Butchertown Grocery

Amazing Bloody Mary’s, awesome French press coffee, AND they gave me a free brownie as I was walking out the door. Any place that willingly gives me the most delicious, silky, chocolatey brownie I’ve ever had in my life is ace in my book.

I had heard so much about Butchertown Grocery, so I had high expectations going in. Although it didn’t meet all my expectations, I would say we enjoyed our meal there. It was very good.
I would definitely recommend making a reservation on the weekend. We forgot and waited until about 6pm the night of. There was only on reservation open that day and it wasn’t until 10pm. We eat late anyways so we didn’t mind.
The parking wasn’t the best they have a lot across the street but it wasn’t clear if we could park there. The area isn’t well lit and there didn’t seem to be enough room for everyone.
The atmosphere in the restaurant was nice. The booth was comfortable. The room was pretty dark, very low lighting. I liked their drink menu, it was really cute. But I didn’t like that there were about 6 different menus and when we were seated none of the menus were explained to us.
The waiter was very helpful in selecting drinks. His wine recommendation was spot on for my taste and my boyfriend enjoyed his beer as well. I had the Cab — Manifesto from CA. If you like a full bodied red wine, give that one a try.
There was a really good selection of food on the menu. A verity of fish and steak dishes plus quite a few vegetarian options. I have a bad habit of ordering with my eyes so after reviewing the Unilocal pictures, I knew going in I wanted to try the gnocchi and the pecan salad.
I thought the gnocchi was an entrée but was surprised to find out it was an appetizer. I found that a little strange as I think of appetizer as something easy to share. It was fine eating out of the same bowl with my boyfriend but I wouldn’t like that if there were more people in our group. The serving size was just enough for two. And it was DELICIOUS! I would go back and order two just for my meal. Lol. I think that and the wine were my favorite part.
I was hungry going in but not starving. The salad pictures looked so good online that I decided to order it. I asked the waiter to add chicken because I didn’t want to be hungry afterwards. This is were our experience started to go down hill. I wish the waiter would have told me that the salad isn’t meant to be an entrée. The pictures online were a little deceiving in size. The salad I was brought wasn’t any bigger than my fist. Now it was super tasty and unique but I think I didn’t enjoy it as much because I was concerned about the size and wondered why I hadn’t been warned.
My boyfriend ordered the Pig and Goat Burger with fries. The fries were on point, crispy with great flavoring. The burger however was good, not great. There are a lot of great burgers in Louisville and I think we were hoping for something more flavorful or unique.
Most of the food was great but I don’t know that it was worth the price. My baby salad was $ 12 (another reason I assumed it was a dinner salad). They had sides of vegetables that were $ 15-​$ 20. The Grocery Steak was $ 75 — we didn’t try it but just to give you an idea of pricing. I think I would go back now that I’m more prepared and I’m sure the next time would be better knowing how to order. I don’t think it will be anytime soon as the high prices menu makes this one go on our list of «for special occasions».

Went here last night, loved loved loved It! We could only sit at the bar cause it was booked but the bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable about our food. We ordered the New Orleans BBQ shrimp which was out of this world ! Our waiter suggested putting rosemary leaves to bring out the flavor and it really did. Our entrees were solid too. Definitely one of my new favorite spots in town :-) !

So I’ve visit this place twice within the past week just because it intrigues me so much. My first was after attending a Level Up Mixology 101 course, which was taught by a bartender from Butchertown Grocery. The second being brunch today, which was a long enough experience to warrant a review on this wonderful page.
First, I must mention– no, it is not an actual grocery store! When someone recommended this to me I thought it was an actual grocery for ~the majority of my interactions with the bartender from the actual establishment (she laughed in my face when I asked about it). My friend and I went to the bar upstairs after our Mixology class, feeling ourselves a little bit so we wanted to keep the buzz going, requiring you to go around the back of the building and enter an amazing speakeasy style bar (be careful! It takes your eyes a second to adjust so you may need to feel your way through the hallway for a second before being able to see a foot in front of you!). The service up there was decent and very friendly, and consisted of unique cocktails that are inspired by pre-​prohibition drinks– pretty cool! We only stayed for one drink, however, for we are recent college grads and don’t have the budget for more than one drink here. Would recommend coming at least once though!
At brunch, I made a reservation for 7 people online and was seated right away when we arrived, which really impressed me. The service was very friendly and the atmosphere in the restaurant portion was just as unique as the speakeasy. During brunch hours they give your table free cinnamon rolls instead of bread cause that’s how classy and thoughtful they are. The only reason my review goes from 4 stars to 3 was the service after we received our food. My sister didn’t get the correct order delivered, which she mentioned to the waiter and he came back to fix it, but then also took my burger because he was certain mine was wrong as well, then delivered another burger to me which was supposed to be the correct one, but was really not– he didn’t give me much room to argue my case of having the right burger in the first place. There were no servers to be seen for me to correct my order again for another 20 minutes when my sisters correct food got delivered, at which point I had given up and just started eating my food (which I must admit was very good, although the wrong thing).
Despite the negative experience at the end, I would recommend coming here, because I will definitely be back (seems like a good date spot!). The servers were friendly and gave good suggestions on which entrees to order, and were thoughtful on good business techniques. To make up for the delay in delivering my sisters food, they did bring her a free cheesecake which was unexpected and nice, so brownie points for them.
Hopefully I’ll be back soon to update this review from 3 to ⁴⁄₅ stars!

