Consuming Louisville » Louisville Dining

The Lunch Pail Gang: Vietnam Kitchen

Michelle — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:58:11 +0000

This week The Lunch Pail Gang ventures to Vietnam Kitchen.

The entrance is a bit scary – the décor, pedestrian – the menu, crusty and illegible – the food, stupefying! Vietnam Kitchen is everything I love about a restaurant. Unassuming and quietly doing what they do best – no frills, nothing fancy….just damn good food. I think I may have skipped a full loop around the office after LPG pulled it from the lunch pail. This place has been on my list of favorites for some time, but I rarely get the chance to venture out to the Beechmont/Iroquois area to take in a lunch there.

There is a large Vietnamese and Korean population out in this area of town – enough to tout quite a few great restaurants and some specialized grocery stores. There are 80+ million people in the world who speak Vietnamese… I’m not one of them…. so instead of having a middle aged Vietnamese woman cackle at a lame attempt to pronounce what I was ordering, I said what any other decent American would say…. “I’ll take the K-8 with chicken.” sidebar – I always chuckle to myself…that’s awfully close to K-9, and I sure as hell am not going to order K-9 – Everyone else put in their letter-number sequence, J-4, K-6, another K-8 w/ beef, F-5, and how could we go without a couple of orders of A-2 ….we patiently waited to wolf on our monstrous bowls of amazing.

It took a little while for them to put together our order, but while we waited we were able to look around the establishment and make an interesting observation. The place was packed…it was noon and there were no tables open – typical of this eatery during the lunch hour. Businessmen. Everywhere you looked. At every table sat a crew of middle aged men in shirts and ties, some had navy blazers with brass buttons draped over the backs of their chairs. Mortgage brokers, software engineers, hospital administrators tending to important business with napkins tucked into their collars. It was obvious we were in the midst of a full scale sweaty forehead operation. Again, this was important business. We laughed because we had the only table that included patrons of the effeminate persuasion. I told Chickadoo, Candypants, and J-Lust that they were hard-core chicks that could handle the heat. They agreed and out came the goods.

Please – if and when you go to Vietnam Kitchen, get the spring rolls. They are a delightful start to a great experience. Everyone was all smiles as we attacked our main courses. I was an oily mess by the time I was nearing my fill… Man 1 had to slap the bowl out of my hands as I was working up the nerve and the gastro-capacity to slurp the K-8 sauce that remained after the noodles, broccoli, and chicken had met their end…the sauce is that good.

Almost every time I’ve been to VK, I end up with the K-8…I swore that I would branch out this time. I asked the waitress what she recommended – I was looking for something spicy and noodley and delicious. She recommended the K-8…. by god I saw it as fate! I had to re-indulge, and I’ll probably do it again next time. We all left happy and stuffed.

With all of the business they do, it’s obvious they have the means to update their digs, but that may just diminish some of the charm of the place. Everyone owes it to themselves to hit up this spot – and I know that a lot of people have – but if you are one of the few Louisvillians yet to embark on this Vietnamese culinary journey, please do so with extreme urgency.

Vietnam Kitchen
5339 Mitscher Ave
Iroquois Manor

Bardstown Road Food Scene Getting Even Better: Roots

Michelle — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:22:17 +0000

Last night while I was hearing Ryan Singer from 37signals speak (thanks LGDA for bringing him in and thanks Ryan for the great presentation and saying that Louisville has the nicest people you’ve ever encountered) B was having tea and snacks over at Zen Tea House. While there Christopher gave her an update on the developments over at the old Cafe Mimosa location on Bardstown Road. As you’ll recall Broken Sidewalk reported back in January that Coco Tran was planning to take over the old Eggroll Machine/Cafe Mimosa location. Since that time serious progress has been made and I can’t wait for the end results.

Why? The building is going to have two restaurant/retail spaces on the first floor with apartments on the second. One of those restaurants is going to be called “Roots” and it was described to B as “non-Asian upscale vegetarian.” Upscale vegetarian? Yay to the yay people, yay to the yay. I’m giddy at the thought of this. With the demise of the Swan Dive it’s so nice to know another all vegetarian restaurant is on the way. And while I absolutely love Zen Garden it will be great to have a vegetarian restaurant that isn’t focused on Asian food. I have complete faith in Coco Tran so I’m super excited to see what her latest restaurant is going to offer us. And also she’s just a really nice lady who does great things like hosts a pre-Thanksgiving meal where all the proceeds go to charity. That’s happening again this year by the way. I’ll be home alone without adult supervision, anyone want to go with me?

