East End (Summit area) Suggestions?

Hi - Meeting my mom and some of her co-workers this week for dinner, and they will be attending a conference in the Summit area. I can't get the "restaurants by location" to work for me, and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions. Something casual and not too pricey, but also with a decent atmosphere. So far, I've tracked down Martini's, Five Guys, Zoe's Kitchen (lunch only?), Rafferty's, Red Robin, and Big Ben (again, not sure if they're open for dinner.) Any other suggestions? Seems like places turn over so quickly sometimes, I can't keep up. I wish I could take them to some of the local places closer to the river, but don't know if they'll be up for that.

We like Martini's alot when we are in the area and too lazy to drive very far. Not expensive but nice and safe Italian food in terms of options. They were part of a chain at one time but are now independent I believe - they present as more "upscale" but are really very "middle of the road". Nice bar area too.

Mojito isn't very far.

Stoney River Steakhouse and Mitchell's.

Three interesting ethnic places that are close by and locally-owned are Taste of Asia (on Hurstbourne just past Westport); Istanbul Palace (Goose Creek just off Westport) and Taj Palace (Goose Creek Rd. in the northwest corner of Westport Plaza). All of them are a 3-5 minute drive from the Summit, have received good reviews on this forum and are very reasonably priced. I can't think of anything locally owned at Summit although I do like Mitchell's.

Mitchel's and Martini's are certainly good choices and are in the Summit. You mentioned Zoe's, it is open for dinner (until 9:00 PM). Another option depending on the type of food they like would be Goose Creek diner. Others have mentioned many other places and I'm sure there are even more since that area is getting more and more popular for restaurants.

Limestone is 2 miles down Hurstbourne.

I also consider Westport Village close...Napa, Hiko, etc...

Steve P nailed it . . . Stoney River, tad more expensive (but get what you pay for), tho not sure if it's open for lunch? . . . now that Mitchell's is part of Ruth's Criss's, the daily chef's specials truly are becoming "special."

Across the street are Outback and Graeter's - another recommendation is to forgo lunch and hit Graeter's one day, 32 Degrees (in the Summit) another, and drive up to the Gelato place in Norton's Commons the third, and compare. This would be my recommendation.

Stoney River is the best restaurant in the area unless you want to pay Corbett's prices.

The earlier insinuation that Mitchell's has gotten better since Ruth's Chris took ownership is false. They still have the same staff, management and chefs. I'm not downgrading them, I'm just saying not much has changed.

Martini's is a solid choice. Not extravagent, it is what it is.

I will, however, shy anyone away from the Norton Commons restaurants. Not because there's anything wrong with them.... but because the fact they even exist in that context seems a little fascist.

Thanks for the input, everyone! The last time they were here for the conference, we went to Macaroni Grill (their hotel was nearby) and they liked it a lot, so maybe will try Martini's. I know we all sure do miss Dillon's, though. Hard to find a local place in that part of town.

I think Mitchell's and Stoney River (and Corbett's of course) is going to be too far out of their per deim to justify, but will suggest it, nonetheless.

Hadn't thought of Westport Village or other eateries closer to Lyndon. I get so confused in that part of town! And I suppose there are always options at Springhurst, as well.

The earlier insinuation that Mitchell's has gotten better since Ruth's Chris took ownership is false. They still have the same staff, management and chefs. I'm not downgrading them, I'm just saying not much has changed..

I just said that their "specials" frequently are truly special, and I stand by that.

Previously, a "special" was usually a menu item at a special price, or perhaps a menu item with a slightly differerent sauce. Now, the specials are frequently unusual fish (for Louisville) with a very different preparation - they are often items that I would expect to see at Oceanaire or similar more upscale places (maybe even Ruth's Criss's).

Yes, it's the same staff and (mainly) the same chefs, but it's one thing to handcuff a chef and make him/her toe the corporate line with menu items and preparation styles, and a totally different thing to encourage local chefs to come up with new items and broaden their horizons.

Mitchell's is trying the latter; whether it will work or not is as of yet undetermined.

Stoney River is the best restaurant in the area unless you want to pay Corbett's prices.

The earlier insinuation that Mitchell's has gotten better since Ruth's Chris took ownership is false. They still have the same staff, management and chefs. I'm not downgrading them, I'm just saying not much has changed.

Martini's is a solid choice. Not extravagent, it is what it is.

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I may have to go try Martini's again. I live across the street, and I will say I've been unimpressed with the food the last two times there ( post sale). I may need to give it another chance.

Corbett's has a fantastic 3 course prix fixe lunch for $20. Very nice for a splurge on their per diem. Zoe's does lunch and dinner and we like it very much for fast casual ( they also have wine which is a plus in my book). All of Carole's ethnic suggestions are excellent choices. Napa, Tony Boom Bozz and Hikomon at Westport are just a short ( simple) drive away for dinner, and they would have the plus of Comfy Cow for dessert.


Deb