Victim of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse? High-end downtown restaurant closes

A downtown Lexington restaurant that specialized in high-end steaks, seafood and pasta has closed. Grillfish, which opened in 2016 on the corner of North Limestone and Third Street, closed on July 9.

A thank you from owner Robert Carter to customers was posted on the door.

The restaurant opened in August 2016 in the spot that was the home of Atomic Cafe for 23 years. It was opened by Lexington restaurateur Wayne Masterman, in partnership with Carter and Kenny and Barbara Pittman, who own the Grillfish in Miami Beach that was the model for the Lexington version.

At the time, Grillfish had one of the most expensive menus in Lexington, with high-end cuts of beef and seafood flown in fresh daily, including whole grilled lobster.

But Lexington now is home to several expensive steak and seafood restaurants, including Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, which opened in April, as well as Tony’s, Malone’s and OBC Kitchen, among others.

Carter did not immediately respond to a call for comment on why Grillfish closed.

Masterman, who also owns Portofino in Lexington, Serafini in Frankfort and The Goose and Gander in Midway, also could not be immediately reached for comment.

This story was originally published July 10, 2019 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Victim of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse? High-end downtown restaurant closes."