1. I really like the food at Toast on Market. I adore pancakes and I've got to say I think they make the best ones in town. The ones at Wild Eggs are fantastic, the ones are the North End Cafe are awesome but the ones at Toast are consistently wonderful and the variety (buttermilk, lemon soufflé, gingerbread) is a real treat. I'm also a serious fan of their banana nut oatmeal. However I hate the coffee they serve at Toast. Really hate it. This is a serious barrier to my breakfast enjoyment. I'd go to Toast a lot more frequently if they'd serve different coffee (I'm suggesting they start serving some very nice Jackson's Organic Coffee). Seriously, I can only go to Toast when I'm going to be ok with having diet Coke for breakfast instead of coffee.

Like the folks at Toast care if I really want them to serve better coffee so I can give them more of my business. This is my Monday morning rant though and I'm using it to rant about wanting better coffee at Toast.

2.Red Pepper on Brownsboro road is currently a very trendy place to love. I've heard raves about it from my neighbors and friends and read glowing reviews of it in both the Courier and Louisville Magazine. I've heard just one "meh, it was ok." We've been a couple times and have really enjoyed it both times. The restaurant's claim to fame is the offering of a green "Americanized Chinese" menu and a red "Authentic Chinese" menu. The green menu offers all the American Chinese restaurant staples like sweet and sour chicken, crab rangoons, hot and sour soup and egg rolls. The red menu has a great many dishes that have the little red pepper symbol beside them indicating extreme spiciness. I've yet to order from either menu because I've ordered the same special every time: General Tso's Tofu. I mention this for my other vegetarian and flexitarian friends. You know I've always got our collective non-meat eating back. When I ate more meat (and when I ate a way less healthy diet than I do now) I loved General Tso's chicken. I've never encountered General Tso's tofu anywhere before so the first night I saw it on Red Pepper's special board I had to order it. My only beef with it (Get it? Beef? I'm talking about tofu! Whew good heavens I'm funny with the puns. Or not.) is that they use soft tofu instead of the extra firm tofu I much prefer. I'm still not in love with the texture of soft tofu but I enjoy the dish as a whole very much. Normally I wouldn't mention a special dish like this because I don't want to crush your little vegetarian hearts by describing something that's not on the regular menu. However since it's been on the special board both times I've been there I'm going out on a limb since it seems like they serve it frequently.

3. Queen of Sheba is moving from that very scary Buechel motel location to the former Mazzoni's building on Taylorsville Road, directly across the street from Bowman Field. The sign on the door says they open May 12. Um, that would be today. I'm excited. I've heard from more than a couple people that Queen of Sheba has great, great Ethiopian food but I could never summon up the urge to go purely because of the old location. Now I can't wait to go try it. In fact I've already got plans to go there this week. Two out of two vegans polled say Queen of Sheba offers some of the best vegan food in town and now it's actually closer in town. Winners all around.

Though the name is....somewhat lacking appeal I think the concept itself is brilliant so I'm pleased to tell you about The Melting Pot's Hospitality Industry Professionals night: "Summer H.I.P. to Dip Nights". When you eat out as much as I do you learn to respect how hard working in the restaurant industry is. I sure couldn't do it. I read a comment on a forum the other day from a restaurant worker who said essentially that on his salary he couldn't afford to eat the food he served everyday. While a discount one night a week at a fondue restaurant won't change the economic facts of the restaurant industry a 30% discount is pretty significant and I would think it will be welcomed.

The Melting Pot of Louisville, located at 2045 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, will host "Summer H.I.P. to Dip Nights" every Tuesday from May through August 2008. Service and hospitality industry professionals who show proof that they work in the bar, restaurant, or hotel business in the Louisville area will enjoy 30% off food and beverages every Tuesday night after 8:00 p.m.

The offer cannot be used with any other offer and is not valid during holidays or special events. The Melting Pot of Louisville is open Monday through Thursday 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For reservations, call (502) 491-3125.

My next-door neighbor has told me for months that I need to have lunch at The Cafe. Last week I finally followed her advice and had a very pleasant lunch there. The lunch was very pleasant for two reasons. First, The Cafe has given me a perfect response to the "let's have lunch downtown" invitations that sometimes come my way. I hate dealing with parking downtown. I know I'm a baby about it, I confess that, and most of the time I just suck it up and deal with it. But don't you see? The Cafe is in the perfect location for both people who work downtown and say, someone coming from the Highlands. It's on the Eastern edge of downtown but it's got lots of easy parking. Sweet.

