With the information that the favored Purple Herring on Frankfort Avenue within the Clifton neighborhood is closing up shop, it received us desirous about all the opposite eating places which have closed through the years in Louisville that we nonetheless miss.
So make a journey down reminiscence lane with us and reminisce about these spots that closed that we’re nonetheless dreaming about:
Azalea
3612 Brownsboro Highway
“That is the place I went once I needed to be fancy. Dudes in pink shirts who didn’t put on socks ate right here, sitting on the bar with women in costly footwear who didn’t look very comfortable. All of it appeared very refined.
Closed since 2007, Azalea was rightfully identified for each its meals and ambiance. The patio was an enormous draw, informal but elegant, and the cocktails have been glorious at a time when cocktail tradition wasn’t but a factor. I’ve seen it known as a see-and-be-seen kind of place however that seemingly went proper over my head.
I keep in mind loving every thing I ate at Azalea however the one factor I recall in absolute element was that rattling scorching catfish. It got here out on a plate wanting precisely like a catfish, solely coated with seasoning and baked. You picked the flesh off its tiny bones with chopsticks, fork or finger like a savage and it was scrumptious, the one catfish I’ve ever actually beloved.” — options author Jeffrey Lee Puckett
Barbara Lee’s Kitchen
2410 Brownsboro Highway
“Barbara Lee’s is the place you went to take in the booze at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday night time after a carousel of dwell music and bars. There’s an outdoor likelihood it was first rate diner meals however who can say for positive given the circumstances of any given meal? Let’s simply say it was meals, and it was greasy.
My favourite meal there concerned a loopy battle between a drunk couple that escalated steadily starting with my hash browns. The battle began at their desk and moved to the door, at which level the girl ripped off her engagement ring and threw it on the man, however it sailed over his head, bounced off a wall and went into the ice bin. The counter man began to search for it, shrugged, and sat again down.
4 stars. Would undoubtedly eat there once more.” — options author Jeffrey Lee Puckett
Background:Barbara Lee’s Kitchen closes on Brownsboro Road
Metropolis Cafe
1250 Bardstown Highway
“I miss having a Metropolis Café within the Highlands. It was situated proper subsequent to Baxter Avenue Theater and was an important place for a scrumptious and fairly wholesome meal earlier than or after a flick. We preferred strolling on a chilly winter night time as much as Mid Metropolis Mall, grabbing a heat bowl of selfmade tomato soup and salad earlier than going into the movie show.” — features author Kirby Adams
Membership Grotto
2116 Bardstown Highway
“Membership Grotto, which closed in 2009, was the place everybody tended to neglect about. Though it provided high-level meals and an incredible eating expertise, it was persistently overshadowed by extra showy locations like Vincenzo’s or Brasserie Deitrich’s.
Perhaps the Grotto’s informal vibe, which included fish tanks and gargoyle statues, turned off the snobs however that’s what I beloved most; it very a lot jogged my memory of positive eating in New Orleans, the place a few of the finest eating places in America are resolutely unpretentious. Membership Grotto was by no means intimidating and at all times spectacular.
The rooster piccata with whipped potatoes and the vegetable orgy have been particularly killer, however what I keep in mind most was the night time my brother splurged on a $45 glass of scotch from the extraordinarily well-stocked bar. Simply smelling that stuff was a multi-course meal.” — options author Jeffrey Lee Puckett.
Extra:This chef built an empire with 3 of Louisville’s most iconic restaurants
Corbett’s – An American Place
5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd.
For almost 10 years, Corbett’s, An American Place was a staple amongst Louisville’s positive eating scene, ranked alongside Jack Fry’s and Varanese as probably the greatest locations to go for a birthday or anniversary celebration.
In 2017, Courier Journal’s restaurant critic stated “There’s a lot to like about Corbett’s, not the least of that are the stately eating quarters. Crisp white desk linens add a softness to the numerous corners of this nineteenth century mansion, corners which are awash in cream and taupe tones and accented by darkish wooden and leather-based elaborations.”
Of the meals, she raved concerning the Tequila Mockingbird ($12), certainly one of Corbett’s 9 signature cocktails and Dean’s Excellent Nachos ($9), which consisted of “9 particular person tortilla chips (that) have been stacked excessive with all the important flavors and textures that make nachos so addictive.”
