Posted in Louisville
September 20, 2017
The Timeless Louisville Restaurant Everyone Needs To Visit At Least Once
A date at the English Grill will take you back nearly a century to its opening day in 1923. This restaurant and hotel is a must-visit for anyone in Louisville who wants to experience dining as it was decades ago… or for those who just want a delicious Hot Brown. One thing is certain– the English Grill is one of the most beautiful, elegant, and romantic restaurants one can visit in Louisville.
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Within the hotel exists one of the most incredible and timeless restaurants in Louisville: The English Grill. This hotel is a landmark and a member of the Historic Hotels of America. As it was built back in 1923, the hotel endured many troubling times; during the 1930s, the hotel nearly foreclosed due to the Great Depression, and in 1937 the first floor was damaged by one of the worst floods in American history. Despite this, the Brown Hotel remains to this day, appearing almost exactly as it did at the time of its opening.
The exterior itself remains almost exactly as it appeared back in 1923, as you can see if you look closely at the two photos above.
As you walk through the lobby and peer up at the elaborate detailing on the ceilings, you'll begin to feel as though you've been transported to the 1920s. This illusion is not broken by the dining experience offered at the English Grill within the hotel, it's only amplified.
Take a seat on one of the comfortable cushions and admire the incredible decor that exists in every room of the hotel. Everything from the ceilings to the carpets looks right out of the 20s-- and most of it is!
The Brown Hotel and English Grill is all about getting a taste of Kentucky, so be sure to taste their refreshing Kentucky Mule - it's delicious!
Although there are many amazing choices on the menu, your meal would be incomplete without ordering what the Brown Hotel owes much of its fame to: The Hot Brown. The iconic dish originated here, and taking a bite into this rich, open-faced sandwich allows you to experience a taste of the past. People flocked to the restaurant to get a taste of one of the country's most famous meals nearly a century ago, and they still can't get enough.
The Hot Brown is incredibly rich and filling, so you may not even want to think about dessert by the end of your meal; however, The English Grill has an excellent pastry chef, and the desserts prepared here are impressive and delicious.
Or maybe you'd just like to admire the beautiful crystal chandeliers that adorn the ceiling. Either way, it's an amazing sight to behold as you leave the luxurious history and return to the chaotic modern world. Imagine the lovely women twirling in 1920s-era dresses at the opening of the grand Brown Hotel, as well as the many others who have came and went through these same rooms over the years.
The Brown Hotel and The English Grill are located at 335 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202.
Have you visited this historic hotel and restaurant? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this article, check out this one that shows rare footage of the Brown Hotel during The Kentucky Derby in 1938.