Went to Interim last night for dinner with friends. We were seated in the little side room off the main dinning room. At first I thought it was a terrible table, but it was quite and out of traffic. We could still see into the main dinning room, but did not have to listen to the noise. Our waiter (Marcus) did an excellent job. He was attentive without being bothersome and cleared the table between courses without reaching all over us. Marcus made several wine recommendations to my friends which they said were spot on. I ordered the baby greens salad. Very good for a salad. The only negative is that the beets (which I love) were cold. I would have preferred that the beets had been warm. Would have made a great contrast to the cold lettuce and orange segments. For my entree I ordered the appetizer mussels. Yummy. They were perfectly cooked. Very tender and in a delicious broth. The entire experience was excellent. This restaurant is just around the corner from my house and I rarely think about it. It is definitely on my list of favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)
Trevor T.
I had a business lunch at Interim today. They atmosphere was great. I liked the open kitchen concept. The decor is simple, clean, and elegant. The service was great. I had the Turkey Cobb salad and it was delicious. My colleagues had the Blackened Catfish with Collard Green and Grits. They gave the dish Five Stars. Additiionally, the Bread pudding and Chocolate Cake (we shared the desserts) were good as well. I truly recommend this restaurant. Great dining experience. Thanks Rosemary.
(5)
Matt G.
Nice place but food was not impressive. I had the salad lyonnaise and lamb shank. Nothing to write home about. Actually the shank was nearly tastelessly bland with a watery juice that thinned out the cheese grits and the squash was undercooked. Service was spotty and not prompt I left hungry and disappointed.
(3)
Shane S.
Was alone for the weekend and decided to go to the bar and have a nice meal. The bar was packed but I was able to find one open seat, but soon after 9pm the bar started to empty out. I noticed by the conversation and interactions the the bar had quite a few regulars. The bartenders were very attractive, friendly and attentive. I ordered the beef tenderloin, with carrots and mashed potatoes. The beef was cooked a perfect medium rare plus and the flavor was amazing. the mashed potatoes were more creamed and served with an amazing mushroom gravy that complimented the beef perfectly. It was a great dinner and a wonderful experience. I look forward to going back to try more of the dishes at the bar and to have a true sit-in dinner.
(4)
Brittney H.
Aw!! My finance loves to go here!! Their burger is amazing!! I honestly love everything on their menu!
(5)
JaspalandAman H.
Went there for a weekend brunch- which is open for brunch on Sunday's only. Parking and access are easy. The decor is business/causal with the bar right by the entrance; and an open concept kitchen which faces the main dining hall. We started off with mimosas and crispy oysters. The oysters weren't impressive though; I'd go for the duck confit next time. She got the Oscar Benedict and I got the fish of the day(Salmon)... Both entrees were well cooked and presented. Delicious. Our server was efficient and cordial. We skipped dessert and went for Mexican ice cream @ Michoacana ( which is amazing btw)
(4)
Deanna W.
This place is fancy, heck the parking lot is fancy. As in every other car is a Lexus haha. The menu is high priced, but this is also a high quality place. I really enjoyed the low key ambiance. It is definitely a spot where people come after work to cool down and relax. Also my waiter was a little "distracted" if you will, but the girl going around filling people's water was the best. And I say that because I worked out before and literally drank 10 glasses of water. She should have hated me, but she just laughed! Now for the food. Yummm. It was exactly what I needed :). I got the grilled chicken for my entree. The potato gallete and mushroom sauce complemented the chicken so well! We also got the chocolate cake for dessert. Not only was it beautifully presented, but it was absolutely scrumptious! I definitely won't be coming here every other week since I'm 23 and on a budget, but this place is great when I'm in the mood for a nice dinner!
(4)
Jess W.
The service was very friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming, good music, clean, and I especially liked the open kitchen. Most importantly the food was excellent! Will definitely go back!
(5)
India D.
I had the pleasure of dining at Interim last Friday evening with some colleges from work. From the time we walked in the door until the time we left, the experience was nothing short of amazing. The bar area was very inviting, and the bartender was very knowledgeable about the drink selection. We also greeted by one of the managers, and gave a vibrant description of the menu items. Literally while he was talking, I could picture everything he was talking about and couldn't wait to sit down. Our server was very nice, she was able to answer all of our questions about the menu and that was a huge bonus!! (Engaged servers are a most have when trying a new restaurant). We started off with the cheese plate and duck confit starters. And what a great start it was! The duck meat was tender and the skin was crispy, THE perfect way to have duck. And when you add the toast and greens, it was a heavenly bite. (I'm a girl who loves her duck, lol) The cheese plate was really good as well. The cheeses were strong and paired very will the condiments. Now on to the entrees! I had the Fish of the Day, which was a pan seared Red Fish with creamed corn, and topped with a light tomato sauce and lump crab meat. It was definitely the right choice. The first was great, the skin was crispy and seasoned very well. All three of us that got the fish cleaned our plates. I also managed to steal a bite of the lamb and Beamster cheese grits for a friend's plate, and they were luscious! So that's definitely on my list for next time. We couldn't leave with trying the desserts so we shared the Lemon Tart, Earl Grey Crème Brulee, Chocolate Cake, and Raspberry Mousse. My favorites were the Crème Brulee and Lemon Tart. Ordering either will not leave you disappointed. So at the end of my very wordy review, I have to give Interim all 5 and then some. Everything was completely outstanding, and I can't wait to go back. OH and I love the open kitchen; it's great to see artists at work.
(5)
Jerry L.
I haven't been to Interim often since I moved downtown and I rarely ever went there for lunch. Both are very unfortunate! I drove out today to meet a colleague and was wowed by the specials and the service provided by Ms. Julie. Julie politely timed her description of the day's specials and provided an attentive, but not doting, level of service. The soup/salad/sandwich/dessert special was a beautifully presented tangle of greens, properly dressed and garnished with strawberries and orange segments. The grilled salmon sandwich was served on a very tasty French roll with pickled onions and pickles. Dessert was a teasing taste of peach cobbler that I would have liked more of, but had already filled up on the first three courses. IMHO, this meal is quite a steal at $13! Although I didn't get a chance to try the other special of the day, tuna tacos, my dining companion assured me that they were quite delicious. It's been too long and I need to get back to Interim more often!
(5)
Henry H.
Well today the executive chef is leaving. I wish J. the very best!!!! Thanks for making my wife and I feel like family here. The crew he leaves behind is awesome but the place is not going to be the same. This year ......they lost the best chef ever and their manager. They will and are missed. The food today was great as usual. Dinner last night ..........the scallops were fresh and fantastic. But change is in the air and as I get older I don't care for it so much. The Interim that I knew is gone. Hopefully some of the old crew will stay and the place will continue being a great neighborhood meeting place!
(5)
Jacqui G.
I love the blackened gulf shrimp salad-- yum shrimp avocado romaine lettuce tortillas and roasted peppers yum factor all day long
(5)
Maisha R.
I remember when Wally Joe's was in this location and on a recent visit home to Memphis, we visited the establishment that's been in this location since he left to start his new venture, Acre. While I really loved Wally Joe's I didn't have the same enthusiasm for Interim. I sampled the fried oysters which were good but certainly not great. The celery root soup however was delicious - creamy, rich and smooth. When our waitress mentioned that one of their specials for the night was salmon, three of us got that. It came with brussel sprouts and goat cheese and beet ravioli. Although the seasoned, crispy side of the salmon was perfect, the lack of seasoning on the other side of the filet made it a little bland. The ravioli was creative but it also lacked seasoning. We ordered desserts to go - peanut butter creme brulee and the molten chocolate cake. I've had all types of creme brulee including black and white, vanilla bean, chocolate and banana and this was probably the worst creme brulee I've had. The peanut butter was just too thick so the consistency was off. I'm not sure what to make of Interim. The service was mediocre but the manager was great. He came over to apologize for the kitchen's difficulty in getting one of our meals hot and then he comped the meal, which was nice. The dining room was nearly empty on a Saturday night but the bar in the front of the restaurant was packed and there were even people waiting for a seat. Sitting next to the open kitchen allowed me to see the most popular items and definitely the kitchen was churning out burgers like crazy. Maybe sitting at the bar and ordering a burger is the way to go at Interim. It seems like Memphians have already figured that out.
(3)
Stephanie K.
Nice restaurant and a good experience. Like the open kitchen. However, the dining room was a little loud, and our group came on a Wednesday night and not on a weekend. For appetizers, we shared steamed mussels, fried oysters, and the mac n cheese. That mac n cheese is to die for. Several people added it as a side to their meal once they'd had a taste of it as an app. The fried oysters were very good, and the mussels were good, but the same type dish you'll find at many restaurants. For my meal, I had the caesar salad and the vegetable plate. The vegetables for the evening were green beans, asparagus, a roasted potato/sweet potato mix, and squash au gratin. The caesar salad was good, and the dressing was a little unique. It had a slight bite to it, in a good way. The vegetable plate was filling, and everything was good, but the potato mix and the au gratin were both a little salty. I had the chocolate mousse for dessert, and it was sublime. Creamy and light, with a rich chocolate taste and a couple cookies to add a bit of crunch.
(3)
Andrew B.
Delicious dinner at a tucked away location! All the courses were flavorful and well-presented. Meats were good cuts and cooked perfectly. Salads were fresh greens, not from a bag. Desserts were rich and tasty. Service was good too. First time in Memphis, and when I return, I'll be coming back for sure. We were able to walk right in without a reservation, but it was early on a Monday. Wasn't too loud, even once it filled up.
(4)
Susan G.
Always love this place! Atmosphere was great and I love the open kitchen. We started with the fabulous macaroni and cheese, awesome as ever! Then I had the lamb, which was the best thing I ever put in my mouth. The sauce and grits that came with it were incredible. My sister had the strip special and said it was divine. The horseradish mashed potatoes were so good. We shared a great bottle of wine and loved it.
(5)
Sharon M.
My brother and I went to dinner at Interim and had a very pleasant evening. It had been a year or more since I had eaten there, and I think the whole experience was much better than I remember. The ambience was comfortable, our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, and the food was absolutely delicious. With both of us being wine lovers, and always having a bottle of wine with dinner, we were pleasantly surprised that the mark up on their wine was lower than average. This fact alone will bring us back, but we will ask for a table closer to the open kitchen next time so we can watch the chef in action.
(4)
Kimberly K.
My husband had hosted his holiday dinner for his employees at Interim. He booked a private room. The room was great. Perfect size for 13 people. We had the best service. Hal took care of us for the evening. He was very professional, in and out without interrupting. There were a few others that helped him bring out the food. They were also great. Everything was terrific. Food was delicious. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Would def recommend.
