Selena's/Willow Lake Recommendations

We're taking my Dad there for his birthday tonight, as he recently relocated to Louisville and bought a house in that area (we're trying to expose him to his "neighborhood" restaurants - we've already been to the Village Anchor twice in the past two weeks).

This will be the first meal there for all of us. Is there anything we absolutely must try tonight?

Save room for dessert - the Bourbon Bread Pudding is EXcellent!

We're taking my Dad there for his birthday tonight, as he recently relocated to Louisville and bought a house in that area (we're trying to expose him to his "neighborhood" restaurants - we've already been to the Village Anchor twice in the past two weeks).

This will be the first meal there for all of us. Is there anything we absolutely must try tonight?

Our favorites:

Appetizers: Crab Rolls, Crab Caps...The Grouper Fingers are pretty good, but we preferred them when they were Red Snapper Fingers.

Soups: The Soup of the Day is ALWAYS good (we just had the chicken veggie last night) as is the Gumbo.

Salad: I really enjoy the Spinach Salad, especially when topped with Blackened Chicken.

Entree: First time out, I'd go with the New Orleans Seafood Medley. There is usually a pasta special on the menu every night and my lovely bride says that every one that she has ever tried was a home run.

Definitely plan on dessert! The bread pudding is great and it's easily enough for 4...it's a huge serving.

They had a chicken, corn and sausage (may have been chorizo?) chowder one night that was excellent. I tried the New Orleans Medley once, but went with the etoufee after that...the jambalaya was really good to, just a bit more spicy than I normally go for.

Take him back for brunch on a Sunday, that's where they really shine. The beignets are a must! They do some great egg dishes and I really liked their biscuits and gravy. We did brunch there at least twice a month and Selena's brunch was the only thing on my husband's "must do" list before we moved.

Just, whatever you do, do not compliment them for their french toast.

They certainly have many excellent menu choices on the menu Praline Brie is one of our favorite appetizers although many of the others are also excellent. Their Gumbo and Jambalaya are both very good and authentic, I pursley quite often get a cup of one of them in place of a salad for an appetizer. As far as the main courses go we certainly love everything with the Manale Sauce sauce on it. I can't really comment on many of the other entrees because we always end up getting one of the specials for that evening but everyone we've ever been with enjoyed anything they ordered.

As mentioned by others, be sure to save room for dessert. Their bread pudding is wonderful and the portion is huge, it certainly can be split between two or three people (probably even 4). Also the brunch, especially the Beignets!

We had a very nice dinner there last night. I had the New Orleans Medley, and found each of the three samplings to be quite good, with just the right amount of heat. I especially liked the red beans and rice. My wife had the white clam sauce pasta, a dish she always looks for, and loved it. My dad had the etouffe and my aunt the special (can't remember what it was), and both were happy. We shared the huge bread pudding, and it lived up to the hype.

Service was friendly and attentive. I liked the decor a lot - I'd call it upscale meets rustic. The patio was impressive as well, and we plan to return when the weather improves.

Take him back for brunch on a Sunday, that's where they really shine. The beignets are a must! They do some great egg dishes.

This definitely bears repeating.

Save room for dessert - the Bourbon Bread Pudding is EXcellent!

Seconded! And 1 order is enough for 4!

The Praline Brie is good too.

I can also highly recommend their Bloody Marys.
Drink responsibly.

Do you think Sunday brunch would be appropriate to take a couple kids? There is food on the menu for them I just don't want it to be too fancy for them, you know? Thanks!

Jenny, I think it depends on the kids. My grandchildren love it. They especially fond of the beignets. There are three large ones to a serving, so if you go order accordingly. Also black or other dark colors is not the best attire when eating beignets.

Jenny,
We have not been to brunch (we are going this morning), however, we go fairly frequently for lunch I think it would be fine for children. They are very accommodating and, while nice, it is not at all fussy or stiff. I would not hesitate to take our young grandchildren.
Carol

Last time we were there we took friends and their 3 year old and 1 year old. They'll make smaller portions for the kids, just ask if they don't mention it. I don't know if they discount the price as our friends opted to order a full meal to share between their boys. I wouldn't recommend ordering the french toast for a kid. They use whole baguettes and slice them lengthwise, there are 4 slices about 10" each and it's a bit stiffer/heavier than what you'd find at other places. Not that it's bad, it's just a ton of food and not the standard stuff.

We've always seen a fair number of very well behaved children in there at brunch, they are very family friendly. They have high chairs and crayons, plus in the warmer weather they have a lot to explore outside for kids, think they have a garden pond or two.

Also black or other dark colors is not the best attire when eating beignets.

Very well put and certainly very true!