This is an amazing elegant Memphis in restaurant. It is named after the chef, who did walk around and talk to us during our meal, which was, of course, a nice touch. At the start of the meal, they walk around and offer you fresh bread. They have a brown one and I white bread. The brown one was much better than the other one. Then they gave us a complimentary amuse-bouche (which is to whet your appetite). I can't remember what ours was, however. One member of our party ordered the saffron crawfish bisque, which to me, was amazing! A great soup. Another person ordered a lemon grass soup. He loved it, but I thought it was just ok. Then we each got a complimentary sorbet to cleanse our palate. One person ordered the Dover Sole Meunière with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat. Fish with more seafood. Yum. One person ordered the rack of lamb. It was very tasty. It comes with a pecan, mustard, garlic, and molasses crust. Per the server's recommendation, I had to order the filet of buffalo tenderloin with lobster Bearnaise. I love a good rare steak and this one was melt in your mouth, and it combined some lobster chunks! Seafood and steak is the perfect combo! For dessert, we split the chocolate souffle. It came with a milk chocolate cream that we dumped in the center. It was so rich, but so good. Sinfully good. We were each given a complimentary dessert square at the end of the meal. The prices seem high, but they really give you plenty of small courses that are complimentary. The service is also impeccable, and the food is to die for. It is really that good.
(5)
Kyle C.
This is likely one of Memphis' nicest, if not the nicest, dining establishments. I have eaten here over a handful of times. If you like upscale dining, uncompromising service, and cutting edge recipes with impeccable presentation, then EJ is the place you need to go. The wine list is extensive and provides a multitude of selections to compliment the outstanding cuisine. If you're unsure of what wine to order, just ask; the helpful and attentive staff is very knowledgeable and can provide you with a satisfying selection. I will not waste time pointing out any of the individual appetizers, salads, or entrees that are offered by EJ because, suffice it to say, that everything is absolutely outstanding, without compromise. The price point is admittedly on the upper end. However, I have never felt slighted by the food-to-price ratio at EJ when it is combined with the high quality nature of the ingredients, the superb preparation/presentation, and the unparalleled taste of each dish. Bottom line...if you are a foodie, a true foodie, this is your place to visit for superb food and a superb dining experience in Memphis. Five stars. One caveat...some reviewers have noted "off nights" and problems with their visits. This can happen, and I have experienced it, although only once, at EJ. However, this is not the reputation that should be attached to this restaurant. It is great. Period. Eat there. Soon.
(5)
Jessica-Autumn A.
We went for valentines dinner. No one had told us, but the menu was fixed with only 3 choices for a main course, a choice of 2 different soups/salad and no choice for desert. It was crap. I ordered my meat medium well and it came out rare. The desert was a chocolate strawberry thing that probably was purchased and shipped from some factory in Brooklyn..Who knows, but it was also 85$$ a plate.
(1)
SouthernFoodie M.
My husband has gone for work numerous times... And raves. Decided it warranted a visit on their Sunday's are Special prix fixe for my bday. It did not disappoint! We had Jana as our server and she was great. The wine list is actually very good.... Bottles from $25 or so to $300! I had the lobster mac, buffalo.... And went into food coma!! I couldn't eat dessert as I was so full and they thoughtfully packaged it up for me. Chef was on the floor and asking how people were.... Always a good sign of a solid place. When am I going back??!?!
(5)
Anthony D.
A fantastic experience!!! I kick myself for not having made trip before now.....menu is well planned, presentation is great and service is the whisper elegant service with a service team that actually knows food and wine!! A delight and a return trip are certainly in order.... I say, 'et voila' well done....
(5)
Paul W.
I have eaten here several times over the past year. Most recently, I had a 25th anniversary celebration here in June. I steered my friends from New Orleans to the meat entrees. Everyone came away impressed. Perhaps I am a seafood snob, but I have not been impressed with the oyster salad or the crab meat dishes I have eaten here. I think this is due to the fact that it is 1) hard to get really fresh seafood in Memphis, and 2) the community standards for seafood here are much lower than in New Orleans (just saying). All this being said, this is a wonderful restaurant and it is a perfect place for a "special occasion." I find that all of the meat dishes are wonderful, and deserve 5 stars. If you are not used to obtaining and eating very fresh seafood, you might find the seafood here quite good. The foie gras is spectacular! I can't wait to go back just for this appetizer! Highly recommended with the aforementioned caveats.
(5)
Hope C.
Just had my 40th bday dinner with my big sis and it was a great meal and ambience. I had the Friday wine dinner special that is paired with different fabulous wines for each dish. We started with jumbo crab in hollandaise sauce. It was good but nothing special. Next time I'm getting fois gras or escargot. Next started the four dishes from part of the wine dinner, including a scallop starter, duck pappardelle, and Wagyu steak. The crepe cake desert was to die for. Overall, great meal but would recommend my sisters rack of lamb dish because it was the most flavorful dish and beautifully presented. One little complaint that can be seen as being snotty is that a customer sat next to us in a frumpy t shirt and shorts and it ruined the ambience and the special fine dining event that my sister paid good mine for...so, with that said, there's no dress code but wish there was.
(4)
Robin B.
Both kids were spending the night out at friends' houses, so I saw a date night opportunity, no sitter required! My husband and I consider ourselves foodies, and our favorite restaurant in Memphis is Restaurant Iris. It is the standard by which we compare all other restaurants. The pace is different at EJs, they give you a moment to order a drink and sip it before laying the menu and ordering process on you. The wine list was a little slim, I must say! Our salad was gritty, as it the lettuce hadn't been washed well- I know it's tough to get the grit out of butter lettuce. Our server was great, but I can't remember her name. She packaged up our ice cream in a ziploc full of ice so that it would make it home, and I ended up eating my blueberry marzipan cobbler over the course of 2 breakfasts. Anyway, I felt as though the side dish of risotto was not worth $18. My husband agreed. Our server let us know when we left (very full), that they have brunch specials on Sundays that we might enjoy. The bread and butter were very good- seeded with maybe soaked nuts or seeds. Delicious, and the sweet butter is monogrammed. For the perfect meal, I'd take the server from EJ's to Restaurant Iris, where we'd save so much money we could buy her a meal, too.
(4)
Amanda G.
Wow, wow, wow! Such a *fancy* place, and so humbly magnificent! Classy service (the valet guy even watched my friend & I go to our cars---so nice), delectable food!!!!!! (the kahlua dessert was divine), and a warm ambiance. Cannot wait to go back!!! I wish I could give it 6 stars! Definitely the best restaurant in Memphis!
(5)
Shane S.
It just does not get any better when it comes to fine dining in Memphis. The bar is also a great adventure with a wonderful bar tender and amusing and interesting patrons. On Wednesdays they have half price bison burgers! I had the truffle mac and cheese with lump crab that I wanted to bathe in! It was incredible. The staff is the best in Memphis and the food is innovative and keeps you coming back to see what else Chef Jensen has up his sleeve.
(5)
Gina P.
I went for the half priced bison burger on Wednesday. The burger was great and huge and was served with a large serving of fries. Before I had the fried green tomatoes with a caper remoulade sauce that was great. I wasn't able to finish my burger as the appetizer was huge. You also receive pork skins and kale chips complementary. Next time I return, I will try the Truffle Mac & Cheese with crab.
We live in Texas and for most special occasions we travel to Memphis to have a fine dining experience at Erling Jensen. The atmosphere is intimate and the chef comes out to say hello to us every time we have been here. The food is simply amazing... so good! We wish we could find a fine dining experience like this here in Texas.
(5)
Amanda G.
I don't know where to start but lets see. Hostess - very friendly and welcoming The bar - the waitress was very accommodating and even recommended great drinks Table - we didn't have a reservation so we waited for like 15 minutes until they found a table for us. We got one of the rooms. Very classy. I loved the PiCassio paintings everywhere. The chairs were comfortable. We were there for like close to 4 hours and didn't have back pain The food - everything we tasted was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were fresh and crisp. The food took long to come but that meant they were making everything fresh. The chef came to say hi to our table but unfortunately we couldn't compliment him too much because that was before we had our mains and dessert. Parking - Valet parking staff were very friendly One of our favs in Memphis
(5)
Chris A.
Phenomenal meal and service! Yana's service was exceptional and topped off with the Chef visiting our table.
Absolutely loved this place! I went there for a reunion dinner; not only we got one of THE best foods in town, we also got to experience the great art work and personality that an amazing chef puts in his restaurant and service! Small yet elegant! Professional yet personal! What a fantastic dining experience!!! Would love to go back again and next time, we are going to take a picture with the amazing chef and owner Erling Jensen ;)
(5)
Frank Y.
Rating system: 5 stars - Must try. You're really missing out if you don't. I'm either a regular here, repeat patron, or would be if it wasn't cost or distance prohibitive 4 stars - Highly recommended, but may have minor things that keep me from being a regular 3 stars - Good most of the time but not great. Will only eat here if I have a particular craving, or am unable to eat at my 4 or 5 star choices 2 stars - Do not really like it but will only eat here if I have to (eating group overruled my veto) 1 star - Avoid. Save your money, time, and stomach Came in on March 29th due to positive reviews on Yelp and the fact that it was a restaurant we had not yet tried. We had high expectations going in. We were probably one of the first customers there for the evening so we were a little apprehensive, but customers started flowing in not too long afterwards. One of my "tests" for a restaurant's food, is to ask the waiter what they recommend. I cannot stress how annoying it is when waiters are either unfamiliar with all of the items on the menu, or do not care enough about the food to give personal recommendations and just say "everything is good." Our waiter, however, was familiar with most of the menu, and it was apparent that he had at least tasted many of the items on the menu. We went with some of his favorites, which included the quail appetizer (excellent flavor and was perfectly fried - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside), mountain elk (perfect medium-rare. I'm assuming this was cooked sous vide), and turbot (very delicious fish that literally melts in your mouth). All of these dishes were spot on and I almost always have something nitpicky to say about any restaurant I goto, even my favorites. Everything from our dishes, to the little accompaniments (I really liked the palate cleansing lemon sorbet), to our dessert, a blueberry cobbler, was top notch. If I HAD to say something negative, it would be that the little pastry given after our dessert was a little on the hard side (it had corners, so hurt a little to eat it all as one bite) but the filling was delicious. Out of all our "first times" at any fine dining restaurant, this was the best one. Compliments to the chef and also to the waitstaff, who made sure our water never dipped below 3/4 full and kept the bread (the walnut wheat bread was very good) coming until it was clear we could not eat any more.
(5)
Joy C.
I wanted to love this spot but have very mixed feelings..Valentines Day dinner and was I pumped!!!! It was a fixed menu which I dread but wegave it a shot. Everybody hyped us up about this place, but I was slightly disappointed. 4 course meal was offered..some were demolished, but others were barely touched..the good thing about it was we had the best server ever!! And he smoothed things over so we would not have complained... Might need to go back when they offer the regular menu.
(3)
Raymond B.
A gem in the Memphis restaurant landscape. Tucked away in a small neighborhood, valet parking at the door of a house converted to restaurant, and a great hostess are all a piece of the inviting nature of the place. The preferred location to eat is up at the bar with regulars, and to order "what's special tonight?" The cocktails are creative and well done (despite sometimes a bit of a novice can be behind the bar), the wine selection is very good, and the food is excellent. Erling is an unassuming and quiet gentlemen who will come through the restaurant regularly to ask how your meal is. Most people don't realize he's the chef/owner, as he is typically dressed in dark colors like the rest of his kitchen and waitstaff. He is creative in the culinary offerings that are on the menus, and despite the fact that you'll pay a bit more here than most places in Memphis, you'll also get quite a lot more. Enjoy!
(5)
Prateek G.
I had the scallops for the entree. Good but nothing special. Lobster appetizer was good.
(4)
Rita D.
Every single thing about this place is divine. The food, the service & people watching is an added bonus. Place to see & be seen. One our favorite places. Perfect date night!
(5)
T S.
Excellent atmosphere, menu and straff. You eat here to impress a potential significant other or business venture. It is very intimate.
(5)
Jeffrey J.
This was my 5th time here and he never disappoints, I had the elk with pheasant sausage gravy and red cabbage cooked in apple cider and it was wonderful. Melt in your mouth, this man does not disappoint
(5)
Thuy N.
Went here with a couple of co-workers on a Friday night because they were raving about this place. It's in a cute little house and is quite small of a restaurant. They do have a full bar, so if you don't make reservations you can eat at the bar. There is also valet parking available. The food here was average for me, but the complementry bread and butter was yummy, but not impressive for a steakhouse. What I ordered: Fried oysters for appetizer - it was heavily battered and hurt the roof of my mouth eating this, and you could barely taste the oysters Filet steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus - The steak was nothing special and was completely covered in sauce....from my experience a great steak needs no sauce because it is seasoned and cooked well that you can experience great flavor from the juices of the steak. This was not the case this time. Blueberry cobbler with cinnamon ice cream - the cobbler topping was good, but the blueberry filling had too much of an almond extract taste to it, which I'm not too much of a fan. Overall, the bill was in the $$$ and not much to show for it. I would rather dine at Flight in downtown for this price.
(3)
Curtis B.
Big portions. Big bill. Worth every penny. Erling is one of our 2 favorite restaurants in Memphis. Maybe anywhere. So be prepared because I'm going to gush. First, the service. It is impeccable. But this is an experience, not a quick meal. You won't be rushed. You don't want to be rushed. An amuse-bouche with the cocktails to start. A palate cleanser before dessert. This is a full French dining experience. If you don't know what to expect, that's ok. No pretension here. This is a great place to experience French cuisine for experts and novices alike. To the food. The portions are enormous. You won't be able to finish an appetizer, salad, and entree alone, but if you are up to it order it all. You'll have the best leftovers ever! Try the lobster pancake because it is one of the best dishes in the city. I had a venison special that just stopped me in my tracks. Perfectly rare. Melted in my mouth. Try to save room for dessert. The blueberry cobler will stain your teeth...it does every time....but sooo worth it! Wine appeared perfectly on time with each course. Water glasses were filled magically. The chef came out...three times...just to check. Mr. Jensen, if you read this, I'm still dreaming of the venison. I added in the reservation that it was our anniversary and our dessert was served with a Happy Anniversary and both of our names written in chocolate. The wine list is excellent, with several half bottles available in addition to a solid by-the-glass list and a full bottle list to please the snobbiest wine drinkers. Come hungry. Allow ample time. This is a 2 hour meal at a minimum. It will not be cheap. You will leave thinking about the next special occasion where you can splurge one one of the finest dining experiences in this great city.
(5)
Craig M.
Where can I start, this place was a nice experience. We went for my birthday and it was a great place for a special occasion. I started with the Foie gras and I really don't even have words to explain how good this is, also this is the only place in town that I have been able to find that serves it. The Foie melts in your mouth, my wife had the lobster pancake that was good also but we both agreed the Foie Gras was amazing. I had the Kobe Wagyu Steak and I have to say it was not as wonderful as I had hoped. Dont get me wrong it was good but not quite as good as I had hoped and it certainly was not on par with the price, it was a little tough throughout and the plating seemed kind of stale and been there done that...it was served on a bed of mashed potatoes, limp asparagus and a pearl onion shiitake, truffle demi-glace. Again it was good I have no complaints but it did not live up to my expectations. The service was wonderful our waitress was super friendly and the atmosphere was very unpretentious. I would love to give it another try. It was pricey but overall the experience was worth it.
(3)
C L.
Wow. I don't know where to start. First experience with this restaurant on Valentines. We were really looking forward to the meal as we had heard so many positive reviews. For fine dining, the entire experience was disappointing. The menu was a fixed price at $85 per person and was quite limited. We each started with crab bisque and that was the only dish worthy of any positive comment. Next course was chewy goose (me) and a simple salad (my wife). The meal steadily progressed downward (average fish entree and below average strip steak entree) along with decidedly mediocre service and culminated with the single choice for dessert-- a chocolate/strawberry cake that could have been delivered by Sara Lee. Total bill, including wine and tip, was $275 and it felt like I had been robbed. I can't see myself ever giving this place another chance.
(1)
Gillian H.
Another disappointing Memphis dining experience. Before I dig into my review, I'd like to rave about our server .. Jana (pronounced "Ya-na" .. I'm guessing on the spelling). Seriously, she was fantastic; the brightest spot in our otherwise bland evening. The only unfortunate part was that we didn't see as much of her as we would have liked to because it seemed that she was waiting every table in the main dining room. That aside, she was as attentive as she could be with the extra burden, had a great sense of humor and glowing personality, and more importantly .. she scammed us a bottle of my fave white that was only on the tasting menu and snuck my husband a side of the etouffe that was on the special menu. Thrilled with her. The atmosphere in this restaurant is spot-on; loved it. We're only disappointed that the food didn't live up to it. My culinary review is simply based on quality vs price point, nothing more and nothing less. EJ is a higher-end menu; if you're going to charge $41 for the bass, it better light my socks on fire. As it was it only sent me diving for my glass of water because the cook had obviously over-salted it. We ate all over the menu between the four of us and not a food dance to be seen. Again, the same "picky" friend warned me .. said the food didn't match the price point, did she .. and yet again I disregarded her advice. Twice now. I guess maybe three times a charm?! We won't be returning. Sad to us only because we loved Jana so very much.
(3)
Lily B.
Everything about this place-AMAZING!! Can't wait to come back
(5)
Carrie B.
We are new to the area and had multiple people rave about this restaurant. Additionally, they all recommended we eat in the bar claiming the food is the same but smaller portions and a tad cheaper. My husband and I went last Saturday to celebrate our anniversary and had a bad experience. I wonder if sitting in the main dining room would be better? The service was poor. So poor, in fact I had to question if our waitress was really our waitress. She was horrible. She banged plates and silverware around. She wasn't very helpful with the menu. She actually stopped taking our order in mid-sentence to throw some menus to another couple who had sat down near us. The complimentary bread was rock hard. The lobster salad sandwich was ok - filling was actually good but the bread was soggy. The fries it came with were cold. The drinks from the bar took forever to get - and we were sitting 3 feet away! The halibut was good but maybe a tad overdone. We told a guy about the fries and while he offered to get us another order, he wasn't sincere about the mistake at all. I doubt we'll go back. Very poor experience.
(1)
Vim I.
I was expecting to like EJ having heard and read rave reviews. But if you look through the reviews closely, you'll notice that EJ sometimes has off-nights, perhaps it depends on who's in the kitchen. We definitely went on an off-night or at least I hope that was not a true reflection of the restaurant's cuisine. First off, the atmosphere and service were great. No complaints there. The food was forgettable--and the check was memorable. At $40 an entree, you expect to be wowed with every bite, but this was not the case. One overarching problem was the lack of salt--and the dishes could not be fixed with simple table salt. Each dish was huge in portion--so by the standards of size, you get what you pay for. These are great cuts of meat--just not seasoned properly--which is a shame. We had the crawfish bisque, potato leek soup, veal chops (on the special menu), ribeye, and blueberry cobbler. That was a lot of food...and we left underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The best thing about the meal was seriously the bread and the sorbet they provided as a palate cleanser. I normally give restaurants a second chance (especially if others have said great things) but it's hard to justify the price of going a second time and possibly being disappointed again.
(3)
Amanda B.
To begin with, the service was genuinely friendly, and impeccable. And the wine list is extensive, well-priced, and contains an assortment of half-bottles - which is an option that I *love*. I started my meal with the lobster pancake - which was savory and delicious. (Read: contemplated licking my plate clean.) My companion ordered the oyster salad, and of course I tried a little. I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of oysters - they're easy to render too chewy for my taste - but these were dusted in cornmeal and flash-fried to perfection. More of a plate of oysters with greens as a garnish than salad. My entree was dover sole with lump crabmeat, which was light, citrusy, and filling. But I couldn't resist finishing with a couple bites of the chocolate souffle... AMAZING.
This place was a huge let down to me. For a place to have one of the best proclaimed chef's in the mid-south, it sucked. The food was not seasoned well, I did like the samples sent out by the chef. The price for the meal was a little ridiculous. I usually buy a desert when my wife and I go to a restaurant, but we skipped this one. Overrated for sure!!!!!
(2)
Tiffany L.
Erling Jensen was one of Memphis' first fine-dining establishments. Tucked out of sight down a small road in East Memphis, this cozy restaurant offers a unique twist on classic French cuisine. My husband and I decided to check it out for our anniversary as it's been on my "to dine" list for as long as I've lived in Memphis. I decided to make my meal from three separate appetizers (two salads and one hot app), while Tom took advantage of their amazing Sunday night dinner special (a $38, three-course, prix-fixe menu with 3-4 choices per course) My first salad (and my favorite dish all night) was comprised of bibb lettuce, endive, goat cheese, local honey, black cherries and a pine nut vinaigrette. At first, I balked at the idea of spending $18 on a salad that didn't have any protein, but I'm so glad I ordered it. The combination of flavors was one I hadn't tasted before, and the ingredients were super fresh. It is definitely makes my top-three all time salad list. My second salad consisted of pork belly confit, arugula, apples and a soy gastrique. This was another successful dish. I honestly believe that making a good salad is one of the most difficult culinary tasks. It seems simple, but it's hard to take something simple and make it memorable. For my "entree'" I had the quail with ratatouille. I might be one of the few people on earth that's not a fan of truffle, but I often find it very overpowering. In this case, the chef used a very deft hand, and it accentuated the earthy flavors of the ratatouille instead of masking them. For dessert, I had the chocolate souffle', and it was almost perfect - rich and decadent. It was a fabulous ending to a delicious meal. I would highly recommend this oldie, but goodie, for any special occasion. Pro tip: go on a Sunday night for the $38 prix fixe. The menu changes weekly.
(5)
Art L.
Took my project team to this well publicized restaurant. Food is unquestionably delicious. Service was actually spotty and inconsistent though. Maybe a bad night? Not sure. This evening I had the sweetbreads which were creamy in a crusty breading; a very tasty and good size portion rack of lamb; and the souffle which is to die for. Ambiance is definitely part of the full dining experience here. One can see fellow diners thoroughly enjoying their evening and the food.
(4)
Josh B.
Erling Jensen is definitely the best fine dining that you can get in Memphis, but compared to Las Vegas or Miami it is just ok. I wish he would change the menu more often too. His makers mark chocolate souflee is the best dessert I have had anywhere. I also love how unassuming Chef Erling is. You will often see him opening the door to the restaurant or even seating you himself. Until he changes the menu though, I don't think I will be back.
(4)
Jenna K.
If I was asked what ONE place is my favorite to dine.... it would be here. It is pricey, but soooo worth it! I nor anyone I know has EVER had anything that wasn't GREAT here. I have been going here since my first wedding anniversary a decade ago and still love it. From appetizers to salads to main course and desserts... it is all amazing!
