East Tapas and Drinks

Excellent Creative tapas and cool, eclectic atmosphere. Only had Honey Pepper Shrimp and Buffalo Chicken Nachos but both excellent. The nachos were truly unique. Made with homemade wonton chips. Nice visit with the owner who provided other local eateries in Memphis.

Really enjoyed this new spot! My friend and I ordered a lot so I’ll give you a breakdown. Dumplings are very good, little spice to them (but I’m a spice baby) and thought it was nice, bacon wrapped olives were delish, truffle Mac and cheese was really good, cheese puffs were great and honey firecracker shrimp was good. The only one I wasn’t crazy about was the pork belly tacos, probably won’t get them again but everything was good! Cute little place, really comfy chairs and nice vibe. Our waiter was especially great, attentive and cracking jokes all night so that’s a plus. Will def come back, and if you take a picture of your dish and upload it to fb while checking in, they take one whole dish off your bill! Live music started while we were there too. Recommend

This is a cute little hole in the wall place. It has a nice ambiance, and great service. We ordered the Mac and Cheese, which was grainy. The pork belly tacos were really good, and the lettuce wraps were awesome. The cheese puffs were a bit spicy but had a good flavor. Our cocktails were mixed well. It’s worth a visit, as I can imagine many people will make this their «go to» for Asian fusion.

Love, Love, Love!
I’m not gunna lie, when I first arrived I was a little thrown off by the exterior. I couldn’t tell if they were opened or closed. The place itself is a little small, but still a very relaxing atmosphere!
My friend wanted to sit at the bar, and at first I was a little hesitant… I don’t think I have ever sat at a bar. SO glad we did though! We got to know the owner Ron very well! He was so personable and couldn’t hide his passion for cooking and the restaurant. You don’t really get that with restaurants anymore unfortunately. He really helped us out when it came to ordering as well.
East Tapas is all about, you got it, tapas. So the portions are small plates, but pretty reasonably priced. He told us to start slow and start out with one or two plates and go from there. I loved that. We got to enjoy each item without feeling rushed or being distracted, and man, did you want to enjoy the food!
We also had some nice conversations with a few customers who claimed to be big Unilocalers as well! They raved about his truffle mac n cheese and shrimp stuffed eggplant, so of course we got it and it was HEAVENLY!
This is a MUST for lunch if you work in the ridgeway/​park area! The portions are light and very controlled so you won’t leave feeling pooped and not wanting to work :)!
Do it to it. You won’t be sorry!

I had been wanting to try this place because I love food and tapas are often a great way to try a few bites of different things without totally feeling uncomfortable and/​or ruining a pretty good healthy eating week. I met the hubby here after work on a Thursday night at 5:45 and besides a regular at the bar, we were the only ones there. I had a glass of Chardonnay and hubs had a beer. Our server came to take our order and when I asked what healthier items were on the menu, she suggested a vegetable tempura and the Dragon Tuna. Well, tempura is not exactly healthy. I did find some roasted Vegetables on the menu and ordered those with the Dragon tuna. The tuna was very good but the menu didn’t mention that it was served atop fried wontons. There went healthy. The Veggies were just ok and really consisted of Brussel sprouts. They were served with a Siracha, garlic, aioli sauce which gave them a kick and was tasty but for me it canceled out the healthiness of the dish when you serve it with a mayo-​based sauce. We decided to order a third thing. The server, however, was chatting at the bar with the bartender and the «regular» and it took awhile to get her attention. My wine glass was empty for a good ten minutes. When I mentioned I was looking at the small veggie pizzas since they were on thin crust but also wondered about the flatbread Pitas, she said «oh you have to get the Scallion Hunan flatbread pita.» Mind you, I had already mentioned I was looking for healthier items. So we got the pita and lo and behold it looked nothing like a flatbread. It was a deep fried pita pocket stuffed with Chinese vegetables and Hunan style chicken etc. I thought it was just ok. It didn’t blow my socks off. But again, I am not a deep fried person and I was hoping to sample some healthy things. We did decide to splurge and split a dessert (since I’d already blown the healthy thing by then) and she said they were known for their banana dessert. Yep – you guessed it: FRIED bananas with chocolate sauce drizzled atop and a side of ice cream. I know we live in the south, but I’m so over fried food. I want to taste the actually food. I want the nutrients. I want to see the natural color of things. In this day and age, offering so many fried foods on your menu seems like a cop out. And maybe that’s why, even when we left at 7pm, there were still very few customers – even though a band had arrived and was playing live music. People want some healthy choices these days and every other tapas restaurant I have been to has offered many such items. I failed to find it here though.

