Which Lou-ville eateries/bars have momentum right now?

I'm about to make my annual pilgrimage to the States and Louisville in particular. Does anyone have recommendations on what is hot and happening right now? Which places are on the upswing? Where are the crowds headed? I'd prefer to hear which places have some momentum going right now, for whatever reason, as opposed to everyone's tried and true favorites.

So what/who is exciting and new in the 502?

Dan,

Many of the tried and true favorites, such as Seviche, Corbett's, and the like are still going strong. Some places like Le Relais, Avalon, and Equus/Jack's have gone to a more inexpensive, small plates-style menu, with generally very good success.

Relatively new on the scene is Z's Fusion downtown and 732 Social on East Market, both of which I personally very much enjoy.

Varanese is also a favorite, and very busy and happening most the time.

Toss in Proof, Limestone, and Asiatique, and I'd say you have your most popular (upscale) spots.

Of course, there are dozens more great places I'm omitting, but I don't think you could go wrong with any of these.

As far as restaurants that appear to be going strong these days you definitely have to include Cafe Lou Lou, they just opened a second location in the Highlands. Selena's, a new creole/Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Anchorage is really doing very well especially on Saturdays when they're having crawfish boils over the summer.

As mentioned by others most of the old favorites are still doing very well and several, most notably Equus have recently changed their menus significantly. If you know Louisville, you certainly know there's no lack of good food here no matter where you go!

Boombozz Taphouse!

We've been giving Selena's a lot of our dining attention lately. Not sure about the bar scene other than what I read here.

Napa River at Westport Village

Here's everything I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helps!

Roger opened up the New Albanian Brewing Company's Bank Street Brewhouse in downtown New Albany. The beer is just as good as ever, but the food is decidedly more bistro in quality than the pizza at Rich O's. You really should check it out, even if you don't like beer.

Sergio's World Beer is opening up on Story Avenue sometime in the (hopefully) near future. He has over 900 beers available, and he wanted to reach a larger market than he had in his previous Shelbyville location.

The owner of Zen Garden has opened up the Zen Tea Room on Frankfort.

Maido now has a Super Appreciation Happy Hour from 4-6 Mon-Thursday. $1-3 rolls and appetizers alongside their normal happy hour specials.

Toki, of Maido fame, is also opening up a new restaurant in the old Karma Cafe location on Bardstown. The Dragon King's Daughter is the name, and a lot of the forumites are heading over there next Monday. If you're around then, you should post in the offline forums and come join us.

Boombozz Taphouse in the Highlands is a frequent stop for us the past few months. The bar scene and the thin-crust fresh mozzarella pizzas are our favorite. I would avoid Fridays and Saturdays, as the crowds are packed in like sardines. There is talk that the Springhurst location will become the Taphouse concept, which is close to work.

Boombozz Taphouse!

This ^^.

Roger opened up the New Albanian Brewing Company's Bank Street Brewhouse in downtown New Albany. The beer is just as good as ever, but the food is decidedly more bistro in quality than the pizza at Rich O's. You really should check it out, even if you don't like beer.

I'll second, third, and fourth this one, and I shouldn't have left it off my above list. We love BSB, and the food is excellent (of course the beer is).