Friday, August 22, 2014

Bicycle Built for Two


News | ,


Greenhaus offering new bike rental packages
bike for twoDaniel Duncan, proprietor of Greenhaus, the eclectic beer/wine/local products/terrarium store/performance space, is adding another layer to the popular Germantown business. Bike Ride for Two will offer packages that allow couples (romantic or platonic) to tour Louisville by bike at their own pace.
Customers can choose between renting two solo bikes or one tandem bike for 24 hours. They also have their choice of three packages: “The Daydreamer” (mixed six-pack or bottle of wine, Kenny’s cheese, crackers, water), “The Mark Twain” (same as “The Daydreamer” but with two tickets to the Belle of Louisville) and “Love on a Bike” (Champagne, Kenny’s cheese, cellar door chocolates, crackers, water).
In addition to a picnic basket packed with those goodies, the Bike Ride for Two packages include an illustrated map of hot spots in the city designed by MacKenzie Haley, a Bluetooth speaker made for a bike, a picnic blanket, helmets and a bike lock.
map rollout
Packages range from $100 – $300 with less expensive, partial-day rentals on the horizon. Greenhaus is located at 2227 S. Preston St.



If you enjoyed this post, please consider making a comment

El Mariachi Restaurant



 Just when I was thinking Louisville should have another awesome Mexican  restaurant, I came across this article in the Courier-Journal by Nancy Miller, so I had to share it with you. NRH.

El Mariachi, adjacent to a Mexican butcher, grocery and bakery, is tucked away in a strip mall off La Grange Road. Finding the restaurant and trifecta of shops was a delightful discovery in a week that was otherwise short on delights.

If the restaurant's name suggests you'll be serenaded by strolling musicians, don't be disappointed at their absence. It's the food that sets a rhythm that is as rife with intensity as it is with sedate nuances that give you intervals to savor the difference. Chef Jacova de Jesus Cruz's menu is stirred up with bombshells of flavor but also stumbles along the way.

My son, Alex, and I decided to jump around the menu, not thinking in terms of appetizers or entrees or side dishes. That made the dinner experience fun but apparently challenged the kitchen. His sopes and tamales arrived at the table almost 15 minutes before my enchiladas and chili relleno. That would have been bad enough if I had been able to sip on a glass of wine while I waited on my food. Unfortunately, El Mariachi serves beer but not wine. Being hungry and wine-deprived, I was cranky.

After what seemed like eons, the server brought my enchiladas and chili relleno. And — whoof — she was gone. Although it had taken a long time to be served, it took only a second for me to realize that my meal was cold. I waited and I waited, but the server didn't return.

Finally, I got up from the table and approached her to tell her my food was cold. She immediately retrieved it and returned to the kitchen. Another 15 minutes passed. There was a direct correlation between the second round of waiting and my worsening mood. When at last my meal arrived, I wasn't in the most positive frame of mind.

Let me be clear about our server. She seemed genuinely concerned about the delay, which I am sure was not her fault. I believe she simply did not have the experience to handle the situation more smoothly.
Alex's sopes, one beef and one chicken, each $2.99, were good choices. The masa was just crunchy enough on the outside and soft but substantial enough on the inside not to allow the meat to become soggy. A chili relleno ($2.99) was testament that an egg-battered poblano pepper oozing with melted cheese can be one of life's little pleasures.

I rarely order tamales because the ratio of meat to masa so often favors the masa. El Mariachi's chicken tamale ($3.99) suffered from such a malady. The beef enchilada with red sauce ($6.99) was so saucy it was practically an enchilada in soup. The profusion of sauce dwarfed the enchilada, diminishing the flavor of both and making for an unattractive presentation.

The menu presented other interesting choices, not the least of which included three fajitas ($11.99 to $13.99), mole poblano ($9.49) and camarones Acapulco ($11.99), shrimp with jalapeno and bacon.
Only a few days later, the cloud of poor service experience had drifted and I was in El Mariachi's neighborhood. I returned, this time for a taco fix. It was the first of many that are sure to follow.
Kentucky's legendary Colonel had his blend of secret spices that made his buckets of chicken famous around the world. The magic in El Mariachi's tacos ($2.25 to $3.49) is likely an equally secret blend of chilies and spices, and it deserves its fair share of accolades.

If I had not been harried and on the run after a late lunch, I would have followed my carne asada tacos with a couple of others, perhaps the pastor (marinated pork) or lengua (beef tongue). Tongue may be an acquired taste (and texture), but don't rule it out until you have tried it. And it's always fun to order when dining with folks who furrow their brows at anything other than meat and potatoes.
Not only were the tacos delicious, but the service was great. As I was preparing to leave, the same server and I smiled at each other and exchanged a knowing look. There had been a bumpy first experience. It happens. I left happy and told her I would be back. It will be soon.


If you enjoyed this post, please consider making a comment