You walk into a little restaurant tucked away in the Edge District. The lights are low, but the room is somehow still bright. The restaurant is buzzing but still manages to make you relax. You take a deep breath in and smile, thinking you may have just stumbled upon a hidden gem. Once you’re seated at a table, you glance around the room but are instantly captivated by the fact that you can watch the chef cooking in the kitchen. You hear laughter across the restaurant and notice a group of friends who appear to be celebrating. Adjacent to them is a couple experiencing a laid-back date, sharing stories over appetizers and drinks. That’s when you realize this is the place you can Just Enjoy the Moment. All that and more is found in the local restaurant, JEM Dining.

A LIFELONG DREAM

JEM Dining was started by Joshua Mutchnick and just recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in April of 2025. For Joshua, cooking was always a passion. Growing up in his hometown of Mobile, Alabama, he recalls the central theme of food in his family gatherings.

“I have really fond memories going to a family dinner and just having a great conversation around home-cooked meals,” he explained.

Joshua says he’s been cooking his “whole life,” but it wasn’t just with his family.

He notes, “Ever since I had a job, I’ve been cooking professionally.”

His cooking journey didn’t stay in Alabama. He went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Joshua was given the opportunity to intern in Philadelphia under Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto. After graduating, he spent time in Washington D.C. working under renowned chef, José Andrés. Then, he spent 10 years in Chicago working at Michelin-star restaurants.

“At first I really enjoyed great the artistry of cooking, but then the more I was able to do it professionally, I really loved the fast-paced environment, the adrenaline, and all the good and bad that comes with it.”

But after years of training and experience, Joshua decided it was time to fulfill his “lifelong dream.” He and his wife, Emily, decided to take the leap.

“The alternative is worse if I don’t try, even if it closes and fails… I need to do it.”

FINDING THE PERFECT PLACE

They began discussing places where they would want to live and open a restaurant. They ultimately landed on Memphis.

“We fell in love with Memphis because it has personality,” he said.

Memphis resonated with both Joshua and Emily. They recognized the culture, history, grit, and overall personality of the city that just drew them in.

“It is also real…if you try to be something you’re not, you’re not gonna get what you want.”

The two found a spot in the Edge District and decided that would be the place to open JEM Dining.

“We want to be an anchor in this neighborhood,” he explained.

JEM DINING

JEM Dining is not quite fine dining, but resembles it in some ways.

“I learned a lot of techniques from there, but I’m not trying to be that.”

Joshua recalls going to restaurants, even to this day, and not understanding something listed on the menu. He doesn’t enjoy the overly polished atmosphere of many fine dining restaurants.

“…regardless of what we do, I don’t want it to be intimidating.”

To reduce the intimidation, he has definitions of the fancy words and ingredients listed on his menu and his website. Joshua makes an effort to visit every table and get to know the people eating at his restaurant. He also has an open kitchen allowing customers to watch what’s going on behind the scenes.

“I worked at a lot of restaurants and my favorite…are the ones with open kitchens, he continued. “You get to see your food come out and you get excited about it, and then the chef comes out and talks to you, and it’s that much more of an experience because the food doesn’t magically appear right away.”

Joshua’s whole goal is for people to come in, relax, and just enjoy the moment.

“The biggest compliment could be people come in, tune out the outside world, turn off your phone… and just have a good conversation, create a memory in this space, around our food.”

THE FOOD

The menu at JEM Dining mixes the refined with the ordinary. For a starter, you can go with the classic of freshly baked yeast rolls or venture out to crunchy and flavorful vegan-friendly Kimchi Arancini that you won’t want to stop eating. For your main course, you could have the double cheeseburger or try something you won’t see at other places, like the Matzo Ball Stuffed Chicken.

Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. Joshua crafted his menu with care.

“Throughout my life, I realized, the best food I can create is the food that I want to eat,” he said.

Eating at JEM Dining is an opportunity to learn and try new things. Whether you are trying their Short Rib Adobo or Homemade Gnocchi, you’re sure to enjoy the moment. And don’t forget to top off the meal with one of their to-die-for desserts, like the chocolate cake served with an ice-cold glass of milk.

FINAL THOUGHTS

JEM Dining is located at 644 Madison Ave #102, Memphis, TN. They’re open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

They also host special events throughout the year, from wine tasting classes to their monthly Sunday Supper hosted on the last Sunday of the month. JEM Dining has happy hours that pair perfectly with their incredible cocktails and mocktails.

JEM Dining is a local mom-and-pop restaurant you won’t want to skip out on. They have a heart and soul that match the city they’re in.

JEM Dining gets 5 forks up for passion and personality.