Restaurant IrisFive Course FunAmazing meal from start to finish and the service was impeccable. Dean delighted both of our newbie guests and entertained us throughout each course and his knowledge of the menu was unmatched. Very accommodating for each of our dietary restrictions. We will definitely be going back!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWill NOT wait 20 more years!My husband and I chose IRIS for our 20th anniversary celebration. Suffice it to say we will NOT be waiting 20 years to return! What an amazing restaurant! Everything about our visit was top notch.
We opted for the customized degustation menu (please include the 'knuckle sandwich' and no sweetbreads!) and found every item to be among the best food we've ever eaten. We've had the degustation menus at other restaurants, most notably at John Besh's August in NOLA, and both agreed that IRIS was the best by far! Put yourself in their very capable hands and enjoy an evening unlike any other.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSUCCULENT DELICIOUS CUISINERestaurant Iris is by far the best restaurant we have ever been in Memphis, TN. The food, the service and ambience was awesome!!! The noise level comfortable...they have Chez Kellsey seal of approval!!! We had surf and turf, shrimp with grits, bone marrow and sweet bread, and for dessert, bread pudding. Will be going there again soon...already recommended to our friends and neighbors!!6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect EveningEverything was fantastic I didn't find one thing that I could complain about!!6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding in every way!Great food, drink and service! Chef 5 course degustation with wine pairing is a must because there are sooooo many great things on the menu to try! Our waitress hit it out of the park with every course and pairing! Would love to go back tomorrow if it wasn't 10 hours away! Watch for much more to come from Kelly English because I feel this is just the beginning for him!6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply superbRead a review of this place in uk and had to try it when on vacation/
This is fine dining in a casual atmosphere. It utilises great ingredients in a creative way to produce refined dishes with influences from New Orleans.
Atmosphere wine and food 100 percent. Also portion size just right which means you are not overwhelmed like in most USA restaurants
My only gripe was our server. He was efficient and attentive but so false it was untrue. He really wanted to be the star of the show and really got on my nerves. Not the kind of server you expect in a place like this6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMIris continues to outperformIt is always a treat to dine here. Outstanding service, awesome dishes and always a pleasant experience. Iris is absolutely the best restaurant in Memphis.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMMagicalIf you have a special person in your life and a special event to celebrate then Iris is the place to do it!5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service and meal.Excellent service and meal. Server recommend 5-course meal of her selections with wine pairings and we were not disappointed.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect for special occasionsFrom the servers to the setting and especially the food, dining out at Iris is a memorable occasion. Our lobster knuckle sandwich, scallops, soft-shelled crab and bread pudding were all delicious and reflected the care with which they were made. Everything was full of flavor and just made you happy to be eating such well-crafted fare.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellence in MemphisIt's all about the flavor! Wonderful food, wonderful service. a 5-star experience. The only reason I gave the food rating 4 instead of 5 stars is that the 'starters' exceeded the main course. - We had lobster starter and the beef ravioli starter, which were outstanding and better than almost any dish I recall eating anywhere!
The chef is from New Orleans, but the food isn't "Cajun" - the food is wonderfully flavored, rich in texture to both the eye and the palette. One taste and you'll know that the kitchen is on top of its game and that they know what they're doing. A real treat and a great restaurant.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMOur waiter was fantastic,Our waiter was fantastic, and the food was incredible.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb!The attention to guest; explanation of the menu; wine list; the great food...two thumbs up! Our server was exceptional!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMLived up to everything we had heardThis was a truly exceptional experience. We have been wanting to try out restaurant iris for quite some time but I'm not good at planning too far ahead and planning is a must if you want to dine here. You will thank yourself later for your planning. Our evening started with cocktails outside in the very charming garden. We then moved inside to a small room with only four other tables. We were told there are only 13 tables in all. Makes for a very intimate night. Service was beyond exceptional. It isn't an inexpensive night but given the setting we didn't think the prices were exorbitant. All in all a wonderful evening.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was our first time andIt was our first time and the food was great. We plan on on going back very soon.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial EveningWe have been to Restaurant Iris many times and it always wonderful. The service is laid back (slow according to the 20 year olds we were with) and the servers are very knowledgable about the menu. The bone marrow starter was amazing. I hope Kelly English keeps that on the menu forever. It is a special place and a gem in Memphis.
