dining out
V
icari Italian Grill
CORINTH, MS
TEXT BY CONNOR BRAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF VICARI ITALIAN GRILL
T
here once was a quaint Mississippi town that served as a major junction for north and eastbound railroads in the late 1800s. That town, originally known as Cross City, would be later renamed for a famous crossroads in coastal Europe: Corinth. With the city’s history in mind, it’s fitting that Vicari Italian Grill is right at home in downtown Corinth, Mississippi. Named after a small town in Sicily similar in size to Corinth, Vicari provides delectable Italian favorites, choice grilled meats and highest quality seafood that Head Chef John Mabry is proud to serve. “The heart of the menu comes from our grill. Our dry aged beef, lamb chops and grilled fish are center-of-the-plate favorites, and we take great pride in serving tremendous Black Angus beef and fresh seafood,” says Mabry. Although grilled entrees are the core of the menu, the most popular item at Vicari was created as an afterthought. This happy accident occurred one day as the chef was playing around in the kitchen in
90 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • March 2016
hopes of creating a dish to fill the final space on the menu. The result was Vicari’s famous Crab and Shrimp Manicotti with an asiago red pepper cream sauce. “It is over-the-top rich, but the number one selling item on our menu,” the chef says. Sauces are the hallmark of many great Italian dishes, and Vicari’s do not disappoint. Well tested and travelled, many of the restaurant’s sauce recipes come straight from Italy. Mabry shares, “Our red sauce recipe is from the late 1800s and [was] graciously shared with us by our friends in Vicari, Italy.” While tradition is certainly honored at Vicari, the kitchen staff happily embraces new dishes. The menu changes every six months, and this spring diners can expect a version that boasts a variety of great seafood, summer-dressed salads with lots of kale, seasonal vegetables and fresh fruits. The restaurant is elegant yet bold with a rustic-meets-modern style. “Our owners,” explains Mabry, “restored a wonderful building