Carly Rae’s, 103 W. Oak St., 365-1003. With the arrival of Chef David Clancy (of the late Bistro New Albany), Carly Rae’s is emerging as a strong contender to break the spell of the doomed location at the corner of First and Oak streets in Old Louisville. The attractive and fair-priced casual bistro offers a mix of Cajun, Creole, Mediterranean and a lot of Clancy. (Reviewed 8/20/08; Rating: 88)
Dakshin Indian Restaurant, Eastland Shopping Center, 4742 Bardstown Rd., 491-7412. This recent arrival ranks as a favorite among the region’s Indian community. The menu is said to include at least one dish from every Indian state, from Tamil Nadu and the Malabar Coast to Kashmir and the Himalayas. (Reviewed 10/1/08; Rating: 86)
THE Colonnade, Louisville Antique Mall, 834 E. Broadway, 749-3105. “The tradition continues,” its proprietors say, but with some differences: The “new” Colonnade is more upscale, a marked difference from the old show in the Starks Building basement. The menu includes traditional Kentucky dishes such as the Louisville Hot Brown and Benedictine. (Reviewed 10/7/08; Rating: 78)Olivia’s Restaurant, Goss Avenue Antique Mall, 946 Goss Ave., 409-6160. Located at the back of the cavernous Goss Avenue Mall, this restaurant is somewhat upscale, both in decor and menu, although just about everything is attractively priced at $10 or less. Choice menu items include fried green heirloom tomatoes and peanut butter pie. (Reviewed 10/7/08; Rating: 72)
De la Torre’s, 1606 Bardstown Rd., 456-4955, www.delatorres.com. Recently the restaurant responded to customer demand (with one eye on the sinking economy) and shifted the menu over to an all-tapas list. The new menu offers more than three dozen small plates to choose from. (Reviewed 10/22/08; Rating: 94)