5 Star- class act establishment in Germantown. I've entertained large parties here many times when I used to do business in Memphis and absolutely everything on the menu is inventive and top rate. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy. It's a renovated house! The chef constantly surprises and revels any in LA or elsewhere. The service is superb. Patti is so personable and accomodating. The wine list is first rate. Thank God there are armed security guards at the front door. Bring your checkbook.
(5)
Melissa D.
We were visiting family and they brought us here as a special meal. Of course, this is not a cheap meal by any means. That being said, the food was good, but not great. We have had far better, more flavorful meals at much more moderate prices. The service was very good, which is probably what was best about the meal (outside of great company). I had a tomato-leek bisque. I didn't finish it because it was about the texture of Campbell's tomato soup if you leave it condensed, and it was fairly bland. I decided to get the seared tuna appetizer as my entree. It was very fresh, but for $17 it was nothing special. My husband had the elk, which was unique, but he's never had it before, so we can't don't have anything to compare it to. It was a $45 entree, and he said it didn't wow him flavor wise, but the meat was nicely cooked and tender. My aunt and uncle love this place, and the said the owner is really nice, but recently lost his wife (he was abroad during our visit, so maybe the kitchen wasn't doing their best without his supervision). We had a chocolate souffle for dessert, it was good, but it was too sweet, like sickeningly so ( this coming from someone with a "sweet tooth") they also brought out a complimentary dessert of tiny creme puffs on a plate with candles and chocolate writing that said "happy 2nd anniversary" as the waitress heard we had celebrated our anniversary that week. I thought that was a nice gesture. Anyway, I would say if you have money to spend, give it a try. Maybe check if the owner is in when you come. Oh and I think they need to have less froie gras on the menu, just a suggestion... Not everyone wants to eat that stuff, and there are several dishes that include it.
(3)
Laura D.
Fantastic! We had such a great dining experience here! Too Tall took great care of us and the food was amazing. My only complaint is that it isn't located here in St Louis. We will definitely return on our next visit to Memphis!
(5)
Deen W.
This is the creme de la creme of dining in Memphis. Yes, it's very pricey, but you're not here for a burger and fries. This transcends eating. This is a culinary EXPERIENCE. First of all, this is the most UN-stuck-up place. Patty, Erling's wife, is the sweetest most friendliest hostess. She makes you feel welcomed immediately. The restaurant is in a converted house, so there are little rooms and everything is very friendly and cozy. You feel like you're at someone's house for a dinner party. The serving staff is seasoned and most of them have been at Erling's forever. Micah and Too-Tall are 2 that come to mind first. I love the lobster pancake for an appetizer, but the salads and crawfish bisque are hard to pass up as well. (And I just posted on another review that I'm not a salad girl!) Entrees are all wonderful. I love the dover sole and buffalo tenderloin with lobster bearnaise. David mentions a seared ahi tuna that sounds delicious. My fiance, without fail, gets the lamb every time and it's very good too. I love that they bring out little odds and ends to eat in between courses. You never know what it's going to be, but it's always such a treat! For dessert, I'm usually stuffed, but creme brulee is my kryptonite, so I usually force myself to order one. It's been a while since I've been to Erling's, and I hope the economy hasn't hurt their business too much. I think we will give Patty a call in the near future, though....I sure would like to try that ahi tuna!
(5)
Fina S.
My husband and I went here after hearing raves about the chef and the restaurant. And I know that I am a tough critic, after living in New YOrk CIty and Europe, most of my life.So much for other peoples opinions! This was not at all what we expected. We waited almost 45 minutes for our appetizers-was never told what the wait was about-a couple who came in 15 minutes after us-were served their appetizers 15 minutes before ours! I had the crabmeat with beluga caviar and my husband had the quail. Th crab did not taste fresh-it could have been out of a can-and there was no pearl spoon for the caviar-the waiter did not even know to serve caviar with a pearl spoon! My husbands quail was overcooked and dry. I ordered the wagyu beef , rare for my entree. It came out grey looking and almost well done-no flavour and tough! It was also cut up in strips-as if someone had helped themselves to part of my beef. My husbands dinner was overcooked and dry. We had about one or two mouthfuls of our entrees and decided to leave. Our faces must have said something, because our waiter brought the "hostess" to our table, and she asked if something was wrong. We spoke with her and she asked us if we would like to order something else. After our appetizer and main course experience, we SAID NO THANK YOU. We learned that CHef Erling was not cooking that night, so perhaps that was the reason for the sad flavours of the food. Chef Erling did call us the next day to apologize for our experience. We will not be coming back. If your name is on the restaurant, your food should be represented. Say no more.
(1)
Clarissa T.
Excellent ! Patty is great. Maggie is great. And of course Erling is fabulous! Food and service has always been amazing, but now with the the bar area, it more approachable for any weeknight or impromptu dining. I always meet great people at he bar.
(5)
David M.
Wow. This place is just awesome. I only wish I could go more often. I won't break down all of my food choices but I will say that EVERY SINGLE THING I've ever had is ridiculously delicious. Erling is a culinary genius. Just go!
(5)
David M.
I have followed Chef Erling Jensen from La Tourelle, being educated in his cuisine at their Sunday Brunches. Chef Jensen's own restaurant is a departure in style from La Tourelle. Erling Jensen's is decidedly modern, but still elegant in its simplicity. The food is, MARVELOUS. Fans of his Mesclun salad, from LT days will be pleased to see it on the menu here. Other favorites: Seared Ahi Tuna with Sticky Rice & the Black Angus Filet is one of the finest cuts of beef available anywhere. For desert, try the Warm Brown Sugar Peach Tartlet or the 'Chocolate Split'-NOT your father's banana split. Service is friendly and attentive. Reservations Highly Recommended.
(5)
Bryan E.
Erling's is tough to beat. I've yet to eat at Restaurant Iris, so I can't compare the two experiences, but I would imagine they'd be about even. Erling and Patti (his wife) run an absolutely amazing restaurant. Service is top notch, the food is always amazing, and the wine list can't be beat. I've eaten at Erling's probably 3-4 times and I've yet to have a complaint. They're expanding the restaurant space at the moment to include a full bar and patio seating, which will only serve to create a better spot.
(5)
Charles D.
Absolute best in the city. For me this is not even a question. You will pay for it, but you get what you pay for. Small, cozy restaurant that is great for groups of 2-4. Excellent menu that changes regularly based on whats fresh and available at market. Great wine list (maybe a little overpriced) and good server knowledge of recommendations and pairings. The staff is always friendly and very quick to take care of your needs. I have always left with a smile on my face eager to come back.
(5)
Melissa D.
We were visiting family and they brought us here as a special meal. Of course, this is not a cheap meal by any means. That being said, the food was good, but not great. We have had far better, more flavorful meals at much more moderate prices. The service was very good, which is probably what was best about the meal (outside of great company). I had a tomato-leek bisque. I didn't finish it because it was about the texture of Campbell's tomato soup if you leave it condensed, and it was fairly bland. I decided to get the seared tuna appetizer as my entree. It was very fresh, but for $17 it was nothing special. My husband had the elk, which was unique, but he's never had it before, so we can't don't have anything to compare it to. It was a $45 entree, and he said it didn't wow him flavor wise, but the meat was nicely cooked and tender. My aunt and uncle love this place, and the said the owner is really nice, but recently lost his wife (he was abroad during our visit, so maybe the kitchen wasn't doing their best without his supervision). We had a chocolate souffle for dessert, it was good, but it was too sweet, like sickeningly so ( this coming from someone with a "sweet tooth") they also brought out a complimentary dessert of tiny creme puffs on a plate with candles and chocolate writing that said "happy 2nd anniversary" as the waitress heard we had celebrated our anniversary that week. I thought that was a nice gesture. Anyway, I would say if you have money to spend, give it a try. Maybe check if the owner is in when you come. Oh and I think they need to have less froie gras on the menu, just a suggestion... Not everyone wants to eat that stuff, and there are several dishes that include it.
(3)
Laura D.
Fantastic! We had such a great dining experience here! Too Tall took great care of us and the food was amazing. My only complaint is that it isn't located here in St Louis. We will definitely return on our next visit to Memphis!
(5)
Clarissa T.
Excellent ! Patty is great. Maggie is great. And of course Erling is fabulous! Food and service has always been amazing, but now with the the bar area, it more approachable for any weeknight or impromptu dining. I always meet great people at he bar.
(5)
David M.
Wow. This place is just awesome. I only wish I could go more often. I won't break down all of my food choices but I will say that EVERY SINGLE THING I've ever had is ridiculously delicious. Erling is a culinary genius. Just go!
(5)
Olivia F.
My charming companion and I had an opportunity to eat here about a month ago. I enjoyed everything about the evening. But, enough about my date, let's talk about Erling Jensen. The service was super. Our person was calm and pleasant. His recommendations seemed genuine. The food was very good. My charming dinner companion was somewhat disappointed in the Kobe beef dish. The feeling was if the meat was really Kobe beef (unlikely) it should taste better than "Yep, that's beef." All-in-all this is an excellent occasion restaurant. We would return.
(4)
Carol F.
Erling Jensen is one of my favs in Memphis. Superb food, ambiance, service, and always perfect for a date-night. Always love the lobster pancake...prepared to perfection! It's also nice to meet Chef Jensen as he comes out and say hello to his patrons. Thanks to a perfect dining experience... :)
(5)
Katie K.
Erling Jensons is a very neat place to dine! If you are looking for eclectic and delicious, Erling is the place to go eat! I recommend there buffalo with Lobster meunière!e Also, there sole with gnocchi is out Of this world! I usually do not order appetizers but their lobster pancakes are phenomenal along with the seared tuna! Very cozy atmosphere, perfect for birthdays and date night!
Exquisite, phenomenal, and [insert your choice of quintessential adjective here] !!! The service was excellent (way to go Micah!), The food was excellent, The wines were unusual and superb. We ordered their Friday Wine and Food Tasting Dinner (a prix fixe four- course journey that varies each week), and were exceptionally pleased at the quality and diversity of the courses. The wines in the Wine Dinner are not usually listed in their wine list. The wine flight was an adventure reminiscent of several treks through the wines of France that I have been on, except more global in scope. a Kuentz Bas from France (Alsace), a Pinot Noir from Germany (Rheinhessen), a Chenin Blanc from South Africa (Western Cape) ,and a Malbec from Argentina (Valle de Uco, Mendoza) were the featured stops on tonight's tour. The food tasting portion of the journey included: Diver Scallops with Crisp Pork Belly, Espresso rubbed Brine Berkshire Pork Loin, Akaushi Striploin, and Almond Red Griotte Tart with a Nutmeg Streusel. Awesome just barely scratches the surface of how great everything was. John, the sommelier, introduced each of wines served with the courses. He was an amazing fount of knowledge and could readily discuss just about anything pertaining to the wines of the evening, or the wine list. He filled in many gaps for me here and there during our discussions throughout the evening (I had lots of questions for him!). I had no idea, until tonight, that Germany actually produces a Pinot Noir. It was much lighter than the typical Pinot Noir's and was exceptional, and was exceptionally well-paired with the Pork Loin course. We ended our journey with some wonderful coffee and and I indulged in a glass of cognac. For cordials, they have a robust menu of choices .They have a port flight of 4 different ports, as well as an excellent choice of Cognacs (Remy, Courvoisier, Martell), VSOPs as well as XO's, and even Remy's renowned Louis XIII !), as well as several Armagnacs. I chose the Courvoisier XO for this evening. It was nice to see several other patrons also enjoying cordials, as it almost seems a lost tradition these days. When the wine and food pairing is as great as this, we can't wait to see what their regular menu has in store for us!! Erling Jensen is definitely on our "we'll be back and soon" list!
(5)
Jason S.
My wife and I went there for our anniversary and it was incredible. Rating the food and service high is a no-brainer. What stood out to us was the atmosphere. I guess we expected such a nice place to be quiet and "stuffy." However, it had a lively, lighthearted air about it so that everyone could engage in conversation at their respective tables without feeling like all other tables were listening in. Excellent experience.
(5)
A W.
Well ... an elk chop was the reason for dining in Erling Jensen Restaurant. There were no unpleasant surprises this time. The restaurant is located in what appears to be a usual private house. The interior lacks minimalistic elegant fluidity that is aptly captured in the logo. Salmon-coloured walls and abundance of paintings on walls are not my cup of tea. There is a really powerful AC inside. A Maitre d' greeted us and showed to the table. Later Chef Jensen came to say hello to us too. The menu showcases European-style dishes with eclectic touches from other cuisines. The following was ordered: Plated on a sea shell, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with Hollandaise was a decent starter, but nothing impressive. Saffron Crawfish Bisque was perfectly balanced. Spices enlivened natural sweetness of cream and caramelised onions. According to my spouse, the portion was very filling. Fresh Herb and Goat Cheese Terrine, Tomato, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Vinaigrette was absolutely divine. It has got all elements I love about the French cuisine. Mild herby flavoursome terrine was melting smooth. Baby heirloom tomatoes and crisp mixed greens added texture to the salad and cut through creamy richness of terrine. A perfect Balsamic Vinaigrette zinged through with a stronger taste of grassiness and acidity. Airy Parmesan cheese souffle was compliments from Chef. Fresh Lemon sorbet was served to cleanse palate before the main course. Whole wheat rolls with walnuts were great, whereas French rolls turned to be too sour. I was truly surprised by a slab of butter accompanying rolls. Florida Pompano over Wilted Spinach and Wild Mushrooms in Soy Truffle Butter was good. Sweet pompano complimented spinach and wild mushrooms in a butter broth. Rice was unnecessary though ... in my personal opinion. Guadalupe Mountain Elk Chop with Truffled Wild Mushroom Gnocchi was a perfectly executed dish. My spouse enjoyed it medium rare. I had a tiny bit and found it all right. To my surprise, it did not taste gamey. We were too stuffed to order a dessert. Our waiter brought us tiny puffs filled with strawberry cream telling that she could not let us go without dessert. This is the second fine dining establishment serving huge portions. Next time I shall order a salad as a main dish and a starter. The waiting staff appears to be too fussy. Over attentiveness can be awkward at times.
(5)
Henry L.
My girlfriend took me to Erling Jensen for my birthday! Wow, what a wonderful surprise. I started with Maine Lobster Pancake and she had the Angel Hair Pasta. The broth on the Maine Lobster is amazing. My girlfriend's scallops and shrimps were cooked perfectly and delicious. Her only complaint it was too salty. The portions were large. We could have easily shared an appetizer. Next, she had the crawfish bisque soup. It was delicious but she thought it was too salty. For entree, I had the rack of lamb and she had wagyu beef. The lamb chop was awesome. Probably the second best I ever had. Cooked medium rare and had an inspiring sauce. My girlfriend enjoyed her wagyu. It wasn't very fatty like Kobe I had in Japan but still tender and delicious. For dessert, I had chocolate Souffle and she had blue berry cobbler. By this stage, we were both really full but the chocolate souffle begged to be eaten. It's an amazing Souffle. The outside shell was crispy and molten soft chocolate in the center. It's a must have for chocolate lover. Overall, we had a good experience. Dishes being too salty is a personal preference and retain 5 stars. The portion are large so be ready to share or take it home for great leftovers.
Erling has the best crab cake ever! The service is superb and the layers of flavor in every bite are subtly electrifying! I'm not writing a dissertation to tell you how great this place is... just come.
Food and service were both very good. We elected to have the 5 course dinner with sample wines for each. The wine and food combos all had great appeal. Very knowledgable staff al well. Definitely will be back!
(4)
Gary P.
I've eaten here many, many times over the years but this was the first time back in at least 10 years. The service is always impeccable and friendly. A very good and deep wine list with all price ranges available. The special of the night was a bone-in filet that I could not eat all of. Great food and great service. One of the best in Memphis.
(5)
Alan E.
I had the pleasure of trying a few dishes and was extremely impressed by each of them. The service was attentive without being overbearing and the food was outstanding. The wine list was one of the better I've seen in Memphis. The cocktail list looked fantastic. I plan on trying several of them in the weeks to come.
(5)
Michael N.
Second trip and likely the last. Way over priced for a huge portion of avg quality meal. The scallops were surrounded by a mound of sliced ham and fried oysters all drizzled in a rich sauce. My one entree could have fed a small family in a third world country. And not really that good on top of the calorie laden plate of food. I'll likely never return.
(1)
Gary D.
I've eaten there once, and it was about a year ago. It just struck me that I do not recall what I had or thought that the food was either outstanding or sub-par (which is not usual for me). I was with a dinner party group where everyone knew each other and I only knew two people - so my discomfort may have overshadowed the food. I do recall that the service was very good.
(3)
Chris B.
We regularly travel the world, and love to try new places to eat. It has become somewhat of a hobby to seek out the best dining options in each city that we visit and tonight we wanted to try Erling Jensen after a recommendation from a friend. We brought a good bottle of wine that we thought would match our food selection perfectly. The meal started great, with a very tasty roasted tomato soup, and a glass of proseco. However, the food that followed was a disaster. The asparagus salad was very well presented, but lacked any kind of taste. The only savior was the thinly sliced cheese thinly spread out over the plate, and the accompanying spinach. Next we had the halibut served on a curry risotto, and the seared ahi tuna (appetizer). Both of which were disasters. The halibut was too salty and dry (not fresh, but frozen???). The risotto was luke warm. The ahi tuna was drenched in a very, very light ponzu sauce and was too salty and to sweet (fructose corn syrup??). The dishes looked ok, but they tasted more like something you would find at the local fast food restaurant, rather than something that you would find in a "high class" restaurant like this. After the food disaster we decided to skip the dessert. and just have a cup of coffee before heading home. Wine was excellent, the dining experience was not.
(2)
Lisa B.
This is the schmanciest restaurant in Memphis. We attended an event here, and everything was quite gourmet, but looking at the prices on the website I don't think I'd ever dine there on my own. The service is impeccable. The atmosphere is quietly classy. The food? Sort of uneven. Take my salad (please): The menu called it "Baby Romaine with Black Pepper Caesar Aioli, Shaved Pecorino Romano, Pancetta Crisp - 13." OK, this 13-buck salad was all about the presentation, not so much about the taste. The lettuce was placed like a little bouquet in a large bready crouton cup. The dressing was drizzled on the plate. The diner needs to figure out how to actually eat the salad -- what worked best was to turn it on its side, cut through the crouton cup, and sort of swish the whole thing through the plate to get some dressing on each piece. The entrees are in the $30-40 range and are lovely to look at but like the salad not all that spectacular to eat. Dessert was delicious, but it is hard to screw up dessert where I'm concerned.
(3)
Krista W.
Surprised and not in a good way. I believe it was March of 2010, when my husband wanted to surprise me with a romantic evening out. I was excited to arrive at this establishment, I had heard such good things.... my hubby and I being "foodie" sorts, this was going to be an experience!!! The staff; very attentive, very attentive, can you go away so I can have a private moment with my husband?!?! I never felt as though there were any moments of privacy even to exchange a few sweet nothings.... Now on to the food.. I may have to come back to complete the food review portion... As I remember.... sad the food wasn't that memorable..... The soup... er, I mean bisque, was grey in color, not much flavor... reminded me of something you made with rocks as a child.. as far as the color. It had the consistency of watery, gelatin... becoming more firm as it cool, then its texture and consistency was quite unpleasant... The rest of meal was just okay... unremarkable. Reading the other reviews.... I hope they were just having an off night...
(2)
Roy G.
I had one of my most memorable and enjoyable dining experiences last night at Erling Jensen. Where do I begin? The delicious wine selection. The attentive and jovial staff...Yana was extraordinary. The food was amazing and I was impressed with the creative presentations...I had to snap a few photos. The atmosphere was intimate...but not so stuffy that me and my dinner companion were not embarrassed by our outbursts of laughter. And thank you especially for making her feel special on her "birthday". I promise to come back on my next trip to Memphis.
(5)
Hokie F.
Finally a cocktail list not filled with kool-aid flavors. The barmaid took some intense time to craft a tangy and bitter campari concoction. Worked perfectly with every small plate on the bar menu. Sharp, attentive service. Nice job.
(5)
BJ A.
Simply stated... if you feel that spending upwards of $150-200 for a dinner for two is just too much under any circumstances.. than do not visit this restaurant. But if you want one of the finest dining experiences imaginable.. do not pass up the chance to visit this incomparable restaurant.. it is absolutely marvelous!
(5)
Julie H.
Our favorite restaurant in Memphis. The service is excellent without being pretentious, classy friendly atmosphere -- and the best food in Memphis. The owner/chef greeted us at the door and came by to be sure everything was to our liking. Will be back over and over again.
(5)
Alan E.
I had the pleasure of trying a few dishes and was extremely impressed by each of them. The service was attentive without being overbearing and the food was outstanding. The wine list was one of the better I've seen in Memphis. The cocktail list looked fantastic. I plan on trying several of them in the weeks to come.
(5)
Michael N.
Second trip and likely the last. Way over priced for a huge portion of avg quality meal. The scallops were surrounded by a mound of sliced ham and fried oysters all drizzled in a rich sauce. My one entree could have fed a small family in a third world country. And not really that good on top of the calorie laden plate of food. I'll likely never return.
(1)
Gary D.
I've eaten there once, and it was about a year ago. It just struck me that I do not recall what I had or thought that the food was either outstanding or sub-par (which is not usual for me). I was with a dinner party group where everyone knew each other and I only knew two people - so my discomfort may have overshadowed the food. I do recall that the service was very good.
(3)
Chris B.
We regularly travel the world, and love to try new places to eat. It has become somewhat of a hobby to seek out the best dining options in each city that we visit and tonight we wanted to try Erling Jensen after a recommendation from a friend. We brought a good bottle of wine that we thought would match our food selection perfectly. The meal started great, with a very tasty roasted tomato soup, and a glass of proseco. However, the food that followed was a disaster. The asparagus salad was very well presented, but lacked any kind of taste. The only savior was the thinly sliced cheese thinly spread out over the plate, and the accompanying spinach. Next we had the halibut served on a curry risotto, and the seared ahi tuna (appetizer). Both of which were disasters. The halibut was too salty and dry (not fresh, but frozen???). The risotto was luke warm. The ahi tuna was drenched in a very, very light ponzu sauce and was too salty and to sweet (fructose corn syrup??). The dishes looked ok, but they tasted more like something you would find at the local fast food restaurant, rather than something that you would find in a "high class" restaurant like this. After the food disaster we decided to skip the dessert. and just have a cup of coffee before heading home. Wine was excellent, the dining experience was not.
(2)
Charles D.
Absolute best in the city. For me this is not even a question. You will pay for it, but you get what you pay for. Small, cozy restaurant that is great for groups of 2-4. Excellent menu that changes regularly based on whats fresh and available at market. Great wine list (maybe a little overpriced) and good server knowledge of recommendations and pairings. The staff is always friendly and very quick to take care of your needs. I have always left with a smile on my face eager to come back.