(4)
Christopher M.
It's nice when you walk in and nice when you stay. Easy going atmosphere and the menu is very pleasing. Didn't look too heavily at the menu but talked to the chef and he talked all about it.
(4)
Don C.
A little expensive but worth it. This is one of my favorite places in East Memphis.
(5)
Shanna R.
My first visit to Interim was a success. I was thrilled with the warm decor, open kitchen, and attentive staff. This is a great place to bring a small group! We scored a comfortable corner booth on a Saturday night, thanks to the accommodating general manager, Lisa Jackson. Our server, Bobby was pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu. Most of us were there to try the mussels, which did not disappoint. Not a bite was wasted, as we sopped up the jus with the delicious, freshly-baked bread. I would recommend to anyone who wants to savor the jus from the mussels to guard it with your life! The staff are expeditious in clearing plates, sometimes overly so. ;) Also sampled were the rabbit terrine, cheese board, filet, and burger. The cheese board was pretty standard. The terrine, however, was delightful in its pairing with poached pears and arugula. Both the burger and filet arrived at perfect temp, and plated separately, as we had expressed our plans to share. The extra touches and attention to detail, great food, and ambiance are all reasons for a return visit.
(5)
Cris W.
This place was really fantastic in the past. However, the chef has left and started his own place on Broad Street and now the food is not as overwhelming as it used to be. Additionally the waitress seemed to be a bit condescending. Not only did she correct my wife for using the wrong spoon, she also seemed a bit judge mental that I was unfamiliar with a certain type of cheese.
(2)
Caitlin S.
Pros: incredible dessert. Best lava like cake we have ever had. Open kitchen neat and ambiance nice. Cons: it was extremely unappetizing to see four of the seven cooks have out their cell phones, touching them, NOT washing their hands, then touching food. The garnish on my salmon was plated with the same hand that was just touching a nasty cell phone. DISGUSTING. Unsanitary. Both our entrees were so-so. Nothing special. My salmon was too salty although it was cooked well done as requested. My other's steak was undercooked but tender. Both our dishes didn't have much flavor. While the hostess was nice, she looked like she just rolled out of bed. When I told her about the cooks handling their phones and that we probably wouldn't be returning, the only words she could say were "okay" and "thank you". We won't be returning. I completely lost my appetite after seeing the cooks riddle all of the food with germs.
(2)
Allyn B.
Good food, good service. Definitely a good place to try for dinner
(4)
Andy L.
Interim is located in a strip mall across the street from a Kroger mall. Contemporary in design, you enter by a cool, sleek, black bar, an area separated from the dining room by a wall. The dining room has a much warmer feel, with walls that are a combination of warm wood and neutral colors. Thick carpeting adds to the feel of quiet comfort and helps you forget that the building is in a strip mall. On one end of the room is an open kitchen, which on the day that we went for brunch was busy but not particularly loud or noisy. We tried the Caesar Salad ($7), which was fine, if undistinguished. The Cobb Salad ($12), with turkey breast, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, Parmesan and green goddess dressing was better but also undistinguished. Biscuit "Bennies" ($13) were more interesting. This version of eggs Benedict took a sliced buttermilk biscuit and topped it with layers of smoked ham, poached eggs and creole hollandaise sauce. A small green salad completed the plate. The ham added a nice smokey note to the dish, the eggs were poached perfectly (not a difficult task, but not always achieved by kitchens), and the creole sauce was just different enough (usually achieved through the addition of creole seasonings or a little creole mustard) from regular hollandaise to give the dish a nice twist. For dessert we tried the Warm Chocolate Cake ($9) which was an upside down cupcake with molten chocolate inside. The dish was completed with candied pecans, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate espresso sauce. Was this really good enough to ask for a second order (which we did) or were we just a bit hungry after the meal? Brunch portions at Interim are not as generous as they could be, so the jury is still out on why we went for seconds on dessert. Typically we skip dessert after a full meal. Brunch ended with Espresso ($3.50). We shared a half bottle of Astoria Prosecco ($17; about $5 retail), which was a fruity glass of bubbles that seemed a good match for brunch. Service was efficient, if a bit colder than what we have become used to in our visit to Memphis. We like the room, we like the ambiance and we like the open kitchen concept. Perhaps brunch is simply not Interim's best meal, but often a restaurant only gets one chance to impress. Our experience there doesn't warrant a "2" rating, but the "3" I am giving it feels a little generous.
(3)
Gordon P.
I've been here several times in the last couple of months -- always very pleasant. Maybe "smart casual" as the tone, it's an upscale place, but not formal. Full view of the kitchen, but not too much noise. While linen table cloths. Food has always been good, service excellent, I always come away with a smile on my face and say to myself "I've got to do this more often".
(4)
Kerry C.
I've never tried Interim before, mostly because it's one of those places that seems like it would be a Really Nice Restaurant. Sometimes, it's easier for me to try Really Nice Restaurants at lunch - things are more casual, the food is less expensive, and you get to see how top local chefs handle low-pressure dining. Interim's lunch menu is broken into four small sections. There are appetizers ($6-$11), salads ($7 - $11), sandwiches ($11 - $15) and entrees ($12 - $17). Most of the items are lunchtime favorites - club sandwiches, a Cobb salad, a hamburger, penne pasta, etc. I ordered the mac'n'cheese casserole from the appetizer section. My bowl of mac'n'cheese came to the table in a cute little casserole dish, covered in bread crumbs. The breadcrumbs were a little dense - digging through them distracted a little bit from the deliciousness below. Under the breadcrumbs, there was warm, bake pasta covered in white cheese. The portion looked a little small, but it was plenty of food. Even though their lunch is a bit more casual, Interim is still a very classy place. It would be perfect for a big lunch meeting, lunch date or going away party. The open kitchen looks into a dining room full of tables with white tablecloths, bud vases full of irises and rosemary, and black napkins on every table. It's seriously impressive.
(4)
Tanya T.
I went to a business meeting here not long ago, and was truly impressed with the food and service. Tops, especially during a busy lunch hour. I usually choose a salad when I'm having a business lunch. It's pretty safe, and I don't have to worry about spilling BBQ sauce or mustard down the front of my suit. Interim was no different so I ordered the chopped cobb salad. Deliciousness. Turkey, egg, bacon, cashews (yes, cashews!), cherry tomatoes, and parmesan cheese topped with green goddess dressing. I ate every last bite. The place had a really cool vibe- the tables were spaced far enough apart, and the room had an airy, open feel. The kitchen is visible, a design that I have always loved in restaurants. When my office moves east in a couple of months, I'll be visiting Interim more often.
(4)
HH P.
This is currently my favorite restaurant in East Memphis both for lunch and dinner. The food is really excellent. Nice size proportions. Interesting but not too fussy. My fish lunch special today was perfectly cooked grouper over orzo that had shitake mushrooms and pancetta in it. I wiped the bowl clean with my bread. My only nitpick on the restaurant is the service. It can be inconsistent and unknowledgable at times, but this is a problem at most Memphis restaurants.
(4)
Jeremy B.
Highly enjoyed this place. The Duck was incredible. I recommend the Oyster appetizer. Oysters were brilliant, topped with lemon ice shavings. Kudos to you for creating a unique and nice atmosphere as well.
(5)
Claire R.
I really like Interim. The service is really good. The bartender, "Lucky" is friendly and creative. The food is consistently delicious. In the fall, they had a butternut squash soup that was really wonderful, and in the summer, a sweet corn soup with goat cheese and bacon. YUM. My dinner companion has dietary needs that require no dairy, and they were very accommodating, suggesting dishes that could be made with olive oil rather than butter. Great cocktails, great food, nice people What could be better?
(5)
Jennifer L.
Probably my new favorite "nice" restaurant in Memphis. I had high hopes because I read that the chef had been a James Beard Foundation Rising New Chef semi-finalist...and the restaurant did not disappoint! My husband and I enjoyed everything we tried and the menu was varied and diverse with interesting and creative flavor combinations. The menu seems to revolve around what's in season, so I'm looking forward to going back and trying out different things. Service was good and the restaurant has a clean, modern decor--all in all a good experience.
(5)
David W.
Went here last week with some business guests. It was their recommendation although I checked Yelp and this was a place I wanted to visit. Very cool interior and good bar section. Started at the bar for a glass of wine. They have an Enomatic wine system which preserves the wine. I am wine collector and love to see a good list at a restaurant. This place did not disappoint. This was one of the better lists I have seen, especially by the glass. A lot of stand by favorites, but also some wines you just don't see by the glass unless you are in wine country. Prices by the glass went up to $16 I believe. Steep, but when you consider the juice, I can handle it. Good pours too. Service was good. Was not overbearing, but was just not extremely passionate about the place or his job. Nothing wrong with that at all, but again I have had better service. We started with their mac & cheese casserole & Curried mussels. I do not like mussels at all (not sure why) but these were really good. Broth was flavorful, and mussels were tender and tasty. Mac and Cheese casserole was also very good. Then had a salad with a hazelnut vinaigrette. Had some toasted hazelnuts as well. Salad was tops. For an entree I did duck breast that included duck confit, red pepper coulis and something else I don't remember right now. Duck was cooked perfectly, and was extremely flavorful. Restaurants can screw duck up big time. The kitchen was competent for sure. Had a chocolate souffle for desert. I have had better but it was good. Prices: well, as some have commented before, the prices are on par with some establishments in California and other great food cities. It is what it is. If the products are good, you are going to pay for them. Portions are solid and I would not steer away because of $$$. I will go back next time I am in town. If you love food and wine and are in Memphis, Would absolutely recommend.
(4)
Jolynna M.
Elegant and exceptional cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Josh Belenchia makes Interim one of my top picks for fine dining in Memphis. The last time I went,, I took a couple of my clients for a celebratory dinner after they purchased their new home. It was a great experience all around. We arrived a little early, so we started with drinks in the bar up front. It's a lovely place for drinks, by the way, even if you don't stay for dinner. The atmosphere is just beautiful. For dinner, we started with the cheese plate. Each week the chef offers his own recommended selections of three cheeses, served with honey, fruit and brioche. It was fabulous. But then I am a huge cheese fan. For dinner I had the House Salad with orange hazelnut dressing and the Pan Seared Scallops. It was all sooooo good. They are open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. I haven't yet tried the brunch, but it's definitely on my "to do" list.
(4)
Linz L.
