#41 - New Goal...100 New Restaurants... - Friar Tuck's

July 2010

I had one of the best privileges this summer. I got to take my 12-year old nephew for 4 days to the airshow in Oshkosh, WI and spend 3 days with 500,000 of our closest friends and 12,000 airplanes. WOW, did I learn a lot about airplanes. My oldest nephew was a Certified Flight Instructor for the airport over the summer and so I also had the unique opportunity to hang out with my OLDER brother and his wife and her family. On the last night of the airshow, after I took my two nephews to the airport to fly back to Florida, my brother, sister-in-law, and I went to this unusual looking restaurant just off the airfield called Friar Tuck's. It was the most delightful quaint restaurant with such delightful atmosphere. I felt like we stepped back in time to a pub during Robin Hood's time. So, I ordered this "plain ole" slow-cooked roast beef sandwich with fries...nothing big, just sounded good.

Can I just say that I like this restaurant and sandwich SO much that upon my return to Louisville, I wrote a letter to the owner and asked them to bring their restaurant to Louisville! Unfortunately, even though I sent the letter 3 times...it got returned every time.  :( But, this was the absolute best roast beef sandwich I've ever eaten. It actually melted in my mouth. I'm embarrassed to say, but I believe the words "food sex" came out of my mouth.

If you're ever in Oshkosh or Fond Du Lac, WI - you MUST go!!! And then join me on the campaign to get them to Louisville!


Friar Tuck's
1651 West South Park Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54902-9205
(920) 231-9555

#35 - Bombay Grill (Indian)

March 2010

My friend who loves Indian...I found "the top Indian restaurant in Louisville" and we braved it! It was funny...as we drove into the parking lot, he did a "drive by" to peek in the window and once he saw the inside was fairly full of Indians, and there were "nice cars" in the parking lot... he was up for the adventure.

WINNER! He concurred with the Urban Spoon, or Yelp, or wherever I found the posting. We put total and complete trust in our waiter to bring us his suggestion. Then the interesting question....what level of hot do you want? Scale of 1-10.  My friend was gracious...he said "2." One of the "2's" was not very hot at all...however the other one....had some heat. Then...I got him!  I asked the waiter if he had anything cooking in the back that was a 10 for my friend to try.  :D  Boy, did I get the look from him!  We tried it and honestly, THAT particular one was not as hot as the "2" we had on the table.

I wish I could tell you what we ate, but I'm afraid, I cannot. As I said, we trusted the waiter and ate what he brought. But we have been back since for the lunch buffet and everything was delicious and very flavorful! You can't go wrong with Bombay Grill if you like Indian!


Bombay Grill
216 North Hurstbourne Parkway
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 425-8892
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bombay-Grill-Louisville/136120233083351
http://www.bombaygrillky.com/

#30 - Toast On Market

January 2010

Colleen...what a delightful brunch I enjoyed with you! If you're looking for an absolutely phenomenal breakfast - and unique menu - you've GOT to try Toast On Market. This restaurant was originally in downtown Louisville on Market and has crossed the "great ocean" and is now on Market Street in downtown New Albany (which is where Colleen and I met.)

French Toast, Omelets, and delightful combination's of flavors. These are just your typical toast and eggs. Kudos to the chef for the creative combination of wonderful ingredients. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Give it a try, you'll be glad you did.


Toast On Market
141 East Market Street
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 941-8582

736 East Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 569-4099
http://www.toastonmarket.com/

#28 - River City Winery

December 2009

A client invited me to their Christmas party this year at a wonderful addition to downtown New Albany...a winery. The food for this particular even was catered from an outside caterer, but the wine was tasty - full of a variety of flavors. I really liked their Catawba and Muscat. Their bottling area is in the basement and they have a great party room upstairs. The main floor has a large tasting bar and is very warm atmosphere. They have recently added to their menu to offer a full menu. I've had their pizza for a late lunch as well as the cheese plate while sharing two wine flights with a friend...it was all delicious. I'd be happy to enjoy a glass of wine with a friend any time.

The building is rich with history and has tremendous character.  From a downtown New Albany perspective...we're fortunate to have them and they're one of the few downtown restaurants that are open earlier (4PM) for those who get off of work a bit earlier


River City Winery

321 Pearl Street

New Albany, IN, 47150

812-945-WINE (9463)
Closed Mondays
http://www.facebook.com/pages/River-City-Winery/110939538152

#25 - Jason's Deli

October 2009

I was invited by Touched Twice to attend the annual Catalyst Conference in Atlanta which I was honored to accept. Learning more effective ways to lead for the Kingdom and find creative ways to spread the word about Touched Twice!

