Pre-Bourdain Meet-up at Z's Fusion

Regarding post-options, can we just put a giant blanket over 4th Street Live? I'd prefer if he didn't even know it existed. . .

If No Reservations were to film here, I could very much see the show starting with one of those throw-away beginnings in which TB slams 4th Street and then makes a narrative turn along the lines of "but luckily Louisville has so much to offer, there's no need to ever visit 4th Street Live." Personally, I'd love to hear Tony slam 4SL (either in person or on his show) and, were he to do it on the show, maybe that would be the national, negative publicity that place so deserves. Down with 4SL!

In fact, I think a perfect night might be doing 4SL with Tony. That night would be at least memorable, if not much more.

Walk straight through 4th Street Live to The Oak Room (Max's)Bar.

I would like to join the group pre-show. I'll be flying solo. Colleen is hosting her bunco group that night in our home so its a win-win for me! I don't have to find a place to hide for 6 hours or so while screaming women take over my house!

Hopefully, y'all would have come to expect something a bit ambitious outta me. To be honest, I may just be biting off more than I can chew on this one. /sigh Win or Lose, it will certainly be entertaining to watch me try, lol!

We didn't get a call from his producers, yet I wanted to be prepared to entertain Bourdain just in case he decided he wanted some of what we offer... 'cheffed' Hawaiian fish, sushi rethought or 'what-the-hades-were-you-thinking?!?!' cocktails. I designed a 20 (+5) menu that features our most aggressively creative works of the past 9 months. There are 2 competition drinks on there that haven't seen the light of day. Since you-all are coming in, I'm gonna play with dry ice. We'll probably set the bar on fire, lol!

BVS is also gonna be there with 10 confirmed also, so we will definitely have a mob, hehe. We're bringing in another bartender so I can give you undivided attention. We'll also have a barback and management service support/ focus. Chef Dallas is as stoked as I am about this, so fully expect a rain of amuse-bouche craziness! To speed things up, I'm probably just gonna give everybody an empty rocks glass at the beginning and then put stuff in them at different opportunities. So don't lose track of where your glass is, lol!

The menu will also have a section at the end called 'nightcaps,' that might prove useful if you feel the need to return after the event. This is a fresh idea to me so it isn't very developed recipe-wise, yet. I was thinking about the way cocktail parties used to be formatted in the 50's... at the end, desert would be taken with coffee and then the ladies would adjourn to one space and the gentlemen would adjourn to the smoking room for cigars/pipes and cordials/digestifs. These were not the mudslide/nuts n berry/ keoki coffees restaurants offer today (and rarely sell.) They were alcohol-prevalent, or had bitter nuance, or possessed astringent qualities helpful to to the digestive process. For some reason, I am fascinated by this tradition and plan to explore it further in the near future, so you know I'm gonna share with my kith and kin, even before I have a final concept. I can always count on the forumites for feedback!

We are certainly looking forward to seeing everybody and I hope to make you proud!

Stephen,
That sounds awesome. Count Christi and I in!

My husband works at Z's Fusion, so we will probably want to join.

I have never attended a Hotbytes offline, so I'm not sure of the protocol. Will there be a table reserved for us or how does it work?

There will be two of us.

We're a maybe. I'll give the definite as soon as possible, tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. . .this really sounds great. . .

Well, after a description like that from Stephen, I feel as if I have no choice but to come and relish the show. Count me in as a definite, and one maybe for a friend.

There was something posted on facebook by Boombozz Taphouse that a certain Travel Channel personality may be dining there around lunchtime. Too bad I can't go.

Ooohh...

I found out that there is going to be a reception at Proof after the event. What say I drop the 'nightcap' portion and cross my fingers in the hopes of meeting everybody there?

It would be pretty cool to join you all on the other side of the bar, too!

Really looking forward to this evenings festivities!!!!

I have never attended a Hotbytes offline, so I'm not sure of the protocol. Will there be a table reserved for us or how does it work?

There will be two of us.

I have never attended a Hotbytes offline, so I'm not sure of the protocol. Will there be a table reserved for us or how does it work?

There will be two of us.

I talked to Stephen Dennison at the Taste of Innovation last night - he said there's table of 25 reserved, I believe.

PLEEEEAAAASSSEEE sign up me and my wifey!!! If I don't do this for her it will be bad. And not "can't find clean undewear" bad, I'm talking stirring concrete with my eyelids bad!

Well, I didn't know there was a table reserved, so I just stopped by there when I was downtown and reserved the lounge for us - not sure if that table of 25 is for us or for the Bon Vivant Savant Group.

Stephen, are you out there?