Need opinions about restaurant location

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.

It's a very short walk from Brownings over to NULU (Social, Mayan Cafe, etc.). On foot, it's exactly 1 mile from NULU to Z's Fusion, and if you didn't want to want, you're looking at a few bucks for a cab. It's 6.5 blocks from Brownings to Z's Fusion, and 3 blocks from Z's Fusion to Proof.

Justin, for your example, in under 10 blocks of walking you could accomplish all of this. In Manhattan or Chicago, for example, people regularly walk this amount daily. These are not great distances. Not too long ago we did a full evening out downtown that started with dinner and drinks at Z's Fusion, followed by drinks with a view from the bar at Rivue, followed by the bar at Proof. It was great, and did walking was easy.

I think it's a perception issue more than actual logistics. For example, it's a further walk from El Mundo to Varanese than it is from Z's Fusion to Proof.

It's easy to have a great evening out downtown at various establishments that don't include 4th Street, all with very little walking, or in the alternative, under $10 in cab far.

It's a very short walk from Brownings over to NULU (Social, Mayan Cafe, etc.). On foot, it's exactly 1 mile from NULU to Z's Fusion, and if you didn't want to want, you're looking at a few bucks for a cab. It's 6.5 blocks from Brownings to Z's Fusion, and 3 blocks from Z's Fusion to Proof.

Justin, for your example, in under 10 blocks of walking you could accomplish all of this. In Manhattan or Chicago, for example, people regularly walk this amount daily. These are not great distances. Not too long ago we did a full evening out downtown that started with dinner and drinks at Z's Fusion, followed by drinks with a view from the bar at Rivue, followed by the bar at Proof. It was great, and did walking was easy.

I think it's a perception issue more than actual logistics. For example, it's a further walk from El Mundo to Varanese than it is from Z's Fusion to Proof.

It's easy to have a great evening out downtown at various establishments that don't include 4th Street, all with very little walking, or in the alternative, under $10 in cab far.

Yeah, it is one mile from Brownings to Proof, but it is 1/10th mile from Seviche via Mimosa and Za's to Cumberland. Throw in another 1/10th mile and you’re at De La Torre's. 3/10 mile for Simply Thai, Diamond Pub, Saints, Molly’s, BBC, and 60 West . Walking 2/5th miles vs. 2 miles was my point, especially when the wife is in fancy (stupid) shoes.

Your 100% right about Chicago/NYC, we walk everywhere (miles and miles) when we are on vacation. You miss so much of a city while in a car.

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.

Although Crecent Hill & the Highlands are ideal, if the conditions are not right then downtown should not be discounted. I used to frequent the Ethiopian reataurant from time to time--lunch and dinner-- at the location just down from Pestos. Their food was mediocre and it had a rather bohemian style ambiance. I would venture to say that if Louis lays out a real destination type restaurant, and it sounds like it would be, then people would walk an extra block to get to it at night. Don't forget that much of the potential evening business would come from out-of-towners. A truly French restaurant in the downtown area would enjoy a nice niche. And we are only speaking 5th St (or 6th?), as in a few minute stroll from 4th St.

It's also only 4-5 blocks from I-65.

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.

Although Crecent Hill & the Highlands are ideal, if the conditions are not right then downtown should not be discounted. I used to frequent the Ethiopian reataurant from time to time--lunch and dinner-- at the location just down from Pestos. Their food was mediocre and it had a rather bohemian style ambiance. I would venture to say that if Louis lays out a real destination type restaurant, and it sounds like it would be, then people would walk an extra block to get to it at night. Don't forget that much of the potential evening business would come from out-of-towners. A truly French restaurant in the downtown area would enjoy a nice niche. And we are only speaking 5th St (or 6th?), as in a few minute stroll from 4th St.

Much of potential evening business does come from out-of-towners. So you need to be easily located from the hotels for walking And they tend to be nervous about walking in unfamiliar areas, so to a point made earlier, the quieter locations/less travelled paths can be an issue.

Deb

Whatever happened with the Old House building? On Fifth Street.

Much of potential evening business does come from out-of-towners. So you need to be easily located from the hotels for walking And they tend to be nervous about walking in unfamiliar areas, so to a point made earlier, the quieter locations/less travelled paths can be an issue.

Deb

Very true and the problem with this type of business is that you are constantly having to attract people because you don't develop a big group of regulars.