Author Archives: Rick Redding

EDT Podcast Checks Out Diner’s Past, and Present

Posted on by Rick Redding
14 Aug

Something old and something new on this episode of the EatDrinkTalk podcast. Check’s Cafe in Germantown is a true Louisville institution dating to 1939 – but the new Check’s BBQ & Blues is a more recent phenomenon. We’re glad to have owners Todd Zaborac and John Murrow on to tell us the details of one of our favorite local spots.

In our Eat of the Week segment, Rick and Carolyn reminisce about last week’s visit to the Bardstown Bourbon Company, where we sampled multiple delicious entries, including our favorties – brussels sprouts, gnocchi and fish tacos.

We’re excited to attend this week’s charity dinner at Ward 426 – it’s benefitting Suicide Prevention and is a tribute to the late Anthony Bourdain. There’s news too – Martin’s BBQ is set to open in the old Lynn’s Paradise Cafe after a longer-than-expected delay. And a Rafferty’s is giving way to a Rooster’s in the East End.

Rick is checking out some new cocktail classes at Angel’s Envy, and there’s an upcoming “Sip-osium” sponsored by the Bourbon Women Association on August 24. At Fourth Street Live! the Nelly show is set for next week, and football fans should know that Bobby Petrino will be doing his coach’s show there every week.

The original Check’s Cafe in Germantown

EDT Podcast – Look at the Cool Place We Found in Bardstown

Posted on by Rick Redding
07 Aug

For the first time, we took this whole podcast crew on the road, and what we found in Bardstown was nothing short of sensational.

The two-year-old Bardstown Bourbon Company just opened its restaurant, Bottle and Bond Kitchen and Bar, and has assembled an all-star team to do it right. We were greeted in the spacious dining room by David Mandell, one of the owner’s of the $40 million operation. He explained the success of the company’s primary business, which is collaborating with bourbon-makers to produce their spirits.

While Rick and Carolyn were impressed with the business, which has quadrupled in production capability since it opened, we wanted to see what a first-class restaurant was doing in a field in Bardstown. While we sampled every appetizer on the menu, plus a half-dozen signature cocktails, Director of Beverage Operations Dan Callaway filled us in on how the team was assembled and how the restaurant is focused on customers. Callaway was recruited from Louisville’s Decca Restaurant in April.

And we learned there’s more to come. Plans are in the works for a hotel on the site, but that’s a few years away. The facility has an impressive gift shop, where you can buy rare spirits, as well as a Visitors Center destined to become a primary stop on Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail.

As is usual on the show, Rick and Carolyn mentioned their Eat of the Week — a Noosh Nosh treat for her, and succulent meal at Butchertown Grocery for him. Carolyn has an update on Chef David Danielson’s purchase of the Old Stone Inn in Shelbyville, and this week marks the long-awaited opening of the Convention Center downtown.

It was an amazing road trip for eaters and drinker like us — so please join us and listen to the show.

What’s In, What’s Out? with Bobby Benjamin on the EDT Podcast

Posted on by Rick Redding
31 Jul

Butchertown Grocery’s Bobby Benjamin stops into the studio to talk about his new menu, and Carolyn asks for his up-or-down on several interesting restaurant/food trends. For example, is the Acai Bowl a thing that will last, and what about Fried Cauliflower?’

Carolyn is back after missing last week’s podcast, and she’s got an update on the Barton bourbon spill down in Bardstown. Maybe we’ll check it out when we go to the state’s bourbon capital for a special show next week from the Bardstown Bourbon Company and its new restaurant.

Meanwhile, Rick rants about his trip to Sunday’s Rod Stewart show and finding that the bars and restaurants around the Yum! Center were closed, despite a sellout crowd attending the rock show.

There’s plenty going on with our sponsor, Fourth Street Live!, including Full Contact Karaoke on August 9. Check out all our podcasts and an up-to-date list of things to do at EatDrinkTalk.net.

