My Next Thirty Years

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Louisville Restaurant Resolution List (Update 1)

A few months ago, I posted about my resolution to try as many Louisville restaurants as I could. I've managed to make some more progress on my list, and I'm going to go ahead and advise you to get a pen so you can add these excellent eateries to yours...

1. ~~The Post~~
2. Joella's Hot Chicken
3. Feast
4. Over the Nine
5. Harvest
6. ~~Zeggz~~
7. Nord's Bakery
8. Against the Grain Brewery
9. Hi Five Donuts
10. Blaze
11. Ghyslain
12. Wild Rita's
13. Jeff Ruby's
14. ~~Fontleroy's~~
15. Please & Thank You
16. RIVUE
17. ~~Big Four Burgers~~
18. Stout Burgers
19. ~~Sidebar~~
20. El Camino
21. The Hub
22. ~~Royals~~
23. ~~Monnik~~

Basically this update should be named "The Search for the Best Burger" because I ordered cheeseburgers at five of the six restaurants. And you know what? I'd do it all over again.

Back in February, my friend Melissa and I visited Fontleroy's in The Highlands and oh. My. Macaroni. We shared the macaroni and cheese to start and I could probably just eat that for my meal and be blissfully content. Then again, the chicken and waffles on their menu might have to be eaten on my next visit. I got the burger at my brother's recommendation (sans egg 'cause I keep it simple y'all) and it was delicious! The service was excellent and the modern decor made for a wonderful dining experience. See you again soon, Macaroni, I mean, Fontleroy's.

Monnik wasn't originally on my list, but thanks to a great suggestion from my friend Emily, this Germantown gem definitely earned its place. From the pretzel bun, to the beer cheese, to the onion ring, this burger had a lot to be happy about. I suggest you grab your friends, gather around their large tables (made from old bowling alley lanes), and get your grub on as soon as possible. Tara, Deanna, and Emily, when are we going back?

To celebrate my new job, Melissa and I hit up the one non-burger joint on this post, Royals Hot Chicken. The math is simple, people: hot chicken + potato wedges + chocolate milkshake = YUM. A cool vibe + friendly service + delicious food = I will be back soon.

I have been wanting to try Big Four Burgers + Beer for quite some time. Though it's technically not located in Louisville, this New Albany eatery is worth the trip over the bridge. With so many different burgers to choose from, you're sure to find one that pleases your palate.

Between concerts & Louisville basketball games, I've been to the Yum! Center more times than I can count. And yet for some unknown reason, I had never visited its next door neighbor, Sidebar, until last Thursday. As a self-proclaimed cheeseburger aficionado, you can trust me when I say that this is the best cheeseburger I've ever eaten in this city (or anywhere else). A soft pretzel bun, beer cheese, juicy beef, and a side of crispy sweet potato fries are the things my dreams are made of. I'm seriously ready to go back right now.

Thank you, Melissa, Jenny, Deanna, Tara, Emily, and Jill for joining me on my food journey! It's safe to say that my Louisville restaurant resolution is already my favorite New Year's resolution ever. With plans to visit Feast and The Hub already on my calendar, I'm looking forward to crossing more delicious diners off my list. Do you have any others that you think I should add?

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Louisville Restaurant Resolution List

Every new year I resolve to lose weight and get more organized. This year I decided to make a resolution I knew I could actually keep: to visit as many different Louisville restaurants as possible. So last week I spent one of my three snow days being super productive; and by super productive, I mean I sat on the couch and made a list of all the places in town at which I want to eat.

It's no secret that Louisville has one of the best food scenes around. Some of my favorites include The Silver Dollar, Grind Burger Kitchen, Mussel & Burger Bar, Cafe Lou Lou, Napa River Grill, and The Irish Rover. As ecstatic as I am when my friends suggests we visit one of those delicious places, there are so many more eateries in town I've been wanting to try.

I looked to the Instagram account "EatLoveLouisville" for inspiration, and created the following list:

1. ~~The Post~~
2. Joella's Hot Chicken
3. Feast
4. Over the Nine
5. Harvest
6. ~~Zeggz~~
7. Nord's Bakery
8. Against the Grain Brewery
9. Hi Five Donuts
10. Blaze
11. Ghyslain
12. Wild Rita's
13. Jeff Ruby's
14. Fontleroy's
15. Please & Thank You
16. RIVUE
17. Big Four Burgers
18. Stout Burgers
19. Sidebar
20. El Camino
21. The Hub
22. Royals
23. Monnik
24. Check's Cafe

This weekend I was able to visit two of the spots on my list, and let me just say that they did not disappoint.