OK, second reason I dug lunch at The Cafe was the food itself, namely plenty of vegetarian options. Soups, salads and a few interesting vegetarian sandwiches show up on the menu but the star in my opinion is the meatless strata. I do love a baked egg custard, particularly one stuffed with French bread, Swiss cheese, parmesan cheese, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions. Good stuff.

The only slight disappointment was dessert. I didn't order the bread pudding because it had raisins in it and there are few things in live I hate more than raisins. And I didn't order the Tuxedo Cake because it had raspberry filling. I don't hate raspberry filling, I just wasn't in the mood for it. My dining companion ordered a chocolate chip cookie though and reported it was yummy.

I'll definitely go to The Cafe again soon for lunch but I really want to make it back for breakfast. Sweet potato cinnamon rolls? Uh, yum.

The Cafe
712 Brent Street
Louisville, KY

I've already mentioned a few highlights for this week's First Friday Trolley Hop like the Derby City Tattoo Art Show and the opening at the Tim Faulkner Gallery, oh and yeah the book signing at Felice. Here are some more happenings tonight:

The Mayan Cafe will be premiering their special Derby menu. "The Mayan Cafe will be offering our Special Derby Menu on May 2! Start your meal with such delights as a chilled Squash Bisque or a Derby Salad with arugula, strawberries, jicama & Oaxaca cheese in a mint vinaigrette. For our entrees, we will be offering a Beef Tenderloin in our mole sauce and a Pan-seared Salmon filet encrusted with pistachios in a pomegranate cream sauce, as well as several other dishes. Be sure to save room for dessert to try our Sweet Crepe with fresh mangos & mascarpone cheese in a rhubarb sauce or our Blood Orange Flan."

"St. John United Church of Christ opens its doors at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to tour our sanctuary. Outside, Terry Birkhead and his drumming group will perform."

Carr-Waite Studio , 221 S. Hancock Recent work by Caroline Waite and Geoff Carr. Opening Friday, May 2, 6-9 pm.

The Bardstown Road Farmers' Market has been open for  a few weeks now and the Phoenix Hill Farmers' Market officially opens this afternoon. They sure do have a great day for their first market of the year. The weather is absolutely perfect today. So get thee downtown this afternoon from 3PM-6:30PM to buy direct from farmers. Knowing where your food came from is very, very cool.

Phoenix Hill Farmers' Market
Parking lot of Mellilo's/The Bodega
Market Street
Louisville

So there are a couple new-ish restaurants on Bardstown Road. I've been to one and plan to the try the other one soon.

The one I've been to is Jarfi's Bistro. I never made it to Jarfi's when they were located down at the Kentucky Center so I can't compare the two locations. I can compare the Jarfi's with the previous tenant of the space Lentini's. Well, as kindly as I can let me say that Lentini's was a bit past its prime and Jarfi's is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Jarfi's has a front dining room and bar that straddles the vibe between casual and upscale. Window seats look out onto Bardstown Road, pots of fresh herbs decorate the tables and Cokes are served in glass bottles. The back of the house has a more formal dining room, a sushi bar and a lounge. I've only been there once and I ate in the front dining room so I don't have any opinion on the other dining areas. My meal in the front dining room was fantastic. The server was great and the hot brown was the best I've had in a really long time. B ordered the ahi tuna appetizer as her entree and said it was outstanding. I'm really looking forward to going back for dinner sometime soon and trying some of the vegetarian options on the menu.

The other new restaurant in the neighborhood is Oishii Sushi which sits near the corner of Bardstown Road and Woodbourne Avenue, next door to Conn's bodyshop. The building was formerly an AT&T/Cingular shop and then some kind of car accessory place. I think the building is happier now that it's a perpetually busy sushi restaurant. Like I said, I haven't been but every time I've driven or walked by the place has been very busy. I'm a complete sushi novice so I'm not really that jazzed about going but B has recently decided that she just freaking loves lightly seared ahi tuna so she's quite interested in sushi and trying more items. So, alas, we'll be walking up to Oishii soon. I don't like cucumber or avocado though I like slightly cooked tuna. Menu suggestions?

I was looking at Corbett's website yesterday (aside: yay! They finally got a website) and saw that they have all of their menus online including something called the Grande Tasting
Menu. There is no price listed with the Grande Tasting Menu. That of course means I can't afford it. Let's overlook that though because I want to tell you that there is not just one Grande Tasting Menu there are two including a, wait for it, wait for it, Vegetarian Grande Tasting Menu! Maybe instead of going to Havana Rumba for a festive birthday dinner in July I'll save up and hit Corbett's for the Vegetarian Grande Tasting Menu instead. Of course someone will need to tell me just exactly how much I need to save up.

