Eat & Swig [1]

Long ago before refrigerators were a common household appliance, the ancient art of charcuterie (shahr-cute-uh-ree) was a way to preserve meats. Today, this old-world process is used not practically, but to enjoy the flavors derived from the process of preservation. The word itself is French and refers to smoked, cured, and cooked meats. These meats can range from grade school lunch classics like bologna to more intimidating forcemeats [4] like pâté, terrine, and ballotine.

Charcuterie boards are great way to try new and experience new flavors. They often don’t just feature various meats, but cheeses, fruits, and other preserves. They’re a great conversation piece and Louisville menus certainly aren’t lacking. Here are five boards you should try right now! 

Wiltshire on Market

Ghyslain

721 East Market Street

$14

 

Chef Ghyslain sources his charcuterie items from Fabrique Delice. a company owned by a French man in California. “He started his company 25 years ago and does the best charcuterie,” says Gheyslain. On this board you’ll send your taste buds through an assortment of flavors including, but not limited to cured duck salami, black pepper pork pâté, garlic sausage, brie, blue cheese, olives, strawberries, pears and fig jam. “As a chef I do about everything we serve except the charcuterie. This is a very specialized art and until I can make my better than his, I will buy his for my customer.”  

Image: Ghyslain

Holy Grale

1034 Bardstown Road

$15

 

The Grale Garden offers a picturesque setting for tasting beers from around the world and also lends a community atmosphere perfect for sharing this plate. It’s a simple, but flavorful selection of cured ham, chicken liver mousse, porkstrami, rillettes, and accompaniments. 

Image: Jessica Fey 

 

Butchertown Grocery 

1076 East Washington Street

Price Varies 

Have the late night munchies and a taste for the finer things in life? Then Butchertown Grocery is your answer or rather answers. They have not one, but five different charcuterie boards (Butchertown, Seasonal, Spicy, European, and Game Changer). So, based on how hard in the paint your willing to go you can choose from a simple, seasonal boucheron cheese, fruit, nuts and local honey board to “everything from our cheese and charcuterie kitchen,” also known as the “Game Changer.” The real game changer would be to order all five. I think then it’s technically a charcuterie table.  

Image: Butchertown Grocery 

Rye

900 East Market Street 

$18

If you’re new to the charcuterie scene this is a good place to start. Straightforward and pork driven this board includes Broadbent Country Ham, rillette croquette, finocchiona, and pork terrine. 

Image: Rye on Market

Cover Image: Ghyslain