xmas eve dining in Louisville

I’ve lurked on this site for a couple of years, learning about the Louisville restaurant scene. It's been entertaining. I live a couple of states away and only get back to Louisville two or three times a year. You’ve provided valuable advice. I’ve loved trying Indian restaurants and pizza places at your recommendation.

My parents, in their 70s, live in Jefferstown, near the Hurstbourne/Shelbyville Road corridor. My mom’s birthday is Christmas Eve. My dad likes for the family (six) to go out to dinner to celebrate that birthday. That’s become increasingly difficult over the years. Lunch would be easier, but that’s become impossible because of scheduling for the six. Unfortunately, we tend to need to have a 6 or 7pm dinner date. That is a danger zone for restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve, we’ve found and you probably know.

I thought my wife would kill me after the 2.5 hour wait at Red Lobster a few years back. Last year, information from this website and forum helped us choose Rick’s Ferrari Grill (unfortunately, now morphed into something different I’ve learned from this forum), and that was a hit.

I would be interested in any advice you’all have for me. I’ve been to OpenTable; there aren’t a lot of choices there.

The Red Lobster and Rick's tidbits should be a clue about what would work best—a seafood or American style restaurant that’s nice but not too expensive--$$ on the OpenTable system seems not to be too scandalous to my parents. I cannot choose ethnic cuisine for this group. I’d love to choose an independent restaurant, but I’m open to all ideas. It would be great to be able to have a reservation.

I originally had a reservation w Avalon, but OpenTable mistakenly allowed me to do that (Avalon was very nice in calling me and apologizing for that). I now have a reservation for Varanese through OpenTable (hopefully this one will stick). That looks great for me and my wife, but I’m slightly worried about my parents more down home tastes. They were fine with flat iron steak and hot browns at Rick’s, but extensive New American combinations may scare them off. I’d love to try Limestone, but I’m also afraid my parents would have sticker shock there and end up ordering soup and crackers…

I can’t drive around and find choices that will be open and aren’t listed on OpenTable. Thanks for any input you can provide about Varanese or any other possibilities. Fingers crossed for a good outing…

We had a really lovely Christmas Eve dinner last year at around the time you're considering at the Irish Rover. It was so lovely in fact we're planning to do it again this year. The crowd was quite then, the waitstaff and the patrons were all in really good moods and the food was delicious as always. It was a really nice experience.

Z's Oyster Bar and Steakhouse is open and is in your neck of the woods.

Not sure what their Christmas Eve hours will be, but you might also check the Bristol Bar & Grille on North Hurstbourne Parkway (in the Forum Shopping Center) http://www.bristolbarandgrille.com

My take is to stick with Varanese. Not only has it become one of the best tables in the city, it is quite affordable comapared to other restaurants of similar stature.

They also have a grilled flat iron steak, and other "less-adventuresome" dishes like prime rib and chicken breast (for $17, $22, and $17, respectively). Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday this year, and according to the calendar on Varanese's site, they plan to have their regular "Wine Down Wednesday" that night (1/2 price bottles of wine). They have solid live jazz most nights, and I assume they would that night as well. I think you and your family would really enjoy the experience.

We've had dinner on X-mas eve at Limestone and Z's Oyster Bar. I think Limestone was closed last year but you can check....plus it's in your general vicinity.

Hey kiddo!

Studio's Grille and Pub (209 E. Main St. - New Albany, IN) will be open till at least 8 pm with a full menu and table service. Check out our menu at http://www.studiosgrilleandpub.com and you will see we offer a variety of foods and a full bar. We would love to have your family. It is only minutes from downtown Louisville and maybe 15 minutes from the Shelbyville/ Hurstborne area. Questions? please feel free to call 812-590-3171. The setting is in an old Historic building which we have filled with artistry, pottery, photography and more... And the food is great ( home cooking style)..with plenty of Christmas decorations around to make it special.

Thanks! from Trish and her gang!

Tom,
Our new restaurant THE BLACKSTONE GRILLE at Prospect Point is serving Xmas eve dinner 4pm-7pm. Thanks for the props for our old restaurant RICK'S which we sold in February. The Blackstone has a similar menu, plus! You can reach us at 228.6962.
Rick Dissell

I heartily agree with Brad's suggestion to keep your reservation at Varanese. We live right across the street and go there frequently. You cannot beat the food, prices and service. John and David will make your mother's birthday very special!

One more vote for Varanese. While they do have new american cuisine, as previously pointed out, they have many options for the less adventurous and their prices are very good ( similiar to the old Rick's). Chef John also regularly comes out to greet diners, and if he's there I'm sure he'd love to greet the Birthday girl.

Deb

I saw a sign in front of Austin's on 42 that said they were having a a Christmas Eve dinner until 10:00 PM.

North End will be open from 8 am until 3 pm. It won't help for an evening dinner, but there is always brekky!

I just went to the Varanese website, and it announces that they are closed all day the 25th. \

We have found that most of the hotel retaurants are open. We went to Blu last year, but it was an unfortunate experience. Not many patrons, but the service was slow and the food arrived at room temperature (veal chop and chicken breast and the sides).

I just went to the Varanese website, and it announces that they are closed all day the 25th. \

We have found that most of the hotel retaurants are open. We went to Blu last year, but it was an unfortunate experience. Not many patrons, but the service was slow and the food arrived at room temperature (veal chop and chicken breast and the sides).

Just to clarify, Tom was looking for Christmas Eve options, and they are open then.

It would be nice to have a list of restaurants that are open either Christmas Eve or Christmas night. My family is doing its get-together on the following Saturday, so I might want to go out on the 24th or 25th instead. (Note: I realize that it's commonplace for businesses to close on the 25th, but some places, such as theatres and Walgreen's, do stay open, so it's not too unusual)