What? Butchertown, what??? When I was a kid, I attended The Brown School (elementary only. For Middle and High, I 90 210’ed it out at Kammerer and Ballard; holla!). We were urban adventurers even back then. But back then there was definitely nothing like Butchertown Grocery in Butchertown. There was just ‘the smell.’ Fast forward to late fall 2015 and I was looking for a place to impress upon my family and friends that I still ruled the roost when it came to all things local knowledge. At that time, there weren’t many reviews, but my Spidey sense game is strong. I took a risk and received a huge reward.
First things first, no smell. Despite the proximity to the yards (no milkshakes being brought there), there’s no smell. Secondly, the interior is fantastic. Yes, it’s more of the same that you’d expect: brick walls, exposed beams, rehabbed warehouse, etc. But it fits the neighborhood and menu. Rather than being off-​putting and pretentious, it makes sense and welcomes you to the dining experience you’re about to undergo. And you’re about to undergo a lot. Hope you brought your stretchy pants.
The energy of our waitress, Jade, brought a lot to the experience. We were new to the restaurant. The restaurant was new (at that time) to Louisville. We had to get to know one another. Jade was our guide. She knew the menu backwards and forward, was able to gauge what we’d like after asking questions, had wonderful suggestions, was never pushy but she checked in and made sure everything was solid. Bueno. We were in a booth, so I don’t know if the metal chairs are uncomfortable. If the seating’s not to your liking, ask to be moved!
As I am wont to do, I began my meal with a cocktail. The Bobby Burns (don’t know if it’s still on the menu but the bar should be able to make it) was a classic mix of brown liquor, fancy liqueur and a touch of citrus. I felt like quite the grown-​up southerner as I sipped it. Again, as I am wont to do, my first thing to eat came in the form of a salad. Yes, I chose the brussel sprout salad but it was neither basic nor humdrum. The sprouts were roasted and seasoned and paired with apples, dried cherries, hazelnut and pecorino romano. Incredible. The flavor combination was not one I would have thought of but it’s one that I need in my life again and again. Be warned, this salad is filling. As I was eating my salad and drinking my cocktail, we got a surprise: gnocchi and a noodle dish. Both were complimentary and both were LOVELY. The noodle dish was a savory surprise but that gnocchi… Oh my goodness, that gnocchi. That gnocchi will set you free. Even knowing that I was getting full and ruining my appetite, I couldn’t NOT eat the entire plate. I don’t know how it was made or what umami addictiveness was in it but I thought about that dish for days. DAYS!
By the time my roasted chicken (with roasted root vegetables, charred lemon, herbs, and a tapenade) and wine came to the table, I didn’t think I would be able to have more than a bite. I finished the plate (and the glass). Jade was impressed/​terrified. Upping the ante, she asked me if I could handle dessert. Jade, do you see these B cups? Bring it! Here’s a dessert trick after a large meal: skip the coffee and ask for a mint tea. Mint pairs well with most desserts and it helps you digest. #lifeofafatty I ordered the Moroccan mint tea and the pot de crème. The pot de crème was the sweet sibling of the savory gnocchi dish. Deep, rich, thick, SEASONED chocolate, topped with cream and crumbles… I took a picture of it. I almost wept while eating it. Despite my intense joy, I was completely silent as I consumed this masterpiece. I accepted no conversation. My time was the pot de cremes and the pot de cremes alone.
BG is yet another example that, pound for pound, the dining scene in Louisville is fantastic and leagues beyond any other city in the greater region (including my new home). From fast food to high dining, Louisville ranks up there with New Orleans and Chicago. Louisville, be very grateful Butchertown Grocery is in your city. Treat it well. I’m warning you.

