Anyone know of any high quality dining spots in Jackson and/or Natchez, MS?

Thanks in advance,

M8

I can't think of anything in the fine dining arena for Jackson; however, when I spent time there 10 years ago there was a great dive bar called the Cherokee that had great burgers and fried pickles.

I lived in Jackson until 2003. Places I enjoyed include:
Nick's: fresh fish and the crab/brie soup
Bill's Greek Tavern: God Bless him, America & his fresh seafood
HUGE jalapeno burger at Stamps, the place just south of Bill's
Elite: but only for the great corned beef & cabbage served with awful canned potatoes
Thai House: Friday? lunch when Tom Kha is on the buffet
Parker House: love the steak, rolls, wine list & coffee & dessert by the pool, but the side dishes always disappointed
Bully's: for the best soul food in town
Rossini's: great Italian, great decor & service

For fine dining try Nick's, Parker House, Rossini or maybe Shimmel's

There is a great steak place in Jackson, it is called Char. I do not know the address, but a very nice restaurant, I entertain clients there approximately 2-3 times per year.

Thanks for the info folks. Hopefully we'll get some other responders as well.

I guess folks don't know what a nice town Jackson is. The downtown just looks great with all the gentrification work that has been done. A very charming small town. Especially for being a state capital, it has remained small and charming.

M8

Martinis...

Its been a couple of years, but for Jackson....

But try the Iron Horse Downtown for reasonably good Tex Mex. Lively, casual, fun atmosphere. Good food, reasonable prices.

Another good place is Amerigo's just off County Line Road about two miles east of I-55. Above-average Italian.

Actually, there is an excellent upscale place in Madison county just outside Ridgeland....about ten miles north of downtown Jackson, but damned if I can remember the name of it. Perhaps someone else here knows what I'm trying to think of.

County Line just immediately east of I-55 has a number of the "usual" chains.

unfortunately, Iron Horse burned, twice.
perhaps you're remembering http://www.theparkerhouse.com/?

I recommend Schimmels for fine dining. Excellent food, service, and decor. If going with significant other, I suggest reserving one of their private booths.

http://www.schimmelsrestaurant.com/

No one for Natchez?

We were in Natchez about a year and a half ago, and enjoyed dinner at King's Tavern downtown. We also had lunch at the Carriage House restaurant at Dunleith, which was very good and well-priced. Both were local recommendations we received at the time, and probably your best bets in Natchez.

Thanks for the memory jog. I think Parker house was the place. Very nice food/atmosphere. Not cheap, but not outrageous, either.

Too bad about the Iron Horse. A fun place and a favorite for relaxing with my customers.

I'm going to a wedding this summer in Natchez, so any recommendations for that town would be great as well!

My maternal grandmother lived in the county just east of Natchez, and she loved to get greens and catfish at Cock of the Walk. My opinion is you go to Cock of the Walk just for their schtick: the waitstaff dress and act like the baddest dude on the river and strut like the cock of the walk with a feather in their hat, and flip a pone of cornbread in the cast iron skillet before placing it on your table. Did the theme go downhill after a woman sued and won to become a waiter, did it go downhill after moving from the dilapidated building Under The Hill, or did it just go downhill?

For somewhat better fried food, cross the river to the Sandbar in Vidalia, LA. Their schtick is Jim Bowie and his knife.

The Carriage House in Natchez is a classic, maybe one of your best choices.

The dining rooms at the Eola Hotel are worth a stop, maybe for iced tea and a snack instead of a meal. http://www.natchezeola.com/

Drive by Mammy on Hwy 61. You probably don't want to go inside, but you ought to see her if you're in town. A horrific embarassment to many. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/MSNATmammy.html

The Mississippi casinos have so-so buffets, I have not tried the "upscale" restaurant(s?) at the Isle of Capri in Natchez.

You ought to visit or stay at at least one of the mansions while you are in Natchez. http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com/ Spring pilgrimage is a wonderful time to visit, even if you don't have a great aunt dressed in a hoop skirt as I did.

My apologies for the delayed response. I miss my Granzie and my Aunt Dotie, and I haven't been back to Natchez lately.