This restaurant is attached to the museum hotel and has a whole gallery on the walk to the bathroom! The decor is progressive, evocative and unique. The servers are fun, friendly and helpful. Everything we tried was delicious. The pimento cheese with pepper jelly and light airy crostini was a standout bite!! Go check out proof on main for happy hour or dinner! read more

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Appetizers were pretty good, we got the octopus, focaccia and bison carpaccio. Table of 7, service was good, cocktails were good. Entrees were lacking. My husband got the lamb chops, they were $46 and didn't come with a side item. That's a little too much. I got the bison burger, it was really good but the fries sucked. The desserts were mediocre, we ordered the devils food tiramisu and it was just not right taste pairing, and missing the coffee notes that 'real' tiramisu has. Overall really not impressed and probably won't go back. read more

What a treat to come back! This used to be a regular spot and enjoying the cocktail bar and bites made me immediately want to put it back on the rotation. My friend and I snagged a booth in the back. Super comfy and it gave us the full view of the bar and restaurant. Quick, friendly and attentive service. We enjoyed our house old fashioned, each picking our favorite bourbon and split the bison burger with fries. The team cut the burger in half since we opted to split it versus doing an appetizer. The fries were delish! I'll be back! I need more time to refresh my exploration of the artwork and building. read more

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Pretty sizeable restaurant with a main area and bar area. There's a lot of quirky contemporary are throughout the restaurant, which makes sense since it's connected to the 21C Museum Hotel. The restaurant is open early for breakfast and a little later for the folks looking to grab a nightcap or drink and hang out in the bar. During my short stay in town I came here for pre and post dinner drinks as well as breakfast and everyone that helped me here - whether the bartenders or the server at breakfast - was wonderful! 1) Pre-dinner drink visit at the bar: was getting to head out for a dinner reservation, but wanted to stop by and see what this bar had. The bartenders greeted me as I walked in and sat at the bar right away. Overall, they have a fantastic selection of whiskeys. Note: I was in Kentucky for the first time, so although they may have had other spirits, I had tunnel vision for bourbons and ryes. I spotted the 'King of Kentucky'... the bartender let me know that it was part of the 'Titans of 2024 Flight' along with Little Book 'The Infinite' and Russell's Reserve 15 Year. The flight was $100 (9/2025) and I had a credit from the hotel burning a hole in my pocket since I booked through Chase Travel...so I figured what the heck? YOLO! The whiskeys were exquisite and I was in bourbon heaven. 2) Nightcap coming home from dinner visit - wanted to grab a cocktail before heading to bed. Came here a little before last call and wanted to try one of the cocktails. I chose the Kevin Sua Da - it was a take on Viet coffee so it got me really curious. It was a solid cocktail and glad I tried, but would prob try something else next time. 3) Breakfast visit - had a breakfast voucher from the hotel and although I had a whole day of drinking whiskey planned, I also had a whole day of food planned too. So I wanted to go the healthy route. I ordered the steel cut oatmeal and a green smoothie. I don't usually order the oatmeal at restaurants, but this was good and it was topped with fresh fruit and a little bit of brown sugar. This is a wonderful restaurant and it's a place I would love to go to even if I wasn't staying at the connecting hotel. read more

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We went for brunch and it was fantastic. The atmosphere is really cool with its gallery theme, and it stays true to Louisville's "stay weird". The service was also very good and accommodating. Downside: this place is expensive. Some of the items give more bag for your buck but overall with these downtown spots, they are more expensive. I note this in some of the reviews below. Food in order or favorite: Grilled Cheese & Roasted Carrot Soup: this was my favorite. The grilled cheese had an interesting but mild white cheese and leeks of perfectly crunchy bread. The soup was rich but not heavy and blended perfectly with the sandwich. Charred Octopus: this was also my favorite. The octopus was cut up into small bites and then cooked with an oily pesto and served with lime juice. I would wait to taste it before adding the lime juice (I always add the lime or lemon juice) but this had a bit of acidity already or I just added too much. The pesto was also delicious with the toasted bread, we devoured it. Proof Ancient Grain Bowl: this was light and refreshing but also filling. The farro was cooked perfectly and the sauce was a lemony creamy sauce with a touch of sweet. The veggies were good but not great. Kind of difficult to eat because of the presentation honestly. We added tuna to get some protein with was good. The bad part was how expensive it was even without any protein. Definitely over priced. Breakfast Sandwich: I think some people at the table would rate this higher and it was very good. The biscuit was delicious but fell apart as you ate it. The sausage was good with a touch of spice and not greedy. I only tasted the egg a little. And I'd dint find this dry. The potato on the side was delicious. It was like whipped potatoes on the inside with a crunchy outer crust. Farm Egg Frittata: this was my least favorite. It's was a bit bland and dry. The left is on top had. Slight dressing to add flavor overall it was a good portion but I wouldn't get again. read more

