Enso

"Blown away. Chef Lawrence provided an exceptional experience for the taste buds and ears. It was a gift to sit in front of Chef and learn from him. The passion and gust are clear - while the food leaves you dreaming about it for weeks. The consistency and elevated tapas style/shareable dishes allow for you to try more than one dish. Which, in my opinion, is the best way to eat your way through a restaurant! What a treat of capturing and delicious cuisine through chefs' eyes (and belly). Let us not forget about the before dinner teasers, aka libations, and they did not disappoint. Neither did the beautiful interior. An experience that is well worth the money!"

"Everyone was very nice and we felt welcomed the moment we walked in. Sadly, the food was flavorless for a place seemingly devoid of condiments. The Japanese fried chicken was the best thing I had and even it was a little bland. I was excited about the octopus hush puppies, but they were all puppy and no puss. My girlfriend had a pork slider that looked amazing and tasted like nothing. We got three of the Xmas cocktails. All were ok, none spectacular, and a little over priced at about $16 each. The space is nice and well decorated, though a little cramped in spots. Overall, I had a good time, but probably won’t be back for a long while. It does seem like they will freshen up the menu periodically, so I may try again in the summer."

"Excellent flavors, many of which were unique! The style is a mix between US Southern cooking and Japanese food (e.g., the octopus hushpuppies, which were actually a kind of hushpuppy and not takoyaki). The decor follows the seasons, right now being the holiday season. The indoor atmosphere is bright yet comfy. Service was excellent. If they keep it up, the service is an added reason to try out Enso. The dining experience is suited for sharing food. I recommend ordering a wide variety of items for sharing. This way, everyone can try out many different flavors. She-crab noodles are a must-try--rich and creamy and savory."

"Had a wonderful evening at Ensō. This is the second time I’ve been - both times have been delights. Great food and service. It’s a been an enjoyable addition to Louisville’s food scene for sure. This time around, we tried out the Shaved Apple Salad and the Dry Aged Beef Tataki to start, and then went into some skewers, and their ramen special. The chicken and scallion skewers reminded me of the many izakayas I would go to while overseas in Asia. The broth of the ramen was very rich but balanced, and the chasu pork inside of it paired well with the noodles themselves. The night was finished off with their matcha cheesecake, which was delicate with its use of matcha, careful not to overwhelm anyone new to it. Overall, it was a great experience at Enso. I’m definitely looking forward to trying more of their food when I swing back around."

"We had a great time at Enso. The atmosphere leading up to dinner was refined, with oshibori (warm towels) and a cup of delicious broth to stimulate your appetite. I enjoyed the agedashi tofu, and the ginger salad was excellent. The meat skewers were tasty but a bit small. The bok choy was inoffensive, tasty but quiet on the palette. Cocktails were unique and a highlight; I really enjoyed the Hollow Purple. I think there could be room for improvement with the chicken udon. The noodles and broth were perfect, but the chicken meatball had far too much basil and had a crunchy texture. All in all I had a great time at Enso. I would come again after the restaurant has had more time to get into its groove, and I think it will make an impact on Louisville's food scene."