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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr ralph and jenny

If you think you need to venture to the bar to find a unique, tasty cocktail, think again. You can easily mix up your own creative cocktails and mocktails in the comfort of your own home. The most important part of a great drink is how long the flavor lingers in your mouth. You want to intrigue your taste buds and mind after the sip goes down. These tips are sure to leave a unique, lasting flavor on your tongue.

• Choose a good quality base liquor or flavor of your cocktail.
• Use a generous amount of the base spirit.
• Mix in a tart or sweet ingredient such as lime juice, simple syrup, or liqueur. Remember to keep it simple and balanced, as this will make the flavors last in your mouth.
• Add a few drops of bitters or a hydrosol, such as rosewater, to add aromatics to your drink.
• A cocktail that contains delicate flavors or ingredients should be stirred. Be sure to shake any cocktail containing juice or egg whites.
• To avoid diluting your drink, use larger ice cubes that will melt at a slower pace. In your glass, the ice should be visible about the alcohol line.
• Take some time to make your cocktail look presentable. A simple lemon twist can add a touch of elegance to your drink.

From A Genius Mixologist: The Only Ratio You Need For Perfect Cocktails [Fast Company]
How to make cocktails: follow these 10 golden rules [The Guardian]
How to Make Perfect Cocktails [Williams-Sonoma Taste]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr wickenden

Louisville Waterfront Park provides the best of both worlds: wide open green space and the convenience of being close to the downtown area. The 85 acres includes a wide range of activities for all visitors and has been expanded and updated extensively since work began in 2001.

As is indicated in its name, there are waterfront views and walking paths. Visitors can rent bikes and visit the playground areas or set up a meal at one of the many picnic areas. If you get hungry during your visit and didn’t bring your own food, there are constantly pop-up food trucks and markets, and the park is in walking distance of lots of downtown’s restaurants.

In the summer time, from May to September, there is a water play area to cool down in, and you’ll find large crowds sun bathing on the large, grassy Great Lawn or participating in events on the water.

Louisville Waterfront Park
129 East River Road
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-3768
www.louisvillewaterfront.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr *_*