) Entrees Surf and Turf - that was the most tender NY Strip steak I ever had...Oysters were fantastic too Lamb chops - cooked to perfection! the greens were a great touch to bring the south onto our plates Dessert Ricotta Cheesecake - the crust was perfect and the cheesecake very tasty - the dessert came decorated for my BF's birthday Chocolate Cake with Cocoa Nibs Ice Cream - if I had the room in my tummy, I could've had another This small restaurant nestled in a residential neighborhood was such a gem and we can't wait to travel to Memphis again, so we can experience this all over again. It was also a great touch that Chef Kelly English came out to greet us during our meal. It made it very special. This place is a MUST TRY. read more

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We stopped in last night to see if we could get a table. To my surprise they seated us immediately. We had not been in since the relaunch. First let's start with the drinks- they have a great selection. As a bourbon drinker I appreciated a good selection. We started with the crawfish beignet - umm yes please may I have another sooo good. Then on to the foie gras- I have to admit I was nervous but it was really delicious. We also had the chicken fried pork belly- fatty goodness. I ordered the shrimp for my entree also delicious. We had strawberry cheesecake for desert. Miserable at this point. Moral to the story - his food can be very rich but if you balance it correctly it is quit a ride. I've eaten here in the past and went way too rich with every course. We will be back again! read more

Went here for lunch Thursday and was really impressed with the makeover they gave The Grove Grill. My wife and I ate in the bar area. The music was a little loud for the genre they were playing (Fifties, The Platters, etc.). We ordered two shrimp po' boys and split a wedge salad. Salad was really good, one of the best I've had in Memphis. However, the po' boys were a major disappointment. Upon presentation they looked great but the bread was so hard it was like eating a sandwich in between two croutons. Seriously, you couldn't fit the sandwich in your mouth and when I pressed the bread down, it completely crumbled all over the plate. My wife didn't finish her second half of the sandwich and me, being the trooper I am, finished it with a fork. There really wasn't much shrimp on the sandwich either and I can say this having had several at The Second Line. In my opinion, skip this place and go there. Also, how do you have the fleur de lis as your logo and no beer from Louisiana in your restaurant? So the waiter stops by and asks how our lunch is. My wife tells him about the bread and his response was "they must've baked it a little longer." Ya think? He says he was going to let them know as he takes my wife's plate to box up the crouton po' boy. Meanwhile, I'm still enjoying my $22 crouton salad. Nobody in management stopped by our table. We ordered two desserts. Really disappointed in the bread pudding. It's about the size of the brownie toddlers bake in an easy bake oven. The other, which is a flourless chocolate cake, is the way to go looking like a jumbo Lil' Debbie Swiss Roll. I'd rather come here for a drink and watch what's on the TV in the bar area then leave to go have dinner at The Second Line. Better yet, drive to New Orleans, pick up some bread, drive back, and it will still be more fresh than what this place is using. Highlight of the meal came when someone dropped a plate in the back and we heard it shatter. I said to my wife, "looks like someone dropped a loaf of bread." That was worth our $84 tab to get a laugh out of her. read more

Their Sunday brunch is to die for! I love their quiches and French toast! Staff is amazing, quick, and responsive.

My wife, mother-in-law, and I had a brunch reservation at Restaurant Iris this Sunday, 4/2, in the dining room. Our waitress was kind, and she checked on us regularly. While the Oysters Rockefeller and fried green tomatoes were decent appetizers, the remainder of our meal was very disappointing. The entrees took an hour and 15 minutes to finally get to our table. The waitress was fed to the wolves by the chef and apologized a couple times for the severe delay. You could tell she was embarrassed. We ultimately asked if the kitchen had to start over on our dishes since another table that sat down 30 minutes after us was served before us. I understand every restaurant makes a mistake from time to time, but this example went beyond a couple mistakes. We ordered the smoked pork loin benedict, short ribs, and wedge salad with fried oysters. We put up with the wait and were thoroughly displeased when all three entrees finally arrived. The pork loin had no flavor and was overdone. The short ribs were overcooked/dry and too salty. Even the wedge salad had little flavor. The chef lacked the decency to personally apologize to us. Adding insult to injury, they did not comp one item that we ordered. I would not be deceived by the phenomenal atmosphere at Restaurant Iris. Memphis deserves better at this location, and we do not plan to come back for the foreseeable future. It is sad to see a restaurant with an excellent track record at the previous location on Monroe Ave. go downhill. I will add one more thing to reinforce that this was not an isolated event. I have been to two work events here within the past six months and had two bad orders of the trout and snapper. Others attending agreed that they were not impressed. read more

