Possibly the most disappointing dining experience of the year. A colleague had touted the steak as the best ever. Twice I was served a medium filet when I had asked for medium rare. The butter patty on top was ice cold instead of melting. How hard is it to cook a $36 steak? The manager explained that a California restaurant consulting firm had shaken up the menu and staff 6 weeks ago. They are going back to old menu and ways next week. Service was inattentive (not uncommon in Memphis). Hopefully they can regain their mojo.
(1)
Allyn B.
O.M.G. this place is awesome. Great drinks and great food. Service is slow. The ambiance is awesome. Hard to find but worth the effort.
(4)
Rick S.
If you are going to visit Beal Street in Memphis and want to find a place to get out of the tourist traps and have a decent experience; this is it. A nice menu of regional cuisine, ala New Orleans (no BBQ) atop BB King's (where you can get BBQ). Nice bar and ambiance/decor. You do get the band playing below you but not loud enough to interrupt conversation. Not a lot of tables so the service is pretty good. Of course, you will spend a few more $$ than you would downstairs, but again worth it. Had a nice mini-wine tasting with the manager one night - very hospitable to the lone diner at the bar (which is generally how I roll). When you finish dinner, all of the sites and sounds of Memphis are right at your feet. Literally.
(4)
Mariela D.
.... I dont even know where to start! Holy cow Batman! This place is a hidden jewel, situated above BB King's bar. You go up a two flights of stairs and wonder, how the hell am I going to enjoy my evening with all the craziness coming from the first and second floor?! Well... let me tell you, as soon as you go past the front door, you dont hear a thing! And my gosh, is it the most sexy place I have ever eaten at! I am dead serious...SEXY is what best describes this restaurant. We gave them our reservation information and were promptly seated at our table and waited upon, hand and foot! My wine glass was always full, the food was a southern fusion of DELICIOUSNESS! We sat at our table for four hours!!! We enjoyed everything that much! I unfortunately cant recall what we ate, blame the wine, but if you are EVER in Memphis, please stop by! You do need a reservation, and its not easy on the wallet. So much so, I was told by a regular patron that they dont even advertise. They dont need to. OH! And another plus ladies, AVEDA all the way in the latrines! I loved it!
(5)
Rick S.
I've been to Itta Bena several times now and when sitting at the bar, the food has been great and service was alright, nothing spectacular. Recently I went in with 3 others and we didn't want to sit at the bar. There were 4 tables that were seated out of 20 or so at 9 pm on a Wednesday night. After sitting there twiddling our thumbs and talking work for nearly 10 minutes, the bartender came over from her spot and got a drink order. It must have been a tough order because it took another 10 minutes for her to bring them back to us. After another 15 minutes she decided to come back and take our order. We ordered and 10 minutes later she came back to let us know that she had forgotten half of our orders and the half she remembered they were out of that night. She apologized because get this..... "they were really swamped that night." We made the 5th table and one table had left since we had arrived. So let's get this straight. We were there for 45 minutes, had only 1 drink when if service would have allowed for it we would have been on 5 or 6, didn't have a food order into the kitchen and an absolute moron for a waitress. Food wasn't all that bad that night but the mood was done. When speaking to the manager afterwards he couldn't understand why I was so upset and said there was nothing he could do to help remedy my anger level that was only rising every second. Overall, this could have been one of the worst experiences ever and that says a lot even as I remember an incident once before many years ago where a mouse ran out from under our table.
(1)
John F.
Land of the delta blues takes a new meaning once I saw the blue tinted windows that dressed the walls of the restaurant. This place is one of the best kept secrets in Memphis. It offers great southern food with elegant exciting twists. There is a great romance to the decor which would make this a wonderful place for anything from a first date to a rehearsal dinner.
(5)
Brittney H.
Food was mediocre, service was great, but nothing stood out. They do have a great atmosphere, and they're super close to Beale street, so I suggest having cocktails at the bar! :)
(3)
Loren R.
NICE!!! Food = 4 stars Atmosphere = 8 stars Earn super cool points by taking your date to this 'secret place' -hidden above Beale St. Go from the back-alley fire-escape entrance (anticipating a crap game on the other side of the door) to elegant dining in beautiful blue lighting and soft (live) piano music. Our large group shared a number of appetizers (none disappointed.). I enjoyed the Red Snapper but was very surprised that I had to add some salt! I did, however, fall in love with the scallops & grits (which I tried after reading Lauren C's review. -THANKS!!!). I think they tasted like heaven! Entire staff was friendly. Just be prepared to pay $100+ per couple.
(5)
Lauren C.
This is and probably always will be my favorite restaurant in Memphis. The entrance is an adventure. The dining area is white table cloth perfection. The lighting is sultry and if you sit by the Beale St. side, you get one of the best views of Memphis. The bar is sophisticated and yet welcoming. The bathrooms are even gorgeous!!! This is the place where I fell in love with scallops. I have never had a more perfectly seared one since! I love how they embrace southern style in all their upscale dishes. You can't go wrong. There is no item on the menu that disappoints. If you hear someone distastefully moaning with pleasure, it's me. If you want to impress/shmooze/marry someone...take them here!!!
(5)
Tayler E.
Don't let the address fool you - although it may be tucked away on Beale, this gem of a restaurant is anything but touristy. The atmosphere is great, and the food is very good. We had a large party and had a reservation, and they had our table ready for us when we walked in. Our server Alex handled all 15 of us extremely well. We tried the fried green tomatoes, the Mushroom fries and the BBQ shrimp appetizers. I recommend them all. Don't get me started on the bread. I could eat about 100 of their rolls in one sitting. I had the Salmon Filet for dinner. It was delicious, and the green beans & wild rice complemented it nicely. We had the Godiva Cheesecake and bread pudding for dessert. Don't leave without trying at least one of them. The only complaint the whole meal was from a coworker who ordered the chicken Marsala and didn't realize it was fried. It's very fried. Other than that, the meal was incredible. I will be back!
(4)
Akilah M.
Absolutely delicious! I was visiting Beale street and looking for a more quiet place for myself, husband, and infant daughter, and this place was perfect. The food was southern but not oily and it tasted fresh. It's pretty hard to find as we had to go through a restaurant to find it, but it was pretty tasty. I had the shrimp and grits, and my husband had the chicken Marsala. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The live music and ambiance was also really nice. The only downside for us was that there is no elevator so we had to carry our stroller up several flights of stairs. Other than that, visit this place if you're on Beale street!
(4)
Kontji A.
I've always loved Itta Bena. Their representation during Downtown Dining Week 2014 did not let me down. As usual, the ambiance at Itta Bena was awesome. I love the fact they can pack a secret restaurant that is just word of mouth. To boot, Queen of Beale Street Ruby Wilson was performing during our meal. To start, the honey butter and hot rolls were decadently delicious. So delicious I left little room for the meal. I ordered the mushroom bisque and finished every drop. I also sampled the salad, which wasn't bad. My main dish was the salmon. OMG. Perfection. The green beans were not overcooked and the grits were perfectly seasoned. I was so full from the pre-main dish food that I had to get a to-go box. It tasted even better the next day. The desserts were good, but a little hard to get my fork through them. All-in-all, a wonderful experience for such a reasonable price!
We sat in the cove, a cozy private room for two. Started with the Portobello fries which somehow we're both crispy and juicy. The dipping sauce that accompanied them was cheesy, creamy, and bacony. My beautiful date had the lamb chops. They were cooked perfectly and did not taste as gamey as Lamb usually does to me. I had the Lobster "Thermidor" which was two specially seasoned lobster tails served with parmesan rice risotto. Very flavorful and only $23 Our server was just right, friendly but not overly familiar and always there when we needed her. This is a very romantic restaurant with great food at a fair price.
(5)
Chelsea P.
Went in with a few friends for a bachelorette dinner. Was slightly confused how to enter, but we took a gamble and walked up the stairs into seemlingly, a different world. Itta Bena is absolutely gorgeous inside, with friendly staff and AMAZING food. We ordered the crab stuffed avocado (WHAT!) as an appetizer, which obviously did not disappoint, and I ordered the scallops with grits as my entree. I would highly recommend Itta Bena for a romantic date night, or before a night out with the girls. I'll be back!
Itta Bena is just a seriously cool place to be. I mean, come on -- you get in through unmarked stairs, it's dim and mysterious and cool and those blue windows!! We've been here a few times now and eaten all around the menu. The Abita BBQ Shrimp is a must-have; they have a fantastic craft drink list; and the Grilled Lamb Chops are my personal fave =) Another fun thing about Itta Bena is the live music. Last time we were there (about two weekends ago) there was a couple playing piano and guitar; her voice was lovely and it was just the cherry on top of a perfect evening. Like most places I review, I've not been blown away by the service and our most recent visit was no different. We still return though for the food and atmosphere. They do have valet, which is super convenient.
(4)
Serena W.
Itta Bena!!! What a hidden gem!!! Absolutely my top 3 favorite restaurants in Memphis! First of all, what a surprise and unique entrance lead by those old vintage iron stairs. I was kinda nervous prior entering the restaurant, as I don't know what it would take me to, however, I was totally blown away by its simple yet elegance ambiance with the soft blue lighting. Beautiful! First thumb up! Then, we were greeted by our server Billy. What a great guy! He was extremely friendly, patient and professional. We weren't felt rushed at all from the beginning of the meal to the end. He made us comfortable and all of us enjoyed our dinner there! As far as foods, wow! Fantastic! Starting with the appetizer; we had scallops and grits, and green tomato! De-Li-Cious!!! I loved the texture of the scallops and the grits were very well done and it somehow made me felt like having a very flavorful mashed potato! Don't take it wrong as I am comparing it to potatoes..It is absolutely tasty!!! I loved it a lot and if it's not because I have big dinner coming out, I would definitely order another plate of those scallops!!! For main entrees, we had the red snappers, duck waffle and grilled salmon! The grilled salmon was well prepared! Nothing to critique. The highlight is the duck waffle!!! Humm!!! Yum yum yum! It was definitely rich, but doesn't feel greasy at all! Right on par! And the flavor! Oh gosh!!! It's vanilla, maple and blueberry ish flavor!!! Humm.... I can't describe it! It is just good, great and phenomenal! We needed our night with some decaf! Definitely would come back again!! And as a matter of fact, we went in last night for our New Year Eve dinner!! 4 course meal with wonderful music and great service from our server Billy!!!! Double thumb ups! PS: the BB King Club is right under Itta Bena! What a perfect way to end a night with blues and soul music;) Great job Itta Bena!!! looking forward to our next meal there soon!!!!
(4)
Margaret C.
I recently ate here on a trip to Memphis. The location is fun tucked away above BB King's. The ambiance is nice with a small-ish bar and blue tinted windows that allow patrons to have a birds-eye view down on Beale Street. There was also an awesome piano player there the night I went which I loved. The food was okay. I order the chicken marsala with mashed potatoes and green beans. The sides were great, but the chicken marsala was a very large breast breaded and fried like a fried piece of chicken. The marsala sauce was brown gravy with mushrooms. I would come back here for drinks and to escape the madness on Beale Street, but not necessarily for the food.
(3)
Lisa C.
Amazing place!! Billy the bartender is the absolute best. Order the BBQ shrimp app!! It comes out smoking on like a fajita plate. It is worth it!!
(5)
Roger C.
Great hidden gem in the heart of Beale street. Have the fried avocado app and the duck and waffles. The service is great. Go up the fire escape from the alley to avoid a cover charge at BB Kings.
(5)
Amanda E.
When it comes to ambience Itta Bena is easily one of the top restaurants in Memphis. Think speakeasy meets upscale dining. If you're not sure where to go just walk into BB Kings and tell them you're there for Itta Bena, they will direct you towards the stairs. I've been several times over the years, the food is always good, not wow but good.I actually like the non steak options better than the steak, this is not a steak place so save the nice meat for a place that specializes in that. You are really going for the ambience. The service is good and theres a nice selection of wine and cocktails. Usually there will be some type of lounge singer during dinner, which is nice. Once the band starts playing downstairs you'll hear it come through a little and the floor with vibrate, nothing too alarming but just something to think about if you are wanting a quiet night. I noticed on my last visist there is a small "room, looks like a former closet near the back stiars that could hold a party of four, maybe? Not sure if you have to do something special to book it but this is now on my romantic dining bucket list. Personally I prefer the booths to the tables but the table's chairs are perfectly comfortable. This is a great spot for a pre show dinner or just a nice night on the town.
(4)
Lance G.
Tucked above BB kings. We stumbled across this place bc we were looking for shrimp and grits. Music was great, atmosphere was amazing and the shrimp and grits...to die for!
(5)
Tyne R.
Atmosphere and service were good, but food left a lot to be desired. I had the shrimp and grits. My husband had the jambalaya pasta. Both were quite bland. The place is practically hidden so we had a difficult time finding it. Once inside I was impressed with the ambiance, but disappointed by the food.
(3)
G. S.
Great atmosphere and staff. The appetizers were very good, especially the scallops. The she crab soup was amazing. The shrimp in the Shrimp and Grits were tough which I didn't expect for the price. They also were stingy with the grits. I have had better. Overall a good, but not a great dining experience.
This restaurant has a nice interior, yes. However, it is accessed by a sketchy, fire-escape-like entrance in the back of B.B. King's Blues Club that made me feel like I was ascending to my peril. Albeit few visits, I could not help but focus on the following: 1. Expensive Drinks 2. Unimpressive Menu 3. LOUD Patrons Also, if you park in the South Main grid late-night, be aware of your surroundings regardless of your state of mind.
(2)
Laine H.
Fantastic food, fantastic service, and a really cool ambiance. This place is really a gem.
(5)
Izz C.
Had a lovely evening. Super lovely server called Kevin. Wonderful live music and delicious food on my mums birthday!
(5)
Happy S.
Here are the reasons this restaurant can charge what they charge for mediocre food advertised as high end plates: 1) It's on top of the Original B.B. King's, meaning it's overlooking Beale on the corner of 2nd. 2) You can't find it unless you ask or already know, which adds to the mystery. Here are the reasons I would not go back. The food was mediocre at BEST, even the Filet my husband ate. I ordered the duck and waffle and only ate the duck. The waffle was drenched in a sweet sauce with little complexity that I just didn't care for whatsoever. The waffle looked worse than those waffles you get with complimentary breakfast at a hotel. Soggy, meh. You would think a server would be concerned enough to find out why a guest only ate 1 part of their meal, leaving most of it uneaten, especially when the plate cost almost 30 dollars, but that also didn't happen. Do yourself a favor and eat anywhere else but here, if you're going to shell out that kind of money, especially. The ambiance and mystery is not worth the cost.
(2)
Shane S.
I love this place, still waiting to take the boo there! I had the red snapper and the she crab soup. Both were delicious. This is a hidden gem in Memphis just about BB King. The service was great and the atmosphere was very calming and elegant. This is a great date night destination.
(5)
Andy E.
I ate here recently as part of a business dinner party of 12, and everyone was really pleased with the experience. The Cajun BBQ shrimp and the tenderloin sliders as appetizers were great. I had a Cajun blacked redfish over southern hash browns with cured bacon that was outstanding. Most of the party had steaks which were all well prepared. Good wine list to complement the menu.
(4)
Christina N.
