I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Ed Lee, chef and co-owner of 610 Magnolia, multiple times, and I must say, I never would have thought him a fan of Knob Creek Gun Range in Westpoint, Ky.
Ed Lee, chef and co-owner at 610 Magnolia.
Indeed, this month he told GQ magazine, “There’s no better way to spend an afternoon … .”
Hot damn! This New Yarker has turned into a full-on redneck!
Well, maybe not quite, but his appreciation for shooting-up watermelons and pumpkins is both admirable and will certainly earn him some new friends who care more for firearms than the fine foods of 610.
Beyond that pleasant surprise, however, were others listed by Lee when asked to choose 12 of his favorite places to visit in Louisville — just in time for the Kentucky Derby, of course. He’s mentioned to me a few times that there are some good soul food places around town, but for whatever reason, I’ve not asked him for their names.
Well, he comes clean in this article by naming one: Franco’s Restaurant and Catering (3300 Dixie Highway), along with one of his favorite haunts, Magnolia Bar & Grill, which he fell in love with after moving here several years ago. In addition to several restaurants and dessert shops he likes, he also spoke kindly of Leatherhead.
Since this is no “best of” list, it’s definitely worth reading to get Lee’s non-native take on the city. A graduate of New York University with a bachelor’s in literature, his comments are always articulate and worth regarding.
And the places he mentioned renewed my appreciation for some I’d have on my personal list—should GQ ever ask ME to chime in—and my commitment to revisit others I’ve neglected.
Steve Coomes is a Louisville restaurant industry veteran turned food writer. In his 22-year career, he has edited and written for dozens of national trade and consumer publications including Nation's Restaurant News and Southern Living. A past restaurant critic and food feature writer for Louisville magazine, he pens features for ...
