Consuming Louisville » Louisville Dining

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.

Vegetarian Delight at North End Cafe

Michelle — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:39:23 +0000

A couple weeks ago (before the spending moratorium was enacted) we had dinner at the North End Cafe with friends and it was absolutely delightful. We typically only go to the North End for breakfast so I’d kind of forgotten how much really excellent vegetarian food they have on the dinner menu.

We had the empanadas of the day stuffed with butternut squash and mushrooms as an appetizer. I love anything with butternut squash so it’s not surprising that I loved these. Then for dinner we shared the Wild Mushroom Lasagna which was described on the menu as: Caramelized onions, mushrooms, spinach, ricotta, basil Creme Fraiche and tomato sauce. It was so, so good.

We were out with friends and having such a good time talking we ordered coffee and dessert to extend the conversation. I had the chocolate creme caramel, which is essentially a chocolate flan and it’s going to be hard for any chocolate dessert to be more delicious than that one was. So highly recommended it’s not even funny.

Oktoberfest Chef Dinner at River Bend Winery October 28, 2009

Michelle — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:13:42 +0000

I’m not a big fan of German food. Well at least I don’t think I am, I mean the smell of cooked cabbage makes me absolutely nauseous and I don’t eat much meat (and absolutely no veal or pork). That being said everything but the Weiner Schnitzel with cabbage and apples on the menu of River Bend Winery’s Oktoberfest Chef dinner this Wednesday night sounds really, really good.

The five course meal, with wine pairings, is $39.95 per person and lots of local Kentucky proud ingredients will be featured during the meal. For tickets call 540-5650.

Wednesday October 28, 2009
7PM

River Bend Winery
120 S. 10th Street
Louisville, KY 402020