It has been said that if you dined at two Louisville restaurants every day for a month, you’d still cover only a fraction of the city’s culinary scene. That’s easy to believe since new eateries are popping up in Derby City all the time. Here are five that just opened this month!
Bae’s Bakery
Neighborhood: Clifton
More Info: baesbaekerylou.com
Bae’s Bakery has moved to Clifton, taking over the space formerly occupied by Sweet Surrender. The bakery’s new spot boasts indoor and outdoor seating (check out the patio!) as well as expanded menu offerings. Guests can still enjoy all the cookies, cupcakes, and other treats the shop is known for, but owners Abigail Mattingly and Griffin McGreevy are now offering breakfast sandwiches, savory scones, and coffee drinks, too. The revamped space also boasts a small retail area with stickers, candles, T-shirts, and a curated selection of party supplies.
Try a Bae’s Bakery classic cookie like the S’more Dat, a chocolate chip cookie stuffed with an entire s’more and garnished with Hershey’s chocolate and a toasted marshmallow on a choux au craquelin puff, available in vanilla bean, chocolate milk, strawberry jam, or citrus.
Bae’s Bakery’s new location is on Frankfort Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Sweet Surrender. Image: Lennie Omalza
The S’more Dat is one of seven classic cookies at Bae’s Bakery. Image: Lennie Omalza
Last Place at Number 15
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: nmbr15.com
The downstairs area of Number 15, Whiskey Row’s new three-level social hall, is dubbed Last Place. While it’s accessible via Number 15 — and bargoers can order food from the lower-level sports bar and eatery — it also has its own entrance off the Washington Street Alley. Its menu features a lot of Southern influence, with appetizers that include black-eyed pea hummus, collard green dip, and Bama wings made with Alabama barbeque sauce.
Pickle lovers will enjoy the Mississippi Slug Burger, a cheeseburger made with American cheese, spicy secret sauce, and “too many pickles.” For something extra fiery, try the Hot Chicken Sando, served with slaw, mayo, pickles, and Texas toast, or the menu’s only entrée: Nashville Hot Chicken, which includes a fried leg and thigh, served with fries and sausage.
Last Place’s menu may describe the Mississippi Slug Burger as having “too many pickles,” but if you love pickles, it’s just the right amount. Image: Lennie Omalza
The Hot Chicken Sando at Last Place is extra spicy. Image: Lennie Omalza
Nami
Neighborhood: Butchertown
More Info: nami-restaurant.com
Celebrity chef, author, and restaurateur Edward Lee (who also owns 610 Magnolia in Old Louisville) opened a Korean restaurant in Butchertown on the ground floor of the Martin on Main apartment building. Called Nami, which means “I am beautiful” in Korean, the restaurant boasts a modern interpretation of Korean cuisine, with the option of a traditional table grill.
The menu features an assortment of starters, salads, main courses, kimbap hand rolls, bibimbap rice bowls, and 10 Korean barbeque options. These include everything from kalbi (sliced beef short ribs in ginger garlic soy marinade) to sam-gyup-sal (sliced pork belly in doenjang marinade). There’s also a handful of unique dessert options to satisfy any sweet tooth. Try the ginger shaved ice made with lychee, a ginger snap cookie, crushed black sesame, and condensed milk, or the taiyaki puff pastry stuffed with a chocolate pecan pie filling and Yuja whipped cream. The restaurant also features a karaoke room so guests can sing their favorite tunes while enjoying a cocktail or two.
The sweet potato edamame dumplings are one of six available starters at Nami. Image: Nami
Parlour
Neighborhood: Jeffersontown
More Info: eatparlourpizza.com
Parlour — known for its artisanal pizzas, craft beer, signature craft cocktails, and smoked-in-house wings — opened its fifth location in Jeffersontown. The new space, formerly occupied by Chubby Ray’s, boasts nearly 3,000 square feet of a covered outdoor area, as well as the same amount of space for dining inside. The two spaces are separated by garage doors, making it easy for guests to traverse the indoor-outdoor floor plan while enjoying live music or watching various sports across the 16 TVs spread throughout.
