Eddiie Merlot's Steakhouse-Another Louisville Ramada

Stopped by Eddie Merlot's on Friday and ate at the bar. The "joint was jumpin" and I must say, Louisville was reverberating with urban energy at 7:30 on Friday night. Hooray! A decent jazz band was knockin out tunes and although the music was a bit loud for the space, it lent itself to a "downtown vibe." The decor was what I coin "Louisville Ramada," but I have gotten myself into so much trouble in the past crticizing anything in Louisville, I will try to be restrained in my commentary.

Restaurant design allows for risk taking and cutting edge imagination. I see it all over New York, LA, Chicago, Miami and now even traditionalist Europe. Proof has received accolades all over the world for its creative design, and I do not understand why Louisville's restaurant owners and designers cannot simply look at publications such as "Dwell" and "Wallpaper" to see what architects, designers, and decorators are doing around the world. Even if you want to be restrained in your decor, simply look at the tasteful, but traditional interior of Corbetts to see what can be done.
The food at Eddie Merlot's was mediocre at best. The most incredible item was the potato chips and blue cheese. This is an incredible drinking companion, and they disappeared in a gobble. My in bone NY Strip was stringy and tasteless and I was rather disappointed. The truffle fries were too restrained and I tasted nothing of the truffle. Donna had two glasses of Albarino and I digested two Vodka Martinis. With our desserts to go, our bill came to a bit over $200. I thought this a bit steep for what was served. Sarah, our server at the bar, was professional and efficient. I would probably return to the bar for aps but not for dinner.

[Robin Garr]

I do not understand why Louisville's restaurant owners and designers cannot simply look at publications such as "Dwell" and "Wallpaper" to see what architects, designers, and decorators are doing around the world.

Eddie Merlot's is a national chain, Phil.

I do not understand why Louisville's restaurant owners and designers cannot simply look at publications such as "Dwell" and "Wallpaper" to see what architects, designers, and decorators are doing around the world.

Eddie Merlot's is a national chain, Phil.

Actually to be correct, Eddie Merlot's is (so far) a smallish regional (Midwestern) "chain" with only 5 locations...and I'm guessing they really don't care what folks are doing in Miami or NY or Europe.

[Robin Garr]

Actually to be correct, Eddie Merlot's is (so far) a smallish regional (Midwestern) "chain" with only 5 locations...and I'm guessing they really don't care what folks are doing in Miami or NY or Europe.

Point is, though, that the folks who make the design decisions aren't local hillbillies.

Actually to be correct, Eddie Merlot's is (so far) a smallish regional (Midwestern) "chain" with only 5 locations...and I'm guessing they really don't care what folks are doing in Miami or NY or Europe.

Point is, though, that the folks who make the design decisions aren't local hillbillies.

Actually, I've heard from several people that the place is really-really nice inside...of course the people telling me this were local hillbillies, so who knows.

[Robin Garr]

Actually, I've heard from several people that the place is really-really nice inside...of course the people telling me this were local hillbillies, so who knows.

Be careful, you're going to continue to persuade Phil that we react badly to criticism of our local idols. It's not the content, it's the delivery ...

I'd call it nice vs. Ramada like. There was some stained glass behind the bar that seemed kind of weird, but the rest of the place looked good. We went with intentions of eating at the bar, but the service was so off putting we opted for the drink and dash. The food that did come out looked good, but overdone/prissy. Ex. sesame/rice bowl with flowers for fried calamari.

The food that did come out looked good, but overdone/prissy.

Nothing worse than "Prissy" food...

I am trying not to chomp down on the "hillbilly" bait that is floating about on this particular post. However, Louisville and its natives need to get out of a defensive posture and learn how to accept constructive criticism. Simply put, whether a restaurant is a chain or a local establishment, the design and decor does not have to be a mixture of bland and inoffensive. In addition, "cutting edge" and "creative" does not have to be construed as pretentious.

