Does a margarita go with a pizza margherita? Maybe … but that’s not important right now. What’s important right now is that I’m craving pizza, and margherita is one of my favorites. Let’s make one! Continue reading Cook it at home: Pizza margherita!
Category Archives: Commentary
Robin Garr’s musings about food and restaurant matters that don’t fit neatly into the “review” category.
Moby Dick’s drive-through satisfies fishy crave
We had been getting along pretty well without dining out since the pandemic got real last month, but someone in this house has been feeling a serious crave for that Louisville tradition, fried fish on rye.
Sounds reasonable. Let’s get some fish! But where?
As it turns out, quite a few local favorites are offering this local fave for takeout or curb service: The Fish House, Chik’n & Mi, Four Pegs, Hooked on Frankfort, Royals Hot Chicken, Joellas. I’m sure there are plenty more, but I already had my mind set on a favorite: Moby Dick. Continue reading Moby Dick’s drive-through satisfies fishy crave
Cook it at home: Shrimp and grits!
Who doesn’t miss pulling your chair up to a table at a favorite Louisville restaurant and ordering a dish that you love? I sure do!
Of course there’s always takeout, ideally with no-touch curbside delivery, as an alternative way to let the chef show her skills. But here’s another alternite: Why not try your hand at whipping up a restaurant dish at home? This option kills time as we sit in social isolation, and it makes dinner a lot more special than a burger or PB&J. Continue reading Cook it at home: Shrimp and grits!
When life gives you lemons, feed the hungry
When life gives you lemons, make … tarte au citron?
Louisville Chef Matthew Alan Henry is doing something like that, but better, and with a heart that’s as big as the Derby City. Continue reading When life gives you lemons, feed the hungry
Guess who’s driving your dinner
Times are tough for us all as we live through the worst pandemic in living memory, and the restaurant business is being hit hard.
Some of our favorite local eateries are closed, and their servers, kitchen staff, chefs and owners have been scrambling for alternative sources of income.
Many more restaurants are staying open for carryout and delivery. They’re hanging on to at least part of their staff, to cook the meals we love and hustle them out to a line of hungry diners waiting in our cars at the curb.
But how about the good folks who get our hot dinner the last mile to our houses? Continue reading Guess who’s driving your dinner
Is takeout food safe? NC State Extension offers reassurance
These are scary times, and a lot of us are worried about whether it’s safe to eat takeout or delivery food. This chart from NC State Extension at North Carolina State University offers a thoughtful – and generally reassuring – overview.
COVID-19 and food safety FAQ
Is coronavirus a concern with takeout? Continue reading Is takeout food safe? NC State Extension offers reassurance
How can you help? How can you eat? Check these lists.
Our friends in Louisville’s restaurant business are going through very tough times right now, and they need your help. Owners, managers, cooks, kitchen staff, waiters, sommeliers – everyone is facing huge challenges as Covid-19 shuts down dining-in operations for the foreseeable future.
How can you help? We thought you’d never ask! Buy some takeout! Pick up dinner at curb-side delivery! Or have dinner delivered, and thanks to Gov. Andy “Daddy” Beshear’s goodness, have an adult beverage delivered with it, too.
We decided not to reinvent the wheel, since there are already several thorough directories of take-out and such online. Use these links, help your favorite eatery, and enjoy your dinner! Continue reading How can you help? How can you eat? Check these lists.
Here’s how to donate to restaurant worker friends
If you’re not strapped by the falling market and would like to dig down even deeper, why not donate to either of these two fine organizations that are gearing up to assist out-of-work restaurant employees? Continue reading Here’s how to donate to restaurant worker friends
Welcome home, Chickens
Less than two weeks ago, LEO Weekly staff writer Danielle Grady interviewed me for a piece about sick leave in the local hospitality industry. I was glad to help her because I was already writing a similar piece, but she got the assignment first, and it was an important subject. At that time, the buzz phrase going around was “if you feel sick, stay home”, and we discussed how that was really not workable for people who live paycheck to paycheck. It’s also frowned upon in kitchen culture – you come to work, no matter how shitty you feel, or leave your co-workers in a lurch.
That all seems rather quaint now. Continue reading Welcome home, Chickens
You can’t beat the pho at NamNam Café
It’s easy to overlook NamNam Café. It’s tiny, you don’t hear a lot about it, and it’s off on a St. Matthews side street.
But you really shouldn’t miss it. It’s one of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants, even among a dozen strong competitors.
[During the Covid-19 closure of dine-in restaurants, NamNam is offering carryout and curbside pickup for phone orders. Diners may also arrange delivery via Postmates or DoorDash.] Continue reading You can’t beat the pho at NamNam Café