Rich O's Public House and Sportstime Pizza / New Albanian Brewing Company

http://www.newalbanian.com/

Michael and I recently ventured over the bridge to meet some friends in New Albany, Indiana for great pizza and brews at Rich O's public house and Sportstime Pizza. This establishment is also home to the well-known New Albanian Brewing Company which was once rated sixth best microbrewery in the world, according to ratebeer.com. There are about 650 beers to choose from including it's own brews such as "Hoptimus". This beer is wildly popular among beer-drinkers like Michael, who prefer insane amounts of hops. To give you some idea of just how "hoppy" Michael likes it, the amount of hops in a beer is usually indicated by the IBU or International Bitterness Unit of which Hoptimus has IBU 100. I don't like my beer incredibly hoppy, so I usually look for one with an IBU in the 24-45 range or even lower. I went with one of the guest beers, the St. Bernardus Abt 12, a dark Belgian that has an aroma of malt and caramel and tastes of plum, raisins, caramel, and dried fruits. I normally go for a stout but in the middle of the Summer heat, it was nice to lighten things up with the fruity flavor. I had this St. Bernardus once before at Sergios World Beers, located on Story Avenue in Louisville http://www.sergiosworldbeers.com/  which is another great establishment intent on serving quality beer. New Albanian prides itself on brewing "real beer." You won't find any mass-marketed, domestic, and light beer here. Some beer snobs (clearing my throat, Michael) might joke that if you order a Bud Light, the server might as well bring you a water or show you immediately to the restroom!! HaHa. All joking aside, this brewery considers its work to be a form of art and beer to be "the mysterious, glorious union, of grain, hops, water, and yeast". And the Holladays consider it to be quite a glorious union indeed!



When it came to service, we found our experience to be a bit mysterious, wondering from time to time where our server had ran off too. Unfortunately, service was on the slow side, however she was accommodating when it came to check separation, which can be a headache in a large group. We were super pumped to be dining among another food blogger, Claire, http://claireeatstheworld.blogspot.com/

and we can only hope our testimonies in the world of food and dining are half as amazing as hers. We shared queso and stuffed mushrooms which were both crowd-pleasers. I particularly enjoyed the fresh spinach and tomatoes that were mixed throughout the queso. Michael, Claire, and I all commented on the amazingly creamy and cheesy stuffed mushrooms. These shrooms definitely hit the spot as we all enjoyed our beers with delightful conversation while waiting for the pizza to arrive. Michael and I ordered an "Upside Down" style pizza. I adored the crispy crust, along with the crazy good banana peppers, and spinach that was scattered about quite nicely. The cheese was pretty good too. My only complaint was that the sauce, which was served on top of the cheese, seemed to be sort of bland. Obviously the sauce was good enough considering that we devoured every single piece! Michael was not driving so he decided to order a second beer, this time opting for the Jaxon. It was delightfully hoppy for a Barleywine with citrusy hops balanced nicely with hints of cherry and chocolate. And, the mouthfeel was surprisingly syrupy, allowing the flavors to linger on the palate. After finishing this beer, everyone decided to call it a night. I can't wait to venture here again, perhaps with Michael as my designated driver.

So the next time you wanna get your buzz on quality beer, food, and friends; the Holladays suggest you venture to New Albanian Brewing Company at Rich O's. You will find it to be a glorious union indeed!

Selenas at Willow Lake Tavern

http://www.selenasrestaurant.com/

Fresh fish and seafood are flown in daily from the East Coast to this delightful restaurant that resides in the legendary Willow Lake Tavern building in Anchorage, KY. Serving up a fusion of Creole and Sicilian cuisine, Selenas creates many original seafood platters that will leave you begging for more. As a huge fan of anything cajun and any kind of seafood, I requested to eat here for my family birthday dinner and was particularly excited that our brother, Matt Holladay, was in town and able to join us. I had a wonderful dining experience at Selenas almost a year ago when a friend suggested it for a girls night dinner. The girls and I were able to sit outside on the gorgeous patio that features a coy fish pond and attractive tree lights, providing a quaint and cozy atmosphere. I recall everyone raving about the Praline Brie appetizer which includes pecan praline sauce, drizzled over creamy danish brie that was served with apples and grapes. I also enjoyed a refreshing yet spicy Shrimp Remoulade salad. I highly suggest both of these options if you are wanting to keep it on the light side. However, on my birthday dinner night, I was more than ready to splurge on a rich and sinfully decadent meal. I met my family for dinner around 6pm on a Thursday and we were sat immediately, as "Holladay, party of five". We opted for indoor seating due to the extreme heat. I am a July birthday baby and my mom likes to remind me almost every year that "It was 100 degrees the day you were born!"...what can I say, I guess I like it hot! 

