By Lucy Jayes
After 16 years of recognition as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Lexington, Jonathan at Gratz Park has announced that they will be serving their last meal on June 28th. Chef and owner Jonathan Lundy and general manager TJ Cox described the hotel’s decision to not renew the restaurant’s release as a surprise. Mark Wombles, who is the chef and owner of Midway’s Heirloom, will be opening his new project, Distilled, in the location inside Gratz Park Inn. (Heirloom is scheduled to remain open.) Jonathan at Gratz Park will celebrate National Bourbon Day on Saturday June 14, 2014 with a unique two-for-one special, 5 pm to 7:30 pm. While he chooses his next path, fans may tide themselves over experimenting with his cookbook, Jonathan’s Bluegrass Table, released in 2009. The team at Jonathan says, “We want to thank all of our patrons over the last 15 years who have shared their celebrations and dining experiences with us! Please come in and see us once more to enjoy great southern food, delicious wines and of course the best bourbon selection in town.”
Mamadou Savanè, better known as Sav – the smiling face often checking with each customer individually to see how they’re enjoying his hand-prepared meals at Sav’s Grill – was injured in a cooking accident on June 3rd, resulting in burns covering 50% of his body. His accident, however, has once again shown the strength of the Lexington community as it has rallied behind Sav to raise over $50,000 during the course of just a few days to help cover medical costs and to sustain the business while he recuperates.
Dad’s Favorites Deli has opened a new location downtown at 236 Main St. Open Monday-Friday from 11am-3pm, serving downtown lunch-seekers and beer cheese fanatics alike.
After a successful transition from food truck to brick and mortar proprietor, Illias Pappas, owner of Athenian Grill, is looking to expand again by opening a pastry and coffee shop. The shop, due to open by late summer, is tentatively named Athenian Pastry and Coffee Shop. The shop, across the street from the current grill on Ashland, will serve freshly-baked Greek goods, traditional Greek coffee, as well as locally-produced coffee from Magic Beans.
The University of Kentucky has a proposed controversial 15 year contract with Aramark. UK’s position is that a contract with the multinational corporation promises job security for all current employees as well as up to 200 new job openings, cheaper meal plans, more restaurant choices, including the first Panera to ever open on a college campus, as well as local favorites Common Grounds and Aqua Sushi as well as an increase in purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
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