a la lucie 159 North Limestone St. (859) 252-5277 Reservations: suggested Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m;. Friday and Saturday, 4 to 11 p.m. Prices: $18 to $30 This romantic downtown restaurant is renowned as one of Lexington?s best. A la lucie serves a mouthwatering menu of Southern American continental-style cooking.
Alfalfa Restaurant 141 E. Main St. (859) 253-0014 Reservations: no Hours: Open daily for breakfast and lunch (brunch on weekends) until 2 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday for dinner Prices: $5.75 to $8.50 for sandwiches and brunch entrees; $7.75 to $13.95 for dinner entrees This Lexington icon serves fresh food that’s as healthy as it is tasty, and as eclectic as it is popular.
Atomic Cafe 265 N. Limestone St. (859) 254-1969 Reservations: only for groups of six or more Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Closed Sunday and Monday Prices: $10.50 to $18.50 Even if the islands aren?t calling you, mon, this downtown eatery is. Enjoy the Caribbean theme with a fun group of friends.
Bellini?s 115 W. Main St. (859) 388-9583 Reservations: suggested, especially on weekends Hours: Dinner 5 to 10 Sunday through Thursday; 5 to 11 Friday and Saturday; Lunch 11:30 to 2:30ish, Monday through Friday Prices: $10 to $15 for sandwiches; $20 to $35 for dinner entrees This family-owned and ?operated hot spot serves classic (Northern) Italian cuisine in downtown Lex.
Billy?s Hickory-Pit Bar-B-Q 101 Cochran Rd. (859) 269-9593 Reservations: not accepted Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices: $7 to $17.49 Savor authentic Western Kentucky-style barbecue, slow-cooked pork shoulder pulled from the bone and smothered in sauce, in a casual and comfortable atmosphere.
Bistro La Belle 121 E. Main St. in Midway (859) 846-4233 Reservations: accepted Hours: Dinner served Wednesday through Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Sunday through Tuesday Prices: $14 to $37 An anchor of Midway?s dining district, this attractive spot is perfect for couples or groups. Check out the gallery bar, featuring regional artists, French cuisine.
Buddy?s Bar & Grill 854 E. High St. (859) 335-1283 Reservations: accepted, Friday and Saturday strongly recommended Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Sat, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; brunch Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prices: $8 to $25 A friendly, casual place in Chevy Chase where folks can partake in good food and stiff drinks.
Charlie Brown?s 816 Euclid Ave. (859) 269-5701 Reservations: accepted for large groups Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.; Sunday 1 p.m to 11 p.m. Prices: $6 to $8 A cozy, comfortable place to chill for an inexpensive, yet tasty, meal.
DeSha?s Restaurant & Bar 101 N. Broadway (859) 259-3771 Reservations: accepted for parties of seven or more. Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12 noon; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. brunch, dinner 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Prices: $7-13 (lunch) to $34 Enjoy Dudley?s historic elegance while dining on their delicious American cuisine. After dinner, stroll over to the attached British style pub, The Horse and Barrel, for a tall glass of imported ale from their extensive list.
FatKat?s Pizzeria 3073 Paris Pike (U.S. 460) in Georgetown (Exit 125 on northbound I-75) (502) 570-0773 Reservations: not necessary Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Prices: $4.75 to $22 for pizza; $6 to $10 for salads, subs and pasta dinners. Minutes from the Horse Park, this restaurant is a pizza-lover?s dream.
Fava?s Restaurant 159 East Main St. in Georgetown (502) 863-4383 Reservations: none Hours: Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m. Prices: $3 to $7 for sandwiches; $7 to $16 for dinner entrees Find casual, down-home dining with plenty of fun and tasty menu items.
Hall?s on the River 1225 Athens-Boonesboro Rd., 8 miles from Interstate 75, exit 104, Winchester, KY (859) 255-8105 Reservations: accepted for groups of 15 or more Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m. Prices: $6 (lunch) to $20 Hugely popular eatery offers Southern style cooking and hospitality on the Kentucky River. It’s worth the drive.