I love this place. Not only is it a quick drive from my house, it is a pleasant dining experience. The ambiance is wonderful, a comfortable spot that just feels like your neighborhood spot. I have only been for brunch but both times the visit has been fantastic. Great servers, with great recommendations who help ensure a great experience. The coffee is french press, and delicious. The cinnamon roll that has been coming out for sampling is incredible. For my entrée I’ve tried two different dishes, first, the avocado toast. This was delicious. It reminded me of a meal in California. The second was the seasonal vegetable quiche which was beautiful and a delicious dish. My friends got the biscuit and gravy which they loved, the banana bread french toast which was indulgent and a large portion, the Copeland’s Breakfast Scramble which was also very good, and finally, the Grocery Waffle with the molasses honey butter which was delicious. I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with this place. I can’t wait to go back to try dinner!

Wow. We were dealt a healthy hand of southern hospitality. Sat at the bar, had excellent cocktails, chatted with the chef — who made the perfect recommendations — then were clued in to the jazz quartet and bar upstairs. Couldn’t have been any better of an experience.
The mussels we ate will haunt us because there will never be any better! That buttery and herby broth was outstanding. The oysters were delicious. The chicken was super juicy and it’s pea and morel accompaniment were perfect. Crab cakes were simple, light and just about all crab sweetness.

Stopped by for Sunday lunch/​brunch. First of all, the vibe is very nice and up-​to-​date. The new décor is restrained but very classy. The hardest decision I had to make was whether to order off the brunch menu or the regular menu. The eggs Benedict with pork belly really tried to persuade me, but I ended up going with a salad-​arugula with goat cheese, lardons and spicy walnuts with a fried-​herb vinaigrette. Don’t know how they fried the herbs come but it was tasty. Next had a very good pasta dish-​Strozapretti with a ragu and shrimp. Authentic delicious sauce and 3 large perfectly executed sautéed shrimp. Fairly high prices that reflect the quality of the product and execution. Wine list was pretty extensive and the by the glass list was not bad and had some out-​of-​the ordinary selections. Will be back.

I really gush over this place. Every dish has been perfection. You get what you pay for, nothing is cheap, but everything is worth every penny. Hands down the best Gnocchi I have ever had. I think the Steak Frites may be the best value on the menu (choose the Black Truffle Bearnaise). Service is usually excellent, but of course as I am writing this I have yet to be greeted by my server (I think there might be a shift change happening). Even though most of the server’s now recognize me, it is attentive how the present each dish as though I am a new customer.
The atmosphere is hip and fun while still classy and elegant. Make sure to head upstairs when it is open. It has a fun speakeasy vibe with killer cocktails. The bar snacks are pretty amazing as well.

