She came home from London and all she wanted was...

My daughter returned home from London for a very brief visit after being in the UK for 2 years. I left all the dining decisions up to her so she could enjoy her trip on her terms. Some of our decisions were based on our location at the time and our time allowance. This is what she was jonesin' for...

She arrived in Louisville at 10:30 PM starving and exausted so she wanted something quick easy and to go. She begged for White Castles. They lived up to her memories.

Next day she wanted fried chicken. A quick trip to The Cottage Cafe was perfect. Great chicken and some down home options like stewed tomatoes, creamed spinich, pinto beans and corn bread for sides. Swing and a hit.

We had the obligitory trip to El Nopal on Westport because she has fond memories of dining there. Big fat burritos, chunky guac and tasty stuffed peppers. YUM! I think the waiter may have been a bit smitten with my daughter as he appeared with a free dessert (fried icecream) for her. The food was fine but the flirting level was off the charts. Too cute!

Monday night we took the LONG trek from Crestwood out to Fern Creek and were rewarded with an awesome dinner at Sake Blue. We started with an order of Kani Su (Crab and avo with thin crisp cukes and vinegar.) Great start. We ordered Salmon roe, tuna belly, a Las Vegas roll ( salmon, avocado, mozzarella cheese, with a spicy sauce then deep fired) and a Picasso roll ( Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado, masago, crab, eel sauce then deep fried) . We reasoned this would get us started then we could venture into other more exotic fare. The sushi chef was fast with his preparations dispite the fact that even early in the evening the restaurant had quite a few tables. Our dishes arrived very pretty, very arty and very impressive. All were big hits. Next time - and there will most definately be a next time- I think we (I) will order just the maki. The rolls were exceptional but the fish itself was so fresh that the product could stand alone and be very impressive. The tuna belly with just a touch of rice was the best I've ever had. EVER. EVER EVER. (Is it lunch time yet?)

Tuesday was lunch at Cafe Lou Lou's. What can I say that hasn't already been said on these boards a million times? Fresh veggies with olive oil and pasta, pasta with smoked salmon and capers and a sweet finish with a vanilla bean flan. (Little teeneee specks of vanilla bean in the bottom.Oh jeez!) We made embarrassing num num noises all through the meal.

Tuesday night I steamed clams and made mohitos and we watched a Johnny Depp movie.

Wednesday we were pressed for time so we headed out to nearby LaGrange. She nixed Irish Rover even though we love it. She just gets much the same in London. (Which I thinks speaks to the authenticity Of the Rover). We found a sweet, brand new little place called the Trax Cafe right on Main Street. They offered Nathans hotdogs but we opted for the home made ("It's a family recipe!") sloppy joe which was very good. Sarah had the home made meatball sandwich which she finished in record time. We tried a cup of her home made pea soup which was thick and rich with big chunks of carrots. Sooo good. And wonderful draft Abita rootbeer floats. If you haven't had Abita rootbeer, well... It's made in Louisana with real sugar cane and yucca. While some rootbeers scream BIRCH this rootbeer is much more artisitic. Has an aftertaste of something gently floral, like lavender of something similar. Wow. I can see hanging out there in the warm weather watching the trains roll by.

Then it was off to the airport where I put her on her plane and I spent the rest of the evening in a blue funk already missing my baby and eating Philly cream cheese key lime cheese cake filling from the tub. Sad sad sad

That is an awesome local foodie report. Its funny when you go overseas for an extended time, or even leave the area for an extended time, how much you miss the local food options.

Every time I used to visit here when I lived in Arizona, an obligatory stop at White Castle was in order on the way home from the airport.

I had a 3 week business trip to Tsingtao China while working for Lucent Technologies, and came home just craving food of any style other than what I could get there. I am a very adventurous diner, but I lost 10 pounds there because I simply could not eat the indigenous food that was available there. I think I gained the 10 pounds back in the first week back in the states.