Though every Parlour location’s physical space is slightly different, guests can rely on the same menu items at every spot, like the BBQ Chicken pizza with olive oil, mozzarella, cheddar, chicken, black bean corn salsa, jalapeños, and sriracha bourbon barbecue sauce. And don’t skip the garlic cheese sticks made with pizza dough topped with housemade garlic butter and shredded mozzarella.
Nearly 3,000 square feet of patio space offers ample room for guests to enjoy Parlour pizza outdoors. Image: Facebook
Rosettes at Hotel Genevieve
Neighborhood: NuLu
More Info: bunkhousehotels.com
NuLu’s newest boutique hotel features a new ground-floor restaurant, too. The culinary program at Rosettes is overseen by Ashleigh Shanti, a James Beard-nominated chef who appeared on season 19 of Top Chef. Ashleigh’s dishes reflect her fine-dining background, rooted in African American foodways with inspiration from Appalachian cuisine.
The menu is simple, featuring about two dozen items total, with three lunch and dinner entrées: oxtail with crispy garlic, taleggio aioli, and French onion jus; the Rosettes burger with Havarti, crispy shallots, and French dip aioli; and roast chicken, served with pomme purée and killed lettuces, which is a traditional springtime Appalachian dish.
Rosettes serves breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. daily. Image: Nick Simonite
The Abigail Adams cocktail at Rosettes features Empress gin, Aperol, ginger sugar, and lemon. Image: Nick Simonite
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Published April 2023
Written by Lennie Omalza
Whatever cuisine you’re craving, you can count on the Louisville restaurant scene to come through! We’re back again this month to introduce Louisville’s newest crop of eateries. This time, we welcome six new restaurants offering up Italian favorites, Southern comfort food, a new location for a local brunch favorite, and more. Dig in!
The House of Marigold
10310 Shelbyville Rd., Louisville, KY 40223 • (502) 384-3767
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Opened this month by husband-wife duo Adrienne and Chef Kristopher Cole, The House of Marigold — and its sister catering company, Marigold Catering Co. — is offering up a carefully curated menu of locally sourced cuisine. Currently only open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, you can expect cozy-but-fresh menu items like honey cornbread, build-your-own deviled eggs, farmhouse beet salad, and steak frites. Leaning into a love of events, they also offer private dining and event spaces. Check out their lineup of Derby festivities HERE!
Along with breakfast, brunch, and lunch, The House of Marigold offers a full cocktail menu with fun options like “The Marigold” featuring Maker’s Mark, lemon juice, pomegranate honey syrup, and mint. Don’t mind if we do! Image: Facebook
Bellissimo
2217 Steier Lane, Louisville, KY 40218 • (502) 690-2040
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Monday
What began as a food truck in 2017 is now a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Buechel. Abbas Jamshidi, the owner of Bellissimo, took over the space formerly occupied by Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro to give his family-run restaurant-on-wheels a permanent spot. Along with daughter Farah and sons Farahd and Fawab, Abbas and his wife Mahboba Rasoli are serving Italian and Afghan cuisine to Derby City residents.
Popular Italian picks include Tuscan chicken, ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, and spicy chicken alfredo. When it comes to Afghan menu items, customers particularly enjoy kabobs, mantu ( savory beef-and-onion-filled dumplings), and Bolani, a stuffed flatbread filled with potato and herbs and then fried. Abbas also offers catering for weddings and other events.
The pasta salad at Bellissimo is made with rotini pasta, diced onions, carrots, and celery, then topped with a housemade vinaigrette. Image: Facebook
Kabobs are one of the popular items on the Bellissimo menu. Image: Facebook
Con Huevos
10639 Meeting St., Prospect, KY 40059 • (502) 290-4123
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Husband-and-wife team Jesus Martinez and Izmene Peredo opened their fifth Con Huevos restaurant in Norton Commons in March. The new Norton Commons breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot will feature the same made-from-scratch menu offerings as the other locations, including specialties like huevos rancheros, churros, tres leches pancakes, chilaquiles, and street tacos — but the Prospect eatery is the first Con Huevos to debut brunch cocktails.
The new Mexican-inspired beverages include a margarita, bloody Mary, and carajillo, a hot coffee drink blended with hard liquor. You’ll also find horchata, a traditional Mexican drink made with rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. The unique brunch drinks were released at Norton Commons in April and will later be added to the menu at the other four Con Huevos locations. And as each location features different vibrant graphics, this space hosts original artwork from Guadalajara native Dalid Orozco.
