New in Lexington Food News
by Megan Friday
NEWS
Atomic Cafe at the corner of Limestone and Third Street has closed after a long run offering Caribbean fare (jerk chicken and sweet potato fries) and — at one time — one of the most popular patio spots in town.
The Euclid Avenue spot previously home to the now-defunct nightclub Art Bar has been sold to Tom Behr, who owns the Beer Trappe next door, along with Pazzo’s on campus, and The Village Idiot downtown. Renovation has begun and he plans to open a new casual restaurant in the space by Spring 2016. (Around the corner on High, Aaron Rothke expects to open The Macho Nacho soon.)
Blue Stallion Brewing is now opening at noon. There will be food truck for lunch service from 12 pm to around 2:30 pm.
Centro is scheduled for a September opening in the former Courtyard Deli location, on Cheapside.
Another restaurant tenant has been announced for the Summit. J. Alexander’s is expected to open in October 2016.
Amid significant neighborhood protest, the Kroger on Romany Road (a.k.a. Krandall’s, Krolex) is scheduled to close on September 12. The nearby Chinoe Kroger recently completed its remodel, and the new Kroger on Euclid opened in Spring of this year.
In other Kroger news, the chain has announced that it will offer online grocery shopping at the Lexington locations on Richmond Road and Beaumont as early as the end of this year (order online and pick up at the store). The new Versailles Kroger already offers online shopping.
Lexington Restaurant Week has been scheduled for February 2016.
Locals’ Craft Food & Drink is now open on 701 National Ave in the booming WaBlo district near the railroad at National Avenue. The menu includes a variety of options including hot browns, lamb chop pops, scallops, tempura vegetables, and soups, salads, sandwiches, and sides.
21c Museum Hotel Lexington announced Jonathan Searle will be executive chef at Lockbox. Lockbox will be located in Lexington’s new 21C in the National Bank building at the corner of Main and Upper.
Boulder-based Lucky’s Market, with a tagline of “organic for the 99 percent,” is coming to Lexington at 1030 South Broadway in the former Winn Dixie location.
The Melting Pot at 152 West Tiverton Way in Lexington closed this summer after seven years in business.
Panera Bread has opened on the first floor of Park Plaza downtown.
The Upstart Crow is coming back to Lexington. It was an iconic bar at Broadway and Angliana in the 70s (later the Lost Armadillo). A new incarnation will open in the former Jax location at the corner of Short and Limestone (formerly Rosetta, formerly the new Mia’s, formerly Annabelle’s).
EVENTS
OBC Craft Series presents an evening with Trey Zoeller, Master Distiller at Jefferson’s Bourbon Malone’s Banquets on September 9, 6:30 pm, at the OBC Kitchen.
Sam Adams Octoberfest at Liquor Barn in Hamburg, September 12, 5 pm. The event consists of a Stein Hoisting competition and authentic German food. Winner of the stein hoisting will be awarded tickets to the Cincinnati Oktoberfest including private tastings and a brewery after-party.
Moveable Feast Lexington presents Sunday Salons in September. On three Sundays, hosts will open an architecturally significant home to celebrate art, music and literature. All salons will be from 2:30 – 5:30 pm and will include drinks, food and an up-close experience with fine art collections. The first Sunday Salon, on September 13, will feature food by Dan Wu and music by Warren Byrom. The second Salon will be on September 20 at Tony Huston’s.
The Jefferson Street Soiree is back for its second year on September 16, 6 – 10 pm. Jefferson will be blocked from Short Street to Maryland, allowing guests to visit food and beverage tents, with live music by NewTown. The Big Blue Peddler will also be provide free tours from the event to West Sixth Brewery.
Pen to Plate Dinner with chef Allison Davis is September 17, 7:30 pm at Morris Book Shop. The 16-person dinner series connects diners, chefs, cookbooks, and food. Cookbook of the night: The Nourished Kitchen, by Jennifer McGruther.
Dining Out For Life 2015 is September 17. Dine out at an official Dining Out For Life restaurant and 25 percent of your bill will benefit AVOL, a non-profit community providing housing and free medical care for low-income Kentuckians living with HIV/AIDS.
Fresh Food Adventure: Garden Supper with Cedar Creek Farm at Shaker Village on September 19, 6:30-8:30 pm. Support Kentucky’s local food community and experience a seed-to-table meal. Visit the garden and meet the gardener as the Shaker Village culinary team prepares a series of suppers inspired by and served in the center of their late-summer vegetable garden.
The Heritage Festival is at St. Andrew Orthodox Church on September 26-27. There will be Middle Eastern and Slavic dancers, choir concerts, church tours, a silent auction, and, of course, homemade pierogies, baklava, tabouleh, and more.
Empty Bowls 2015 is September 26 at Bourbon n’ Toulouse. Purchase a hand-crafted bowl from Kentucky MudWorks and fill it up with a free entree from Bourbon n’ Toulouse. All proceeds benefit Moveable Feast Lexington.
Farm to Table in the City at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 29 at Cheapside Pavilion. The one-night-only event features a three-course dinner from Chef Jonathan Lundy, a variety of Maker’s Mark craft cocktails, and entertainment from Maker’s Mark Chairman Emeritus Bill Samuels, Jr.
The Manchester Music Hall Grand Opening (in the former Buster’s location) is September 30 and features six local bands plus food from Distillery District friends Thai & Mighty Noodle Bowls and Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream. Doors open at 6 pm.
This article appears on page 12 of the September 2015 print issue of Ace.
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