Selena’s at Willow Lake Tavern

I had the Traditional Eggs Benedict and Hash Brown Casserole. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. I look forward to heading back to check out the rest of the menu.

Half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays, I’m there!
Not my fav style of food but tasty and authentic. The others diners I was with enjoyed the medley And liked the jambalaya best. They also had the fried green tomatoes and appetizer shrimp.
Being gluten free I had grilled salmon and vegetables. Overall the fish was moist and tasty and the vegetables were crisp, but there were few other gluten free options. The kind of place I would recommend if you like southern heavy food.

The food is always excellent and the service very good, however, I booked a brunch reservation for a 50^th birthday a week out. I was assured a spot in the sunroom. When we arrived we were seated on a dark wall with barely any light. I told them of my conversation at reservation time and was told they were booked up. Our server offered to move us, which we did but then the manager came by and told us that «in 15 min. a party would need that table.» So, we were moved back to the dark hall table. We were there another hour plus and guess what? No one was ever seated at that table or another empty table in the sunroom of course. Not once did the manager apologize for botching our reservation. He never even stopped by. That makes us less inclined to ever return.

I have been going to Selena’s for some time so you can bet I like it. It’s completely understated and you would not think in passing it that it’s an excellant place to stop. The bar area is small and completely comfy and is equated with TVs for your favorite sports game. The dining areas and in smaller rooms so it gives it a homey feel. There is an outside dining area with a fountain which is very relaxing. The food is typical American fair however they add creole food offerings as well and it’s a welcome addition for us that like to change it up I last had a lobster stuffed filet with a Demi-​glaze with a baked potato and some crab roll apps off the New Years menu and it was done perfectly. My wife orders the shrimp and grits most every visit and says it’s better there than most any place. It’s not priced out of reach at all and the staff is always pleasant so this place will stay on our regular list.

This is truly a «local» spot. The food is delicious, the service is impeccable, and it is a safe distance away from the downtown/​Highlands/​NuLu hot spots.
The menu is a carefully curated selection of Creole and Pasta dishes with a heavy focus on seafood. However, our party had two individuals who do not eat seafood and both were pleased with their meals. The liquor selection was also diverse and the waiter was knowledgeable and able to make recommendations.
My only suggestion to Selena’s would be that they consider getting shades for the back porch/​patio. While we were eating the sunshine was so brightly shining in our eyes that we had to put on sunglasses and there was no shade that could be pulled down to block the light. The meal would have been perfect if not for this inconvenience.
Overall though a great place.

The parking lot is gravel and the inside isn’t much better. The last time we visited, we walked in and the hostess just walked away for no reason. Not a promising start but the food had been ok before (even if the service was just so-​so)…
Another person came to seat us. Unfortunately, afterwards 15 minutes passed with no one asking us if we even wanted a beverage. There were servers milling around everywhere, but it wasn’t busy. I noticed them looking our way– but not even an inquiry if we’d been waited on.
Enough was enough. We got up and left.
Frankly: This place has the worst service I’ve experienced in Louisville. There’s really no place at this exceptional level of extraordinarily terrible service (except Dancing Sushi which closed down after a short period). It’s almost a talent, how bad this service is.
We tried making a to-​go order by phone some months after this experience — an attempt avoid the poor service. We were left on hold for 10 minutes at a time before being disconnected. All this just trying to get a person to take down our order.
When we finally did manage to get a to-​go order through — my husband’s meal actually gave him food poisoning. It was horrific. He still won’t eat French toast to this day remembering his experience.
Save your time, frustration and stomach. Find another brunch/​dinner spot. Somewhere safe. Somewhere friendly. Somewhere with not the worst service in Louisville.

I’ve been to this restaurant for dinner a few times, and always had a pleasant experience. Service was very pleasant, the wine was delicious, and everyone was always very pleased with their meals. Great atmosphere as well– I’d definitely recommend giving this place a try.

This is one of our very favorite places in Louisville. It’s always a special treat to go to Selena’s; whether for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. The brunch is amazing: $ 2 mimosas and peach bellinis. Try their Classic Eggs Sardou… amazing. Also, you absolutely cannot go to brunch here without getting the cheese grits or a basket of fresh beignets. As far as dinner goes, well everything is good. My go-​to dish is the blackened salmon and I always have to get sweet potato fries as theirs are the best. The homemade spaghetti and meatballs are amazing as well. Meatballs as big as your fists. I can’t say I’ve ever had a bad meal here. Do not leave without getting the bread pudding for dessert. You won’t regret it.

