I guess I was expecting more from a place that is to be considered upscale. We were part of a small group and sat at a round table. Great table to talk I'm surprised that the staff di not wear a uniform. They wear I guess whatever they want. Service was inconsistent. Occasional had to ask a couple of times for things. The charcuterie board was good. We did have to ask for a few extra bread pieces a couple of times before they came out. The overall menu is a bit eclectic. I ended up with a pasta dish which was good, but not great and expensive for what you get. read more

Best lemon drop I've ever had! The 21c hotel will let you walk around with your cocktail and check out the latest exhibits. Bartenders know EXACTLY what they're doing! read more

Proof on Main - Lemon drops - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Service was good, attentive staff, always came by to check on us, refilled our waters when it's passed the half way mark in the glass. Ambiance is a very confusing one, it's like fancy but overwelming. Which I guess it's probably the aesthetic and artistic vision that a pleb like me would not understand. Not much of a complaint but more like a there's too much going on. Here comes the big reveal on why the review is so low. The food was outrageously salty. Which goes back to why our waters were constantly refilled. With every bite of food, I had to gulp water as if my life depended on it. The other thing is... The seafood is not very fresh, I know, what do you expect when the closest form of water is the Ohio River but come on. The seafood tasted as if it's been frozen for a while. For 2 girls, we ordered mussels and the rocket shrimp risotto, which isn't a lot of food. We basically got full from all the water than the actual food. read more

Proof on Main - Rocket Shrimp Fettucine and Mussels - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This was another delicious 5 star stop. From the decor, to the food, to the staff, everything was top-notch and prepared perfectly. The art installations create a great vibe, and a unique atmosphere. I went with the Pappardelle Bolognese which was incredible, and my travel mate went with the Bison Burger. Everything was superb and this is a great space to visit. read more

Proof on Main - Pappardelle Bolognese was delicious and cooked perfectly. Better try it. - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

As we worked out the itinerary for our trip to Louisville and our stay at the 21c Museum Hotel, we decided that the easiest thing to do after a long day on the road was to book a table at the restaurant associated with the hotel -- Proof on Main. It was a very good decision. Not only was it convenient, but the food and drinks were excellent. The first item on the menu was an amuse bouche/aperitivo combo -- the chef's amuse du jour and your choice of a Boulevardier, Gin Martini, or Cucumber Vodka Martini. I'm usually a martini guy, but I decided to try something new to me -- the Boulevardier. The amuse was tasty, the drink was excellent -- and now I'm regularly making Boulevardiers at home. For my entrèe I went with the sirloin steak, my companion selected the pork chop, and we added the cast iron skillet cornbread for the table. My steak was cooked to medium rare (as I ordered) and the other items on the plate (sauce, potato, etc.) complemented the meat quite well. The corn bread was outstanding. I do think it complemented my companion's pork a tad better than my steak but I still enjoyed it immensely. I finished off the evening with a dessert flight of local bourbons -- a foreshadowing of the distillery tours to come over the next couple of days. We also stopped in for breakfast a couple of times. The breakfast service was quick and the items I ordered (the 21c Breakfast and the smoked salmon bagel) were also excellent. After the food and a couple cups of coffee -- we were fueled up and ready to start the day. Whether you are staying at the hotel or not, Proof on Main is a high quality establishment and worth stopping in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. read more

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Really fun- sat in the bar. It was packed! Tried some appetizers and in our group we got the burger, mussels and a pasta dish. Part of the museum hotel. I recommend! read more

Proof on Main - Mussels in yummy broth and grilled bread - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Cool vibe. Easy to find parking. Nice staff. Food was excellent. We got so much food and all of it was incredible. From the brussels, bison burger, cornbread, carpaccio, octopus, mushrooms, and Cavatelli - nothing was below average. Loved it here. read more

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I had seen a museum was in the hotel where the restaurant is located which got my attention. The food was very good. I was disappointed that my salad was so small with my frittata. The salad stole the show and the frittata was just OK. My mom loved her chicken & biscuit. The bison burger was excellent. The tuna dish was excellent. The biscuits & gravy were good too. The coffee was good. The restaurant was nice, but the decoration in the bar area was strange. Definitely a different type of experience. If anything the food was good. read more

