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  5. Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
Varanese, Louisville, KY

Varanese

4.7
4.7
4660 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 18 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for live music
Varanese settled in Louisville because of its successful independent dining scene, and he believes that the people of Louisville will appreciate fresh ingredients, prepared with a creative flair and a culturally diverse menu. Varanese’s eclectic menu boasts an array of options from stuffed grape leaves, and fried green tomato salad, to new signature entrées: the seared boneless pork chop, and caramelized orange salmon. Finish with a fried banana accompanied by a house-made oatmeal cookie dough ice cream dessert. This New American style restaurant will comfortably seat 150 guests between its bar, dining room and four seasons patio. The four seasons patio of Varanese is an addition to the building, which has a dramatic 20-foot slate water wall. The space is enclosed by a serpentine of glass doors, which retract to offer an outdoor dining experience. Varanese is located at 2106 Frankfort Ave. in the Historic Clifton neighborhood

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 12:00pm Christmas Eve 11am-10pm Christmas Day CLOSED New Year's Eve 4pm-12pm New Year's Day CLOSED
  • Phone number
    (502) 899-9904
  • Website
    http://www.varanese.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    John Varanese
  • Catering
    Catering is offered depending on Chef Varanese's availability. Call to inquire.
  • Private party facilities
    With the addition of two new private dining room spaces, Varanese can accommodate groups of up to 80 people. Minimum sales requirement for each room applies. Call 502-899-9904 or email letsdine@varanese.com to inquire.
  • Location
    2106 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206
  • Area
    Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
  • Cross Street
    Vernon
  • Parking details
    Varanese provides on-premise parking along with additional parking across the street at Nancy's Bagel Grounds along with street parking.
  • Public transit
    Varanese has a TARC stop in front along with a Frankfort Ave. Trolly Hop Stop.
  • Entertainment
    Live jazz seven nights from the Jeff Sherman band 6-10pm.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Appetizers

  • Baked BrieUSD 13.00

    Baked brie wrapped in puff pastry served with bourbon caramel, toasted pecans and sliced apples

    • Sesame Glazed ChickenUSD 12.00

      Crispy sesame glazed chicken with spicy slaw, Kewpie mayonnaise and green onions

      • Stuffed Crab AvocadoUSD 14.00

        Lump crab stuffed fried avocado with pico de gallo and a roasted jalapeño créme fraiche

        • BBQ Duck Confit EggrollsUSD 14.00

          Crispy fried duck confit and cabbage eggroll with BBQ aioli

          • Lobster Mac N' CheeseUSD 18.00

            Cavatappi Pasta tossed with Lobster in a Creamy Cheese Sauce Served with Old Bay Seasoned Pork Rinds

            • Cheese and Hummus PlateUSD 15.00

              Warm pimento cheese, smoked gouda, pickled okra, pearl onion jam, white bean hummus and fried green tomatoes, served with grilled baguettes

              • Fried CalamariUSD 16.00

                Crispy fried calamari tossed with assorted peppers accompanied with sweet chili sauce and cilantro pesto

                • Cheese SpheresUSD 13.00

                  Mozzarella, spinach and artichoke cheese spheres lightly fried, served with a tomato-herb dipping sauce

                  • Pork & Sweet Potato BiscuitUSD 9.00

                    Slow roasted pulled pork served on sweet potato biscuits finished with apple butter

                    • Appetizer PlatterUSD 34.00

                      Appetizer platter of lump crab stuffed fried avocado, pork biscuits, BBQ duck confit eggrolls, and Cheese Spheres

                      Soups & Salads

                      Add to any salad: grilled chicken $7, grilled flat iron steak $12, grilled shrimp $8

                      • Lamb & Lentil Soup

                        Lamb and lentil soup

                        • CupUSD 6.00
                        • BowlUSD 9.00

                      • Pistachio Encrusted Goat CheeseUSD 13.00

                        Warm pistachio encrusted goat cheese served over baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, cucumber and red onion with a tomato-balsamic vinaigrette

                        • Fried Green Tomato SaladUSD 12.00

                          Fried green tomato and bibb salad drizzled with buttermilk dressing, crumbled goat cheese and crispy prosciutto

                          • Crispy Romaine SaladUSD 10.00

                            Crispy romaine lettuce tossed with creamy roasted garlic and parmesan dressing topped with shaved parmesan and herb croutons

                            • Candied Pecan & Apple SaladUSD 10.00

                              Candied pecan, granny smith apple and sun-dried cranberries tossed with mixed baby lettuce and caramelized onion vinaigrette

                              Entrees

                              • Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork Chop*USD 28.00

                                Spice rubbed bourbon barrel smoked boneless pork chop topped with an apple bacon chutney served with gratin potato

                                • Beef Tips & TortelliniUSD 26.00

                                  Sauteed beef tips and tortellini tossed in a rich gorgonzola cream sauce, baby spinach, grape tomatoes and toasted pine nuts topped with crispy prosciutto

