Okay the initial thought when you see the words Folks Folly is? I’m waiting, waiting… I have a business partner who lives in New York. He has never been to Memphis, but he took the time right before Christmas to do a bit of research that I hadn’t taken the time to do myself. (By the way, thank you a ton for the gift certificate J!). My business partner thought a great show of appreciation for a good 2011 would be to send me a gift certificate to Folk’s Folly. After being in Memphis for the last six years, I had never heard of Folk’s Folly. I assumed that it would be a goofy little spot where I could possibly see comedy or just hang out. Besides a place that uses alliteration and the word Folly couldn’t be taken seriously. Then I took a few moments to do a little research of my own. I of course Googled the name and found the website for Folk’s Folly. Here is the website by the way http://www.folksfolly.com/, but don’t go to the site just yet. Stay with me for a bit longer.
My wife and I have made it a point to take the camera when we go to a new place. When we went to the website, the first thing we realized was that we hadn’t really eaten out at a restaurant like Folk’s Folly before. When you have a young family and a small business, eating out typically means: Applebees, Olive Garden, Red Lobster or Bahama Breeze. We go to those places because they cater to the family atmosphere and we can take the kids. We don’t have to worry about etiquette or demeanor we simply order and eat. Very rarely do we, my wife and I, get to eat at true restaurants that cater to an upscale eating experience. In other words, we haven’t dated since, well, we dated. So after taking a look at the Folk’s Folly website (Don’t you dare go to the website yet), we knew we needed to drop the kids off and go with our casual best, or at least for me a pair of jeans that didn’t look like I had just done yard work.
Now, as I’ve said before ,our dining experience has been relegated to pretty much the standard places. We did have the opportunity to enjoy Carrabas and the Tower Room, another Memphis Hi-Lite, but in comparison the Tower Room only compares to Folk’s Folly in that the location is prime. No disrespect intended. We drove on over to Folk’s Folly without any real idea of what the restaurant would be like. Outside the restaurant looks like a house sitting on the corner of a busy city block. This is actually a very nice thing because you feel relaxed when walking up. You can either park yourself or use the valet parking. Entering the door the lighting creates a calming effect. The color scheme seems muted until you recognize that the low amber lights, combine with the burgundy curtains to create a walk in room of wine and elegance. In other words, I don’t drink, but I felt like I didn’t need to simply because the ambiance generated a calm. (It became evident why the website stated that this was the place to close a deal for business people.)
Walking in my wife and I looked around and felt a bit out of place because we simply don’t have the opportunity to dine as a couple that often. I didn’t notice the restaurant much at all and missed a lot of the small details which make Folk’s Folly a Memphis Hi-Lite. I will discuss this more in a second. I was able to take a look around the restaurant after our meal. The meal… I always wondered why those guys in the movies kiss their fingers in appreciation of the chef. I have never really had a desire to make this gesture, until today. We began our meal with
Poor Man’s Lollipops: Bite-sized sweet, succulent, firm textured and mild flavored monkfish tail dipped in tempura batter and flash fried. Skewered and served with savory and flavorful red and green pepper coulis.
Like a married couple who doesn’t get out much, the appetizer was gone before our server, Greg, made it back to the table. I’m sure Greg was thinking… dizzam. I digress, the coulis sauce was comparable to a sauce we enjoyed while in New Orleans at Copeland’s (okay I kind of lied a bit when I said we don’t get out much, but not really). After our Poor Man’s Lollipops we had Parmesan Garlic Bread. For the first time I actually tasted garlic on garlic bread. Shame on you Pepperridge Farm’s for making me think all garlic bread is created equally. Once again Greg returned to an empty plate.
Jumbo Fried Shrimp and Fresh Asparagus
We moved on to our entrees. Instead of attempting to explain the entrees I will give you the names and more important the pictures. I had the Medallion Sampler: A trio of four ounce tenderloin medallions, grilled to order (Well done for me) and individually crowned with rich crab béarnaise, Maker’s Mark peppercorn sauce, and bleu cheese crumbles. LV had Jumbo Fried Shrimp: Jumbo shrimp, butterflied, rolled in panko breadcrumbs and fried crisp. Served with classic cocktail sauce and lemon .
While you may think that this shrimp was of the Red Lobster variety, wait a minute I can show you better than I can tell you. Please excuse the picture of my plate. I started eating before I took the pic. What can I say? (Shrugs Shoulders).
Medallion Sampler ond Hand Battered Onion Rings
We added Vegetables to complete our meals. I had Hand Battered Onion Rings and LV had Fresh Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce. We concluded the meal with Shoestring Potatoes and then we damn near burned downed the place with LV’s birthday ice cream (Haegen Dazs) Greg said it may not have been a trick candle but the way the fire flew off… (Greg shoulder shrug).
After our fabulous and fantastic service and feast (Thanks Greg!) we were escorted around the restaurant by Carlos Sejas (A fellow Californian!) who showed us the multiple private dining areas and also provided us with some insider information about Friday and Saturday nights (thanks for the info Carlos). He also showed us what I missed when we entered the restaurant: a collection of autographs from famous patrons (which included Earl Campbell and Wink Martindale- Aren’t Wink Martindale and Earl Campbell about as far apart as you can get when mentioning clientele?) Carlos also showed us the original art collection placed throughout the restaurant. Paintings by Leroy Neiman. If you don’t know who Neiman is think about the picture of Rocky and Apollo Creed punching at the end of Rocky II. (Thanks Carlos!- Am I using too many exclamation points here? – ehh one more shoulder shrug)
Overall, Folk’s Folly proved to be one of the best nights of casual dining we have enjoyed. Want proof? Check out this picture that Carlos captured. For such a gracious host that guy sure has a way with the lens. He made me look pretty darn good didn’t he? Then again sitting next to LV I just look better. Folk’s Folly is definitely a Memphis Hi-Lite and is worth checking out when you come into the city. The place is full of history and has just the right panache. I only use that word when I describe places that play standards (A lot of Bing, Dean and Billie) – Ain’t that a kick in the head?
551 S. Mendenhall
Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: 901-762-8200