Bouquet

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Some restaurants are better suited to date night than others. Bouquet in Covington is hard to beat. Cozy, off the beaten path, and with a menu touched with a lovable Southern drawl, right down to the bourbon-centric cocktails, it verily announces “Come on back, y’all.” And so we do. Chef and co-owner Stephen Williams is dedicated to sourcing ingredients from local farmers and artisans, or the nearby community garden, and the constantly changing menu reflects his farm-to-table ethos.

Bison pot pie with roasted vegetables and buttermilk biscuit crust
Bison pot pie with roasted vegetables and buttermilk biscuit crust

Photograph by Jeremy Kramer

You definitely want to start with the “motherboard,” a selection of five cheeses, four cured meats, and plenty of accompaniments—stuffed peppadews, warm olives, mustards, jams, pistachio relish, and seven (!) types of pickles. Expect the highest quality cuts and wedges, all knowledgeably identified by the cheerful and attentive staff. Williams’s favorites include forest ham from Louisville’s Woodlands Pork, smoked picnic ham from Eckerlin Meats, and Kentucky Rose and Tomme de Nena cheeses from Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese near Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Stephen Williams salting his Vegas strip steak.
Stephen Williams salting his Vegas strip steak.

Photograph by Jeremy Kramer

Wild-caught blue catfish from Western Kentucky’s Lake Barkley had a meatier texture and stronger flavor than your average bottom dweller, and the sorghum-glazed Marksbury Farm pork belly was juicy and surprisingly light. See y’all next week.

g519 Main St., Covington, (859) 491-7777, bouquetrestaurant.com

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