Local

A Pleasant Surprise

On beautiful day last month, I decided to go out for lunch at Local Gastropub, a bar/restaurant that I rarely visit. I walk past it often when I'm going to places like the Flying Saucer, The Blind Bear or Bardog. For some reason, the social scene doesn't appeal to me and I don't know why. However, that didn't apply when I took my lunch break, for the objective was to satisfy my hunger. In choosing Local, I assumed that sliders were on the menu (which would have made it a subject of my next "Battle"), but I was wrong. Disappointed, I looked over the menu to see what Local offered. While doing this, I checked in on Foursquare, an app that tells your friends were you are and provides tips about your location. The latter played a key role in my decision on what to order, for one of my friends said the Local Burger was "amazing." Unlike fellow blogger Seth of Best Memphis Burger, this person isn't exactly a "foodie," just someone who likes to have fun. So if an average person (which I mean in a good way) is praising a burger, I felt that I should give it a try. Or rather, a second chance because I wasn't impressed with it when I had it a few years ago. It wasn't bad, but not good (or bad) enough to blog about. To be fair, I might not have been in the right state of mind when I had it, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Any reservations I had about the burger were erased when I took my first bite.

The Local Burger, while not "amazing" (I'll apply that tag to Roxie's), is very good. It starts with the meat, which is a lean ½ lb. patty of Donnell Farms dry aged ground beef that is nearly flawless. It didn't have much in the way of seasoning, but quality beef doesn't need it if it's properly prepared and cooked. Enclosing the beef and its toppings (including the Swiss cheese; other options are available) is a toasted egg bun that is "fresh," both figuratively and literally (I wonder if Bluff City Bakery makes this). The burger was nearly perfect, even though the excessive amount of mustard in it (made in-house) was distracting. Putting that flaw aside, the Local Burger is very comparable to The Majestic Grille's burger in terms of taste and overall quality. It seems that my friend knows a little something about food.

SIDE NOTE: Delicious garnishes such as fried egg and bacon can be added for two dollars more. Another option is foie gras ($5 extra), a delicacy that I wanted to add but couldn't afford.

In addition to the burger itself, there were other impressive things about my lunch. The fries, sprinkled with herbs and Parmesan cheese, was very delicious (and also similar to Majestic's). As a stand-alone item, the fries make for a great snack (or "bar food"), especially with ketchup or its very tasty mayo. I don't know if Local makes its mayo, but I'll praise it regardless. The mayo had a nice vinegar-like flavor to it and was creamy in texture. Unlike most mayonnaise that look gel-ish (to coin a phrase) and unappealing, the pleasant appearance of Local's mayo was enticing. Served in a cup, this "amazing" mayonnaise bolstered both the burger and fries. Overall, everything about my lunch was great and was well worth it.
I'm glad that I took the time to visit Local for lunch. It's a really nice bar/restaurant with a great atmosphere for socializing and relaxing. In addition to burgers, Local offers a nice selection of appetizers and entrées that most of my friends say are really good. Personally, I have never had a bad meal there and probably never will.

Website: www.LocalGastropub.com

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Bahama Breeze

Curry In A "Breeze"

With my baby sister visiting last week, my Mom wanted to take us to dinner. Usually, that means one of two places: Houston's or Bahama Breeze (her other favorites are take-out specialists Adline's Hot Wings Express and Cozy Corner, a very underrated barbecue restaurant). This time, my mother was in a festive mood for something Caribbean. Obviously, that meant another trip to Bahama Breeze.
When we got there, I was surprised at the number of people who were there on a Tuesday night. Despite that, we were seated immediately after arriving. Once we got to our tables, our server greeted and handed us menus that were very thick. For a Caribbean-themed restaurant, Bahama Breeze has an extensive menu that appeals to almost any taste. Given that this is a chain restaurant that aims for broad appeal, that didn't surprise me. However, me and my family decided to order Caribbean. I almost deviated when I saw that sliders were on the menu, but I eventually chose the West Indies Chicken Curry. After my recent experience with the "Curry Chicken" at City Market, I was curious about how Bahama Breeze's version compared to it.

Please forgive the picture's quality. Using a crappy, low-end smartphone, I can only do so
much. Hopefully, I'll soon have a digital camera that can render better photos.