Okay folks, let me get the only painful part of this review out of the way first. Butchertown Grocery is not cheap. Including a well-​deserved gratuity, two of us spent $ 110 on a dinner that consisted of one cocktail each, a Burger and a Butchertown Sandwich, an order of Fried Cauliflower, two desserts and coffee. It was a pretty extravagant dinner, but worth every penny.
We arrived without a reservation at about 6:30 pm. The hostess seated us immediately. Butchertown Grocery is a beautiful restaurant, elegant but retaining some of the charm of the building’s precious incarnation as a grocery.
Our waitress, Priscilla, arrived quickly to ask what kind of water we would prefer: sparkling, still or tap. She was friendly and very knowledgeable, and helped my sister to choose one of their specialty cocktails, an Army Navy. Sensing that the bartender here would be good, I ordered a Maker’s Manhattan. For me, a Maker’s Manhattan is a great test of a bartender: it can be downright unpleasant in the wrong hands, or absolutely heavenly.
The cocktails arrived, and both were delicious. I don’t recall what was in the Army Navy, but it was surprisingly pink. It wasn’t a Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell cocktail: it was loud and proud and flamboyantly told everyone! And it was wonderful. The bartender also aced my Maker’s Manhattan test. My Manhattan had the perfect balance of bourbon, sweet vermouth and bitters. The float of lemon zest was unique, and really lovely. Each sip of the drink was accompanied by aromatic lemon. A beautiful idea.
Our food arrived, and it was nice. I ordered the Welch Burger, which was dressed with bacon, a huge slab of goat cheese, pickled onion and arugula. It was a delicious combination, only slightly marred by the fact that the burger I ordered medium rare arrived well done. This accounts for my rating this restaurant 4 stars instead of five.
My sister ordered a Butchertown Sandwich, which was even better than my burger. I can’t list the ingredients except for a nice bun, charcuterie, an egg and green onion aioli.
Both plates were accompanied by French fries that were fine, but not exemplary in any way.
The fried cauliflower was delicious, accompanied by marcona almonds and olives.
For dessert, we ordered a caramel apple cheesecake and a brownie. Both were good, but the caramel apple cheesecake was a surprise to me. I am usually a purist when it comes to cheesecake. I don’t like flavors added that mask the basic flavor of the cheese, citrus and sour cream, so I was resistant to this cheesecake. The first bite was good, and each subsequent bite was better. I would actually order this caramel apple cheesecake again!
Coffee was very good. Dark coffee served in a French press with a small pitcher of heavy cream. Just as it should be in a place like this.
Service was absolutely impeccable throughout the meal. When two people eat a meal that requires a $ 20 gratuity, I expect service that is nearly invisible, yet instantly available. I want servers who know what I want before I do. It is very difficult to provide this level of service, but it’s what I got at Butchertown Grocery.
This place is worth a return visit.

You must make a reservation if you want to eat downstairs. Use Open Table as they’re not the best at taking reservations by phone.
The interior of both spaces is spot on. Simple and Classic. They’ve done a great job making the most out of the square footage.
We started with drinks and appetizers upstairs while we waited for our table to be ready downstairs. We had the fried artichokes with a roasted garlic aioli and I would definitely order them again.
Downstairs we ordered the goat cheese ravioli and gnocchi to start. For dinner, I had the Brussels sprouts salad, an order of fries and an order of fried cauliflower. I don’t recommend the fries. They were fine, but certainly nothing special. If you do order them, request a side of the roasted garlic aioli to dip them in.
What made the meal and the experience for me was dessert. We had a pot of the French press coffee and the pot de crème, beignets and the caramel sea salt brownie. I really can’t pick a favorite. They were all delectable.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup mecca! I loved my lunch and want to go back ASAP! I am a girl who loves her grilled cheese. When I came here for lunch and saw the GC and tomato soup on the menu I was sold. But little did I know, they were taking the GC and TS combo to an unworldly level. It was the best in the universe! My mom hates TS and she kept stealing bites from my bowl. The soup was spicy and had the best texture I’ve ever had (lots of chunks of tomato goodness)! It had olives on top, which paired perfectly with the soup. The GC was on some pretty amazing brioche and had swiss, cheddar, kentucky rose and romesco sauce oozing out. I’m in love!
My mom had the pecan salad with mixed greens, candied pecans, jalapeño, blue cheese ice cream, pear-​praline vinaigrette. That blue cheese ice cream is to die for! She loved it!
Our server was phenomenal! He made me order a cookie and I owe that man a debt of gratitude. It was perfectly baked and so delicious! I can’t wait to go back and try more of their fabulous food!

I visited on Saturday with a friend for dinner and drinks. We were lucky to grab a spot at the bar. Without reservations, the wait was over 2 hours. No complaints about my bar seat. The stool was incredibly comfortable and the service was quick and friendly.
The atmosphere is trendy and cozy. Candles, small tables, cool uses for every day items — i.e. flavoring in light bulb shaped containers. Considering the coziness, I didn’t feel crowded and could easily hear my friend while we chatted.
I was not impressed with the menu. Very limited and the meals are on the expensive side, including the salads. I ordered the chicken salad entrée for lack of a better choice.
The plate was beautiful and I was excited to dig in but my tasting led to disappointment. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. The chicken salad was smoky and peppery. Eating it with the bread is a must to tone down the flavor. It was supposed to come with seasonal fruit but instead it came out with fries. Their mistake and I was upcharged for it! The fries were delicious but I shouldn’t be penalized for their mistake.
My friend ordered the goat cheese ravoli. He loved the plate. I was given the option to have a bite but he got so very little food, I couldn’t force myself to take one.
We did end the night with a drink at their upstairs cocktail lounge. The door to enter looks like a private entrance. Enter it anyway. Red walls, red velvet curtain, a kitchen and bar, comfy seating. Do not expect to go with a large group and get space. You’ll be disappointed. We were lucky to find a spot for two. Decent service for the crowd. Fun spot to chat with people.
Last thoughts … Make a reservation. Don’t go hungry. Maybe only stick to this place for drinks.

