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Lexington Ky Restaurants

Downtown

Your Guide To Fine Dining
A La Lucie's

Annette's

Atomic Cafe
Bellini's
Bombay Brazier
Triangle
 Columbia's
Blue Fire
Jonathan's
Le Douville
Morse on Vine
 Metropol
Stella's
Taste of Thai

At a time when many cities have struggling downtowns, Lexington is fortunate to have one that is thriving. In addition to beautiful small parks, such as Triangle Park shown at right, modern hotels as shown above, and entertainment facilities hosting basketball, football, rodeos, plays, concerts and circuses, the downtown also holds a dozen restaurants, some of which are among the finest in Kentucky. There's a good mix. You can find Contemporary, French, Caribbean, Steak, Thai, Italian, Classic, Indian and Pizza. A few are good lunch stops, and three are Special Occasion stops. For uniformity purposes, we begin all directions from the Hyatt, even though many of you may be staying at the Raddison or Gratz Park Inn. But since all directions involve heading east on Vine or Main Street, you can easily pick up.

 

A La Lucie's is just up the street from the Courthouse Complex and is at heart a French restaurant with a menu too diverse to be so neatly categorized. You can sit out on the sidewalk during good weather and watch kids playing in the fountain across the street, or dine inside under the huge photo of Holly Golightly, an interesting mix of art, forest green walls, fire engine red ceilings, and leopard print booths. On some nights there's live jazz. Among the soups, we like the Oyster Stew. Of eight salads, we think the Beet is one of the city's best, a blend of pickled beets, limestone bibb, fried bleu cheese, artichoke hearts and lemon herb dressing. There are 13 appetizers. The Broiled Escargot (with bleu cheese, garlic and butter), Eggplant Fries (with hummus, pita, and marinara sauce), and Scallops Benedict (with grits, country ham and hollandaise) win our vote. But there's Charcuterie (foie gras tourchon, nuts, dried fruit, cured meats and rillette on toast), a Lobster Corn Dog (with asian hot mustard), and the Artichoke Parmesan Souffle. It's worth a visit just to graze on the appetizers. This may be the best appetizer menu in town. And then there are the entrees. What a show. They start with Bouillabaisse, Buttermilk Fried Quail, Pork Chops Grilled In Bourbon, Tabasco and Molasses, and the Seafood Casserole. There are three chicken dishes, and the Pan Fried Crab Cakes. If you can't make up your mind, you might try the Mixed Grille, which gives you beef tenderloin, lobster, chicken skewers, spicy peanut, mango and jade sauces, all served on a panko crusted rice cake. North Limestone (Restaurant Row). From the Hyatt, go east on Vine, left on Limestone for three blocks. Combines well with a play at The Opera House.
Annette's is a surprising little place. Located at the halfway point between the Raddison and the Hyatt along the skywalk, it looks like a lunchtime nook but also opens for breakfast and dinner and advertises its extensive catering service. The menu includes gourmet pot pies, chicken, beef and turkey tettrazinis, meat or vegetable lasagnas, meatloaf, quiches, Kentucky Hot Brown and Shepard's Pie. Dinner entrees include Rubbed Beef Tenderloin, Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin, three kinds of chicken, Rack of Lamb, and Shrimp Skewers. There are various salads, soups and sides. Annette's also runs a full scale bakery offering pies, cakes, nine flavors of cheesecake, seven kinds of cookies, and various specialties. These are not routine desserts, either. Annette's won both the 2004 and 2005 Taste Of The Bluegrass Bakeoff. 300 West Vine, but this is misleading. There is no street access. From the Hyatt, climb the lobby stairs to the atrium walkway above the restaurant, follow it to the glass doors out to the Skywalk, cross Broadway, take the stairs down one level, go through the doors and turn right then left. From the Raddison, climb the lobby stairs, turn left then left again out through the glass doors to the Skywalk, cross Vine Street, and you'll come out right at Annette's. Great pregame stop.
