COVID comeback: A major Lexington restaurant dining event is coming back this summer
One of Lexington’s biggest and most popular dining events is coming back after a year off due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lexington Restaurant Week will return July 22 through Aug. 1, according to organizer Connie Jo Miller.
Restaurants began signing up this week, Miller said. Already onboard: Merrick Inn, Coles 735 Main, West Main Crafting Co., Dudley’s on Short, Ranada’s Kitchen, Honeywood, Epping’s on Eastside, Pasta Garage, Azur, Malone’s, Harry’s American Bar and Grill, OBC Kitchen and Minglewood.
The event, held most summers since 2013, was canceled last year as restaurants struggled financially with reduced capacity. Many customers turned to delivery or take out. But as COVID vaccination has picked up, diners been returning.
And Miller thinks many will be eager for a special evening again.
“Lexington will surely rejoice in the return to old favorites and new venues alike as nothing creates the community local restaurants provide,” she said in the release. “Lexington Restaurant Week gives us an excellent opportunity to venture out, try new places, sample creative specials and show support.”
Lexington restaurants will offer fixed-price special three-course menus. According to Miller, up to 60 restaurants are expected to be officially involved.
This year, there will be a three price points, according to the release. Restaurants will offer specials for $19, $29 or $39 per person, some for lunch and some for dinner.
The 2019 Lexington Restaurant Week featured some restaurants doing lunch and dinner.
The web site LexingtonRestaurantWeek.com will post menus as they are released by participating restaurants.
And the event will benefit the local arts community, with $2 from each special going to six LexArts organizations: The Carnegie Center, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, Lexington Arts League, Lexington Children’s Theater, Lexington Philharmonic and Living Arts and Science Center.
Miller said in the announcement that she is optimistic restaurants will be back to full capacity and fully staffed by the end of July.
“These hard working, enterprising restaurateurs are climbing back – with a little more time and a lot of us encouraging vaccinations, we hope to hit the governor’s goal of 2.5 million vaccinated by late summer,” Miller said. “I believe our restaurants will be ready for a big celebration by our start date of July 22.”