My burger was served completely raw, and it was ordered well done. The service was very snooty. The salmon in saffron sauce was terrible and unflavored. For the price, it is not worth the money.
(2)
Deen W.
I don't know what was up Friday night....a full moon perhaps? Everything had a ridiculously long wait....which is how we ended up at Interim. It was my first time dining there, but it will definitely not be my last! Everything, from the decor to the dessert was fabulous and on point. The service was impeccable....there, attentive, but NOT hovering. My dining companion had the infamous burger; it was almost too beautiful to eat. So, in a word: YUM.
(4)
Karen R.
UPDATE: 10/27 - went there for lunch yesterday - my caesar salad wasn't a caesar (no anchovies like it did the first time and it was russian/thousand island dressing), the chilli the husband had was kind of weird tasting... his baja chicken wrap was awful compared to mo's at pita wraps down the street - chicken wasn't even seasoned... oh the burger was good however but service was horrible!! i'm taking a star away and probaby won't return just for a bloody burger... --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------- interim!? looks like this place is staying in business for awhile :D we've been trying to make semi last minute reservations here for dinner a couple of times and last night, was finally able to get just a bar table. we took what we could get. we had a nice and not so nice experience. thus, a 3 1/2 star. i will certainly update it the next time i have a meal in the dining room. the food was good. not perfect; but tasty. my steak was good and the piece of rib eye was slightly more lean then i'd like but i suppose that's why there is a sauce to cover up the flaw :D the potatoes were wonderful and i loved the pairing of arugula and the meat. the husband had the grouper... he hated the side of puree thingy (it looked gross!) but liked the fish... everyone else at the table loved their food. fish of the day (flounder) and the ultimate hamburger :) btw, i had the caesar salad for appetizer and i can safely say, it is now my new favorite place to have a very good caesar salad! ...and our friend highly recommends the arugula salad (if you're not a bleu cheese person, go for the caesar, the anchovies are YUMZ!) the down side to the bar table... it's loud. awfully LOUD! and you have people's asses overflowing to your table while you have a shouting match conversation trying to keep up with the ambiance. no, not pleasant. but at least now you know the bar is hopping! :D ...oh and the service isn't up to par (not even to chilli's lol) 'coz of the crowd. but i'm not holding it against them... since we had good company and had a very nice time anyway. i'll see what happens the next time. i like this place. i want to go back again and try the highly regarded hamburger and be able to eat in the dining room. it's not that expensive but it certainly isn't cheap. for four people, we spent about $50/person (before tips) with a bottle of wine with our food and split two desserts.
(2)
David T.
A little bit of Rockridge right here in Memphis! (This is a 4.5-star review, by the way.) Interim--so named because it was originally envisioned as a "temporary" to fill the spot that once housed Waly Joe until a "permanent" tenant could be found--boasts an understated yet striking decor (the kitchen is completely in view of the patrons) as well as an eclectic mix of seafood, poultry, and other "proteins" (I've been watching too much Top Chef, I'm afraid). My entree of pan-seared scallops served with tasso ham, spring vegetable risotto, and chive butter, made the perfect meal for a hot summer evening--light, ample yet not overwhelming in portion, and with enough variety of ingredients and flavors to allow me to construct the "perfect bite" over and over again. My sweetie's sliced skirt steak (served with carmelized onions, crimini mushrooms, paprika potatoes, and salsa verde) was similarly yummy. And for dessert, we split a spiced rum bread pudding served with cinnamon ice cream and banana brulee, which was fantastic shared (though it would've been pretty huge for one). Interim is open for dinner (and drinks) from 5:30 pm till 10:00 pm Monday through Saturday. I'm hoping it stays "interim" in name only...can't wait to go back.
(4)
Diana S.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is open and contemporary, and it is fairly large. The kitchen is open to the front dining room, which I appreciate, having worked at restaurants in my younger years. (When the kitchen is open to the public, you can't hide sketchy things like bugs, etc. 'Nuff said.) The wine list is very nice - not huge but well-curated, and most of the wines are available for glass pours, which is fantastic. They also offer a nice selection of splits. The house salad is *huge*, and not your basic mache with fruit and nuts. It has quartered fried artichokes, radishes, feta cheese, hazelnuts and oranges, and is a welcome change. I had the spring onion soup napped with goat cheese and chervil, and although it was rich, the flavors were light and perfect for the season - never mind it was still chilly and rainy outside. The brick chicken was juicy and served with mushrooms, carrots and chard in a jus from the chicken, and the fish of the day was pan seared grouper, served with chard and orzo and a basil cream sauce. The food was good, but it wasn't spectacular - didn't make you go omg when you tasted it. Service on a Friday night was attentive, but it was 6:30 and there were not many people there yet.
(3)
David A.
I do not give 5 stars lightly. This place is wonderful. There's not a microwave in the building! The kitchen is open and you can watch them prepare your food if you wish. They have a great wine selection, and the food is fabulous. We had the Mac and cheese casserole, loaded fries, eggs benedict, and the shrimp grits. We were there for Sunday brunch and can't wait to try the dinner menu. This one is at the top of our list! On a side note, if you want impeccable service, ask for Daiana. I'm sure all of the others are great as well, but she's the one we had. :-). Again, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Joelle P.
I've been holding off on writing a review about Interim because I couldn't figure out what to say. Every time I go, it is a different experience. Their limited menu changes too much for my liking, the outrageously priced food is not always good, and they have one waitress in particular who is just plain rude. And yet, I keep coming back here at least twice a month. Perhaps I keep coming back because it is near my house, or when they do have beef carpaccio and beef tartare on their menu, it is the best thing I have ever tasted. Maybe I like the upscale ambience with the open-kitchen in the dining room. Or could it be that their bar with dim (and therefore flattering) lighting is just a cool place to sit and drink? I guess at the end of the day, it all boils down to the fact that Interim just has that je ne sais quoi quality about it that has me hooked.
(4)
Arpana W.
The open kitchen style is a winner; but the service is not consistent. Sometimes I have a great time and and other times I can't believe I just dropped $60 for a meal and had such poor service. Most restaurants at this level are pretty similar with regard to food quality, the reason that I would choose one over another is for the experience -it's what you're paying for in a place like this. I will say that I do always have a superior experience when sitting in the bar area. It's a local after-work, quiet, no-fuss hangout for the surrounding east memphis neighborhood and you never know who you might run into! I would definitely give it a chance for the yummy food (espescially the Sunday Brunch!).
(3)
Brenda C.
We had their lunch special $13 which included salad, soup of the day, half of a BLT with salmon sandwich and desert. It was fresh, tasty and perfect for lunch. The decor was nice and comfortable.
(3)
Andy S.
Once a month, we splurge and go out to eat a fine dining restaurant. While waiting for the rest of the party, we enjoyed a cocktail at the bar. Based upon the recommendation of the bartender, we had the Hendricks '75, which is gin, lime, champagne, and a cucumber. It was nice and refreshing. We were given complimentary bread. It was hard to not eat all of it. While you're waiting, you can watch the chef prepare your food from the openness of the kitchen. One friend had the arugula salad that had bleu cheese crumbles, strawberries, and pistachios. I had to try the steak tartare. I have never had it before and I wanted to cross it off my bucket list. Steak tartare is raw beef. It also came with mini toasts and sauce gribiche (which is an egg based sauce.) Steak tartare is not my new favorite dish, nor did I hate it. The idea probably made it the hardest to eat. It was a good combination putting it on the toasts. If you haven't had it, you should give it a chance. One person had the hangar steak, which came with fries and collard greens. It was all good. As a lover of soul food and greens, he was impressed with the greens. Since I ordered raw beef for an appetizer, I went with a medium rare burger. It was cooked to perfection. Another friend had the butter poached shrimp. Another friend had the fish of the day. I can't remember what it was, though! Everything was good. I liked the ambience of Interim. I recommend a visit!
(4)
Monica G.
Good catch of the day--overall good food, not amazing but good. Didn't look at prices so can't say if it was overpriced (I think it was reasonable...)
(3)
Toni H.
I have recommended Interim to friends and after my meal tonight, I regret it. I got the Hendricks 75- their version of the French 75 and it was delicious. I would go back again just for that alone! The Mac and Cheese appetizer may not have had any cheese in it and was nothing special. Very disappointing! I ordered the vegetable plate as did my companion. It was okay- nothing was outstanding. Sadly, the service was just not good. Okay, it was in fact plain old poor service. And to top it all off, things kept getting burned in the kitchen and the dining room was smoke filled. My eyes were watering and I smelled like I grilled my own meal. I will have to take my coat to the cleaners before I can wear it again. I will not be back anytime soon and no more telling friends to go. Too bad. They contacted me many times to apologize so I've bumped them up one star!
(3)
Elle S.
This place never has any amazing dishes, food always meh and now that I'm here I can't substitute potatoes in order to meet my diet needs. This place sucks! After I got my meal (filet) I have to say it was good and they ad a cute cheese plate. I'm still taking away 3 stars because they not substitute, their meals are blah, and their Mac n cheese that's usually good was blah this time..... Meh meh.
(2)
Chelsea S.
This place was on point. I had the beef tenderloin and tender is exactly what it was. It came with mashed potatoes and some yumtastic spaghetti squash. For dessert I had the pecan bread pudding and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful dinner.
(4)
Hashem D.
came here with a group of family and friends, and with our reservation we were seated very quickly. The decor is really nice, and the servers are very friendly and attentive. That said, they didn't bring out the appetizers till the main course had already been out, which is a bit of a no-no in the restaurant world... just sayin'. they made it up by bringing us a second set of appetizers for free, but that defies the point as i (and most of the table) was mainly focused on our actual dish that large parts of that second round stayed untouched. BUT, that was my only complaint of the night. Starting with appetizers, while the lamb meatballs were average, their mac'n'cheese casserole was PHENOMENAL! The cheese board is good, with a tasty variety of cheeses to try, the roast beet salad was delicious and the caesar salad was as good as a caesar salad gets. On to the main course, my friends had the crispy duck breast and the blackened redfish, both of which were delicious dishes! I had a special which is not currently on the menu (online) which is the ossu bucco on top of a risotto... OMG! to say that i was practically swooning after the first bite is an understatement. I have never, ever had such juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat and the risotto was just fantastic, with shitake mushrooms and delicious, meaty sauce was a perfect mix of flavors. I was absolutely smitten with the dish and remain so till now. Good place to go, on the pricey range but good food and service are to be appreciated that way. Definitely a great place for a date!
(4)
TJ U.
