A smokin’-cold Oaks party at the Ice House: East Washington Street behind The Ice House, 217 E. Main St. will be shut Friday, May 2, from 7 p.m. to midnight for Crushed Ice Events’ Oaks and Smokes Derby Eve gala.
Enjoy live music, Kentucky-inspired drinks and food, and cigars (!) Tickets are $125, which includes food, entertainment and one cigar. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit oaksandsmokes.com or call 502-894-9999.
Varanese, 2106 Frankfort Ave., will offer two worthwhile Derby events. The first is the restaurant’s Beat the Odds dinners, Oaks and Derby. The early prix-fixe three-course dinner will be served 5-6 p.m. Friday May 2, and 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3. The price for two is $50,, and required reservations can be made by calling (502) 899-9904(502) 899-9904 or emailing letsdine@varanese.com.
Chef John Varanese’s menu, will include a choice of two salads, grilled salmon with mandarin orange bourbon sauce over cream cheese grits, sauteed beef tips and tortellini in a Gorgonzola cream sauce, or spice-rubbed bourbon barrel-smoked pork chop with apple-bacon chutney. Dessert will be a small bites trio.
After the Derby, Varanese will host the annual Billy’s Burger Bash, in honor of Billy Rapaport, NBC TV field producer for the Derby.
The party is open to anyone who has energy left after a long day of celebrating the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby. The Burger Bash tradition began when Rapaport wanted a place to relax with his media pals after a long week at the track. The free event will include live entertainment from Lamont Gillispie and 100 Proof, dancing, drink specials, and a simple, late night menu of appetizers, bar bites, burgers, fries.
For more info, go to www.varanese.com.