                                  • "V" Burger*USD 17.00

                                    Char grilled grass fed beef topped with sharp cheddar, crispy onion straws and Chef John's V-12 sauce. Served with house-cut fries

                                    • Angel Hair PastaUSD 24.00

                                      Angel hair pasta tossed with baby bellas, tomatoes, olives and Chef John's special blend of herbs and spices. Chicken

                                      • ShrimpUSD 21.00
                                      • VegetableUSD 16.00

                                    • Slow Braised Lamb ShankUSD 35.00

                                      Slow braised lamb shank with roasted garlic whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus finished with a natural pan sauce

                                      • Cornmeal Crusted Alaskan RockfishUSD 28.00

                                        Fried Alaskan Rockfish with horseradish and black pepper red skin potatoes with lemon caper aioli, red onion marmalade and grilled asparagus.

                                        • Caramelized Orange Bourbon Salmon*USD 28.00

                                          Grilled salmon topped with a caramelized mandarin orange bourbon sauce served over cream cheese grits

                                          • Certified Angus Strip Steak*USD 39.00

                                            Grilled strip steak served with roasted garlic whipped potatoes, zesty brussels sprouts and natural reduction

                                            • Roasted ChickenUSD 26.00

                                              Roasted chicken served with Cavatappi mac n' cheese, cabbage slaw. Topped with salsa verde and Alabama white sauce

                                              • Crab Cake SandwichUSD 18.00

                                                Seared lump crab cake topped with a spicy slaw and horseradish spread on a toasted brioche bun. Served with house-cut fries

                                                • Chef John's Personalized Vegetarian DishUSD 24.00

                                                  Created with seasonal and local ingredients

                                                  • Flat Iron Steak*USD 35.00

                                                    Char grilled flat iron steak served with a mushroom and parmesan risotto finished with Chef John's V-12 sauce

                                                    • Gulf Shrimp and GritsUSD 26.00

                                                      Sautéed gulf shrimp with cream cheese grits. Topped with peach and sweet tea Kentucky chow-chow finished with a Cajun butter sauce

                                                      Sides

                                                      $8

                                                      • Cream Cheese Grits

                                                        • Potato Gratin

                                                          • Roasted Redskin Potatoes

                                                            • Vegetable of the Day

                                                              • Mushroom Parmesan Risotto

                                                                • Garlic Whipped Potatoes

                                                                  • Cavatappi Mac N' Cheese

                                                                    • House-Cut Fries

                                                                      • Zesty Fried Brussel Sprouts

                                                                        Last updated: 7 December 2023

                                                                        What 4,660 people are saying

                                                                        Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                        Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                        4.7
                                                                        4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                                        • 4.7Food
                                                                        • 4.8Service
                                                                        • 4.6Ambience
                                                                        • 4.5Value

                                                                        Noise • Moderate

                                                                        Loved For

                                                                        • Central Kentucky

                                                                          Hot spot

                                                                        • Central Kentucky

                                                                          Contemporary American

                                                                        • Louisville

                                                                          Hot spot

                                                                        Review summary

                                                                        AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                        Varanese offers a "wonderful dining experience" with "delicious food" and "excellent service." Guests rave about the "amazing atmosphere" enhanced by live jazz. Standout dishes include "butter fish," "salmon," and "beef tips and tortellini." The restaurant is celebrated for special occasions, with personalized touches for events like birthdays and anniversaries.

                                                                        4,661 Reviews

                                                                        1. Jillian

                                                                          VIP

                                                                          Washington DC

                                                                          21 reviews

                                                                          1.0

                                                                          21 reviews

                                                                          Dined 1 day ago

                                                                          1. Overall 1
                                                                          2. Food 1
                                                                          3. Service 1
                                                                          4. Ambience 1
                                                                          We left after 20 minutes and no sever ever came to us.

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                                                                        2. Jan

                                                                          Louisville

                                                                          21 reviews

                                                                          4.0

                                                                          21 reviews

                                                                          Dined 1 day ago

                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                          Special valentine day menu. I ordered steak topped with crabmeat on mound of potatoes which was excellent and cooked to perfection. My husband ordered lobster ravioli with scallops. He enjoyed the dish but received one scallop. It looked kinda lonely on the plate. I love their avocado appetizer but the lobster bisque could use a few bites of meat. The dessert mocha cream brule was delicious.

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                                                                        3. Stephanie

                                                                          Louisville

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          2.0

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          Dined 1 day ago

                                                                          1. Overall 2
                                                                          2. Food 2
                                                                          3. Service 4
                                                                          4. Ambience 3
                                                                          We had the baked Brie and pistachio salad which were both decent. Our entrees were absolutely terrible I got the salmon, which was supposed to have some sort of orange glaze but didn’t and was incredibly dry and salty- on top it had three little tangerines from a can. We got the beef tip pasta as well, which was not any better. Our waitress was very nice.