Perry (my newest FourSquare buddy), Mike, Cindy, and another TTU friend.

Jason's is the best chili (no beans) I've had in a restaurant...it was really thick, full of meat, had an assortment of spices, and of course...NO BEANS! My favorite "Texas chili."

Again, this is a chain, so look for one near you!


http://www.jasonsdeli.com/

#21 - Beef O'Brady's

August 2009

Week #2 in the flower garden from hell...After Mom and I got finished today, we headed to find the next new place...and ended up at Beef O'Brady's in the Knobs (but this is a chain, so you can find them all around.)  I ordered an absolutely delicious sandwich - "Roast Beef Garlic Melt"...Premium roast beef, sliced onions and provolone cheese served hot and pressed on garlic Cuban bread. This roast beef was cooked to melt in your mouth and the Cuban bread added the perfect complement to the sandwich.

It's a sports bar so a very fun place to hang out with friends. I recommend it for a lunch or dinner with friends to just hang out or watch your favorite game on the big TVs found around the restaurant.


http://beefobradys.com/default.aspx

#20 - Five Guys

August 2009

So, after the flood that went through my basement during the summer, we finally got all that squared away and my dear sweet mother offered her Saturdays to me to get rid of an eye sore in my front yard that was once known as a "flower garden." I great to hate pulling into my driveway every day and seeing that mess...so she would come every Saturday morning and we'd work til it got too hot and go eat lunch at some new place - she was in on my adventure as well! Thanks mom!!!

The first Saturday, we found one of the best burger joints in town. Made fresh, never frozen. They throw a couple of patties on the grill as soon as you walk in the door. The burgers are always hot and fries are fresh cut. If you like things hot...try the Cajun spiced fries. You choose what fixin's you want on your burger and enjoy every mouth-watering morsel.

Five Guys is a chain, so you'll find them in many cities, not just Louisville.

www.fiveguys.com

#15 - Coco's Chocolate Cafe

June 2009

OOOPS...this one is actually #14. You read about my friend Elaine who got married and we celebrated her wedding day at Wild Eggs...well, as her Maid of Honor, I doubled as her Wedding Planner. So a couple of weeks before her wedding, we met to gather all the details. What goes better with planning wedding details than...chocolate!?

Coco's is a decadent dessert place in the Highlands. They have wonderful dainty cups of hot chocolate, an interesting cayenne pepper chocolate square, scrumptious ice cream, and I hear that occasionally they make a chocolate dipped habanero...I cannot imagine!!

But, regardless, I highly recommend Coco's for a relaxing and delightful evening with good friends any time!


Coco's Chocolate Cafe
1759 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY

(502) 454-9810

http://cocoschocolatecafe.com/

#14 - Wild Eggs

June 2009

My dear friend, Elaine, was getting married today and so we enjoyed a wonderful brunch at Wild Eggs. What an absolutely fun place to eat. When you walk in, it's like walking out on the farm at sunrise - all that was needed was a rooster crowing as you waked in the door.

Omelets, French toast, crepes, country breakfast...all wonderful! As I've been trying new restaurants, besides the food and company of course - the other thing that draws my attention is the atmosphere. Wild Eggs is not only yummy, but also fun. They have really capitalized on the "wild eggs" theme from the chairs to salt & pepper to the restrooms for the "hens" and "roosters!"

With my dear friend Elaine, in celebration of her wedding...I enjoyed an omelet and we of course had to toast with a mimosa. During our brunch, we laughed and cried and shared memories from the past and hopes and dreams for the future. Congrats Laine!

This is another place that although I've already got it "on the list" - I never mind trying it again. Recently, I ate there again and my friend and business colleague Bob stepped outside our comfort zone...I tried the "Kalamity Katie's Border Benedict" which was my first poached egg...not bad. I got about half way through and my mouth was on fire. If you like hot stuff - give this a try. Green chili cheddar corn cakes, topped with chorizo, two poached eggs and queso fundido, pico de gallo, sour cream, green onions and avocado Skillet potatoes and an everything muffin.  My friend, Bob, outside his comfort zone ordered a "Breakfast Burrito" which he was very appreciative for my encouragement to try something new. Another great Louisville original!