Additionally addictive was the Mushroom Fumé ($8), an intense purée of mushroom made wealthy with cream and pink wine. Whereas it was maybe only a hair over-salted, it proved to be my favourite dish of the night time.” — Restaurant Critic Lindsey McClave
Extra:Before we say goodbye to Corbett’s, take a look back at some its best recipes
Gattiland
Westport Village, 1315 Herr Lane
“This one hurts to jot down, however on behalf of everybody who grew up in Louisville within the late 90s/2000s, somebody has to do it. The Gattiland out at Westport Village was like Las Vegas for 8-year-olds. The all-you-can-eat pizza bar stretched for what appeared like a mile and had each topping that you just needed, together with loads that you just didn’t (professional tip: save house on you plate to load up on chocolate pizza on the finish). The intense lights and massive rewards on the recreation room, although, was what stored you coming again.
I in all probability blew $100-plus on the Colorama machine alone, and that’s not accounting for the time (and tokens) spent on the handfuls of different arcade video games filling that crammed the room, alongside the huge jungle fitness center that appeared prefer it was just a little greater each time you went in. Louisville has loads of different cool locations for a child’s birthday celebration – Lazer Blaze and the Renaissance Enjoyable Park out in Middletown come to thoughts – however there’s no changing Gattiland.” — producer Lucas Aulbach
Papalino’s
“Papalino’s, oh, how I miss you. Your slices have been so New York in dimension, your crust New York in taste. The balsamic discount drizzled throughout a margherita pizza was perfection. No different pizza choice in Louisville comes shut.” – sports reporter Jeff Greer
Southside Inn
114 E Fundamental St., New Albany, Indiana
“The venerable former cafeteria on New Albany’s Fundamental Road was extra identified for its plentiful parts of fried fish, meatloaf and mashed potatoes and sides than for any culinary star on the steam desk line. However the desserts! The cream pies — chocolate, butterscotch, banana – have been topped with huge dollops of fluffy whipped cream and cradled in crunchy crusts.” — Enterprise reporter Grace Schneider
Extra headlines:Who run the (bourbon) world? Women, no matter how we drink it
Stan’s Fish Sandwich
3723 Lexington Highway
“Stan and Lelia Light didn’t make the most effective fried fish sandwich on the town — that honor will ceaselessly belong to the S&H on Fifth Road — however they got here shut till closing in 2011.
They did make stupendous clam chowder, nevertheless, actual deal CHOWDAH that even a Wahlberg might love, and the crab desserts have been additionally candy. The quaint-casual ambiance was additionally nice; it actually did appear to be just a little fish shack overlooking an ocean bay, though it was wedged right into a row of companies.
And that title! Severely, restaurant names don’t get any higher than that.” — options author Jeffrey Lee Puckett.
If that wasn’t sufficient, check out these eating places and bars that closed in 2017:
- Bar Code 1758 — 1758 Frankfort Ave.
- Barbara Lee’s Kitchen — 2410 Brownsboro Highway. Homeowners Mark and Barbara Lee McCullock retired.
- Blue Bull Burgers and Tacos — 2420 Lime Kiln Lane
- Bluegrass Brewing Co. — 3929 Shelbyville Highway. Curiosity within the brewery’s prime location brought about it to shutter its doorways after 23 years.
- Burning Bush Grille & Mediterranean Cafe — 13206 Hwy. 42. Lease ended and house owners retired.
- Cake Flour Bakery — 2420 Lime Kiln Lane. Proprietor Claudia De Latorre stated she needed to spend extra time together with her household.
- Solid Iron Steakhouse — 6325 River Highway. The restaurant’s landowner determined to not renew its lease.
- The Cereal Field — 612 Baxter Ave. The restaurant introduced in November that it’s shifting to a bigger location.
- Champions Sports activities Bar & Grill — 280 W. Jefferson St.
- Coco’s Muffins — 501 W. Oak St.
- Corbett’s — An American Place — 5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd. Chef-owner Dean Corbett closed his fine-dining restaurant after almost 10 years in enterprise. He didn’t present a cause.
- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit — 285 N. Hubbard’s Lane; 9930 Linn Station Highway. Proprietor claimed the chain’s enterprise mannequin was too pricey.
