New brew and two new rums coming out of Lexington

Posted by Steve Coomes on May 6, 2013 in Drink, News & Notes, News Feed -

Hey, isn’t this supposed to be bourbon country?

Well, according to at least one company, there’s plenty of room in Kentuckians’ livers for more options.

Late night Derby party: Varanese hosting 27th-annual Billy’s Burger Bash

Posted by Steve Coomes on May 3, 2013 in Calender of Events

Twenty-seven years ago, Billy Rapaport was really hungry, but still wide awake after working all week as NBC’s field producer for its Kentucky Derby coverage. The wiry, energetic Rapaport took his film crew to Zena’s downtown for some beer and blues, only to find its kitchen was closed after midnight.

Starving and eager to stay, Rapaport convinced Zena’s owners he’d do the cooking for his crew—and anyone who wanted food—if they’d let him, and they did. Thus began what became known as Billy’s Burger Bash, a late night post-Derby party for anyone with the energy after that long week.

Furloughed Meat cocktailers to shake at Angel’s Envy ‘pop-up bar’ on Main

Posted by Steve Coomes on May 2, 2013 in Calender of Events, Liquids -, News Feed -, Openings & Closings, Spirits

Here’s a cool and unexpected Derby Week bar opportunity: Angel’s Envy (the super-premium bourbon made by master distiller Lincoln Henderson) is hosting a pop-up bar from tonight through Sunday at 400 E. Main St., right across from Slugger Field.

Hours are Thursday 4-9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 5 p.m.-12 a.m. As is the case with any bar, all must be 21 or older to enter.

For a temporary spot, it’s purty cushy. Check out the picture.

Why Bison?

Posted by Editor on Apr 29, 2013 in Columns -, From the Earth

From ancient forests and savannahs of Kentucky comes a native food that helps define our local cuisine as naturally delicious.

There was a blip on the culinary radar a decade or so ago, when chefs became enamored of exotic meats, particularly ostrich, which was purported to be lean and crammed with protein. It tasted OK, but it was somewhat removed from its terroir, as it were. Even if the birds were raised in Southern Indiana, it didn’t feel like they belonged on our menus.

Set up your Home Bar in time for Derby Parties.

Posted by Tim & Lori Laird on Apr 27, 2013 in Columns -, Liquids -, Spirits

Many of us host parties during Derby Season and from the entertaining front, the home bar is the center of attention.

Here is a guide to help you get that home bar up and running.

For beginning entertainers, the bar is a place to build upon as you start to entertain more often. Don’t worry about getting everything all at once. Build your tools, spirits and glass collection a little at a time.

Cheers! Falls City brewing opens tasting room Saturday

Posted by Steve Coomes on Apr 26, 2013 in Calender of Events, Drink, News Feed -, Openings & Closings

File this one under…  FINALLY!

David Easterling has talked about it for a long time, but come Saturday at noon, the owner of Falls City Beer will open his new tasting room at 545 E. Barrett Ave.

It is not a bar where you can expect to get beer by the glass. According to Easterling, it is a place designed as a stop to familiarize yourself with new Falls City products and get your growlers filled.

Uptown Café to be renovated in late May.

Posted by Steve Coomes on Apr 25, 2013 in News & Notes, News Feed -, Restaurants

Twenty years of operating puts some wear and tear on establishment, so Uptown Café (1624 Bardstown Road) is scheduling some renovations to take place at the end of May.

Beat the post-Downs rush and dine early Varanese

Posted by Steve Coomes on Apr 24, 2013 in Calender of Events, News & Notes, News Feed -, Restaurants

As Churchill Downs and NBC continue to push back the start times of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, it slices into the dinner hour and costs restaurateurs significant sales. Talk that the Derby will one day be run under the lights only makes things worse.

(Geez, the idea that so many drunks in the infield will have that much more time to party is a frightening notion all on its own.)

Sidebar at Whiskey Row opening pushed back until May

Posted by Steve Coomes on Apr 23, 2013 in News Feed -, Openings & Closings, Restaurants

Whether you’re an eager customer or a restaurant owner, there are few things more aggravating than a delayed restaurant opening. So common are these events that the old saying in the restaurant industry is, “Every opening is just one government inspection away,” though the government isn’t always to blame.

In the case of restaurants like Sidebar on Whiskey Row, a new operation going into a very old building, it’s commonly a construction issue. The building is more than 150 years old, and according operating partner Rich Ruth, putting modern toys into an ancient chest is causing a few delays.

Majid’s hosting the ‘Bloodhorse’ Derby winner dinner April 25

Posted by Steve Coomes on Apr 22, 2013 in Calender of Events, News Feed -, Restaurants

Before anyone goes there, know that no horses were harmed in the creation of this menu.

Where do you think we are? Italy? Japan?

The Bloodhorse dinnner is a rather clever celebration of one of Kentucky’s greatest living assets — big, beautiful, lovely and badass thoroughbreds — to be held at Majid’s St. Matthews on April 25 at 7 p.m. Plus, if you’re not familiar with “Bloodhorse,” it’s a leading publication in the equine industry.