We understood the hype of this one! Came here with my mom for a late Mother's Day dinner and sat at…read morethe bar. The restaurant is lively, bustling, and they even had excellent live music. The service was phenomenal - from the hostess to the bartenders, you could tell everyone took pride in their role and was proud of their food and the experience they provide to their guests. The bread service is warm sourdough bread served with dipping oil that has roasted garlic cloves inside - yum! For dinner, mom had their sea bass special which was excellent. I went all out and got the 16 layer lasagna, which has 4 different types of meats. Soooo good and the size was large enough that I had the leftovers again the next night. Can't wait to come back and try more items on the menu. One of the best Italian spots in Louisville - 5/5!

By far, one of THE best pasta dishes I've ever had and I lived in Italy for 3 years. The gravy was…read morelush and silky smooth. It was smoother than the satin pillows I use to keep my hair in check while I sleep. The Pappardelle Boscaiola's perfectly choppes applewood bacon practically melted in my mouth. I barely had to chew it for it to saunter its way down my throat to my waiting belly. There is something to be said about fresh pasta & these folks used all of my ten dollar words when bouncing ideas off one another in creating it. The only thing I didn't care for were the 'shrooms and it had nothing all to day with preparation or the cook of them but rather my dental work. That pasta dish was so delicious I contemplated another one to go for a midnight snack! In all seriousness, if you can make it, I totally recommend it. Bestie had the Lasagne Al Fornno and it was also delectable. I specifically saved room for dessert and the Tiramisu was not a disappointment. Seriously folks, go! Run! It's just that good. The folks were friendly, Gary was a superb server with excellent recommendations & despite it being a coldish night, our patio seating was warm and comfy. I'm gonna be sad to leave this city. We have enjoyed ourselves immensely and if I ever make it back, bar bites are next up.

Everything was wonderful!! The service the food and the owners were wonderful!! Very comfortable…read moreatmosphere. Will be back again.

What a wonderful restaurant with outstanding food. Owners cannot be nicer. The mantu is delicious…read moreand the qabili pilau is one of my favorites. The italian side of the menu is prepared by a chef/owner who has spent 20 years working for one of Louisville's premier italian restaurants. You cannot go wrong with this restaurant's food and prices. The restaurant is located near Hikes Point and Old Bardstown Rd and has limited seating.

Food, service and ambiance was all incredible!! Small family atmosphere is lovely and everyone…read moreworked together to make sure you had what you needed and taken care of. Really made us feel special. The food was amazing. Tasted home cooked and fresh! A really great place for any occasion or just catching up with friends over dinner!

My wife and I's go to spot when looking for an Italian dinner. The bruschetta is made with more of…read morea paste like spread and is not what I would consider traditional but man is it great!

Great patio ambiance and an excellent menu! I love Cajun food but my wife does not, so the variety…read morehere was perfect for both of us. The Boudin Balls are fantastic--easily better than most I've tried. I always order gumbo when it's on a menu, and theirs is a very solid choice, but the She Crab Bisque completely stole the show. It is excellent! We look forward to coming back!

Lou Lou on Market hits a few marks - those that want to experience it for their menu, either brunch…read moreor dinner and those that want to sit on the patio or in a speakeasy environment for a cocktail. I visited this location to meet up with friends having dinner. They really enjoyed both of their dishes. The chicken carbonara is always a stand out here. They also shared a salmon appetizer however, I heard them both remarked how seasoned and salty it was. The patio is quite large. We had made a reservation, and although we requested to sit there, that didn't happen. A table for two was the only option. So we replaced inside near a window, which was as close to being outside as you could be, but be forewarned. It will be a warmer seating area with the sun coming through the window. The speakeasy downstairs looked enjoyable. I loved the lounging couches and chair chairs when you first went down the steps. It offers a particular vibe without it necessarily being hidden or extremely dark inside. Put this on your list as your destination spot or to grab a cocktail before or after a show downtown. Parking is street parking, which is competitive for all the other venues around the area. Make sure to download your parking app because most of it is metered until a certain hour of the evening.

We heard about the $22 Monday Meal Deal from friends and decided to try Grassa Gramma for…read moreourselves. The deal includes an entrée, salad, focaccia, and a glass of wine. We ordered the rigatoni, one with vodka sauce and one with chicken, cheese, and butter. The space was beautiful, the vibe was great, our server was excellent, and the food was delicious (with enough for leftovers, which is always a win). We'll definitely be back.

