Karem's: Something old, something new at Norton Commons

[Robin Garr]

<table border="0" align="right" width="310"><tr><td><img src="http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/karem.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr><tr><td>Karem's in Norton Commons occupies a brand-new, three-story red-brick storefront that's made to look a lot like an old one. Photo by Robin Garr</td></tr></table><i>Voice-Tribune</i>, March 29, 2007
(Karem's Grill & Pub, Shady Lane Café)

One of the more unusual suburban developments in recent memory, Norton Commons – billed as a "traditional neighborhood development" or "TND" – brings a touch of nostalgia to Louisville's outer suburbs.

It incorporates acres of parklike green space surrounding a squared-off grid of residential blocks made to resemble an old-fashioned urban neighborhood, with sturdy brick houses lined up side-by-side, most of them equipped with front porches where folks can come out to sit a spell and talk with the neighbors.

And just as in grandpa's day, a short stroll (no need to get out the horseless carriage) will take you down to the quaint town square, with brand-new, three-story red-brick storefronts made to look a lot like old ones.

Located on the old Norton family farm in far Eastern Jefferson County, just past the rapidly developing suburban sprawl of Springhurst, the Summit and the new Brownsboro Crossing with its giant Costco store, Norton Commons makes a striking break from the suburban scene.

And now there's another good reason to go: <b>Karem's Grill & Pub</b>, a new venture of Louis Karem of St. Matthews' Karem's Deli & Catering, has opened the first eatery in the Norton Commons shopping district, and a very good eatery it is.

Read the full reviews of Karem's and Shady Lane Café on LouisvilleHotBytes.

Visit The Voice-Tribune Website.

Live just down the street from them. Will have to go and check this place out.

I live just down the road too. Every time I go by they're packed. I guess I just need to park the Beetle and walk on in to check it out. Being as I'm not that far from Shady Lane Cafe, I need to check it out as well. Thanks for the good articles on the 2 new places in my part of town.

[Robin Garr]

:D Live just down the street from them. Will have to go and check this place out.

I could hear that well-done burger at Shady Lane calling your name ...

[Robin Garr]

I live just down the road too. Every time I go by they're packed. I guess I just need to park the Beetle and walk on in to check it out. Being as I'm not that far from Shady Lane Cafe, I need to check it out as well. Thanks for the good articles on the 2 new places in my part of town.

I basically try to keep my Voice-Tribune reviews in the East End largely, since that's their coverage area, and all kidding about the suburbs aside, it's important for me to keep a good handle on what's going on out there, too. This week was a real trip to the 'burbs for me ... these two in the Voice and Brix Wine Bar in LEO! I had to schedule a trip to Italy so I'd be out of town when the news broke.

Karem's was really surprisingly good, though ... both dishes were generously and well made, and that burger wrap totally rang my chimes, so much so that even sitting here at the huge Vinitaly wine show in Verona, completely surrounded by all of Italy's great food and wine, I'm still sitting here thinking about that Karem burger and feeling hungry.

The friendly folks at Norton Commons said the menu is the same at both Karem's, there and the older one behind Stockyards Bank in St. Matthews, so I really ought to check out the St. Matt branch sometime. To be honest, though, its atmosphere doesn't really appeal to me, and ... okay, I'm going to say it ... I really like the looks of the Norton Commons shop.

Shady Lane was nice, too, but in all honesty, I can't call it a standout. Friendly folks and decent fare, but it doesn't really stand head and shoulders above the pack the way Karem's did.

519 am.....Man you get up early....

[Robin Garr]

519 am.....Man you get up early....

Not really., It was 11:19 over here.

Forgot you are over there...Any Pizza Huts over there?????

[Robin Garr]

:shock: Forgot you are over there...Any Pizza Huts over there?????

Newp. Chains don't thrive in Italy or France, where everyone knows what good food is.

You mean that they dont have KFC or Mickey D's....????

Just looked at the Micky D's websote and it looks as if they have quite a few in Italy along with KFC.....

[Robin Garr]

Just looked at the Micky D's websote and it looks as if they have quite a few in Italy along with KFC.....

I said they "don't thrive," and that's an accurate statement. You don't see them all over the place the way you do in the US. The ratio of chain to independent is probably something like 1 to 50 over here. But of course somebody has to serve the tourists who wish they had never left home.

I live in Indian Hills, so Shady Lane is just across the street.

It's incredibly friendly, and the food is good. It's a great addition to the area, and it's a place to get a nice lunch without having to drive over to downtown St. Matthews and Frankfort Avenue. I wouldn't go all the way across town to get there, but for those of us in the area, it's a very welcome addition.

I think that a lot of people in the "Burbs" feel the same way.....They are not going to drive inside the Watterson to go eat.....maybe once in a while at best....

[Robin Garr]

It's incredibly friendly, and the food is good. It's a great addition to the area, and it's a place to get a nice lunch without having to drive over to downtown St. Matthews and Frankfort Avenue. I wouldn't go all the way across town to get there, but for those of us in the area, it's a very welcome addition.

That pretty much expresses my attitude about it, Eliza ... I like it well enough, and it definitely gains points for hospitable and sincere friendliness. We're in Crescent Hill, just two blocks from Frankfort Avenue, so I have to pass an awful lot of favorites to go out there, but at least it's technically "inside the Watterson." Nice place. I'm glad it's here.

Oh, and welcome to our Merrie Little Bande! Glad you found your way here.