LEO's Eats with Robin Garr
Let me be frank: I've had a hard time understanding why so many of my foodie friends have been going ooh-la-la over the NuLu incarnation of Ghyslain. They've declared it "sophisticated," celebrated its French accent, and hurried in to buy restaurateur-chocolateur Ghyslain Maurais' fancy candies by the sack.
I could never quite share the excitement, and it hasn't been for lack of trying. I went a couple times before writing my first review in May 2011, and I've been back a number of times since. As I wrote in that early review, "Ghyslain isn't a bad place to settle down for lunch or a light dinner."
With all the outstanding alternatives in hip and hoppin' NuLu, though, I just haven't seen the point in going out of my way to dine at this Indiana-based mini-chain that reminded me a bit of a more pretentious Panera with a French accent.
But a funny thing happened the other night on the way to the new Ghyslain at Westport Village. I put my expectations on the shelf and went in with an open mind and palate, and ... Hey, now! This food is good! Good enough to cause an immediate attitude reboot: I would go back for more of this.
There's nothing particularly noteworthy about the setting, a good-size, minimally decorated shopping-center space around a corner behind Playthings Toy Shoppe in the popular suburban shopping village. In quick-service casual style, you walk up to the counter, place your order from the wall menu, take a number to put on your table, and wait for the cordial servers to bring out your meal.
And when this meal comes out, chances are it will make you happy.
...
Now I owe it to NuLu Ghyslain to go back for another try. I'll let you know when I do.
Read the full review on LouisvilleHotBytes (corrected link),
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/east- ... s-attitude
And in LEO Weekly (corrected link):
http://leoweekly.com/dining/east-end-gh ... s-attitude
Ghyslain
1215 Herr Lane
Westport Village
690-6001
http://ghyslain.com
Rating: 85
