Two new restaurants from familiar local faces are opening this week in Memphis.
Bounty, Jackson Kramer's new restaurant, opens at 2519 Broad Ave., while
Oshi Burger Bar, Jeff Johnson's latest offering to the Memphis dining scene, opens at 94 S. Main St.
Oshi focuses on burgers, hot dogs and "grown-up milkshakes." Some menu items are recognizable favorites, but others have a unique twist. The House Special burger, for example, is made with American Kobe beef, soy glaze, tapenade, Swiss cheese and arugula; the ToraTora burger features an ahi tuna patty, avocado and Asian slaw; and the Mr. Roboto dog is made with Kobe beef, nori, spicy ginger pickles and sesame seeds.
Johnson says he loves to travel and eat at local dives along the way. The concept for Oshi--a classic American burger joint with a Japanese influence in food preparation and dining atmosphere--is a combination of his favorite restaurants from across the country.
"It’s simple. Our bread and butter will be delicious gourmet burgers and dogs, and adult milkshakes," he says. "We're creating an atmosphere where adults can enjoy their childhood favorite dishes with an upscale and modern twist."
A few examples of the adult milkshake offerings include the the Kentucky Head Hunter, made with bourbon, vanilla ice cream, caramel, whipped cream and bacon dust; and the Tune in Tokyo, made with espresso vodka, coffee, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Patron XO and chocolate pop rocks. All milkshakes are also available without alcohol.
Johnson--owner of Jeff Johnson Restaurant Group--has become a fixture in the Memphis dining community with his Local restaurants. Johnson has two spots for Local, on Main Street and in Overton Square. He also operates a food truck, Parish Grocery, and is under construction on another Downtown restaurant, Agave Maria Cantina & Kitchen.
In the Broad Avenue Arts District, chef and owner Kramer is launching his new restaurant concept, Bounty. It will focus on family-style offerings, designed for sharing.
The menu is divided into three separate categories: vegetables, fish and meat. Some of the menu items include Brussels sprouts, cheese grits, smoked Delta catfish, stuffed mountain trout, lamb tartare and stuffed quail.
Kramer previously was chef at Interim Restaurant & Bar in East Memphis, which he left earlier this year to focus on Bounty.
The new restaurant joins the burgeoning scene on Broad Ave., which is home to a number of new businesses. It will be open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday and for Sunday brunch. Diners can make reservations on Bounty's website,
www.bountyonbroad.com.
Oshi is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Visit
www.oshiburger.com for more information.
By Jane A. Donahoe
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