 

EDT Podcast: Jared Matthews on Diamonds, Cafe Lou Lou and Jack’s

Posted on by Rick Redding
24 Jul

Since Carolyn got called out of town, Rick is flying solo at the EatDrinkTalk studio on Episode 73.
The show includes an interesting interview with Jared Matthews, who finds himself in charge of three distinctly different, but geographically aligned, neighborhood establishments.

Matthews originally became a partner in Diamonds Pub and Billiards, then bought Cafe Lou Lou just over a year ago. More recently, he brokered a deal with Chef Dean Corbett to take over the operation of Equus and Jack’s Lounge. And he’s the father of a new baby. All of his operations are close by the studio, so it was easy to come in and talk. Caroline Knop, another St. Matthews regular and a PR powerhouse, joins Rick in the interview.

Rick’s Eat of the Week, in addition to several choice samples at Apron’s Taste of Independents, was a blackened mahi mahi fish taco from LouVino, prepared by last week’s guest, Chef Bill Jennings. We’re looking forward to the August 9 Margarita in the ‘Ville contest at Captain’s Quarters, in which our guest Jared Matthews will have an entry for each of this three restaurants.

And at Fourth Street Live!, this weekend is the exciting Vault in the ‘Ville competition, which features pole vaulters doing their thing on Fourth. Next week is Danny and the Homewreckers, plus the big Nelly show. Thanks for joining us, and check out more at EatDrinkTalk.net.

 

The LouVino Menu with Bill Jennings, and the EDT podcast has advice for John Schnatter

Posted on by Rick Redding
17 Jul

It’s amazing how many talented chefs find their way to Louisville. Or in Bill Jennings’ case, find their way home to Louisville. We talk with the executive chef at LouVino about the restaurant’s growth, his upbringing in the ‘Ville, and going off to culinary school in New York straight out of St. X.

Of course, the story dominating local news is the collapse of John Schnatter’s reputation. Even though the story was just breaking when the podcast was recorded, Carolyn brings her take as a crisis public relations expert, and has some advice that we’re sure Schnatter will ignore.

Our Eats of the Week segment includes Carolyn’s trip to Germantown’s newest dining hotspot – Couvillion, where she sampled some southern-style Brisket and sides. Rick tried a slice from the new Pizza Bar at Fourth Street Live.

Speaking of the downtown entertainment venue, the show’s sponsor holds its Farmers Market every Wednesday, and the big show coming up on the Street is Nelly on August 3.

In studio with Bill Jennings

EDT Podcast: Forecastle Sets Sail with Bourbon Lodge in Front

Posted on by Rick Redding
10 Jul

Carolyn and Rick have been keeping a busy schedule eating and drinking around town, all so we can talk about it here on the EatDrinkTalk podcast. We start with Carolyn’s Eat of the Week, which she found in Westport Village at the Artesano Tapas spot. She gives the Ole Restaurant Group spot high marks for some succulent lunch dishes.

Rick went all the way to Nashville to discover that city’s equivalent of the ‘Ville’s own Seafood Lady. It was not fancy, just mouth-watering seafood (lobster, shrimp) served in styrofoam containers.

It’s Forecastle Week in the ‘Ville, and while concert-goers savor the sounds of the likes of Jason Isbell and Arcade Fire, many end up in the air-conditioned comfort of the Bourbon Lodge. Liquor Barn’s Brad Williams traces the evolution of the attraction, which has become a big event in the bourbon world, thanks to the keen interest in the project by founder J.K. McKnight. Williams says the Rarities Bar is a treasure to bourbon aficionados, with plenty of bottles you won’t find elsewhere.

We got an early look at Louisville Magazine’s Best of Louisville awards in restaurants, and have some nits to pick with the choices. And Carolyn had a chance encounter with Mitch McConnell, who has experienced unpleasantness on a few recent trips to local restaurants.