It was our son's 32nd birthday and the menu had a note to him from Kelly. An extra that made the evening even more special. Love, love, love it!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecialFrom a table of eight, ordering a variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, one of our party commented: "I have never been to a restaurant where every single item ordered was considered outstanding; until now." That individual is 86 years old and others are 20s to 50s. We all have frequent opportunity to eat at excellent restaurants from many cities. All of us agreed with the statement wholeheartedly. The wine list was a lot of fun and the ambience lent itself well to a wide range of occasions. Overall, a delightful occasion and one which we anticipate returning to Memphis to enjoy again.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMMidtown Memphis gemMy husband and I have dined at Restaurant Iris a few times and it is always a memorable and wonderful experience. The staff is very knowledgeable, personable, and professional. The food is exquisite and creative, but not too out there. They source many ingredients locally which is a big plus. The atmosphere is romantic and charming. While we always reserve it for a special occasion due to our budget, I think Iris can make any date night feel like a special occasion. I highly recommend it.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMMay DayWith my wife's birthday, our anniversary and Mother's Day all hitting in early May, I wanted a dinner that would mark the occasions appropriately. Iris came through. The atmosphere is elegant without being stuffy. All the food was perfectly prepared, and each dish had an element that was a little surprising, like the Indian spiced vegetables that came with the beef that I ordered. Of the dishes we chose, I would rate the scallops as the entree' that someone in the party should always get. They just melt, releasing that rich shellfish flavor that you can normally only get within a few miles of the coast. The bread pudding was great, but we were glad we shared it. Very rich.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMA Special RestaurantThis was a fantastic find on a short stay in Memphis. The staff were welcoming, friendly and professional. The menu choices were excellent (we couldn't decide so had the 5 course taster menu) and when the food arrived it tasted superb. The restaurnant knew we were coming for a 1st wedding anniversairy dinner and had gone the extra mile to prepare a special menu with a note from the head chef and owner and the table had been decorated. The wine was paired with each course for us but there was ample choice on the wine list should you want to choose your own, even the cost was very reasonable considering the quality of service and food (about $200 for 2 inc wine). Iris is perfect for special occasions or just a fantastic dinner/evening out.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMBetter Than Advertised!!!!!!I went there as a 25th Wedding Anniversary and flew my wife there from NJ to visit Graceland and have a great dinner. I looked up best restaurants on the web and was just praying that is was close to what was written that it was the best restaurant in Memphis and I travel a lot on Business and not only is it the best there but hands down the best dinner the 4 of us have ever had. I don't need to go into long review so here is my recommendation DO NOT LEAVE MEMPHIS WITHOUT EATING HERE... Bottom line the Best!!!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful experienceThe food was amazing. Best dining experience I've had in Memphis. I had a romantic dinner with my wife. Suddenly, while we were waiting for desert, the room broke out in spontaneous conversation, laughter and at one point someone started singing jazz songs. Amazing food, company and overall experience.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for special occasions!Lovely restaurant in an older home, with thoughtful service and a good wine list. I recommend being adventurous here - the chef does a great job of combining interesting flavors. Best for special occasion dinners.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMamazingFood, service, wine selection, everything here is top notch4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperbI am proud to call this restaurant one of Memphis's finest. Careful detail is given to both the food, the customers, and the rich environment.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMextraordiaryIris is an extraordinary restaurant not only I in MEMPHIS but in the entire state and the entire region
The menu is unique and very innovative. The tasting menu will provide a combination of chef KELLY ENGLISH'S unique and individualized recipes. The southern food based recipes of Chef Kelly has earned a number of accolades over his relatively short career . He is well know and respected in the cooking world.
For anyone who has an interest in food IRIS is a must . The wine list is extensive and in general fairly priced .Reservations are a must . The staff is well trained prompt, friendly and knowledgable.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMBy far the best dining experienceBy far the best dining experience in Memphis! Food and service is impeccable!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first trip toThis was our first trip to Memphis; we had read about Restaurant Iris and were excited to try it. It did not disappoint - we felt as if we were entering the home of a friend.
My husband is a bit of a finicky eater, but the staff was able to easily make recommendations to please his palate. The Knuckle Sandwich appetizer was terrific as was the scallops entree. I tasted my husband's stuffed steak - and loved that, too! The service was excellent and well paced. I can't wait to go back to Memphis again.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMOur waiter Kelly was exceptionalOur waiter Kelly was exceptional and the food was delicious.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best in MemphisExcellent option for special occasions. Was slightly put off that we had to wait for 20 minutes when we had a reservation. Service/Food excellent. Will certainly return.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMy experience was great onceMy experience was great once they were able to honor my written request for mt favorite waitress and table. I had requested bith ahead and they were not recorded. We had to wait until that could be set up, which only took a few minutes.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my first time toThis was my first time to eat at Iris and my wifes second. I was told by multiple people to go with the 5 course dinner. I was told to just let my server know what my I liked and everything would be fine. I am a bit of a texture freak and cant eat mushrooms. I was very close to ordering the surf and turf off the menu just to be safe but decided to go for the full experience. I told our server Sara that about my mushroom fobia and texture fears. My wife told her her few dislikes and we left it in Sara's hands. This turned out to be the best meal I have had in Memphis in my 32 years. Every course was to my taste. Normally i leave restaraunts like this hungry but I left full and extremely satisfied.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is probably the bestThis is probably the best restaurant in Memphis. Owner/Chef Kelly English has done a fantastic job of putting it all together - food, service, atmosphere, it's all here. Plan ahead and book reservations well in advance because Restaurant Iris has been discovered so demand for seating is high. It's really well worth it.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMMy wife and I ate @ RestaurantMy wife and I ate @ Restaurant Iris during a recent vacation to Memphis. We wanted a place that would be special and memorable and "Iris" certainly fit the bill. The food was delicious, our server was very pleasant and helpful with our selections, the setting was very romantic and Chef English personally visited our table to ensure that we were enjoying our dining experience.
