VaraneseOutdoor OasisGreat place to dine in style outside. Food was very good. Definitely try the cheese grits and homemade ice creams!5/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing Varenese!!We went to Varenese on Mothers Day Night! it was crowded but we had a reservation! We tried three appetizers--everyone was incredible. We were in Louisville for a mother-daughter trip-eating our way through Lville! Amazing foodie place. Varenese would be one of the first places we would g0 when we return. (Chef came out to check on things)5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellenceVaranese never ceases to impress. Great food, great service. What more can I say?5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMI love Varanese. The foodI love Varanese. The food is always excellent and the selection is plentiful. Each time I have gone there, the service is superb. Whether for dinner or just drinks, Varanese is my go to restaurant especially for special occasions and when friends come in town.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining experienceThe food and atmosphere were generally very good. The service was outstanding. The only complaint would be that the meat in my wife's meal was rather fatty.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA sure thing!We always know that we are going to enjoy an evening out when going to Varanese. It's a sure thing! Have never been disappointed in the food, the atmosphere, service. Our last visit had a slight mar in the fact we requested perimeter seating and instead were seated in the interior (center booth). That probably would have worked except there was a party of all ages (app 14-16) within arms reach. The decimal level was upped substantially. But we will still return, and hope we get the seating we requested.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and great service.Excellent food and great service. The chef came to our table to check on our meals. A nice touch.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent all aroundVaranese is a gem hidden amongst neighborhood shops. The front section of the restaurant opens via folding glass panels providing open air seating in comfort. Very enjoyable. The food and service was excellent. We had the three course prix fixe meal for two (entrees: pork chop and flat iron steak). Both entrees were cooked to perfection. The dessert trio was an excellent ending to a perfect meal.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat!Awesome resturant to choose for prom! I couldn't have ate anywhere better, and the service was spectacular. So polite, and always making sure everything's refilled and okay! Overall and awesome place and very romantic.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food, music andWonderful food, music and ambiance. Our favorite place!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect place for a girl'sPerfect place for a girl's night out! Great food, service and atmosphere! The food was amazing!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was great! WeEverything was great! We were so busy enjoying our food, we couldn't stop eating when the chef came out to see how his dinners were!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service from theExcellent service from the time we were greeted at the door throughout the entire meal. Attentative without beig overbearing. Four very different dishes were ordered and were wonderful. Each was presented well and the flavors were delicious. Definitely a "go again" place.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMBest food in Louisville!Best food I've had in Louisville. We loved it! And our waitress, Blair, was the best. We decided to share an appetizer and a salad, and she brought us our salad already divided onto two plates. The fried crab-stuffed avocado, the goat cheese salad, and the cream cheese grits were all standouts. Only downside was we were too full after half our entrees to eat dessert. Next time!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AM30 Anniversary dinnerWe went here for my in laws 30th wedding anniversary. The food, drinks, & ambiance was great. I would recommend to a friend!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing as always. My favoriteAmazing as always. My favorite place in louisville or Lexington.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and ambiance.Excellent food and ambiance. Live jazz music is excellent.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMHusband is part of a jazzHusband is part of a jazz ensemble that plays three times a year. We enjoy going down on nice evenings and sitting outside and listening to Jeff Sherman and his group play. Wonderful food - the best staff - great atmosphere. This particular night we were setup outside close to band set as we requested in our reservation. As the evening progressed, thunderstorms were moving in. When lightening started lighting up the sky, the staff took immediate measures to move people inside and making room for the musicians to get valuable equipment inside. Heavy rain and hail very soon started BUT the show went on. Thanks to the staff & Jon. We look forward to our next visit.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMNoisy due to a special event,Noisy due to a special event, moderately annoying but understandable. Early in meal, waitress offered a 2nd glass of wine, it wasn't delivered until late in the meal, 20 minutes later. Restaurant not to busy, one glass of wine should not be that hard. Personal attention from chef/proprietor was pleasant and welcomed.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining experience. TheGreat dining experience. The food was wonderful and service excellent. They definitely made our small party very special!!!4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMas always excellent/consistentas always excellent/consistent - one of the best (top 5) in town4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA gem.Our favorite restaurant. Never disappoints. Extremely consistent. Noise was moderate -- but there was a band playing which is a GREAT thing. The band is wonderful.