Corner Restaurant & Bar
Louisville's newest hotel bar offers unique flavors and amazing craft cocktails!
One of the questions I'm asked most frequently is "Where is a really great hotel in Louisville? I'd like to stay in a nice hotel with good food and a good bar."
Of course, my answer is that the perfect Louisville hotel varies wildly upon your destination, purpose for traveling, and budget. My new favorite to add to the list is the brand-new Downtown Louisville Aloft, especially Corner Bar & Restaurant, across from Whiskey Row.
My beau and I visited Corner on a recent Saturday afternoon. The lively crowd were clearly still celebrating a U of L win from earlier that day -- your Cards ticket stub serves as a ticket for one free drink at Corner! -- and the mood was festive and fun. We may have even seen a local Congressman in the crowd...
We sat down for a drink and some appetizers, and were impressed by the attention to detail. The whiskey menu was broken down by distillery. We ordered a pair of Old-Fashioneds. Mine, with Maker's Mark, featured delightful details like house-made maraschino cherries. Bob's, with Woodford Reserve, paired the whiskey's high vanilla note with the orange peel garnish for a deliciously smooth finish.
We ordered a pair of appetizers from the Game Day Menu. The beer cheese fondue from the three dips and chips trio was outstanding, but the real star was the brussels sprouts with candied jalapeno and apple vinaigrette.
We then moved up to the bar for a cocktail lesson from Ashley, Corner's resident mixologist. Let me tell you, this lady knows what she's doing.
Ashley worked with her patrons' flavor profiles to create drinks she thought they'd enjoy. She put so much care into every detail of the drinks, from basics like bloody marys or pina coladas on up to more complex libations.
The presentation was stunning, and the cocktails were amazing.
Thanks so much to Corner for the opportunity to come visit! We'll definitely be back soon!
Maker's Mark Give Cozy, #GetCozy Holiday Tour
Help others stay warm with Maker's Mark's #GetCozy Holiday Tour.
I hope y'all are having a great holiday season!
The truth is, by this point, most of us have had a little too much to eat, and have received more presents than we possibly can use. And, we're all probably looking for a little more closet space to hang that new coat or jacket that we just love.
The fabulous folks at Maker's Mark can help y'all out! Throughout December, a Maker's Mark truck has traveled across the country on the “Give Cozy, #GetCozy” mobile coat drive. The Maker’s Mark Give Cozy, #GetCozy truck is a donation site for lightly used or spare jackets and coats, all of which will go toOne Warm Coat, a non-profit organization which provides those in need with a warm coat free of charge. The Give Cozy, #GetCozy truck will have some treats for you, including hot chocolate and Maker’s Mark inspired gingerbread cookies. I hear there might even be some Maker's swag on board as well!
Louisville is the final stop in the Give Cozy, #GetCozy Holiday Tour. You can find the Maker's Mark truck at restaurants, bars, and Liquor Barn locations all this week.
Check out the Maker's Mark Give Cozy, #GetCozy Tour at these stops here in Louisville this week:
• 28-Dec 2:00pm – 7:00pm Liquor Barn Springhurst, 4301 Towne Center Dr.
• 28-Dec 8:00pm – 9:30pm Hilltop Tavern, 1800 Frankfort Ave.
• 29-Dec 12:00pm – 5:00pm Liquor Barn Hurstbourne, 1850 S Hurstbourne Pkwy.
• 29-Dec 6:00pm – 8:00pm Garage Bar, 700 E Market St.
• 30-Dec 12:00pm – 2:00pm Liquor Barn Hurstbourne, 1850 S Hurstbourne Pkwy.
• 30-Dec 6:00pm – 7:30pm Drake's, 3921 Summit Plaza Dr.
• 30-Dec 7:30pm – 9:00pm Martini’s Italian Bistro, 4021 Summit Plaza Dr.
For folks who do not have a coat on-hand, but would like to Give Cozy to #GetCozy, One Warm Coat® will offer a text-to-donate option in which every dollar raised translates into two warm coats for those in need. To make a donation, text "COAT" to 80100 to donate $5 to One Warm Coat. (Standard data and messaging rates may apply. For additional information please visit mobilegiving.org or onewarmcoat.org/privacy.)*
Maker’s Mark will also be working with select retail liquor stores to place coat donation bins on-site for those looking to drop off a coat.
Follow Maker’s Mark on Twitter @MakersMark or MakersMark.com/Holiday-Truck-Tour page to stay up to date on the Give Cozy, #GetCozy truck stops and please make sure to visit OneWarmCoat.org to learn more on how to #warmamillion people with new and gently worn coats.
5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Diane Sawyer
Celebrating the 70th birthday of Louisville native and broadcasting legend Diane Sawyer.
On December 22, 1945, Lila Diane Sawyer was born in Glasgow, Kentucky to Jean and E.P. "Tom" Sawyer. Her parents moved to Louisville soon after her birth. As Jean taught elementary school and Tom studied law and moved up the Republican political rankings to an eventual judgeship, Diane and older sister Linda seemed destined for great things in bigger cities than Louisville. Linda would go on to become a fashion editor at Vogue, while Diane became a groundbreaking television journalist. In celebration of one of our very favorite Kentucky women, here are 5 facts you probably didn't know about Diane Sawyer.
1. Diane Sawyer was a cheerleader for the The 1963 State Champion Seneca High School Red Hawk basketball team, which boasted future Boston Celtic Mike Redd and future Washington Bullet Wes Unseld.
2. Diane's beauty has always commanded attention. The 5'10 blonde was crowned National Junior Miss in 1963 and Queen of the 47th annual International Flower Show in 1964.
