Chef Derek Smith recently launched a new Modern Southern Comfort lunch menu at Capriccio Grill, the Peabody Hotel’s Italian Steakhouse, and last week I had a chance to visit not only for the first time, but to sample some of the new items on the menu.

Andrea was able to join me, and because we like a lot of the same kinds of food, we decided to split an appetizer while ordering different entrees to get the most out of our meals.

First up were the Fried Green Tomatoes with shredded cheese, bacon bits, and ranch dressing for toppings.

They were crisp, but not hard, lightly seasoned, and delicious alone and with the toppings. I’ve only had them in the past with dressing, and it never dawned on me to add anything else-I had a real Captain Obvious moment when they were brought to the table, lol.

Also: we had fresh bread and the freshly made raspberry tea + lemonade with our meals. So good!

Next up were the Salmon Barley Croquettes with a sweet Jack Daniel’s Sorghum glaze & a medley of peppers of onions.

The cakes were fresh but not fishy, and paired well the peppers. My only wish was that there were more veggies-peppers and onions are a staple in my kitchen so I can eat them all day. I’ve only ever eaten my parents’ croquettes, which were the traditional southern style with white rice, and this is a tasty, lighter version of that.

We also ordered the Crawfish + 3-Cheese Macaroni, which was the standout dish for us both.

Not all mac + cheese is created equal, but this was one that you could literally eat all day long and be happy. It’s made with creamy cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses and melts in your mouth. The crawfish was an interesting but welcomed addition to the dish-I’m usually a purist (pasta and cheeses only) but the crawfish doesn’t overpower it at all. The flavors work quite well together.

Finally we had the Mississippi Mud Pie, which is served in cute little mason jars. If you like chocolate, you will love this desert. Enough said.

There are a ton of other dishes to try on the lunch menu, with prices ranging from $6 for soup to $18 for BBQ Ribs (see the full menu here). They’re also relatively quick, so if you’re short on time, you can get in and out without sacrificing the experience. We were full but not stuffed, so we were able to dodge food comas and continue on with our day. Our server was super sweet and attentive, and it was the perfect setting for us to catch up on girl talk. Andrea has been there countless times and recommended that I go for Sunday brunch soon, so that’s been added to my Summer calendar!

Capriccio Grill
The Peabody Hotel
149 Union Avenue, Memphis TN 38103
(901) 529-4000

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