Sip an Artisanal Cocktail From a Mason Jar at Hillbilly Tea in Louisville

Hillbilly Tea is a hip and trendy dining destination in downtown Louisville. Exposed brick walls add a sense of warmth to the open, light-filled dining area, while recycled burplap menus are positioned next to antique oil lamps on the eatery's reclaimed wood tables. The dining room is likely to host 20- and 30-somethings catching up with friends over herbal tea or an artisanal cocktail—served in a mason jar, of course.

As for the food, expect homestyle fare with a gourmet twist. Hillbilly Tea is the kind of place that serves smoked catfish over a bed of arugula, and cornbread is offered to sop up paprika gravy on the braised beef shank. Vegetarians have more than a few options from which to choose, while brunch sees hungry diners arriving with a craving for the eatery's dish of gravy-laden poached eggs over buttermilk biscuits. Regulars insist you don't depart before savoring a spoonful of the restaurant's bourbon bread pudding.

Hillbilly Tea
120 S. First Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 587-7350
www.hillbillytea.com

La Chasse Brings a Taste of France to Louisville

If you have never taken a photo of your meal, then you have not tried La Chasse. Not only is the food presentation picture-perfect, but you will also want to take a selfie after you taste it. The food is just that good.

The main menu is French and includes a sweet bread appetizer, fried rabbit, and wood roasted elk. However, there are several nights a month where the restaurant hosts an Argentinean dinner. There are also several different wine pairing dinners throughout the month, including a Mediterranean wine night and a Southern France wine evening.

Reservations are encouraged, as is saving room for dessert. Both the spiced bourbon cream with salted caramel topping and the dark chocolate mousse topped with coffee whipped cream are great choices. Either go with a group of people so that you can sample more of the menu items or plan on returning to do so.

La Chasse
1359 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 822-3963
lachasselouisville.com

Have You Tried the Duck and Waffles at Fontleroy’s?

If you are tired of the same selection at what seems like every restaurant, then you need to head to Fontleroy’s the next time you eat out. This casual eatery, which pays homage to Louisville history and is named after a former mayor, features such dishes as duck and waffles and hushpuppies with crab, as well as their not-to-miss biscuits. Meanwhile, the bar pours drinks with clever names.

Fontleroy’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day and while the names of the dishes may sound familiar, the chef puts his own special twist to make just that much different and delicious. For example, for breakfast, the cheese grits come with shrimp. For lunch and dinner, the macaroni and cheese is made with goat cheese, and the fried green tomatoes come with crab meat on top. There is no refrigerator or microwave onsite, so you know everything is fresh.

Fontleroy’s
2011 Grinstead Dr
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 882-2507
www.facebook.com/Fontleroys-763434220431758

Can You Handle the Heat of the Spicy Fried Chicken at Joella’s?

If you are looking for a different dining experience, then look no further than Joella’s. This casual eatery features "hot chicken," which is Southern fried chicken with a spicy kick. You decide, on a scale of one to six, how spicy you want it. You can get it as a meal with or without a waffle.

Most of the meals come with two sides; therefore, it is recommended that you go to Joella’s with friends because it is quite difficult to decide on just two! On the menu is macaroni and cheese, kale salad, and parmesan fries, to name a few. The more friends, the more sides you can enjoy.

In addition, bringing additional people along will allow you to feel less guilty about ordering the Nutella poppers for dessert. Anyone who has tried them will tell you they are addictive. If the hot chicken does not have you coming back for more, the Nutella poppers will!

Joella’s
3400 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 895-2235
www.joellashotchicken.com

Jack Fry’s: Classic American Dining in a Historic Setting

Jack Fry’s is a historic Louisville restaurant and city staple. The space now occupied by the classic American-style restaurant was once a business run by Jack Fry and his wife, Flossie, opened in 1933.

The restaurant has won multiple awards, including “Best of Louisville” and “Best Fine Dining.” The menu centers around upscale, classic American dishes, like pork tenderloin, New York Strip, roasted chicken, and a standard hamburger. At lunch, patrons can enjoy soup, salad, and a limited number of entrees. The ambiance makes for an ideal setting for a special occasion or celebration. The atmosphere is romantic, with low lighting, white tablecloths, and tons of old photographs from Jack Fry’s life flooding the walls.

Reservations are encouraged, as it can be hard to snag a table, especially on the weekends!

Jack Fry’s
1007 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 452-9244
www.jackfrys.com

Taste What Makes El Torazo Mexican Restaurant a Local Favorite

El Torazo proclaims to be home to delicious salsa, margaritas, and fajitas on their website, and many Louisville residents would concur.

