Friday, December 10, 2004

PLAYING HOOKY

....AT LYNN'S PARADISE CAFE

CULINARY AND VISUAL DELIGHT IN LOUISVILLE

The colors are straight from the Caribbean. Pinks, yellows, soft sea blues. Two trees, possible paper mache, dominate the dining area. Reaching to the ceiling with white branches and trunk, as if winter is year round in Lynn's. Hanging from the trees are small miniature disco ball ornaments. The walls above the windows kicking out into the room are the bottom half of mannequins covered in psychedelic color 60's style pants and kooky socks. The tables in the center of the room are a hodge podge of mismatched Formica style art deco treasures found at yard sales, flea markets and Grandma's. The legs made of curved aluminum, are art in themselves. Against the wall, under the windows & dancing legs are bright booths upholstered in red vinyl. On the window sills are handfuls of mixed up Trivial Pursuit cards from the various versions for your challenge. Also a puzzle is available, one that is hand made and requires exquisite dexterity to maneuver the tiny silver ball across and over each bridge to the "win"spot. And the best of all, an army of small dinosaurs to play with and arrange.... ready to devour your meal once it arrives at the table.

Table lamps are everywhere. The type with ceramic bottoms painted with large cabbage roses, and fringed lamp shades. Everywhere you look is a magical and visual delight.

It is a treat to dine at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. I usually try to get in on those days where there is a 45 minute wait. Sometimes I'll just accept it, order a bloody Mary and wait. I was introduced to Lynn's after running my first 10K. It seemed to be the happening place afterwards as the room was filled runners wearing the T-shirts of the first leg of the Triple Crown.

I fell in love.

It was a treat to introduce Bridget and her sweetheart S. to Lynn's today.

They loved it too. (they love when I come to Louisville because we all eat well!)

 

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

You better warn Bridget that the "dish ran away with the spoon!"  Sounds like a great place.   Anne

Anonymous said...

WOW  is all I can say. Lori

Anonymous said...

This looks like a place that Amy (hippies in yuppieland) would LOVE.  Or maybe she runs it!  LOL!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

This place sounds great. Different yet warm. I like the sound (sight) of it all. : )
Angela

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderful!  Meet ya there someday...JAE

Anonymous said...

It does sound wonderful!  Maybe I can meet ya there with Jae! :-)  I like that idea.

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

Cool little independents are a treasure! xoox

Anonymous said...

Sounds and looks like a very fun place!

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderful...great photo!

Anonymous said...

     "Spooning" in the South, isn't love great?  Mary, love your photos and the story behind them!

Best wishes,
Debi

Anonymous said...

Too fun!!  But what of the food, woman??  What do you order there?  Where's the food porn??  tehehe.. :P

Anonymous said...

What a great picture. I love those colors. So happy! Would love to go there. Those two are adorable.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it great to find funky little places like this? I just photographed a couple of my favorites on Cape Cod.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I like living vicariously through you! LOL.  Lynn's Paradise Cafe sounds like a place I would like to see when I finally have the chance to visit Louisville. As usual the pic is great. Keep on snapping 'em pics and writing! Happy holidays!  

Anonymous said...

This sounds wonderful ~ my kind of place!  Everything around here is a corporate chain trying to simulate just this kind of creative funkiness.  And failing miserably, natch.  But Slomo's right ~ throw us foodies a taste!  And interior shots! And...

Sorry ~ just being selfish.  (When do we eat?;)

Anonymous said...

Nice, Taht crazy pink is the color of my house. Hubby was going for the Mediterranean look but it came out a little too pink (though He says it's exactly what he wanted) Any way my house looks like a doll house on an acid trip.

Anonymous said...

How festive!!  Lovely to see especially this time of year!
:-)
~JerseyGirl
http://journals.aol.com/cneinhorn/WonderGirl

Anonymous said...

We all love Lynn's, you said it exactly right, it is always a 'treat' to get to go there!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a blast!  Great atmosphere and good food, I am there next time I'm in that neck of the woods!  Cya, Kris

Anonymous said...

I looooove dinosaurs. I used to play with them everyday, when I was a kid.

Hey! Maybe if I get a 'fork costume', I can walk the streets and attract a true love, to 'spoon' with, during the upcoming, cold winter nights.

Good seeing you at, 'The Love Train'...

~Icy 'B'

http://journals.aol.com/thelovetrain/Drift/

http://journals.aol.com/thelovetrain/tracks/

http://groups.aol.com/romanceconection

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a delightful place!!:):) judi