Wonderful customer service, fantastic food and a menu with something for everyone caused me to give this place 5 stars.
I have only heard rave reviews about Butchertown Grocery, so I jumped on the chance to try it. We made a reservation, which I highly suggest because it seemed to be constantly busy while we had our weekend lunch. The website states brunch and lunch/​dinner menu are served at the same time during the weekends, but this isn’t the case. It honestly did not bother me though. Our server was kind enough to see if the sandwich I wanted (some Panini — on the lunch/​dinner menu) could be made even though it was not «lunch» time. The chef prepared the sandwich for me. It was the best customer service I have ever had.
The chef was also perfecting a recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls and using the customers as a test subject. I was more than happy to try a complimentary cinnamon roll. It was large, full of icing and amazing. I spilt one with my hubby because I think one per person would be too large of a serving. On top of the divine and warm cinnamon rolls, the restaurant had Blue Dog bread that particular Sunday.
The four of us all ordered something different from the menu: Shaved Brussels Sprouts salad, Biscuits and Gravy, Panini, and Eggs Benedict. I was fortunate to try a bit of each item. While the Brussels Sprouts salad was different, it was not something I personally liked taste-​wise. However, Kelly P. loved it so it was good for her. The Biscuits and Gravy was a massive serving size. Our server said the chef wants to be know for this dish. I think word will get out quickly how tasty it was. The gravy was thick and not too salty like some can be. The biscuits were massive (3 to a serving) and fluffy. My Panini was perfect. It was large, but enough for a meal without a side. The pork belly was cooked to perfection to the point you could barely tell the difference between the meat and the fat… you know, how pork belly is suppose to be. The Eggs Benedict was divine. There was a big hunk of meat, biscuit and of course egg.
While we mostly stuck to the breakfast/​brunch menu, I am looking forward to going back for dinner. The service, the chef and the food were topnotch.

I rarely like to review a restaurant after just one visit; to me, that’s not always a fair and accurate representation of the business. However, after a recent Saturday brunch at Butchertown Grocery, I can confidently say that this new spot deserves five stars and then some!
Some girlfriends and I met up for brunch on a Saturday after ensuring we had a reservation so as not to have to wait. The ambiance in this place is just phenomenal: it was cozy, yet sleek and trendy. I felt like I was transported out of Louisville to a Chicago or New York eatery.
We all split a pot of French press coffee and the presentation of that was just adorable… three little cups on a butcher block with cream and sugar cubes.
When it comes to breakfast, I often struggle with the choice between sweet or savory, but when I realized I could get a chicken biscuit and a peanut butter banana waffle for $ 6 a piece, I determined that was the perfect combination for brunch! Among my companions, we also had french toast and the house waffle. Everything tasted divine and was presented beautifully. On top of that, the wait staff was congenial, constantly refilling our waters and checking on us.
While I think the brunch is going to be hard to beat, I for sure want to come back for dinner one evening and I will update my review accordingly.