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This place is awesome. You HAVE to come by Proof on Main if you're in the Louisville area. This place is a restaurant/bar but also a museum! You can order drinks and then walk through the exhibits at no extra cost, which is what my friend and I did! From the moment you walk in, there is weird, colorful and fun art everywhere! The staff also encourage you to walk through the dining room, even if you're not dining there. Such a unique experience. I ordered a glass of wine at the bar and my friend ordered a mule. Both drinks were good. Afterwards we walked through all the exhibits and they were all really interesting. Such a fun time, i highly recommend stopping in if you have time! read more

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Came for lunch on a Thursday while i waited for a flight and really enjoyed the Nicoise Salad - fresh and flavorful! The atmosphere was great - fun and artsy - and the staff were welcoming and friendly! read more

Proof on Main - restaurant art (be sure to check out the gallery next door) - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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This was a great meal! I was going to see a show at the Kentucky Center just down the road and I wanted something to hold me over. Proof on Main had been on my list to try, so I took the opportunity. I was able to be seated immediately at a high top in the bar area. I had told the staff I was in a hurry, and they were very accommodating and efficient. I ordered the chicken Milanese and it was delightful! It tasted like spring. The whole menu looked to be very thoughtfully curated, and every dish was calling my name. My lone issue was the price. The portion size wasn't tiny, but I didn't leave full either. $38 for a (wonderful) piece of breaded chicken with no sides is crazy. All of this being said, it was a great experience and I would love to be back. I would give myself more time to enjoy the atmosphere and the meal with someone else. In this context it didn't make a ton of sense for me to eat quickly by myself. Maybe on someone else's dime! read more

Proof on Main - Menu 5-14-25 - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Wow, I must say the seared octopus is the best I've ever had, both international and domestic. The service was excellent. Friendly, knowledgeable. Stay away from the Martinis, in my experience. Only negative for me. read more

Proof on Main - Our table. - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I was lucky enough to attend a private dining business dinner here and it was wonderful. Logan exceeded our expectations in service and the food was excellent. The private dining room, as well as the whole museum, is filled with the coolest contemporary art. If you're feeling fancy, treat yourself to this unique experience. read more

Greeted warmly upon entering and got seated right away! Nice interior with comfortable seating. Our Waiter Ethan was very pleasant and made the evening wonderful with great recommendations. We started off with the Amuse Bouche which came with Arancini and a small cocktail which for me was a cucumber vodka martini, so refreshing and nice, then we got Beef Carpaccio and with it I got a upgraded Black Manhattan. I just a restaurant on those and it was spectacular! For dinner I got the Pork Saltimbaca and it was amazing! Then came dessert, we shared an Olive Oil Cake that had a cream sauce and candied walnuts, oh and I got a Calvados with that. All together it was very enjoyable evening and another addition to great restaurants to go to! Oh yeah, I'll be back! read more

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Brief wait to be greeted. We were initially seated a few tables away from others, but the tables quickly filled in. Not a lot of privacy since the tables and chairs are pretty close together. The arancini was absolutely amazing! So good. The food was delivered swiftly. The server was knowledgeable, personable, and attentive. I was very happy that we had vegetarian options to choose from. The pesto gnocchi was delicious! Overall, a wonderful meal. We will be back! read more

