Sometimes, a girl just needs a steak. Last week I got to attend a Friends + Family night at 117 Prime, a new steakhouse that’s opening in Downtown Memphis. Taking over the old Belle Bistro location, the fine dining steakhouse and bar has big city appeal with a much friendlier price point.
When you first walk into 117 Prime, you feel a buzz; the shotgun layout of the restaurant allows for a slight “hustle and bustle” atmosphere, but thankfully, tables aren’t stuffed together so you can still have a sense of intimacy with your party while you dine. It’s low lit but not dark, and I loved the gallery wall of mirrors above the button tufted banquette seating that lined the wall.
I went with my friend Michael (he’s a photographer and blogger too), and in between snapping photos of the space (of course we got looks, but we’re used to it now, lol), we chatted with people that we knew and tried our hardest not to order the same thing from the menu, lol.
If you’ve ever been to a friends + family night at a restaurant, it’s an opportunity for them to test out their menu, cocktails and their staff to help them work out as many kinks as possible before opening. We kicked the evening off with complimentary wine (he went for red, I went for sparkling), and for appetizers he got the shrimp cocktail (huge!), and I started with the prime salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, walnuts and fresh goat cheese (this is what got me).
For my entree, I tried an 8oz filet (medium well; I like a tinch of red), brussel sprouts, and potatoes au gratin (click here to read Michael’s review to see what he had). The steak was juicy, tender and seasoned well, and the potatoes were so so cheesy ( in a good way). I’ve grown to love brussel sprouts, and these were grilled with bacon and nuts for added flavor and crunch. The portions are generous (the sides are served family style) so I was only able to eat half of it because I had to save room for dessert (duh).
Creamy, creamy cheesecake. Mmmm. Rich yet fluffy, and the stewed blueberries were the perfect little topper. Next time I go, I’m trying the tiramisu because it looked divine!
117 Prime is a great addition to downtown; it has a lowkey, understated vibe because of its location, has strong drinks and delicious food. The price point wasn’t bad either (for a full meal + a simple cocktail or 2 you’re looking at $60+). If you have a special occasion – or an unlimited budget – this would be a “prime” place to visit. And don’t worry if you aren’t a big steak person-they do offer chicken and seafood dishes as well (even a few vegetarian items!) so there’s something for everyone.
117 Prime is tentatively scheduled to open before the end of the month; be sure to follow them on Instagram or Facebook to find out the official date.
117 Prime
117 Union Ave
Memphis, TN 38103