I tried Butchertown Grocery this past weekend with a group of four. The food was really great! We had brunch, which is listed online as «Served SAT & SUN: 11AM-​3PM.» We went in for lunch at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, but unfortunately we were told they hadn’t started lunch service yet. The lunch and dinner menu is listed online as «Served WED-​SUN: 11AM-​10PM.» This wasn’t a huge deal for me, because the item I had planned to get was listed on the brunch menu as well, but at least one member of our party had planned specifically to order from the lunch menu, so we were bummed to find out they weren’t serving lunch/​dinner while we were there.
However, our server was awesome and asked the chef if he could prepare a sandwich from the lunch menu for her, which he did! That’s what you call great customer service!
In addition to getting our way with the menu, we were also given two complimentary cinnamon rolls by the chef. This wasn’t anything specific to our table, he was giving them out to everyone that afternoon. The server said it was just something he was doing for the customers. We greatly appreciated it! And the cinnamon roll was fantastic! I would gladly order just that for brunch!
For our meal I had the Shaved Brussels Spouts salad, which was dressed with apples, dried cherries, hazelnuts, and a healthy serving of pecorino romano. It was really tasty. I didn’t finish the entire thing and actually ate my leftovers for lunch today. It was still just as good.
B ordered the Biscuits and Gravy which is made with Marksbury farm sausage, and is absolutely delicious! When he ordered it the server got excited and said the chef always loves when someone orders that dish, and he hopes for it to become famous. I can tell you right now, it’s really great, and definitely has potential to do so.
I also had a bite of the Porchetta Panini, or something similar, which was the sandwich made especially from the lunch menu. The menu online says that dish is ciabatta, Kenny’s chipotle cheddar, slaw, salsa verde, and fries. I’m pretty sure the sandwich my friend had was pork belly, gruyère cheese, some type of greens, like kale, and was served on ciabatta. I know for certain it was gruyère cheese, because the server checked for us since she’s expecting and can’t have certain cheeses. Regardless of what was on the sandwich, it was delicious. And the pork belly was cooked perfectly!
I’m really hoping to make it back to Butchertown Grocery soon for dinner and cocktails. I highly recommend that everyone check it out!

Butchertown Grocery is a new Louisville eatery that should be at the top of everyone’s list as a «must-​visit» restaurant, as it garners 5 stars all around for ambiance, service, and cuisine. It’s a place that I had heard a great deal about and truly feel that it lives up to the hype.
I visited recently for a late dinner and was immediately struck by how open yet intimate it felt. The restaurant is L-​shaped on the interior, with a bar towards the short end of the L. Tables ideal for 2 – 4 flow from the bar to the rest of the restaurant, lining the picture windows to allow for people-​watching (actually, let’s be honest, it’s the people walking down Washington Street who will be watching to see what mouth-​watering selections diners are ordering in the restaurant). The longer end of the L has cozy booths as well as additional tables.
We were seated promptly by a friendly maitre d’hotel. It took our server more than the ideal 30 seconds to arrive at our table — a delay that we hardly noticed as we were conversing and perusing the menu — but the extremely attentive maitre d’ still felt that it deserved a complimentary glass of champagne for each of us. That’s definitely something I could drink to!
I ordered the shaved brussels sprouts salad, something that even a non-​sprouts fan would likely enjoy. Crisp, raw ribbons of brussels sprouts are tossed with dried cherries, hazelnuts and bite-​size nibbles of apple (tasted like granny smith) and covered with wisps of pecorino-​romano. Every bite had a crisp texture and delicate flavor, with the occasional surprise of a sweet dried cherry.
For my entrée, I took until the last minute to decide between the Diver’s Scallops and the Rotisserie Chicken, finally going with the latter. I wasn’t disappointed. The chicken was moist and well-​seasoned, with the kalamata tapenade flavoring every bite just right. It was large enough that I was able to take some home for an encore. On the side, we ordered the gnocchi at our server’s suggestion. I can now make it my own suggestion, as it did not let me down. The consistency was perfect; some gnocchi gets over-​cooked and can be dry or rubbery. The flavor from the herbs complemented both the gnocchi and the mushrooms fully.
I was sad for the night to draw to a close, but the courteous staff wished us a good evening as we left. Such a warm goodbye is the perfect segue to a warm welcome for the next time we visit!

With all the hype I had to check butchertown grocery out, so I stopped by last night.
First thing: make a reservation! This place is hot and new, and everyone wants to go. If you don’t make a reservation you’ll likely face a 30min-​1hr long wait like I did, and it was a Wednesday night.
However, the hour wait turned out to be a good thing for me and my friends. We ended going to their bar upstairs as we waited and it was phenomenal! Actually my favorite part of visit!
So as some may know, butchertown grocery’s bar is where Meat used be. I’m new to the area, so I never went but apparently butchertown has preserved a lot. It has a great classy, rustic, and hipster feel. There was a small stage with velvet red curtains. I loved the entire ambiance! The drinks were, grouped into three different levels depending on the kind of night you wanted to have. The best though were the charcuterie boards. We ordered the bluegrass and it was amazing! The Kentucky rose cheese was delicious as was the fig jam! I can’t wait to try the butchertown board next time.
After the bar I was excited for the restaurant. However, it didn’t meet the standards of the bar and was too expensive for what it offered, which is why I’m giving it 4 rather than five stars.
They started us off with the famously delicious blue dog bakery bread and a sweet honey maple butter! However, the wait for our food was 30 minutes and my friend’s grilled cheese came out burnt and we had to ask them to make another. Other than that, food was fairly good – especially the fries and gnocchi! The Brussels sprouts salad was delicious as well!
Tldr: skip the restaurant and head straight to the bar unless you’ve got a lot of time and money to spend

