When you read the name "Bourbon," several images may come to mind. Ignore them. While the whiskey is certainly a presence, any image of bearded moonshiners in overalls or women in giant hats at the Kentucky Derby is way off the mark. While the menu is full of Southern-inspired treats, the decor is all Yankee.
The walls are covered in purple and (in the rear) bright orange padding, and the sleek seating is full of clean lines and sharp angles. A bench upholstered in faux-alligator skin lines one wall, and the bar snakes its way across the other. Flat-screen televisions hang on the walls, showing sports games that about half the crowd watches.
The other half is busy deciding what to eat and drink. There are 26 bourbons available, and dozens of other, non-Kentucky made whiskeys for those who prefer to ignore the names of bars.
The menu is full of Southern and/or comfort foods. Standard items like burgers are left behind by more interesting dishes like alligator bites and fried green tomatoes. Shrimp and andouille sausage skewers represent the Cajun side of things, and the desserts stay true to the theme with a subtle Southern-style bread pudding and a Knob Creek creme brulee. As an added bonus, all of the sandwiches are accompanied by hand-cut sweet potato chips and a delicious Maker's Mark cinnamon chutney.
Centerstage Reviewer: Mac McCormick