Skewer (Memphis)

Skewers, sushi and ramen, oh my.

Nestled in a Sanderlin shopping centre with Napa Café, Muddy's Bake Shop, and Cosmic Coconut, Skewer's 50-seat restaurant carries a nonchalant, modest beat while preparing, in my opinion, the best Japanese in town. Chef Gai Klaimongkol, originally from my beloved Thai favorite Bangkok Alley, opened the spot in January to expand Memphis' Japanese palate. Chef did well.

While the sushi is fresh and reliable (and highly recommended), the rest of the menu boasts authentic excellence and creative twists to the "expected" Asian dinner menu.

For a lighter lunch or dinner, I recommend the fresh tuna tataki with addictive ponzu sauce and the three mushrooms salad. The salad boasts a combination of exotic pan-roasted mushrooms (that challenge even Whole Foods' selection) over baby greens and shaved almonds. The honey soy vinaigrette is unreal. I'm considering buying enough to use on my own home-prepared salads.

If you've ever been to Smorgasburg (or read my recap), you've heard about the famous ramen burger, in which the bun is brilliantly made of a crispy ramen patty. Skewer has mastered the dish here in Memphis; in fact, they take it up another level. Caramelized onions, bacon, and a side of nori, seaweed-dusted fries with spicy mayo put Brooklyn to shame.

Of course, the namesake is a must-try, too: I ordered a chili shrimp, beef tenderloin and asparagus skewer trio. The portions are perfect and allow for easy sharing. Okra and shiitake mushroom skewers are my other favorite vegetable offerings.

Oh, and featured bonus: no corkage fee. Bring your favorite bottle of red, white or sake to enjoy with a yakitori dish or two! I look forward to cozying up with a bowl of ramen or a rice bowl once the weather cools to appropriate autumn temperatures.

Follow Skewer's mouth-watering menu items on Instagram.

Where to Brunch in Memphis

I frequently joke that my newest title should be the Caramelized "concierge," specifically because not one weekend passes without a text or email with restaurant requests. I'll admit--The answers now arrive more naturally, though it's terribly difficult to align my recommendations with the preferences of those asking.

In an attempt to cover the Memphis must-tries, I created a Memphis City Guide earlier in the year of my favorite finds around town. Karlee Bronson, a Memphis transplant and talented artist behind Milo Made Studio, reached out to illustrate the list in ink and watercolor. Her final product is effortlessly wonderful--I couldn't be more excited with the final piece! I urge you to share the list with friends and strangers, alike. We'll be working on more in the future.

A flaky almond croissant at Cafe Keough. Baked eggs in Brioche at Tart. A ginger scone and latté at Muddy's. Sweet potato pancakes in Elvis' booth at Arcade. Grapefruit brulée at Porcellino's. Migas and Bloody Mary at Beauty Shop. Cheese grits on cheese grits at Brother Juniper's.  The options are inevitably outstanding.

So, where to brunch first? Let me know where you choose during this gorgeous autumn weekend!

Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana (Memphis)

This month has marked the culmination of revisited old favorites in town. Perhaps it's the recent wave of new Memphis transplants who have yet to experience restaurants I had simply taken for granted. I've played the "concierge" hat this weekend, especially, introducing new friends South Main Trolley Night, impeccable seafood and a warm, familiar crowd at Tsunami, and a healthy quick fix at LYFE Kitchen. Yesterday's lunch at Las Tortugas acquainted a whirlwind of nostalgia and joy--It had somehow been about a year since I was able to enjoy the frescas and tortas and tacos and salsas. The original spot on Germantown Parkway (though a second location is in the works!) boasts no fanciness in decor or set-up, but instead a warm, wonderful greeting by owner Jonathan Magallanes at the cash register.

Having brought a new Memphian to try the restaurant for the first time, Jonathan whisked us into a tale of the Las Tortugas process and proper recommendations. Becci and I decided (with Jonathan's blessing) to split a few must-haves: tacos, tortas and mexican street corn. Jonathan was kind enough to give Becci a guacamole sampler to accompany our meal since we did not order the full chips and guac item--arguably the best chips and guac in town.

I am routinely drawn to the flaky fish tacos with avocado, lime and cilantro. We noticed, however, a Claybrook Farms brisket taco special in green Expo market on the register's accompanying white board. Great choice. Flaky brisket from a farm only miles away worked beautifully with the avocado, and an extra smoky barbecue-inspired sauce added a tasteful kick.

Becci and I also split the smoked chicken torta, which beats any typical sandwich and pleases our carb-mindful friends. The bread is hollowed out and grilled to mimic a crispy, almost tortilla-chip-like texture. Loaded with chicken, farmer's cheese, tomato and avocado, this Mexican take on a sub is a classic go-to at the restaurant.

And, of course, we savored the extra buttery, cojita-crumbled Mexican street corn with a squeeze of lime and sprinkle of spice. In my opinion, a trip to Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana is incomplete without the street corn side. No one masters it better in Memphis.