The entrée had many of the ingredients of the curry that I had a month earlier (including Basmati rice and hummus... errrr, chickpeas). However, unlike the City Market's Indian-styled version that was very spicy due to chili pepper seasoning, the West Indies Chicken Curry goes in another direction. Instead of being spicy, Bahama Breeze's dish focuses on sweetness that comes from its roasted pineapple chutney. It is dominant throughout the curry and overwhelms everything else. The curry definitely has West Indian flair that impressed me. However, I wouldn't advise anyone to get it if they never had curry before. Traditionally, it is a South Asian dish that's meant to be spicy with a lot of cumin and turmeric seasoning. Those spices are barely noticeable in Bahama Breeze's version of it, so a person would be in for a big surprise in getting the "real deal" after experiencing a taste of the islands. As it is, the West Indies Chicken Curry is really good (especially with naan flatbread) and will appeal to most, as long as they are aware of what they're getting.
Both my Mom and sister seemingly enjoyed their dinners. Mom had the Bahamian Seafood Chowder with shellfish and vegetables. While I didn't bother my mother for her thoughts about it, her facial expression conveyed immense pleasure. Although didn't taste my Mom's chowder, I managed to get a sample of my sister's Jamaican Chicken Wings. Marinated with Jerk seasoning, the whole wings were tender and very spicy. Although I wouldn't drive across town to get them (even though my sister traveled from Dallas for it), the wings made a nice impression on me. I might consider ordering them whenever I revisit Bahama Breeze. In the end, it seemed that all of us were satisfied with our meals.

SIDE NOTE: In keeping with my policy of not intruding on dining companions, I didn't take pictures of my family's dinner. In lieu of that, I've posted a photo of Bahama Breeze's Jamaican Chicken Wings from The Daily Fork. Speaking of that, I'm surprised that fellow blogger Kevin of Burn My Mouth hasn't blogged about Jerk-seasoned food. Although I don't think Bahama Breeze's wings will ignite his mouth (although it fired me up), I'm curious about his opinion on Jamaican/West Indian cuisine.

To sum it up, my family and I had another great experience at Bahama Breeze. While it will never be my cup of tea, I don't mind going there if it makes my Mom happy. With me being single, I will always favor places like Bardog Tavern that caters primarily to an adult crowd. However, if I were to "settle down" and start my own family, a place like Bahama Breeze could serve well as nice alternative from the norm. With its great atmosphere and good service (although it's Wi-Fi connection is spotty), the restaurant is capable of mass appeal. It's definitely worth checking out.

Website: www.BahamaBreeze.com

SIDE NOTE: This dinner outing later led to a discussion about Memphis restaurants and the "chain"/local debate. I subsequently wrote about my Thoughts About "Chain" Restaurants.

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Thoughts About "Chain" Restaurants

