Post-Derby Meal to Impress Guests

We've got business colleagues coming in for Derby. They're all sophisticated people who travel often. They're also big drinkers. I've been wracking my brain.
I have stayed away from restaurants during Derby in the past, so I don't know who handles the crowds best.
Any ideas?

Here's a few ideas...

Bourbon's Bistro- Could it get any more Kentucky than whisky? Chef Crouch is fantastic. The drawback- everybody else is gonna be thinking the same thing. Jack Frys for the same reason.

Varanese- Very few FOH staffs are as solid. The core group has been there since opening. Practically bulletproof.

Z Oyster Bar, Downtown- 380 seats will make it difficult to get bumped on a reservation.

E Market Street- All of them are good. Just outside of the hotels and away from the track. I'd bet that Proof is gonna be a madhouse.

And the eventual, shameless plug- Majid's for the southern hospitality...

I agree with all of Stephen's picks, but Volare should be in that mix too.
Chef Josh and his crew are used to the big crowds the Derby brings and take extra measures every year to insure their guests satisfaction.

We take a group of 24 to different restaurant each year. This year we are going to Seviche. Previous places which were all good include:

2011 - Mayan Gypsy - FYI beer and wine only
2010 - 732 Social
2009 - Lilly's
2008 - Napa River Grill
2007 and before - memory gets foggy

Food and service have been excellent every year.

A couple places in town we would like to try have a prix fixe menu. We have historically stayed away from those to give our guest more options/choices for their dinner.

Jeff Ruby's kicks major butt during Derby week.

Don't know what mode of transportation you're using to get back and forth to the track, but if it's the shuttle bus then Marketplace at Theatre Square is hard to beat.

Last year we met our guests in front of the Brown, caught the bus 1/2 block away, and were at the track in no time. Left our box immediately after Derby on the second bus out and we were seated at Marketplace IIRC by 7:15. We didn't stick around for all of the presentation ceremonies, but beating traffic and getting seated for dinner at a reasonable hour was more important to our guests.

Everyone was ready for a comfortable seat, nice drink, and a good meal. Bus dropped us off about 1 block away and Marketplace came through on all counts.

2011 - Mayan Gypsy - FYI beer and wine only

Mayan Gypsy actually has a full cocktail menu now.

2011 - Mayan Gypsy - FYI beer and wine only

Mayan Gypsy actually has a full cocktail menu now.

Are you all talking about the Mayan Cafe or is there a place called Mayan Gypsy?

Seviche is pretty damn fine and I would add Lillies.

2011 - Mayan Gypsy - FYI beer and wine only

Mayan Gypsy actually has a full cocktail menu now.

Are you all talking about the Mayan Cafe or is there a place called Mayan Gypsy?

They must mean the Mayan Cafe. The Mayan Gypsy closed like, what, ten years ago now?

PS. and FYI - That big building in St. Matthews is no longer a Sears.

2011 - Mayan Gypsy - FYI beer and wine only

Mayan Gypsy actually has a full cocktail menu now.

Are you all talking about the Mayan Cafe or is there a place called Mayan Gypsy?

Yes, I meant the Mayan Cafe, and it is good to know that they now have a full cocktail menu.

We got a reservation at Mayan Cafe. Good part of town, great food. Thanks for the advice. Even though I like this place, for some reason it had slipped my mind.