I'd planned for this past weekend to be laid back and relaxed. We had a couple dinners with friends scheduled but nothing else was on the agenda. Then on Friday we got a call that some friends were quite unexpectedly going to be on our doorstep. We love them, they're good people so we said "sure, come on." Come they did, including two children under five. It was a full weekend to be sure and by full I mean full bellies. These friends enjoy eating as much as I do and since they aren't from Louisville every time they come I want them to get a solid taste of the Louisville restaurant scene. I didn't plan it this way but we ended up taking an international eating tour around Louisville. 

I've got very few details on this event but if you like German food then you should definitely call for more information.

Come and sample authentic German cuisine. From meat and vegetable dishes to bread and dessert, see what's cooking in Germany.

For more information and tickets, call 894-9512

Tuesday April 15, 2008
2PM-5PM

German-American Club
1840 Lincoln Avenue
Louisville, KY

Seriously? Yes, seriously. On Thursday, April 17, 2008 you'll be able to combine your extreme love of Sweet Surrender's offerings with your desire to do good in our community. It's almost too good to be true.

Sweet Surrender Dessert Café will host "A Sweet Night: A Benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society." From 6 PM to 10 PM, a sampling of desserts will be offered for $12 per person. A portion of the event's proceeds will be given to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Whole cakes and other prizes will be raffled off throughout the evening. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased for $1.00 each. All of the proceeds from the raffle will go directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Donations for raffle prizes are still being accepted.

In addition to great desserts and great prizes, great music will be played by Jason Hasch at 8 PM.

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a wonderful organization," said owner, Jessica Haskell. "They were a big help to me during my own battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I want to return the favor."

Haskell, age 29, is a three time survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Originally diagnosed in May of 2000, she battled through recurrences in 2003 and 2004. After undergoing chemo, radiation and a stem cell transplant, she has been cancer free for three years.

The Idea Festival blog yesterday announced some cool dining events to get us all in the mindset for Idea Festival come September.

The 2008 IdeaFestival in Louisville, KY is still six months away, but why wait to experience it? A series of unique spring and summer dining events is being planned to remind people that the Festival is about innovation, creativity and taking a few risks.

What are you doing April 17 at 6:30p?

The daring diners who attend the Lights Out Dinner at chef Peng Looi's Asiatique Asian Fusion restaurant on Bardstown Road will be asked to try something more than a little out of the ordinary: enjoying a multi-course meal without seeing it.

Diners will be blindfolded as they enter the darkened room reserved for the dinner, and enjoy a series of imaginative courses paired with wines and other spirits, all without setting eyes on them.

Why would anyone want to eat in the dark?

Ask diners in Paris, Zurich, New York and other cities where the dining in the dark concept has taken off in recent years. There's even a restaurant in Los Angeles that now serves all its meals in utter darkness, its waiters outfitted with night-vision goggles. Another, in Cologne, Germany, employs blind or vision-impaired servers in its subterranean, windowless dining room.

Those who've tried this particular dining experience say canceling out the often-dominant sense of sight heightens the senses of taste and touch.

Chef Looi is not revealing the menu ahead of time, but assures participants he'll personally present each course and explain his approaches to scintillating ingredients, spices, sauces, temperatures, techniques, and the fine balance between sweet and savory.

Seating will be limited to the first 50 people who register. Tickets for the complete meal with wine and other pairings are $100 apiece, which includes gratuities and taxes.

Make your reservations now, and we look forward to not seeing you there!

Upcoming IdeaFestival Lights Out Dinners are planned at the Mayan Café downtown, in June, and the Patron on Frankfort Avenue, in early September. For more information on these unique experiences, phone David Mudd at 502.859.1762 or contact him by email.

Kate Hopkins from of the website The Accidental Hedonist has been on the bourbon trail of late doing research for a book she's writing on whiskey. The other day she was in Louisville and had breakfast at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. She partook of the dish known as Kenny's Farmhouse Scramble as well as fried green tomatoes, biscuits, and cheese grits. Of her meal she said:

"Oh Lord? Please send Seattle a breakfast like this."

Back in November Park Place on Main introduced a dinner menu aimed at theater goers. I thought it was a great idea that allowed people to have a great meal in plenty of time to make it to the show on time. Morton's must have thought it was a good idea too because they've just introduced their own Pre-Theater menu.

