THESE PLACES AND BOURBONS ARE REVIEWED BELOW
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  Last Updated 5/6/2007

This is where I get to talk about one of my favorite subjects - food! Time to time I will list some good restaurants that I have been to and try to give you an overview. I will warn you, I don't like seafood, so those establishments will be severely under-represented.
I hope you find something you like!

Asiatique    Located on Bardstown Rd. This is the ultimate in Pacific Rim cooking, with heavy concentration on seafood -  sashimi(raw seafood),  sushi(raw seafood on top of rice) and many other seafood dishes.  This has one of my favorite appetizers - wok grilled ground lamb with peppers and onions served in a fried sweet potato basket. They also have a White gazpacho - thin broth with light vegetables such as cucumber, eggplant and onion. For dinner I had the grilled pork tenderloin - 4-5 good sized pieces Cantonese style marinated in Chinese 5 Spices(which typically includes star anise, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice but there are some minor variations)with a strawberry and garlic sauce. It was delicious and the portions were exceptional. The grilled Mandarin Quail was very good as well, slightly spicy and served with deep fried Bok Choy(a cross between celery and green Swiss Chard). 

 Bearno's Pizza  There are alot of Bearno's Pizza Places out there, but most are franchises and independently owned. The best one still in the hands of the original owners is the one on Taylorsville Rd. , across from Bowmans Field.  Good breadsticks and some of the best pizza in town. No skimping on toppings and they don't charge you for marinara sauce to dip your breadsticks like they do at Impellizeri's on Bardstown Rd.  Not only does Impellizeri's charge you for sauce, but they charge you for refills. Go to Bearno's!

Buca di Bepo    The next place to try is Buca di Bepo(Joe's Basement). Located on Hurstbourne Parkway in the site of the old Red, Hot and Blue. Very busy for dinner, I suggest reservations - they accept them on parties of 4, reserving approx. 20% of the tables for reservations. Good Italian food with huge portions. Don't let the prices scare you. Chicken saltimboca is ~$20 but it can feed 3-4 people. We went with 4 people once and ordered 2 appetizers and only 2 entrees and brought food home! They have typical pasta, chicken parmigiana, good Italian sausage. The atmosphere is wonderful with the look of an Italian Cracker Barrel. 2 thumbs up.

Cafe Metro    The next entry I want to let some of you know about is Cafe Metro. A nice upscale place on Bardstown Rd, quiet with subdued lighting and good food. I was disturbed to see several people in jeans walk in. I would have thought that they had a dress code. The only real problem I can see with this place is the menu. It has been several years since I have been there and saw only minor differences on the menu. In this town, innovation and change are the key to long term success. I understand the concept of stability, but I don't appreciate a stagnant menu. They don't have to change the menu every week, but an occasional addition or modification would ensure survival in my tastes. Granted it was very good - I had Jaegerschnitzel and my wife the tenderloin - but I feel that I have exhausted the menu of things that I want to try. It will be another couple of years before I need to venture there again. If you haven't been there for awhile, I recommend it with  . If you have been there in the last 1-2 years, try someplace new! They did have a Bourbon I have never tried before(gladly, that list is growing smaller) Jefferson's Reserve - a small batch which was very pleasant without a heavy charcoal flavor. It hails from Bardstown, but I have been unable to find any more info on it. Enjoy! 

 California Pizza Kitchen  Located in Oxmoor Mall, next to Galyan's, this nicely appointed restaurant has excellent pizzas, some a little more gourmet then your typical fare. They use good quality sausage on their pizza, a must for me. A special appetizer - Tuscany Hummus - made from white beans instead of chick peas. A little more creamy than usual, I am going to try this at home. Higher quality food then you would expect in a mall.

 Carrabba’s  –  This is a new Italian restaurant on Hurstbourne Parkway near Don Pablo’s(a good Mexican restaurant that has Dos Equis – my favorite beer – on Draft!). It is a more upscale version of The Olive Garden. The menu is traditional Southern Italian with a lot of red sauce, wood fired pizza’s, grilled dishes, pasta and classic Italian dishes like Manicotti, Lasagne and Veal Piccata.. We were there on its second day, yet the service was attentive and efficient. We sat at the Pasta Bar and watched the action in the kitchen. The food was fabulous and the show from the kitchen made it entertaining as well. I highly recommend Carrabba’s. 

