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RESTAURANTS

Monnik Beer Co. officially opens

Dana McMahan
Special to the Courier-Journal

Nearly three and a half years after buying the old Zeppelin at 1036 Burnett Ave.,  co-owners Brian Holton and Ian Luijk have opened Monnik Beer Co.

This outpost of the pair's Danville brewery Beer Engine has faced delays ranging from zoning issues to the ground freezing for months just as they needed to pour concrete.

But as of this week, “it's happening," says Holton. "It's real."

It's too new for Holton to reflect on what they've accomplished in the total rehab of the mammoth space.

“We're getting in there working hard every day,” he said. “Once we've been open for a little while, maybe I can step back and say it's all good. Right now, we're still head down working, still in a frenzy in a way."

Chef Meghan Levins is at the helm in the kitchen.

Monnik Beer Co. to open in Schnitzelburg

Most recently with 211 Clover Lane, she's worked at Taco Punk as well as at restaurants around the country, Holton said, and she studied at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Levins is bringing to life the concept Holton and Luijik have wanted from the beginning: “local, sustainably-raised ingredients as much as possible … [with] affordable, small plates.”

The concise menu offers two versions of fries, made with a technique they've worked on perfecting – parboiled potatoes, double fried.

“We tried several ways, and this was the best,” Holton said. “They needed to be crispy.”

Fries are served with warm curry sauce, or as War Fries, based on a classic Dutch way of serving fries with mayonnaise, peanut sauce and chopped onions.

“Nobody else in Louisville doing that,” Holton said. “It's awesome.”

Two burgers are available, featuring Marksbury beef, along with two varieties of chicken wings.

Also on the menu: sauerbraten, beer cheese and smoked trout with poached egg. More than a dozen beers are on draft, offered in three sizes, with a handful of cocktails and wines round out the drinks.

Monnik opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, and is open till midnight through Thursday, 1 a.m. on weekends and 10 p.m. on Sundays. More information: www.facebook.com/monnikbeer.

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