Derby Season events! Post them here

[Robin Garr]

This topic will remain "pinned" to the top of the forum until after Derby weekend. Restaurateurs, representatives and friends are welcome to post events of public interest here without the usual step of running it by me first, but please keep it local and try to be straightforward, avoiding superlatives and PR hype. (For example, "dinner," not "unique and awesome dinner." )

Don't forget to change your subject line when you post so as to reflect the restaurant and event.

Post on! Happy Derby!

[Robin Garr]

Equus and Jack’s Lounge will kick off Derby season with a Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Dinner on Monday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. Executive Chef Tavis Rockwell’s five-course menu will focus on fresh meats and produce from Kentucky Proud farmers and purveyors. Bar Manager Joy Perrine will fashion mint juleps that feature Woodford Reserve. Chris Morris, Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve, will also be on hand.

Dinner is $90 per person, not including tax or tip. Reservations are required; call 897-9721.

First Course
Seared Scallop, Lamb Sausage, Demi-Glace, Brussels Sprout Leaves

> Taste of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Second Course
Kentucky Bibb, Crispy Goat Cheese, Blueberries, Toasted Pecans,
Mint-Parsley Vinaigrette
> 
Midnight Julep Bourbon Cocktail ~ Woodford Reserve, Brown Sugar,
Fresh Blueberries, Fresh Mint, Hint of Blueberry Juice


Third Course

Seared Halibut, Pork Belly Ravioli, Tomato, Pesto, Balsamic Reduction
> Traditional Mint Julep Bourbon Cocktail ~
Woodford Reserve, Sugar, Fresh Mint


Fourth Course

Beef Tournedo, Pan Style Home Fries & Onions, Port Essence, Sauce Bordelaise
> Sunrise Julep Bourbon Cocktail ~ Woodford Reserve, Sugar, Lemon,
Fresh Strawberries, Fresh Mint, Splash of Orange Juice

Dessert Course


Almond White Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding,
Mint Anglaise, Bittersweet Chocolate
> Chocolate Julep Bourbon Cocktail ~
Woodford Reserve, Fresh Mint, Chocolate

Equus & Jack’s Lounge
122 Sears Ave.
897-9721
www.equusrestaurant.com
www.facebook.com/equus.jacks





[Robin Garr]

Equus & Jack’s Lounge Chef Tavis Rockwell plans a special six-course menu on May 4 and 5 to mark the Kentucky Oaks and the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby. Dinner is $85 per person, plus tax and tip. Reservations are required. Call 897-9721.

Amuse
Mini Smoked Gouda Hot Brown

Appetizer
Crispy Shrimp Dumpling, Smoked Tomato Nage

Salad
Kentucky Bibb, Apple, Almonds, Manchego,
Woodford Reserve Vinaigrette


Seafood

Pistachio Encrusted Seabass, Garlic Scape & Mushroom Risotto,
Sauce Soubise


Meat

Creekstone Filet, Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Beets,
Haricots Verts, Sauce Duxelles

Dessert
Chocolate Mint Julep
Chocolate Torte, Mint Meringue, Bourbon Caramel

Equus & Jack’s Lounge
122 Sears Ave.
897-9721
www.equusrestaurant.com

[Robin Garr]

Corbett’s: an American Place will offer special Derby season menus Thursday, May 3, through Saturday, May 5.

For the Kentucky Oaks on May 4 and Kentucky Derby on May 5, an eight-course menu will be $125 per person, plus tax and tip.

Corbett’s: an American Place Kentucky Oaks and Derby Menu:

Amuse
Smoked Salmon Parfait, Baesetra Caviar, Crème Fraîche, Essence of Dill

Appetizer
Diver Scallop, “Lobster Thermidor”, Gruyère Crisp,
Red Mustard Demi-Glace

Salad
Mâche, Compressed Watermelon, Jicama, Radish,
Capriole Farm’s Sophia, Pignoli, Cilantro Vinaigrette

Seafood
Mero Sea Bass, Artichoke & Country Ham Ravioli, Morels, Fava Beans,
Basil Sauternes, Charred Tomato Sabayon

Intermezzo
Yuzu Gelée, Meyer Lemon Sorbet

Meat
Creekstone Tenderloin, Lyonnaise Pommes Anna, Carrot Flan, Beet Coulis,
Gary Farms Mustard Greens, Sauce Périgueux

Dessert
Bittersweet Chocolate & Bourbon Bread Pudding, Sea Salt Caramel Sauce,
Local Strawberries, Frozen Rhubarb

Mignardise
Mint Semifreddo


Corbett’s will also offer a special six-course menu on Thursday, May 3, for $100 per person, plus tax and tip.