While heading home with my family after having dinner at Bahama Breeze, my Mom lamented about the "lack" of restaurants in Midtown. Given the number of establishments within Overton Square alone, it was an unusual assertion from her. When I mentioned restaurants such as The Cupboard, Side Street Grill and Fresh Slices Sidewalk Deli (a black-owned business), my Mom was weary of those places. To her, those locally-owned establishments have no credibility because she has never heard of them. In my Mom's worldview, only "legitimate" brands like Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse and IHOP are the only ones that matter in the restaurant business (along with her favorite local take-out places). If that's the case, I strongly disagree.
In fact, my best experiences have come from so-called "mom-and-pop" restaurants where the owner(s) have a personal stake in all facets of the business. Just like I said in my review of Los Pilares, "chain" restaurants are more "corporate," run by managers more concerned about the "bottom line" than lending the personal touch that makes a restaurant unique. That extends to everything including the food, drinks, service and overall decor and atmosphere. Also, that includes getting to know the customers, especially the "regulars" who consistently bring in revenue. Knowing the intricacies of them such as favorite drinks, preferences for cooking an entrée and even a customer's temperament can make a difference in customer loyalty. With regards to the last point, I've personally found (or rather put) myself in situations where I wasn't the most, shall I say, "friendly" in some of my favorite bars like Max's, Bardog and others. In a "corporate" setting, I'm sure that I would've been given the boot and banned from returning. However, local restaurants and bars where the owners and workers know their "regulars" can sense when one of them is having a bad night and will likely cut him/her some slack. As long as the person isn't damaging anything or harassing other customers, they know that everything will work out in the end. To put it in another way, local restaurants care more about their customers than "chains" who only see things from a numbers perspective. I don't have anything against "chain" restaurants, it's just that I'll never be a fan of them.
The one exception to the "chain" rule is The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium that's based in Fort Worth, Texas. Despite the number of "Flying Saucers" throughout the South and Midwest, each one is uniquely tailored for its community. For example, the Flying Saucer in Memphis' Cordova neighborhood is more of a restaurant that caters both to families and beer connoisseurs who are simply trying to unwind after a long day of work. Having been there a few times, I definitely felt like I was in "Cordova" as opposed to festive Downtown Memphis. The layout of the place doesn't include things like a stage for music acts and a pool table, items featured in its Downtown location. Even the menu is slightly different, for "Cordova" serves burgers and seafood "baskets" that has more appeal to kids than its Peaboby Place counterpart. Personally, the biggest difference between Memphis's two Flying Saucers is the personnel. To me, the staff at the Cordova is a little more "reserved" than its sister restaurant/bar. Unlike the Downtown location were the bartenders and waitstaff are very engaging with customers, the personnel at the Cordova location are more laid-back and focused on service. Quite often at the Downtown Saucer, I'm welcomed by people who briefly chat with me before getting me a beer (usually the daily "Fire Sale"). I also like that the bartenders and servers seem to have more fun at work, to the bemusement of patrons like myself (this is probably the reason why I spend so much time there). Before I go on, I'm not implying that the waitstaff at either Flying Saucer is either more or less professional than the other, but rather that the two places cater to its unique clientele. As it relates to the Downtown Saucer, it has to have personnel with experience of dealing with adults who are more focused on drinking and the consequences involved with that. That includes those who occasionally visit Downtown from the suburbs and "regulars" who love drinking lots of beer (especially when served by ladies in short skirts). So, while Memphis' two Flying Saucers share the same name, they are two different places with regards to atmosphere and character. Unlike a similar "chain" like Hooters, there's a lot of variety among the "links" of the Flying Saucer. If more "chains" allowed its management the autonomy and flexibility to create the perfect environment for its customers, people like myself might be more willing to embrace it as part of the community. Hopefully, restaurant chains like the Flying Saucer will set the example for others to follow.
Getting back to what my Mom said, I hope someday that she will see the light about locally-owned restaurants. I believe that she is depriving herself by ignoring places that would appreciate her business. I will do my part to change her opinion by treating her to places that I think she will like. For example, instead of going to Bahama Breeze, maybe dinner at Evelyn & Olive will satisfy her Caribbean craving with a little local hospitality. As for her love of Houston's, hopefully a trip to Restaurant Iris will convince her that Memphis-based restaurants are very competitive with regards to quality. If my efforts can sway her, I'm confident that she'll become a local "regular" of a restaurant who will truly appreciate her. In doing so, she will break the "chains!"

SIDE NOTE: I would be remiss if I didn't mention a blog devoted to supporting local restaurants. Eat Local Memphis reviews local restaurants, announces culinary events happening in the area and talks about other issues related to Memphis cuisine.

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Miss Polly's

Waffling Opinion

One of the benefits of working near Memphis’ Beale Street is having access to the assortment of touristy honky-tonk joints that mostly serve Barbecue, Cajun/Creole and Soul Food. Among this group is Miss Polly’s Soul City Café, whose signature dish is the Chicken and Waffle. The entrée is fascinating to me because I don’t see how fried poultry and a yeast-battered pastry soaked in maple syrup go together. I’ve tried eating this in the past at other places and never got satisfaction from consuming both elements at the same time. Seasoned fried chicken and a sweet waffle come off as a mismatch, for the flavors of the two conflict harshly. But despite the illogic of it, chicken and waffles is a popular American dish. So in the interest of this blog, I’d decided to try Miss Polly’s version of it to see if the entrée would change my opinion.

The Chicken and Waffle was as good as I expected. The "waffle" portion of the entrée consists of a huge Belgian waffle that was decent yet out-of-place in a Southern diner (the pancake batter-based American waffle is the choice of most restaurants that serve the entrée). Compared to other places that I've had it, the yeast-battered waffle was average in terms of taste and texture.
The same goes for the chicken breast, for the seasoning consisted of the usual spices associated with fried chicken. The meat was tender and juicy, complementing the eggs and grits that I got as sides. However, when I tried eating both the chicken and waffle together, I got the same clash of flavors that I experienced in the past. So for me, I will never see the light about chicken and waffles as a single entrée. By themselves, the two items are good, but not good together. This is not a knock on Miss Polly’s, but rather it’s that my palette isn’t down with it.