You don't have to be on the way to a performance to take advantage of Morton's Pre-Theater Menu. Any occasion is a perfect one to dine early and enjoy legendary steaks and seafood at a bargain price. Morton's Louisville presents a special menu nightly from 5:30 to 6:30 that includes a salad, entrée, side and dessert. The menu is an incredible value at $49.95 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call (502) 584-0421.

Full menu after the jump.

Morton's The Steakhouse
626 West Main Street
Louisville, KY

I'm so freaking excited for Spring I can hardly stand it. On Tuesday evening we walked and walked around the Highlands and I was yet again reminded how much I love this town and the neighborhood I live in. All that brings me to letting you know way, way early that the first Bardstown Bound event of 2008 is Friday May 16.

Subtitled "Taking it to the Streets" (I do hope someone, somewhere will be playing that Doobie Brothers song during the course of the evening) festivities start at 5PM and will go on well into the night.

From the press release some of the evening's highlights:
 

Friday, May 16, 2008 marks the 10th BB and the 1st of the Year! This 1-night event will offer 15% discounts and showcase the areas most beloved businesses. Discounts on clothing, art, home furnishings, and appetizers provided by Avalon, Bristol Bar & Grille, Bearno's Highlands, Amazing Grace and Le Gallo Rosso Bistro will be featured at the participating boutiques. So shop, taste, drink and enjoy Bardstown Road. The hours of happiness will be from 5:00p -? Bearno's Highlands, Impellizzeri's, Avalon, Bristol Bar & Grille and Asiatique will raise a glass and toast another BBC Bardstown Bound Bubbly Hours to celebrate this evening and offer drink and food specials, including cold BBC Beers and Live Local entertainment.

Participants of this Bardstown Bound event will donate proceeds to benefit the newly opened Gilda's Club of Louisville located in the Highlands. At Gilda's Club you will find support, information, fellowship, laughter, hope and inspiration. Gilda's Club Louisville is a free community where men, women and children who are living with cancer, along with their families and friends, can join with others to build social and emotional support as an essential supplement to their medical care.

This dinner is too rich for my blood but if you can swing it sounds like a neato lecture and dinner.

Austrian artist Werner Reiterer is the creative force behind the chandelier installation at the corner of Seventh and Main in front of the 21C Museum Hotel. Following the artist's free lecture in the 21C Atrium on Wednesday, April 16, Proof chef Michael Paley will present a three course menu at which Reiterer will be the guest of honor. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will go to support the 21c Museum Foundation. The cost is $125 per person, including wine, tax and gratuity. Seats are limited and reservations may be secured with a credit card at 502-217-6374 or bbomba@proofonmain.com.

Heck of a heck of a deal being offered at Equus every Tuesday during the month of April. Lucky for us April has five Tuesdays this year so you've got five chances for two people to experience a five course tasting menu for just $80 at the very highly regarded local institution.

From the press release:

The refined, classic cuisine of Equus is now offered at a simply delicious price. Every Tuesday during the month of April, two people can enjoy a five-course tasting dinner for $80, plus tax and gratuity. The menu will be created each week by Equus executive chef Josh Hillyard with the region's freshest ingredients. For reservations at Equus, call 502-897-9721.

On a personal level let me say I'm glad Equus is staying on top of their game and offering interesting events and opportunities like this. I've still not been to Corbett's though I've heard wonderful things about it but I can tell you that because of its location Corbett's would be only a few times a year dining event for me even if I could more well afford to eat there. Equus on the other town is in a prime location and is on my list of "eat here more places." Opportunities like this certainly encourage me to do just that.

Equus
122 Sears Ave
Louisville, KY

I can't tell you how excited I am that the Bardstown Road Farmers Market opens for the year next Saturday April 5, 2008. One of my favorite things about living in the Highlands is getting up early on a Saturday morning and walking to the Farmers Market (often with a trip to the bread shop at Douglass Loop as well). Obviously the selection is a little thin this early in Spring but I'm excited and ready to see what the farmers have. I've been on a major cooking upswing (in addition to my crazy all-the-time baking tendencies) and having a selection of local, fresh produce is only going to encourage a further support that trend.

Bardstown Road Farmers Market
1722 Bardstown Rd. (Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church parking lot)
April 5-December
8AM-Noon

The Mayan Cafe is one of my favorite Louisville restaurants. I love everything about it from the atmosphere to the food to the fantastic Jackson's Organic Coffee the restaurant serves. Next Thursday March 27, 2008 The Mayan Cafe is going to be debuting a new menu and I for one am really excited about it. 