The Atomic Cafe is Lexington's Caribbean restaurant. It's on the edge of the Transylvania University campus so on Fridays and Saturdays it is very crowded. The kitchen is slow. You need to find a table in the courtyard out back, place your order, enjoy the music, make good conversation and let the meal unfold leisurely. Their definition of "Caribbean" is a little different from the islands. What they claim is "pulled" or "jerked" is not what you would get there or at any other Carib restaurant in the U.S.. However, do not let this dissuade you from eating here. Whatever they label the food, it's good and plentiful. The traditional corner entrance in the photo at left is misleading. The heart of the restaurant Spring, Summer and Fall is the courtyard out back. Enclosed by a brick wall, it has its own bar and live music. If you can get a table back there, it's one of Lexington's better places to enjoy a meal. The menu opens with some of the more creative appetizers in town. We like their Sweet Potato Chips, Conch Fritters, Roast Pablano Peppers, and Jamaican Meat Patties. There's only one soup permanently on the menu but it's a good one : Conch Chowder. Atomic offers three basic salads, but we recommend the spectacular Tiki Salad, which gives you mixed greens with jerked chicken strips, black beans, cottage cheese, palm hearts, red peppers, carrot strips and green onion coconut dressing. We know people who come just to make a meal of this salad. Kids love the Macaroni & Cheese, blending cheddar and cottage cheeses for a slightly different taste. The Chicken Pot Pie is a great version of this classic dish. Of the main entrees, we like Ropa Vieja, an island pot roast; Jerked Chicken; Pork Tenderloin Skewers; Banana Leaf Wrapped Mahi Mahi with peppers, onions and artichokes enclosed; Shrimp - Chicken Kabob; and The Island Sampler, a mix of jerked chicken, fish fritters, coconut shrimp, black beans, rice, peppers, onions, and whatever strikes the chef's fancy on that particular evening. Among desserts we like the Rum Butter Cake With Berries, Chocolate Cheesecake, and Red Banana Cake. 265 North Limestone. From the Hyatt, walk east on Vine, turn north on Limestone and walk five blocks. But they're the short side of the blocks.
Bellini's is the downtown Italian restaurant. From Rupp Arena, it's a three block walk. Driving, you can park across the street. but due to one way streets you have to go up Vine, turn left on Limestone, then left again on Main. If you do this, pull into the far left lane on the turn, because Bellini's is only one up from the corner, and you'll be turning left into the parking lot. A Bellini meal begins with a cup of Zuppa del Giomo (soup of the day), homemade Artisan bread, and a saucer of extra virgin olive oil with house herb mix to dip it in. They have two basic salads plus a Salad Of the Day, which is always good. There are 10 appetizers, of which we like the Antipasto Sampler : prosciutto di Parma, Genoa salami, cappicola, pepperoni, gardineira, and imported cheeses. However, if you're starved, whet your appetite with calamari, shrimp, scallops or mussels. Of the Pastas, we take the Chef's Ravioli Special Of The Day. Bellini's might be at its best with its pastas. As a matter of fact, Italian lovers think they have the best pasta menu in town. There are 17 entrees in all, including all the classics. The Secondi (meat) Menu offers a Fish of The Day, two steaks, a pork chop, veal and four chicken entrees. The Vitella Saltimbocca (milk fed veal scalloppini stuffed with prosciutto, provolone cheese, sage, garlic and spinach) is our Bellini nomination for Top 10 Lexington Entrees. Save room for the Tiramisu, a dessert involving mascarpone cheese, espresso licqueur, coffee syrup, chocolate, and whipped cream.
At Bombay Brazier. Rip Sidsu has a great downtown location. He already had a prosperous Louisville restaurant and left it when this site became available. He does not have room for a lot of tables, seating is cramped, and parking can be a problem. But his menu has made this the favorite Indian establishment in town for many diners. We like to start with the Brazier Appetizer, an assortment of tandoori meats with onions and peppers. But there's also the Assorted Appetizer Platter, which offers a samosa (corn patty stuffed with potatoes, peas and coriander) and various vegetable fritters. Of the five soups, we prefer the Sambar, a South Indian lentil version of hot and sour soup. Sidsu marinates his meats in yogurt and spices for 24 hours, then bakes them in the Tandoor, an open clay oven. We like the Seekh Kababs, which can be beef or lamb by your choice. But the Cornish Hen, while sort of a Western adaptation, is delicious. You can order two Platters, theoretically for two but definitely enough for three. The Brazier Meat Platter offers chicken, lamb and shrimp. The Brazier Vegetable Platter offers a skillet of fresh veggies. Lamb Eggplant is a great entree. Sidsu takes great pride in his breads, offering 22. He does his meat entrees interestingly. You pick from seven, then pick the sauce(s). 102 West High Street. Two blocks from Rupp Arena.
