How about Memphis with its well-established and diverse music scene and BBQ? Maybe Mr. Bourdain could be persuaded to don a white jumpsuit and mutton chops (sideburns, not meat!) and check out or at least walk past Graceland... TCB

Graceland would not make my top 25 of things to do in Memphis.Having a culinary school here in memphis for 20 years and having opened three critically acclaimed restaurants, I know where the music is and where the food is. I've cooked here for the Egyptian and Irish ambassadors to the United States.(Hell I even taught Jerry Lee Lewis' daughter how to cook.)There wouldn't be much time for The Jungle Room after that.Besides, it was mortifying enough to see Bush and the Japanese ambassador hanging in front of Graceland with the latter attempting to sing Elvis songs.

Chef, I've never been to Memphis altho it's a place I'd like to visit. What would you recommend?

Well, it depends entirely on what you are looking for. There is a distinct paucity of fine-dining restaurants in Memphis - maybe 5? Odd in a town this size.I've lived in both San Francisco and New Orleans (my home town - and with five of the best chefs in town, the focus of my first cookbook) both of which are jam-packed with great restaurants. Probably the best barbecue on the planet is to be had here.And, of course, Memphis is the birthplace of rock and roll and still today the local club scene is rife with really talented musicians.

Right about now, I am sure Tony is wishing he'd come to Memphis rather than going to Lebanon.

How about your take on the top two fine dining restaurants, BBQ joints and music clubs?

I'll bite...."fine" dining, well, um, I don't know how "fine" you need it to be, but Karen Carrier's restaurants are awesome. Automatic Slim's, Cielo, the Beauty Shop, and Do Sushi are all worth every penny. Best BBQ? I say Interstate is the best, but Central BBQ is a close contender. I'd LOVE Anthony to come to Memphis. It's such a fun place to work and live.

Hey, thanks for posting your recommendations. All this talk about Elvis in the past few days and I started thinking about Memphis again.