Proof on Main - Arancini (risotto balls) were amazing! - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Such a flavorful dinner with exciting dishes. Don't skip the amouse bouche! The carrots were some of the best I've ever had! read more

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This place is a vibe! The cocktails are delicious and the art is fun! We ate in the bar and service was great! The food was small portions, but packed a punch. read more

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Proof on Main is the intersection of classy and fresh. Inside the hotel, this art lovers paradise has delicious, exciting food; ex: homemade pastas with verde bolognese, epic carpaccio and the best charcuterie board we all decided could ever exist (apple butter, house spicy mustard, pimento cheese with pepper jam... c'com!) The service was inviting and personable; our waiter's recommendations were excellent as the bison burger (medium rare) and fries were my favorite thing I had all night. After dinner don't skip out on the rest of gallery which flows seamlessly into the restaurant. The art was exciting, contemporary and full of commentary. Thank you Proof on Main for a special pre-thanksgiving meal. read more

Proof on Main - The meal was so good I forgot to take pictures but here is some of the art :) - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

"Through the long lonely nights she filled my sleep Her body softly swaying to that smoky beat Down on Mainstreet" (Bob Seger) Our twenty-person group had a stellar experience when we visited Proof on Main for dinner on Saturday night. And that experience started before we had even set foot in the restaurant. It started when we drove up and were greeted by a 30-foot-tall double-sized, golden replica statue of Michelangelo's David. Not exactly what you expect to see in front of a restaurant, right? Our out-of-the-box experience continued when we crossed the threshold, entered the restaurant, looked around and were struck by the opulent design and artwork everywhere. There was a devilish gold gargoyle-like creature on the bar and bold wallpaper and hundreds of paintings on the walls. Our private dining room took the décor into turbo drive with jarring color on the walls and ceiling, a big red breakfront, and walls packed with photos, signs, knick-knacks, a rifle, top hat, and horse ribbons. Some of the artwork had unmistakable erotic tones. The oddest thing was a "death clock" that digitally counts down to what a psychic predicted to be the owner's death date! He's 79 now and allegedly has less than three years left. Our fun experience was enhanced by our wonderful server Rosemary. She was one of the most gracious, charming, and professional servers I've seen in a long time. Her memorized and expertly delivered descriptions of the menu options, cocktails, and Bourbon choices was fantastic. I went with a Grilled Caesar Salad ($17) with Apple, Cacio di Roma, Almond, Colatura (an Italian fish sauce). It was plated beautifully, had a nice variety of flavors and textures between the crunchy almonds, tender grilled Romaine, savory cheese, and creamy sauce. My entrée was Ricotta Cavatelli ($33) with Shiitakes, Sage, and Aged Balsamic was delicious. The cavatelli was creamy and the mushrooms were great! The sage and Balsamic sauce put a finishing touch to a great dish. My dessert was their Lemon Semolina cake with citrus slices and candied almonds. Fantastic! When I went for a restroom break, I was led down a long hallway that soon morphed into a hotel and art gallery! That's because Proof On Main is the house restaurant for a 91-room boutique hotel known as 21C. The hotel property includes North America's first museum dedicated solely to collecting and exhibiting the art of the 21st century. Accessibility? No worries, it's open free of charge 24 hours daily. The museum was carved out of five 19th-century warehouses with over 9,000 square feet of exhibition space. So listen up, if you are ever in Louisville, Proof On Main HAS to be on your "Must See" list. It was that impressive. read more

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I had a most excellent dinner at Proof on Main during a recent visit to Louisville. it was not hard to miss with the the giant gold statue of David out front and red penguins decorating the building's edifice. Cool place with a nice vibe. Our group was seemed to be happy with the restaurant selection and looked forward to our meal. I started with the charred octopus. It was absolutely delicious. For dinner, I chose the carbonara made with guanciale. I really enjoyed this dish as well. Other members of my party ordered a number of different items from the menu, including the pork chop, bison burger and a special. We had friendly and outstanding service. read more

