Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Ronnie Grisanti's to Close This Weekend
Posted by Flyer Staff on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 8:08 PM
"Twenty-five years here on Poplar has been a great run for us," says Ronnie Grisanti, whose eponymous restaurant had earlier been located downtown on Beale Street, and where Sun Studio now sits on Marshall. "But I'm 70 years old now, and it's time for me to pass the baton to my son Alex." Most of the current restaurant staff -- along with Ronnie himself -- will relocate at the family's other restaurant, Elfo's, in Germantown, which will be renamed in the near future as simply "Grisanti's," continuing a family tradition that began one hundred years ago this year, when Grandfather Rinaldo opened the first Memphis Grisanti's downtown, across from Central Station on Main.
"The Grisantis have been at the heart of fine dining in this city for over a century," said Ronnie, "and I expect that my sons and grandchildren will continue that tradition for decades to come." With its colorful graffiti-covered walls, decorated with art from around the world as well as photographs of the city's most famous and notorious characters, Ronnie Grisanti and Sons has long been a Midtown institution, one that will be sorely missed by everyone who's ever feasted there upon the family's authentic Tuscan cuisine.
But Ronnie is convinced it's time to move on. "We have been blessed with some of the most loyal customers in the world, many of who are now regulars at our Germantown location. We hope others will join them." He added that all gift certificates from the Poplar location will continue to be honored at Elfo's, as will any bookings and banquets on the books at Ronnie Grisanti and Sons.
The restaurant's final evening will be this Saturday, the 29th.
Comments (11)
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Aw man, I never even got to eat there - too expensive. But I would have been able to afford it one of these days. Oh well.
Mr. Ronnie Grisanti! Many good pleasures at your table, from Union to Beale to Poplar! I remember my son rode his tricycle, yes "tricycle to Beale" for an early evening meal about 23 years ago. Love you Ronnie. See you at the next corner. Thanks!
Leigh Davis
The Hotel Pontotoc
I had my first date at Ronnie & son's with my fiance 13 years ago. What a special Memphis restaurant that will be missed as much as Justine's!
It's totally cool, I can go to fazoli's and eat the same dishes but pay way less money, also not having to deal with the Gristanti rat bast@#$% is worth it!
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