5560 Shelby Oaks Dr .

For Immediate Release
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Jim’s Place Toasts 30 Years in East Memphis With New Wines, Entrees and Desserts  

MEMPHIS , TENN. (October 14, 2006)…Jim’s Place East invites guests to savor the grape and indulge the appetite in celebration of the restaurant’s 30 years in East Memphis and 85 years in the city. New wines, main courses and desserts have been added to the menu.   New additions to the Jim’s wine menu reflect both international and domestic vintages including Nemea, Boutari red wine from Greece , Marques De Concha Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile , as well as Incredible Red Zinfandel from Peachy Canyon Winery, California . More new choices include Swanson’s Pinot Grigio, Napa ; Columbia Crest Merlot, Washington; and Petite Syrah Two Angels, Mendocino , Calif.   “We regularly update our wine list to reflect what’s en vogue while at the same time keeping in mind the preferences of our customers and always providing a selection of moderately priced vintages,” said Jim’s Place Co-Owner Costa Taras.    One of the new wines, Swanson’s Pinot Grigio, can be paired with a brand-new dish on the menu, Carlito’s Pasta Chicken, featuring a grilled breast of chicken prepared with fresh linguini and tossed with California bell peppers and onions in a chipotle cream sauce. Created by the new head chef of Jim’s Place Grille, Juan Carlos Murillo, the new dish also is featured on the menu in Collierville except with spinach fettuccine. Murillo, originally from Tustin in southern California , studied at Orange County College and the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley . He previously managed kitchens and prepared dishes for the Black Angus in Orange County as well as for Houston’s and J. Alexander’s restaurants in Memphis before joining Jim’s Place Grille. The new Jim’s Place Grille opened on Oct. 13 this year at 3660 Houston Levee Rd.   The owners at Jim’s Place East also are taking a new approach in portion sizes to accommodate the trends in light choices. The menu now reflects small plates and starters. “Now more than ever, we see that the ladies tend to choose from the small plate section, ordering just a salad or appetizers,” said Jim’s Place Co-owner Angelo Liollio. “Though we still satisfy a hearty appetite with a wide variety of full entrée choices which include a vegetable, garden salad and cup of soup. The purpose is to give people more options.”   Making their debut on the dessert menu are two scrumptious temptations: Apple Crumble Tarte and Espresso Truffle Cake.  Guests can delve into the Apple Crumble Tarte with its fresh apple filling, currants, spices and golden honey streusel topping. Or, choose the Espresso Truffle Cake with its decadent rich devil’s food cake filled with espresso mousse and iced with chocolate ganache and chocolate shavings. Jim’s Place standards including New Orleans bread pudding, Chantilly Key Lime pie, caramel fudge pecan pie and traditional baklava will remain as alternative choices. -more- Page 2 – Jim’s Place Toasts 30 Years in East Memphis With New Wines, Entrees and Desserts   And in the works is a special Greek Night that will offer an expanded Greek menu of authentic dishes paired with appropriate Greek wines.   All the new additions have not edged out traditional favorites and Daily Specials that patrons have come to depend upon.  Current Daily Specials include:

  • Filet of Halibut prepared with Grecian spices and offered broiled, grilled or blackened
  • Cowboy Ribeye, a bone-in 22 oz. serving of pure perfection
  • And New Dish, Carlito’s Pasta Chicken, joining the Daily Special lineup.
 
Today, after 30 years in East Memphis and 85 years collectively in the city, Jim’s Place continues to be “the place” for marriage proposals, wedding receptions, anniversaries and ring ceremonies, cocktail parties, birthday and retirement celebrations.   “We are known for our individually decorated private rooms, which can collectively accommodate up to 300 guests,” said Liollio. “Our restaurant has a romantic atmosphere and is set amid 2 ½ acres of grand trees with seasonal azaleas lining the path. Of course, Jim’s Place maintains a reputation for first-class, quality food. And guests have such a wide variety of choices. We offer authentic Greek dishes like souflima, a savory pork entrée, as well as hand-cut grilled steaks, shrimp and scallop dishes plus southern favorites such as pecan encrusted catfish, turnip greens and mashed potatoes.”  Accompanying main courses are salads with dressings made from scratch, freshly prepared warm and cold vegetable dishes as well as homemade soups and Greek bread.   Jim’s Place still maintains a top ranking among other restaurants in the city. This year, Jim’s Place garnered the Memphis Restaurant Association’s Pioneer Award as well as Best Business Lunch, Best Greek and Most Romantic accolades from local publication reader polls. Check www.jimsplaceeast.com for more information or call 388-7200.   Jim’s Place Chronology Recap     Jim’s Place was named after the very first owner, Jim Katsouthes. Nick Taras immigrated from Mainland Greece around 1910 and became the first Taras partner of Jim’s Place. In the 1930s, he sent for brothers George and Bill to join him as co-owners.  Later, both Bill Taras and his wife Bessie, kept the legacy going when Jim’s was located at 52 S. Second Street .  During that time, sons Costa and Dimitri, as young adults, joined in as partners. Bill Taras has since passed away but lived to open Jim’s Place East in the mid-1970s while his wife Bessie remained active there until the last few years. Angelo Liollio, who married Tina Taras, joined his brother-in-laws Costa and Dimitri as a partner in the mid-70s. Liollio’s family hails from Skopelos, Greece .       Today, Jim’s Place is pleased to welcome in the Taras family’s third generation as Bill Taras, named after his grandfather, joins his father Costa and uncle Angelo in managing Jim’s Place East. And Dimitri Taras’ sons, James and Sam, now manage Jim’s Place Grille in Collierville with their dad.
  • 1921: Jim’s Place first opened in the basement of the William Len Hotel on Monroe and Main .
  • 1927: The restaurant moves across from the Peabody Hotel, 154 Union Ave.
  • Mid-1930s to Mid-1940s: Jim’s No. 1 (an additional location) opens at Third and Madison – in the mid-30s and closes around 1946.
  • Early 1960s: The original restaurant vacates the Union locale when the Downtowner bought the existing edifice and built Downtowner Hotel. Jim’s moves to 52 S. Second Street .
  • Mid-1970s: Jim’s on Second St. sells to Erika’s and moves to East Memphis – 5560 Shelby Oaks Dr.
  • October 2006: Jim’s Place East celebrates 30 years in East Memphis .
  • October 13, 2006: An additional venue is added; Jims Place Grille opens in Collierville.