If this city is going to grow both aesthetically and economically, a degree of self-analysis and self criticism is necessary. It amazes me how almost everyone I meet here feels the need to cheer and exalt in the way things are. Progression tends to be good and for heaven sake, Louisville needs to find ways to prosper financially. Some one with an outside point of view may not hurt. Perhaps I do come across in a pretentious manner to some of you. However, perhaps it isn't so much my arrogance as it is your myopic and insular view of your city.

[Robin Garr]

However, perhaps it isn't so much my arrogance as it is your myopic and insular view of your city.

Phil, there's a big difference between being arrogant and coming across like an @$$#*|e. In my experience, the latter behavior won't make you friends in Louisville or New York City or Paris or Rome. It's not really about whether the criticism is constructive, it's about how you say it.

I don't think you need a Louisville boy to tell you this.

I disagree with you Robin. I think that the gentility expected in Louisville is often a veil for not being upfront and honest. I have experienced a whole bunch of snobbery from a lot of folks here in Louisville. Questions concerning one's pedigree are quite common. People do want to know where you went to high school and have a desire to place you in a certain socio-economic group by what you do and where you live. I some times feel that reaction to my strong opinions are doused with a certain dislike of "Yankees" and especially New York ethnics.

[Robin Garr]

I disagree with you Robin. I think that the gentility expected in Louisville is often a veil for not being upfront and honest. I have experienced a whole bunch of snobbery from a lot of folks here in Louisville. Questions concerning one's pedigree are quite common. People do want to know where you went to high school and have a desire to place you in a certain socio-economic group by what you do and where you live. I some times feel that reaction to my strong opinions are doused with a certain dislike of "Yankees" and especially New York ethnics.

I'm not sure who you're hanging out with, Phil. A judgmental interest in one's high-school background and current circle of friends isn't really something I see a lot. I can't recall the last time anyone inquired about my pedigree, and I'm certainly not in the habit of making similar queries to others.

Again, I suppose I'm as guilty as anyone else of forming impressions of people based on the way they behave, but there ya go.

Well, I do not know about the behave comment, but I have not felt that any of my criticisms of Louisville should ever be taken as a personal afront. If I have behaved badly on this Forum, I do apologize for my actions. Yet, I still do not understand the defensiveness that arises after an opinion is expressed in a manner that might be a bit unique or different.

However, perhaps it isn't so much my arrogance as it is your myopic and insular view of your city.

Phil, there's a big difference between being arrogant and coming across like an @$$#*|e. In my experience, the latter behavior won't make you friends in Louisville or New York City or Paris or Rome. It's not really about whether the criticism is constructive, it's about how you say it.

I don't think you need a Louisville boy to tell you this.

Maybe it's just a designer with different taste or lack thereof. It's unclear how that translates to a "depravity" of culture in this town. I thought this place catered to female aesthetics anyway?

My gripe, and I have not been yet so it's clearly me being prejudicial, is the name. I can't stand the thought of going to a place called Eddie Merlot's - brings to mind white limosines, fake fur, neon, and so forth.

Just one hillbilly opinion.

I disagree with you Robin. I some times feel that reaction to my strong opinions are doused with a certain dislike of "Yankees" and especially New York ethnics.

I'm not sure who you're hanging out with, Phil. A judgmental interest in one's high-school background and current circle of friends isn't really something I see a lot. I can't recall the last time anyone inquired about my pedigree, and I'm certainly not in the habit of making similar queries to others.

Again, I suppose I'm as guilty as anyone else of forming impressions of people based on the way they behave, but there ya go.

Robin,

I will say as a relative newcomer ( 12 years ), I still get questioned frequently about what high school I went to- which is very odd to me. ( where I'm from you'd ask colege not H.S.) But I put it down to a Louisville idiocyncrasy to find common friends- not necessarily that people are necessarily trying to determine your socio-economic group. As someone who has moved alot, I've never been any place where so many people stay in their home town and are still friends with bunches of people from High school.
Deb