Category Archives: Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

$$ Modest ($30-$50), Commentary, Downtown, NuLu and Butchertown, German, LEO's Eats, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

The wurst is good at The Hall

September 4, 2019 LEOs Eats with Robin Garr

Many years ago, we were wandering around Europe on a Eurailpass when one of us said, “Let’s go to Munich,” just on a whim. That’s how I found out what a beer hall is, and Oktoberfest, too.

Ah, memories. Memories of friendly Germans lined up along long communal tables, drinking excellent beer out of sturdy steins, chowing down on delicious sausages, and singing.

Now we have the Hall on Washington, and it’s something like that too, but with a Louisville twist, no singing, and a strong sense of history thanks to its location in the walkout basement on the Washington Avenue side of Whiskey Row. Continue reading The wurst is good at The Hall →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), Commentary, Italian (and Pizza), LEO's Eats, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs, Seafood & Water's Edge, Sports bar, St. Matthews, Westport Village, and environs

Come to Sal’s for the pizza, stay for the fish

March 20, 2019 Robin Garr

I must have passed by Sal’s Pizza & Sports Pub in Lyndon a hundred times without ever being motivated to stop in. This was a mistake. In retrospect I really miss all the good meals that I might have enjoyed there.

Don’t be like me. Go, soon. You’ll like it. Continue reading Come to Sal’s for the pizza, stay for the fish →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), Commentary, Downtown, NuLu and Butchertown, LEO's Eats, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

Down One Bourbon Bar, two thumbs up

February 13, 2019 Robin Garr

Thoughts upon an evening of snacking and sipping rye whiskey in Down One Bourbon Bar: Bourbon has been around for well over 200 years, and its history has been tied to Kentucky for all that time.

What’s more, bourbon is booming, with the state’s distillery roster almost quadrupling from 18 to 78 properties in the past 10 years..

So riddle me this: Why do you suppose that Louisville, stuck with a shabby downtown that closed up at night since white flight, expressways and suburban malls shelled it out during the ‘60s, took until now to figure out that bourbon makes a great fuel for tourism and urban development? Continue reading Down One Bourbon Bar, two thumbs up →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), Baxter, Bardstown, Highlands, BBQ, Burgers & Down-Home, Commentary, LEO's Eats, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

Free-range chicken adds value at The Eagle

November 14, 2018 LEOs Eats with Robin Garr

The Eagle landed in Louisville two years ago this month, fourth shop in a Cincinnati-based mini-chain. I have to confess that I didn’t pay much attention at first. But then I found out that The Eagle isn’t just another Highlands bar. Its fried chicken is also a big thing. It’s not your industrially fried chicken, either. It is, according to the firm’s website, “cage free, free roaming, all natural chicken.”

This is a big deal to me. I’d much rather enjoy cage-free birds if I can. Continue reading Free-range chicken adds value at The Eagle →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), Downtown, NuLu and Butchertown, LEO's Eats, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

Yum Center bound? Dine at BBC first

April 4, 2018 Robin Garr

Say what you will about the Yum Center – and I say it looks like the offspring of an unnatural union between a toaster oven and an ink-jet copier – you have to give it credit for helping foster a boom in good places to eat in its Main Street neighborhood. Like Bluegrass Brewing Company. And other good places, too, but BBC, I’m looking at you right now. Continue reading Yum Center bound? Dine at BBC first →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), Bistros, Frankfort Ave., Clifton, Crescent Hill, LEO's Eats, New and noteworthy, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

Fine drinks meet fun plates at Red Herring

October 4, 2017 LEOs Eats with Robin Garr

After many years standing vacant at the top of the hill in Clifton, prompting strollers on the Avenue to muse, “Boy, that would make a great restaurant,” the historic white-brick Hilltop Theater has taken its place on the city’s dining scene as Red Herring Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen. Continue reading Fine drinks meet fun plates at Red Herring →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), BBQ, Burgers & Down-Home, Downtown, NuLu and Butchertown, LEO's Eats, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

Grind Burger Kitchen: not cheap, but worth it

April 12, 2017 LEOs Eats with Robin Garr

We all love hamburgers, don’t we? During a thoroughly satisfying lunch at Grind Burger Kitchen the other day, I found myself thinking existentially about the burger. What exactly is a hamburger, anyway? The Oxford American Dictionary gives us the basics: “A round patty of ground beef, fried or grilled and typically served on a bun or roll and garnished with various condiments.” Continue reading Grind Burger Kitchen: not cheap, but worth it →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), Germantown, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs

Come to Monnik for the beer, stay for the food

June 22, 2016 Robin Garr

Welcome, Louisville newcomers, by which I mean anyone who’s been here less than five years or so. Here’s a quick lesson in the way we give directions around here: Monnik Beer Company is located where the old Zeppelin Café used to be. If that doesn’t nail it, Zeppelin was where the old Heitzman’s Bakery used to be. Continue reading Come to Monnik for the beer, stay for the food →

$$ Modest ($30-$50), BBQ, Burgers & Down-Home, LEO's Eats, New and noteworthy, Pubs, Brew Pubs, GastroPubs, Southern Indiana

We’re singing in Gospel Bird’s choir

June 15, 2016 LEOs Eats with Robin Garr

What in the Hell is a Gospel Bird?

No, wait, better make that, “What in Heaven’s name is a Gospel Bird?”

I’m pretty sure it’s not a winged creature that knocks on your door and asks if you have found Jesus. It’s not a dove that comes down with wind and fire, either. Continue reading We’re singing in Gospel Bird’s choir →