places to stay and eat in Lexington, KY

[ravenclaw]

It looks like hubby and I are going to visit Lexington, KY in the next couple of months. We will visit some of the breeding farms, which we have wanted to do for a while.

Can anyone suggest good, interesting places to stay and eat?

1. Where to stay - We don't like chain hotels, but we don't want anything uber-expensive. Maybe a nice (but reasonable) bed and breakfast or a small, unique hotel or cottage?

2. Where to eat - We like places with good food and unique character. We like doing fancy and expensive for dinner occasionally, but we also don't mind slumming at hole-in-the-wall places. Good food is the #1 priority.

Any ideas for us?

[Mariequi]

Maybe Silver Springs B&B on Leestown Rd or one of the sweet ones in Versailles. I was just at one for a Saturday afternoon tea. Beautiful place. The Black Tulip, Bistro LaBelle or Heirloom in Midway. Portofino's, Dudley's, Bellini's and Metropol in Lexington. Google 'em for menus! DeSha's at least once in downtown Lex across from the fountains. Stuffed mushrooms and hot browns. Oh, Holly Hill Inn in Midway as well.

[QHJockee]

I do recommend De Sha's, also Furlong's for a bit of Cajun in the bluegrass. Looking for a good pub? Try McCarthy's for a pint. Dudley's is overpriced and I do not like the food.

Have breakfast at the track kitchen at Keeneland and watch morning workouts and if you are looking for lunch diner style, try one of the many Ramsey's diners in town.

[Acertainsmile]

Great lunch spot up the road from Three Chimney's... name escapes me right now... fantastic sandwiches!

[SleepyFox]

If you like Sushi, try Seki on South Broadway. A reservation is a good idea. Place looks like a dump, but outstanding sushi.

For Mexican, Jalapeno's on Russel Cave and New Circle is great and popular with the horse farm crowd.

Atomic Cafe in downtown (Third Street?) has great Carribbean food and a fun atmosphere.

Guissppe's (probably spelling that wrong) on Nicholasville Road just over the Jessamine County line and Portofino on Main Street are both very good Italian.

As QHJockee said, Ramsey's is good.

For breakfast, Magee's Bakery on Main Street and Ashland is wonderful.

[Bacchus]

Acertainsmile is thinking of Wallace Station -- great place.

Try Mulligan's for a hot brown, even though it's an Irish place. Their other food is good, too.

If you want a whole in the wall with awesome Mexican food, try Lu Lu's on Old Frankfort on your way to Three Chimneys.

Agree with others on Black Tulip or Heirlooms in Midway, Seki (beware, the are "sushi Nazis" aka Seinfeld -- awesome sushi at good prices), and Ramsey's.

[ArtilleryHill]

Take Old Frankfort Pike to Midway and get one of the most beautiful, scenic drives available in central Kentucky. Then dine at Holly Hill Inn, which is fantastic and NOT overpriced. It's in a lovely old house, right in the middle of horse country. Gorgeous drive, excellent food, what more could you want?

[HorseSoGreen]

Great lunch spot up the road from Three Chimney's... name escapes me right now... fantastic sandwiches!

The place is Wallace Station. Tiny, with great sandwiches and lots of character. In good weather, everyone eats on their deck in the back. Located between Three Chimneys and Midway Road.

I just got back from Lexington yesterday and I'll add to the above, The Merrick Inn in Lexington and Quirks in Midway. The best breakfast anywhere is at the track kitchen at Keeneland. You can eat there and then go out to the track and watch the workouts until 10am. The very best tour of a stud farm is Three Chimneys -- call ahead for a reservation. Enjoy!

[nelson]

We stay at A Storybook Inn in Versailles when we visit Lexington. It is a beautiful B&B with lots of character and a wonderful innkeeper. We already have our room booked for the Keeneland meet next April, 2009!

http://www.storybook-inn.com/

Our favorite spots to eat are The Black Tulip in Midway, Dudley's in town, and the Woodford Inn in Versailles. For lunch, we always hit Wallace Station at least once, and also like Railheads in Versailles.

Going to Keeneland early in the morning to watch the horses work is the best! I could stand there forever.

Have fun!

[Acertainsmile]

The place is Wallace Station. Tiny, with great sandwiches and lots of character. In good weather, everyone eats on their deck in the back. Located between Three Chimneys and Midway Road.

I just got back from Lexington yesterday and I'll add to the above, The Merrick Inn in Lexington and Quirks in Midway. The best breakfast anywhere is at the track kitchen at Keeneland. You can eat there and then go out to the track and watch the workouts until 10am. The very best tour of a stud farm is Three Chimneys -- call ahead for a reservation. Enjoy!


Yes, thats it! Thankyou! Hopefully I will be eating one of their ham/apple/brie sandwiches soon!

[Mariequi]

Wallace Veggie Cheese sandwich kicks, and Turkey Rachel, and Bourbon Bon Bons - oh, could keep going.

Had tea at Storybook Inn. Wonderful place!

[nelson]

OMG, acertainsmile . . . . .

That is exactly the sandwich that I get every time I go there! It is huge, but it is soooo good that I never have trouble finishing it!

[Mali]

Yes, thats it! Thankyou! Hopefully I will be eating one of their ham/apple/brie sandwiches soon!

That's what I ate when I visited there last year! Delicious! Be warned, the sandwiches were rather large- plan on taking 1/2 with you. Also, their brownies are wonderful! I will always eat there on any future visits. I love the nostalgic feel of the place.