LEXINGTON, KY (July 6, 2023) – Lexington Restaurant Week® organizers announce the popular community event is back for a big 10th year to shine a spotlight on Lexington’s lively restaurant scene. Established in 2013 by Connie Jo Miller, WKYT-TV and Tim Campbell owner of Blue Million, Lexington Restaurant Week remains the only time locally owned restaurants unite to show off what they do best. Event founder Miller notes, “Over 35 of our best restaurants are strutting their stuff this year. They seem to really appreciate this celebration and go all out for it. We’re lucky here in Lexington to have more excellent locally owned restaurants per capita than most cities. We aim to keep it that way!”
Lexington Restaurant Week lasts 11 days in order to span over two weekends. The event annually attracts a variety of the most popular spots from casual to more sophisticated, ethnic to downhome. Dinner specials are offered at alluring prices attracting droves of diners during what is typically a slow end of the summer. Diners have an option to choose from restaurants offering three and four course menus for $19, $29 or $39.
Many of the pre-fixe dinners have choices within each course and all are exemplary of what has made that restaurant so successful. All menus are listed under restaurant logos and categorized by price on www.LexingtonRestaurantWeek.com where conveniently, reservations can be made as well.
Many Restaurant Week Specials feature locally sourced vegetables and meats. Diners will also notice a big bourbon presence with sponsor Maker’s Mark taking the spotlight. Some chefs are cooking with Maker’s and most of the 38 locations are mixing up special Maker’s Mark cocktails to be served up during the 11-day celebration.
The event has become one of the most popular times to get out on the town and support old favorites or try newer restaurants. If you’ve not had a chance to get to District 7 Social, Zim’s, Bella Café or ItalX this is an opportune time to venture out. In this years big lineup there are casual fan favorites like Ramsey’s, Josie’s and Drakes; along with more sophisticated chef-driven restaurants like Coles, Honeywood, Azur, Dudley’s and Eppings. There are impressive destination restaurants in iconic settings nearby like Holly Hill Inn, The Kentucky Castle and Jean Farris Winery. Most will typically book up, the majority requires reservations – it is advised to make them now.
Miller noted, “These restaurateurs run a type of small business that is no small task. In this sector of the hospitality industry it is often difficult to stay staffed and thriving. We developed Lexington Restaurant Week to encourage and support our locally owned restaurants – a lively restaurant scene is a big economic benefit to our city and certainly enhances the lives of those of us lucky to live here. We’ll keep it that way thanks to sponsors like locally owned C-Worth Superstore who equip many of these restaurants and Lexington’s most benevolent corporate citizen Central Bank.”