Saturday, March 22, 2014

Walt's Hitching Post

Pulling the finest elements from its past, while remaining relevant in today's demanding culinary world.

      We may have done the unthinkable. We dined at Walt's Hitching Post without having the infamous ribs served at the reinvented and reopened venue.  Fortunately for us, it was not a mistake.  

Walt's Entrance
      From the time we turned into the parking lot, it was clear that the experience would be bound in tradition.  There's an awning over the entryway that led to the wood paneled rooms from another era.  It truly applauds Kentucky from the genuine
welcome we received at the hostess stand to the horse themed oil paintings on the dining room walls.  There's a juxtaposition of casual with elegance in the pairings of plaid tablecloths with monogrammed dinnerware.  We were never at the former Walt's before it closed in 2010, but it's obvious that the new owners have chosen to honor and build on the memories many local diners have for Walt's Hitching Post. 

Hot Slaw & Bacon Dressing
with the Road House Salad
      Entrées come with a salad and potato.  I started with the Hot Slaw & Bacon Dressing, always a good choice.  This version was on the tart side with the vinegar dominant.  Eric had the Road House Salad with the creamy house dressing of tomato and garlic.  It was a variation on French dressing and much to his liking.  I tasted it and it was memorable.  We opted to
Sweet Potato Soufflé
and Florentine Creamed Spinach
upgrade to some other sides in place of our potatoes with the Florentine Creamed Spinach and Sweet Potato Soufflé.  I didn't care for the spinach as I tasted too many stems in it.  The soufflé was fine, but nothing above and beyond other places.

Jumbo Seared Scallops with Cheesy Garlic Grits
Eric chose the Jumbo Seared Sea Scallops as his main course.  There were four generously sized pieces atop a bed of cheesy garlic grits.  For a rib alternative, this was a winner!  Perfectly cooked tender scallops…and those grits could go up against any others.

B.T.'s Signature Strip with Oscar Style Topping
I wrestled with which steak to choose and finally settled on B.T.'s Signature Strip.  Our server recommended the Oscar Style topping of lobster, crabmeat, and bearnaise sauce, so I went all the way.  Perfectly cooked, with that melt-in-your-mouth experience I was hoping for.  Of course, sometimes our meal can be weighed heavily by the bread that is served.  Their warm, salty rye comes ladened with melted butter.  It's a touch I enjoyed, but Eric doesn't butter his bread.  

Walt's Hitching Post Dining Room
      We observed that, for the most part, the wait staff was young.  That's not a bad thing when they are trained well, as was evident with our charming waiter, who had just enough Kentucky charisma to guide us through the unfamiliar menu, while still professional enough to handle a mishap with one of our meals. It was corrected in a timely manner, and for that alone Walt's staff get extra kudos from us.  They work as a team and that contributes to the relaxed dining experience they are wanting everyone to experience.  

      From the number of diners on the Sunday evening we visited, there are a lot of people who are feeling the warmth.




The guys had some leftovers that I got to sample. Yum!




Walt's Hitching Post on Urbanspoon

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