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Hands down the best place I ate in all of Louisville. First off, the gallery space in the lobby is incredible. VR art, art that expanded into the bathrooms, and incredible large scale photography that actually changes the way you see the world. I actually think this gallery is better than the Speed Museum, no disrespect. The art extends into the bar and the dining room as well. Our server was delightful, the food out of this world. read more

After two bad experiences, I have to be honest. A manager was supposed to call me back but never did. So, I attempted to contact the business first. That being said, I can not, in good faith, recommend Proof. After two $200 checks that were a complete waste (minus the wine), I truly recommend going elsewhere downtown. Food - oversalted both visits. Our server in the bar never came to check on our food. By the time she came back and acknowledged us waving her down after 30 minutes, we decided to leave, as it was too late to order food. I should also note that she was supposed to fix the food issue, disappeared, and never came back. Both visits were before our shows at Kentucky Center. Normally, we visit Proof and drop $200 on the bill, with $50-$70 in gratuity. It took twenty minutes to get our drink orders and another fifteen or so to grab our food. Both visits, we had the same waitress. I called and complained about the first visit, and she did seem to recognize me. So, perhaps she remembered serving me (it was a cluster) the same night that a manager received a call on her... who knows. All I know is that I tried to contact Proof without luck. So, it makes me feel devalued as a hard paying customer. Sadly, we are choosing another restaurant downtown to visit before our season ticket shows. read more

On our last day in Louisville we stopped by Proof on Main for brunch. I absolutely love the artistic design of this place. Their walls are blue with cherry blossoms, and the curtains match. They have some beautiful red hued artwork displayed on those cherry blossom walls. The artwork is borrowed from their sister hotel, 21c Museum Hotel. They had white tablecloths and silverware already laid out. The chandeliers above were all different from one another. I could see from our table the bar area, where they had a countdown for the new year already going. We were here on December 30th. I don't remember the name of our waitress but she was lovely. I got their fruit & granola and a glass of orange juice, my friend got the fried chicken biscuit. My granola was delicious! It came in a large plate with plenty of vanilla yogurt, granola, fresh strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, topped with local honey. My friend's serving of chicken was huge. She also really enjoyed it. My breakfast was very simple, but also very fresh. We enjoyed our time here, as there is so much to see within the artwork. I would love to explore more of their menu on my future visit to Louisville. read more

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Eye candy while you're eating - no competition in Louisville at all!!! Amazing curated exhibit with loads of different styles and mediums, to include interactive exhibits. And that's just the venue... the food is beautifully and so deliberately done that you can't go wrong with basically anything on the menu. We really enjoyed the hamachi as well as the creaminess of the Cesar dressing. The steak was perfectly done - couldn't ask for more. Put this on your short list -- a brilliant place for friends to gather and nosh, and a unique date night option! read more

Proof on Main - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We had just gotten into town after driving about six hours and I desperately needed something to eat. Proof happened to be the first restaurant that we came across while we were walking down the main street area. We duct inside around five 5:30 in the evening on a Saturday night. There were very few tables that were occupied and we were able to be seated right away. It was approximately seven minutes before anybody came to greet us at our table and bring water. The server did apologize profusely for her delayed timing. The menu is very limited. I opted for the bison burger, medium well. Once the order was put in the burger did come out fairly quickly. I will admit I was rather surprised at how large the plate was in comparison to the burger itself. The plate definitely contained more fries than anything else. The burger was great seasoning around the outside once you got into the middle definitely not as much seasoning and wasn't as fully cooked as some of the other areas. Were delicious. Seasoned really well though. read more

Proof on Main - Menu on 10/5/2024 - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Eclectic vibes, friendly service, and great tasting food. Love the ambiance of this spot. They have something for most on the menu, and the servers are very friendly. Shout out to Taylor. read more

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21C has never disappointed and neither did Proof in Main. Veronica is an amazing and cheerful server! Food was beyond delicious. The bourbon selection is great! And the ambiance is happy and upbeat with an fusion of Japanese and Native American 3D art. read more

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Stopped in for a drink while touring. Great atmosphere service and a custom cocktail by Troy! Love! read more