Pre-Derby Menu for Thursday, May 3rd:

Amuse
Smoked Salmon Parfait, Baesetra Caviar, Crème Fraîche, Essence of Dill

Salad
Mâche, Compressed Watermelon, Jicama, Radish,
Capriole Farm’s Sophia, Pignoli, Cilantro Vinaigrette

Seafood
Diver Scallop, “Lobster Thermidor”, Gruyère Crisp,
Red Mustard Demi-Glace

Meat
Creekstone Tenderloin, Lyonnaise Pommes Anna, Carrot Flan, Beet Coulis,
Gary Farms Mustard Greens, Sauce Périgueux

Dessert
Bittersweet Chocolate & Bourbon Bread Pudding, Sea Salt Caramel Sauce,
Local Strawberries, Frozen Rhubarb

Mignardise
Mint Semifreddo

Reservations are required for all these special dinners. For more information or to reserve your table, call 327-5058.

Corbett’s: an American Place
5050 Norton Healthcare Boulevard
Old Brownsboro Crossing
327-5058
www.corbettsrestaurant.com

Wear your Derby hats, pick the winning horses and join us at the

Coach Lamp Restaurant
751 Vine Street

for Oaks and Derby and choose from our 50+ selection of bourbons for the Mint Julips!!

We will be offering our regular menu at regular prices along with two off menu specials:

Twin pork chops smothered in the trinity and exotic mushrooms, parmesan mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables

Parmesan encrusted seabass atop lobster risotto with an asparagus hollandaise

Make your reservations at 502.583.9165

[Robin Garr]

Boxed meals ready for the track, Derby season cupcakes inspired by Churchill Downs’ favorite cocktails, and other sweet treats will be available at The Bakery, Sullivan University’s retail bakery, for Derby season, from Monday, April 23 t through Derby Day, Saturday, May 5.

Each cupcake costs $2. Boxed lunches are $12 and includes a choice of sandwich or salad, chips, pasta salad and a drink. To place your order, call The Bakery, 452-1210.

Derby Sweets

Oaks Lily Cupcake
Lemon cake with vodka infused cranberries and lemon icing ($2)

Mint Julep Cupcake
Bourbon-chocolate cake with mint icing ($2)

Derby Pie Squares
2x2 individual piece ($3)

Assorted Fresh Bakery Jumbo Cookies ($2 each, $18 per dozen)

Bourbon Bread Pudding ($3)

Chocolate Truffles ($1.25 each or 7 for $7.75)

Boxed Lunch Options

All salads and sandwiches include a 20-ounce soda, bag of chips and gourmet pasta salad

Tuscan Sandwich ($12)
Salami, capicola, pepperoni, mortadella, roasted red peppers, tomato, red onion and provolone cheese with olive mayonnaise on focaccia bread

Brined Slow Roasted Shaved Pork and Country Ham Sandwich ($12)
Shaved pork and thin sliced country ham on a kaiser roll with Muenster cheese and a quick pickled vegetable slaw

Mozzarella, Roasted Red Pepper and Grilled Vegetable Sandwich ($12)
Fresh mozzarella with seasonal grilled vegetables and roasted red peppers finished with a light pesto sauce on a ciabatta roll

Chicken Salad Sandwich ($12)
Grilled chicken, dried cranberries and almonds in a sweet and spicy mayonnaise, served on multigrain bread with leaf lettuce and tomato

Southwest Chicken Wrap ($12)
Grilled fajita chicken, shredded cheddar, black bean and corn relish, Southwest ranch, lettuce and tomato rolled in a white corn flour tortilla

Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad ($12)
Mixed field greens and romaine lettuce, pecan crusted chicken breast, shaved white cheddar, cherry tomatoes and fresh sliced strawberries with champagne-raspberry vinaigrette

Classic Caesar Salad ($12)
Chopped crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and fresh baked garlic croutons tossed in Juleps’ creamy Caesar dressing and served with your choice of grilled chicken, oven roasted fresh salmon or pan seared Gulf shrimp

The Bakery at Sullivan University
Bardstown Road at the Watterson Expressway
452-1210
www.sullivan.edu/bakery

[Robin Garr]

Derby Box Lunches
Red Clover will be offering Lunchboxes for 2012 Kentucky Oaks and Derby Goers. This menu will be offered Thursday May 3rd, “Oaks” Friday May 4th and “Derby” Saturday May 5th. Red Clover Lunchboxes are available for pick up between the hours of 9am till Noon all three mornings. Delivery is also available upon request.