Here's to revisiting the old but good ones; the restaurants whose consistency and quality and passion once created and now sustain Memphis' culinary merit.

Gansevoort Market (New York)

I know I am not a fashion blogger, so I can't be entirely jealous of the slew of #NYFW (New York Fashion Week) hashtags on Instagram. But I just cannot help the feeling.

So, in honor of dreamy New York getaways of which I am currently not a part, I am here to provide your next daytime to-do in Chelsea: Gansevoort Market.

Sure, locals and tourists covet the vast and crowded Chelsea Market; though nothing beats an authentic open-air space, whose petite paths wind you through a Manhattan food mecca. As my beloved Memphian-New Yorker Mary Catherine explained prior to our visit, Gansevoort personifies old New York with a juxtaposed trendy twist of greek yogurt bars, pressed juice and lobster rolls. It's a fantastic approach. I especially admire the industrial interior, a nod to the historic surrounding neighborhood.

Two dozen stands, within a 8,000square-foot space, include the charming Tacombi, a VW bus-turned-taqueria, with homemade tortillas and killer salsa. Meanwhile, the whimsical Flower Girl brings vibrant, natural floral arrangements to a bordering booth on the street-side of the Gansevoort Market.

I was so tempted to bring a bouquet back with me to the hotel. Instead, Alex and I ordered addictive cucumber coconut juices from the next-door juice stand.

Gansevoort Market, I love you.

A Generous Pour at The Capital Grille

Wouldn't anyone prefer a generous pour? Well, The Capital Grille poses the term not simply for quantity (eight glasses, that is), but more importantly for the experiential quality of a truly differentiated wine offering. Rather than being forced to marry into an expensive bottle, the restaurant offers a $28 buy-in with eight outstanding Californian 3 oz. wine tastings to complement your steakhouse meal.

With an emphasis on all-female winemakers, the mini wine dinner gives tasters a chance to see the contrasts between grapes and advance wine palates. A sauvignon blanc and cabernet are rarely placed at the same place setting, yet The Capital Grille offers the opportunity, if desired. Waiters exercise their wine pairing ability; if you select the porcini-rubbed bone-in filet with aged balsamic, the Matanzas Creek benchmark Sonoma merlot could suit your fancy. The Chilean seabass might be joined by the Galierie "Naissance" Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc by winemaker Laura Dîaz Muñoz.

I was lucky enough to be walked through the Generous Pour offerings by Master Sommelier George Miliotes. Only 215 masters exist in the world since the program's 1958 inception. Pretty impressive, huh?

Our table's favorite was the 2007 Kinton Syrah, whose purity is usually savored for the end of the meal. 2007 marked a storybook vintage in California. The experienced finish is a can't-miss opportunity at the restaurant. As George noted, "We drink our wines so young! Seldom do we enjoy a perfectly aged glass. Here's your chance."

The restaurant's signature summer event, now in its 9th year, is available through the end of August. I highly recommend the experience!

LYFE Kitchen (Memphis)

"LYFE begins today" in Memphis, Tennessee. And we welcome that notion with open arms. The all-natural, healthy restaurant concept with a "fast-fine" disposition is already showing our city that whole and authentic ingredients do not require a hefty wallet. The concept is truly refreshing; the East Memphis floor plan flips a once-stuffy Sharky's seafood spot into an open walk-up ordering counter, bar/lounge, dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, and vast patio. I particularly loved the herb planters lining outdoor patio booths. Though the chefs are not rushing outside to pick fresh rosemary for an order of Art's Unfried Chicken, it's nice to note the details of healthy living throughout the restaurant.

I typically do not focus on price points upon sharing restaurants on Caramelized, though I simply cannot get over that my quinoa crunch bowl was just over $7. It's a usual complaint around town that a "good" salad with beautiful toppings and protein can't be found under $13. LYFE closes the door to that old salad life.

The bowl boasted garlicky edamame hummus, steamed quinoa and barley, crisp radish, arugula, broccoli, cherry tomato, half of a perfectly ripe avocado, and a few dashes of hot sauce. Truly, it was excellent.

After speaking with LYFE's founding Chef Art Smith (who used to be Oprah's private chef), I learned that the bar, in fact, has much to offer, too. The largest bar concept of all locations, Memphis will offer all-natural cocktails such as grapefruit palomas, margaritas with agave, and a Memphis Mule with housemade pungent ginger beer and Tito's vodka. I'm especially excited for the Mule, which I'll have to enjoy during LYFE's Social hours (4-6 p.m.) for the $6 deal. I'll have to get accustomed to order a cocktail at the same counter as others ordering a salad or smoothie; though I have already decided that late Summer afternoons on the patio will be the spot to sip these libations.

I hope you'll enjoy your first LYFE experience as much as I have. Downtowners, get ready for the second location in the Chisca on Main!