Come Back Inn   -  This wonderful establishment is located on Swan Street, near the Swan Street Antique Mall, between Kentucky and Breckinridge Ave.  It was an old tavern from the look of the beautiful wood bar. It has an Italian flair with a wonderful tomato sauce. Most of you know my feelings on sauces (gravy if you grew up in a New Jersey - Italian household living next to a Tony Soprano). If the sauce is good, the rest is usually as good if not better.  Good Italian Roast Beef sandwich - marinated thinly sliced beef, moist and tasty. They have various pasta and calzone offerings that are also very good. It is closed on Mondays and can get very busy, so is prepared to wait.
 

Del Frisco's - I received a gift certificate from a friend for Christmas. I was looking forward to going as I haven't been there in several years.  The steak is as good as I remember, but the service was horrible. Three seperate times they got our order wrong( drinks, salad and vegetable). There was no bread brought to our table and the waiter was far from attentive. After the food was brought, I naively expect the waiter to approach to ask if the orders were as specified. Ours shows up as I am putting the last piece of steak away, and this was one of the few times I did take my time and chew! I have had better service at Texas Roadhouse. It wasn't that we were there at dinner hour - we made reservations for 8:00 pm and got our food around 9:00 pm. The resturant was busy, but I'm sorry, there is no excuse for the sloppy service. The subdued atmosphere was pleasant and relaxing, otherwise it would have been rated a 
 

El Mundo    If you like Mexican food, you have to try El Mundo. It is on the ever busy Frankfort Ave. (which is the East Ends answer to the Highlands' Bardstown Rd.) They have specials listed on a blackboard every night, with usually a large Burrito(as big as your head) and a lot of times some seafood. They have had Salmon Tacos that looked pretty good. Their gazpacho is a treat in the summertime, very fresh. Most of their dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients, so it is not unusual for them to run out of some dishes. There are only a few tables inside - a small storefront, but during the warmer months, you can sit out front to watch the world(or our little corner of it on Frankfort Ave.) go by, or you can sit out back in a small little garden and be deafened every now and then when a train goes past right behind you. This does not detract from El Mundo, only adds to it. My only criticism is that they charge you for extra hot sauce. When they first opened, they were free. I guess too many people abused the priviledge. El Mundo is located between Ewing Ave. and Genny's Diner, right across the street from Furlongs. Be careful, it's easy to miss.  Prices are reasonable as you do get a large portion. Chips/salsa are extra.

  Genny's Diner - Home of the Sweet Daddy! It is run by a real nice guy, Frank Faris with help from his wife Julia and mother, Betty. This is the place to go for good burgers in a casual atmosphere. It was mentioned in the movie "Nice guys sleep alone." The restaurant is kid friendly and sometimes can get loud. There is no separate non-smoking area. Prices - reasonable for the quality and quantity. Don't forget to bring cash or personal check - they don't take American Express or Visa. Their specialty - Hamburgers, especially The "Sweet Daddy Platter" - 3 one-half pound hamburgers stacked up, that's 1 1/2 pounds y'all! Plus a bunch of melted cheese and a mess o' steak fries.  Don't forget the "Frickled Pickles" - batter dipped and deep fried. I am not a big fan of pickles, but these are gooood! One of my favorites is the Pork Cutlet sandwich which has the same coating as the "Frickled Pickles". Get with a side of BBQ sauce to dip it in. My wife, Becky, loves the fried oysters. A huge portion. Location - Frankfort Ave. in Louisville between Ewing Ave. and the train tracks. The phone number is 893-0923. Let me know what you think.

  The Grape Leaf- I don’t know why I haven’t listed this prior to now, but I really love this place. Good Mediterranean/Middle Eastern dishes for those looking for inherently healthy and tasty food. I don’t like eggplant but I love the Baba Ghanosh, which is pureed roasted eggplant with Tahini(seasame butter) olive oil, garlic and lemon. It is served with pita’s for dipping. They have both vegetarian and meat dishes. There are enough choices for everyones tastes. There is a garden to the side where you can sit under a canopy of wild grape vines. An old favorite!

