Wine & Dine at Amelia Gene’s
Occasions to Eat
The River City has more than handful of fine dining restaurants that keep Memphians celebrating well and eating even better. From downtown to Germantown, we can be grateful for the first class chefs that call Memphis home, challenge our pallets, and keep our city on the cusp of innovative, delicious trends in the food world. Amelia Gene’s is just one of the many new fine dining experiences we can now enjoy…and wow, is it worth it!
The Vibe
As a lifelong Memphian, I can’t help but love it when a beautiful new restaurant, shop, museum, hotel…you name it…opens up in the heart of the city. 255 Front Street is the prime location for Amelia Gene’s; a historic building, former foundry, that was owned by the Ellis family of the Wiliam C. Ellis Machine Shop for over century. The restaurant pays homage to the former factory with exposed beams and unhindered architectural features, as well as a soaring ceiling that highlights the new, modern designs of the restaurant that have transformed machine shop into elegant eatery. The ambiance of the place is special. From the moment you step foot inside Amelia Gene’s, you know you’re about to experience something unique. The dimly but beautifully lit dining room sprawls beneath incredible glass light fixtures, the bar hums with servers mixing up handcrafted cocktails, and the other guests are dressed for an occasion. As one of the few restaurants in the city that requires a dress code, you know other diners are intentional about their visit. This is a place you go for an experience.
The Menu
Chef Jonathan Lazo hails from Memphis and his menu elevates American cuisine with surprising ease and decadence. Be prepared to try something new like his Foi Gras Macaron, Golden Potato Fondue with Truffle, or a Kaluga Caviar Beignet…and be prepared to keep ordering once you’ve tried a few of these gorgeous ‘Proper Bites’.
Starters feature Waygu Steak Tartar, Charred Octopus, or Bone Marrow with Fruit Preserves and the pasta course provides stunning handmade pastas that you can order as entrees or simply share on your way to the main offerings. Duck, Elk, and Steak stand out as Dinner options. But it’s absolutely necessary that you don’t over-indulge before the cheese cart. That’s right…Amelia Gene’s offers a gorgeous cheese cart…unique to the South and not to be missed. Finish off your night with their thoughtfully curated offering of cheeses and an after dinner cocktail or port. There’s nothing like it and there’s no better way to commemorate a special occasion.
The Experience
Your evening at Amelia Gene’s will not be rushed…one of the best things about fine dining is that it’s an investment; an investment of money, sure, but also of time. Reserve a table with someone (or a few someones) that you really love and be ready to spend a few hours enjoying drinks, perusing and sampling menu items, asking your knowledgeable server questions, and savoring every bite. The room, the menu, and the innovation of the place blends formal with approachable, elegant with delicious, and elevated with warm at every turn. It’s an upscale version of Memphis through and through. Make reservations at Amelia Gene’s.