I'm pasting an email message in its entirety for your consumption regarding The Falafel House:

"The Falafel House Has a new chef and the falafel now is better than before i think the best in the ville"

I don't know the person who sent me the email so I can't vouch for this info but sending sparse, teasing email messages about yummy falafel is certainly a way to get my attention. I'll be checking out The Falafel House soon my cryptic, unknown friend, and I expect a fine, fine falafel meal. Let's hope you've not raised my hopes for nothing.

The Falafel House
Corner of Bardstown/Baxter/Highland
Louisville, KY

The Urban Design Studio is hosting an event on Tuesday March 25, 2008 to discuss local food and agriculture (things that are near and dear to my heart).

We are excited to present the next forum in our Sustainable City Series - Local Food & Agriculture. This event is sure to be a hit with foodies, farmers, health nuts, sustainability advocates and many others. We have a great lineup of speakers including: Susan Hamilton of Louisville Metro's Economic Development Department, Ivor Chodkowski owner of Grasshoppers and member of Community Farm Alliance, Bill Huston of Urban Fresh, and Chef Mark Williams - Executive Chef at Bourbon Street Cafe and local Slow Food movement advocate Slow Food Bluegrass.

Local Food and Agriculture presented by The Urban Design Studio
Tuesday, 25 March 2008, 6:00-8:30PM
The event is free but you must register and seating is limited

Glassworks
815 W Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202

I got a press release about St. Patrick's Day festivities at Avalon. You know I've yet to go to Avalon but I've heard good, good things about it so I'm definitely going to have to make it in soon.

A St. Patrick's Day Celebration is being held on Saturday, March 15th at Avalon located at 1314 Bardstown Road in the very Irish Highlands. Join Avalon for lunch or dinner before or after the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Enjoy hearty Irish favorites of Guinness Irish Beef Stew, Corned Beef & Cabbage and, of course, traditional Fish & Chips - along with a variety of Irish beers and whiskey. Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

Avalon
1314 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY

I guess it's time to start compiling a list of special menus and events for Easter. The Brown Hotel gets the prize for being the first to send me a press release for Easter.

The J. Graham's Café menu is served buffet-style and features Potato Leek Soup and a selection of salads including Grilled Ostrich, Macadamia Nut and Green Pea with Chipotle Vinaigrette, Romaine Lettuce, Caesar Dressing with Cranberry Bread Croutons and Deviled Eggs with sour cream and chive. Entrée presentations include Roasted Chicken with lemon confit cream sauce, Herb-Crusted Mahi Mahi with vanilla beurre rouge and Kentucky Ham with Honey Glaze. At the carving station, diners can choose Rubbed Pork Crown with apple cider whole grain mustard sauce, Lamb Shoulder Confit with herb roasted new potatoes or Assorted Grilled Vegetables. Menu items made especially for children will also be available along with a display of assorted pastries, cheese and crudités fore everyone to enjoy. The cost for the J. Graham's Café Easter Brunch is $32 per person, $16 for Children 4-12, plus tax and gratuity. Lunch is complimentary for children under four-years-old. Seating times are 11:30 a.m./11:45a.m. and 1:15 p.m./1:30 p.m. For reservations please call (502) 583-1234, Extension 7225.

The English Grill's Easter Lunch begins with a gorgeous buffet in the Brown Lobby of Oyster Chowder and antipasto selections of Grilled Asparagus, Prosciutto and Capicolo Ham, Roasted Peppers, Grilled Artichokes, Marinated Olives and Fried Green Tomatoes. Salad selections include Red Endive and Watercress with pistachio vinaigrette, cubed bleu cheese and Limestone and Baby Cauliflower with fresh herb vinaigrette and tear drop tomatoes. A luxurious seafood display includes Smoked Salmon with traditional garnishes, Mussel Salad, Seaweed Salad, Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Claws and assorted Sushi. Entrées are served while guests are seated in the The English Grill. Selections include Roasted Pork Chop and Creamy Bleu Cheese Grits with sautéed haricot vert and bourbon sauce and Coffee Rubbed Pan Seared Lamb Loin with baby root vegetables and amaretto reduction. An assortment of pastries, breads, cheeses and desserts will also be available. The lavish lunch is $58 per person plus tax and gratuity. Seating times are at noon, 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. For reservations please call (502) 583-1234, extension 7166.

On Saturday March 15, 2008 nios @ 917 will be getting into the St. Patrick's spirit just as much as any Irish pub around town will be. Starting at 2:00PM they'll be hosting a St. Patrick's Parade Parking Lot Party. It's $5 to get in (boo cover charge!) but that $5 for admission will also get you a free Guinness (yay free beer!).

