All cool things Italian in Memphis, TN

Aug 13, 2015 2820

by Christopher Columbus Italian Club of Charlotte

This week's travels in the search for all cool things Italian leads to Memphis, TN. I was really hoping that Elvis or BB King was of Italian descent, but sadly after doing some fact-checking, they were not. Looks like the most famous Italian to call Memphis home is Tony Grano, past president of our club!


In terms of Italian culture and Memphis, well, I'm still searching, but in the mid 1980s, a Milan designer named Ettore Sottsass started the Memphis Group, which among other things designed some pretty cool furniture. Sure, it didn't happen here in the US, but that's the best I could do! Now, Memphis does have it's own Italian festival that's been going for 25 years, so I know there's got to be some Italian culture in this city somewhere.


In terms of food, most of the good restaurants seem to be on the outskirts of the city. I made a stop at Strano for some Sicilian cuisine. Started with a Negroni, had a fresh caprese salad, wood-fired branzino as the main course, and a machiato to close the night. I head back here next week and plan to visit a couple more spots to share with you to see who the Italian king of Memphis is!

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