EXPERIENCE
The popular Jeffersonville
location is growing with the
addition of patio seating for
about 20 guests coming in July.
a potato and produce farmer. “His family would
often gather at his grandparent’s house for a huge
breakfast, where they’d sit around and connect over
eggs and potatoes,” said Smith. “He wanted to bring
that connection of having a moment with your
family, coupled with great service, to the restaurant.”
Rothberg came to Louisville to work with the
legendary Grisanti’s restaurant group. He worked
his way through the ranks to management, and
later, ventured out on his own to launch the fine
dining Napa River Grill in Louisville. Shane Hall
eventually joined the Napa River Grill team and
together, the pair sold the restaurant and focused
on breakfast.
“At the time, breakfast wasn’t as big as it is now,”
explained Smith. “They wanted breakfast with a
dinner feel, in an upscale, yet affordable approach.
That includes fresh, creative dishes with white cloth
napkins, coffee and water service at your table,
fresh ground pepper and other local products,
and service you’d expect from a dinner restaurant.”
Those elements set Wild Eggs apart from other
breakfast restaurants now crowding the market.
“We focus on the overall experience and service
you receive,” she said. “There are a lot of good
breakfast restaurants out there right now, but we
add special touches. Our kitchen team comes
in early and makes things from scratch, like our
muffins, every day.”
“We also source as much food as we can locally
in every market,” Smith added. “In this area, we
work with Creation Gardens, Paul’s Fruit Market
and Bourbon Barrel Foods, among others. We
believe in keeping our fresh ingredients in the
community.”
While guests pack Wild Eggs restaurants daily,
an unintended specialty of sorts arose also. “When
we opened 10 years ago, there was a push for
spending more quality time with your family,”
said Smith. “The message was don’t have your
work meetings in the evening — go home to your
family. People started holding breakfast meetings
20 EXTOL : JUNE/JULY 2019