The plan for the second restaurant/retail space will kind of be a two-in-one situation. Now, I may have misunderstood this but this is how B explained this to me: one part will have fresh locally made soy milk and tofu. Very cool. It’s the second part that has me really excited though: “street food.” Fast, take out vegetarian street food of various ethnic origins. How freaking good does that sound?

Oh and B brought me home a vegan pumpkin chocolate chip muffin from Zen Tea House last night that was fantastic. Highly recommended.

Dundee Tavern Grilled Cheese, I’m a Fan

Michelle — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:01:09 +0000

The other night B, Grace and I walked over to Dundee Tavern for dinner. It had been quite a while since we’d been there. If fact I think it was during the “we have no power because of the windstorm that Ike deposited on us.” We watched football, B drank beer and I probably ate chicken tenders because I was stress eating (Bad mostly vegetarian person! Bad mostly kosher person!). Anyway since it had been a while since we’d been there I wasn’t sure what the vegetarian options were going to be. I was pleasantly surprised to find several fish options (fine I’m a mostly pescatarian), a cheese pizza, as well as several vegetarian friendly appetizers and salads. But what did I order? The Texas Grilled Cheese. And I’m so glad I did. It was ridiculously good.

The Texas Grilled Cheese consists of your choice of two cheese melted altogether deliciously between two pieces of Texas toast. Let’s do a little comfort food checklist for a minute. Cheese? Check. Carbs? Check. Warm, gooey goodness? Check. Comfort food FTW.

I chose cheddar and swiss cheese on my sandwich and I had potato salad as my side item. Such a simple meal but I’ve got to tell you it was one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve had out in a while. It was cheap ($5.99), delicious, great outdoor seating so we could enjoy the weather and have Grace with us, and the waitress was really nice. I couldn’t have found a single thing to complain about even if I tried really hard.

Mayan Market Mondays

Michelle — Wed, 19 May 2010 11:48:44 +0000

I’m really excited about the Mayan Market Mondays series returning to the Mayan Cafe. These dinners represent the intersection of everything foodie locavore loves. Locally farmed food? Check. Prepared by an outstanding chef? Check. Get to know the farmers that produced the food? Check.

Every Monday evening from June – September, we will be featuring a different local farm by offering specials that showcase their freshest produce, cheese & meats. The farmers themselves are planning to join us for most of the dinners, so this a great opportunity to not only eat local, sustainably farmed food, but to learn more about the farming process as well!

These specials dinners were a huge hit last summer, so if you’re thinking about coming in, please call and make a reservation! We want to be sure you have a table! 502.566.0651

The complete list of the Monday dinners and other events can be found below. I am devastated to note that the one weekend I’m scheduled to be out of town for the entire summer is the one weekend they are having vegetarian dinners. Woe is me. Seriously.

Guest Post: Love for Oasis Sushi in Prestonia

Michelle — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:53:55 +0000

Two sushi posts in two weeks, look how I can diversify! OK, OK last week’s post was a link to Loueyville and this week’s post is a guest post but hey, it’s more information about sushi here and that’s a good thing right?

The guest post comes from Consuming Louisville reader Jamie B. who submitted this love letter to Oasis Sushi.

“When I moved to Louisville my first goal was to find a sushi place I could go every week. I tried a couple places on Bardstown road, but was frustrated by how busy they were and the terrible parking.

Oasis Sushi Bar was mentioned to me by a local. I was initially put off by the run-down location and exterior, but I gathered my courage and gave it a try anyway. I am very glad I did.

Oasis has the best salmon of the sushi places I’ve tried so far. Their service is good, the interior is clean and welcoming, the warm sake is delicious, and the prices are very reasonable. For me, the location is especially nice, and there is always parking – either directly in front of the bar or in the lot across the street. They also have private karaoke rooms for reservation, which pleases me since that was the karaoke experience I had in Japan.

I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a pleasant sushi experience.

I should specify that they do NOT have hibachi. Their entree menu is also somewhat limited. The focus here is on the sushi (although the vegetable tempura is great!). Since all I ever want is some ginger salad and a roll, I think it’s perfect.

The staff is quite friendly, the sushi is delicious, and for those of us on the more west-ish side who don’t want to brave the weekend traffic on the Watterson, the location is a blessing.”

P.S. I do not think I’ve ever heard anyone use the name “Prestonia” to describe this neighborhood before Jamie did, apparently lots of people do, I’ve just never heard it. Learn something new everyday!

