RAMEN with lightsaber chopsticks!
My pretty lady and I received a gift card for our birthdays to Enso on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville. Enso is a unique fusion of refined Japanese food with the warmth and comfort of Southern cuisine—or at least that's what we kept seeing on Instagram.
Not knowing our exact time of arrival, we opted not to make reservations. It turned out that being the first guests when they opened at 5 p.m. was our destiny. The hostess greeted us with a warm smile, and we were promptly seated at a cozy table in the bar area with a perfect view of the bustling street outside and the bartenders in action.
The ambiance was inviting, with soft lighting and an eclectic mix of music playing in the background. As we settled into our seats, I touched the leather menu immediately. While eager to read the menu, I took a minute to caress the soft leather. It was striking, and I welcomed the change from the regular stiff menus I usually encounter.
Our server was a perfect balance of professional and pleasant, with a friendly demeanor that made us feel instantly welcomed. She didn't seem intimidated or offended when I laid down my new lightsaber chopsticks. She explained their tapas approach to serving and shared with us their happy hour specials, making us feel at ease and ready to enjoy our meal.
Opting for a light start, we chose the Sorghum Ginger Salad. Just before our salad arrived, the server presented warm cloths for our hands, a thoughtful gesture that exuded luxury and comfort. We certainly felt pampered! But that wasn't the only surprise. The next was two small cups of refreshing cold peach ginger Chamomile tea. It was delicious and the perfect start to our dinner, adding an element of surprise and delight to our dining experience.
Around 5:30 p.m., the intimate atmosphere became a bit more lively. We enjoyed watching the servers and bartenders. Someone who appeared to be a chef or perhaps the manager (with a fantastic mustache, I may add) checked in on us a couple of times. Everyone working seemed enthusiastic.
I ordered the Citrus Niboshi Ramen (with niboshi broth, housemade fish cake, southern citrus, Benton's bacon fat, chili threads, togarashi, and scallions. My pretty lady ordered the Chicken & Dumplings with Groce Family Farms chicken, flat udon noodles, mirepoix, chicken broth, and scallion, all floating around in chicken fat. I've always admired my pretty lady for being able to order relatively quickly. She's in tune with what her tastebuds are craving and follows her gut feelings on what will satisfy her best.
The area where we were sitting allowed us to catch a glimpse of every handcrafted cocktail and entree being served. The aroma was incredible. I turned to my pretty lady and said, "I don't feel like I'm in Louisville." She agreed.
Both of our entrees were extraordinary. My dish took traditional ramen to the next level. Honestly, it was only fitting. I enjoyed it with my lightsaber chopsticks, which I brought for funsies and to film a reel. The fish cakes on top, I could tell, had been crafted with care. And that may seem crazy to read, but the tender, chewy texture was perfect with the broth. I especially liked the kick of heat with the chili threads. Overall,
My pretty lady said her entree was the best chicken & dumplings she had ever tasted. I guess that means it beat Cracker Barrel's chicken n dumplins'. We opted not to order dessert because my pretty lady made a hot honey bourbon peach skillet cake. I polished that off last night alongside Costco's vanilla ice cream!
