Monday February 4, 2013
Local restaurants, chefs, Bourbon Trail gaining reputation
Louisville is rapidly gaining attention as one of the world’s great “foodie” cities --- and a new 10-day “restaurant week” event will give residents and visitors a great chance to sample the innovative cooking and hospitality being served up at more than 30 local eateries.
The “502 Restaurant Week”, which will debut February 22 – March 3, will feature special pricing of $50.20 for two people or $50.20 per person for a full meal, depending on the restaurant.
“This restaurant week event is a great opportunity for our citizens and visitors to sample the diverse and creative dishes that skilled chefs are cooking up in Louisville’s restaurants, often using locally grown and produced food,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Our local food and beverage economy is sizzling, gaining momentum and international recognition.”
Fischer said a just-completed study of Louisville’s food economy underscores the importance and growing popularity of local food – whether it’s produce or other food bought and served at home, or used in local restaurants. According to the report, Louisville residents spent $100 million on local food in 2011 – with a potential for spending more than $250 million a year in the near future.
Louisville continues earning accolades for its blend of creative chefs, use of locally grown and produced foods and the growing Urban Bourbon Trail. In 2012, the city was named one of the “Best Foodie Getaways around the World” by Zagat, the only city in North America included. Louisville was also named one of the South’s Ten “Tastiest Towns” by Southern Living magazine in 2012 and is up for the honor again this year.
Programs such as Farm to Table have helped connect local farmers to caterers, chefs, and school cafeterias, Fischer said. Meanwhile, excellent culinary-arts education programs at Sullivan University and JCTC continue supplying local restaurants with top-quality chefs.
In addition to the many restaurants in Louisville, the Restaurant Week will include restaurants in other cities within the 502 area code including Bardstown, Frankfort, Shelbyville and Carrollton.
Sysco is the presenting sponsor of the “502 Restaurant Week”. Additional sponsors include: Air Center 1, Borden Dairy, Kentucky Proud, Greater Louisville Inc., Hoffmaster,
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kentucky Restaurant Association, Louisville Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Louisville Downtown Management District, Monster Color, a Lynn Imaging Company, New2Lou, OpenTable, Sam Swope Auto Group, Stella Artois, Universal Linen Service and WhyWait the App. Media partners include: Clear Channel: 84WHAS, Gen X Radio 100.5, Sports Radio 790, Louisville Magazine, Louisville.com and Secrets of Louisville Chefs.
Louisville restaurants participating in the 10-day event include:
60 West Bistro & Martini Bar
Amici Cafe: An Italian Cafe
AP Crafters
Bistro 301
The Blind Pig
BLU Italian Grille
Decca
Gary’s on Spring
Harvest
Hillbilly Tea
Maker's Mark Bourbon House & Lounge
Martini Italian Bistro
Morton’s Steakhouse
Napa River Grill
Jeff Ruby’s Steak House
Quattro
The Oakroom
Rivue Restaurant & Lounge
Ruth's Chris Steak House
RYE on Market
Sway
Vincenzo’s
Volare