Many states in the South have signature dishes - food items invented, enhanced, or perfected there. Kentucky boasts several such unique culinary delights. Perhaps the most well-known dish is the Hot Brown. An open-faced sandwich of turkey on toast with Mornay sauce, Parmesan cheese, bacon, and tomato slices is broiled until it's bubbly. But this is just one of many Bluegrass State specialties. Read on for a menu of taste sensations.
Hot Brown at The Brown Hotel
This grand lodging claims ownership of the delectable Hot Brown. The dish owes its beginnings to guests - hungry after a night of dancing in the hotel ballroom - who yearned for something more adventurous than ham and eggs. Chef Fred Schmidt mixed up a few essential ingrethents, and the menu item became an instant hit.
Today, many decades later, The Brown Hotel's executive chef Laurent Géroli takes great pride in preparing and serving this legendary dish. Available daily for lunch ($15) in the casual dining venue, J. Graham's Cafe, and for dinner ($18) at The English Grill, the Hot Brown remains a favorite. The Brown Hotel: 335 West Broadway; www.brownhotel.com or (502) 583-1234. Room rates start at $165. J. Graham's Cafe: Open 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. MondayFriday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The English Grill: Open 6-10 p.m. daily. Reservations are suggested.
Spread It On at Lilly's For something a bit more unusual, look for Benedictine. No, not the liqueur. This spread - made from cream cheese, onions, cucumbers, salt, pepper, and dill - also hails from our state. You can find the popular sandwich filling at Lilly's Bistro in Louisville. Order a benedictine-and-bacon sandwich for $10, served with soup and salad, and you'll understand the appeal. Owner and chef Kathy Cary dishes up terrific cuisine with an international twist while also supporting local farmers. 1147 Bardstown Road; www. lillyslapeche.com or (502) 451-0447.
Sweet Slice of the Bluegrass Discover the perfect treat with yet another Kentucky original. Derby-Pie®, owned by Kern's Kitchen in Louisville, features chocolate, nuts, and a fabulous flaky crust. Pick one up, or order it from A Taste of Kentucky, a shop that sells all-Kentucky products all the time ($15.99). 11800 Shelbyville Road; www.atasteofkentucky.com or 1-800-444-0552.
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Copyright 2008 Southern Living