My wife and I went there recently for a celebration. We were looking for a French restaurant and this came highly recommended. The menu is more french-inspired than classic French, but that may be quibbling. We both love char-broiled oysters so began with those as well as the farmers cheese tart. The oysters were fabulous, the tart good (goat cheese, with cucumber salad on the side). For entrees, we had the Gulf Shrimp and Rice Grits Congee, which had sausage and boiled peanuts added to it. My wife does not like standard grits - these tasted much more of the rice and were surprisingly good! I had the Kobe beef flat iron steak, with Mozzarella bread pudding. The steak was excellent - This was the first time tasting Kobe so I was looking forward to a melt-in-your mouth experience. It was very good but not the best I've ever had so I wonder about the famed cow massages :^) In any case, I'd have this again without hesitation. For dessert, we sampled a flourless chocolate cake, with Grand Marnier and blood oranges - a great combination. The service was excellent, the atmosphere semi-private - suitable for romance if that's desired. Outdoor seating is available. Only giving it 4 stars, just didn't "feel" the special something of a 5th read more

If I can give this restaurant more stars I would. Shelby was our waitress for the night and she was the best. We made our reservation on OpenTable and I told them it was our anniversary. We arrived and the table was decorated with a rose and our own letter with the date and happy anniversary. Husband I decided to do the 5 course Tasting menu (This is only offered Monday thru Thursday so I suggest you make date night during the week). We loved every meal that was provided. Shelby paired them with the perfect wine. Hubby and I each had a separate sample so really we were able to sample 10 different meals. Shelby advised us that they change their menu quarterly so we will become regulars. read more

I've been torn by what to say here for some time. Admittedly, I am biased; my girlfriend is a chef, I worked for years as a cook, and we live in Paris. But I lived in Memphis for university and had always heard about Restaurant Iris. When I was showing GF around New Orleans and Memphis I took her to Iris for the five-course degustation, and we left feeling underwhelmed. The food was good for America, but far from the culinary adventure I had hoped to show her. The salad GF was served was a CAESAR salad. Seriously? A $100 meal and the best salad this chef can come up with was a caesar? We were shocked by this, GF would never send such a thing out. We were served os a moelle (not sure the English term) for one course, something we both considered a very cheap option. The rest of the meal was, frankly, forgettable. We asked the server three times for bread, and felt disregarded in favor of the other guests. In such a small restaurant, waiting for bread and water as we did was unacceptable. I don't like to leave bad reviews, but considering the effort that GF makes at her restaurant going to Iris felt like a slap in the face. We've had meals for 30 euro that we'll never forget... Spending three times as much on food so disappointingly mediocre left a bad taste in my mouth. Restaurant Iris is the last time I will talk up an American restaurant to my GF. On the bright side, the wines were excellent. 3/5. read more

Iris Is a cute little restaurant that's located in an old house. Lots of quaint charm and character. The servers are incredibly nice and attentive and the food is on the creative side. If you want typical local food this probably isn't the place for you, most of the food has some sort of twist on it. It's also quite expensive. I found the food tasty and beautifully plated but my one complaint is that all my food was served cold. I'd prefer less emphasis on playing and more emphasis on serving hot food. Other than that it was a nice experience. read more

Not good food. Certainly not worth what they charge. Good service, but but not good enough to distract from the absolutely flavorless food. That is the final time I give them my money. read more