After a a full week of eatin’ and drinkin’, Rick and Steve and are back for a podcast to talk about those adventures. First up are our impressions of the massive new HopCat bar on Bardstown Road, where we both went to the soft opening last Friday. Our thoughts — if size does matter, this is the place. The huge space has a cool vibe with a rock and roll theme (and loud music), a broad selection of beer and whiskey, and fine, if not cutting-edge, food. Also, we love the shrewd marketing move unveiled this week by Wild Turkey — launching a short movie starring Matthew McConaughey, who will play a creative director’s role in the company’s future. Steve calls it a home run for the brand and its signature Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, known by some as the Kickin’ Chicken.

While enjoying all the new restaurant openings, we’re concerned about national reports of a looming restaurant recession. Steve examined the Texas Roadhouse earnings report, which was positive overall, but did include some signs that the analysts may be correct.

Rick’s interview with Louisville Vegan Jerky founder Stanley Chase is highly entertaining and a great business story, including the tale of a Canadian rock and roll band that insisted on meeting his crew while in town for a show. While jerky may not be a staple in our diet, you can’t help but be impressed with the company’s production — from 100 bags per month to 20,000 per month in just four years. Steve’s visit to the newest dive bar in Germantown, The Pearl, reveals the strategy behind Larry Rice’s decision to open in what’s becoming a thriving bar and restaurant scene on Goss Avenue.

In what’s become a staple of the show — our favorite eats and drinks, Steve raves about a Sidebar burger and the perfect summer drink, while Rick talks about his experience with Vegan Jerky and the beer at HopCat. You can find more on these topics, as always, at the EatDrinkTalk.net web site, where we have news every day.