Proof on Main - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Delightful New Years Eve dinner at Proof! The special was lamb and it was very good. Served over perfectly cooked lentils with an artichoke sauce around them. It was a beautiful savory dish that was perfectly cooked. The Brussel sprouts were excellent, crisp and didn't seem rubbery like they had been boiled. Deep fried she said with excellent seasoning. The trout was excellent also! Our service was top notch and I wish we had tried dessert but we were headed to parties and knew there would be more sweets so we reluctantly passed. Our service was excellent very zealous and we don't wait for anything. Perfect meal. read more

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The art vibe isn't overdone. It is just enough. They have a delightful apertife pairing that is well worth the $7. The gem salad is absolutely phenomenal. Every part of the salad adds a great balance of flavor and texture. The waitresses provided outstanding service. Their recommendation for the pork chop hit the spot. The chop was perfectly cooked, and the sauce and meat had amazing flavors that complemented each other. Plus, they have the art museum afterward read more

Proof on Main - Porkchop - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Our experience at Proof on Main was a little uneven, but there was still much to recommend. We stopped in for lunch and I had one of the best niçoise salads I have ever enjoyed. The tuna was perfectly seared and the bright sprigs of dill added dimension to the tender potatoes and crisp pea pods. I was the happiest with my dish. My husband ordered the steak. It was first undercooked and on the second try, it was overcooked. We weren't going to say anything on the second try, but our server Brittnee overheard us talking and made it right. Such attentive service is a rarity and it was greatly appreciated. For that alone, not to mention the engaging artwork covering the walls, and that salad, Proof on Main is worth a visit. read more

Proof on Main - Niçoise salad - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Very nice dinner at Proof on Main. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. I loved the interior design which included a Buffalo motif. The menu options were unique combinations. I tried the Mafaldine which was delicious. No meat in this one. The noodles were like cutting off the curly sides off lasagna noodles. Great combo of pesto and fall veggies. Husband had the sword fish which had a nice smoky flavor. We shared the beans and ham side dish. Huge white beans with ham and a nice baked crusty topping. It went well with our meals. Service was excellent. Really enjoyed this visit. read more

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Service was great, very attentive. The bison burger was good. Grilled fish entree was a bit too salty. Overall good experience on a weeknight for dinner, but food was a bit salty. read more

Proof on Main is a beautifully decorated restaurant. I'm a big fan of the wallpaper and the meaningful art covering the walls. We had a reservation and were sat immediately. The service was fine. No complaints. I ordered the fruit and nut granola and the avocado toast. Both were delicious. My boyfriend ordered the fried chicken biscuit with the hash brown. He enjoyed it especially the hash browns and the homemade biscuit. We stayed at the 21c so we definitely wanted to try Proof on Main. I'm happy we chose brunch. read more

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This was an amazing place to grab dinner. John our server was awesome. Great recommendations and always there when needed. The food was excellent. I had the rock lobster risotto and wow! The decor is very eclectic but quite cool. Superb place to grab a bite. Highly recommend this restaurant read more

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Excellent place for a girls night out dinner! All the appetizers and entrees were fantastic and the drinks were flowing! I was worried I wouldn't find a drink on the menu as I'm not a bourbon drinker. I asked the waitress if they made an espresso martini. She said yes and they're great! It was in fact delicious! The vibes are fun as part of the 21c Hotel. Going to the bathroom is a trip! My table thought I got lost but really just admiring the art in and outside the restaurant. We shared the tuna crudo and little gem salad which was a great start to our meal. I had the gemelli pasta. I will say the dessert we shared was not the best but would definitely come back! read more

Walking in to Proof on Main was an experience in it self. The giant red penguins, eclectic art, and massive buffalo just right there when you walk in, all was gave a unique vibe. Then the food. The appetizer was the beet toast. The bread was nice and charred and it had a very powerful citrus flavor. Couldn't make out the horseradish, but regardless the richness and flavor made it worth it. Then I had the rock shrimp risotto. Wow just wow. It maybe one of the best things I've ever eaten. The richness, the tang, the spice, just everything about it made me want to order another plate of it. The pork Milanese was good but was missing something like a creamy sauce and I felt the apples were misplaced and didn't belong. The flavor of the pork and the crispness with the cheese were fine on their own. Then we finished with the cake for dessert. I forgot the actual name but it was indeed delicious and a great way to finish the meal. What holds Proof from 5 stars is the service. The waiter was nice but there were long periods of time that went without seeing or being able to get anyone's attention to order the next dish. Besides telling us about the most expensive item on the menu he never asked us about anything the rest of the night. Overall, Proof is an excellent choice for a nice dinner date and if I was from Louisville I would definitely come back! read more

