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Restaurants serving summer specials and schedules

by sharon Thompson swthompson@herald-leader.com,

Drake's is the newest member of Bruce Drake and Brian McCarty's lineup of restaurants. It's part of the Bluegrass Hospitality Group, which owns Malone's, Sal's Chophouse, Harry's Restaurant and Patio Bar, Malone's Banquet and Aqua.

Drake's is in The Lansdowne Shoppes, next to Malone's, in the former Oscar's space. The menu features 50 items for less than $12 and includes burgers, fried-bologna sandwiches, tacos, meatloaf, hot Browns, a grilled cheese and shrimp sandwich, Kobe beef hot dogs and sushi.

Drake's is open 11:15 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are 11:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. Call (859) 335-6500 or go to www.drakeslansdowne.com.

Fish and more

On Wednesday, Merrick Inn, 1074 Merrick Drive, is having a fish fry and seafood extravaganza on the patio. Included are fried and shrimp, oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail and jumbo sea scallops. Perry Williams band will entertain. Hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Call (859) 269-5417.

'Grand Night' can start with dinner

The Hilary J. Boone Center is joining the University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts for a grand night of entertainment and dining.

Patrons who have tickets to It's a Grand Night for Singing can get a 10 percent discount on the buffet at the Boone Center, 510 Rose Street, before the performance at Singletary. Grand Night is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and June 19 and June 20, and at 2 p.m. Sunday and June 21. For tickets, call (859) 257-4929. For dinner reservations, call (859) 257-1131.

All of the water, none of the sand

Franky and Annette's at the Signature Club of Lansdowne, 3256 Lansdowne Drive, is having an adults-only poolside beach party, 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. The menu features beach food hot off the grill and live music by Caught Red-Handed. Call (859) 277-6600, Ext. 1.

Calistoga gives parents a break

Every Tuesday in June, Calistoga Café, 2217 War Admiral Way, will give a free kid's meal for every adult entrée purchased. Call (859) 543-8642 or go to www.calistogacafe.com.

More time to dine

Wines on Vine, 400 Old Vine Street, has extended its dinner hours for the summer. "We have added several new, lighter items to the menu and now have over 100 cold beers from America and around the world," Larry Dean said.

Dinner hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Free weekly wine tastings have been changed to Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call (859)-243-0017.

The buffet is brimming

The Saturday night special at Campbell's in Paris, 519 Main Street, is a buffet featuring fried catfish, citrus-glazed pork shoulder, fresh corn on the cob, macaroni and tomatoes, and corn bread salad. Cost is $14.95. Call (859) 987-5164.

Farmers market reports

Here's what's available this week at the farmers markets.

■ Bluegrass Farmers' Market, 3450 Richmond Road, will have blueberries, rhubarb, turnips, new potatoes, eggs, Amish cheese, fingerling and new potatoes, fresh cut herbs, lettuce mixes, greens, arugula, and probably the last of the strawberries and asparagus. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Go to www.bluegrassfarmersmarket.org.

■ Lexington Farmers Market will have local tomatoes, yellow squash and zucchini, Abigail's black locust honey, Kentucky wines; cheeses; bison; beef; poultry; pork; Italian sausage; fresh flowers; and Southern peaches, cantaloupes and watermelons. The market is at Cheapside Park on Saturdays, and at Broadway and Maxwell Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

■ Woodford County Farmers Market will have lettuce, greens, herbs, eggs, soaps, baked goods, squash, peas, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, jams and jellies, kohlrabi, cabbage, local beef and pork, beer cheese, pizza sauce and sauerkraut. The market is at Courthouse Square from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays on Green Street.