East is now open for lunch! Their small plate menu that’s available in the evenings is expanded with a number of intriguing new selections.
Service is always great in the evenings — and lunch is no exception.
And the food — it’s hard to find something that is truly different among the zillion different restaurants in Memphis. East does a masterful job of blending Asian and modern American in original ways. Did I mention that it’s delicious?
This sophisticated spot is well worth the visit.

This place is great. They had live guitar and the food was amazing. They make great drinks and have a good wine list!!!

This is the kind of spot East Memphis has been needing. Great Asian-​themed Tapas-​style spot off Ridgeway next door to Chinese chow juggernaut, Wangs. East has positioned itself as an upscale spot with live music, a very solid happy hour crowd with nightly specials, and a fantastic bar with one of the best bourbon selections in the city.
Under new management, we had a chance to sit down with Ron and discuss his vision for the space. The already expansive bourbon selection will be expanded, with flights offered for those looking to expand their horizons. A solid selection of local, macro, and high-​gravity beers are available. Nightly specials (hello ‘Tini Tuesday!) also should boost the already ample happy hour crowd.
We sampled an array of small plates while tasting some of their bourbons (four roses single barrel and angels envy, of note), and found most of the dishes to be quite tasty!
Some favorites were the bacon wrapped olives with the mustard aioli dip, and the Tuna Poke with ahi tuna topped with spicy mayo and dressed in scallion and seaweed. Also, the chipotle guacamole with chips that resembled won-​tons was excellent as well! (See photos)
The space appears to be on the path of somewhat of a re-​birth, and I’m frankly excited to see whats in store.

Most of the food others rave about on Unilocal wasn’t on the menu. It’s adjacent to an Asian restaurant and even shares a bar and entrance. The food I had was garnished versions of Chinese restaurant dishes. Meh. Also, no sushi on the menu.

Friendly staff, unusual cocktails and delicious wines, plus tasty small plates. What more could you ask for? If you are really hungry, they will serve you selections from Wang’s Chinese menu, in the adjoining space. Try the truffle mac & cheese! This is a great place to go for after movie or dinner drinks, or for dessert drinks. The chocolate martini is dessert in a glass!

This is an awesome place. I can’t think of another place where you can get small plate of new American food, traditional Chinese food, and interesting mixed drinks all in one table.
We got mac and cheese, and it was good. Crispy duck was excellent in taste. Next time thinking about checking out Peking duck.

Everything I said in my original review stands with the exception of the service being a little slow. Now when I go, I grab a bar seat and Brian always takes excellent care of me and anyone I’m with. Love love love East!

I really can’t say enough great things about East. My husband and I went here our first night after moving to Memphis, mainly due to its proximity to the hotel we were staying in. It was a great first taste of the city, and our waitress was super friendly and offered us suggestions about where and where not to look for housing. (She also apologized that his job relocated here, which has happened to us a lot. Seriously, Memphians, quit being so down about the city! But that’s a whole ‘nother topic…)
It happened to be a martini night, so I ordered one of the specials. I can’t remember what it was, but it was a strange mix of ingredients which ended up tasting a hell of a lot like Rumchata. And believe me, I’m not complaining. Yum. We split the white pizza (creamy, but not bland the way some white pizzas can be, with a light, crunchy crust), the truffle mac and cheese (just as good as all the other reviewers have detailed), and the bacon wrapped olives. I can’t even explain how good these olives are. Stuffed with shimp and wrapped in perfectly cooked, not-​at-​all-​greasy bacon, they are now permanently occupying my dreams. I’m going to break my budget trying to replicate these suckers at home.
That’s why, a few weeks ago, I wanted to come here for my birthday dinner. It was absolutely dead on a Monday night, but that gave us a chance to chat with our waitress/​bartender. She even whipped me up a cocktail for my birthday, something she called a two in one. She wouldn’t disclose the details, but it was creamy and delicious, and dammit I can’t find the recipe online anywhere. We tried a few new things including the crispy artichoke hearts and the spicy tuna spring roll. The artichoke hearts lightly breaded and fresh; you almost didn’t feel guilty for eating them. (They’re just vegetables, right???) I wasn’t as crazy about the spicy tuna spring rolls, but my husband loved them, so it’s just a matter of taste I think.
The prices seemed reasonable and the portions were fair. You’re not going to get a steal of a dinner, but you won’t overpay for the quality you’re given either.

Another great part of an amazing restaurant family. Sharing space with Wang’s, I had to try some of their food.
The flavor is great and the atmosphere is very relaxed. I recommend checking this place out.