Con Huevos serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch seven days a week. Image: Facebook
The churros at Con Huevos are a customer favorite. Image: Facebook
Cottage Inn
570 Eastern Pkwy., Louisville, KY 40217 • (502) 919-7099
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
This St. Joseph neighborhood restaurant opened in 1929 but temporarily shut its doors in July 2021 due to staffing shortages. After an 18-month closure, new owners Kevin and Daniela Trice reopened Cottage Inn and — much to the delight of the café’s longtime customers — left most everything unchanged. Kevin frequented the historic eatery while living on Eastern Parkway during his time at the University of Louisville and fondly remembers the restaurant’s fried chicken and cake. So when he and Daniela reopened its doors this past January, they were conscious about keeping the menu consistent.
Guests can expect the same southern comfort foods that Cottage Inn has been serving for more than 90 years, as its menu continues to be a celebration of classic dishes that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Offerings include fried chicken salad, country fried steak, chicken livers, and meatloaf. Dessert options change daily, with various freshly made homestyle cakes, pies, and cobblers available.
The meatloaf special at Cottage Inn comes with two sides and a cornbread muffin or dinner roll. Image: Facebook
Cottage Inn’s country-fried steak is served with white gravy. Image: Facebook
Jamaican Jerk Center
2220 Hikes Lane, Louisville, KY 40218 • (502) 354-5829
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; closed Monday
Authentic Jamaican cuisine has arrived in Buechel by way of Jamaican Jerk Center, a new restaurant owned by husband-and-wife duo Ian and Paulene Coram. Though the eatery has been open since January 14, the couple didn’t have a ribbon cutting until April 1.
Ian and Paulene grew up in Hanover, a parish on the northwestern tip of Jamaica, and they’re bringing the flavors of their hometown to Louisville. Their menu features jerk chicken, jerk wings, oxtails, and more. There are also a couple of dessert options, including rum cake and cornmeal pudding. The drink choices are unique, too — sorrel and ginger juice, Irish moss, and Jamaican soda, to name a few.
Jamaican jerk wings at Jamaican Jerk Center are available in five- or 10-piece orders or as an entrée with two sides. Image: Facebook
The oxtail entrée at Jamaican Jerk Center is available on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Image: Facebook
V-Grits
1001 Logan St., Louisville, KY 40204 • (502) 889-6333
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Monday
Louisville’s fast-casual, vegan comfort food restaurant has moved from its original location on Barrett Avenue into Logan Street Market. V-Grits owner Kristina Addington, known for winning the Food Network competition “Cutthroat Kitchen” in 2014, closed the doors of her Highland spot this past February, reopening in the smaller space in April.
V-Grits offerings still include the same flavorful vegan nosh the restaurant is known for, but the menu is more condensed, with about a dozen items plus morning specials like breakfast burritos and cinnamon rolls. Try the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, made with Cosmic Bird Faulxtry that has been battered and fried, then dipped in hot spice and placed in a toasted pretzel bun with lettuce, tomato, ranch, and pickles. Online ordering and catering are also available.
Breakfast Burritos at V-Grits are filled with scrambled tofu, seasoned Beyond beef, grilled peppers and onions, and melted cheddar. Image: Facebook
The V-Grits Cowgirl Burger boasts a Beyond Burger with lettuce, tomato, jalapeño, special sauce, and crispy onion rings. Image: Facebook
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Published March 2023
Written by Lennie Omalza
In addition to being the home of boxer Muhammad Ali, the Kentucky Derby, and Louisville Slugger baseball bats, Louisville’s bragging rights extend to its fantastic culinary scene. Try one of these recently opened eateries the next time you’re searching for something tasty and unique!
Good Belly Sandwich Shop
2216 Dundee Rd. Unit 7, Louisville, KY 40205 • (502) 322-0300
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
After running their business as a food truck for two years, Jessica Bookin and Jeff Williams have opened Good Belly as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Belknap. Formerly occupied by Silly Axe Café, the eatery offers enough seating for more than 40 people. Its decor pays homage to classic New York-style Jewish delis but boasts modern elements to reflect the couple’s styles, too.