Thanks to our sponsor, Fourth Street Live!, which is gearing up for the Nelly concert August 3 and is welcoming the new Pizza Bar to the Street.

Brad Williams hosts the Bourbon Lodge at Forecastle

Carolyn’s Eat of the Week from Artesano Tapas

We’re Fond of Madeleine Dee – Listen to the Seasoned Cynic on the EDT Podcast

Posted on by Rick Redding
03 Jul

We welcome Madeleine Dee to the show, fresh from an appearance on the Food Network. The local chef, who operates Fond on Frankfort Avenue, brings a special kind of passion to her work that extends to a line of products and an upcoming gig at the new Logan Street Market. She discussed her TV appearance, including the recommendation from Chef Edward Lee and a conversation with Martha Stewart.

Carolyn’s Eat of the Week was an awesome fish taco in Texas, while Rick raved about the Halibut at Mesh.

In the news, we learned the location of the new Brownie’s the Shed — it’s on Linn Station Road and ideal for the neighborhood bar. The Down One Bourbon Bar was fine as it was, according to Carolyn, but will be even better when it reopens this week as part of the Galt House’s $80 million renovation. We are looking forward to Mozza Pi’s new location in Distillery Commons, and to the expansion of The Manhattan Project on Frankfort Avenue. And speaking of hot locales, last week’s ribbon-cutting for the soccer stadium has us wondering what new delectables will be coming soon to Butchertown.

At Fourth Street Live!, the big news is the upcoming show by Nelly and other hip hop artists the first week of August.

Thanks for listening, and please tell your friends about EatDrinkTalk. Look for us online at EatDrinkTalk.net.

We’re all screaming for Bernoulli in latest EDT Podcast

Posted on by Rick Redding
26 Jun

It’s summer, a time when our thoughts turn to . . . ice cream, of course. The founders of Bernoulli Small Batch Ice Cream, Brian and Allyson Comstock, have turned a part-time passion into a phenomenal business success story. Listen to this episode of EatDrinkTalk to see how they did it.

The Comstocks also brought some of their most popular flavors to the studio, taking Rick off his diet in a way that was well worth it. The Comstocks are long-time friends of Carolyn’s, and were happy to answer all our ice cream questions.

Rick stopped in at the new bar in town, The Champagnery on Frankfort, for a look and taste of what this fancy place is like, destined to become a hotspot along with its neighbors – the Red Herring, the Silver Dollar and the Hilltop Tavern. Rick also visited the new trailhead for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail – the Frazier History Museum. Plus we update you on the next big thing at Fourth Street Live!, Family Fun Day.

There’s plenty more in the city’s favorite eating and drinking podcast, EatDrinkTalk.

Find us online at EatDrinkTalk.net, and on Twitter at @EatDrinkTalkLou.

Brian and Allyson Comstock help Carolyn with some prodcut

Fourth Street Live Welcomes the Family, and Pets, and More

Posted on by Rick Redding
21 Jun

There’s plenty of exciting attractions coming to Fourth Street Live!, including events for fans of basketball, country music, and healthy eating.

FAMILY FUN DAY

Bring the whole family, including those with four legs, to Fourth Street Live! on June 30 for the first-ever Family Fun Day. There will be a full schedule of activities suitable for little ones and furry friends alike.

It’s always fun to bring the family pet to a big event, especially with the opportunity to interact with other animals.

For $5, guests get an all-access wrist band. Proceeds benefit The Arrow Fund, a non-profit with a mission to provide veterinary care and support to animals who have been victims of extreme torture, abuse, and neglect.
From 1:00 through 5:00, activities include a magic show, balloon animals, a bounce house, face painting, a photo booth, Sno-cones and yes, even a doggie kissing booth. Bunny the Fortune Teller will be there to entertain, brought to the Family Fun Day festivities by Rudy Green’s Doggy Cuisine.

Make a day of it by planning a visit to a Fourth Street Live! restaurant before or after the Family Fun Day.

