Favorite Place AND why??

Another good choice would be Limestone they doing wonderful chef's tasting menu and you can add a matching flight of wines to each course for a reasonable fee. There atmosphere is kind of in the middle, not quite as quiet and subdued as Equus or Corbett's but not quite is bright and loud as Havana Rhumba.

As Robin said earlier there are many many excellent choices and none that have been mentioned would be a bad choice. Be sure to let us know where you go and what you think.

Proof and because it is unlike anything else in the Ville. If you dare, you shall see.

Although it's $75 a person, I would go to 610 Magnolia and tell the BF you would cover the rest! I think for a true culinary experience that uses the freshest, highest grade ingredients imported from around the country without using any shortcuts to produce his creations, Edward Lee would produce an evening extraordinaire your palate would never forget.

I even did a tasting there were we got a tour of the kitchen.

This had to be shortest "kitchen tour" ever. I have always been amazed that Equus could put out such a superb product in such a small place.

Yep, the kitchen at Equus is pretty small but very efficient. But other finer restaurants have tiny work spaces as well. Most notably Cafe Metro(it's even smaller than Equus) and Le Relais

I even did a tasting there were we got a tour of the kitchen.

This had to be shortest "kitchen tour" ever. I have always been amazed that Equus could put out such a superb product in such a small place.

Yep, the kitchen at Equus is pretty small but very efficient. But other finer restaurants have tiny work spaces as well. Most notably Cafe Metro(it's even smaller than Equus) and Le Relais

Basa...

Will strongly second Basa. We don't get there as often as we think of it but when we do we are never disappointed.

Will strongly second Basa. We don't get there as often as we think of it but when we do we are never disappointed.

You know, there's a certain eloquence to Michael's food that is really hard to find, almost exceptionally rare.

(the best way I can describe it)

I even did a tasting there were we got a tour of the kitchen.

This had to be shortest "kitchen tour" ever. I have always been amazed that Equus could put out such a superb product in such a small place.

Yep, the kitchen at Equus is pretty small but very efficient. But other finer restaurants have tiny work spaces as well. Most notably Cafe Metro(it's even smaller than Equus) and Le Relais

Metro's kitchen is literally a hallway.

Le Relais' kitchen is tiny, but there is a prep area downstairs that's of fairly decent size.

I'm on a Varanese binge right now....so that's where I would go.

stephen d is right about basa's kitchen.
ive been in metro's kitchen. a lot.
it's about 2.5x the size of basa's.

Lots of good suggestions already...in addition to the ones listed, I'd add The Patron. The atmosphere is splendid, very intimate and just makes you feel good to be there. The food is out of this world, and the service is outstanding. It's my favorite place at the moment. L&N is also very cozy and has great food and wine. Varanese is very good and you can't go wrong there! I haven't been in Equus for many years but I remember that it was great even back in the 1990's.

Havana Rumba has great food but can be a little loud so not a good choice if you want an intimate romantic dinner. The steak chimichurri is to die for though. So is the grouper. Mmmm.

But I vote for The Patron because I still remember a birthday dinner I had there a couple of years ago. Still raving about the homemade lavash that came with the meal. And the desserts are the best in town, I think. Let us know what you decide!

Why not go to Palermo Viejo? You and the BF could eat like royalty for well under $150. I once got a $100 GC to Palermo, and my wife and I ate a feast and didn't use up the entire GC. Just my suggestion.

I agree that Havana Rumba is too loud when fully occupied. While a fan of Palermo Viejo, I could think of better ways to spend $150.

If I had that $150 to spend, I'd look to go back to places I've enjoyed but, unfortunately, on a budget below $150 for a couple. I think my top three choices would be Limestone, Proof, and Seviche.

Limestone because it is both upscale and very Southern local which I think makes it unique.

Proof because it is the best "big city" type restaurant available in Louisville. And the bathrooms are cool.

Seviche because I have a weakness for fresh seafood presented in interesting ways.

My next grouping would be of places I have heard good things about but have never tried: Varanese, Basa, Metro, Equus, Corbett's, which others have already argued for.

I don't see Jack Fry's get mentioned all that often on the forum, but I definitely rate it as my favorite restaurant in Louisville. Great atmosphere and food, and I've never experienced anything but the absolute best in service there, no matter how crowded it can be.

With a $150 budget, and a steak place on the list of possibilities, I think I would opt for Pat's (skip Morton's)....great steaks and sides in a (very) traditional steakhouse atmosphere...not cheap, but you'll probably have enough left over for a moderately-priced bottle of wine...