3. She earned an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College. She initially planned to follow in her father's professional footsteps, but after one semester at U of L Law, decided she wanted to pursue a career in journalism.
4. Diane Sawyer worked as a staff member in the Nixon White House. She drafted several of his speeches, and later collaborated with President Nixon on his memoirs.
5. Ms. Sawyer's journalism career has been groundbreaking. She was the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes, political correspondent for several national political conventions, and has served as an anchor for evening news and morning shows. She has interviewed a wide array of personalities, from heads of state to 9/11 widows to Bruce Jenner.
Happy Birthday to an amazing Kentucky Lady. Diane Sawyer, you're an inspiration to us all!
The Best Christmas Pajamas!
In 1823, Clement Clarke Moore first published his poem A Visit from St. Nicholas with the legendary verses,
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
And, basically, ever since, we've associated Christmas with snuggly pajamas that are perfect for late evenings by the fire and early mornings, opening presents. In fact, my goal this week is to wear Christmas pajamas as frequently as possible.
This year, I'm rocking these snow globe flannels from Nick and Nora at Target.
I've picked a few more favorites for y'all below!
Poinsettia + Christmas Tree Quilt
Every Thursday here on HerKentucky, I share photos of a gorgeous quilt that my grandmother has made for me. I love getting this Poinsettia and Christmas Tree quilt out every year for holiday decorating. Isn't it fun and festive?
Check out more Quilt of the Week posts here:
- Navy + Blue Bear Paw Quilt
- Orange + Green Halloween Quilt
- Pink + White Dresden Plate
- Blue + White Kentucky Wildcats
- Pink + White Double Wedding Ring
- Yellow + Green Grandmother's Flower Garden
- Pink + Green Plaid Butterfly
- Red + White Ohio Star
- Pink + White Kentucky Wildcats Patchwork
- Pink + Green Lilly Pulitzer Patchwork Quilt
- Pink + Green Hearts + Polka Dots Quilt
- Blue + Brown Kitchen Patchwork Quilt
- Red + Green Christmas Patchwork Quilt
5 Christmas Sweaters That Aren't Ugly
Ditch that Ugly Christmas Sweater for an elegant holiday knit!
'Tis the Season for Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties. I'm sure that most of y'all have been invited to a party or two where the dress code called for hideous holiday knits. Here in Louisville, there are so many ways to show the world that you have terrible taste in Christmas attire. Garage Bar is hosting an Ugly Sweater Brunch this Sunday, Hilltop Tavern and Maker's Mark are throwing an Ugly Sweater Party (with prizes!) next Wednesday, and there's even an Ugly Sweater Run tonight, if that's your jam.
As for me, I like my holiday knitwear to run a little more toward pretty and non-ironic. I like to stick with vintage L.L. Bean Sweaters or pretty knits paired with neutrals. Here a few great Christmas sweaters that will take you through the next week of holiday parties in style.
These Ralph Lauren corduroy leggings are seriously THE BEST for pairing with boots and oversized sweaters. They're so comfy and yet give you such a polished look. I LOVE mine!
This Lands' End Supima cotton cardigan adds holiday flair in an understated way. It would be just perfect paired with a pretty skirt and tights.
This Vineyard Vines Snowflake Fair Isle Turtleneck combines the season's snowflakes with some lovely neutrals.
This would be great with winter white leggings and neutral boots for a comfy yet sophisticated holiday look.
Talbots seriously knocked it out of the park with their holiday line this year. How cute is this sequin fawn tee?
Pair with black jeans and booties for a casual, festive look.
I've already told y'allhow much I love Fair Isle sweaters. This Brooks Brothers Red Fleece sweater is perfect for casual get-togethers with distressed jeans and duck boots.
Happy Holiday Styling, y'all, and just say no to the ugly sweater!
A Good Enough Christmas
An old family photo taught me an important holiday lesson.
This post first appeared on HerKentucky in 2012; today felt like a nice day to repost it.
I like perfection.
If things are in their place, we're all happier and more productive, right? Why have a bookshelf when you can have a color-coded bookshelf? And, if every tree is perfect, every serving dish is perfectly chosen, every decoration is perfectly spaced, then we'll all have the happiest Christmas ever, right?
Well, at least that's how I've always seen it. In my head, the holidays take on a Martha Stewart meets Southern Living meets Pinterest air of forced perfection. I want things just so, damn it. I choose a color and a theme for each holiday season, and I like to stick to it. My Christmas cards match my tree which matches the presents. It just looks so nice that way.
This weekend, I was putting up the tree when I realized I'd spent a full hour fluffing branches and positioning lights. To be fair, the tree looked amazing but, you know, there still weren't any ornaments. And then I undertook the Great Wrapping The Ribbon Around the Tree Incident of 2012. We shan't speak of it.
My beau, God bless him, often tries to gently remind me that the holidays can never be as perfect as I envision them. Every day of December can't look like the L.L. Bean catalog, he reminds me, and every day (much to his delight and my chagrin) doesn't come with a Michael Bublé holiday soundtrack. And all I do is wear myself out trying to make it so.
Recently, I was going through some photos of Christmases at my great-grandparents' house. They had six kids, including my paternal grandmother. By all accounts, Christmas was a big crazy party with lots of family, food, and fun. As I looked at these pictures, it didn't stand out to me that they didn't have a ton of money. It didn't matter what people wore or what dishes they ate from. They looked... happy. They were genuinely glad to be with each other on Christmas. It wasn't forced or overproduced. It was a holiday with family. And that was enough.
Now, I'm not exactly going to give away my beloved Spode Christmas china, nor am I taking down any of my many themed trees. But, this Christmas, I am going to try to slow down and enjoy the season. People and memories are more important than the perfectly decorated cookie. Maybe happiness is good enough.