I was hoping the Fried Green Tomatoes we ordered for an appetizer would have a hot and spicy kick, unfortunately the sauce served along with them was bland for my taste. Otherwise, I thought they were pretty good with just enough breading. The Spinach and Artichoke appetizer did not let me down. It was super creamy and I just adored the bite-sized toasted cheesy breads that accompained. I swear I thought dad might lick the platter clean! For my entree, I chose the Seafood Scampi. It was just what I was hoping for, rich and decadent with lots of flavor including mucho garlic, butter, and lemon, topped with a layer of bread crumbs. The seafood was very tasty and plentiful and my only complaint was that it was too "peppery" or as my grandmother might say "The chef stumped his toe on the pepper" The rest of the family feasted on their favorite seafood. Mom always goes for fish, so she chose one of the daily specials including grouper fish that was served in a light wine sauce with dirty rice and veggies. Dad always like to mix things up so he chose the NOLA medley with the classic red beans and rice, jambalaya, and the shrimp and crawfish etoufee. I was utterly jealous of his choice, particularly the spicy jambalaya that had everything but the kitchen sink thrown in...sausage, chicken, ham, crawfish, and shrimp. Michael and I both adored the robust flavoring and plumpy shrimp and crawfish included in the etoufee, which he chose as an entree. Our brother Matt went with the fried shrimp platter and chose sweet potato fries that I was more than happy to help him devour. 

We were pleased with our service that was prompt and gracious and we all left with full hearts and stomachs, taking note of Selenas special events for future dining or drinking adventures. There are $3 Margarita Mondays, half price on any bottle of wine on Tuesdays and Sundays, not one but TWO daily happy hours in the casual bar area, as well as a Sunday brunch and even a weekly crawfish and shrimp boil. You can contact Selenas for catering or private party dining that allows you to create a specific menu for your lovely guests.

So remember, the next time you are feeling a bit jazzy and want to let the good times roll, just roll into Selenas at Willow Lake tavern for some tasty creole cuisine and scrumptuous seafood platters. It's a Holladay family favorite for sure!!

Cafe Fraiche

http://www.cafefraichelouisville.com/



It was a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon, mom and I (Beth) were tired and hungry after a long morning of antique shopping, so she suggested we grab a bite for lunch. We stumbled upon a quaint little luncheonette, called Cafe Fraiche, tucked in the corner of Chenoweth Plaza at 3642 Brownsboro Road. We sat in the back at one of the comfy black tables surrounded by vibrant orange walls and black and white tiled floors. There is a shelf lining the entire room that includes greenery and other various decor and many lovely paintings for sale by Louisville artists. The vibe is very much of a French cafe, which is appropriate given the name "Fraiche", that is French for "Fresh". The owner bases her culinary art style on French cuisine and offers catering for casual lunches, private parties, and even personal chef services that can be prepared

in your own kitchen

Mom and I perused the menu and pondered a few different choices including quiche, salad, and soup. However we went in the other direction with mom ordering the benedictine sandwhich with a side of avocado and myself, a hummus wrap with a side of fruit. A fun fact for those of you who might not know about benedictine, it's a combination of cucumber and cream cheese and it was created in the late 1800's by a Louisvillian with the last name of Benedict. It is often paired with bacon and was originally served on a sandwhich. However it has become popular as a dip in recent years.

Our lovely server was quick to bring out the food and I immediately commented on the size of my big wrap, which was overly stuffed full of hummus, fresh spinach leaves, and tomatoes. I did not care for the hummus one bit. It was incredibly bland to say the least. I suppose I have been spoiled by the flavorful hummus at my favorite mediterranean eatery which I will reveal at a later date. I am cursing myself for not ordeing the quiche instead. Perhaps this feeling could best be described as diner's remorse. At any rate, mom's benedictine sandwhich made up for my hummus. In fact, you could even say the benedictine was so good, it spanked the hummus and made it say it's name! Served on toasted honey wheat bread, this benedictine was the perfect consistency, just a bit tangy and very creamy with bacon, need I say more?