My wife and I both got sick after eating at this place. Service was slow, we could see them pouring a half gallon of oil on everything they cooked. You can see into the kitchen from your seat. We both got two different fish specials and it was so fishy and bad. Wish I had better things to say!
(1)
Stephen O.
I have been putting off this review for some time, mainly because I am torn on the amount of stars. I have decided I am giving it four stars because the experiences I have had there have been largely positive. They have great atmosphere, quality food, and good service. The pork shank is absolutely delicious, though a mammoth portion that is quite intimidating to eat. My friend got it on my last visit (a birthday celebration) and she just stared at it, then me, wondering how to eat it. I have had it myself, and it is probably my second favorite item on the menu. The duck at Interim is great. I should have gotten it. I knew that I would love it, and I have had it before, but this time I decided to get risotto. Oh, risotto. I blame this decision on the countless cooking shows (I am looking at you, Gordon Ramsay) I have watched featuring this dish. The steak at Interim? Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Another entree I should have gotten. The risotto? Oh, risotto. It was creamy, yes, but it was... I do not want to say bland, because it wasn't bland, but rather just lacking the punch of flavor that every other entree I have had at Interim has featured. Disappointed was I, and I would only give three stars if I was basing my review on that item alone. Fortunately, I am not! The sides at Interim are great, the appetizers (such as the scallops) are succulent, and overall you cannot go wrong with dining there. Just don't get the risotto.
(4)
Shaina G.
Best. Mac and Cheese. Ever. The best I've had in Memphis! Served in a skillet to keep it hot the entire way though and topped with crunchy delicious bread bread crumbs. I've dined in the main dining room, the bar area and the bar and have always had good, friendly service. This is my favorite place to take clients to lunch as I know the food is fabulous and the staff is helpful and professional. The cobb salad is amazing. The first time I had it, I couldn't believe how big it was with huge slices of avocados, full hard boiled eggs, all that bacon, and large slices of turkey. Yum! The menu is great and I love sitting with a clear view of the kitchen so we can watch meal being prepared before our very eyes. I've been here about 1-2 per month on average and will continue to dine here as long as I'm in Memphis!
(4)
Vim I.
I went to Interim for lunch on a workday and I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonably priced lunch menu. The restaurant is beautifully appointed and I love the open kitchen layout. They had a small (but great) variety of options for soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Let me start by saying that I'm not one of those girls that usually orders salads for lunch--but Interim's salads looked so delicious, I had to try them. They do come in large portions and will fill you up. I had the Crab Cake salad which comes with remoulade sauce. The Crab Cake was big, meaty, fresh, and perfectly crusted. I'll definitely be back again to try brunch and dinner.
(4)
Amber C.
Seriously the best burger I've ever had! I went for lunch with some friends/coworkers yesterday. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing; even though I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and the inside of Interim is pretty fancy, I didn't feel out of place or like the service was any less great. My burger was insanely good, perfectly cooked, and the fries...I could make a meal out of the fries! My boss had the Cuban, and one of the girls I work with had the special tacos (chicken I think) and they looked great! Wonderful service, reasonable prices, especially at lunch, and one of the best meals I've had in my many years in Memphis.
(5)
Tiffany L.
Interim Restaurant & Bar has had many ups and downs in its relatively brief history. The space started out as Chef Wally Joe's signature namesake restaurant. When Chef Joe left to create his dream space (the popular Acre restaurant), the ensuing space was called Interim as a temporary fix. Well, Interim might as well be permanent fixture, because six years later, the concept has stuck. With Exeutive Chef Jackson Kramer (in his second stint at the helm), it looks like Interim is here to stay. Interim is one of those restaurants that's nice enough to impress, but reasonably priced, so as not to break the bank. The wine list is extensive, and the mixed beverages are potent. The bar is a popular weeknight hangout spot, but it's the food that helps Interim keep its permanent banner. The appetizers are a bit more inventive than the entrees, but everything is well prepared and exemplifies the importance of the details - the housemade chutney that is served with the cheese cheese board, the beet puree that comes with the lamb, the garlic aioli that makes the Interim burger one of the best in the city. Interim doesn't skimp. Diners may want to take advantage of the lunch menu, which offers the same thoughtful cuisine for half the price, and some dinner appetizers, like the grilled quail with roasted grapes, is large enough to satisfy a hearty appetite all on its own.
(4)
Nicole M.
I came back to Yelp just to write this review. Service was spotty. Our server was nice, but not the best at her job. She disappeared for long stretches of time, leaving me without hot water for tea, others without drinks, etc. One person in our party ordered soup, but had to ask for a soup spoon (and had to wait to do it). The food was fine, but nothing special. Not worth the price, in my opinion. My main complaint, and I admit that this is more of an annoyance, but I ordered the Interim Breakfast. $13 for "two scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, toast, grits, and fresh fruit". I asked for my eggs over easy. The meal that came out included one egg. If you get two eggs scrambled, shouldn't you get two over easy? I wasn't planning on eating the toast or grits, so the extra egg would have been nice, ya know, to justify the $13 price tag. To be clear, I paid $13 for three pieces of bacon and one egg. To summarize: meh. There are much better places for brunch in east Memphis. Pass on this one.
(3)
SouthernFoodie M.
Super impressed. We had a seat by the gleaming kitchen.... It sparkled. The manager clearly kept things on task. We went for brunch and the menu had a good diversity of items... Went for the shrimp and grits and a burger. My grits were ... Amazing. The sausage was awesome and a good number of shrimp. Husbands burger looked great and there was a heap of hand cut fries. We were talked into dessert which was also amazing. My only complaint was a lack of a brunch drink menu. Hello upsell?
(5)
Keith B.
Food was very good. One could argue that the appetizers are a little over priced, but not that bad. I had the redfish and my wife the pasta. We both enjoyed the meals very much. Waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. I will definitely return.
(5)
Ross G.
Interim was our first date night after our son's birth. We were in desperate need for a delicious night out. The ambiance was a bit cold and generic, however the open kitchen saves the dining room from dropping into mediocrity. Wine list was adequate and cocktails interesting and well executed. Food was delicious, and the braised pork provided enough food for a family of four. We somehow managed to quite easily spend $150 without much effort, for just the 2 of us. It may have been a bit late for east Memphis as we found the restaurant quiet at 9:30. I think we will head back for a drink and snack in the bar, but unlikely to head back for a full indulgent dinner.
(4)
Shauna M.
Went here for a birthday celebration. We ordered maybe 4 appetizers and 5-6 bottles of wine for the 11 of us. All were delicious. For my entree I had the fish special (I think it was Grouper) of the evening that came with some vegetables and polenta. The fish had decent flavor, but was a tad overcooked. The polenta was some best I'd ever had. I had a cappuccino after my meal which was perfect. Our service was spot on-friendly and timely, but not rushed. The appetizers came out quickly and then it seemed like just as we finished them our entrees came out. For $80/person (not making the birthday boy pay, of course) for what I received I thought was very reasonable. Not the best food/flavors I've ever had, but definitely a very solid splurge for Memphis. I will be back!
(4)
Corie D.
The butternut squash soup was absolutely amazing, and I loved the atmosphere for dinner. Great place for a girls night or date night!
(4)
Laurie W.
The burger is to die for and also...anything they do with scallops.
(5)
Simon C.
Have to say another recommendation from yelpers... Open kitchen, says a lot have to say. Establishment classy and with very good food. No bad points what's so ever
(5)
Barrett R.
Lisa runs a tight floor staff, and Jackson runs a tight brigade. It is hip, swank, and moderately priced. The open kitchen is a great conversation piece. Men, take a date there. Y'all will have fun. Trust me.
(5)
Debbie P.
This restaurant is always good, and especially when the occasion is special. The service is nice and the food is great. When I complained it was too cold under the air conditioner vent, the server asked if we would like to move, which greatly improved my evening. It was my birthday and they served the dessert with a candle, which was a nice touch. I always know I won't be disappointed when I choose this place.
(5)
Olivia B.
I loved the atmosphere, but unfortunately, the chef seems to be anti substitutions. So much so that the server told us. And now I see in other reviews they charge for change. No. It's not THAT good. I was so tired by the time i left, which was about 3 hours after we got there, that I could barely drive home to get in bed. I used to frequent Interim, but no longer. Terrible service. Never again.
(2)
David M.
I have lived about a mile away from Interim for almost three years now and until today had only been there for dinner once a long time ago. Not sure why. During our "stay cation" this week, my wife and I went there for lunch and absolutely loved it. According to our receipt, our server was Mary. She was very nice and did a great job steering us toward some absolutely delicious items on the menu. We started with two cups of soup, a roasted corn and a curry asparagus. Although both were great, the asparagus soup really stood out. The curry wasn't overwhelming and it had a slight hint of lemon, giving it a especially fresh flavor. For the main meal, I had a Redfish with lump crab meat and a buerre blanc sauce and my wife had a Baked Oyster dish. Both were incredibly good and made for an awesome lunch under $40 for both of us. Great service and great food. Now, I have to go back for dinner. I hear their burger is awesome as well.
(5)
Carol M.
I've been here a few times and the expereince is consistent. Good food and great service. I opted for the veggie plate on my last visit and the okra was fantastic (a bit on the salty side - which is a-okay with me). I really like the casual chic dining atmosphere. My last visit was after work and the bar was obviously the place to be.
(4)
Carter C.
I had never even heard of Interim but was recently invited to a dinner at this great restaurant. Perhaps part of the reason I am giving it 5 stars has to do with the oh so important fact that I wasn't paying. If I were paying I might have a more difficult time throwing down a 5 - this restaurant is not cheap, and I am a bargain maven. Regardless, the food was outstanding, portions were reasonable, and the service was great. I also found the ambiance refreshingly unique. I had the Red Snapper which was delicious. Others in my party had the steak which looked fantastic. The pumpkin cheesecake was also quite delicious. I look forward to a second trip to Interim.
(5)
Matt O.
Wow, just wow. Significantly exceeded expectations. So glad I was invited to have lunch at Interim. A true jewel. Would definitely return and a great place for a business lunch.
(5)
Michelle W.
Having been to Interim several times, I decided this was the perfect place to take out of town guests. I had the pleasure of enjoying an appetizer and an entree at Interim. The pork belly appetizer was delicious and left our group wanting more. My steak was cooked perfectly and was so large I had to take half of it home. Our server was fantastic. Overall we and our friends from out of town had a great evening. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Christophe M.
This place has a good feel to it and the food is authentic. I had the duck and it was cooked well. I wish there were more places like this in Memphis. Service was good, price was right. I will come back for sure
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes 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 : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
James B.
