Corbett's Restaurant: After Derby Delight

After a long, fun and exciting day at the Kentucky Derby, the first time I had ever attended that grand event, we all traveled to a local restaurant, Corbett's, for dinner. My good friend Fred had chosen the venue, making reservations months before, and it offered a special Derby prix-fixe menu. Fred had also arranged for wine pairings with our dinner.

The restaurant was opened in December 2007 by Chef S. Dean Corbett. It is housed in a beautiful mansion, which was constructed in 1850, and we sat in one of the lower levels, a semi-private room which was elegant without being pretentious. Overall, we had a superb experience, with delicious and creative food and some intriguing and tasty wines. I would give Corbett's a hearty recommendation, especially considering how well everything went despite the fact the restaurant was well packed with Derby goers.

We began our dinner with flutes of Charles Ellner Cuvee de Reserve Brut Champagne, a delicious Champagne with lots of fruit and floral notes. A nice start to the evening.

As an amuse-bouche, we received a Smoked Salmon Parfait with Baesetra Caviar, Creme Fraiche, and Essence of Dill. Lots of creaminess, briny notes, and bursting with flavor.

For our appetizer, our dish presented a Diver Scallop atop Lobster thermidor with a Gruyere Crisp and Red Mustard Demi-Glace. Perfectly seared, the scallop was tender and moist, and the thermidor was flaky with sweet lobster meat. And who wouldn't enjoy a crisp of gruyere?

Our next wine was the 2008 Fontina Candida Luna Mater, Frascati Superiore, a blend of 50% Malvasia di Candia, 20% Malvasia del Lazio, 10% Greco, 10% Bombino and 10% Trebbiano. An amazing white wine, full bodied with intense flavors of pear, orange, herbs, and mild spices. Complex and intriguing, a wine I want to seek out to fill my cellar.

For a Salad, we had Mache, Compressed Watermelon, Jicama, Radish, Capriole Farm's Goat Cheese, and Pignoli topped by a Cilantro Vinaigrette. Everything was very fresh, with a nice contrast of sweet and bitter, crisp and creamy.

The 2009 Domaine Roger Lassarat Close De France Pouilly-Fuisse was a very pleasant Chardonnay, with a restrained but noticeable use of oak. The oak served more as an accent than the dominant flavor of the wine.

Next up was a dish of Mero Sea Bass accompanied by Artichoke & Country Ham Ravioli, Morels, Fava Beans, Basil Sauternes, and a Charred Tomato Sabayon. A savory, tender fish was complemented by the light sauce and even the ravioli appealed to me though I am usually not an artichoke fan. Once again, all of the elements of this dish worked well together.

As an intermezzo, there was a refreshing Yuzu Gelee with Meyer Lemon Sorbet.

The 2006 Poderi Elia Barberesco Serracapelli was an approachable and delicious Italian red with black cherry, plum, vanilla, and mild spice notes. Tannins were moderate and the finish was lengthy and pleasing.

The Creekstone Tenderloin with Lyonnaise Pommes Anna, Carrot Flan, Beet Coulis, Gary Farms Mustard Greens, and Sauce Perigueux was our final entree. The beef was very tender and the sauce enhanced the flavor of the meat. The potatoes and flan were both quite delicious, and it was another well balanced plate.

The only course which didn't really impress me was dessert, a Bittersweet Chocolate & Bourbon Bread Pudding with Sea Salt Caramel Sauce, Local Strawberries, and Frozen Rhubarb. This was really not my idea of a bread pudding, and was more like a dense cake or brownie. The flavors were good, I just found it difficult to consider it as a bread pudding, especially as I previously had such a fantastic bread pudding at another Louisville restaurant. Though kudos to the pairing of a 20 Year Old Port with this chocolate dessert.

Overall, the restaurant, dinner and wines impressed me. The sommelier, Troy Ritchie, did an excellent job of selecting the wines to accompany our meal, and our servers, Erin and Cecelia, were professional and attentive. I would love to try this restaurant another time for their regular menu, and recommend that if you are in Louisville, Kentucky, to check out Corbett's.

Great choice Fred!