Oasis Sushi
3311 Preston Highway
Louisville, KY 40213-1331
(502) 375-8766

Papalino’s Pizza Opening Today on Baxter Avenue

Michelle — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:27:58 +0000

B and I were playing hooky yesterday afternoon and ended up down on Baxter Avenue where J. Gumbo’s used to be. I’d heard rumor of a pizza place opening up there but hadn’t really done any investigating until yesterday. As I was snooping, staring in the window trying to read the menu board (the menu you looks fantastic by the way) someone on the street corner yelled over “we open tomorrow. If you like NY style pizza you’re going to love it, it’s the best.” That’s some confidence but I like confidence so I’m definitely going to give the place a shot.

It’s called Papalino’s, the menu looks good and that’s the sum total of what I know about it. Anyone want to join me there for lunch today to give it a try?

Papalino’s
947-949 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY

My Newest Love: Curry Soup at Zen Garden

Michelle — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:35:35 +0000

Mmmm curry soup. How have I lived so long without having tasted this deliciousness? How have I eaten at Zen Garden dozens of times and never looked at the soup section of the menu? I’ve been a fool all these years for verily I say to thee that curry soup filled with sweet potatoes and carrots is so very awesome.

I only surveyed the soup section of the menu because it was a very cold day when I visited last week and soup just sounded good. I was a bit hesitant when the menu described this soup as hot and spicy so I asked for the soup to be more mild than hot (I’m a pansy that way). It had absolutely the perfect level of heat for me, which is to say almost none. It had a great curry flavor and as you can see from the picture lots and lots of yummy sweet potatoes. Very highly recommended.

Zen Garden
2240 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY 40206

Ray Parella’s Is Closing

Michelle — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:33:38 +0000

Friend of Consuming Louisville Ricky Irvine sent me a note letting me know that Ray Parella’s is closing. I’d heard rumblings about the closing but I hadn’t been by there to verify it for myself.

Ricky posted a picture of Ray’s and a banner proclaiming that they’re closing for good on December 31, 2009.

Ray’s has been a fixture in the Louisville community for a long time, it’s a loss to see them go. Please go visit them before they leave our community.

Will there be footie on the telly? (Dickens Beer Dinner at Browning’s)

Michelle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:46:22 +0000

Browning’s is going all British on us this weekend with a special “Dickens Beer Dinner” menu. A lot of it sounds really good. I’m a big fan of Welsh Rabbit, Fish and Chips and the trifle sounds delightful.

English Cheese Platter
Stilton, Cheddar and Potted Cheese

Potato and Leek Soup

Welsh Rabbit
Traditional British Grilled Cheese

Bangers and Mash
Sausages on a bed of grilled onions and mashed potatoes, drizzled with gravy

Lamb Shanks
Braised in red wine and garlic

Browning’s Coffee Stout Beef Stew
English style beef stew finished with Browning’s Coffee Stout

Fish and Chips
An English tradition

Trifle
Fresh Berries, Chantilly Cream and Pound Cake

In addition to enjoying the festival of trees and lights at Louisville Slugger Field this weekend, stop by Browning’s Brewery and Restaurant to experience the “Dickens Village” and partake in the beer dinner on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22! We will be opening at noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Hog and the Barrel Dinner at Proof December 10, 2009

Michelle — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:04:32 +0000

You know that I don’t eat pork but goodness knows so, so many of you do (yes, I’m looking at you bacon lovers!). So since I love y’all so much I’m going to tell you about an event that is going to please your pork (and bourbon) loving selves.

The price tag for this event is a hefty $81 but that seems like a pretty good price for all you’re getting including “reception, dinner,
and select barrel-based beverages.”

Seating is limited so you best call and get a reservation if this is your kind of event. 502-217-6360

The Hog and The Barrel Dinner will feature three 300-pound locally raised English
black pigs showcased alongside fine Van Winkle Bourbons. Before sitting down for
the main event, diners will be treated to an intimate reception with Julian Van
Winkle, featuring inspired swine snacks and bourbon and cocktail tastings. The six-course
feast will begin with Chef Michael Paley taking diners through the hog’s head, neck,
and shoulders. Highlights include Coppa di testa (crispy ears, chicory, Brussels
sprouts, grapefruit & cacao roma) and Corned Picnic Tortellini (pork neck brodo,
scallion, sauerkraut). For the back, middle, and ham, acclaimed Chicagan Paul Kahan
will take the reigns, giving diners a taste of the creativity that has earned Kahan
multiple James Beard recognitions.