Worldfest under way!

[Robin Garr]

<img src="http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/sponsors.jpg" alt="Worldfest">

The weather couldn't be better, the mood is fine, and the ethnic food from a couple of dozen vendors is outstanding. Come on down and enjoy the music, the dancing, the crafts, and ... did I mention the food?

I'm also delighted to see that LouisvilleHotBytes got top billing over Budweiser ...

<b>Worldfest Entertainment Schedule</b>

<b>Worldfest Activities Schedule</b>

Robin,

Do You know who the food vendors are? We were thinking about going tonight.

[Robin Garr]

Do You know who the food vendors are? We were thinking about going tonight.

Deb, I think you'll enjoy yourselves. I didn't write down all the vendors, but there are a lot. Restaurants, ethnic social groups and a few private citizens and caterers that don't have restaurants. Just from memory (aided by the handout flier you can get at the entrances), food vendors include:

Asiatique
Cafe Glace
Coco's Bakery
Dee's Food Service (opening a BBQ place on Poplar Level soon)
German American Club
India Palace
Jamaican Association of Louisville
Kizito Cookies
La Nirra (Mexican father and son taco team)
La Rosita
La Texanita Tacos
Little India
Little Jimmy's Italian Ice
Mai's Thai
Nile Sudanese Restaurant (wasn't there at lunch today, but I'm really curious)
Nine Dragon (not there at lunch)
Oceanside Seafood Restaurant (Moroccan)
O'Connell's Irish Pub
Peruvian Food (private group?)
Safier
Sari Sari (according to the list, but I didn't see them)
Shiraz
Sol Aztecas
Tacos y Mas
Taste of Jamaica
Thai Taste
ValuMarket
Yang Kee Noodle

I'm sure there are more, but this will give you the flavor of it.

We're going back tomorrow at noon for a couple of hours. Anyone up for an impromptu offline?

L'Alliance Francaise de Louisville (French) is serving Graeter's ice cream, although I don't know what's particularly French about that - can you say crepes?

Or is it Graeter's that uses the "French Pot" technique to make their ice cream?

We just got back and had a really nice time. Weather was perfect, a little windy but nothing unbearable. Wasn't overwhelmed with the quality of food we sampled but every one was very friendly and happy to be there, and I'm sure they were kind of limited as to what they could cook with the equipment they had.
My son had a taco from one of my favorite restaurants, Los Aztecas. He rated them perfect as usual. I had some carne asado tacos from La Nirra, which were rather bland I thought. It was strictly soft corn tortillas and chopped meat. They did have lime wedges and hot sauces to put on them...but I would have loved some fresh cilantro, avocado, tomato, and onion (not asking for much, am I?).
I had some ribs from a barbecue vendor, don't know the name of it but the family said they travel around doing bbq contests. There were two men there talking to them- one who stated that he wanted them to come cook for the Beatles festival next year and the gentleman with him was somebody from the mayor's office. I love ribs and cue, but thought the meat tasted kind of funny, not like any meat I'd had before. It was very rich and a little sweet. I felt kind of yucky after eating them.
We had a fresh fruit crepe with strawberries and bananas. Very yummy.
My daughter went all out and got a hot dog
We enjoyed the vendors and entertainers. We sat and listened to an Irish band called The Elders for a long time and they were so good I had to buy their c.d. after the set ended. We can't wait to go back next year!

[Robin Garr]

Great report, Alanna! I'm glad you enjoyed WorldFest. I hope you don't mind if I post reactions to a couple of your notes. No argument intended, just yakking about "foodie" stuff and different tastes.

I had some carne asado tacos from La Nirra, which were rather bland I thought. It was strictly soft corn tortillas and chopped meat. They did have lime wedges and hot sauces to put on them...but I would have loved some fresh cilantro, avocado, tomato, and onion (not asking for much, am I?).

We had the barbacoa (steak) tacos here yesterday at lunch and loved them, but at that point, the father-and-son team was offering both traditional garnishes (chopped onion, chopped cilantro and lime wedges) and "norteamericano" (shredded cheese). The three salsitas were also excellent, I thought, and I particularly loved the green-chile salsa. Even though they don't run a restaurant, I thought the tacos were right up there with the better local taquerias.

I had some ribs from a barbecue vendor, don't know the name of it but the family said they travel around doing bbq contests. ... I love ribs and cue, but thought the meat tasted kind of funny, not like any meat I'd had before. It was very rich and a little sweet.

Mary and I devoured a big sample of ribs from these friendly people and loved them. The menu said four bones for $5, but she gave us eight! This is African-American-style smoked meat, does have a sweet edge, but their tart and black-pepper laced homemade sauce brought them into perfect balance for me. These folks are opening a BBQ shack in about two weeks on Poplar Level near Indian Trail ("Dee's Catering"), and I'm looking forward to it. The older gentleman, Edgar Beecham according to his card, has been smoking ribs and pork for a mighty long time ...

Where is it located exactly? Is it where they have the greek festival each year?

Amy S.

[Robin Garr]

Where is it located exactly? Is it where they have the greek festival each year?

Amy S.

Amy, I'm not sure where the Greek Festival was - I was out of town!

WorldFest is on the Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere, which is the elevated little urban park on the north side of Main Street between about Fifth and Seventh streets, just west of the Galt House and partly behind the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Pedestrian access is easiest by walking north up the slope from Fifth and Main, or parking in the Riverfront Garage and coming straight up the elevators and stairs.

Yep, that is where the Greek festival has been the last several years. Is there a entrance fee? If so, how much? A friend and I are thinking about taking our kids down there this afternoon.

Amy S.

[Robin Garr]

Yep, that is where the Greek festival has been the last several years. Is there a entrance fee? If so, how much? A friend and I are thinking about taking our kids down there this afternoon.

Amy S.

Oh, no, no entrance fee at all, Amy. You just pay for food. Anywhere from $2 to $10 depending on the booth and the item. C'mon down! It's a bodaciously beautiful day. Noon is the "Parade of Nations," a really touching and heart-warming parade with representatives of all the city's ethnic groups in costume. We're heading out the door now.

I think I just don't like smoked meat...I love the ribs at Mark's Feed Store and from what I understand, true 'cue connoisseurs look down on them because they don't smoke their meat...?

Was at the Fest from about six to midnight and it was great! Never been before but we had a really good time, ate lot's of different foods and listened to the good music.

Well let's see got there on Saturday right before the parade and the wife got a gyro with no tomato's for the greek community, I had the cuban from valu market. Both were really good. The wife then had a side of german potato salad which had a unique vinegar tast to it not real tart but prominent and good. I had to get some Baklava and was very impressed by it. We then stumbled upon my favorite of the day which was coco's bakery and man I had a ho-ho which was very very rich and good. Basically a twinkie size chocolate cake with creme on top covered in chocolate. The wife spotted a kind of open pastry bread that contained bacon and green onions. I only regret that they are located so far away on soutside drive. Oh well maybe one day I will make the trip and stock up.

I really enjoyed the anticuchos at the Peruvian booth. The menu desribed them as grilled beef...I wonder how many folks bought and enjoyed this dish without knowing that they were eating grilled, marinated beef heart!

L'Alliance Francaise de Louisville (French) is serving Graeter's ice cream, although I don't know what's particularly French about that - can you say crepes?

Or is it Graeter's that uses the "French Pot" technique to make their ice cream?

That's hilarious Jay. Graeter's is German. I guess we've come a long way since WW II.