The Triangle is the Radisson Hotel's ground floor restaurant, with big picture windows looking out on Triangle Park's fountains and trees. There's also a three season patio opening onto the sidewalk. This could be the most neglected and underrated restaurant in Lexington. It's suitable for a business lunch or a romantic dinner. Chef Josh Winslow is talented, buys from local farmers and includes as many Kentucky heirloom dishes as possible. Fried Green Tomatoes is an example. He layers them with Country Ham, Red Pepper and Cream Cheese for possibly the best interpretation of this classic in the state. There's also Flatbread, Quesadillas and Mussels. Sous Chef Jessica VanHouten offers two spectacular Soups: Country Ham, Bean & Collard; and Tomato Avocado Blue Crab Gazpacho. Of six Salads, the Field Greens stand out. VanHouten lays a foundation of Arugula, Mesculum, etc., then adds Walnuts, Blue Cheese, Green Apple Slices, Strawberries and a Cider Balsamic Vinaigrette. By the time you enjoy the Fried Green Tomatoes, either Soup and this Salad, you'll have already had one of the best meals in town. But there's more. Entrees include Black Cod, Kentucky Lamb, King Salmon, Kentucky Short Ribs, Shellfish & Grits (shrimp, mussels, clams, sausage, white wine, garlic, lemon) and Yellowfin Tuna (in cilantro lime). You choose your two sides from Roast Asparagus, White Cheddar Grits, Garlic Yukon Mashed Potatoes, and six others. They're also open for breakfast and lunch.
Columbia's has been a Lexington landmark for 60 years. They, too, have opened additional outlets, but the North Limestone location is still their headquarters. Sports figures, presidents, governors, senators, executives, artists, writers and Old Money denizens have been visiting the Limestone Columbia's since 1948. The classic is the Nighthawk Special. For $15 you get a beef tenderloin broiled in garlic butter, served with baked potato and Diego salad. The special is named for The Nighthawk, Tom Kindall, a midnight to dawn disc jockey on WVLK, voice of rock and roll in Kentucky for 40 years. Kindall is long retired, but the special named for him is in its 50th year. However, the Nighthawk isn't the only thing special on this menu. There are five other steak entrees plus steak fries. Columbia's offers the best Australian wine list in town and the soup of the day is always good. Appetizers and salads are just average, but save room for a piece of the Kentucky Silk Pie, a lingering taste of the Old South. 201 North Limestone. From downtown, follow Main or Vine to Limestone, turn North, and drive two or three blocks. Look for Sayre School on your right. Columbia's is just across the street.
Hyatt Regency's Blue Fire Grill is inside the atrium of the hotel adjacent to Rupp Arena. They totally remodelled the restaurant and redid the menu for the Equestrian Games. In the process they removed the famous Kentucky Mural, a longtime downtown icon (so much for tradition), but the ambience and menu are now cutting edge. Among the appetizers, we like the Butter Bean Hummus, Bourbon Barrel Ale Onion Rings, and Catfish Fingers, but the Crab Cake (blue lump crab, avocado, charred corn salsa) is the star of the show. It, a soup and salad are all you need. They offer a Soup of the Day, but the White Bean & Tomato (toasted fennel, fresh basil) is available daily and is hard to beat. The Heirloom Tomato Salad (goat cheese, bibb, white balsamic) is the best of their five salads. Sides are pretty creative : Wild Rice, Bacon White Cheddar Grits, Sweet Potato Fries. If you're from out of state, you MUST try Burgoo, Bison, Catfish and Hot Brown while you're here, and the Blue Fire offers fine interpretations of those old Kentucky classics. Their Maple Bourbon Salmon (local maple syrup and Woodford Reserve) and Filo Pouch (green chili creme fraiche) are also very good. You may not have room for dessert, but if you do, there's a Mint Julep Creme Brulee, Blueberry French Vanilla Cobbler or Whiskey Vanilla Sauce Bread Pudding waiting.

