So where would you take them ?

All,

Hopefully this will make for interesting discussion.

We've got some friends helping us move at the end of the month. They will be in town for all of Labor Day weekend and we'd like to take them out for dinner a couple of times as a gesture of our appreciation. We'd like to know, based on the following criteria, where YOU would take your "best-est" out of town friends. (BTW, since everything we own will be boxed away, casual is the name of the game...So please factor that into your suggestions).

Dinner #1: We'll call it "Beers and Pub Grub"...After a day of hauling boxes we'll be looking for a good selection of local and regional tap beers, great wings and (hopefully) a nice out of the way patio for outside dining. In the past we have enjoyed the Bluegrass Brewing Co. (Shelbyville Rd) but otherwise we're in unfamiliar territory.

Dinner #2: Let's call this "Casual Upscale Dining". Good steaks and seafood, good service, relaxed but not comatose atmosphere. A nice (but affordable) wine (and beer) selection. Once again a comfortable patio would be a good thing. We found that "The Captain's Quarter" fits this bill but are interested in hearing about other establishments that might fall into this catagory.

Sunday Brunch: We've been told that "The Bristol" is the place to go for Sunday Brunch...What other places should we consider ?

For brunch, Wild Eggs and Lynn's Paradise Cafe are great options.

Beer - Rich O's
Casual Upscale - Varanese
Brunch - Toast or Wild Eggs, possibly Lynn's. The Bristol's brunch is sooooo yesterday.

1. The Irish Rover, no wings but great casual dinner spot.
2. Maybe Jarfi's front dining room, and for interesting and fun atmosphere I enjoy Proof on Main
3. Wild Eggs, Toast or Cafe Beignet

Honestly, I would move Captain Quarters down to your brunch slot (for the outdoor seating alone) and would move The Bristol in prospect up to your upscale casual spot. If I am correct that you are moving out to the OC!

For dinner #1,
Since they are from out of town, Brownings might be a good choice with "local flavor"(being attached to Slugger Field).
No hot wings, but lots of other great stuff and ample outdoor dining.
http://www.diningonmain.com/Brownings/BrowningsMenu.pdf

Will echo Leah for the most part. If you can actually get a table for Lynn's brunch ,it is definately the way to go.The decor is an eye opener for out of towner's .

Richo's for Beer and Pub Food
Richo's has the smartest beer selection in the area. There BBQ pizza's and spinach kaze(sp?) dip are awesome.
They brew about six beers in house and have about 20 on tap and 100 in bottles.

http://www.richos.com/
http://www.newalbanian.com/

I don't think you can go wrong with the North End Cafe, Havana Rumba, or Mojito for dinner.


North End Cafe also has a very interesting and delicious brunch/breakfast menu.
The smoked trout hash was awesome.
Their bacon was also very good.

Steve,

My old place that has been renamed Varsity Pizza and Pints would be a good pick for #1. They have a nice outdoor eating area, and I think now have 12 beers on draft. Located fairly close to LaGrange in Crestwood.

Did you get with Theiss about your carpet situation?

All,

Hopefully this will make for interesting discussion.

We've got some friends helping us move at the end of the month. They will be in town for all of Labor Day weekend and we'd like to take them out for dinner a couple of times as a gesture of our appreciation. We'd like to know, based on the following criteria, where YOU would take your "best-est" out of town friends. (BTW, since everything we own will be boxed away, casual is the name of the game...So please factor that into your suggestions).

Dinner #1: We'll call it "Beers and Pub Grub"...After a day of hauling boxes we'll be looking for a good selection of local and regional tap beers, great wings and (hopefully) a nice out of the way patio for outside dining. In the past we have enjoyed the Bluegrass Brewing Co. (Shelbyville Rd) but otherwise we're in unfamiliar territory.

Dinner #2: Let's call this "Casual Upscale Dining". Good steaks and seafood, good service, relaxed but not comatose atmosphere. A nice (but affordable) wine (and beer) selection. Once again a comfortable patio would be a good thing. We found that "The Captain's Quarter" fits this bill but are interested in hearing about other establishments that might fall into this catagory.

Sunday Brunch: We've been told that "The Bristol" is the place to go for Sunday Brunch...What other places should we consider ?

Beers and Pub Grub- Cumberland Brews or Baxter Station
Casual upscale - Depends, I wouldn't call Captain's Quarters upscale? Along those lines though Cafe Lou Lou, Porcini, Bistro 301 downtown
Sunday Brunch - North End Cafe

Steven P,

I'd second (or was it third? ) North End for Brunch.

For dinner #2: Carly Rae's in Old Louisville allows a drive past this historic area, great food and a fabulous patio. Haven't tried the new menu ,but the bison flank steak I had lasy time was wonderful and very well priced.

Deb

Dinner 2: Westport General Store. I took some out of town family there last month and they loved it.


Here is a link to a previous thread including info about our visit: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3661&hilit=westport

Palermo Viejo would probably fit your dinner requirements...

I agree with Ethan- Palermo is another excellent choice, and if you get an outside table the people -watching/Bardstown Road vibe is great!

Deb

This is an interesting question...Here's what I'd do.

I'm not much on beer and wings, so I'll defer to others on that category.

For the upscale casual I'd recommend Maker's Mark at Fourth Street Live. I'm not sure how their steaks are but some of the seafood dishes are excellent. You might also consider: Rocky's on the River in Jeffersonville or one of the Bristol locations. There is a new Bristol in Jeffersonville with a view of the Louisville skyline (although I'm really down on the S. IN dining scene lately).

For Sunday brunch, I'd try Rivue. They were telling us about their brunch the other night and it sounds excellent. You also can't beat the view. Of course you might need another mortgage to afford it. Those rotating floors aren't the only high things there.

Good luck with your move and have fun. I always enjoy showing off our local dining scene with out of towners. They're usually quite surprised!

Tony s.