For me, the best part of the Chicken and Waffle dish from Miss Polly’s is one of the sides. The entrée comes with eggs cooked any way a person wants it. Scrambled eggs is my preference, but not to the point where it’s impossible to pick up with a fork. To that end, Miss Polly’s did an excellent job with it, for the eggs were soft yet firm enough to cut into. I also liked that it was lightly seasoned, allowing the flavor of the eggs to shine. The scrambled eggs are great on its own and even better with sausage and grits. In future visits, I might choose this as an entrée over Miss Polly’s premier dish.

Grits were the other side item that I ordered. The side wasn’t any better or worse than most places and I’m not a huge fan of it. However, the grits are better than its alternative, the home fries. I don’t like them because of the charring around the edges. When I had them with the gravy-laden Down South Skillet Scramble, I needed three margarine condiments to take the edge off the burnt taste. If I had gotten it with the Chicken and Waffle, it might have ruined my meal. Fortunately, the grits meshed well with everything, including the syrup-saturated waffle.
Overall, Miss Polly’s Chicken and Waffle is a nice entrée that will appeal to most. Although my personal tastes will never fully embrace it, I can approach it as a two-course meal if I’m really hungry. By the way, Miss Polly’s has other good entrées that will satisfy the appetite (a friend told me that the meatloaf is really good). However, the Chicken and Waffle is a unique experience that I urge others to try.

SIDE NOTE: For those who regularly read this blog, some changes in design have been made. My intention was to make it more user-friendly by condensing and arranging content in a newspaper-style format. Unfortunately, it is still a work in progress, which might lead me to taking the advice of an occasional drinking buddy who is a programmer for Wordpress. As many know, Wordpress provides the publishing platform for many blogs such as I Love Memphis, a website that has a design that I want to emulate. My friend assured me that Wordpress' software is easy to use, which might convince me to switch over from Blogger. If my troubles continue with this blog's makeover, that is exactly what I'll do. Wish me luck!

Website: www.MissPollysMemphis.com

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Alchemy

Burger Gold

When it comes to reviewing restaurants, inspiration (or coincidence in some cases) can come from many sources. With regards to Alchemy, guess who/what inspired it. Word of mouth from friends? Nope. An online review? Nah. A chance encounter while on a temporary job assignment? Uh-uh. One of my favorite South Park characters? No. A beautiful and sexy waitress? Wrong. For this review, I owe it all to Chef. And no, it's not this guy, but rather Chef Jason Doty. Jason is the executive chef of Bluff City Bakery (sister company of Bluff City Coffee) who invited me to dinner after reading my last installment of The Battle of The Downtown Memphis Sliders. He wanted me to try Alchemy's Donnell Century Farms Beef Sliders featuring brioche buns from Bluff City Bakery. I had always intended to visit the restaurant, so I gladly accepted Jason's invitation.

Alchemy, like many restaurants in Memphis' Cooper-Young neighborhood, is an upscale establishment that caters to the young and hip. The eatery specializes in Modern American cuisine in the form of tapas, which are small entrées that are usually served with wine and cocktails. One positive about this style of service is the many combinations of food that one could potentially come up with for a meal. It can get expensive if a person has a huge appetite, but it might be worth it if the quality is as good as Alchemy's. Speaking of huge appetites, Alchemy's sliders are very satisfying because the three little burgers are a hearty meal by themselves.

Alchemy's sliders consist of Donnell Century Farms ground beef and topped with pimento cheese. The choice of cheese was a departure from what I normally see on a burger. However, given that Alchemy's nearby competitor Next Door also has a pimento burger, the cheese seems to be trending in Cooper-Young. Although I initially found it to be an odd choice, it actually works well for the burger. The pimento's pastiness allows it to blend well into the beef, resulting in a creamy fusion of flavor. Speaking of the beef, its best quality was the leanness of it. As far as I could tell, the fat content of the beef was low, which translates into high quality meat. Obviously, Alchemy doesn't skimp on meat or other ingredients, matching restaurants like The Majestic Grille in terms of quality. Even though the meat and cheese combo was great, it wasn't even the best part of the sliders.

