Kentucky Club (old Gabriella's)

[warreng88]

I tried to make a reservation a few weeks ago two or three days before and couldn't find anything. My guess would be they are doing all right.

[Stickman]

Trying to get in Gabriella's on a Friday or Saturday night is like trying to get into The West on a weekend night, wearing jeans and without a reservation. Forget about it.

[John1744]

We ate there almost a month ago on a Tuesday or Thursday night at about 5PM and got the same treatment even though the restaurant was 80% empty. They really want you to reserve seats. But besides that the food was still solid though they did discontinue the Chicken Alfredo much to my wife's horror, she couldn't imagine an Italian joint without that staple of a dish. I'm not sure if the food was quite the level it was a couple years ago when I first ate there but that could just be fuzzy memories as well.

[Pete]

When I met the owner right before they opened, he mentioned wanting to turn the little building out front into a market and breakfast place.

Sounds like they've been too busy to do much else other than manage their restaurant.

[Stickman]

Yes they have a great bar there. Nice view of the city.

[John1744]

Yeah definitely nothing like that seems to be occurring around the place.

I did forget to mention that the service was a bit rough the last two times we've gone. Our waitress the last time just kept disappearing for 10-15 minutes at a time and you could tell she was really new so we gave her the benefit of the doubt and chalked it up to nerves. The time before that we had a very Italian waiter who meant well but his English was bad enough that he couldn't describe well what he was trying to sell us and he acted almost insulted if you didn't choose the entrees he mentioned that he preferred.

Nothing major just a couple quirky things.

[RadicalModerate]

On the bright side . . . at least one doesn't have to drive all the way to Krebs to get "meh" Italian cuisine . . .
And is that so "WRONG"? =) rhetorical question, no answer required. (The Original "Gabriella's"--over around 50th and Western, run by Chef Peter Seay--was a couple of steps above Magnificent if not specifically "Italian" =)

[borchard]

We really like Gabriella's. I always judge an Italian restaurant by whether, or not they have Pesto. If they don't, then I don't bother going.
Once I establish that they DO have Pesto, then I see how good their Pesto is.
The first time we went to Gabriella's the Pesto was great. i loved it.
The last time we went, it wan't on the menu anymore?!?
BUT, I told the waiter that was really what I had came for. he went back in the kitchen, and they made me Pesto! So, bonus points for Gabby's! :-)

[Pete]

Hasn't been a post on this thread for over two years!

Last night, I finally ate here. I had been in a couple of times but never ordered food.

While there, I read through this entire thread (I was trying to find the name of the owner because he remembered me and was very friendly) and it goes to show how local places can stumble out of the blocks and still turn out pretty great.

At 8PM on a Tuesday, the back room was completely full, only 2 seats at the bar and the booths / side rooms were full in the front, although the large area in the middle was unoccupied.

They have lots of good beers, many on tap. And the bar area and views to the south are still beautiful, especially over the green carpet of trees in that part of town.

I had the house salad ($3) which I liked but it was soaked with Italian dressing. Too much so, but not a big sin.

The complimentary garlic bread and olive oil was excellent.

For the entree, I had the lasagna ($18). As others have mentioned, it's sweet. Maybe a bit more than I'd prefer but still very good and I devoured every bit of the block you are served on hot skillet/plate.

Service was great and I just love the atmosphere there. I will definitely be back.

[FighttheGoodFight]

I haven't been there in a year or so. I always liked it but never around that part of town now days

[Roger S]

I've only been once and enjoyed the dish I had quite a bit but it being in a part of town I don't frequent often and Italian not being a cuisine I'm in the mood for very often.... I haven't been back.... Glad to hear they are still doing good business because my experience there was in stark contrast to a lot of the complaints I was hearing at the time I went. Service and food were both great.

[sooner88]

It's been about a year since we've been and actually talked about going tomorrow. We sat in one of the side booths last time and really enjoyed the privacy. Our food was good from what I remember, but we had a server who, while nice and attentive, spent most of the evening trying to up sell us on apps, entrees, wine, dessert, etc. It really look away from the meal and was one of the reasons we haven't rushed back.

[JarrodH]

Gabriella's and Patrono are by far the best Italian places in town, Both in their own way. I eat at Gabriella's atleast once every few months and always enjoy it. The baked ziti really is to die for there.

[Bullbear]

I need to check it out at some point. when I can spare the carb load! that looks amazing!

[Martin]

i haven't been to gabriella's in ages... when i saw that this thread was resurrected i initially thought it was to say that they had closed... glad that wasn't the case!

that lasagna looks amazing... and i like the idea of serving in on a hot skillet. had to check their menu to make sure that they don't use ground beef instead of italian sasage... that's lasagna sin #1 in my book. might have to make it back over there soon to try some.

[Pete]

On my next trip, I want to try their sausage and peppers which is served over pasta.

Honestly, everything I saw looked pretty darn good.

[Roger S]

i haven't been to gabriella's in ages... when i saw that this thread was resurrected i initially thought it was to say that they had closed... glad that wasn't the case!

Yep... I thought the same especially when I saw the poster was Pete.

[Roger S]

On my next trip, I want to try their sausage and peppers which is served over pasta.

Honestly, everything I saw looked pretty darn good.

The night I went I had the Roast Beef Pappardelle and it was really good and really hearty.

[ctchandler]

I really enjoy Gabriella's. Ground beef in lasagna? The mafia will handle that! Another common substitute is cottage cheese instead of ricotta. That's criminal. And as a garlic lover, I love the comment on the menu about how the chef loves garlic and if you don't, be sure and tell your server.
C. T.

[Pete]

Been meaning to post these but Gabriella's is now open for lunch in the space directly east they call Nana's.

They've also moved all the food cases over there.

[TheTravellers]

Nice, thanks for the info, we haven't been by there in a while since we usually eat out on Sat afternoons and they haven't been open then...

[Pete]

I had dinner there a couple of weeks ago -- sausage and peppers over pasta -- and it was soooo good.

They do such a great job with the comfort food type dishes and the service has always been great.

[SoonerDave]

I had dinner there a couple of weeks ago -- sausage and peppers over pasta -- and it was soooo good.

They do such a great job with the comfort food type dishes and the service has always been great.

I *do* wish they'd bring back their marvelous, awesome, I-can't-believe-I-chose-it-over-chocolate-but-I-did, yummy carrot cake. Alas.

[Easy180]

First timer last night and it was outstanding. Awesome draft beer selection and the Coal Miner’s spaghetti was amazing.

[BBatesokc]

Friend and I did lunch at Gabriella's (aka, Nana's) today. Really like the little place - reminds me of the little places in Krebs.

Had the fried ravioli and the 'Soprano' pizza - excellent as always. *And, really good service.