On Saturday, my cousin Tara and I ventured out to The Post for some New York-style pizza.

Tara ordered the meatball calzone, for which she had to get a to-go box because it was so large (and yummy). I got a "giant slice" of pepperoni and it was a giant delight.

The atmosphere was fun and laid-back, and my bill was under five dollars, folks. I will report back to The Post for sure.

On Sunday, my friends Erin and Jenny accompanied me to Zeggz for brunch. The girls opted for breakfast, while I went the lunch route and got "The Big Z".

It was truly one of the best burgers I've ever eaten, and the seasoning on their fries was sensational. Erin also ordered a skillet cinnamon roll for us to share, and it was the sweet stuff dreams are made of.

I'm pleased to say the first two restaurants on my list were a hit, and I can't wait to try the others. If you've been to any of the eateries I'm hoping to visit, please let me know what you thought and what you would recommend. Are there any additions you think I should make to the list?

Here's to fabulous food, family, friends, and fun!

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Twenty-Fifteen Blessings

I'm not going to sugarcoat it. 2015 hasn't been my favorite year. I've spent a lot of it sick and stressed out. By the lack of posts, it's obvious I haven't exactly been inspired to write.

But as I lay on the couch watching football on the final day of 2015, I thought about how I've always done a year-in-review since I started this blog, and while I'm sure all (thirteen) of my readers' lives would go on just fine without it, I didn't want to have any regrets and thus, I convinced myself to follow suit.

And you know what? I'm really glad that I did. Because as I started looking back at the pictures I've taken this year, I realized that a lot of wonderful things happened. So while at times I have felt really stressed, 2015 has truly been another year about which to feel blessed...

I got to start the year with some of my favorite Bellarmine peeps.

Derby Day at my aunt's house meant family, fishing, and fun.

Watching The Bachelor with Angie and Courtney made Mondays worth waking up for.

I loved having my sweet niece visit my classroom!

I had yet another fabulous trip with my DT girls, which included a walking tour of downtown Cincinnati and a stay at the luxurious 21C Hotel.

Mom being kidney cancer-free has become one of my favorite anniversaries to commemorate; 8 years and counting!

I loved being with my Grandma in Indianapolis to celebrate her 86th birthday.

It was so special to be at the hospital when Anderson met baby brother Brody.

Treat Yo Self 2015 was such a good day, it got its own post this year.

I'm so grateful our whole family could be at the lake together this summer; nothing makes me happier than when we are all together.

I had a ball (pun intended) planning the baseball-themed baby shower for Kate and little Lucas!

I enjoyed getting to know my fellow bridesmaids and getting to see my friend of 20 years tie the knot.

The highlight of the year was definitely the birth of my nephew! He is so precious and I've loved seeing him grow the past three months. My niece adores him and it has warmed my heart to see her as a big sister.

Speaking of the (little) big sister, we started spending every Wednesday night with my niece, and by we I mean my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and me. From touring Target to looking at Christmas lights, I've enjoyed every moment of our weekly outings.

There was no way I could lose getting to attend the Bellarmine-Louisville basketball game with Terry, Dan, Tara, Jill, and Andy. Go Knights! Go Cards! Go Family!

Seeing Straight No Chaser for the third time with my girls Jenny and Erin was delightful. Note: if you haven't heard them sing, I suggest you remedy that.

Spending Christmas Day with these two sweeties was the greatest gift of all!

From the moment I saw Darrell Griffith & Denny Crum at the Hard Rock Cafe, until the final second ticked off the game clock at Nissan Stadium, I loved my Music City Bowl experience. Cheering my Cards on to victory over Texas A & M in Nashville was a wonderful way to wrap up the year.

With such supportive family and friends, it's clear that I truly am too blessed to be stressed, and I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Treat Yo Self 2015

We had another brutal winter, and amid the many snow days, I discovered I'm allergic to dogs, cats, and among other things, cockroaches (neat). In addition, I learned the spectacular news that I have a nephew on the way (McNugget # 2!), and we celebrated Mom's 8-year cancer-free anniversary!

Back in April, when the snow had thawed but it felt like summer would never get here (we were in school until JUNE FIFTEENTH, people), my friend Joey and I needed a light at the end of tunnel, so to speak. I don't exactly remember, but I'm pretty sure our conversation went something like this:

Me: We should have a Treat Yo Self Day.

Joey: What's that?

Me: Watch this...

If you're like Joey and find yourself unfamiliar with what it means to "Treat Yo Self", you should go ahead and watch this short clip from the hilarious show Parks and Rec: