Jim's Place Grille, Collierville

"A staple" of the downtown Memphis restaurant scene for almost 90 years, according to Memphis Flyer, Jim's Place Grille transplanted its menu of expertly executed chops, sandwiches, and seafood to its current Collierville address in 2010. But under the steady hand of the Taras family, which has overseen the eatery almost since its opening in 1921, Jim's continues to sate diners with hearty, continental-influenced fare.

In the kitchen, chefs put Greek twists on steak-house staples, crafting burgers from seasoned ground lamb and grilled pita bread and charcoal-grilling skewered pork for the family souflima recipe. (According to a 2011 review in Memphis magazine "this dish proves the cooking adage that simple is best," infusing "the taste of oregano, salt, and cracked pepper" into "each tender slice.") Certified bartenders mix specialty cocktails, tap draft beers, and pour wines from an extensive list.

Meals commence in the spacious dining room, where paintings of creeks babbling, waterfalls cascading, and fishermen reading the classifieds to lazy rivers help to create a soothing ambiance. Elsewhere, the private dining room accommodates up to 60 guests with custom menus for seated dinners or up to 80 guests for standing cocktail parties.