Eats: Slice Righteous Sandwiches

YAH Sandwiches!!!

This has been a particularly noisy month in Louisville for restaurant openings, and as such, I have not seen the typical amount of crazy ‘new restaurant’ buzz around Slice Righteous Sandwiches. That breaks my heart a little bit, mostly because the owner of Slice is the owner of Lil’ Cheezers Food Truck. For those who aren’t from the area, here’s a quick 51-word back story…

Lil’ Cheezers used to have a brick and mortar location. In a grilled cheese showdown, Tom + Chee came out the brick and mortar winner (The name may sound familiar because they were on Shark Tank). While Tom + Chee is great, I think Louisville got that one wrong. Lil’ Cheezers is EVERYTHING.

The restaurant itself is completely understated, if not a little rough around the edges in design. That was a little unexpected for me to see; however, the longer I sat there, jamming to some sweet 80’s music and doing my very best not to break out in song when Madonna rang through the air, I began to appreciate it more and more. It feels like a long-standing piece of the community, even though it’s a brand new restaurant. A sandwich shop that could have been operating since the era they are emulating. And lastly, they’re serving damn good sandwiches with amazing 80’s names. Oh wait, one more! They deliver to a select area (Please consider expanding to the Highlands!)

As far as I’m concerned, in a town bursting at the seams with new restaurants, Slice has “carved out”  some white space. 

I was desperately seeking a fresh, local sandwich shop. Not a ‘bakery with sandwiches’ or a ‘butcher with sandwiches’ (there are good options in those categories if you’re interested), but an actual sandwich shop with freshly prepared sandwiches on yummy toasted bread. The fact that they deliver makes me even happier, as the only other option is Jimmy Johns. While Jimmy Johns delivers fine sandwiches, we all know they have a pretty limited menu (I need more sauces than mayo and mustard!) and no toasty options. Huge Miss. Toasty is Better. I’m also happy to have a reason to go to Old Louisville outside of St. James Art Fair.

• Website: https://www.facebook.com/slicelou/?fref=tshttp://www.slicelou.com
• Online Ordering: www.slicelou.com
• What I Ate: Run BLT on Wheat
• Tips: This really goes for any new restaurant. If you are interested in checking out a new place but don’t want to deal with the crowds, I suggest going during an off peak time. I went to Slice on Day 2 of it’s opening, at around 2pm.

Drink: Wild Dog Rose

Pinkies Up!

When you think of tea do you think of snobby, old aristocrats in England sipping out of miniature doll house cups with their pinkies up? “Oh Donald, for heaven’s sake, don’t be so crass!”. Helping debunk that old stereotype is…Wild Dog Rose. By now I’m sure you know that Starbucks acquired Teavana a few years ago (2012), and for good reason. Tea is having a moment in the US, seeing impressive growth year after year. Speculators suggest the growth might be attributed to our shift away from soda (or pop where I’m from). Whatever the case may be, it looks like tea is here to stay.

That makes it a great time to be Emily and Margaret of Wild Dog Rose, who recently opened up their eccentric tea and book store on Bardstown Road. There is nothing I love more than a fusion of two styles, and that’s exactly what these girls deliver. Take the prim and proper elegance of tea…storefront windows dripping with flowers, sophisticated script work representing their store name, shelves lined with clean, stainless steel canisters of tea. Mix that in a cauldron (you’ll get that reference in a second) with their unique personalities. Now you’ll find healing crystals, essential oils, and a little bit of witchcraft that makes their teas so yummy.

They recently posted on their Instagram feed a bumper sticker with a quote from Practical Magic. That’s probably the best way to describe their style. What’s not to love about Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Midnight Margaritas, Got to Give It Up by Marvin Gaye, If You Ever Did Believe and Crystal by Stevie Nicks. It’s a recipe for deliciousness. It’s great to have a local option to get our tea fix in. Starbucks will continue to be a drive thru option for me, but when I have time, this will be my go to. I should also note that tea has come along way from dinky little cups of hot beverages. They can be served iced and turned into lattes… making them perfect for summer!

• Website: http://wilddogrose.com
• Location: 1570 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY
• What I Drank: Iced Wild Strawberry Green Tea
• What I’ll Drink Next Time: Iced Cherry Rose Green Tea. I tasted a sample after I ordered, it’s awesome.