I am almost embarrassed to admit how much better mom's amazing avocado side outranked my sweet, yet boring fruit. Let's get into details here. Avocado was mixed in a sauce of ketchup and mayonaise which mom kept comparing to Thousand Island salad dressing. This divine mixture also included celery, almonds, and tomatoes. It was so good that mom is planning on making her own version of it at home and she kept grilling the server on exactly how it was prepared. I can't wait to try mom's version. She is also quite the culinary artist in her kitchen. Despite the hummus, I was very pleased with my experience at Cafe Fraiche. Everything else was exquisite and I will mostly definitely suggest it for your next lunch or even catering for your Holiday platter. Just remember, no one can place a great order like Judi Holladay. Until next time, Live to Eat!!!

DakShin

http://www.mydakshin.com/

We both agree that DakShin is hands down the best Indian Restaurant in Louisville. Believe us, we have taken our adventurous palates to several others around town and to put it simply, nothing compares. Located in the Eastland Plaza at 4772 Bardstown Road, we consider it to be the hidden gem of Indian food lovers. We entered into the bar area and were greeted by a smiling hostess who sat us immediately in the dining room that can best be described as cozy and rustic. It almost gives off a log cabin vibe with unfinished oak walls and booths. Despite the dim lighting, our eyes were mezmerized by bold colors and images of "Bollywood" music videos playing on two televisions, and the colorful fabrics worn by the female wait staff, who sported the traditional Indian style of dress. The insane amount of curry filling the air was almost intoxicating. With coriander, cumin, cloves, and dozens of chillies enticing us in their aroma, we were so ready to have an Indian platter!

Unlike most Indian restaurants around town that only feature Northern cuisine options, the menu at DakShin uniquely offers both Northern and Southern, as well as "Indo Chinese"cuisine. Word on the street is that all the chefs are from South India, so it is not surprising that southern culture is reflected in the atmosphere and that southern cuisine is the specialty. In fact the word "DakShin" means "The South". However, there is a multitude of menu choices that represent other parts of India. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the enormous menu, we were relieved to find a list of food descriptions. We dined with two other pals that gave us the chance to sample and share several dishes. For appetizers we indulged in a couple of "palate safe" preparations including the Gobi Manchurian, which is listed on the "Indo Chinese" category of the menu. The Indo Chinese is great for the timid diner who prefers a suble amount of spices. A Ginger, garlic, and onion sauce was cast over fried and battered cauliflower, a great start. Next, we tried a northern app called Samosa, a delicious stuffed pastry filled with herb pototoes, this was truly a treat. At some point we were given a tray of various dipping sauces such as a sweet Chutney, citrisy Tamirind, and mild Peanut sauce.

A southern dish called Chicken Madras was our favorite by far. It was moderately spicy and creamy with captivating coconut milk mixed among other nameless spices, and tempered with curry leaves. Our friend's entree was good but seemed weak in comparison to the powerful flavors in the Madras. They ordered Chana Masala, a vegan dish that featured chic peas with a blend of subtle northern spices. This choice would also be considered "palate safe". Both entres were served with a portion of white rice and we tried a few of the southern signature sides including Dosai, a thin rice and lentil crepe stuffed with potatoes, onions, and mouth-watering spices, "This thing is freakin huge!" said Michael (see picture below). And Oothappamas, a thick rice and lentil pancake, great for dipping in sauces. We noted that several vegetarian and vegan dishes are offered. Portions are adequate and the prices are generally under $10 for dinner.

At the end of our feast, the server brought a bowl with warm lemon water for hand cleansing and a tray of fennel seeds and cardamom pods to aid in digestion. Beth was not feeling the licorice taste but forced herself to take a handful anyway. Despite having a "Stomach of Steel", she worried about the aftermath of digesting a meal with such exotic spices. Don't worry, the seeds and pods did their job well. Our server was super helpful with check separation and the other wait staff were very attending throuhgout the meal. They are no doubt, professionals when it comes to private parties and catering events, which DakShin does as well. This was an incredible Indian dining experience and we cannot wait to go back for more!

Just remember the next time your palate is feeling a bit adventurous and you wanna spice it up, you can always call your pals and head to DakShin...it's where the Holladays prefer their Indian platter. Until then, live to eat!!  