If the pimento cheese and ground beef are the Brad Pitt and Jamie Foxx of Alchemy's sliders, then the brioche bun is its Christoph Waltz (I know I'm mixing two Quentin Tarantino movies into one metaphor). Normally, I don't talk about the bun when I review a burger. To me, it's a support piece that keeps everything together. Occasionally, I find a bun good enough to give special mention. The brioche bun from Bluff City Bakery is the perfect choice for Alchemy's slider. The bun's fluffiness and sweet dough flavor can go well with almost anything. With regards to pimento cheese, the bun meshes well with it, even without ground beef. The sesame seeds that top it add a nice touch to it, rounding out a well crafted bread roll. The bun made the difference in the sliders being great as opposed to merely good. For that, I give kudos to Chef Jason and his staff for making one of the best burger buns in Memphis.

From top left, going clockwise: Donnell Century Farms Beef Sliders, Shrimp & Grits,
Smoked Salmon, Capers and other sides, and Caramel Apple Creme Brûlée.
Photo taken by Jason Doty



In addition to the sliders, Jason and I had appetizers and dessert. While the appetizers (salmon, capers, etc.) were okay, the dessert was superb. It consisted of three dollops of some of the best cheesecake that I've ever had. I started off with the Pumpkin. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, it tasted like its pie counterpart that most are familiar with. Proceeding down the line, my second piece was the Dulce di Leche, which had a sweet minty flavor accentuated by the dusting of nuts sprinkled over them. Last but not least, the Maple was a delight to eat. Covered with maple syrup and topped with pecans, it had a nice mix of nutty and sweet flavor. It was sort of like eating a Stuckey's Pecan Log from back in the day (geez, I'm getting old). In all, the cheesecake dessert was great and will have me coming back for more.

The dessert was a nice ending to a fabulous dinner at Alchemy. I want to thank Chef Jason for treating me to dinner, and I hope to return the favor someday. As for my impression of Alchemy, I can say nothing but positive things about it. The food at Alchemy is first class. From entrées such as Roasted Artichoke Hearts with Baby Arugula to its meaty and spicy Chorizo and Louisiana Mac 'n Cheese, you're not likely to find anything bad on Alchemy's menu. The décor of the place is very comforting and artsy, which fits in with the Cooper-Young atmosphere. It's good enough to keep me coming back, which I will try to do often.

Website: www.alchemymemphis.com

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Second Street Shoppers

Side Note on Roids

For those who follow this blog on a regular basis, you know that I occasionally go off-topic while writing reviews. Whenever I do this, I put it in a separate paragraph (or two) and designate it as a “Side Note.” About 95% of the time, the commentary is at least somewhat related to the subject I’m reviewing. The topics are wide-ranging, yet all having the common thread of being my personal thoughts. For example, for the occasional comparison of other food that either rivals or is in some way related to the subject:

Slider Inn’s Lobster Roll tasted different than I expected. I assumed the Maine lobster meat would be laden with lots of mayo. To the contrary, it only had a little of it and a lot of lemon flavor. Personally, I thought the lemon took a bit from the lobster’s taste. Despite that, the Lobster Roll was enjoyable and a pleasure to eat. When I order it again, I’ll have the bar go light on the lemon while adding malt vinegar to it. As it is, the Lobster Roll is a good sandwich.

If I’m hanging out at the Flying Saucer with one of my favorite Beer Goddesses prior to dining elsewhere, I might say:

Tiffany is one of the happiest people I know. Her cheerful smile always lights up a room and it rubs off on others. So, I hope she’s available to serve my next Plate Party at the Saucer (a reward for drinking 200 different beers). With her charming personality, she will (if she hasn’t done it already) win over all of my friends attending it.

Because this is a food blog, I sometimes use “Side Notes” to review non-food items that was at least somewhat related to the dining experience:

Taxi Magic is a great smartphone app to have if you ever need a cab in Memphis. If you don’t mind having a $30 “hold” on your credit/debit card and waiting little over an hour, the app is a nice alternative to dealing directly with the cab companies. The “hold” on your credit/debit account drops within two business days if you pay with cash. For me, this works out fine, for it allows me to travel to more places and keeps my spending in check. The “hold” is no concern to me because it's close to the equivalent of outstanding tips that I give at various bars and restaurants during a two-day span (I guess some black people actually tip). This is definitely an app that I can give a stamp of approval to.