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Ok, skip the lunch. The only had a bruch menue, 1:30 saturday afternoon. It was not great. The sausage on my breakfast sandwich was a over cooked piece, not larger or thicker than a half dollar. Service was just ok, just above complaining. The are in the lobby of the attached hotel and in Proof are perfect if you want depressing and angry art about the history of our country, thrown in you get depressing notes about childhood woes from society. The big highlight was their barrel proof flight, which was exceptional. I would stop in gge bar gor that flight. read more

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Proof on Main is a great spot to dine - make sure not to miss the little art gallery either before or after you dine (it's connected to the hotel, so if you need to use the bathroom you will pass all the art on the way). We started off our meal with two drinks - Make it Virtue ($15) Cherry, Soju, Beets, Rose Hip, Brandies, Malted Cream, Power Soda and the Sunnyside ($15) Tequila, Mango, Bell Pepper, Basil, Shortfuse Agave Spirit, Coconut, Bitters. For food we ordered the Charred Octopus ($21) Bagna Cauda, Lime, Toast; the Strawberry Toast ($17) Buttermilk Ricotta, Pistachio; The Little Gem Salad ($9) Pecorino Toscano, Green Goddess, Rhubarb, Breadcrumbs; and the Spaghetti Carbonara ($34) Guanciale, Green Garlic, Black Pepper. The Beets came out as a complimentary appetizer from the chef, which was so nice! All dishes were really good and the flavors were on point. The Octopus reminded me of escargot - basically garlic butter and parsley with toasted bread. The salad was also tangy and refreshing. The vibe of the restaurant was very hip and funky - lots of cool decor in the room! I would definitely dine at Proof on Main again. read more

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All of the art on the walls and just the whole vibe is pretty cool. We stayed overnight at 21c and had my birthday dinner at Proof on Main. We were there on a cold, rainy weekday. We chose to sit at the bar and have our dinner there. The hubby ordered the House Old Fashioned and I had Kevin Sura Da. The cocktails were a great start to head up a good dinner. We ordered the charcuterie board to kick it off. What a good start. There were a variety of meats and cheeses along with apple butter, pickles, creole mustard and crostini. I will apologize now for all my pics but the bar lighting made everything have a purple tint to it. The next cocktail was Kitten Mittons beer for the hubby which he really enjoyed (he had 3 ) and I ordered the Peerless Double Oak straight up as we are in bourbon country. The Peerless was a pretty smooth one. The bartenders were great by the way, they did not miss a beat. On to the entrees. I ordered the petit filet that came with potato terrine, Tallegio, bordelaise and ordered it medium rare. This could not have come out more perfect for this birthday girl! So tender and so flavorful. The hubby ordered the grilled swordfish that came with smoked butter, Meyer lemon, and lentils. He said it was just ok and would not order this dish again. I gave the swordfish a try and had to agree, he was sorry he had not ordered the filet. To finish off I ordered dessert, a take on tiramisu, it was devil's food cake on the bottom with espresso and mascarpone and I also ordered another cocktail, the Banana Jamma. I am not a big banana fan but it was good. The hotel had given us a card for a couple of shots of Angel's Envy so we also had those. Overall a very good experience at this restaurant. I am sure we will get back here again. read more

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Came here for a private event, and the food was great. The grilled Caesar salad was a little over-dressed, but the grilled flavor paired very well with the toppings. The trout was moist and flavorful, and the tiramisu was light but delicious. Service is friendly and knowledgeable. read more