My wife and I have determined that in our travels we are "souvenir eaters", in that we seek eating experiences that will be memorable, and that we can take home with us, just as we would an item purchased in a store. Restaurant Iris was just such an experience and we hope that we can return again soon.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe environment was invitingThe environment was inviting and everyone was really professional, yet friendly. Also, it was a nice touch to note my birthday on the opposite side of the menu along with flowers and other decorative items on the table.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first time hereThis was our first time here and we really enjoyed everything. We liked the fact that it was not a chain restaurant but unique. This is our place now for special occasions and I will be telling my friends.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the food, to the wine,From the food, to the wine, to the service, without a doubt the best restaurant in Memphis.
Exceeded the hype and produced a memorable evening!
Highly recommend Iris.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMJudging from the most recentJudging from the most recent article in the Commercial Appeal, many folks have discovered and had great experiences at Iris. Our waiter, Jeff was the best waiter I have ever had. He was obviously knowledgeable about all aspects of the dining experience at Iris and so my wife and I placed ourselves in his capable hands. He offered suggestions for the food and wine with every course. The wait staff is the face and personality of any restaurant and Jeff did an admirable job representing Iris.
We appreciated meeting and congratulating our chef, Kelly English for a delicious meal.
My wife and I were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. We'll talk about our Restaurant Iris experience for years to come.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMKelly English put togetherKelly English put together an amazing tasting menu for us and we could not stop bragging about it on the top chef cruise we recently went on. The wine pairings were great too.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a wonderful night!Always a wonderful night! This is my favorite spot in town. You can depend on excellent service and amazing food every time.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMRestaurant Iris made my girlfriend'Restaurant Iris made my girlfriend's birthday very special. She was blown away at the special menus with her name and she said that the bread pudding dessert was the best she's had in life - this is impressive because she lives in L.A. with endless restaurant possibilities! Thanks, Geoff F. Collierville, TN3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMVery nice place for our 5thVery nice place for our 5th Anniversary. The waiter was very knowledgable and the food was amazing! We will be back!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMIris a great placeTook my wife to Iris for her birthday. We both enjoyed it greatly. We loved the atmosphere and the menu.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMI have heard about Iris forI have heard about Iris for a long time. It takes a while to get a weekend reservation was the only drawback. I had to get a Friday night reservation a month ahead of time. It was a little pricey like I expected but it was worth it. Great experience!!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMIris - thank you!Upscale quaint ambiance with creative menu selections - both to the eyes and the taste buds. Service is proper and friendly. Will definitely be back to sample more of the menu offerings! Loved the lobster knuckle sandwich!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu is heavy on readThe menu is heavy on read meat. There were no vegetarian or pasta options, two or three fish entrees. Even the starters mostly featured meat. I hope the spring/summer menu will be lighter. The crispy Turbot fillets over roasted butternut squash and fava beans was excellent. Many good wine choices too.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went for the first timeWe went for the first time for my wife's birthday and had an amazing time. We have had some amazing food all over the world and restaurant Iris is one of the best we have had. I would recommend it to anyone. We did the tasting menu and it was great. We will be back.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMI quite enjoyed the deliciousI quite enjoyed the delicious foie gras which has become quite a rarity today. It was set on a bed of apple gellee and shallots which complemented the foie gras quite nicely. My waiter was very attentive and informative about the food. The restaurant is placed in a lovely house, and the decor was pleasant although the shockingly bright modern painting on the wall did not contrast well with the obviously French decor. Overall, the experience was delightful, and I intend to return soon.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMService and food superb. RestaurantService and food superb. Restaurant temperature was a bit cool but overall the experience was wonderful. Can't wait to go back with friends.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMKelly English is a Master.Kelly English is a Master. We are so happy that he has made Memphis his home. Also, the Ladies serving us (no gents that night) were delightful, knowledgeable and obviously enjoyed their work.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AM