Friday, February 25, 2011

Eat of the Week


Everyone thinks they know the best pizza in town.  It's a commonly debated hot topic of food lovers to argue where the best place is to get a pizza.  Well, here it is, folks: the best pizza I've ever had.

This week - Goodfellas Pizza - http://www.goodfellaspizzeria.com/webmenu2.pdf


I can't think of anything bad to say about this restaurant or its food.  It's simply the most delicious, well rounded,  and probably one of the biggest pizzas you can buy.  You seriously can't handle their 22" X-Large on your own.  Like every pizza place, this hole in the wall joint offers pick-up or delivery, but the real treat is fresh pizza by the slice.  Why?  Because its location a block away from many popular bars downtown in addition to its closing time in the early AM make it the perfect place to drop in to grab a slice after a long night out.  This is one of the few instances where this so-called "drunk food" is still incredibly good even when you aren't.  Be prepared to wait, however.  At 2AM and 30 degrees outside, there will still be a line out the door.  But it's completely worth it. 

Completely.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Kentucky Bourbon Trail: Stop #1

Kenucky's infamous bourbon trail is a great way to see the beautiful rolling countryside and experience six local bourbon distilleries. Each distillery offers unique experiences, scenery, and, of course, many unique bourbons. If you're unfamiliar with the bourbon trail. It's the name for the group of six local (but famous) bourbon distilleries in the area.

First stop: Woodford Reserve





Woodford Reserve offers a picturesque lodge surrounded by old barrel houses making it a perfectly rustic atmosphere.  Guests are treated to a tour covering the triple copper distillers, barrel house, bottling building, and a sample of the Woodford Reserve bourbon itself (paired with a choclate bourbon ball candy).  I highly recommend this stop of the bourbon trail due to its quality and uniqueness.  Plus, Woodford Reserve bourbon is about as good as it gets!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Live Comedy!

So I recently went to Comedy Off Broadway and saw comedian Craig Shoemaker.  Very, very funny!  I find live comedy makes me laugh much more than comedy on TV.  It seems to put you in the experience when you're sitting right next to the comedian, and of the course the atmosphere helps.  When everyone around you is laughing, you tend to laugh, too.  Has that been proven?  Who knows...

Anyway, here's a clip of Craig.  Enjoy!  His show was especially hilarious since his material was all new to me.



Any comedians you recommend seeing?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

BEER.

Beer Bottles (Decisions)

Those of you drinking cheap American domestic beers listen up.  You don't have to keep torturing yourself like this anymore.  You're better than that.  Most of them are watery and gross.  There are literally thousands of different brews you could be sucking down instead.  Crisp pale ales, hoppy IPAs, nutty brown ales, rich imperial Russian stouts, masterful Belgian Trappist ales... the list goes on and on.

Luckily, those of us in Lexington have several establishments with seriously impressive beer selections with hundreds of microbrews to choose from.

Pazzo's Pizza:  great pizza, couple hundred beers, pint nights on wednesday.

Marrika's Bier Stube:  authentic German food, great bar hangout, 600+ (!) beers to choose from.
http://marikkas.com/bier-list/imports/

The Beer Trappe:  All they serve is beer, bottled retail or on rotating tap, I could spend hours in here.
http://thebeertrappe.com/

Comment on any beers in particular you recommend!

Time for one last ski trip.

It seems to be warming up again in the Midwest which is fantastic (don't get me wrong), but skiing season is slowly being phased out.  Northern Kentucky isn't exactly known for its mountains and ski resorts, but there are a few decent places to go for a day trip.

Paoli Peaks: ~2 1/2 hours away in Indiana, only a few notable runs, a terrain park; worth your time only if you live closer by.

Perfect North Slopes: ~ 1 hr 20 min away also in Indiana, more/longer runs in comparison, just enough variety for a day trip;

So, if you're feeling the need to ski or snowboard, Perfect North Slopes seems to be the best option.  It's nothing like you'll find in the Rockies in terms of powder and run length/number/diversity, but it's great for a quick trip.

Anyone have any experience skiing nearby in West Virginia?

Monday, February 14, 2011

Need your bourbon fix?

Rough Monday?  Valentine's Day plans cancelled? (that jerk...)  Savor the finest bourbons at Lexington's Bluegrass Tavern!  Located at Cheapside Park, this old fashioned bourbon bar has one of the largest (the largest?) bourbon selections in the world.  Incredibly knowledgeable bar keeps give great recommendations if you get overwhelmed by the selection, so don't fear.

Pro tip: Don't order Bud Light in a place like this.  Locals know to order the handmade, fresh bourbon sour for a truly delicious beverage.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Eat of the Week

Greetings fellow Lexingtonians!

I've scoured the city in search of the best restaurants in town, and every week I'll be posting my top recommendations. From quick -n- cheap to fine dining, every restaurant in Lexington has a chance as long as it's delicious, unique, and worth your time.  Keep checking in for the best place to grab some grub!


This week: Bourbon n' Toulouse http://www.bntlex.com/

If you live in Lexington and haven't stopped into BnT's for lunch or dinner, go today!  This eclectic Cajun restaurant is as close to Louisiana as you'll find around here.  Cheap dishes, piles of food, dozens of hot sauces, a variety of choices - this place has it all.  Make sure to arrive early, as many popular dishes tend to sell out.  The jambalaya is easily my favorite dish: just enough heat without being too spicy.  It's tough to beat an entire menu of delicious food for around $8.