Porcini is a great Italian restaurant with excellent food, friendly service, and a casual but nice ambiance. For dinner, we ordered: - Capellini Pomodoro E Basilico, which had Capellini, Fresh Tomatoes, Spinach, Roasted Garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Fresh Basil. It was very good (9/10 rating) with tender pasta and good flavor. - Gamberi E Risotto, which had Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, Spring Vegetable Risotto, and Lemon Garlic Sauce. This was amazing (9/10) with perfectly cooked risotto and nice flavor. We ended our meal with their cannolis. They were very good with a sweet creamy inside and a crispy/flaky shell. (8/10) We will definitely return. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Porcini is a nice but not outstanding Italian restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The fried artichokes are ok - ask for extra lemon. The Vitelli all limone is good. As I for extra lemon and capers. Dessert: do not order the tiramisu! This is a hard rule. Awful. Dry. The white chocolate/ dark chocolate mouse is a Bundt cake with chocolate mouse. It's ok. The espresso martini is Bailey's with vida and three espresso beans. The food is ok. The dessert is subpar. The bartender is clueless. A solid 3. read more

Congratulations on your 30+ years of success Tim. That is exceptional in the hospitality business. Only the best get to last!

My book club wanted Italian and tried Porcini for the first time. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I loved the ambiance as soon as I walked in the door.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Everyone we encountered was very friendly and helpful. Our server provided a great rundown of the daily specials, offered us suggestions, and allowed for substitutions. I ordered the Capellini, mainly because our server said it was one of the lighter dishes on the menu. Although it was good, it had a little too much garlic for me. The bread and tea were good. I would like to go back, but would try a different dish. read more

Porcini - Bread and oil. - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I recently stopped in for dinner and overall had a pleasant time. I am going to be nitpicky though because I expect a very high level from restaurants of this caliber. The Mediterranean pasta dish I had blew away one I previously had at another very good Italian restaurant in another city. However, it could have used a few more grilled shrimp and the black olives could have been cut smaller. My bartender was fantastic. No mocktails were on the menu but at my request she offered a few and made me an outstanding lemon flavored one. I appreciated the complimentary bread and olive oil which came poured over grated cheese, but there was too much cheese and too little oil. I was also disappointed to learn that the pasta is not made in house. Still, my pasta dish did have my taste buds dancing with its unique and complex combination of flavors and ingredients. Also, the coffee which I had black was excellent and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the cocktail napkins emblazoned with the restaurant's name made for a classy touch.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The dessert selection was disappointing, though, because only one was on the lighter side which I was looking for after a heavy meal. But, the excellent coffee did work out well to just have instead. read more

Porcini - My Mediterranean pasta dish that had my taste buds dancing! - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Absolutely divine. Filet was cooked perfectly. Sides were exquisite. Husband's cappellini con peche was perfect. Service 5 star. No better place for a sexy meal read more

4.5 stars! I celebrated the holidays with my high school friends at Porcini's this year. We made reservations for the weekend before Christmas, so the place was packed when I arrived. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We had a large table in the side room off the main dining area. It was beautifully decorated for the holidays with a tree and other Christmas lights.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our party arrived at various times but we had a wonderful server who took our drink orders early and wrangled a group of ten. There were a few holiday drink specials which most of us ordered. I stuck with the Bellini and then switched to a few glasses of champagne. We ordered a few appetizers for the table to share including calamari, artichoke, and cheese dip. Everything was very good and shareable with our table of nine. For entrees some chose the special, which was a dish described as "lobster" flavored since it fed off lobsters. I opted for the tried and true chicken Marsala. The food arrived and was beautifully presented, my portion was quite large with two chicken filets, mashed potatoes and asparagus. Our server did an excellent job at sorting through our orders to ensure all checks were correct. We then moved to the bar inside the restaurant and had a few more drinks. The service at the bar was very good and attentive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Loved the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant and the food and service never disappoints.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would highly recommend for a celebratory meal or special occasion. read more

Porcini - Dining table - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Told the server before we ordered that the check would be split by couple. She took the total bill and split it 4 ways. We asked her to split it based on what each couple ordered and she said ok then was gone for like 40 minutes. Talked to manager and he was not helpful and never even said he was sorry. Then at the end we ended having to pay the bill split 4 ways just so we could leave. It was a disaster! The food was good but this experience with the bill overshadowed it. Splitting a check when you told from the beginning is not that much to ask. read more