(5)
Bill M.
Exquisite, phenomenal, and [insert your choice of quintessential adjective here] !!! The service was excellent (way to go Micah!), The food was excellent, The wines were unusual and superb. We ordered their Friday Wine and Food Tasting Dinner (a prix fixe four- course journey that varies each week), and were exceptionally pleased at the quality and diversity of the courses. The wines in the Wine Dinner are not usually listed in their wine list. The wine flight was an adventure reminiscent of several treks through the wines of France that I have been on, except more global in scope. a Kuentz Bas from France (Alsace), a Pinot Noir from Germany (Rheinhessen), a Chenin Blanc from South Africa (Western Cape) ,and a Malbec from Argentina (Valle de Uco, Mendoza) were the featured stops on tonight's tour. The food tasting portion of the journey included: Diver Scallops with Crisp Pork Belly, Espresso rubbed Brine Berkshire Pork Loin, Akaushi Striploin, and Almond Red Griotte Tart with a Nutmeg Streusel. Awesome just barely scratches the surface of how great everything was. John, the sommelier, introduced each of wines served with the courses. He was an amazing fount of knowledge and could readily discuss just about anything pertaining to the wines of the evening, or the wine list. He filled in many gaps for me here and there during our discussions throughout the evening (I had lots of questions for him!). I had no idea, until tonight, that Germany actually produces a Pinot Noir. It was much lighter than the typical Pinot Noir's and was exceptional, and was exceptionally well-paired with the Pork Loin course. We ended our journey with some wonderful coffee and and I indulged in a glass of cognac. For cordials, they have a robust menu of choices .They have a port flight of 4 different ports, as well as an excellent choice of Cognacs (Remy, Courvoisier, Martell), VSOPs as well as XO's, and even Remy's renowned Louis XIII !), as well as several Armagnacs. I chose the Courvoisier XO for this evening. It was nice to see several other patrons also enjoying cordials, as it almost seems a lost tradition these days. When the wine and food pairing is as great as this, we can't wait to see what their regular menu has in store for us!! Erling Jensen is definitely on our "we'll be back and soon" list!
(5)
Jason S.
My wife and I went there for our anniversary and it was incredible. Rating the food and service high is a no-brainer. What stood out to us was the atmosphere. I guess we expected such a nice place to be quiet and "stuffy." However, it had a lively, lighthearted air about it so that everyone could engage in conversation at their respective tables without feeling like all other tables were listening in. Excellent experience.
(5)
BJ A.
Simply stated... if you feel that spending upwards of $150-200 for a dinner for two is just too much under any circumstances.. than do not visit this restaurant. But if you want one of the finest dining experiences imaginable.. do not pass up the chance to visit this incomparable restaurant.. it is absolutely marvelous!
(5)
Julie H.
Our favorite restaurant in Memphis. The service is excellent without being pretentious, classy friendly atmosphere -- and the best food in Memphis. The owner/chef greeted us at the door and came by to be sure everything was to our liking. Will be back over and over again.
(5)
A W.
Well ... an elk chop was the reason for dining in Erling Jensen Restaurant. There were no unpleasant surprises this time. The restaurant is located in what appears to be a usual private house. The interior lacks minimalistic elegant fluidity that is aptly captured in the logo. Salmon-coloured walls and abundance of paintings on walls are not my cup of tea. There is a really powerful AC inside. A Maitre d' greeted us and showed to the table. Later Chef Jensen came to say hello to us too. The menu showcases European-style dishes with eclectic touches from other cuisines. The following was ordered: Plated on a sea shell, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with Hollandaise was a decent starter, but nothing impressive. Saffron Crawfish Bisque was perfectly balanced. Spices enlivened natural sweetness of cream and caramelised onions. According to my spouse, the portion was very filling. Fresh Herb and Goat Cheese Terrine, Tomato, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Vinaigrette was absolutely divine. It has got all elements I love about the French cuisine. Mild herby flavoursome terrine was melting smooth. Baby heirloom tomatoes and crisp mixed greens added texture to the salad and cut through creamy richness of terrine. A perfect Balsamic Vinaigrette zinged through with a stronger taste of grassiness and acidity. Airy Parmesan cheese souffle was compliments from Chef. Fresh Lemon sorbet was served to cleanse palate before the main course. Whole wheat rolls with walnuts were great, whereas French rolls turned to be too sour. I was truly surprised by a slab of butter accompanying rolls. Florida Pompano over Wilted Spinach and Wild Mushrooms in Soy Truffle Butter was good. Sweet pompano complimented spinach and wild mushrooms in a butter broth. Rice was unnecessary though ... in my personal opinion. Guadalupe Mountain Elk Chop with Truffled Wild Mushroom Gnocchi was a perfectly executed dish. My spouse enjoyed it medium rare. I had a tiny bit and found it all right. To my surprise, it did not taste gamey. We were too stuffed to order a dessert. Our waiter brought us tiny puffs filled with strawberry cream telling that she could not let us go without dessert. This is the second fine dining establishment serving huge portions. Next time I shall order a salad as a main dish and a starter. The waiting staff appears to be too fussy. Over attentiveness can be awkward at times.
(5)
Henry L.
My girlfriend took me to Erling Jensen for my birthday! Wow, what a wonderful surprise. I started with Maine Lobster Pancake and she had the Angel Hair Pasta. The broth on the Maine Lobster is amazing. My girlfriend's scallops and shrimps were cooked perfectly and delicious. Her only complaint it was too salty. The portions were large. We could have easily shared an appetizer. Next, she had the crawfish bisque soup. It was delicious but she thought it was too salty. For entree, I had the rack of lamb and she had wagyu beef. The lamb chop was awesome. Probably the second best I ever had. Cooked medium rare and had an inspiring sauce. My girlfriend enjoyed her wagyu. It wasn't very fatty like Kobe I had in Japan but still tender and delicious. For dessert, I had chocolate Souffle and she had blue berry cobbler. By this stage, we were both really full but the chocolate souffle begged to be eaten. It's an amazing Souffle. The outside shell was crispy and molten soft chocolate in the center. It's a must have for chocolate lover. Overall, we had a good experience. Dishes being too salty is a personal preference and retain 5 stars. The portion are large so be ready to share or take it home for great leftovers.
(5)
Lisa B.
This is the schmanciest restaurant in Memphis. We attended an event here, and everything was quite gourmet, but looking at the prices on the website I don't think I'd ever dine there on my own. The service is impeccable. The atmosphere is quietly classy. The food? Sort of uneven. Take my salad (please): The menu called it "Baby Romaine with Black Pepper Caesar Aioli, Shaved Pecorino Romano, Pancetta Crisp - 13." OK, this 13-buck salad was all about the presentation, not so much about the taste. The lettuce was placed like a little bouquet in a large bready crouton cup. The dressing was drizzled on the plate. The diner needs to figure out how to actually eat the salad -- what worked best was to turn it on its side, cut through the crouton cup, and sort of swish the whole thing through the plate to get some dressing on each piece. The entrees are in the $30-40 range and are lovely to look at but like the salad not all that spectacular to eat. Dessert was delicious, but it is hard to screw up dessert where I'm concerned.
(3)
Krista W.
Surprised and not in a good way. I believe it was March of 2010, when my husband wanted to surprise me with a romantic evening out. I was excited to arrive at this establishment, I had heard such good things.... my hubby and I being "foodie" sorts, this was going to be an experience!!! The staff; very attentive, very attentive, can you go away so I can have a private moment with my husband?!?! I never felt as though there were any moments of privacy even to exchange a few sweet nothings.... Now on to the food.. I may have to come back to complete the food review portion... As I remember.... sad the food wasn't that memorable..... The soup... er, I mean bisque, was grey in color, not much flavor... reminded me of something you made with rocks as a child.. as far as the color. It had the consistency of watery, gelatin... becoming more firm as it cool, then its texture and consistency was quite unpleasant... The rest of meal was just okay... unremarkable. Reading the other reviews.... I hope they were just having an off night...
(2)
Roy G.
I had one of my most memorable and enjoyable dining experiences last night at Erling Jensen. Where do I begin? The delicious wine selection. The attentive and jovial staff...Yana was extraordinary. The food was amazing and I was impressed with the creative presentations...I had to snap a few photos. The atmosphere was intimate...but not so stuffy that me and my dinner companion were not embarrassed by our outbursts of laughter. And thank you especially for making her feel special on her "birthday". I promise to come back on my next trip to Memphis.
(5)
Hokie F.
Finally a cocktail list not filled with kool-aid flavors. The barmaid took some intense time to craft a tangy and bitter campari concoction. Worked perfectly with every small plate on the bar menu. Sharp, attentive service. Nice job.
5 Star- class act establishment in Germantown. I've entertained large parties here many times when I used to do business in Memphis and absolutely everything on the menu is inventive and top rate. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy. It's a renovated house! The chef constantly surprises and revels any in LA or elsewhere. The service is superb. Patti is so personable and accomodating. The wine list is first rate. Thank God there are armed security guards at the front door. Bring your checkbook.
My charming companion and I had an opportunity to eat here about a month ago. I enjoyed everything about the evening. But, enough about my date, let's talk about Erling Jensen. The service was super. Our person was calm and pleasant. His recommendations seemed genuine. The food was very good. My charming dinner companion was somewhat disappointed in the Kobe beef dish. The feeling was if the meat was really Kobe beef (unlikely) it should taste better than "Yep, that's beef." All-in-all this is an excellent occasion restaurant. We would return.
(4)
Carol F.
Erling Jensen is one of my favs in Memphis. Superb food, ambiance, service, and always perfect for a date-night. Always love the lobster pancake...prepared to perfection! It's also nice to meet Chef Jensen as he comes out and say hello to his patrons. Thanks to a perfect dining experience... :)
(5)
Katie K.
Erling Jensons is a very neat place to dine! If you are looking for eclectic and delicious, Erling is the place to go eat! I recommend there buffalo with Lobster meunière!e Also, there sole with gnocchi is out Of this world! I usually do not order appetizers but their lobster pancakes are phenomenal along with the seared tuna! Very cozy atmosphere, perfect for birthdays and date night!
Erling has the best crab cake ever! The service is superb and the layers of flavor in every bite are subtly electrifying! I'm not writing a dissertation to tell you how great this place is... just come.
Food and service were both very good. We elected to have the 5 course dinner with sample wines for each. The wine and food combos all had great appeal. Very knowledgable staff al well. Definitely will be back!
(4)
Gary P.
I've eaten here many, many times over the years but this was the first time back in at least 10 years. The service is always impeccable and friendly. A very good and deep wine list with all price ranges available. The special of the night was a bone-in filet that I could not eat all of. Great food and great service. One of the best in Memphis.
(5)
Deen W.
This is the creme de la creme of dining in Memphis. Yes, it's very pricey, but you're not here for a burger and fries. This transcends eating. This is a culinary EXPERIENCE. First of all, this is the most UN-stuck-up place. Patty, Erling's wife, is the sweetest most friendliest hostess. She makes you feel welcomed immediately. The restaurant is in a converted house, so there are little rooms and everything is very friendly and cozy. You feel like you're at someone's house for a dinner party. The serving staff is seasoned and most of them have been at Erling's forever. Micah and Too-Tall are 2 that come to mind first. I love the lobster pancake for an appetizer, but the salads and crawfish bisque are hard to pass up as well. (And I just posted on another review that I'm not a salad girl!) Entrees are all wonderful. I love the dover sole and buffalo tenderloin with lobster bearnaise. David mentions a seared ahi tuna that sounds delicious. My fiance, without fail, gets the lamb every time and it's very good too. I love that they bring out little odds and ends to eat in between courses. You never know what it's going to be, but it's always such a treat! For dessert, I'm usually stuffed, but creme brulee is my kryptonite, so I usually force myself to order one. It's been a while since I've been to Erling's, and I hope the economy hasn't hurt their business too much. I think we will give Patty a call in the near future, though....I sure would like to try that ahi tuna!
(5)
Art L.
Took my project team to this well publicized restaurant. Food is unquestionably delicious. Service was actually spotty and inconsistent though. Maybe a bad night? Not sure. This evening I had the sweetbreads which were creamy in a crusty breading; a very tasty and good size portion rack of lamb; and the souffle which is to die for. Ambiance is definitely part of the full dining experience here. One can see fellow diners thoroughly enjoying their evening and the food.
(4)
Fina S.
My husband and I went here after hearing raves about the chef and the restaurant. And I know that I am a tough critic, after living in New YOrk CIty and Europe, most of my life.So much for other peoples opinions! This was not at all what we expected. We waited almost 45 minutes for our appetizers-was never told what the wait was about-a couple who came in 15 minutes after us-were served their appetizers 15 minutes before ours! I had the crabmeat with beluga caviar and my husband had the quail. Th crab did not taste fresh-it could have been out of a can-and there was no pearl spoon for the caviar-the waiter did not even know to serve caviar with a pearl spoon! My husbands quail was overcooked and dry. I ordered the wagyu beef , rare for my entree. It came out grey looking and almost well done-no flavour and tough! It was also cut up in strips-as if someone had helped themselves to part of my beef. My husbands dinner was overcooked and dry. We had about one or two mouthfuls of our entrees and decided to leave. Our faces must have said something, because our waiter brought the "hostess" to our table, and she asked if something was wrong. We spoke with her and she asked us if we would like to order something else. After our appetizer and main course experience, we SAID NO THANK YOU. We learned that CHef Erling was not cooking that night, so perhaps that was the reason for the sad flavours of the food. Chef Erling did call us the next day to apologize for our experience. We will not be coming back. If your name is on the restaurant, your food should be represented. Say no more.
(1)
Josh B.
Erling Jensen is definitely the best fine dining that you can get in Memphis, but compared to Las Vegas or Miami it is just ok. I wish he would change the menu more often too. His makers mark chocolate souflee is the best dessert I have had anywhere. I also love how unassuming Chef Erling is. You will often see him opening the door to the restaurant or even seating you himself. Until he changes the menu though, I don't think I will be back.
(4)
Jenna K.
If I was asked what ONE place is my favorite to dine.... it would be here. It is pricey, but soooo worth it! I nor anyone I know has EVER had anything that wasn't GREAT here. I have been going here since my first wedding anniversary a decade ago and still love it. From appetizers to salads to main course and desserts... it is all amazing!
(5)
David M.
I have followed Chef Erling Jensen from La Tourelle, being educated in his cuisine at their Sunday Brunches. Chef Jensen's own restaurant is a departure in style from La Tourelle. Erling Jensen's is decidedly modern, but still elegant in its simplicity. The food is, MARVELOUS. Fans of his Mesclun salad, from LT days will be pleased to see it on the menu here. Other favorites: Seared Ahi Tuna with Sticky Rice & the Black Angus Filet is one of the finest cuts of beef available anywhere. For desert, try the Warm Brown Sugar Peach Tartlet or the 'Chocolate Split'-NOT your father's banana split. Service is friendly and attentive. Reservations Highly Recommended.
(5)
Bryan E.
Erling's is tough to beat. I've yet to eat at Restaurant Iris, so I can't compare the two experiences, but I would imagine they'd be about even. Erling and Patti (his wife) run an absolutely amazing restaurant. Service is top notch, the food is always amazing, and the wine list can't be beat. I've eaten at Erling's probably 3-4 times and I've yet to have a complaint. They're expanding the restaurant space at the moment to include a full bar and patio seating, which will only serve to create a better spot.
(5)
Anthony D.
A fantastic experience!!! I kick myself for not having made trip before now.....menu is well planned, presentation is great and service is the whisper elegant service with a service team that actually knows food and wine!! A delight and a return trip are certainly in order.... I say, 'et voila' well done....
This is likely one of Memphis' nicest, if not the nicest, dining establishments. I have eaten here over a handful of times. If you like upscale dining, uncompromising service, and cutting edge recipes with impeccable presentation, then EJ is the place you need to go. The wine list is extensive and provides a multitude of selections to compliment the outstanding cuisine. If you're unsure of what wine to order, just ask; the helpful and attentive staff is very knowledgeable and can provide you with a satisfying selection. I will not waste time pointing out any of the individual appetizers, salads, or entrees that are offered by EJ because, suffice it to say, that everything is absolutely outstanding, without compromise. The price point is admittedly on the upper end. However, I have never felt slighted by the food-to-price ratio at EJ when it is combined with the high quality nature of the ingredients, the superb preparation/presentation, and the unparalleled taste of each dish. Bottom line...if you are a foodie, a true foodie, this is your place to visit for superb food and a superb dining experience in Memphis. Five stars. One caveat...some reviewers have noted "off nights" and problems with their visits. This can happen, and I have experienced it, although only once, at EJ. However, this is not the reputation that should be attached to this restaurant. It is great. Period. Eat there. Soon.
(5)
Jessica-Autumn A.
We went for valentines dinner. No one had told us, but the menu was fixed with only 3 choices for a main course, a choice of 2 different soups/salad and no choice for desert. It was crap. I ordered my meat medium well and it came out rare. The desert was a chocolate strawberry thing that probably was purchased and shipped from some factory in Brooklyn..Who knows, but it was also 85$$ a plate.
(1)
Jeffrey J.
This was my 5th time here and he never disappoints, I had the elk with pheasant sausage gravy and red cabbage cooked in apple cider and it was wonderful. Melt in your mouth, this man does not disappoint
(5)
Thuy N.
Went here with a couple of co-workers on a Friday night because they were raving about this place. It's in a cute little house and is quite small of a restaurant. They do have a full bar, so if you don't make reservations you can eat at the bar. There is also valet parking available. The food here was average for me, but the complementry bread and butter was yummy, but not impressive for a steakhouse. What I ordered: Fried oysters for appetizer - it was heavily battered and hurt the roof of my mouth eating this, and you could barely taste the oysters Filet steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus - The steak was nothing special and was completely covered in sauce....from my experience a great steak needs no sauce because it is seasoned and cooked well that you can experience great flavor from the juices of the steak. This was not the case this time. Blueberry cobbler with cinnamon ice cream - the cobbler topping was good, but the blueberry filling had too much of an almond extract taste to it, which I'm not too much of a fan. Overall, the bill was in the $$$ and not much to show for it. I would rather dine at Flight in downtown for this price.
(3)
Paul W.
I have eaten here several times over the past year. Most recently, I had a 25th anniversary celebration here in June. I steered my friends from New Orleans to the meat entrees. Everyone came away impressed. Perhaps I am a seafood snob, but I have not been impressed with the oyster salad or the crab meat dishes I have eaten here. I think this is due to the fact that it is 1) hard to get really fresh seafood in Memphis, and 2) the community standards for seafood here are much lower than in New Orleans (just saying). All this being said, this is a wonderful restaurant and it is a perfect place for a "special occasion." I find that all of the meat dishes are wonderful, and deserve 5 stars. If you are not used to obtaining and eating very fresh seafood, you might find the seafood here quite good. The foie gras is spectacular! I can't wait to go back just for this appetizer! Highly recommended with the aforementioned caveats.
(5)
Hope C.
Just had my 40th bday dinner with my big sis and it was a great meal and ambience. I had the Friday wine dinner special that is paired with different fabulous wines for each dish. We started with jumbo crab in hollandaise sauce. It was good but nothing special. Next time I'm getting fois gras or escargot. Next started the four dishes from part of the wine dinner, including a scallop starter, duck pappardelle, and Wagyu steak. The crepe cake desert was to die for. Overall, great meal but would recommend my sisters rack of lamb dish because it was the most flavorful dish and beautifully presented. One little complaint that can be seen as being snotty is that a customer sat next to us in a frumpy t shirt and shorts and it ruined the ambience and the special fine dining event that my sister paid good mine for...so, with that said, there's no dress code but wish there was.
(4)
Robin B.
Both kids were spending the night out at friends' houses, so I saw a date night opportunity, no sitter required! My husband and I consider ourselves foodies, and our favorite restaurant in Memphis is Restaurant Iris. It is the standard by which we compare all other restaurants. The pace is different at EJs, they give you a moment to order a drink and sip it before laying the menu and ordering process on you. The wine list was a little slim, I must say! Our salad was gritty, as it the lettuce hadn't been washed well- I know it's tough to get the grit out of butter lettuce. Our server was great, but I can't remember her name. She packaged up our ice cream in a ziploc full of ice so that it would make it home, and I ended up eating my blueberry marzipan cobbler over the course of 2 breakfasts. Anyway, I felt as though the side dish of risotto was not worth $18. My husband agreed. Our server let us know when we left (very full), that they have brunch specials on Sundays that we might enjoy. The bread and butter were very good- seeded with maybe soaked nuts or seeds. Delicious, and the sweet butter is monogrammed. For the perfect meal, I'd take the server from EJ's to Restaurant Iris, where we'd save so much money we could buy her a meal, too.
(4)
Amanda G.
Wow, wow, wow! Such a *fancy* place, and so humbly magnificent! Classy service (the valet guy even watched my friend & I go to our cars---so nice), delectable food!!!!!! (the kahlua dessert was divine), and a warm ambiance. Cannot wait to go back!!! I wish I could give it 6 stars! Definitely the best restaurant in Memphis!
(5)
Shane S.
It just does not get any better when it comes to fine dining in Memphis. The bar is also a great adventure with a wonderful bar tender and amusing and interesting patrons. On Wednesdays they have half price bison burgers! I had the truffle mac and cheese with lump crab that I wanted to bathe in! It was incredible. The staff is the best in Memphis and the food is innovative and keeps you coming back to see what else Chef Jensen has up his sleeve.
(5)
Gina P.
I went for the half priced bison burger on Wednesday. The burger was great and huge and was served with a large serving of fries. Before I had the fried green tomatoes with a caper remoulade sauce that was great. I wasn't able to finish my burger as the appetizer was huge. You also receive pork skins and kale chips complementary. Next time I return, I will try the Truffle Mac & Cheese with crab.
We live in Texas and for most special occasions we travel to Memphis to have a fine dining experience at Erling Jensen. The atmosphere is intimate and the chef comes out to say hello to us every time we have been here. The food is simply amazing... so good! We wish we could find a fine dining experience like this here in Texas.
(5)
Amanda G.
I don't know where to start but lets see. Hostess - very friendly and welcoming The bar - the waitress was very accommodating and even recommended great drinks Table - we didn't have a reservation so we waited for like 15 minutes until they found a table for us. We got one of the rooms. Very classy. I loved the PiCassio paintings everywhere. The chairs were comfortable. We were there for like close to 4 hours and didn't have back pain The food - everything we tasted was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were fresh and crisp. The food took long to come but that meant they were making everything fresh. The chef came to say hi to our table but unfortunately we couldn't compliment him too much because that was before we had our mains and dessert. Parking - Valet parking staff were very friendly One of our favs in Memphis
(5)
Chris A.
Phenomenal meal and service! Yana's service was exceptional and topped off with the Chef visiting our table.
