[DubaiRich]

If you don't have reservations, see if bar seating is available. That works here in Napa

[wtwo3]

Any good hiking recommendations near Greenville? Something close by that can be done within 2-3 hours (including getting there and back). I have the Pinnacle Mountain trail hike on my itinerary for now, but might be cutting it close between doing that and getting back to the hotel in time to shower and check out. Will ask for a late checkout, but that's obviously not guaranteed.

[n33d4speed]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Any good hiking recommendations near Greenville? Something close by that can be done within 2-3 hours (including getting there and back). I have the Pinnacle Mountain trail hike on my itinerary for now, but might be cutting it close between doing that and getting back to the hotel in time to shower and check out. Will ask for a late checkout, but that's obviously not guaranteed.

Check out Paris Mountain. Its not full of waterfalls as some, but its a great hike and very close to greenville.

[2000cs]

Louisville restaurants (I’ve eaten at all of them and enjoyed them, but it has been three years since I’ve been to Louisville):

Jeff Ruby downtown is very good steak house, bar etc. Hotel is good for river view if you get a room on that side.

Near Jeff Ruby is Proof, more trendy and very good. You’re near the Ali museum and Louisville Slugger tour so might as well see those.

Also good are Porcini, Varanese and Volare. There was another great old style steak house (think dark ambience, steak, bourbon, boxing) I think called Jack something but I can’t find it anymore.

[2000cs]

A friend in Louisville tells me Le Moo is excellent. lemoorestaurant.com
Also Swizzle Dinner and Drinks, and Grassa Gamma

Jack Fry’s is the steak place I was trying to recall in the previous post: www.jackfrys.com

Tons of restaurants in the ‘ville. Also locals say Loo-uh-ville, or luvul; never looey-ville

[2000cs]

In KY, bourbon tours are pretty interesting. Again my knowledge is pre-covid, but I always thought the tour of Woodford Reserve was the best (most comprehensive and pretty compact, largely indoors). Makers Mark is excellent but more buildings/walking/outdoors so less enjoyable when cold or raining. They have a great collection of Chihuly glass on display too. Four Roses is in two sites (driving distance) but as a smaller scale distillery it is a good tour too. There are many others to choose from https://kybourbontrail.com/

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by n33d4speed

Check out Paris Mountain. Its not full of waterfalls as some, but its a great hike and very close to greenville.

Perfect! Brissy Ridge Trail on Paris Mountain looks like it's very doable in a short period of time and it'll be just a half hour drive away from the hotel (as opposed to the hour long drive to Pinnacle Mountain).

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Louisville restaurants (I’ve eaten at all of them and enjoyed them, but it has been three years since I’ve been to Louisville):

Jeff Ruby downtown is very good steak house, bar etc. Hotel is good for river view if you get a room on that side.

Near Jeff Ruby is Proof, more trendy and very good. You’re near the Ali museum and Louisville Slugger tour so might as well see those.

Also good are Porcini, Varanese and Volare. There was another great old style steak house (think dark ambience, steak, bourbon, boxing) I think called Jack something but I can’t find it anymore.

Nice! I'll check these out. Was waiting for someone to give some Louisville recommendations

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

A friend in Louisville tells me Le Moo is excellent. lemoorestaurant.com
Also Swizzle Dinner and Drinks, and Grassa Gamma

Jack Fry’s is the steak place I was trying to recall in the previous post: www.jackfrys.com

Tons of restaurants in the ‘ville. Also locals say Loo-uh-ville, or luvul; never looey-ville

I've been saying Looey-ville my whole life I've only been there once and we stopped at the Mussel and Burger Bar which was decent. Also saw a random shop which claimed "best cookies in KY" so of course we had to try them.

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I've been saying Looey-ville my whole life I've only been there once and we stopped at the Mussel and Burger Bar which was decent. Also saw a random shop which claimed "best cookies in KY" so of course we had to try them.

That’s how Dick Vitale pronounces it and lots of locals hate him for it!

If your route goes through Lex (I-75), you can take US60 which goes through Versailles (ver-sales) and that is the closest access to Woodford Reserve. As you get closer to I-64 (to L’ville) there is a candy shop on the left, Rebecca Ruth. Excellent bourbon balls to be had there. They also have a shop in Frankfort near Buffalo Trace distillery, but I’m thinking that will be out of your way.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

A friend in Louisville tells me Le Moo is excellent. lemoorestaurant.com
Also Swizzle Dinner and Drinks, and Grassa Gamma

Jack Fry’s is the steak place I was trying to recall in the previous post: www.jackfrys.com

Tons of restaurants in the ‘ville. Also locals say Loo-uh-ville, or luvul; never looey-ville

What if I wanted more of a "Loo-uh-ville" experience? Doesn't have to be a nicer, fancy spot - but something makes me feel like I'm in Louisville. I came across this place called "Royals Hot chicken" and am wondering if that's any good. It's got more of that "hole in the wall" type vibe.

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

What if I wanted more of a "Loo-uh-ville" experience? Doesn't have to be a nicer, fancy spot - but something makes me feel like I'm in Louisville. I came across this place called "Royals Hot chicken" and am wondering if that's any good. It's got more of that "hole in the wall" type vibe.

There are more restaurants in Louisville than a resident could ever try. All kinds of neighborhood experiences as well as the downtown area (Jeff Rubys and Proof), and the Bardstown Road area, Frankfort Road area, Butchertown, etc. But I don’t know that anything really is unique to Louisville in terms of a food style or type.

I think it might be best to pick the area where you want to go, like Butchertown for example, and stay in or nearby and hopefully walk to dinner. But you might have to use OpenTable or Yelp to find a place.

You can get a great steak in Chicago (and pizza), so I guess I’d look for something more like Proof or the Italian places.

One unique thing about Louisville food that you might look for if interested: Virtually all Maine lobster sold in the USA is shipped via UPS though their hub in Louisville. Massive holding tanks, apparently. So outside of New England, some of the freshest and best lobster is in Louisville!

It’s been too long since I’ve been in town to give any better recommendations. I asked a friend who lives in the suburbs and several of the restaurants are his suggestions. That’s about as much as I can offer.

[kscarrol]

My only visit to Louisville was for a nephew's wedding and we ate at a place called River House which was quite good with some excellent seafood and of course a huge selection of bourbons...

[x3sm]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Hey don’t forget Limones…. Also I second Red Stag. I didn’t mention it because our last visit there was not good - they were having issues in the kitchen and they made it right in the bill. But it is a normally a great place and we will go back again when we are there.

x3sm where are you in Asheville? My wife and I have a condo downtown (part-time residents).

Hey! I’m in West Asheville, right off Smokey Park Hwy, wife is originally from Asheville. Everything fell into place and we just moved down here 2 months ago from MA. We used to visit a lot and finally made the move. Downtown condo you say? Lucky you! How often are you in Asheville?

[jwalther]

From a native, it's Lou-uh-vull. Emphasize "Lou," swallow the "uh" and you'll fit right in.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by x3sm

Hey! I’m in West Asheville, right off Smokey Park Hwy, wife is originally from Asheville. Everything fell into place and we just moved down here 2 months ago from MA. We used to visit a lot and finally made the move. Downtown condo you say? Lucky you! How often are you in Asheville?

Unfortunately we aren’t there very often. We bought the place pre-construction and my wife decided to go back to work while it was being constructed (and loves the job, provides benefits, etc.) so we are a bit constrained in getting up there for now. Fortunately, I can work anywhere so eventually we hope to get up there (and out of the heat / hurricanes) for most of the summer each year. Just can’t do that yet. We also used to visit a lot before we bought the place. Our dogs (past and present) also love being there.