Empire Lounge and Restaurant

In charming downtown Louisville, the casual, affordable Empire Lounge and Restaurant is hard to miss: The retro sign is a work of neon art. Inside, the food is equally hard to forget: Chef-owner Jim Cohen's creative and eclectic menu takes equal cues from comfort food and world cuisine. Start with the incredible calamari salad with miso balsamic vinaigrette before moving on to the Asian-inspired Momo Chicken (available as wings or an entree) or a juicy burger or steak. There is a fish special on the blackboard every night and a nice selection of local microbrews. The copper-topped bar, tables, and sidewalk patio offer a nice variety of vantage points from which to savor your plates.

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