David Grisanti's on Main: The Grisanti tradition continues in Collierville

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal

October 13, 2023 at 6:04 AM·3 min read

The Grisanti tradition started more than 100 years ago on a Main Street, and now it returns to a Main Street with the opening of David Grisanti’s on Main.

The Grisanti name is synonymous with Italian food in Memphis. Since 1909, members of the Grisanti family have been serving their northern Italian fare at various restaurants across town. It all started in Downtown Memphis with a little restaurant on Main Street.

Today, Rinaldo Grisanti’s grandson David has reopened his eponymous restaurant on Main Street in Collierville.

A look at the dining room inside David Grisanti's on Main in Collierville. The restaurant opened Oct. 10, 2023, just off the historic Collierville Town Square at 148 N. Main St.

David Grisanti’s on Main opened Oct. 10 just off the historic Collierville Town Square at 148 N. Main St.

David Grisanti's had been located inside the Sheffield Antiques Mall since 2018. David closed that location in early 2023 after announcing plans for the new restaurant.

What’s on the menu? Italian, of course.

David continues a long tradition of Italian fare started by his grandfather Rinaldo in 1909, and continued by his father, the famed John Grisanti.

As the youngest son of “Big John” Grisanti, David grew up in the Original Grisanti’s Restaurant on Airways and Lamar, where he developed a passion for fine Italian cuisine.

For the last five years, David has been operating his restaurant in Sheffield Antiques Mall and developing a bond with the customers in Collierville.

His menu is similar to what he served at his previous location.

Expect signature Grisanti dishes like handmade Toasted Ravioli, Miss Mary’s Salad, Gorgonzola Filets and the famed Elfo’s special shrimp pasta.

David said he added a few new dishes, like Wild Caught Salmon over Risotto in a White Wine Butter Sauce. Weekly specials will include dishes like Chicken Piccata and Prime Rib.

“Everything is homemade,” David said.

From an antiques mall, to a permanent home

Grisanti said moving his restaurant to a larger, free-standing building from his most recent location in Sheffield Antiques Mall was the next step for his business.

Grisanti bought the building that was formerly P.O. Press Public House & Provisions.

“I have always loved the square and have wanted to have my own building,” he said. “Plus we got married on the square, so it made sense to buy this building.”

Grisanti has remodeled the building, creating what he describes as a “Tuscan-style dining room.” Expect décor elements like stone walls, olive trees, a red-wine color theme, and black-and-white historic family photos.

The new building almost doubles his seating capacity, going from 68 guests in the mall to the ability to seat 118 guests. There is also an outdoor patio for al fresco dining.

Grisanti said he addressed any concerns about the building (P.O. Press closed suddenly due to a mold issue in 2019) by having the building thoroughly inspected and installing new HVAC equipment and all new vents.

Th new restaurant will be open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

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