Found myself traveling in Kentucky with my father for a business meeting last night to a dinner at the much lauded Proof on Main in Louisville. Entering the restaurant, I quickly learned it was more than that as it is not only a restaurant, but also a hotel and an art museum. It had one of the best atmospheres I've been to in quite awhile. Most of the art was extremely eclectic and modern which was put together in a perfectly ostentatious but tasteful combination (follow this link to see more LINK).
After a quick viewing of art, I was then treated to what has been voted one of the top bathrooms in America. When at the urinal, you are faced with what appears to be a window with a waterfall overrunning it; therefore you can see as individuals walk by and try to look in the opaque other side, wondering what it is. This also allows you to bring back the child in you and try to piss on everyone who walks by.
Then it came to dinner. As expected, the bourbon selection was incredible. Ordered myself a Basil Hayden's and got started. The wine list was equally spectacular, which we took advantage of in a great shiraz and an excellent pinot. We began with both the Roasted Bison Marrow Bones as well as the Octopus Bagna Cauda. The Molly Dooker Shiraz was absolutely perfect when paired with the bone marrow on toast with the apple pear mustard. The fat of the bone marrow coated your tongue in beefy deliciousness which is perfectly complemented by hard hitting fruit forward punch of the Molly Dooker. My personal preference, however, had to be the Octopus, and I normally and not an octopus guy (bagna cauda epicurious definition here.)
That night they were serving a seared scallop special with spaghetti squash and caper berries, which I had never had before but thoroughly enjoyed, and found it to be incredible. Our other dinner members had grilled beef skirt steak, simmered lamb shank, and a country ham wrapped pork chop which may have been one of the most ridiculous but delicious dishes I have recently experienced. Overall, all the food was incredible. The wait wasn't long, the wait staff was casual, but incredibly knowledgeable and more than willing to offer their advice to the diner stuck between two dishes.
Overall, this was one of the best restaurants I have been to in a long time, if not ever. The food, atmosphere, and liquor/wine selection was absolutely phenomenal. If you ever find yourself to be anywhere near Louisville, Kentucky I strongly recommend you check this place out. However, be prepared to spend a pretty penny if you wish to experience all the deliciousness Proof on Main has to offer.
Final Score: 10/10