The brand is known for its pastrami and corned beef, which can take three weeks to make. With the additional space now available, Jessica and Jeff are slowly expanding their offerings to include more sandwiches and sides, as well as specials they announce on Instagram.
The current menu boasts 11 sandwiches, including corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, turkey, and chicken. There is also a veggie sandwich served on multigrain with roasted beets, ricotta, and orange-sesame-carrot slaw. Slides include everything from matzo ball soup and potato latkes to potato knish and whole pickles.
The Smoked Tinga Chicken Sandwich at Good Belly is made with pulled chicken in a house Tinga sauce topped with avocado mayo, radish, pickled onion, and cilantro. Image: Facebook
The Good Belly’s take on a Philly — roast pork on sourdough with provolone, garlic greens, and lemon mayo. Image: Facebook
Harvey’s
2011 Frankfort Ave. Unit 101, Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 314-0432
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
After occupying a space in Logan Street Market since 2019, Harvey’s Cheese is now known as Harvey’s — and you can find it in its own brick-and-mortar spot in Clifton. Thankfully, the cheese shop isn’t going anywhere. Guests can still pick up their favorite cheeses, snacks, and other sundries during the day. At night, however, the shop operates as an Australia-themed eatery.
Owner and Chef Brent Mills has been whipping up various dinner dishes in the new space since March 7. Try the Classico Toastie (Australian for grilled cheese), made with Grainwright sourdough, aged cheddar, smoked mozzarella, sun-dried tomato, and rocket pesto. The menu boasts four other “sandos” and a variety of bowls, snacks, entrées, and sharable dishes. Offerings include everything from pumpkin koshihikari risotto to poblano and cilantro pork sausage. Of course, there are a plethora of cheese and charcuterie options, too. And don’t skip dessert — Harvey’s serves burnt mango cheesecake and banoffee pie, a banana cream pie-like treat with dulce de leche.
The menu at Harvey’s boasts a selection of small plates, larger dishes, shareable plates, sandwiches, and snacks. Image: Facebook
The House of Marigold
10310 Shelbyville Rd., Louisville, KY 40223 • (502) 384-3767
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
After founding Marigold Catering Company five years ago, husband-and-wife duo Kris and Adrienne Cole are bringing comfort food to Middletown through The House of Marigold, which celebrated its grand opening on March 25.
Kris is the executive chef and has developed dishes that reflect his signature seasonal comfort-food style. His housemade Marigold biscuits are a menu staple, complemented by other breakfast offerings, including lemon ricotta flapjacks, brioche French toast with bourbon-maple syrup, and avocado toast made with Louisville’s Blue Dog Bakery bread.
The House of Marigold is the newest restaurant to open in Middletown. Image: Andrew Kung Group
Other local offerings include tea from Fleur De Tea and a signature roast from Quills Coffee. Like the fleet of mobile bars used for their catering business, The House of Marigold is also full of “Golden Girls” references. For a hot drink to accompany your meal, try the Golden Girl, a coconut milk and chai steamer with a honey dipper, or an Express Yo Self cortado, served “Sophia-style” with a shot of amaro. There is also a cocktail menu with a dozen unique and boozy drink picks.
Seasonal comfort food is served at The House of Marigold seven days a week. Image: Andrew Kung Group
Mochi Dog
304 W Woodlawn Ave Suite 1, Louisville, KY 40214 • (270) 839-9577
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Monday
Mochi doughnuts have made their Derby City debut by way of Mochi Dog, which opened inside the Louisville StrEATery food hall on March 15. Owned by business partners David Tang and Joseph Nguyen, the doughnut shop is the only one of its kind in the area.
A hybrid between cake doughnuts and chewy Japanese mochi, mochi doughnuts have a unique texture. The blend makes for a fluffy, moist treat with a slightly chewy inside and a crisp outer shell. The ones served at mochi dog are topped with sweet icing made from ground-up, freeze-dried fruit. Flavors include chocolate, cinnamon churro, strawberry, glaze, cookies n’ cream, and matcha — but you can expect those offerings to rotate monthly.
The current Mochi Dog menu is simple, featuring mini mochi doughnuts, waffle dogs, and waffle sausage dogs. However, David and Joseph plan to expand their offerings and begin serving a full menu by April 1, including Korean corndogs.
