C-J's Rosen Gives Ditto's 3.5 Stars, Up a Half-Star from 2008, But Down a Half-Star from 2004

Marty Rosen blessed Frank Yang and Dominic Serratore's 23-year-old Ditto's with 3.5 stars, which translates to "excellent." It's the second highest rating a restaurant can earn on the Louisville Courier-Journal's scale. It's a half-star more than what Rosen gave it in his 2008 review, but a half-star less than what he scored it in 2004:

The menu is an extensive globetrotting affair that encompasses pretty much everything from Buffalo to Bangkok — no matter which way you decide to travel around the globe. If you doubt it, order a plate of Buffalo wings and a plate of Thai wings (either will run $10.99 for a full portion, $6.99 for a half-portion — and one of the delights of Ditto's is that many menu items can be had in smaller portions), and compare the flavors...Even if you've been eating at Ditto's for a couple of decades, the rotating monthly menu keeps things fresh and seasonal. This month, for instance, the abundance of good tomatoes inspires a twist on the classic Tuscan panzanella salad ($14.99), and spicy chicken chorizo sausage is paired with a grilled chicken breast to make a firecracker of a sandwich ($8.99).[Louisville Courier-Journal]

"Louisville's initial [Tom + Chee] entry on Bardstown Road seems to be thriving despite its competitive proximity to such landmarks as Sapporo, Uptown Café, the Bristol and the throbbing heartbeat of Restaurant Row," writes Robin Garr in this week's LEO Weekly. Because for so many diners wondering where to eat their next meal, the question comes down to, grilled cheese or hibachi?:

The three tomato soups ($2 with a sandwich, $3 for a cup à la carte or $4.50 for a bowl) all appear to be variations on a theme: Chunky tomato basil is a rich, red potion full of chunks of sweet tomato from the can, laced with aromatic dried basil. Classic tomato buzzes the chunks into a puree; creamy tomato basil keeps the chunks and adds cream. They're all good, and the soup of the day, beer cheese, sounded inviting, too. The Beef+Cheddar sandwich ($5), pardon the expression, beefs up the basic sandwich with thin-sliced deli beef and caramelized red onions, mounted on thick dark rye.[LEO Weekly]

·All Week in Reviews [~ELOU~]

[Photo: CourtesyLouisville Courier-Journal]