Bread Pudding to die for! Our server was not too helpful. The waiter told us no ice was needed for the water, because it was already cold. Really!!!
The place is cozy, outside patio very comfy. The food was great. Service could be better, training of the servers lacking. They do offer ½ off bottle of wine on Sunday, undecided if will return due to the service.

This is one place that you can go to one time and be blown away enough to know that this is one of the best restaurants you will ever go to.
Why? Because the food is beyond delicious and amazing. Because the bourbons are local and compliment the food perfectly. Because the service is New York efficient and quick, but the southern charm of everyone that works there makes you feel like your eating at the dining room table of a close friend or relative.
My wife and I started with an order of fried green tomatoes. We then had a plate of jambalaya and another plate of fried catfish, crawfish, and shrimp over rice and red beans. The favors were over the top amazing from start to finish. Try the local bourbons Angels Envy and Basil Hayden to forget about life’s troubles for a while.
The entire meal for the two of us was $ 75 before tip. You will not be let down. Enjoy!!!

I had heard of Selena’s but never been until this week. I was at a work event and our staff decided to head there for happy hour after the event was over. When we walked in, the inside seemed a little dark, but we headed out to the patio which is lovely and big. It was a gorgeous day so the setting really couldn’t have been better.
We were seated and served quickly even though we had a large group (around 10). Selena’s has a pretty good beer and wine list. We ordered several appetizers including fried green tomatoes, warm brie, spinach artichoke dip, and stuffed shrimp. All of them were tasty and came out quickly. The brie was especially good as it came with fruit and bread. The presentation was beautiful. I didn’t order an entrée but several of my colleagues did and all of them like what they got. Our serving was accommodating and attentive even though he had the whole table by himself.
If I were driving by this place, I probably wouldn’t think to stop because it doesn’t look like much from the outside but it’s definitely worth visiting… especially the patio.

I had no idea there was a cajun restaurant in the Louisville area and I especially had no idea it was this good! I just moved here from Baton Rouge, and I have to say Selena’s is on point with some of the best cajun restaurants in Louisiana. I had the stuffed shrimp and calamari. Both were excellent. The stuffed shrimp came with two sides. I chose the grilled vegetables (some of the best I’ve had) and the sweet potato fries (delish). The calamari was really fresh and the remoulade was just fantastic.
The service was great. We sat outside because the weather was so nice. The atmosphere outside is very casual, it could have used some light music though. It was fun to see the trains go by every so often. I noticed some of the conductors waved out the window, and the kids thought that was really neat, I did too :)
Overall we had a wonderful experience. The only slightly negative side was the way in which we were greeted. They weren’t busy when we got there and as we walked in, the hostesses wouldn’t look up, smile, or say hello for a good 1 – 2 mins, pretty awkward. Then one just looked at us and said «how many?». Not the friendliest bunch of ladies, but our server more than made up for it. She was very nice and knowledable.

Selena’s is a wonderful place! I love visiting when the weather is nice because you can sit outside on their cute patio. It’s a whimsical little place. Trees, cobblestone, strands of white lights, and a little iron gate. Inside is nice too. I love it in the winter when they have a roaring fire. Selena’s history is pretty neat. It used to be the old Willow Lake Tavern.
As far as the food goes, I have never had a bad meal. On my last visit which was about four months ago, I had their pasta special. It was to die for. I also had a Caesar salad. It was perfect. My date had the steak special. I believe it was a ribeye and it was perfectly cooked. Their fish po boy with sweet potato fries are great too. I had that on a previous visit. My most very favorite thing on the menu is the baked brie. Oh. My. Goodness. It’s served warm with a pecan glaze. It also comes with fruit (It’s better in the Summer if you’re a stickler about seasonal fruit.) like strawberries, cantaloupe, apples & grapes. You also get toasted bread. I could probably eat this dish every day. SCRUMPTIOUS!
Selena’s also makes a perfect martini. Bombay Sapphire gin straight up with two olives. Wowzas! It’s always a good time when perched up at the bar. Very nice managers and wait staff!
Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures to add to this review, but when I visit again I’ll be sure to snap a few photos.

This place definitely has a special meaning to me as it was one of the first local spots I discovered upon moving to Louisville! They have a unique menu with a Cajun flare and a great spot for anyone whether you prefer to be seated in the bar, the restaurant, or the patio. Drink specials include half price wine bottles on select nights. A little pricey, but worth a splurge!

