Shane says: "The River City Winery has really been one of our favorites for some time now."

My pal Shane likes to write about food and drink, and I like to reprint his ruminations here and at my companion blog. This piece about River City Winery appeared at the Louisville Restaurants Forum on September 14. Today it's Sunday ... so, where is Shane today?

I find that the harder I work, the harder I need to play. Wednesday nights have become a much needed and anticipated respite from the stressful week. Two days ago, New Albany provided the best escape from those rigors in recent memory.

We decided to mix things up on Wednesday, so our usual party, minus a regular and plus a special guest, reserved a spacious table for six at the River City Winery. The RCW has really been one of our favorites for some time now; alas, they cannot legally serve beer, but what they do have is a beautifully comfortable restaurant, an amazing menu (including my favorite pizza this side of the river), and lots of their own wine … and on Wednesday nights, they have live music and 20% off the wine.

We visit the RCW most often on Sundays after indulging in a Bank Street Brewhouse brunch. Still, we have sampled quite a lot of RCW’s menu, including all of the appetizers, a bunch of different pizzas, and the best crab cakes I've ever eaten. I know right?

(My daughter says I'm not to use such current terms. I told her she's not allowed to indulge in seventies and eighties rock.)

Anyway, I've spent some months’ time in the Chesapeake Bay area, so when crab cakes were recommended by our server on my very first visit to RCW I was doubtful, to say the least. I'm a doubter no more. We nearly always end up with a “three-cake” serving at our table. This Wednesday night was no different in that respect, but we also had a Capriole cheese plate, cheese bread, and a couple of pizzas. We were most excited to have the Philly Cheese Steak pizza special this night, as it had been provided at our request.

We don't know the RCW owners, and until an hour or so into our meal had neither met nor spoken with the chef. However, we’d previously asked for the special. A couple of us walked over to RCW after our BSB session last Sunday to pick up some bottles of wine. While there, we simply asked when the Philly Cheese Steak would be on special again. Our server said she didn't know, but she'd ask chef. She came out a few minutes later and said, “When do you want it?” We were surprised that she had bothered to ask at all, and even more so that the chef had responded. We suggested Wednesday night, and our server returned a few minutes later and said we were on.

It was after 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday before I remembered to call and get a reservation. No problem; it was quickly confirmed, and we were told we could have one of the large round tables. I then casually asked if the special would be the Philly Cheese Steak. The person replied yes, and then paused for a moment before asking if we were the ones who had requested it. The deep voice told me this was not our server on Sunday, unless she had one hell of a cold, so I was doubly impressed. IK, R?

We had a great time. Mellow music was provided by a large fellow (one fully entitled to listen to legacy rock) in a flowery shirt, and while unremarkable it was pleasantly non-intrusive. The food was marvelous as always. The ingredients used by RCW are of the highest quality. I'm told the beef on the cheesesteak is tenderloin. Excellent service was provided by Jessica, and Executive Chef Nick Davis came out and visited with us for several minutes. The Traminette was so tasty we polished off four bottles. Yet, somehow we were still thirsty and not at all ready to call it a night so we strolled a short block west in the pleasantly fall-like evening to Bank Street Brewhouse, where we gathered around a sidewalk table. A glass of light cellar man's beer was enjoyed with more conversation before we at last agreed that as the next day was a work day, the play must end.

Downtown New Albany is becoming the foodie destination this side of the river. It's like Bardstown Road, albeit with a twentieth the venues -- but ten times the parking. In time, it may be that we cease wondering which new and exotic spot has most recently opened in that strange foodie Mecca in the Highlands.

Shane's bonus link: Indy Champion Vignoles Isn't River City's Only Gem.

Previously at NAC: First time ever for a Hoosier winery: River City Winery wins "Wine of the Year" at The Indy Int'l Competition.