Nostalgic serves whimsical elevated renditions of childhood dishes. Here's what to order

Nostalgic, the restaurant and cocktail house on Bardstown Road, will forever bring me a sense of ... nostalgia.

I’ll always remember it as the kickoff to what I refer to as my engagement weekend. My now-fiancé took me to dinner there on a Friday night last fall, proposed the next day, and had us booked for a couples’ massage that Sunday.

The eatery is owned by Catherine Mac Dowall — also the force behind Butchertown’s Naïve — and began welcoming guests on Valentine’s Day 2023. Since then, it has undergone a few changes, such as extending its dinner-only service to include Sunday brunch.

Mac Dowall got me up to speed on the brunch details and everything else that’s happened over the last 13 months.

Here’s what I found out.

Nostalgic's name speaks for itself

The restaurant was designed to tap into childhood memories by offering foods from yesteryear that are prepared in elevated ways. Mac Dowall, a first-generation American, explained that as a child, her parents spent a lot of time at work. This meant that she often had to prepare her meals.

“I (had) Hot Pockets … and fish sticks, and pot pie,” she told The Courier Journal, adding that those comfort foods helped inspire the Nostalgic menu.

Of course, the restaurant versions are several steps above the frozen and boxed versions from Mac Dowall’s childhood. The pot pie, for example, is a vegan concoction boasting marble potatoes, yams, oyster mushrooms, corn, peas, and miso white wine gravy.

“We can’t tap into every single person’s core memories,” Mac Dowall added, “but we tried to make it feel like you are being transported to a different time.”

Try the chicken nuggets and mac and cheese at Nostalgic

Parents and anyone who spends enough time around little ones know that chicken nuggets and mac and cheese are among kids’ top picks. It’s fitting that guests feel the same about the familiar-yet-elevated versions at Nostalgic. Mac Dowall says both menu items are ordered quite often.

The sorghum glaze chicken nuggs are available as an appetizer and are served with three made-in-house dipping options: honey mustard, Polynesian sauce, and cherry barbecue sauce.

“Our customers love (it),” Mac Dowall exclaimed. “We (also) have mac and cheese, and we use a five-cheese blend for that.”

When it comes to the fancier dishes, she adds, the go-tos are oysters, tuna tartare, and the New York strip.

Order this unlisted treat for dessert at Nostalgic

The dinner dessert menu has an array of sweets including apple pie bread pudding, a cookies & creme brulee, a vegan brownie, and more. Vanilla ice cream is also an option — but these secret milkshakes are not.

Making milkshakes, Mac Dowall says, is labor-intensive and time-consuming, which is why it's not technically a menu item. However, guests are welcome to put in a special request for a vanilla, chocolate, cookies & creme, or Reese’s milkshake.

“We can (also) make them spiked, (which is) really fun,” she said. “And we have fun toppings to add — so definitely ask for that when you come.”

These toppings include Rice Krispie treats, Fruity Pebbles, and other cereals. Fudge, caramel, caramelized apples, and deep-fried Oreos are available, too.

“We don’t (offer) the world to the customer by any means,” Mac Dowall said, “but we’ll suggest a couple of different types and ask what toppings they would like out of them. It’s super fun. … I mean, a milkshake (will always) make a customer smile and feel really happy.”

Don’t miss the childhood throwbacks at Nostalgic’s Sunday brunch

The restaurant began offering brunch this past November, and the menu is full of childhood fare.

“We have Funfetti pancakes, we have Fritos, we have toaster strudels, and mini doughnuts,” Mac Dowall said. “It’s just fun and whimsical. It’s supposed to be lighthearted and not too serious.”

Offerings include a wild berry-flavored toaster pastry with royal icing — a play on the frozen Pillsbury version that kids have been enjoying since the 80s as well as a plethora of on-theme coffee and boozy beverages.

A couple worth noting include the Reese’s Puff Hot Chocolate, made with Frangelico liqueur, chocolate syrup, demerara, peanut butter whip, and regular or non-dairy milk; and the Poptart latte, which is a blend of brown sugar cinnamon syrup, espresso, whip, and regular or non-dairy milk.

Nostalgic also offers daily happy hour specials and holiday meals

Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; as well as 4-10 p.m. on Sunday. Specials include half-off wine bottles; $8 Manhattan, martini, and old fashioned cocktails; and $1 off animal shots and draft beer. There is also a selection of food items — available between 4-6 p.m. — priced at $4, $8, or $10.

“And we still have a couple of reservations open for Derby,” Mac Dowall said, adding that seats for Sunday brunch the day after the 150th Kentucky Derby are filling up.

Mac Dowall says it’s also never too early to start making plans for Mother’s Day, either. Details for the May 12 brunch will be announced on social media, but reservations are open now. It sounds like an ideal Mother’s Day destination to me. After all, what mom wouldn’t want to take a trip down memory lane to the days when her kids were little?

“At the end of the day,” Mac Dowall said, “that’s why I’m in hospitality — to make people happy. (Nostalgic) is a fun concept to try to make people happy, bring a smile to their face for (a bit, and) take them on this nostalgic vacation that they never knew they wanted.”

Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.

Nostalgic

WHAT: This is a locally owned, whimsical restaurant offers elevated renditions of childhood dishes.

WHERE: 1306 Bardstown Road

SERVICES: Indoor dining, outdoor seating, online ordering, carryout, and delivery via Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash; 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday

CONTACT: 502-999-2560, eatnostalgic.com

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Try these whimsical dishes at Nostalgic restaurant in the Highlands