Absolutely loved this place! I went there for a reunion dinner; not only we got one of THE best foods in town, we also got to experience the great art work and personality that an amazing chef puts in his restaurant and service! Small yet elegant! Professional yet personal! What a fantastic dining experience!!! Would love to go back again and next time, we are going to take a picture with the amazing chef and owner Erling Jensen ;)
(5)
Frank Y.
Rating system: 5 stars - Must try. You're really missing out if you don't. I'm either a regular here, repeat patron, or would be if it wasn't cost or distance prohibitive 4 stars - Highly recommended, but may have minor things that keep me from being a regular 3 stars - Good most of the time but not great. Will only eat here if I have a particular craving, or am unable to eat at my 4 or 5 star choices 2 stars - Do not really like it but will only eat here if I have to (eating group overruled my veto) 1 star - Avoid. Save your money, time, and stomach Came in on March 29th due to positive reviews on Yelp and the fact that it was a restaurant we had not yet tried. We had high expectations going in. We were probably one of the first customers there for the evening so we were a little apprehensive, but customers started flowing in not too long afterwards. One of my "tests" for a restaurant's food, is to ask the waiter what they recommend. I cannot stress how annoying it is when waiters are either unfamiliar with all of the items on the menu, or do not care enough about the food to give personal recommendations and just say "everything is good." Our waiter, however, was familiar with most of the menu, and it was apparent that he had at least tasted many of the items on the menu. We went with some of his favorites, which included the quail appetizer (excellent flavor and was perfectly fried - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside), mountain elk (perfect medium-rare. I'm assuming this was cooked sous vide), and turbot (very delicious fish that literally melts in your mouth). All of these dishes were spot on and I almost always have something nitpicky to say about any restaurant I goto, even my favorites. Everything from our dishes, to the little accompaniments (I really liked the palate cleansing lemon sorbet), to our dessert, a blueberry cobbler, was top notch. If I HAD to say something negative, it would be that the little pastry given after our dessert was a little on the hard side (it had corners, so hurt a little to eat it all as one bite) but the filling was delicious. Out of all our "first times" at any fine dining restaurant, this was the best one. Compliments to the chef and also to the waitstaff, who made sure our water never dipped below 3/4 full and kept the bread (the walnut wheat bread was very good) coming until it was clear we could not eat any more.
(5)
Joy C.
I wanted to love this spot but have very mixed feelings..Valentines Day dinner and was I pumped!!!! It was a fixed menu which I dread but wegave it a shot. Everybody hyped us up about this place, but I was slightly disappointed. 4 course meal was offered..some were demolished, but others were barely touched..the good thing about it was we had the best server ever!! And he smoothed things over so we would not have complained... Might need to go back when they offer the regular menu.
(3)
Raymond B.
A gem in the Memphis restaurant landscape. Tucked away in a small neighborhood, valet parking at the door of a house converted to restaurant, and a great hostess are all a piece of the inviting nature of the place. The preferred location to eat is up at the bar with regulars, and to order "what's special tonight?" The cocktails are creative and well done (despite sometimes a bit of a novice can be behind the bar), the wine selection is very good, and the food is excellent. Erling is an unassuming and quiet gentlemen who will come through the restaurant regularly to ask how your meal is. Most people don't realize he's the chef/owner, as he is typically dressed in dark colors like the rest of his kitchen and waitstaff. He is creative in the culinary offerings that are on the menus, and despite the fact that you'll pay a bit more here than most places in Memphis, you'll also get quite a lot more. Enjoy!
(5)
Prateek G.
I had the scallops for the entree. Good but nothing special. Lobster appetizer was good.
(4)
Rita D.
Every single thing about this place is divine. The food, the service & people watching is an added bonus. Place to see & be seen. One our favorite places. Perfect date night!
(5)
T S.
Excellent atmosphere, menu and straff. You eat here to impress a potential significant other or business venture. It is very intimate.
(5)
Andy S.
This is an amazing elegant Memphis in restaurant. It is named after the chef, who did walk around and talk to us during our meal, which was, of course, a nice touch. At the start of the meal, they walk around and offer you fresh bread. They have a brown one and I white bread. The brown one was much better than the other one. Then they gave us a complimentary amuse-bouche (which is to whet your appetite). I can't remember what ours was, however. One member of our party ordered the saffron crawfish bisque, which to me, was amazing! A great soup. Another person ordered a lemon grass soup. He loved it, but I thought it was just ok. Then we each got a complimentary sorbet to cleanse our palate. One person ordered the Dover Sole Meunière with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat. Fish with more seafood. Yum. One person ordered the rack of lamb. It was very tasty. It comes with a pecan, mustard, garlic, and molasses crust. Per the server's recommendation, I had to order the filet of buffalo tenderloin with lobster Bearnaise. I love a good rare steak and this one was melt in your mouth, and it combined some lobster chunks! Seafood and steak is the perfect combo! For dessert, we split the chocolate souffle. It came with a milk chocolate cream that we dumped in the center. It was so rich, but so good. Sinfully good. We were each given a complimentary dessert square at the end of the meal. The prices seem high, but they really give you plenty of small courses that are complimentary. The service is also impeccable, and the food is to die for. It is really that good.
(5)
Curtis B.
Big portions. Big bill. Worth every penny. Erling is one of our 2 favorite restaurants in Memphis. Maybe anywhere. So be prepared because I'm going to gush. First, the service. It is impeccable. But this is an experience, not a quick meal. You won't be rushed. You don't want to be rushed. An amuse-bouche with the cocktails to start. A palate cleanser before dessert. This is a full French dining experience. If you don't know what to expect, that's ok. No pretension here. This is a great place to experience French cuisine for experts and novices alike. To the food. The portions are enormous. You won't be able to finish an appetizer, salad, and entree alone, but if you are up to it order it all. You'll have the best leftovers ever! Try the lobster pancake because it is one of the best dishes in the city. I had a venison special that just stopped me in my tracks. Perfectly rare. Melted in my mouth. Try to save room for dessert. The blueberry cobler will stain your teeth...it does every time....but sooo worth it! Wine appeared perfectly on time with each course. Water glasses were filled magically. The chef came out...three times...just to check. Mr. Jensen, if you read this, I'm still dreaming of the venison. I added in the reservation that it was our anniversary and our dessert was served with a Happy Anniversary and both of our names written in chocolate. The wine list is excellent, with several half bottles available in addition to a solid by-the-glass list and a full bottle list to please the snobbiest wine drinkers. Come hungry. Allow ample time. This is a 2 hour meal at a minimum. It will not be cheap. You will leave thinking about the next special occasion where you can splurge one one of the finest dining experiences in this great city.
(5)
Craig M.
Where can I start, this place was a nice experience. We went for my birthday and it was a great place for a special occasion. I started with the Foie gras and I really don't even have words to explain how good this is, also this is the only place in town that I have been able to find that serves it. The Foie melts in your mouth, my wife had the lobster pancake that was good also but we both agreed the Foie Gras was amazing. I had the Kobe Wagyu Steak and I have to say it was not as wonderful as I had hoped. Dont get me wrong it was good but not quite as good as I had hoped and it certainly was not on par with the price, it was a little tough throughout and the plating seemed kind of stale and been there done that...it was served on a bed of mashed potatoes, limp asparagus and a pearl onion shiitake, truffle demi-glace. Again it was good I have no complaints but it did not live up to my expectations. The service was wonderful our waitress was super friendly and the atmosphere was very unpretentious. I would love to give it another try. It was pricey but overall the experience was worth it.
(3)
SouthernFoodie M.
My husband has gone for work numerous times... And raves. Decided it warranted a visit on their Sunday's are Special prix fixe for my bday. It did not disappoint! We had Jana as our server and she was great. The wine list is actually very good.... Bottles from $25 or so to $300! I had the lobster mac, buffalo.... And went into food coma!! I couldn't eat dessert as I was so full and they thoughtfully packaged it up for me. Chef was on the floor and asking how people were.... Always a good sign of a solid place. When am I going back??!?!
(5)
C L.
Wow. I don't know where to start. First experience with this restaurant on Valentines. We were really looking forward to the meal as we had heard so many positive reviews. For fine dining, the entire experience was disappointing. The menu was a fixed price at $85 per person and was quite limited. We each started with crab bisque and that was the only dish worthy of any positive comment. Next course was chewy goose (me) and a simple salad (my wife). The meal steadily progressed downward (average fish entree and below average strip steak entree) along with decidedly mediocre service and culminated with the single choice for dessert-- a chocolate/strawberry cake that could have been delivered by Sara Lee. Total bill, including wine and tip, was $275 and it felt like I had been robbed. I can't see myself ever giving this place another chance.
(1)
Gillian H.
Another disappointing Memphis dining experience. Before I dig into my review, I'd like to rave about our server .. Jana (pronounced "Ya-na" .. I'm guessing on the spelling). Seriously, she was fantastic; the brightest spot in our otherwise bland evening. The only unfortunate part was that we didn't see as much of her as we would have liked to because it seemed that she was waiting every table in the main dining room. That aside, she was as attentive as she could be with the extra burden, had a great sense of humor and glowing personality, and more importantly .. she scammed us a bottle of my fave white that was only on the tasting menu and snuck my husband a side of the etouffe that was on the special menu. Thrilled with her. The atmosphere in this restaurant is spot-on; loved it. We're only disappointed that the food didn't live up to it. My culinary review is simply based on quality vs price point, nothing more and nothing less. EJ is a higher-end menu; if you're going to charge $41 for the bass, it better light my socks on fire. As it was it only sent me diving for my glass of water because the cook had obviously over-salted it. We ate all over the menu between the four of us and not a food dance to be seen. Again, the same "picky" friend warned me .. said the food didn't match the price point, did she .. and yet again I disregarded her advice. Twice now. I guess maybe three times a charm?! We won't be returning. Sad to us only because we loved Jana so very much.
(3)
Lily B.
Everything about this place-AMAZING!! Can't wait to come back
(5)
Carrie B.
We are new to the area and had multiple people rave about this restaurant. Additionally, they all recommended we eat in the bar claiming the food is the same but smaller portions and a tad cheaper. My husband and I went last Saturday to celebrate our anniversary and had a bad experience. I wonder if sitting in the main dining room would be better? The service was poor. So poor, in fact I had to question if our waitress was really our waitress. She was horrible. She banged plates and silverware around. She wasn't very helpful with the menu. She actually stopped taking our order in mid-sentence to throw some menus to another couple who had sat down near us. The complimentary bread was rock hard. The lobster salad sandwich was ok - filling was actually good but the bread was soggy. The fries it came with were cold. The drinks from the bar took forever to get - and we were sitting 3 feet away! The halibut was good but maybe a tad overdone. We told a guy about the fries and while he offered to get us another order, he wasn't sincere about the mistake at all. I doubt we'll go back. Very poor experience.
(1)
Vim I.
I was expecting to like EJ having heard and read rave reviews. But if you look through the reviews closely, you'll notice that EJ sometimes has off-nights, perhaps it depends on who's in the kitchen. We definitely went on an off-night or at least I hope that was not a true reflection of the restaurant's cuisine. First off, the atmosphere and service were great. No complaints there. The food was forgettable--and the check was memorable. At $40 an entree, you expect to be wowed with every bite, but this was not the case. One overarching problem was the lack of salt--and the dishes could not be fixed with simple table salt. Each dish was huge in portion--so by the standards of size, you get what you pay for. These are great cuts of meat--just not seasoned properly--which is a shame. We had the crawfish bisque, potato leek soup, veal chops (on the special menu), ribeye, and blueberry cobbler. That was a lot of food...and we left underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The best thing about the meal was seriously the bread and the sorbet they provided as a palate cleanser. I normally give restaurants a second chance (especially if others have said great things) but it's hard to justify the price of going a second time and possibly being disappointed again.
(3)
Amanda B.
To begin with, the service was genuinely friendly, and impeccable. And the wine list is extensive, well-priced, and contains an assortment of half-bottles - which is an option that I *love*. I started my meal with the lobster pancake - which was savory and delicious. (Read: contemplated licking my plate clean.) My companion ordered the oyster salad, and of course I tried a little. I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of oysters - they're easy to render too chewy for my taste - but these were dusted in cornmeal and flash-fried to perfection. More of a plate of oysters with greens as a garnish than salad. My entree was dover sole with lump crabmeat, which was light, citrusy, and filling. But I couldn't resist finishing with a couple bites of the chocolate souffle... AMAZING.
This place was a huge let down to me. For a place to have one of the best proclaimed chef's in the mid-south, it sucked. The food was not seasoned well, I did like the samples sent out by the chef. The price for the meal was a little ridiculous. I usually buy a desert when my wife and I go to a restaurant, but we skipped this one. Overrated for sure!!!!!
(2)
Tiffany L.
Erling Jensen was one of Memphis' first fine-dining establishments. Tucked out of sight down a small road in East Memphis, this cozy restaurant offers a unique twist on classic French cuisine. My husband and I decided to check it out for our anniversary as it's been on my "to dine" list for as long as I've lived in Memphis. I decided to make my meal from three separate appetizers (two salads and one hot app), while Tom took advantage of their amazing Sunday night dinner special (a $38, three-course, prix-fixe menu with 3-4 choices per course) My first salad (and my favorite dish all night) was comprised of bibb lettuce, endive, goat cheese, local honey, black cherries and a pine nut vinaigrette. At first, I balked at the idea of spending $18 on a salad that didn't have any protein, but I'm so glad I ordered it. The combination of flavors was one I hadn't tasted before, and the ingredients were super fresh. It is definitely makes my top-three all time salad list. My second salad consisted of pork belly confit, arugula, apples and a soy gastrique. This was another successful dish. I honestly believe that making a good salad is one of the most difficult culinary tasks. It seems simple, but it's hard to take something simple and make it memorable. For my "entree'" I had the quail with ratatouille. I might be one of the few people on earth that's not a fan of truffle, but I often find it very overpowering. In this case, the chef used a very deft hand, and it accentuated the earthy flavors of the ratatouille instead of masking them. For dessert, I had the chocolate souffle', and it was almost perfect - rich and decadent. It was a fabulous ending to a delicious meal. I would highly recommend this oldie, but goodie, for any special occasion. Pro tip: go on a Sunday night for the $38 prix fixe. The menu changes weekly.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
PJ T.
Fantastic restaurant. The lobster pancake is a must as an appetizer. The lobster comes wrapped in the pancake which is somewhat of a cross between a pancake and a crepe but not too sweet. The baby spinach salad is great and they will split it for you. The vinaigrette pairs great with cheese and pecans they put on it. I had the filet which was cooked excellent and the red wine demi-glacé was phenomenal. My wife had the kahlua soufflé and said it was tremendous.
(5)Andy S.
This is an amazing elegant Memphis in restaurant. It is named after the chef, who did walk around and talk to us during our meal, which was, of course, a nice touch. At the start of the meal, they walk around and offer you fresh bread. They have a brown one and I white bread. The brown one was much better than the other one. Then they gave us a complimentary amuse-bouche (which is to whet your appetite). I can't remember what ours was, however. One member of our party ordered the saffron crawfish bisque, which to me, was amazing! A great soup. Another person ordered a lemon grass soup. He loved it, but I thought it was just ok. Then we each got a complimentary sorbet to cleanse our palate. One person ordered the Dover Sole Meunière with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat. Fish with more seafood. Yum. One person ordered the rack of lamb. It was very tasty. It comes with a pecan, mustard, garlic, and molasses crust. Per the server's recommendation, I had to order the filet of buffalo tenderloin with lobster Bearnaise. I love a good rare steak and this one was melt in your mouth, and it combined some lobster chunks! Seafood and steak is the perfect combo! For dessert, we split the chocolate souffle. It came with a milk chocolate cream that we dumped in the center. It was so rich, but so good. Sinfully good. We were each given a complimentary dessert square at the end of the meal. The prices seem high, but they really give you plenty of small courses that are complimentary. The service is also impeccable, and the food is to die for. It is really that good.
(5)Kyle C.
This is likely one of Memphis' nicest, if not the nicest, dining establishments. I have eaten here over a handful of times. If you like upscale dining, uncompromising service, and cutting edge recipes with impeccable presentation, then EJ is the place you need to go. The wine list is extensive and provides a multitude of selections to compliment the outstanding cuisine. If you're unsure of what wine to order, just ask; the helpful and attentive staff is very knowledgeable and can provide you with a satisfying selection. I will not waste time pointing out any of the individual appetizers, salads, or entrees that are offered by EJ because, suffice it to say, that everything is absolutely outstanding, without compromise. The price point is admittedly on the upper end. However, I have never felt slighted by the food-to-price ratio at EJ when it is combined with the high quality nature of the ingredients, the superb preparation/presentation, and the unparalleled taste of each dish. Bottom line...if you are a foodie, a true foodie, this is your place to visit for superb food and a superb dining experience in Memphis. Five stars. One caveat...some reviewers have noted "off nights" and problems with their visits. This can happen, and I have experienced it, although only once, at EJ. However, this is not the reputation that should be attached to this restaurant. It is great. Period. Eat there. Soon.
(5)Jessica-Autumn A.
We went for valentines dinner. No one had told us, but the menu was fixed with only 3 choices for a main course, a choice of 2 different soups/salad and no choice for desert. It was crap. I ordered my meat medium well and it came out rare. The desert was a chocolate strawberry thing that probably was purchased and shipped from some factory in Brooklyn..Who knows, but it was also 85$$ a plate.
(1)SouthernFoodie M.
My husband has gone for work numerous times... And raves. Decided it warranted a visit on their Sunday's are Special prix fixe for my bday. It did not disappoint! We had Jana as our server and she was great. The wine list is actually very good.... Bottles from $25 or so to $300! I had the lobster mac, buffalo.... And went into food coma!! I couldn't eat dessert as I was so full and they thoughtfully packaged it up for me. Chef was on the floor and asking how people were.... Always a good sign of a solid place. When am I going back??!?!
(5)Anthony D.
A fantastic experience!!! I kick myself for not having made trip before now.....menu is well planned, presentation is great and service is the whisper elegant service with a service team that actually knows food and wine!! A delight and a return trip are certainly in order.... I say, 'et voila' well done....
(5)Paul W.
I have eaten here several times over the past year. Most recently, I had a 25th anniversary celebration here in June. I steered my friends from New Orleans to the meat entrees. Everyone came away impressed. Perhaps I am a seafood snob, but I have not been impressed with the oyster salad or the crab meat dishes I have eaten here. I think this is due to the fact that it is 1) hard to get really fresh seafood in Memphis, and 2) the community standards for seafood here are much lower than in New Orleans (just saying). All this being said, this is a wonderful restaurant and it is a perfect place for a "special occasion." I find that all of the meat dishes are wonderful, and deserve 5 stars. If you are not used to obtaining and eating very fresh seafood, you might find the seafood here quite good. The foie gras is spectacular! I can't wait to go back just for this appetizer! Highly recommended with the aforementioned caveats.
(5)Hope C.
Just had my 40th bday dinner with my big sis and it was a great meal and ambience. I had the Friday wine dinner special that is paired with different fabulous wines for each dish. We started with jumbo crab in hollandaise sauce. It was good but nothing special. Next time I'm getting fois gras or escargot. Next started the four dishes from part of the wine dinner, including a scallop starter, duck pappardelle, and Wagyu steak. The crepe cake desert was to die for. Overall, great meal but would recommend my sisters rack of lamb dish because it was the most flavorful dish and beautifully presented. One little complaint that can be seen as being snotty is that a customer sat next to us in a frumpy t shirt and shorts and it ruined the ambience and the special fine dining event that my sister paid good mine for...so, with that said, there's no dress code but wish there was.
(4)Robin B.
Both kids were spending the night out at friends' houses, so I saw a date night opportunity, no sitter required! My husband and I consider ourselves foodies, and our favorite restaurant in Memphis is Restaurant Iris. It is the standard by which we compare all other restaurants. The pace is different at EJs, they give you a moment to order a drink and sip it before laying the menu and ordering process on you. The wine list was a little slim, I must say! Our salad was gritty, as it the lettuce hadn't been washed well- I know it's tough to get the grit out of butter lettuce. Our server was great, but I can't remember her name. She packaged up our ice cream in a ziploc full of ice so that it would make it home, and I ended up eating my blueberry marzipan cobbler over the course of 2 breakfasts. Anyway, I felt as though the side dish of risotto was not worth $18. My husband agreed. Our server let us know when we left (very full), that they have brunch specials on Sundays that we might enjoy. The bread and butter were very good- seeded with maybe soaked nuts or seeds. Delicious, and the sweet butter is monogrammed. For the perfect meal, I'd take the server from EJ's to Restaurant Iris, where we'd save so much money we could buy her a meal, too.
(4)Amanda G.
Wow, wow, wow! Such a *fancy* place, and so humbly magnificent! Classy service (the valet guy even watched my friend & I go to our cars---so nice), delectable food!!!!!! (the kahlua dessert was divine), and a warm ambiance. Cannot wait to go back!!! I wish I could give it 6 stars! Definitely the best restaurant in Memphis!
(5)Shane S.
It just does not get any better when it comes to fine dining in Memphis. The bar is also a great adventure with a wonderful bar tender and amusing and interesting patrons. On Wednesdays they have half price bison burgers! I had the truffle mac and cheese with lump crab that I wanted to bathe in! It was incredible. The staff is the best in Memphis and the food is innovative and keeps you coming back to see what else Chef Jensen has up his sleeve.
(5)Gina P.
I went for the half priced bison burger on Wednesday. The burger was great and huge and was served with a large serving of fries. Before I had the fried green tomatoes with a caper remoulade sauce that was great. I wasn't able to finish my burger as the appetizer was huge. You also receive pork skins and kale chips complementary. Next time I return, I will try the Truffle Mac & Cheese with crab.
(4)Jeff F.
Whoa! I was completely blown away by this place in every aspect! Came here for m'lady's bday dinner and both of us were extremely satisfied (since she currently works at folks folly, she doesn't often give a fine dining restaurant credit where it's due because she's pretty biased!). Erling, who is the owner (big surprise) and head chef, came out twice to greet/talk to us and ask if we needed anything else, which was pretty neat. I got the asparagus salad to start and the ostrich (see picture) as my entreé and had it cooked medium rare, albeit I normally stay around medium. Oh my lawd it was just unbelievably delicious. At first I was scared the ostrich was going to leave my plate, but all was ok when I took that first bite. If you have a special occasion coming up or just enjoy to go fine dine on occasion, DEF go check this place out!
(5)Willie T.
I went here for my 4 year anniversary. It was very nice. We had the lobster pancake for an appetizer. It has plenty of lobster. And the taste was Devine! Erling comes out and talks to you and meets you. Cool guy. I had for my entrée then rack of lamb!!!!!! My wife had the duck.U got to try the LAMB!!! Sit is good. You think that income to places expensive as this u going to to get a chef giving u this small portions. But not here they are sized just enough to fill u up not stuff you. Service was good! I will recommend this place!!!