Morse on Vine replaces Tonio's at the intersection of Vine and Limestone. It's a great location, with spacious views of the new Lexington Green grassy park, the landscaped fountains, boulders and plazas bordering the library and government offices. Unfortunately, right now it's a location besieged by major construction projects, so you have to fight to get to J. Morse's door. But you should. Morse claims to offer "classic dishes presented in a gracious and affordable manner." They live up to that. Lunchtime daily specials rotate among Salisbury Steak, Hot Brown Casserole, Fried Chicken, Pork Loin and Catfish, all with two sides for $6.95. Or you can get a Sandwich Of The Day with soup or salad for $6.95. Dinner entrees include Braised Lamb Shank, Roast Chicken Caprese, Veal Scallopini, Seared Mahi Mahi, Duck Breast, Lobster Tail, Filet Mignon and a 12 oz. Ribeye. Or if you're not quite that hungry, there are Bistro Plates : Tenderloin Medallions, Scallops, Prawns, Bison Burgers, Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab Cake, Flat Bread Pizza and a Cheese Board which includes candied nuts, fruits and jam. They are reviving the lost art of tableside preparation, particularly for salads and desserts, which enlivens dinners. From the Hyatt, just walk east on Vine for three blocks.

Jonathan's at Gratz Park is a downtown restaurant using ingredients from local farms, wineries and dairies. They have the longest wine list in town and an impressive appetizer menu. One of those --- "oyster skins" --- is chef Jonathan Lundy's creation and is a must try. He adds a fried oyster and pimento cheese to a basic potato skin. The sea scallop hot brown is unique, while the country ham & shrimp potstickers are a tradition with new touches. His fried green tomatoes are excellent, but the best salad is Kentucky Hot Slaw, a mix of cabbage and peppers in mustard and bacon. The skillet blackened salmon comes over a soybean base and crayfish corn pudding. Then there's the potato dumplings. If you go in a group, somebody must order these. The Specials are always worth trying, especially on days when Lundy does pork prime rib with sweet potato and apple pone. Save room for dessert. Jonathan's most famous is the flaming bourbon brulee. 120 West Second Street. 252-4949. This is a small, intimate restaurant within the Gratz Park Inn. From Main Street downtown, driving, turn North onto Limestone and go three blocks. Turn left onto Second Street. You'll see the rear of the building, shown here. Turn left into the Gratz Park Inn parking lot.
Le Deauville is patterned after a French bistro, including a slow kitchen and some of the highest prices in town. But don't let this deter you, for the food is worth waiting for and worth the price. Their Onion Soup Gratinee is the best in town, mainly due to the great beef broth, fresh onions, and crusty cheese. The preliminary menu is spectacular. It offers Oysters, Clams, Shrimp, Lobster Tails, Caviar, Escargot, Sardines, and Mussels fixed four different ways. There are five salads. This is the only place in town offering Chicory Salad, and it's great. But the Beet, Endive and Nicoise Salads are also delicious. These greens are local, fresh and lovingly prepared (although we don't see any olives at all and the tomatoes have that picked in Mexico, gassed and shipped in taste). Among entrees, we highly recommend the fish. There's Tuna (sauteed in hoisin cream, wasabi oil and ginger rice), Monkfish (herb crusted, sauteed in mussel sauce), Salmon (sauteed in tarragon cream, tomatoes and tarte), Scallops (pan seared in citrus brown butter and risotto), and Bouillaibaisse (shrimp, mussels, clams and scallops in saffron, fennel and a tomato broth with roulle). They're all good but we love their Scallops. If fish is not your thing, try the Roast Duck (with peach compote and vegetable risotto), Pork Chop, Rack of Lamb or one of three steaks. 199 North Limestone. From the Hyatt, go east on Main and north on Limestone for three blocks. On Restaurant Row across from Sayre.
Taste of Thai is downtown's Asian outlet, and it's a good one. The Hot and Sour Soup with its bamboo shoots, mushrooms, egg and special gravy is a must. Among the appetizers, we recommend the Chicken Satay, skewered chicken marinated and fried and served with a cucumber salad and peanut sauce; or the Golden Squid, battered and fried. There are six salads, all a foundation of onions, cilantro, chili, lime juice tossed with either chicken, beef, shrimp, squid or mixed seafood. Main course soups include coconut, lemon grass and mushrooms with your choice of chicken or shrimp, Lemon Grass Spicy and Sour base with either chicken or shrimp, or a medley of shrimp, mussels, squid and scallops. TT offers ten Stir Fry entrees and six Curried meats. Of these, we like the Sweet and Sour Chicken and Pad Prew Wan (chicken, pork or beef with garlic, onions, chili, cucumber, tomato, pineapple, and sweet and sour sauce), and others in our group like the Pad Woon Sen (your choice of meat with vermicelli noodles). The fish entrees include Catfish fileted, deep fried and then stir fried; or a whole Tilapia deep fried in chili sauce. Beverages include authentic Thai coffee or tea, both cold (it's too hot and steamy there for hot drinks). 100 West Main Street. From Hyatt, walk east four blocks and look for Taste of Thai on the corner of Limestone directly across from the Courthouse Complex.

