by Deb Hall » Sun Jan 01, 2017 5:10 pm
We have followed Chef Dallas through the great places he's been Executive Chef in Louisville ( Volare, Z's Fusion, Marketplace). He's an incredibly talented chef, so we were thrilled when he decided to open his own place in our Highlands neighborhood. The Fat Lamb exceeded our high expectations: Wonderful food, great service and friendly vibe. No white tablecloth- this is a great upscale neighborhood place to hang out, and get great food and drinks.
We went with another couple and between the 4 of us tried a good part of the short, but extremely well executed menu. Cocktails are excellent- we loved our " House Cocktail". For those eating either gluten free or vegetarian, know that dietary preferences are not an afterthought here. All but 2 of the starters are vegetarian, and there are 3-4 choices on the mains for both preferences. Our favorite appetizers were the bruschetta ( a Greek twist with olive tapenade and feta) and the baked ricotta eggplant. (Next time we'll add the baked mac & cheese which got raves from the next table). Entrees were well- priced starting at $16, and topping out below $30. All of our entrees were outstanding: My local lamb ragu was was amazing and perfectly tender, while Brian's paprika- fried chicken thigh was perfectly moist with a great balsamic cherry sauce. I adore gnocchi, and their spinach gnocchi were perfect- very light in a decadent cream sauce.
The former Fonterroy's space has been updated into a welcoming space with a great energy. While vibrant, we found the noise level was just right for conversation. Service was very professional while friendly. There is a 4 course tasting menu option with optional pairings, and they have brunch on the weekend. Reservations are available.
Overall, the experience and food were outstanding. Congratulation to Dallas and the team for this great new local restaurant- this gets my vote for the best new restaurant of 2016!