Proof on Main - Custom cocktail! - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I had heard this was the place to try in Louisville. And it did not disappoint. The service, food, and cocktails were all perfect. The menu is fresh, farm to table. They have a nice bourbon list and a good wine list as well. The decor is also great. It's inside an art museum hotel. You can even grab a cocktail and head into the museum. It's awesome. read more

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Super fun and amazing drinks! House made tonic was perfection and our service was great! read more

Proof on Main - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

By far the best food I have had in a very long time. Everything was amazing the biscuits, the breakfast, the brunch, the dinner, the lunch we had to keep coming back to this place multiple times, because of how good it was. Their drinks was also phenomenal, and we literally came here every single day when we were visiting Kentucky, if you are ever in the area and want a good meal, cool people and fantastic drinks I highly recommend you coming to this place because it is the best food I've had in a very, very long time read more

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Food was good, but not destination-worthy. Especially for the prices here. I felt bad for our server. She tried as best she could, but they ended up having to comp us both dessert and a drink because the bar and kitchen were so slow. The Brussels sprouts were the best part of the meal. Never thought 10-year old me would ever say that. read more

Read a lot of good things about this place and after visiting they are all well deserved! The food is amazing, ambiance is cool and service is top notch We started with some cocktails which were perfect. Tasty and well made. For food we started with the Coconut Carrot soup. Incredible. Unique and delicious. Next we had the Crispy fromdosa mushroom were incredible. So many great flavors and every bit was great. Lenin our server was amazing. Great suggestions and spot on service. This place is a must and afterwards check out the cool museum in the hotel! read more

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The food was phenomenal. My favorite dish was the Gnocchi. So delicious. The steak and potatoes were fantastic as well, lightly seared, great cut. Our server was very knowledgeable about local beers and the menu. I wasn't sure I was going to love the funky decor but I really did, at night it was more of a dimly lit vibe and the ambiance was great. read more

Proof on Main - Kale Salad - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I rarely complain, and I rarely write reviews. But this experience was bad enough that I felt the need to write one. I ordered the pimento cheese and bread, which was good and one of the only reasons this place is getting a star. Our waitress was also kind and attentive. But after eating the appetizer, I started to notice flies around the open water pitchers. Okay, I get it, it is hot out and flies often come with the climate. But with the number of places I've been to in Louisville over the past month (over 45 places) I have not seen flies in the dining area anywhere else. I ordered the frittata. Slightly overcooked and lacking in flavor, but not bad. About half way through I notice something peculiar. A black shape cooked into the center of the frittata, embedded in the eggs. I pull it out with my fork: a dead fly. I felt so ill, my partner flagged the server and they took it away. The manager (I'm assuming she was the manager) came out to apologize. She said that it must be the heat. Again, I understand accidents happen. But why would the heat cause a fly to be cooked into my eggs? Additionally: they had me pay for my $10 appetizer. That sort of sealed the deal for me. After an experience that could make a customer sick, why have them pay at all? Again, the server is not to blame whatsoever. She was kind and seemed horrified at the situation. Nevertheless, this genuinely makes me question the cleanliness and care of the kitchen. read more

The atmosphere with a big windows was nice. Our waitress was outstanding and very positive. We had Thanksgiving here. They were booked for Thanksgiving. All I can say is I must've missed something. I don't think I'll have Thanksgiving there again. read more

This is a highly creative and eclectic eatery sourcing fresh ingredients for a uniquely artistic eating experience from the artwork on the walls to the food being served. Our server spent ALOT of time with us describing the menu and making sure we knew what the uncommon ingredients were and how they tasted. She spent so much time that I almost pulled up a chair for her, but we greatly appreciated her menu navigation help and that definitely added to our enjoyment for the evening. The food was delicious. My salmon entree was cooked to perfection and the cauliflower side was so delicious I would be happy with that alone as an entree. The pecan macarons were fresh, airy and full of flavor. And I love how they promote local artists by showcasing their work in the restaurant. read more

