Being married to a Hoosier, she regularly reminds me that there has been a wonderful food scene right across the bridge(s) for a couple of decades. A fave of my family north of the mighty Ohio River is The Exchange Pub + Kitchen where locally sourced ingredients meet Southern-inspired dishes and where Southern Indiana chefs go toe-to-toe with Louisville’s best. With thoughtful decor, exposed brick, amazing art, bourbon flights that’ll make a Kentuckian blush, and farm to table curation of their menu, this place ticks every foodie box.
118 W Main St, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 948-6501 Joe DeSensiA Feast to Remember
My Zoeller family converged on the Exchange recently, and we are a group that likes to eat and explore menus. For starters, we actually tried some of the side dishes: a roasted cauliflower side, gluten-free and vegetarian, and the vegetable of the day in which the chef chose a summer salad with tomatoes, feta cheese, and a tangy vinegar to pull the flavors together. Joe DeSensiOne unique aspect about the preparation of the cauliflower is the oil that they create to cook it (which is a mixture of oil, lemon, red pepper, and a few other secret spices) that makes the cracked pepper, salt, parsley, and basil all pull together for a specific, wonderful flavor profile. After all of the cucumbers and tomatoes were gone from the summer salad, the residual onions were combined with the remainder of the cauliflower, giving it just a little more of a crunch. Joe DeSensiHope, my dining partner-in-crime, went with a crowd favorite, the Verlasso salmon. It’s served over a velvety bed of pesto risotto (yes, pesto-risotto.) and comes with a simple side of roasted asparagus for balance. I call this dish a “unicorn” because Hope ordered it exactly as listed on the menu without a single substitution.
I, on the other hand, went full culinary diva by Frankensteining an entree (Hope would tell you that this is more the rule than the exception). One thing that I love about The Exchange is that they offer an Impossible Burger (as a sandwich or added protein to an entrée or salad). Because it’s mankini season, and I’m trying to watch my calories just a little bit, I go with the local farm salad with lettuce, red onions, radish, cherry tomatoes, shaved Parmesan, but I’ll leave off the croutons and swap out the ranch dressing for their lavender honey vinaigrette. Then, I add an Impossible Burger to the mix, and if the kitchen is not too busy, I have them put an egg over easy on top of that. It’s sort of a deconstructed veggie burger with the lettuce bun. Joe DeSensiIf you’ve read my articles over the years, you’ll know that I’m a huge Michter’s fan. The Michter’s flight menu offering allows you to really do a Pepsi challenge across their different entry level spirits: the American whiskey, the bourbon, the sour mash, and the rye. And, I feel like I’m being disingenuous to my Commonwealth Bourbon roots but I thought the rye was the pick of the litter. Confession time: even though it’s borderline sacrilege, I couldn’t resist mixing the last few sips from each flight into my own “mash-up.” Possibly heretical but absolutely delicious. Joe DeSensiJoe DeSensiTo completely undo any early-dinner calorie savings, we finished the meal by nibbling on a hot fudge sundae (make it gluten-free by having them hold the chocolate chip cookie). . . something about vanilla ice cream, rich whipped cream, and decadent hot fudge just feels like summer. Joe DeSensiFor you carnivores, The Exchange is your meaty playground. From the braised short rib to the Nashville hot chicken (paired with mac and cheese so good it gets my niece’s seal of approval) and a teras major steak frites with chimichurri butter that whispers sweet nothings to your alimentary soul, their entrees are a celebration of flavor and creativity. Or is you are going all “classic ‘Merican” with your summer cravings, they have a variety of burgers and toppings satisfy the meatiest of meat eaters out there. Joe DeSensiBeyond the Meal
At The Exchange, you’ll see everything from polos and sundresses to folks kicking back in flip-flops on their sprawling patio (complete with a killer view of the nearby bridge). The vibe is welcoming with a twist of upscale energy, making it the perfect backdrop for a date night, a family dinner, or just grabbing midday burgers and bourbon.
The service here is stellar. Knowledgeable without being pushy, the staff masters that balance of helpfulness and letting you linger. Whether you’re checking on gluten-free options or figuring out which bourbon pairs best with that beer cheese fondue, they’ve got you covered. Joe DeSensi
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