  Jicama(now Seviche) This Latin American style cuisine is located on Bardstown Rd. In what used to be Alladin's Cafe and Ermine's. It is right across the street from Lentini's (a wonderful old style Italian restaurant). Jicama will do to Latin American cuisine what Asiatique did to Pacific Rim cuisine. Appetizers range from Empanadas(chicken or beef and potato) to calamari to pecan encrusted Brie with habanero jelly. They serve Ceviches(essential raw seafood that is cooked using citrus juice rather than heat). Those of you who like seafood but not sushi will love this. The entries we tried were the Swordfish - a Chef's Special and Feijoda(a Brazilian dish of slow cooked black beans, smoked meats and sausages served over rice). Excellent portions and quality of ingredients as well as superb service, made for a wonderful dinning experience. 

    Martini’s –  This is located in The Summit – Rt. 22 and North Hurstbourne. It appears more elegant than Carrabba’s, but the food and service did not compare. It wasn’t busy when we went, yet empty glasses sat on the table asking for refills for quite some time before refilling. The Bruschetta was very good, with the tomatoes(called 24 hour tomatoes, as they are kept in a low oven for 24 hours) being very ripe and sweet. The menu is more northern Italian and nouveau with a small handful of southern style. It’s good, but I’m afraid it isn't better than Carrabba's. Try it for yourself and let me know. I did go a second time and we sat outside. It was a beautiful day, and made the food taste better. I'll go back, but only to sit outside.

 Ray Parrella's Italian Cuisine  I have been following Ray Parrella around since I found his place in Jeffersonville, Indiana. I was heartbroken when he closed, but about 2 years ago, he reopened in the Douglas Loop. I was estatic. I was even happier when Ray moved his establishment closer to me, now at 2311 Frankfort Ave., the site of the old Toll House and Sweet Surrender. It is a charming old building and somewhat bigger than the Douglas Loop location. They are still putting out good Italian food and a excellent sauce(so it looks like the recipe for the sauce wasn't lost in the move).  There is the typical Italian fare - pasta, lasagna (meat and veggie), subs and salads. They also have family style dinners that can feed 4 - 6 hungry Gumba's! Good home cooked Italian food!

  Pat's Steak House - One of the best places to get a steak in Lousville, and probably the best at not breaking the bank. I think the quality of the steaks at Pat's are on par with Ruth's Chris Steak House and about 30% cheaper. Like The Veranda, the atmosphere is Kentucky and horses. Attentive service makes this a place not to be missed. Another addition to the Out of Town guest list. The sirloin is always cooked as asked and tasty. The Fried Pork Chops are one of my favorites. There are also Pan Fried Oysters, but it is hard to eat anything else but a steak. Don't forget to take cash, as they don't take credit cards.

The Patron - a small gourmet place located on the corner of Cannon's Lane and Frankfort Ave. near Mayakesh Express. The food has that hand crafted aura to it, with sometimes interesting results. We have tried a smoked tomatoe and lima bean soup that should not be missed, even if you do not like lima beans. They appear more for texture with the wonderful smoky flavor of the tomatoes taking center stage. The setup is similar to Le Pesche, with a deli case with entrees, salads and desserts. I had a smoked chicken and polenta(Italy's version of grits) ravioli that was wonderful. Not all there food is smoked. A wonderful balsamic vinegar dressing accompanied the salad that was the perfect blend of tart and sweet. Getting a table is easy during the week. This makes me think that this is one of the better restaurants in town that Louisville hasn't foound yet. My wife loves this place, as it is a fancier version of Cottage Cafe in Middletown.  

  Vietnam Kitchen – I apologize for not putting this in sooner, I guess I wanted to keep it to myself, but this is one of my favorites. It is located in Iroquois Manor off South 3^rd Street. The extensive menu(literally pages of Vietnam dishes) will keep you busy and confused trying to decide what to get and keep you coming back to try some of the other entrée’s.I had a green coconut curry sauce and pork that has me in tears as it is soo good. Put this on the “must eat “ list.
 

