Louisville Restaurants and Attractions
Proof on Main Offers Unique Louisville Dining Experience
posted Monday, 10 September 2007
It wasn’t that long ago that a visit to the 700 block of West Main Street was about as stimulating as counting cracks in the sidewalk.
But that changed abruptly in March 2006 with the opening of Louisville’s most outrageous restaurant, Proof On Main, one of TravelHost’s recommended dining destinations.
Everything about Proof On Main is outrageous in a very, very good way! Founders Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson nested Proof and its parent 21c Museum Hotel in a turn of the century building that they converted into a paradise of contemporary art that just so happens to present a remarkable selection of artfully prepared and presented cuisine.
At Proof, diners are surrounded by 21st century contemporary art and that means edgy.
“That’s what the whole property is all about,” according to General Manager Jeremy Beck. “Both 21c Museum and the Hotel attached to it are there for the purpose of introducing 21st century art and expression of all forms to the community,” Beck said. “You don’t have to come down and eat at the restaurant…you can just come and look at the art. But the experience of being in the space and the opportunity to experience something new and being engaged with your surroundings is a lot of fun.”
But a visit to 21c without dining at Proof On Main would be a mistake of major proportions. Self billed as American food with a Tuscan influence; Proof On Main’s menu offers guests a cornucopia of exciting entrees, an amazing wine list and delectable desserts.
During TravelHost’s first visit to Proof On Main, Sande and I chose to share the Octopus Bagna Cauda, a masterfully prepared octopus nested in an incredible bed of spices and herbs that had us raving. Our salad choice was the Heirloom Tomatoes, nicely dressed with holy basil and an extraordinary mozzarella.
Sande selected the Alaskan Halibut with charred corn ‘fregola’ and watercress garnish for her entrée and I thoroughly enjoyed my Slow Cooked Pork Shank with Kentucky grits and a citrus herb gremolata.
Neither of us chose to try the New England Diver Scallops, so Jeremy offered up a sample and – wow – they were amazing! Plump and juicy and seared to perfection, the scallops were presented on a bed of delightful caramelized spaghetti squash filled with a host of tasty delights like sweet white raisins that exploded with flavor.
Jeremy is an Evansville native and is pleased to be closer to home. “I was ready to move back and be closer to family again. And from then on it’s been just one giggle after the next.”
And that sums up our experience at Proof On Main. Fun, interesting and delightful. Just look for the red penguins!
But that changed abruptly in March 2006 with the opening of Louisville’s most outrageous restaurant, Proof On Main, one of TravelHost’s recommended dining destinations.
Everything about Proof On Main is outrageous in a very, very good way! Founders Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson nested Proof and its parent 21c Museum Hotel in a turn of the century building that they converted into a paradise of contemporary art that just so happens to present a remarkable selection of artfully prepared and presented cuisine.
At Proof, diners are surrounded by 21st century contemporary art and that means edgy.
“That’s what the whole property is all about,” according to General Manager Jeremy Beck. “Both 21c Museum and the Hotel attached to it are there for the purpose of introducing 21st century art and expression of all forms to the community,” Beck said. “You don’t have to come down and eat at the restaurant…you can just come and look at the art. But the experience of being in the space and the opportunity to experience something new and being engaged with your surroundings is a lot of fun.”
But a visit to 21c without dining at Proof On Main would be a mistake of major proportions. Self billed as American food with a Tuscan influence; Proof On Main’s menu offers guests a cornucopia of exciting entrees, an amazing wine list and delectable desserts.
During TravelHost’s first visit to Proof On Main, Sande and I chose to share the Octopus Bagna Cauda, a masterfully prepared octopus nested in an incredible bed of spices and herbs that had us raving. Our salad choice was the Heirloom Tomatoes, nicely dressed with holy basil and an extraordinary mozzarella.
Sande selected the Alaskan Halibut with charred corn ‘fregola’ and watercress garnish for her entrée and I thoroughly enjoyed my Slow Cooked Pork Shank with Kentucky grits and a citrus herb gremolata.
Neither of us chose to try the New England Diver Scallops, so Jeremy offered up a sample and – wow – they were amazing! Plump and juicy and seared to perfection, the scallops were presented on a bed of delightful caramelized spaghetti squash filled with a host of tasty delights like sweet white raisins that exploded with flavor.
Jeremy is an Evansville native and is pleased to be closer to home. “I was ready to move back and be closer to family again. And from then on it’s been just one giggle after the next.”
And that sums up our experience at Proof On Main. Fun, interesting and delightful. Just look for the red penguins!
