Tuesday, October 16, 2007

2007 Blue Plate Awards for KY Restaurants

2007 Blue Plate Award Nominees

Independent Casual Restaurant - Presented by Somerset Food Service

Ramsi’s, Louisville
The gold standard of Bardstown Road, the #1 independent restaurant district in the region.

Three Suns Bistro, Nicholasville
Mediterranean concept with good vibes for food.

Greyhound Tavern, Florence
A Northern Kentucky favorite, known for fried chicken and other comfort foods.

Mordecai’s, Springfield
New ownership has given new life to long-time regional favorite.

Café Lou Lou, Louisville
They just moved to an upscale location and legions followed and grew.

Stone Hearth, Elizabethtown
20 years of doing things right in E-town. Dry no more.

Pompilio’s, Newport
Real Italian family cooking the way Newport likes it for 55 years.

Joe Bologna’s, Lexington
The stained glass windows in this onetime Jewish temple add character to this landmark UK-area restaurant.

Los Aztecas, Louisville
Downtown corner spot handles busy, busy, busy lunch crowd every day.


Independent Upscale Restaurant - Presented by Prep Magazine

Greenup Café, Newport
Owned by Jean Roberd, formerly of The Maissonette in Cincinnati. Exceptional patio.

Black Tulip, Midway
Jazzy feel in the heart of horse country with a welcoming front patio.

Murray’s, Lexington
A striking hearthstone fireplace on the patio, true Southern comfort inside.

Volare, Louisville
First-rate restaurant brings Chicago atmosphere and food to the Derby City.

610 Magnolia, Louisville
Old Louisville’s destination restaurant neighboring UofL.

211 Clover, Louisville
Perfect presentation for old-money clientele in St. Matthews.

Old Stone Inn, Simpsonville
Owners Paul and Sally Crump accommodate the saddle-bred world of Shelby County.

Azur, Lexington
Could win an award for contemporary restaurant design. Food, service and bar also deliver.

August Moon, Louisville
Introduced and perfected upscale Asian dining.


Chef - Presented by Sullivan University’s National Center For Hospitality Studies

Jonathan Gossett, Dudley’s, Lexington
Many great chefs started in this kitchen; Chef Gossett is the latest, with an adventurous flair.

Michael Paley, Proof On Main, Louisville
He brings prestige and knowledge to the city’s dining scene.

Jeff Jarfi, Jarfi’s, Louisville
A crowd pleaser with his restaurant in the Kentucky Center and Mellwood Arts Center.

Ed Valente, Spindletop Hall, Lexington
A leader of the culinary community in the Bluegrass who loves food.

Patrick Colley, Louisville Country Club, Louisville
Executive chef at Kentucky’s most exclusive country club.

Jim Gerhardt, Louisville/Crestview Hills
His plate presentation is second to none.

Gil Logan, Churchill Downs, Louisville
Always goes over the top, including his dinner for the Queen at the Kentucky Derby this year.

John Plymale, Porcini’s, Louisville
The original chef at Crescent Hill’s most popular restaurant.


Barbecue - Presented by Kentucky Pork Producers

Old Hickory, Owensboro
The locals give it the highest marks in town.

Moonlite Barbecue, Owensboro
Maybe Kentucky’s most famous restaurant.

Roberson High Burger, Murray
If you went to Murray State, you remember this place for burgers and barbecue.

Montgomery Inn, Florence
Founded in Cincinnati, this was Bob Hope’s favorite restaurant.

Billy’s, Lexington
A western style barbecue that has kept them coming for 20 years.

Hill’s Barbecue, Mayfield
A name restaurant in western Kentucky that’s been in the same family for generations.

Roy’s Barbecue, Russellville
The barbecue is so good that people eat there twice a day.

Jucy’s, Louisville
A favorite on the east side in a city not known for barbecue.

Brother’s Bar-B-Que Plantation, Madisonville
Long time restaurant family offers new BBQ place in Western Kentucky.


Local Foods - Presented by Kentucky Proud

Lilly’s, Louisville
Chef/owner Kathy Cary believed in local food from the beginning and keeps the faith.

Artemesia, Louisville
An artsy restaurant that keeps upgrading its menu with local fare.

Holly Hill Inn, Midway
80 percent of Chef Quita Michel’s menu is local food. By the way, she’s an amazing cook.

Stella’s Deli, Lexington
Passionate about local farmers, supporting local food economies and using seasonally available ingredients.

Le Relais, Louisville
Chef Daniel Stage favors fresh, local ingredients for his French cuisine.


Jonathan at Gratz Park Inn, Lexington
Chef Jonathan Lundy always comes to mind for culinary creativity and local foods.