Wild Eggs
3985 Dutchmans Lane
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 893-8005
http://www.crackinwildeggs.com/

#11 - The Windsor

June 2009

New Albany has such potential and has this one location that is the old New Albany Inn. It has been a number of restaurants and the Windsor is one of them. The chef here was amazing! This restaurant was a great French cuisine and the combination of foods was unique and delicious. I'm sorry they are no longer around. The chef did go to the Speakeasy - the New Albany jazz restaurant, but sadly, that is closed now as well.

#6 - Bazo's (Mexican)

May 2009

I just finished up a huge project with my church - I was the Project Manager for an Easter production with over 1200 volunteers, that ran for 3 weeks, and sold about 65,000 tickets. SHEW!  Well, during my work with the production, I worked closely with a new friend - Deedree.  One day, she mentioned this restaurant in town who was know for their "fish tacos." We both thought that sounded rather disgusting and so the running joke was that if we survived this project/production - we'd go to Bazo's and get fish tacos (ha ha ha.)

So...production was over and we took a couple weeks break and then headed to Dupont Circle to get some fish tacos.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!  So, Deedree and I ordered the 2 Baja Fish Taco combo with double rice and Ms. Deedree also ordered a chicken taco as she was SURE she'd not like the fish taco...and oh yea, can't forget the chili lime chips.  Well, all I'm going to say is at the time of this writing, it's been almost 2 years that Deedree and I have made it a monthly girl's night out to Bazo's to get our fish taco fix.

Through our normal visits, we have gotten to know the owners Nira and Sanjay (pictured above) and they are very delightful as well. Everything is made fresh and from scratch daily and you can really taste the difference. I've taken several folks there since Deedree and I first went there and everyone is just as in love with this place as we are. They have several locations to choose from ... not yet in Indiana.  :(

Keep up the great work Nira and Sanjay!


Bazo's
4014 Dutchmans Lane
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 899-9600
www.bazosgrill.com

#5 - Monell's

March 2009

If you're looking for a fun place and don't mind meeting strangers...this is the place to go. This unique restaurant is in an old historic home in East Nashville. Basically, they've set up the big rooms as dining rooms with sitting for 12 or more around each table. So, regardless of the number in your party - you sit family style. They bring the day's menu out in large bowls and you pass the bowls around and fill up your plate. I remember how the rolls were delicious...just like I remember eating when visiting my great-grandmother in the country when I was a child.

Good southern cooking: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, ham, fried apples, and a buffet full of desserts. We met a dear couple who was traveling across country and just happened to stop here in Nashville and found Monell's.

David...keep up the great work of finding delightful restaurants! (He keeps promising me sushi)

Monell's
1235 6th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37208-2601
(615) 248-4747
http://www.monellstn.com/n-rest.html

#4 - Marche'

February 2009

I owe it to David again...this is an exquisite place to dine. Everything I've had there - I have to admit, I do request to go back here when I visit him in Nashville - has been a party for the pallet. From the first time I was there...he ordered this "appetizer" (which unfortunately is not on the menu any longer) that was some kind of sampler platter. Honestly, I cannot remember what we were dipping, but we were dipping in this warm chocolate ganache...To tell you the truth, it didn't much matter what was being dipped - it could have been cardboard, this chocolate ganache would have made anything taste heavenly!

We've ordered perhaps everything on the menu at one time or another - and they change their menu often - and David's so kind, he always let's me try his. Sometimes I like his choice better than mine. But if you ever have a chance to go to Nashville - this is a must try! You'll love the food and the atmosphere.


MARCHé ARTISAN FOODS
1000 Main Street
Nashville, TN 37206
615.262.111
http://www.marcheartisanfoods.com/

#1 - Varanese - Where it all started!!

Thanks David! I love you, my dear friend. You are such an inspiration and encouragement to me, I can never repay you.

Varanese, a delicious, mouth-watering, and delightful restaurant. This quaint little restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere. We enjoyed a talented jazz trio while we dined, enjoyed tasty wine, and an exquisite meal. I can still taste the scrumptious warm pistachio encrusted goat cheese balls served on top of spinach that were part of David's salad...which he "graciously" shared with me (although I almost lost a hand.) The grilled salmon was wonderful. A wonderful evening that I'd do again and highly recommend.

Varanese
2106 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-9904
www.varanese.com