Toogie's Table — Restaurant in Bardstown

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Toogie's Table, and it was an experience that exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, the evening was filled with delicious food, expertly crafted cocktails, and outstanding service. Here's a breakdown of my experience: To kick off our meal, we ordered a selection of cocktails: the Black Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, and the Basil Gimlet. Each one was beautifully executed, showcasing the bartender’s skill. The Black Manhattan had a bold and smooth flavor profile, the Old Fashioned was perfectly balanced, and the Basil Gimlet was refreshing with a delightful herbal twist. However, one minor quibble was the use of maraschino cherries instead of the higher-quality Luxardo cherries, which are typically used in these classic drinks. While the drinks were fantastic overall, this small substitution was a slight disappointment for those of us who appreciate the finer details. We started with the Kentucky Country Ham Fritters, which were a true treat. The fritters themselves were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, but the accompanying sauce could have been more generous to balance the richness of the fritters. Still, they were a delicious appetizer. Next, the Deviled Eggs were a unique and delightful twist on a classic. The crispy egg whites added an unexpected crunch, and the pickle garnish on top was a surprising but excellent finishing touch, giving the dish a wonderful contrast of flavors and textures. It was a new experience I won't forget. Our server recommended the salmon, and I’m so glad we followed the suggestion. It was absolutely amazing. The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the kimchi paired with it was a bold and flavorful addition that really elevated the dish. The flavors were harmoniously balanced, and it was a standout of the evening. The cod, while also good, was a bit too heavy on the broth for my liking, but the fish itself was tender and flavorful. Despite the excess broth, it was still an enjoyable dish. We also tried the fried chicken, brisket, and mac and cheese. Each of these dishes was satisfying in its own right. The fried chicken had a crisp, well-seasoned crust, while the brisket was tender and rich. The mac and cheese was creamy and comforting, a perfect side to complement the hearty mains. To enhance our dining experience, Taylor, our server, recommended a flight of Old St. Nick Bourbon. It was an excellent choice and offered a smooth, flavorful journey through some exceptional bourbons. It was the perfect way to immerse ourselves in the local spirit and enjoy the moment. As the meal came to a close, our server surprised us with a birthday treat for a friend celebrating their 50th. The bread pudding, served with a decadent caramel sauce, was the showstopper of the evening. The warm dessert was rich, comforting, and absolutely delicious. To top it off, the server placed a sparkling candle in the dessert, which added a beautiful touch to the celebration. The service was impeccable. Our server, Taylor, was attentive without being overbearing. She was knowledgeable about the menu and provided fantastic recommendations, making our experience even more memorable. Her thoughtful gesture with the birthday surprise truly made the evening feel special. Overall, Toogie's Table is a must-visit. The food, drinks, and service come together to create a dining experience worth every penny. Whether you're visiting for a casual dinner or celebrating a special occasion, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. We’ll definitely be returning when we come back to Kentucky to explore the bourbon trail, and we look forward to seeing Taylor again. Toogie's Table is absolutely...

3.75 / 5

I'll preface this by saying I am a bit biased because we were excited to try this place and had (have) high hopes. The renovation was well done and the dining room was comfortable and inviting.

That being said, it was a personal miss for us based on the menu at the time of our visit.

The cocktails (mostly the old fashioned) were good - but any self respecting restaurant in Bourbon country should have a solid OF.

Our server (Kelly) was great, and a lot of fun. The host was also very kind and engaging. Zero complaints with the staff - well above average.

We started with the Labneh and the KY ham trio.

The sourdough served with the Labneh was very good,  but the creams were unexceptional.

$16 for the ham was a bit of a stretch - but the cornmeal caneles were probably my favorite part of the meal.

We had the Hog Chop, Short Noodle and Sunday Gravy for entrees.

The short noodle was fair but it was a bit bland and the flavor profile was odd.  It was also room temp.

The Sunday Gravy also could have been warmer. The lamb meat was quite good and the sauce / pasta were fine. Could have used more acid and a little heat (personal preference).

The Hog Chop absolutely made the worst impression of any entree. I wasn't asked about temp so I offered it.  I had no idea I was getting a small, sliced pork chop.

$38 for any pork chop is a big stretch for me - but the stated "18 oz" made it more believable and as such I was expecting an exceptional piece of meat.

Instead, I got what was pictured. Maybe 3/4" thick and effectively served in a bowl of greens soup (white beans and greens in broth).

The flavor was good, albeit a bit dull.

I just couldn't get over this tiny piece of $38 pork that was represented as 18 oz.

We'll go back and try the burger and watch the rotating menu to see what develops. If the current menu (pictured) was all that was ever offered - we wouldn't be back.

It's not the price point so much as it's the value.  It's not there and the flavors aren't good enough to make...

Our Toogie Experience: Booking a reservation was fast and easy. The restaurant even let us come early (swimming really does build up an appetite). The atmosphere was calm, dim lighting with little light votives on each table and just a few windows open with natural light coming in. Very relaxing & romantic. We were sat right away with window seating. My only complaint was that there were several flies on the inside portion of the window but they never flew on to the food. The table ordered country ham fritters, deviled eggs, and the crab cakes. The country ham fritters were yummy but a must share as it’s pretty salty, 2 of us found the deviled eggs very tasty but 1 of us felt like the eggs were prepackaged eggs and had a fishy taste to them. The crab cakes were good. Our entrees were less than enjoyable and we were really disappointed. I ordered the meatloaf and while the meat was moist and tender-the “sweet tomato “ topping was basically just spaghetti sauce. I felt like I was eating a pile of spaghetti without noodles. Mashed potatoes were cold and I had the gravy tasted like packet gravy. My friend ordered the fried chicken and it was probably the best thing on our table. Cooked perfectly and the skin had the best crunch. Her potatoes were the same-barely warm. We both agreed that the side veg was delicious. My other friend ordered the gnocchi and it was the worst of all. The gnocchi was horribly over cooked. she had it topped with grilled chicken and it was burnt and had the smell of dirty dishwater. It was completely inedible. I will say the waitress and the food manager were completely accommodating and had amazing recovery. They took her meal off and Gave us a free dessert. The service was great but we wish we would’ve had a better...