If you are thinking about a private party or special event for a medium-large party, think again about choosing Itta Bena. The management made our event HELL for our rehearsal dinner there for 90 people. -We had all the details arranged in September- October 2014 for our event in May 2015, including having the entire main dining room to ourselves. -They fired the original event coordinator in early Spring and then changed how much of the room we had (even though it was in the contract and very clear that the room was ours.. they even agreed that they had changed it). They told us this the week of the event and were super hard to get in touch with for months beforehand. -They told us of the change three days before our event and guaranteed us the use of a microphone for the whole dinner due to the increased noise from extra guests in the main dining room. Then they restricted the microphone use to 30 minutes total--- my uncles and grandmother were not able to give their speeches. I tried to reason with them and spent 15 minutes bawling because they were so unaccommodating. It was extremely difficult to hear anything without a microphone. -They finalized the table arrangements three days before the event-- THEN CHANGED THE LAYOUT on the day of-- forcing us to spend 4 hours on the day of the event re-seating guests. -After all of this, the waiter spilled hot wax from a candle on the groom and did not even apologize for ruining his best shirt. Two dry cleanings later, and it's still ruined. -We were repeatedly lied to about the layout, the room, and the accommodations. This was the most condescending and untruthful management I have ever seen. We were shocked by how rude people can be. Save yourself a headache and go somewhere else. Whatever they say, they cannot be trusted.
(1)
Mary H.
What a lovely experience we had last night during "Memphis Downtown Dining Week." This was our first trip to this romantic and intimate place. The service and hosting staff were so accommodating from my initial phone call to make a reservation through the end of the meal everyone was helpful and friendly. TIP: I had called several establishments to make reservations on a Wednesday morning for that evening and for Friday evening, and was not having any luck whatsoever booking my top picks. Itta Bena was also "booked" for Wednesday evening, when I expressed my disappointment and confusion about not being able to get reservations to Karen she suggested that I should call her back after Noon when she had completed her confirmation calls, as she most likely would have cancellations. Apparently, folks book reservations when the listings of restaurants are first posted for their top picks then cancel when called to confirm. The ambiance is cool and chic. Even the ladies room was beautiful. The food was excellent, we had the mushroom bisque which was delish with a hint of sherry, a wonderfully flavorful sirloin with a bleu cheese sauce, crispy onion straws and roasted garlic, potato puree, perfectly cooked. For dessert a rich brownie that was smothered in pecans. We can't wait to return for a date night to try the regular menu and reserve one of the lovely banquettes.
(5)
Avery V.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is nice and cozy. The restaurant overlooks Beale street and you take a back door entrance to get up to it. All of the specialty cocktails listed were sweet which was disappointing for someone who wants something lighter/drier. I settled on the blueberry lemonade which was very good (still pretty sweet though). The menu has a lot of potential. The options are upscale southern comfort food. The food was ok. Most of us weren't super impressed. The blackened red snapper was delicious but didn't have enough hash for every bite which was disappointing. The chicken Marsala was ok. Nothing to write home about. Overall the food was overpriced.
(3)
Dan F.
Average at best. Disappointed after reading some of the reviews. My meal was shrimp & grits. The grits were flavored with gruyere cheese, tasty, but the shrimp was bland. My wife had chicken Marsala. The pasta was tasty but very little mushrooms and again the chicken was bland. Kudo's to Eric our waiter very good service. K
(3)
Dan M.
When you finally find this place (it's above BB Kings on Beale Street) you will be in for a treat. The staff is courteous and the service is prompt...all in an atmosphere of rich, old Memphis. But the real excitement is the food. The appetizers were superb, especially the BBQ shrimp. The only problem for us was that the sauce was so delicious that we ended up using the whole basket of bread at our table to enjoy it. The crab cakes were also a delight. The fried green tomatoes were good but not up to the rest of the apps. For main courses the ribeye steak with creamed spinach would rival a steakhouse. The shrimp and grits was a house favorite and our table would totally agree. On our next trip we will want to try the duck and waffles! The only item I would avoid would be the She-crab soup which was watery and slightly out of balance. In fact, the salad course was limp at best compared to the rest of the meal. Suggestion: just skip this course and double up on apps them straight to the main course!
Just phenomenal! We arrive at 545 on a Monday night and the only available seating was at the bar (not a problem). They have a great drink list (martinis, wine, etc) but a very average beer list. The wedge salad was excellent and I had the red snapper entree. My wife had the fried green tomatoes topped with shrimp and loved it. All around great place!
(5)
John B.
This place was recommended to us by our B and B as well as friends. It is right on Beale street but the noise isn't felt. The setting is definitely romantic, and I believe there were a couple bachelor and bachelorette parties on site. The food was good not great. The waiter kept forgetting somethings, but I believe it was due to him covering too much territory that normal. Probably the best restaurant on Beale street but I'd imagine there are better ones in town.
(3)
Sarah D.
One of these stars is just for the cheese grits. They were stellar. One star is for the fabulous setting-- there is something so romantic about entering a hidden staircase,and they often feature a live piano player as well. We sat at the bar, and it was very busy for a Wednesday night. Michael Buble and Ray Lamontagne were both playing separate shows downtown, so there were quite a few people getting in a pre-show dinner. We discovered the advertised bar specials-- between 5-7pm on certain nights of the week, they offer specials on drinks and money off certain appetizers. We ordered multiple glasses of wine ($5 wine was the Wednesday night drink), as well as several dishes to share-- the duck and waffles, and the scallops and grits were the clear winners out of our selections. I've never had such amazing grits (and I moved here from low-country South Carolina, which prides itself on stoneground grits). So here's where the evening goes sour: We received our bill, only to find out that the bar specials were not honored-- the reason stated being "the owner discontinued the specials"-- we were charged almost double the advertised price for drinks, as well as full-price for the appetizers. We made the (very polite) argument to our server that the specials are featured on the website, and she kindly gave us $2 off per glass of wine. While it's totally up to businesses whether or not they honor their specials, it's REALLY lame to advertise a happy hour on your website, and then refuse to honor it when push comes to shove. It's frustrating for patrons (who otherwise had a good experience) and frankly, just not really good business. Too bad. I'll frequent other restaurants instead.
(2)
Trey P.
I have returned to Itta Bena twice since the initial bad experience. The location and ambience was too tempting to not give a second / third shot. Everything has been spot on in the subsequent trips without incident. All the people I've taken have had good service and have enjoyed their dinners as much as I have. So I'll raise my rating and now can say go and enjoy. There are no other dinning locations on Beale that are this nice...
(4)
Cari L.
What a great spot! I love the "hidden" aspect and you have to know where it is; makes it elegant to me. The food - I had the snapper and andouille hash. I was skeptical about the hash, I love andouille so I am not sure why the skepticism. The portion was huge, I only ate half of it. The fish was cooked perfect and the hash was very tasty! I could have only had the hash and been happy. I also had dessert - creme brulee. It was a touch warmer than I prefer but it was still creamy with a nice sugar crust. The service - this is why they are getting five stars. My waiter was Stefan and he was wonderful. I was dining alone, which in my experience can be tricky for waiters. Either they feel sorry for you and want to talk or avoid thinking you want to be alone. Stefan gave me the perfect amount of attention. My drink was never empty without him asking if I wanted another and he engaged me without being either of the scenarios above. He talked to me about the menu, what was popular and what kind of food I like to eat. It was a great experience and I will go back when I am in town for work. Lastly, the ambiance is awesome. I love the small, cozy feel, blues music in the background, and the blue tinted windows.
(5)
Barbara P.
Found through Peabody Hotel concierge. No name or sign to identify location, real hidden gem. Delicious updated southern food with excellent service. Great atmosphere above Beale Street. BBQ shrimp appetizer, wedge salad, grits were all memorable. Definitely a great find.
(4)
Jessica E.
I ordered the duck and waffles. It was decent but I expected much more. They also up charged our cocktails by giving us nicer liquor when we didn't request it. Atmosphere was very pleasant and waiter was great. Overall though, the food didn't justify the price.
(2)
Beverly P.
Celebrated a special birthday at Itta Bena. Everything about the evening was perfect from the valet parking, to dinner service, to the meal. When you open the door, the atmosphere is beautiful and the vintage decor is like stepping back in time. An added touch was being greeted by name, when we stepped to the hostess station. As for the meal, I'm not an avocado fan, but I enjoyed the avocado stuffed with crab salad which was perfect to share. For dinner, we ordered the lamb chops and blackened snapper which were both perfectly prepared. The risotto that was served with the lamb chop was devine! They kindly provided a special birthday dessert but we were too stuffed to finish it. I've dined here several times before and always leave feeling my money was well spent.
(4)
Michael B.
Great spot on Beale!! Its like going to another world. Beale is live and loud and you go upstairs to Itta Bena to find a quiet and romantic vibe. The dishes are incredible and it isn't grossly overpriced. Great atmosphere and after dinner a walk on Beale or Main St is a must.
(5)
Joelle P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Memphis. I love the hidden entrance with the stairs, the ambience, the piano, the bar in the middle, the food, and blue lighting. It is always a fun experience, especially for a date. It also has a great location right on Beale. The restaurant is located above B.B. King's Club and you can go downstairs once you are done with dinner. They have the best band to dance to. But if that isn't your scene, there are a million other places to choose from right on the street. They have valet for $10, which I strongly recommend if the weather is bad. The nearest parking garage is quite a walk!
I had heard about this 'secret' restaurant over BB Kings on Beale St. for years & I finally decided to try it. I'm not a 'foodie' or a fine dining expert. In fact, the food & experience vs. the $$$ usually ends in disappointment. I'd rather spend my money at the mall :) We ate there few months ago and I'm still raving about the place. Itta Bena is hands down, my favorite restaurant in Memphis. The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning. The food was amazing, our waiter was fantastic, great atmosphere and did I mention the food?! The food is to die for - southern style country meets sophisticated fine dining. I had the Shrimp & grits - best I have ever had. I would have cleaned my plate if there had been any room left in my stomach. We always go to dinner before going to an event at the FedEx Forum. As far as convenience goes, the restaurant is steps away from the venue. I've never been excited to go out to eat, until now. Itta Bena is truly a hidden gem!! On a side note. If you don't have an Open Table account - Website or App, get one. Making reservations is super easy! It's rare that I'm looking for a [nice] Resturaunt & it's not on there. I've been using Open table for years and have never had a bad experience.
(5)
Clinton S.
Had a friend of mine who used to live in Memphis and my wife and I wanted to take her out to a nice dinner, but not at the "usual" nice places, so we chose Itta Bena - and what a great choice. I will have to agree with everyone who said it's not easy to find as the entrance is on Second Street, it's not "marked" with the usual signage, and you do have to walk up two flights of stairs, but that's all entirely worth it. Out of habit I made reservations, but as early as we got there they weren't necessary (~6PM on a weeknight), and we got the pick of the restaurant for where we wanted to sit. The restaurant is over BB Kings (which is kinda cool), and is well appointed. The service was competent and non-obtrusive, which should be 5 stars these days! We started with drinks - they have a yummy mixed drink menu that my wife loved. I had a local (Mississippi) draft beer, and our guest had a glass of red wine. For dinner our friend chose well with the pork chops, cooked perfectly and well seasoned. My wife had the chicken marsala, which was a little different in that the chicken was battered and fried instead of the lightly pan fried, which I usually get (and make for myself at home). I decided to try several appetizers for dinner, and went with the fried green tomatoes (as expected with a delicious sauce on each one), the crab cakes (which were ok, but not spectacular), and the fried avocado with crab (again, good, but probably would not order again). Although stuffed by now, we did find room for dessert, and my friend got the brownie (awesome, a definite next time), and I got the white chocolate bread pudding (excellent). The ambience was excellent and compared with other restaurants where the noise level is so high you can't hear yourself much less the person next to you, we were able to have a delightful conversation to go with our very enjoyable meal. Would highly recommend Itta Bena for a pre-Orpheum meal.
I heard so many great things about this place that we decided to finally try it. It has the potential to be really great but.. don't plan on arriving after 830 pm and having a relaxing enjoyable fine dining experience. More on that later. First of all, the atmosphere and location are great, as promised. The food was good, and the portions pretty large. Our server did a good job, so no issues there. We had a reservation on a Saturday night at 845. I do not consider that to be too late to dine, but perhaps that is not the case in this town. There were several tables occupied at this time, so we were not the only diners in the place. Everything started out great, but we were barely into our entrees at 930 pm and the staff started breaking the place down. By this I mean dragging ALL of the furniture across the floor to the back of the room for cleaning prep. This was extremely loud and obnoxious to us as we were trying to enjoy our meal. We thought it would stop once they finished the back part, but they just kept going, moving every table as soon as the diners left. This made us feel awkward and rushed, as we were clearly the only thing standing between the staff and their opportunity to leave for the night. Relax Itta Bena staff, there are far less rude places to spend our $100+/person dining dollars in the future. A fellow Yelper was accurate by saying "New York prices with New Jersey service".
(2)
Russell H.
great food/beautiful place only draw back is somewhat limited menu if your picky
(4)
Drew P.
Cool place, sort of a speakeasy feel. Very good food and drinks, a bit pricey but enjoyable experience as it almost feels like you're getting away with something. Try the bread pudding!
(4)
Anonymous N.
I was expecting great food based off reviews. The food was average at best and service was good. Had the filet with scallops and others in our group of six had lamb chops, jambalaya pasta and the snapper. All said food was average.
(3)
Caitlin S.
Our food was so salty and both our dishes were not that great. I could not even taste salmon, just salt. Totally unacceptable. The only saving grave were the appetizers and ambiance. There is better food downtown we will eat before this again.
(3)
Scott T.
Loved this place. Showed up pretty early for dinner on a weekend night with a large group and no reservation. The place was pretty empty, but they said they couldn't serve us since they were booked. We dug a little deeper and they said if we could get in and out in an hour and a half, then they would take care of us. So we stayed and had plenty of time. Excellent service! I had the jambalaya. It was awesome! Enjoyed a Magnolia beer on tap, which was also very nice. All of my friends enjoyed their meals, which included the grilled salmon, red snapper and some crab seafood soup that they raved about.
(5)
Carol M.
As mentioned by many other reviewers, the location is easy yet hard to find. You know it's located above BBK but to know exactly how to get there can be the mystery. Another hint: Stairs are located on the West side of the buidling. My visit was with a large work group (40 or so on a week night). The staff was very accommodating to our group and service was attentive and quick. We took up nearly a quarter of the restaurant. Keep in mind they really don't have an area for large groups so we were a little dispersed throughout the establishment. I opted for the wedge salad as my meal (I know, not very exciting). Read my tagline and you will understand why. As far as wedge salads go, it was amazing! The hunk of lettuce was garnished with Applewood smoked bacon and Maytag blue cheese dressing. Got you craving a wedge now, huh? DiAnne Price is a wonderfu local lounge pianist and was performing on the night we were there. DiAnne is more of your typical jazz and blues. However, on the weekends you will often see Susan Marshall. She is an absolutely amazing Memphis performer.
(5)
Jen M.
My husband took me for my birthday for a small gathering. It was a nice warm and romantic atmosphere. However, I could not see the menu without shining my phone on it. I ordered a starter of the shrimp bbq. They were presented nicely and had toasted bread on the side. The shrimp themselves were large but bland, however the sauce that came in the pan was pretty delicious - we sopped up the sauce with the bread. My husband and I both ordered the shrimp and grits since most Yelp reviews recommended this. In our opionion they were not that great - kind of bland, the sauce had something sweet and flavorful in it, maybe roasted tomato or something? The grits were good with the cheese. Maybe we were biased because I make shrimp and grits at home all the time in a flavorful cajun cream sauce. Others at the table said their meals were good, like the chicken and the fish. I would go again and try something else on the menu next time.
(4)
Lisa H.