Other highlights include:

• Executive Chef, and Irish born Josh Tuley will be preparing traditional Fish and Irish Chips for $5
• BBC beer specials will be featured as well as $5 Green Apple Tini's $5 Irish Car Bombs and Special Irish Whiskey's TBA
• Live music (but I don't know who will be playing)
  

nios @ 917
917 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY

Tuesday March 11, 2008 is the monthly raw potluck at Rainbow Blossom in St. Matthews. March's potluck will be extra special though. Immediately following the potluck Dr. Craig Sommers will be talking about the benefits of a raw foods diet. If you're interested in a raw food diet or even just curious about it this is a great opportunity to eat some good food and find out more information.

Raw  Potluck 6:00PM
Dr. Craig Sommers 7:15PM

Rainbow Blossom
3738 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 896-0189

We've discussed how I'm not a beer drinker, thus my input on this event probably wouldn't be helpful at all. So I'll just directly quote the press release instead.

Belgium displays unparalleled diversity of flavor and color in its native beer styles, and on Tuesday, March 4, Corbett's "An American Place" presents a dinner to celebrate the history and nuances of these noble brews. From the strong Trappist ales to the fruity lambics, Belgian beers offer extensive food pairing possibilities, and Pete Larsen of Wetten Imports has put together an unforgettable list. He will be on hand to discuss each brew along with Corbett's assistant general manager Carrie Crouch.

Belgian beers inspire reverence typically reserved for the finest wines. The cost for this dinner is $55 per person and includes five-courses prepared by Corbett's executive chef Chris Howerton. Tax and gratuity are additional. The evening begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception followed by dinner service at 7 p.m. Seating is limited for this special event and reservations may be made by calling (502) 327-5058.

Full menu after the jump

Corbett's
5050 Norton Healthcare Boulevard (Old Brownsboro Crossing)
Louisville, KY

Whoever is in charge of art direction for The Late Seating is doing a kick ass job. Last month they had the Matt Dobson poster that was super cool and this month it's the Made in Louisville design you see here. I don't know you are but I'm digging your art direction. Now, on to the details.

The Humana Festival might be a world famous event that attracts lots of visitors to from all over but it's a Louisville event and we need to claim it as such. So the folks at The Late Seating got the idea to do a "Made in Louisville" party to celebrate the festival's kickoff. This party is going to have food provided by local Louisville restaurants, a DJ will be spinning Louisville tunes, and festiveness will be oozing. The press released detais:

Louisville's Humana Festival Party
Mar 1, 2008 10:30 pm
A Made in Louisville party to kick-off the Humana Festival of New American Plays

TICKETS
Party is free,
but ticket required

Call 502-584-1205
for reservation

Enjoy DJ Matt Anthony (host of WFPK Sound Clash) playing music by area bands plus complimentary appetizers donated by Intermezzo Cafe, Artemisia, Bistro 301, Caviar and Proof on Main.

Meet and mingle with Actors Theatre artists and staff and learn more about their contribution to Louisville's own internationally acclaimed Humana Festival.

PERFORMANCE
Marco Polo by Greg Romero
presented by Specific Gravity Ensemble
directed by Rand Harmon
Players: Lucas W. Adams, Sarah Feldman, Julia Leist, Corey Long, Randy D. Pease, Jennifer Poliskie

VIDEO
Show Me Your Louisville by Jason Tongen
Talk Derby to Me, Bat Birth Factory and Haunted Sanatorium by Thomas Green 

Are you one of those unlucky souls who gets to celebrate on your birthday only every four years? Tony BoomBozz feels your pain and to help you celebrate the momentous occasion of you actually having a birthday this year they want to give you free pizza.

Get a medium 1-topping pizza on Friday, February 29, 2008 at any BoomBozz location just for proving that you were born on February 29 of any year!

4 locations:

2813 N Hurstbourne Pkwy
Louisville, KY 40223
Just south of Westport Road on Hurstbourne Pkwy
(502)394-0000

3334 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY 40206
Intersection of Frankfort Ave. & Cannons Lane
(502)896-9090

1448 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40204
Intersection of Bardstown Rd. & Eastern Pkwy.
(502)458-8889

Boombozz Pizza Bistro
12613 Taylorsville Road
Tyler Center at the Gene Snyder
(502)261-0222

Via Louisville HotBytes

Next Saturday March 1, 2008 there's another Outdoor Skills class at Jefferson Memorial Forest. This one focuses on campfire cooking.

Learn how to be a campfire gourmet. Our staff will share tips and recipes, ideal for cooking great meals in the outdoors. All food and materials will be provided. Families welcome; an adult must accompany all children.