4.5/5 so I'll round up to 5. My friends, husband, and I came here for dinner tonight on the last night of our Louisville trip and it was a great pick by one of my friends. We were going to get the lemon artichoke appetizer but the special of the day was fried goat cheese balls (so we thought; it ended up being one large cheese ball!) and we went with that instead. It was very good although since it was just one large ball, we had to split it up. Complimentary bread is also provided with a very tasty olive oil and fresh Parmesan blend. I asked our waiter if the spicy sausage in the sausage and gnocchi dish would be super spicy; I ended up ordering it and the gnocchi was fantastic, it was very pillowy, but the spicy sausage was unfortunately a bit too spicy for me (caveat being, I can't handle much spice). I'm still glad I ordered it though, my husband ate the rest of the sausage and it was worth it for the gnocchi. Our friends got that same dish and also lobster ravioli, and my husband got a shrimp pasta dish. I took a bite of some of the pasta in his dish and it was very good, it tasted like it had some basil pesto in it. For dessert my husband and I split the tiramisu, tiramisu is my favorite dessert so I'm a harsh judge and theirs was very delicious - a bit more cake-y than I'm used to and lots of cream on the side, too. The only reason I wouldn't give this restaurant five out of five stars is because I did think waitservice was a little slow. That being said, one of the friends I went with is Italian and said that's just how it's paced sometimes (Americans are used to faster meals). I would definitely come back here and next time maybe get the chicken carbonara or the gnocchi with steak, I saw a picture of the latter and it looked fabulous. read more

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Went here for Valentine's Day. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance was fantastic[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and the server was very personable. She came back often to make sure that we were set, and gave us very great recommendations. Will definitely be back here! read more

I came with a group for an educational presentation in the private room. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I loved that the private room had its own restroom.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was impeccable. The servers were very attentive and kind. All the food was delicious, especially the mini crab cake appetizers! read more

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An expresso martini is $19. Pricey pricey. Sheesh. Ok besides that, the service was excellent. Food was great. Really enjoyed the Gnocchi con Salsiccia. read more

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This place is iconic, one of the best dang restaurants in Louisville. Fantastic drink menu, great pizza, quick service, [[HIGHLIGHT]]terrific atmosphere for a beautiful evening everytime.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Porcini - Cheers Coach - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Outstanding Service from Taylor at Porcini! We had an incredible dining experience at Porcini, and a huge part of that was thanks to our server, Taylor. From the moment we sat down, she was warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. She struck the perfect balance between being present and letting us enjoy our evening, and every recommendation she made was spot-on. Despite our table being part of a larger group, Taylor handled everything seamlessly--orders were accurate, timing was perfect, and drinks were always refreshed without us having to ask. She truly elevated the entire experience with her professionalism, positive energy, and genuine hospitality. Porcini already delivers amazing food, but service like Taylor's is what keeps guests coming back. If you're dining here, you're lucky if she's taking care of you! read more

Holy moley was that bad food. Wow. Was pretty excited based on the cute location but very poor quality of food. The veal? Just don't, trust me. Tough and gummy. The caesar salad was not the artful thoughtful salad you might expect at an Italian place, just not at all worth a second visit. read more

Such an amazing Italian spot! OMG Rivals food I've had in DC and NY. We were looking for a spot that would immediately take a party of 7 after my son's baccalaureate service. As soon as you walk in, you notice the ambiance. The lighting sets the theme for your entire experience. The food was fantastic. Hot, fresh, and delicious. And we were visited a couple times by the owner?? to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. Would definitely recommend this spot to anyone living in, or visiting, the Louisville area! read more

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Porcini is our neighborhood favorite! [[HIGHLIGHT]]My husband and I love to walk up and have dinner at the bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food is always delicious and the service is top notch. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We bring friends sometimes for table service too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There's a reason why Porcini has been a long time Frankfort Avenue business. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great atmosphere for a nice date night or to celebrate a special event![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The wine list was good, and our server was able to give us great recommendations based on what we like. The food was also incredible, and we loved the tiramisu for dessert! read more

Porcini - Gnocchi con Salsiccia - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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when you go to porcini (becuase you have to, because I said so), you HAVE to get the encrusted goat cheese appetizer. if you do not, you are doing a disservice to me, and frankly, all of Louisville and all of those involved in the Italian cuisine community. it is the best thing I have ever had, and would eat the knife it was served with if possible. exquisite. gnocchi and tortellini bomb as well. good service and environment. all around one of the best italian spots in louisville. IF YOU DON'T GET THE ENCRUSTED GOAT CHEESE YOU ARE DEAD TO ME. check out porcini! read more

