Martini Italian Bistro is now locally owned and operated.

Happy Birthday/Happy New Year Martini Italian Bistro Louisville.

Today (November 1st, 2011) begins their first day of local ownership, a process that has been in the works for over 3 years. They've quietly assembled the A-Team of chefs, staff and bartenders and now locally owned and locally managed they can all rev up their engines and strut their stuff.

We look forward to many great meals and great times ahead!!!

Congratulations

Congrats to the newest local establishment.

That is GREAT news-I know Jim and his team have worked hard and will keep up the good work! I need to get out there soon!

Outstanding news! One of our local favorites. Has always had that independent vibe as the only other one was in Columbus, Ohio. Looking forward to many more excellent meals there!

[Robin Garr]

Great news! Why not name the three guys in the photo and tell us their roles at Martini, Jerry?

Thrilled for Jim and his team at Martini! All the best from KRA!

Robin great idea... I'll even throw in a little color!!!

From left to right-
Chef Allan Hubbard (Vincenzo's 15 year alumni... I've always referred to Allan as a Ferrari locked in the garage. During special Martini Events he came out on the road and showed his true culinary skills but it was back in the corporate garage with sneak peaks in his daily specials. Now he is free to create and I suspect that his expertise will become more widely expressed on the menu over time. Not pictured but also in the kitchen with Chef Allan is Chef Wayne who was at Ramsi's for over 14 years.)

Jim Davis (Owner/Manager with an international pedigree of restaurant/club management from London to the US including domestically Planet Hollywood in Orlando and Nashville and Bahama Breeze in Louisville before joining Martini.)

Bartender Gary Gruver (Has won many awards locally and nationally including two from GQ magazine. Very creative and always working up new exciting concoctions. Gary has also worked at several places in Louisville over the years but has been with Jim for over 10 years and holds the distinction as the longest employee at Martini Italian Bistro. Jim is a close second at 9 years)

Martini Italian Bistro always allowed you to have your dish customized to your taste from changing sauces to pasta. But now free to create on their own, I'd have to say that even more exciting times lie ahead for Martini Italian Bistro under local management and ownership.

from my recollection gary the bartender has been there longer than 2 years. i want to say something like 6 yrs. i go there frequently and recall seeing him there from years ago when i first moved to this area of town.

You are indeed correct but much longer. Just talked to Gary to verify. Gary is also the longest employee and has been there for over 10 years!!!! Jim is a close second at 9 years because he left and came back after a year at Texas Roadhouse.

Robin great idea... I'll even throw in a little color!!!

Jim Davis (Owner/Manager with an international pedigree of restaurant/club management from London to the US including domestically Planet Hollywood in Orlando and Nashville and Bahama Breeze in Louisville before joining Martini.)

Bartender Gary Gruver (Has won many awards locally and nationally including two from GQ magazine. Very creative and always working up new exciting concoctions. Gary has also worked at several places in Louisville over the years but has been with Jim for at least 10 years that I am aware of at Martini Italian Bistro.)

Planet Hollywood, Orlando? I am also an alumnus from 'The Busiest Restaraunt in the World.' (no kidding- Guiness awarded.) Well, how about that?!?!



EDIT: It would be fun to shoot the salad with him about the 'ol haunt- the dreaded station 8, the night the house caught on fire or, depending upon his tenure, some of the staff (although they blew through staff due primarilly to burnout.)

This is always a great place to go for Italian in Louisville but now I'm sure it will become even better because they will have more freedom to create their own dishes. Certainly a welcome change and I wish them the best! We will certainly be visiting soon.

[Robin Garr]

Robin great idea... I'll even throw in a little color!!!

Thanks, Jerry. That puts the icing on the cake.

We eat there quite a bit and this is excellant news indeed.

[quote="Jerry Zegart"]Robin great idea... I'll even throw in a little color!!!

From left to right-
Not pictured but also in the kitchen with Chef Allan is Chef Wayne who was at Ramsi's for over 14 years.)

I worked with Wayne at Ramsi's. I love Wayne!!!! Tell him Jamie says hello if you see him!

[Robin Garr]

Robin great idea... I'll even throw in a little color!!!

From left to right-
Not pictured but also in the kitchen with Chef Allan is Chef Wayne who was at Ramsi's for over 14 years.)

I worked with Wayne at Ramsi's. I love Wayne!!!! Tell him Jamie says hello if you see him!

What's Wayne's last name, guys?

Robin great idea... I'll even throw in a little color!!!

From left to right-
Not pictured but also in the kitchen with Chef Allan is Chef Wayne who was at Ramsi's for over 14 years.)

I worked with Wayne at Ramsi's. I love Wayne!!!! Tell him Jamie says hello if you see him!

What's Wayne's last name, guys?

Not sure about the last name, but he's a tall, thin, African-American family man probably less than ten years older than I... and sweet as pie. Maybe that helps? I love Wayne, too!