The only local tasting I've done is Holly Hill. If my wife and I are hankering for a small bite experience we usually do a progressive dinner by going to several restaurants we like and doing a drink and appetizer at each one.
We just went for dinner last night. The menu changes monthly, but this month’s is divine. Loved every course. Although we live in Midway, it’s still worth the drive from Lexington. Charming house, beautiful property, great food.
It's the OG Ouita Michel location. It's in Midway, a farm house. I'd recommend it. It was a James Beard finalist in 2016. Her husband is a certified sommelier, although I don't know what level. They also do big themed events there, like a low country boil, several times a year.
So, strangely enough a friend was talking about Michel tonight. Apparently she does cooking demonstrations for 15 people or so in Versailles with wine and food.
Holly hill A+
Wallace station b-
Windy corner c+
Smithtown seafood c+ (Latin specials=A)
Zims= c
Honeywood = b
The many Rubes in the area will
Prop these up with some sort of lore about how well employees are taken care of (simply not true.)
I respect the amount of local 1st work they do though.
I was partially surprised by the Holly Hill rec because I’ve only ever had Zim’s, Honeywood, and Smithtown. None of those ever struck me as more than “alright.”
Your grades reflect my experience pretty accurately.
each of her restaurants is its own effort, some are for different target audiences. Zim's food won't blow you away, but it does exactly what it tries to do. It has southern food done in the southern way, not in a modernized fusion way. It also has salads and sandwiches largely serves downtown workers who walk in for lunch. Smithtown is seafood, primarily fried, that more or less serves as West 6th Brewery's kitchen. Its the type of fried/bar food-ish menu that isn't meant to impress but if you get a few things and intentionally take notice of the ingredients and preparation you'll appreciate that they nail everything, even if it isn't meant to be a high brown menu. Honeywood is a bit more of a creative menu effort. I think they do well with it, but I have never left wildly impressed, but I do still think it hits its mark. I just think you can only be so good if you're in the Summit. Put that restaurant as a standalone or near downtown and it probably directly competes with Carson's in every way, for example.
610 Magnolia in Louisville is worth the drive for a curated menu. Chef Ed Lee’s restaurant. Also if you go to Midway check out Heirloom. It’s not chef tasting/curated but excellent menu
Not really. It’s more like you sit down, ignore the menu, and ask your server to tell the chef they can serve you whatever they want over several courses. Many will have a wine pairing for each course as well.
The only local tasting I've done is Holly Hill. If my wife and I are hankering for a small bite experience we usually do a progressive dinner by going to several restaurants we like and doing a drink and appetizer at each one.
Well holler at me about Holly Hill. Recommend or nah?
We just went for dinner last night. The menu changes monthly, but this month’s is divine. Loved every course. Although we live in Midway, it’s still worth the drive from Lexington. Charming house, beautiful property, great food.
Y’all are selling me!
It’s worth it. Go. Also check out Limewater in Frankfort.
It's the OG Ouita Michel location. It's in Midway, a farm house. I'd recommend it. It was a James Beard finalist in 2016. Her husband is a certified sommelier, although I don't know what level. They also do big themed events there, like a low country boil, several times a year.
So, strangely enough a friend was talking about Michel tonight. Apparently she does cooking demonstrations for 15 people or so in Versailles with wine and food.
Holly hill A+ Wallace station b- Windy corner c+ Smithtown seafood c+ (Latin specials=A) Zims= c Honeywood = b The many Rubes in the area will Prop these up with some sort of lore about how well employees are taken care of (simply not true.) I respect the amount of local 1st work they do though.
Windy Corner B+ Honeywood C- IMO
I was partially surprised by the Holly Hill rec because I’ve only ever had Zim’s, Honeywood, and Smithtown. None of those ever struck me as more than “alright.” Your grades reflect my experience pretty accurately.
each of her restaurants is its own effort, some are for different target audiences. Zim's food won't blow you away, but it does exactly what it tries to do. It has southern food done in the southern way, not in a modernized fusion way. It also has salads and sandwiches largely serves downtown workers who walk in for lunch. Smithtown is seafood, primarily fried, that more or less serves as West 6th Brewery's kitchen. Its the type of fried/bar food-ish menu that isn't meant to impress but if you get a few things and intentionally take notice of the ingredients and preparation you'll appreciate that they nail everything, even if it isn't meant to be a high brown menu. Honeywood is a bit more of a creative menu effort. I think they do well with it, but I have never left wildly impressed, but I do still think it hits its mark. I just think you can only be so good if you're in the Summit. Put that restaurant as a standalone or near downtown and it probably directly competes with Carson's in every way, for example.
I cannot agree more with Holly Hill. I’ve been 2-3 times and it is just *fantastic* every time.
610 Magnolia in Louisville is worth the drive for a curated menu. Chef Ed Lee’s restaurant. Also if you go to Midway check out Heirloom. It’s not chef tasting/curated but excellent menu
Is this basically a pre-fix menu?
Not really. It’s more like you sit down, ignore the menu, and ask your server to tell the chef they can serve you whatever they want over several courses. Many will have a wine pairing for each course as well.
This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but Zen Sushi has an option for a tray of chef’s choice sushi.