What is Lexington Restaurant week? It’s a chance to sample a variety of Lexington restaurants offering $25 prix fixe specials, July 24th – August 2nd, 2014.
The second annual Lexington Restaurant week aims to celebrate the thriving, creative culinary scene that continues to grow in Lexington. With almost 60 local restaurants participating in the 2014 Restaurant week, it’s a sign that the Lexington (and greater Bluegrass) restaurant scene is reaching a new level of maturity.
Here’s the breakdown:
A variety of restaurants will participate in Lexington Restaurant Week 2014, offering everything from sushi to steak, Mexican, Italian, homestyle, BBQ, fine dining, and everything in between.
A La Lucie will be serving soup or salad as an appetizer, followed by the guest’s choice of a pan-seared trout with roasted red peppers, vegetables and new potatoes or a bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with sweet potato fries, blackberry reduction and green beans or a herb-roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and asparagus, followed with the guest’s choice of dessert.
Alfalfa is offering a choice of Parmesan and roasted red pepper dip or a hummus plate as an appetizer. The main course will be the guest’s choice of either Asian pork tacos with sesame slaw and pickled vegetables or a creamy pesto ravioli with sauteed local organic zucchini, onion and heirloom tomatoes in a creamy pesto sauce, followed by the guests choice of dessert.
Bellini’s is serving three appetizer choices: Zuppa del Giorno, Insalata house or Insalata Ceasar. The main course is the guest’s choice of Pollo Francese, Ravioli del Giorno or a meat or vegetable lasagna. Guest’s can choose between gelato, tiramisu or cheesecake for dessert.
Blue Heron Steakhouse has a chilled melon gazpacho or a side salad as an appetizer followed by a main course of either shrimp and grits with smoked ham, shiitakes and jalapenos, or steak frites with shallot red wine butter or fried chicken and choice of a side item. For dessert, they are offering strawberry shortcake or a flourless chocolate torte.
Coba Cocina is serving hand-hacked guacamole, queso blanco, a salsa sampler or borracho bean soup as an appetizer. For entree choices, they will be serving a smoked brisket taco dinner with rice, Carnitas Tamales with pinto beans, Tilapia Cancun with salad or Latin vegetable fajitas. For dessert, guests can choose between gelato or homemade cheesecake.
The Dish is offering a brussell sprout with bleu cheese salad or a house salad as an appetizer, followed by the guest’s choice of Salmon Crositinis, fried chicken or petite beef shoulder tender. For dessert, guests have the option of lemon pound cake or Mayan spiced brownie with house made salted caramel ice cream.
Dudley’s has multiple choices for entrees and appetizers. For appetizers, choose between chilled Arugula soup, grilled eggplant with ratatouille, house ham and pickles, wilted salad, summer squash tart or heirloom tomato salad. For an entree, choose between an herb-crusted pork loin, Duck Posole, seared trout, grilled lamb porterhouse with Moroccan spices, braised short ribs, fettuccine and rock shrimp with summer vegetables or fried chicken with vinegar slaw. Finally, for dessert, guests can choose between blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream or strawberry ice cream with peanut sauce and cinnamon brioche.
Enoteca is offering each guest a choice of four tapas, a starter tapa, a soup or salad tapa, a savory tapa and a sweet tapa for $25.
Furlongs is offering a choice of Shrimp Remoulade, boudin balls or gumbo as a starter course. For a main entree, guests can choose between sliced beef tender on a bed of crawfish etoufee, chicken etoufee, stuffed catfish or Panneed Bayou Trout with a seafood Catahoula sauce. For dessert, choose between bread pudding, berries and cream or beignets.
The Jax gives each guest three options for a three course meal for $25/person. Each option includes a starter, a main entree and a dessert. Option 1 begins with a spinach and fruit salad, followed by Mediterranean flatbread and finally vanilla bean cream cake for dessert. Option 2 will begin with Santorini, followed by Wasabi Crab Cakes and finished with Berries and Sabayon. Option 3 will begin with pork and vegetable pot stickers, followed by pork chop served on mascarpone polenta with cherry bourbon demi glaze and followed with made from scracth Beignets.
