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Cafe Society Reviews List
Cafe Society
Celebrating 20 plus years in business, Michel Leny first opened Café Society in 1987, inspired by his father Maurice Leny, a Chef at Maxim's in Paris. October 2007 welcomed new owner, Chef Cullen Kent, graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Cullen and Michel continue the tradition of International cuisine emphasizing Belgian influences and classic French food. Located in the heart of the beautiful Evergreen Historic District in Midtown Memphis, Café Society features innovative preparations of fresh seafood, veal, lamb and beef along with an extensive wine list for your dining pleasure. With its casual dining and bistro atmosphere, Café Society is affectionately known to many Memphians as simply "Café" and continues to be a favorite of many of its midtown neighbors.
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45 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 45 reviews
5 stars
(21)
4 stars
(15)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(31)
- special occasion(23)
- fit for foodies(22)
- romantic(17)
- notable wine list(11)
- good for groups(9)
Cafe Society Reviews List
Review 1 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent as always
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I always enjoy the food at Café Society and the service is superb. But this is the first time we have been seated at a table close to the bar area. Although there is a door between the bar and restaurant, the noise and smell of smoke were a bit of a mood-spoiler. Next time I will know to request a table further away."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good business lunch location
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Noise level low enough to permit business conversation
Over great food"
Over great food"
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Friendly
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service was efficient and friendly. Seafood choices were especially good. French cuisine in American portions!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was fabulous. Not your typical American fare. My appetizer was a goat cheese croquette, delicious!
The service left a little to be desired. The waitress was good until the second half of the dinner, then she disappeared and we had to find her to get our checks. We were a group of eight.
One of the ladies had a birthday that night and they decorated the table very nicely for her. Also, they put us in a private dining room, without asking. I thought that was very thoughtful."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 5 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
a favorite spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Exceptional dining, every time! The scallops were the biggest, most tender ones with delicate combinations that enhanced their flavors; simply fresh and delicious."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 6 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I was disappointed in the
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I was disappointed in the food. Too rich. The gorgonzola chicken was drowing in gorgonzola and cream. Husband had salmon pasta "something" which was also very rich and buttery. I have heard from others that they love Cafe Society so I'll give it another try. Maybe would like to try the lunch menu. Didn't get to check out the bar. At this point i can't say if I'd recommend it or not. I'd rather give it another try. Midtown needs it's restaurants."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 7 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My husband and I used to go
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My husband and I used to go to Cafe Society regularly when we lived near the restaurant. We went back recently for dinner, and it was wonderful. The owner, M. Leny, is the ultimate restauranteur, greeting and seating and tending to each diner.
We enjoyed a shrimp appetizer, two different fish dishes and spectacular creme brulee. It was all delicious.
We will be back soon!"
We enjoyed a shrimp appetizer, two different fish dishes and spectacular creme brulee. It was all delicious.
We will be back soon!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Cafe Society never disappoints!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Cafe Society never disappoints! Always great food in a great setting."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 9 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Food needs much improvement.
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"One dish was overly salted for both the steak and fries. The other dish had a medium steak that was completely uncooked in the middle. The best thing about the meal was the salad dressing."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2010
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Review 10 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I took a group of prespetive
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I took a group of prespetive clients and we all were pleased with the food and service. The owner presonally greated us and made all us all feel welcome."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was outstanding, but the service was very average. If you like classic dishes with some interesting twists, this is a solid choice. The wine list was solid and affordable. The desserts were wonderfully prepared and delicious."
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I heard about this place all
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I heard about this place all the time. The place was really quite and nice, romantic. The waitress was nice and helpful. I ordered the meat of the day, which was lamp that day. The food is fairly good. However, the mixture of paste and lamp shank is kind of weird...This place is great for couples, quite and romantic. If with friends, you should go to the bar next door."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, scenic view
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Review 13 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The owner is super attentive
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The owner is super attentive & friendly. The service was excellent. Excellent appetizers. Four of us had dinner- three had Filets & one veal piccatta with homemade pasta which were all very good. Very nice wine selection. My husband and daughter love Cafe Society."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The resturant was great and
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"The resturant was great and service good but, we were slightly diappointed with some of the food being less than warm and the crab cakes were definately not on our list of "do again". Our fault for not saying something but, we didnt want to ruin the mood of our celebration. I will go again someday just to see if it was an isolated incident."
Dined on 03/04/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 15 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Enjoyed my company more than
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Enjoyed my company more than anything"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 16 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
More Belgium Chocolate please!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Cafe Society remains as one of our favorite "date night" spots. My last review, I commented that service wasn't as excellent as we had come to expect. Well, I'm happy to report that this review will be quite the opposite. I could not have been more impressed with the service. Not only did the staff remember us, but they were taking care of a VERY large party in one of the rooms - 40 or more people. Despite that, they never missed a beat - we were very well taken care of, food was timely and excellent, and I was impressed. A++ service. Wine list updated - more "higher end" wines - but a great selection. Food incredible. New goat cheese appetizer wonderful. Belgium chocolate bread pudding was best dessert of my life."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 17 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This will definitively be a repeat
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a light dinner with friends before a play that started at 7:00 pm across the street. Because of time constraints we just had appetizers. Everything was DELICIOUS and the proportions good. I had a bowl of onion soup then bacon wrapped shrimp in some sort of creamy cheese sauce and a side order of mixed vegetables. I don’t normally eat white bread but had 3 slices so I could really enjoy the soup and the shrimp sauce. Just great. My friends also greatly enjoyed what they had. This will definitively be a repeat when I have more time to dig further in to the menu. YUM"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 18 for Cafe Society
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Too expensive for what you
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Too expensive for what you get. fish not cooked. Better pasta dish an less expensive if you went to some place like Olive Garden"
Dined on 01/25/2013
2013
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Cafe Society
Based on the average of (27) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate