Need opinions about restaurant location

is it parking? perceived crime possibilities/personal safety?

I'm honestly curious, if you don't mind sharing

For my perspective it's just a matter of a location and convenience. We have so many other areas that are much easier to access with equal or better dining alternatives why should we fight the hassle of going downtown?

Of course the things you mentioned (plus traffic issues) come into mind but they are not the primary reasons.

is it parking? perceived crime possibilities/personal safety?

I'm honestly curious, if you don't mind sharing

Crime/safety? No, never crossed my mind honestly! I work downtown, and most of it seems like a ghost town - aside from a few random lunch spots. The Highlands, Frankfort, and a few other areas seem like the "restaurat hot spots". When I dine out, it's either in Crescent Hill area or Highlands. One of my favorite things about Highlands or Frankfort...if I cant decide where to eat, I simply drive up and down those streets. Also if one place is packed, I am not dissapointed, and can walk a block down to another great restaurant!

I ate at Ramsi's today, Wasabiya yesterday, and Asiatique Saturday - none really planned, and all in the same area. I enjoyed them all equally. Ramsi's great falafal plate, and shared fish tacos - great cocktails. Wasabiya, great service, and amazing food. Asiatique, fantastic appetizer choices, and some really neat signature cocktails.

Maybe a good area would be someplace in the Distillery Commons area (Lexington and Payne. ) If there's anything available there. It's close to DT but on the edge of the dining district with a bunch of available parking. Kind of a "atmosherey" vibe to it. But again, I don't know what's available in there.

But why bother with the Downtown mess unless you have to when there are so many great alternatives outside of that zone!

?

There are a number of excellent restaurants, including a few that are among the best in the city located downtown and in NULU.

I hate to say it (sniff, sniff) but what's the status of the old Primo location? A good spot now that Nulu and the Arena are starting to hop.

Oooooo! Tempting, very tempting! The only question being, if that spot was too weak to support an operation as viable as Primo with Bim at the helm, has Nulu popped up that much? I have to wonder about leasing prices, too. for a guy who's been looking at places like Karem's and Boombozz and Manoosh's. It's an impressive venue ...

A LOT has happened in NULU since Primo closed. When Primo closed, that area was pretty much the galleries, Artemesia, and Mayan Cafe. Since, you have 732 Social booming, Wiltshire on Market has opened. Artemsia has revamped into the White Oak, the Louisville Beer Store has opened, etc. Add in the arena and all the new developments are coming from it, and I think that location is a lot more viable now.

The whole "downtown" conversation is interesting to me.

I have long-argued that while downtown revitalization has been a marked success in certain ways in Louisville, reaching a nighttime critical mass will be impossible because of the "neighborhood" aspect that makes Louisville what it is. Simply, people can come really close to downtown (butchertown, old louisville, eastern parts of frankfort, northern baxter) without every having to really go downtown. This neighborhood aspect will, from my perspective, prevent downtown from having a critical mass that lives downtown.

Now, I still don't know why people won't go downtown to eat. I go to the BBC Taproom, Brownings, BBC on 4th, Mayan, Proof, etc. From where I live (Bradley/St. Joe's neighborhood), I have decent access to a number of locations - highlands, St. Matthews, Frankfort AND downtown. While the highlands is pretty much the spot I turn to the most, it is no more convenient than downtown. Pretty much 7 minutes to both spots.Similar parking arrangements, etc. In that I don't feel like I live much outside downtown, I don't see it as destination I have to travel to - just an option among many.

I work at home and or walk to UofL, so I am also much more willing and sometimes excited to get in the car and make a short drive for dinner. Also helps that I-65 is right outside my window.

Interesting perspectives in that our frame of reference is so based on where we live. In my case both working and living in the East End, going downtown is only because I have to, but obviously for others it is their way of life. The one thing that stands out from this thread is how few would make an extra evening trip to go out to eat downtown regardless of where they live.

We are blessed to live in a community with so many outstanding restaurants all around us. Perhaps that is a curse too! BEFORE I would even consider opening a restaurant downtown I would clearly define my customer and then carefully research my demographics. It would seem that only a small group would make that trip downtown in the evening and unless they were my demographic, I would certainly look elsewhere. The exception of course would be event dining, but that is only for limited periods of time.

We eat out at least 5 or 6 days a week both lunch and dinner and over the last year we have only eaten downtown twice. It was great but I see no need to drive downtown when there are so many other areas in town more attractive to me. I am by no means saying downtown is bad, it just doesn't "work" for me and many of our friends.

Parking downtown at night isn't that big of a deal, so I can't say it is parking.

I think for me it is that there isn't anything downtown that is different or special that would get me to drive by several other places to get to. Right now I'm either coming from Oldham County or Crescent Hill, so I've got to drive by a lot of places to get downtown.

Now, I don't mind driving. Last night I was in the mood for pizza. So I drove up to Fat Jimmys on Frankfort Ave only to find them closing in 2 minutes (they close at 9 on Mondays.) So I decided to give Cliftons another shot, they are closed on Mondays, so I headed to Wicks on Baxter and got a great pie.

I own a photo booth rental company with my brother that I do part time, and I've gotten done with events at midnight and driven down to the Qdoba on Eastern Parkway to get some dinner because I know they are open all night.

-Scott

I wonder, when it comes to downtown, if there is some resistance - either conscious or unconscious - to the idea of downtown becoming "too important" in terms of living, dining, functioning. That always seemed to me to be some of the resistance to the East Market District - that were it thrive, something else (Highlands, Frankfort, etc.) would be negatively affected by the success. I applaud the people who have taken the risk of opening downtown, while nothing that doing so may not have always been the smartest choice. I wonder how one does make it the "smart choice" aside from doing it until it works.

Thought of another reason why I prefer Highlands or Frankfort Ave vs. Downtown...after I am done eating, I often venture over to a bar in walking distance. Especially if it's on a Friday or Saturday and I am with some friends. A downtown restaurant does not really lend to that habit!

As a person that has invested in a downtown location-- it pains me to read this thread. We are located in a historic building, have the best parking downtown (except on game nights), and brew great beer. There are lots of great food/ drink downtown, and people are missing out on helping our downtown thrive. I have lived in Shelby county, Oldham County, as well as eastern Jefferson county and I don't understand the reluctance to go downtown, as it is easier to get to than the usual spots of bardstown, hurstbourne, etc. I hope that everyone will support the locals all over the city, not just in the "great locations". Drive a different route, and try someplace new. Or, even better, help our downtown grow & thrive, by eating downtown often!

As a person that has invested in a downtown location-- it pains me to read this thread. We are located in a historic building, have the best parking downtown (except on game nights), and brew great beer. There are lots of great food/ drink downtown, and people are missing out on helping our downtown thrive. I have lived in Shelby county, Oldham County, as well as eastern Jefferson county and I don't understand the reluctance to go downtown, as it is easier to get to than the usual spots of bardstown, hurstbourne, etc. I hope that everyone will support the locals all over the city, not just in the "great locations". Drive a different route, and try someplace new. Or, even better, help our downtown grow & thrive, by eating downtown often!

Well said. Downtown has tons to offer that differs a lot from what is offered in Crescent Hill and the Highlands. Give it a shot.

I eat downtown on occasion, usually special occasions, as the restaurants downtown seem more special or unique to me. The problem I have with downtown dining is everything is so spread out. Frankfort and Bardstown are better suited for an evening out, lots of places within walking distance. When I go downtown, I have to choose one place for the evening. I would love to be able to have a beer and app at Brownings, then walk to Z's for a cocktail and sushi roll, then Proof for more cocktails and octopus, but is almost logistically impossible. Doing something similar on Frankfort or Bardstown is simple. This is the reason I dine downtown 4-5 times a year vs. 10-15 times.

I eat downtown on occasion, usually special occasions, as the restaurants downtown seem more special or unique to me. The problem I have with downtown dining is everything is so spread out. Frankfort and Bardstown are better suited for an evening out, lots of places within walking distance. When I go downtown, I have to choose one place for the evening. I would love to be able to have a beer and app at Brownings, then walk to Z's for a cocktail and sushi roll, then Proof for more cocktails and octopus, but is almost logistically impossible. Doing something similar on Frankfort or Bardstown is simple. This is the reason I dine downtown 4-5 times a year vs. 10-15 times.

Totally agree. And if you are a female and you've driven into town to met folks, it's very discouraging. I left a big party dining at a 4th Street Live location (a Friday night) and walked back to my car alone. (2 blocks max.) I was harassed several times on my way. I shudder to think what a young, attractive woman would have to endure. So, naw, not really worth it.

To get back to the initial discussion...I'm certain that Louis & those that are helping him are aware that Crescent Hill & the Highlands should be considered. The problem is that nothing that's suitable is currently available & if there is something, the rent is outrageous. They're only looking downtown because they're running out of options.