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                                                                        4. Bruce

                                                                          Louisville

                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                          5.0

                                                                          4 reviews

                                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                          The salad, main course, and desert all excellent. I would go back just for the French Toast desert. I had a lobster/pasta main course that was excellent, and the goat cheese salad couldn't be beat. Good service on a very busy Valentine night. Parking is the only problem, so allow a little extra time to find a parking spot on or just off the busy Frankfort Ave., and bring an umbrella if it is raining. Highly recommend this restaurant for special occasions where budget is not a consideration.

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                                                                        5. Jared

                                                                          Cincinnati

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          5.0

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                          Great food, great atmosphere, very friendly staff.

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                                                                        6. Stefano

                                                                          VIP

                                                                          Louisville

                                                                          3 reviews

                                                                          3.0

                                                                          3 reviews

                                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                                          1. Overall 3
                                                                          2. Food 3
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 3
                                                                          Very crowded and loud on a busy day. I wouldn’t come here for Valentine’s Day

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                                                                        7. Miranda

                                                                          Las Vegas

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          4.0

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                          The food was amazing! I got the lamb shank and my boyfriend got the filet, we both loved our meals. We had the avocado crab cake for an appetizer that was sooo yummy. And for dessert we had their bread pudding which was incredible, only note we had about that is we wished they gave us more ice cream with it. We also had really great drinks his was something with gin and mine was called breakfast @ the V. The service was great. Only downside we were a foot away from the table next to us so we could hear each others conversations.

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                                                                        8. Todd

                                                                          Louisville

                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                          5.0

                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                          We were seated immediately for our 7:15 Valentine's Day reservation. The service was excellent despite the place being packed, and the food was delicious, as usual. The staff is always friendly and seem like they are happy to be there. Our dinner was a great value for the quality of the overall experience. We spend only slightly more to dine at very mediocre places in this town. This is my favorite restaurant in the city. The bar manager is excellent and whether you hang at the bar or choose to be seated at a table, the service is always spot-on, without being stuffy. The wine selection was nice as there were some good quality wines for no more than you would pay at any middle of the road establishment. The brussell sprouts app was tasty, as was the encrusted goat cheese salad. I forgot to ask if the squash blossom app is off the menu permanently, but I am assuming it is seasonal. I sure hope so, because it fantastic. I had the pasta dish with chicken (amazing), my wife had Salmon which is always perfection. She doesn't eat red meat or pork, so it is nice that she can always find a tasty choice here. We were stuffed so no room for desert.

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                                                                        9. Stormie

                                                                          Coastal Georgia

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          5.0

                                                                          1 review

                                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                          Valentine’s Day was our 1st experience at Varanese. It was excellent on a very busy bight. The fried oysters were phenomenal and the steak course was prepared perfectly. Morgan was our server and did not disappoint, she was on top of everything.

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                                                                        10. Karen

                                                                          Louisville

                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                          5.0

                                                                          2 reviews

                                                                          Dined 3 days ago

                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                          The food was delicious. The live music was really nice. A wonderful Valentine's Day dinner.

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                                                                        FAQs

                                                                        Varanese offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (502) 899-9904.

                                                                        Varanese is rated 4.7 stars by 4660 OpenTable diners.

                                                                        Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                        Make a booking

                                                                        2 people
                                                                        7:00 pm
                                                                        Booked 18 times today

                                                                        Order delivery or takeout

                                                                        Google Map for Varanese

                                                                        2106 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

                                                                        Additional information

                                                                        • Cross Street
                                                                          Vernon
                                                                        • Area
                                                                          Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
                                                                        • Hours of Operation
                                                                          Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 12:00pm Christmas Eve 11am-10pm Christmas Day CLOSED New Year's Eve 4pm-12pm New Year's Day CLOSED
                                                                        • Price
                                                                          $30 and under
                                                                        • Cuisines
                                                                          Contemporary American, Seafood, Steak
                                                                        • Dining style
                                                                          Casual Elegant
                                                                        • Dress code
                                                                          Smart Casual
                                                                        • Parking details
                                                                          Varanese provides on-premise parking along with additional parking across the street at Nancy's Bagel Grounds along with street parking.
                                                                        • Public transit
                                                                          Varanese has a TARC stop in front along with a Frankfort Ave. Trolly Hop Stop.
                                                                        • Payment Options
                                                                          AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                        • Executive Chef
                                                                          John Varanese
                                                                        • Entertainment
                                                                          Live jazz seven nights from the Jeff Sherman band 6-10pm.
                                                                        • Additional
                                                                          Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                        • Website
                                                                          http://www.varanese.com/
                                                                        • Phone number
                                                                          (502) 899-9904
                                                                        • Catering
                                                                          Catering is offered depending on Chef Varanese's availability. Call to inquire.
                                                                        • Private party facilities
                                                                          With the addition of two new private dining room spaces, Varanese can accommodate groups of up to 80 people. Minimum sales requirement for each room applies. Call 502-899-9904 or email letsdine@varanese.com to inquire.
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