(4)Elle S.
Ok so the best part of the meal was the dessert. I feel that as much as I want to love this place and have had two birthday parties here, hoping each time That I would truly love it, if I have to be honest I'm disappointed in this place. I feel like I need to lie about how good it is because it's so expensive I don't want to make the person paying for it feel bad. Downtown food is way better and it's round the same price point. I tried the pancake app, the quail app, and crab cake app. Crab cake was disappointing, the quail was good, the pancake was forgettable. Oyster salad was ok, it came with lots of fried oysters. I got a fish meal and the artichokes were the best part-the fish wS meh. The pumpkin soufflé was pretty good. They make a very good pimm's cup. Server was very rude, specially for a $$$$ restaurant. Other people in the party said he was awful. Mind you this was a large party so he got a pretty nice automatic gratuity I'm sure so I'm not sure what his problem was. I let the manager know, he was nice. Whenever I've had his meals at large galas, they have been really good which is weird because it's for hundreds of people and its mass produced. The decor was very old and out dated too. I'm not sure what's going on but they need to revamp. I took one star away for disappointment in food, second star for rude server (he should be glad I wasn't there with just friends because I would have set him straight) Third star because it's Erling Jensen and that name comes with high expectations and it has been disappointing. I really hope I can love this place one day.
(2)Selece G.
We live in Texas and for most special occasions we travel to Memphis to have a fine dining experience at Erling Jensen. The atmosphere is intimate and the chef comes out to say hello to us every time we have been here. The food is simply amazing... so good! We wish we could find a fine dining experience like this here in Texas.
(5)Amanda G.
I don't know where to start but lets see. Hostess - very friendly and welcoming The bar - the waitress was very accommodating and even recommended great drinks Table - we didn't have a reservation so we waited for like 15 minutes until they found a table for us. We got one of the rooms. Very classy. I loved the PiCassio paintings everywhere. The chairs were comfortable. We were there for like close to 4 hours and didn't have back pain The food - everything we tasted was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were fresh and crisp. The food took long to come but that meant they were making everything fresh. The chef came to say hi to our table but unfortunately we couldn't compliment him too much because that was before we had our mains and dessert. Parking - Valet parking staff were very friendly One of our favs in Memphis
(5)Chris A.
Phenomenal meal and service! Yana's service was exceptional and topped off with the Chef visiting our table.
(5)Cole B.
My goodness this was fantastic. Service was first class! Foie Gras was great. Quail was great. Rack of Lamb was a perfect medium rare and was great. Grand Marnier soufflé was great. What an enjoyable experience. Will absolutely return!
(5)Loren S.
The atmosphere is cozy and romantic and I highly recommend for a special occasion or a fancy night out. Had our rehearsal dinner here because it's just that good! Seriously I feel like it's not easy to have 35+ people walk away, everyone impressed with their dinner! If you want a casual night at the bar, get the white pizza, its phenomenal and they don't skimp on the toppings of crab and shrimp! The filet with demi glaze and pheasant entrees when available are awesome. Whatever you do, you have to get the chocolate soufflé. It's my favorite dessert ever and it's amazing! Service is above and beyond and everyone is so friendly. They seriously make you feel so welcome and sometimes that hard to come across in an upscale dining atmosphere.
(5)Serena W.
Absolutely loved this place! I went there for a reunion dinner; not only we got one of THE best foods in town, we also got to experience the great art work and personality that an amazing chef puts in his restaurant and service! Small yet elegant! Professional yet personal! What a fantastic dining experience!!! Would love to go back again and next time, we are going to take a picture with the amazing chef and owner Erling Jensen ;)
(5)Frank Y.
Rating system: 5 stars - Must try. You're really missing out if you don't. I'm either a regular here, repeat patron, or would be if it wasn't cost or distance prohibitive 4 stars - Highly recommended, but may have minor things that keep me from being a regular 3 stars - Good most of the time but not great. Will only eat here if I have a particular craving, or am unable to eat at my 4 or 5 star choices 2 stars - Do not really like it but will only eat here if I have to (eating group overruled my veto) 1 star - Avoid. Save your money, time, and stomach Came in on March 29th due to positive reviews on Yelp and the fact that it was a restaurant we had not yet tried. We had high expectations going in. We were probably one of the first customers there for the evening so we were a little apprehensive, but customers started flowing in not too long afterwards. One of my "tests" for a restaurant's food, is to ask the waiter what they recommend. I cannot stress how annoying it is when waiters are either unfamiliar with all of the items on the menu, or do not care enough about the food to give personal recommendations and just say "everything is good." Our waiter, however, was familiar with most of the menu, and it was apparent that he had at least tasted many of the items on the menu. We went with some of his favorites, which included the quail appetizer (excellent flavor and was perfectly fried - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside), mountain elk (perfect medium-rare. I'm assuming this was cooked sous vide), and turbot (very delicious fish that literally melts in your mouth). All of these dishes were spot on and I almost always have something nitpicky to say about any restaurant I goto, even my favorites. Everything from our dishes, to the little accompaniments (I really liked the palate cleansing lemon sorbet), to our dessert, a blueberry cobbler, was top notch. If I HAD to say something negative, it would be that the little pastry given after our dessert was a little on the hard side (it had corners, so hurt a little to eat it all as one bite) but the filling was delicious. Out of all our "first times" at any fine dining restaurant, this was the best one. Compliments to the chef and also to the waitstaff, who made sure our water never dipped below 3/4 full and kept the bread (the walnut wheat bread was very good) coming until it was clear we could not eat any more.
(5)Joy C.
I wanted to love this spot but have very mixed feelings..Valentines Day dinner and was I pumped!!!! It was a fixed menu which I dread but wegave it a shot. Everybody hyped us up about this place, but I was slightly disappointed. 4 course meal was offered..some were demolished, but others were barely touched..the good thing about it was we had the best server ever!! And he smoothed things over so we would not have complained... Might need to go back when they offer the regular menu.
(3)Raymond B.
A gem in the Memphis restaurant landscape. Tucked away in a small neighborhood, valet parking at the door of a house converted to restaurant, and a great hostess are all a piece of the inviting nature of the place. The preferred location to eat is up at the bar with regulars, and to order "what's special tonight?" The cocktails are creative and well done (despite sometimes a bit of a novice can be behind the bar), the wine selection is very good, and the food is excellent. Erling is an unassuming and quiet gentlemen who will come through the restaurant regularly to ask how your meal is. Most people don't realize he's the chef/owner, as he is typically dressed in dark colors like the rest of his kitchen and waitstaff. He is creative in the culinary offerings that are on the menus, and despite the fact that you'll pay a bit more here than most places in Memphis, you'll also get quite a lot more. Enjoy!
(5)Prateek G.
I had the scallops for the entree. Good but nothing special. Lobster appetizer was good.
(4)Rita D.
Every single thing about this place is divine. The food, the service & people watching is an added bonus. Place to see & be seen. One our favorite places. Perfect date night!
(5)T S.
Excellent atmosphere, menu and straff. You eat here to impress a potential significant other or business venture. It is very intimate.
(5)Jeffrey J.
This was my 5th time here and he never disappoints, I had the elk with pheasant sausage gravy and red cabbage cooked in apple cider and it was wonderful. Melt in your mouth, this man does not disappoint
(5)Thuy N.
Went here with a couple of co-workers on a Friday night because they were raving about this place. It's in a cute little house and is quite small of a restaurant. They do have a full bar, so if you don't make reservations you can eat at the bar. There is also valet parking available. The food here was average for me, but the complementry bread and butter was yummy, but not impressive for a steakhouse. What I ordered: Fried oysters for appetizer - it was heavily battered and hurt the roof of my mouth eating this, and you could barely taste the oysters Filet steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus - The steak was nothing special and was completely covered in sauce....from my experience a great steak needs no sauce because it is seasoned and cooked well that you can experience great flavor from the juices of the steak. This was not the case this time. Blueberry cobbler with cinnamon ice cream - the cobbler topping was good, but the blueberry filling had too much of an almond extract taste to it, which I'm not too much of a fan. Overall, the bill was in the $$$ and not much to show for it. I would rather dine at Flight in downtown for this price.
(3)Curtis B.
Big portions. Big bill. Worth every penny. Erling is one of our 2 favorite restaurants in Memphis. Maybe anywhere. So be prepared because I'm going to gush. First, the service. It is impeccable. But this is an experience, not a quick meal. You won't be rushed. You don't want to be rushed. An amuse-bouche with the cocktails to start. A palate cleanser before dessert. This is a full French dining experience. If you don't know what to expect, that's ok. No pretension here. This is a great place to experience French cuisine for experts and novices alike. To the food. The portions are enormous. You won't be able to finish an appetizer, salad, and entree alone, but if you are up to it order it all. You'll have the best leftovers ever! Try the lobster pancake because it is one of the best dishes in the city. I had a venison special that just stopped me in my tracks. Perfectly rare. Melted in my mouth. Try to save room for dessert. The blueberry cobler will stain your teeth...it does every time....but sooo worth it! Wine appeared perfectly on time with each course. Water glasses were filled magically. The chef came out...three times...just to check. Mr. Jensen, if you read this, I'm still dreaming of the venison. I added in the reservation that it was our anniversary and our dessert was served with a Happy Anniversary and both of our names written in chocolate. The wine list is excellent, with several half bottles available in addition to a solid by-the-glass list and a full bottle list to please the snobbiest wine drinkers. Come hungry. Allow ample time. This is a 2 hour meal at a minimum. It will not be cheap. You will leave thinking about the next special occasion where you can splurge one one of the finest dining experiences in this great city.
(5)Craig M.
Where can I start, this place was a nice experience. We went for my birthday and it was a great place for a special occasion. I started with the Foie gras and I really don't even have words to explain how good this is, also this is the only place in town that I have been able to find that serves it. The Foie melts in your mouth, my wife had the lobster pancake that was good also but we both agreed the Foie Gras was amazing. I had the Kobe Wagyu Steak and I have to say it was not as wonderful as I had hoped. Dont get me wrong it was good but not quite as good as I had hoped and it certainly was not on par with the price, it was a little tough throughout and the plating seemed kind of stale and been there done that...it was served on a bed of mashed potatoes, limp asparagus and a pearl onion shiitake, truffle demi-glace. Again it was good I have no complaints but it did not live up to my expectations. The service was wonderful our waitress was super friendly and the atmosphere was very unpretentious. I would love to give it another try. It was pricey but overall the experience was worth it.
(3)C L.
Wow. I don't know where to start. First experience with this restaurant on Valentines. We were really looking forward to the meal as we had heard so many positive reviews. For fine dining, the entire experience was disappointing. The menu was a fixed price at $85 per person and was quite limited. We each started with crab bisque and that was the only dish worthy of any positive comment. Next course was chewy goose (me) and a simple salad (my wife). The meal steadily progressed downward (average fish entree and below average strip steak entree) along with decidedly mediocre service and culminated with the single choice for dessert-- a chocolate/strawberry cake that could have been delivered by Sara Lee. Total bill, including wine and tip, was $275 and it felt like I had been robbed. I can't see myself ever giving this place another chance.
(1)Gillian H.
Another disappointing Memphis dining experience. Before I dig into my review, I'd like to rave about our server .. Jana (pronounced "Ya-na" .. I'm guessing on the spelling). Seriously, she was fantastic; the brightest spot in our otherwise bland evening. The only unfortunate part was that we didn't see as much of her as we would have liked to because it seemed that she was waiting every table in the main dining room. That aside, she was as attentive as she could be with the extra burden, had a great sense of humor and glowing personality, and more importantly .. she scammed us a bottle of my fave white that was only on the tasting menu and snuck my husband a side of the etouffe that was on the special menu. Thrilled with her. The atmosphere in this restaurant is spot-on; loved it. We're only disappointed that the food didn't live up to it. My culinary review is simply based on quality vs price point, nothing more and nothing less. EJ is a higher-end menu; if you're going to charge $41 for the bass, it better light my socks on fire. As it was it only sent me diving for my glass of water because the cook had obviously over-salted it. We ate all over the menu between the four of us and not a food dance to be seen. Again, the same "picky" friend warned me .. said the food didn't match the price point, did she .. and yet again I disregarded her advice. Twice now. I guess maybe three times a charm?! We won't be returning. Sad to us only because we loved Jana so very much.
(3)Lily B.
Everything about this place-AMAZING!! Can't wait to come back
(5)Carrie B.
We are new to the area and had multiple people rave about this restaurant. Additionally, they all recommended we eat in the bar claiming the food is the same but smaller portions and a tad cheaper. My husband and I went last Saturday to celebrate our anniversary and had a bad experience. I wonder if sitting in the main dining room would be better? The service was poor. So poor, in fact I had to question if our waitress was really our waitress. She was horrible. She banged plates and silverware around. She wasn't very helpful with the menu. She actually stopped taking our order in mid-sentence to throw some menus to another couple who had sat down near us. The complimentary bread was rock hard. The lobster salad sandwich was ok - filling was actually good but the bread was soggy. The fries it came with were cold. The drinks from the bar took forever to get - and we were sitting 3 feet away! The halibut was good but maybe a tad overdone. We told a guy about the fries and while he offered to get us another order, he wasn't sincere about the mistake at all. I doubt we'll go back. Very poor experience.
(1)Vim I.
I was expecting to like EJ having heard and read rave reviews. But if you look through the reviews closely, you'll notice that EJ sometimes has off-nights, perhaps it depends on who's in the kitchen. We definitely went on an off-night or at least I hope that was not a true reflection of the restaurant's cuisine. First off, the atmosphere and service were great. No complaints there. The food was forgettable--and the check was memorable. At $40 an entree, you expect to be wowed with every bite, but this was not the case. One overarching problem was the lack of salt--and the dishes could not be fixed with simple table salt. Each dish was huge in portion--so by the standards of size, you get what you pay for. These are great cuts of meat--just not seasoned properly--which is a shame. We had the crawfish bisque, potato leek soup, veal chops (on the special menu), ribeye, and blueberry cobbler. That was a lot of food...and we left underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The best thing about the meal was seriously the bread and the sorbet they provided as a palate cleanser. I normally give restaurants a second chance (especially if others have said great things) but it's hard to justify the price of going a second time and possibly being disappointed again.
(3)Amanda B.
To begin with, the service was genuinely friendly, and impeccable. And the wine list is extensive, well-priced, and contains an assortment of half-bottles - which is an option that I *love*. I started my meal with the lobster pancake - which was savory and delicious. (Read: contemplated licking my plate clean.) My companion ordered the oyster salad, and of course I tried a little. I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of oysters - they're easy to render too chewy for my taste - but these were dusted in cornmeal and flash-fried to perfection. More of a plate of oysters with greens as a garnish than salad. My entree was dover sole with lump crabmeat, which was light, citrusy, and filling. But I couldn't resist finishing with a couple bites of the chocolate souffle... AMAZING.
(5)Rachel B.
Very good meal. Started with the lobster pancake then had the scallops. What made this meal were the desserts! I had the chocolate soufflé and my friend had the bananas foster soufflé. Come here just for the desserts! The restaurant is nicely decorated with a boutique feel.
(4)Geno D.
This place was a huge let down to me. For a place to have one of the best proclaimed chef's in the mid-south, it sucked. The food was not seasoned well, I did like the samples sent out by the chef. The price for the meal was a little ridiculous. I usually buy a desert when my wife and I go to a restaurant, but we skipped this one. Overrated for sure!!!!!
(2)Tiffany L.
Erling Jensen was one of Memphis' first fine-dining establishments. Tucked out of sight down a small road in East Memphis, this cozy restaurant offers a unique twist on classic French cuisine. My husband and I decided to check it out for our anniversary as it's been on my "to dine" list for as long as I've lived in Memphis. I decided to make my meal from three separate appetizers (two salads and one hot app), while Tom took advantage of their amazing Sunday night dinner special (a $38, three-course, prix-fixe menu with 3-4 choices per course) My first salad (and my favorite dish all night) was comprised of bibb lettuce, endive, goat cheese, local honey, black cherries and a pine nut vinaigrette. At first, I balked at the idea of spending $18 on a salad that didn't have any protein, but I'm so glad I ordered it. The combination of flavors was one I hadn't tasted before, and the ingredients were super fresh. It is definitely makes my top-three all time salad list. My second salad consisted of pork belly confit, arugula, apples and a soy gastrique. This was another successful dish. I honestly believe that making a good salad is one of the most difficult culinary tasks. It seems simple, but it's hard to take something simple and make it memorable. For my "entree'" I had the quail with ratatouille. I might be one of the few people on earth that's not a fan of truffle, but I often find it very overpowering. In this case, the chef used a very deft hand, and it accentuated the earthy flavors of the ratatouille instead of masking them. For dessert, I had the chocolate souffle', and it was almost perfect - rich and decadent. It was a fabulous ending to a delicious meal. I would highly recommend this oldie, but goodie, for any special occasion. Pro tip: go on a Sunday night for the $38 prix fixe. The menu changes weekly.
(5)Art L.
Took my project team to this well publicized restaurant. Food is unquestionably delicious. Service was actually spotty and inconsistent though. Maybe a bad night? Not sure. This evening I had the sweetbreads which were creamy in a crusty breading; a very tasty and good size portion rack of lamb; and the souffle which is to die for. Ambiance is definitely part of the full dining experience here. One can see fellow diners thoroughly enjoying their evening and the food.
(4)Josh B.
Erling Jensen is definitely the best fine dining that you can get in Memphis, but compared to Las Vegas or Miami it is just ok. I wish he would change the menu more often too. His makers mark chocolate souflee is the best dessert I have had anywhere. I also love how unassuming Chef Erling is. You will often see him opening the door to the restaurant or even seating you himself. Until he changes the menu though, I don't think I will be back.
(4)Jenna K.
If I was asked what ONE place is my favorite to dine.... it would be here. It is pricey, but soooo worth it! I nor anyone I know has EVER had anything that wasn't GREAT here. I have been going here since my first wedding anniversary a decade ago and still love it. From appetizers to salads to main course and desserts... it is all amazing!
(5)Mike B.
I had the pleasure of taking my favourite dining companion to Erling Jensen's this Saturday evening, and as usual it was a superb experience, with a few exceptions. We arrived just prior to our 1930 reservations and were greeted at the door by the hostess. For the first time, I felt almost unwelcome at this fine dining establishment. From tone of voice to attitude, the hostess was unwelcoming. I'm not sure if it was the fact that my companion and I are both visibly tattooed or if this is the young lady's typical demeanor, but it was a slight tarnish on an otherwise perfect evening. We were shown to a table just beyond the bar and our drink orders were taken immediately. We were offered the wine list, but declined on this particular occasion. Our waitress returned with our drinks promptly and provided us with menus and an overview of the evening special. After having time to review the menu, we decided to start with the seared foie gras and saffron crawfish bisque. For entrees, my dining companion opted to have the rack of lamb and a side of brussel sprouts. I chose the daily special, halibut with crawfish and pasta. While we were waiting for our appetizers, we were offered a sample of the chef's duck confit spring roll. It was amazing, and the only complaint I have is that it left me wanting more. If it makes it to the menu, it is something I will definitely order. The bisque and foie gras arrived promptly, and we immediately tucked in. The bisque was good but a bit bland, in that it lacked salt. I can say it is the first time I've ever felt the need to add salt to a dish at EJ. With this slight addition, the bisque was perfect. The foie gras changed my life. I tried it once several years ago and was certain that I did not like it. My dining companion was anxious to try it, and I cannot deny her anything. It was the right decision. It was perfectly prepared, and the brioche and cranberry stuffed apple were excellent accoutrements. We finished both in short order and awaited the arrival of our entrees, which took no time at all. The rack of lamb was cooked rare, as ordered, and by all accounts was excellent. I am not a lamb fan, so I cannot give an accurate assessment. The only complaint is that the pecan, mustard, garlic and molasses crust was a bit charred in places, leaving a bit of a bitter after taste. The halibut was also excellent, although a little drier than I prefer. It was well seasoned, and the pasta was an excellent companion, as were the large chunks of crawfish that comprised the sauce. All in all, both entrees were excellent. To finish, we opted to have the chocolate soufflé and coffee. It was divine. It is a very "grown-up" take on soufflé, and a bit rich, so it is definitely a dessert to share. The Maker's Mark milk chocolate crème Anglaise and fresh strawberries and blackberries complemented the rich, dark nature of the dessert, making it the perfect close to an exceptional meal. Overall, we were well pleased with service and the quality of the meal. It was not "perfect", but I would venture to say the foibles here pale in comparison to the best night at the local chain establishment. If you enjoy fine dining, you would be hard pressed to find a better meal in Memphis.
(4)Sharon B.
5 Star- class act establishment in Germantown. I've entertained large parties here many times when I used to do business in Memphis and absolutely everything on the menu is inventive and top rate. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy. It's a renovated house! The chef constantly surprises and revels any in LA or elsewhere. The service is superb. Patti is so personable and accomodating. The wine list is first rate. Thank God there are armed security guards at the front door. Bring your checkbook.
(5)Melissa D.
We were visiting family and they brought us here as a special meal. Of course, this is not a cheap meal by any means. That being said, the food was good, but not great. We have had far better, more flavorful meals at much more moderate prices. The service was very good, which is probably what was best about the meal (outside of great company). I had a tomato-leek bisque. I didn't finish it because it was about the texture of Campbell's tomato soup if you leave it condensed, and it was fairly bland. I decided to get the seared tuna appetizer as my entree. It was very fresh, but for $17 it was nothing special. My husband had the elk, which was unique, but he's never had it before, so we can't don't have anything to compare it to. It was a $45 entree, and he said it didn't wow him flavor wise, but the meat was nicely cooked and tender. My aunt and uncle love this place, and the said the owner is really nice, but recently lost his wife (he was abroad during our visit, so maybe the kitchen wasn't doing their best without his supervision). We had a chocolate souffle for dessert, it was good, but it was too sweet, like sickeningly so ( this coming from someone with a "sweet tooth") they also brought out a complimentary dessert of tiny creme puffs on a plate with candles and chocolate writing that said "happy 2nd anniversary" as the waitress heard we had celebrated our anniversary that week. I thought that was a nice gesture. Anyway, I would say if you have money to spend, give it a try. Maybe check if the owner is in when you come. Oh and I think they need to have less froie gras on the menu, just a suggestion... Not everyone wants to eat that stuff, and there are several dishes that include it.
(3)Laura D.
Fantastic! We had such a great dining experience here! Too Tall took great care of us and the food was amazing. My only complaint is that it isn't located here in St Louis. We will definitely return on our next visit to Memphis!
(5)Deen W.