The Julep Cup will offer a choice of soup or salad. For a main course, guests can choose between Bourbon County Bluegrass finished meatloaf with brown sugar glaze, Vegars’ salmon on cauliflower puree, shitaki, spinach, roasted tomato and lemon beurre blanc, country fried airline chicken breast over rutabaga puree, sauteed Swiss chard, candied carrots, truffled gravy or sundried tomato pesto with shitaki spinach parpadalle. Bread pudding will be served for dessert.
the Ketch Seafood Grill is offering either the Ketch Beer Cheese Platter or chips with guacamole and salsa as a first course. Next, guest’s can choose between soup or garden or Caesar salad. For a main course, they are serving either blackened Mahi Mahi with creole sauce, wood-grilled shrimp skewer, Angus Prime Rib au jus with horseradish sauce or jerk grilled chicken with black forest ham and Swiss cheese. For dessert, choose between key lime pie, caramel praline cream ice cream or bourbon bread pudding.
Le Deauville will offer as an appetizer soup of the day OR salad OR country pate; entree will be fish of the day OR chicken of the day OR pasta with mixed vegetables. For dessert, choose chocolate mousse or creme brulee.
Malone’s will be offering their Lexingtonian salad or steak and potato soup for a starter course. For a main course, guests will have their choice between grilled salmon in saffron tomato broth, Black and Bleu Filet or honey bourbon glazed chicken. For dessert, choose between salted caramel cheesecake brulee or coconut cream pie.
Merrick Inn is offering Tuscan Bruschetta, fried green tomatoes, sliced tomatoes with cucumber dressing or house salad as choices for starter courses. For the main entree, choose between almond chicken, southern fried chicken, hot brown or fresh salmon. For dessert, choose between either Donna’s Southern Bread Pudding or strawberry shortcake.
Minton’s is serving Seared Sea Scallops with pea pesto puree and curried macadamia nuts as an appetizer. For a main course, choose between Filet Mignon with Pinot Noir demi glace served with roasted fingerling potatoes and bacon green beans or Cajun Tilapia with saffron rice and sauteed vegetables. For dessert, choose between lemon vanilla bean creme brulee with raspberry coulis or chocolate mousse cake.
Nick Ryan’s is offering Chef Joe Hall’s Sweet and Hot chicken fingers, small beet and goat cheese salad, seafood napolean, Ricotta Gnudi or local tomato salad as a first course. For a main course, guests can choose between shrimp and grits with smoked gouda-andouille sausage grits, seafood veloute and seasonal vegetables, braised short ribs with veal demi glace, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, Chicken Saltimbocca with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables or Hangar Steak with Sweetwater Blue beer marinade, fig port wine reduction, roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Palmer’s Fresh Grill offers guests a choice of chipotle egg roll or Tabasco-infused onion rings as an appetizer followed by either a house salad or Caesar salad. For a main course, guests can choose between Steakhouse Meatloaf, made with ground chuck and ribeye and served with brandy cream sauce, whipped potatoes and seasonal vegetables or Cajun style shrimp served with smoked gouda grits, andouille sausage and creole cream sauce, pretzel-crusted trout with basil pesto, red skin potatoes, sauteed spinach and mustard caper sauce or Norwegian Salmon with orzo, kalamato olive, capers, seasonal vegetables and sundried tomato beurre blanc. For dessert, choose between bourbon and salted caramel bread pudding, Ghiradelli chocolate brownie or key lime pie.
Portofino has either bruschetta or a house garden salad for a first course. Followed by the guest’s choice of either Chicken Marsala with smoked gouda polenta cake and vegetable or Salmon with raisin-caper butter, crab and horseradish aracini and asparagus. For dessert, choose between tiramisu or chocolate torte.
Sal’s is offering either Caprese salad or spinach dip as an appetizer followed by the guest’s choice of Filet Mignon and Cabernet Reduction, Orange-Habenero chicken or Citrus Sole. For dessert, choose between apple crisp with ice cream or peanut butter pie.
