DINING OUT
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orch & Parlor opened its doors in mid-February as the fourth restaurant in the Flight Restaurant Group owned by Russ Graham and Tom Powers. The exquisite menu features the finest prime steaks served with Southern flair. Situated in Overton Square at the corner facing Madison Avenue, the building dates back to 1908. Porch & Parlor offers a fabulous view of the popular intersection and bustling part of town. “This location is a great fit for the idea and the concept that the owners Russ and Tom were looking to do, which is a steakhouse restaurant,” says Jake Wise, managing partner of Porch & Parlor. “Russ and Tom had the opportunity to build this restaurant from scratch,” Wise says. “While this is a steakhouse...you can also come and sit at the bar and have a full dinner, or just a cocktail and an appetizer. The main dining space features tables, and the parlor is adjacent with big leather booths and bookshelves. We have a place for any occasion you are looking for,” he adds. Gorgeous lighting illuminates the woodwork and cabinetry at the bar, providing a warm, amber glow. Penny tile on the bar floor lends an early 1900s feel. “Rich leather, dark wood, gas lanterns and amber lights reflect the Great Gatsby and belle époque era,” Wise says. The high-back booths are made of English leather and are complemented by warm, brown walls and rich woodwork custom created by Chris White and his team. The spacious bar features a 13-foot arch with a carving of a bear’s head at the top, an homage to Natch, a black bear that was the mascot for the Memphis Turtles baseball team in the early 1900s and one of the original residents of the Memphis Zoo. The outside patio is a lovely setting for cocktails or dinner with a fabulous view. During the winter built-in heaters warm the area. The fare goes beyond “traditional” steakhouse standards. “We serve some of the best beef in the country,” says Wise. While prime beef takes center stage, the menu also includes favorites from the Flight group’s other restaurants: Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar, Southern Social, and Coastal Fish Company. Familiar favorites borrowed from its sister restaurants include sea bass, scallops, shrimp and grits, and specialty oysters. According to Christopher Abbott, who has been a part of the Flight Restaurant Group for the past seven years and is the floor manager for Porch & Parlor, one of the most popular appetizers is the Butcher’s Bacon Rack. Large enough for several diners to share, it features five types of bacon presented artistically. Eduardo Murillo, corporate executive chef with Flight Restaurant Group, came up with the idea. Abbott adds that the Parlor Tasting entree is also popular and gives guests the chance to enjoy smaller portions of three premium cuts of beef: USDA prime, American Wagyu, and Japanese A5.
“With our restaurant group, it is all about dining and hospitality. This is more than just dinner...it is about service, the memory you are going to create, and hospitality with our guests,” -Jake Wise
2125 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. | 901.725.4000 | www.porchandparlor.com April 2020 • athomemms.com | 59