HOT COUNTRY NIGHTS

You can’t listen to a country music station long without hearing a Billy Currington hit, and the Georgia native will play them all in the middle of Fourth Street on Friday, June 22. His string of #1 hits includes “We Are Tonight,” “Hey Girl, “Good Directions,” “Must Be Doin’ Something Right” and “People Are Crazy.”

His most recent record, Summer Forever, was released in 2015 and includes the hits “Don’t it”, “Drinkin’ Town with a Football Problem”, “It Don’t Hurt Like it Used To”, and “Do I Make You Wanna”. That song reached #1 on the Country Airplay chart last August.

The opening act is Wild Feathers, a Nashville-based country rock band that released the album “Lonely is a Lifetime” in 2016. Tickets to the show are $20 in advance through Ticketfly.

On August 10, Grainger Smith will perform hits from his 2017 record “When the Good Guys Win.” Smith gained additional fame recently when he performed his hit “Happens Like That” on the TV series “The Bachelorette.” Tickets to Grainger Smith are available on Ticketfly for $11.

RISE ABOVE

Cardinal basketball fans have a special place in their heart for Russ Smith, Peyton Siva, Luke Hancock and other members of the contingent that beat Michigan in the 2013 NCAA Tournament championship game.

On June 29, many of these players will return to Fourth Street Live! to celebrate the team’s accomplishments with fans, sharing their stories of a magical season in which the Cards won the Big East Tournament and finished with a 35-5 record.

There will be opportunities for autographs and photos during the event, and prizes available include championship and team memorabilia.

Ticketholders also will be eligible for prize drawings that include championship and team memorabilia. General admission tickets to the team’s Five-Year Reunion Celebration are $20, and there are VIP and sponsorship opportunities available.

FARMERS MARKET

The first year of Fourth Street Live’s Farmer’s Market is already a big hit with downtown workers. There’s no better way to make good use of the lunch hour than by shopping for fresh and vegetables at what has become the city’s favorite mid-week market.

Every Wednesday, through Oct. 11, local farmers bring their best produce to the Fourth Street Live! Farmer’s Market. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the venue offers free parking for shoppers.

There’s no need to wait for the weekend, or to head for the suburbs, to find fresh vegetables and fruits. You’ll find everything you need for a salad, snack or side dish, and can even take a piece of fruit to enjoy back at the office.

The Fourth Street Live! Farmer’s Market has become increasingly popular among downtown workers and visitors alike. And it’s easy to stop for a quick bite at any of Fourth Street’s restaurants.

Kentucky Double Dollars and SNAP are accepted.

 

Going Beyond Bourbon with Fred Minnick

Posted on by Rick Redding
19 Jun

Bourbon historian and journalist Fred Minnick stops by the studio to talk about his role in September’s Bourbon and Beyond Festival, which features a lineup of master distillers, chefs and musicians that makes the second festival one of the best in the country. Minnick is the author of seven books, mostly about drinking, and is the curator of all things bourbon at the upcoming fest.

Carolyn and Rick were inspired by last week’s appearance on the show by Anoosh Shariat to make our Eat of the Week choices at his two establishments. Carolyn and friends spent a night at Anoosh Bistro, and she raved about the Shrimp Scampi. Across the parking lot, Rick broke free, sort of, from his diet to try a veggie pizza at Noosh Nosh.

We noticed the LEO Weekly story on restaurant noise, and agreed that some of our local hotspots are just too darn loud. Out in the East End, we learned that a favorite haunt, Brownie’s the Shed, is shutting down. Carolyn talked with the owner, who said Brownie’s will continue in the East End, but wouldn’t reveal the location.

Our sponsor, Fourth Street Live!, is revving up for a big concert this weekend, and for the June 30 Family Fun Day, when you’re encouraged to bring your pet to the entertainment venue. Thanks for listening, and check our site out anytime at www.EatDrinkTalk.net.