Gourmet Provisions provides tasty fare

[Robin Garr]

Gourmet Provisions provides tasty fare

Gourmet Provisions' bucatini puttanesca builds a thick, spicy tomato sauce, capers, and more on thick bucatini pasta.


Gourmet Provisions! You might think this is an upscale grocery, or maybe a shop with fancy pots and pans and kitchen equipment. But you’d be wrong: It’s a new restaurant, and a very good one, too.

Gourmet Provisions, which opened Aug. 5, is the brain child of Matt Rich, who has worked as a server and sometimes bartender at Owl Creek Country Club, Molly Malone’s, KT’s, Wild Eggs, and once held a franchise for the last Steak & Shake in town; and Chef Mike Driskell, who’s worked in many local kitchens from Jack Fry’s to Diamante and Club Grotto. Partnering with other chefs and a small staff, they two bring more than 50 years of experience to this venture.

Housed in a storefront on the Goose Creek Lane side of Westport Plaza shopping center, they’re handling the pandemic challenge smartly, focusing most of the business on takeout and curbside service and delivery and in-home meal catering. There’s no table service, but you are welcome to sit down and enjoy your takeout meal on one of three small, socially distanced tables.

In a Messenger conversation, Matt Rich recalled that he has known Mike Driskell and some other chefs he’s tapping for expertise since they met while working at Molly Malone’s in 2009. He was eager to bring Driskell in particular on board at Gourmet Provisions, for his skills and, of course, his popular lobster bisque recipe!

The online menu is simple to use, offers both lunch and dinner options; it’s open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It offers a choice of seven soups and salads, priced from $7 (for a Caesar, house salad, venison chili, or Driskell’s lobster bisque) to $14 (for a California Cobb salad with shrimp and lobster). A half-dozen sandwiches range in price from $11 (for a shrimp po’boy) to $15 (for a lobster roll).

Six entrees range in price from $13 (for bucatini puttanesca, the only meatless main course) to $24 (for a half-dozen extra-large shrimp stuffed with Crab Imperial. ...

Read the complete article on LouisvilleHotBytes,
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/gourmet-provisions

You'll also find this review in LEO Weekly's Food & Drink section today.
http://www.leoweekly.com/category/food-drink/

Gourmet Provisions
9407 Westport Road
Westport Plaza
963-5553
http://gourmetprovisionslouisville.com
http://bit.ly/GourmetProvisions
https://instagram.com/Gourmetprovisions_louisville

[Robin Garr]

By the way, I generally order from the regular menu for reviews, but don't overlook Gourmet Provisions' specials when they put one on. They are invariably spectacular.

Thanks again, sir. I hope to have pastrami tomorrow. We cooked a brisket Monday, and I must have took the fats temperature because it was undercooked. I tried to remedy the problem, but to no avail. I tossed 12Lb's of pastrami in the name of integrity. The flavor was there, but it was not the pastrami you reviewed. The major take I got from the review is that I need a few more vegetarian options. It's been a learning experience. I have become aware healthy options work but not too healthy(ahi tuna). Unhealthy will sell too but don't give them a heart attack(crab imperial). I think we will find our stride as fall sets in. I have a great team and I can lean on their experience where I lack.

[Robin Garr]

You're doing great, Matt. I hope the review was clear, but if it wasn't, I would unhesitatingly recommend Gourmet Provisions to anyone.

I went there a couple weeks ago, my gosh it was delightful! Had the California Cobb salad. Huge amount of fresh lobster, jumbo shrimps, avocado, fresh tomatoes, with the balsamic dressing. I added on some croutons, which was the Breadworks rounds – good stuff! The food was super fresh, bread right out of the oven! Can’t wait to go back – really excited to try the bisque and Maryland soup! (Disclaimer – probably having it for dinner on Saturday)

[Robin Garr]

Looks great, Laura! Thanks for the report. I hope you enjoy dinner!

Checking it out tonight. Looks wonderful.

[Robin Garr]

I hope you won't overlook the special, if there was one!

It takes a lot to get me away from my local spots on Frankfort Avenue, but it sounds like I need to give this place a try.

I am surprised at the maximum 18% gratuity. In this new era that we live in 18% is way too low, in my opinion.

It takes a lot to get me away from my local spots on Frankfort Avenue, but it sounds like I need to give this place a try.

I am surprised at the maximum 18% gratuity. In this new era that we live in 18% is way too low, in my opinion.

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a maximum tip allowance. Perhaps they have a unique pay structure for employees/partners. They do seem to have a unique way of filling out the kitchen.

[Robin Garr]

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a maximum tip allowance. Perhaps they have a unique pay structure for employees/partners. They do seem to have a unique way of filling out the kitchen.

I don't know, but my best guess is that there's a glitch in the online ordering setup, which seems to be done through an app that a lot of places are using. This is actually the second restaurant from which I ordered online recently that wouldn't take a tip different from the set numbers. The other had a write-in option but wouldn't accept it; this one didn't offer an option. In both cases I imagine it's a glitch rather than an intentional choice.

I'm going to look into this, I have seen some 20% tips come in but it might be delivery. I don't want to be greedy, but working in the FOH for years, I think 20% should at least be an option. I will say all tips go to the employees. When I cook I might grab 5 bucks if I did deliveries(out of area) to cover my gas. I feel it rewards the guys making the food and keeps them honest on quality. Also I make sure all "labor charges" go to Chef Mike and the crew for offsite events. It's the right thing to do, owner/operators don't take tips for working.

There is no maximum. There are several options, including a "custom" one where you can enter a dollar amount of your choice.

[Robin Garr]

There is no maximum. There are several options, including a "custom" one where you can enter a dollar amount of your choice.

That one wasn't there last week.