There’s a new kid in town and it’s packing a double punch in the city’s tourism sector. Common Bond Hotel Collection, the Louisville-based company that’s behind that city’s Myriad Hotel and the Bardstown Motor Lodge in Bardstown, has brought its A game to Frankfort – with not just one hotel, but two.
The first of the duo, The Delegate, opened in October, and promises to be a major addition to accommodations along the Bourbon Trail, according to Craig Pishotti, co-founder of Common Bond, and chief operating officer of its parent company Weyland Ventures.
The 48-room boutique property combines timeless tradition with contemporary cool.
The timeless tradition part of the equation involves a meticulous restoration of the 1879 three-story Italianate building that originally housed the Jeremiah Weldon South Warehouse.
Faithful to the original, The Delegate retains such features as exposed brick walls, wood ceiling structure and historic windows – complementing them with custom lighting, new wood flooring and artisan furniture.
The cool factor revolves around a private tasting room, three private event venues, outdoor patio and a high-end steakhouse, Cypress & Oak, with a seating capacity of 122 (60 in the main dining room, 30 on the outdoor patio and 32 in a private dining room.)
With a décor of dark wood contrasting with rich jewel tones, Cypress & Oak is a throwback to the classic steakhouses of the 1940s and 1950s.
The bar specializes in craft cocktails, and the restaurant, with its open kitchen, offers expertly roasted dishes prepared over an open fire, using a selection of Kentucky-raised meats and private reserve steaks.
While Cypress & Oak is open for brunch and lunch, dinner is where it really shines. Start with a Kentucky Fritter (country ham, pimento cheese, piquillo pepper, goat cheese and guacamole) or a Frankfort Poutine, the capital’s version of Canada’s favorite dish. This one is a concoction of sweet potato fries, gravy, cheese curds, bourbon maple glaze with Applewood smoked bacon and fried sage.
As an entrée, the private reserve steaks range in price from $72 to $95, while the Kentucky raised beef ranges from $24 to $118.
Some of the more unique offerings include Kentucky Bourbon Burgoo, Puttanesca and a Shellfish Tower that might have you thinking you were in a Gulf Coast restaurant.
If you want to stay local for dessert, opt for the Kentucky Brown Butter Cake, a moist concoction that is lip-smackingly delicious.
And what could make for a better ending to the evening than a nightcap from the restaurant’s well-stocked bourbon bar?
Meanwhile, on the other side of downtown Frankfort, nestled in the historic district, the 14-room Ashbrook had its eagerly anticipated opening in November.
Affectionately known as “The Queen on the Corner,” the 19th century mansion was originally the home of Buffalo Trace founder E. H. Taylor, making it a natural base for travelers on the Bourbon Trail, according to Draek Shepard, area general manager for both hotel properties.
The literal corner may be that of Main and Washington Streets, but the figurative corner is where the commonwealth’s two main industries – thoroughbreds and bourbon – come together, with the allure surrounding both.
“Our goal is to appeal to those who want an experience as much as they want a place to sleep,” says Shepard.
He explains that each property has its own vibe and personality.
“Whatever the building gives us is what we do with it,” he says.
In the case of The Ashbrook, its historical roots dictate design, as can be noted in the preservation of many of the house’s original elements such as the Rookwood tile in the bathrooms, coupled with custom-designed reproductions in the guestrooms and the first-floor library lounge.
Other features include a courtyard suitable for al fresco dining and drinking, an intimate bar and a colorfully decorated restaurant in the style of the auberges found in the French countryside.
Although the restaurants at The Delegate and The Ashbrook share the talents of chef Bob Atkins, the menus at each are decidedly different.
While Oak & Cypress focuses on prime cuts of beef, The Ashbrook’s restaurant pays homage to French country cooking.
Popular menu items include appetizers such as Brie en Croute with ginger vanilla green tomato jam and butter toasted sourdough, Sweet Onion Gratine, a classic soup with croutons and Gruyere cheese, and a charcuterie board with grilled baguette.
Entrees feature Roasted Duck Breast with pan gravy, blood orange glaze and creamy potato; Beef Burgundy, a classic French beef stew served with mashed pomme de terre, and Ratatouille, a stew of quinoa, tomatoes, garlic, onion, squash and peppers.
The wine list is also heavily focused on French, whether it be a chardonnay from Burgundy, or a Grenache-Syrah from the Cote-du-Rhone Region. Whether you prefer the hip industrial feel of The Delegate or the genteel sensibility of The Ashbrook, the Common Bond Collection has ensured that the capital city now has two capital places to stay.
