Best Restaurants - on a Fifty Dollar Bill

[keeping the personal details to a minimum]. Girlfriend and I dine out in Louisville regularly. Girlfriend is heading to Spain in 3 weeks and will be there for nine months. Looking for a number of new places to try before she heads over the pond.

I say we usually spend $45-50 or so dining out which usually includes 2 entrees, 2 craft beers(splurging here is fine), and a tip. Sometimes include an app or shared dessert, but never both. So I guess I am looking in the $12-15 dollar entree range. The price range is not set, but I'm also not interested in triple-digit tabs (well not for this discussion). Lunch is an option, which I know keeps the cost down at some finer places.

Recent dining locations (some less than the fifty spot) include: El Mundo, Havana Rumbo, Maido's, Kashmir, Baxter Avenue Station, Third Avenue, Za's for Veggie Pizza, etc.

Probably will dine out a number of times before she jets town. What are the can't miss spots?

I know Carly Rae's is going to come up. I live "right" across the street from it. I was turned off by a number of bad experiences under the old management, but fully intend to give them a fresh look. Also need to go back to Lou Lou's - never seems to make the top of our "where to eat right now" list. Where else would you recommend?

You could try Napa River for happy hour and make a great meal from their half price appetizer list and half price wines.

North End Cafe would seem to fit the bill. Good eats wherever you dine. Tomorrow, I'm going to Lee's.

Mojito's.....get ready for Spain.

I'll definitely second North End Cafe and also add Cafe Lou Lou as not to miss places. You mention a couple of pizza places but there are many others depending on your preferences, just look at a couple of the other threads. Primo is a good choice and will also probably fall within your spending plan. Bourbons Bistro probably a little above your price range but the food is excellent and the atmosphere is very nice. Of course you can always go to Lynn's for the experience.

Red Pepper is also excellent, and most all the ethnic places would fit your requirements.

Matthew, I suggest Caffe Perusa on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednseday evening for the $25 Three-course-and-a-glass-of-wine deal.

Palermo Viejo is inexpensive and darn tasty. Also, L&N has their "recession menu" right now with some mighty tasty sandwiches on it, including the best BLT I have ever had. And, their beer list is great. You could easily do two sandwiches, and two beers for less than a fifty.

Give Carly Rae's another chance... I've been there twice in the past month and it has been excellent both times.

In New Albany, check out La Rosita on Market Street. Very reasonalbly priced and some of the best Mexican food I have had bar none, and this is after living for 5 years in Arizona.

Lunch is an option, which I know keeps the cost down at some finer places.

Both Proof and Corbett's have very nice prix fixe lunch menus which would afford you the opportunity to dine at 2 top spots within your price range. I've had lunch several times at Proof and have always been extremely pleased. I was with a group of forumites for lunch at Corbett's 2 weeks ago and came away quite impressed.

Some great information so far. Thanks all.

I was hoping not to come across as a cheap arse. Everyone's happily picked up the challenge and offered some great suggestions. My palate needs to experience some new tastes, so I'm looking forward to going to a number (all sooner or later) of these places.

[Robin Garr]

Couple more specific suggestions that I don't believe have come up yet but probably should have: Melillo's and Vietnam Kitchen.

Mayan Cafe, 813 E. MARKET.
I've yet to try The Blue Nile on 5th near Chestnut.
Pesto at 5th/Chestnut for Friday/Sat dinners.

Sapporo

Oh Winston's for brunch on the weekend.