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Flag Fork Herb Farm: Lunch is a treat

From appetizer to dessert, Flag Fork rarely misses the mark

By Clinton H. Comley Contributing Restaurant Critic

During autumn my Saturdays are usually reserved for one thing: college football. Yet, recently, I was compelled to venture out of the house to Flag Fork Herb Farm for lunch.

Flag Fork is essentially a tea room and gift shop catering to a mostly female luncheon crowd. But as a happily married man with a young daughter, I have become aware of places and events not related to UK athletics. On previous visits I have been one of only two or three males in the entire place, and this Saturday was no different.

It is unfortunate that more men don't visit Flag Fork because it has some very good sandwiches and daily specials including a quiche of the day -- remember, only real men eat quiche.

At lunch, my companions and I chose bourbon and blue cheese dip as an appetizer. No surprise, as I am a sucker for anything made with bourbon, I loved it. Served with crackers, the dip was creamy and cheesy but not overwhelming, with a hint of mellow bourbon.

For our entrees we ordered chicken salad, tuna salad and BLT sandwiches.

All three were simple and straightforward. My companion's chicken salad, made with grapes, was smooth and flavorful. The chosen side -- one of two pastas of the day, with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese with fresh basil and olive oil -- tasted light and fresh.

I ordered the tuna salad, the other pasta of the day, and a cup of homemade burgoo. I have always heard that burgoo is best when it has been cooked so long you cannot decipher the ingredients. Based on this rule of thumb, Flag Fork's burgoo recipe is a success, for I have no idea what I was eating -- I just know I liked it. The pasta special -- seafood and linguine in a light tarragon sauce -- was also delicious. Unfortunately my two sides stole the show because the tuna salad sandwich was nothing special, perhaps suffering from a little too much mayonnaise.

The BLT was served with thick, crisp slices of turkey bacon with lettuce and tomato, and fresh fruit on the side. I'm not usually a fan of BLTs, but Flag Fork's version was lighter and tastier than many I have eaten, which often arrive with bacon drippings soaking the bread.

One would be remiss to visit Flag Fork without sampling the desserts. We tried low-fat Key lime-raspberry cheesecake, chocolate pecan bread pudding and rocky road ice cream. All three were divine, but the bread pudding, with a warm vanilla-bourbon sauce, won me over after one bite.

One last piece of advice to all men out there -- if you want to score points with the woman in your life, suggest a lunch at Flag Fork. You can shop a little and enjoy delicious food without leaving the building. Now, if only they had a big-screen television set to ESPN.

Lunch for three with three beverages and desserts and tax but not tip was about $50.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Flag Fork Herb Farm

Address: 900 N. Broadway.

Phone: (859) 252-6837.

Hours: Cafe: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Gift shop: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue.-Wed., Fri., Sat.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thu.

Other: Reservations recommended, handicapped accessible, all major credit cards accepted, vegetarian offerings available.