Paying no attention whatever to whatever the handlers of Punxawney Phil claim about winter, the spring issue of F&D is about the hit the stands, with a running list of the recently opened restaurants in the area. But even though we were adding items up to the last minutes of our deadline, we still can’t keep up with the always active dining scene, which includes a few openings, additions and changes that occurred after we had to close out the issue.
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Fernando Martinez and his team are preparing to open another restaurant concept, to be called Artesano Tapas, Vinos y Mas in Westport Village. Artesano will be located in the old AP Crafters space in Westport Village, at 1320 Herr Lane, and will join Martinez’s local empire of Coconut Beach, El Taco Luchador, Cena, Guaca Mole and Mussel & Burger Bar.
Rick Moir, who will manage Artesano as well as Cena, describes the new restaurant concept as “up-to-date, trendy, new Spanish tapas.” He added that they are looking at ways to have sangria and cocktails on tap, something different from what anyone else in town is doing.
“And we’re going to have a wood-fired oven behind the bar,” Allan Rosenburg, the chef at Cena who also involved in developing the new location, added. The precise menu is still in the works, and Rosenberg hopes that some of the team can go to Spain soon to do some research on the best of up-to-the-minute tapas ideas.
Moir said that the Martinez team is hoping for a Derby opening, but noted that getting a restaurant fitted out and running is an unpredictable project. This new announcement comes as word had been circulating that Martinez was considering the old Papalino’s space on Bardstown Rd. for a new restaurant, but several problems with that space have arisen. Martinez has not yet named executive chef and sous chefs for Artesano.
- Heine Brothers’ is partnering with The Weekly Juicery to open a cold-pressed juice bar inside its shop at the local coffee shop’s Middletown store, at 805 Blankenbaker Pkwy. This collaboration marks The Juicery’s fourth retail location and its second in Louisville. This Henie store will no longer serve wine and beer; the juice operation will set up shop where the bar was located.
The Weekly Juicery, whose other Louisville location is at 112 Bauer Ave. in St. Matthews, offers juices and healthy offerings, including shots, superfood smoothies, raw foods and cleanses. The company uses raw ingredients, and does not cook, pasteurize or use high-pressure processing in production.
- The Sol Aztecas Mexican restaurant at 129 W. Main St. has changed hands, and the new owners have changed its culinary focus somewhat. That location in the restaurant mix along Distillery Row is now Me Gusta Latin Kitchen & Bar, with a pan-Latin focus, including dishes with a Bolivian and Peruvian provenance.
