upscale restaurants

[Roguewave]

ARRRR Azeleas closed and Primo, I guess I need to visit more! That sucks. Ok, not too "trendy" I hear you. De la Torres is excellent, I lived in Spain and these guys really re-create the pleasure of a spanish bar/restaurante complete with the tapas counter. Spaniards are beyond trend, their food is so simple and to the point there is no room for it. In Avalon's defense, the food has always been amazing and pushes the envelope. The oak room might be more your style, the food is as fresh as it gets and labored over (delectable), and the wait staff are real professionals. Le Relais is a great experience in a counterintuitive location. The beautiful thing about Louisville is the ability to get a great bite at so many locally owned restaurants with their own original flavors. Buen Provecho!!!

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by madre5050

Thanks for all the great imput. You ask for more details. We are not really the "trendy" set but more classic or traditional in our choices (but not British protocol stuffy). For our anniversary dinner we would probably go more "stuffy" than trendy and we definitely are not into jazz but more quiet classical ensemble background music. We want excellent food with "impeccable" service. We get tired of going to "trendy" places that have good food but the wait staff are unkempt---pants about ready to fall off, hair going in all different directions, girls with obviously too tight of button shirts, and the wait staff stoop down putting their elbows on our table acting "folksy" while they take our food order. We can have that every day of the week. So we oviously are interested in a total opposite atmosphere for a special occasion such as an anniversary. I have to say the older we get, the pickier we are about food quality and quality of service or the lack thereof which unfortunately happens to be the case more times than not in this over casual, lack of manners or social graces society. So with this in mind of the restaurants mentioned we would probably be interested in something along the lines of 610 Magnolia or Oakroom. If you have eaten in Charleston, SC and eaten at places such as Circa 1886, 82 Qeen, or The Woodlands in Summerville, you'll know what I'm talking about as far as atmosphere, food quality and service. Thanks.

Indeed. Please go with 610 Magnolia, Oakroom, English Grill, or if you prefer suburbs, Corbett's (although the venue itself is stunning). These are in a league at least with those restaurants. For being a small town, Charleston has very nearly a top 20 restaurant scene. IMO, however, it is not as large and diversified as Louisville, despite Louisville being less well known for this.


Let me add something though. Louisville's trendy good eats are NOT full of unkempt servers and overhyped food. Places like Proof have received national acclaim for excellellent food.

Also, do not discount Le Relais. It may have the most romantic setting of them all, with a nice patio overlooking a historic small plane airport.and a chef and sommellier second to none.

[madre5050]

I think we'll try 610 Magnolia! Can't wait. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments. I'm so glad to see that there is such a large number of locally owned restaurants to choose from for our second night in Louisville. My husband being also a small business owner we try to support the "locals". One other question. I lived in Louisville from 1974-76. In fact, I lived on Cherokee Parkway and loved every minute of my time in Louisville. There was a place called "Butchertown Pub" that I frequented a few times. Does it still exist? We're going to re-trace all the old stomping grounds.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by madre5050

I think we'll try 610 Magnolia! Can't wait. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments. I'm so glad to see that there is such a large number of locally owned restaurants to choose from for our second night in Louisville. My husband being also a small business owner we try to support the "locals". One other question. I lived in Louisville from 1974-76. In fact, I lived on Cherokee Parkway and loved every minute of my time in Louisville. There was a place called "Butchertown Pub" that I frequented a few times. Does it still exist? We're going to re-trace all the old stomping grounds.

No. That is a gentrifying area though, and there is some new retail down there. Check out some of the rehabs on Washington and Franklin streets. Wonderful restorations, urban grit, and even some contemporary infill.

regarding butchertown pub, ask the same question on the forum Commentary | LouisvilleHotBytes.com. They will now on that forum. It is freee and friendly.

I do believe Butchertown Pub is now a closed? gay nightclub called Fuzion or perhaps a store called something like Kentucky Home Brewing Company.