I used to visit Louisville and Lexington every few years, just to see what's new and bask in what's old — like the Kentucky Derby on a sweltering Saturday in May, and biscuits and country ham washed down with mint juleps. I've driven out to the rolling bluegrass horse country around Lexington to see former winners like Smarty Jones, Big Brown, and War Chant enjoy their days eating bluegrass and playing the lucky stud at Three Chimneys Farm. I've staggered through legendary distilleries like Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam, and Heaven Hill along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. And I always make time to eat at Pat's Steak House and the English Grill at the Brown Hotel (where the turkey sandwich called the Hot Brown was created), which I've written about here over the past few months.
But these days I find I need to visit Louisville and Lexington annually, just to keep up with the booming food and restaurant scene. Some of the cities' restaurants and chefs rank with the best in the U.S. right now, while others are very much a part of the food culture in one of the most beautiful states in America.
Continued via this link:
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/food-for-m ... nts-070511