Side note, Abita Root beer is one of the best that I have ever tried. I think the pure cane sugar makes all the difference in the world. I was sorely disappointed to find that my previous favorite, Sprecher was made with corn syrup.

[Robin Garr]

That is an awesome local foodie report. Its funny when you go overseas for an extended time, or even leave the area for an extended time, how much you miss the local food options.

After four years in New York City in the '90s, we came home and found to our surprise that the local food we had missed most was the classic Louisville fried whitefish (cod) sandwich on rye. Go figure.

White Castles were up high on the list too. Actually, NYC has WC's, but they seem to taste different. At one in Queens I once noticed the "chefs" basting the sizzling burgers with ketchup while they cooked. Where do they GET those ideas.

Carla,

Excellent post...I loved it.

As I read your opening sentence I was reminded of my college years...Which were spent dodging jets on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. When we would return from a long deployment it seemed the entire ship (all 5000 of us) made a beeline for their favorite fast food/burger joint. After reading your first paragraph I had to smile...Some things never change.

Made my first visit to Trax (in LaGrange) a few weeks ago for lunch, and really enjoyed it...their French Dip sandwich was piled high with freshly-shaved roast beef on a soft, warm bun....and the Abita rootbeer was excellent (first time I have tried it)...I'm anxious to return and sample their homemade soups....

Whenever I drive back to Kentucky, my first stop is always White Castle followed by Vietnam Kitchen and El Mundo's. Glad to see I'm not the only person away from home who craves the belly bombs.

I told my grandmother, who is in the middle to late stages of Alzheimer's, that the next time I came to see her I would bring White Castles.

She lit up like a candle! Granted she does when I mention bringing her stuff, in the form of chocolate especially, but this time it was different. She offered to pay for the sliders if I were to bring them to her which really broke my heart, usually she politely denies such offers as being to much trouble or unnecessary, but to see her enthusiasm about said sliders was awesome.

I'm not sure what they do to those wonderful little treasures but I will still eat them for any meal, and crave them often. And my grandma and I both agreed that they are best with cheese, extra pickle, and mustard.

White Castles were up high on the list too. Actually, NYC has WC's, but they seem to taste different. At one in Queens I once noticed the "chefs" basting the sizzling burgers with ketchup while they cooked. Where do they GET those ideas.

I'm just guessing here but maybe they were tried and make them taste edible? I know some people love WC's but my wife and I despise them and get sick any time we go near one.

Thanks for sharing Carla, that was awesome. I think food is a great language. Despite coming from a large family, I'm the only one left in town. When my family does come back I treat it like Derby. They have such a strong connection to the foods we here eat daily, that I try to get it all on the table over their stay. Especially since 50% of their conversation is about food. I have an acquaintance who's known for her Christmas Eve open house for family and friends. She piles boxes of White Castles on a enormous silver tray in the center of her very formal dining room table. You get the picture. She's also know as a fun person! CD

Sometimes nothing tastes better than a belly bomber! I LOVE White Castle. Unfortunately, it does not love me!

Every year at Thanksgiving I make a big pan of White Castle stuffing. It is amazing.

Carla, thanks for the kind words about my creme brulee. Yes! The little vanilla seeds are how you know it's the real deal

That sounds SO good..White Castle stuffing...

Oooohhh Marsha, thank YOU for the brulee!

I don't eat meat (including WCs) but I just have to know- what is in White Castle stuffing (besides the obvious...)

I'm moving to Florida in a few weeks and this thread has got me thinking about what I'll have to make sure I get when I come back for visits. Ramsi's "Loretta" focaccia (apple butter, smoked trout, mushrooms, cheese) is certainly on the list. A visit to Seviche will certainly be in order. Some Graeter's coconut chocolate chip (or maybe a Starlight concrete) for dessert. Mmmmm....

All right, Cassie, I'll give. I know you are a pescatarian and you don't eat meat, but I would never expect you to eat a "water closet." So please tell me "What is WC in your lingo?"