THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Memphis at the Santora

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Memphis at the Santora Restaurant Review:

Memphis at the Santora is quite the opposite of its Costa Mesa cousin restaurant, Memphis. Unlike Memphis’ cave-like atmosphere and out-of-the-way location, Memphis at the Santora is a decidedly open and airy space located at the entrance to downtown Santa Ana’s artists village inside the historic Spanish Colonial Santora building. Lunch relies on a stable of signature salads, sandwiches and burgers, while dinner spotlights more traditional Southern and seasonal fusion California cuisine. Start with an order of sweet potato fries, popcorn shrimp or crab cakes. Or, try the refreshing beet salad with goat cheese, yam chips and roasted garlic vinaigrette. The Southern-style entrées include fried buttermilk chicken or catfish. An entire menu of barbecue items (smoked brisket, pork shoulder, dry-rubbed ribs) is worth the combo price. However, chef Diego Velasco shines best in his seasonal California-fusion menu items. We enjoy the succulent scallops with creamed corn, smoked ham, fried okra and green chile grits, and the pan-roasted chicken breast with honey-glazed root vegetables, mushrooms and dumplings. After 10 p.m., the bar offers a reasonably-priced late-night menu attracting hungry hipsters and artists in residence.