$$ Modest ($30-$50)

For a top-notch Sichuanese meal, call J-a-s-m-i-n-e

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com China’s $1.4 billion population in 2022 is roughly four times the size of our 335 million people, and all those hungry Chinese enjoy, depending on where they live, at least eight major regional cuisines dating back thousands of years. So why is it, if we don’t think twice about enjoying the … Continue reading For a top-notch Sichuanese meal, call J-a-s-m-i-n-e →

The post For a top-notch Sichuanese meal, call J-a-s-m-i-n-e appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

For a top-notch Sichuanese meal, call J-a-s-m-i-n-e Read More »

Bavarian-inspired Common Haus Hall, a great new arrival

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com The beloved German restaurant Gasthaus closed last month after nearly 30 years of delighting us with delicious schnitzel sauerbraten and more. So what are we going to go now, when we’re hankering for wurst or some flammenkueche or even a giant German pretzel? Good news! A quick trip across the Ohio … Continue reading Bavarian-inspired Common Haus Hall, a great new arrival →

The post Bavarian-inspired Common Haus Hall, a great new arrival appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Bavarian-inspired Common Haus Hall, a great new arrival Read More »

Big Bad Breakfast brings another morning option

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com After Lynn’s Paradise Cafe closed abruptly in 2013, it left a vacant building and a crowd of nearby merchants crying over the loss of a neighborhood commercial anchor. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint filled the space for a couple of years, but soon became a victim of the pandemic. It took another year … Continue reading Big Bad Breakfast brings another morning option →

The post Big Bad Breakfast brings another morning option appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Big Bad Breakfast brings another morning option Read More »

VinBun Vietnamese introduces us to bún and more

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com We’ve learned to love Vietnamese food. We’re big fans of pho, and we’ve learned to call it “phuh” when we order it. Now let’s warm up to Vietnam’s other iconic dish, bún, which rhymes with “boon.” Want to get to know bún? You can’t go wrong by trekking out to the … Continue reading VinBun Vietnamese introduces us to bún and more →

The post VinBun Vietnamese introduces us to bún and more appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

VinBun Vietnamese introduces us to bún and more Read More »

Hyderabad House brings the biryani

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com Biryani: India’s mouth-watering rice dish, a meal in itself, stands tall against other national rice-based competitors such as Spain’s paella, Italy’s risotto, Nigeria’s jollof rice, Indonesia’s nasi goreng, Louisiana’s jambalaya, or Persia’s pilaf. What is biryani, anyway? It’s a hearty rice dish layered with lamb, chicken, fish, or vegetables, scented with … Continue reading Hyderabad House brings the biryani →

The post Hyderabad House brings the biryani appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Hyderabad House brings the biryani Read More »

Vietnam Kitchen stayed, and we are so happy

The rumors started more than four years ago, and they spread quickly: “Vietnam Kitchen is going to close! The owner wants to retire! Next time they close for vacation, they won’t open again!” The fear was real. Vietnam Kitchen – VK, as its fans invariably abbreviate it – is the longest-standing Vietnamese restaurant still open … Continue reading Vietnam Kitchen stayed, and we are so happy →

The post Vietnam Kitchen stayed, and we are so happy appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Vietnam Kitchen stayed, and we are so happy Read More »

A trip to Jamaica in a takeout box from Eden & Kissi

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com My friend Erica posted a Facebook challenge: “Y’all…look. This place. These wings. Go. Robin Garr, have you been here yet?” It came with a photo of a succulent golden brown chicken wing the size of a turkey wing, a tantalizing treat from Eden & Kissi. That was last September, and I … Continue reading A trip to Jamaica in a takeout box from Eden & Kissi →

The post A trip to Jamaica in a takeout box from Eden & Kissi appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

A trip to Jamaica in a takeout box from Eden & Kissi Read More »