Eats: River House

Good Stuff Inside

When you pull up to the River House, you might be taken aback. It feels like you are pulling into a giant warehouse complex, rather than one of the latest new restaurants in Louisville. However, once you open the doors, you will understand the hype. Greeting you is a sleek, clean interior with a well done patio in back that you can create some wonderful memories at…complete with a fire pit. I can already see myself now stopping by in the fall when the brisk air is just slowly creeping in and indulging in a glass of wine.

As you might expect from the name (Raw Bar kind of gives it away), seafood is what’s on the menu. I stopped by for a networking lunch with an old coworker and had the special for the day, their take on a caprese salad with add-on shrimp. Visually, the salad was an absolute work of art! I definitely left happy but I will try to bounce around the menu a bit more before deciding on a good go-to dish.

I’m overjoyed to have another locally-owned river restaurant available to the Louisville community, without having to trek out to Captain’s Quarters every time I’m looking for that type of experience. (It’s still worth the trek, but having options is great!) Using Captain’s Quarters as a comparison point, I’d say the River House’s interior design (being newer) is a nicer experience. Captain’s Quarters is a much better outdoor experience as they have multiple patios and walkways directly to the river. I imagine the River House will continue to expand their outdoor presence. As of today, they are just wrapping up the addition of 8 new boat slips. For anyone who follows the restaurant scene in Louisville, this venture is brought to us by our well-regarded Chef Varanese (His Varanese restaurant is located at 2106 Frankfort Ave). 

• Website: http://riverhouselouisville.com
• Location: 3015 River Rd, Louisville, KY
• What I Ate: Salad special for that day with Heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Eats: Finn’s Southern Kitchen

No Phony Bologna Here

The Germantown neighborhood of Louisville continues to have a resurgence. Contributing to its increased popularity are the new Germantown Mill Lofts and Finn’s Southern Kitchen. Since I’ve been in Louisville, Germantown has always been a part of  the ‘up and coming’ neighborhood scene…always on the verge of a breakthrough but still just edgy enough to attract ‘hipster nation’. The neighborhood has a way of making you feel either like somebody’s renegade aunt/uncle or a younger, cooler version of yourself. It’s quite honestly the perfect place for Louisville’s next culinary adventure.

“Finn’s is located in the historical Fincastle building directly behind the Germantown Mills Lofts. The art deco building once housed the offices for the 1800 era cotton mill that operated within the Germantown lofts.” (As stated on their website)

While my husband and I went to Finn’s for lunch, it would be the perfect place to meet up with friends for a drink. Walking around, I found myself envious of the new tenants that would soon fill the Loft spaces. My 20’s were mostly spent living in cheap, run down locations…though I did have a stint living just a few blocks off the beach on the coast of Connecticut. Not too shabby I suppose…though I would have loved a gym, common rooms, and an amazing restaurant just downstairs as provided by this new Louisville Loft space.

The restaurant is light and cheerful. While it does reflect an art deco style, it’s not an overwhelming period piece. The design to me is a tasteful fusion of Miami architecture and a transitional kitchen space you might have saved on Houzz.com or Pinterest in recent years. I spent our time happily devouring my fried bologna sandwich, saving no room for talking. I decided then and there that my love for bologna is likely how others feel about bacon. It’s one of those meats you shouldn’t spend a lot of time thinking about, just basking in its amazing flavor. And of course…then there’s mustard. What kind of native Chicagoan would I be if I didn’t have a special place in my heart for mustard. Sad but true, I used to put mustard on just about everything growing up. Mashed potatoes, rice, corn…I know. I really went too far, but that might help explain my love for this sandwich!

• Location: 1318 Mc Henry St, Louisville, KY
• Website: http://finnssouthernkitchen.com
• What I Ate: Fried Bologna Sandwich (Baby Swiss, Mustard, Caramelized Onion)

Eats: Gralehaus

The Sunny Side of Life

There are a lot of brunch options in Louisville. Sometimes I think we’ve gone brunch bananas in this town. I recall a time trying to get into a few local spots one morning and finding an hour wait almost everywhere I turned. Toast, Highland Morning, Wild Eggs. Hour, hour, hour. If you’re anything like me, that isn’t going to cut it. I’m like the plant in Little Shop of Horrors…FEED ME! Haha.

