Flay's coming? Not much news here ...

[Robin Garr]

Bobby Flay is in for the Breeder's Cup, and the CJ's Jere Downs caught up with him at a high-end tasting event. The headline says Flay's Louisville Restaurant Still in Works," but there's not much news here. Downs is a good reporter, but she probably wasn't in a position to press at a high-society event.

Examples:

Flay paused when asked whether the eatery might open sometime in 2016.

And he declined to say which flavors he would settle on for Kentucky, a state he said "is like a second home to me."

Of the eatery's feel, Flay said "we are not completely done with the design."

Menu details remained a secret too.

"They will be my flavors," Flay said. "That could be the American Southwest, American regional flavors, and some Mediterranean as well."

If I ran into Bobby, I'd like to ask him two simple questions:

* If this happens, will it be another link in one of your chains, or a unique eatery?

* Are you going to be here to run it hands-on, or only show up to schmooze at race time?

What do you all think? What would you ask Bobby Flay? Or do you, like me, not really care all that much about this media flurry?

Here's the story, behind the CJ's paywall:
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sp ... /74841354/

Meh ...

I'll believe it when I see it

[Robin Garr]

I'll believe it when I see it

It seems to me that Bobby loves the ponies and loves being a celeb. While he was here in town once, he made an offhand remark, and the CJ and the bloggers picked it up and ran with it. Now he can't deny it, so he just recycles the same vague assurances any time people ask.

We might get one of his chains established here, but I'm pretty sure Bobby isn't going to zip down to Louisville to run the shop. He'll make a grand entrance at Derby time, but ... I just don't see this as a serious threat to the locals, and as Mark says, "I'll believe it when I see it."

That and don't forget the perks of a tax write off for every trip to check your restaurant during Derby time.

Do independent restaurants critics get a tax write off for the amount they spend on meals?

[Robin Garr]

Do independent restaurants critics get a tax write off for the amount they spend on meals?

Probably depends on corporate status or how you report business expenses, but as a general principle, sure. It's work-related.

I think it's all for the better if he wants to invest his dollars here -- it could be a win/win situation. I can't see myself visiting such a place, but I won't thumb my nose at it either. Anyone who loves the horses is good with me, and his menu at the new-ish place is NYC is appealing.

http://gatonyc.com/menu

I think it's all for the better if he wants to invest his dollars here -- it could be a win/win situation. I can't see myself visiting such a place, but I won't thumb my nose at it either. Anyone who loves the horses is good with me, and his menu at the new-ish place is NYC is appealing.

If he invests the dollars here to open a restaurant you're correct saying it's good for the Louisville economy. However, there are 2 problems that go along with that. The 1st is that the majority of the profit from this restaurant would be leaving the Louisville area and monies that's the restaurant earn at least to some degree would be taken away from other local restaurants.

Meh ...

I'll see your American "Meh" and raise with a French "bof!"

As Robin states in the subject line, "...not much news here..."

Sure, if he graces our city with a high profile restaurant where he pops in a few times a year--fine. Otherwise, it will be like Hard Rock Cafe, or even the defunct Wolfgang Puck place.

However, there are 2 problems that go along with that. The 1st is that the majority of the profit from this restaurant would be leaving the Louisville area and monies that's the restaurant earn at least to some degree would be taken away from other local restaurants.

I'm well aware of all of that, and it can be repeated on any thread relating to a non-locally owned restaurant. But Flay won't do a Wal-Mart and take out any of the many quality local places in this city. There are already a number of high-end places owned by outsiders (none of which I go to) that coexist with the locals.

Who knows? Perhaps the added attention might be good for everyone.

I think we as a town , city whatever are blessed to have so many excellent local places to eat that it doesn't matter who comes into town to open a new place ,big name or not, if isn't good who cares ...too many good choices to waste time at mediocre dining.