I can not tell you how many times I have driven by or walked by Proof on Main. My wife and I have only stopped in a few times for drinks. On this rainy Thursday night, we made use of the valet parking, and then met up with some friends for dinner, who, as luck would have it, had never tried Proof before. We were seated, the most excellent server took our drink orders. I must mention they have a better Bourbon selection than a lot of so called bourbon bars. Anyway, my wife deiced that we would order and share our dishes... So that is what we did. We started out with the charred beat toast and the charcuterie board. Both were very good. For dinner we ordered the rock Shrimp Risotto, Pork Milanese, The Butcher Shop cut, Proof Vision Burger, an order of Butter Nut Oszo and Hearth Roasted Broccoli. All I can say there was not a a morsel left on any plate, All of our choices were fantastic. I think my favorite was the Shrimp Risotto. It was amazing. I cannot wait to dine in The Proof on Main again. read more

Loved our experience at Proof on Main! Our server was wonderful, the art in both the restaurant and gallery was thought-provoking, and the mussels plus the mini martini starter were a highlight. Highly recommend. read more

Proof on Main - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Food was okay. Service was fine, if a bit slow. The place is really nice though and with some cool art.

The ambience of Proof on Maine sets the scene for a lovely, intentionally crafted evening. The servers were attentive and engaging, particularly Juan behind the bar. He had some great handcrafted cocktail recommendations. The food was excellent! The Mussels and the Arrabiata were definitely the stand out dishes - both flavor and texture were superb. Definitely recommend Proof on Maine - and sit on the bar side for a viby, low-key experience. read more

Proof on Main - Beef Tartare, Mussels - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We walked in for our reservation and the hostess was not friendly at all towards us. The server was a black male with a shaved head and glasses. He was also really sassy and towards us. The sirloin steak was very good. My wife ordered a salad with a side of chicken. Parts of the chicken came out RAW!! Server stated it would be a chicken breast. It was definitely dark meat and not white meat. The server even confirmed it was dark meat after. He took it off the hill but didn't offer any type of compensation for the RAW chicken in the meal. Not a good experience at all. read more

Proof on Main - You can see parts that are under cook. And definitely not all of it is white meat like they stated. It tasted gross and cheap. - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I guess I was expecting more from a place that is to be considered upscale. We were part of a small group and sat at a round table. Great table to talk I'm surprised that the staff di not wear a uniform. They wear I guess whatever they want. Service was inconsistent. Occasional had to ask a couple of times for things. The charcuterie board was good. We did have to ask for a few extra bread pieces a couple of times before they came out. The overall menu is a bit eclectic. I ended up with a pasta dish which was good, but not great and expensive for what you get. read more

Best lemon drop I've ever had! The 21c hotel will let you walk around with your cocktail and check out the latest exhibits. Bartenders know EXACTLY what they're doing! read more

Proof on Main - Lemon drops - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Service was good, attentive staff, always came by to check on us, refilled our waters when it's passed the half way mark in the glass. Ambiance is a very confusing one, it's like fancy but overwelming. Which I guess it's probably the aesthetic and artistic vision that a pleb like me would not understand. Not much of a complaint but more like a there's too much going on. Here comes the big reveal on why the review is so low. The food was outrageously salty. Which goes back to why our waters were constantly refilled. With every bite of food, I had to gulp water as if my life depended on it. The other thing is... The seafood is not very fresh, I know, what do you expect when the closest form of water is the Ohio River but come on. The seafood tasted as if it's been frozen for a while. For 2 girls, we ordered mussels and the rocket shrimp risotto, which isn't a lot of food. We basically got full from all the water than the actual food. read more

Proof on Main - Rocket Shrimp Fettucine and Mussels - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This was another delicious 5 star stop. From the decor, to the food, to the staff, everything was top-notch and prepared perfectly. The art installations create a great vibe, and a unique atmosphere. I went with the Pappardelle Bolognese which was incredible, and my travel mate went with the Bison Burger. Everything was superb and this is a great space to visit. read more

Proof on Main - Pappardelle Bolognese was delicious and cooked perfectly. Better try it. - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Really fun- sat in the bar. It was packed! Tried some appetizers and in our group we got the burger, mussels and a pasta dish. Part of the museum hotel. I recommend! read more

Proof on Main - Mussels in yummy broth and grilled bread - New American Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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