As far as I’m concerned, Gralehaus wins brunch…hands down. 

I know it’s a faux pas to call something cool, but it just is. Be it the understated markings outside identifying its presence, the black subway tiled breakfast bar, the reclaimed wood ceiling or the garden oasis shared with its partner location The Holy Grale.

The best way to describe Gralehaus is authentic. From its decor to its menu, you won’t find anything quite like it. So if you’re looking for a unique take on brunch, that isn’t an hour wait (generally), this might be the place for you. Amazingly, the Gralehaus also serves as a Bed & Beverage. I have not personally slept over, but I envy those who have.

• Location: 1001 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204
• Website: http://gralehaus.com
• What I Ate: Country Ham & Egg Crepe (Exum’s double smoked country ham, red eye, aged cheddar, sunny farm egg) and Maple Latte.

Eats: Queen of Sheba (Ethiopian)

Love Me Some Injera!

Before moving to Louisville, I considered myself a relatively adventurous eater. I abide by a ‘try everything once’ rule, at least when it comes to food. This outlook is likely inspired by the Dr. Suess classic, Green Eggs and Ham, a book I’ve read to my little one at least a hundred times. I guess that makes me the type of person to take life lessons from children’s books. But hey! My mom will be thrilled to know I’m eating something other than cheese, fruit snacks, and banana bread in my adulthood.

Needless to say, I was surprised to find something I hadn’t tried before in Louisville. On one particular occasion when I found myself hungry and bored with the standard fare, I decided to give Ethiopian a try. My husband and I started our adventure at Queen of Sheba, which sits across from Bowman Fields on the outskirts of the Highlands. The building is not much to look at, but the food is good, the experience is great, and they have a clean bill of health. Pizza and sandwiches aside, how often in life are you allowed to eat with your hands?! (don’t worry, it’s not as messy as it sounds).

If you haven’t had Ethiopian before, this is the easiest way I can break it down…

• Ethiopian cuisine consists primarily of meat and/or vegetable stews.
• The stews are served on injera, a sour dough flatbread.
• (Now for the fun!) You do not use silverware, you use the injera to pick up the food.
• The stews are not watery, you will have no problem eating it.
• The stews have a unique seasoning. I would compare it to Indian cuisine. (not exact, but close enough for a comparison)
• The injera has a slightly spongey texture. Just a warning as that took me by surprise!

Details:

• Website: http://www.queenofshebalouisville.com
• Location: 2804 Taylorsville, Road, Louisville, Kentucky
• My Favorite: Kik Wot. Split lentils stew; simmered in onions, garlic, and berbere…Ethiopian hot spice made with red chili peppers.
• My Husband’s Favorite: Alicha Doro wot. Cubes of Chicken breast; slow cooked with onion, potatoes, garlic, ginger, and turmeric. 

Drink: Woodford Reserve Distillery

Bottoms Up!

One fine Kentucky Day, I ventured off to the Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm to see some racing ponies. After spending the morning walking around in the hot sun, I was famished, parched, and not yet ready to make the drive back to Louisville. I recalled my earlier days in Kentucky visiting Woodford Reserve’s Distillery for the first time. My friends and I had stopped by a number of places that day and by the time we had arrived to Woodford, the tours had ended for the day. We decided to eat lunch on the back patio and enjoyed our time all the same.

Each bourbon brand represents a different consumer segment and lifestyle. As such, their distilleries each deliver a unique experience outside of the product itself. Woodford Reserve, in my opinion, is one of the more refined tours you can go on in the Kentucky region. 

Knowing I was near Woodford’s distillery, I set off for lunch. The irony being, this time when I arrived, I missed the cafe and caught the tour! (I have impeccable timing as it turns out). That said, I was still able to grab a prepackaged salad at the cafe (which was shockingly delicious…a Cobb salad with pimento cheese on top…yes please!). I spent 10 minutes eating on the patio when I heard them call out for the 3:30pm tour. Mind you, their website does not reflect a tour at that time. It must fall into the ‘ will have more tours as needed’ category. Either way, I took it as a sign, threw my salad bowl out and grabbed a ticket and some pretty pictures.

• Website: http://www.woodfordreserve.com/age
• Location: 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles, KY
• Tips: The price per ticket was around $15. It included 2 tastings at the end of the tour paired with a bourbon ball chocolate. I prefer the Double Oaked, which has a smoother, less alcohol taste. (Pardon my layman’s description. I have yet to be certified as a master distiller).