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I got married!!! Thanks you thank you for all your kind words. Now the most important things after getting married is having a really nice dinner. I grew up in the mid west so this is where my parents would say something like "we had the most expensive meal of our lives but it wasn't that good and we left hungry because the portions were so small." But I agree with none of that. Porcini was fantastic! I had heard about porcini, I even worked a retail job with someone who claimed to be the pastry chef here, but it was more than I would usually spend on just myself. So it made my short list of places to go in my wedding night. After browsing the menu I knew this was the place my wife and I could both be happy with the available food. The restaurant was busy and a little hectic but in the way a nice restaurant is. Loud from a lot of little sounds. We were seated early since the table was ready and on the table was a "Happy anniversary" card since that's the reason I put on the reservation. The waiter came and wished us a happy anniversary before we explained it was our wedding night. We ordered a bottle of terlato Pinot Grigio because it would make us both happy enough. And the panko crusted goat cheese appetizer. The food was delicious. I don't really like cheese but I enjoyed the goat cheese app. When it came time for the entree I had narrowed my choice down 3 options and asked the waiter, Dustin, what was his favorite and he recommended the filet. And he was right. The filet was seasoned and grilled to perfection. The gnocchi was fluffy and fresh. The asparagus was asparagus. A perfectly executed dish. After we finished our entrees the waiter reappeared and told us they had a little something coming out for us and then listed our options for dessert. We ordered the crème brûlée. We got our crème brûlée and then they brought out Prosecco to go along with it. Both were scrumptious. Porcini is a wonderful place for a special occasion. I would go back in a heart beat. read more

Porcini - Filetto con Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Very solid Italian option. It's similar to a number of other spots along Frankfort. Calamari appetizer met expectations - lightly breaded, flavorful dipping sauce. Sampled a variety of pasta dishes and entrees. The risotto with shrimp was delicious, but noticed that the risotto was a tad undercooked. Gnochi was spicy, so be mindful, but was a pleasant departure from more common dishes. Carbonara special was a bit underwhelming - more like alfredo than carbonara. The service was a highlight - good wine recommendations, attentive but not overbearing. The ambiance is a bit old school, but it can get a tad noisy as the restaurant fills. All in all, a good option locally that is pretty consistent and enjoyable. read more

This restaurant was delicious. The artichoke appetizer was great. The bread was ok. The salad was good. The filet with gnocchi and asparagus was superb. Best steak I've had in 10 years. We celebrated our wedding anniversary there. They gave us a free tirasamu for our celebration. The waiting staff works like a great team. I talked to the owner and he was super nice to us. No military discount. Would return in a heart beat. read more

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Girlfriend and I were in town for a long weekend and happened to walk by this place while exploring Crescent Hill. Menu looked good and we're big fans of Italian, so we made reservations and returned a couple hours later for dinner. Taylor, our server, was friendly and efficient. Girlfriend had the vitello al limone and I had the gnocchi con salsiccia, both of which were incredible. This was easily our favorite meal of the weekend. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience was great, with a cozy, dimly-lit vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely worth checking out, and only a 15 minute drive from downtown Louisville. read more

Porcini - Scallops Vitello al Limone - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Came down to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. Made reservations at Porcini for Friday night! Although it being extremely busy and is having to wait for a table everything was spectacular. The staff was excellent, our waiter was awesome and the food was phenomenal! They had a limited menu due to it being derby week - but the variety of options was enough to satisfy all 10 people in our party, including 1 who was gluten free. The only negative was the moscato wine, was not sweet - which I questioned and was told that's what they had.....but I drank it anyway! I got the penne chicken carbonara which was the best I ever had! My husband got the grilled shrimp risotto - which he said was so wonderful. The atmosphere was delightful, super crowded due to it being Derby week - but I truly felt like I was in Italy - so super cool! 10/10 recommendation!!! read more

Incredible first experience at Porcini! Frankfort Avenue is known for its diverse restaurants, but Porcini seems to fly under the radar as new things come and go. Our family decided to come here while my brother was in town to celebrate, and every single thing from start to finish was nothing short of fantastic. We were passing our plates in rotation so that everyone could try each dish. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Quaint, old world style setting, very inviting. We had a 6pm reservation for 6 on a Saturday night and were seated right away and offered menus. We started with glasses of wine, a couple beers, and we split Caesar salads amongst the table. The Caesar was true to form, including a full anchovy atop of each. Fresh, crisp, tasty salad with housemade croutons. Baskets of fresh bread were also served with an olive oil, Parmesan, and cracked pepper dish for dipping. For dinner, I ordered the filet con gnocchi, medium rare, and my husband ordered the pasta carbonara which was based in a red tomato sauce rather than the usual cream sauce you get with most carbonara. Both dishes were fantastic -- I loved getting gnocchi with my steak so to still get to enjoy a bit of pasta. And the green beans served with my meal were a great accompaniment. Very rounded meal, and I left full and happy. The steak was a perfect medium rare, and had a thick char on the outside to enhance the flavor. Husband really enjoyed the carbonara, stating that it was meaty and savory. Will definitely be back for more special occasions. read more

