It’s no secret that the rising cost of living has tightened everyone’s purse strings. 

That’s why Ronnie Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant has launched an $11 afternoon bar menu, available from 2 to 5 p.m. daily at 6150 Poplar Ave. 

“I hope it offers value because people have the right to discriminate with their dollar and pick something that really tastes good,” said Randi Belisomo, executive manager at Ronnie Grisanti’s. “That’s a bang for your buck, and that’s what we’re trying to do.” 

The $11 menu includes five dishes, such as fried oysters with a side of remoulade and shrimp dip with crostini. It also includes a Bellini and a glass of red wine, Res Fortes’ Merlot Madness. 

I tried everything except the merlot. I opted for the Bellini — and it was a very refreshing afternoon sip, if I may say so.

“High-quality food costs money, and it’s costing more and more money, so trying to give people that high-quality food and the presentation and the style that they want is an evolving challenge,” Belisomo said. 

Bellini at Ronnie Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)

Belisomo said Ronnie Grisanti’s does robust business in to-go orders and grab-and-go in local grocery stores, but she misses the liveliness of a full bar and restaurant.

“A part of what we do is tabletop, bar-top dining because that’s where the Grisanti’s experience is,” she said. “That’s where people get together and enjoy each other and enjoy the meal, and hopefully the meal is a great backdrop for a good evening.

“You just don’t get that with watching your food go out the door. I want people to sit here at the bar, have a good time.”

So, for a few hours every day, Ronnie Grisanti’s is offering smaller portions at a fraction of the price to hopefully attract more customers to dine in. 

The first item that I tried was the antipasti platter — a colorful plate filled with mortadella, salami, capicola (which has a little kick), tomatoes, cherry mozzarella, Kalamata olives and crostini. 

Belisomo called the platter a “nice snack to share,” and I could easily see myself gabbing with a friend while eating the meats and cheeses.

I also really enjoyed the fried oysters and shrimp dip, both of which were delicious. 

On the regular menu, Grisanti’s toasted ravioli are $30 for four handmade pieces and a side of Tuscan gravy for dipping. The bar menu offers diners two for $11.

The antipasti platter at Ronnie Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant is a “nice snack to share.” (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)

The toasted ravioli has a crunchy outside and a soft, pillowy, cheesy inside. They were perfection. 

“These are what keep us in business,” Belisomo said. “It’s not cheap because you have to handmake them, but we figure for $11, people can have that order.”

My favorite item was the Little Lupita, the six-inch version of Grisanti’s 12-inch signature Lupita pizza: Grilled balsamic chicken, tri-colored peppers, their famous Italian spinach and Alfredo sauce.

I love pizza, so I might be partial to this dish anyway, but the Little Lupita was a perfect-sized pie, and I felt like I had eaten something semi-healthy with the vegetables and grilled chicken.

“I just thought it was a good afternoon snack,” Belisomo said. “Sometimes people don’t think about us for pizza because we’re a little elevated, but our pizzas are delicious.” 

Toasted ravioli with Tuscan gravy at Ronnie Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant. (Sophia Surrett/The Daily Memphian)

I have to agree, and the pizza's history is fun, too. 

Belisomo said the pizza is named after a longtime cook, Lupita, who made the pizza for herself one day. Belisomo tried a piece and decided it belonged on the menu.

This week in food news

Erica Horton’s byline has reappeared on The Daily Memphian site to tell readers about Kuya’s and Ouri Matcha Bar’s breakfast collaboration. This week’s $15 deal is their $9 Filipino breakfast sandwich with a sweet pork sausage, hash browns, ketchup aioli, cheese and egg between potato buns.

Jan’s Library is an enclosed dining room at Napa Cafe that can seat two to six guests. (Courtesy Napa Cafe)

Jennifer Chandler wrote about places in Memphis where you can have a quiet dinner. Some restaurants, such as Restaurant Iris, Bog & Barley, Napa Cafe and Folk’s Folly, have private or smaller rooms for diners wanting to converse. Restaurants like Majestic Grille, Cocozza and Amelia Gene’s also use curtains or nooks to create more intimate spaces.

Chandler gave readers the recipe for Acre executive chef Andrew Adam’s award-winning Delta adobo chicken tamale. Adams has recently submitted recipes to national food competitions, and this one took home the prize. 

And if you’re in the mood for chocolate cake, head to JEM Dining in the Edge District. Chef Josh Mutchnick spoke to Chandler for our “What to Order” feature about his “sinfully good chocolate cake with a frosty glass of milk on the side.” 

The liquor store debacle over The Station in East Memphis has ended after two years, buckets of money spent, and most likely, the loss of reporter Jody Callahan’s sanity, who’s been following the case since early on. You might remember that several local liquor store owners were fighting to shut down The Station because of its proximity to a school or church. 

JEM serves each slice of chocolate cake with a glass of milk. (Courtesy JEM Dining)

In other news this week, Andy Ashby reported on the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Wendy’s franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group, which owns some local locations. Carlisle Corp., a local franchisee, is positioning itself to take over some of those spots. 

Casa Mexicana could move its Bartlett area location to the former Coletta’s Restaurant on Appling Road. One of Casa Mexicana’s ownership groups bought Coletta’s 8,800-square-foot building for $2 million this past week. 

Carmeon Hamilton, award-winning interior designer, will host Wing Wars, a wing competition with a side of basketball. Eight local wing spots will go head-to-head for the People’s Choice Award, then another chance to win during a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Some of the proceeds will benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Soulsville Charter School.

Addiction Smash Burger (Courtesy Cesar Figueroa)

A new smashburger place is coming to Memphis, and it might become your new addiction. The food truck concept Addiction Smash Burger will open its first storefront in the former Vibe Foods spot on Poplar Avenue across from East High School. The food truck serves several specialty smashburgers, milkshakes, fries and fried chicken sandwiches.

I recently spoke with Mary Cashiola about some restaurant news on The Daily Memphian’s The AM/DM podcast. The conversation focused on up-and-coming breakfast options in Cooper-Young, as well as what’s next for The Belmont Grill building. 

Speaking of breakfast, I wrote about Big Bad Breakfast opening its second area location in Food Files. I also wrote about Frida’s closing its doors in Collierville after a decade. It will keep its original Midtown location open.

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