Wander: Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

Welcome to the Pool House

Sometimes when I’m bored, I browse the internet in pursuit of new adventures. Most of what I discover are ideas for the future. Domestic travel ideas for the family (once my son gets older) or International ideas for my husband and I (though those happen less than either of us would like). On occasion, I get lucky and find something that sparks my interest locally that I haven’t discovered yet. I save those on a “To Do” list on my iPhone and generally forget about them  until I check my list and rediscover them. That’s what happened with the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. I have no idea how I heard about it or when I added it to the list, but one day it was there when I needed it and away I went!

Developed in 1941 on Oldham County farmland, it was originally the home, gardens and commercial nursery of the late Theodore Klein and his family (the little castle was actually their pool house). It is open to the public for events or just a walk around the grounds. After a self-guided tour, I made my way back to the pool house where there is a terrace with rocking chairs (in the spot where the pool once stood). I sat for about an hour reading the news (or rather browsing my social media sites). It was pretty quiet during the day, although they were setting up for a wedding that evening. It would make for a great event space. I can definitely envision a bourbon tasting event in the Gheens Barn, where it actually looks like you are standing INSIDE a bourbon barrel!

• Website: http://www.yewdellgardens.org/main-page.html
• Location: 6220 Old Lagrange Rd, Crestwood, KY

Events: Downs After Dark

Life After Derby

On this rainy day in Louisville, let me reminisce for a moment to last Friday. When I started my blogging adventure not too long ago, I told myself I wanted to avoid events all together. I wasn’t confident I could touch on all ‘the hot things to do this weekend’ in Louisville, particularly as a 30-something mom with a full-time career just starting out in the blog-o-sphere. While that sentiment still holds some validity, I decided I would not be doing Louisville justice if I didn’t cover the major, reoccurring events around town.  So with that, I give you Downs After Dark – what happens after Derby ends.

Come the first week of May, Churchill Downs is the epicenter of Louisville; however, such a large-scale venue cannot operate on a single event alone. Downs After Dark is one answer to the after Derby call, bringing fun and excitement back to the track. 

The great thing about going to off-Derby events at Churchill is your ability to secure amazing tickets for a fraction of the price, or possibly even free! It’s the only time I’ve gotten access to some of the elite seating like Millionaires Row (outside of Ad Day) or the company owned boxes (which are always reserved for major customers and clients on Derby). You don’t have to ward off large crowds to get a close up look at the ponies, there’s live music and dancing (something Derby doesn’t have), great sunsets, and wonderful spire picture opportunities (with the right tickets). The events are usually themed or sponsored. Last Friday was a White Party theme. There are usually only a few dates each year (although there are twilight races), so catch one while you can! The last two events this season are July 2nd and September 24th.

• Website: https://www.churchilldowns.com/downsafterdark
• Location: Churchill Downs. 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY
• Tips: You can park in the up close lots for around $30. If you are willing to walk a little bit, the further lots on the property are free. There is Valet available as well if you’re feeling fancy.

 

Eats: Flour de Lis

Neighborhood Bakery With Heart

It doesn’t happen often, but on occasion, I wake up and decide I’m going to eat dessert for breakfast. YOLO…Adulting is hard, eating is easy! I’ve always had a fondness for Julia Child’s quote “People Who Love to Eat Are Always the Best People“, so I felt immediately welcomed when I was greeted at Flour de Lis by another famous Julia quote.

“A party without cake is just a meeting” ~Julia Child

With a full day of adventures planned, I was looking for a quick in-and-out (local) place that could deliver a treat immediately. Enter Flour de Lis. Flour de Lis is a vibrant bakery with a petite menu that packs a punch. It is far enough down Bardstown Road to allow for easy street parking, making for a pleasant drop-in experience. They’ve featured some great custom work on their Facebook page, making it a strong contender for my little one’s birthday celebrations or next year’s Derby festivities! Happy Desserting!

• Website: http://www.flourdelisbakery.com
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flourdelisllc/
• Location: 1759 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 
• What I Ate: Jasmine Tea and Oatmeal Cream Pie. The filling was divine. I would allow it to warm up for a few minutes before diving in to soften the actual Oatmeal Cookie.