In January, during the first bad snow of 2016, The Hub Louisville opened at 2235 Frankfort Ave. Owners Talmage Collins and Eric Wentworth are first-time restaurateurs, but you’d never guess at their rookie status after a peep inside the space that used to house River City Tire.
The 6,300+ square-foot Hub is divided into gaming, bar and dining areas. There’s a sizable patio as well. “We really lucked into this space. It was incredible, and we kind of molded the concept around the space and the area, the Clifton neighborhood. We love it here, and we couldn’t think of a better place to open,” says Wentworth.
Collins adds that while he’s definitely “aged a few years” learning the restaurant-opening ropes, “I kept hearing over and over from my friend that there needs to be a more casual place [in Clifton] with small plate options and late-night dining.” But never fear the noise of late-night dining: “We want to be a good neighbor, so we had a lot of steps too soundproof the building and ensure we were a good fit for Clifton.” They’ll need that soundproofing eventually. “We’ll have live DJs and bands in a month or so, but we wanted to get the restaurant up and running before introducing the weekend entertainment.”
The Louisville Hub’s menu reflects Chef Jeff Brantley’s Georgia upbringing with Southern-inspired small plates created for sharing. “We’re trying to do as much local and seasonal stuff as we can, that’s a big part of our approach,” Brantley explains. Here’s what you should order from that menu:
Start your night with a drink. The Butchertown Swizzle ($10) is part of Wentworth’s beverage program for The Hub Louisville, which he wants to be “sophisticated but approachable.” The cocktail is gorgeous: Matcha-infused Copper & Kings un-aged apple brandy is topped with lemongrass syrup, basil and Peychauds bitters: as you drink, the bitters are supposed to swizzle naturally down into the rest of the drink and change the flavor.
Let’s eat: the pimento cheese ($9) is served in a warm smear with a dollop of bacon pudding, smoked paprika and house flatbread. Don’t ask, just eat: bacon pudding + pimento cheese + house made cracker = perfection.
Depending on the size of your party, sample all the plates you can: the XO Meatloaf ($14) is wrapped in bacon and comfortingly cozy during this cold; the short rib poutine ($12) and quail saltimbocca ($11) are satisfying and savory.
Moving on to your main course: carnivores should choose the pork reuben ($12), herbivores and waist-watchers the Beets and Brussels salad ($7).
Finish off with the Nutella Sandwich. Because…Nutella. Sandwich.
The Hub Louisville is now open. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and check their website for updates and hours.
Images: Kelli Goings
