Nearly a dozen new restaurants are slated to open in Lexington in the summer of 2015, signifying a boom season for food here in the bluegrass.
The A&W + Long John Silver’s on Main Street is about to become the first free-standing A&W in the country. A&W, whose headquarters are in Lexington, announced that the renovation would be complete by August. A & W has additional Lexington stores in Hamburg, Fayette Mall, and a recently opened new store off Leestown.
Winchester’s annual Beer Cheese Festival is Saturday June 13.
Bour-bon in Paris has a new executive chef, Jonathan Streetman (who has worked under Chef Edward Lee at Louisville’s 610 Magnolia and at the Apiary under Cooper Vaughn).
Food truck favorites Bradford BBQ will be opening a brick and mortar joint in Zandale.
The former office space at 109 North Mill (between Main and Short) is being transformed into Buddha Lounge, a sushi and tapas spot. The extensive renovation of the unique building just off Main Street bolsters downtown’s culinary development boom.
Chef Allison Davis (Wild Thyme) has opened Caldo, on North Ashland Avenue, Lexington’s first bone broth emporium, combining “the healing powers of whole foods with chef prepared specialties including locally sourced grass-fed bone broth, raw salads, fermented foods, smoothies and more.” (Locals is coming soon to the WaBlo corridor.)
Ten Diocesan priests will compete for the title of Best Celebrity Chef as Father Danny Fister defends his reigning champion status at A Divine Affair, Catholic Charities’ annual fundraiser, scheduled for Friday June 5 at the Carrick House.
EGGfest 2015 is at Housewarmings on Saturday, June 20 from 10 am – 3 pm. EGGfest is a venue for Big Green Egg enthusiasts to showcase their talents on the Big Green Egg barbecue.
GleanKY will be hosting their third annual picnic-style fundraiser, Burgers & Beats, on Sunday, July 19th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wallace Station in Versailles, Kentucky. Burgers & Beats features live music from Quintessence, food by Chef Ouita Michel, dessert from Crank & Boom, and games and activities for children. Advance tickets are discounted, and available online now at GleanKY.org.
Han Cook In, Korean street food, has opened at 274 E. New Circle Road. Offerings include Mandoo, bulgogi, kimbap, and other Korean favorites.
On June 28 at 5:30 pm, Holly Hill Inn hosts an OMC (Original Makers Club) Dinner Series with Ouita Michel. Live music by Leestown String Band.
Kentucky Native Cafe has opened inside Michler’s on E. Maxwell.
La Petite Creperie has been purchased by Athenian Grill’s Ilias Pappas who will open a Creperie at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate this summer, in the former Gingko Tree spot. (Athenian Grill, born as a food truck, now has two brick and mortar establishments, one on South Ashland, and a new location on Locust Hill Drive). Athenian Grill and La Petite Creperie have adjoining kiosks at the Kroger on Euclid.
Lussi Brown Coffee Bar is scheduled to open this fall in the Distillery District.
Food Truck Lyles BBQ Company debuts its brick and mortar restaurant opening in Nicholasville on June 6, open 5 pm to 8 pm. (Brick and Mortars that are adding food trucks include The Cheezy Mac and Great Bagel.)
The Macho Nacho has been announced as the next restaurant replacing the former Glenn’s Creek Brewery in Chevy Chase on High Street (formerly Buddy’s, and prior to that Roy’s Diner). Delivery will be offered in the adjacent neighborhoods. Construction on the site is expected to last until August, with opening following shortly thereafter.
Mark Jensen’s long-awaited Middle Fork Kitchen Bar is coming soon on Manchester Street in the Distillery District, perhaps as early as mid-June. (Crank and Boom Ice Cream, another entry with food truck roots, will be their next door neighbor.)
Merrick Inn hosts its annual patio luau on June 24 featuring Hawaiian pork, and live music by Roger Bondurant.
OBC Kitchen will present an Evening with Master Distiller Fred Noe on Wednesday June 10. Sample chef-driven food paired with unique craft cocktails. (Mini Moon Pies are on the menu!) On June 30, an Evening with Master Distiller Dave Pickerell will include cocktails featuring Whistle Pig Whiskeys. (Stay tuned for the BHG empire’s new BBQ joint, coming soon in the same Lansdowne corner.)
Popular Lexington Chef John Foster is opening his next venture, the Sage Rabbit, in the former Dish location in Chevy Chase. Best known for a decade at Dudley’s, and a brief tenure operating the Harvest in Chevy Chase, he has also chaired the culinary program at Sullivan University’s Lexington campus. Long known for his commitment to fresh/seasonal/local (long before it was a trend), he will bring the same culinary philosophy to the new kitchen on S. Ashland.
Taste of Richmond 2015 is at the Richmond Center on June 19 at 6 pm. There will be Richmond food vendors set up for you to try their food and the Bent Penny Band will be playing live.
FATHER’S DAY OPTIONS
The Jim Beam American Stillhouse (in Clermont) will host the annual Father’s Day Bourbonque on June 19, including a VIP tasting and bourbon-inspired menu.
Celebrate Father’s Day at the Holly Hill Inn for Chef Ouita’s special Father’s Day Brunch. On June 21, Holly Hill Inn offers a multicourse menu that includes prime rib, traditional brunch egg dishes and other entree selections. Children’s menu available. Call for reservations.
This article also appears on page 12 of the June 2015 print issue of Ace.
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