It's officially SUMMER at Memphis Cafe in Costa Mesa!

It's definitely SUMMER at Memphis Cafe in Costa Mesa! 

Chef Diego Velasco, who has been at the helm of Memphis since it opened in 1995 has outdone himself with the new summer menu dropping on July 10th!  Crafted to highlight all that is fresh and in season, while at the same time staying true to Memphis' distinct southern home style cooking style, the summer menu has something to please everyone. 

Spice Crusted Sea Bass

I recently got to try out the menu at a preview and one of the standouts for me was the Spice Crusted Striped Bass. Admittedly, I'm  more of a meat eater and tend to eat fish mostly at home so I can indulge in a perfectly cooked steak when I eat out. However, this preparation of sea bass was one of the best I think I've ever tried. The bass was served with perfectly crispy skin (yum!) and atop the most fluffy and flavorful scallion-ginger pancake, drizzled with a soy lime glaze. It also comes served with a side of charred baby bok choy which complimented the tender, melt-in-your-mouth fish to a tee. I can't recommend this dish enough! 

I also really enjoyed the Hickory Barbecue Platter that comes loaded with burnt ends, BBQ chicken and baby back ribs. Be warned though - its quite a feast so make sure you're hungry! Truthfully, my favorite thing about it is the variety as it's perfect for the indecisive eater like me who typically wants everything at the BBQ restaurant. The burnt ends were especially well done and delivered on their promise of smokey BBQ goodness! 

The Retirement

Not to be outdone, the special seasonal cocktails also deliver in bringing a hint of summer to your meal at Memphis. Amaro is all the rage at the moment, and Memphis captures this trend in it's new Retirement cocktail. Served up hipster style in a martini glass, it's every citrus lover's dream. 

I also LOVED the incredibly unique Chai on Fire cocktail. made with everyone's favorite Chai Tea and mezcal which gives it a warm comforting feeling even though it's an iced cocktail. It was just about everyone's favorite drink at the table so definitely a must try.  

Summer Menu 

Dishes

Blackened Rib Cap

Fried Washington Oysters: Red Beans & Rice, Smoked Pork Belly, Zucchini Mignonette 

Fresh Baby Corn-Street Style: New Caledonian Prawns, Queso Fresco, Green Tomato Conserva

Spice Crusted Striped Bass: Scallion-Ginger Pancakes, Baby Bok Choy, Soy-Lime Glaze 

Hickory Barbecue: Burnt Ends, Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Corn Bread Madeleines, Roasted Jalapeno Slaw

Blackened Rib Cap Steak: Corn Cheese, Hen of the Woods Mushroom, House Steak Sauce

Cocktails

Retirement: California Gin, Wine Aperitif, Amaro, Love

Chai on Fire: Mezcal, Coconut Rum, Lime, Honey, Chai Spiced Tea

Melt Banana: Aquavit, Banana Liqueur, Lemon, Absinthe

Melt Banana

Memphis is located at 2920 Bristol Street in Costa Mesa - in the Sobeca district. 

For more info or to see the full menu, visit their website: https://www.memphiscafe.com/ or call 714/432-7685.