jent103

My brother and sister-in-law live in Lexington, and I was thinking about getting them a gift certificate to a restaurant for Christmas (they have a one-year-old and he's a surgical resident, so "date nights" can be hard to come by!). However, I have no idea where would be a good place. I'd like to find somewhere nice but not formal; quiet enough for a conversation but not necessarily over-the-top romantic. Somewhere where they could get a good meal for the two of them for around $50 or less (alcohol excluded - they don't drink often, if at all, so a wine list isn't a big consideration either). They'll eat a lot of different things; they both like seafood and sushi, but they'd be fine with Italian, a steakhouse, whatever. Any suggestions?

jent103

Topping in the hopes of suggestions!

nygvic

Malones or Merrick Inn off Tates Creek Road are 2 of my favorites.

jent103

Thanks, nygvic! Malone's especially looks like it might work. Do you know if all three locations are pretty similar in terms of feel and quality?

MarySue

The nice thing about the Malone's gift certificate is that the recipient can use it at not only Malone's, but also at Sal's and Drake's, which are also very good. I also like a restaurant downtown called Metropol - excellent food and very nice atmosphere.

kybourbon

Here's a list of restaurants I like.
Azur (love the wild greens salad with goat cheese and their lamb burgers)Love the patio here when the weather is good and they have nice music.
http://azurrestaurant.com/default.aspx

Jean Farris Winery(about 5 miles out Old Richmond Rd) IMHO - the only decent wine in KY and the food is good.
http://www.jeanfarris.com/

Summit (had the best beef bordelaise)
http://www.summitlexington.com/

Ala Lucie (fried nut-crusted goat cheese salad here is great too).
http://www.alalucie.com/

Lucie also has The Julep Cup - been here twice in the last month and although it's good, there were some consistency issues.
http://www.thejulepcup.com/

Le Deauville (near Ala Lucie)
http://www.ledeauvilleresto.com/

Went to Murray's last night (friends choice) which is owned by the same people as Merrick Inn. Not my favorite, but they have some good dishes and the patio is good.
http://www.murrays-merrick.com/

I would normally list Dudley's, but they are in the process of moving.
http://www.dudleysrestaurant.com/

Bakers 360 (great views, but IMHO the food is overpriced - everything ala carte).
http://www.bakers360.us/

For Italian Portofino
http://www.portofinolexington.com/index.htm

Or Bobby Flay's favorite Bellini's(he goes there several times when he's in Lexington for the races).
http://www.bellinis.us/

kybourbon

I didn't read your post very well. No way two could eat at Baker's for $50 even without alcohol. My bill for one was over $60 (included one glass of wine). Baker's might not make it in this economy. The bar/club was empty when I was there and only a few tables in the dining room were full.

Another rec Jonathan's at Gratz Park.
http://www.jagp.info/default.aspx

Lexington has quite a few sushi places. A recent opening that got good reviews was called School, but I think I would be a bit wary of gift certificate for a new restaurant. You never know if they will make it or not, but I guess that's true of any business these days.
http://calendar.kentucky.com/reviews...ool-restaurant

jent103

Wow - thanks, kybourbon! I'll check those out as well.

zekebamm

A great place for "homestyle" cooking in Lexington is Ramsey's -- they have several different locations around town, use local foods, and are not expensive. An awesome lunch spot is Giacomo's -- it's downtown across from the courthouse.....a New York-style deli with cheesecake from the Carnegie Deli in NYC...absolutely fabulous. Both of these places are casual.

kybourbon

Summit has closed, but most be associated with Portofino's because when it closed there was a sign on the door saying to visit them at Portofino's.

jent103

I ended up getting them a gift card for Malone's/etc. Thanks again for the suggestions!