Went to Interim last night for dinner with friends. We were seated in the little side room off the main dinning room. At first I thought it was a terrible table, but it was quite and out of traffic. We could still see into the main dinning room, but did not have to listen to the noise. Our waiter (Marcus) did an excellent job. He was attentive without being bothersome and cleared the table between courses without reaching all over us. Marcus made several wine recommendations to my friends which they said were spot on. I ordered the baby greens salad. Very good for a salad. The only negative is that the beets (which I love) were cold. I would have preferred that the beets had been warm. Would have made a great contrast to the cold lettuce and orange segments. For my entree I ordered the appetizer mussels. Yummy. They were perfectly cooked. Very tender and in a delicious broth. The entire experience was excellent. This restaurant is just around the corner from my house and I rarely think about it. It is definitely on my list of favorite restaurants in the city.
(5)Trevor T.
I had a business lunch at Interim today. They atmosphere was great. I liked the open kitchen concept. The decor is simple, clean, and elegant. The service was great. I had the Turkey Cobb salad and it was delicious. My colleagues had the Blackened Catfish with Collard Green and Grits. They gave the dish Five Stars. Additiionally, the Bread pudding and Chocolate Cake (we shared the desserts) were good as well. I truly recommend this restaurant. Great dining experience. Thanks Rosemary.
(5)Matt G.
Nice place but food was not impressive. I had the salad lyonnaise and lamb shank. Nothing to write home about. Actually the shank was nearly tastelessly bland with a watery juice that thinned out the cheese grits and the squash was undercooked. Service was spotty and not prompt I left hungry and disappointed.
(3)Shane S.
Was alone for the weekend and decided to go to the bar and have a nice meal. The bar was packed but I was able to find one open seat, but soon after 9pm the bar started to empty out. I noticed by the conversation and interactions the the bar had quite a few regulars. The bartenders were very attractive, friendly and attentive. I ordered the beef tenderloin, with carrots and mashed potatoes. The beef was cooked a perfect medium rare plus and the flavor was amazing. the mashed potatoes were more creamed and served with an amazing mushroom gravy that complimented the beef perfectly. It was a great dinner and a wonderful experience. I look forward to going back to try more of the dishes at the bar and to have a true sit-in dinner.
(4)Brittney H.
Aw!! My finance loves to go here!! Their burger is amazing!! I honestly love everything on their menu!
(5)JaspalandAman H.
Went there for a weekend brunch- which is open for brunch on Sunday's only. Parking and access are easy. The decor is business/causal with the bar right by the entrance; and an open concept kitchen which faces the main dining hall. We started off with mimosas and crispy oysters. The oysters weren't impressive though; I'd go for the duck confit next time. She got the Oscar Benedict and I got the fish of the day(Salmon)... Both entrees were well cooked and presented. Delicious. Our server was efficient and cordial. We skipped dessert and went for Mexican ice cream @ Michoacana ( which is amazing btw)
(4)Deanna W.
This place is fancy, heck the parking lot is fancy. As in every other car is a Lexus haha. The menu is high priced, but this is also a high quality place. I really enjoyed the low key ambiance. It is definitely a spot where people come after work to cool down and relax. Also my waiter was a little "distracted" if you will, but the girl going around filling people's water was the best. And I say that because I worked out before and literally drank 10 glasses of water. She should have hated me, but she just laughed! Now for the food. Yummm. It was exactly what I needed :). I got the grilled chicken for my entree. The potato gallete and mushroom sauce complemented the chicken so well! We also got the chocolate cake for dessert. Not only was it beautifully presented, but it was absolutely scrumptious! I definitely won't be coming here every other week since I'm 23 and on a budget, but this place is great when I'm in the mood for a nice dinner!
(4)Jess W.
The service was very friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming, good music, clean, and I especially liked the open kitchen. Most importantly the food was excellent! Will definitely go back!
(5)India D.
I had the pleasure of dining at Interim last Friday evening with some colleges from work. From the time we walked in the door until the time we left, the experience was nothing short of amazing. The bar area was very inviting, and the bartender was very knowledgeable about the drink selection. We also greeted by one of the managers, and gave a vibrant description of the menu items. Literally while he was talking, I could picture everything he was talking about and couldn't wait to sit down. Our server was very nice, she was able to answer all of our questions about the menu and that was a huge bonus!! (Engaged servers are a most have when trying a new restaurant). We started off with the cheese plate and duck confit starters. And what a great start it was! The duck meat was tender and the skin was crispy, THE perfect way to have duck. And when you add the toast and greens, it was a heavenly bite. (I'm a girl who loves her duck, lol) The cheese plate was really good as well. The cheeses were strong and paired very will the condiments. Now on to the entrees! I had the Fish of the Day, which was a pan seared Red Fish with creamed corn, and topped with a light tomato sauce and lump crab meat. It was definitely the right choice. The first was great, the skin was crispy and seasoned very well. All three of us that got the fish cleaned our plates. I also managed to steal a bite of the lamb and Beamster cheese grits for a friend's plate, and they were luscious! So that's definitely on my list for next time. We couldn't leave with trying the desserts so we shared the Lemon Tart, Earl Grey Crème Brulee, Chocolate Cake, and Raspberry Mousse. My favorites were the Crème Brulee and Lemon Tart. Ordering either will not leave you disappointed. So at the end of my very wordy review, I have to give Interim all 5 and then some. Everything was completely outstanding, and I can't wait to go back. OH and I love the open kitchen; it's great to see artists at work.
(5)Jerry L.
I haven't been to Interim often since I moved downtown and I rarely ever went there for lunch. Both are very unfortunate! I drove out today to meet a colleague and was wowed by the specials and the service provided by Ms. Julie. Julie politely timed her description of the day's specials and provided an attentive, but not doting, level of service. The soup/salad/sandwich/dessert special was a beautifully presented tangle of greens, properly dressed and garnished with strawberries and orange segments. The grilled salmon sandwich was served on a very tasty French roll with pickled onions and pickles. Dessert was a teasing taste of peach cobbler that I would have liked more of, but had already filled up on the first three courses. IMHO, this meal is quite a steal at $13! Although I didn't get a chance to try the other special of the day, tuna tacos, my dining companion assured me that they were quite delicious. It's been too long and I need to get back to Interim more often!
(5)Henry H.
Well today the executive chef is leaving. I wish J. the very best!!!! Thanks for making my wife and I feel like family here. The crew he leaves behind is awesome but the place is not going to be the same. This year ......they lost the best chef ever and their manager. They will and are missed. The food today was great as usual. Dinner last night ..........the scallops were fresh and fantastic. But change is in the air and as I get older I don't care for it so much. The Interim that I knew is gone. Hopefully some of the old crew will stay and the place will continue being a great neighborhood meeting place!
(5)Jacqui G.
I love the blackened gulf shrimp salad-- yum shrimp avocado romaine lettuce tortillas and roasted peppers yum factor all day long
(5)Maisha R.
I remember when Wally Joe's was in this location and on a recent visit home to Memphis, we visited the establishment that's been in this location since he left to start his new venture, Acre. While I really loved Wally Joe's I didn't have the same enthusiasm for Interim. I sampled the fried oysters which were good but certainly not great. The celery root soup however was delicious - creamy, rich and smooth. When our waitress mentioned that one of their specials for the night was salmon, three of us got that. It came with brussel sprouts and goat cheese and beet ravioli. Although the seasoned, crispy side of the salmon was perfect, the lack of seasoning on the other side of the filet made it a little bland. The ravioli was creative but it also lacked seasoning. We ordered desserts to go - peanut butter creme brulee and the molten chocolate cake. I've had all types of creme brulee including black and white, vanilla bean, chocolate and banana and this was probably the worst creme brulee I've had. The peanut butter was just too thick so the consistency was off. I'm not sure what to make of Interim. The service was mediocre but the manager was great. He came over to apologize for the kitchen's difficulty in getting one of our meals hot and then he comped the meal, which was nice. The dining room was nearly empty on a Saturday night but the bar in the front of the restaurant was packed and there were even people waiting for a seat. Sitting next to the open kitchen allowed me to see the most popular items and definitely the kitchen was churning out burgers like crazy. Maybe sitting at the bar and ordering a burger is the way to go at Interim. It seems like Memphians have already figured that out.
(3)Stephanie K.
Nice restaurant and a good experience. Like the open kitchen. However, the dining room was a little loud, and our group came on a Wednesday night and not on a weekend. For appetizers, we shared steamed mussels, fried oysters, and the mac n cheese. That mac n cheese is to die for. Several people added it as a side to their meal once they'd had a taste of it as an app. The fried oysters were very good, and the mussels were good, but the same type dish you'll find at many restaurants. For my meal, I had the caesar salad and the vegetable plate. The vegetables for the evening were green beans, asparagus, a roasted potato/sweet potato mix, and squash au gratin. The caesar salad was good, and the dressing was a little unique. It had a slight bite to it, in a good way. The vegetable plate was filling, and everything was good, but the potato mix and the au gratin were both a little salty. I had the chocolate mousse for dessert, and it was sublime. Creamy and light, with a rich chocolate taste and a couple cookies to add a bit of crunch.
(3)Andrew B.
Delicious dinner at a tucked away location! All the courses were flavorful and well-presented. Meats were good cuts and cooked perfectly. Salads were fresh greens, not from a bag. Desserts were rich and tasty. Service was good too. First time in Memphis, and when I return, I'll be coming back for sure. We were able to walk right in without a reservation, but it was early on a Monday. Wasn't too loud, even once it filled up.
(4)Susan G.
Always love this place! Atmosphere was great and I love the open kitchen. We started with the fabulous macaroni and cheese, awesome as ever! Then I had the lamb, which was the best thing I ever put in my mouth. The sauce and grits that came with it were incredible. My sister had the strip special and said it was divine. The horseradish mashed potatoes were so good. We shared a great bottle of wine and loved it.
(5)Sharon M.
My brother and I went to dinner at Interim and had a very pleasant evening. It had been a year or more since I had eaten there, and I think the whole experience was much better than I remember. The ambience was comfortable, our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, and the food was absolutely delicious. With both of us being wine lovers, and always having a bottle of wine with dinner, we were pleasantly surprised that the mark up on their wine was lower than average. This fact alone will bring us back, but we will ask for a table closer to the open kitchen next time so we can watch the chef in action.
(4)Kimberly K.
