POLL: Best of the best from HotBytes Top 20!

[Robin Garr]

Our call for nominees on the HotBytes forum and on Facebook yielded 160 responses naming a total of 66 restaurants in contention for tops in the metro.

A total of 20 received three nominations or more, so we'll use them as the finalists in our poll for best of the best! Take your pick, cast your vote, and may the winner enjoy the people’s ovation and fame forever!

(See the first reply below for the full list of nominees and the number of nominations that each received.)

[Robin Garr]

TOP 20: THREE VOTES OR MORE (20)
Seviche (10)
Mayan Cafe (9)
Decca (6)
Mussel & Burger Bar (6)
Rye (6)
Guaca Mole (5)
Harvest (5)
Palermo Viejo (5)
610 Magnolia (5)
Basa (4)
La Coop (4)
Volare (4)
Wiltshire on Market (4)
Asiatique (3)
Corbett's (3)
DakShin (3)
El Taco Luchador (3)
Holy Grale (3)
MilkWood (3)
Proof on Main (3)

RECEIVED TWO VOTES (14)
Bistro 1860
Blue Dog Bakery
Buck's
Charim
Hammerheads
Havana Rumba
Jack Fry's
Lilly's
Loop 22
Mojito
Papalino's
Selena's
Varanese
Vietnam Kitchen

RECEIVED ONE VOTE (32)
August Moon
Bourbons Bistro
Brasserie Provence
Brewery
Cafe Lou Lou
Coals
Ditto's
Eiderdown
El Camino
El Molcajete
El Mundo
Equus
Game
Gralehaus
Hillbilly Tea
Jasmine
Limestone
Majid’s
Marketplace
Mirage
Nam Nam Cafe
Ollie's Trolley
Ramsi's
Roots
Saffron’s
Safier
Simply Thai
St. Charles Exchange
Stevens & Stevens
Thai Café
Village Anchor
Wasabiya

Not easy, Robin. Not easy at all. A LOT of top shelf dining experiences on that list. It will be interesting to see where the votes go!

[Robin Garr]

If you haven't voted yet, please participate! I'd like to have as many votes as possible in the interest of a meaningful (even if not scientifically rigorous) result.

As Ronnie said it's certainly hard with so many top shelf restaurants on the list to pick out one above the others. One day my choice maybe one thing, tomorrow it may be different depending on what we are in the mood for. I posted an answer just now but it's subject to change....

I just voted for the single most memorable and unique dining experience I have had. There are lots of places on that list that could get my vote, but I made my decision based on the "wow" factor.

... single most memorable and unique dining experience I have had. ... "wow" factor...

Where was that, RonnieD??

Corbett's

We are but humble folk and we had an anniversary dinner at Corbett's that rivals any fine dining experience I have ever had.

[Robin Garr]

Now that we've got Facebook registration and login working (yay!) let's see if we can collect a few more votes before we declare this a wrap. Bring us your votes!

The votes for Volare surprise me. I've been 4 times and I've never been blown away with the food. It has also been good, just not great. What am I missing?

[Robin Garr]

The votes for Volare surprise me. I've been 4 times and I've never been blown away with the food. It has also been good, just not great. What am I missing?

Justin, there's no accounting for taste, but I've been impressed by the way that Chef Josh stepped in when Dallas left for Marketplace, and turns out Italian classics in the so-called "northern" style. I'd say their repeat visits to Jame Beard House suggest that I'm not alone in that. They have an excellent bar also.

I'm not sure that I would personally rank Volare No 1 in the city, but I'm certainly comfortable with them in the Top 10. They've long since surpassed Vincenzo's as the city's top high-end Italian.

We love Volare and have had some of the best food there that we have had in Lousiville! Food is so fresh, approachable and perfectly prepared, great wine list, and wonderful service. What more???

.

I'm not sure that I would personally rank Volare No 1 in the city, but I'm certainly comfortable with them in the Top 10. They've long since surpassed Vincenzo's as the city's top high-end Italian.

Completely agree .... Also have to agree with the front of the house run by Tarek. Great service.

[Robin Garr]

Also have to agree with the front of the house run by Tarek. Great service.

Very true ... Dallas turned the kitchen over to Josh. Majid turned the front of the house over to Tarek. And the restaurant stayed consistently good in both quarters. This is probably as good a measure of an eatery's enduring quality as is the presence of a "top chef" who may not always be around.

Volare would have my vote.

Eddie Merlot's also provided me with one of the most excellent meals.

Vinzenzo's was a great experience as well.

Can't say I have had too many bad experiences in Louisville and look forward to many more trips.