Ramsey’s, Lexington
A leading independent casual restaurant whose menu strongly supports local foods.

Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Bowling Green
Carl Chaney takes milk from his dairy farm and makes ice cream.


New Place - Presented by Kentucky Bison

Heirloom, Midway
Midway adds another notch on its belt as Kentucky’s best small town for restaurants.

Courthouse Bakery, Versailles
Pastry chef/owner Ginny Richardson pleasantly surprises everyone with an upscale bakery in Versailles.

The Brickyard Restaurant, Franklin
The boys from Bosnia via Bowling Green do it again on the border of Tennessee.

Basa, Louisville
Upscale, dinner only, Vietnamese restaurant has been an instant success in Crescent Hill.

Shiraz, Louisville
Everyone needs help ordering this Persian food and then they just love it.

Mojito’s, Louisville
The creators of Havana Rumba Restaurant are two-for-two with this new tapas concept.

Smashing Tomato, Lexington
The founder of Fazoli’s is rolling out this new fast casual Italian concept that looks like a winner.

Veranese, Louisville
Solid reviews from The Courier-Journal and Hotbytes blog.


Independent Steak Restaurant - Presented by the Kentucky Beef Council

Malone’s, Lexington
Its popularity just keeps growing with a third Lexington location on the drawing board.

Mike and Jimmy’s Chophouse, Crestview Hills
Chef/owners Jim Gerhardt and Michael Cunha bring a nice style to northern Kentucky.

Jeff Ruby’s, Louisville
This place is dripping with opulence and great food. You feel famous just by eating there.


Charlie’s Steakhouse, Oak Grove
Fort Campbell marches in for steaks that hang over the edge of the plate.

Little Taste of Texas, Glasgow
Winners of the Beef Backer award for their choice of meats.

Cattleman’s Roadhouse, Shelbyville
Steak and salad bar have been the right combination to launch growing venture off I-64, at exit 32.


Business Lunch Restaurant - Presented by The Lane Report

Bellini’s, Lexington
Excellent Italian food in a renovated downtown space that now includes a bakery, banquet room and classy martini bar.

440 Main, Bowling Green
Upscale and casual, a downtown favorite for food and drinks.

Vincenzo’s, Louisville
The way fine dining was meant to be. Your clients will be impressed.

Bristol Bar & Grille, Louisville
Selecting Bristol’s as the place for a business lunch is always a good choice.

Sarafini’s, Frankfort
The obvious choice for a business lunch in Kentucky’s state capital.

Z’s Oyster Bar, Louisville
On restaurant row (Hurstbourne Lane) in Louisville, Z’s stands up to the chains.

Briar Patch, Owensboro
A steak and prime rib restaurant found in the BBQ capital.


Exploring Kentucky Award

Courthouse Café, Whitesburg
Mary Richardson offers five different daily specials. Son Jared is partner in Wallace Station in Midway.

Chirico Ristorante, Pikeville
Known for enormous portions by those dining in the Pensan Hotel.

Billy Ray’s, Prestonsburg
A three-meals-a-day restaurant, with hamburgers that go three hands high. Incredible desserts.

Hot Diggity Dog, Cadiz
Serving Nathan’s hot dogs to provide taste of NYC in Western Kentucky.

Patti’s Settlement, Grand Rivers
A restaurant that comprises an entire town, with shopping, dining and mile-high meringue pies.

The Feed Mill Restaurant, Morganfield
Jambalaya, red beans and rice and etouffee - Cajun cooking in the country.

DiFabio’s, Madisonville
Pure Italian with great atmosphere.

Doe Run Inn, Brandenburg
Scenic, quiet setting known for fried chicken and other country cooking.


Kentucky Winery-Presented by Kentucky Grape and Wine Council

Talon Winery, Lexington
Tobacco barn became reception hall.

Equus Run Winery, Midway
Concerts have grown to attract thousands.

Springhill Winery, Springhill
Historic bed and breakfast near Bardstown.

Lover’s Leap Winery, Lawrenceburg
Nestled in the hills by the Kentucky River.

Jean Farris Winery, Lexington
Horse country winery with nice café.

Chrisman Mill Winery, Nicholasville
Celebrate their winery’s 10th anniversary this December.

Elk Creek Winery, Owenton
Winery includes a spectacular lodge with three-story stone hearth fireplace.

Smith-Berry Winery, New Castle
They converted a dairy barn into an art gallery.

In Town Winery, Louisville
Buying grapes in Kentucky and making wine in downtown Louisville bistro.

Acres of Land Winery, Richmond
A scenic drive off the beaten path.

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