2 Hahn's Mongolian Grill      located next to h h Greg on Taylorsville Road in the Stonybrook Shopping Center. It has been open for several years and is one of the most original new ideas to come along in quite some time. It is a raw buffet, you pick out the vegetables and meats(beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, calamari or generic fish) and then add sauces-Teriaki, Mongolian, oils - sesame, olive, spice and lots more by recipes on the wall to help out the beginner or in proportions of your own chosing. You then bring your bowl to a chef who cooks it in front of you on a large round grill, stir frying with wooden swords, according to legend as Genghis Kahn once did. At lunch there is only one trip allowed, but with creative piling techniques from years of experience, as well as soup, salad,  and rice I dare you to come away still hungry.  Cost is around $6. Dinner is all you can eat, which means 2-3 smaller bowl fills changing the recipe to sample different combinations, with cost around $12. I have taken many of my faithful veiwers out there sometimes kicking and screaming the first time, but most enjoy it and have gone back. Even my mother liked it, and she doesn't like oriental food, but here you control everything that goes into your meal, so if you don't like it blame your yourself.
 

The Bourbons

  Baker's  This bourbon comes from the Jim Beam Distillers. It is named after Baker Beam, Jim Beam's grand-nephew. My mother-in-law went to school with Baker and he was gracious enough to give me a signed bottle for my birthday. It is bottled at 107 Proof, aged for 7 years and is just what the doctor ordered on a hot July night in Kentucky. Like most of these, at most I will let you put in this glass is ice and maybe a splash of water. Do to the higher proof it can be a little intimidating to some, but it finishes smooth and sweet.

 Booker's  This wonderful Bourbon is from Master Distiller, Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam. This bourbon is not for the timid or faint of heart. Persons with heart disease or a weak constitution should be extra careful with this. Booker's is the only bourbon that is bottled at "Barrel Proof". That means that no extra water is added to dilute the bourbon down and it is unfiltered, as is the case with most the others. That makes this bourbon weigh in at 125 - 127 proof and a bit complex. Keep away from children, pets and open flames! If you add 3 ice cubes, 2 fingers of bourbon  and wait until your Montecristo #2 is well lit, you will notice a smooth bourbon that isn't too strong , and finishes quietly.   As Booker says, Booker's Bourbon is the way bourbon used to be, the way it was meant to be.

Bulleit Bourbon -  It hails from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky from the Bulleit Distilling Co. It is called, suprisingly enough, Bulleit Bourbon. It is bottled at 90 proof but I couldn't find an age. It is light in color, like Woodford with a bit of sweet but not overpowering. It finishes off as smooth as a fine Cabernet. In fact I prefer this to a red wine. Not to be mixed, this is a great sippin' bourbon.  It comes in an old style embossed glass bottle, that adds volumes in character to this fine bourbon. This bourbon has the highest percentage of rye than any other bourbon I have encountered - a whopping 30%. It is also only $20 for a 750 ml bottle.

Jefferson's Reserve - The wonderful distiller of Jefferson's Reserve is McLain & Kyne Distillery Co. Bardstown, Ky. It is a very small batch bourbon whiskey(made up of a dozen barrels rather than the typical 200 barrels for run of the mill bourbon). It is 15 years old and bottled at  90.2 proof. Like all great bourbons, don't use this with a mixer. At most, on the rocks or with a splash of water, so as not to distract from the taste. I give this bourbon  my highest rating!

JEFFERSON'S RESERVE

 Knob Creek  Another good bourbon from Jim Beam, this is smooth, tasty and a good sipper in the hammock or on the porch. Along with Basil Hayden(a bit too much rye for me), Baker's and Booker's, Knob Creek rounds out the 4 best bourbons made by the Jim Beam Distillery's. Named after Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home in Kentucky, this is one serious 100 proof 9 year old bourbon.

  Pappy Van Winkle  This has got to be the smoothest bourbon I have every tasted. It was 20 years old and like silk. Aging truly made a difference.  It is currently being distilled and aged in a joint venture with Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Not many bourbons get better with aging, some hit a pick, then you start to see a drop off in flavor. Pappy holds up through the years. Unfortunately it is around $80/ bottle - so don't use this for your Mint Juleps or bourbon balls!

Woodford Reserve , Labrot & Graham Distillers, Versailles, Ky  -  now owned by Brown-Forman. It too is a small batch bourbon, bottled at 90.4 proof, aged approximately 7 years. It is sweet with caramel and vanilla flavors, some fruitiness, smooth and without a heavy charcoal or oak aftertaste.  It was named the Official Bourbon of the 1998 Breeders' Cup Thoroughbred Racing Championships.