It has proven to be a dizzying pivot. Byrdie’s is out…
Byrdie’s est ferme (at Hotel Genevieve in NuLu)
…and now Hotel Genevieve in NuLu has publicly welcomed into its restaurant space a second location of New Albany’s popular The Exchange pub + kitchen, set to launch this spring as The Exchange NuLu.
The airwaves suitably abuzz, what can we glean from yesterday’s information release?
Spearheaded by Ian and Nikki Hall, The Exchange first opened its New Albany location in 2011 and, in the years following, has earned a reputation for delicious, chef-driven comfort food that emphasizes local sourcing, seasonal flavors and traditions.
And, as residents of downtown New Albany, we’ve been making appearances there ever since. Over yonder in River City, the Exchange NuLu will join Bar Genevieve, Mini Marché, and Jimmy Can’t Dance on the Genevieve property. It will be the third restaurant at the hotel in four years, but credit the CEO for being philosophical about the situation.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Ian and Nikki for this latest—and hopefully last—evolution of our restaurant space,” said Stephen Wendell, CEO of Mountain Shore Properties. “Their restaurant and approach to food embodies everything that our NuLu community has asked for: a refined and comfortable dining experience that celebrates the flavors and classic dishes that make our region great, and we hope it becomes a neighborhood staple for years to come.”
After all, “neighborhood staple” aptly describes what The Exchange has become in New Albany, where it has functioned in large measure as the downtown restaurant of record in terms of duration and dependability, utterly reliable with all the details tended to, and service impeccable.
Granted, lots of Louisville-born eatery concepts have come to Southern Indiana over the years, but fewer SoIN restaurants have ventured south successfully (and no, Papa John’s DOES NOT COUNT).
I believe The Exchange will be a good fit at Hotel Genevieve.
As an addendum, note that this new, second iteration of The Exchange coming to NuLu is entirely separate from the Halls’ plans for the previous OUTCAST fish & oyster bar space in New Albany, which still is expected to reopen later this year as a new concept.
In New Albany, Outcast Fish & Oyster Bar is closed (for now)