It's been a while since our last visit and there was a new "sheriff" in town. Ok, a new general…read moremanager, and things had slipped a bit. The food was still excellent, but service was off. Grassa Gramma has a Monday night special. $22 for a specific entree, salad & a glass of wine. If you don't have reservations, you probably won't get seated. But knowing the expected crowd, there's really no reason to be short staffed. The table seated next to us, already ordered prior to us arriving, was served after us. Our service wasn't so severe, but we had some difficulty snagging a server for salt & pepper, or, even a water refill. What really dinged the experience, was a small cup of salad dressing slipped off the table and hit the floor. It was never cleaned up. We had pointed it out to our server, food runner, and the busboy. Not one of them bothered to clean up the mess. Grassa Gramma can be an elevating experience. Superior food, service and ambience. Tonight, they had a few missteps. But it didn't stop us from enjoying our dinner.

I've been a regular at Bar Vetti for years and it's still one of my favorite spots in Louisville…read more The pastas are consistently excellent, the service is warm and attentive, and the sexy, stylish decor makes it a fun place to linger. It's perfectly located in the vibrant Nulu neighborhood too.In the colder months I always go for the cacio e pepe, and once spring hits I'm all about their smashed meatball sandwich. The cocktails and wine list are outstanding as well. Highly recommend if you're in the area!

We stopped in for brunch on a Saturday between bourbon tastings…read more There is not much pasta on the brunch menu, which was a bit disappointing, but they do have meatballs. They are smothered in cheese and sauce on a bed of grits. The grits are great but I would have liked a little less sauce to enjoy them straight. The meatballs have a good flavor but could use a little more fat; the cheese helps a bit. The spritzes are fantastic and you should definitely start with one. Get the Venetian if you like a pop of bitterness in your drinks.

Pizza Lupo feels like one of those places you discover through a recommendation rather than by…read moreaccident. Tucked away on Frankfort Avenue, it's a little off the beaten path, and parking can be an adventure. There's a small lot by the restaurant with overflow parking further down the hill. Somehow we managed to snag the only open space right outside the front door, which felt like winning a very specific Louisville lottery. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation and the place was already buzzing. It was packed with locals, which is usually a good sign. While our table was being bussed, three different employees checked to make sure we were being helped. We let them know we were just a little early and waiting on our table, but it spoke volumes about the attentiveness of the staff. The atmosphere is exactly what you want from a neighbourhood pizza spot: relaxed, lively, and unpretentious. The soundtrack quietly floating through the speakers was a crate-digger's delight, full of songs that have been sampled throughout hip-hop history. Hearing Lynn Collins' Think (About It) while waiting for dinner felt particularly apt following the recent passing of Rob Base. The song's iconic break became the foundation of It Takes Two, one of hip-hop's most recognisable records, and it was a nice reminder of how deeply great music connects generations. To start, we ordered the Olives & Togarashi, a bowl of Castelvetrano olives coated in a wonderfully aromatic blend of spices with notes of fennel, sesame and citrus. My son tried his first olive and was genuinely shocked by the flavour. He'll come around eventually. For the main event, we ordered three large pizzas: the DOP Margherita, the Funghi and the Original Sting. The DOP Margherita showcases imported buffalo mozzarella from Campania alongside basil and San Marzano tomatoes. The Funghi is loaded with an incredible blend of mushrooms, taleggio, pecorino cream and mozzarella. The Original Sting combines soppressata, fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato and spicy local honey in a sweet-and-savoury combination that completely works. Now, let's talk about the crust. It is perfect. Pillowy and light, yet substantial enough to give you that satisfying chew. The wood-fired oven creates just the right amount of charred bubbling around the edges. Our server offered house-made ranch and other dipping sauces for the crust, but we politely declined. This pizza doesn't need any enhancers. The balance of flavours across all three pies was exceptional. I've eaten pizza all over the world, and Pizza Lupo belongs in that conversation. It really is that good. We had a plan: sample all three pizzas and leave just enough room to split the tiramisu. Thankfully, we stuck to it. The tiramisu was fresh, light and beautifully balanced. Not overly sweet, nicely moist, with just enough espresso flavour coming through. It was the perfect finish to an outstanding meal. The service was fast without feeling rushed, friendly without feeling scripted, and genuine throughout the evening. We left full, not bloated, and happy as spring lambs, already talking about what we'd order next time. We'll defo be back. Cheers, Sam