We were tipped off by a local to dine at Itta Bena and since her favorite New Orleans restaurant and mine are the same (shout out to Cochon!), I trusted the advice. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great, which is what I expected. Fried avocado app was good, but would have been much better with a bit of seasoning. DH got the BBQ shrimp - huge shrimp, very flavorful sauce - B+ for sure. Entrees: DH ordered steak (underseasoned) with the garlic mash (OK) and veggies (yawn) I had the shrimp and grits since they were so highly recommended. First plate had to be returned because those poor shrimp had been cooked so long they wouldn't even give up their tails. The second plate was better, but still not perfect. Grits were underseasoned and way too thick. I left more than half the pricey dish behind. Wine selection seems OK but overpriced. The best thing about it was the atmosphere, with a piano/singer and the feeling that you are experiencing something that only those "in the know" have done. Not enough to make me do it again, though.
(3)
Dawn M.
We visited this semi secret restaurant last night. No sign and advertising is word of mouth. There is valet service and you can either go up the stairs by valet or through BB Kings on Beale. Wind your way through the blues and bar crowd up two flights of stairs. The second staircase is a bit hidden so you will feel like Alice with bad directions. Since our party was eight we reserved a room overlooking Beale with blue windows. Our waitress was Polish as was one of our party. The odds of this are remote but we got really good service! My husband had red snapper and I had a filet. Others in the party had lamb, salmon, fried avocado salad, fried tomatoes, mushrooms, garden salad, risotto, grits, garlic mash potatoes and a blueberry lemon drop martini. No one ordered the she crab soup but it sounded very good. Dinners are in the 20-30 dollar range or you can have appetizers. Worth the trip and you can catch a carriage ride or stroll Beale St. afterwards completing your Memphis experience.
(4)
Ben B.
I'm a fan, INDEED. This is a really cool place that has Memphis written all over it. Everything from the location, hidden entrance, and the blue tinted windows that overlook Beale. The waitress we had was super helpful and was even more polite (not usually found on Beale). As a starter, we had the grits and scallops. Could be in the top 3 scallops that I have ever laid taste buds on. Oh and I cant forget to mention the delicious biscuits they bring out to your table. For my entree I had the fillet oscar with garlic mashed potatoes (AWESOME). The fact that this place is local makes it that much more attractive. I will definitely be back to Itta bena soon.
(4)
John S.
Great food. She-crab soup is a must! Excellent service. Quiet, Music from the blues club is inaudible. No wheelchair access. Stairs to 3rd floor. We've been there several times.
(5)
Peter F.
Itta Bena is a hidden Memphis gem. Even though its located in the heart of Beale St, the atmosphere of the restaurant is calm an relaxed. The wait staff is terrific as is the food. Duck and Waffles are a go to for me. I recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Memphis who is looking for up-scale southern cooking.
(5)
S. M. S.
Definitely the only restaurant on Beale St. that I'd ever eat in. There are plenty of food options on this rambunctious version of Bourbon St, but all with fairly horrible live jazz/rock and a frat boy/slutty girl clientele that I doubt cares too much about dinner when they're out to party. Itta Benna has an interesting menu, attentive staff, it's quiet(ish), and you can walk downstairs to BB Kings afterwards and watch the show there, which was by far the most polished act on this rather unpolished street.
(4)
Johnny T.
I walked into the restaurant the long way, after motorcycling 7,246 miles from NYC and having my cocktail waitress at the Peabody, "Lindsey (va va voom!)" recommending it. Yeah that's right, I was bunking where the ducks swim and where Elvis first bought his blue suede shoes. THE DOPE: ATMOSPHERE: A fun "private" entrance, cool, hip, low light vibe inside. Some real moody blue light bathing the windows from the outside, and eye catching classic b&w pics of local music Gods hanging on the wall - Tina, Al, BB,etc. When you walk in, you're like yeah, looks good..and your date will be like, "So far...I'm not not sleeping with him." SERVICE: Concisely - Overall, the customers seem to get in the way of - HANGING OUT! Now our server, Ashley - yeah I call out the names, cause if you don't service doesn't improve, nor does their performance, and eventually our taxes go up to pay their unemployment! Any way she's a sweetie, but kind of dreamy - as in she's in another dimension. She's at your table, but she's never REALLY at your table, if you get what I mean. And if you don't - take more acid! She brought the wrong dressing over for a salad app, no table maintenance, entree elements left to clutter the table for desert, and dropped the check a WITHOUT A THANK YOU. A CARDINAL RULE of etiquette - thanking the customer - went down the bowl, but if perhaps, you're working not for tips, but to be admired or to party after the shift I guess good decent service doesn't matter! Give me a fat pimply attentive waitress any day! When we got up to leave - not one goodbye. We walked out unnoticed like fat girls at a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader try out. Our waitress wasn't around, so no fault there, but maybe one staff could say, "Good evening Folks, thanks." T The entire, "not too long out of college, but our minds are still in grammar school" staff NEED TO BE MANAGED by an adult - or focused like the Hubble Telescope. They were all occupied with their DRONE DEVICES, or chitin and chattin among themselves. A beautiful joint staffed by crappy self involved adolescents is not the way to turn a profit Pappy! FOOD: Apps: MAC & CHEESE - SUCKS! - It's a "pasta water soup" if anything. M&C should be hot goo under a top of burnt cheese, mac, and/or maybe bread crumbs too. Wrong consistency and little if any cheese taste, probably because IT'S TOO WATERY! M&C should stick 2 a wall if thrown, this runs right down the sewer - HOPEFULLY! BB King would turn over in his grave over this crap if he wasn't - alive, kicking and singing the blues. The app of FRIED AVOCADO STUFFED w/ SHRIMP was nice, not great, but visually and conceptually interesting. My mother's Red Snapper was good, not great. It a was moist, nicely spiced, moderately and balanced, and the fish itself of decent portion. They're famous for their SHRIMP AND GRITS - and should be, like the movie, ALMOST FAMOUS for them. Being a goomba from Brooklyn I'm not a grits man, but these were great - buttermilk creamy, tight, dryish - liked them alot. Not the usual goop you get down south. They made a tasty bed for the large char-grilled shrimp. The shrimp need a little more spice and taste, cause all I really got was the char-grillness of it all, but these babies were big, and meaty. Went nice with the red I was drinking DESERT: CARROT CAKE - SUCKS! Good icing, not enough cream cheese, and the cake was too dense - no air in that baby. It was more like a Carrot VERY Pound Cake. However, the vanilla bean BRULEE was tastey! OVERALL: I'd skip it. You get hit with NYC prices for NEWARK NJ service and food that didn't rise above good that night. Actually, you're better off, saving a ton of cash, by having a beer & hamburger at EARNESTINE & HAZELS bar - a REAL joint that once was a bordello to Memphis' music stars! But in hindsight, the only thing one should ever go to Memphis for is BBQ, BLUES, ELVIS and the righteous REVEREND AL GREEN - but never go to Itta's for the service....at least not right at this moment, in this dimension, where most of that staff most definitely wasn't,
(2)
Raymond B.
Itta Bena ... tough to find, fine to dine, been there five times... so it's time to write the review, sans rhymes: Pro's: - Location: If you're at the top of Beale Street, looking down it from 2nd, the blue awning just to your right (on 2nd St) where the valet guy is standing... that's the entrance. - Parking: The valet is $5. If you're from Memphis, that's "reasonable"... if you're from any other city on the planet earth, that's "insanely cheap." Just do the valet. - Service: Some people have a tough time with service here, and I've seen it go down with some vocal complaining at other tables, but we must get lucky every time with the good servers. We had a group of 12 once for a birthday, with all sorts of split checks and food allergies going on, and the guy (Alex maybe?) handled it all incredibly well. Nice work, fella. - Special menu items: She crab soup, eh, it's okay, and I back it, but the Duck and Waffles is something to be sought out. I've also had a steak there and it was solid (and I'm a bit of a snob on the steak front), and the rice/veggies/sides... always great. - Ambiance: It's dimly lit, but not hard to see, and you certainly get the feeling that you're in a bit of a hideaway. - Groups: They've got some great separate areas that are good for large groups, which is actually tougher to find in downtown Memphis restaurants than most realize. Con's: - Management/Organization: It's a bit chaotic, and we've had some issues with reservations there more than once. - Server/Bar/Kitchen Area: Again, on the chaos front, that area near the bar with the servers and the kitchen, and the bar... it's too much exposure to the general dining area for what should be 'behind the scenes' action. - Bourbon: I'm a manhattan guy, and they just don't have enough selection on the rye bourbon front... but I suppose I'm just being picky at this point. Would I recommend it? Yes, certainly. Will I be back for a sixth or seven trip? You bet. See you there.
(4)
Craig K.
Food was excellent. The redfish entree was NY/Philly quality and that is where I am from . Scallop and grit appetizer was fantastic
(5)
Jeff P.
Absolutely loved Itta Bena. My wife and I used to live in the Memphis area but moved to NJ prior to Itta Bena opening. We were back in town and celebrated my birthday and our anniversary by starting things off at Itta Bena. The food and cocktail menu set the stage for a great night! Will definitely go back when we go to Memphis again.
(5)
Lorrie S.
Loved it! Everything was really good. Try the nuts and berries for after dinner drink. Great!
(4)
SouthernFoodie M.
We went with another couple and our table was not ready. Within the space of ordering a round of drinks - it opened up. They seemed to have a little trouble discerning who our wait staff was. The girl we did get was great - and super attentive, even finding me a new non shaky chair. I really enjoyed the sleek dark atmosphere with the cool blue neon from the signs outside - kinds felt NYC-ish. We had the fried green tomato apps - which wwere good. I had the lamb chops - which were good - but not amazing - and the grits were cool when they arrived at the table. Dessert - cobbler - also good. Definitely would head back!
(4)
Laura H.
We decided to go to Itta Bena for our anniversary this past weekend. When we pulled up to the corner of Beale Street, we saw a valet stand and guessed this was where Open Table had directed us to go. There is no sign, but if you head up the stairs directly behind the valet stand you are there:) Wow! So beautiful inside. I'm not sure if they do something to the windows to give the effect of blue lights or if it is just the blue lights from the outside shining in, but it was very cool. The entertainment for the night was a girl in a cute chanteuse dress complete with jeweled headpiece accompanied by an amazing piano player. I didn't catch their names, but they said they are there every Sunday night. I loved pretty much everything she sang from Etta James to Amy Winehouse to Norah Jones to Johnny Cash. Amazing. I am so sad about the food and almost feel like I should be giving three stars overall. Since the ambiance is like an off-the-charts-six-stars, I'm sticking with my four star overall rating. The food was just not that good. My husband had the shrimp and grits. The shrimp were enormous on the plus side, but had absolutely zero flavor on the minus side. I had the snapper over andouille sausage hash. I'm not sure how a Cajun spiced snapper over spicy sausage managed to be bland, but it sure was. What a bummer!! I'm undecided on giving the food another shot, but I will absolutely go back to Itta Bena again just to be there. I would love to sit at the bar, have some cocktails, enjoy the beautiful setting and some more live music.
(4)
Laura G.
This place was pretty awesome. As mentioned in other reviews, you have to snake through BB King's to get up the stairs to a semi-secret dining lair. Once you get there, the menu is stellar. Everything sounded so good that I wanted to try it all. Highlights were as follows: Wine List- They had several of my favorite red wines by the glass. It was tough to decide where to start The mixed green salad with apples and goat cheese. YUM!! The service was awesome and attentive
(4)
Caitlin M.
I ate here for downtown dining week. I really liked it. I had caesar salad, blackened tilapia, and a brownie. My mom had the same thing but with the bread pudding. The tilapia is not on the regular menu. The bread pudding was amazing. The other food was delicious too. As others have said, this is the only place on Beale St. I would eat. Some concerns though--the flashing blue police light outside the window was annoying (it wasn't just blue due to the tinted windows). Also, one of the light bulbs was flickering and the waiter didn't seem to care nor knew what to do with it.
(4)
Nick B.
Awesome atmosphere. Delicious food. The Jambalaya was delicious. Also the Jumbo shrimp and grits.
(5)
Nadia S.
If we hadn't been given the secret to finding this place, we would have never found it. Look for the awning on 2nd streeet right past the BB king sign. The place is so historical, it is all from an afghan prison. the food is delicious, Duck and Waffles was my choice. a nice little secret for Memphis.
(3)
Kerry C.
Walking up the stairs last night felt deliciously sketchy, and opening the knotty wooden door was like breaking a trespassing ordinance. When I got inside, I was completely surprised: there's a restaurant on Beale Street that's warm, classy, romantic, and doesn't serve frothy mixed drinks in super-sized go cups. The windows are tinted blue, which makes looking over Beale Street kind of like wearing 3D glasses. The menu is fairly extensive, and most of the food seems to have a Southern twist (there are entrees like duck and waffles and drinks like the sweet tea mojito). I ordered a few things from the "small plates" section - the highly-recommended she crab soup, a fried avocado and crabmeat salad, and scallops and grits. All of the food was intense. I can understand why everyone on Twitter was raving about the soup. It's got chunks of real lump crab meat in a sweet cream-based broth. The salad had two avocado halves stuffed with crabmeat and deep fried next to a bed of baby spinach in dressing. Fried avocados are amazing - they're crispy and buttery at the same time. The scallops and grits had two seared scallops nestled next two a heaping pile of mascarpone cheese grits. I'm not usually a big fan of grits, but these made me want to go back in time and apologize for every time I avoided them. Sidenote: I love that more restaurants are doing small plates. It's an easy and affordable way to try fine dining. Most of Itta Bena's small plates were in the $9 -$15 range and had more than enough food on them. (By contrast, the majority of the entrees at Itta Bena are in the $20 - $30 range.) The service was impeccable, if a little bit overly attentive at times. When I was there around 7 p.m. last night, the restaurant was almost empty, but started filling up when DiAnne Price started playing the piano. If you want to try Itta Bena on a weekend, I would recommend making reservations in advance.
(4)
Jennifer H.
We really had a great time at Itta Bena and had a wonderful meal. We were in Memphis from out of town (NY) and once we told locals we'd been there people from all over were saying they'd heard of it and it came highly recommended. I can see why. Cool atmosphere, interesting menu selection but not too off the wall and the food was really great. We were there with both adults and children (age 10 and up) and everybody loved it. My only additional comment - and I'm not sure if it's a positive or a negative - is that we couldn't find the restaurant. Standing on the street you cannot find the address. You have to go in some crazy back bat entrance or up through BB King's to get there. Kind cool/kinda confusing. However you look at it I would still highly recommend Itta Bena!
(4)
Lisa M J.
As other reviewers have noted the place is hard to find. Nice dining room, some cool table concepts with a nice atmosphere. Some food was fine, other items not great at all (Example - two of us ordered the lamb chops which were a fatty mess and the waitress didn't say anything when she cleared our mostly uneaten entrees). Would be a fun place for cocktails/wine and apps when you are on Beale and want something a little more elevated than the usual fare. Can't say I'd make a special trip.
(2)
j g.
Not impressed, had hoped for more. Food was just fine- a bit overpriced for memphis, ambience ok, but service was lacking. for $60 a person lots of better choices in town....
(2)
Chris M.
Valet parking guy was a turd. Wine and drink list overpriced and boring. We were here for the 20.12 dining week. I would think you would want to put on a good face for the special. It didn't seem like that here. It was busy and they were trying to get everyone seated and fed. Service was pretty good but sorta had a chain restaurant feel to it.( not very personal) The food just wasn't very good. Mushroom bisque was probably the highlight. The Caesar salad was flavorless with croutons that were so stale it was funny. I was poking them with my fork as hard as I could and couldn't even break them. The main course was New York strip with garlic mash and veggies. The steak was no better than the $10 steak at the butcher shop. The mash was OK but nothing to note. The veggies were squash and zucchini which was very boring. Major overuse of garlic on everything. They also had a blackened tilapia that was OK. The deserts were bread pudding and brownies which were both very average. Nothing about the meal was bad but nothing was really good. The atmosphere is cool but they had a one man band playing that was good but played really slow music and just about put us to sleep. Not really trying to throw down the hammer on this place but it wasn't anything to remember. Probably wouldn't come back.