Heirloom 125 Main St. in Midway (859) 846-5565 Reservations: accepted Hours: Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. , with wine tastings and bar menu available from 3 to 5 p.m.; dinner Tuesday through Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prices: $6 to $13 for salads, sandwiches and lunch entrees; $18 to $32 for dinner entrees New to the Midway lineup of fine dining, Heirloom?s ambience and menu is midway between California cool and Manhattan memorable.
Holly Hill Inn 426 N. Winter St. in Midway (859) 846-4732 Hours:Saturday and Sunday brunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Visit www.hollyhillinn.com for updates. Prices: fixed price; $35 for dinner; $15 for Sunday brunch Set in a historic pre-Civil War home, the innovative modern cuisine is cooked using only locally grown ingredients.
Joe Bologna?s Restaurant and Pizzeria 120 W. Maxwell St. (859) 252-4933 Reservations: none Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, until 11 p.m. Prices: $4.25 to $29.75 Set in a historic church, Joe B.?s serves up pizzas and casual Italian dishes in a family-friendly atmosphere. Catch a basketball game on one of the large-screen TVs.
Jonathan at Gratz Park Inn 120 W. Second St. (859) 252-4949 Reservations: suggested Hours: Monday through Friday, lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, brunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday through Sunday, 5:30 to 10 p.m., bar open as needed till 1 a.m. Prices: $7 to $38 Enjoy award-winning Southern cuisine in Jonathan?s classic formal dining room. Le
Deauville 199 N. Limestone (859) 246-0999 Reservations: suggested Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Prices: $6.50 to $28 Classical French bistro food presented in a charming street-cafe setting.
Malone?s 3347 Tates Creek Rd. (859) 335-6500 1920 Pleasant Ridge Dr. (859) 264-8023 Reservations: ?not required, but helpful? Hours: daily from 11:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. Prices: $15 to $30 Patterned after the famous steakhouses of Chicago, Malone?s serves up prime beef in a relaxed atmosphere.
Marikka?s 411 Southland Dr. (859) 275-1925 Reservations: for parties of four or more Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., dining room till 9:30 Prices: $5.99 to $15 Serving flavorful German-American fare and pouring beer from a list of 400 of your favorites.
Natasha?s Bistro & Bar 112 Esplanada (859) 259-2754 Reservations: accepted Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Prices: $4 (lunch) to $20 Contemporary dining and imaginative New American cuisine in the funky-elegant atmosphere of a Soho bistro.
Portofino 249 E. Main St. (859) 253-9300 Reservations: suggested Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch; Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m. Prices: $5 (lunch) to $36 Delightfully Italian, with a California accent. A creative menu, impressive wine list, and excellent service make this a satisfying dining experience.
Pazzo?s Pizza Pub 385 South Limestone (859) 255-5125 Reservations: none Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Prices: $5.45 to $21.75 To satisfy a craving for pizza and beer, Pazzo?s makes all of their dough and sauce fresh daily and carries 40 varieties of draft beer.
Regatta Seafood & Grille 161 Lexington Green Circle (859) 273-7875 Reservations: suggested Hours: 11:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. every day; winter 11:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. Prices: $9 to $36 Fish flown in daily makes Regatta the place for the freshest seafood in town. Save room for their award-winning apple pie.
Sam?s Restaurant U.S. 25 S. at the Scott/Fayette county line; 1.85 miles from the Kentucky Horse Park entrance. (502) 863-5872 Reservations: no way! Hours: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices: $5.95 to $13 Roadside dining at its finest. Eat breakfast (anytime), lunch and dinner here, and then argue which is the best. Be sure to try the pie!
Tachibana 785 Newtown Court (859) 254-1911 Reservations: accepted for four or more Hours: Monday through Saturday, lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; dinner 5:30 to 10 p.m. Prices: $6 (lunch) and up Authentic Japanese cuisine, including a sushi bar and tatami room, with some of the freshest seafood in town.
Wallace Station 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles (859) 846-5161 Reservations: none Hours: Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5-8 p.m. fried chicken on Mondays, fried fish on Fridays); Tuesday through Thursday, Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices: $5 to $8.50 for sandwiches. This quaint, enticing eatery is favored by locals and the horse-farm crowd; it’s a must-find for tourists.
