Amelia Gene's honors Julia Child; Celtic Crossing closed for renovations

Susan Ellis | Memphis Business Journal

Amelia loves Julia

Julia Child looms large for many chefs, among them Nate Henssler of Amelia Gene's. Henssler has been a fan since age six.

Now, Henssler is dedicating his Thursday tasting menu to Child's dishes in celebration of her birthday month.

The five-course menu — on August 7, 14, and 21 — will feature Home Place Pastures pork jowl with red pepper sofrito; Nicoise salad; Coquilles St Jacques with scallops and potato latke; Ris de Veau with sweetbreads, cognac sauce and caraway buttered cabbage; and Reine de Saba, a chocolate almond rum cake with Chantilly cream and toffee almonds.

The tasting menu is $60 with an additional wine pairing for $35 or $55 for reserve wines.

Celtic Crossing Closed for renovations

Celtic Crossing closed on Aug. 4 for renovations. The restaurant is expected to reopen this fall.

On June 30, a vehicle crashed into the patio at Celtic Crossing, causing significant damage. After the crash, the restaurant reopened just days later.

Easley Contractors is set to the do the work. In addition to work on the patio, Easley will make upgrades to the interior.

Celtic Crossing — part of the Brazen Restaurant Group — recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at 903 Cooper St. Other restaurants in the group are Bog & Barley and the recently opened Maeve's Tavern in Collierville.

“While we hate to close the pub for this brief period of time, I look forward to seeing the new patio become something even better than it was before,” said DJ Naylor, co-owner of Brazen Restaurant Group, in a news release. “Our patio is a big part of our identity here at the pub and I know guests are going to absolutely love what they see this fall. We’ll make upgrades to the dining room, too. Picture fresh paint, new decor, and a rearranged space to make it feel even more like home to those who walk through the doors.”