So I went into this grocery, and I couldn’t find any toilet paper, toothpaste or cartons of milk. Zero stars. Worst grocery ever!
Just kidding, of course. I guess by calling this place a grocery, it just adds an element of cool to an up-​and-​coming neighborhood that is swimming in hipsterdom. This place took over the space once belonging to the sorely-​missed Bling Pig, which was always one of my favorite places in town. So the wife and I were eager to check it out.
They’ve revamped the inside quite a bit, moving the bar over to a different side, and it looks great. It’s got more of an upscale vibe than the Blind Pig did, and the menu reflects that. Most of the entrees are over $ 25, including a $ 60 steak. It will likely be more of a special occasion place for us than a regular stop because of the prices, but that’s OK.
I wasn’t quite that hungry, so I went with the porchetta panini. I’m a big fan of porchetta, and this was a different kind than I’ve had before. It was very thick and crisp, with a delicious chipotle cheddar cheese on top. It was outstanding. (I still pour out a little liquor for the old Bacon Ivory sandwich at the Blind Pig, but still). The fries were crispy and flavorful and didn’t need any sauce to be great. I was very happy and too full to get dessert, unfortunately.
The restaurant just opened a couple of weeks ago, so there were some understandable kinks. Service was a bit slow at first. We had a bottle of water left on our table for refills, but the server came by to refill our water glasses from another pitcher anyway, which seemed inefficient. A plate of food we didn’t order came to the table. But that stuff happens when a place is new, and the service was very friendly and mostly attentive. I’m sure they’ll get that worked out.
There was also a minor issue with the menu, which says that all sandwiches come with fries. My wife ordered the grilled cheese sandwich and expected fries, but instead it came only with a side of tomato soup that she did not want. Very odd, and needs to be fixed.
We hear there is a cool cocktail bar upstairs that is doing some inventive drinks, taking over the space Meat used to occupy. We didn’t venture up this time but did enjoy a lovely whiskey sour and an excellent champagne cocktail in the main restaurant. We’re looking forward to trying the upstairs part and ordering more from the menu in the near future.
At the end of the meal, I asked my wife what she thought. She said, I just wanted it to be the Blind Pig. Well, that’s clearly not going to happen. But Butchertown Grocery is here and it has a chance to be one of the city’s better restaurants as it gains its footing. Just don’t expect to pick up any toilet paper or toothpaste on the way out.

Why I’m a Fan… The sleek mid-​century modern vibe, exposed brick and beautifully-​displayed ingredients set the tone for a fancy, but cozy experience. The menus feature simple, handcrafted bites and cocktails that are perfect for any occasion whether it’s brunch with friends, a celebratory dinner or a nightcap in the lounge.
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Lucky enough to experience Butchertown Grocery at their soft-​opening brunch, as soon as I walked in I knew I wanted to become a regular. The food was impressive, but the upstairs lounge stole my heart. It’s filled with plush armchairs, marble slab, gold fixtures, and a beautiful soda fountain-​esque bar. I’m obsessed with the idea of snuggling with my boyfriend on a velvet loveseat while sipping an old fashioned and listening to live music on a cold, winter night.
Until then, here’s what my girlfriend and I devoured at brunch…
* Butchertown Eggs Benedict: Who knew pork belly, braised greens and hollandaise are a match made in heaven?!
* Poutine: Rotisserie duck, duck gravy, baked eggs and cheese. Loved the concept, but not sure I’ll order it again. With such a rich sauce, it needed a sharp flavor to balance it out.
* Banana Bread French Toast: Topped with vanilla crème and maple syrup, this bread pudding-​like dish was an excellent dessert at brunch. If you order it as your meal, be sure to add thick-​cut bacon or spicy sausage as it’s on the smaller side.
* White Cheddar Grits: Creamy and the perfect amount of salt!
On their website, Butchertown Grocery explains how they’re a lot like the neighborhood: a little raw, a little refined, and plenty of heart. To me, that is the perfect Louisville experience.