Pizza Lupo was on our radar forever, so we finally made a reservation for date night and I'm…read moremarking it as one of my favorite pizzas Ive had in Louisville. Theyre doing wood fired Neapolitan style pizza with sourdough. It has a really amazing chewy texture. We went with the Puttanesca.. briny and tasty. Good with wine, too. We also got the Fungi with a variety of local mushrooms. We also loved the funky Caesar salad with anchovies.. i love anchovies... The space has a cool, intimate atmosphere that's great for couples or small groups, the staff is super friendly, and they've got fun merch for sale at the front. It's a bit hidden but 100% worth finding. Highly recommend, especially if you love authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.

Walked in with no reservations and sat at the bar. We were greeted by Jessica the bartender…read more Jessica was the absolute best. She was professional and so very pleasant to talk to and ask questions about drinks and the menu. It was a beautiful little place and the food was wonderful. I highly recommend Perso. We had the flat bread with ricotta and prosciutto with a vegan entree of hen of the woods in a pea sauce and it was so very tasty and full of flavor.

Delicious as always! The sour cherry pork eclair was innovative and a wonderful start to the meal…read more I appreciate the nonalcoholic cocktails and the preserved lemon salt on the rim of my blood orange NA margarita was delightful.

It's been a while since I've been here and the food was delicious! Sad to say it will close by the…read moreend of the year, so make reservations and go! Reservations can be made online through open table and it's extremely easy to book. Side note, your entire party will need to be there before you are seated. The restaurant is cozy and inviting, located on Frankfort Avenue. They have a full drink menu and plenty of wine to choose from. They also offered several specials when we dined there. We opted for the bruschetta topped with mozzarella and served with tomato basil drip. Then the fresh bread arrived and my goodness was it good. It was fluffy with a crunchy exterior, perfect for dipping into the sauce of our entrees. They have lots of pasta options, including a build your own pasta with a choose of noodles, sauce and meat. I was torn between the piccata or Marsala, but wanted something fresh and bright - the piccata did not disappoint. the chicken was moist, the capers were huge and the sauce was bright and tart. I would definitely order it again. I've already made reservations to go back in December!

If you're looking for a place that makes you feel like you've accidentally stumbled into an Italian…read morenonna's kitchen--minus the guilt of sneaking extra lasagna--di Fabio Casapela is your spot. From the moment we walked in, the service was so warm and genuine. Now, let's talk about the food because holy cannoli--it was chef's kiss worthy. We started with escargot, which was excellent. Then came the caprese pasta with grilled shrimp. Imagine tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and shrimp having a delicious little party on your plate. The lasagna and manicotti, bathed in pink sauce so rich and creamy, made me question my life choices up to that point. Of course, this Italian feast needed wine worthy of the gods--Chianti, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc all played their parts beautifully, like the perfect musical trio backing an epic food opera. If you want authentic flavors, a staff that treats you like family, and the kind of meal that makes you want to book a one-way ticket to Italy (or at least come back here next weekend), di Fabio Casapela is your new happy place. Mangia, mangia!

Amazing environment, excellent food, stellar service!…read more Lighting is such an important, but often overlooked aspect of a room. Ciao has created one of the warmest, coziest spaces in town with just a ton of bulbs that are warm (low K) and low lumens to make everything feel soft. Combined with all the exposed wood and metal, much of it harkening back to Louisville's shipping of bourbon barrels, it is just a lovely space to dine. Our party was large, so we ate in the private room upstairs. The food was buffet style and still very good. Quite a bit to choose from, even on the abbreviated menu. I have to talk about desserts, though. That Basque cheesecake was art. So much fluffier than a New York Style, with amazing flavor and a perfect sauce. Wherever you're eating, private room, a cozy table or even at the bar, Ciao is going to treat you well!

Met friends here for dinner and free parking available on the nearby street. Interesting building…read moreand interior was lovely. Noise level was high and made conversation very difficult. Service was slow and timing between courses was noticeable. We had to ask for several items multiple times (silverware, water refills, cocktail order, final check) and this seemed to irk our server slightly and the dining room manager quite a bit. We felt like we were a bother. Ah well. Food was okay -- good but not swoon worthy. Might try it again just for a second chance and perhaps as a summer option for an alfresco experience.