Sometimes, when a certain “fan” reacts whenever I’m out, I might respond with something like this:

It’s ironic that someone who accuses me of conjuring up a “fantasy girlfriend” has creepy photos of the aforementioned woman. It seems that he’s doing his own “fantasizing,” if you know what I mean.

SIDE NOTE: During the time that wrote this review, “Mr. Fantasy” has had a lot to say about me on his blog. Instead of responding to it here, which will distract from this review, I’ve chosen to put my remarks here. By the way, my response and what I’ve said here will be the last time that I will talk about this guy on my blog. Unless he cooked a crappy cheeseburger or messed up a rack of ribs, nothing more needs to be said about him.

As you can see, I have opinions about a lot of stuff. Although I have thought about starting a personal blog, I've shied away from it because of the amount of time it would take to maintain it. So for now, I'm sticking strictly to food because that's my favorite topic. I might reconsider my stance about personal blogging in the future, depending on my needs and wants.
Getting back to Second Street Shoppers, my original intention was to highlight its delicious chicken tenders in a "Side Note" of my review of City Market. But as I was writing it, the mini-review led to mentioning things like the store's small dining area. Before I knew it, I had written a complete review. It was surprising to me that a smoothie run for a friend would lead to two reviews.
While Second Street Shoppers doesn't make smoothies (it sells them in bottles), it offers decent food for a convenience store. The one item that stands out is the chicken tenders, which are some of the best that I've found outside of a restaurant. They can be ordered either as a three-piece or six-piece, depending on your appetite. Given the size of the huge pieces, the three-piece is good enough for me. Although not quite as good as its neighbor Kooky Canuck (but better than the Flying Saucer) Second Street Shoppers' tenders consist of chicken breast strips that are lightly breaded and seasoned with spices akin to fried chicken served at places like The Four Way. Most importantly, the chicken tenders are, well, tender. The tenderness is perfect, for the chewy meat seemingly melts in my mouth. Compared to other nearby places, the chicken tenders at Second Street Shoppers can hold its own.

Since writng this, I've discovered that my friend (who has a lot of restaurant experience)
likes Second Street Shoppers' tenders.

So far, I haven't had anything else that Second Street Shoppers serves like sandwiches and pizza slices. But even if the rest of the convenience store's food offerings aren't as good the chicken tenders, its prices are low enough for poor guys like me to afford. For example, three chicken tenders cost $3.54. If you add to it a small bag of chips and a soda, entire meal will cost less than six dollars. Granted, one can't expect too much, but it works out well for those on a budget. However, I won't use cost as the sole criteria for determining were to eat. But on days when I'm short on cash, Second Street is not a bad option. And if chicken tenders are on the menu, I know that I'm about to have a good day.

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City Market

Curry In A Hurry

About a week and a half ago, while hanging out at the Flying Saucer, one of my favorite Saucer Girls wanted me to run an errand for her. Kelly, one of the sexiest, most knowledgeable and hardest working bartenders/servers (or as I like to call them, “waitresses”) that I know, needed something to keep her going. In this case, it was a bottle of 5-Hour Energy and a smoothie. So, I headed over to Second Street Shoppers to get the things that Kelly wanted. While finding the 5-Hour Energy was easy, acquiring the smoothie was more difficult, or so I thought. Kelly wanted a smoothie that comes in a bottle, as opposed to a freshly made one. With me not being a smoothie drinker, I was unfamiliar with the forms that the beverage comes in. So with the convenience store not making them, I headed off to another store to get Kelly’s smoothie.
After leaving Second Street Shoppers, I quickly weighed my options about where to go next. Fortunately, the first place that came to mind was City Market because of the smoothie painting displayed on its window. This wasn’t the first time that I’ve been there, but my previous visits were brief. I usually would get coffee or juice but never anything to eat. This time, while waiting for my friend’s smoothie, I wandered through the store to see what it offered. In short, City Market is almost the equivalent of a miniature Whole Foods Market. Like the supermarket chain, City Market sells organic vegetables, unique grocery items like Indian chutney, and deli products. From the deli, one can also order sandwiches featuring Boar’s Head meats and plate lunches/dinners. After observing what City Market had, I decided to have lunch there the next day.

SIDE NOTE: Although Kelly was shocked when I brought her the strawberry and banana smoothie, she was very pleased with what she got. I was happy to do it for her, because she has proven herself as one of the few friends that I have. I’m very fortunate to have a friend who will accept me as I am, regardless of social and financial status. Compared to most of my “friends,” Kelly is an honest person who I wish nothing but the best.

