Huge crowd on hand for Taste of Derby Festival

Chefs of Jack Fry's

PHOTO & STORY by STEVE COOMES, freelance food  & restaurant writer

More than 1,000 hungry donors packed Slugger Field’s Hall of Fame Pavilion on April 22 for the Taste of Derby Festival. In its 23rd year, the annual fundraiser for Louisville’s Dare to Care food bank gathered more than 50 local restaurants and beverage providers who donated food and drink for the cause of feeding the area’s hungry.

Food. Community. Connection.

FOOD. COMMUNITY. CONNECTION. Bon Vivant Savant is evolving and we couldn’t be more excited. The website you are currently viewing will be changing – radically – in about four weeks. We’ll be posting an image of the new design, just a little temptation for you, just after Derby. And believe me, I think you’ll be excited too. Don’t worry though, our great dining events like the Supper Speakeasy and Wine & Wisdoms aren’t going anywhere. We’re still fully dedicated to our dining club members, but we’re also developing great in-home parties with BVS@Home as well as developing our website into a fully interactive online, lifestyle magazine that will focus not only on Kentuckiana, but will also grow to incorporate Lexington, Northern KY, Cincinnati and the surrounding regions. We’ll bring you the best our community has to offer: food, arts & entertainment, people – all in the vein of living well and living wisely!

Interested in contributing? We’ve got some great contributors lined up already (we’ll be announcing more after Derby), but we’d like to hear from you, our readers. We’re looking for great stories, photos or videos on local life – whatever that means for you.  Want to share your passion for art, music, food, your city, your job, your family, your volunteer work? Great, it’s all about living life to its fullest. Full credit and appropriate links will be given for all content utilized by the site. Contact me directly for more info.

Choose Your Own Adventure Supper Speakeasy

Alright, I know I get excited about most of the dinner we here at BVS put together, but this one has a special place in my heart. Not only are we collaborating once again with the mad, creative genius of Stephen Dennison, but the location is one of my top 10 dream sites in Louisville to host a dinner. You truly won’t want to miss this one! And remember, if you’re not a member, you are able to attend one Supper Speakeasy. Once you’ve attended one, you need to become a member to attend future events.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE DINNER
WHEN: Thursday, March 11, 5:00p*
WHERE: As always, only revealed to those who RSVP
CHEF: Stephen Dennison, of the Before and After Dinner at the Planetarium as well as the amazing French Speakeasy with Maker’s Mark
COST: $75 per person or $125 for 2 people (use code: BVS125 when paying online)
RSVP: Please call 502.287.2772 or RSVP using the button below. To avoid service charges, please call.

WHAT: All courses will offer guests a choice for their actual dish. This is an adventure in dining where not all guests will received the same meal for each course – but you DO have control over which dish you select.

Life is an adventure, the grand painting produced over time and as personal as one’s fingerprint. Whether explored across the globe or in one’s own backyard the glory of the experience should be savored, as a great meal. We will be offering a five-course meal with appertif and digestif cocktails and paired with wines. As in life, the journey is finest when shared with companions, new and old. Please join us for this next adventure in our shared culinary experience.

While the location can not yet be revealed, it is a long standing cultural and educational center for our fair city. From a dinner that surprises at every turn to the location of the event, this is one dinner you truly won’t want to miss!

1st special guest of honor announced: Specialist Troy Yocum of “Hike for our Heroes.” When Troy Yocum came home from Iraq, he had just one thing on his mind: hike 7000 miles across America while drumming to raise $5 million for Military Families. During our economic hard times one United States soldier is rallying Americans to help veterans. Starting during Thunder Over Louisville on April 17th, 2010, Iraq war veteran Troy will hike day after day for 16 months to spread the word that help is needed. With a great team backing him, he plans on drumming up support in more ways than one.

*NOTE, the timing is a little earlier on this one to provide for all the fun activities we have in store for your evening. Special guests of honor, a unique entertainment experience and a dinner like none other you have seen.

MENU:
All dishes served with wine tastings.

Asiana: ‘Dim Sum’ Seafood
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Teriyaki Wash      OR
Shrimp-Wrapped Bacon Teriyaki
w/ Tariquet Classic Ugni Blanc/Colombard

Italia: ‘Pasta’ Vegetable
Fresh Mozzarella Ravioli Tomato Sauce        OR
Fresh Pappardelle Gardinia
w/ Di Majo Norante Sangiovese

Franconia: ‘Soup’ Terrine
Lobster Bisque with Asparagus/ Red Pepper    OR
Asparagus/ R Pepper Bisque w/Lobster
w/Miracle One Chardonnay

Germania: ‘Meat’ Beef
Potato and Cheddar Rouladen    OR
Cheddar Schpaetzle w/ Tournedos
w/Miracle One Pinot Noir

Americana: ‘Sweets’ Dessert
Lemon Roll-up (Vanilla Sponge Cake) Strawberry Sauce       OR
Strawberry Roll-up (Choc Sponge) Lemon Sauce
w/Jonesy Port

Wine & Wisdom – Flamenco Dinner at La Catalana

Our first Wine & Wisdom of the year finds us visiting and enjoying the delightful new Spanish restaurant, La Catalana. If you haven’t discovered this little gem yet (next door to Havana Rumba) you really should consider joining us for an evening of food, fun and flamenco.

