Belle Meade Social — Restaurant in Memphis

The restaurant has potential. We had reservations for three for a late Saturday lunch for 4:45. We arrived to a fairly empty establishment. We were promptly escorted to the bar area to a high top near the window. When we asked the hostess if it would be possible to sit at one on the multiple open areas in the same sitting area we were told that those various seats were unavailable. We asked to see a manager, who upon arrival doubled down. She said that seating assignments were pre determined. We asked if there were other parties of 3 scheduled to arrive tonight and the answer was a resounding yes. We then asked if those parties were aware of their seating assignments and the answer was of course, no. We then said well this seems like a simple switch we will just take their seats and they can enjoy our seating assignment. They looked perplexed. Another manager/ owner came forward with a tablet in hand and she too was unable to share a valid reason for their inability/unwillingness to accommodate our simple request. During this same period of time a walk in party of two was seated in another area of the establishment. We thanked those we had interacted with and left as my wife reserved Andrew Michael's while we were speaking with them. We were extremely disappointed with their customer service and we find it unacceptable. Especially to enjoy a menu that is limited at best. Our first time... but it will not be our last because I believe in second chances before assigning a rationale to the behavior that I observed and experienced from this...

Tried to book a rehearsal dinner there for over a month. Their events coordinator was not responsive and the GM Chad had to step in to get questions answered and generally get things moving. After multiple attempts at agreeing on a contract for the space via phone conversations and email they booked the date underneath our request. Very unprofessional behavior all around. Chad personally was responsible for the lack of communication that started 5+ weeks ago and knowingly booked the space 1 day after my verbal and written request for a contract. To the owners of this restaurant, it is unfortunate that someone would conduct business in this way and I hope that you know this about your staff. The event coordinator whom we first started working with apparently is no longer employed there as told to us by Chad. That was a red flag of things to come. Having worked in the restaurant and hospitality business my entire life this was all around a very unprofessional interaction. I hope that the restaurant is willing to respond to this review in an attempt to walk back what anyone would see as very unprofessional behavior. I hope that whomever did book the space has a good time and doesn't experience to inadequacies' that are pretty apparent in our dealings. ...

We had a group of ten for this dinner so I have nothing but great things to say about the service. The atmosphere is fine although a bit dark.

I personally had a bourbon, but it seemed as though everyone enjoyed their cocktails. The appetizers were great, the star of the show being the poke nachos. However things took a turn during when the entrees arrived.

First, my wife decided to get a burger as she heard great things. However, for some reason it came out 10-15 minutes after everyone else's entrees of steak and short rib to name a few. The chef came out to apologize and let us know the delay, no big deal.

What is resulting in this 3 star review is the sad state of a French dip that I ordered which was a 'Special.' This had a likeness to a hot sandwich you would have eaten at your college cafeteria.

The bread was a thick hoagie. The cheese was barely melted revealing that is was obviously sliced, and finally the meat... It looked to be maybe 3 slices on this giant hoagie. Even others at the table noted how little there was. And to top it all off, it was $24.

I love supporting local when I can, but for a restaurant competing with spots like Houston's or J. Alexander's, you gotta step...