I love to share places to eat because:
1. I love food
2. I love to eat food with people. Jesus shared meals with his closest people. You just bond over good food.
3. I love when people share good/bad experiences with me because it can help me explore new places or avoid bad ones
A couple weeks ago my husband went to Johnson University, TN. He lead worship for their homecoming. It was a great week for him, and I did OK handling the kids by myself! It was actually kind of nice...we could have cereal or PB&J for dinner and no one noticed! It wasn't necessary, but they were so kind and sent him a check for his time. What better way to celebrate getting paid for a week apart? Date night!
Let's eat.
Our rule was: we have to try somewhere that we haven't been before. Now, we love food and we love trying new places. But, we get stuck in ruts going to the same restaurants. Why mess with a great thing?! On the way to Louisville, with the help of Google and a friend's advice, we chose Harvest. I'm not sure if reservations are absolutely required but it had a button to click online so I made them for us.
Harvest is located on 624 E. Market Street, Louisville Ky. What's great about this street downtown is that parking is easy. It's not such a busy/crowded street that you're driving in circles on one way streets trying to park and not get frustrated with each other at the same time. Everyone gets a little grumpy when they need food! Nope, here we parked directly in front of the restaurant- score! Market street also has a lot of little local shops, a candy store, and a craft beer store.
1. I love food
2. I love to eat food with people. Jesus shared meals with his closest people. You just bond over good food.
3. I love when people share good/bad experiences with me because it can help me explore new places or avoid bad ones
A couple weeks ago my husband went to Johnson University, TN. He lead worship for their homecoming. It was a great week for him, and I did OK handling the kids by myself! It was actually kind of nice...we could have cereal or PB&J for dinner and no one noticed! It wasn't necessary, but they were so kind and sent him a check for his time. What better way to celebrate getting paid for a week apart? Date night!
Let's eat.
Our rule was: we have to try somewhere that we haven't been before. Now, we love food and we love trying new places. But, we get stuck in ruts going to the same restaurants. Why mess with a great thing?! On the way to Louisville, with the help of Google and a friend's advice, we chose Harvest. I'm not sure if reservations are absolutely required but it had a button to click online so I made them for us.
Harvest is located on 624 E. Market Street, Louisville Ky. What's great about this street downtown is that parking is easy. It's not such a busy/crowded street that you're driving in circles on one way streets trying to park and not get frustrated with each other at the same time. Everyone gets a little grumpy when they need food! Nope, here we parked directly in front of the restaurant- score! Market street also has a lot of little local shops, a candy store, and a craft beer store.
One of the main reasons we chose to eat here was the fact that 80% of the food that is on each place is from local farmers. All within a 100 mile radius. Of course, I love to support local people...but also when you have fresh food it just taste so. much. better. Your food isn't months old so you have the flavor but also the nutrition from it. I think I gained vegan superpowers just from eating here. My body feels stronger. Wait, do the ribs and chicken wings count as vegan?! No? Harvest opened April 2011. Since then it's been nominated for 'best new restaurant'. Their Facebook has over 4,500 likes so it's a pretty popular place so i'm glad we made reservations.
We were seated as soon as we arrived, even though we were 20 minutes early. Our glasses were filled with water within seconds. The restaurant has a very rustic-industrial look. Wood tables, low lighting, tree branches, gray walls, some old church pew seating, etc. Along the walls were huge canvas portraits of local farmers! In the pictures above there are pictures of some of the farmers and a map of their locations. There is a nice bar with a huge selection. I would say you can dress up or dress down and feel comfortable here. Oh, and even the bathrooms smelled so nice! Complete with local handmade soaps and lotions :)
I don't drink too often...it's not worth the calories to me, but if i'm on a date without my babies I have to try out the house drinks! Every since we went to Bourbons Bistro on the Fat Friday Trolley Hop where the bartender made me try bourbon in a mixed drink called the 'bourbon lily' I have been a fan of bourbon! I feel like I kind of have to living in Kentucky so close to so many distilleries and all. I could never just drink it straight or buy it for myself...but I trust a bartender to make it good. I chose "Keeping Up With the Jonses". It had Ancient Age, peach and ginger syrup, lime juice, BD's, ginger-apricot bitters, and a splash of strawberry syrup! It was just enough to be slightly sweet. Ahhh the warm feeling of Bourbon. Chris had a Thyme margarita. Yes, Thyme like the herb! It was surprisingly good and strange at the same time. Everything was from scratch- so no yucky feeling of a lot of concentrated mixes. I loved that there was a lady whose job was to walk around and fill water! I like to have like 2 glasses with a drink or else I get a headache.