The purpose of the Wine & Wisdom is to elevate the traditional wine dinner to the next level and create a full cultural and/or educational experience where the food and drink are more of  an enhancement versus the focus of the overall event.

WHEN: Friday, February 12 6:30pm
WHERE: La Catalana Restaurant, next door to Havana Rumba
COST: $35 + tip for BVS members, $45 + tip for non-members*
*if you join that evening, the $10 event fee will be applied toward your membership fee
Call 502.287.2772 or email for RSVP You may also purchase through the button below which will include a small service charge. BVS members should contact me directly.

Our evening starts with a conversation with Domino, the owner of La Catalana and will cover the dining traditions of northern Spain. At 7:00, we’ll take over the front of the restaurant for a VIP view of Flamenco Louisville’s performance all while enjoying a delicious dinner of tapas, paella, sangria and more. If you speak Spanish, or have been wanting to practice, this is the evening for you as most of our delightful hosts are all native speakers!

MENU

Tapas:
Huevos rellenos (stuffed eggs with tuna)
Tortilla de Patatas (Potato tortilla/omlette)
Mejillones Tigres (Tiger Mussels)
Berejena a la Parmesana (eggplant parmesan – some of the best I’ve ever had and I’m not a huge eggplant lover!)

Main Course:
Traditional Paella
Black Rice with seafood

Dessert:
Peras al Vino (Pears in Wine)

Pitchers of Sangria and non alcoholic drinks included
Additional wines and cocktails available with special pricing for our event

Supper Speakeasy to feature Cancer fighting and preventing foods

COOKING TO FIGHT CANCER
WHEN: Saturday, January 30, 6:30p
WHERE: As always, only revealed to those who RSVP
CHEF: Alison Mann, most recently sous chef to Chef Curtis Stone of TLC’s “Take Home Chef
COST: $75 per person
RSVP: You may either call 502.287.2772 or click on the button below to purchase online. Service charges will apply to online purchases.

WHAT: All courses focusing on foods to assist in the fight against cancer or assist in prevention! Plus, enjoy the opportunity to hear directly from Kinsey Morrison, 13 yr old cancer survivor recently seen in the Courier-Journal here. More details to develop. Stay tuned. Proceeds to help benefit Gilda’s Club of Louisville.

Enjoy this amazing menu prepared by Chef Alison Mann, while also learning about the benefits of certain foods for fighting and preventing cancer. Alison is a certified nutritionist, and while our menu is not meant as a prescription, we are looking forward to all aspects of healthy living and the nutritional benefits of several foods. This is a first in a quarterly series this year of healthy lifestyle Supper Speakeasys. As always, all courses are paired with wine provided by Bryant Distributing.

Caramelized  onion tart with ricotta, gruyere and arugula garnish

Asparagus Veloute

Tomato Tartare salad with roasted garlic, basil oil and micro greens…possibly bay scallops bound by a chive

Pan-seared whitefish over artichoke puree, tomato lobster buerre blanc and steamed spinach

Blueberry creme brulee with rosemary lemon curd ice cream

‘Locavore’ Nibble & Sip is back!

It’s finally back! We’re up and running with our first Nibble & Sip of the year and it has returned full force. Join us for our ‘Locavore’ Happy Hour at Browning’s at Slugger Field on Wednesday, Nov. 11 between 5:30 and 7:30 pm.

Groove to Butch Rice, be dazzled by Darshwood the Conjuror and enjoy special light bites and drinks that utilize locally sourced ingredients – featuring the fun of pumpkin as we celebrate fall. Show your support for all things local and the CFA.

Sliding scale cover ($5-10 suggested) and members get their first feature cocktail or mocktail free. Featuring Horseshoe Bend Wines, Effen Vodka and Maker’s Mark.

It’s a Wonderful Wine & Wisdom Dinner

Another favorite is back in full force! This time, we’re giving you a preview of our fabulous mobile wine tastings that have been created by Tom Johnson of Louisville Juice. Join us Monday, November 16, 7pm at L & N Wine Bar and Bistro to enjoy a wine tasting with a twist! Learn about wine through the eyes of a beloved holiday classic and delicious dishes by Chef Rick Adams.

