The food and dining scene is a replicable daily grind, by necessity. Systems and techniques are put into place, honed by repetition and experience. It’s like umpires or referees at a ballgame; if a spectator takes no notice of them, it means their jobs were performed flawlessly.
We go out to dinner, for all the many reasons folks eat at restaurants rather than microwave some frozen wontons, and when all the moving parts are well-oiled, it’s far more than just sustenance. Memories are made, and accumulate. We find ourselves saying boy, it’s always wonderful at (fill in the blank) — you need to go there, right now.
But every now and then, things gets almost seismic.
The Facebook post (above) appeared on Monday afternoon, April 1, amid the special annual frolic known as “Everyone’s a Comedian on April Fools’ Day,” except this one’s very much for real.
The text:
Retirement for Anoosh! Chef David Danielson will be ready to serve you starting April 8th at Anoosh Bistro. Anoosh & I are thrilled to announce:
After more than three decades of culinary excellence, Chef Anoosh Shariat of Anoosh Bistro has announced his retirement, marking the end of an era in Louisville’s dining scene. Effective April 1, 2024, Chef David Danielson, formerly of Log Still Distillery and Churchill Downs, will gracefully step into the role of executive chef and operator of Anoosh Bistro.
An esteemed figure in Louisville’s culinary scene, Chef Danielson brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his new role. With a dedication to quality and creativity, he is poised to uphold the legacy of excellence that Chef Anoosh has cultivated over the years. Photo by Dan Dry.
Two culinary legends, and a “says it all” quote from each, as reported by the inimitable Michael L. Jones at Louisville Business First.
Anoosh Shariat: “It just so happened that my friend, David Danielson was sort of in a spot where he was looking to do something on his own. He’s the perfect chef for a chef-driven restaurant. We had a few other people interested, but he was just the right fit.”
David Danielson: “I’d been working with somebody I really loved and this kind of came out of the blue very, very quickly. And its always been a dream of mine to have a small restaurant.”
Both chefs stress that no changes are planned for Anoosh Bistro in the immediate future. The restaurant will be closed this week, and reopen on Tuesday, April 9. Jones has all the pertinent details at LBF.
EXCLUSIVE: Anoosh Bistro sold to former Churchill Downs chef David Danielson
Shariat said he plans to focus on traveling and spending time with family and friends. But he will stay in touch with local foodies through his nonprofit, Compassion & Cooking, which raises funds through the sale of his cookbook, “Eat Well, Love Life.”
“I am so grateful for the many years of support and love from our amazing community of Louisville, and having the opportunity to make memories with so many wonderful guests,” Shariat said. “I am thrilled for both the community and Chef David Danielson to have the opportunity to continue to serve amazing meals in a great restaurant.“
Photo credit: Dan Dry.