"The Original Impellizzeri's Pizza"

http://www.impellizzeris.com/

Benny Impellizzeri opened his pizza business on Bardstown Road in the Louisville Highlands in 1979. Sharing the space with his father who ran a butcher shop, Benny made and sold his pizzas at night. His pizza biz became so successful that when his father retired, Benny took over and Impellizzeri's Pizza became a full time endeavor. Since then he has expanded with two other locations, in the East End on Brownsboro Road and Downtown on Main Street. The good people of Louisville adore his recipes so much that you might hear it called "Louisville Style Pizza". Characterized by two layers of cheese and two layers of toppings, you can easily guess that we Holladays go "Banana Peppers!" for every single layer.

We recently dined at the East End location with Steve and Judi Holladay (aka, our parents). We beat the crowd, arriving at 5pm on a Saturday and were sat immediately. For starters, we decided on the home-made dough "Bread-Stix". You absolutely cannot go wrong with these babies. They are long, like 6-8 inches long! Drenched in a savory garlic butter sauce that acts as an aphrodisiac to your taste buds and served on an ewey, gooey butter-filled platter, they are soft, yet toasted on the outside and are absolutely to die for. "I would literally take a bullet for one" said Beth. The menu offers a handful of other appetizers such as "Cheesestix" and wings, as well as a nice selection of salads. You can choose from regular crust, Sicilian style (deep dish), or thin and crispy (their version of NY style pizza). Several specialty pizzas are offered too. With all of these wonderful choices, the Holladays were, no doubt, on the verge of a family war in agreeing on a pizza. Which style and size would we share? Which toppings would we choose?

We finally decided civilly on a medium 14 inch pizza with regular crust, which normally feeds three to four people. Topped with spices and stringy cheese galore, peace was restored to the Holladay family as we savored each bite. The cheesiness was great but did not override the ample amount of marinara sauce that mom summed up by simply stating "I am in love with this sauce." The lovable sauce was among banana peppers that were scattered generously. Beth's only complaint was the sausage. She prefers bigger chunks versus the ground up style. Michael was fine with the sausage and mentioned that he liked the spiciness. Judi and Steve's half of the pizza was covered in onions and mushrooms Their taste buds were utterly pleased. The service was pleasant and quick and we enjoyed the classic rock music along with the local art decor. Overall, this was a great dining experience. Fortunately, with the combination of breadsticks and pizza, we were left with plenty to take home. 

The next time your family is thinking of ordering pizza and someone wants to take the cheap way out by ordering Little Caesars or God forbid, taking everyone to Mr. Gatti's buffet, just remember where the Holladays like to get their pizza. Live to eat Impellizzeri's!! Your taste buds will thank you. 

Sari Sari

We have nothing but wonderful things to say about Sari Sari, located at 2339 Frankfort Avenue, it is quite possibly one of the smallest restaurants in Louisville. However, this family owned Filipino cuisine has incredibly enormous taste! Everything is great: food, prices, portions, and atmosphere. Let us begin with the latter. Bright eclectic artwork and Filipino flags surround you, along with colorful Chinese lanterns hanging form the ceiling, and even a few children’s drawings which are most likely kin to the owning family. We adored the checkered tables, which charmingly included a tin of colored straws, and we also noted the relaxing music of Earth, Wind, and Fire. It is obvious that this business is family owned with the mix of various dinnerware, it almost reminded us of being at a friend’s house, a very cool, Filipino friend, that is.

With word that there is not usually more than one server and cook present at a time and knowing that it is a small place, we weren’t sure how the wait would be before arriving. We delightfully discovered that there were only two other parties dining around 6pm on Saturday. The server was prompt and friendly. He greeted us immediately with menus as well as a list of three dinner specials ranging from $11 to $15. The regular menu prices are mostly under $10 which was a welcomed relief as well as the $2 Corona special that night. Beth ordered the Chicken Coconut Curry, a regular entre, which came with red beans and sticky Jasmine rice. The chicken was insanely tender and was cast among a few green onions and basil leaves which all soaked in the heavenly sauce. The coconut flavor added a creamy smoothness to the curry sauce, leaving Beth in a state of euphoria with every bite. She ranks this dish a medium on her spiciness scale.

Michael also went with a regular menu item, the Pancit Canton, a vegetarian noodle dish, with the option of adding meat. He chose to add pork and was highly pleased. He noted the freshness of the veggies, including zucchini, carrots, and squash, and he picked up on a welcomed peppery flavor along with a bit of lime in the rice. We both agreed that these Filipino dishes included influences from other lovely cuisines such as Spanish, Asian, and Indian. As much as we both wanted to devour our meals right there, we were
psyched to have such generous portions that allowed us to box up some for later. As we walked out with feelings of satisfaction, we saw a sign advertising daily lunch specials and a buffet on Friday, a must do in the near future.

