Nan’s Trip to Iris

Special delivery blog from my mom Nancy Cheairs, who normally writes about her experiences at her art school the Flicker Street Studio.

My husband and I love to go to Restaurant Iris in Memphis, Tn.  Not only is the food delicious, the wait staff and chef are genuinely concerned about your enjoyment and satisfaction. The atmosphere is a remarkable mix of formal and funky.  White table clothes, beautiful stemware and lively music set at the perfect volume, makes for a festive, relaxed, and convivial evening out.  One really does feel at home at Restaurant Iris from the minute one walks in the door.

The menu is full of so many wonderful choices that it is hard to decide on one.  I started off with a beautiful salad topped with a mountain of fried oysters. A light drizzle of blue cheese dressing was the perfect complement to the crispy, delicate oysters.  Mind you, this salad was not on the menu, but when I told my waitress that I really wanted fried oysters, she described a brunch item, and the kitchen was glad to prepare it for my dinner.  Happy Customer!  My husband ordered a lobster knuckle sandwich which was scrumptious.

For the main course, I chose lamb and H chose veal.  Both were beautifully presented, bountiful, and extraordinary.  We didn’t talk much during our dinner.  After having such a gracious plenty, we decided to split a trio of sorbet for dessert. The combo for the night was Blood Orange, Coconut, and Cassis and man-o-man, it was perfectly delicious.  We were eating our sorbets one at a time until our waitress shared her secret to happiness:   a bite of blood orange with a bite of coconut or a bite of cassis with a bite of coconut– Oh my!  You will have to try it for yourself because I am thunderstruck when it comes to describing the cold , exotic, freshness of those yummy bites.

Thank you, thank you Kelly English and all who work at Restaurant Iris for providing such delectable food in a welcoming atmosphere!  We will be back to celebrate and enjoy!

-Nancy