Sign up early because space is limited. Meets at the entrance to the Environmental Education Center.

Reservations are required in advance.

Fee: $10 per person

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502-368-5404
forest@louisvilleky.gov

Free stuff abounds
I'm giving away copies of local author Will Lavender's debut novel Obedience. You've got until 12:01 Monday to enter to win.

My friends over at Backseat Sandbar are giving away tickets to the Dawn Landes show next Friday night.

Indian Buffet Battle Royale in the Highlands
Not really but that's a great headline huh? Sitar Indian Restaurant recently opened up where Ballyhoo's used to be near Cafe Metro on Bardstown Road. In addition to having a great location this place is sure to attract a steady stream of business due to having an everyday buffet. It is this constant buffet that I assume has inspired Kashmir, further down Bardstown Road (near Longest Avenue) to expand their buffet from a weekend only affair to everyday. There was a giant sign out front that said "Buffet Everyday $6.99" when I drove by yesterday.

Gigantic Government Vehicles
This is more Page One's territory than mine but I've been thinking about this a good deal. One street over from me lives a recently elected politician. Since his election he's been driving a state vehicle (it's got the official seal on it and the name of his office) presumably back and forth to Frankfort. This thing is a massive SUV. I'm a bit of a tree hugger so I'm not a fan of SUVs in general but isn't it overkill (both in terms of environmental impact and just the cost of fuel for the thing) to have a huge vehicle for one or two people? Isn't it overkill when the largest cargo the vehicle will probably ever tote are briefcases and maybe a couple banker's boxes of documents? Wouldn't a more fuel efficient vehicle (say maybe even a Toyota that's made in Kentucky instead of a Chevy that isn't) be a better use of tax payer dollars?

I probably should just ignore this issue but I can't help but think about it every time I walk my dog past this massive automotive monstrosity wonder parked on the street. Do you have any thoughts on this issue?

I'm not ashamed to admit that I once had a serious thing for fondue. I spent more than one birthday at fondue restaurants in various cities because I love dipping cheesecake and brownies into a pot of gorgeous melted chocolate. I haven't had fondue in years though, I kind of outgrew my love for it.

At least I had until I got the press release for a charity event that runs the month of March at The Melting Pot.

The Melting Pot, Louisville's only fondue restaurant, will offer three special desserts made from Girl Scout cookies during the month of March. Guests of the restaurant, located at 2045 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, will have the option of diving into a fondue pot of melted chocolate enriched with Samoas, Thin Mints or Tagalongs, each served with a dipping plate consisting of fruits, cheesecake, brownies and Trefoils. The special desserts will be offered on the menu from March 1 to March 31, 2008, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana.

Melted chocolate enriched with Thin Mints? That sound so very good. So much so that I may just have to have a one night reconciliation with fondue.

The Bristol downtown is taking prime advantageous of its proximity to PYRO Gallery. For the month of March several PYRO artists will have selected works displayed in the Bristol's Terrace Room.

Louisville's premier casual dining restaurant The Bristol Bar and Grille Downtown is collaborating with the neighboring PYRO Gallery to present diners with an ongoing fine art exhibition, a great opportunity to enjoy the creativity of local artists during a night out. Gracing the walls of Bristol's Terrace Room through March will be art from such celebrated local artists as Ann Stewart Anderson, Keith Auerbach, Kim Huber, John McCarthy, Corie Neumayer, C.J. Pressma and Marilyn Whitesell. Bristol's display of PYRO artwork will rotate though the year, with fresh works making their debut every three months. All work on view at Bristol will be for sale.

The Bristol
614 West Main Street
Louisville, KY

If only the bloody Oscars didn't run so long and late I'd definitely be heading to nios @ 917 to celebrate the evening (I'm old and have to be home in bed early). Here's the press release description:

Sunday, February 24, 2008 nios @ 917 and the Event Design Group rolls out the Red Carpet to celebrate and honor the 80th Academy Awards. nios @ 917 will host for Louisville what Los Angeles might be missing...The Oscar Party!

Doors will open at 6:00pm and nios will provide complimentary small plates from 6 -10. Oscar ballots will be handed out for those who want to vote and collected by 8:00pm-showtime. Winners will receive super swag bags filled with goodies and gift certificates from shops and eateries up and down Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue.

Oscar-themed cocktail specials will be mixed and served into the wee hours of the morning. Two TV's and one large screen will be for your viewing and voting pleasure. Live jazz and blues music will also be playing for your listening pleasure.

