Bluegrass Burgers

With last weeks meal being a little more on the expensive side, about $40, it was decided this week would be something a little more affordable.  So off to Bluegrass Burgers we went.  Again I’m going to state how much I am a sucker for places that use local ingredients, and BB does just that.  The beef and bison are all KY Grass-fed.  And while I can’t say that I necessarily believe all grass fed is the way to go, I can say that local for sure will always hold a place in my heart.

Bluegrass Burgers is located on the corner of Cannons Ln and Frankfort Ave in the Crescent Hill area of town.  While there isn’t a ton of seating there are tables inside as well as a seating area with 4 tables outside on the patio.  I wish I had brought my dog with me; they leave a water bowl outside for patrons who bring man's best friend.

I decided on the KY Grass-fed Cheese Steak, fries and a beer ($12 total).  My Cheese Steak came with onions and peppers on it and while it was a little dry I really enjoyed the bread, the meat itself didn’t have bad flavor.  The fries were quite tasty.  Hand cut, thin with just the right amount of salt. My friend, J, got the KY Grass-Fed Beef Burger with Gouda (“Gouda was a solid choice”).  The special sauce she put on it was zesty and the burger was perfectly cooked to medium, which was how she had ordered it.  There is a toppings bar which we appreciated, but wish that there had been labels on the toppings.  Overall not a bad experience.

Harvest

There are two things that I can say without a doubt I will always support when given the chance: local and agriculture.  So when a place’s mantra is “a locally grown restaurant” and has its roots with a local farmer serving up omelets at a farmers market I was in.

On East Market between Clay and Hancock Streets, Harvest is located in the growing NULU/ East Market district of the city.  The restaurant itself has a quiet charm about it.  The farmers who support the restaurant and are in turn supported by the restaurant look down upon guests from pictures that adorn the wall along with a map that shows exactly where the food you are eating has come from.  We decided to sit at the bar since my dining partner knew the bartender and I quickly fell in love with the lamps above my head made of Mason jars (I will soon be attempting this). 

When the bartender described to us the special appetizer of the night we knew we were going to get it without even discussing.  Who is going to say no to seared pork belly with grits and a corn salsa?  It was delicious, tender with just the right amount of sear on it.  Even the corn was a bright spot in the meal, and I am not a huge fan of corn.  Our appetizer was paired with a handcrafted cocktail (the menu for this is printed on an envelope, very cool).  For me a Lolita (tasted like tea with a little kick) while my friend sipped an Old Fashioned with a seasonal pear in it.

After that we moved on to our main courses.  Because the appetizer was so good I called a last minute audible on my selection and went with the pork confit, grits, and glazed carrots.  I am going to be honest, I was a little disappointed.  While the grits were excellent (I think they got better between the appetizer and meal) my pork confit was fairly dry.  It had good flavor, but seemed like it had been cooked a little too long.  The glass of Gruner Veltliner from Austria I had did assist me in washing it down and for that I was grateful.  My friend ended up pairing her Merlot with goat cheese and pesto lasagnette. It looked amazing and it turns out it pretty much was.  If you like goat cheese it comes highly recommended. 

Overall it was a great experience, even with the confit let down.  The staff was great, the restaurant has a great atmosphere, and with an ever changing menu based off of what is fresh and local I am sure I will be back. Support local, support farmers, and continue to support Louisville restaurateurs! 

Nord's Bakery

Bakery, not the word that first pops into ones mind when you say restaurant, but why not?  As I said in my first post I am open to suggestions.  And Nord’s was the first suggestion I was thrown.  Well actually it was “start with the bacon doughnut” but I knew exactly what she meant. 

I have had Nord’s a handful of times, one of the ladies at work has brought them in on separate occasions, and when I heard they had bacon doughnuts I was all over it.  It has also been my pleasure to chat with the owners of this bakery.  They are some of the kindest people I have met; they are even trying to recreate my favorite doughnut from back home.  But never had I been to Nord’s bakery itself.

Located off Preston Street just past Eastern parkway in the St. Joseph’s part of town sits Nord’s.  An unassuming black awning on a corner lot marks the place that holds the bacon doughnut (yes I will be saying this multiple times, love it or leave it).

Nord’s is a small place with three glass cases filled with baked goods.  One devoted solely to the doughnuts I was there for, one for adorably designed cookies and one that holds other types of pastries.  With only 4 small tables it is more of a place to grab your dozen, $6.95, and be on your way, but we sat and chatted for a bit surrounded by homey décor.

Of course I was here for the bacon doughnut, but I also wanted to try something I had not had before.  Mike Nord, the owner, picked out my other one and when the owner says try this, you don’t argue.  So I ended up with my glorious bacon doughnut and one that was a cinnamon bun with nuts covered in a maple frosting (I didn’t get the name, very sweet).  The bacon doughnut tastes like pancakes with maple syrup and a side of bacon, only it’s in the shape of a doughnut.  Honestly it doesn’t get much better then that.  I fully recommend trying Nord’s next time you decide you need a dozen doughnuts in the morning.  The doughnuts are great and the people there make you feel like family.

The plan, or the ingredients if you wish...

I am sure that growing up my parents would never have said "One day my daughter is going to be a foodie." On the contrary, I was very much a chicken nuggets kind of kid; I didn't even really like hamburgers when I got my Happy Meals. I stuck to what I knew; tenders and tacos (since I was born in Arizona). But I suppose just as our lives change so do our palates, they grow and mature along with us.
 
It is not very often you move somewhere and feel completely at peace with yourself. For me that place is Louisville. Yes by many standards I am a "northerner", growing up in Indiana, but my soul is southern. Blame it on my mother if you must fault someone, but I don't see it as a fault in the least. So when I moved to this great city I instantly felt my aura begin to change. To be honest I was almost expecting it, I have had a flirtation with the Ville since I was about 13. What I wasn't expecting was the amazing amount of locally owned restaurants.

Now with all of the chain's and big name places to eat I think there is no better way to get to know somewhere than eating something you can only get in that city. I suppose you could call me a "localvore" a title I will gladly embrace.  It is my goal, task, plan, grand scheme, whatever you wish to call it, to take a giant bite out of this city.  With very few limitations on what I will try at least once I plan on eating at a different local restaurant every week and sharing my thoughts, experiences, and choices with you.

There are a few things I can promise you.  Never on my plate will you see Turkey, I don’t eat it.  And anything with oranges, orange juice, and orange zest can be counted out, I am allergic.  Besides that I am going to try and chose a special if possible, I think it gives you the full view of what the chef is really capable of.  I promise to take pictures of where ever I am and whatever I am eating.  I would love suggestions, comments, or input from anyone.  With that, let me leave you with a quote from a great chef, and let’s grab a plate!

“Life itself is the proper binge.” ~Julia Child