My husband had hosted his holiday dinner for his employees at Interim. He booked a private room. The room was great. Perfect size for 13 people. We had the best service. Hal took care of us for the evening. He was very professional, in and out without interrupting. There were a few others that helped him bring out the food. They were also great. Everything was terrific. Food was delicious. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Would def recommend.
(4)Christopher M.
It's nice when you walk in and nice when you stay. Easy going atmosphere and the menu is very pleasing. Didn't look too heavily at the menu but talked to the chef and he talked all about it.
(4)Don C.
A little expensive but worth it. This is one of my favorite places in East Memphis.
(5)Shanna R.
My first visit to Interim was a success. I was thrilled with the warm decor, open kitchen, and attentive staff. This is a great place to bring a small group! We scored a comfortable corner booth on a Saturday night, thanks to the accommodating general manager, Lisa Jackson. Our server, Bobby was pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu. Most of us were there to try the mussels, which did not disappoint. Not a bite was wasted, as we sopped up the jus with the delicious, freshly-baked bread. I would recommend to anyone who wants to savor the jus from the mussels to guard it with your life! The staff are expeditious in clearing plates, sometimes overly so. ;) Also sampled were the rabbit terrine, cheese board, filet, and burger. The cheese board was pretty standard. The terrine, however, was delightful in its pairing with poached pears and arugula. Both the burger and filet arrived at perfect temp, and plated separately, as we had expressed our plans to share. The extra touches and attention to detail, great food, and ambiance are all reasons for a return visit.
(5)Cris W.
This place was really fantastic in the past. However, the chef has left and started his own place on Broad Street and now the food is not as overwhelming as it used to be. Additionally the waitress seemed to be a bit condescending. Not only did she correct my wife for using the wrong spoon, she also seemed a bit judge mental that I was unfamiliar with a certain type of cheese.
(2)Caitlin S.
Pros: incredible dessert. Best lava like cake we have ever had. Open kitchen neat and ambiance nice. Cons: it was extremely unappetizing to see four of the seven cooks have out their cell phones, touching them, NOT washing their hands, then touching food. The garnish on my salmon was plated with the same hand that was just touching a nasty cell phone. DISGUSTING. Unsanitary. Both our entrees were so-so. Nothing special. My salmon was too salty although it was cooked well done as requested. My other's steak was undercooked but tender. Both our dishes didn't have much flavor. While the hostess was nice, she looked like she just rolled out of bed. When I told her about the cooks handling their phones and that we probably wouldn't be returning, the only words she could say were "okay" and "thank you". We won't be returning. I completely lost my appetite after seeing the cooks riddle all of the food with germs.
(2)Allyn B.
Good food, good service. Definitely a good place to try for dinner
(4)Andy L.
Interim is located in a strip mall across the street from a Kroger mall. Contemporary in design, you enter by a cool, sleek, black bar, an area separated from the dining room by a wall. The dining room has a much warmer feel, with walls that are a combination of warm wood and neutral colors. Thick carpeting adds to the feel of quiet comfort and helps you forget that the building is in a strip mall. On one end of the room is an open kitchen, which on the day that we went for brunch was busy but not particularly loud or noisy. We tried the Caesar Salad ($7), which was fine, if undistinguished. The Cobb Salad ($12), with turkey breast, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, Parmesan and green goddess dressing was better but also undistinguished. Biscuit "Bennies" ($13) were more interesting. This version of eggs Benedict took a sliced buttermilk biscuit and topped it with layers of smoked ham, poached eggs and creole hollandaise sauce. A small green salad completed the plate. The ham added a nice smokey note to the dish, the eggs were poached perfectly (not a difficult task, but not always achieved by kitchens), and the creole sauce was just different enough (usually achieved through the addition of creole seasonings or a little creole mustard) from regular hollandaise to give the dish a nice twist. For dessert we tried the Warm Chocolate Cake ($9) which was an upside down cupcake with molten chocolate inside. The dish was completed with candied pecans, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate espresso sauce. Was this really good enough to ask for a second order (which we did) or were we just a bit hungry after the meal? Brunch portions at Interim are not as generous as they could be, so the jury is still out on why we went for seconds on dessert. Typically we skip dessert after a full meal. Brunch ended with Espresso ($3.50). We shared a half bottle of Astoria Prosecco ($17; about $5 retail), which was a fruity glass of bubbles that seemed a good match for brunch. Service was efficient, if a bit colder than what we have become used to in our visit to Memphis. We like the room, we like the ambiance and we like the open kitchen concept. Perhaps brunch is simply not Interim's best meal, but often a restaurant only gets one chance to impress. Our experience there doesn't warrant a "2" rating, but the "3" I am giving it feels a little generous.
(3)Gordon P.
I've been here several times in the last couple of months -- always very pleasant. Maybe "smart casual" as the tone, it's an upscale place, but not formal. Full view of the kitchen, but not too much noise. While linen table cloths. Food has always been good, service excellent, I always come away with a smile on my face and say to myself "I've got to do this more often".
(4)Kerry C.
I've never tried Interim before, mostly because it's one of those places that seems like it would be a Really Nice Restaurant. Sometimes, it's easier for me to try Really Nice Restaurants at lunch - things are more casual, the food is less expensive, and you get to see how top local chefs handle low-pressure dining. Interim's lunch menu is broken into four small sections. There are appetizers ($6-$11), salads ($7 - $11), sandwiches ($11 - $15) and entrees ($12 - $17). Most of the items are lunchtime favorites - club sandwiches, a Cobb salad, a hamburger, penne pasta, etc. I ordered the mac'n'cheese casserole from the appetizer section. My bowl of mac'n'cheese came to the table in a cute little casserole dish, covered in bread crumbs. The breadcrumbs were a little dense - digging through them distracted a little bit from the deliciousness below. Under the breadcrumbs, there was warm, bake pasta covered in white cheese. The portion looked a little small, but it was plenty of food. Even though their lunch is a bit more casual, Interim is still a very classy place. It would be perfect for a big lunch meeting, lunch date or going away party. The open kitchen looks into a dining room full of tables with white tablecloths, bud vases full of irises and rosemary, and black napkins on every table. It's seriously impressive.
(4)Tanya T.
I went to a business meeting here not long ago, and was truly impressed with the food and service. Tops, especially during a busy lunch hour. I usually choose a salad when I'm having a business lunch. It's pretty safe, and I don't have to worry about spilling BBQ sauce or mustard down the front of my suit. Interim was no different so I ordered the chopped cobb salad. Deliciousness. Turkey, egg, bacon, cashews (yes, cashews!), cherry tomatoes, and parmesan cheese topped with green goddess dressing. I ate every last bite. The place had a really cool vibe- the tables were spaced far enough apart, and the room had an airy, open feel. The kitchen is visible, a design that I have always loved in restaurants. When my office moves east in a couple of months, I'll be visiting Interim more often.
(4)HH P.
This is currently my favorite restaurant in East Memphis both for lunch and dinner. The food is really excellent. Nice size proportions. Interesting but not too fussy. My fish lunch special today was perfectly cooked grouper over orzo that had shitake mushrooms and pancetta in it. I wiped the bowl clean with my bread. My only nitpick on the restaurant is the service. It can be inconsistent and unknowledgable at times, but this is a problem at most Memphis restaurants.
(4)Jeremy B.
Highly enjoyed this place. The Duck was incredible. I recommend the Oyster appetizer. Oysters were brilliant, topped with lemon ice shavings. Kudos to you for creating a unique and nice atmosphere as well.
(5)Claire R.
I really like Interim. The service is really good. The bartender, "Lucky" is friendly and creative. The food is consistently delicious. In the fall, they had a butternut squash soup that was really wonderful, and in the summer, a sweet corn soup with goat cheese and bacon. YUM. My dinner companion has dietary needs that require no dairy, and they were very accommodating, suggesting dishes that could be made with olive oil rather than butter. Great cocktails, great food, nice people What could be better?
(5)Jennifer L.
Probably my new favorite "nice" restaurant in Memphis. I had high hopes because I read that the chef had been a James Beard Foundation Rising New Chef semi-finalist...and the restaurant did not disappoint! My husband and I enjoyed everything we tried and the menu was varied and diverse with interesting and creative flavor combinations. The menu seems to revolve around what's in season, so I'm looking forward to going back and trying out different things. Service was good and the restaurant has a clean, modern decor--all in all a good experience.
(5)David W.
Went here last week with some business guests. It was their recommendation although I checked Yelp and this was a place I wanted to visit. Very cool interior and good bar section. Started at the bar for a glass of wine. They have an Enomatic wine system which preserves the wine. I am wine collector and love to see a good list at a restaurant. This place did not disappoint. This was one of the better lists I have seen, especially by the glass. A lot of stand by favorites, but also some wines you just don't see by the glass unless you are in wine country. Prices by the glass went up to $16 I believe. Steep, but when you consider the juice, I can handle it. Good pours too. Service was good. Was not overbearing, but was just not extremely passionate about the place or his job. Nothing wrong with that at all, but again I have had better service. We started with their mac & cheese casserole & Curried mussels. I do not like mussels at all (not sure why) but these were really good. Broth was flavorful, and mussels were tender and tasty. Mac and Cheese casserole was also very good. Then had a salad with a hazelnut vinaigrette. Had some toasted hazelnuts as well. Salad was tops. For an entree I did duck breast that included duck confit, red pepper coulis and something else I don't remember right now. Duck was cooked perfectly, and was extremely flavorful. Restaurants can screw duck up big time. The kitchen was competent for sure. Had a chocolate souffle for desert. I have had better but it was good. Prices: well, as some have commented before, the prices are on par with some establishments in California and other great food cities. It is what it is. If the products are good, you are going to pay for them. Portions are solid and I would not steer away because of $$$. I will go back next time I am in town. If you love food and wine and are in Memphis, Would absolutely recommend.
(4)Jolynna M.
Elegant and exceptional cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Josh Belenchia makes Interim one of my top picks for fine dining in Memphis. The last time I went,, I took a couple of my clients for a celebratory dinner after they purchased their new home. It was a great experience all around. We arrived a little early, so we started with drinks in the bar up front. It's a lovely place for drinks, by the way, even if you don't stay for dinner. The atmosphere is just beautiful. For dinner, we started with the cheese plate. Each week the chef offers his own recommended selections of three cheeses, served with honey, fruit and brioche. It was fabulous. But then I am a huge cheese fan. For dinner I had the House Salad with orange hazelnut dressing and the Pan Seared Scallops. It was all sooooo good. They are open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. I haven't yet tried the brunch, but it's definitely on my "to do" list.
(4)Linz L.