Delicious bread pudding. The sauce is better than the pudding itself but the sauce is to die for.
Also literally the best grits I have ever ever ever ever ever had. SO DELICIOUS.
The free bread and garlic butter is so good! The creole food was also tasty.
The service was excellent. JR was our server and the chef Ray came and spoke to us. Very happy with our choice.

Brunch at Selena’s has been on my list of «must go» for a while. With $ 2 mimosas and bellinis and $ 4 beignets, I knew I had to make it out to Selena’s sooner, rather than later. The opportunity finally arrived, and I was not disappointed. In my first venture to Anchorage, I felt not fancy enough. There were 2 guys in the parking lot at Selena’s helping people park their cars due to the space. I walked in to meet a group of friends already there, which threw off the wait staff a bit, and another server promptly said, «let me escort you around and we can find them.»
I found my friends, we enjoyed a great meal at Selenas for brunch. Expect a lot in terms of portion sizes when you order. I ordered the mediterranean omelette which was amazing with a side of cheese grits. My friend got the Tavern French Toast with hash brown casserole which was also delicious! The only thing that was less than par was the service. It would have been nice to have realized you have to order a glass of water and that it wasn’t with my bellini for the meal. Additionally, they didn’t come around very much to check on us. That’s okay. It was a good experience none the less.

Finally tried Selena’s after passing by for years. So happy I did. Overall menu leans toward Cajun and Southern style but there are plenty of options and variety for everyone. Crawfish étouffée is very tasty with the perfect seasoning. Plenty of hot sauce choices if you want to kick it up a notch. Fried oysters are the best in town. Server staff is first class and attentive. I have been there three times and Gavin already knows my entire families names and even remembers our preferences. Great kids menu if you bring the little ones. Inside has a feel of a ski lodge or pub and has a fireplace for the cold weather. Patio is huge and perfect to hang out and relax on nice days. Prices are reasonable and Sunday is half price wine bottles.

Eating at Selena’s is sort of like meeting up with your pale, middle-​aged, unattached, Protestant cousin who lives in Iowa. Nothing remarkable.
They got our reservation correct and they sat us promptly. Our table was by a big window which looked out over the bucolic surroundings. The waiter acted so timid that I wanted to become his mother and tell him to stand up straight, look people in the eye and act as though you know what you are doing. He clutched his order pad nervously, didn’t mention the specials until we asked and kept looking at us in darts. I can take a hard southern accent, but please, enunciate.
The food was fine, but not something you’d seek out. The red beans and rice was served cold so a manager took it back and had it warmed. The fries were acceptable and the cole slaw (part of a fried oyster dinner) was straight from KFC. The calamari again just fine but nothing spicy or different similar to the oysters. The wine list was acceptable but we had to wave people down to get a second round. It was Friday night and the place was packed.
They are in Anchorage and, along with The Village Anchor, the only game in town so we’ll probably be back for a dull cousin reunion, but not because we’ve been dreaming about the New Orleans style dinner. The outdoor eating area is very nice even if the food is just so so.

I came here for my bridal shower brunch. We sat outside next to the duck pond. The brunch menu is pretty good and they have yummy breakfast cocktails!
The service was great, as was the scenery and the brunch menu. I have only good memories to take back with me. All the good food was gone! Yum

What a well kept secret!
Selena’s is the kinda restaurant that is not featured on Unilocal a lot: low key and un-​trendy. You will not find bacon on, under, inside or around every item on the menu. What you will find here are some predictable Cajun standbys and classic «American» items under a tavern like atmosphere: comfortable and familiar for the non-​hipster crowd.
Hubby and I came here for their brunch with $ 2 mimosas or Bellini (how can we go wrong?). We ordered the beignets on the server’s recommendation. These things were worth every calorie and carb! They are fluffy, soft yet still chewy with a crunchy, sugary crust. I like them a lot more than the ones offered by Café Beignet. Hubby declared his Bit of Everything breakfast «the best eggs and the best sausage he’s ever had». My order of Classic Eggs Sardou was rich with Hollandaise on top of a richer artichoke and spinach dip mixture and a poached egg and English muffin. As much as I like all versions of Eggs Benedict, I think this version was just bit too rich for me. I will stick with the traditional version next time. Service was very friendly and efficient despite the large party seated ahead of us.
And that outdoor patio area deserves its own review! It is a multi-​leveled garden area complete with a well manicured pond with lotus and plenty of koi. The tables all come with umbrellas for shade. There are a few large powerful floor fans that keep the area cool even on this hot day. Those fans look powerful enough to ward off pesky mosquitoes. I can’t wait to come back for the patio!