Motel 6 Millington, TN

Opened in 2013, this Chinese restaurant has taken the city by storm—and rightly so. Although there are a number of offshoots around town, the original location in an unsuspecting Cordova strip center is the place to be. For those who love heat and savor spice, this is ground zero for fiery, tongue-numbing, chili-laden Sichuan cuisine. Focus on classics like the umami-packed mapo tofu, stir-fried cumin lamb, crispy chicken tossed in a mound of dried chilis and properly charred green beans. Portions are generous so bring friends and order with abandon.

Opened in 2008, the flagship restaurant from Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman remains one the city’s most enticing efforts. Divided into several small rooms, the cozy house in Brookhaven Circle celebrates Italian cooking with Southern influences. Appetizers and pastas are the strongest features, starting with the signature house breakfast of pork belly, pork rinds, polenta, and a runny egg. For a lighter beginning, swing for the tuna tartare with sundried tomatoes or tender squid stuffed with Barese sausage and set in a sharp puttanesca sauce. Mafaldi coated in a rich bianco veal ragu is as

Sunlight streams in through tall windows that look out on quaint South Main. Globe lights, handsome wood tables, and gold accents lend a mid-century vibe to this vintage space. Such a look doesn’t at all tell the story of what this kitchen is putting together. Indian, Mexican, Thai, Italian—there are seemingly no culinary borders that cannot be crossed, mixed, and matched on this menu. Corn mash with acorn squash set in a rich bacon jus speaks to this restaurant’s big, bold, and satisfying style. Roast potatoes tossed in a finely spiced masala gravy is another successful mash-up. Portion sizes

Scarlet-red banquettes, a long marble bar and checkered tile cut a striking, seductive figure in downtown Memphis. This is a restaurant whose identity is never in question thanks to veteran Chef Felicia Suzanne, now situated in a swanky new dining room where she sources quality ingredients and honors Southern traditions with class and elegance. Plucky Gulf shrimp set with tasso ham sauce and jalapeño cornbread is a superb signature and a reflection of this kitchen at its very best. Other hits on this finely curated menu include buttermilk fried quail with greens and spiced honey as well as fri