LE RELAIS, Bowman Field, 2817 Taylorsville Rd., 451-9020, www.lerelaisrestaurant.com. Some French restaurants may be pretentious, but Le Relais is simply elegant. Its art deco environs are a perfect match for the setting — inside the Bowman Field Administration Building, circa 1929, (Reviewed 6/18/08; Rating: 96)
QUEEN OF SHEBA, 2804 Taylorsville Rd., 459-6301. Ethiopian restaurant Queen of Sheba offers an airy and bright atmosphere in its new home across from Bowman Field. The reasonably priced meals are served with an Ethiopian flatbread, so don’t be shy about eating with your hands. (Reviewed 6/25/08; Rating: 84)
BLUE NILE ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT, 558 S. Fifth St., 625-7400. If your looking for fair-priced, foreign food, the Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. The restaurant supplies its consumers with a choice of vegetarian dishes, chicken or beef stews, tips and wots. (Reviewed 6/25/08; Rating: 77)
CORBETT’S “AN AMERICAN PLACE”, 5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd., 327-5058, www.corbettsrestaurant.com. Housed in the 150-year-old farmhouse that was originally home to the Von Allmen dairy operation, Corbett’s “An American Place” opened in the winter, joining the ranks of the region’s top tables. Patrons can choose between dining al fresco, on the lower level, or in the private “chef’s room.” (Reviewed 7/2/08; Rating: 93)
JARFI’S BISTRO, 1543 Bardstown Rd., 589-5060, www.jarfis.com. Jarfi’s menu has changed a bit (it’s always evolving), but what is truly new here is the atmosphere — whereas Lentini’s was upscale and sophisticated, the new Jarfi’s is colorful, vibrant and ethnically diverse. Under one roof, diners can encounter a French-style bistro, a Moroccan lounge, a sushi bar, traditional formal dining and a Times Square-themed dining hall. (Reviewed 7/9/08; Rating: 90)
CAFFE PERUSA, 9200 Taylorsville Rd., 495-5070. The little-known Continental restaurant tucked away in a strip mall stands out with its succulent food well worth the cost. The variety of choices make it difficult to decide on just one entrée, but the “Study in Oysters” appetizer is a good start. (Reviewed 7/17/08; Rating: 91)
ASAHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT, 3701 Lexington Rd., 895-1130. Chef Yong Bong Tak has made Asahi a worthy addition to St. Matthews. The extensive menu includes more than 100 sushi options, including the “Hawaiian Roll” and pairs of nigiri sushi. (Reviewed 7/23/08; Rating: 78)