My burger was served completely raw, and it was ordered well done. The service was very snooty. The salmon in saffron sauce was terrible and unflavored. For the price, it is not worth the money.
(2)Deen W.
I don't know what was up Friday night....a full moon perhaps? Everything had a ridiculously long wait....which is how we ended up at Interim. It was my first time dining there, but it will definitely not be my last! Everything, from the decor to the dessert was fabulous and on point. The service was impeccable....there, attentive, but NOT hovering. My dining companion had the infamous burger; it was almost too beautiful to eat. So, in a word: YUM.
(4)Karen R.
UPDATE: 10/27 - went there for lunch yesterday - my caesar salad wasn't a caesar (no anchovies like it did the first time and it was russian/thousand island dressing), the chilli the husband had was kind of weird tasting... his baja chicken wrap was awful compared to mo's at pita wraps down the street - chicken wasn't even seasoned... oh the burger was good however but service was horrible!! i'm taking a star away and probaby won't return just for a bloody burger... --------------------------------------------------Â--------------------------------------------- interim!? looks like this place is staying in business for awhile :D we've been trying to make semi last minute reservations here for dinner a couple of times and last night, was finally able to get just a bar table. we took what we could get. we had a nice and not so nice experience. thus, a 3 1/2 star. i will certainly update it the next time i have a meal in the dining room. the food was good. not perfect; but tasty. my steak was good and the piece of rib eye was slightly more lean then i'd like but i suppose that's why there is a sauce to cover up the flaw :D the potatoes were wonderful and i loved the pairing of arugula and the meat. the husband had the grouper... he hated the side of puree thingy (it looked gross!) but liked the fish... everyone else at the table loved their food. fish of the day (flounder) and the ultimate hamburger :) btw, i had the caesar salad for appetizer and i can safely say, it is now my new favorite place to have a very good caesar salad! ...and our friend highly recommends the arugula salad (if you're not a bleu cheese person, go for the caesar, the anchovies are YUMZ!) the down side to the bar table... it's loud. awfully LOUD! and you have people's asses overflowing to your table while you have a shouting match conversation trying to keep up with the ambiance. no, not pleasant. but at least now you know the bar is hopping! :D ...oh and the service isn't up to par (not even to chilli's lol) 'coz of the crowd. but i'm not holding it against them... since we had good company and had a very nice time anyway. i'll see what happens the next time. i like this place. i want to go back again and try the highly regarded hamburger and be able to eat in the dining room. it's not that expensive but it certainly isn't cheap. for four people, we spent about $50/person (before tips) with a bottle of wine with our food and split two desserts.
(2)David T.
A little bit of Rockridge right here in Memphis! (This is a 4.5-star review, by the way.) Interim--so named because it was originally envisioned as a "temporary" to fill the spot that once housed Waly Joe until a "permanent" tenant could be found--boasts an understated yet striking decor (the kitchen is completely in view of the patrons) as well as an eclectic mix of seafood, poultry, and other "proteins" (I've been watching too much Top Chef, I'm afraid). My entree of pan-seared scallops served with tasso ham, spring vegetable risotto, and chive butter, made the perfect meal for a hot summer evening--light, ample yet not overwhelming in portion, and with enough variety of ingredients and flavors to allow me to construct the "perfect bite" over and over again. My sweetie's sliced skirt steak (served with carmelized onions, crimini mushrooms, paprika potatoes, and salsa verde) was similarly yummy. And for dessert, we split a spiced rum bread pudding served with cinnamon ice cream and banana brulee, which was fantastic shared (though it would've been pretty huge for one). Interim is open for dinner (and drinks) from 5:30 pm till 10:00 pm Monday through Saturday. I'm hoping it stays "interim" in name only...can't wait to go back.
(4)Diana S.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is open and contemporary, and it is fairly large. The kitchen is open to the front dining room, which I appreciate, having worked at restaurants in my younger years. (When the kitchen is open to the public, you can't hide sketchy things like bugs, etc. 'Nuff said.) The wine list is very nice - not huge but well-curated, and most of the wines are available for glass pours, which is fantastic. They also offer a nice selection of splits. The house salad is *huge*, and not your basic mache with fruit and nuts. It has quartered fried artichokes, radishes, feta cheese, hazelnuts and oranges, and is a welcome change. I had the spring onion soup napped with goat cheese and chervil, and although it was rich, the flavors were light and perfect for the season - never mind it was still chilly and rainy outside. The brick chicken was juicy and served with mushrooms, carrots and chard in a jus from the chicken, and the fish of the day was pan seared grouper, served with chard and orzo and a basil cream sauce. The food was good, but it wasn't spectacular - didn't make you go omg when you tasted it. Service on a Friday night was attentive, but it was 6:30 and there were not many people there yet.
(3)David A.
I do not give 5 stars lightly. This place is wonderful. There's not a microwave in the building! The kitchen is open and you can watch them prepare your food if you wish. They have a great wine selection, and the food is fabulous. We had the Mac and cheese casserole, loaded fries, eggs benedict, and the shrimp grits. We were there for Sunday brunch and can't wait to try the dinner menu. This one is at the top of our list! On a side note, if you want impeccable service, ask for Daiana. I'm sure all of the others are great as well, but she's the one we had. :-). Again, can't wait to go back!
(5)Joelle P.
I've been holding off on writing a review about Interim because I couldn't figure out what to say. Every time I go, it is a different experience. Their limited menu changes too much for my liking, the outrageously priced food is not always good, and they have one waitress in particular who is just plain rude. And yet, I keep coming back here at least twice a month. Perhaps I keep coming back because it is near my house, or when they do have beef carpaccio and beef tartare on their menu, it is the best thing I have ever tasted. Maybe I like the upscale ambience with the open-kitchen in the dining room. Or could it be that their bar with dim (and therefore flattering) lighting is just a cool place to sit and drink? I guess at the end of the day, it all boils down to the fact that Interim just has that je ne sais quoi quality about it that has me hooked.
(4)Arpana W.
The open kitchen style is a winner; but the service is not consistent. Sometimes I have a great time and and other times I can't believe I just dropped $60 for a meal and had such poor service. Most restaurants at this level are pretty similar with regard to food quality, the reason that I would choose one over another is for the experience -it's what you're paying for in a place like this. I will say that I do always have a superior experience when sitting in the bar area. It's a local after-work, quiet, no-fuss hangout for the surrounding east memphis neighborhood and you never know who you might run into! I would definitely give it a chance for the yummy food (espescially the Sunday Brunch!).
(3)Brenda C.
We had their lunch special $13 which included salad, soup of the day, half of a BLT with salmon sandwich and desert. It was fresh, tasty and perfect for lunch. The decor was nice and comfortable.
(3)Andy S.
Once a month, we splurge and go out to eat a fine dining restaurant. While waiting for the rest of the party, we enjoyed a cocktail at the bar. Based upon the recommendation of the bartender, we had the Hendricks '75, which is gin, lime, champagne, and a cucumber. It was nice and refreshing. We were given complimentary bread. It was hard to not eat all of it. While you're waiting, you can watch the chef prepare your food from the openness of the kitchen. One friend had the arugula salad that had bleu cheese crumbles, strawberries, and pistachios. I had to try the steak tartare. I have never had it before and I wanted to cross it off my bucket list. Steak tartare is raw beef. It also came with mini toasts and sauce gribiche (which is an egg based sauce.) Steak tartare is not my new favorite dish, nor did I hate it. The idea probably made it the hardest to eat. It was a good combination putting it on the toasts. If you haven't had it, you should give it a chance. One person had the hangar steak, which came with fries and collard greens. It was all good. As a lover of soul food and greens, he was impressed with the greens. Since I ordered raw beef for an appetizer, I went with a medium rare burger. It was cooked to perfection. Another friend had the butter poached shrimp. Another friend had the fish of the day. I can't remember what it was, though! Everything was good. I liked the ambience of Interim. I recommend a visit!
(4)Monica G.
Good catch of the day--overall good food, not amazing but good. Didn't look at prices so can't say if it was overpriced (I think it was reasonable...)
(3)Toni H.
I have recommended Interim to friends and after my meal tonight, I regret it. I got the Hendricks 75- their version of the French 75 and it was delicious. I would go back again just for that alone! The Mac and Cheese appetizer may not have had any cheese in it and was nothing special. Very disappointing! I ordered the vegetable plate as did my companion. It was okay- nothing was outstanding. Sadly, the service was just not good. Okay, it was in fact plain old poor service. And to top it all off, things kept getting burned in the kitchen and the dining room was smoke filled. My eyes were watering and I smelled like I grilled my own meal. I will have to take my coat to the cleaners before I can wear it again. I will not be back anytime soon and no more telling friends to go. Too bad. They contacted me many times to apologize so I've bumped them up one star!
(3)Elle S.
This place never has any amazing dishes, food always meh and now that I'm here I can't substitute potatoes in order to meet my diet needs. This place sucks! After I got my meal (filet) I have to say it was good and they ad a cute cheese plate. I'm still taking away 3 stars because they not substitute, their meals are blah, and their Mac n cheese that's usually good was blah this time..... Meh meh.
(2)Chelsea S.
This place was on point. I had the beef tenderloin and tender is exactly what it was. It came with mashed potatoes and some yumtastic spaghetti squash. For dessert I had the pecan bread pudding and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful dinner.
(4)Hashem D.
came here with a group of family and friends, and with our reservation we were seated very quickly. The decor is really nice, and the servers are very friendly and attentive. That said, they didn't bring out the appetizers till the main course had already been out, which is a bit of a no-no in the restaurant world... just sayin'. they made it up by bringing us a second set of appetizers for free, but that defies the point as i (and most of the table) was mainly focused on our actual dish that large parts of that second round stayed untouched. BUT, that was my only complaint of the night. Starting with appetizers, while the lamb meatballs were average, their mac'n'cheese casserole was PHENOMENAL! The cheese board is good, with a tasty variety of cheeses to try, the roast beet salad was delicious and the caesar salad was as good as a caesar salad gets. On to the main course, my friends had the crispy duck breast and the blackened redfish, both of which were delicious dishes! I had a special which is not currently on the menu (online) which is the ossu bucco on top of a risotto... OMG! to say that i was practically swooning after the first bite is an understatement. I have never, ever had such juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat and the risotto was just fantastic, with shitake mushrooms and delicious, meaty sauce was a perfect mix of flavors. I was absolutely smitten with the dish and remain so till now. Good place to go, on the pricey range but good food and service are to be appreciated that way. Definitely a great place for a date!
(4)TJ U.
