Louisville - Lynn's Paradise Cafe

If you watch the Food Network like I do, youmay have seen Lynn's Paradise Cafe featured on Bobby Flay's Throwdown. I won't deny the fact that is the reason we visited Lynn's for brunch this week. Located in the Highlands, Lynn's is a kitschy, down-home style restaurant known for its breakfast foods. The decor is over the top, just the way Lynn wants it. Every year she sponsors the "Ugly Lamp Contest" at the Kentucky State Fair, which we happened to view the day before eating at this establishment. Because of all the press Lynn has gotten, this restaurant fills up quickly on the weekend, so visitors beware. On a Wednesday at 11:30 am it wasn't too bad though.

Though nearing lunchtime, my group and I decided to go for all brunch. Looking over the menu you will notice her "classics" including the bourbon ball french toast, which sounded amazing but would probably send me into diabetic shock. Instead I chose the Wild Mushroom Scramble ($11) which was filled with mushrooms, spinach, cheddar cheese and bacon and topped with (the best part) a horseradish sour cream sauce. My husband and friend both go the Kentucky Farmhouse Scramble ($14) which included red peppers, Jarlsburg cheese, ham and topped with crispy tobacco onions. (Note to Lynn's, if you are going to use an asterisk on your menu to describe what these tobacco onions are, actually use it properly because no where does it explain what these are!) Having tried both we all agreed the Wild Mushroom scramble tasted better, but the fried green tomatoes were awesome.

The Farmhouse was served alongside three fried green tomatoes with a house tartar sauce. Both scrambles came with a choice of bread (biscuit, toast, English muffin) and the Wild

Mushroom also came with a choice of side (cheese grits, fruit, a few others). I decided to go with the the cheese grits and everyone got the biscuits. The cheese grits were fairly good, but not as good as they tried too claim. The biscuits were incredible though and huge at that, coming with fresh sorghum butter and strawberry jam.

Overall the food at Lynn's was pretty good brunch food. There was nothing original or new, but it was all good comfort brunch food. However, I think the press and fame have gone to the owner's head because the prices were outrageous. For $14 the meal should include either something more original or more food than the Kentucky Scramble did. For $11, the Wild Mushroom Scramble should automatically come with a side of fruit in addition to the bread and side item. The coffee they served was mediocre at best and the bloody mary's (though we didn't indulge in, but have heard are quite tasty) are expensive at around $8. Compare this to my review of The Publican in Chicago and you'll see we spent the same amount for an all around better meal at the same price.