12/23/20
Birdie at Bishop in Memphis, TN. If you know me well, you know that my wife and I have totally divergent food tastes. So much so, that she has specifically stated multiple times that if she passes away before I do, to NOT serve sushi or Asian food at her memorial (WTF?). Instead, being from the Midwest, she wants chicken sandwiches served (huh?), which is her go-to dish at any place that serves them. Well, chicken sandwiches is not normally my thing, but I finally found one that is so spectacular that I would gladly have it served at my own memorial (which hopefully won’t be for a while). Lightly deep fried, the Birdie is layered with Calabrian honey, resulting in a chicken breast with an ever so slightly sweet/tangy outer coating that’s crisp on the outside but nice and moist on the inside. As with any great sandwich, the texture and flavor of the bread is as critical as the protein and condiments, and the Birdie flies through with shining colors here. Perched on a perfectly toasted brioche bun, the Birdie is accompanied by a mixture of dill mayo and cabbage slaw that works remarkably well with the Calabrian honey - so much so that I devoured this sandwich three times in one week. Terrific service by knowledgeable and friendly servers. The Birdie is technically on Bishop’s curbside takeout menu, but they are always kind enough to serve it in the dining room if you ask. I also love their beef tartare and fish sandwich. Located in the Central Station Hotel, Bishop is a French restaurant owned and operated by renowned chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, who also own my two favorite restaurants in Memphis - Gray Canary and Catherine & Mary’s (the Snapper with Carolina Gold Rice at Gray Canary and the Tortellini with Veal at Catherine & Mary’s are two of the best dishes in the country when they are on the menu).