My go-to restaurants in Memphis are Bluff City COFFEE in the morning; Mosa Asian Bistro, Holiday Deli, Lenny's, Soul Fish, Swanky's, Ciao Bella, Las Delicious and Amerigo for lunch or dinner and Cooper Street 20/20 for "take home and cook" prepared meals. I also love Bosco's, Cafe Ole, El Porton and Spindini for their patios in the summer. And when I want a change or date night, we may go to Houston's, Elfo's or Grove Grill. I still have not eaten at Acre, Sweet Grass, Iris, or probably anything that has opened since. Although I have been to Hog & Hominy twice.
I have come to realize that, while I usually frequent the same establishments, I also don't change up my order very often. For example, I have probably eaten the Combo Fried Rice and potstickers at Mosa the last 6-7 I've been (and sushi on Thursday nights) although everything on the menu is great. And at Ciao Bella, I have eaten bolagnese with italian spinach so much that the sous chef came out the other night and said "I thought that was your order." Yikes.
I remember that the Commercial Appeal came out with a list of 100 Things to Eat in Memphis before You Die last summer and I never gave it a second glance. I think that I may start making my way through that list. I claim to support local, but I'm not really sharing the love. I'll post back my experiences as I work my way through. Let's just hope this doesn't sabotage my other challenge of losing my baby weight. Hmmm.