Kentuckian Cuisine

Elle August 18, 2013

Prior to my trip out to Louisville, I never really thought extensively about the food of Kentucky beyond Harlan Sanders's Kentucky Fried Chicken. I found foods of Louisville to be a wonderful balance of southern decadence sprinkled with international influence. Not so southern that I felt like a stick of butter was about to lodge itself and harden in my arteries, but southern in that there were fried elements, collard greens, and cornbread. And while there is some component of Midwestern influence (since Kentucky borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north), it wasn't obnoxious like the previous run-ins I've had with Midwestern food (cheddar cheese melted on apple pie really doesn't work).

Unsurprisingly, between San Francisco and Louisville, I managed to gain about 7lbs. Luckily, 2 of those were just water weight as a result of increased salt intake. I've managed to whittle down the remainder and am almost back down to pre-drinkcation weight by getting runs and weights in and getting back onto the low-carb wagon.

I am not usually one to take pictures of my food, but I really felt compelled to, despite the fact that I'd be fulfilling the cringe-worthy Asian tourist stereotype. As far as picture quality, the restaurants were all a little dark so I had to open up the aperture and ended up with less than optimal focusing... good thing I didn't go into this aspiring to be a food stylist/photographer.

The bourbon balls were left unguarded at Woodford... little dark chocolate truffles with chocolate bourbon filling - definitely took home a couple boxes for gifts and bad mood pick me ups.

Tournedos topped with sweet potato curls and sweetbreads, cooked rare, of course.

Hands down the best eggs benedict I've ever had with avocado, chorizo, and topped on a corn cake.

More Noms
Hours to Date: 60

The Urban Bourbon Trail

Elle August 11, 2013

The clinking of glasses and sparkling laughter echoing off wood-paneled walls, caramel liquor in shining decanters, and wisps of smoke from a lit cigarette - these were the ghosts I imagined about The Old Seelbach Bar as we began on the Urban Bourbon Trail - similar in conception to the Bourbon Trail, but localized about Louisville.

The Seelbach Hotel has certainly seen its share of celebrities during its storied history and contributed in its own way to Americana - in fact, it served as the inspiration for the hotel where Tom and Daisy Buchanan got married in The Great Gatsby. I love the Rathskeller Room too - one of their banquet rooms that is modeled (and named) after basement restaurant/bar spaces found under German city halls where council members and other people would congregate to discuss business, politics, and the shenanigans of the day. For all the progress that has been made, I do love some of the old-world luxury feel from the Art Deco period.

Anyway, from The Seelbach, we wandered to the Maker's Mark Lounge at 4th Street Live and Asiatique. On Sunday we also made it to Corbett's and Limestone. I finished out my trip just one stamp shy of a free t-shirt for the Urban Bourbon Trail, a little bit intentionally so I'd have to go back!

Very Art Deco. Not surprise F. Scott Fitzgerald drew inspiration from this place.

Got some practice with portraiture! Ashley, rocking her model face, as usual.

Stamp in my passport!

An overhead light in the Rathskeller Room

<3 Maker's, did not <3 the bartender who stamped my passport upside down and made a crappy recommendation for my bourbon tasting flight.

Go big or go home: Pappy Van Winkle, aged 23 years, neat. Easily the most expensive 2oz I've ever had.

More of the Urban Bourbon Trail
Hours to Date: 60

Lou-ee-ville or Lou-a-vulle or Lou-vulle?

Elle August 2, 2013

According to Wikipedia, the technically correct pronunciation is Lou-ee-ville, as in King Louis XVI. But all the locals I've talked to all pronounce it "Lou-a-vulle" or "Lou-vulle" when they're talking real fast. As they say, when in Rome... or in this case, when in Louisville...

I spent my morning exploring Museum Row, which is a fantastic segment of Downtown Louisville that has several museums and shops within a 3 block radius. Highlight of my morning was definitely checking out the Louisville Slugger Factory where I went on a factory tour (sadly, no photography allowed inside) and got a souvenir mini bat. Apparently, the mini bats are the single most confiscated item from carry-on luggage out of SDF. Fortunately, I always check luggage since I need all of my creature comfort make up, hair products, and shoes when traveling and have never mastered the art of packing light.

From there, I...
...ambled down to the Muhammad Ali Center and took in some culture and history
...waved across the Ohio River at Indiana
...met up with my sorority sister and hospitable hostess Ashley for lunch at Proof on Main
...took in all the modern art in the gallery at 21-C
...watched glass blowing and sculpting at the Mark Payton Glass Center

Thus far, I'm loving the home-town feel of this city and the absolutely amazing food and drink... and I've only really experienced one meal so far! For lunch, I had a grilled cheese with cheddar, green apple, and bacon jam with truffle fries paired with this tart grapefruit cocktail. Such a random combination of ingredients, but they just worked - the tang of the apple and sharp cheddar cut through the fatty savory bacon jam for a perfectly balanced bite. Good thing I don't live in the South or else I would definitely blow up.

It's going to be an awesome weekend of explorations and eats.

I had to crouch down awkwardly next to this trashcan for this shot, but it ended up being one of my favorites from today

Louisville Sluggers in various finishes. Official bats of the MLB - apparently it takes ~40,000 trees to supply ONE season's worth of bats!! Good thing they source the wood from managed forests.