4 new restaurants open in Louisville in last two weeks of September. Here's what to know

September was a busy month for Louisville restaurant openings. In fact, more than 110 restaurants have opened in the area so far this year.

We already told you about, Bakersfield and MeeshMeesh Mediterranean, both of which opened earlier this month. But in the last 12 days of September, four new spots, including the rebrand of a longtime restaurant, have opened in the Louisville area.

Here is the list of restaurants that have opened in the last two weeks of the month. Know one we missed? Send a note to Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

Cherry Pickin'

828 E. Main St., instagram.com/cherrypickingoods; Hours: 9 a.m.to 6:30 p.m. daily

Walking into Cherry Pickin’ Juicery and Goods, you’ll notice pops of pink and red colors, basketball hoops hanging on the wall, greenery and a fridge of ready-to-grab juices and wellness shots.

If co-owner Sydney Smith had to pick, this new place at 828 E. Main Street isn’t just one thing.

“People walk in and they almost can’t figure out what it is at first,” she said. “And then they love it. It’s inviting. It’s a place people want to hang out.”

Located behind The Local Seltzery in NuLu, Cherry Pickin’ opened Sept. 23 as a “community space,” Smith told the Courier Journal. Instead of a simple brick-and-mortar, she also thinks of the business as a “brand and mortar.” Along with selling house-made juices, smoothies and bowls, Cherry Pickin’ will eventually offer merchandise and home goods.

After Smith moved to Louisville from the Washington D.C. area, she struggled to find places serving cold-pressed juices. So, she teamed up with two business partners to create a juicery of their own. The basketball theme, which stretched to the menu with juices called “Kale Mary,” “Victory Greens” and “Midnight Madness,” is a nod to Smith’s family. Her father played on the University of Louisville’s 1980 NCAA Championship team and her brother, Nolan Smith, is an assistant coach for Louisville’s men's basketball team.

“Juice bars usually have a very cookie cutter feel to them,” she said. “We wanted to do the opposite of that and create an experience. We just wanted a really welcoming and relaxed vibe here.”

Osteria Italian Seafood

1211 Herr Lane, osterialouisville.com, Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4-9:30 p.m.

With the goal of bringing some “passion” back to the restaurant, restaurateur Jared Matthews closed Napa in Westport Village in early September. After two weeks of remodeling, the restaurant at 1211 Herr Lane reopened Osteria Italian Seafood on Sept. 26.

Along with a new front window, Osteria has freshly painted blue walls, new shimmering light fixtures, blue velvet chairs, and several pieces of aquatic-themed artwork. Near the entrance is a black-and-white wall of chalk art highlighting a mix of ingredients, from tomatoes to lobster, found on the refreshed menu. The chalkboard mural was created by Matt Smith, who has worked in the Napa kitchen for several years and said he’s excited about the “new chapter.” He added a little nod to the former restaurant via a drawing of a wine bottle adorned with the message, “Napa. Est. 1999," the Courier Journal previously reported.

The new menu features house-made pasta dishes, priced between $21 and $46, including lasagna rotolo, mushroom alfredo rigatoni, and cioppino fettuccine. Other entrees include seared scallops, filet mignon, and short rib stracotto. With dishes featuring clams, mussels, lobster, halibut and oysters, Osteria aims to be a must-try for fresh seafood, the Courier Journal previously reported.

Osteria is the latest addition to Matthews’ growing group of restaurants, including Lou Lou On Market, Lou Lou Food + Drink, The Fox Den, and Black Rabbit.

Switchboard

900 Baxter Ave., The Myriad Hotel, myriadhotel.com/food-and-booze/switchboard; Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; closed Sunday-Monday

Switchboard is a café and cocktail bar that opened Sept. 19 at the new Myriad Hotel in the Highlands. It offers grab-and-go coffee, pastries, light bites, and cocktails in a cozy atmosphere.

Lunch includes items like Caperberry & Quinoa Grain Salad, Smoked Fish Rillette and Sherry Gigante Beans with Garlic Confit. Switchboard, which pays homage to the telephone company that once occupied a portion of the building, is designed to be airy and vibrant, timeless with a hint of nostalgia, according to a news release announcing the concept.

"This hidden gem offers a unique fusion of old-world charm and contemporary elegance that promises an experience that is both enchanting and unforgettable," the release states. Earlier this year, Myriad opened Paseo, which features homemade pasta, land and sea paella, traditional entrées, seasonal sides and more.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux

970 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, Indiana, walk-ons.com/, Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight

This new restaurant, co-owned by retired NFL quarterback Drew Brees, opened the last week of September in the Louisville area.

The building at 970 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway, in Clarksville, Indiana, formerly housed The Juicy Crab and Logan's Roadhouse.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux features a Louisiana-inspired menu, including waffle cheese fries, fried alligator and chicken and sausage gumbo. Additionally, it offers traditional sports bar dishes like burgers, wings and sandwiches.

Named in 2012 by ESPN as the number one sports bar in America, Walk-On's has locations in downtown Indianapolis and on Purdue University's campus, Brees' alma mater, making the Clarksville restaurant the third Indiana location, the Courier Journal previously reported.

Described as a family-friendly sports bar, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux was founded by Brandon Landry and Jack Warnerin 2003 before Brees, a former New Orleans Saints quarterback, joined as an investor and co-owner in 2015, according to its website. Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux was "create(d) as a restaurant and bar concept that pairs attention-to-detail and culinary excellence with a little Louisiana spice," the website states.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux has over 70 locations in 15 states.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 2023 Louisville restaurant openings: Osteria, Walk-On's, Switchboard