(2)
Edward S.
We came in via 143 Beale and not the 2nd street stairs. It was fun finding our way to the "secret door" and hidden steps up to the restaurant. Seating was immediate even though my entire group had not yet arrived. Service was excellent. We ordered the scallops and grits as well as the fried green tomatoes as appetizers.--Excellent!! The chicken marsalla, shrimp, and other sea food dishes ordered by the group were again, excellent- as were the sides. The crab soup was amazing!!!! The entertainment was wonderful and allowed the group to talk (not shout) and catch up. We left via the 2nd street stairs but were told we could go back the way we cam e to listen to the music and not pay the cover charge for the club below.
(5)
Glen D.
Came to Itta's for lunch. Very disappointed. Food was cold, order was incorrect server never offered to fill coffee. We will not be back.
(2)
Dina W.
Stevin was our outstanding waiter! HB and I split the pasta shrimp entree. We had the best Shrimp Cocktail. This restaurant was recommended by many locals for being a top notch restaurant, and these San Diegan's couldn't agree more!
(4)
Brian C.
Good restaurant, nice overall vibe with decent service, good food, and a marginal wine list. Unfortunately the food is often executed differently on each visit presumably depending on who's in the kitchen or what time of day you're eating. The she-crab soup is always a hit but I also enjoy the BBQ shrimp appetizer although sometimes the sauce can be very reduced and sometimes soupy. Other appetizers such as scallops & grits are fine but haven't blown me away - and I'm definitely not a fan of the fried avocado with crab. Entree portions are generally on the small side and I loved the blackened redfish with andouille hash but the appetizer & soup course seems like a much better deal so I have also sat at the bar and been very happy with soup, an appetizer, and a drink. Overall it's definitely worth checking out Itta Bena, between the nice ambiance and quality food Itta Bena is one of the better restaurant options in Memphis even though it's not perfect.
(4)
Shannon L.
I would first like to start off by saying it took me a good minute to even find Itta Bena. Most places on Beale are so obvious with their neon signs and loud music, that I get a headache resembling one my mother would complain about. However, Itta Bena is the exact opposite. In fact, if you are not looking for it, you would never know it existed. Itta Bena is located on the second story of B.B. Kings, right at the corner of Beale and 2nd Street. You almost feel like Alice in Wonderland as people point and direct you to it's entrance (which they oh-so-nicely do to everyone wandering in with a confused look on their face). Directions to Itta Bena: Walk into B.B. Kings looking wildly confused. Walk up the narrow, windy staircase in front of you. (note: you will see a sign that tells you to go up to reach Itta Bena) When you reach the platform with a door, do not go in! Walk up one more flight of windy, narrows stairs. Make a 180 degree turn when reaching the top of the staircase, and enter through the door. Look relieved and succumb to amused giggling of the wait staff in the restaurant. Once inside, you are taken to a place that does not even resemble Beale Street. The atmosphere is romantic with dim lighting, white table cloths, and candles. You cannot even hear the noise from the street below. (They must have spent a fortune on amazing sound-proof walls.) My friend Chris and I are taken to our table, where our server promptly greeted us. She was great. She was very friendly, personable, and genuine. We were presented with a wine menu. They were out of our favorite red wine (La Crema Pinot Noir...for any of you searching for the perfect Christmas gift for me), so we choose to split another great bottle. Itta Bena doesn't have a fabulous wine list, but it is good enough for us to pick something great. We were then presented with the Downtown Dining Week menu: CHOICE OF APPETIZER: Signature She-Crab Soup OR Traditional Salad Wedge CHOICE OF ENTREE: Newman Farms Bone-in Pork Chop OR Shrimp & Grits DESSERT: Warm Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream Chris and I both started with the She-Crab Soup. The soup was a great combination of the sweetness of the crab meat and the savory, creamy flavors of the soup. It was my favorite part of the meal. For our entrees, I got the Pork Chop and he got the Shrimp and Grits. We both agreed that they were very average. My pork chop came on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes had a good, creamy flavor. However, my pork chop was pretty bland. Chris also said said his shrimp had a great flavor, but the grits were really bland. We both had a brownie for dessert, and it was pretty eh. If I am going to waste my calories on dessert, it better be freaking fantastic. The brownie was a little too dry and solid for my taste, as I prefer a richer and softer brownie. I did like that they used french vanilla ice cream. The extra flavor provided a creaminess to the dish. Overall, we both agreed our meal was okay. I was not disappointed, but I wasn't impressed either. For the cost of the meal, I would much rather take my fine dining dollars elsewhere.
(3)
Dave T.
I agree with those who say it is nice atmosphere but overpriced for what it is. We took a group of about 10 and it was over $100 per person. Bottle of Le Crema wine that is $20 in store and $40 at most restaurants was $65 I think. Steaks were around $45 each. That is high even for high-end places and this is upper middle in quality. Service is good though. Know what you are getting into. I would give higher marks if the prices were 30% less.
(3)
Annikin Z.
OK, Love the Hidden Gem of it all. That part was Nice. We went for late supper and were told ( via the phone prior to going the day of) No rez needed at 9pm.. We got there and a very young hostess gave us the look up and down( SNARKY) upon arrival ( and to a Clearly almost empty room): stated: Well, Do you have a reservation? I retorted : we were told that we would not need a rez. At 9:pm when we called early in the day..( with a smile) Reluctantly , she seated us.. and did not bother to tell the waiter.. the disturbing thing was the waiter then, did not even know we had not been helped and we waited about 18 mins before another waiter came and he DID apologize.. The food was pretty good and the music was great by the pianist who was there and singing.. Sadly, Snarky little hostess , kind of ruined it for us! Too bad, because food was pretty good and when we finally got a waiter he was busy -but attentive and the place itself was nice! We have eaten in the rest in Housotn and all was GREAT, so..
(2)
Sean K.
One of my favorite downtown stops! Great vibe & excellent service. Just look for the hidden entrance downstairs in B.B. King's
(4)
John G.
This is a really great place to eat. It is located above BB King's Club on Beale street. The decor is cozy and service is great. I highly recommend the steaks. Their deserts are ususally really good too. They have a great wine and drink menul.
(4)
John M.
Well here it goes...4th time to dine since open...and safe to say like most restaurants it needs a swift kick in the pants. First two times quiet impressive and food was right up there. Well thought out and great parings and combinations, But sorry to say only fast food Menus should remain the same... Sorry to say kitchen has gotten lazy it seems and not challenged. We worked all the apps and three entrees, all were satisfactory, but we passed on the desserts. Golden rule number one no finger prints should be on the plate! What the expeditor's is there for and why wait staff should handle plates with a towel...(only expected for the price your asking for your food). Suggestion throw out pre-made fried green tomatoes if not used that night...could tell batter-wise they were frozen leftovers. Ive been in this industry for several years and as an executive chef can say I'm a bit upset when i see the kitchen staff drinking in the kitchen during service...a sure sign they aren't taking the food seriously or their jobs. This is a great place to get a drink and enjoy some good live music and soak up some great atmosphere, true southern charm. A great place to entertain a group or a date, just feel that management should light a fire under some of the staff and maybe tweak a couple menu items to keep the kitchen on their toes. I will return in hopes that the experience will improve personnel wise.
(3)
Jessica E.
Amazing! The pasta with filet is delicious!
(5)
Richard J.
This is the place to eat on Beale. Have to go to 3rd floor of BB. Speak easy decor and food was great. Best food I've had in Memphis to date
(5)
Kathryn M.
The atmosphere is the best. You step completely out of what you know as Beale Street into a beautiful hidden spot with plenty of style. The food takes everything you love about Southern food and classes it up about 10 points. I took the advice of other yelpers and had the She Crab Soup. Thank you yelp - you have changed my life for the better. The grits deserve their own religion. There were 6 people at our table, and I tasted everybody's food - I don't think you can go wrong. I love the small plates and a la carte sides - perfect for the person who wants to order it all :) After the crab soup, I had the Abita BBQ shrimp and cheese grits. In addition, the martinis were delicious too! The dirty martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives was the best! This place has atmosphere, food, and drinks going for them - a great place for a special occasion.
(5)
Erica B.
I tried like mad, fire hell to find this place. We tried 3 times, refusing to ask for directions (we wanted to look like locals, and local Memphians so don't ask where restaurants are located. Duh.) The fourth time? We decided eff it, and asked a door guy over at BB's to show us the way. Three words for you folks...She Crab Soup. It is heaven in a bowl. If I could hook an IV of it pumping the warm, sweet and salty, crabby goodness into my veins 24/7 I, I totally would. Also worth mentioning? The caprese salad and cheddar cheese grits. Though they don't even hold a candle to the crab soup, they are still divine. The staff here left a little to be desired when we went. They were a little lackluster and seemed as though they had better things going on. Regardless, forget all that nonsense and go here for the freaking soup. Have I mentioned how delicious it was?!
(4)
Wendy G.
This was a great tip from Yelper Kerry C, who also runs @ilovememphis on Twitter. This bar/restaurant is a fun speakeasy hidden among the noise and craziness that is Beale Street in Memphis. To get there, enter BB Kings and when they ask you for a cover - just tell them you're headed to Itta Bena. Go up the stairs, and look to your left and there will be an exit door. Go through the door and up the back stairs and you will find yourself in a mini blues oasis above the crowds. My friends and I hit Itta Bena twice for drinks and apps and had a great time. The bartender Courtenay poured Lemon Blueberry Martinis for us (formerly a show with more sugar) that was amazing. For apps, we had the stuffed avocado with crab meat. I've never seen this before and it was sooo good! Whole avocado rolled in seasoned flour, then deep fried golden brown and served with warm remoulade sauce and topped with pico de gallo. We also got the Abita BBQ Shrimp, which is served Orleans style on a sizzling skillet, with homemade abita beer bread for soaking up the sauce. Again, amazing. In addition to the great food and ambiance, they had a live singer performing with a pianist. Super sultry atmosphere! Can't wait to go back and try more of their food!
(5)
Karen S.
It's a cool "Memphis " kinda place. You should go .
(4)
J H.
One of my favorites. I will go back. Recommend you go there too. Large group. Prompt service. All I can say is: scallops and grits & duck and waffles. You will want to go back too. So good a lengthy review would be a waste of words.
(4)
Steven M.
I took the wife here on a Sunday around 7 on a date - great find! It's a semi-secret spot above BB Kings overlooking Beale St through blue windows, with quiet piano bar music and decent food. You feel like you're in the know, and the ambiance is killer. Food is only 4 star good, though. Great date night spot (thanks fellow yelpers) ! Would be good for drinks, too. Some pointers: go to BB Kings on the Beale st side, tell the bouncer you're going to Itta Bena (pronounced etta bean-uh). He'll either point you up, or if not just go up the stairs, take a hard left and go through the exit door, then up another flight past the painting. Try the she-crab soup, the honey-butter with the bread is great, and the duck and waffles is good. Wife liked the shrimp and grits. Both our wines were great (a cab and a malbec). Just don't have too high of expectations about the food and this place is awesome!
(4)
Jolynna M.
Hidden away above B.B. Kings, you'd never find it if you didn't know it was there. You have to enter through the side and go up a back staircase with no signage whatsoever. It's all so "secretive". The atmosphere is dark, sultry and ultra hip. In fact, you can feel your cool factor going up as soon as you walk in the door. And I simply cannot brag enough about the food. It's southern. It's gourmet. It's delicious. I had the She Crab Soup (heaven in a bowl, folks), and The Shrimp and Scallops, which was served over cheese grits with lemon caper sauce. I enjoyed absolutely every mouthful and can't wait to go back for more. Check it out. But make sure you get a reservation in advance. They book up quickly on the weekends.
(5)
Talula P.
I had the pan seared scallops and it had a really strong aroma..kinda like walking into a fish market. at first i thought it was the pasta sauce but i had a second opinion and it was definitely the scallops. the tomato duck soup was good and so was the bread with honey butter. normally i wouldn't dismiss a place after one bad dish but everything about this place was just so underwhelming that i probably won't give it a second go.
(2)
Elizabeth A.
If I had reviewed this place the first few times I went I would have given it 5 stars. The last couple of trips made me want to put this place on my "don't come back to places". I am a fan of the She Crab soup but on my last trip it was lukewarm , watery, and not good enough for me to even finish eating it. My steak was so so and didn't have much favor. Our server was slow and she didn't come by our table but 1 time during our whole meal. I have always loved this place as a cool place to visit downtown but now I find myself looking for other places.
(2)
Frank M.
We went on a friday night without reservations and yet they still somehow managed to seat us in about 30 minutes. We didn't even notice because we were too busy enjoying the live piano playing and beautiful singing as well as the rustic yet sophisticated atmosphere. I really like the whole secret passage thing. Additionally, we could still faintly hear the BB King house band below... Good times. As for the food, the She Crab soup was pretty much the bomb. Truly a must have when venturing to this restaurant. Though my steak was spectacular, I found myself wishing I had ordered my dad's choice of the pork dinner. In the end, everyone left happy, full, and little tipsy from the full bar. We also learned that there are several weekly coupon specials available on the website. Go check it out.... NOW!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Palmer B.
Possibly the most disappointing dining experience of the year. A colleague had touted the steak as the best ever. Twice I was served a medium filet when I had asked for medium rare. The butter patty on top was ice cold instead of melting. How hard is it to cook a $36 steak? The manager explained that a California restaurant consulting firm had shaken up the menu and staff 6 weeks ago. They are going back to old menu and ways next week. Service was inattentive (not uncommon in Memphis). Hopefully they can regain their mojo.
(1)Allyn B.
O.M.G. this place is awesome. Great drinks and great food. Service is slow. The ambiance is awesome. Hard to find but worth the effort.
(4)Rick S.
If you are going to visit Beal Street in Memphis and want to find a place to get out of the tourist traps and have a decent experience; this is it. A nice menu of regional cuisine, ala New Orleans (no BBQ) atop BB King's (where you can get BBQ). Nice bar and ambiance/decor. You do get the band playing below you but not loud enough to interrupt conversation. Not a lot of tables so the service is pretty good. Of course, you will spend a few more $$ than you would downstairs, but again worth it. Had a nice mini-wine tasting with the manager one night - very hospitable to the lone diner at the bar (which is generally how I roll). When you finish dinner, all of the sites and sounds of Memphis are right at your feet. Literally.
(4)Mariela D.
.... I dont even know where to start! Holy cow Batman! This place is a hidden jewel, situated above BB King's bar. You go up a two flights of stairs and wonder, how the hell am I going to enjoy my evening with all the craziness coming from the first and second floor?! Well... let me tell you, as soon as you go past the front door, you dont hear a thing! And my gosh, is it the most sexy place I have ever eaten at! I am dead serious...SEXY is what best describes this restaurant. We gave them our reservation information and were promptly seated at our table and waited upon, hand and foot! My wine glass was always full, the food was a southern fusion of DELICIOUSNESS! We sat at our table for four hours!!! We enjoyed everything that much! I unfortunately cant recall what we ate, blame the wine, but if you are EVER in Memphis, please stop by! You do need a reservation, and its not easy on the wallet. So much so, I was told by a regular patron that they dont even advertise. They dont need to. OH! And another plus ladies, AVEDA all the way in the latrines! I loved it!
(5)Rick S.