Saul Good is serving either lettuce wraps or southwest dip as an appetizer, followed by either a garden or Caesar salad. For a main course, choose between Cajun chicken pasta, Chicken Coq Au Vin, grilled center cut pork chop or grilled Atlantic salmon. For dessert, choose between white chocolate cheesecake, homemade chocolate chip cookie sundae or chocolate popcorn.
School Restaurant will be offering each guest a choice of Miso Soup, Tori Karrage, seaweed salad, Lotus Root Kinpira Gobo, Shichimi seared, Salmon or Beef Sukiyaki for a first course. For the next course, the guests can choose a four piece sushi roll: Crispy Tuna Roll, Hazy View Roll or Rib Eye Steak Roll. For dessert, guests’ have their choice of vanilla, green tea or red bean flavored ice cream.
Sutton’s is serving either stuffed mushrooms, hand rolled meatballs or bruschetta as an appetizer followed by Caesar or garden salad. For a main course, guests can choose Manzo Parmesan Pasta, Bloody Mary Salmon, Shrimp Primavera or sausage with peppers, onions and chicken. For dessert, choose between chocolate mousse or bread pudding.
Thai Orchid Cafe will be serving egg roll and steamed pork dumplings as an appetizer followed by a cup of soup, either Tom Yum or Tom Ka. For a main course, guests can choose any entree from the regular menu. For dessert, choose a flavor of Crank & Boom Craft ice cream.
Other restaurants will have fixed, specialty menus for $25 a person.
AZUR is offering their lobster crepes with squash and apple slaw as a first course, followed by bourbon fried chicken and mashed potatoes with a nutella brownie for dessert.
Bella Notte’s special starts with an antipasto salad, followed by summer gnocchi with roasted cherry tomatoes, fennel tomato broth and locally-grown, organic basil and finally with the guests choice of a main course: either a grilled pork tenderloin with wood-fire grilled Idaho potato salad or spice roasted salmon with yellow tomato smoked chili vinaigrette, watercress and balsamic marinated strawberries.
County Club will be serving Vietnamese smoked brisket soup, tomato salad and a smoked Kentucky pork chop for the main course. Dessert will be buttermilk panna cotta.
Natasha’s Bistro is serving two of their favorite entrees surf and turf style. South American spiced rubbed steak, served with Argentine chimichurri sauce, and Peruvian purple potatoes with lemon-pepper crusted Ahi Tuna Steak, seared medium rare and set atop wasabi mashed potatoes with a citrus and wine butter sauce.
Sabío’s special starts with toasted garlic bread with white bean purée, roasted local Roma tomatoes, goat cheese, basil and balsamic syrup, followed by pan-roasted chicken breast, served over roasted potato salad, topped with white balsamic slaw and drizzled with blackberries and chipotle glacé and finished with assorted homemade ice creams.
Tomo’s Dinner Box includes pan-seared Black Cod, Combination Tempura, Fried Tofu with Mushroom Sauce, a Sashimi Platter, cucumber seaweed salad, rice over grilled chicken teriyaki and guest’s choice of miso soup or salad with ginger dressing.
The Village Idiot will start guests off with an asparagus and strawberry salad with crumbled goat cheese, Hoegaarden sabayon, roasted hazelnuts followed by Thai-chili glazed chicken breast, asian slaw, crispy shallots and bourbon-caramel bread pudding for dessert.
Willie’s Locally Known is serving a wedge salad and a full rack of slow-cooked St. Louis ribs along with baked beans, fries and slaw.
Wines on Vine is serving salad with candied walnuts, feta and balsamic vinaigrette followed by pan-seared tenderloin medallions with mashed potatoes and asparagus with pickled red onion and wild berry demi-glace followed by a Nutella brownie for dessert.
Restaurants right outside of Lexington will be serving specials for $25 a person as well. Heirloom in Midway is offering local tomato gazpacho and manchego salsa with toasted bread as a first course. The main course will consist of pan-seared scallops, a roasted corn and tomato salad with buttermilk lemon dressing, honey glazed bacon and cornbread. Dessert will be seasonal ice cream with cookies.
