Why locals are flocking to this new seafood spot in Germantown - Restaurants

Oysters at Franny’s Seafood restaurant, 998 Goss Ave., in Louisville, Ky.

Provided by Franny’s Seafood

USA TODAY Network, Reuters

Growing up in Hawaii, seafood often meant fresh sashimi and poke my mom prepared with fish, lobster, crab, and octopus my dad brought home from the beach. I never truly appreciated it then, but now I realize what a privilege it was to have such fresh seafood.

In Louisville, we’re fortunate to have access to fresh fish from around the globe, thanks to the world’s largest automated package sorting facility and express air cargo hub.

“We’re so lucky because of the UPS Worldport to be able to get all of this incredible seafood,” Meghan Love, owner of Franny’s Seafood, 998 Goss Ave., told the Courier Journal “None of our fish is frozen – it all comes in fresh.”

Love and I sat down to chat about the fresh fish at Franny’s, popular menu picks, and what first-timers can expect at this Germantown spot. Here are a few things to know:

Franny’s is an ode to family

Franny was Love’s paternal grandmother, and the restaurant was named in honor of both Franny and Love’s father, Tim.

“She and I were very close,” Love explained. “She passed away … almost 15 years (ago), but that is who all my seafood memories were really made with. (And) my dad was obsessed with oysters. I ate oysters with him from a very young age.”

Love, who also owns a barbecue restaurant in New York, started working on the Franny’s concept over two years ago, hoping her dad would see the vision come to life before he passed.

“It didn’t happen, but he would have loved this place,” she said. “This would have been my dad’s dream restaurant.”

She adds that Franny’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, plus Sunday brunch. Those hours are unusual for the area, but Love wanted to create a spot people can rely on to be open every day. And though reservations are accepted and encouraged, a few seats are always held for walk-ins.

“I always hold a portion of what I think are the best seats in the house for our regulars and our local neighbors that just want to walk in,” Love explained. “It’s never going to feel exclusive (or) like you can’t get a table. It’s the kind of place where we want to be really open and welcoming to everyone.”

Franny’s fish and chips are a must-try

Franny’s offers indoor and outdoor table seating, as well as bar seats – but no TVs.

“When people are here, they talk to each other,” Love said. “A lot of people come back week to week to see each other, so I’m really proud of that. It has a very neighborhood vibe in that way.”

These regulars are often enjoying one of two menu favorites: fish and chips or oysters.

Love explains that the fish and chips are made with hake, which is similar to cod. It’s prepared in a light, crispy, crunchy batter, and served with made-in-house tartar sauce.

“We make all of our sauces in-house,” Love said, adding that the tartar sauce features a variety of fresh herbs and is several steps above a run-of-the-mill tartar sauce.

As for oyster options, guests can choose from four to five varieties of East Coast oysters on the half shell or broiled oysters made with chipotle-garlic butter and tempura crumbs, served with a grilled baguette.

Crab rangoon hush puppies and butter lettuce salad make for good first bites

Though the entree and raw bar sections of the menu offer plenty to explore, a couple of appetizers are also not to be missed.

“Our one dish that’s gone viral is the crab rangoon hush puppies,” Love said, adding that they are served with a spicy Chinese mustard sauce. “There’s a little bit of cream cheese inside the hush puppies, so (it’s) sort of a play on a classic crab rangoon.”

The butter lettuce salad is also a fan favorite. The butter lettuce, which Love says is rarely seen on menus, has soft, silky leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor – adding freshness without overpowering other ingredients.

“It’s just a really simple butter lettuce salad with a sherry Dijon vinaigrette,” Love said, adding that she tends to keep most menu items as simple as possible. “We (offer) a pared-down menu, but we do it really well. It’s more about quality than quantity.”

The Franny’s menu features both sweet and savory selections

This focus on doing fewer things exceptionally well is evident on the brunch entree menu, which boasts just six picks. But with everything from a smoked salmon benedict to bananas foster brioche French toast, there are enough sweet and savory options to suit every taste.

The menu also offers just two desserts: key lime creme brulee and Boston creme profiteroles.

“Our desserts are pretty special,” Love exclaimed. “The profiteroles are a puff pastry with ice cream and a chocolate-hazelnut sauce, served warm. It’s really good.”

Guests can enjoy martinis, mozzarella sticks, and music at Franny’s

Franny’s also offers happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, serving $5 house martinis and cosmos, $2.50 oysters, and $7 fried mozzarella sticks.

“I was really dead-set on having mozzarella sticks,” Love said, explaining that they remind her of the Northeast, where many seafood restaurants feature an Italian spin. She adds that the Franny’s version uses high-quality cheese, homemade breading, and made-in-house marinara dipping sauce.

The restaurant’s soundtrack matters to Love, too.

“We (also) play really good music,” she said. “I curate a playlist for every day of the week – playing really good music is half the reason I opened restaurants in the first place.”

Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.

Franny’s Seafood

WHAT: This locally owned, coastal, New England-style restaurant serves seafood, oysters, and cocktails in an approachable setting.

WHERE: 998 Goss Ave.

SERVICES: Indoor dining, outdoor seating, carryout, and catering; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday

CONTACT: 502-350-9952, frannysseafood.com

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Why locals are flocking to this new seafood spot in Germantown

Reporting by Lennie Omalza, Special to The Courier Journal / Louisville Courier Journal

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Fish and Chips at Franny’s Seafood restaurant, 998 Goss Ave., in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Franny’s Seafood USA TODAY Network, Reuters Broiled oysters at Franny’s Seafood restaurant, 998 Goss Ave., in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Franny’s Seafood USA TODAY Network, Reuters Crab Rangoon hushpuppies at Franny’s Seafood restaurant, 998 Goss Ave., in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Franny’s Seafood USA TODAY Network, Reuters Profiterole dessert at Franny’s Seafood restaurant, 998 Goss Ave., in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Franny’s Seafood USA TODAY Network, Reuters Interior of Franny’s Seafood restaurant, 998 Goss Ave., in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Franny’s Seafood USA TODAY Network, Reuters