I've been to Itta Bena several times now and when sitting at the bar, the food has been great and service was alright, nothing spectacular. Recently I went in with 3 others and we didn't want to sit at the bar. There were 4 tables that were seated out of 20 or so at 9 pm on a Wednesday night. After sitting there twiddling our thumbs and talking work for nearly 10 minutes, the bartender came over from her spot and got a drink order. It must have been a tough order because it took another 10 minutes for her to bring them back to us. After another 15 minutes she decided to come back and take our order. We ordered and 10 minutes later she came back to let us know that she had forgotten half of our orders and the half she remembered they were out of that night. She apologized because get this..... "they were really swamped that night." We made the 5th table and one table had left since we had arrived. So let's get this straight. We were there for 45 minutes, had only 1 drink when if service would have allowed for it we would have been on 5 or 6, didn't have a food order into the kitchen and an absolute moron for a waitress. Food wasn't all that bad that night but the mood was done. When speaking to the manager afterwards he couldn't understand why I was so upset and said there was nothing he could do to help remedy my anger level that was only rising every second. Overall, this could have been one of the worst experiences ever and that says a lot even as I remember an incident once before many years ago where a mouse ran out from under our table.
(1)John F.
Land of the delta blues takes a new meaning once I saw the blue tinted windows that dressed the walls of the restaurant. This place is one of the best kept secrets in Memphis. It offers great southern food with elegant exciting twists. There is a great romance to the decor which would make this a wonderful place for anything from a first date to a rehearsal dinner.
(5)Brittney H.
Food was mediocre, service was great, but nothing stood out. They do have a great atmosphere, and they're super close to Beale street, so I suggest having cocktails at the bar! :)
(3)Loren R.
NICE!!! Food = 4 stars Atmosphere = 8 stars Earn super cool points by taking your date to this 'secret place' -hidden above Beale St. Go from the back-alley fire-escape entrance (anticipating a crap game on the other side of the door) to elegant dining in beautiful blue lighting and soft (live) piano music. Our large group shared a number of appetizers (none disappointed.). I enjoyed the Red Snapper but was very surprised that I had to add some salt! I did, however, fall in love with the scallops & grits (which I tried after reading Lauren C's review. -THANKS!!!). I think they tasted like heaven! Entire staff was friendly. Just be prepared to pay $100+ per couple.
(5)Lauren C.
This is and probably always will be my favorite restaurant in Memphis. The entrance is an adventure. The dining area is white table cloth perfection. The lighting is sultry and if you sit by the Beale St. side, you get one of the best views of Memphis. The bar is sophisticated and yet welcoming. The bathrooms are even gorgeous!!! This is the place where I fell in love with scallops. I have never had a more perfectly seared one since! I love how they embrace southern style in all their upscale dishes. You can't go wrong. There is no item on the menu that disappoints. If you hear someone distastefully moaning with pleasure, it's me. If you want to impress/shmooze/marry someone...take them here!!!
(5)Tayler E.
Don't let the address fool you - although it may be tucked away on Beale, this gem of a restaurant is anything but touristy. The atmosphere is great, and the food is very good. We had a large party and had a reservation, and they had our table ready for us when we walked in. Our server Alex handled all 15 of us extremely well. We tried the fried green tomatoes, the Mushroom fries and the BBQ shrimp appetizers. I recommend them all. Don't get me started on the bread. I could eat about 100 of their rolls in one sitting. I had the Salmon Filet for dinner. It was delicious, and the green beans & wild rice complemented it nicely. We had the Godiva Cheesecake and bread pudding for dessert. Don't leave without trying at least one of them. The only complaint the whole meal was from a coworker who ordered the chicken Marsala and didn't realize it was fried. It's very fried. Other than that, the meal was incredible. I will be back!
(4)Akilah M.
Absolutely delicious! I was visiting Beale street and looking for a more quiet place for myself, husband, and infant daughter, and this place was perfect. The food was southern but not oily and it tasted fresh. It's pretty hard to find as we had to go through a restaurant to find it, but it was pretty tasty. I had the shrimp and grits, and my husband had the chicken Marsala. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The live music and ambiance was also really nice. The only downside for us was that there is no elevator so we had to carry our stroller up several flights of stairs. Other than that, visit this place if you're on Beale street!
(4)Kontji A.
I've always loved Itta Bena. Their representation during Downtown Dining Week 2014 did not let me down. As usual, the ambiance at Itta Bena was awesome. I love the fact they can pack a secret restaurant that is just word of mouth. To boot, Queen of Beale Street Ruby Wilson was performing during our meal. To start, the honey butter and hot rolls were decadently delicious. So delicious I left little room for the meal. I ordered the mushroom bisque and finished every drop. I also sampled the salad, which wasn't bad. My main dish was the salmon. OMG. Perfection. The green beans were not overcooked and the grits were perfectly seasoned. I was so full from the pre-main dish food that I had to get a to-go box. It tasted even better the next day. The desserts were good, but a little hard to get my fork through them. All-in-all, a wonderful experience for such a reasonable price!
(4)Elle S.
Eh I want to love this place but it's not consistent. First valet is expensive. Atmosphere's nice, but their food is just mediocre. Some visits it's good other visits it's not. We got there at 630 by the time we ordered they were out of salmon so I got the red snapper which was nothing more than a large piece of frozen cheaply sautéd tilapia. It had no flavor. I was low carbing so I had to eat something before I ate someone instead. I squeezed as many lemons as I could to give it flavor. Piccadillys meal would have been better to be honest, specially for 25$ I could have had a full course meal hahaha. Anyway their wedge salad was decent. I think they have good rolls but one time I went they had a weird chemical taste, hence the inconsistency. Will I go back? Probably because someone else picked it, but not by choice.
(3)Carlos B.
We sat in the cove, a cozy private room for two. Started with the Portobello fries which somehow we're both crispy and juicy. The dipping sauce that accompanied them was cheesy, creamy, and bacony. My beautiful date had the lamb chops. They were cooked perfectly and did not taste as gamey as Lamb usually does to me. I had the Lobster "Thermidor" which was two specially seasoned lobster tails served with parmesan rice risotto. Very flavorful and only $23 Our server was just right, friendly but not overly familiar and always there when we needed her. This is a very romantic restaurant with great food at a fair price.
(5)Chelsea P.
Went in with a few friends for a bachelorette dinner. Was slightly confused how to enter, but we took a gamble and walked up the stairs into seemlingly, a different world. Itta Bena is absolutely gorgeous inside, with friendly staff and AMAZING food. We ordered the crab stuffed avocado (WHAT!) as an appetizer, which obviously did not disappoint, and I ordered the scallops with grits as my entree. I would highly recommend Itta Bena for a romantic date night, or before a night out with the girls. I'll be back!
(4)Emily Y.
thoroughly enjoyed my first experience at Itta Bena! It's neatly tucked away above BB Kings - who freakin' knew?! I love love loved the ambiance - lighting, music, and I totally want to request the secret table behind the curtain next time. The blueberry lemon drop martinis went down all too easy, and I need to make a point of trying the others next time. The fried avocado was DELICIOUS, and the pasta jambalaya made me fondly remember the days of Café Roux. Shrimp and grits are somewhat non-traditional. I am not sure my husband would order them again, but they did taste good. Overall, a nice dinner.
(4)Gillian H.
Itta Bena is just a seriously cool place to be. I mean, come on -- you get in through unmarked stairs, it's dim and mysterious and cool and those blue windows!! We've been here a few times now and eaten all around the menu. The Abita BBQ Shrimp is a must-have; they have a fantastic craft drink list; and the Grilled Lamb Chops are my personal fave =) Another fun thing about Itta Bena is the live music. Last time we were there (about two weekends ago) there was a couple playing piano and guitar; her voice was lovely and it was just the cherry on top of a perfect evening. Like most places I review, I've not been blown away by the service and our most recent visit was no different. We still return though for the food and atmosphere. They do have valet, which is super convenient.
(4)Serena W.
Itta Bena!!! What a hidden gem!!! Absolutely my top 3 favorite restaurants in Memphis! First of all, what a surprise and unique entrance lead by those old vintage iron stairs. I was kinda nervous prior entering the restaurant, as I don't know what it would take me to, however, I was totally blown away by its simple yet elegance ambiance with the soft blue lighting. Beautiful! First thumb up! Then, we were greeted by our server Billy. What a great guy! He was extremely friendly, patient and professional. We weren't felt rushed at all from the beginning of the meal to the end. He made us comfortable and all of us enjoyed our dinner there! As far as foods, wow! Fantastic! Starting with the appetizer; we had scallops and grits, and green tomato! De-Li-Cious!!! I loved the texture of the scallops and the grits were very well done and it somehow made me felt like having a very flavorful mashed potato! Don't take it wrong as I am comparing it to potatoes..It is absolutely tasty!!! I loved it a lot and if it's not because I have big dinner coming out, I would definitely order another plate of those scallops!!! For main entrees, we had the red snappers, duck waffle and grilled salmon! The grilled salmon was well prepared! Nothing to critique. The highlight is the duck waffle!!! Humm!!! Yum yum yum! It was definitely rich, but doesn't feel greasy at all! Right on par! And the flavor! Oh gosh!!! It's vanilla, maple and blueberry ish flavor!!! Humm.... I can't describe it! It is just good, great and phenomenal! We needed our night with some decaf! Definitely would come back again!! And as a matter of fact, we went in last night for our New Year Eve dinner!! 4 course meal with wonderful music and great service from our server Billy!!!! Double thumb ups! PS: the BB King Club is right under Itta Bena! What a perfect way to end a night with blues and soul music;) Great job Itta Bena!!! looking forward to our next meal there soon!!!!
(4)Margaret C.
I recently ate here on a trip to Memphis. The location is fun tucked away above BB King's. The ambiance is nice with a small-ish bar and blue tinted windows that allow patrons to have a birds-eye view down on Beale Street. There was also an awesome piano player there the night I went which I loved. The food was okay. I order the chicken marsala with mashed potatoes and green beans. The sides were great, but the chicken marsala was a very large breast breaded and fried like a fried piece of chicken. The marsala sauce was brown gravy with mushrooms. I would come back here for drinks and to escape the madness on Beale Street, but not necessarily for the food.
(3)Lisa C.
Amazing place!! Billy the bartender is the absolute best. Order the BBQ shrimp app!! It comes out smoking on like a fajita plate. It is worth it!!
(5)Roger C.
Great hidden gem in the heart of Beale street. Have the fried avocado app and the duck and waffles. The service is great. Go up the fire escape from the alley to avoid a cover charge at BB Kings.
(5)Amanda E.
When it comes to ambience Itta Bena is easily one of the top restaurants in Memphis. Think speakeasy meets upscale dining. If you're not sure where to go just walk into BB Kings and tell them you're there for Itta Bena, they will direct you towards the stairs. I've been several times over the years, the food is always good, not wow but good.I actually like the non steak options better than the steak, this is not a steak place so save the nice meat for a place that specializes in that. You are really going for the ambience. The service is good and theres a nice selection of wine and cocktails. Usually there will be some type of lounge singer during dinner, which is nice. Once the band starts playing downstairs you'll hear it come through a little and the floor with vibrate, nothing too alarming but just something to think about if you are wanting a quiet night. I noticed on my last visist there is a small "room, looks like a former closet near the back stiars that could hold a party of four, maybe? Not sure if you have to do something special to book it but this is now on my romantic dining bucket list. Personally I prefer the booths to the tables but the table's chairs are perfectly comfortable. This is a great spot for a pre show dinner or just a nice night on the town.
(4)Lance G.
Tucked above BB kings. We stumbled across this place bc we were looking for shrimp and grits. Music was great, atmosphere was amazing and the shrimp and grits...to die for!
(5)Tyne R.
Atmosphere and service were good, but food left a lot to be desired. I had the shrimp and grits. My husband had the jambalaya pasta. Both were quite bland. The place is practically hidden so we had a difficult time finding it. Once inside I was impressed with the ambiance, but disappointed by the food.
(3)G. S.
Great atmosphere and staff. The appetizers were very good, especially the scallops. The she crab soup was amazing. The shrimp in the Shrimp and Grits were tough which I didn't expect for the price. They also were stingy with the grits. I have had better. Overall a good, but not a great dining experience.
(3)Don P.
Went with colleagues after a training session. Fantastic food and wait staff. We were a large party and they accommodated use easily when the size grew. I had fried green tomatoes as a starter and salmon for the entrée. Both tasted fresh. Great place to eat on Beale.
(5)Barrett R.
This restaurant has a nice interior, yes. However, it is accessed by a sketchy, fire-escape-like entrance in the back of B.B. King's Blues Club that made me feel like I was ascending to my peril. Albeit few visits, I could not help but focus on the following: 1. Expensive Drinks 2. Unimpressive Menu 3. LOUD Patrons Also, if you park in the South Main grid late-night, be aware of your surroundings regardless of your state of mind.
(2)Laine H.
Fantastic food, fantastic service, and a really cool ambiance. This place is really a gem.
(5)Izz C.
Had a lovely evening. Super lovely server called Kevin. Wonderful live music and delicious food on my mums birthday!
(5)Happy S.
Here are the reasons this restaurant can charge what they charge for mediocre food advertised as high end plates: 1) It's on top of the Original B.B. King's, meaning it's overlooking Beale on the corner of 2nd. 2) You can't find it unless you ask or already know, which adds to the mystery. Here are the reasons I would not go back. The food was mediocre at BEST, even the Filet my husband ate. I ordered the duck and waffle and only ate the duck. The waffle was drenched in a sweet sauce with little complexity that I just didn't care for whatsoever. The waffle looked worse than those waffles you get with complimentary breakfast at a hotel. Soggy, meh. You would think a server would be concerned enough to find out why a guest only ate 1 part of their meal, leaving most of it uneaten, especially when the plate cost almost 30 dollars, but that also didn't happen. Do yourself a favor and eat anywhere else but here, if you're going to shell out that kind of money, especially. The ambiance and mystery is not worth the cost.
(2)Shane S.
I love this place, still waiting to take the boo there! I had the red snapper and the she crab soup. Both were delicious. This is a hidden gem in Memphis just about BB King. The service was great and the atmosphere was very calming and elegant. This is a great date night destination.
(5)Andy E.
I ate here recently as part of a business dinner party of 12, and everyone was really pleased with the experience. The Cajun BBQ shrimp and the tenderloin sliders as appetizers were great. I had a Cajun blacked redfish over southern hash browns with cured bacon that was outstanding. Most of the party had steaks which were all well prepared. Good wine list to complement the menu.
(4)Christina N.
If you are thinking about a private party or special event for a medium-large party, think again about choosing Itta Bena. The management made our event HELL for our rehearsal dinner there for 90 people. -We had all the details arranged in September- October 2014 for our event in May 2015, including having the entire main dining room to ourselves. -They fired the original event coordinator in early Spring and then changed how much of the room we had (even though it was in the contract and very clear that the room was ours.. they even agreed that they had changed it). They told us this the week of the event and were super hard to get in touch with for months beforehand. -They told us of the change three days before our event and guaranteed us the use of a microphone for the whole dinner due to the increased noise from extra guests in the main dining room. Then they restricted the microphone use to 30 minutes total--- my uncles and grandmother were not able to give their speeches. I tried to reason with them and spent 15 minutes bawling because they were so unaccommodating. It was extremely difficult to hear anything without a microphone. -They finalized the table arrangements three days before the event-- THEN CHANGED THE LAYOUT on the day of-- forcing us to spend 4 hours on the day of the event re-seating guests. -After all of this, the waiter spilled hot wax from a candle on the groom and did not even apologize for ruining his best shirt. Two dry cleanings later, and it's still ruined. -We were repeatedly lied to about the layout, the room, and the accommodations. This was the most condescending and untruthful management I have ever seen. We were shocked by how rude people can be. Save yourself a headache and go somewhere else. Whatever they say, they cannot be trusted.