Mochi doughnuts are a cross between traditional cake doughnuts and Japanese mochi. Image: Facebook
Sweet and Juicy Seafood
8402 Hudson Lane Louisville, KY 40291 • (502) 333-0964
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday
Lameshia Cunningham started out preparing individual meals for people who placed orders via Facebook. She eventually started a food truck, and as of December 2022, she is running Sweet and Juicy Seafood in a brick-and-mortar space in Fern Creek. She will continue to use the truck for special events, but for now, Lameisha is focused on the new restaurant, which boasts enough seating for more than 50 customers.
Guests at Sweet and Juicy Seafood can choose from various add-ons, including ramen noodles. Image: Facebook
Her dishes are primarily Cajun-style seafood boils, including shrimp and crab boils. Customers have three signature sauce options for each dish: sweet Cajun, Cajun garlic, or spicy. Potatoes, corn, lobster, shrimp, or sausages can also be added to any boil.
For guests interested in something other than boils, the Sweet and Juicy Seafood menu also includes a variety of seafood platters and fried seafood dishes. There are a variety of baskets available, and each includes seasoned fries and one seafood choice. Options include a fried catfish sandwich, fried calamari and shrimp, and a fried cod sandwich, to name a few. A kid’s menu is also available, as well as a variety of add-ons, including everything from eggs and sliced sausage to ramen noodles and lobster tails.
In addition to various seafood boils, Sweet and Juicy Seafood offers a selection of fried baskets. Image: Facebook
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Published March 2023
Written by Lennie Omalza
From caviar potato skins to fried plantains, Derby City’s food scene always has something new to offer. Check out these five fun eateries that recently opened their doors in Louisville!
Nostalgic Cocktail House & Restaurant
1306 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40204 • (502) 999-2560
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to midnight (dinner service begins at 5 p.m.); closed Monday
Louisville’s newest fine-dining establishment, Nostalgic, opened on Valentine’s Day and serves up dishes to bring guests back to childhood. “The theme around this restaurant is true nostalgia,” says owner Catherine Mac Dowall, who is also behind Naïve in Butchertown. She says the new chop house’s menu is inspired by childhood treats and quick dinners that parents might have whipped up for their little ones back in the day. “We take that, and then we transform it to be a really cool, elevated fine-dining dish,” Catherine explains.
Nostalgic’s offerings include unique items such as caviar potato skins crafted with Kentucky paddlefish caviar, chives, shallots, and parmesan, and hot pockets with pepperoni, mozzarella, and buttermilk herb cream. The cocktail menu also features a section of drinks to bring you back to the old days, with options like the Oatmeal Cram Pie Old Fashioned and the Teddy Graham Penicillin.
“We are never going to [emulate] the greatest cook in your life … like your mom or grandma,” Catherine adds, “but with our version of nostalgia, we’re trying to tap into those really fond memories that you had as a child.”
Nostalgic offers a variety of elevated comfort food, including caviar potato skins. Image: Bluegrass Bebe Photography
Nostalgic, a fine-dining chophouse on Bardstown Road, opened its doors on Valentine’s Day. Image: Bluegrass Bebe Photography
Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More
5408 Valley Station Rd., Louisville, KY 40272 • (502) 618-2288
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
After closing his downtown location on Second Street, Barry Washington reopened Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More in a new spot on Valley Station Road this past December. “It’s a really simple menu,” Barry says of his offerings, which include cheesesteaks, bowls, and a handful of sides. “I learned it up in Philadelphia … Everything is basically homemade. We don’t use any premade ingredients, and we try to create a family atmosphere.”
Popular picks include the original Philly Cheesesteak (made with the traditional steak, American cheese, and onions) and Big Barry’s Cheesesteak, which includes steak, Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, onion, peppers, white American cheese, and cheese sauce.
Though Barry is best known for serving cheesy lunch and dinner options, he emphasizes that he strives to do more than make tasty food. “We’re on a mission to try to change lives,” he says, adding that he and his team participate in various community projects and do their best to help people trying to make positive changes. “We just want people to be the best they can be,” he says.
Wing Wednesdays at Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More mean 0.90 cent wings on hump day. Image: Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More
Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More serves a variety of authentic Philly cheesesteaks.