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Proof on Main was recommended to me by a colleague and I'm very glad I tried it out. First, there's this giant, golden statue of David in front of the restaurant. (It's also right down the street from the world's largest baseball bat, FWIW). While I didn't check out much more of it than what you could see on the way to the toilets, there's a big art gallery attached to the restaurant. Men, you gotta go in and see the "urinal." Even that is a piece of art. But yeah, the restaurant. The bartender makes a hell of a cocktail. I had been by Copper & Kings Brandy distillery earlier, so I opted for a Brandy Manhattan. It was expertly prepared. Their dark liquor selection was vast and quite impressive. I can't imagine looking at the menu and not being able to find something. I quite enjoyed that there were a selection of various "sizes" of plates; including appetizers, tasting platters, sides and entrees. My waiter explained to me that they pride themselves on their seafood selection, so I opted for some halibut. It came out expertly cooked: flaky and well, but not over seasoned. The veggies were a welcomed supporting cast. If I lived in Louisville, Proof on Main would be one of those places I take my out of town guests to show off the food scene in the area. Great stuff! read more

We were excited to come back here since they have changed their menu. We have came previously while staying at the 21c hotel; it is attached. If you have time, check out their free museum as well! They are wonderful for dinner or late night bites and have a full bar. They make their own Ginger Ale and Tonic Water. The Ginger Ale by itself was delicious but I also got a Ginger Ale with Angel's Envy and it was just the right mix of bourbon and fizz. Our next course consisted of the Brussels and Cornbread, both in the sides menu. The Brussels were sweet and charred, bathed in a cherry and balsamic bath; the Cornbread was sweet and savory, both were delicious on their own. The Cornbread reminded me of Christmas, topped with Applesauce and Butter with green onion and finishing salts. Next, I had the Parsnip soup which was creamy, light, refreshing, a little sweet, a little tart and earthy. The granola, apple pieces and parsnip gave just enough of a crunch to satisfy my need to chew. My husband had the Bison Burger that is from their farm. It was savory and juicy, accompanied by fries. The fresh cut fries were light and crispy, with just the right amount of salt and parsley. We dressed pretty casual, but generally people looked put together and trendy. We saw everything jeans and sweaters to cocktail dresses and suits. Our waitress Patti was fast, knowledgeable and sweet. We look forward to our next return trip to this great restaurant! read more

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Absolutely worth the visit. Excellent menu. Unique decor, the art and layout make for a memorable experience. All the food we tried was excellent. Great drink menu and very well prepared. read more

This place should be called Proof of Life, since there were serious questions of whether we would survive the terrible food courses. This culinary misadventure cost $250 per person for a prix fixe menu during Derby week that seemed lazily created and amateurishly executed. A few of the negative highlights - the scallops were overwhelmingly fishy, the bison tartare was drenched with salt, the rack of lamb was extremely fatty, and the raspberry sauce that the chocolate cake was swimming in was inedibly tart. The people at the table next to us were equally displeased with their meal. We ended up going back to our hotel where we happily ate at the bar and had a much better experience. Despite the horrific food, the ambience was cool and the staff were friendly and attentive - but this could not save the meal from being a complete disaster. read more

One of my favorite grilled cheeses! Very flavorful cheese blend with a carrot soup that is outstanding. Loved the cocktail selection as well. I got the sweet pea which was balanced and crisp. Perfect for brunch! read more

The staff was friendly and very accommodating for our large party of 13. Service was fast. We liked their twist on the drinks and food was delicious. Decor was unique and the art museum added to the fun atmosphere. Highly recommend this local spot for visitors and locals alike! read more

Proof on Main - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I love the ambiance but I ordered the smoked chicken yesterday for dinner, and I am very disappointed. They brought out half a chicken. The smokiness was delicious in the breast part, but then I cut open the le g part - there is a red mark there, and the meat was undercooked. I brought this up with our server and she was very impolite and sounded like I was trying to get the dish for free. She said the chicken was brined, so it was just the vein and it was normal. The chicken was warm and not piping hot when it was served to me. The plate was also not hot when it was served. The leg part of the chicken, the meat was very rubbery texture, as opposed to the breast part that was soft and juicy. Last time I checked, brining won't kill salmonella. But yeah a little finess on how to say it in front of my colleagues during our business dinner would have been polite. Especially because I was nice and polite when I pointed it out, and i did not make a scene. Also the fact that the "vein" was so red, my friend almost threw up when she saw it. But hey, I paid anyway. The server was from or used to live in California and sounded like she knew the wine selection well. But if you go there, enjoy the drinks and cocktails. But don't order the chicken. One star because the ginger ale was absolutely great and refreshing. read more

