Red Pepper: A small ray of hope

[Robin Garr]

We went tonight for one last Red Pepper meal, got way too much stuff and brought bags of leftovers home.

However, there's a very small ray of hope. Hostess and owner Yuan Hua told us that Chef Shen Hong Huang is going back to Chicago and that they are closing "for now," but she and her husband are not leaving town, and if she can find another Chinese chef of similar stature - and she has a lead out to at least one in Chicago - they'll re-open either in the same location or, ideally, someplace on Bardstown or Frankfort. She said they felt this location hasn't been outstanding for daily traffic, although they're grateful to their many supporters, including a big crowd on HotBytes.

She has my name, Email and number and has promised to let us know ASAP if there's any development.

I am so very sad, but a glimmer of hope is nice. I wish I had read this yesterday, so we could have run in one last time for pan-fried tofu and dan dan noodles.

I will speak for the Highlands and say that the Bardstown Road area would welcome Red Pepper with open arms!!

[Robin Garr]

I will speak for the Highlands and say that the Bardstown Road area would welcome Red Pepper with open arms!!

I wonder what's happening with the Potstickers vacancy. That would be awfully small for Red Pepper, though. She also mentioned Danielle's on Frankfort, but I encouraged her, if they look at it, to be skeptical about what factors have kept it empty for about four years. (I'm guessing unreasonable rent expectations or behind-the-scenes facilities issues).

There's always the space near Dundee that was Dragon Palace, though it would take some serious remodeling.

The Club Grotto space is still vacant.

I'd say if one is looking to save money, then staying out of the Highlands may not be a bad idea; unless they get a good deal on their lease.

WHAT?? A future without DanDan Noodles? I can't face it.

The Club Grotto space is still vacant.

That's a good size location with good visibility. I wonder what the rent is?

First I'm hearing of it..... This is incredibly depressing.

I do hope they reopen but knowing I'll never have those specific dishes again is heart breaking.

So depressing!! What am I going to do without my weekly fix of pan-fried tofu???

Unfortunately, I didn't get the news in time to enjoy one last meal there. I really hope they manage to re-open somewhere, and I really hope that they are able to bring back some of the same dishes. The spot next to Sweet Surrender is vacant now that KBC closed, but it would probably be pretty strange to move into a second location after the same people. Although, I do think they could likely do very well there and I would love to have them as a neighbor!

Leah, they serve Dan Dan Noodles at Jasmine Chinese Cussine out Shelbyville Rd. way on the east side of the Gene Synder. (13823 English Villa Drive). I never had the Dan Dan Noodles at Red Pepper, but I quite like those at Jasmine very much, although I like the twice fried fish and the fish bola (sp?) even more.

Jessica, their menu isn't on line and I'm not sure they have the pan-fried tofu. I'll try to remember to check next time I go there.

Oh my, Gayle, I'm a city girl. I'd need my passport to venture out there.

I live in Fern Creek...minutes from nothing at all.

I live in Fern Creek...minutes from nothing at all.

I'd disagree with that. There's that new Thai place behind Outback, plus Sake Blue, Dakshin, the Gordita trailer. If we could get a Heine Bros. out here I'd be happy.

God no. I'd hate to have a Heine Brother's out here. They tried one coffee shop in Fern Creek; in the same center as the Thai place and it failed. I assume because of location. Look, I KNOW there are several different places to dine at in Fern Creek; however their locations are not measurable to a Highlands. Depending on where you live in Fern Creek is a difference too. If you're closer to the Snyder, then Sake Blue and Thai is going to be your best bet, but Dakshin is going to be further away...

To me, in my mind, it's not minutes. Or, should I say, walking distance as in the Highlands.

To each their own.