And now after eating left-overs for lunch today, we have both decided to take this time to give Sari Sari the credit it deserves by giving an official Holladay recommendation: we think everyone should try this. Word is the chef is the matriarch of the family, which we think is awesome. She can come to our Holladay platter any day, as long as she brings a dish of course! Until next time, Live to Eat.

Toast on Market

Everyone is saying that Toast on Market is the place to go for brunch, and we Holladays have to agree that "Everyone" is so right . We would like to take this time to raise our glasses and toast to Toast! Sitting at 736 East Market Street, you can expect friendly smiles and prompt service. The specialty you ask? Take a guess genius, it’s Toast!

Beth and Toast go way back to the beginning of April when she and a dining companion happened upon the casual yet chic breakfast/lunch destination. They were sat immediately on a Friday morning and were satisfied with their server who was more than happy to share the daily specials. Beth observed the walls adored with bold colored paintings of familiar faces and she felt the atmosphere was busy yet relaxing at the same time. They immediately noted that the table for two was a bit small, even without their food in front of them. However, the chairs were comfortable and tables spaced out well so they did not feel cramped.

Beth’s pick was also the staff favorite, simply the Toast and Eggs. This dish however, far exceeds anything that could be described as simple. Eggs over medium draped on toasted brioche and cloaked in the signature “harissa” hot sauce, Beth was sure that her heart must have skipped a beat a time or two. She also swears that the toast was hands down the best she’s ever had. This French bread with incredibly high egg and butter content was so rich that it almost has a pastry like aspect despite the lack of sweetness. The golden, flaky crust was perfectly complimented by the harissa sauce which is Tunisian hot chili sauce commonly used in North Africa. Moderately spicy and insanely flavorful, you must have a brave palate for this one. Her friend opted for the decadent buttermilk pancakes with blueberries which, he noted were spaced out well and were just enough. The hash brown casserole is absolutely amazing. In general, portions at Toast are ample, but this casserole will definitely leave you begging for more with it’s incredibly creamy, cheesy, crispy allure. Let’s face it, hash brown casserole is almost always good but it can be a little dry, leaving you with a parched palate. You will not find that to be the case at Toast. Smitten by the moistness of the heavenly hash and brilliant toasted brioche, Beth just had to take her favorite little bro back for a bite!

We made the smart move to call ahead to make a reservation, since the wait can get pretty long for a Sunday. However, we were surprised we only had to call ahead about fifteen minutes before a 12:30 reservation and were seated within minutes. Beth picked the “South of the Border” omelette, which was extremely fluffy and featured chorizo that was nicely ground. The white cheddar was present yet slightly overshadowed by the spiciness of the chorizo. Perhaps sharp cheddar could’ve given the chorizo a run for it’s money. It was served with medium spicy salsa and sour cream which was not enough for her taste. She opted for wheat bread, delightfully buttered, and no doubt had to go with the hash browns again. She enjoyed this dish but had to say that her heart lies with the brioche toast and eggs. Michael totally agreed that the hash brown casserole was great, not even a little dry like most. He took advantage of the build-your-own omelette option and picked mushroom, avocado, and feta cheese. He noted the eggs to be light and fluffy and was impressed by the nicely ground feta chunks that blended well with the smooth, fresh avocado. He ate half of the omelette, and then, with the other half, he made a sandwich using his sourdough bread, which was equal parts sweet and tart.

The server was not as friendly this time around, although the other staff’s help kept us pleased along with a visit from the manager who asked us how we liked our meal and thanked us for coming in. Hmm... we wonder if word is getting out about this dynamic food blogging duo. Next time we go, we'll have to try out the lunch menu, which consists of not-your-average deli sandwiches (mustard aoili, tangy apple mustard, ciabatta, sourdough, Fontina cheeses, and fresh basil, yes please!) The prices are quite reasonable for brunch with no meal exceeding $10. And, we'll also have to get some mimosas, since we all know that's what a good brunch needs.

Just remember at your next holiday platter, when you are expected to give a toast to a family member’s good fortune and are wondering when the hell it will ever be your turn to receive a toast, you can always slip out with your favorite brother or sister and get your toast at Toast on Market. Until then…Live to eat!