Hey, y'all! I've been a frequent visitor of Down One Bourbon Bar & Restaurant as of late - and for good reason! A member of the Urban Bourbon Trail, Down one is a unique bourbon experience that all visitors must check out. I'm not the only one that thinks so: they've been named one of the top Bourbon Bars in America by the Bourbon Review for six consecutive years (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), featured in Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Travelers Magazine, and nominated for “The People’s Best New Bars of 2014” by Food & Wine. Not too shabby, right?
This post is in partnership with Down One Bourbon Bar & Restaurant. Thank you all for supporting those that make JCP Eats possible. All opinions expressed are my own. Post originally posted October 2019, updated June 2021.
Down One Bourbon Bar & Restaurant: Downtown Louisville
Apart from the bourbon + cocktails, the atmosphere is fantastic. Located in the center of historic Whiskey Row, Down One is a former underground parking garage turned speakeasy-themed restaurant. Sitting below Main St. in Downtown Louisville, Down One also boasts a patio that is lined with magnolia trees and offers tables, comfortable outdoor seating, and bourbon barrel tables. Need I say more?
What To Order
Appetizer
Every meal at Down One should start with the Masa Fried Cheese Curds. For those of y'all that are not familiar, masa is a corn dough that comes from ground nixtamalized corn. I love the flavor and the texture! The cheese curds are served with shaved jalapeños and house-made ranch.
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Salad
Next was the Chinese Chicken Salad. This was my second time ordering this; it's turned into a lunch-time favorite! The salad features mixed greens, Napa cabbage, shredded carrots, scallions, candied cashews, cilantro, crispy wonton strips, and a delicious peanut-ginger dressing. You can also add brisket, chicken, fried cod, or fried green tomatoes to it!
Vegetarian
Fried Green Tomatoes are a southern staple. And as a Kentucky boy, if I see them on the menu, I almost always order them. Down One's are flavorful and I absolutely love the plating! They are served with a pepper jam, which is a perfect accompaniment; they would also be great with the house-made ranch.
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This one is for my veggie-lovers: the Roasted Curry Cauliflower Buddha Bowl. Complete with curried cauliflower, sticky rice, avocado, yogurt, crispy shallots, cilantro, and sesame seeds - this bowl packs a multitude of bold flavors that pair very well together! You'll love this dish, y'all.
Main Courses
The following course is my favorite item on the menu: the Tuna Poke Burrito "Roll". It's akin to a sushi burrito. Yes, you read that correctly. A tortilla with tuna poke, sticky rice, avocado, ponzu mayonnaise, crispy shallots, cilantro, and sesame seeds. My mouth waters at the mere thought of it.
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Now, for my meat lovers: the Dirty Dog! An all-beef frank, wrapped in bacon, topped with smoked brisket chili, country cole slaw, and fire-roasted chiles. Mic drop, am I right?
Brisket grilled cheese anyone? I need not say more than this: order it.
Dessert
Last, but not least (that I promise you!): the Elvis Presley, which features peanut butter banana pudding, vanilla wafer + bacon crumble, and brûlée bananas. At just $4, I think this is one of the best, most economical desserts in the city!
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Cocktails
Down One Margarita (Lime): a favorite drink of mine, always. It pairs very well with their cheese curds + tacos!
Bourbon Peach Tea with Lemon: This cocktail is not available during the fall season, but it should be on your radar when it returns next year!
Pre-Prohibition Old-Fashioned -- they have many varieties of the old-fashioned, including one on tap. How iconic is that?
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Blackberry Bourbon Smash: Buffalo Trace, Blackberries, Lime Sour, Mint.
Plum Surprised: Prosecco, Fresh Plum Syrup, Thyme Sprig.
Candy Apple Punch: Absolute Apple Cider, Spices, Domain de Canton.
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Boulevardier: Bulleit Rye, Campari, Carpano Antica, Citrus Twist.
Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
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