Porcini - Filet Filetto con Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Have been going to this restaurant for years - and until recently considered it our favorite restaurant. NOT anymore. Food quality has greatly declined. Chef doesn't know how to fully cook risotto. It arrived crunchy and way undercooked. Told our server and suggested maybe bring something different since it was inedible. He brought another plate of undercooked, inedible risotto. No adjustment to price of dinner. This wasn't our first bad meal here - but it will be our last. If chef can't cook decent risotto, it shouldn't be on the menu. read more

This place is cute for a date or just a nice place to eat with family too. I thought the place was nicely decorated and I liked the hospitality from the waiters too! I always appreciate kindness and attentiveness when going to a restaurant :) I also enjoyed the bread that comes with the meal! When I went, I got the penne carbonara and the calamari. My boyfriend got the linguini with shrimp and the dishes were good. They definitely give you a lot for the penne carbonera which is nice since the price is $30+. I think I would give this place 4 stars since the service was great and the food was good, but the price just felt like a lot for me. Definitely a nice place to check out though since it's in a cute historical district. read more

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Ok let's start with how hard it is to find the front door! Once we get past that, let's talk about how I waited almost 10 min at the hostess stand before even being acknowledged. For this reason, I'm going to rate service here as a 7/10. Otherwise, once seated our waiter was friendly and attentive. I will rate the atmosphere the same (7/10). The attending crowd was a little stuffy/pompous, yet the establishment itself (restrooms, etc.) is a little outdated. Ratings of the meal by course: -Appetizer (Fritto Di Formaggio Di Capra): 9/10, very tasty with a GREAT red sauce. -Salad (Mista Elevata): 6/10, thought I had the wrong salad due to the lack of Brussels. Despite the plethora of ingredients, the flavors were a tad boring. -Entree (Filetto Con Gnocchi): 7/10, the steak was cooked perfectly and the gnocchi & asparagus were also cooked well. However the sauce just didn't tie it together for me and was a little bland. Maybe some gorgonzola would give it the kick it needs. All in all this restaurant is a solid choice, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend or return. If I were to revisit, I would definitely try an entree with the EXCELLENT Pomodoro sauce. read more

This is my favorite Italian restaurant in Louisville. I wish they would bring the mushroom bruschetta back on their menu. Hopefully they read reviews and will take pity on me and put it back on their menu. It's a perfect dish. Anyways get the calamari if they don't have mushroom brushetta on the menu. I always get the cesare salad too (which is how they spell on their menu but I've never seen it spelled like that) . This salad is my favorite in all of Louisville. I usually get the linguine and clams (linguine con vognole) when they have it or sometimes they will make it for you even if it's off menu. They are so accommodating here if you want something that's not on the menu. Capellini con pesce is my other go to. Seafood pasta in spicy tomato clam broth !! My husband got the lamb chops and risotto . I would get that again as well. Super delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside restaurant is so cozy dark and romantic and the service is always great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat on the patio last time and it was really fun out there as well. It's heated in the winter months.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Really can't go wrong wherever you sit.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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I tried the pizza and the pasta. The pizza 6/10 Didn't have anything special to it. I recommend getting the pasta it was super delicious.We got the spicy sausage gnocchi 8/10 the pasta was Al dente and the sauce was amazing. Their creme brûlée is also delicious. 8/10 the service is 10/10 Great ambience as well. read more

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We had a great late dinner here after the Derby and were lucky enough to score a table for 8. The restaurant was highly recommended by a local who we met at the race who helped us secure a reservation. He was absolutely correct in saying this was a fantastic restaurant with great service. As far as drinks go, we were all over the map with choices but all happy with martinis, espresso martinis or super Tuscans. For starters the standouts were a mushroom toast dish and the elevata salad. For entrees the big wins were the carbonara and the chicken Marsala. We were so full and not a thing didn't meet or exceed expectations. I think we were the last to leave the restaurant that night and the staff was very gracious although I am sure they were exhausted from Derby week. read more