(1)Mary H.
What a lovely experience we had last night during "Memphis Downtown Dining Week." This was our first trip to this romantic and intimate place. The service and hosting staff were so accommodating from my initial phone call to make a reservation through the end of the meal everyone was helpful and friendly. TIP: I had called several establishments to make reservations on a Wednesday morning for that evening and for Friday evening, and was not having any luck whatsoever booking my top picks. Itta Bena was also "booked" for Wednesday evening, when I expressed my disappointment and confusion about not being able to get reservations to Karen she suggested that I should call her back after Noon when she had completed her confirmation calls, as she most likely would have cancellations. Apparently, folks book reservations when the listings of restaurants are first posted for their top picks then cancel when called to confirm. The ambiance is cool and chic. Even the ladies room was beautiful. The food was excellent, we had the mushroom bisque which was delish with a hint of sherry, a wonderfully flavorful sirloin with a bleu cheese sauce, crispy onion straws and roasted garlic, potato puree, perfectly cooked. For dessert a rich brownie that was smothered in pecans. We can't wait to return for a date night to try the regular menu and reserve one of the lovely banquettes.
(5)Avery V.
The atmosphere at this restaurant is nice and cozy. The restaurant overlooks Beale street and you take a back door entrance to get up to it. All of the specialty cocktails listed were sweet which was disappointing for someone who wants something lighter/drier. I settled on the blueberry lemonade which was very good (still pretty sweet though). The menu has a lot of potential. The options are upscale southern comfort food. The food was ok. Most of us weren't super impressed. The blackened red snapper was delicious but didn't have enough hash for every bite which was disappointing. The chicken Marsala was ok. Nothing to write home about. Overall the food was overpriced.
(3)Dan F.
Average at best. Disappointed after reading some of the reviews. My meal was shrimp & grits. The grits were flavored with gruyere cheese, tasty, but the shrimp was bland. My wife had chicken Marsala. The pasta was tasty but very little mushrooms and again the chicken was bland. Kudo's to Eric our waiter very good service. K
(3)Dan M.
When you finally find this place (it's above BB Kings on Beale Street) you will be in for a treat. The staff is courteous and the service is prompt...all in an atmosphere of rich, old Memphis. But the real excitement is the food. The appetizers were superb, especially the BBQ shrimp. The only problem for us was that the sauce was so delicious that we ended up using the whole basket of bread at our table to enjoy it. The crab cakes were also a delight. The fried green tomatoes were good but not up to the rest of the apps. For main courses the ribeye steak with creamed spinach would rival a steakhouse. The shrimp and grits was a house favorite and our table would totally agree. On our next trip we will want to try the duck and waffles! The only item I would avoid would be the She-crab soup which was watery and slightly out of balance. In fact, the salad course was limp at best compared to the rest of the meal. Suggestion: just skip this course and double up on apps them straight to the main course!
(4)Tom E.
I try to check out Beale Street at least 2-3x a month, to see what is going on in the city. When I do, I always park at the same deck- which is attached to the Westin. When you park on the top floor, you can get a great view of Memphis and Beale Street in general. While up here, you can see a stairwell with blue awning behind BB Kings. I always wondered what it was. Was it a brothel? A Massage Parlor? Anything illegitimate? This had always left me curious, so my roommate and I decided to investigate. We went on a Sunday night, and we got plastered beforehand, in hopes of some 5 star debauchery. We then realized, it was a restaurant! Winning some money from the casino earlier in the day, we decided to go for it. It was not crowded at all (which maybe on Fri and Sat they do?)- however, they do take reservations. When we went in and got a table, they must have laughed at us. Not out of place at all- but it was cool, everyone was nice to us. It is a dimly lit restaurant, which I assume would be great for a date spot if you want something quiet (believe it or not, you could barely hear all of the noise(s) coming from below) and slightly romantic. Which again, is why it was funny we decided to eat here. It is southern themed, with a slight new age kick. They have a full bar, and honestly, I can't remember what I got to drink- but it wasn't water- I can tell you that much! My roomie got a mojito, and he said he enjoyed it a lot. We started off with an order of scallops and grits. They cooked the scallops well, and was a great teaser. For the entrée, I was intrigued by duck and waffles- the first I have ever seen that pairing anywhere. Having chicken n waffles be a hit in ATL, I wanted some DNW. When it came out, I was impressed. The duck was accompanied with a blueberry sauce and some other stuff (I took pics because I knew I would forget, or maybe its the corn whiskey kicking in) with it. It was unique, but paired well. Mind you, there were a few bones, but nothing too overwhelming- the meat fell right off the bone. We wanted to get dessert. Again, I forgot what I ordered, but I did take a pic. My roomie got a chocolate cake that he scarfed. I think I scarfed mine. As I said earlier, I was absolutely shwasted that night. Enough that we ended up staying at the Peabody (a whole other story for another day). This place is a hidden gem, and I think it is a solid choice if you want a great meal away from all of the hustle and bustle. Oh yea, and the bathrooms are spacious, clean and stylin as well!
(4)Kevin A.
Just phenomenal! We arrive at 545 on a Monday night and the only available seating was at the bar (not a problem). They have a great drink list (martinis, wine, etc) but a very average beer list. The wedge salad was excellent and I had the red snapper entree. My wife had the fried green tomatoes topped with shrimp and loved it. All around great place!
(5)John B.
This place was recommended to us by our B and B as well as friends. It is right on Beale street but the noise isn't felt. The setting is definitely romantic, and I believe there were a couple bachelor and bachelorette parties on site. The food was good not great. The waiter kept forgetting somethings, but I believe it was due to him covering too much territory that normal. Probably the best restaurant on Beale street but I'd imagine there are better ones in town.
(3)Sarah D.
One of these stars is just for the cheese grits. They were stellar. One star is for the fabulous setting-- there is something so romantic about entering a hidden staircase,and they often feature a live piano player as well. We sat at the bar, and it was very busy for a Wednesday night. Michael Buble and Ray Lamontagne were both playing separate shows downtown, so there were quite a few people getting in a pre-show dinner. We discovered the advertised bar specials-- between 5-7pm on certain nights of the week, they offer specials on drinks and money off certain appetizers. We ordered multiple glasses of wine ($5 wine was the Wednesday night drink), as well as several dishes to share-- the duck and waffles, and the scallops and grits were the clear winners out of our selections. I've never had such amazing grits (and I moved here from low-country South Carolina, which prides itself on stoneground grits). So here's where the evening goes sour: We received our bill, only to find out that the bar specials were not honored-- the reason stated being "the owner discontinued the specials"-- we were charged almost double the advertised price for drinks, as well as full-price for the appetizers. We made the (very polite) argument to our server that the specials are featured on the website, and she kindly gave us $2 off per glass of wine. While it's totally up to businesses whether or not they honor their specials, it's REALLY lame to advertise a happy hour on your website, and then refuse to honor it when push comes to shove. It's frustrating for patrons (who otherwise had a good experience) and frankly, just not really good business. Too bad. I'll frequent other restaurants instead.
(2)Trey P.
I have returned to Itta Bena twice since the initial bad experience. The location and ambience was too tempting to not give a second / third shot. Everything has been spot on in the subsequent trips without incident. All the people I've taken have had good service and have enjoyed their dinners as much as I have. So I'll raise my rating and now can say go and enjoy. There are no other dinning locations on Beale that are this nice...
(4)Cari L.
What a great spot! I love the "hidden" aspect and you have to know where it is; makes it elegant to me. The food - I had the snapper and andouille hash. I was skeptical about the hash, I love andouille so I am not sure why the skepticism. The portion was huge, I only ate half of it. The fish was cooked perfect and the hash was very tasty! I could have only had the hash and been happy. I also had dessert - creme brulee. It was a touch warmer than I prefer but it was still creamy with a nice sugar crust. The service - this is why they are getting five stars. My waiter was Stefan and he was wonderful. I was dining alone, which in my experience can be tricky for waiters. Either they feel sorry for you and want to talk or avoid thinking you want to be alone. Stefan gave me the perfect amount of attention. My drink was never empty without him asking if I wanted another and he engaged me without being either of the scenarios above. He talked to me about the menu, what was popular and what kind of food I like to eat. It was a great experience and I will go back when I am in town for work. Lastly, the ambiance is awesome. I love the small, cozy feel, blues music in the background, and the blue tinted windows.
(5)Barbara P.
Found through Peabody Hotel concierge. No name or sign to identify location, real hidden gem. Delicious updated southern food with excellent service. Great atmosphere above Beale Street. BBQ shrimp appetizer, wedge salad, grits were all memorable. Definitely a great find.
(4)Jessica E.
I ordered the duck and waffles. It was decent but I expected much more. They also up charged our cocktails by giving us nicer liquor when we didn't request it. Atmosphere was very pleasant and waiter was great. Overall though, the food didn't justify the price.
(2)Beverly P.
Celebrated a special birthday at Itta Bena. Everything about the evening was perfect from the valet parking, to dinner service, to the meal. When you open the door, the atmosphere is beautiful and the vintage decor is like stepping back in time. An added touch was being greeted by name, when we stepped to the hostess station. As for the meal, I'm not an avocado fan, but I enjoyed the avocado stuffed with crab salad which was perfect to share. For dinner, we ordered the lamb chops and blackened snapper which were both perfectly prepared. The risotto that was served with the lamb chop was devine! They kindly provided a special birthday dessert but we were too stuffed to finish it. I've dined here several times before and always leave feeling my money was well spent.
(4)Michael B.
Great spot on Beale!! Its like going to another world. Beale is live and loud and you go upstairs to Itta Bena to find a quiet and romantic vibe. The dishes are incredible and it isn't grossly overpriced. Great atmosphere and after dinner a walk on Beale or Main St is a must.
(5)Joelle P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Memphis. I love the hidden entrance with the stairs, the ambience, the piano, the bar in the middle, the food, and blue lighting. It is always a fun experience, especially for a date. It also has a great location right on Beale. The restaurant is located above B.B. King's Club and you can go downstairs once you are done with dinner. They have the best band to dance to. But if that isn't your scene, there are a million other places to choose from right on the street. They have valet for $10, which I strongly recommend if the weather is bad. The nearest parking garage is quite a walk!
(4)Johanna G.
This joint is a trip. We had the up stairs area for a work sponsored function. The ambience was sultry, with several private-ish booths, interesting decor, blue tinted windows. It definitely gives off the sexy, jazzy kind of vibe. The lady playing the piano provided a great background music, the food was better than usual when you have a party greater than 100, and the wait staff was attentive, friendly and charming. If I came here with a honey on a date....let's just say there'd be some smooching happening in one of the private booths over their SLAMMING creme brûlée. Seriously, it was slamming.
(4)Elizabeth R.
I had heard about this 'secret' restaurant over BB Kings on Beale St. for years & I finally decided to try it. I'm not a 'foodie' or a fine dining expert. In fact, the food & experience vs. the $$$ usually ends in disappointment. I'd rather spend my money at the mall :) We ate there few months ago and I'm still raving about the place. Itta Bena is hands down, my favorite restaurant in Memphis. The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning. The food was amazing, our waiter was fantastic, great atmosphere and did I mention the food?! The food is to die for - southern style country meets sophisticated fine dining. I had the Shrimp & grits - best I have ever had. I would have cleaned my plate if there had been any room left in my stomach. We always go to dinner before going to an event at the FedEx Forum. As far as convenience goes, the restaurant is steps away from the venue. I've never been excited to go out to eat, until now. Itta Bena is truly a hidden gem!! On a side note. If you don't have an Open Table account - Website or App, get one. Making reservations is super easy! It's rare that I'm looking for a [nice] Resturaunt & it's not on there. I've been using Open table for years and have never had a bad experience.
(5)Clinton S.
Had a friend of mine who used to live in Memphis and my wife and I wanted to take her out to a nice dinner, but not at the "usual" nice places, so we chose Itta Bena - and what a great choice. I will have to agree with everyone who said it's not easy to find as the entrance is on Second Street, it's not "marked" with the usual signage, and you do have to walk up two flights of stairs, but that's all entirely worth it. Out of habit I made reservations, but as early as we got there they weren't necessary (~6PM on a weeknight), and we got the pick of the restaurant for where we wanted to sit. The restaurant is over BB Kings (which is kinda cool), and is well appointed. The service was competent and non-obtrusive, which should be 5 stars these days! We started with drinks - they have a yummy mixed drink menu that my wife loved. I had a local (Mississippi) draft beer, and our guest had a glass of red wine. For dinner our friend chose well with the pork chops, cooked perfectly and well seasoned. My wife had the chicken marsala, which was a little different in that the chicken was battered and fried instead of the lightly pan fried, which I usually get (and make for myself at home). I decided to try several appetizers for dinner, and went with the fried green tomatoes (as expected with a delicious sauce on each one), the crab cakes (which were ok, but not spectacular), and the fried avocado with crab (again, good, but probably would not order again). Although stuffed by now, we did find room for dessert, and my friend got the brownie (awesome, a definite next time), and I got the white chocolate bread pudding (excellent). The ambience was excellent and compared with other restaurants where the noise level is so high you can't hear yourself much less the person next to you, we were able to have a delightful conversation to go with our very enjoyable meal. Would highly recommend Itta Bena for a pre-Orpheum meal.
(4)Chris J.
Itta Bena has to be one of the best restaurants that I have ever been to. The first thing that I love is the secret passage way effect. As you walk upstairs from B.B. King's, you begin to feel like a special guest of the King of the Blues! The food is awesome and the hole in the wall meets high class décor is awesome! I highly recommend it particularly for special occasions!
(5)Kit K.
I heard so many great things about this place that we decided to finally try it. It has the potential to be really great but.. don't plan on arriving after 830 pm and having a relaxing enjoyable fine dining experience. More on that later. First of all, the atmosphere and location are great, as promised. The food was good, and the portions pretty large. Our server did a good job, so no issues there. We had a reservation on a Saturday night at 845. I do not consider that to be too late to dine, but perhaps that is not the case in this town. There were several tables occupied at this time, so we were not the only diners in the place. Everything started out great, but we were barely into our entrees at 930 pm and the staff started breaking the place down. By this I mean dragging ALL of the furniture across the floor to the back of the room for cleaning prep. This was extremely loud and obnoxious to us as we were trying to enjoy our meal. We thought it would stop once they finished the back part, but they just kept going, moving every table as soon as the diners left. This made us feel awkward and rushed, as we were clearly the only thing standing between the staff and their opportunity to leave for the night. Relax Itta Bena staff, there are far less rude places to spend our $100+/person dining dollars in the future. A fellow Yelper was accurate by saying "New York prices with New Jersey service".
(2)Russell H.
great food/beautiful place only draw back is somewhat limited menu if your picky
(4)Drew P.
Cool place, sort of a speakeasy feel. Very good food and drinks, a bit pricey but enjoyable experience as it almost feels like you're getting away with something. Try the bread pudding!
(4)Anonymous N.
I was expecting great food based off reviews. The food was average at best and service was good. Had the filet with scallops and others in our group of six had lamb chops, jambalaya pasta and the snapper. All said food was average.
(3)Caitlin S.
Our food was so salty and both our dishes were not that great. I could not even taste salmon, just salt. Totally unacceptable. The only saving grave were the appetizers and ambiance. There is better food downtown we will eat before this again.
(3)Scott T.