With my intention of ordering lunch at City Market, I decided to follow a theme, Since the owners of the place are Indian, I got the chicken curry (called “Curry Chicken”) with the Three Bean Salad and Basmati Rice as sides. My order was ready almost immediately after I placed it. The aroma of the curry was enticing, giving me high hopes for a good meal. It didn’t disappoint, for the spices common to the dish like cumin and turmeric were present along with a lot of chili pepper seasoning. The chicken, chopped in small pieces, was very tender and mixed well with the curry. In terms of flavor, I got very little from the rice and the Three Bean Salad consisting of red onions, kidney and green beans and chickpeas (the deli’s cooks called it hummus, which later became a bad omen). However, both sides complemented the curry well, making it a nice meal that I’ll likely order again.

Burger Tartar

A couple of weeks later, I went back to City Market for lunch. Like with my first visit, I had an Indian themed meal. This time, I got the Bollywood Burger with kettle-fried potato chips and a dill pickle. Giddy about getting the burger, I violated a cardinal rule. Whenever I order a burger, I never ask how I want it cooked. I prefer letting the restaurant offer that option to me. If it doesn't ask for a preference, then it's likely that the restaurant can only make it one way. When I insist on a preference from a place like that, I rarely get what I want. Most of the time, the end result is a burger that is either too raw or overcooked. Usually that doesn't bother me, but my first Bollywood Burger was the exception.
It's not often that I'm caught completely off guard. When I got City Market's Bollywood Burger, I had certain expectations. As with any burger, I expect the meat to be brown on the outside, an indication that the kitchen cooked both sides of the ground beef. Unfortunately, the kitchen staff at City Market got it literally half right. While one side of the beef patty appeared brown (very hard to tell with the cheese covering it), the other side was damn near raw. When I saw it, many thoughts ran through my mind like "what the f#¿%!" I don't want to accuse City Market's kitchen staff of incompetence, but it went numbskull with my burger. After thinking it over, I decided to take a chance in eating it. I would not have done it if I wasn't on my lunch break from work, but I didn't have enough time for a do over. The burger, topped with pickles, a tomato slice and American cheese (and red onions, which I removed), had a lot of Indian flavor but it was hard to appreciate because of the meat. The grittiness of the nearly raw ground beef was off-putting and not enjoyable. Compared to City Market's curry, the burger was a disappointment because I expected better from the highly praised deli.

SIDE NOTE: By comparison, the terrible cheeseburger that I had at The Arcade several years ago looked normal. Even though the burger tasted nasty, Arcade's kitchen staff put in the effort to cook it properly.

Like the crappy burger that I had at The Arcade, I was about to chalk up the Bollywood Burger as a bad experience and move on. However, after tweeting about it, City Market responded by offering me a complementary burger cooked the way I wanted. I was reluctant to accept the offer, but I felt the deli deserved another chance. Besides, I brought troubles on myself by specifying what I wanted. This time, City Market won't have any excuses if it screwed up again.

When I got the second Bollywood Burger, I didn't give City Market advanced notice of my arrival. I simply got it as a to-go order like I would from anywhere else. In calling it in, I simply stated that I wanted the burger. I didn't make any special requests, for I wanted the burger as the deli intended it. This time around, the cooks at City Market got it right. The meat of it was cooked "well done" although red specks were present inside of it. Seasoned with spices that I'm unfamiliar with, the ground beef had a pleasantly sour flavor that appealed to me. Along with cheese, pickles and a tomato slice within a run-of-the-mill bun, the Bollywood Burger turned out well. Although I won't put it among the top places in Memphis for burgers, City Market has one that's worthy of an occasional visit. Of course, I'll have to remember not to get anything special with it.

SIDE NOTE: I want to thank the deli’s owners for treating me to another burger, which was something that they didn’t have to do. Most restaurants would have blown it off, but obviously the folks at City Market care about its reputation.

From my recent visits to City Market, my overall impression is positive. Although the competency of the kitchen staff is questionable, the deli serves good food at affordable prices. Compared to other Memphis restaurants serving Indian food, City Market holds its own in terms of quality and affordability. For those who work and/or live in Downtown Memphis, City Market is a decent alternative for those seeking something different. As long as expectations aren't high, most will not find disappointment in what they get from the grocery/deli. I like it, and I believe others will too.

Website: www.CityMarketMemphis.com

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