Delicious tofu takeout at Heart & Soy

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com I’m pretty sure I unleashed a small rant last autumn when the Delta variant was coming on, threatening to retreat into takeout dining until things blew over a bit. I didn’t actually do that. I’m vaccinated, and now boosted too, so what, me worry? But the other day, eyeing news reports … Continue reading Delicious tofu takeout at Heart & Soy →

The post Delicious tofu takeout at Heart & Soy appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Delicious tofu takeout at Heart & Soy Read More »

Simply Mediterranean brings Lebanese flavor

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com Back in the late winter of 1984, I did my first restaurant review for The Louisville Times. I enjoyed a great dinner at a short-lived Lebanese restaurant on Bardstown Road with a Lebanese-American friend who spent a short time at the city’s afternoon paper before moving on to bigger things. Here … Continue reading Simply Mediterranean brings Lebanese flavor →

The post Simply Mediterranean brings Lebanese flavor appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Simply Mediterranean brings Lebanese flavor Read More »

Mussel & Burger Bar’s wacky concept seems normal now

Early in 2013 when Mussel & Burger Bar opened its first shop in Jeffersontown, I couldn’t help but make fun of this previously unimagined combination. “‘Let’s go get some burgers and mussels,’ said no person ever,” I wrote, chortling. Now, 8 1/2 years later, Mussel & Burger Bar’s founders have moved on to other ventures, but … Continue reading Mussel & Burger Bar’s wacky concept seems normal now →

The post Mussel & Burger Bar’s wacky concept seems normal now appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Mussel & Burger Bar’s wacky concept seems normal now Read More »

Shalimar stands the test of time

I fell in love with Indian food a mighty long time ago, when the curry houses that surrounded London’t Victoria Station offered me a delicious – and cheap – refuge while the very young me was seeing London on £5 a day. But it took a lot longer before Indian food came to Louisville, a … Continue reading Shalimar stands the test of time →

The post Shalimar stands the test of time appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Shalimar stands the test of time Read More »

Simple, delicious American fare at Cheddar Box Too

Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com I don’t guess it comes as a major surprise to disclose that I’m a huge fan of world food. Follow my foodie trail and you’ll usually find me checking out another Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Venezuelan, African or other delicious immigrant-cuisine meal. That goes double during these pandemic-remnant times when simple economics … Continue reading Simple, delicious American fare at Cheddar Box Too →

The post Simple, delicious American fare at Cheddar Box Too appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Simple, delicious American fare at Cheddar Box Too Read More »

Currito impresses with flavorful grains, greens, and more

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com I don’t review chain restaurants often. I’d much rather talk about Louisville’s great independent local eateries. But when a new corporate shop like Currito comes to town and people tell me the food is really good, I’m willing to take a look. I believe the last time I did such a … Continue reading Currito impresses with flavorful grains, greens, and more →

The post Currito impresses with flavorful grains, greens, and more appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Currito impresses with flavorful grains, greens, and more Read More »

Sonal masters Indian vegetarian cuisine

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com Louisville has three all-vegetarian Indian restaurants, and to tell you the truth, the question isn’t why there are so many, but why it took them so long to arrive. We have about 15 Indian restaurants now, and I’m happy to pull up to a table at every single one. But all-vegetarian … Continue reading Sonal masters Indian vegetarian cuisine →

The post Sonal masters Indian vegetarian cuisine appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Sonal masters Indian vegetarian cuisine Read More »

Kayrouz Cafe does food and safety right

By Robin Garr LouisvilleHotBytes.com Show me a fourth generation family restaurant that traces its heritage back through several locations to the 1920s, and I’ll show you a restaurant that’s doing things right. That would be Kayrouz Cafe, and it should come as no surprise that the current generation is handling Covid safety with style and … Continue reading Kayrouz Cafe does food and safety right →

The post Kayrouz Cafe does food and safety right appeared first on LouisvilleHotBytes.com.

Kayrouz Cafe does food and safety right Read More »