- Dunkin’ Donuts — 1250 Bardstown Highway
- Empress of China — 2249 Hikes Lane. Changed by Chamling Kitchen & Bar.
- Well-known Dave’s BBQ — 1360 Veterans Pkwy, Clarksville, Indiana. Proprietor Frazer Lebus cited a decline in prospects.
- Firefresh BBQ — 5000 Shelbyville Highway, Mall St. Matthews.
- Flour de Lis Bakery — 1759 Bardstown Highway. Co-owner Jessica Roberts stated she and her husband have been shifting to Baltimore.
- For Goodness Crepes — 619 Baxter Ave.
- 4 Sisters — 2246 Frankfort Ave. An proprietor of the creperie later opened Ngon Appetit on Brownsboro Highway.
- Freddie’s Bar and Lounge — 220 E. Broadway. The bar’s constructing was less than code, and proprietor Freddie Scarlott, 97, was compelled to shut.
- Genghis Grill Champions Sports activities Bar & Grill — 4002 Towne Heart Dr.
- Ghyslain — 1315 Herr Lane; 721 E. Market St. Proprietor Ghyslain Maurais cited poor lunch gross sales for the everlasting closure of the enterprise’s Westport Village location. As for the Market Road bistro, development of a resort compelled it to quickly shut.
- Gilberto’s — 1600 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy.
- Goss Ave. Pub — 1030 Goss Ave. After a failed try at rebranding, house owners offered the Schnitzelburg property to brothers Michael and Carmelo Gabriele, who’ve since opened Sabrino instead.
- Grady’s Burgers & Wings — 414 W. Oak St.
- Hanabi Japanese Restaurant — 6027 Timber Ridge Dr. An August submit on the restaurant’s Fb web page states {that a} new location is coming quickly.
- Do-it-yourself Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen — 1041 Bardstown Highway. Proprietor Adam Burckle stated the situation was bigger than the enterprise’s typical web site, and he famous that one other location is open additional down Bardstown Highway.
- Irma Dee’s Soul Meals — 1213 S. twenty eighth St. The West Louisville restaurant was in enterprise lower than a yr.
- Legend of China — 9415 Norton Commons Blvd.
- Little India — 2925 Richard Ave.
- Lovafare — 2009 Highland Ave. The vegan restaurant closed when its landlord leased the house to a different renter.
- Match Cigar Bar — 147 E. Fundamental St., New Albany. Closed after seven months in enterprise.
- Mellow Mushroom — 805 Blankenbaker Pkwy.
- Meridian Cafe — 112 Meridian Ave. Proprietor Kristen Fults opened a brand new restaurant, Melrose Cafe, in Prospect.
- MidCity Tremendous Buffet — 1250 Bardstown Highway
- Monkey Wrench — 1025 Barret Ave. Co-owner Denny Humphrey stated he is able to pursue different pursuits full-time.
- Press on Market — 252 E. Market St. After an surprising closure, Please & Thank You took over the lease.
- Purple Dragon Pub — 145 E. Fundamental St., New Albany, Indiana.
- Ruby Tuesday —1354 Veterans Pkwy., Clarksville, Indiana. The closure was a part of a nationwide cutback for the chain.
- Shandaar Indian Restaurant — 1801 Precedence Means
- Smokey’s Bean —1212 S. Fourth St. A kitchen hearth compelled the espresso store’s closure. However its house owners hope to reopen elsewhere in Previous Louisville.
- Candy Frog Yogurt — three Louisville places: 1987 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy; 5909 Timber Ridge Highway; 10494 Westport Highway.
- Teena’s Pizza — 3799 Poplar Stage Highway
- Tom + Chee — 1704 Bardstown Highway. The restaurant’s constructing suffered upkeep points and by no means reopened.
- The City Bread Co. — 145 E. Fundamental St., New Albany, Indiana. Homeowners cited they acquired much less enterprise than they hoped.
- Z’s Oyster Bar — 115 S. Fourth St. Building on the downtown conference middle has decreased enterprise. The restaurant hopes to reopen when the mission is full.
- Zeggz Superb Eggz — 4600 Chamberlain Highway. Restaurant house owners closed the full-service location in favor of increasing two different places.