Metropol is certainly a historic experience. The building dates from 1810. It was the original Lexington Post Office, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Converting it to a restaurant presented its challenges : it's long and narrow. The ground floor has a six stool bar, three tables, and the kitchen. Up the narrow, creaking stairs brings you to a dimly lit pair of rooms with small tables. It's a perfect place for a romantic date, but not really suitable for a larger group. The food, however, is wonderful. Among the exotic appetizers, we like the Coquilles St. Jacques (tiny bay scallops in a beurre blanc topped with Gruyere cheese). We also recommend the Crab Avocado Salad, which has just a faint trace of cumin in a roast bell pepper vinaigrette. You have difficult choices to make on the entree page. The Braised Rabbit is our favorite, served in a delicate Dijon mustard sauce. If you can tolerate a little spice, Seafood Fetticcine includes scallops, crab and shrimp in a lobster tomato sauce. For vegetarians there's Pasta Bella, a mix of mushrooms, artichoke, olives, and tomatoes in pesto sauce and white wine. And for seafood lovers there's Chilean Sea Bass, pan seared in truffle sauce framed with new potatoes. If you survive all this with room for dessert, try the Apple Bread Pudding. This is probably the most expensive restaurant in Lexington, but for a special occasion it is definitely memorable. 307 Short Street. 381-9493. From the Hyatt, walk two blocks north on North Broadway, turn right on West Short Street, and look for Metropol at the end of the block on your left.

