This NuLu restaurant serves American-French cuisine that's not to be missed. What to order
When Rosettes shut its doors, I was both disappointed and shocked. I’d been to the ground-floor restaurant in Nulu’s Hotel Genevieve several times since its opening in May and was looking forward to many more visits there.
Thankfully, the closure was just temporary; the eatery has been up and running again for the last three months. As executive chef Chris Ayala and director of food and beverage Laura Fieberg explained, the month-and-a-half-long closure gave the team time to revamp the space and re-envision what they wanted Rosettes to be.
With Ayala now at the helm, guests can expect a brand-new menu, as well as other exciting offerings slated to start next month.
Find Spanish influences on the new menu at Rosettes
Ayala took over the kitchen this past November, coming to Derby City by way of Nashville. He holds a culinary arts degree from the Culinary Institute of America; and most recently, he served as the executive chef at Ellington’s Restaurant in The Fairlane Hotel.
“I was new to the city, so I (started with) the good ol’ classics, like French toast and stuff like that,” Ayala told The Courier Journal. “Now that we have a better sense of what the customer wants, we’re branching out a little bit. We’re gonna step into uncomfortable territory in some places.”
Fieberg added that over the last three months, Ayala has been slowly stepping more into his comfort zone.
“We’re seeing a little bit more of a Spanish flair coming in with the French influences, which I think is fun,” she said, “(like) the potato and chorizo tortilla.”
It's not too late to order Valentine's Day specials
The Spanish potato & chorizo tortilla is part of Rosettes’ Valentine’s brunch menu, which is available through the end of the month. Made with chorizo, eggs, almond romesco, and layers of thinly sliced potatoes, the special is one of four limited-time February offerings.
The other options include a crispy polenta bowl; chicken waldorf salad; and a ricotta and lemon zest pancake souffle, a personal favorite. Featuring ricotta and lemon zest plus citrus-infused syrup, the fluffy pancake souffle boasts a light lemon flavor that’s just the right amount of sweet.
There are a couple of V-Day drink specials, too, including a spicy bloody mary made with Kentucky’s own Jeptha Creed hot pepper vodka.
“Jeptha Creed was intentional for February,” Fieberg said. “A mother-daughter team is close to my heart.”
She added that they plan to continue creating other unique offerings, featuring both local businesses and companies from around the country.
“We’re doing a lot with Woodford (Reserve) for Derby, (and) we’ve got some wine dinners with Jackson Family Wines coming up.”
Here's what you should order from Rosettes' regular menu
When it comes to Rosettes' regular menu, Ayala said the roasted banana bread French toast — house-made banana bread served with a banana foster sauce that’s crafted with Rabbit Hole Single Barrel Bourbon — is the most popular brunch pick by far.
“(It) easily (out)sells anything, two to one,” he said.
Once dinnertime hits, guests tend to go for the pork chop, which is served with Brussels sprouts, braised marble potatoes, and a bourbon gastrique.
“It’s a play on meat and potatoes,” Ayala explained. “It’s a nod to Louisville and Kentucky, (and) ours … hits all the sweet and vinegary notes that complement the pork chop really well. It’s paired with our apple slaw, which … is kind of an ode to my childhood. Pork chops and applesauce is probably one of my favorite things to eat.”
Don't forget to pair your meal with a drink at Rosettes
Wine lovers will appreciate the option of ordering their vino by the glass, carafe, or bottle.
“We wanted people to be able to mix it up a little bit and try some different wines,” Fieberg said, adding that keeping the menu approachable was a major theme with the restaurant’s revamp.
“We want this to be (a place) where you feel like you’re just sitting with friends, (and) having a comfortable time (with) great food and great drinks,” she said.
Guests who are craving something other than wine will be sure to find something they like, too. The Rosettes bartenders are also serving up selections of beer, non-alcoholic options, and craft cocktails.
Keep an eye out for this upcoming dinner series
Starting March 3, the restaurant will be offering a weekly Sunday dinner series. The $40 three-course meal will include an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. The menu will also feature a special cocktail, with both the food and drink changing every week.
“It’s another great way for us to (offer) different wines, and get my bartenders being creative,” Fieberg said, explaining that each weekly menu will be released on social media the Friday prior.
She added that they don’t want people to feel like Rosettes is a typical hotel restaurant, as being independently owned allows them the freedom to do unique things and provide one-of-a-kind offerings.
“I think when (Rosettes) first opened, they overshot the mark on some things, (thinking) that’s what people in Louisville wanted,” Fieberg explained. “I think with bringing in chef Chris and I, we’ve said, ‘No — this is Louisville’ — and that’s been important to both of us, to have that established here and to be a place that hopefully becomes a favorite spot for locals.”
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.
Rosettes
WHAT: This is an all-day restaurant serving American-French cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
WHERE: 730 E. Market St.
SERVICES: Indoor dining, outdoor seating, and catering; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. daily
CONTACT: bunkhousehotels.com/rosettes, 502-586-7049
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rosettes at Hotel Genevieve serves must-try American-French cuisine
