New Japanese Restaurant opens in Louisville
Ensō, a unique fusion restaurant blending Japanese and Southern flavors, has finally opened its doors and is located at Clifton, located at 1756 Frankfort Ave., right opposite The Silver Dollar.
Chef Lawrence Weeks, affiliated with the Germantown eatery North of Bourbon, shared that the name ‘Ensō‘ symbolizes a complete circle and emphasizes the idea of a relaxed mind allowing the body to function efficiently. While it’s early days, so far this restaurant has received positive praise from the local community, so hopefully, it will be a hit. Early last month, the restaurant began the hiring process for staff.
The owner highlighted that the combination of Southern and Japanese elements in Ensō’s menu aims to challenge and expand the understanding of traditional versus authentic Japanese cuisine. He pointed out that Japanese culinary traditions have evolved over centuries, and the country’s openness to immigrants in the 1800s led to the incorporation of international flavors, such as those inspired by Italian cuisine.
Patrons can look forward to savoring dishes like oysters, meat skewers grilled using Japanese charcoal, and a variety of noodle bowls that won’t be predominantly ramen-centric, as Chef Weeks believes other establishments in Louisville already excel in that area. Initially, Ensō plans to serve only dinner, with specific operating hours yet to be determined.