Barista Parlor
500 W Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (615) 429-3686
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; closed Sunday
Nashville-based coffee chain Barista Parlor, which sources its coffee from environmentally responsible farms, has opened its first location outside of Nashville. The coffee shop started welcoming customers to its West Jefferson Street spot in Louisville at the end of January. The drink menu features a variety of drip coffees, pour-overs, espresso, teas, iced beverages, and seasonal drinks. The orange mocha — made with espresso, milk, mocha ganache, and orange syrup — is a fan favorite.
Barista Parlor also offers many food, pastry, chocolate, and retail items. Try the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, served on a housemade biscuit, or the avocado toast topped with pickled veggies, Everything Bagel seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, and your choice of a hard-boiled egg or cucumber — all served on Blue Dog Bakery sourdough.
The bacon, egg, and cheese bagel from Barista Parlor is just one of the shop’s savory breakfast options. Image: Facebook
The Louisville location of Nashville-based coffee shop Barista Parlor is its first store outside of Tennessee. Image: Facebook
Restaurante El Jibarito
205 KY-146, La Grange, KY 40031 • (502) 602-0057
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Puerto Rican cuisine has come to Kentucky in the form of El Jibarito. The new restaurant replaces Steve O’s, the La Grange pizzeria that previously occupied the building for more than 15 years. The eatery is run by Maria Melendez and her daughter, Marie Santiago.
Their menu features traditional Puerto Rican dishes such as mofongo, fried green plantains mashed with garlic and salt. Served with one side and a salad, mofongo can be made with carne frita (pork chunks), shrimp with salsa criolla, chicharron de pollo (pork skin), quajito (fried pig intestines), alitas (chicken wings), churrasco (skirt steak), or chuleta (pork chops). El Jibarito also offers a selection of sandwiches, tacos, and soups.
The Flour Shoppe
619 Baxter Ave., Louisville, KY 40204
Hours: Thursday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.; closed Monday through Wednesday
Ashley Bender and Erin Tachi — the owners of Sugar High and Julian’s Vegan Kitchen, respectively — have joined forces to open The Flour Shoppe, an all-vegan bakery in Irish Hill. The store, located in the space formerly occupied by Morrels Café, opened in February, offering everything from cookies and doughnuts to brownies and pop-tarts four days a week.
Customers can also order custom cakes, as well as build-your-own brownies. Certain items are available only on weekends, but Ashley and Erin plan to expand their offerings once summer hits. Follow them on Instagram for updates.
Everything from The Flour Shoppe — including these doughnuts — is full of vegan sweetness. Image: Instagram
The Flour Shoppe is Louisville’s newest full-service vegan bakery, serving cookies, cakes, doughnuts, and more. Image: Instagram
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Published January 2023
Written by Lennie Omalza
The new year is proving to be very promising for Louisville’s culinary scene. So much more than just the home of the Derby and Muhammad Ali, our city continues to deliver a seemingly endless supply of intriguing new restaurants to try. Add these five new eateries to your must-try list!
Big Nita’s Cheesecakes
1011 E Main St., Louisville, KY 40206
Hours: Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Monday through Thursday
In April 2020, Nicole Burks came across a cheesecake recipe and began whipping up the sweet treat from home. She soon began operating Big Nita’s Cheesecakes out of a commissary kitchen and, shortly after that, acquired a food truck. Fast forward to January 28, 2023, and she and her fiancé, Roberto Davila, will be celebrating the grand opening of their first brick-and-mortar location. The Butchertown space, which Hi-Five Doughnuts formerly occupied, will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
In addition to various cheesecake flavors, guests can expect many other cheesecake treats, including cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and the like. Options may include everything from dulce de leche cheesecake brownie bars and jumbo banana nut cheesecake-filled muffins to orange dream cheesecake-filled cupcakes and slices of hot fudge sundae cheesecake.
The shop’s weekly menus will be posted on Facebook. “We want to create a safe space for the community to come in, get dessert, chit chat, and enjoy themselves,” Nicole says. “This is [about] more than just making cheesecakes. It’s about building relationships, [bettering] the community, and [bringing] people together.