MEMBERS: $35 + gratuity (call for promo code if you purchase online)
GENERAL PUBLIC: $55 + gratuity.
Call 502.287.2772 or email for RSVP You may also purchase through the button below which will include a small service charge. BVS members should contact me directly.
Seating is limited to 24 for this event

1st course
Three – 1 oz. servings of today’s artisanal cheese selection. Traditional accompaniments.
Served with the Grecco di Tufo & Furst Riesling.

2nd course
Seared Sweetbreads, Capriole Farms goat cheese grits, Benton Farms bacon & whole grain mustard veal reduction, micro greens.
Served with the Protocolo Tempranillo.

3rd course
Duncan Farms Rabbit, swiss chard, celery root puree, bourbon pepper rabbit stock reduction.
Served with Plungerhead Zinfandel & Chono Cabernet

4th course
Classic Crème Brulee
Served with the Ivy Blondia Moscato

The Dickensian Speakeasy – Even Scrooge himself would be pleased

Join us on Sunday, December 6, for a traditional Victorian feast with a menu that will delight and surprise, created by Chef Michael Hargrove, sous chef at the Jefferson Club currently and past executive chef at Primo. We will dine on historical goodies (menu is currently being finalized), including roast goose and Christmas Pudding, all while enjoying the beauty of a historical home from the period, a bit of wassail and the lovely singing of local carolers.

Non-Members: If you have not attended a Supper Speakeasy before, you may attend one before becoming a member.

Cost, as always, is $75 per person. Please call 502.287.2772 to reserve your space or click below to pay securely online. You will save $4 per ticket in service charges by calling.

MENU

Cocktails
Fresh Eggnog
Hot Cider
Wassail

Hors d’oeuvres
Sweet and savory scones with clotted cream and young butter
Candied, spiced and roasted nuts
Charcuterie

Main Course
Roasted goose – Cranberry mustard and Bird gravy
Accompaniments
Mince meat pie
Baked acorn squash
Onion and chestnut dressing
Mashed potatoes
Glazed carrots
Roasted pearl onions  with bay and clove
Braised Greens

Dessert
Buche De Noel
…and a few surprises

Holiday Wine Tasting with a Holiday Classic Twist

Holiday Parties are around the corner, do you have plans yet? BVS has joined with Tom Johnson of the Louisville Juice Wine Blog to offer an entertaining wine tasting for the holidays, “It’s a Wonderful Wine” will delight the masses with its special twist on wines and one of our favorite Holiday Classics. Starting at $20 per person, this is an option not to be missed.

Let us take you through the personality of wine as seen through the characters of this Jimmy Stewart classic. BVS Members will have the pleasure of a special tasting just for them (date and location to be determined), but this tasting is also available for your holiday party. Already have your party planned? No worries, this is the perfect tasting to add onto your party for a little fun and frivolity. Nothing planned yet? We can do just the wine tasting or add heavy hors d’oeuvres for just $35 per person. And the best part, we come to you!

Learn about other mobile party options here.

Call or email to book your party today. 502.287.2772

You ask, we listen. New events for you to mingle and meet!

So far our members come together for one reason – a shared experience over food and a unique setting. Members are married, single, wives who come with their friends when their husbands are out of town, 25-75, business people looking to entertain clients or employees in a memorable manner. If you like food, meeting new folks and having a great time unlike anywhere else that you can experience, then you’ve come to the right place.

In response to what some of our current members have asked, we’re creating a bit of a more structured schedule.

Already happening:
2nd Sunday Serenades at Le Gallo Rosso – great musicians in an intimate environment every 2nd Sunday afternoon

Guerrilla Networking at Le Gallo Rosso – meet unique professionals from around the area. Currently we’re meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, but will soon move to a second lunch on the last Friday of the month and will rotate this location to different area neighborhoods.

Supper Speakeasys – OK, so these aren’t on a regular schedule, but they are monthly. We often try to keep these to a Sunday, Monday or Thursday night, but it really all depends on the hosting chef and location. Ah, isn’t that part of the fun?

Starting Soon:
2nd Wednesdays at Park Place @ Slugger Field – We’ll rotate two of our popular events, the Nibble & Sip ‘Locavore’ Happy Hour and our Wine & Wisdoms at this beautiful and private location. Often we’ll enjoy the talents of owner Anoosh Shariat, and from time to time we’ll invite in a guest chef as well. Look for an announcement to our kick-off on November 11.

Wine & Cooking Classes – Look for these to start in the new year, 2010. Exact locations are pending, but classes will be available as a package or on a drop in basis. We will be partnering with 4 Flights Wine Boutique for the wine classes… so, stay tuned for details. Are you on our newsletter yet? You should be.