The menu has a wide variety of options, more than most Mexican restaurants, including an entire section of fish entrees and El Torazo specialties. But never fear, you can still expect classic Mexican fare favorites, like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. The lunch menu is abbreviated, but still quite robust. There’s also a kid-friendly menu with selections all under $5.

El Torazo is very casual with a laid-back dining area and bar. There’s an outdoor patio seating area that gets crowded on nice days, and there’s even a private party room available for rent. Located in the Hurstborne shopping center, the restaurant is easily overlooked, but not to be missed.

El Torazo is open until 10 p.m. weekdays and until 10:30 on weekends.

El Torazo Mexican Restaurant
1850 S Hurstbourne Parkway
Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 491-7272
www.eltorazo.com

Expect Farm-to-Table Dining at Harvest Restaurant

Farm-to-table restaurants are spiking in popularity these days, and Harvest Restaurant in the East Market District of Louisville is giving the people what they want. The menu is described as “Rustic Regional” and uses ingredients mostly within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant’s location.

The restaurant has a full bar serving cocktails, beer, cider wine, and flights of bourbon. Some menu favorites are the sweet potato grits, steak, and buttermilk fried chicken. Their brunch, which is available on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., brings in large crowds.

The sustainable goals of Harvest Restaurant don’t stop at the food: the decor is made from natural wood and recycled furniture and decorations. If you want to know more about the farmers who grew the food you’re eating when you’re at Harvest, just look up. Their photos adorn the walls of the dining room!

Harvest Restaurant:
624 E Market St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 384-9090
www.harvestlouisville.com

Chow Down on Southern Comfort Food at Hammerheads in Louisville

As the sweet smell of barbecue hits your nose, your mouth waters until you are a greeted by a slab of baby back grilled to perfection. As you cut the rack, tender juicy pork falls off the bone and glazed honey-barbecue sauce oozes from its insides. Since your entire plate—er, cutting board—is covered in ribs, you reach over to your basket of crisp, flavorful, steak-cut truffle fries to add a bit of savor!

Forget plates and bowls, whether it’s Mac and Cheese balls or a slab of pork belly, guests at Hammerheads are served on thick wooden cutting boards! From chorizo to venison and elk meat and even veggie tacos, Hammerheads menu pleases all palates from meat lovers to the strictest vegan. Each side dish is served up with a dose of Southern comfort, from fried chicken and sweet potato waffles and tarragon heirloom potato salad.

As their website warns, the restaurant doesn’t take reservations and has limited seating. Arrive early to enjoy prime seating and catch a view of the game. Hammerheads serves up its gamey delicacies Mondays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Hammerheads
921 Swan St
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112
www.louisvillehammerheads.com

Don’t Miss the Sweet-Potato Grits at Harvest Restaurant

Louisville’s Harvest Restaurant offers fresh Southern fare classics in a comfortable upscale setting. Founded in 2011 by a farmer, the restaurant proudly displays bios of local farmers that provide 80% of the restaurant’s ingredients. The restaurant boasts several honors including Open Table’s ‘Diner’s Choice’ and the James Beard Award.

Located in the NuLu Arts District , Harvest Restaurant makes the perfect brunch spot. Each colorful, well-balanced dish is served with vegetables like fresh arugula and house-made potato chips. Menu favorites include grits of any variety—three cheese grits, sweet potato grits, and jalapeño grits—and the Brioche French Toast served with custard, caramel and toasted pecans.

Harvest Restaurant is closed on Mondays, but be sure to catch brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Harvest Restaurant
624 E. Market St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 384-9090
www.harvestlouisville.com

DISH on Market: Boasting the Largest Bourbon List in Town

If you’re a fan of bourbon, Louisville is certainly the place to be — and even more specifically, so is DISH on Market! This local favorite offers a reasonably priced menu of dishes made with mainly local ingredients, including hearty sandwiches, grilled burgers with creative toppings, and homestyle entrees like Anneta’s Fried Chicken and Southern shrimp and grits. For breakfast, DISH serves classic American platters with heaping helpings of eggs, bacon and bread pudding French toast, and the decadent dessert menu is filled with homemade pies, cakes and much more.

The cocktail list is where DISH really shines, however; bourbon is the base for almost all of the restaurant’s signature cocktails, and if you prefer to order yours straight, you’ll be impressed by the list of more than 70 different types of bourbons to choose from.

With a homey, rustic ambiance and ample seating, there’s always something for everyone at DISH on Market.

DISH on Market
434 W Market St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 315-0669
www.dishonmarket.com

Pin It on Pinterest