The fruity pebbles sugar cookie cheesecake bar from Big Nita’s Cheesecakes. Image: Big Nita’s Cheesecakes
A slice of cookie dough cheesecake from Big Nita’s Cheesecakes. Image: Big Nita’s Cheesecakes
LouLou on Market
812 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 515-9699
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Monday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Tuesday
Lou Lou is now in NuLu! Jared Matthews, owner of Lou Lou Food & Drink in St. Matthews, opened his second location, dubbed Lou Lou on Market, in December 2022. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Decca, the Lou Lou on Market cuisine is New Orleans-focused — but there are a variety of other options, including a kid’s menu. Guests can expect everything from crawfish bayou dip and creole seafood fettuccine to roasted chicken salad and the Lou Chicago pizza, a prevailing favorite at the St. Matthews spot.
The new space also boasts patio seating, a cozy underground speakeasy, and weekly live music. The Derby City Daisies perform every Thursday at 7 p.m., and The Buzzards are there every Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The ribeye at Lou Lou on Market is served with Cajun butter, whipped potatoes, and creole kale. Image: Facebook
The Lou Lou on Market menu boasts several decadent desserts, including fresh beignets with a chocolate mousse spread. Image: Facebook
The Smokery
2354 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 709-5176
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Michael ‘Andrew’ Pruitt is bringing what he calls ‘chef-driven barbeque’ to the Clifton neighborhood in the form of The Smokery, which celebrated its soft opening on December 22. The restaurant is currently only open for dinner, but plans are also in the works to begin serving brunch soon.
Andrew partnered with Giovanni Tenace, former chef at Le Moo, to create a menu that boasts burgers, wings, sliders, and more. There is also a selection of salads, which can be served with pulled pork, chicken, brisket, or lobster. “The brisket and our bourbon barbeque sauce [have been] a big hit,” Andrew says, “[but] Chef Giovanni wants people to know we are making food that stands alone. It’s barbecue that tastes good without sauce — but if you want the sauce, it’s there for you.”
The Texas Armadillo Eggs from The Smokery are jalapeños wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese. Image: The Smokery
The smoked gouda mac and cheese from The Smokery can be topped with pulled pork, chicken, brisket, or lobster. Image: The Smokery
Sunergos Coffee
3922 Willis Ave. Louisville, KY 40207
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
After roughly seven months of renovations, Sunergos Coffee founders Matthew Huested and Brian Miller (who started the company in 2003) opened their fifth shop in December 2022. Located in the former St. Matthews Pharmacy building, the newest Sunergos addition is also the biggest. With 2,900 square feet of space, the store boasts a café with two espresso bars to minimize guests’ wait time and ample room for approximately 30 guests to sip, dine, work, and relax.
In addition to its straightforward menu of hot and cold coffee, tea, and smoothie options, Sunergos also serves a rotation of housemade (and from scratch!) muffins, cookies, drop biscuits, and other goodies. Try a flavored latte with options such as mocha, caramel, white mocha, vanilla, honey/cinnamon, hazelnut, or sugar-free vanilla. Alternatively, order the mocha shake made with ice cream, espresso, and mocha.
Expect Instagram-worthy latte art at Sunergos Coffee. Image: Facebook
The London Fog cookie is inspired by the beverage of the same name, made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla. Image: Facebook
The Yellow Cactus
2350 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 749-0767
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Clifton residents lost longtime restaurant Ramiro’s Cantina in December 2022, but The Yellow Cactus is now bringing authentic Mexican cuisine back to the neighborhood. Moises Moran — who owns numerous other restaurants in Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Indiana, and Iowa — celebrated the opening of the third location of The Yellow Cactus on January 4.
The menu features a plethora of burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more, with over a dozen protein choices, including vegan and vegetarian options. There are also soups, salads, burgers, and wraps available. Guests can enjoy daily brunch and a full bar — including margaritas by the pitcher or served in a fishbowl. Try the power bowl made with rice, beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, sour cream, and lime, or the chilaquiles, topped with a fried egg, ranchero sauce, and queso sauce.
The chicken fajitas at The Yellow Cactus are served sizzling, with veggies, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico, and corn or flour tortillas. Image: Facebook
Churros at The Yellow Cactus come with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a cherry on top. Image: Facebook
Enjoy your dining adventures, Louisville!
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