Holly Hill Inn, also in Midway, will start with a seasonal amuse bouche, the guests choice of soup or salad followed by a main course of Stone Cross Farm Pork Loin Chop with maple-bourbon glaze with local blackberry chutney as well as Happy Jack’s Sweet Corn Custard and Summertime Succotash with roma beans, sweet onions, frying peppers, baby squash and little tomatoes.
Two eat for $25
For date night, consider trying one of the following restaurant’s “2 eat for $25” specials during Restaurant week:
Athenian Grill is offering any two appetizers, entrees and desserts for $25.
Atomic Cafe is serving a goat cheese salad appetizer followed by pan seared crab cakes to share.
Brasabana will be serving a starter course of Empanadas stuffed with picadillo beef with mushroom ceviche and chipotle aioli to share. Followed by two entrees, with choices of Peruvian Chicken or Pork Havana Nueva.
Charlie Brown’s is offering any two appetizers, entrees, soft drinks and one dessert to share for $25.
Cheapside is offering a choice of appetizer to share: housemade guacamole and chips, salsa duo with chips, cuatro queso with chips or black bean with chips. Then, guests can choose Mod Mex entree, either stuffed peppers, carnitas street tacos or roasted chicken enchiladas. Also guests have their choice of a traditional entree, either oven braised short rib or Downtown Brown. Finally, a Mexican caramel flan will be served as dessert.
Clawdaddy’s is offering two lobster rolls and two soft drinks for $25.
Colombia’s is serving two Nighthawk Specials with baked potato or steak fries and a Diego salad.
Doodle’s is serving a lunch special from 8 am to 2 pm. Guests can choose one showcase menu item, one locally grown special, a fresh order of Beignets and iced tea.
The Grey Goose is serving one salad per person, followed by a hand-tossed, thin crust pizza to share, followed by the dessert of the day.
Jefferson Davis Inn is serving a choice of one appetizer, either a quesadilla, spinach and artichoke dip or beer cheese. Following the appetizer, guests choose two entrees from the selection of pulled pork dinner, brisket sandwich or chicken and waffles. Finally, guests have choice of one dessert: either a flourless chocolate torte or New York cheesecake.
Josie’s will be offering an appetizer to share, either fried green tomatoes, hummus and flatbread or Grouper fingers. Following the appetizer, choose two entrees: build your own salad or chicken pasta, Josie’s Mediterranean Chicken or almond-encrusted Tilapia.
Lexington Beerworks will be serving two hot soft pretzels with spicy Bourbon Barrel Stout beer cheese, followed by any two of their 10″ artisan thin crust pizzas.
Lexington Diner is offering either an appetizer or a dessert to share. Appetizers include fried green tomatoes, Kentucky Nachos, Mozzarella Napoleon and others while dessert choices are Martines cakes or Crank & Boom Ice Cream. The choices for the main course are Kentucky Proud Angus, chicken or black bean topped your way. One entree per person.
Parkette Drive-In is serving one Parkette Hot Brown Burger with fries or tots and strawberry pie along with 1/2 mixed chicken box meal with fries or tots, slaw, gravy and a hot fudge brownie.
Parlay Social’s special comes with two salads, a 10″ pizza and a pretzel Beignet with powdered sugar, bourbon glaze and whippe cream.
Ramsey’s offers each person an entree, either fried chicken, blackened catfish or country fried steak. Each comes with choice of mashed potatoes, fried corn or green beans. For dessert, choose one slice of either chocolate brownie or peanut butter pie.
Shakespeare and Co is serving their classic chicken with mashed potatoes, mushroom sauce and arugula salad. For dessert, they are offering assorted cheesecake bites.
Smithtown Seafood is offering any two of their baskets, either Catfish, Flounder, Shrimp or Oysters, two drinks and a Jumbo Midway School Bakery Cookie.
Stella’s Kentucky Deli is serving an appetizer of fried green tomatoes, choice of any two burgers or sandwiches and any dessert to share.
Wallace Station is offering two sandwiches, two drinks and two jumbo cookies.
Windy Corner is offering any two Po-Boys, two sides and two drinks.
