The Champagnery serves 250 champagnes, elevated food menu in glitzy, renovated space
High tea events often pop up in Louisville around the holidays, but there are few establishments where the tradition is offered year-round.
Needless to say, I was thrilled when The Champagnery on Frankfort Avenue reopened after a year-long closure and announced that high tea would be available three days a week.
I immediately booked a reservation with friends, and we happily enjoyed sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and numerous cups of tea. We were seated in what I recently learned is referred to as the Heritage Room, a historical space on one side of The Champagnery that features wood accents from the 1800s and a French provincial fireplace.
Here’s what else I found out from Charlotte Stengel, who owns and operates the award-winning champagne bar with her husband, Brad.
The Champagnery space was home to an architecture firm
About 28 years ago, Charlotte, Brad, and Chip and Connie Hill bought the building at 1764 Frankfort Ave. to house their firm, Stengel Hill Architecture. The firm later moved to Main Street, and in 2018 — after a year and a half of renovations — the couple opened the historic property’s doors as The Champagnery.
“The Champagnery is a name that was created by our son in 2017,” Charlotte said. “It has been a passion project that continues to grow.”
She adds that their closure in early 2023 was supposed to be for just a few months, while they searched for a general manager.
“But during that process,” she said, “we realized that we wanted to make the menu more extensive and provide more options that paired well … with all of the great unique offerings we have.”
The Stengels brought Isaac Fox — the owner of La Chasse on Bardstown Road — onboard as the general manager. With his help, the couple has added more to its offering of more than 250 champagnes, sparkling wines, craft cocktails, beers, and mocktails.
Fresh-baked goods are now available at The Champagnery
Among the additions that Fox helped to implement is the offering of fresh, made-in-house bread and pastries.
Charlotte explains that when The Champagnery first opened, the menu included bread and other baked goods — but it was all supplied by other local vendors.
“We were all for that in the beginning, (but this) just brings another kind of European/French element to the space that's just so beautiful,” Charlotte exclaimed.
In addition to enjoying fresh baked goods with sips of champagne, guests can also get some scones or bread to-go. Weekly featured breads are listed online and can include everything from classic French baguettes and classic focaccia sheets to a rustic country loaf that boasts a mix of white, whole wheat, and spelt.
High tea, special events now offered at The Champagnery
The Champagnery is open Thursday through Saturday, and high tea is available for $35 per person from 2-4 p.m. each day. It includes a choice of artisanal tea plus a classic, three-tier tower of sweet and savory tea foods.
Exact food items vary from week to week, but the first tier is always a selection of savory sandwiches, and includes either meat or seafood, as well as a vegetarian option. The second tier features classic scones, biscuits, or croissants; and the top tier includes sweet treats like thumbprint cookies or lemon curd pastries. Fresh fruit, butter, jam, and honey are also included.
The heritage room — where I was seated for tea — is also where the Stengels hold Wine and Wisdom Wednesdays. The special event is held on the first Wednesday of every month and includes a flight presentation and tasting, as well as a food pairing. Seating is limited and reservations are required.
What food should you order at The Champangery?
For guests who prefer to pick their food, there are a few new dishes that Charlotte says have already proven to be popular picks.
These include the baked brie, a triple-creme brie that’s baked in-house in a brioche bread bowl and prepared with fruit compote, nuts, and a balsamic reduction; as well as the Moroccan meatballs, which are lamb meatballs made with feta, sun-dried tomato pesto, harissa-labneh sauce, fresh herbs, and Marcona almonds.
Those with a sweet tooth are fond of the Champagne Charlotte, a new dessert made with ladyfingers dipped in champagne syrup and then layered with strawberry Bavarian cream.
And to wash it all down, some of the most-ordered items are the champagne and sparkling flights, the Mother Teresa Sparkling Old Fashioned, and the Sparkling Cosmo Royale.
Don't miss brunch, served only on Saturdays, at The Champagnery
Louisville diners — myself included — love brunch and the mid-morning-to-late-afternoon meal at The Champagnery is served every Saturday.
The special menu is offered only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and includes five items: house-made fruit Danish with icing; vegetarian or meat quiche du jour; smoked salmon croissanwich; frangipane croissant, and a brunch board boasting house-made pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt, and accompaniments.
“We have so many new things right now with the high teas (and the) brunch that we’re doing on Saturday mornings,” Charlotte said. “They’re really fun, new ideas, and we’re excited about these launches.”
She adds that she hopes every guest keeps an open mind when learning about sparkling wine and food pairings.
“Do not be afraid to try something new,” she said, “and remember that every fan of champagne experiences his or her first glass of great champagne somewhere. We hope it is at The Champagnery, but regardless of where it is, enjoy the glass and trust that your appreciation and experience of the wine connects you to the artisans and experts who grew the vines, selected the grapes, and created that particular bottle to be enjoyed by you and your loved ones.”
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.
The Champagnery
WHAT: This is a local, family-owned champagne bar that serves champagne, wine, beer, cocktails, and a variety of boards, cheese, meat, and seafood.
WHERE: 1764 Frankfort Ave.
SERVICES: Indoor dining, outside seating, and select items to go; Thursday and Friday, 2-9 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday through Wednesday. High tea served from 2-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday by reservation.
CONTACT: 502-896-8050, the-champagnery.com
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: The Champagnery serves 250 champagnes, elevated food in in Louisville
