Haymarket lures us with farm-to-table BLT

[Robin Garr]

Haymarket lures us with farm-to-table BLT

The Haymarket BLT is back for summer, and we’re happy! Juicy fresh tomatoes, locally produced bacon and more on tasty sourdough make it a memorable meal.


Every now and then I’ll see an email or social-media ad that inspires immediate action. The new iPhone is available! Two-for-one sale on Häagen-Dazs! And, just the other day, “Tomato season has returned, and so has the beloved Haymarket BLT!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“

I had been meaning to get to Haymarket for a while. This fancy new farm-to-table market and eatery, open since June 2023, is by Ashbourne Farms of Oldham County, a multigenerational operation founded by bourbon industry patriarch W.L. Lyons Brown Sr. and his wife Sally in the 1930s.

Haymarket stems from Ashbourne’s vision to open a small farm store in La Grange, which turned into a larger plan to make their farm and its ethos of connection to what we eat to the greater Louisville community.

“We are beyond proud to bring farm-fresh foods, convenience, and warm hospitality together under one roof,” the operators said in a June 14, 2023 Facebook post announcing Haymarket’s opening.

Haymarket is named after the old Louisville Haymarket, an open-air marketplace in the downtown block surrounded by Jefferson, Liberty, Brook and Floyd streets where regional farmers brought fresh produce for sale in a very early version of the farmers’ market. The old Haymarket opened in the 1880s and ran until urban renewal displaced it in the 1960s.

Like the old Haymarket but with more intentionality, Ashbourne’s Haymarket, according to its social media, reflects the seasons and the bounty from its local farming partners: “Our culinary program is defined by embracing the finest ingredients nature has to offer, creating an experience that celebrates the richness and vibrancy of each season.”

Located at the corner of River Road and Mockingbird Valley Road, Haymarket’s large building incorporates a farm-to-table grocery and specialty store and high-tech casual eatery that reminds me of the offspring of a union between an upscale Paul's Fruit Market on steroids and a polished Logan Street Market.

The large, open, high-ceilinged building contains several stations including all manner or packaged and prepared food, many of them behind glass doors in lighted refrigerated shelves; a bakery section offering breads in bins and tempting pastries and cookies; stands filled with ceramics for sale.

Outside, along with rows of tables under shady umbrellas lined up on well manicured lawns, you’ll find plants for sale and shelves of flower pots and other garden accessories, all surrounded by native and prairie plants.

Before you dive into the food side, it might be a good idea to take a breath, look around, and maybe prep with a visit to Haymarket’s website before you go. There are several ways to get fed: You can place your order in advance or walk up, motor through a drive-through window; go inside and select your pick of ready-to-eat items and drinks; or, as we did, go inside and enjoy a high-tech ordering experience by checking the menu on a large screen, then turning to a terminal to select your order by clicking the dishes you prefer and flashing your card or device … no cash, please!

Of course we got the BLT ($15), and it was very much as advertised ...

Read my full review on LouisvilleHotBytes:
https://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/haymarket-blt

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

Haymarket by Ashbourne Farms
3020 River Road
576-5760
https://haymkt.com
https://facebook.com/haymarketlou
https://instagram.com/haymarket_lou

Noise Level: Although the place was crowded for lunch on a Saturday, the large space seems to seek up noise. Decibel levels hovered in the relatively quiet 60dB range, and conversation was not a problem.

Accessibility: The entire facility appears to be fully accessible to wheelchair users.

The concept is wonderful and could serve as a model for similar food options in the area. Its a bit haughty for my likes, but its well worth a visit to see and appreciate what they've accomplished on River Rd.

[Robin Garr]

"Haughty" is probably fair for a spot founded by one of Louisville's richest families and located at the foot of Mockingbird Valley.

Really, though, when I tally cost vs quality, I can't say it really felt out of line. I wouldn't need any arm-twisting to go back.

"Haughty" is probably fair for a spot founded by one of Louisville's richest families and located at the foot of Mockingbird Valley.

Really, though, when I tally cost vs quality, I can't say it really felt out of line. I wouldn't need any arm-twisting to go back.

Don't get me wrong, its a fine place. And like I stated, and had previously stated in an earlier post, I recommend going out there to see the place. It is definitely a great addition to our scene.

But the place has a vibe a bit different than that one would find at a farmers market or at a Paul's. It just seemed more fitting to run into the Norton Commons Ladies Tea Club (if there is one) sitting out back enjoying a Tuesday afternoon lunch. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just a bit off of my preferred vibe.

[Robin Garr]

Don't get me wrong, its a fine place. And like I stated, and had previously stated in an earlier post, I recommend going out there to see the place. It is definitely a great addition to our scene.

But the place has a vibe a bit different than that one would find at a farmers market or at a Paul's. It just seemed more fitting to run into the Norton Commons Ladies Tea Club (if there is one) sitting out back enjoying a Tuesday afternoon lunch. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just a bit off of my preferred vibe.

I absolutely agree with your general premise, it's just that it struck me as a similar-only-different well-off vibe. More Mockingbird Valley/Indian Hills/Glenview/Louisville Boat Club/River Valley Club vibe than Norton Commons. As I type, I realizze I'm thinking old money rather than new money.

Don't get me wrong, its a fine place. And like I stated, and had previously stated in an earlier post, I recommend going out there to see the place. It is definitely a great addition to our scene.

But the place has a vibe a bit different than that one would find at a farmers market or at a Paul's. It just seemed more fitting to run into the Norton Commons Ladies Tea Club (if there is one) sitting out back enjoying a Tuesday afternoon lunch. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just a bit off of my preferred vibe.

I absolutely agree with your general premise, it's just that it struck me as a similar-only-different well-off vibe. More Mockingbird Valley/Indian Hills/Glenview/Louisville Boat Club/River Valley Club vibe than Norton Commons. As I type, I realizze I'm thinking old money rather than new money.

Ha, ha, Nortons Commons was the best I could come up with. The more accurate assessment that you propose---Hills/Glenville/Louisville Boat Club...... old money..... --- rings better. Your native Louisville savvy better reflects the ambiance than my insight as a transplant.

[Robin Garr]

Ha, ha, Nortons Commons was the best I could come up with. The more accurate assessment that you propose---Hills/Glenville/Louisville Boat Club...... old money..... --- rings better. Your native Louisville savvy better reflects the ambiance than my insight as a transplant.

Thanks! I don't know whether to reply with pride or embarrassment.

With the feigned weathering and artificial turf, it was a bit pretentious. The hot sandwiches we had were soggy, as if they were made fresh, refrigerated and reheated. However, since it was single visit, I will give ‘em another chance or two.

The best thing was the jarred unpasteurized sauerkraut, keeping those probiotic critters alive.

[Robin Garr]

With the feigned weathering and artificial turf, it was a bit pretentious. The hot sandwiches we had were soggy, as if they were made fresh, refrigerated and reheated. However, since it was single visit, I will give ‘em another chance or two.

The best thing was the jarred unpasteurized sauerkraut, keeping those probiotic critters alive.

As discussed in the original review and back up this thread, yeah, "haughty" kind of comes with its wealthy roots and Mockingbird Valley location, I like it, though, and have to say that our BLT seemed to be freshly made and not soggy at all. Maybe it's luck of the draw when you order it, whether they've had time to build and story a supply of 'em?