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMA great findThe covered patio was great and the music added that extra romantic flair. Very attentive staff and Chef Varanese visited each table to welcome guests. This was our first time visiting and pleasantly surprised, which made for an exceptional evening.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have only experienced dinnerWe have only experienced dinner three times and it is quickly becoming my favorite place. Wonderful service and atmosphere,4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, a beautiful diningAs always, a beautiful dining experience. The food is expertly prepared, it's a beautiful small venue, the staff is polished, and the owner (John) walks from table to table inquiring about your meal. In addition, they have a wonderful jazz trio putting the finishing touch on the 'adult' ambiance. Love it!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOnce again a good experience.Once again a good experience. Always enjoy having the live music ensemble. A nice touch every time.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe thoroughly enjoyed ourWe thoroughly enjoyed our first visit which coincided with Easter! We were not disappointed.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was superb! We went forIt was superb! We went for an Easter brunch and both had the crab cake benedict which was oerfectly cooked the poached eggs were spot on the crab cake was full of crab and soft not crispy. I had to ask for a touch of bread to truly clean my plate! Our server was attentive without being overbearing. The ambiance was lovely! I had been there before and was not as impressed but felt it was worth a second try...I am so glad we did....and the dessert was just what I needed after 40 days of no sweets....chocolate chip baklava with salted caramel ice cream! Loved it!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMA cab ride outside downtown,A cab ride outside downtown, this converted gas station is handsome, welcoming, and comfortable. It's located in a charming neighborhood near the School for the Blind. A wall of water creates a lovely hum.
The menu doesn't surprise; the chef even offers a Brown, Louisville's iconic sandwich. I, however, ordered a great fresh Pompano having been assured by our waiter that the chef only uses the freshest fish for his specials. Not disappointing! The bourbon cocktails prepared us to enjoy the evening. We sure did.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAppetizers were fabulous.Appetizers were fabulous. Definitely keep in mind for special occasions.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGarlic Free and HappyVaranese has become one of our favorite restaurants. The food is consistently good, well prepared, and always interesting flavor combinations. One thing we especially appreciate is that, unlike so many restaurants, the chef doesn't use garlic like salt/pepper.
I have a true aversion to garlic which I've had since childhood - the smell can sometimes even make me feel queasy. So I was ecstatic to find three of the things I was interested in either had not garlic or could be made without it. This is an indication of true chefing - not prepared, one-trick pony kind of cooking. So many chefs and diners today seem to think that professional cooking or any cooking for that matter, MUST include garlic; strange to think one ingred. enhances all.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and service. WeGreat food and service. We liked our waitress so much we plan to request her on our next visit.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial night for out of townersCame in from out of town and this was our special night out. The restaurant was retro beautiful, the music lent a cool vibe and the food! Oh the food! We had the veal medallions and the beef tip tortellini. The veal was sweet and perfectly grilled and the tortellini dish rich and delicious, if a bit salty. We plan to come here next time we are in Louisville!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall our experience wasOverall our experience was outstanding. The food was amazing, the service was very attentive, and we enjoyed the live music. The grilled blue point oysters were just amazing - fresh, delicious, perfectly cooked.
Two minor complaints - 1) the kitchen took a long time for the food to come out. We waited a good 30 minutes for each course including dessert. 2) the noise level was really loud, so much so that we had to practically shout to each other over our meals and it was difficult to hear the server.
We will definitely go back - despite long wait and loudness - because the food was just too wonderful to pass up and the fresh, seasonal ingredients really made it worth it.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, Varanese is exceptionalAs always, Varanese is exceptional in every respect: food, service, ambiance and music. In my opinion, best value of any restaurant in Louisville.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service and prices5 Star food and service for 3 star price. It was excellent. Can't wait for a reason to go back.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe really enjoyed our visitWe really enjoyed our visit to Varanese. Excellent food, priced reasonable and excellent attentive service. The light live jazz was a great addition to the evening.3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was outstanding althoughThe food was outstanding although it was rather expensive for Italian. Would recommend for a special occasion.3/3/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb ServiceWonderful service. Ask for Kate! Food is wonderful and interesting.1/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed having dinner atWe enjoyed having dinner at the Varanese. The service was good, and our waiteress was patient and flexible. The food was good- especially the turducken, and we enjoyed the live jazz, although the noise was a little too loud to allow for a conversation.
Overall it was a nice experience.11/27/2012 12:00:00 AM