Please place orders by Noon on Tuesday May 1st. by calling Chef’s Amber McCool and Matt Jones at 502.457.3302 or email locallyrooted@gmail.com.

Red Clover Kentucky Derby Lunchboxes
$20/Lunchbox
All lunch boxes will contain brown rice salad or sweet pea salad, chips, red grapes, lemon tea shortbread & surefire chocolate brownies; breads made exclusively for Red Clover by “Loafers” and are packed tightly in a clear “track-friendly” box.

Bowman & Landis Roasted Turkey
- apple marmalade, havarti cheese, pickled red onion, butter lettuce, wholesome wheat bread

Stone Cross Farm Pork Bahn Mi
- brown rice flour baguette, pickled cucumbers and carrots, sriracha mayonnaise

Ashbourne Farms Beef Sandwich
- beer cheese spread, caramelized onions, arugula, zeppelin roll

Homemade Naan & Lentil Hummus
- pea shoots, roasted peppers

Red Clover Benedictine Spread & Smoked Salmon
- crusty bacon bread, bibb lettuce

Marksbury Pecan Chicken Salad
- wholesome wheat bread

Noshbox
$75, serves 4-6

- Belgian Endive Leaves
- Blue Cheese, Apple, Walnut Spread
- Capriole Goat Cheese Thimbles
- Red Clover Crushed Olive Spread
- White Cheddar Pimento Cheese
- Lavosh Crackers
- Country Ham Biscuits
- Pickled Vegetables

Download Red Clover Derby 2012 Menu (PDF)
http://redclover.cmail1.com/t/j-l-fsyul-oyuait-y/

Oaks & Derby at Harvest

dinner menu | available prix fixe and a-la-carte | open seating
May 4th & 5th 2012
$50/person, $75 with wine pairings


~ course one ~

bibb salad, grilled asparagus, toscana, savory biscotti, green goddess vinaigrette
~ or ~
crispy lasagnette, pork confit, sweet potato puree, red wine jus, green garlic gremolata

~ course two ~
grilled s.c. strip, bourbon-dijon jus, smoked blue cheese-bacon grits, grilled rapini slaw
~ or ~
spinach-chard dumplings, buttered radishes, chervil-cress salad, roasted garlic mornay

~ course three ~
chocolate mint mousse, soft meringues, bourbon snaps, chocolate-bourbon sauce
~ or ~
strawberry-cabernet semifreddo, shortbread cookies, strawberry-ginger compote

**menu subject to change based on availability**
menu available a la carte

[Robin Garr]

Varanese, 2106 Frankfort Ave., plans an early evening "Beat the Odds" Oaks and Derby special, a prix fixe dinner for two with seating from 5-6 p.m. for an early dinner before the post-race hordes arrive. It’s priced for the win at $45 for two. For reservations call 899-9904.

CHOICE OF SALADS
Mixed Baby Greens, Sliced Cucumbers, Shaved Red Onions
and Grape Tomatoes
Drizzled with Caramelized Onion Vinaigrette

OR

Crispy Romaine Lettuce tossed with Creamy Roasted Garlic
and Parmesan Dressing topped with Fried Polenta Croutons

CHOICE OF ENTREES
Pecan Encrusted Mahi Mahi atop Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Finished with a Honey Butter Sauce

OR

Tender Grilled Flat Iron Steak Drizzled with Chef John’s V-12 Sauce
Served over an Infused Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto

OR

Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork Chop
Topped with an Apple-Bacon Chutney
Served with a Gratin Potato

DESSERT
Small Bites Trio for two

[Robin Garr]

The 26th Annual Billy's Burger Bash featuring Lamont Gillispie
& 100 Proof will be at Varanese, 2106 Frankfort Avenue, starting
at 11 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2012 until the wee hours of Sunday, May 6.

After the post-Derby rush begins to clear, tables are moved to
the sides of the four-seasons patio to make a dance floor. One
of the most popular bands in the region begins an "almost all night" jam
for absolutely no cover charge. A late night menu is served, which of
course includes burgers and drink specials.

Emmy award winning television producer, Billy Rapaport, started this event
26 years ago at Zena's downtown. He'd invite media friends to unwind while he
went into Zena's kitchen to make his friends and associates a burger. The post-Derby
party grew in size over the years. An occasional celebrity, like Bo Derek, would stop by.
Rapaport brought the party to Varanese several years ago after Zena's closed.

The event is free and open to the public.
www.varanese.com
899-9904