“When you walk into Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Louisville and sit down at the Horseshoe-shaped marble bar, the eye is immediately drawn to the lavish décor spanning in every direction—the art deco touches, the cinematic chandeliers anchored by a 1950’s era antique fixture, the 32-foot wall of wine. But perhaps the swankiest facet of the environment is the clientele themselves—you can drink a Barrel- Aged Manhattan while watching Mary J. Blige make her way to a private table,” John Wilson, sales and marketing manager at Jeff Ruby’s, said of Derby weekend at the restaurant.
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse has become a Louisville-legend; modeled after the successful Cincinnati restaurant, this steakhouse pays homage to its adopted hometown featuring both Kentucky-inspired menu items and unique interior decorative appointments—thus making it a popular destination for celebrities during Derby.
And this past weekend many celebrity-sightings were to be had.
Jason Wooley, Eric Wood, Kyle Rudolph, EJ Manuel, Ken Griffey Jr, Russ Smith, Sammy Hagar, Joey Fatone, Eric Ogbogu, Josh Charles, Paul Hourning, Kris Humpries, Chris Collingsworth, Mark Sanchez, Hugo Boss, Terry Oquin, Warren Moon, Bobby from “The Bachelor,” Salt-n-Peppa, Boyz II Men, Rick Pitino, Mike Smith, Bob Baffert and many more horse owners, just to name a few, enjoyed dining—and entertaining— at the steakhouse.
Kentucky-native turned country star, J.D. Shelburne joined the house band, Robbie Bartlet, for a few songs.
“They said he brought down the house!” Wilson said.
Now to food; of the most popular orders at Jeff Ruby’s, “Bob Baffert loves our chicken. But mostly everyone loves what we are known for, which are our steaks.”
Wilson added, “And, they go through quite a bit of bourbon. Since it's Louisville, we consider that food.”
