Several new restaurants are in the works, but Milk Dessert Bar is closing.

Lucchesi’s Fine Foods is the branding used for the wholesale products from Lucchesi’s Ravioli & Pasta Co., located at 540 S. Mendenhall Road in East Memphis. 

It’s time for friends to choose sides — and for grilling frenemies to join forces — and get ready to fire up their pits for the 2026 Memphis in May International Festival’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. 

Michelin held its first-ever awards ceremony dedicated to the American South. When the stars were finally revealed, Memphis made its mark.

Related content:

5 Memphis restaurants recognized in Michelin’s American South guide

Memphis chef Jimmy Gentry, known for his no-nonsense style and refined Southern cooking at The Lobbyist, is helping put the city’s dining scene on the Michelin map.

“When we got into it, it was all about hospitality,” said restaurateur Michael Hudman. “Not that Michelin never crossed our minds, but we think of Andrew Michael ... you’re coming by to eat on a Sunday night at your grandmother’s house.”

Felicia Willett-Schuchardt said she was speechless when an email from the Michelin Guide popped into her inbox in late October.

“We thought authentic Chinese food would go well in Memphis, so we opened up. At the beginning, we didn’t have a lot of business, but after a while, the word spread,” said general manager Bo Zou. 

One of the restaurants received a Bib Gourmand Award as recognition for “good quality, good value cooking.” 

Also, Abner’s on South White Station Road and Poplar Avenue has closed, and Non-Vintage Wine Bar will soon join it.

After Raven & Lily closed in Collierville, the landlord decided to sell the space, and it was purchased by a local veternarian.

“You have to draw the line somewhere,” said owner Shannon Wynne. 

“We’ve been deeply affected in a very negative way by everything that’s happening,” said the general manager of a local restaurant who is encouraging Memphians to support other small businesses. “The sales have dropped like 60% or 70% in the last 15 days.”

Bog Fest is a celebration of fall flavors, live music and community that’s happening in the Regalia Shopping Center parking lot outside Bog & Barley.

Little Italy Midtown is coming back to its original space, Society Memphis has reopened under new ownership and Good Fortune Co.’s expansion will begin in the new year.

Documents show indoor and outdoor seating accommodating up to 105 guests, a drive-thru that can accommodate 26 cars and 79 parking spaces. 

Never skip the pasta when it’s made in-house.

Tonica Downtown and Little Petals East Memphis are open to customers. Poppz Drinks & Sweets on Poplar will open in early November. 

Sky Dog Amber was awarded Gold in the International Amber Lager category, and Tiny Bomb picked up Silver in the German-style Pilsener category.

Marjorie Levy, a financial services professional by day, will compete at the World Food Championships on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Also, the local board game parlor Board to Beers is officially open at its new location at 3482 Plaza Ave.

Cracker Barrel closed its Shelby Oaks Drive location in Memphis due to the results of internal performance audits, according to the corporate office.

First Watch submits a permit to look at a Wolfchase space. Raven & Lily in Collierville is now closed. Sanderlin’s Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken is now open. 

The restaurant’s owner said he wanted Social Desiii to represent as much of the subcontinent as possible.

After a kitchen fire caused more than $100,000 in damages to Mulan Asian Bistro, the popular Cooper-Young restaurant announced it would permanently close.