This is the creme de la creme of dining in Memphis. Yes, it's very pricey, but you're not here for a burger and fries. This transcends eating. This is a culinary EXPERIENCE. First of all, this is the most UN-stuck-up place. Patty, Erling's wife, is the sweetest most friendliest hostess. She makes you feel welcomed immediately. The restaurant is in a converted house, so there are little rooms and everything is very friendly and cozy. You feel like you're at someone's house for a dinner party. The serving staff is seasoned and most of them have been at Erling's forever. Micah and Too-Tall are 2 that come to mind first. I love the lobster pancake for an appetizer, but the salads and crawfish bisque are hard to pass up as well. (And I just posted on another review that I'm not a salad girl!) Entrees are all wonderful. I love the dover sole and buffalo tenderloin with lobster bearnaise. David mentions a seared ahi tuna that sounds delicious. My fiance, without fail, gets the lamb every time and it's very good too. I love that they bring out little odds and ends to eat in between courses. You never know what it's going to be, but it's always such a treat! For dessert, I'm usually stuffed, but creme brulee is my kryptonite, so I usually force myself to order one. It's been a while since I've been to Erling's, and I hope the economy hasn't hurt their business too much. I think we will give Patty a call in the near future, though....I sure would like to try that ahi tuna!
(5)Fina S.
My husband and I went here after hearing raves about the chef and the restaurant. And I know that I am a tough critic, after living in New YOrk CIty and Europe, most of my life.So much for other peoples opinions! This was not at all what we expected. We waited almost 45 minutes for our appetizers-was never told what the wait was about-a couple who came in 15 minutes after us-were served their appetizers 15 minutes before ours! I had the crabmeat with beluga caviar and my husband had the quail. Th crab did not taste fresh-it could have been out of a can-and there was no pearl spoon for the caviar-the waiter did not even know to serve caviar with a pearl spoon! My husbands quail was overcooked and dry. I ordered the wagyu beef , rare for my entree. It came out grey looking and almost well done-no flavour and tough! It was also cut up in strips-as if someone had helped themselves to part of my beef. My husbands dinner was overcooked and dry. We had about one or two mouthfuls of our entrees and decided to leave. Our faces must have said something, because our waiter brought the "hostess" to our table, and she asked if something was wrong. We spoke with her and she asked us if we would like to order something else. After our appetizer and main course experience, we SAID NO THANK YOU. We learned that CHef Erling was not cooking that night, so perhaps that was the reason for the sad flavours of the food. Chef Erling did call us the next day to apologize for our experience. We will not be coming back. If your name is on the restaurant, your food should be represented. Say no more.
(1)Clarissa T.
Excellent ! Patty is great. Maggie is great. And of course Erling is fabulous! Food and service has always been amazing, but now with the the bar area, it more approachable for any weeknight or impromptu dining. I always meet great people at he bar.
(5)David M.
Wow. This place is just awesome. I only wish I could go more often. I won't break down all of my food choices but I will say that EVERY SINGLE THING I've ever had is ridiculously delicious. Erling is a culinary genius. Just go!
(5)David M.
I have followed Chef Erling Jensen from La Tourelle, being educated in his cuisine at their Sunday Brunches. Chef Jensen's own restaurant is a departure in style from La Tourelle. Erling Jensen's is decidedly modern, but still elegant in its simplicity. The food is, MARVELOUS. Fans of his Mesclun salad, from LT days will be pleased to see it on the menu here. Other favorites: Seared Ahi Tuna with Sticky Rice & the Black Angus Filet is one of the finest cuts of beef available anywhere. For desert, try the Warm Brown Sugar Peach Tartlet or the 'Chocolate Split'-NOT your father's banana split. Service is friendly and attentive. Reservations Highly Recommended.
(5)Bryan E.
Erling's is tough to beat. I've yet to eat at Restaurant Iris, so I can't compare the two experiences, but I would imagine they'd be about even. Erling and Patti (his wife) run an absolutely amazing restaurant. Service is top notch, the food is always amazing, and the wine list can't be beat. I've eaten at Erling's probably 3-4 times and I've yet to have a complaint. They're expanding the restaurant space at the moment to include a full bar and patio seating, which will only serve to create a better spot.
(5)Charles D.
Absolute best in the city. For me this is not even a question. You will pay for it, but you get what you pay for. Small, cozy restaurant that is great for groups of 2-4. Excellent menu that changes regularly based on whats fresh and available at market. Great wine list (maybe a little overpriced) and good server knowledge of recommendations and pairings. The staff is always friendly and very quick to take care of your needs. I have always left with a smile on my face eager to come back.
(5)Melissa D.
We were visiting family and they brought us here as a special meal. Of course, this is not a cheap meal by any means. That being said, the food was good, but not great. We have had far better, more flavorful meals at much more moderate prices. The service was very good, which is probably what was best about the meal (outside of great company). I had a tomato-leek bisque. I didn't finish it because it was about the texture of Campbell's tomato soup if you leave it condensed, and it was fairly bland. I decided to get the seared tuna appetizer as my entree. It was very fresh, but for $17 it was nothing special. My husband had the elk, which was unique, but he's never had it before, so we can't don't have anything to compare it to. It was a $45 entree, and he said it didn't wow him flavor wise, but the meat was nicely cooked and tender. My aunt and uncle love this place, and the said the owner is really nice, but recently lost his wife (he was abroad during our visit, so maybe the kitchen wasn't doing their best without his supervision). We had a chocolate souffle for dessert, it was good, but it was too sweet, like sickeningly so ( this coming from someone with a "sweet tooth") they also brought out a complimentary dessert of tiny creme puffs on a plate with candles and chocolate writing that said "happy 2nd anniversary" as the waitress heard we had celebrated our anniversary that week. I thought that was a nice gesture. Anyway, I would say if you have money to spend, give it a try. Maybe check if the owner is in when you come. Oh and I think they need to have less froie gras on the menu, just a suggestion... Not everyone wants to eat that stuff, and there are several dishes that include it.
(3)Laura D.
Fantastic! We had such a great dining experience here! Too Tall took great care of us and the food was amazing. My only complaint is that it isn't located here in St Louis. We will definitely return on our next visit to Memphis!
(5)Clarissa T.
Excellent ! Patty is great. Maggie is great. And of course Erling is fabulous! Food and service has always been amazing, but now with the the bar area, it more approachable for any weeknight or impromptu dining. I always meet great people at he bar.
(5)David M.
Wow. This place is just awesome. I only wish I could go more often. I won't break down all of my food choices but I will say that EVERY SINGLE THING I've ever had is ridiculously delicious. Erling is a culinary genius. Just go!
(5)Olivia F.
My charming companion and I had an opportunity to eat here about a month ago. I enjoyed everything about the evening. But, enough about my date, let's talk about Erling Jensen. The service was super. Our person was calm and pleasant. His recommendations seemed genuine. The food was very good. My charming dinner companion was somewhat disappointed in the Kobe beef dish. The feeling was if the meat was really Kobe beef (unlikely) it should taste better than "Yep, that's beef." All-in-all this is an excellent occasion restaurant. We would return.
(4)Carol F.
Erling Jensen is one of my favs in Memphis. Superb food, ambiance, service, and always perfect for a date-night. Always love the lobster pancake...prepared to perfection! It's also nice to meet Chef Jensen as he comes out and say hello to his patrons. Thanks to a perfect dining experience... :)
(5)Katie K.
Erling Jensons is a very neat place to dine! If you are looking for eclectic and delicious, Erling is the place to go eat! I recommend there buffalo with Lobster meunière!e Also, there sole with gnocchi is out Of this world! I usually do not order appetizers but their lobster pancakes are phenomenal along with the seared tuna! Very cozy atmosphere, perfect for birthdays and date night!
(5)Rossana S.
I love this place. I love their service, and how the chef comes out and talks to his customers and makes them feel at home. The crawfish bisque is absolutely wonderful and made to perfection with the right amount of balance of different flavors. I adore the Dover Sole Meunière it is a must when you go to this place but then again pretty much everything made by this wonderful chef has got to be. I also recommend bananas foster soufflé it has the perfect amount of sweetness and the ice cream that it comes with is wonderful. I would definitely recommend this place for anybody that loves make you feel good, made to perfection food.
(5)Bill M.
Exquisite, phenomenal, and [insert your choice of quintessential adjective here] !!! The service was excellent (way to go Micah!), The food was excellent, The wines were unusual and superb. We ordered their Friday Wine and Food Tasting Dinner (a prix fixe four- course journey that varies each week), and were exceptionally pleased at the quality and diversity of the courses. The wines in the Wine Dinner are not usually listed in their wine list. The wine flight was an adventure reminiscent of several treks through the wines of France that I have been on, except more global in scope. a Kuentz Bas from France (Alsace), a Pinot Noir from Germany (Rheinhessen), a Chenin Blanc from South Africa (Western Cape) ,and a Malbec from Argentina (Valle de Uco, Mendoza) were the featured stops on tonight's tour. The food tasting portion of the journey included: Diver Scallops with Crisp Pork Belly, Espresso rubbed Brine Berkshire Pork Loin, Akaushi Striploin, and Almond Red Griotte Tart with a Nutmeg Streusel. Awesome just barely scratches the surface of how great everything was. John, the sommelier, introduced each of wines served with the courses. He was an amazing fount of knowledge and could readily discuss just about anything pertaining to the wines of the evening, or the wine list. He filled in many gaps for me here and there during our discussions throughout the evening (I had lots of questions for him!). I had no idea, until tonight, that Germany actually produces a Pinot Noir. It was much lighter than the typical Pinot Noir's and was exceptional, and was exceptionally well-paired with the Pork Loin course. We ended our journey with some wonderful coffee and and I indulged in a glass of cognac. For cordials, they have a robust menu of choices .They have a port flight of 4 different ports, as well as an excellent choice of Cognacs (Remy, Courvoisier, Martell), VSOPs as well as XO's, and even Remy's renowned Louis XIII !), as well as several Armagnacs. I chose the Courvoisier XO for this evening. It was nice to see several other patrons also enjoying cordials, as it almost seems a lost tradition these days. When the wine and food pairing is as great as this, we can't wait to see what their regular menu has in store for us!! Erling Jensen is definitely on our "we'll be back and soon" list!
(5)Jason S.
My wife and I went there for our anniversary and it was incredible. Rating the food and service high is a no-brainer. What stood out to us was the atmosphere. I guess we expected such a nice place to be quiet and "stuffy." However, it had a lively, lighthearted air about it so that everyone could engage in conversation at their respective tables without feeling like all other tables were listening in. Excellent experience.
(5)A W.
Well ... an elk chop was the reason for dining in Erling Jensen Restaurant. There were no unpleasant surprises this time. The restaurant is located in what appears to be a usual private house. The interior lacks minimalistic elegant fluidity that is aptly captured in the logo. Salmon-coloured walls and abundance of paintings on walls are not my cup of tea. There is a really powerful AC inside. A Maitre d' greeted us and showed to the table. Later Chef Jensen came to say hello to us too. The menu showcases European-style dishes with eclectic touches from other cuisines. The following was ordered: Plated on a sea shell, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with Hollandaise was a decent starter, but nothing impressive. Saffron Crawfish Bisque was perfectly balanced. Spices enlivened natural sweetness of cream and caramelised onions. According to my spouse, the portion was very filling. Fresh Herb and Goat Cheese Terrine, Tomato, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Vinaigrette was absolutely divine. It has got all elements I love about the French cuisine. Mild herby flavoursome terrine was melting smooth. Baby heirloom tomatoes and crisp mixed greens added texture to the salad and cut through creamy richness of terrine. A perfect Balsamic Vinaigrette zinged through with a stronger taste of grassiness and acidity. Airy Parmesan cheese souffle was compliments from Chef. Fresh Lemon sorbet was served to cleanse palate before the main course. Whole wheat rolls with walnuts were great, whereas French rolls turned to be too sour. I was truly surprised by a slab of butter accompanying rolls. Florida Pompano over Wilted Spinach and Wild Mushrooms in Soy Truffle Butter was good. Sweet pompano complimented spinach and wild mushrooms in a butter broth. Rice was unnecessary though ... in my personal opinion. Guadalupe Mountain Elk Chop with Truffled Wild Mushroom Gnocchi was a perfectly executed dish. My spouse enjoyed it medium rare. I had a tiny bit and found it all right. To my surprise, it did not taste gamey. We were too stuffed to order a dessert. Our waiter brought us tiny puffs filled with strawberry cream telling that she could not let us go without dessert. This is the second fine dining establishment serving huge portions. Next time I shall order a salad as a main dish and a starter. The waiting staff appears to be too fussy. Over attentiveness can be awkward at times.
(5)Henry L.
My girlfriend took me to Erling Jensen for my birthday! Wow, what a wonderful surprise. I started with Maine Lobster Pancake and she had the Angel Hair Pasta. The broth on the Maine Lobster is amazing. My girlfriend's scallops and shrimps were cooked perfectly and delicious. Her only complaint it was too salty. The portions were large. We could have easily shared an appetizer. Next, she had the crawfish bisque soup. It was delicious but she thought it was too salty. For entree, I had the rack of lamb and she had wagyu beef. The lamb chop was awesome. Probably the second best I ever had. Cooked medium rare and had an inspiring sauce. My girlfriend enjoyed her wagyu. It wasn't very fatty like Kobe I had in Japan but still tender and delicious. For dessert, I had chocolate Souffle and she had blue berry cobbler. By this stage, we were both really full but the chocolate souffle begged to be eaten. It's an amazing Souffle. The outside shell was crispy and molten soft chocolate in the center. It's a must have for chocolate lover. Overall, we had a good experience. Dishes being too salty is a personal preference and retain 5 stars. The portion are large so be ready to share or take it home for great leftovers.
(5)TJ H.
All I can say is wow! We started the evening by arriving a little early to have a drink in the bar. They offered a nice selection of small plate appetizers. We had the Manchego Cheese and sausage. It was a very nice start. Our server for the evening was Micah. He was very cool and laid-back, but obviously very knowledgeable about the food and wine. We started with the Lobster Pancake and the Cornmeal dusted oysters. The pancake was amazing... loaded with lobster and topped with a wild-mushroom sauce. Very rich. The Oysters were perfectly fried with a very light crust and were almost raw in the middle (a good thing). Our entrees were the Buffalo Tenderloin with Lobster béarnaise and the Rack of Lamb. The Buffalo Tenderloin was a huge surprise. It was incredibly tender and flavorful. The sauce was so decadent. The Buffalo was the star of the night. The Lamb was also great. It was served over mashed sweet potatoes. The lamb was cooked perfectly medium-rare. I believe it was 5 bones. Good sized portion. The pecan/molasses crust was a perfect compliment to the sweet potatoes. Of course it had a very good amount of rosemary as well... which is classic for lamb. We decided to skip dessert because we were so stuffed! You must try this place. Clearly one of the best dining experiences that you can have in the Memphis area.
(5)Ilia B.
Erling has the best crab cake ever! The service is superb and the layers of flavor in every bite are subtly electrifying! I'm not writing a dissertation to tell you how great this place is... just come.
(5)L Q.
I have been to this restaurant 4 times and have tried to like it. However, all dishes I have tried, including two lamb recipes, have been only B+. Nevertheless, it seems to retain an air of exclusivity, even a Cybil Shepard sighting. The wine list is very good. The soufflé deserts are delicious.
(3)Ryan W.
Food and service were both very good. We elected to have the 5 course dinner with sample wines for each. The wine and food combos all had great appeal. Very knowledgable staff al well. Definitely will be back!
(4)Gary P.
I've eaten here many, many times over the years but this was the first time back in at least 10 years. The service is always impeccable and friendly. A very good and deep wine list with all price ranges available. The special of the night was a bone-in filet that I could not eat all of. Great food and great service. One of the best in Memphis.
(5)Alan E.
I had the pleasure of trying a few dishes and was extremely impressed by each of them. The service was attentive without being overbearing and the food was outstanding. The wine list was one of the better I've seen in Memphis. The cocktail list looked fantastic. I plan on trying several of them in the weeks to come.
(5)Michael N.
Second trip and likely the last. Way over priced for a huge portion of avg quality meal. The scallops were surrounded by a mound of sliced ham and fried oysters all drizzled in a rich sauce. My one entree could have fed a small family in a third world country. And not really that good on top of the calorie laden plate of food. I'll likely never return.
(1)Gary D.
I've eaten there once, and it was about a year ago. It just struck me that I do not recall what I had or thought that the food was either outstanding or sub-par (which is not usual for me). I was with a dinner party group where everyone knew each other and I only knew two people - so my discomfort may have overshadowed the food. I do recall that the service was very good.
(3)Chris B.
We regularly travel the world, and love to try new places to eat. It has become somewhat of a hobby to seek out the best dining options in each city that we visit and tonight we wanted to try Erling Jensen after a recommendation from a friend. We brought a good bottle of wine that we thought would match our food selection perfectly. The meal started great, with a very tasty roasted tomato soup, and a glass of proseco. However, the food that followed was a disaster. The asparagus salad was very well presented, but lacked any kind of taste. The only savior was the thinly sliced cheese thinly spread out over the plate, and the accompanying spinach. Next we had the halibut served on a curry risotto, and the seared ahi tuna (appetizer). Both of which were disasters. The halibut was too salty and dry (not fresh, but frozen???). The risotto was luke warm. The ahi tuna was drenched in a very, very light ponzu sauce and was too salty and to sweet (fructose corn syrup??). The dishes looked ok, but they tasted more like something you would find at the local fast food restaurant, rather than something that you would find in a "high class" restaurant like this. After the food disaster we decided to skip the dessert. and just have a cup of coffee before heading home. Wine was excellent, the dining experience was not.
(2)Lisa B.
This is the schmanciest restaurant in Memphis. We attended an event here, and everything was quite gourmet, but looking at the prices on the website I don't think I'd ever dine there on my own. The service is impeccable. The atmosphere is quietly classy. The food? Sort of uneven. Take my salad (please): The menu called it "Baby Romaine with Black Pepper Caesar Aioli, Shaved Pecorino Romano, Pancetta Crisp - 13." OK, this 13-buck salad was all about the presentation, not so much about the taste. The lettuce was placed like a little bouquet in a large bready crouton cup. The dressing was drizzled on the plate. The diner needs to figure out how to actually eat the salad -- what worked best was to turn it on its side, cut through the crouton cup, and sort of swish the whole thing through the plate to get some dressing on each piece. The entrees are in the $30-40 range and are lovely to look at but like the salad not all that spectacular to eat. Dessert was delicious, but it is hard to screw up dessert where I'm concerned.
(3)Krista W.
Surprised and not in a good way. I believe it was March of 2010, when my husband wanted to surprise me with a romantic evening out. I was excited to arrive at this establishment, I had heard such good things.... my hubby and I being "foodie" sorts, this was going to be an experience!!! The staff; very attentive, very attentive, can you go away so I can have a private moment with my husband?!?! I never felt as though there were any moments of privacy even to exchange a few sweet nothings.... Now on to the food.. I may have to come back to complete the food review portion... As I remember.... sad the food wasn't that memorable..... The soup... er, I mean bisque, was grey in color, not much flavor... reminded me of something you made with rocks as a child.. as far as the color. It had the consistency of watery, gelatin... becoming more firm as it cool, then its texture and consistency was quite unpleasant... The rest of meal was just okay... unremarkable. Reading the other reviews.... I hope they were just having an off night...
(2)Roy G.
I had one of my most memorable and enjoyable dining experiences last night at Erling Jensen. Where do I begin? The delicious wine selection. The attentive and jovial staff...Yana was extraordinary. The food was amazing and I was impressed with the creative presentations...I had to snap a few photos. The atmosphere was intimate...but not so stuffy that me and my dinner companion were not embarrassed by our outbursts of laughter. And thank you especially for making her feel special on her "birthday". I promise to come back on my next trip to Memphis.
(5)Hokie F.
Finally a cocktail list not filled with kool-aid flavors. The barmaid took some intense time to craft a tangy and bitter campari concoction. Worked perfectly with every small plate on the bar menu. Sharp, attentive service. Nice job.
(5)BJ A.
Simply stated... if you feel that spending upwards of $150-200 for a dinner for two is just too much under any circumstances.. than do not visit this restaurant. But if you want one of the finest dining experiences imaginable.. do not pass up the chance to visit this incomparable restaurant.. it is absolutely marvelous!
(5)Julie H.
Our favorite restaurant in Memphis. The service is excellent without being pretentious, classy friendly atmosphere -- and the best food in Memphis. The owner/chef greeted us at the door and came by to be sure everything was to our liking. Will be back over and over again.
(5)Alan E.
I had the pleasure of trying a few dishes and was extremely impressed by each of them. The service was attentive without being overbearing and the food was outstanding. The wine list was one of the better I've seen in Memphis. The cocktail list looked fantastic. I plan on trying several of them in the weeks to come.
(5)Michael N.
Second trip and likely the last. Way over priced for a huge portion of avg quality meal. The scallops were surrounded by a mound of sliced ham and fried oysters all drizzled in a rich sauce. My one entree could have fed a small family in a third world country. And not really that good on top of the calorie laden plate of food. I'll likely never return.
(1)Gary D.
I've eaten there once, and it was about a year ago. It just struck me that I do not recall what I had or thought that the food was either outstanding or sub-par (which is not usual for me). I was with a dinner party group where everyone knew each other and I only knew two people - so my discomfort may have overshadowed the food. I do recall that the service was very good.
(3)Chris B.
We regularly travel the world, and love to try new places to eat. It has become somewhat of a hobby to seek out the best dining options in each city that we visit and tonight we wanted to try Erling Jensen after a recommendation from a friend. We brought a good bottle of wine that we thought would match our food selection perfectly. The meal started great, with a very tasty roasted tomato soup, and a glass of proseco. However, the food that followed was a disaster. The asparagus salad was very well presented, but lacked any kind of taste. The only savior was the thinly sliced cheese thinly spread out over the plate, and the accompanying spinach. Next we had the halibut served on a curry risotto, and the seared ahi tuna (appetizer). Both of which were disasters. The halibut was too salty and dry (not fresh, but frozen???). The risotto was luke warm. The ahi tuna was drenched in a very, very light ponzu sauce and was too salty and to sweet (fructose corn syrup??). The dishes looked ok, but they tasted more like something you would find at the local fast food restaurant, rather than something that you would find in a "high class" restaurant like this. After the food disaster we decided to skip the dessert. and just have a cup of coffee before heading home. Wine was excellent, the dining experience was not.
(2)Charles D.
Absolute best in the city. For me this is not even a question. You will pay for it, but you get what you pay for. Small, cozy restaurant that is great for groups of 2-4. Excellent menu that changes regularly based on whats fresh and available at market. Great wine list (maybe a little overpriced) and good server knowledge of recommendations and pairings. The staff is always friendly and very quick to take care of your needs. I have always left with a smile on my face eager to come back.
