CJ picks nits, but ultimately praises Bourbons Bistro

[Robin Garr]

"Baroque preparations" ... "pallid sauce" ... 'convoluted baubles" ... Marty's sequipedalian jabs in today's tightly trimmed 541-word CJ review suggest that he's cutting Bourbons Bistro a new one, yet the overall effect of the column ends up in synch with his three-star rating: Nice place that tends to go a little over the top in some of its presentations. I still like the place ...

[url=http://cityguide.courier-journal.com/fe/RestaurantReviews/Profile.asp?businessid=46978]Ambitious eatery
Bourbons Bistro goes all out – and occasionally goes too far[/url]

<b>Bourbons Bistro</b>
2255 Frankfort Ave.
(502) 894-8838
http://www.bourbonsbistro.com/

Good food, but one of the loudest rooms in town. You have to scream at your table-mates to be heard.

Went there last Wednesday evening for appetizers before taking the Wusthof knife class at Campbell's Gourmet Cottage. We were there early and appetizers were $2 off . To our delight, bottles of wine are half price on Wednesday so we had a great bottle of Cigarzin for only $22 (since we could bag it and take it home, because I didn't want to lose any fingers). The beef tartare was wonderful and I was happy to find a restaurant in Louisville brave enough to attempt it and succeed! I will definitely go back for a full dinner (on a Wednesday night, of course). We sat at the bar and it wasn't too noisy, but it was quite early.

Well, it's no surprise to everyone that Bourbon's Bistro is one of my favorite places in town. I went last weekend and as usual, had a delightful meal. I had the burger, which is stacked tall with bonus items, such as onion rings, grilled jalapeno, grilled shallots, etc... My SO had the ribeye, which was good, but didn't WOW me the way most things I've had there do. I had the salad special which was spinach, strawberries, candied pistachios and brie, with a champagne vinaigrette....easily one of the best salads I've ever had. Service was great, attentive but not oppressive. We were taken care of by Kenny, who has been in the Louisville restaurant business for a long long time. Needless to say, I've never had a bad experience there.

I wanted to mention, Chef Michael Crouch wasn't even there the night of Marty's review, so, kudos to his sous chef and underlings for impressing Marty and carrying out the menu without their "fearless leader." I know this because he mentioned to me the night we were there that a review should be forthcoming and he was a little nervous because he wasn't there. He should be proud that his menu can be carried out that well by his kitchen staff. Michael is one of my favorite chefs in town, and I, for one, like all the "convoluted baubles" and "over the top details."