Chez Philippe — Restaurant in Memphis

Dining at Chez Philippe at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis is an experience that reveals the art of intention and invention, warmth and hospitality.

As I crossed the threshold, I was greeted by a scene of timeless sophistication: a tiered dining room adorned with crisp linens and gleaming table settings, where tuxedoed waitstaff moved with a quiet dignity that spoke of reverence for tradition. Yet, beyond the impeccable ambiance, it was the human touch—their mastery, care, and genuine kindness—that transformed the evening into an extraordinary testament to hospitality.

The hostess, whose name I hold in such esteem that I won’t risk misspelling it here, greeted me with a graciousness that felt like the opening note of a beautiful symphony. Her warm smile and kind words made me feel cherished as if she had been awaiting my arrival and preparing for an evening of perfection. Her presence set a tone of kindness and expectancy that remained throughout.

Then there was Phillip, my dedicated waiter. He approached with an abundance of generosity and lovingkindness, pouring out his care with such earnestness that I felt undeservingly blessed in his presence. His command of the menu was remarkable, but it was his passion that elevated the ordinary into the sublime.

A procession of canapés preceded the first course, each a miniature marvel—from one with a whisper of citrus paired with a hint of spice to another where the earthy richness of truffle mingled with the brightness of fresh herbs and petals. The delicate layers revealed flavors surprising and delighting me with their harmony and invention. With each new canapé, my anticipation grew. This was not simply food, but an adventure crafted to inspire awe, transforming the table into a gallery of edible art, each one seeming to whisper, 'if you think this is good, just wait until you see and taste what’s next.'

The progression felt seamless.

Wine pairing is among Phillip’s strengths. His tales of the wine’s intricate flavors transported me across France. Through one such storytelling, I was in a small vineyard in Burgundy where grapes are cradled by morning mists and shaped by centuries of devotion, bringing a piece of that distant soil to my glass. These were not mere recommendations; they were offerings of connection, delivered with a warmth that made me feel less like a guest and more like an honored friend.

Intermezzo: An unexpected invitation. Midway through the evening, I was respectfully escorted beyond velvet curtains to a table in the heart of the kitchen, opposite Chef Kevin Clinton—a man whose full name carries the weight of his culinary stature, yet who greeted me simply as “Kevin.” His humility disarmed me; here was a maestro of his craft, extending the warmth of a friend. He presented a mint dessert, a vibrant, not-too-sweet creation that burst with refreshing coolness, cleansing the palate for the courses to come. It was a moment of exquisite intimacy, a privileged glimpse into the soul of Chez Philippe. Standing there, I realized that every step is orchestrated as part of a grand design—it was a connection, a bridge between creator and guest, forged in mutual appreciation.

Once comfortably re-nestled and sipping from a fresh glass of wine, the Elk Tenderloin was before me, a triumph of texture and taste. Tender and succulent, its rich flavors were deepened by a subtle smokiness that lingered like a fond memory. Each bite melted on the tongue, leaving a trail of savory delight that danced long after it was gone.

Savoring what remained in my goblet, I reflected on the sweetness of the night. The food was exquisite, the setting elegant beyond measure, but it was the people—especially Phillip—who left an indelible mark. His thoughtful gestures, like the stories he shared with each glass of wine, carried a smile that felt like friendship.

Stepping into the night, the glow of Chez Philippe lingered—a promise that here, dining becomes a celebration of life’s finest moments, waiting for...

My husband and I are from Dallas, TX. Made a reservation 3 weeks before for the afternoon tea at The Peabody Hotel when in town for out Thanksgiving holiday. Arrived and self parked but believe I saw valet was included. No worries, we didn't mind parking ourselves and figured we would ask to be validated for dining there. We parked in the hotel parking garage. Arrived at the restaurant, no issues, were sat very quickly. Enjoyed out afternoon tea service but felt waiter could have done a better job and going over teas and any questions. All our entrees arrived well enough and delicious. I just could not finish my last 2 small pastries. I asked for a box and waiter brought me a small brown recycled material box to do but did not bring the small paper tote with Peabody logo to carry my box like the other table's waiter brought them. Well ok, no big deal I guess, I can hand carry it with no tote paper bag with the cute logo for the place I was excited to see and dine in. My real issue it that when I received the bill for tea service, added champagne glasses, automatic gratuity, taxes, hotel tax, liquor tax and so on..188.00 dollars later was fine. I expected MOST of those fees. While i sat and reviewed our bill, I sent my husband to see the host person who sat us, George, to get my parking ticket validated since the waiter said George would be able to do that for us. Well, George looked at my husband up and down first and then stated well that he will only do it this once since validation is only for dining guests. My husband then stated you just sat us down to eat right there next to the host section as he pointed to our table. George then apologized, I guess for not recognizing him-not real sure and proceeded to enter out parking ticket number in computer to validate. I was very perturbed at the fact that my husband was treated this way after spending almost 200 dollars for teas and cakes. I did bring it up to the hotel check in manager but don't think it was going to be brought up to the food managers like she stated she would-there was two-both names Ashley. I hope George learns how to treat patrons better at this location....

We had a party of 4 and we dined here on Sunday 11/8/20. We had been in the bar area to see the ducks at 5pm. While we were there, we all had drinks and a meat/cheese platter. The service was excellent! We believe the server name was "Lenore". When we were done in the bar, we went into the restaurant where we had reservations. It took the server 20 minutes to bring our drinks to our table after we had ordered them. (there was only one other table with two people occupied in the entire restaurant when we first arrived). It took 26 minutes to bring our salads. After 45 minutes from when we ordered our meals, I asked the manager how long it would be. I also complained that everything was taking so long to get to our table. She said that she would check the status of the meals. There was 3 pasta dishes and 1 club sandwich. These are not complicated meals. The manager then brought our 2nd round of drinks. The meals finally came out after 1 hour of ordering the meals and about 50 minutes since we received our salads. I asked the manager for a discount for the wait times and she gave me 20% off. We had been there for 2 hours and I was just tired of all of the issues to negotiate a discount. The discount was not good enough and I now hope she knows it. If she was an effective manager, she would have seen the issue early on and would have offered a better discount. We will never eat here again. The food was ok and the service...