I don't drink too often...it's not worth the calories to me, but if i'm on a date without my babies I have to try out the house drinks! Every since we went to Bourbons Bistro on the Fat Friday Trolley Hop where the bartender made me try bourbon in a mixed drink called the 'bourbon lily' I have been a fan of bourbon! I feel like I kind of have to living in Kentucky so close to so many distilleries and all. I could never just drink it straight or buy it for myself...but I trust a bartender to make it good. I chose "Keeping Up With the Jonses". It had Ancient Age, peach and ginger syrup, lime juice, BD's, ginger-apricot bitters, and a splash of strawberry syrup! It was just enough to be slightly sweet. Ahhh the warm feeling of Bourbon. Chris had a Thyme margarita. Yes, Thyme like the herb! It was surprisingly good and strange at the same time. Everything was from scratch- so no yucky feeling of a lot of concentrated mixes. I loved that there was a lady whose job was to walk around and fill water! I like to have like 2 glasses with a drink or else I get a headache.
Our waitress was super friendly and took her time explaining all of the appetizers and specials offered. No one in the restaurant seemed rushed or in a hurry. Also, I didn't see lines outside on a Saturday night. Our appetizer was some type of baked squash with cheese. It was topped with collard greens and carrots sauteed in bacon and vinegar. Add bacon to anything and it takes it to the next level. I don't like vinegar but this was just the right amount.
For our main dish Chris ordered the BBQ platter. It had sausage on top of jalapeno cheese grits, dry-rubbed chicken wings on spicy slaw, and smoked rib on potato salad. It was served with a vinegar sauce and another dipping sauce. OOO myyy his was so delicious! I ordered the Wheatberry risotto on spicy salad with grilled bread. The risotto had a mushroom base and chopped up root vegetables (sweet potatoes and something else unidentifiable). I love wheatberry and I love grilled bead! I did notice after I finished my bread the dish by itself was a little 'sweet' so I couldn't finish all of it. Don't worry, I didn't starve I helped-and fought- my hubby with his. I don't remember having to wait a long time for food. It did take a little bit but having the drinks and being able to sit and relax with each other is what it's all about! The menu always changes based on availability but you can click here for a sample.
For our main dish Chris ordered the BBQ platter. It had sausage on top of jalapeno cheese grits, dry-rubbed chicken wings on spicy slaw, and smoked rib on potato salad. It was served with a vinegar sauce and another dipping sauce. OOO myyy his was so delicious! I ordered the Wheatberry risotto on spicy salad with grilled bread. The risotto had a mushroom base and chopped up root vegetables (sweet potatoes and something else unidentifiable). I love wheatberry and I love grilled bead! I did notice after I finished my bread the dish by itself was a little 'sweet' so I couldn't finish all of it. Don't worry, I didn't starve I helped-and fought- my hubby with his. I don't remember having to wait a long time for food. It did take a little bit but having the drinks and being able to sit and relax with each other is what it's all about! The menu always changes based on availability but you can click here for a sample.
After our meal, a man I had noticed eating close to us earlier walked over to our table. At first I thought he was a crazy person! He asked if we were enjoying ourselves and how we liked our food. We raved about it. He then asked us if we wanted to or had time to hear a cool story about the place... to which I said, "we're from the south of course we have time and love stories". He explained the history of the restaurant and things and was such a genuine guy. At the end he said he was one of the farmers and had a tiny little picture spot on the wall. How cool! I read his bio on the wall when we were leaving and it says he is known as the 'omelet man' on Bardstown Road.
Today, as I was on the website, I noticed a familiar face....it was the 'crazy man' who came to our table. His name is Ivor Chodkowski and he just so happens to be the owner! Thought that was pretty sweet. Here is what the website says about him:
Today, as I was on the website, I noticed a familiar face....it was the 'crazy man' who came to our table. His name is Ivor Chodkowski and he just so happens to be the owner! Thought that was pretty sweet. Here is what the website says about him:
Ivor ChodkowskiIvor Chodkowski is a busy man; father, farmer and a leader in the region’s small farm and locavore movement. He runs a community-supported agricultural operation; he’s a founding board member of the Food Literacy Project, an initiative to raise awareness of the benefits of clean food. He’s a farm activist and one time president of the Community Farm Alliance and set up Grasshoppers Distribution, which creates markets for local small farmers by connecting them with local restaurants.In February 2011 Ivor was a guest speaker at the TEDx tele-conference on Local food production, which was broadcast to a global audience. He’s also the man responsible for growing the humble omelet stand at the Bardstown Rd Farmer’s Market into Harvest Restaurant… one of the most talked about places to eat in Louisville.
Anyway! It was a perfect night! Until, I got a call from my mom saying my little boy had a 103 fever and was crying for mommy! So home we went to give lots of snuggles!! Go try something new! And if it's great let me know about it because I want to go too!
Pray. Love. Eat