(5)Bill M.
Exquisite, phenomenal, and [insert your choice of quintessential adjective here] !!! The service was excellent (way to go Micah!), The food was excellent, The wines were unusual and superb. We ordered their Friday Wine and Food Tasting Dinner (a prix fixe four- course journey that varies each week), and were exceptionally pleased at the quality and diversity of the courses. The wines in the Wine Dinner are not usually listed in their wine list. The wine flight was an adventure reminiscent of several treks through the wines of France that I have been on, except more global in scope. a Kuentz Bas from France (Alsace), a Pinot Noir from Germany (Rheinhessen), a Chenin Blanc from South Africa (Western Cape) ,and a Malbec from Argentina (Valle de Uco, Mendoza) were the featured stops on tonight's tour. The food tasting portion of the journey included: Diver Scallops with Crisp Pork Belly, Espresso rubbed Brine Berkshire Pork Loin, Akaushi Striploin, and Almond Red Griotte Tart with a Nutmeg Streusel. Awesome just barely scratches the surface of how great everything was. John, the sommelier, introduced each of wines served with the courses. He was an amazing fount of knowledge and could readily discuss just about anything pertaining to the wines of the evening, or the wine list. He filled in many gaps for me here and there during our discussions throughout the evening (I had lots of questions for him!). I had no idea, until tonight, that Germany actually produces a Pinot Noir. It was much lighter than the typical Pinot Noir's and was exceptional, and was exceptionally well-paired with the Pork Loin course. We ended our journey with some wonderful coffee and and I indulged in a glass of cognac. For cordials, they have a robust menu of choices .They have a port flight of 4 different ports, as well as an excellent choice of Cognacs (Remy, Courvoisier, Martell), VSOPs as well as XO's, and even Remy's renowned Louis XIII !), as well as several Armagnacs. I chose the Courvoisier XO for this evening. It was nice to see several other patrons also enjoying cordials, as it almost seems a lost tradition these days. When the wine and food pairing is as great as this, we can't wait to see what their regular menu has in store for us!! Erling Jensen is definitely on our "we'll be back and soon" list!
(5)Jason S.
My wife and I went there for our anniversary and it was incredible. Rating the food and service high is a no-brainer. What stood out to us was the atmosphere. I guess we expected such a nice place to be quiet and "stuffy." However, it had a lively, lighthearted air about it so that everyone could engage in conversation at their respective tables without feeling like all other tables were listening in. Excellent experience.
(5)BJ A.
Simply stated... if you feel that spending upwards of $150-200 for a dinner for two is just too much under any circumstances.. than do not visit this restaurant. But if you want one of the finest dining experiences imaginable.. do not pass up the chance to visit this incomparable restaurant.. it is absolutely marvelous!
(5)Julie H.
Our favorite restaurant in Memphis. The service is excellent without being pretentious, classy friendly atmosphere -- and the best food in Memphis. The owner/chef greeted us at the door and came by to be sure everything was to our liking. Will be back over and over again.
(5)A W.
Well ... an elk chop was the reason for dining in Erling Jensen Restaurant. There were no unpleasant surprises this time. The restaurant is located in what appears to be a usual private house. The interior lacks minimalistic elegant fluidity that is aptly captured in the logo. Salmon-coloured walls and abundance of paintings on walls are not my cup of tea. There is a really powerful AC inside. A Maitre d' greeted us and showed to the table. Later Chef Jensen came to say hello to us too. The menu showcases European-style dishes with eclectic touches from other cuisines. The following was ordered: Plated on a sea shell, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with Hollandaise was a decent starter, but nothing impressive. Saffron Crawfish Bisque was perfectly balanced. Spices enlivened natural sweetness of cream and caramelised onions. According to my spouse, the portion was very filling. Fresh Herb and Goat Cheese Terrine, Tomato, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Vinaigrette was absolutely divine. It has got all elements I love about the French cuisine. Mild herby flavoursome terrine was melting smooth. Baby heirloom tomatoes and crisp mixed greens added texture to the salad and cut through creamy richness of terrine. A perfect Balsamic Vinaigrette zinged through with a stronger taste of grassiness and acidity. Airy Parmesan cheese souffle was compliments from Chef. Fresh Lemon sorbet was served to cleanse palate before the main course. Whole wheat rolls with walnuts were great, whereas French rolls turned to be too sour. I was truly surprised by a slab of butter accompanying rolls. Florida Pompano over Wilted Spinach and Wild Mushrooms in Soy Truffle Butter was good. Sweet pompano complimented spinach and wild mushrooms in a butter broth. Rice was unnecessary though ... in my personal opinion. Guadalupe Mountain Elk Chop with Truffled Wild Mushroom Gnocchi was a perfectly executed dish. My spouse enjoyed it medium rare. I had a tiny bit and found it all right. To my surprise, it did not taste gamey. We were too stuffed to order a dessert. Our waiter brought us tiny puffs filled with strawberry cream telling that she could not let us go without dessert. This is the second fine dining establishment serving huge portions. Next time I shall order a salad as a main dish and a starter. The waiting staff appears to be too fussy. Over attentiveness can be awkward at times.
(5)Henry L.
My girlfriend took me to Erling Jensen for my birthday! Wow, what a wonderful surprise. I started with Maine Lobster Pancake and she had the Angel Hair Pasta. The broth on the Maine Lobster is amazing. My girlfriend's scallops and shrimps were cooked perfectly and delicious. Her only complaint it was too salty. The portions were large. We could have easily shared an appetizer. Next, she had the crawfish bisque soup. It was delicious but she thought it was too salty. For entree, I had the rack of lamb and she had wagyu beef. The lamb chop was awesome. Probably the second best I ever had. Cooked medium rare and had an inspiring sauce. My girlfriend enjoyed her wagyu. It wasn't very fatty like Kobe I had in Japan but still tender and delicious. For dessert, I had chocolate Souffle and she had blue berry cobbler. By this stage, we were both really full but the chocolate souffle begged to be eaten. It's an amazing Souffle. The outside shell was crispy and molten soft chocolate in the center. It's a must have for chocolate lover. Overall, we had a good experience. Dishes being too salty is a personal preference and retain 5 stars. The portion are large so be ready to share or take it home for great leftovers.
(5)Lisa B.
This is the schmanciest restaurant in Memphis. We attended an event here, and everything was quite gourmet, but looking at the prices on the website I don't think I'd ever dine there on my own. The service is impeccable. The atmosphere is quietly classy. The food? Sort of uneven. Take my salad (please): The menu called it "Baby Romaine with Black Pepper Caesar Aioli, Shaved Pecorino Romano, Pancetta Crisp - 13." OK, this 13-buck salad was all about the presentation, not so much about the taste. The lettuce was placed like a little bouquet in a large bready crouton cup. The dressing was drizzled on the plate. The diner needs to figure out how to actually eat the salad -- what worked best was to turn it on its side, cut through the crouton cup, and sort of swish the whole thing through the plate to get some dressing on each piece. The entrees are in the $30-40 range and are lovely to look at but like the salad not all that spectacular to eat. Dessert was delicious, but it is hard to screw up dessert where I'm concerned.
(3)Krista W.
Surprised and not in a good way. I believe it was March of 2010, when my husband wanted to surprise me with a romantic evening out. I was excited to arrive at this establishment, I had heard such good things.... my hubby and I being "foodie" sorts, this was going to be an experience!!! The staff; very attentive, very attentive, can you go away so I can have a private moment with my husband?!?! I never felt as though there were any moments of privacy even to exchange a few sweet nothings.... Now on to the food.. I may have to come back to complete the food review portion... As I remember.... sad the food wasn't that memorable..... The soup... er, I mean bisque, was grey in color, not much flavor... reminded me of something you made with rocks as a child.. as far as the color. It had the consistency of watery, gelatin... becoming more firm as it cool, then its texture and consistency was quite unpleasant... The rest of meal was just okay... unremarkable. Reading the other reviews.... I hope they were just having an off night...
(2)Roy G.
I had one of my most memorable and enjoyable dining experiences last night at Erling Jensen. Where do I begin? The delicious wine selection. The attentive and jovial staff...Yana was extraordinary. The food was amazing and I was impressed with the creative presentations...I had to snap a few photos. The atmosphere was intimate...but not so stuffy that me and my dinner companion were not embarrassed by our outbursts of laughter. And thank you especially for making her feel special on her "birthday". I promise to come back on my next trip to Memphis.
(5)Hokie F.
Finally a cocktail list not filled with kool-aid flavors. The barmaid took some intense time to craft a tangy and bitter campari concoction. Worked perfectly with every small plate on the bar menu. Sharp, attentive service. Nice job.
(5)Mike B.
I had the pleasure of taking my favourite dining companion to Erling Jensen's this Saturday evening, and as usual it was a superb experience, with a few exceptions. We arrived just prior to our 1930 reservations and were greeted at the door by the hostess. For the first time, I felt almost unwelcome at this fine dining establishment. From tone of voice to attitude, the hostess was unwelcoming. I'm not sure if it was the fact that my companion and I are both visibly tattooed or if this is the young lady's typical demeanor, but it was a slight tarnish on an otherwise perfect evening. We were shown to a table just beyond the bar and our drink orders were taken immediately. We were offered the wine list, but declined on this particular occasion. Our waitress returned with our drinks promptly and provided us with menus and an overview of the evening special. After having time to review the menu, we decided to start with the seared foie gras and saffron crawfish bisque. For entrees, my dining companion opted to have the rack of lamb and a side of brussel sprouts. I chose the daily special, halibut with crawfish and pasta. While we were waiting for our appetizers, we were offered a sample of the chef's duck confit spring roll. It was amazing, and the only complaint I have is that it left me wanting more. If it makes it to the menu, it is something I will definitely order. The bisque and foie gras arrived promptly, and we immediately tucked in. The bisque was good but a bit bland, in that it lacked salt. I can say it is the first time I've ever felt the need to add salt to a dish at EJ. With this slight addition, the bisque was perfect. The foie gras changed my life. I tried it once several years ago and was certain that I did not like it. My dining companion was anxious to try it, and I cannot deny her anything. It was the right decision. It was perfectly prepared, and the brioche and cranberry stuffed apple were excellent accoutrements. We finished both in short order and awaited the arrival of our entrees, which took no time at all. The rack of lamb was cooked rare, as ordered, and by all accounts was excellent. I am not a lamb fan, so I cannot give an accurate assessment. The only complaint is that the pecan, mustard, garlic and molasses crust was a bit charred in places, leaving a bit of a bitter after taste. The halibut was also excellent, although a little drier than I prefer. It was well seasoned, and the pasta was an excellent companion, as were the large chunks of crawfish that comprised the sauce. All in all, both entrees were excellent. To finish, we opted to have the chocolate soufflé and coffee. It was divine. It is a very "grown-up" take on soufflé, and a bit rich, so it is definitely a dessert to share. The Maker's Mark milk chocolate crème Anglaise and fresh strawberries and blackberries complemented the rich, dark nature of the dessert, making it the perfect close to an exceptional meal. Overall, we were well pleased with service and the quality of the meal. It was not "perfect", but I would venture to say the foibles here pale in comparison to the best night at the local chain establishment. If you enjoy fine dining, you would be hard pressed to find a better meal in Memphis.
(4)Sharon B.
5 Star- class act establishment in Germantown. I've entertained large parties here many times when I used to do business in Memphis and absolutely everything on the menu is inventive and top rate. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy. It's a renovated house! The chef constantly surprises and revels any in LA or elsewhere. The service is superb. Patti is so personable and accomodating. The wine list is first rate. Thank God there are armed security guards at the front door. Bring your checkbook.
(5)TJ H.
All I can say is wow! We started the evening by arriving a little early to have a drink in the bar. They offered a nice selection of small plate appetizers. We had the Manchego Cheese and sausage. It was a very nice start. Our server for the evening was Micah. He was very cool and laid-back, but obviously very knowledgeable about the food and wine. We started with the Lobster Pancake and the Cornmeal dusted oysters. The pancake was amazing... loaded with lobster and topped with a wild-mushroom sauce. Very rich. The Oysters were perfectly fried with a very light crust and were almost raw in the middle (a good thing). Our entrees were the Buffalo Tenderloin with Lobster béarnaise and the Rack of Lamb. The Buffalo Tenderloin was a huge surprise. It was incredibly tender and flavorful. The sauce was so decadent. The Buffalo was the star of the night. The Lamb was also great. It was served over mashed sweet potatoes. The lamb was cooked perfectly medium-rare. I believe it was 5 bones. Good sized portion. The pecan/molasses crust was a perfect compliment to the sweet potatoes. Of course it had a very good amount of rosemary as well... which is classic for lamb. We decided to skip dessert because we were so stuffed! You must try this place. Clearly one of the best dining experiences that you can have in the Memphis area.
(5)Olivia F.
My charming companion and I had an opportunity to eat here about a month ago. I enjoyed everything about the evening. But, enough about my date, let's talk about Erling Jensen. The service was super. Our person was calm and pleasant. His recommendations seemed genuine. The food was very good. My charming dinner companion was somewhat disappointed in the Kobe beef dish. The feeling was if the meat was really Kobe beef (unlikely) it should taste better than "Yep, that's beef." All-in-all this is an excellent occasion restaurant. We would return.
(4)Carol F.
Erling Jensen is one of my favs in Memphis. Superb food, ambiance, service, and always perfect for a date-night. Always love the lobster pancake...prepared to perfection! It's also nice to meet Chef Jensen as he comes out and say hello to his patrons. Thanks to a perfect dining experience... :)
(5)Katie K.
Erling Jensons is a very neat place to dine! If you are looking for eclectic and delicious, Erling is the place to go eat! I recommend there buffalo with Lobster meunière!e Also, there sole with gnocchi is out Of this world! I usually do not order appetizers but their lobster pancakes are phenomenal along with the seared tuna! Very cozy atmosphere, perfect for birthdays and date night!
(5)Rossana S.
I love this place. I love their service, and how the chef comes out and talks to his customers and makes them feel at home. The crawfish bisque is absolutely wonderful and made to perfection with the right amount of balance of different flavors. I adore the Dover Sole Meunière it is a must when you go to this place but then again pretty much everything made by this wonderful chef has got to be. I also recommend bananas foster soufflé it has the perfect amount of sweetness and the ice cream that it comes with is wonderful. I would definitely recommend this place for anybody that loves make you feel good, made to perfection food.
(5)Ilia B.
Erling has the best crab cake ever! The service is superb and the layers of flavor in every bite are subtly electrifying! I'm not writing a dissertation to tell you how great this place is... just come.
(5)L Q.
I have been to this restaurant 4 times and have tried to like it. However, all dishes I have tried, including two lamb recipes, have been only B+. Nevertheless, it seems to retain an air of exclusivity, even a Cybil Shepard sighting. The wine list is very good. The soufflé deserts are delicious.
(3)Ryan W.
Food and service were both very good. We elected to have the 5 course dinner with sample wines for each. The wine and food combos all had great appeal. Very knowledgable staff al well. Definitely will be back!
(4)Gary P.
I've eaten here many, many times over the years but this was the first time back in at least 10 years. The service is always impeccable and friendly. A very good and deep wine list with all price ranges available. The special of the night was a bone-in filet that I could not eat all of. Great food and great service. One of the best in Memphis.
(5)Deen W.
This is the creme de la creme of dining in Memphis. Yes, it's very pricey, but you're not here for a burger and fries. This transcends eating. This is a culinary EXPERIENCE. First of all, this is the most UN-stuck-up place. Patty, Erling's wife, is the sweetest most friendliest hostess. She makes you feel welcomed immediately. The restaurant is in a converted house, so there are little rooms and everything is very friendly and cozy. You feel like you're at someone's house for a dinner party. The serving staff is seasoned and most of them have been at Erling's forever. Micah and Too-Tall are 2 that come to mind first. I love the lobster pancake for an appetizer, but the salads and crawfish bisque are hard to pass up as well. (And I just posted on another review that I'm not a salad girl!) Entrees are all wonderful. I love the dover sole and buffalo tenderloin with lobster bearnaise. David mentions a seared ahi tuna that sounds delicious. My fiance, without fail, gets the lamb every time and it's very good too. I love that they bring out little odds and ends to eat in between courses. You never know what it's going to be, but it's always such a treat! For dessert, I'm usually stuffed, but creme brulee is my kryptonite, so I usually force myself to order one. It's been a while since I've been to Erling's, and I hope the economy hasn't hurt their business too much. I think we will give Patty a call in the near future, though....I sure would like to try that ahi tuna!
(5)Art L.
Took my project team to this well publicized restaurant. Food is unquestionably delicious. Service was actually spotty and inconsistent though. Maybe a bad night? Not sure. This evening I had the sweetbreads which were creamy in a crusty breading; a very tasty and good size portion rack of lamb; and the souffle which is to die for. Ambiance is definitely part of the full dining experience here. One can see fellow diners thoroughly enjoying their evening and the food.
(4)Fina S.
My husband and I went here after hearing raves about the chef and the restaurant. And I know that I am a tough critic, after living in New YOrk CIty and Europe, most of my life.So much for other peoples opinions! This was not at all what we expected. We waited almost 45 minutes for our appetizers-was never told what the wait was about-a couple who came in 15 minutes after us-were served their appetizers 15 minutes before ours! I had the crabmeat with beluga caviar and my husband had the quail. Th crab did not taste fresh-it could have been out of a can-and there was no pearl spoon for the caviar-the waiter did not even know to serve caviar with a pearl spoon! My husbands quail was overcooked and dry. I ordered the wagyu beef , rare for my entree. It came out grey looking and almost well done-no flavour and tough! It was also cut up in strips-as if someone had helped themselves to part of my beef. My husbands dinner was overcooked and dry. We had about one or two mouthfuls of our entrees and decided to leave. Our faces must have said something, because our waiter brought the "hostess" to our table, and she asked if something was wrong. We spoke with her and she asked us if we would like to order something else. After our appetizer and main course experience, we SAID NO THANK YOU. We learned that CHef Erling was not cooking that night, so perhaps that was the reason for the sad flavours of the food. Chef Erling did call us the next day to apologize for our experience. We will not be coming back. If your name is on the restaurant, your food should be represented. Say no more.
(1)Josh B.
Erling Jensen is definitely the best fine dining that you can get in Memphis, but compared to Las Vegas or Miami it is just ok. I wish he would change the menu more often too. His makers mark chocolate souflee is the best dessert I have had anywhere. I also love how unassuming Chef Erling is. You will often see him opening the door to the restaurant or even seating you himself. Until he changes the menu though, I don't think I will be back.
(4)Jenna K.
If I was asked what ONE place is my favorite to dine.... it would be here. It is pricey, but soooo worth it! I nor anyone I know has EVER had anything that wasn't GREAT here. I have been going here since my first wedding anniversary a decade ago and still love it. From appetizers to salads to main course and desserts... it is all amazing!
(5)David M.
I have followed Chef Erling Jensen from La Tourelle, being educated in his cuisine at their Sunday Brunches. Chef Jensen's own restaurant is a departure in style from La Tourelle. Erling Jensen's is decidedly modern, but still elegant in its simplicity. The food is, MARVELOUS. Fans of his Mesclun salad, from LT days will be pleased to see it on the menu here. Other favorites: Seared Ahi Tuna with Sticky Rice & the Black Angus Filet is one of the finest cuts of beef available anywhere. For desert, try the Warm Brown Sugar Peach Tartlet or the 'Chocolate Split'-NOT your father's banana split. Service is friendly and attentive. Reservations Highly Recommended.
(5)Bryan E.
Erling's is tough to beat. I've yet to eat at Restaurant Iris, so I can't compare the two experiences, but I would imagine they'd be about even. Erling and Patti (his wife) run an absolutely amazing restaurant. Service is top notch, the food is always amazing, and the wine list can't be beat. I've eaten at Erling's probably 3-4 times and I've yet to have a complaint. They're expanding the restaurant space at the moment to include a full bar and patio seating, which will only serve to create a better spot.
(5)Anthony D.
A fantastic experience!!! I kick myself for not having made trip before now.....menu is well planned, presentation is great and service is the whisper elegant service with a service team that actually knows food and wine!! A delight and a return trip are certainly in order.... I say, 'et voila' well done....
(5)PJ T.
Fantastic restaurant. The lobster pancake is a must as an appetizer. The lobster comes wrapped in the pancake which is somewhat of a cross between a pancake and a crepe but not too sweet. The baby spinach salad is great and they will split it for you. The vinaigrette pairs great with cheese and pecans they put on it. I had the filet which was cooked excellent and the red wine demi-glacé was phenomenal. My wife had the kahlua soufflé and said it was tremendous.
(5)Kyle C.
This is likely one of Memphis' nicest, if not the nicest, dining establishments. I have eaten here over a handful of times. If you like upscale dining, uncompromising service, and cutting edge recipes with impeccable presentation, then EJ is the place you need to go. The wine list is extensive and provides a multitude of selections to compliment the outstanding cuisine. If you're unsure of what wine to order, just ask; the helpful and attentive staff is very knowledgeable and can provide you with a satisfying selection. I will not waste time pointing out any of the individual appetizers, salads, or entrees that are offered by EJ because, suffice it to say, that everything is absolutely outstanding, without compromise. The price point is admittedly on the upper end. However, I have never felt slighted by the food-to-price ratio at EJ when it is combined with the high quality nature of the ingredients, the superb preparation/presentation, and the unparalleled taste of each dish. Bottom line...if you are a foodie, a true foodie, this is your place to visit for superb food and a superb dining experience in Memphis. Five stars. One caveat...some reviewers have noted "off nights" and problems with their visits. This can happen, and I have experienced it, although only once, at EJ. However, this is not the reputation that should be attached to this restaurant. It is great. Period. Eat there. Soon.
(5)Jessica-Autumn A.
We went for valentines dinner. No one had told us, but the menu was fixed with only 3 choices for a main course, a choice of 2 different soups/salad and no choice for desert. It was crap. I ordered my meat medium well and it came out rare. The desert was a chocolate strawberry thing that probably was purchased and shipped from some factory in Brooklyn..Who knows, but it was also 85$$ a plate.
(1)Jeffrey J.
This was my 5th time here and he never disappoints, I had the elk with pheasant sausage gravy and red cabbage cooked in apple cider and it was wonderful. Melt in your mouth, this man does not disappoint
(5)Thuy N.
Went here with a couple of co-workers on a Friday night because they were raving about this place. It's in a cute little house and is quite small of a restaurant. They do have a full bar, so if you don't make reservations you can eat at the bar. There is also valet parking available. The food here was average for me, but the complementry bread and butter was yummy, but not impressive for a steakhouse. What I ordered: Fried oysters for appetizer - it was heavily battered and hurt the roof of my mouth eating this, and you could barely taste the oysters Filet steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus - The steak was nothing special and was completely covered in sauce....from my experience a great steak needs no sauce because it is seasoned and cooked well that you can experience great flavor from the juices of the steak. This was not the case this time. Blueberry cobbler with cinnamon ice cream - the cobbler topping was good, but the blueberry filling had too much of an almond extract taste to it, which I'm not too much of a fan. Overall, the bill was in the $$$ and not much to show for it. I would rather dine at Flight in downtown for this price.