Loved this place. Showed up pretty early for dinner on a weekend night with a large group and no reservation. The place was pretty empty, but they said they couldn't serve us since they were booked. We dug a little deeper and they said if we could get in and out in an hour and a half, then they would take care of us. So we stayed and had plenty of time. Excellent service! I had the jambalaya. It was awesome! Enjoyed a Magnolia beer on tap, which was also very nice. All of my friends enjoyed their meals, which included the grilled salmon, red snapper and some crab seafood soup that they raved about.
(5)Carol M.
As mentioned by many other reviewers, the location is easy yet hard to find. You know it's located above BBK but to know exactly how to get there can be the mystery. Another hint: Stairs are located on the West side of the buidling. My visit was with a large work group (40 or so on a week night). The staff was very accommodating to our group and service was attentive and quick. We took up nearly a quarter of the restaurant. Keep in mind they really don't have an area for large groups so we were a little dispersed throughout the establishment. I opted for the wedge salad as my meal (I know, not very exciting). Read my tagline and you will understand why. As far as wedge salads go, it was amazing! The hunk of lettuce was garnished with Applewood smoked bacon and Maytag blue cheese dressing. Got you craving a wedge now, huh? DiAnne Price is a wonderfu local lounge pianist and was performing on the night we were there. DiAnne is more of your typical jazz and blues. However, on the weekends you will often see Susan Marshall. She is an absolutely amazing Memphis performer.
(5)Jen M.
My husband took me for my birthday for a small gathering. It was a nice warm and romantic atmosphere. However, I could not see the menu without shining my phone on it. I ordered a starter of the shrimp bbq. They were presented nicely and had toasted bread on the side. The shrimp themselves were large but bland, however the sauce that came in the pan was pretty delicious - we sopped up the sauce with the bread. My husband and I both ordered the shrimp and grits since most Yelp reviews recommended this. In our opionion they were not that great - kind of bland, the sauce had something sweet and flavorful in it, maybe roasted tomato or something? The grits were good with the cheese. Maybe we were biased because I make shrimp and grits at home all the time in a flavorful cajun cream sauce. Others at the table said their meals were good, like the chicken and the fish. I would go again and try something else on the menu next time.
(4)Lisa H.
We were tipped off by a local to dine at Itta Bena and since her favorite New Orleans restaurant and mine are the same (shout out to Cochon!), I trusted the advice. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't great, which is what I expected. Fried avocado app was good, but would have been much better with a bit of seasoning. DH got the BBQ shrimp - huge shrimp, very flavorful sauce - B+ for sure. Entrees: DH ordered steak (underseasoned) with the garlic mash (OK) and veggies (yawn) I had the shrimp and grits since they were so highly recommended. First plate had to be returned because those poor shrimp had been cooked so long they wouldn't even give up their tails. The second plate was better, but still not perfect. Grits were underseasoned and way too thick. I left more than half the pricey dish behind. Wine selection seems OK but overpriced. The best thing about it was the atmosphere, with a piano/singer and the feeling that you are experiencing something that only those "in the know" have done. Not enough to make me do it again, though.
(3)Dawn M.
We visited this semi secret restaurant last night. No sign and advertising is word of mouth. There is valet service and you can either go up the stairs by valet or through BB Kings on Beale. Wind your way through the blues and bar crowd up two flights of stairs. The second staircase is a bit hidden so you will feel like Alice with bad directions. Since our party was eight we reserved a room overlooking Beale with blue windows. Our waitress was Polish as was one of our party. The odds of this are remote but we got really good service! My husband had red snapper and I had a filet. Others in the party had lamb, salmon, fried avocado salad, fried tomatoes, mushrooms, garden salad, risotto, grits, garlic mash potatoes and a blueberry lemon drop martini. No one ordered the she crab soup but it sounded very good. Dinners are in the 20-30 dollar range or you can have appetizers. Worth the trip and you can catch a carriage ride or stroll Beale St. afterwards completing your Memphis experience.
(4)Ben B.
I'm a fan, INDEED. This is a really cool place that has Memphis written all over it. Everything from the location, hidden entrance, and the blue tinted windows that overlook Beale. The waitress we had was super helpful and was even more polite (not usually found on Beale). As a starter, we had the grits and scallops. Could be in the top 3 scallops that I have ever laid taste buds on. Oh and I cant forget to mention the delicious biscuits they bring out to your table. For my entree I had the fillet oscar with garlic mashed potatoes (AWESOME). The fact that this place is local makes it that much more attractive. I will definitely be back to Itta bena soon.
(4)John S.
Great food. She-crab soup is a must! Excellent service. Quiet, Music from the blues club is inaudible. No wheelchair access. Stairs to 3rd floor. We've been there several times.
(5)Peter F.
Itta Bena is a hidden Memphis gem. Even though its located in the heart of Beale St, the atmosphere of the restaurant is calm an relaxed. The wait staff is terrific as is the food. Duck and Waffles are a go to for me. I recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Memphis who is looking for up-scale southern cooking.
(5)S. M. S.
Definitely the only restaurant on Beale St. that I'd ever eat in. There are plenty of food options on this rambunctious version of Bourbon St, but all with fairly horrible live jazz/rock and a frat boy/slutty girl clientele that I doubt cares too much about dinner when they're out to party. Itta Benna has an interesting menu, attentive staff, it's quiet(ish), and you can walk downstairs to BB Kings afterwards and watch the show there, which was by far the most polished act on this rather unpolished street.
(4)Johnny T.
I walked into the restaurant the long way, after motorcycling 7,246 miles from NYC and having my cocktail waitress at the Peabody, "Lindsey (va va voom!)" recommending it. Yeah that's right, I was bunking where the ducks swim and where Elvis first bought his blue suede shoes. THE DOPE: ATMOSPHERE: A fun "private" entrance, cool, hip, low light vibe inside. Some real moody blue light bathing the windows from the outside, and eye catching classic b&w pics of local music Gods hanging on the wall - Tina, Al, BB,etc. When you walk in, you're like yeah, looks good..and your date will be like, "So far...I'm not not sleeping with him." SERVICE: Concisely - Overall, the customers seem to get in the way of - HANGING OUT! Now our server, Ashley - yeah I call out the names, cause if you don't service doesn't improve, nor does their performance, and eventually our taxes go up to pay their unemployment! Any way she's a sweetie, but kind of dreamy - as in she's in another dimension. She's at your table, but she's never REALLY at your table, if you get what I mean. And if you don't - take more acid! She brought the wrong dressing over for a salad app, no table maintenance, entree elements left to clutter the table for desert, and dropped the check a WITHOUT A THANK YOU. A CARDINAL RULE of etiquette - thanking the customer - went down the bowl, but if perhaps, you're working not for tips, but to be admired or to party after the shift I guess good decent service doesn't matter! Give me a fat pimply attentive waitress any day! When we got up to leave - not one goodbye. We walked out unnoticed like fat girls at a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader try out. Our waitress wasn't around, so no fault there, but maybe one staff could say, "Good evening Folks, thanks." T The entire, "not too long out of college, but our minds are still in grammar school" staff NEED TO BE MANAGED by an adult - or focused like the Hubble Telescope. They were all occupied with their DRONE DEVICES, or chitin and chattin among themselves. A beautiful joint staffed by crappy self involved adolescents is not the way to turn a profit Pappy! FOOD: Apps: MAC & CHEESE - SUCKS! - It's a "pasta water soup" if anything. M&C should be hot goo under a top of burnt cheese, mac, and/or maybe bread crumbs too. Wrong consistency and little if any cheese taste, probably because IT'S TOO WATERY! M&C should stick 2 a wall if thrown, this runs right down the sewer - HOPEFULLY! BB King would turn over in his grave over this crap if he wasn't - alive, kicking and singing the blues. The app of FRIED AVOCADO STUFFED w/ SHRIMP was nice, not great, but visually and conceptually interesting. My mother's Red Snapper was good, not great. It a was moist, nicely spiced, moderately and balanced, and the fish itself of decent portion. They're famous for their SHRIMP AND GRITS - and should be, like the movie, ALMOST FAMOUS for them. Being a goomba from Brooklyn I'm not a grits man, but these were great - buttermilk creamy, tight, dryish - liked them alot. Not the usual goop you get down south. They made a tasty bed for the large char-grilled shrimp. The shrimp need a little more spice and taste, cause all I really got was the char-grillness of it all, but these babies were big, and meaty. Went nice with the red I was drinking DESERT: CARROT CAKE - SUCKS! Good icing, not enough cream cheese, and the cake was too dense - no air in that baby. It was more like a Carrot VERY Pound Cake. However, the vanilla bean BRULEE was tastey! OVERALL: I'd skip it. You get hit with NYC prices for NEWARK NJ service and food that didn't rise above good that night. Actually, you're better off, saving a ton of cash, by having a beer & hamburger at EARNESTINE & HAZELS bar - a REAL joint that once was a bordello to Memphis' music stars! But in hindsight, the only thing one should ever go to Memphis for is BBQ, BLUES, ELVIS and the righteous REVEREND AL GREEN - but never go to Itta's for the service....at least not right at this moment, in this dimension, where most of that staff most definitely wasn't,
(2)Raymond B.
Itta Bena ... tough to find, fine to dine, been there five times... so it's time to write the review, sans rhymes: Pro's: - Location: If you're at the top of Beale Street, looking down it from 2nd, the blue awning just to your right (on 2nd St) where the valet guy is standing... that's the entrance. - Parking: The valet is $5. If you're from Memphis, that's "reasonable"... if you're from any other city on the planet earth, that's "insanely cheap." Just do the valet. - Service: Some people have a tough time with service here, and I've seen it go down with some vocal complaining at other tables, but we must get lucky every time with the good servers. We had a group of 12 once for a birthday, with all sorts of split checks and food allergies going on, and the guy (Alex maybe?) handled it all incredibly well. Nice work, fella. - Special menu items: She crab soup, eh, it's okay, and I back it, but the Duck and Waffles is something to be sought out. I've also had a steak there and it was solid (and I'm a bit of a snob on the steak front), and the rice/veggies/sides... always great. - Ambiance: It's dimly lit, but not hard to see, and you certainly get the feeling that you're in a bit of a hideaway. - Groups: They've got some great separate areas that are good for large groups, which is actually tougher to find in downtown Memphis restaurants than most realize. Con's: - Management/Organization: It's a bit chaotic, and we've had some issues with reservations there more than once. - Server/Bar/Kitchen Area: Again, on the chaos front, that area near the bar with the servers and the kitchen, and the bar... it's too much exposure to the general dining area for what should be 'behind the scenes' action. - Bourbon: I'm a manhattan guy, and they just don't have enough selection on the rye bourbon front... but I suppose I'm just being picky at this point. Would I recommend it? Yes, certainly. Will I be back for a sixth or seven trip? You bet. See you there.
(4)Craig K.
Food was excellent. The redfish entree was NY/Philly quality and that is where I am from . Scallop and grit appetizer was fantastic
(5)Jeff P.
Absolutely loved Itta Bena. My wife and I used to live in the Memphis area but moved to NJ prior to Itta Bena opening. We were back in town and celebrated my birthday and our anniversary by starting things off at Itta Bena. The food and cocktail menu set the stage for a great night! Will definitely go back when we go to Memphis again.
(5)Lorrie S.
Loved it! Everything was really good. Try the nuts and berries for after dinner drink. Great!
(4)SouthernFoodie M.
We went with another couple and our table was not ready. Within the space of ordering a round of drinks - it opened up. They seemed to have a little trouble discerning who our wait staff was. The girl we did get was great - and super attentive, even finding me a new non shaky chair. I really enjoyed the sleek dark atmosphere with the cool blue neon from the signs outside - kinds felt NYC-ish. We had the fried green tomato apps - which wwere good. I had the lamb chops - which were good - but not amazing - and the grits were cool when they arrived at the table. Dessert - cobbler - also good. Definitely would head back!
(4)Laura H.
We decided to go to Itta Bena for our anniversary this past weekend. When we pulled up to the corner of Beale Street, we saw a valet stand and guessed this was where Open Table had directed us to go. There is no sign, but if you head up the stairs directly behind the valet stand you are there:) Wow! So beautiful inside. I'm not sure if they do something to the windows to give the effect of blue lights or if it is just the blue lights from the outside shining in, but it was very cool. The entertainment for the night was a girl in a cute chanteuse dress complete with jeweled headpiece accompanied by an amazing piano player. I didn't catch their names, but they said they are there every Sunday night. I loved pretty much everything she sang from Etta James to Amy Winehouse to Norah Jones to Johnny Cash. Amazing. I am so sad about the food and almost feel like I should be giving three stars overall. Since the ambiance is like an off-the-charts-six-stars, I'm sticking with my four star overall rating. The food was just not that good. My husband had the shrimp and grits. The shrimp were enormous on the plus side, but had absolutely zero flavor on the minus side. I had the snapper over andouille sausage hash. I'm not sure how a Cajun spiced snapper over spicy sausage managed to be bland, but it sure was. What a bummer!! I'm undecided on giving the food another shot, but I will absolutely go back to Itta Bena again just to be there. I would love to sit at the bar, have some cocktails, enjoy the beautiful setting and some more live music.
(4)Laura G.
This place was pretty awesome. As mentioned in other reviews, you have to snake through BB King's to get up the stairs to a semi-secret dining lair. Once you get there, the menu is stellar. Everything sounded so good that I wanted to try it all. Highlights were as follows: Wine List- They had several of my favorite red wines by the glass. It was tough to decide where to start The mixed green salad with apples and goat cheese. YUM!! The service was awesome and attentive
(4)Caitlin M.
I ate here for downtown dining week. I really liked it. I had caesar salad, blackened tilapia, and a brownie. My mom had the same thing but with the bread pudding. The tilapia is not on the regular menu. The bread pudding was amazing. The other food was delicious too. As others have said, this is the only place on Beale St. I would eat. Some concerns though--the flashing blue police light outside the window was annoying (it wasn't just blue due to the tinted windows). Also, one of the light bulbs was flickering and the waiter didn't seem to care nor knew what to do with it.
(4)Nick B.
Awesome atmosphere. Delicious food. The Jambalaya was delicious. Also the Jumbo shrimp and grits.
(5)Nadia S.
If we hadn't been given the secret to finding this place, we would have never found it. Look for the awning on 2nd streeet right past the BB king sign. The place is so historical, it is all from an afghan prison. the food is delicious, Duck and Waffles was my choice. a nice little secret for Memphis.
(3)Kerry C.
Walking up the stairs last night felt deliciously sketchy, and opening the knotty wooden door was like breaking a trespassing ordinance. When I got inside, I was completely surprised: there's a restaurant on Beale Street that's warm, classy, romantic, and doesn't serve frothy mixed drinks in super-sized go cups. The windows are tinted blue, which makes looking over Beale Street kind of like wearing 3D glasses. The menu is fairly extensive, and most of the food seems to have a Southern twist (there are entrees like duck and waffles and drinks like the sweet tea mojito). I ordered a few things from the "small plates" section - the highly-recommended she crab soup, a fried avocado and crabmeat salad, and scallops and grits. All of the food was intense. I can understand why everyone on Twitter was raving about the soup. It's got chunks of real lump crab meat in a sweet cream-based broth. The salad had two avocado halves stuffed with crabmeat and deep fried next to a bed of baby spinach in dressing. Fried avocados are amazing - they're crispy and buttery at the same time. The scallops and grits had two seared scallops nestled next two a heaping pile of mascarpone cheese grits. I'm not usually a big fan of grits, but these made me want to go back in time and apologize for every time I avoided them. Sidenote: I love that more restaurants are doing small plates. It's an easy and affordable way to try fine dining. Most of Itta Bena's small plates were in the $9 -$15 range and had more than enough food on them. (By contrast, the majority of the entrees at Itta Bena are in the $20 - $30 range.) The service was impeccable, if a little bit overly attentive at times. When I was there around 7 p.m. last night, the restaurant was almost empty, but started filling up when DiAnne Price started playing the piano. If you want to try Itta Bena on a weekend, I would recommend making reservations in advance.
