For this, the 20th anniversary of the event, which is a fundraiser for the Clifton Center, twenty-one Frankfort Avenue area restaurants brought some of their best dishes to the table for the public to sample.

 

The hundreds of people who gathered in the lower level of the Clifton Center and the food preparation equipment necessitated by the restaurants, paired with Louisville’s hottest day of 2012 made for a sweltering experience, but supporters of the event refused to let a little personal glistening dampen their moods.

 

From the Bourbon Bistro’s braised pork belly slider to the Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen’s serve-it-up desserts, guests of the evening were tempted by a complete and varied menu.

 

With one caveat: there was nothing to wash it down with. With the exception of Vint Coffee, who provided their delightful Vint Julep (espresso, bourbon-smoked sugar and mint) and a cooling drink from Heine Brothers, the only liquid refreshments that were available had to be purchased. 

 

To be fair, for the ticket price of $40-$50, one couldn’t expect an open bar; this was a fundraiser, after all. But perhaps simple water stations could have been set up to help patrons cleans their palates—and rehydrate themselves.

 

Wandering from station to station to gather delectables proved to be an experience in itself. Guests performed fantastic feats of balance as they coordinated holding their food tray, their valuables, and the cumbersome process of tearing tickets out of their guidebook, which were required to be deposited at each food stop.

 

As the crowd gathered their morsels and headed outdoors, they were treated to lively music by Hog Operation, Nathan Salsburg and Joan Shelley, who performed under the large tent where outdoor seating and a silent auction took place.

 

Then, having tasted and tested enough vittles to fill their stomachs, patrons became food critics, as they voted for the People’s Choice Award.

 

Guest judges, food critic Marty Rosen, and radio personalities from 102.3 The Max George Lindsey, Jesse Rassmussen, and Jessica Lee bestowed the rest of the honors.

 

Winning each category:

 

Best Appetizer: The Silver Dollar

Best Entrée: Coals Artisan Pizza

Best Dessert or Beverage: The Comfy Cow

People’s Choice Award: Volare Ristorante

 

Proceeds from the Taste of Frankfort Avenue benefit the Clifton Center, which presents varied cultural and artistic performances and events. A listing of the Center’s upcoming events is posted on their website.

 

Image: Courtesy The Clifton Center