Get lost in the sauce

Immersive restaurants in Derby City

Grassa Gramma transports you to a plaza in Italy. | Photo by LOUtoday

You don’t need a plane ticket to travel the world. These two Derby City restaurants will transport you to two different countries the moment you step in the door — no TSA required.

Grassa Gramma, 2210 Holiday Manor Center

Through the towering wooden doors of this Holiday Manor restaurant, a brick walkway leads you past a cathedral-style bar into a two-story dining room where a stone fountain serves as the centerpiece to this capsule of Italy.

The grandeur goes beyond being a replica of an Italian piazza to include other various nods to Italian culture — like the lush red Gucci-themed booth decorated with gold framed photos of the high-end fashion brand.

LOUtoday_Grassa Gramma 2 — The Gucci-themed table at Grassa Gramma.

Its menu prides itself on being a “devotion and not revisionism” when it comes to northern and southern-style Italian dishes — like chicken marsala and cacio e pepe. Each meal at Gassa Gramma — which translates to fat grandma — also begins with a complimentary pour of house red wine.

Don’t skip: Tiramisu
Deal: On Mondays, you can get a pre-fixe meal with your choice of salad + entree for $19.

La Bodeguita de Mima, 725 E. Market St.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Cuba in the 1950s, step into this bright yellow NuLu eatery that pays homage to the matriarch of Chef Fernando Martinez’s family, “Mima.”

Inside this classic Cuban restaurant and rum bar, the walls are covered with patterned wallpaper, framed photos of Cuba + other memorabilia — like an old time cash register at the bar.

The food is even served on replica sheets of the Cuban newspaper “Heraldo de la Habana.”

Don’t skip: Barquitos de Malanga — bite size tarot root boats filled with black beans, ope vieja, queso fresco + guacamole, chives, and cilantro.

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Nov. 14

WWE Monday Night RAW | Monday, Nov. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | KFC YUM! Center | $20-$120 | Watch your favorite WWE superstars duke it out in the ring.

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Disney Themed Trivia Night! | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | Tin Roof Louisville, 3921 Shelbyville Rd. | Free to attend | Disney fans, put your Mickey Mouse ears together for a chance to take home a first, second, or third place prize.
Pet-Friendly Bourbon Tasting | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7-8 p.m. | Club K9, 9316 Taylorsville Rd. | $40 | Bring your four-legged friend and a thirst for bourbon + learn how Kentucky’s spirit is tied to man’s best friend.

Thursday, Nov. 17

Anchal Holiday Trunk Show | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | White Hall, 3110 Lexington Rd. | Free to attend | Shop sustainable home decor, fashion, and gifts at this annual show.
The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy | Thursday, Nov. 17-Saturday, Nov. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Art Sanctuary, 1433 S. Shelby St. | $15-$27 | See this musical adaptation of the 1998 rom-com of the same name.

Friday, Nov. 18

20th Anniversary Brain Ball | Friday, Nov. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Ave. | $250 | Support the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky with a cocktail reception, dinner + afterparty.

Saturday, Nov. 19

48th Annual Holiday Pottery Sale | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Holy Trinity Clifton High School, 2117 Payne St. | Free to attend | Shop locally made ceramics + holiday gifts.
First Mate’s Market | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Belle of Louisville, 401 W. River Rd. | Free | Shop from 30+ vendors at this dockside market with a Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-greet, food trucks + giveaways.

Sunday, Nov. 20

Turkey Trek | Sunday, Nov. 20 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Louisville Nature Center, 3745 Illinois Ave. | $15 | Get a glimpse of wild turkeys + learn about other birds in the Beargrass Creek Nature Reserve.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

47º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Civic

Metro’s final Pop-Up Drop-Off waste disposal event of 2022 will take place on Sat., Nov. 19 at Fern Creek Park and Fern Creek Elementary 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The school (8815 Ferndale Rd.) will handle shredding needs while the park (8703 Ferndale Rd.) will accept all other categories — including electronics, appliances, yard waste + more. 🗑️

Eat

Goshen’s Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar is launching a new tasting menu on Fri., Nov. 18. The debut six-course meal includes dishes like dry-aged bison ribeye + split pea miso mousse. Reservations are required for tasting menu dinners — which are $125 per person with an optional drink pairing for $50. 🥩

Seasonal

Santa Claus isn’t the only one coming to town. Paristown’s Fete de Noel winter festival is returning for its fourth year Fri., Nov. 18-Mon., Jan. 2. In addition to its usual events, market, and outdoor ice skating rink, a new trackless train, the Paristown Express, will spread classic holiday cheer. (WAVE3)

Theater

The Actors Center for Training’s production of “13: The Musical” debuted over the weekend at the new Studio 1A Theater at 3900 Shelbyville Rd. The musical (originally performed on Broadway with Ariana Grande) is about growing up + features pop-rock music and an all teenage cast. The show will run through the Sun., Nov. 20.

Health

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*
Oh hey, November. The key to keeping your spirits up and avoiding seasonal affective disorder this time of year? Sunlight. Magic up more sunshine indoors with a light therapy lamp. This glare-free mood light is height and angle adjustable, while this subtly designed lamp lets you adjust light warmth and brightness. ☀️*

Number

4 million. The number of subscribers to Morning Brew, a free daily newsletter that covers the latest in business, finance, and tech. Morning Brew is 100% free and takes just 5 minutes to read (and thanks to its witty, fun tone, you’ll want to open it every morning).*

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Jingle + mingle

Where to book a holiday party in Louisville, KY

Downstairs bar with pink glow and string lights

The Flamingo Lounge is a subterranean speakeasy with a notable pink glow. | Photo by Against the Grain Brewery

It’s that time of the year for email responses like “let’s circle back after the holidays” and of course, holiday parties.

If you need a place to rock around the Christmas tree + exchange white elephant gifts (dips on Bob Ross the Chia Pet) then check out these 5 Derby City venues ready to host your holiday beer, uh, we mean cheer.

🎄 Vernon Lanes, 1575 Story Ave. | Nothing pairs better with bowling shoes than an ugly Christmas sweater — this vintage Butchertown bowling alley offers a full catering menu with options like nachos, wontons + fried chicken nuggies.

Six lanes at a bowling alley with a light blue neon sign reading "vernon lanes" — This vintage bowling alley dates back to the 19th century.

🎄 Monnik Beer Company, 1036 E. Burnett Street | The upstairs of this local European-style brewery + pub has its own private bar, stage, and restrooms with the capacity to accommodate 70 people seated or 150 standing. Tour the all-wooden space.

🎄 The Flamingo Lounge, 118 S. 7th St. | Get into the prohibition spirit this holiday season by renting this downtown speakeasy lounge complete with a stage + options for catering and a full-service bar.

🎄 Redbud Dining Room, 983 Goss Ave. | Book a private party of up to 30 people or fully deck the halls by buying out the entire dining room at this upscale eatery in Germantown.

Do you know a festive spot to host a party? Let us snow.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie.

When you wake up tomorrow morning and find that we’re not in your inbox, no need to sound the alarms. We’re hitting the pause button for a day, but we’ll be back bright and early on Wednesday at 6 a.m.

In the meantime, remember that you never have to enjoy your cup of coffee sans LOUtoday. You can always browse some of our greatest hits on our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram, where we post every day about what’s going on around Louisville.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Bardstown Bourbon Company is moving in downtown.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Katie Molck, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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