Sunday, February 24, 2008
Doors Open: 6:00pm
Ticket price: $20
Call 451-5377 for advanced tickets and party information or pay at the door

nios @ 917
917 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, Ky
456-7080

Limited VIP VALET Parking will be available-first come first serve.

I love that we live in a town that has events like an "interactive workshop on how to grow and use organic sprouts." Naturally this event is at Rainbow Blossom (St. Matthews location) and is free.

The workshop is Thursday February 28, 2008 at 6:30PM

Rainbow Blossom
3728 Lexington Road
Louisville, KY

Corbett's is presenting a special dinner with Hahn Estates Vineyards winemaker Adam La Zarre on February 28. The five-course dinner will having featuring pairings from Wimbledon Wines with an emphasis on Hahn Estates.

"Wimbledon Wine Company specializes in importing estate winery brands from California and New Zealand including Hahn Estates.  Adam LaZarre, the winemaker at Hahn Estates, garnered much attention for the MontereyCoast vineyard with distinctive bottles of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage. His efforts have earned several distinctive national and international awards."

Complete menu after the jump.

Special Wimbledon Wine Dinner
February 28, 2008
$75 per person + tax and gratuity
Reservations required, call (502) 327-5058

Corbett's
5050 Norton Healthcare Boulevard (Old Brownsboro Crossing)
Louisville, KY

Sushi In The City plans to be the hot event in Louisville during the late cold winter season when many are ready to cure their cabin fever. It's a Sushi competition between many of the top-notched Sushi Restaurants here in Louisville. Each restaurant will make a signature Sushi to be sampled and voted by the sushi connoisseurs. The winner of the event (according to participant's votes) will have bragging rights as winner of the best Sushi In The City for the year 2008.

Sushi in the City
March 4, 2008
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. benefiting Project Women.
$60 per person ($50 for members of Young Professional Organizations)

The Henry Clay
604 S. Third Street (corner of Chestnut and Third)
Louisville, KY

If there is one restaurant in town that could be called the place for pork lovers I think Park Place would be it. Seriously.

The evidence part 1
"..with the recent legal release of Iberico Ham in the United States, Chef Jay Denham has secured a portion for his loyal guests at Park Place. Through the month of February, this delectable ham from Spain will be featured as a special part of the Lateral Ham Tasting of America's Best Old Country Hams. The cost is $20. Quantities are limited, so be sure to get in and taste pure indulgence on a plate."

I've heard of the wondrous qualities of Iberico ham but have never tried them for myself. Looks like I've found a reason to head downtown for dinner next week.

The evidence part 2
"Chef Denham has invited some legendary friends to Park Place on Main for a one night only event! Nancy Newsom from Newsom's Aged Kentucky Country Ham, Allen Benton from Benton's Country Ham and extension professor of meat science at the University of Kentucky Greg Rentfrow are just a few of the pork aficionados who will join the line up for an evening of unforgettable dishes and history on Monday, March 17. The cost is $100 per person and includes a tasting of cured and potted meats and an educational and interactive look at pork. Seating will be very limited for this interactive event, so be sure to save your seat soon."

The description of this event has left my mouth watering. It's too expensive for me to be able to attend. If you can afford it and don't go I don't even want to hear about it. I'm just going to assume that anyone who likes pork and can spend $200 on a Monday night dinner for 2 without breaking a sweat will see what a fantastic event this is going to be and will naturally be dialing right now to get reservations.

Park Place
401 E. Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502-515-0172

I got an email reminding me of a few specials and events at Brownings that I thought I'd share.

They've got happy hour specials on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays

"Come to Browning's Happy Hour every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and receive free appetizers in addition to our great happy hour beer prices! We will have an appetizer buffet available to guests that will include Browning's bar plates as well as some special treats from Chef Denham.

Now you only have to make it half way through the week to celebrate. On Wednesdays, order any appetizer after 3 p.m. and get another one of equal or lesser value free! Consider it good practice for the weekend. On Saturdays, we've brought back our happy hour. Get session beer pints for $3.25 all day long."

On Saturday December 23, 2008 it's the Winter Beer Dinner.

"There's a new reason to celebrate at Browning's, where hearty winter fare is paired with tasty brews at the Winter Beer Dinner on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 6 p.m. The event is $40 per person and includes a four-course dinner paired with Browning's beers. Door prizes, which include gift certificates and merchandise, will also be given away during the evening. Seating is limited and reservations are required for this event. To save your seat, call (502) 515-0714."

Click for complete Beer Dinner menu

Browning's
401 East Main St
Louisville, KY