Jazz Factory's new menu links with Park Place, Browning's

[Robin Garr]

These changes outlined in the following news release should make The Jazz Factory, already one of the city's most civilized dining and music venues, even better. I can't wait to check it out!

ALL NEW MENU AT THE JAZZ FACTORY

The Jazz Factory has introduced a new dinner menu, featuring casual fare and value-based pricing that customers say they desire.

In revamping its menu, The Jazz Factory is taking advantage of relationships it shares with Browning's Brewery and Park Place Restaurant located at nearby Slugger Field. All three establishments share business partners in common and are working together to create the kind of vital, high-energy environment that is transforming downtown Louisville.

New menu offerings at The Jazz Factory include Smoked Chicken Wraps, Steak Frites, Browning's Brewery Beer-Battered Grouper, Vegetarian Pasta and a devilishly good Seafood Bisque. These and an evolving list of other new menu items join old standards such as the Kentucky Hot Brown, Char-broiled burgers and a wider variety of salads and appetizers

In an age of rising prices, Jazz Factory customers will appreciate the fact that the new Jazz Factory menu - with entrée prices ranging from $10 to $18 -- offers greater value than the previous menu. "Our customers told us they wanted more informal dining and competitive pricing and we're excited to be able to offer that to them," said Ken Shapero, The Jazz Factory's managing partner.

In addition to the menu and kitchen changes, The Jazz Factory recently added a hospitality manager to manage the wait staff and to work with large group events and private parties. Teresa Schoggins, a 20-year veteran of the Louisville fine-dining and hospitality industry, took that position in April.

The Jazz Factory, located at 815 W. Market St. in The Glassworks Building, recently renovated additional space for a private dining room that seats about 50 for dinner or 70 for a cocktail reception. The Jazz Factory, Louisville's premier venue for live jazz, features performances Tuesday-Saturday and opens for dinner at 5-p.m. Tues.-Friday and at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

[Robin Garr]

The Jazz Factory Menu

<b>Intros</b>

Shrimp & Crab Bisque Cup $4 Bowl $6
Shrimp, crab, cream, sherry, Creole spices.

Cheese Plate $8
Kenny's Kentucky Bleu & Chipotle Colby, Capriole Goat.
Served with grapes, crackers, honey, walnuts.

Vegetable Spring Rolls $7
Asian vegetables, won-ton wrappers, sweet chili sauce.

Tomato & Mozzarella $8
Fresh mozzarella, cherry & grape tomatoes, sweet basil, olive oil
Balsamic vinaigrette.

Basket of Bread $5
Blue Dog seeded baguette, house made Focaccia & French breads.
Served with olive oil, roasted garlic cloves, fresh herbs.

<b>Grooves</b>

House Salad $6
Mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, sunflower seeds, balsamic vinaigrette.
Add grilled chicken, house smoked salmon, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. $9

Caesar Salad $7
Romaine lettuce, parmesan, Caesar dressing. Add grilled chicken, house smoked salmon, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. $10

Island Spinach Salad $9
Baby spinach, pineapple, strawberries, oranges, toasted coconut,
papaya-sesame vinaigrette.
Add grilled chicken, house smoked salmon, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. 12

<b>Standards</b>

Louisville Hot Brown $12
Texas toast, smoked turkey, tomatoes, Mornay sauce, bacon,
cheddar & parmesan cheeses.

Burger $10
Char-grilled ½ lb. burger, pimento cheese, bacon, Blue Dog bun.
Served with fries.

Smoked Chicken Wrap $9
House smoked chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, chipotle aioli.
Served with fries.

Beer Battered Grouper $14
Browning's Brewery Helles lager battered grouper.
Served with fries and tartar sauce.

Vegetarian Pasta $10
Linguini, olive oil, roasted garlic cloves, black olives, basil,
sweet onion, grape tomatoes, pine nuts.
Served with sliced bread.
Add grilled chicken, house smoked salmon, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. $13

Herb Roasted Chicken $12
Chicken breast, provolone, tomato sauce with peppers and onions.
Served with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables.

