06/05/26
Steak Tartare at Amelia Gene’s in Memphis, TN. I almost always order steak tartare if I see it on a menu, so I was excited to see this new menu item at Amelia Gene’s. While many variations of steak tartare exist, Amelia Gene’s version was unique and terrific in a number of different ways. Prime steak (the highest quality grade of beef awarded by the USDA) is diced and dressed with harissa mayonnaise made from grilled pequillo peppers, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika. It’s then finished with crispy capers, raw shallots, chives, and a hibiscus leaf for a bright acidic bite. The steak is served over a hot, crispy potato hash brown made with chicken fat and russet potatoes that is pressed overnight. The texture and crunch of the crispy hash provides a perfect accompaniment to the medley of flavors mixed with the raw beef. Unbelievably delicious, I could eat this literally every single day! Amelia Gene’s is owned and operated by the husband wife team of Nate and Jessica Henssler. As noted on their website, Chef Nate prescribes by the notion that “the best ingredient is the one you leave out.” His simple, yet incredibly flavorful dishes reflect that philosophy, which I love, because a lot of chefs will use so many ingredients and sauces that they overpower the dish and some of the flavors get lost. Amelia Gene’s is located just down the street from FedExForum in downtown Memphis. Don’t miss this dish if you’re ever in town!