My wife and I both got sick after eating at this place. Service was slow, we could see them pouring a half gallon of oil on everything they cooked. You can see into the kitchen from your seat. We both got two different fish specials and it was so fishy and bad. Wish I had better things to say!
(1)Stephen O.
I have been putting off this review for some time, mainly because I am torn on the amount of stars. I have decided I am giving it four stars because the experiences I have had there have been largely positive. They have great atmosphere, quality food, and good service. The pork shank is absolutely delicious, though a mammoth portion that is quite intimidating to eat. My friend got it on my last visit (a birthday celebration) and she just stared at it, then me, wondering how to eat it. I have had it myself, and it is probably my second favorite item on the menu. The duck at Interim is great. I should have gotten it. I knew that I would love it, and I have had it before, but this time I decided to get risotto. Oh, risotto. I blame this decision on the countless cooking shows (I am looking at you, Gordon Ramsay) I have watched featuring this dish. The steak at Interim? Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Another entree I should have gotten. The risotto? Oh, risotto. It was creamy, yes, but it was... I do not want to say bland, because it wasn't bland, but rather just lacking the punch of flavor that every other entree I have had at Interim has featured. Disappointed was I, and I would only give three stars if I was basing my review on that item alone. Fortunately, I am not! The sides at Interim are great, the appetizers (such as the scallops) are succulent, and overall you cannot go wrong with dining there. Just don't get the risotto.
(4)Shaina G.
Best. Mac and Cheese. Ever. The best I've had in Memphis! Served in a skillet to keep it hot the entire way though and topped with crunchy delicious bread bread crumbs. I've dined in the main dining room, the bar area and the bar and have always had good, friendly service. This is my favorite place to take clients to lunch as I know the food is fabulous and the staff is helpful and professional. The cobb salad is amazing. The first time I had it, I couldn't believe how big it was with huge slices of avocados, full hard boiled eggs, all that bacon, and large slices of turkey. Yum! The menu is great and I love sitting with a clear view of the kitchen so we can watch meal being prepared before our very eyes. I've been here about 1-2 per month on average and will continue to dine here as long as I'm in Memphis!
(4)Vim I.
I went to Interim for lunch on a workday and I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonably priced lunch menu. The restaurant is beautifully appointed and I love the open kitchen layout. They had a small (but great) variety of options for soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Let me start by saying that I'm not one of those girls that usually orders salads for lunch--but Interim's salads looked so delicious, I had to try them. They do come in large portions and will fill you up. I had the Crab Cake salad which comes with remoulade sauce. The Crab Cake was big, meaty, fresh, and perfectly crusted. I'll definitely be back again to try brunch and dinner.
(4)Amber C.
Seriously the best burger I've ever had! I went for lunch with some friends/coworkers yesterday. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing; even though I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and the inside of Interim is pretty fancy, I didn't feel out of place or like the service was any less great. My burger was insanely good, perfectly cooked, and the fries...I could make a meal out of the fries! My boss had the Cuban, and one of the girls I work with had the special tacos (chicken I think) and they looked great! Wonderful service, reasonable prices, especially at lunch, and one of the best meals I've had in my many years in Memphis.
(5)Tiffany L.
Interim Restaurant & Bar has had many ups and downs in its relatively brief history. The space started out as Chef Wally Joe's signature namesake restaurant. When Chef Joe left to create his dream space (the popular Acre restaurant), the ensuing space was called Interim as a temporary fix. Well, Interim might as well be permanent fixture, because six years later, the concept has stuck. With Exeutive Chef Jackson Kramer (in his second stint at the helm), it looks like Interim is here to stay. Interim is one of those restaurants that's nice enough to impress, but reasonably priced, so as not to break the bank. The wine list is extensive, and the mixed beverages are potent. The bar is a popular weeknight hangout spot, but it's the food that helps Interim keep its permanent banner. The appetizers are a bit more inventive than the entrees, but everything is well prepared and exemplifies the importance of the details - the housemade chutney that is served with the cheese cheese board, the beet puree that comes with the lamb, the garlic aioli that makes the Interim burger one of the best in the city. Interim doesn't skimp. Diners may want to take advantage of the lunch menu, which offers the same thoughtful cuisine for half the price, and some dinner appetizers, like the grilled quail with roasted grapes, is large enough to satisfy a hearty appetite all on its own.
(4)Nicole M.
I came back to Yelp just to write this review. Service was spotty. Our server was nice, but not the best at her job. She disappeared for long stretches of time, leaving me without hot water for tea, others without drinks, etc. One person in our party ordered soup, but had to ask for a soup spoon (and had to wait to do it). The food was fine, but nothing special. Not worth the price, in my opinion. My main complaint, and I admit that this is more of an annoyance, but I ordered the Interim Breakfast. $13 for "two scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, toast, grits, and fresh fruit". I asked for my eggs over easy. The meal that came out included one egg. If you get two eggs scrambled, shouldn't you get two over easy? I wasn't planning on eating the toast or grits, so the extra egg would have been nice, ya know, to justify the $13 price tag. To be clear, I paid $13 for three pieces of bacon and one egg. To summarize: meh. There are much better places for brunch in east Memphis. Pass on this one.
(3)SouthernFoodie M.
Super impressed. We had a seat by the gleaming kitchen.... It sparkled. The manager clearly kept things on task. We went for brunch and the menu had a good diversity of items... Went for the shrimp and grits and a burger. My grits were ... Amazing. The sausage was awesome and a good number of shrimp. Husbands burger looked great and there was a heap of hand cut fries. We were talked into dessert which was also amazing. My only complaint was a lack of a brunch drink menu. Hello upsell?
(5)Keith B.
Food was very good. One could argue that the appetizers are a little over priced, but not that bad. I had the redfish and my wife the pasta. We both enjoyed the meals very much. Waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. I will definitely return.
(5)Ross G.
Interim was our first date night after our son's birth. We were in desperate need for a delicious night out. The ambiance was a bit cold and generic, however the open kitchen saves the dining room from dropping into mediocrity. Wine list was adequate and cocktails interesting and well executed. Food was delicious, and the braised pork provided enough food for a family of four. We somehow managed to quite easily spend $150 without much effort, for just the 2 of us. It may have been a bit late for east Memphis as we found the restaurant quiet at 9:30. I think we will head back for a drink and snack in the bar, but unlikely to head back for a full indulgent dinner.
(4)Shauna M.
Went here for a birthday celebration. We ordered maybe 4 appetizers and 5-6 bottles of wine for the 11 of us. All were delicious. For my entree I had the fish special (I think it was Grouper) of the evening that came with some vegetables and polenta. The fish had decent flavor, but was a tad overcooked. The polenta was some best I'd ever had. I had a cappuccino after my meal which was perfect. Our service was spot on-friendly and timely, but not rushed. The appetizers came out quickly and then it seemed like just as we finished them our entrees came out. For $80/person (not making the birthday boy pay, of course) for what I received I thought was very reasonable. Not the best food/flavors I've ever had, but definitely a very solid splurge for Memphis. I will be back!
(4)Corie D.
The butternut squash soup was absolutely amazing, and I loved the atmosphere for dinner. Great place for a girls night or date night!
(4)Laurie W.
The burger is to die for and also...anything they do with scallops.
(5)Simon C.
Have to say another recommendation from yelpers... Open kitchen, says a lot have to say. Establishment classy and with very good food. No bad points what's so ever
(5)Barrett R.
Lisa runs a tight floor staff, and Jackson runs a tight brigade. It is hip, swank, and moderately priced. The open kitchen is a great conversation piece. Men, take a date there. Y'all will have fun. Trust me.
(5)Debbie P.
This restaurant is always good, and especially when the occasion is special. The service is nice and the food is great. When I complained it was too cold under the air conditioner vent, the server asked if we would like to move, which greatly improved my evening. It was my birthday and they served the dessert with a candle, which was a nice touch. I always know I won't be disappointed when I choose this place.
(5)Olivia B.
I loved the atmosphere, but unfortunately, the chef seems to be anti substitutions. So much so that the server told us. And now I see in other reviews they charge for change. No. It's not THAT good. I was so tired by the time i left, which was about 3 hours after we got there, that I could barely drive home to get in bed. I used to frequent Interim, but no longer. Terrible service. Never again.
(2)David M.
I have lived about a mile away from Interim for almost three years now and until today had only been there for dinner once a long time ago. Not sure why. During our "stay cation" this week, my wife and I went there for lunch and absolutely loved it. According to our receipt, our server was Mary. She was very nice and did a great job steering us toward some absolutely delicious items on the menu. We started with two cups of soup, a roasted corn and a curry asparagus. Although both were great, the asparagus soup really stood out. The curry wasn't overwhelming and it had a slight hint of lemon, giving it a especially fresh flavor. For the main meal, I had a Redfish with lump crab meat and a buerre blanc sauce and my wife had a Baked Oyster dish. Both were incredibly good and made for an awesome lunch under $40 for both of us. Great service and great food. Now, I have to go back for dinner. I hear their burger is awesome as well.
(5)Carol M.
I've been here a few times and the expereince is consistent. Good food and great service. I opted for the veggie plate on my last visit and the okra was fantastic (a bit on the salty side - which is a-okay with me). I really like the casual chic dining atmosphere. My last visit was after work and the bar was obviously the place to be.
(4)Carter C.
I had never even heard of Interim but was recently invited to a dinner at this great restaurant. Perhaps part of the reason I am giving it 5 stars has to do with the oh so important fact that I wasn't paying. If I were paying I might have a more difficult time throwing down a 5 - this restaurant is not cheap, and I am a bargain maven. Regardless, the food was outstanding, portions were reasonable, and the service was great. I also found the ambiance refreshingly unique. I had the Red Snapper which was delicious. Others in my party had the steak which looked fantastic. The pumpkin cheesecake was also quite delicious. I look forward to a second trip to Interim.
(5)Matt O.
Wow, just wow. Significantly exceeded expectations. So glad I was invited to have lunch at Interim. A true jewel. Would definitely return and a great place for a business lunch.
(5)Michelle W.
Having been to Interim several times, I decided this was the perfect place to take out of town guests. I had the pleasure of enjoying an appetizer and an entree at Interim. The pork belly appetizer was delicious and left our group wanting more. My steak was cooked perfectly and was so large I had to take half of it home. Our server was fantastic. Overall we and our friends from out of town had a great evening. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Christophe M.
This place has a good feel to it and the food is authentic. I had the duck and it was cooked well. I wish there were more places like this in Memphis. Service was good, price was right. I will come back for sure
(4)