Proof on Main - Breast was cooked ok. The leg was undercooked. - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Always delicious! Would recommend their brunch or lunch options and then check out the museums in the area! read more

Super cool, extremely eclectic spot with some really good food. Service was good, very friendly, but not extremely thoughtful. Brought shared apps but no serving spoons. Didn't notice empty glasses. Had to check on all specials ( soup of the day, flavors of soda, cookie of the day.. ) Nothing terrible, but still a little frustrating. read more

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This was a fun place to eat in downtown Louisville. You could tell the menu was well curated and each dish that we had was well thought out. Our server was great and attentive and made for an enjoyable evening. read more

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Although the food was great and the server was a nice young man, I waited for one hour for my grilled cheese sandwich and cup of carrot soup. Finally( after my husband had completed his pasta), we asked for my food to go. We owned restaurants elsewhere, so I do understand scheduling problems. We arrived 20 minutes before the lunch service ended. So, there was only one server for the dining room. He did not have trays, so even five drinks took more time. This restaurant should be more efficient. read more

My friend and I had a delicious meal here the other night. They had a ton of options and were very accommodating for my gluten free diet, as I have celiac disease. And everything I had was absolutely delicious. The pairings of the flavors was so unique and I truly enjoyed everything I ate! I also love that this is located in the 21C museum hotel, so we can walk around the museum after dinner. Wonderful night and I will be back! read more

Proof on Main - Panna Cotta - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Came here for our anniversary dinner and the service was fantastic. They were great with helping us choose a wine to pair with our meals and were patient and quick! This is a really great place to come for any special occasion or if you just want a unique dining experience. The decor is interesting and the entire place is just really cool. You MUST get the pork chop. It was the best pork chop I have ever eaten and I have thought about it often since. The sirloin was also great. And our charred octopus appetizer was delicious. We had some really delicious espresso martinis after dinner and they were perfect! We hope to come back for brunch soon! read more

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This is pretty cool place for food and drinks in 21C Museum Hotel. Interesting ambiance, creative drinks, tons of Bourbons, as expected, small, but well curated wine list. Octopus was quite decent, and so was breakfast included with my stay. Service was quite friendly throughout. Prices are fairly high, but that is not unusual read more

Proof on Main - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Had a lovely first meal in Louisville this evening. Proof is located in the 21C hotel, which is literally an art museum! We will have to come back to check out the art this week. The decor is funky and fun; lots of color, lots of quirky details, mismatched chandeliers, and fun wallpaper. My husband and I started with cocktails - I ordered the Tamarind Diaz (ha!), which had tequila and mezcal, with some lime and citrus. He had the No Spectators, which was bourbon, lemon, rosemary... Both were quite good. Our appetizer was the burrata with mushrooms and salsa verde atop a delicious toast. So yummy. For entrees, we went for the bison burger (apparently they are known for that), and the country style pasta. The burger comes with fries, but you can substitute it for any of their side dishes, so we chose the cornbread which was AMAZING. We actually saved it for the end and ate it for dessert. It was crispy and the butter was unbelievable. My pasta was okay -- the menu described it as pasta with spring vegetables, pork belly, and egg, but it was more along the lines of a fettucine alfredo - instead of ham and peas, it was the pork belly and asparagus. It was good, and had a nice lemon taste to it, but it was different than I pictured it to be. For wine, my husband ordered a red blend and I had the Land of Saints Rose (2020), which I really liked. Great spot for dinner "and a show" if you want to check out the art! The reasons for 4 stars instead of 5: - Our waitress Emily was great, and we really appreciated her telling us her favorite items on the menu. It was a little odd that the other waitress at the next table over had the exact same favorites, verbatim... scripted? Just be honest. - The prices were all over the place. $19 for the bison burger is more than reasonable. $47 for fish, $50 for a steak, $29 for my pasta... it was very mixed and most items were a bit overpriced. We're from NY so we are used to high prices, but this surprised us a little. $145 (pre-tip) got us: - 2 cocktails - 1 app - 2 entrees - 2 glasses of wine read more

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