Recommendation for a world traveler in Louisville

So, I've got a friend coming to town who literally travels the world for business. He'll be here for a couple of days. My initial impression is to schedule our one dinner together at Jack Fry's - local color, excellent food, good ambience (if a bit loud for my tastes). Anyone have a better idea to share? I can't show him ethnic he hasn't had in its home country, and I can't "wow" him with impressive crystal. I'm thinking classic Louisville, and JF's seem to fit the bill.

We took our "wordly" and very important business contact to Proof on Main. The whole experience....the area , the art, etc really impressed him. Of course he mentioned that he never perceived Louisville as being that way.

[Robin Garr]

So, I've got a friend coming to town who literally travels the world for business. He'll be here for a couple of days. My initial impression is to schedule our one dinner together at Jack Fry's - local color, excellent food, good ambience (if a bit loud for my tastes). Anyone have a better idea to share? I can't show him ethnic he hasn't had in its home country, and I can't "wow" him with impressive crystal. I'm thinking classic Louisville, and JF's seem to fit the bill.

If you want to impress him with local and cutting-edge, I'd agree with Proof on Main but would also add 610 Magnolia or Seviche. Or make him stay longer and treat him to all of the above. Not that I don't love Jack Fry's, but I'm not sure it stands out sufficiently to impress a jaded worldly sophisticate.

We just had a friend in that is used to traveling the world and seeing all there is to offer. He was very impressed with Proof.

We have entertained several indivduals who came to Louisville to give seminars at the U of L College of Medicine. These are either well traveled folks or international scientists. Both Proof and the Oak Room impress them as dining experiences one does not expect in Louisville. I would not recommend Jack Fry's. It is too loud for a good conversation and international folks have experienced many similar restaurants in their own local areas.

= a jaded worldly sophisticate.

Definitely not jaded, just extremely well-traveled. But I get the point you were making!

I agree with the consensus above, Jack Fry's is a really good restaurant but I don't think it would impress a world traveler. The Oakroom, Proof on Main or even Equus would be better choices in my opinion. They are much quieter allowing for a more relaxed evening and their foods certainly represent Louisville. I'm sure any of these would surprise someone that hasn't been to Louisville.

Well, I may have misrepresented what I was trying to find here. No need to impress, not a judgmental guest - nothing like that. I just want to "do" Louisville style in some way that is more white tablecloth than not. Maybe Limestone? Proof doesn't get it for me in this case, as I don't need to prove that Louisville can do New York. I just want to show that Louisville does Louisville pretty well. (That was meant to be a strong statement - I know someone is going to slam me for it!)

All GREAT choices but might I throw Asiatique into the fray.

Reading all the different suggestions has me thinking, which in itself can be dangerous. All the places mentioned a great places to go and some of Louisville's best no doubt. This fine fellow is widely traveled and has seen fancy dining areas extensive menu's etc. With the come back of drive ins and dives upon us, I could only think of one place.

Ginny's Diner on Frankfort Ave. Explain the Sweet Daddy Burger (monstrosity). Try the frickle pickle. Loin Chops, Fried Chicken and other delicacies await you there!

TP I'm with you...I say Jack Fry's. To a world traveler these places that serve fu fu a la fo are a dime a dozen, and frankly there probably are places around the world that do it better than Proof. To some exstent the same goes for Seviche (although this has to be near the top of the list of this type of restaurant), Havana Rumba, et. al. (...zipping up flame suit). That's not a knock on these places (you'll see me in them all the time!), but the point is it's ethnic cusine that can be found elsewhere. When someone visits KY it's nice to introduce them to food that is unique to us.

My father is a world traveler and couldn't believe how wonderful Jack Fry's was. Fig appetizer, Shrimp and Grits...all new to him... He really enjoyed Bourbon's Bistro too...he had read about it in an in-flight magazine...world's largest selection of Bourbon (or something to that effect)...

[Robin Garr]

... When someone visits KY it's nice to introduce them to food that is unique to us. ... Shrimp and Grits...

Just to be an irritating pedant, I'll point out that Shrimp and Grits is Low Country cuisine from coastal South Carolina. Someone at Jack Fry's brought it up here and did it so well that it has now become a signature dish at a number of Derby City bistros. But it ain't ours.

Proof: Putting on my own flame suit, I'll admit that it's very, very good; but echoing your point, it would rank with maybe 50 or 100 other similar spots in NYC. Something bothers me, just a little, about staking a big share of our pride on a Louisville restaurant that's "just like a really good New York restaurant."

Havana Rumba is one of the best Cuban restaurants I've ever enjoyed, but again, it wouldn't stand head and shoulders above the pack in Miami or Tampa.

I'm sticking with my original impression: Seviche or 610 Magnolia or possibly Asiatique or the Oakroom, because these are restaurants that would bear respect in <i>any</i> city, not for replicating a familiar style but because their chefs operate at a creative, innovative level that would make them stars anywhere.

Making our guests go out saying, "Wow, there's a restaurant in Louisville that's just like a great restaurant in New York or San Francisco" is good, but it doesn't quite ring the bell. Making our guests go out saying, "Wow, there's a restaurant in Louisville that's doing great stuff that nobody else is doing anywhere" kicks it up another notch.

My $0.02 worth, and I'm stickin' to it.

I still think Lilly's is one of the best restaurants that offers a true feel of Kentucky cuisine and the new menu's look great
I aslo think Anthony dose a great job at Seviche and Fernando at Havana Rumba is great and Limestone is good

Proof: Putting on my own flame suit, I'll admit that it's very, very good; but echoing your point, it would rank with maybe 50 or 100 other similar spots in NYC. Something bothers me, just a little, about staking a big share of our pride on a Louisville restaurant that's "just like a really good New York restaurant."

I'm sticking with my original impression: Seviche or 610 Magnolia or possibly Asiatique or the Oakroom, because these are restaurants that would bear respect in <i>any</i> city, not for replicating a familiar style but because their chefs operate at a creative, innovative level that would make them stars anywhere.

Amen, Robin. That was the point I was trying to make earlier, and is at the root of this thread.

You may also want to consider Holly Hill Inn for a true Kentucky experience.