Steak Frites $17
Tri-tip, blue cheese, balsamic reduction.
Served with fries and grilled vegetables.

<b>Desserts</b>

Crème Brulee $6
French vanilla bean. Served with fresh berries.

Peanut Butter Pie $6
Chocolate crust, chocolate ganache, peanut butter mousse.

Triple Chocolate Torte $6
Chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache.

Cheesecake $6
Chicago-style cheesecake served with berry coulis and fresh berries

Today's Ice Cream $5

[Robin Garr]

<b>Jazz Factory Father's Day Bruch with The Dick Sisto Trio</b>

The Jazz Factory is open Father's Day Sunday in honor of Dear Ol' Dad. The Dick Sisto Trio provides the groove. The Jazz Factory Kitchen provides the food. This Father's Day, let Dad know how special he is by treating him to a rhythmic feast, served a la carte from our special Father's Day menu. The $30 prix-fixe menu includes salad, entree and dessert plus the music. (Kids 12 and under can join in for $15.)

Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and we'll continue serving till 3 p.m. Remember, after 1 p.m. we'll start mixing some mean Bloody Marys and some refreshing Mimosas. While Dad's chowing down, Dick Sisto and his trio will be hard at work making sure this Father's Day is a memorable one. Reservations Recommended. Call 992-3242 Tues.-Friday after 11:30 a.m. (Admission fee includes your meal. Alcoholic beverages are extra.)

The Jazz Factory Father's Day Brunch
June 17, 2007 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.

$30 per person, includes water & iced tea
($15 for Children 12 and Under)

First Course

Breads & Spreads
Croissants, Scones, Fresh Breads
Honey, Amish Butter, Orange Marmalade

Second Course

Eggs, Bacon & Grits
Scrambled eggs, bourbon barrel smoked bacon,
Kenny's Country Cheddar cheese grits.

Vegetable Frittata
Egg, spinach, oven-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, goat cheese.

Bourbon Sour Mash Pancakes
Served with hickory syrup and fresh fruit.

Steak & Eggs
Served with asparagus.

Grilled Salmon
Served with tomato & fennel slaw and saffron-vanilla sauce.

Third Course

Choice of Desserts

I wonder if they are going to serve in Brownings Beer? That would be a additional selling point for me.

[Robin Garr]

I wonder if they are going to serve in Brownings Beer? That would be a additional selling point for me.

Good question, Brian. I know they had BBC Bourbon Stout on for a while, but Browning's? I'll try to find out.

Ok, thanks.

You wanna talk about great locally owned independent businesses in this town?! Jazz Factory is right there with artists that you usually catch only in NYC, Chicago, SF or at great Jazz Fests. Can't wait to try the new menu!

[Robin Garr]

Ok, thanks.

Short answer, yes. This just in from Ken Shapero at the Jazz Factory:

<i>We've got two beer taps at The Jazz Factory that complement an extensive selection of bottled beers. Both of the taps pour Brownings creations. Right now we're pouring Brownings ESB and Bourbon Barrel Stout.... Those change from time to time with the season, etc.</i>

Now that Ken mentions it, I realize I erred when I said above that they poured the BBC Bourbon Stout. It's been the Browning's model all along, at least since I wrote about their Beer Float last summer.

Ok great, I'll have to go visit soon.

I assume this means that Jeff Jarfi is out? Wasn't there an association between Jarfi's and the Jazz Factory for some time?

[Robin Garr]

I assume this means that Jeff Jarfi is out? Wasn't there an association between Jarfi's and the Jazz Factory for some time?

This is true. Based on a conversation Ken and I had at a reunion of old Louisville Times types recently, though, and on reading between the lines of the news release, I wouldn't read this as a decision to get rid of Jeff so much as a decision to move more of the food-service operation into Jazz Factory's own kitchen, and to take advantage of an existing partnership with Park Place/Brownings.