Cool décor and the night we went they had a fantastic local singer. It’s a bit weird they have no hostess up front, and that there is a door into Wang’s, but all in all a decent place to eat in this part of Memphis.
As this is a tapas place I might as well help you out with what you should and should not order.
Order
Mac n Cheese: great flavor with lots of cheesiness
Dragon tuna: awesome flavor and really fresh tuna
Don’t Order
Cheese puffs: the cheese inside was odd tasting. We left half sitting on the plate
Rock shrimp salad: Appeared to be canned shrimp that were fried, mixed in a sweet sauce, and plopped on some greens
Cold noodles with peanut sauce: the noodles were good, but the peanut sauce was odd tasting
The food items were really hit or miss here. Take your chances!

Tapas with an Asian twist! For anyone who doesn’t know, tapas, or appetizers, are a thing in Spain. The food is well-​portioned and shareable on purpose. There, groups will go from one place to another and take turns ordering a tapas for the group to eat (at least, that’s what I remember being told in one of my Spanish classes in college).
They also are connected to the Wang’s Mandarin House which is next door, something I didn’t find out until after I had already ordered! But the food was filling enough, even if there were no leftovers. BTW you can use Wang’s wifi as well. I used it to check in now that I have a fancy smancy smart phone and a phone package with media!
I came here with my friend and we sat at the bar and chilled out for two hours and ate and drank and talked. My friend ordered the Truffle Mac n Cheese and wine while I got the Buffalo Chicken Pizza and a Spicy Mango-​tini. (I totally thought it was Tini Tuesday ($ 5 Martinis) and was mistaken– oops!) I really liked the flavor of the drink (Sriracha!) but it seemed to clash with its alcohol, at least to me. I only drank a little of it before giving up. It didn’t even taste good with my food. The bartender was kind enough to make me a regular Mango-​tini in exchange for it. He was very kind and I appreciated it.
The Truffle Mac n Cheese was wonderful and we ate it all up. But the best thing of the night was definitely the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. The flavor packed a punch without being overwhelming. It was so good.
Favorites:
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Truffle Mac n Cheese
Mango Martini
No Thanks!:
Spicy Mango Martini

Crispy Artichoke Hearts were very good. The Shrimp Stuffed Eggplant was tasty.
Wine list is nicely balanced and not over priced. Happy hour gets you a $ 1 off a glass of wine as well as beer.
Service was a little slow but we arrived right at 4:30 — when they open.
My wife loved the décor — place was very clean. Bathroom was unisex so ladies you might want to step to Wang’s next door.

I am absolutely kicking myself for not going here sooner. This place is awesome.
Their famous truffle mac and cheese is what brought me here… but all of their dishes (especially the fried artichoke hearts — my new obsession!) will keep me coming back again and again.
The location is great and the intimate setting is charming. This isn’t a large restaurant, which I love. Plus the bar looks fantastic. Can’t wait to come back and sit with my laptop and talk to the bartender (my favorite place to eat/​work).
It is hard for me to pinpoint one standout because all of the dishes were an explosion of flavor. You won’t find anything boring here! Order a few dishes so you can try a bit of everything (the joy of tapas).
You won’t be sorry you came here! And try to go on a Tuesday, $ 5 martinis (delicious)!

I’m kicking myself for not have trying East earlier. I pass it almost every day and just never have remembered to try it. This place is right on the money. The atmosphere is very sleek and cozy, I really love the vibe.
I lucked into trying East for the first time on Tini Tuesdays. Every martini is $ 5! I tried three different ones: Raspberry Kazi, Peach, and Chocolate… Peach was my favorite!
We ordered food… I saw they had a sushi menu and I had to try it. I ordered the Pomegranate Tuna roll and it was good! I also tasted Joelle’s fried artichoke hearts, which were unbelievable. The Mac & Cheese… SO cheesy and gooey and truly the best I’ve ever had. I kept sneaking bites while Joelle wasn’t looking! :)
I can’t wait to go back and try more!

A friend and i arrived right at the end of happy hr on a thursday. it was a much lively place with the bar being full and the high tops being taken over.
I settled down by one of the booths … as soon as i sat down i didnt feel any cushioning as it was a bare wooden booth.
I wasnt too much impressed with there Tapas selection and some dishes we had were a little on the salty side. I think its more of a bar lounging place. The food can be be done better. The whole East meets West concept is appealing but i’m an american born asian and i’ve had my share of eats from the Big Apple to TN now.
I’m giving you 3 stars b/​c i see potential, your food needs to be stepped up a notch.