(3)Paul W.
I have eaten here several times over the past year. Most recently, I had a 25th anniversary celebration here in June. I steered my friends from New Orleans to the meat entrees. Everyone came away impressed. Perhaps I am a seafood snob, but I have not been impressed with the oyster salad or the crab meat dishes I have eaten here. I think this is due to the fact that it is 1) hard to get really fresh seafood in Memphis, and 2) the community standards for seafood here are much lower than in New Orleans (just saying). All this being said, this is a wonderful restaurant and it is a perfect place for a "special occasion." I find that all of the meat dishes are wonderful, and deserve 5 stars. If you are not used to obtaining and eating very fresh seafood, you might find the seafood here quite good. The foie gras is spectacular! I can't wait to go back just for this appetizer! Highly recommended with the aforementioned caveats.
(5)Hope C.
Just had my 40th bday dinner with my big sis and it was a great meal and ambience. I had the Friday wine dinner special that is paired with different fabulous wines for each dish. We started with jumbo crab in hollandaise sauce. It was good but nothing special. Next time I'm getting fois gras or escargot. Next started the four dishes from part of the wine dinner, including a scallop starter, duck pappardelle, and Wagyu steak. The crepe cake desert was to die for. Overall, great meal but would recommend my sisters rack of lamb dish because it was the most flavorful dish and beautifully presented. One little complaint that can be seen as being snotty is that a customer sat next to us in a frumpy t shirt and shorts and it ruined the ambience and the special fine dining event that my sister paid good mine for...so, with that said, there's no dress code but wish there was.
(4)Robin B.
Both kids were spending the night out at friends' houses, so I saw a date night opportunity, no sitter required! My husband and I consider ourselves foodies, and our favorite restaurant in Memphis is Restaurant Iris. It is the standard by which we compare all other restaurants. The pace is different at EJs, they give you a moment to order a drink and sip it before laying the menu and ordering process on you. The wine list was a little slim, I must say! Our salad was gritty, as it the lettuce hadn't been washed well- I know it's tough to get the grit out of butter lettuce. Our server was great, but I can't remember her name. She packaged up our ice cream in a ziploc full of ice so that it would make it home, and I ended up eating my blueberry marzipan cobbler over the course of 2 breakfasts. Anyway, I felt as though the side dish of risotto was not worth $18. My husband agreed. Our server let us know when we left (very full), that they have brunch specials on Sundays that we might enjoy. The bread and butter were very good- seeded with maybe soaked nuts or seeds. Delicious, and the sweet butter is monogrammed. For the perfect meal, I'd take the server from EJ's to Restaurant Iris, where we'd save so much money we could buy her a meal, too.
(4)Amanda G.
Wow, wow, wow! Such a *fancy* place, and so humbly magnificent! Classy service (the valet guy even watched my friend & I go to our cars---so nice), delectable food!!!!!! (the kahlua dessert was divine), and a warm ambiance. Cannot wait to go back!!! I wish I could give it 6 stars! Definitely the best restaurant in Memphis!
(5)Shane S.
It just does not get any better when it comes to fine dining in Memphis. The bar is also a great adventure with a wonderful bar tender and amusing and interesting patrons. On Wednesdays they have half price bison burgers! I had the truffle mac and cheese with lump crab that I wanted to bathe in! It was incredible. The staff is the best in Memphis and the food is innovative and keeps you coming back to see what else Chef Jensen has up his sleeve.
(5)Gina P.
I went for the half priced bison burger on Wednesday. The burger was great and huge and was served with a large serving of fries. Before I had the fried green tomatoes with a caper remoulade sauce that was great. I wasn't able to finish my burger as the appetizer was huge. You also receive pork skins and kale chips complementary. Next time I return, I will try the Truffle Mac & Cheese with crab.
(4)Jeff F.
Whoa! I was completely blown away by this place in every aspect! Came here for m'lady's bday dinner and both of us were extremely satisfied (since she currently works at folks folly, she doesn't often give a fine dining restaurant credit where it's due because she's pretty biased!). Erling, who is the owner (big surprise) and head chef, came out twice to greet/talk to us and ask if we needed anything else, which was pretty neat. I got the asparagus salad to start and the ostrich (see picture) as my entreé and had it cooked medium rare, albeit I normally stay around medium. Oh my lawd it was just unbelievably delicious. At first I was scared the ostrich was going to leave my plate, but all was ok when I took that first bite. If you have a special occasion coming up or just enjoy to go fine dine on occasion, DEF go check this place out!
(5)Willie T.
I went here for my 4 year anniversary. It was very nice. We had the lobster pancake for an appetizer. It has plenty of lobster. And the taste was Devine! Erling comes out and talks to you and meets you. Cool guy. I had for my entrée then rack of lamb!!!!!! My wife had the duck.U got to try the LAMB!!! Sit is good. You think that income to places expensive as this u going to to get a chef giving u this small portions. But not here they are sized just enough to fill u up not stuff you. Service was good! I will recommend this place!!!
(4)Elle S.
Ok so the best part of the meal was the dessert. I feel that as much as I want to love this place and have had two birthday parties here, hoping each time That I would truly love it, if I have to be honest I'm disappointed in this place. I feel like I need to lie about how good it is because it's so expensive I don't want to make the person paying for it feel bad. Downtown food is way better and it's round the same price point. I tried the pancake app, the quail app, and crab cake app. Crab cake was disappointing, the quail was good, the pancake was forgettable. Oyster salad was ok, it came with lots of fried oysters. I got a fish meal and the artichokes were the best part-the fish wS meh. The pumpkin soufflé was pretty good. They make a very good pimm's cup. Server was very rude, specially for a $$$$ restaurant. Other people in the party said he was awful. Mind you this was a large party so he got a pretty nice automatic gratuity I'm sure so I'm not sure what his problem was. I let the manager know, he was nice. Whenever I've had his meals at large galas, they have been really good which is weird because it's for hundreds of people and its mass produced. The decor was very old and out dated too. I'm not sure what's going on but they need to revamp. I took one star away for disappointment in food, second star for rude server (he should be glad I wasn't there with just friends because I would have set him straight) Third star because it's Erling Jensen and that name comes with high expectations and it has been disappointing. I really hope I can love this place one day.
(2)Selece G.
We live in Texas and for most special occasions we travel to Memphis to have a fine dining experience at Erling Jensen. The atmosphere is intimate and the chef comes out to say hello to us every time we have been here. The food is simply amazing... so good! We wish we could find a fine dining experience like this here in Texas.
(5)Amanda G.
I don't know where to start but lets see. Hostess - very friendly and welcoming The bar - the waitress was very accommodating and even recommended great drinks Table - we didn't have a reservation so we waited for like 15 minutes until they found a table for us. We got one of the rooms. Very classy. I loved the PiCassio paintings everywhere. The chairs were comfortable. We were there for like close to 4 hours and didn't have back pain The food - everything we tasted was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were fresh and crisp. The food took long to come but that meant they were making everything fresh. The chef came to say hi to our table but unfortunately we couldn't compliment him too much because that was before we had our mains and dessert. Parking - Valet parking staff were very friendly One of our favs in Memphis
(5)Chris A.
Phenomenal meal and service! Yana's service was exceptional and topped off with the Chef visiting our table.
(5)Cole B.
My goodness this was fantastic. Service was first class! Foie Gras was great. Quail was great. Rack of Lamb was a perfect medium rare and was great. Grand Marnier soufflé was great. What an enjoyable experience. Will absolutely return!
(5)Loren S.
The atmosphere is cozy and romantic and I highly recommend for a special occasion or a fancy night out. Had our rehearsal dinner here because it's just that good! Seriously I feel like it's not easy to have 35+ people walk away, everyone impressed with their dinner! If you want a casual night at the bar, get the white pizza, its phenomenal and they don't skimp on the toppings of crab and shrimp! The filet with demi glaze and pheasant entrees when available are awesome. Whatever you do, you have to get the chocolate soufflé. It's my favorite dessert ever and it's amazing! Service is above and beyond and everyone is so friendly. They seriously make you feel so welcome and sometimes that hard to come across in an upscale dining atmosphere.
(5)Serena W.
Absolutely loved this place! I went there for a reunion dinner; not only we got one of THE best foods in town, we also got to experience the great art work and personality that an amazing chef puts in his restaurant and service! Small yet elegant! Professional yet personal! What a fantastic dining experience!!! Would love to go back again and next time, we are going to take a picture with the amazing chef and owner Erling Jensen ;)
(5)Frank Y.
Rating system: 5 stars - Must try. You're really missing out if you don't. I'm either a regular here, repeat patron, or would be if it wasn't cost or distance prohibitive 4 stars - Highly recommended, but may have minor things that keep me from being a regular 3 stars - Good most of the time but not great. Will only eat here if I have a particular craving, or am unable to eat at my 4 or 5 star choices 2 stars - Do not really like it but will only eat here if I have to (eating group overruled my veto) 1 star - Avoid. Save your money, time, and stomach Came in on March 29th due to positive reviews on Yelp and the fact that it was a restaurant we had not yet tried. We had high expectations going in. We were probably one of the first customers there for the evening so we were a little apprehensive, but customers started flowing in not too long afterwards. One of my "tests" for a restaurant's food, is to ask the waiter what they recommend. I cannot stress how annoying it is when waiters are either unfamiliar with all of the items on the menu, or do not care enough about the food to give personal recommendations and just say "everything is good." Our waiter, however, was familiar with most of the menu, and it was apparent that he had at least tasted many of the items on the menu. We went with some of his favorites, which included the quail appetizer (excellent flavor and was perfectly fried - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside), mountain elk (perfect medium-rare. I'm assuming this was cooked sous vide), and turbot (very delicious fish that literally melts in your mouth). All of these dishes were spot on and I almost always have something nitpicky to say about any restaurant I goto, even my favorites. Everything from our dishes, to the little accompaniments (I really liked the palate cleansing lemon sorbet), to our dessert, a blueberry cobbler, was top notch. If I HAD to say something negative, it would be that the little pastry given after our dessert was a little on the hard side (it had corners, so hurt a little to eat it all as one bite) but the filling was delicious. Out of all our "first times" at any fine dining restaurant, this was the best one. Compliments to the chef and also to the waitstaff, who made sure our water never dipped below 3/4 full and kept the bread (the walnut wheat bread was very good) coming until it was clear we could not eat any more.
(5)Joy C.
I wanted to love this spot but have very mixed feelings..Valentines Day dinner and was I pumped!!!! It was a fixed menu which I dread but wegave it a shot. Everybody hyped us up about this place, but I was slightly disappointed. 4 course meal was offered..some were demolished, but others were barely touched..the good thing about it was we had the best server ever!! And he smoothed things over so we would not have complained... Might need to go back when they offer the regular menu.
(3)Raymond B.
A gem in the Memphis restaurant landscape. Tucked away in a small neighborhood, valet parking at the door of a house converted to restaurant, and a great hostess are all a piece of the inviting nature of the place. The preferred location to eat is up at the bar with regulars, and to order "what's special tonight?" The cocktails are creative and well done (despite sometimes a bit of a novice can be behind the bar), the wine selection is very good, and the food is excellent. Erling is an unassuming and quiet gentlemen who will come through the restaurant regularly to ask how your meal is. Most people don't realize he's the chef/owner, as he is typically dressed in dark colors like the rest of his kitchen and waitstaff. He is creative in the culinary offerings that are on the menus, and despite the fact that you'll pay a bit more here than most places in Memphis, you'll also get quite a lot more. Enjoy!
(5)Prateek G.
I had the scallops for the entree. Good but nothing special. Lobster appetizer was good.
(4)Rita D.
Every single thing about this place is divine. The food, the service & people watching is an added bonus. Place to see & be seen. One our favorite places. Perfect date night!
(5)T S.
Excellent atmosphere, menu and straff. You eat here to impress a potential significant other or business venture. It is very intimate.
(5)Andy S.
This is an amazing elegant Memphis in restaurant. It is named after the chef, who did walk around and talk to us during our meal, which was, of course, a nice touch. At the start of the meal, they walk around and offer you fresh bread. They have a brown one and I white bread. The brown one was much better than the other one. Then they gave us a complimentary amuse-bouche (which is to whet your appetite). I can't remember what ours was, however. One member of our party ordered the saffron crawfish bisque, which to me, was amazing! A great soup. Another person ordered a lemon grass soup. He loved it, but I thought it was just ok. Then we each got a complimentary sorbet to cleanse our palate. One person ordered the Dover Sole Meunière with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat. Fish with more seafood. Yum. One person ordered the rack of lamb. It was very tasty. It comes with a pecan, mustard, garlic, and molasses crust. Per the server's recommendation, I had to order the filet of buffalo tenderloin with lobster Bearnaise. I love a good rare steak and this one was melt in your mouth, and it combined some lobster chunks! Seafood and steak is the perfect combo! For dessert, we split the chocolate souffle. It came with a milk chocolate cream that we dumped in the center. It was so rich, but so good. Sinfully good. We were each given a complimentary dessert square at the end of the meal. The prices seem high, but they really give you plenty of small courses that are complimentary. The service is also impeccable, and the food is to die for. It is really that good.
(5)Curtis B.
Big portions. Big bill. Worth every penny. Erling is one of our 2 favorite restaurants in Memphis. Maybe anywhere. So be prepared because I'm going to gush. First, the service. It is impeccable. But this is an experience, not a quick meal. You won't be rushed. You don't want to be rushed. An amuse-bouche with the cocktails to start. A palate cleanser before dessert. This is a full French dining experience. If you don't know what to expect, that's ok. No pretension here. This is a great place to experience French cuisine for experts and novices alike. To the food. The portions are enormous. You won't be able to finish an appetizer, salad, and entree alone, but if you are up to it order it all. You'll have the best leftovers ever! Try the lobster pancake because it is one of the best dishes in the city. I had a venison special that just stopped me in my tracks. Perfectly rare. Melted in my mouth. Try to save room for dessert. The blueberry cobler will stain your teeth...it does every time....but sooo worth it! Wine appeared perfectly on time with each course. Water glasses were filled magically. The chef came out...three times...just to check. Mr. Jensen, if you read this, I'm still dreaming of the venison. I added in the reservation that it was our anniversary and our dessert was served with a Happy Anniversary and both of our names written in chocolate. The wine list is excellent, with several half bottles available in addition to a solid by-the-glass list and a full bottle list to please the snobbiest wine drinkers. Come hungry. Allow ample time. This is a 2 hour meal at a minimum. It will not be cheap. You will leave thinking about the next special occasion where you can splurge one one of the finest dining experiences in this great city.
(5)Craig M.
Where can I start, this place was a nice experience. We went for my birthday and it was a great place for a special occasion. I started with the Foie gras and I really don't even have words to explain how good this is, also this is the only place in town that I have been able to find that serves it. The Foie melts in your mouth, my wife had the lobster pancake that was good also but we both agreed the Foie Gras was amazing. I had the Kobe Wagyu Steak and I have to say it was not as wonderful as I had hoped. Dont get me wrong it was good but not quite as good as I had hoped and it certainly was not on par with the price, it was a little tough throughout and the plating seemed kind of stale and been there done that...it was served on a bed of mashed potatoes, limp asparagus and a pearl onion shiitake, truffle demi-glace. Again it was good I have no complaints but it did not live up to my expectations. The service was wonderful our waitress was super friendly and the atmosphere was very unpretentious. I would love to give it another try. It was pricey but overall the experience was worth it.
(3)SouthernFoodie M.
My husband has gone for work numerous times... And raves. Decided it warranted a visit on their Sunday's are Special prix fixe for my bday. It did not disappoint! We had Jana as our server and she was great. The wine list is actually very good.... Bottles from $25 or so to $300! I had the lobster mac, buffalo.... And went into food coma!! I couldn't eat dessert as I was so full and they thoughtfully packaged it up for me. Chef was on the floor and asking how people were.... Always a good sign of a solid place. When am I going back??!?!
(5)C L.
Wow. I don't know where to start. First experience with this restaurant on Valentines. We were really looking forward to the meal as we had heard so many positive reviews. For fine dining, the entire experience was disappointing. The menu was a fixed price at $85 per person and was quite limited. We each started with crab bisque and that was the only dish worthy of any positive comment. Next course was chewy goose (me) and a simple salad (my wife). The meal steadily progressed downward (average fish entree and below average strip steak entree) along with decidedly mediocre service and culminated with the single choice for dessert-- a chocolate/strawberry cake that could have been delivered by Sara Lee. Total bill, including wine and tip, was $275 and it felt like I had been robbed. I can't see myself ever giving this place another chance.
(1)Gillian H.
Another disappointing Memphis dining experience. Before I dig into my review, I'd like to rave about our server .. Jana (pronounced "Ya-na" .. I'm guessing on the spelling). Seriously, she was fantastic; the brightest spot in our otherwise bland evening. The only unfortunate part was that we didn't see as much of her as we would have liked to because it seemed that she was waiting every table in the main dining room. That aside, she was as attentive as she could be with the extra burden, had a great sense of humor and glowing personality, and more importantly .. she scammed us a bottle of my fave white that was only on the tasting menu and snuck my husband a side of the etouffe that was on the special menu. Thrilled with her. The atmosphere in this restaurant is spot-on; loved it. We're only disappointed that the food didn't live up to it. My culinary review is simply based on quality vs price point, nothing more and nothing less. EJ is a higher-end menu; if you're going to charge $41 for the bass, it better light my socks on fire. As it was it only sent me diving for my glass of water because the cook had obviously over-salted it. We ate all over the menu between the four of us and not a food dance to be seen. Again, the same "picky" friend warned me .. said the food didn't match the price point, did she .. and yet again I disregarded her advice. Twice now. I guess maybe three times a charm?! We won't be returning. Sad to us only because we loved Jana so very much.
(3)Lily B.
Everything about this place-AMAZING!! Can't wait to come back
(5)Carrie B.
We are new to the area and had multiple people rave about this restaurant. Additionally, they all recommended we eat in the bar claiming the food is the same but smaller portions and a tad cheaper. My husband and I went last Saturday to celebrate our anniversary and had a bad experience. I wonder if sitting in the main dining room would be better? The service was poor. So poor, in fact I had to question if our waitress was really our waitress. She was horrible. She banged plates and silverware around. She wasn't very helpful with the menu. She actually stopped taking our order in mid-sentence to throw some menus to another couple who had sat down near us. The complimentary bread was rock hard. The lobster salad sandwich was ok - filling was actually good but the bread was soggy. The fries it came with were cold. The drinks from the bar took forever to get - and we were sitting 3 feet away! The halibut was good but maybe a tad overdone. We told a guy about the fries and while he offered to get us another order, he wasn't sincere about the mistake at all. I doubt we'll go back. Very poor experience.
(1)Vim I.
I was expecting to like EJ having heard and read rave reviews. But if you look through the reviews closely, you'll notice that EJ sometimes has off-nights, perhaps it depends on who's in the kitchen. We definitely went on an off-night or at least I hope that was not a true reflection of the restaurant's cuisine. First off, the atmosphere and service were great. No complaints there. The food was forgettable--and the check was memorable. At $40 an entree, you expect to be wowed with every bite, but this was not the case. One overarching problem was the lack of salt--and the dishes could not be fixed with simple table salt. Each dish was huge in portion--so by the standards of size, you get what you pay for. These are great cuts of meat--just not seasoned properly--which is a shame. We had the crawfish bisque, potato leek soup, veal chops (on the special menu), ribeye, and blueberry cobbler. That was a lot of food...and we left underwhelmed and dissatisfied. The best thing about the meal was seriously the bread and the sorbet they provided as a palate cleanser. I normally give restaurants a second chance (especially if others have said great things) but it's hard to justify the price of going a second time and possibly being disappointed again.
(3)Amanda B.
To begin with, the service was genuinely friendly, and impeccable. And the wine list is extensive, well-priced, and contains an assortment of half-bottles - which is an option that I *love*. I started my meal with the lobster pancake - which was savory and delicious. (Read: contemplated licking my plate clean.) My companion ordered the oyster salad, and of course I tried a little. I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of oysters - they're easy to render too chewy for my taste - but these were dusted in cornmeal and flash-fried to perfection. More of a plate of oysters with greens as a garnish than salad. My entree was dover sole with lump crabmeat, which was light, citrusy, and filling. But I couldn't resist finishing with a couple bites of the chocolate souffle... AMAZING.
(5)Rachel B.
Very good meal. Started with the lobster pancake then had the scallops. What made this meal were the desserts! I had the chocolate soufflé and my friend had the bananas foster soufflé. Come here just for the desserts! The restaurant is nicely decorated with a boutique feel.
(4)Geno D.
This place was a huge let down to me. For a place to have one of the best proclaimed chef's in the mid-south, it sucked. The food was not seasoned well, I did like the samples sent out by the chef. The price for the meal was a little ridiculous. I usually buy a desert when my wife and I go to a restaurant, but we skipped this one. Overrated for sure!!!!!
(2)Tiffany L.
Erling Jensen was one of Memphis' first fine-dining establishments. Tucked out of sight down a small road in East Memphis, this cozy restaurant offers a unique twist on classic French cuisine. My husband and I decided to check it out for our anniversary as it's been on my "to dine" list for as long as I've lived in Memphis. I decided to make my meal from three separate appetizers (two salads and one hot app), while Tom took advantage of their amazing Sunday night dinner special (a $38, three-course, prix-fixe menu with 3-4 choices per course) My first salad (and my favorite dish all night) was comprised of bibb lettuce, endive, goat cheese, local honey, black cherries and a pine nut vinaigrette. At first, I balked at the idea of spending $18 on a salad that didn't have any protein, but I'm so glad I ordered it. The combination of flavors was one I hadn't tasted before, and the ingredients were super fresh. It is definitely makes my top-three all time salad list. My second salad consisted of pork belly confit, arugula, apples and a soy gastrique. This was another successful dish. I honestly believe that making a good salad is one of the most difficult culinary tasks. It seems simple, but it's hard to take something simple and make it memorable. For my "entree'" I had the quail with ratatouille. I might be one of the few people on earth that's not a fan of truffle, but I often find it very overpowering. In this case, the chef used a very deft hand, and it accentuated the earthy flavors of the ratatouille instead of masking them. For dessert, I had the chocolate souffle', and it was almost perfect - rich and decadent. It was a fabulous ending to a delicious meal. I would highly recommend this oldie, but goodie, for any special occasion. Pro tip: go on a Sunday night for the $38 prix fixe. The menu changes weekly.
(5)