Atlantic No. 5 (at 605 W. Main Street) is a cheery, downtown oasis of good coffee, delicious pastries and vintage lunch boxes. It’s a pretty place, a respectable place, and it’s about to get a lot sexier.
On November 12, Atlantic No. 5 is bringing Izakaya (Japanese small plates with drinks) dining to Louisville, in the form of A5. A5 will operate in the same space at Atlantic No. 5 during some of the times the breakfast/brunch operation isn’t open..
The A5 pop-up ran for a few weeks earlier this season, and I got the chance to sample the menu. Imagine if you found out your cute-and-cuddly kindergarten teacher moonlighted as a high-class lounge singer: that’s exactly how I felt when I tried A5. It was strangely romantic to see one of my favorite places for a latte transform into a romantic, blue-lit date spot. It was strange to order salmon ceviche instead of a soft egg and bacon sandwich; it was also beautiful and interesting.
A5’s small-plate offerings will change week-to-week, but the food on the night we went was exceptional: standouts included two jewel-toned slices of Ahi tuna perched on pillows of cool creamy burrata mozzarella with apple and rose; and roasted cauliflower served cold, with crisp endive and walnut. There’s an option to order “one of each, please” for $152,
Tyler Morris, Executive Chef at Rye, will also serve as Executive Chef at A5, and will be assisted by Rye and A5 co-owner Michael Trager-Kusman. Doug Petry, who developed the cocktail list at A5’s sister restaurant Rye, is behind the cocktail and wine list at A5.
The current list has three whites, three reds, and three cocktails completed by the chance to order the “dealer choice,” an abbreviated pour for $4 while you make up your mind. The gin cocktail with doun blanc and orange bitters was our favorite, fresh and simple. The bourbon cocktail was a very good variation on an old fashioned (bourbon, demerara and bitters).
Atlantic No. 5 will keep its regular hours: Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. A5 will be open Wednesday - Saturday from 5 – 10 p.m. Make your reservations now: 502-883-3398, and make sure to follow Atlantic No. 5 /A5 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
