502 Lunch Week Means Cheap(er) Eats

502 Lunch Week is back! For two weeks (Monday 9/14/2015 – Friday 9/25/2015),  24 local restaurants are offering a special $10 or $15/person lunch menus.  It’s a great opportunity try new local restaurants at a great price.  Some of these restaurants are expensive at dinner time ($20 entrees and up), so take advantage of the lunch special to determine if you do want to go back for dinner.

I tried two restaurants last year and enjoyed them both very much, Louis le Francais and Down One Bourbon Bar.  Louis’ cute and cozy French provincial atmosphere is ideal for a  lunch date (I enjoyed the lunch more than dinner).  Down One Bourbon Bar has a cool vibe and a great option for those working downtown.

The 3 Little Pigs from Down One Bourbon Bar

The tomato and onion salad from Louis le Francais

Here’s what you can expect:

• The 502 Lunch Week menu is smaller than the regular lunch menu.  For more options, you can also order from the regular menu but the price is higher.
• Expect to pay $10 or $15/person, depending on the restaurant
• The special includes a 2 course meal (either entrée + side or entrée + dessert) and 1 non-alcoholic beverage.  Taxes and gratuity are not included.

Here’s a list of participating restaurants and their special menus.  I categorized them by ratings on Yelp.

• For Goodness Crepes | menu 4.5*, $
• Over the 9 | menu 4.5* $
• Atlantic No. 5 | menu 4*, $$
• Mark's Feed Store 4*, $$
• Baxter's 942 | menu 4*, $$
• Brasserie Provence | menu 4*, $$
• Sway | menu 4*, $$
• Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge | menu 4*, $$
• Wild Rita's Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar | menu 4*, $$
• Down One Bourbon Bar & Restaurant | menu 4*, $$
• Bread & Breakfast | menu 4*, $
• Adrienne & Co. Bakery and Cafe | menu 4*, $
• The Chopshop Salads 4*, $
• Louis le Francais 3.5*, $$$
• Napa River Grill | menu 3.5* $$$
• Gatsby's on Fourth | menu 3.5*, $$
• Aspen Creek Grill | menu 3.5*, $$
• Joe's OK Bayou | menu 3.5*, $$
• Bistro 301 | menu 3.5*, $$
• Bristol Bar and Grille 3.5*, $$
• Red Yeti Brewing Company | menu 3.5*, $$
• Captain's Quarters | menu 3.5*, $$
• Amici Cafe | menu 3*, $$
• Drake's | menu 3*, $$

My recommendations:

• Louis le Francais or Brasserie Provence for French Food.  The tomato salad and ratatouille from Louis were my favorites. 
• Down One Bourbon Bar for the burgers
• Captain Quarters for an amazing riverside view and atmosphere
• Mark’s Feed Store for the honey wings (get this even if it’s not on the special lunch menu!) Free dessert every  Monday.
• Atlantic No. 5.  Get the curry chicken if it’s on the menu
• Skip Wild Rita's 

On my radar to try this year:

• Over the 9
• Charr’d Bourbon Kitchen & Lounge
• Gatsby’s on Fourth

Labor Day Activities 2015

Only one day's between us and the three day weekend that marks the unofficial end to summer.  If you're in town, don't fret, there's plenty to do.  Here's a roundup of some events to look out for this weekend.

WorldFest

Weekend Long Festivals

WorldFest
Friday 11 a.m. - Monday 11 p.m.
Belvedere (Main & 5th)
Visit the entire world right in your own backyard.  Come see the colorful display of costumes during the parade of nations on Saturday at noon, taste exotic fares at the food court, discover a world of culture at the Global Village, and dance the night away each night to the beat of world music.

Flea Off Market
Friday:11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1007 E. Jefferson St.
A popular monthly flea market with over 100 vendors selling hand-made items, local arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, accessories, antiques, etc. The many food trucks will keep you full and the live music will keep you entertained.

Kentucky Bluegrass Festival
Louisville Water Tower
3005 River Road
Friday: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
$12 before 6, $16 after 6p.m., Kids 10 and under FREE; $30 pass for all 3 days
Celebrate the end of summer with bluegrass bands from across the nation, bbq, craft vendors and of course, bourbon.

Steamboat Festival
Friday: 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Head over to Jeffersonville Indiana for a weekend of celebrating all things steamboat.  There's a balloon glimmer on Friday, parade on Saturday, boat race on Sunday.  Family friend events, vendors, food, and music all days.

Columbus' Ships: the Nina & Pinta
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
8/28/2015 - 9/7/2015
131 River Road
$8/adults, $7 (60+); $6 (5 - 16), 4 and under free
Come to the waterfront to check out these beautiful replicas of Columbus' ships.  Admire it from the outside or come into the floating museum for a little more of a history lesson.

Kentucky Flea Market
Friday & Saturday : 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Kentucky Expo Centere
937 Phillips Lane
For a little respite from the heat this weekend, the Kentucky Flea Market is the perfect place.  With over 1,000 booths there, you'll have plenty to keep you busy.

Bats fireworks from the Big Fourth Bridge

Friday 9/4/2015

First Friday Trolley Hop 
5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Route
Visit downtown art galleries, shops, restaurants via a trolley/TARC bus for free.  40+ businesses with extended hours offer special discounts, refreshments, and live music.  Be sure to stop by 21c and check out the cool art work and the word wall.

Louisville Bats fireworks
Waterfront | Big Four Bridge
After the games (game starts at 7:05 p.m.)
I'm not a fan of baseball but definitely a fan of the Friday fireworks that can be viewed from the Big Four Bridge.  It's a beautiful backdrop for a late dinner stroll.

Saturday 9/5/2015

Free Samples of Ice Cream
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
841 S. Hurstbourne Parkway
I'm a fan of this nitrogen ice cream joint.  They're giving away samples so come check it out.

Three Points Block Party
6 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Three Points
1256 Logan Street
Celebrate the completion of Three Points (the intersection of three neighborhoods: German-Paristown, Schnitzelburg, and Shelby Park) with music, food, booze, art and more.

The Golden Culture Art and Music Festival 
6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Tim Faulkner Gallery
1512 Portland Ave
Presale: $15; at door: $20
Come for the 16 hip hop performers, the live graffiti artists, and art show case at this cool Portland gallery.

Outsized Influence Festival
2:30 p.m.
Bellarmine University
2001 Newburg Road
A free festival featuring lots of Bellarmine talents, bands, art, and food trucks.

Delicious drinks from El Camino

Sunday

Free Pig Roast & Movie
10 p.m.
El Camino
1314 Bardstown Road
Free pig roast and movie from El Camino every Sunday until 12/27/2015.  Also look for specials on adult beverages.

DOGHAUS! Labor Day Weekend Cookout
4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Gralehaus
1001 Baxter Ave
Dogs & weiners, grill treats, beer cocktails, cold beer, watermelon, and music at this local favorite that's known for it's amazing beer selection.

Monday

Subway Fresh Fit Hike Bike and Paddle
7 a.m. ~ 1:00 p.m.
Louisville Waterfront Park – Great Lawn
One of my favorite Louisville events.  Thousands of people come over to bike, hike and paddle.   The city closes the streets for cyclists, maps a hiking map at the waterfront, and give free kayak tour (or you can bring your own) onn the Ohio River.  Come early to check out the health-centric booths and get some free swags.

Family Palooza
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All Southeast Christian campuses: Blankenbaker, Indiana, Oldham, Southwest
Free day of carnival games, inflatables, water slides, arts & crafts, food items for $1 or less