We chose this place for my husband's birthday knowing it was risky. All 6 of us were on the fence but we WANT to like this beloved restaurant. It was so blatantly bad. Calamari was fishy and half the table couldn't eat it. I told them to take it away and tell the chef. Of the 6 entrees, only one liked his. "Espresso" was lukewarm weak coffee in an espresso cup. Limoncello was served in warm glasses. Our bill was over $800 before tip. I asked the server if she'd removed the inedible calamari. Nope. Done. read more

I'd give 3.5 stars because nothing was bad, but disappointing. Our service was pretty slow, our second round of drinks came after 30 minutes and when we were nearly all done eating. My husband and I both got the red clam sauce seafood pasta special and the seafood was plentiful and cooked perfectly, but the dish lacked flavor, though the goat cheese appetizer was delicious. I've had better food for a lesser price point at other Louisville establishments. read more

Poor service, "valet" parking in free street parking which takes away from other businesses. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not a very friendly restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

2nd time coming here a year later with my wife to celebrate. 1st time was good. This time my wife's salmon was raw so I ate for 5-10 mins without her and my Bucatini dish was full of bacon bits/very salty.. I had to pull it out and put it in the side hence a nice pile of bacon that I wouldn't eat. Our server was dry and didn't smile once. 140$ meal should've be $60. read more

Great food and great service. The servers were on top of all our needs for the evening. Couldn't have asked for better service.

Needing a place to eat before one of our many Bourbon tasting sessions, my wife and I decided on Porcini. We arrived a few minutes before they opened, around 5:25 and they already had a long line of people waiting for the doors to open... Having gotten lucky with a parking space, we could sit comfortably in our car until the doors opened.... (they have valet parking so if you want to go during the busy dinner hours, parking will not be an issue) As the minute hand pointed to the 6, the doors opened and patrons poured in.... We went in, told the hostess we had a reservation and were quickly seated. Being the first time I had dined at Porcini, I took in the decor.. .which is all Italian. Our server greeted us and gave us a few minutes to review the drink menu. My wife settled on her standard Old Fashion, I ordered a Bourbon Fizz... I had never heard of such a drink until that night and I must say I now make them at home... Both Drinks were very good... While telling us about the night's special, our server stated that they could substitute veal for some dishes..... With that in mind, we ordered an appetizer of Calamari and continued to try and make up our minds as to what main courses we would enjoy... Our server came back with bread, which was very tasty and soon after our calamari. Since my wife has an issue with shellfish, the hostess graciously provided my wife a round of marinara sauce as I dipped my calamari in the clam sauce that comes with the dish. The calamari was cook perfectly and was very tasteful... I was disappointed in the clam sauce.... Good but not as flavorful as I had hoped.. but good enough that I dipped bread in it after we had cleaned off the calamari plater.... Remembering the "substitute veal" statement I ordered Veal Marsala with mashed potatoes and my wife ordered Gnocchi con Salsiccia: Asiago Gnocchi, Spicy Italian Sausage, Arugula, Roasted Garlic, Pecorino Romano, Toasted Garlic Bread Crumbs, Pomodoro Sauce... Both dishes tasted great. My wife even allowed me a sample of her's... We finished the evening with a Bourbon Chocolate Creme Burlee. All in all a great place to enjoy dinner. The service was as good as the food... No complaints and I am sure we will be back. read more

Porcini posted to Chef in a Box, it was last weeks offer. I was so excited to pick up our meals. This was their first go round with this program so I could tell they had some growing pains. I scheduled to pick up at 5::0, it took 12-15 minutes to pick up. There was a large crowd. All the way home, I could smell the food all the way. I could not wait to eat. This night it was dinner alone. I quickly popped open they chicken Parmesan, which pesto angel hair and asparagus. Portion size was huge. Such a great treat. Cannolis--yum! Can't wait to visit in person. read more

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Porcini on Frankfort Avenue has been a Louisville institution for 27 years. It specializes in fine Northern Italian cuisine. Chef John Plymale has been executive chef for more than two decades. After some bread, it was time to try the decadent Tortelloni Alla Matriciana (Four Cheese Stuff Tortelloni). For my salad, I select the Mista Elevata (Shaved Brussel Sprouts, Pancetta and Baby Kale). For my entrée, the Gnocchi Con Salsiccia (Asiago Stuffed Gnocchi and Spicy Italian Sausage). This dish packed some heat. Perfectly spiced. Cookie, who works the bar, was my server. A 11 veteran, she quickly pointed out the signatures. She said the Tortelloni has been on the menu from the beginning. A delightful, refreshing and memorable meal. A true Louisville classic! read more

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