By Minda Reves
Lyndi Curtis loves the Rudyard Kipling, or, as regulars affectionately call it, the Rud. She began working there two weeks ago.
“I dig it, man, it’s really fun. They have shows I want to see here every single weekend.” Now Curtis can earn her keep while she and her friends support local artists.
The Rudyard Kipling is a popular venue for local shows, but you won’t just find hipster kids in the Rud’s patronage. The Rudyard Kipling, its moniker borrowed from the famous writer of the Jungle Book, uses Kipling’s poem “The Mother Lodge” as its mantra.
Kipling describes the Mother Lodge as a place where everyone of every color and background can feel at home. The Rud emulates this environment. There are hipsters, college students, can’t-keep-my-hands-off-you older couples, elderly gentlemen, and hippies all mashed in together.
I stopped by the Rud for some late night snacking and was lucky to happen in on a Wednesday and catch the tail end of a local jazz act, the Spawn of Don.
Susan Shumate [who is this?!] both hold the Rud in high esteem.
“The Rud’s been good to us. – [It’s] a good place to be,” Shumate said. Her brother Allen Shumate agreed.
As I sat down at one of the Rud’s high cafe tables and looked over the menu, I hoped it would be equally as good to my belly as the jazz was on my ears.
I ordered the guacamole and nachos ($5.95). But when they arrived, I saw that instead of nachos piled high with cheese, meat, black olives and tomatoes, like I’d imagined, I actually received plain tortilla chips and guacamole. I do believe there’s a difference. While $5.95 is a great deal for nachos, not so much for chips ‘n’ dip. But the guacamole is made from scratch.
Luckily, the cheesecake left me with a very opposite feeling. The cheesecake was exceptionally delicious and only $4 a slice. I would even dare to say it was on par with a certain chain new to Louisville – and the Rud’s is roughly half the price.
The Rud serves up a different cheesecake each night. My cheesecake came with chocolate chips, peanut butter, caramel syrup, whipped cream and a cherry on top. The display was nice, with crisscrossing syrups over a pool of strawberry syrup. The crust was chocolate, not graham, which was a nice touch. The cheesecake was creamy and the peanut butter was not overpowering.
The Rudyard Kipling does offer entrees and even has vegetarian and vegan selections. Its surprisingly yummy “whole wheat bread with soy nuts, flaxseeds, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, barley, honey” is vegan and a great snack.
The dining area runs parallel to the bar, so it is a smoking area, although there weren’t too many smokers the night I went.
There is a separate room for shows and private parties that is nonsmoking. My server, Curtis, seemed to really enjoy her job, which enhanced my experience. She was definitely hustling, so I wasn’t too irked that it took longer than usual to get my bill and pay it – she was waiting on almost the entire dining area without being snappy with anyone or botching orders. Plus, I had good music to keep me company. If you’re dining at the Rud, make time to linger so you can take in the full experience.
Locals love the Rud and the Rud loves them back. It’s a great place to check out Louisville’s music scene, chit-chat with friends and unwind after a long day of classes. And possibly grab a meal on the side. Although it’s not known for its food, the Rud is certainly good enough for a meal with an awesome concert for dessert.