(4)Jennifer H.
We really had a great time at Itta Bena and had a wonderful meal. We were in Memphis from out of town (NY) and once we told locals we'd been there people from all over were saying they'd heard of it and it came highly recommended. I can see why. Cool atmosphere, interesting menu selection but not too off the wall and the food was really great. We were there with both adults and children (age 10 and up) and everybody loved it. My only additional comment - and I'm not sure if it's a positive or a negative - is that we couldn't find the restaurant. Standing on the street you cannot find the address. You have to go in some crazy back bat entrance or up through BB King's to get there. Kind cool/kinda confusing. However you look at it I would still highly recommend Itta Bena!
(4)Lisa M J.
As other reviewers have noted the place is hard to find. Nice dining room, some cool table concepts with a nice atmosphere. Some food was fine, other items not great at all (Example - two of us ordered the lamb chops which were a fatty mess and the waitress didn't say anything when she cleared our mostly uneaten entrees). Would be a fun place for cocktails/wine and apps when you are on Beale and want something a little more elevated than the usual fare. Can't say I'd make a special trip.
(2)j g.
Not impressed, had hoped for more. Food was just fine- a bit overpriced for memphis, ambience ok, but service was lacking. for $60 a person lots of better choices in town....
(2)Chris M.
Valet parking guy was a turd. Wine and drink list overpriced and boring. We were here for the 20.12 dining week. I would think you would want to put on a good face for the special. It didn't seem like that here. It was busy and they were trying to get everyone seated and fed. Service was pretty good but sorta had a chain restaurant feel to it.( not very personal) The food just wasn't very good. Mushroom bisque was probably the highlight. The Caesar salad was flavorless with croutons that were so stale it was funny. I was poking them with my fork as hard as I could and couldn't even break them. The main course was New York strip with garlic mash and veggies. The steak was no better than the $10 steak at the butcher shop. The mash was OK but nothing to note. The veggies were squash and zucchini which was very boring. Major overuse of garlic on everything. They also had a blackened tilapia that was OK. The deserts were bread pudding and brownies which were both very average. Nothing about the meal was bad but nothing was really good. The atmosphere is cool but they had a one man band playing that was good but played really slow music and just about put us to sleep. Not really trying to throw down the hammer on this place but it wasn't anything to remember. Probably wouldn't come back.
(2)Edward S.
We came in via 143 Beale and not the 2nd street stairs. It was fun finding our way to the "secret door" and hidden steps up to the restaurant. Seating was immediate even though my entire group had not yet arrived. Service was excellent. We ordered the scallops and grits as well as the fried green tomatoes as appetizers.--Excellent!! The chicken marsalla, shrimp, and other sea food dishes ordered by the group were again, excellent- as were the sides. The crab soup was amazing!!!! The entertainment was wonderful and allowed the group to talk (not shout) and catch up. We left via the 2nd street stairs but were told we could go back the way we cam e to listen to the music and not pay the cover charge for the club below.
(5)Glen D.
Came to Itta's for lunch. Very disappointed. Food was cold, order was incorrect server never offered to fill coffee. We will not be back.
(2)Dina W.
Stevin was our outstanding waiter! HB and I split the pasta shrimp entree. We had the best Shrimp Cocktail. This restaurant was recommended by many locals for being a top notch restaurant, and these San Diegan's couldn't agree more!
(4)Brian C.
Good restaurant, nice overall vibe with decent service, good food, and a marginal wine list. Unfortunately the food is often executed differently on each visit presumably depending on who's in the kitchen or what time of day you're eating. The she-crab soup is always a hit but I also enjoy the BBQ shrimp appetizer although sometimes the sauce can be very reduced and sometimes soupy. Other appetizers such as scallops & grits are fine but haven't blown me away - and I'm definitely not a fan of the fried avocado with crab. Entree portions are generally on the small side and I loved the blackened redfish with andouille hash but the appetizer & soup course seems like a much better deal so I have also sat at the bar and been very happy with soup, an appetizer, and a drink. Overall it's definitely worth checking out Itta Bena, between the nice ambiance and quality food Itta Bena is one of the better restaurant options in Memphis even though it's not perfect.
(4)Shannon L.
I would first like to start off by saying it took me a good minute to even find Itta Bena. Most places on Beale are so obvious with their neon signs and loud music, that I get a headache resembling one my mother would complain about. However, Itta Bena is the exact opposite. In fact, if you are not looking for it, you would never know it existed. Itta Bena is located on the second story of B.B. Kings, right at the corner of Beale and 2nd Street. You almost feel like Alice in Wonderland as people point and direct you to it's entrance (which they oh-so-nicely do to everyone wandering in with a confused look on their face). Directions to Itta Bena: Walk into B.B. Kings looking wildly confused. Walk up the narrow, windy staircase in front of you. (note: you will see a sign that tells you to go up to reach Itta Bena) When you reach the platform with a door, do not go in! Walk up one more flight of windy, narrows stairs. Make a 180 degree turn when reaching the top of the staircase, and enter through the door. Look relieved and succumb to amused giggling of the wait staff in the restaurant. Once inside, you are taken to a place that does not even resemble Beale Street. The atmosphere is romantic with dim lighting, white table cloths, and candles. You cannot even hear the noise from the street below. (They must have spent a fortune on amazing sound-proof walls.) My friend Chris and I are taken to our table, where our server promptly greeted us. She was great. She was very friendly, personable, and genuine. We were presented with a wine menu. They were out of our favorite red wine (La Crema Pinot Noir...for any of you searching for the perfect Christmas gift for me), so we choose to split another great bottle. Itta Bena doesn't have a fabulous wine list, but it is good enough for us to pick something great. We were then presented with the Downtown Dining Week menu: CHOICE OF APPETIZER: Signature She-Crab Soup OR Traditional Salad Wedge CHOICE OF ENTREE: Newman Farms Bone-in Pork Chop OR Shrimp & Grits DESSERT: Warm Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream Chris and I both started with the She-Crab Soup. The soup was a great combination of the sweetness of the crab meat and the savory, creamy flavors of the soup. It was my favorite part of the meal. For our entrees, I got the Pork Chop and he got the Shrimp and Grits. We both agreed that they were very average. My pork chop came on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes had a good, creamy flavor. However, my pork chop was pretty bland. Chris also said said his shrimp had a great flavor, but the grits were really bland. We both had a brownie for dessert, and it was pretty eh. If I am going to waste my calories on dessert, it better be freaking fantastic. The brownie was a little too dry and solid for my taste, as I prefer a richer and softer brownie. I did like that they used french vanilla ice cream. The extra flavor provided a creaminess to the dish. Overall, we both agreed our meal was okay. I was not disappointed, but I wasn't impressed either. For the cost of the meal, I would much rather take my fine dining dollars elsewhere.
(3)Dave T.
I agree with those who say it is nice atmosphere but overpriced for what it is. We took a group of about 10 and it was over $100 per person. Bottle of Le Crema wine that is $20 in store and $40 at most restaurants was $65 I think. Steaks were around $45 each. That is high even for high-end places and this is upper middle in quality. Service is good though. Know what you are getting into. I would give higher marks if the prices were 30% less.
(3)Annikin Z.
OK, Love the Hidden Gem of it all. That part was Nice. We went for late supper and were told ( via the phone prior to going the day of) No rez needed at 9pm.. We got there and a very young hostess gave us the look up and down( SNARKY) upon arrival ( and to a Clearly almost empty room): stated: Well, Do you have a reservation? I retorted : we were told that we would not need a rez. At 9:pm when we called early in the day..( with a smile) Reluctantly , she seated us.. and did not bother to tell the waiter.. the disturbing thing was the waiter then, did not even know we had not been helped and we waited about 18 mins before another waiter came and he DID apologize.. The food was pretty good and the music was great by the pianist who was there and singing.. Sadly, Snarky little hostess , kind of ruined it for us! Too bad, because food was pretty good and when we finally got a waiter he was busy -but attentive and the place itself was nice! We have eaten in the rest in Housotn and all was GREAT, so..
(2)Sean K.
One of my favorite downtown stops! Great vibe & excellent service. Just look for the hidden entrance downstairs in B.B. King's
(4)John G.
This is a really great place to eat. It is located above BB King's Club on Beale street. The decor is cozy and service is great. I highly recommend the steaks. Their deserts are ususally really good too. They have a great wine and drink menul.
(4)John M.
Well here it goes...4th time to dine since open...and safe to say like most restaurants it needs a swift kick in the pants. First two times quiet impressive and food was right up there. Well thought out and great parings and combinations, But sorry to say only fast food Menus should remain the same... Sorry to say kitchen has gotten lazy it seems and not challenged. We worked all the apps and three entrees, all were satisfactory, but we passed on the desserts. Golden rule number one no finger prints should be on the plate! What the expeditor's is there for and why wait staff should handle plates with a towel...(only expected for the price your asking for your food). Suggestion throw out pre-made fried green tomatoes if not used that night...could tell batter-wise they were frozen leftovers. Ive been in this industry for several years and as an executive chef can say I'm a bit upset when i see the kitchen staff drinking in the kitchen during service...a sure sign they aren't taking the food seriously or their jobs. This is a great place to get a drink and enjoy some good live music and soak up some great atmosphere, true southern charm. A great place to entertain a group or a date, just feel that management should light a fire under some of the staff and maybe tweak a couple menu items to keep the kitchen on their toes. I will return in hopes that the experience will improve personnel wise.
(3)Jessica E.
Amazing! The pasta with filet is delicious!
(5)Richard J.
This is the place to eat on Beale. Have to go to 3rd floor of BB. Speak easy decor and food was great. Best food I've had in Memphis to date
(5)Kathryn M.
The atmosphere is the best. You step completely out of what you know as Beale Street into a beautiful hidden spot with plenty of style. The food takes everything you love about Southern food and classes it up about 10 points. I took the advice of other yelpers and had the She Crab Soup. Thank you yelp - you have changed my life for the better. The grits deserve their own religion. There were 6 people at our table, and I tasted everybody's food - I don't think you can go wrong. I love the small plates and a la carte sides - perfect for the person who wants to order it all :) After the crab soup, I had the Abita BBQ shrimp and cheese grits. In addition, the martinis were delicious too! The dirty martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives was the best! This place has atmosphere, food, and drinks going for them - a great place for a special occasion.
(5)Erica B.
I tried like mad, fire hell to find this place. We tried 3 times, refusing to ask for directions (we wanted to look like locals, and local Memphians so don't ask where restaurants are located. Duh.) The fourth time? We decided eff it, and asked a door guy over at BB's to show us the way. Three words for you folks...She Crab Soup. It is heaven in a bowl. If I could hook an IV of it pumping the warm, sweet and salty, crabby goodness into my veins 24/7 I, I totally would. Also worth mentioning? The caprese salad and cheddar cheese grits. Though they don't even hold a candle to the crab soup, they are still divine. The staff here left a little to be desired when we went. They were a little lackluster and seemed as though they had better things going on. Regardless, forget all that nonsense and go here for the freaking soup. Have I mentioned how delicious it was?!
(4)Wendy G.
This was a great tip from Yelper Kerry C, who also runs @ilovememphis on Twitter. This bar/restaurant is a fun speakeasy hidden among the noise and craziness that is Beale Street in Memphis. To get there, enter BB Kings and when they ask you for a cover - just tell them you're headed to Itta Bena. Go up the stairs, and look to your left and there will be an exit door. Go through the door and up the back stairs and you will find yourself in a mini blues oasis above the crowds. My friends and I hit Itta Bena twice for drinks and apps and had a great time. The bartender Courtenay poured Lemon Blueberry Martinis for us (formerly a show with more sugar) that was amazing. For apps, we had the stuffed avocado with crab meat. I've never seen this before and it was sooo good! Whole avocado rolled in seasoned flour, then deep fried golden brown and served with warm remoulade sauce and topped with pico de gallo. We also got the Abita BBQ Shrimp, which is served Orleans style on a sizzling skillet, with homemade abita beer bread for soaking up the sauce. Again, amazing. In addition to the great food and ambiance, they had a live singer performing with a pianist. Super sultry atmosphere! Can't wait to go back and try more of their food!
(5)Karen S.
It's a cool "Memphis " kinda place. You should go .
(4)J H.
One of my favorites. I will go back. Recommend you go there too. Large group. Prompt service. All I can say is: scallops and grits & duck and waffles. You will want to go back too. So good a lengthy review would be a waste of words.
(4)Steven M.
I took the wife here on a Sunday around 7 on a date - great find! It's a semi-secret spot above BB Kings overlooking Beale St through blue windows, with quiet piano bar music and decent food. You feel like you're in the know, and the ambiance is killer. Food is only 4 star good, though. Great date night spot (thanks fellow yelpers) ! Would be good for drinks, too. Some pointers: go to BB Kings on the Beale st side, tell the bouncer you're going to Itta Bena (pronounced etta bean-uh). He'll either point you up, or if not just go up the stairs, take a hard left and go through the exit door, then up another flight past the painting. Try the she-crab soup, the honey-butter with the bread is great, and the duck and waffles is good. Wife liked the shrimp and grits. Both our wines were great (a cab and a malbec). Just don't have too high of expectations about the food and this place is awesome!
(4)Jolynna M.
Hidden away above B.B. Kings, you'd never find it if you didn't know it was there. You have to enter through the side and go up a back staircase with no signage whatsoever. It's all so "secretive". The atmosphere is dark, sultry and ultra hip. In fact, you can feel your cool factor going up as soon as you walk in the door. And I simply cannot brag enough about the food. It's southern. It's gourmet. It's delicious. I had the She Crab Soup (heaven in a bowl, folks), and The Shrimp and Scallops, which was served over cheese grits with lemon caper sauce. I enjoyed absolutely every mouthful and can't wait to go back for more. Check it out. But make sure you get a reservation in advance. They book up quickly on the weekends.
(5)Talula P.
I had the pan seared scallops and it had a really strong aroma..kinda like walking into a fish market. at first i thought it was the pasta sauce but i had a second opinion and it was definitely the scallops. the tomato duck soup was good and so was the bread with honey butter. normally i wouldn't dismiss a place after one bad dish but everything about this place was just so underwhelming that i probably won't give it a second go.
(2)Elizabeth A.
If I had reviewed this place the first few times I went I would have given it 5 stars. The last couple of trips made me want to put this place on my "don't come back to places". I am a fan of the She Crab soup but on my last trip it was lukewarm , watery, and not good enough for me to even finish eating it. My steak was so so and didn't have much favor. Our server was slow and she didn't come by our table but 1 time during our whole meal. I have always loved this place as a cool place to visit downtown but now I find myself looking for other places.
(2)Frank M.
We went on a friday night without reservations and yet they still somehow managed to seat us in about 30 minutes. We didn't even notice because we were too busy enjoying the live piano playing and beautiful singing as well as the rustic yet sophisticated atmosphere. I really like the whole secret passage thing. Additionally, we could still faintly hear the BB King house band below... Good times. As for the food, the She Crab soup was pretty much the bomb. Truly a must have when venturing to this restaurant. Though my steak was spectacular, I found myself wishing I had ordered my dad's choice of the pork dinner. In the end, everyone left happy, full, and little tipsy from the full bar. We also learned that there are several weekly coupon specials available on the website. Go check it out.... NOW!
(5)