USA Today Selects Its Kentucky Restaurant of the Year…and Now I’m Hungry

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. In my humble opinion, Louisville KY is becoming a world-class foodie city. I understand the quick and obvious choices are out there on Shelbyville Road, Taylorsville Road, or Hurstbourne Parkway by the interstate interchanges. But those are everywhere.

You need to head INSIDE the Watterson Expressway for the awesome local eateries, and Louisville has plenty for every taste. Often, when I hear of a new restaurant getting lots of love in the media, it's one that has just opened or opened recently in NuLu, admittedly a wonderful bright spot on the Louisville foodie "map." (By the way, those air quotes make think there really SHOULD be a Louisville foodie map.) But do not overlook the incredible offerings on Bardstown Road, for example. It's an older neighborhood (one of my favorites) and its restaurants are top flight AND old favorites among the locals.

USA Today's Kentucky Restaurant of the Year

Now that I've sung the praises of the great dining spots you'll find on Bardstown Road and in NuLu, I'm here to inform you that USA Today's Kentucky Restaurant of the Year is in NEITHER location, but NuLu IS right around the corner.

And before you head to the quaint, unassuming neighborhood of East Washington Street to sink your teeth into the mouthwatering fare at Decade, you might want to grab an Italian-English dictionary. Otherwise, you'll need to ask a few questions. What is cacio e pepe arrancini? (It's a chicken dish.) Or agnolotti? (Stuffed pasta, akin to ravioli.) Or zhug? (Well, that last one's Middle Eastern. And it's a hot sauce.) You get the idea. Of course, you may not CARE what they mean once you see them.

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And Decade's Instagram has much more where that came from. Feast your eyes before, you know, you FEAST.

WORD TO THE WISE: Bring a fat wallet.