The Oakroom: Kentucky's Only AAA Five Diamond Restaurant
A visit to The Oakroom at the four-star Seelbach Hilton in downtown Louisville is like stepping back into Louisville's Golden Age. Enjoy the finest dining at the Oakroom amidst the reminders of another era: oaken panels and columns bedecked with hand-carved lion's heads, elaborate floral arrangements, spotless white linen tablecloths and timeless brass chandeliers.
Built in 1905, The Seelbach was a favorite with gangster Al Capone and merited a mention in F. Scott Fitzgerald's chronicle of the Jazz Age, The Great Gatsby. Its impressive lobbies and foyer merit a visit before or after your meal. Don't miss the exquisite oak-paneled private alcove where Capone dined, played cards and drank bootleg liquor when he was in Louisville. Exquisitely carved panels slid shut to hide the dining alcove — and the legendary mobster and his contraband booze — in case of Prohibition era raids!
The Oakroom remains Kentucky's first and only AAA Five Diamond restaurant — one of only 46 restaurants in the country with that coveted honor! Nine U.S. presidents have visited the Seelbach, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, Southern Living named The Oakroom as its favorite romantic restaurant.
The Oakroom's menu features contemporary American cuisine with Mediterranean, Asian and European influences. Whether it's the Ostrich Tatar appetizer ($17), perfectly finished fish or a melt-in-your-mouth ribeye, The Oakroom's chefs provide modern interpretations to even the most classic dish. The menu always features naturally raised or grown ingredients, and is revamped seasonally.
The Oakroom's cellars boast 52 different types of wine — 33 of which are available by the glass.
From Tuesday through Saturday, The Oakroom is dinner only. The restaurant also serves a brunch on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Oakroom offers private rooms for special meetings, gatherings or occasions. The hotel has meeting and banquet facilities, as well.
Attire is business casual. Reservations are recommended, and they may be made online or by calling (502) 807-DINE (3463).
Posted on Jan 7, 2011 by Ivonne Rovira
