All posts by Robin Garr

Commentary

We love Old Forester, but it made us big mad

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

Even in this age of bourbonism and pricy trophy labels, Louisville still loves Old Forester, the locally made, affordable Bourbon with its signature caramel and brown sugar flavors. 

Or at least we used to love it. But then we got big mad last week after news broke that OldFo’s creator, Brown-Forman Corp., the lovable, liberal old local firm had suddenly abandoned its long-term commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and its support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Continue reading We love Old Forester, but it made us big mad →
$$$ Upscale ( $50 - $80), A RESTAURANT LISTING..., Baxter, Bardstown, Highlands, Commentary, Italian (and Pizza)

Wheated brings great pizza and a taste of Flatbush

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

You wouldn’t expect Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood to have a deep resonance with Louisville, but that erroneous conclusion overlooks the importance of Harold Henry “Pee Wee” Reese. 

Continue reading Wheated brings great pizza and a taste of Flatbush →
Commentary, Indian

Irresistible Indian food favorites

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

Generally speaking, I’m no fan of restaurant buffets. I didn’t complain much when the Covid-19 pandemic banished the buffet.

But I hear a lot of people complaining about the near-demise of the Indian buffet. 

Why the difference? I wonder if it’s about unfamiliarity with Indian cuisine, coupled with just a touch of fear that you’re going to get something unfaniliar and possibly as hot as the hinges of Hades.

Continue reading Irresistible Indian food favorites →
$$ Modest ($30-$50), A RESTAURANT LISTING..., Pacific Rim, St. Matthews, Westport Village, and environs

It’s hard to go wrong at Namnam Cafe

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

I really like little Namnam Cafe in St. Matthews, but to be honest, the last time I was there it wasn’t easy to concentrate my full attention on the fare.

What was the problem? That was in mid-March of 2020, just days before Gov. Andy Beshear ordered Kentucky restaurants and bars closed to indoor dining. 

Continue reading It’s hard to go wrong at Namnam Cafe →
Commentary

Eating fancy without paying fancy

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

It’s your anniversary! You want to treat your sweetie to a fancy dinner out, but your budget says “Mickey D’s.” What can you do?

It’s true. Dining out at an expensive restaurant can be a memorable experience, but it’s easy to run up your tab. 

But there is a way, and it does not involve dine and dash or any other action that could get you in trouble.

Continue reading Eating fancy without paying fancy →
$$$$ Luxury ($80 and up), A RESTAURANT LISTING..., Bistros, Black-owned, Farm-to-table, Frankfort Ave., Clifton, Crescent Hill, Pacific Rim

Our critic oohs and aahs over Enso

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

When a rising young chef at a popular new restaurant earns a James Beard Award nomination as an “emerging chef,” then steps up to serve as executive chef at another exciting new eatery, what would you expect?

When we’re talking about Chef Lawrence Weeks, who garnered the Beard nomination at North of Bourbon in Germantown, and spread his wings to hold down the same role at Enso in Clifton, I would expect great things.

Continue reading Our critic oohs and aahs over Enso →
Commentary

Say it ain’t so, Pete

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

The news that Pete Wells got from his doctor was too alarming to ignore: “My scores were bad across the board,” the physician told the 60-something New York Times restaurant critic.

“My cholesterol, blood sugar and hypertension were worse than I’d expected even in my doomiest moments,” Wells wrote in his Critic’s Notebook column on July 15. “The terms pre-diabetes, fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome were thrown around. I was technically obese. OK, not just technically. I knew I needed to change my life.”

So Wells made a decision that shook restaurant kitchens and food lovers across Gotham and beyond: “After 12 Years of Reviewing Restaurants, I’m Leaving the Table.” (Gift link, no paywall.)

Continue reading Say it ain’t so, Pete →
$$ Modest ($30-$50), A RESTAURANT LISTING..., Breakfast and lunch spots, sandwich spots, Brunch, Farm-to-table, Northeast Metro

Haymarket lures us with farm-to-table BLT

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

Every now and then I’ll see an email or social-media ad that inspires immediate action. The new iPhone is available! Two-for-one sale on Häagen-Dazs! And, just the other day, “Tomato season has returned, and so has the beloved Haymarket BLT!”

Continue reading Haymarket lures us with farm-to-table BLT →
Commentary

Do sweat the small stuff: It matters

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

I’m still hearing from readers about my comments in last week’s review about the quality furnishings and spotless, seemingly hand-polished silverware at Perso restaurant in Shelby Park: “Those seemingly smaller signals of attentiveness and care from the moment we sat down signaled management that cares.”

In a way, we could liken dining out to a theater performance: Good food might be the lead actor, a player who struts and frets their hour upon the stage. But from decor and drinks to service and even the restrooms, it takes a quality supporting cast to turn a meal into an unforgettable show.

Continue reading Do sweat the small stuff: It matters →
$$$ Upscale ( $50 - $80), A RESTAURANT LISTING..., Bistros, Farm-to-table, Germantown, Italian (and Pizza)

Perso gets the small things and the big things right

By Robin Garr
LouisvilleHotBytes.com

One of the first things I noticed when I took my seat at a table in Perso was the high quality of the table itself: Burnished wood, smooth as silk, it reminded me of the work of Shaker artisans.

Then I unrolled the black cloth napkin and noticed something unusual about the quality stainless flatware: Every surface was mirror-shiny, without a single dishwasher spot in sight, almost as if each piece had been wiped clean by hand before service.

And speaking of service, that was great too: Friendly but not smarmy, attentive but not bothersome, there when we needed them, good with eye contact and a smile.

So what, you say? How about the food?

Continue reading Perso gets the small things and the big things right →