DeSha's reigns over Triangle Park, queen of the Victorian block beautifully restored around it. It's a classy and historic restaurant, great before or after an event in Rupp Arena. Try to get a window seat so you can look out on the park and downtown. Among appetizers, we like the Sampler, which includes potato skins, stuffed banana peppers and coconut chicken strips. They offer their own excellent versions of Kentucky Hot Brown and Fried Green Tomatoes. But they add a delicious Hot Prime Rib Sandwich, and Shephard's Pie, a deep dish pie of ground beef and vegetables baked in a flaky crust and topped with mashed potatoes and a Carbernet bordellaise. Kentuckians have been fixing this on the trail since the days of Daniel Boone and eating it in a fine restaurant is a real treat. Their Roasted Pork Loin features medallions of slow roasted pork loin glazed with a red currant sauce over mashed potatoes with fresh vegetables. DeSha's offers a 12 oz. ribeye and an 8 oz. filet mignon, both very competitive with full scale steak houses. If you stop for lunch, they change their Chile with the season. In Winter, it includes beef and red tomatoes. In Summer, it includes chicken with yellow tomatoes. There's a half pound Broadway Burger you won't find at any fast food outlet. Or try the Gardenburger, char grilled on a toasted onion bun with roasted garlic, red pepper, lettuce, tomato and onion. We're not big fans of Reubens, but theirs might convert us. 101 North Broadway. Directly across the street from Triangle Park. Avoid noon hour.
Stella's is West of downtown. From the Hyatt walk a block west on Vine, then Main, to Jefferson, (the street coming north off the Viaduct). Turn right on Jefferson and two blocks up look for Stella's on your left in an old yellow frame house. It's primarily a Lunch place, but it may be the best lunch place you've ever seen. Stella's takes great pride in either raising or buying locally everything possible used in their kitchen. On their menu they list precisely where everything comes from : the meats, breads, eggs, cheeses, hand ground grits and flour, wines, all of it. Their $3 Soup Of The Day, $4 Salads and $3 desserts are always worth ordering, but the menu is really an All Star Sandwich roster. Many of them only exist here : Hummus & Tapenade, Apple & Bleu Cheese, Lentil Burger, Candy Bar Sandwich, Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly, Brat Kraut & Swiss, Vegetarian Hot Brown, and Bagel & Lox. Some are common but just better here : Fried Green Tomato BLT, Reuben, Pimento Cheese, Lamb Burger, Hot Brown and Chicken Salad. Made with fresh picked local ingredients as they are, Stella's sides are pretty impressive : Tomato Aspic, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, and Red Beans & Rice. Just about the only item on the menu originating outside the Central Blue Grass is the Smoked Salmon, but it makes a fine addition to any salad for $3. There are only a dozen tables inside, and over the noon hour they're usually full. You might consider coming earlier or later. On Fancy Fridays there are white tablecloths, candles and a more creative menu. Stella's opens at 10:30 daily, closing at 4 Mondays and Tuesdays and 9 the other days.

Sawyer's is on the corner of Broadway and West Main Street, but you enter it from inside the closed mall and the windows look out on Triangle Park. This is basically an upscale burger joint, and many of its loyal followers think it has the best burgers in town, large and juicy. You get your burger and then take it to the toppings bar (cheeses, veggies, sauces, bacon, dressings, garlic, mushrooms, etc.) and fix it however you want. The friendly and energetic owner, Jim, is right there behind the counter and knows regular customers by name. Lunchtime lines on weekdays can extend out the door but they move fast. The chili is a Lexington favorite and customers debate whether it may not be better than the burgers. There's a Chili Pie, probably the only one served in Kentucky (or the nation). They have five good beers on tap. There's a Daily Soup n Burger Special. The home made Kettle Chips rank right up there with the homemade rye chips at La Favorite as the best chips in town. In addition to its devoted crowd of secretaries and downtown executives during lunch hours, Sawyer's has a loyal throng dropping by before and after home UK basketball games, since it's right across the sky walk from Rupp Arena. Drive around the back and park, then have Jim validate your ticket.