Varanese Restaurant

2106 Frankfort Ave, Louisville
(502) 899-9904

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin
Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork Chop
Pistachio Encrusted Goat Cheese
Angel Hair Bruschetta Pasta
Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp
Complimentary Bruschetta
BBQ Duck Confit Eggrolls
Fried Green Tomato Salad
Slow Braised Lamb Shank
Lobster Mac and Cheese

Menu

Appetizers
Assorted Charcuterie Plate
Chef Erik's assortment of house-cured salumi and artisan cheese.
Pulled Pork & Sweet Potato Biscuit
Slow roasted pulled pork served on sweet potato biscuits finished with apple butter
Cheese Spheres
Mozzarella, spinach and artichoke cheese spheres lightly fried, served with a tomato- herb dipping sauce.
Stuffed Crab Avocado
Lump crab stuffed fried avocado with pico de gallo and a roasted jalapeno creme fraiche
Baked Brie
Baked brie wrapped in puff pastry served with bourbon caramel, toasted pecans and sliced apples.
Crispy Beef Tenderloin Meatballs
Topped with diced tomatoes, red grapes, cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese in a curry-yogurt sauce.
Appetizer Platter
Appetizer platter of Lump crab stuffed fried avocado, Pork biscuits, Stuffed grape leaves and Cheese Spheres.
Fried Calamari
Crispy fried calamari tossed with assorted peppers accompanied with sweet chili sauce and citrus ponzu
BBQ Duck Confit Eggrolls
Crispy fried duck confit and cabbage eggroll with BBQ aioli.
Cheese & Hummus Plate
Feta cheese queso, fontina cheese, pearl onion jam, roasted garlic hummus and crispy flat bread.

Soups & Salads
Candied Pecan & Apple Salad
Candied pecan, granny smith apple, and sun-dried cranberries tossed with mixed baby lettuce and caramelized onion vinaigrette
Curried Lamb & Lentil Soup
Curried lamb and lentil soup
Fried Green Tomato Salad
Fried green tomato and bibb salad drizzled with buttermilk dressing, crumbled goat cheese and crispy prosciutto garnish
Pistachio Encrusted Goat Cheese
Warm pistachio encrusted goat cheese served over baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, cucumber and red onion with a tomato-balsamic vinaigrette
Crispy Romaine Salad
Crispy romaine lettuce tossed with a creamy roasted garlic Parmesan dressing topped with fried polenta croutons

Entrees
Caramelized Orange Bourbon Salmon
Grilled salmon smothered in a caramelized mandarin orange bourbon sauce served over cream cheese grits
Angel Hair Bruschetta Pasta
Angel hair bruschetta pasta sauteed with baby bellas, tomatoes and Chef John's special blend of herbs and spices.
Beef Tips & Tortellini
Sauteed beef tips and tortellini tossed in a rich Gorgonzola cream sauce, baby spinach, grape tomatoes and toasted pine nuts topped with crispy prosciotto
Flat Iron Steak
Seared sous vide flat iron steak served with an infused mushroom and Parmesan risotto finished with Chef John's V-12 sauce
"V" Burger
Char grilled grass fed beef topped with smoked mozzarella, crispy prosciutto and Chef John's V-12 sauce. Served with house made chips.
Certified Angus Strip Steak
Grilled strip steak served with rich creamy white beans with pancetta, zesty fried brussel sprouts and natural reduction.
Grilled Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin
with roasted garlic whipped potatoes topped with a smoked bacon jam.
Gulf Shrimp and Grits
Butter poached gulf shrimp with sharp cheddar and chive grits finished with a spicy tasso gravy.
Chef John's Personalized Vegetarian Dish
Created with seasonal and local ingredients.
Slow Braised Lamb Shank
with a creamy potato, parmesan, and caramelized leek hash and braised collard greens finished with a natural pan sauce.
Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork Chop
Spice rubbed bourbon barrel smoked boneless pork chop topped with an apple-bacon chutney served with gratin potato
Crab Cake Sandwich
Seared lump crab cake topped with a spicy slaw and horseradish spread on a toasted brioche bun. Served with house-made chips.
Pecan Encrusted California White Bass
Pecan encrusted California white bass atop molasses whipped sweet potatoes finished with a honey jalepeno butter sauce.

Sides
Zesty Fried Brussel Sprouts
Creamy White Beans
Mushroom Parmesan Risotto
Vegetable of The Day
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Potato Gratin
Garlic Whipped Potatoes
Cream Cheese Grits
Fries

Desserts
Ice Cream
Chocolate Lava Cake
Warm, gooey chocolate lava cake served with vanilla bean ice cream
Mocha Creme Brulee
Mocha Creme Brulee, rich custard with a candied top accompanied by a warm chocolate and caramel-filled praline
Small Bites
Small assorted tasting
Brioche French Toast
Custard-fried brioche french toast topped with candied bacon, sugared pecans, peanut butter powder, bourbon maple syrup, and caramel sea salt ice cream.
Assorted Cheese and Fruit Plate
Daily Selection.
Bread Pudding
Toffee-marshmallow bread pudding and bourbon caramel sauce served with salted caramel ice cream.

Coffees & Bottled Water
Fiji Water
San Pelegrino Water
French Press
Red Hot Roasters certified organic coffee.
Espresso
Cappuccino

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Recent Reviews

The food and service at Varanese is always top-notch. The bar manager Rory is the best. At our most recent visit, I had shrimp and grits and my spouse had salmon; both were delicious. Don't sleep on the crab filled squash blossoms or brussel sprouts, yum! Our server Leah was on top of everything, and made for a very pleasant experience.
September 2025
We dined with a friend from out-of-town on a Wednesday. I had the braised lamb shank which was excellent. My wife had the rockfish and my friend had the butterfish. All entrees were excellent. Jessica, our server, was engaging, efficient and attentive.
August 2025
Wonderful service for my Husbands birthday dinner. We have been here several times over the years and the service is always amazing! We found out on Mondays select Martinis are $5!! I love the French Fusion Cocktail on the menu and my husband loves the Pork Chop. Noise level is perfect for conversation and isn't too loud. Nice ambient lighting, the bartender was super nice and attentive. As soon as I ordered 3 appetizers she mentioned moving us to a larger table to accommodate...
August 2025

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Varanese Restaurant

2106 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-9904