Last week, I kept a promise to my wife and took her to dinner at one of our Old Louisville favorite restaurants, Buck's, owned by our good friend Curtis Rader. We ate early because we were ravenous - delivering Christmas Cheer to some thirty restaurants and hotels will do that to a fellow.
We were offline for a few days - sorry! So anyway, Sande and I ate dinner with our friend Curtis Rader while we were delivering our own Christmas cheer.
Buck's Restaurant is located in Old Louisville and if you've never visited Old Louisville, put that down as a "must do" on your list. Old Louisville's stately Victorian homes and ancient hardwood-lined streets and sidewalks exude an enchanting elegance you don't often see in this day and time. And it is fitting that in where Buck's is. How appropriate!
Buck's is an elegant restaurant, perfectly suited for its location. Each table is adorned with fresh-cut flowers and elegant china that's mixmatched for a real cool effect. There is a grand piano played by the immensely-talented Rick Bartlett. Bartlett is a master at improv and he knows just about every romantic, mood-enhancing song ever written! And he knows the words, too!
We passed on the appetizers this time, unusual for us, but we were ready to jump right in with an entree. We shared a Caesar that was tasty and fresh - Buck's Caesar dressing is truly a work of art - then charged right into the main course which for me was the Black and Blue Strip, a marvelous New York strip stuffed with a mixture of Maytag blue cheese and wild mushrooms, dusted with blackened seasonings, grilled and drizzled with bourbon butter. It was perfectly prepared. No visible fat and not an ounce of gristle. I asked for my steak medium rare and that's the way it was served. The blue cheese and mushroom stuffing was MARVELOUS and I can't understate my elation over the quality of my steak.
Sande ordered the Mixed Seafood Caribbean - Mahi, shrimp and scallops lightly seasoned with jerk spices, grilled and topped with a leek cream sauce, accompanied by deep fried coconut shrimp and it was very good, albeit VERY spicy. Not my favorite, but Sande enjoyed it very much.
Here's what makes Buck's Restaurant special - wonderful food, wonderful atmosphere, wonderful environment and you don't get buyers remorse after paying your check. Bravo, Curtis!
-Gary